Page 30 of The Truth Will Out
“I can’t really say. I hadn’t noticed. I’ve been too wrapped up in the case. But if you think that, then it must be true.”
Sam glanced over her shoulder at Claire’s body and ran a hand around her face. “Not necessarily. Maybe it’s me clutching at straws because there is nothing else for me to cling on to. Have you had a chance to look around yet? Do we know where she entered the water?”
Bob waved at a tech who was trying to get their attention on the slipway. “I was about to tell you that Paul has that in hand. I think our luck is in.”
“What are we waiting for?”
They jogged over to the tech. “What have you found, mate?” Bob asked.
“Evidence of blood. Most of it has been washed away, presumably by the tide when it came in.”
“Seems like a possible spot. Sam crouched for a closer inspection of the area. She saw the blood in the cracks, and tears misted her vision. “What did the bastard do to her?”
“We won’t know that until Des has completed the PM,” Bob admitted. “Hard to consider her being out here alone. What time did she get here? Why didn’t she call one of us?”
“I’m probably to blame for her not doing that. I told her I was going out on a date night with Rhys.”
“That’s no excuse; she could have rung me. The fact is, she didn’t. I know we don’t want to consider the possibility of her being a bent copper, but the proof is mounting against her, Sam.”
“I know,” she reluctantly admitted. Sam was about to stand; however, something shiny caught her eye. She pointed at the object tucked away under a plank on the edge of the slipway. Not having any protective gloves on, she asked the tech, “Can you get that?”
He walked towards the plank and eased it aside. “It’s a USB stick.”
“What?” Sam rushed over to have a look for herself. “I wonder if Claire saw it before the person attacked her. Did the killer lead her to this specific spot? Tempt her with the idea of handing over the stick?”
“That’s doesn’t make sense,” Bob said. “Why would the killer leave it here?”
“There’s only one way to find out. We’ll drop it over to the lab on our way back to the station.”
“Let me bag it for you and make a note that you’re taking it,” Paul said.
“What’s going on here?” Des joined them.
“We found a USB stick and clear signs of blood,” Sam replied. “We’re assuming that Claire was searching for the item and someone was watching her, possibly clobbering her over the head before she could retrieve the stick.”
He nodded. “I’ve had a chance to quickly examine her body. I was coming over here to tell you that she has a gaping wound on the back of her head.”
The rage built inside Sam. “So, what are we saying? That she was knocked out and then dumped into the harbour, left to drown in that filthy, disgusting water?”
“Possibly. I wouldn’t like to commit to anything just yet,” Des replied.
“I’ve seen enough. We’re going to head off to the station. I need to see what she was working on last night. Something brought her to this location. It’s nowhere near her home, so a walk after work to wind down wasn’t on the agenda. We’ll drop the USB stick off at the lab on our way.”
“You do that. There should be someone there to assist you. If you want, I can give them a call and ask them to examine it while you’re there.”
“That would be great. I didn’t want to suggest it in case your team are snowed under.”
“We’re always overworked, but I get the feeling the information on that thing might be essential to your investigation.”
Sam laid her hand on his arm. “Thank you. From the bottom of my heart.”
“You’re welcome. I don’t do sentimental offerings, so get out of here.”
Fifteen minutes later,Bob drew up behind her in the lab car park. They entered the building together, and the tech, who was there to welcome them, invited them into his office.
“Right, let’s see what we have for you,” Mick said.
Sam and Bob remained silent and watched him work. He downloaded the information onto a file on the computer.
