Chapter 28
TWENTY-EIGHT
Morgan was consumed with reading the YouTube comments on Crystal Yolanda, Lynsey Williams’s last vlog when Cain and Stan barged in. Cain launched a cheese savoury sandwich at her, which she deftly caught despite not looking up.
‘Get you, that was a great catch. Remind me to sign you up for the next rounders match.’
This made her look him straight in the eye. ‘I’ve told you before, if you sign me up for that, I’ll take your head off with a rounders bat. I mean it, Cain.’
He laughed loudly. ‘Chill, Brookes, I know you’re allergic to exercise.’
‘Got a death wish today, Cain?’ She was smiling sweetly at him despite the threat.
He shook his head. ‘Not me, but Stan here has. He’s been very rude to me in the car, so it’s only by the grace of God that he’s still breathing.’
Morgan looked in Stan’s direction. He didn’t seem bothered by Cain. She wanted to talk through her ideas about Scotty, but not to these two. She’d have to wait until Ben got back.
The door flew open and in rushed Ben, pushing it shut behind him.
‘Is he here?’ He was breathing heavy.
‘Is who here?’ asked Morgan.
‘Bigfoot.’
Cain and Stan both groaned loudly, but Morgan had no idea what any of them were on about.
‘Bigfoot?’
He nodded, looked at the sandwich on her desk and picked it up, peeling the corner of it open. ‘Are you eating this, can I have half? I’m starving.’
‘Who is Bigfoot?’
‘Marc’s cover whilst he’s away, real pain in the arse. The only saving grace is he’s retiring in a few weeks, so hopefully it won’t be for long. He left before me, I thought he’d be here by now.’
‘Nobody has been in except for those two.’ She pointed at Cain and Stan.
‘Well, just keep your fists clenched, and your mouth shut, he’s very outspoken and it’s easier for us if we don’t argue with him too much.
If you have anything for me, tell me first, okay?
Don’t tell him because he’s not running this investigation no matter what he thinks.
He’s not coming in here and taking over like he has done with others in the past.’
The door opened and all four of them turned to stare at the guy who had to duck his head to get inside without hitting it on the frame. Ben stuffed half of the sandwich into his mouth.
‘So, this is where the infamous Rydal Falls supercops hangout then. Have to say, it’s not as glamorous as your reputation.’ He was staring directly at Morgan, who dead-eyed him, not saying a word.
‘DI John Wilde.’
Morgan realised this was purely for her benefit as the others all seemed to know him. She nodded. ‘Morgan Brookes.’
He strode towards her, holding out the biggest hand she’d ever seen, and she took it and shook, if brief but firm. It dwarfed her hand as he pumped hers up and down. Then he looked at Stan.
‘Has Ben told you the plan?’
‘No, boss, just got here myself.’
‘Right, well, Stan you can get on with searching those genealogy sites online, to see if there are any living relatives of the women who have been murdered. I want a full list, addresses, any info you can get on them.’
Ben added, ‘John said you’ve done this kind of thing before, so it would be much appreciated if you could lead with this one.’
‘Yeah, sure.’
John was still staring at Morgan. ‘And you’re on with the social media crap. How is that going?’
‘Not too well, there’s a lot of stuff to sift through.’
He was nodding. ‘Appreciate that, but anyone commenting who sounds a bit off?’
Morgan did her best not to roll her eyes at him. ‘Sir, most of the people commenting sound a bit off, but nobody that really stands out as yet.’
‘Well, keep going. It’s a thankless task, but you may find something, even if it’s just a tenuous link, let me know.’
He turned away from her, and she glared at Ben who shrugged an apology in her direction.
‘Briefing in twenty minutes. I want a full update on where we’re at and why we don’t have a suspect in the traps.’
He walked out, and Morgan watched as Ben’s shoulders drooped a little.
‘What the hell?’
‘I know, he’s an arse.’
Stan was logging on to the computer. ‘A complete arse. I’ve worked with him twice and each time he’s driven everyone insane.’
‘He has a point though,’ Cain said, and they all turned to stare at him. ‘I mean, maybe they do have some distant relative that’s a psychopath.’
Morgan stood up. ‘Boss, can I have a word?’ She strode towards his office and went inside. Ben followed, making sure the door was closed behind him.
