Page 25 of The Truth Will Out
“Ah, sorry to trouble you at this time of the morning, ma’am. I thought you would want to hear the news right away.”
“I’m listening. What news?”
“A body has been discovered in Whitehaven Harbour this morning.”
Sam glanced at Rhys, who was still fast asleep, his breathing slow and steady. Rather than disturb him, she threw back the quilt and finished her call in the en suite. “A body? Is this linked to the case I’m working on?”
“Umm… it is… Er, I’m sorry to have to inform you that it’s a member of your team.”
“What? Are you sure?” Sam’s first thought was that the woman at the control centre was talking about Bob. Her legs wobbled. She sat on the edge of the bath to hear the rest. “Is it my partner?”
“No, it’s Claire Owen, ma’am.”
“It can’t be. Not Claire. Are you sure?”
“Yes. Her warrant card was found on her person when the officers turned up to assess the scene. The pathologist is on his way.”
Sam’s head swirled with all types of scenarios she’d rather not have to consider at this time of day.
“Ma’am, are you still with me?”
“Sorry, yes. I’m still here. I’ll get dressed and attend the scene. Can you put in a call to Bob Jones and request that he joins me? Don’t tell him who the victim is. I’ll bring him up to date at the scene. It’s going to hit him hard, and I don’t want him to have an accident en route.”
“I understand. Are you okay, ma’am?”
“I don’t know. I’ll have a cold shower and let you know afterwards. I can’t believe this is happening. She was one of our best officers… I dread to think how the other team members will cope with this news. I’m not sure how I will either, once it sinks in. Shit! She was… one of my best officers,” Sam repeated, her voice trailing off at the end.
“With a great reputation at the station. She’ll be missed, ma’am.”
“How? How did she die? Did she fall and hit her head?”
“It wasn’t an accident. Her hands were bound. A gentleman out walking his dog found her floating in the water.”
“Shit! It gets worse. Okay, don’t tell me anything else. I’ll be there within half an hour. Thanks for the call.”
“You’re welcome. Do you need anything else from me?”
“I don’t think so.” Sam ran the shower and adjusted the dial to drop the temperature.
“Very well. I’m sorry for your loss. Please drive carefully.”
“I will. Thanks.” Sam ended the call, stripped off her PJs and stepped beneath the cool water. The shock took her breath away. Tipping her head back, she let the water pound her face as the thoughts ran through her mind.
How could this happen? I left her at the station. Did she find something out? Decide not to call me? Think she could handle the situation on her own?
She opened her eyes and slammed a fist into the wall, cracking one of the tiles in the process. She stared as the blood from the cutmixed with the water and surrounded her feet. Tears ran down her cheeks.
No, there has to be some kind of mistake. This can’t be true. Not Claire! She was such a loyal officer…
Sam wrapped a flannel around her wound and stepped out of the shower. She waited a few seconds for the blood to wash away before she turned off the water. She stood there, hair dripping, some of it clinging to her face, staring at her reflection.
How could this be happening? Not Claire. Did she uncover something vital that led her to the killer?
All of this was pure speculation for now. She had to get to the location and see for herself. Sam wrapped a towel around herself, dried her hair with another towel and entered the bedroom to find Rhys getting out of bed.
He stretched and yawned. “You’re up early.” He rubbed a hand over his stomach. “I’m still full from last night. Can I make you some breakfast before you go? Wait, have you been crying?” He crossed the room to hug her. “Sam, are you all right? Tell me what’s going on. It’s not your father, is it?”
“No. I need to sit down.”
