Page 10 of The Truth Will Out
“That’s over and done with now. We have a killer to catch.”
They jumped back into their respective cars just as the rain started.
“How’s that for timing, hey, little one? Shall we go and see what Auntie Doreen is up to?”
Tilly yawned. Sam sensed she had just woken her up. She was happy being in the car as long as she was with Sam.
Doreen was excitedto see them, and Tilly was just as enthusiastic to see her. Her neighbour had also spent a fortune on toys to keep the pup happy during the day.
“Have many survived?” Sam asked.
“A few. Gosh, even the supposedly indestructible toys haven’t stood the test of time.”
“I’ll replace them for you at the end of the month.”
“You’ll do no such thing. It’s human company she’s craving. I’m sure she’ll settle down in a few weeks. Bless her, we don’t know much about her past. It’ll take her a while to get used to a proper routine. Did you enjoy your time at Coniston?”
“We did. We were chilling in the sun over there until Bob rang me. I’ve been at work for the last couple of hours.”
“What? Sam, you really need to tell them no now and again and be firm about it. You rarely get time off as it is.”
“I know. I don’t mind, especially when I have another murder case that needs solving.”
“My, oh my. What is the world coming to? Until I met you, I never realised how many murders there were in this area. I hope you find the person responsible soon. Can you tell me who the victim is?”
“Doctor Robert Morgan. Without going into detail, he met a very gruesome death.”
Doreen stared at her and then slowly sank into her chair. “But… he’s my doctor.”
“Shit! Sorry, I shouldn’t have told you. Can I get you a glass of water?”
“No, it’s okay. Well, I never expected you to tell me that, Sam. How did he die? Or can’t you tell me?”
“I shouldn’t, but I know it won’t go any further. Sadly, the killer cut his heart out.”
“Did he have one? Oh gosh, I can’t believe I said that.”
Sam frowned and tilted her head. “What do you mean, Doreen?”
“I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but I don’t think that man had a sympathetic bone in his body.”
“What? Has he always been the same, or has he changed recently?”
“He’s always been a bit off with me as far back as I can remember.”
“Why didn’t you change doctors?”
“You’re right, I should’ve done, but I couldn’t be bothered. The surgery is the nearest one to me, and now that I can no longer drive, I stayed with them because it was convenient.”
“You should have said something. We could have worked around it. Blimey, patients have the right to be treated properly by their own doctor.”
“They do. I put up with it because of my age. I’ve never been one for causing problems.”
Sam sighed. “I can’t believe you’re telling me this. I hope his replacement treats you better. As soon as they take over, I want you to make an appointment and get a thorough checkup, you hear me?”
“I do and I will. Despite his ignorance and the way he treated people, he still shouldn’t have been killed. Fancy removing his heart.”
“I know. It didn’t make sense before, but now that you’ve told me what he was like towards you, it does. I think we have a lot of digging to do down at the surgery.”
