Page 44 of The Truth Will Out
“How did he get here?”
“And more to the point, how did the killer?” Des added. “Hang on, is that something written on the fence over there?”
He pointed in the distance, but Sam’s eyesight was letting her down again. She walked towards it and was still quite a distance from the fence when Bob announced, “It’s the number three.”
“The third victim,” Sam muttered.
“Here’s the thing,” Bob started. He peered over his shoulder, making sure they were alone, then continued. “I recognise the name.”
“You do? How? Because of his job?”
“I remember reading it in the file. He was on the local authority board back when Pendle House was shut down. I stand corrected, but I think it was his signature on the redevelopment plans for the site.”
“What was erected in its place? Can you recall?”
Bob’s nod increased in tempo. “Luxury flats.”
“Say no more. I suggest backhanders were at play then. Hmm… convenient there’s no longer a site left for us to investigate.”
“Yep, very convenient.”
“The killer isn’t just targeting those involved. I believe they’re making a statement.”
“This sign, along with the others we’ve found, is written in blood.”
“They’re rewriting the past in blood,” Sam whispered. “Okay, you know what’s next?”
“We need to shoot over and break the news to the next of kin,” Bob said.
They leftthe scene after ensuring that the officers on site had taken down all the personal information from the builders, so that statements could be collected from them within the next few days.
“Another day, and another murder to add to the list. Bob, can you ring the station and put Nick on the case? Ask him to do the background checks on Weller. Let’s see what he’s been up to over the years, in case anything else rears its head.”
“On it now.” Bob issued the instructions to Nick and then ended the call. “All in hand. Nick wanted me to pass on his gratitude for trusting him with such an important task. He also wanted me to tell you that he won’t let you down.”
“I know he won’t. Hmm… maybe he’d be up for taking on Claire’s role in the team.”
“Good idea. I bet he wouldn’t mind that. Unless he was looking forward to getting his chance to be out there on the streets, getting stuck in and making the arrests.”
“I’ll have a word with him when we get back. I suppose it depends on what his computer skills are like.”
“Well, Oliver and Liam can help out occasionally on that front, too.”
Sam parked the car outside Weller’s home. They exited the vehicle.
“We can sort it when we get back, before Armstrong finds us a replacement. Let’s hope someone is at home.” Sam entered the small front garden.
There was an old man tending to his lawn next door. He stopped cutting the grass and glanced up. “I wouldn’t bother. He’s not in. His car isn’t in the drive.”
“Ah, okay. What about his wife?” Sam held up her badge. “DI Sam Cobbs.”
“They split up a few months ago. She lives in Workington, not sure where. My wife will know, though.” He opened the front door and bellowed, “Renee, can you come out here, please?”
A grey-haired woman appeared in the doorway. She wiped her hands on the flowered apron she was wearing. “What do you want?”
“These two are police officers. They want Wendy’s address. Can you give it to them? I’m busy cutting the lawn.”
“And I’m busy making your dinner, or doesn’t that count?”