‘Look, it’s not my fault he’s covering. We’re just going to have to suck it up and put up with him until Marc’s back.’
Morgan’s voice was low when she spoke. ‘It’s not about him, we can deal with him; we work with Marc, don’t we?’
‘Oh, what’s this about then?’
‘Scotty.’
‘What about him?’
‘I could be wrong, and I hope to God that I am because I’d hate to think I’m right.’
‘Morgan, I’m way past being stressed; in fact I’d say there’s a good chance I’m well on my way to an imminent nervous breakdown. What has he done now?’
She slowly released the breath she’d been holding. ‘I’m worried he’s involved.’
‘Enlighten me, please. I’m too tired to try and second guess what you’re trying to say.’
‘Scotty is, was, friends with all the Williams sisters. Knew their parents too.’
‘I know, poor bloke must be feeling terrible.’
‘What if he’s not? What if he’s the reason they’re all dead?’
Ben’s gaze fixed on hers then he began to shake his head.
‘Come on, I mean it’s a decent lead but you’re talking about Scotty.
He’s the laziest person I’ve ever met, laziest copper.
I mean I have no idea what he’s like outside of work.
How have you jumped to this conclusion, which I think is out there, even for you? ’
Her cheeks flared a deep red. She’d known Ben would object, but not to this level, and he had annoyed the hell out of her.
‘You told me to list everyone who had some kind of involvement and keep it between us, this is exactly what I’ve done, Ben.
You can’t deny it, Scotty was the one to have responded to the call outs for all the victims; what are the chances of him doing that for three murders?
To be first on scene, that’s just too convenient.
He shouted up for all three calls when they came in despite him spending the last few years avoiding most shouts.
I checked the log for the car accident that Mr and Mrs Williams died in, and he was first on scene for that too. ’
Ben sat down, his hand scrubbing the rough stubble on his face, and she knew she was stressing him out. ‘What’s his motive? Christ, I can’t believe we’re even discussing this, Morgan.’
She shrugged. ‘I haven’t worked that out yet, but I will. But being present at all crime scenes rules out any prints he could have mistakenly left behind, doesn’t it?’
‘Do you know the trouble this would cause if it got out, not least for Scotty, if he’s innocent and we’re accusing him of being a serial killer.’
She nodded. ‘I do, of course I do, and that’s why this conversation is private without an audience.’
‘I don’t see it; I really don’t. Isn’t he married with kids?’
She shrugged. ‘Yes, but when has that ever had anything to do with being a killer? A lot of them lead normal lives, have long-term partners and children. Look at the neighbours’ reactions when these monsters are caught.
They always say he was such a good guy, salt of the earth, would do anything for anyone. ’
‘But Scotty? It’s like saying Cain is a killer, but we know he’s not, he’s clumsy, loud, always hungry and probably one of the nicest guys I know. It doesn’t make sense to me; how much sense does it make to you? Be honest with me, Morgan.’
She sighed. ‘Not a lot, but it’s a huge coincidence. In fact, it is, it’s a massive one and I don’t like them.’
‘Maybe not, but I don’t want you talking about this with anyone else.’
‘Should I do some digging around?’
Ben looked at her then shook his head. ‘No, if we’re pointing fingers at cops because they attend crime scenes, what’s to stop someone pointing them at you or me? Unless you find a piece of evidence so blatantly obvious that screams he’s responsible, then forget about this.’
Morgan opened her mouth then closed it again.
‘Why are you backtracking, is it because of PSD hanging around or Bigfoot?’
She’d expected a bit of resistance but not this level.
He shook his head. ‘It’s complicated, Morgan.’
She shrugged, feeling more than a little awkward and annoyed at him. He’d been acting a bit weird since Declan had pointed out that she’d come back from New York without a ring on her finger, and she wasn’t sure what was going on with him.
‘Whatever you say, boss.’ Then she walked out of his office, furious with Ben’s attitude yet at the same time doubting herself.
Was she being stupid and making it fit because it suited her?
She had nothing against Scotty but it really, really bothered her that he was so involved.
There was a small possibility it could be any of the cops she worked with and not Scotty.
It just felt as if this could be an inside job, as only someone who worked in the station would have access to the files and know all the small details of each crime scene.
Had someone been watching them and using the information to carry out these heinous crimes?
She would just have to do some digging around on her own and see what she came up with.