Out of Bounds by Val McDermid Read Free Book Online Page B

Scotland’s practice to do a DNA test as well. The results of that test are compared to the national DNA database—’
    Linda’s fingers fiddled restlessly. ‘I still don’t understand,’ she interrupted. ‘Are you trying to pin some crime on Ross? Because he’s not a criminal. He’s just young and daft.’ Her voice cracked. She was trying hard to convince herself, but deep down that was a battle she knew she’d already lost. ‘We did our best for him.’ Her fists clenched and her eyes glistened.
    ‘I’m sure you did. But it’s not Ross we’re interested in. The blood sample that was taken from Ross is an indirect match for an outstanding crime.’
    ‘What do you mean, “an indirect match”?’ Linda buttedin again. One of those who could never manage to wait for the explanation to finish, Karen thought. She bet Stewart Garvie never got to finish a thought uninterrupted. ‘What outstanding crime?’
    ‘I know it’s hard to get your head round, but the DNA tells us that a close male relative of Ross was involved in a case a long time ago, a case that we didn’t manage to solve at the time,’ Karen said.
    ‘But we still have the evidence,’ the Mint added, trying to be helpful.
    Linda shook her head. ‘You’ve come to the wrong place. Just because Ross did a bad thing, it doesn’t mean we’ve got anything to do with something that happened years ago.’
    Karen tried again. ‘There’s no arguing with the science, Mrs Garvie. There’s no doubt about what the DNA is telling us. But before we speak to your husband, I need to ask you a few questions.’
    ‘This is ridiculous,’ Linda protested, getting to her feet and reaching out to steady herself on the chair. The colour had left her face, emphasising the dark bruises under her eyes. ‘You’re barking up the wrong tree. My Stewart has nothing to do with any crime you’re trying to pin on him.’
    ‘Were you actually married to Mr Garvie twenty years ago?’ the Mint barged in again. ‘Only, if you weren’t, you won’t have any notion of what he might have been doing then.’ He caught Karen’s withering look. ‘I’m only saying.’
    ‘You’re not listening to me,’ Linda said, her voice rising. ‘I don’t care what your DNA says, this has got nothing to do with Stewart. Some detectives you are. Whoever did your crime, it wasn’t my husband. And you know how I can be so sure of that? Because Stewart isn’t Ross’s father.’

9
    K aren’sfirst thought was that Linda Garvie had apparently not always been quite so strait-laced. Had she had an affair? Or had she been a single mum when she married Stewart Garvie? She didn’t have long to wonder.
    ‘Ross was adopted. He came to us when he was five days old. We’re not his biological parents. Whoever your DNA connects to, it’s not Stewart.’ That explained why the boy in the photograph didn’t look like either of his parents. Linda had sounded almost triumphant. After a few days of everything going against her, she’d finally scored a point.
    Karen was taken aback. Suddenly what had seemed like a straightforward march to resolving a cold case had turned into a multilayered problem that she had no idea how to attack.
    For once, Jason got to the point ahead of her. ‘Where from?’ he asked.
    ‘What?’ Linda seemed distracted now.
    ‘Where did you get him from?’
    ‘Was it a private adoption or through a formal agency?’ Karen clarified.
    Linda’sface cleared. ‘It was a charity. I can give you the details. But I’m not sure if they still exist.’ She moved towards the door. ‘I’ll look them out, I know where they are.’
    ‘Before you do that, Mrs Garvie—’ Now Karen stood up too. ‘Do you know the name of Ross’s real father?’
    Linda’s eyes narrowed in a hostile glare. ‘Stewart’s his real father.’
    Karen was momentarily furious with herself for the kind of tactless misstep she’d have hammered Jason for. ‘I’m sorry. Of course. I meant his