STORM LOG-0505: A Gripping, Supernatural Crime Thriller (The First Detective Deans Novel) by James D Mortain Read Free Book Online Page A

He had lost count of the number of burglaries he had attended over the years that also involved the vehicles being taken because the keys were readily available.
    ‘Okay, Mrs Poole, I think I’ve troubled you enough for tonight. Thank you for your help. Would you mind if I contact you again in the morning, please?’
    ‘No. That is absolutely fine. We’re returning home very early tomorrow morning, but you can still contact me in the night if you hear anything.’
    ‘I’m very grateful.’ He paused. ‘Have you managed to get any rest yourself, Mrs Poole?’
    ‘Oh, I shall probably fall asleep at some point later. It will no doubt sound rather silly to you, but I don’t want to sleep, in case Amy tries to call me. I wouldn’t want to miss her.’
    ‘That doesn’t sound silly at all. I understand.’
    Deans pictured Mrs Poole waiting beside the phone, longing for it to ring. It would be a scene of utter torture.
    ‘Well, goodnight, Mrs Poole.’
    ‘Goodnight. And thank you for everything you’re doing to find my little girl.’
    ‘You are most welcome, Mrs Poole. Take care.’
    Deans replaced the receiver gently, kept his hand on the phone and stared right through it.
    He blinked and broke away. Despite the late hour, Deans made a coffee. He did not need caffeine. It was part of working long and late shifts.
    He pulled on a pair of blue vinyl gloves and removed Amy’s diary from the forensic bag. He was being cautious – could not afford any cross-contamination if this exhibit was required for analysis at some point in the future.
    The diary was the current year, too large for a pocket, but just right for a handbag. He took a long gulp from his mug and stared at the plain purple cover before opening it up.
    Seeking out the current date, he flicked the pages back to the week Amy disappeared. He was in luck – there were entries. Friday showed M&D with an arrow passing through Saturday and into Sunday – Mum and Dad, presumably. Saturday also showed Scotty .
    He made a note and looked at the other entries. Wednesday showed Carl Rugby and there were other references to university, he guessed. Deans continued looking backwards through the pages; more references to Carl, and another that puzzled him; DM , shown several times that month, the most recent being Saturday 27th of September, between two and three p.m.
    He pondered the initials as he emptied his mug, and followed the DM trail back to the middle of summer where it appeared to start. He checked his notes. There had been eleven DMs – mostly, but not exclusively at weekends.
    ‘DM,’ Deans breathed.
    There were two impending DMs, one next Saturday, and the Saturday after. He chewed his lip and glanced at the clock.
    ‘Shit,’ he shouted. He had not realised the time, and he had not contacted his wife to say he would be home late. He hoped she would understand, and understand again tomorrow.

Chapter 9
    Amy had the best of both worlds. She was a student living away from home, enjoying the independence that brought, but also close enough to be able to drive home and back in a weekend. So many of her university friends were less fortunate.
    She had called Mum the previous Wednesday night for their usual midweek catch-up and mentioned that she would be down again at the weekend.
    The North Devon coastline had been a fantastic place for a child’s upbringing. Some of Amy’s friends found it all a bit too boring, but from a young age, she had taken advantage of the environment and had become a competent surfer. It was during those early teen years that she first became close to Scotty. He was the same age and lived nearby. They would meet up most days, and more often than not, would end up on the beach. The more time they spent in each other’s company, the more they wanted to be together, and it was not long before their friendship grew into a closer bond that developed further with age and intimacy. By the time they were young adults they both