Condemned, R.C. Bridgestock [most romantic novels TXT] 📗

old codger to be able to take the full impact of a car being driven at him at speed, and survive it. He’s getting there.’

‘Wherever there is,’ said Annie.

Charley nodded. ‘Yes, wherever there is,’ she muttered, slowing down as they approached Crownest. At the sight of the owner, Joe Greenwood, standing by the gate, she pulled over, and stopped the car in front of him.

The appearance of the demolition site immediately told the Detective Inspector that the contractors had been very busy since her last visit. However, she was pleased to see everyone standing away from the building, presumably at the request of the police operator after the three nines call.

Young Finn was standing with his hands in his pockets. He kicked the ground with the metal toecap on his work boots, but as occupied and solemn as he looked, he managed to raise a tight smile and a hand in greeting to her from where he stood, with the rest of the bemused-looking workers, behind the perimeter fence.

Joe Greenwood’s face was the pale colour of the Yorkshire stone as he shook Charley’s hand. Was it the cold that made him shake, she wondered. Perhaps shock, or was it something else that had unnerved him?

‘I’m ever so glad you’re here. Mr Thomas is on his way, and he’s mad. In fact…’ Joe Greenwood looked up and down the road. He turned his back on the workers so he could continue unheard. ‘If he carries out his threat, we’ll be off site today, and the rest…’

Charley frowned. ‘Who?’

‘Mr Thomas, the owner of JT Developments. The owner of this place… James.’

‘Why would he sack you, Mr Greenwood?’

‘Ah well, he suggested I get rid of the bones. According to him nobody would be any the wiser, but I told him I couldn’t do that, and now all hell’s been let loose because I ignored him and called you lot out.’

At that moment Charley heard the roar of an approaching vehicle. The thrum told her it had a powerful engine. When a white Lamborghini pulled alongside the outer dry-stone wall, she wasn’t especially surprised to see an angry-looking man in the driving seat. However, what did startle her was the marked police car that pulled up directly behind him – she hadn’t requested back-up.

If the traffic police had wanted to speak to the driver of the Lamborghini when the red-faced driver jumped out of the car, they took their time to follow. There was no doubt in Charley’s mind that they were admiring the sports car. That was until threats began to be made from an irate Mr Thomas towards Joe Greenwood, which resulted in their quick attendance.

Despite his gesticulating, Charley’s focus was immediately taken with Mr Thomas’s clothes. He was dressed in a three-piece, well-cut suit.

‘Are you in charge of this circus?’ Mr Thomas spat at Charley, who was desperately trying hard not to bring his attention to the muddy puddle that he was standing in, and that was about to ruin his expensive-looking leather shoes.

When Mr Thomas got no immediate reaction from the Detective Inspector, he ran his fingers through his hair, lowered his voice, and flapped his hands at her patronizingly, ‘I’m sure it would be of benefit to us all if he just gets rid. Do you get my drift, darling? You probably don’t realise this, but for every hour these clowns are standing still, it costs me and my business thousands. Thousands.’ He brushed aside his floppy blonde fringe again. Charley was just about to introduce herself and Annie, when he started again. ‘What with the snow, and now this, it’ll be spring before we know it.’ James lowered his voice for a second time, and turned away from the crowd. ‘I’ve been there, I come from working stock, I grew up hand to mouth, and I know some of these guys desperately need the money.’ James turned to Joe. ‘You know me, I’m a generous man, you got a good deal for the contract, enabling you to give your men a good day’s pay for a good day’s work; tell her, Joe?’

As one of the uniformed traffic officers reached to lay his hand on Mr Thomas’s elbow, Charley stepped forward. ‘I understand you’ve been informed that human remains have been discovered, Mr Thomas. Mr Greenwood made the right decision to call us, and now, in my capacity as head of CID, I have a duty to investigate. That’s what will be of benefit to us all, which is I’m sure what you meant to say.’

The owner of JT Developments looked as if he was about to burst. ‘Tell me. How long is this, this nonsense going to take?’

Charley found herself bristling. ‘How long is a piece of string?’

Thomas clenched his fists. His face twisted, ugly in anger. ‘Oh, come on, give me a break.’

‘Once I know what I’m dealing with, I promise that you’ll be the first to know. Now, if you’ll allow me to get on with my job, the quicker I get started, the quicker I’ll be able to make a decision as to the way forward.’

Charley took a step towards the house. Thomas huffed and puffed. ‘Then I’m coming with you. As the owner, I have my rights!’

‘You may own the place, but it’s a potential crime scene, and, as I’m sure you will understand, the best chance of solving this mystery is to keep the place as sterile as humanly possible. For now, everyone is required to stay off site,’ she said, indicating to the workers looking on, ‘and that, of course, includes you.’

With that, Charley dismissed Mr Thomas by turning her head towards Joe Greenwood. Together they walked with Annie towards the big house’s imposing front door. ‘I assume it’s structurally safe to go in?’ Charley asked.

Hands on his hips, Joe stopped and craned his head to look up to the tallest of the burnt rafters above. ‘For now,’ as he offered Charley and Annie a hard hat each. ‘Health and safety requires