Page 13 of The Truth Will Out
Sam winked, and she shoved Bob in the back to get moving. “If we’re not back by six, pack up and go home, folks.”
The time was three-thirty.
“Are you kidding me? How long do you think this is going to take us?” Bob asked as they raced down the stairs.
“It depends on how long it’s going to take us to get there and back. You know what the traffic can be like at this time of day.”
“I suppose you’re right. I never really thought about it. The traffic seems to be getting worse around Workington.”
“Damn roadworks are a pain in the rear.”
When Sam drew up,she found the surgery car park half-empty. “This seems promising. It shouldn’t be too busy in there. I’m assuming most of these cars belong to the staff.”
“Possibly. We’ll soon find out.”
Bob opened the door for Sam, and she muttered, “Creep,” as she passed.
“Charming, and I thought I was being the perfect gentleman, for a change.”
“You said it… for a change.”
“You can go off people, you know, whether you’re my boss or not.”
Sam ignored him and approached the receptionist, who had looked up from her work when they entered. The waiting room was empty.
“Hello, can I help you?”
Sam produced her ID. “I’m Detective Inspector Sam Cobbs. Is it possible to speak to the person in charge? Would that be the practice manager?”
“Yes. Umm… Ruth is in with Doctor Hagan at the moment.”
“Could I interrupt their meeting?” Sam pushed.
“Ah, I’m not sure. It depends on why you want to see her.”
“It’s regarding Doctor Morgan.”
“Oh, I see. Let me check with them. Take a seat. I won’t be long.” The receptionist jogged up the short corridor and knocked on the nearest door. After an authoritative voice summoned her, she dipped her head into the room. She returned with an older, officious-looking woman in her fifties. “This is Ruth Webb, the practice manager.” The receptionist went back to her post but kept an ear open on what was being said.
Sam showed her ID and introduced herself and Bob. “Is there somewhere we can chat privately?”
“This is most unusual—to get a visit from the police. However, in the circumstances, please come with me to my office.”
Sam and Bob followed her to a room off the reception area. She invited them to take a seat once she’d removed a pile of files from one of the chairs.
“Excuse the mess. Because of what’s happened, I’m a little behind on my day-to-day paperwork.”
Sam smiled to put her at ease, then admitted, “I know that feeling. Please, you seem on edge. We’re not here to interrogate you.”
Ruth shook out her arms. “May I ask why you are here then?”
“We have some bad news to share with you.”
Ruth’s hands immediately slapped her cheeks. “No, please don’t tell me Robert is dead?”
Sam gave a brief nod. “I’m sorry, he is.”
“Shit! We were hoping this was all a mistake, that he’d taken himself off somewhere to clear his head, and now you’re telling me he’s not coming back. Oh God. I can’t believe this. Does Melinda know? Of course she does. You wouldn’t tell us before you’d broken the news to her, would you? Oh, that poor woman. I bet she’s beside herself. I need to give her a call to see if we can do anything to help her.”
