A Wreath for my Sister by Priscilla Masters Read Free Book Online Page B

talk about. We had an affair. You’re married. You have a daughter.’
    His eyes could turn different shades of green. She had noticed this before. Emotion changed their colour, whether it was anger or love. And sometimes it was simple lust.
    â€˜You never gave me a chance to explain anything,’ he said.
    She looked at him with the faintest tinge of irritation. ‘What the hell is there to explain? It’s the oldest story in the book. Married man meets single woman. They make sparks in bed. He goes home, which is where he belongs.’ She stopped. ‘Look, Matthew, I don’t know whether you loved me or not. In a way it’s irrelevant. You’re married to Jane. Still. Please, don’t insult my intelligence or integrity. I don’t mind but I do like to know where I stand.’
    Matthew had a habit when he was ruffled of running his fingers through his short blond hair, making it stick up. He did it now and gave a short, rueful laugh.
    â€˜You’re a very determined person, Jo,’ he said quietly. ‘But I think you’ve misunderstood me completely. And that’s what I want to talk about.’
    They had arrived at the mortuary. She opened the car door. ‘Will you ring the Coroner or shall I?’
    â€˜You can,’ he said. Then he surprised her by leaning across and giving her a soft kiss on the cheek.
    â€˜What was that for?’
    â€˜For being brave.’ He laughed. ‘I know you hate PMs. Now come on, let’s see what mysteries the morgue throws up.’
    An hour later Matthew was washing his hands. ‘Well,’ he said. ‘A nasty way of killing someone, especially after a pretty violent rape.’ He stopped. ‘Her underwear was removed. She was obviously dressed up. For a date, maybe. If so it was a cheap date. Despite the glamorous dress’ – he indicated the sodden pile of red material the mortician had cut off the body – ‘the stomach contents show a small amount of cider. Nothing more. No food. I think initially she might even have agreed to intercourse.’
    â€˜Not technically a rape, then?’
    â€˜Perhaps technically he had her consent. But he didn’t have her consent to the rest. The lovemaking became increasingly violent. There was a lot of bruising. And it culminated in this.’
    He fingered the wire ligature, cut carefully to preserve the length of broom handle twisted into it. ‘It’ll have to be sent off with all the other samples. I’ll keep the knot, but I suppose you want some of the cable.’
    She nodded. ‘It’ll be important for the investigation.’
    â€˜Of course the real prize is the semen.’ He dried his hands on the hospital towel. ‘Find me a suspect, Jo, and I’ll prove it was him.’ He stopped. ‘It’ll be a cut-and-dried case thanks to DNA profiling.’
    â€˜That and the rest of the evidence,’ she said. ‘But if only it was so easy. Unfortunately I’m already picking out the defence. “We made love, Your Honour ... I wasn’t the one wot killed her. She was beggin’ for it.’”
    â€˜You’re wasted in the force, Jo. You should have been an actress.’ He narrowed his eyes. ‘I can just see him now.’
    â€˜Then perhaps, Dr Levin,’ she said, ‘you’d do me the courtesy of telling me who it was.’ She glanced back at the slab. ‘Anything more?’
    â€˜I only wish there was because he’s a dangerous character, Jo,’ Matthew warned. ‘Turned on by sex and violence. Be careful.’
    â€˜I’ve always got Mike near by.’
    â€˜Make sure you have.’
    He dried his hands on a paper towel. ‘Now, how about lunch?’
    She shook her head. ‘Absolutely not. Report to Colclough then a visit to forty-five Jubilee Road.’ She held out her hand. ‘Bye.’
    It was the turn of the two older children to be