Page 33 of The Truth Will Out
“Maybe I’m still in shock. I’m also annoyed that Claire felt the need to go behind my back.”
“Maybe she wanted to feel more appreciated. To be honest, she’s been sat behind her desk for years, rarely getting out there to deal with any real police work.”
“You think? The thought never even crossed my mind. Her skills were needed here; she was a whiz on the computer. I considered her to be a valued member of our team. She’d never let me down in the past. Right now, I feel she turned her back on me, and that’s what got her killed.”
“You’re wrong. My take on it is that she wanted to prove herself, and with the information to hand, she went for it.”
“In that case, she was a damn fool. More to the point, why the fuck did the killer contact her in the first place, instead of me?”
Bob’s mouth twisted as he thought. “You’ve got me there.”
Sam left the conversation because, by now, her blood was searing through her veins. She closed the office door behind her and rested her head back against it.
Why, Claire? Why did you go behind my back, our backs, like this?
Sam continued to her desk and completed her morning chore.
Bob knocked on the door half an hour later. He stuck his head in and said quietly, “You asked me to tell you when the rest of the team got here.”
“Thanks. I’m coming now.”
He stepped into the room. “Are we all right?”
“We? As in, you and me?”
“Yes. Only you stormed off before, and I thought I’d upset you.”
“No more than usual.” She smiled. “Sorry if it came across like that, mate. No, I’m angry about being deceived by Claire. I have no idea what we’re about to uncover or why the killer chose to contact her directly.”
Bob fell silent.
Sam knew when he had something on his mind. “Come on, what are you keeping from me?”
“Nothing. Umm… I think you should tell the team before they get stuck into their tasks for the day.” He left the room.
Sam frowned. He seemed as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. Why?
Am I such an ogre that my team can’t open up to me? What am I doing wrong?
She stretched out the knots in her back and ran a comb through her hair. Then she left the office to break the unwanted news. It was then that it hit her. She hadn’t told Scott yet.
What the fuck is wrong with me?
She decided another ten minutes wouldn’t hurt and braved telling the rest of the team first.
She entered the outer office, and Bob clapped to gain everyone’s attention.
“Gather around, folks. There’s been a development in the investigation overnight.”
Nick raised his hand. “Sorry to interrupt, ma’am, but shouldn’t we wait for Claire to arrive?”
Sam shook her head and inhaled a deep breath. “Umm… we’re going to have to solve this case, and future cases, without her.”
The other members of the team looked at each other, their brows furrowed, all of them perplexed.
“Are you all right?” Bob asked.
Sam swallowed down the lump that had appeared in her throat. “I will be. I’m sorry, team, this is the hardest thing I’ve ever had totell you. Last night… our friend and colleague, Claire, was murdered.”
