Page 69 of Mystic Justice
‘Okay. Thanks Dave.’ I paused. ‘How was Enid’s wedding?’
‘A thing of beauty,’ he responded warmly.
‘I’m glad. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly after you got back.’
‘You’re welcome. Kate had already emailed me several times and I couldn’t say no to both of you,’ he joked. His tone grew serious. ‘That poor dead girl never got a wedding like my Enid. It hits home. Get the killer, Wise.’
‘I’m on it.’
‘You always are,’ he said gently and hung up. His quiet faith warmed me a little. I hoped he was right.
‘I have déjà vu,’ Krieg said mildly as we sat in the beat-up Ford for yet another stakeout.
‘Yeah.’ I scrubbed a hand over my tired eyes. It was 11pm and I was getting edgier by the minute. All the deaths had taken place between 12 and 1.30am but what if they hadn’t taken the bait of waiting for Sandra? What if they’d simply swapped her out for someone else, someone not linked to Botany?
Kate had texted to confirm that the scorched dead body was indeed poor Ruben Jones. Passing the death message would have to wait a few hours while we were busy trying to keep some other poor sod alive.
My phone rang: Laura. ‘What are you doing ringing at this time of night?’ I demanded. The admin assistant was one of the few of us that kept to a proper nine-to-five schedule.
‘I’m compiling the report on Jingo like you told me. I came across a surveillance photo on the Drug Squad’s database. It’s got Harbinger in the background, right around the time of his death.’
I closed my eyes. ‘That’s why she’s putting all the bodies near the grove – she’s trying to make us look at Jingo.’ I bit my lip. ‘It hasn’t taken, though.’
If I were her and I blamed Jingo for my lover’s death, I’d go direct if indirect methods didn’t get results. ‘Have you got a contact number for Jingo or his second, Reed?’ I asked.
‘I’ve got one for Reed. I’ll send it through.’
‘Okay, thanks. Good work, Laura. Clock off now, it’s late.’
‘I’m actually a bit scared of being buried alive,’ she admitted in a small voice. ‘So I thought I’d stay at the station tonight.’
‘You go right ahead – but get some sleep. There’s a roll mat and a sleeping bag in my office cupboard. Use them.’
‘Thanks,’ she said and I could hear the gratitude in her voice.
‘No problem. Don’t forget Reed’s number.’ I hung up. Moments later the number beeped in and I called it.
‘Reed,’ he answered gruffly.
‘It’s Inspector Wise. I haven’t seen Jingo today. Has he been in communication with you?’
‘Why d’you wanna know?’
‘Because he may be a target for kidnap and murder.’
‘A normal Wednesday then,’ he muttered. ‘He’s with me.’
‘Pass him the phone,’ I ordered.
There was a beat of silence and then Jingo spoke. ‘Worried about me, Inspector?’ he all-but purred.
I glared, even though he couldn’t see me. ‘Harbinger has been brought back from the dead.’
There was a long pause. ‘That is … unfortunate,’ he said finally.
‘Indeed. I gather he – or his girlfriend – holds a grudge against you. I’m assuming you were responsible for his death.’
There was a whisper of a laugh. ‘I’m not going to incriminate myself, Inspector.’
