Indefensible (DI Sara Ramsey Book 12), M Comley [world of reading TXT] 📗

gasped. “Not guilty, I never run you down, not to Carla or anyone else come to that.”

“Hey, you really have lost your sense of humour today, haven’t you?”

Sara turned her back and murmured, “Wouldn’t you?”

She walked into the incident room to the applause of her team. She waved the attention away, not exactly overjoyed at how things had developed since her return. “Okay, guys, we have him in custody. While that’s brilliant, we need to concentrate our efforts on trying to find out where Carla is. I hate to say this, but I’m going to have to voice my fears. There’s every chance we could be looking at a recovery mission. Carla might be dead.”

The room fell silent until Marissa tentatively said, “We shouldn’t think that way, boss, it’s not going to help our cause if we do.”

“I know. I’m only trying to be realistic. Let’s team up. Craig, get the CCTV footage from all the cameras in the area where he was caught. Between us, we need to trace every step he made since leaving the hospital when he abducted her. Christine, I’ll work with you, but first, I need a good dose of caffeine, anyone want to join me?”

They all raised their hands and Christine helped to distribute the cups. “How are you doing?” Christine whispered once they were seated back at her desk.

“Surprisingly well. My heart hurts and I can’t shut off thinking something serious has happened to Carla, but I’m also aware how imperative it is to believe she could be safe and well out there.”

“That’s the spirit. Keep thinking the latter.”

“I’m going to do my very best.”

It was several hours before DCI Price and DI Williams rejoined the team. “Can I get you both a coffee?” Sara asked, trying to mend some invisible barriers that had been erected since each of them last spoke.

“Thanks, I think we’d both welcome that, Inspector,” Carol said. She sank into a nearby chair and said nothing further until Sara had handed her a cup.

“Black for me, no sugar,” Williams eventually said.

Sara collected his coffee and placed it on the desk beside the good-looking newcomer. She took up her place close to the chief and asked, “How did it go?”

“Quite well. He was talkative, full of remorse. Not how I expected the interview to go at all.” The chief blew on her coffee and took a sip. “After having a brief discussion, once the suspect was returned to his cell, we’ve come to the conclusion that he didn’t abduct Carla.”

Sara stared at the chief. “What? I can’t believe he’s managed to pull the wool over your eyes. Let me interview the bastard. I’ll force it out of him if I bloody have to.”

“Stop it! Just calm down, Sara, for God’s sake. We’ve been over and over it with him. I believe he’s being honest with us when he tells us that he doesn’t know where she is,” Carol insisted.

“That’s utter bullshit. He was at the scene when she went missing, you don’t have to be Einstein to figure out what happened. Don’t let him dupe you like this, ma’am, please, for Carla’s sake.”

“I’ve warned you to calm down, Sara, either that or I’ll send you home. You’re being disruptive to the investigation and I won’t stand for it, do you hear me?”

“Wh… what? Are you serious?” Sara slapped her arms against her thighs and walked into her office where she stood against the door and let the tears of frustration spill. “Jesus! What can I bloody do to make them see sense?”

Carla, if you can hear me, I won’t let you down. I’ll work day and night to get you back, I swear I will.

The chief and the rest of the team had the sense to leave Sara to dwell in her own self-pity for the next ten minutes. Tears all dried up, she took a cursory look through her post and decided to leave it for another day when she would be in a better frame of mind to deal with it. She rang Mark, needing to hear a friendly voice. “Hi, can you talk?”

“Of course. Hey, you sound down in the dumps. What’s up, darling?”

“I’m not feeling my best, it’s been a super crappy day.”

“Sorry to hear that. Anything I can do to make things better for you?”

“I wish. Umm… I wasn’t going to tell you this, but Carla was abducted this morning.”

“Jesus… Bloody hell, I don’t know what to say, sweetheart. Who took her, do you know?”

“We have a rough idea. We’ve caught the bastard, but frustratingly he’s denying it. I’m not allowed near the suspect because of protocol. Five minutes in a sodding room with me and I’d force the information out of him.”

“That’s so wrong. You should be able to question him, you have that right, don’t you?”

“No. Because Carla is my partner, there would be a conflict of interest. I’m bereft, just hanging around here, not knowing what to do next. I know everyone says this when a partner is no longer beside them, but I honestly feel like my right arm has been cut off.”

“I’m sorry, it must be hard for you. I hope she’s safe. Can’t you torture the bastard to get the information out of him?”

“Sadly not. As much as I’d like to set up a rack and other equipment of that ilk, it’s against the law.”

“Ah, right, silly me.”

“Don’t worry, we’ll sort it, eventually. I just needed to hear your voice. I feel a whole lot better now, love. Thank you.”

“Sara, I’m always here for you, you know that.”

Her heart fluttered. “I know, that’s why I fell in love with you.”

“Don’t you ever forget how much I love you.”

“I won’t. I’d better get back to it now. I’m feeling more energised at least, ready to go into battle again for the umpteenth time today.”

“Stay positive, my brave little warrior. I’ll say a silent prayer for Carla and hope she comes back to us soon. See you later. Ring me if