The Moth Catcher by Ann Cleeves Read Free Book Online Page B

yet.’
    ‘I suppose that could be true. If he had an ecology degree.’ But Vera thought the request lay at the heart of the case. They needed to know exactly what had brought Randle north.
    ‘I’ve spoken to the mother.’ Joe’s voice was sombre. He was a great family man, a bit too soft-hearted for a policeman, in Vera’s opinion; but then she thought Holly was heartless, so perhaps she was never pleased.
    ‘And?’
    ‘She’s older than I was expecting, in her late sixties. She said Patrick came when she’d given up having another child. He read directly from his notes. “But not an afterthought – a consolation.”’
    ‘I thought he was an only son.’ Charlie looked up from his sandwich.
    Vera gave a slow clap of her hands. ‘So you’re awake after all. And listening! I was wondering.’
    ‘There was another boy,’ Joe said. ‘Simon. He’d have been nineteen years older than Patrick. Apparently he committed suicide. When he was a student.’
    ‘Oh,’ Vera was moved almost to tears. ‘The poor woman.’
    ‘Patrick did his first degree in York and his Masters and his PhD in Exeter.’
    ‘Not one of the posh ones then?’
    ‘Posh enough,’ Joe said. ‘Apparently. I asked Sal. She’s already been reading up on unis. We’ve got high hopes for our Jess.’ There was a moment of silence and Joe looked up at Vera. ‘The mother would like to come up to view the body.’
    ‘Oh,’ Vera said again. She thought that would be a job for Joe. He was good at all the touchy-feely stuff and he’d know how to handle it. Though maybe Holly needed the practice. ‘Well, I suppose that saves us having to make the trek down to chat to her.’
    Vera perched on a desk, her fat legs swinging. She was wearing square lace-up shoes and her feet banged against the table leg. She was aware that the team was waiting for her to speak. ‘So we’re starting to build up a picture of the youngest victim, but we still don’t know anything about the older man.’
    Joe stood up. She realized he wanted them all to take notice of him, and that wasn’t like Joe. He waited until he had their full attention before he spoke. ‘We know where he was yesterday morning.’
    Vera turned slowly to face him. She stopped her legs from swinging. ‘And where was that?’
    ‘Kimmerston Front Street. A BBC
Look North
reporter was canvassing opinion about immigration from the EU, and our second victim was one of the people stopped.’
    ‘And you know this how, Joe?’
    ‘I saw him on breakfast telly and called the BBC in Newcastle as soon as I got in. The reporter isn’t at his desk yet, but they could tell me where the film was made.’ Joe tried not to grin.
    Vera began to chuckle. ‘You spawny git, Joe Ashworth. Better to be lucky than to be smart any time. I don’t suppose the reporter asked for his name?’
    ‘I don’t know yet, but I’ll soon find out.’

Chapter Eight
     
    Back at his desk, Joe called the BBC in Newcastle and was put through to the reporter, who sounded older and more experienced than he’d looked on the screen.
    ‘So you’re saying that one of the guys I interviewed was the victim in the Gilswick double-murder?’ In his head the man would be imagining a spot on the national television news. Fame at last.
    ‘That’s not information that we’d like to make public at this point. Not until we can be sure of his identification, and his family have been informed.’
    ‘Of course.’ So the man was responsible at least. He knew he’d still be able to use the clip, once they gave permission, and he’d get credited then.
    Joe took a deep breath. ‘Did you take his name?’
    ‘I didn’t get a chance. I don’t like to hassle people and I wouldn’t have spoken to him, but he walked straight towards me on the pavement. I thought he must be interested in getting his face on the TV, and most of the punters I’d spoken to were younger, so he’d be a good contrast. Maybe bring a different perspective. That