Page 9 of Their Burning Graves
‘Would it be possible to get a copy of this, Maggie? And I would say the last seven days’ footage as well?’
‘Of course but it might take me some time. If you come back tomorrow it should be ready for you or I could give you a ring when it is.’
‘Maggie, you are amazing. Thank you for all your help and this tea, it’s just what we needed.’
Morgan smiled at her and there was no mistaking the tears that pooled in the corner of Maggie’s eyes. She nodded, picked up the plate of chocolate covered Hobnobs and offered the biscuits around. Neither Morgan nor Ben had much of an appetite but they both took one.
‘Do you think I should go and see if the firemen need a drink?’
‘That’s up to you, do you have enough mugs?’
Maggie stood up. ‘I have a cupboard full of unused ones, I’d feel better making myself busy. The minute I stop and think…’ She gulped in a sob that had almost escaped then turned and headed out of her front door, leaving them sipping tea.
‘What a lovely lady.’
Morgan nodded. ‘She really is, I hope she’s okay, she lost her husband two years ago.’
Ben’s face creased in pain and sympathy. ‘It’s not easy, especially if they’d been together for a long time.’
They finished their drinks and stood up. Ben reached down and scooped up another biscuit.
‘I’d forgot how good these taste,’ he said through a mouthful of biscuit crumbs. He’d been slowly improving his diet, and trying to eat healthier.
She smiled at him, brushing biscuit crumbs off the front of her jacket. As they made to leave Maggie’s house, the sound of loud snoring from the kitchen made Morgan turn around, then she saw the dog lying on its bed.
‘That dog snores louder than you.’
Ben poked her in the arm. ‘How dare you, I’m not being outdone by that, my snores are far superior.’
They walked outside back to reality, and she realised how much she missed working with him, the easy way they could read each other’s minds, the way they could make each other laugh to relieve the pressure that otherwise could drag your mind down a dark rabbit hole from where there was no escape.
SIX
Morgan followed Ben into the station wondering if she was going to get sent back to Barrow or if she’d be allowed to stay and help out. She didn’t have to worry about it for very long as Marc dashed past them on his way out.
‘Oh hey, Morgan, you’re here. That’s good, I’ve spoken to Will, he said he doesn’t need you and you’re good to work this case.’
‘Thanks.’
He held up his hand. ‘No need, I should be thanking you. I’ll see you in my office later for a chat. Got to dash, I’ll be back in time for the briefing.’
Their strange, unreadable DI ran out of the double doors leading into the station, leaving Morgan staring after him.
‘Finally.’ Ben was giving her a thumbs up from the top of the staircase.
She made her way to the lift; there was no way she was trying to navigate those stairs with this stupid boot on, it was a disaster waiting to happen. As the lift doors closed, she lay her head against the cool steel wall and sighed, this was going to be a difficult, complicated case but she was confident they could do it. They could find whoever did this, Ben would leave no stone unturned. They would hold a joint briefing with Fire and Rescue this morning and then in the afternoon they would all get changed into their dress uniforms that they wore to their passing out parade – when they’d finished their two years of training to become fully fledged police officers – and pay their respects to Des. This was going to be a sad day, but they had to keep busy, had to keep working, it was all they could do, and now the terrible murders last night.
The doors opened and she smiled to see Ben waiting for her.
‘Hop along, we have a lot to do today.’
‘I was just thinking about that, we certainly do. There is a lot to be taking on especially today. Poor Des, what would he say about last night?’
‘He’d no doubt blame you, Morgan, he always thought you were the angel of death.’
‘Cheers, Ben, make me feel better why don’t you.’
He shrugged. ‘That was only his opinion, no one else does.’
