The Two Towns (The Lakeland Murders) by J. J. Salkeld Read Free Book Online

another printout across the desk. This time Hall only read it once. A second time would just have been too depressing.
    ‘Another model citizen’ he said, dryly. ‘Sally must be very proud.’
    ‘I wonder what Pete wanted from his brother?’
    ‘Indeed. Have you handed the stuff over to tech support yet?’
    ‘No. They’re not in until nine, apparently. Why?’
    ‘If it’s not too much trouble, would you mind having a quick look and seeing how many times Pete has called and texted, over the last three months say? Maybe he often sends texts like these.’
    ‘Will do. It shouldn’t take long.’
    ‘Great. And I tell you what, why not show Ray what you’ve got when he rolls in, and then both of you come and talk it through with me, OK?’
    ‘Fine.’ Jane felt as if she’d been put in her place, gently, but firmly. Perhaps Andy Hall was a bit more of a conformist than she’d imagined.
    ‘And how are you getting on with the Clark file?’ he asked.
    ‘I’m going round there tonight, after work. I’ll just do what you suggested. Introduce myself, and tell him that I’m doing the review. Try to get to know the bloke a bit.’
    ‘Are you going on your own?’
    ‘Yes. Why not? I’m not after anything of any evidential value.’
    ‘We both think that he killed his wife though, Jane. We need to assess the risks.’
    ‘I don’t want to take anyone else. Not even another female officer.’
    Hall put down his mug, and looked at it, as if trying to read something in the tea-leaves. He’d have a job, thought Jane, unless his teabag had burst.
    ‘All right, go on your own. But I want you to phone me before you go in, and again when you come out. If I don’t receive the second call within twenty minutes I will send in the cavalry.’
    ‘Yes, I will call you.’
    ‘Good. Well, thanks for the tea, and come and see me again as soon as you’ve briefed Ray. You’re concerned about this lad, aren’t you?’
    ‘I am, and I know that Ray is too.’
    ‘Well that makes three of us. Uniform have really put their backs into this one for us already, and they’ve turned up nothing so far. And when people act in a way that’s so out of character, even if they’re fourteen, then I do start to worry.’
    ‘Maybe especially if they’re fourteen, boss.’
     
    Ray Dixon didn’t seem to mind at all that Jane had done so much of the leg-work, and he read everything that she gave him carefully, while he sipped the tea that she had made for him.
    ‘Come on, let’s go and see the boss. He’s not going to like this at all.’
    And Dixon was right. Hall closed his laptop as soon as they came in, and the three of them sat at his meeting table. As Jane spoke she could feel the intensity of Hall’s gaze, and sensed his complete concentration on what she was saying.
    ‘So Pete hardly ever texts the lad, and when he does it’s to tell him to pick up chips or a Chinese on the way home from school?’
    ‘That’s about it, Andy, yes.’
    ‘Shit. This just keeps getting worse. Right, unless either of you have got any better ideas I think we talk to all of the Graham clan, and especially young Pete, and we do it now. Do you two need any time for further enquiries, or shall we have him picked up immediately?’
    ‘Now, boss’ said Dixon, before Jane could speak. ‘Let’s see what he’s got to say for himself about these calls and texts.’
    ‘Who would you like to interview with you, Ray?’
    ‘Jane, boss. It’s her hard work that’s got us here so fast, after all.’
    ‘Absolutely right. OK, Ray, get uniform to do the necessary. Keep it as low key as they can, though Sally will scream the place down as per usual, I don’t doubt.’
    ‘You want her brought in too?’
    ‘No, not unless they have to nick her anyway, which has to be an each way bet I suppose. But ask uniform to be as tolerant as they can. She’d just confuse the issue I expect. Anyway, let’s meet again when you’ve interviewed the lad. I don’t