Page 21 of One Left Alive
He watched as Jamie roared into the distance, driving way too fast. Another example of how bloody selfish the man was. Part of him wanted to return to his car and move it into the reserved parking space, but the other didn’t want anyone to know how much it bothered him, in case they all started to park there on purpose to annoy him. After a moment’s debate, he continued on into the town hall.
Inside the building, which functioned as a magistrate’s court, council chambers and a women’s centre, he made his way upstairs to his office. Wondering what had happened on Easdale Road, he went into his office, closing the door behind him, and sat down behind the large mahogany desk. The chair was old and comfortable, if a little creaky. The oak-panelled walls had various portraits of the previous mayors along the walls. It looked more like a rogue’s gallery to Greg. Despite the ornate gold frames surrounding them, they looked a right bunch.
Picking up the phone on his desk, he dialled the direct number to the police station he had for Chief Superintendent Adrian Quinn.
He answered on the first ring.‘Greg. What can I do for you?’
‘Adrian, hi. I’ve heard there have been bodies found on Easdale Road. I know you can’t tell me much but I’d appreciate a heads-up on what you know.’
‘An entire family have been found dead. Well, almost: one of them is still alive, just.’
Greg let out a whistle. ‘Accidental?’
‘Not from the information we have up to now, but you know I can’t say. It’s all still hush-hush at the moment.’
‘Jamie Stone already knows and is on his way to the scene. Thought I’d give you warning.’
‘Christ. When I find out who is passing information on to the press, I’ll have them on suspension before they can hand me their badge.’
‘Well, as our esteemed editor of the local newspaper, maybe you should ask Jamie who his contact is. But about the bodies, is it anyone I know and is there anything about it that will put tourists off? You know what the local businesses are like, any whiff of a scandal and they’re up in arms.’
‘Greg, I don’t know if you’re acquainted with them. An entire family are dead, dying. I don’t care what the owner of Rocks and Socks thinks. All I care about is finding out what happened to them and why.’
‘Can you at least tell me where on Easdale Road?’
‘A property called Lake View.’
Greg felt the room begin to swim; he knew that house. He knew the family who lived there. His palms became clammy and he felt as if he had tunnel vision.
‘By the way that’s confidential until a press release has been issued.’
‘Oh, yeah, of course.’
The line went dead as he pushed his chair back from the desk and leant as far forwards as he could, bending his head down. The horror sinking in, he stayed that way, unable to lift his head up for fear of passing out.
Fifteen
Morgan had no idea how long a CT scan should take, but it was longer than she expected. She caught a glimpse of Bronte as the doors finally opened, and they began the intricate task of wheeling her out. The girl looked as if she was clinging onto life.
‘Where is she going?’
‘Theatre, we need to remove a part of her skull. There’s a large hematoma pressing against it.’
‘I need her clothes, and we need to swab her hands. A CSI is on the way, is this possible?’
The nurse nodded. ‘It will take a little while for the theatre to become available.’
She let out the breath she’d been holding; thank God she hadn’t entirely messed up. She wanted to impress Ben, show him she was made of the stuff detectives were. Up till now, though, she’d felt she was on a steep learning curve. They didn’t cover any of this stuff in training at headquarters.
As she followed the porters back to a cubicle in the emergency department, she saw Ben walk through the doors, followed by a male CSI. Morgan’s shoulders dropped and the knot in her stomach loosened at the sight of them both. She waved them through, holding the double doors open for them to slip inside.
‘How you holding up?’
‘I’m good, although I’m not going to lie. Much better now that you two are here.’
Ben smiled. ‘Why don’t you go grab a coffee, take a break. The afternoon shift is in briefing; as soon as they’re finished someone is coming to relieve you. While I’m here and Mark is doing his thing, you can have some time to think.’
‘Thanks, but if it’s okay with you I’d rather stay. Then I know what to do for future reference.’
