Page 182 of One Eye Open (The BlackWater)

Brandon frowned handing the laptop to Becs and telling her to get it to forensics. He then walked around and stared at Thomas’s screen.

“What is this?” He asked staring at the very graphic image of a man who’d clearly been beaten to death.

“Unknown male found in a ditch out Tewkesbury way.” Thomas said.

“What’s it got to do with us?”

“Maddie’s DNA is all over him.” Thomas stated. “Over his face, under his nails too.”

“What?” Cole growled behind them and they both turned.

“According to the report he suffered multiple fractures to his face, one of which shattered his skull enough for it to penetrate his brain and cause his death.”

“You think Maddie did this?” Brandon asked Cole.

Cole narrowed his eyes staring at the bloodied mess on the screen. He didn’t doubt she was capable of it but it didn’t make sense. “Why?” He said.

“Do we have the man’s DNA profile?” Brandon asked.

“Yeah it’s right here.” Thomas said.

“Run it through our systems, maybe we can identify who he is.” Brandon stated.

Thomas nodded. “Give me two minutes…” He muttered bringing up the screen.

They all watched as the system scanned their records and then it pinged.

“It’s got a case.” Thomas said clicking on the link and then gulping when he saw what the DNA linked to.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Cole growled as he saw it open.

Brandon looked at him then back at the screen.

“She did do this.” Brandon muttered.

“He fucking deserved it.” Cole snarled staring at the mangled face of the man who’d raped her last time they took her captive.

“What other forensics are there?” Brandon asked.

“Nothing much. A few nylon fibres that don’t really narrow anything down, but we’re running soil samples on his boots…”

Brandon narrowed his eyes. “Get me the results as soon as you have them.”

“Yes boss.” Thomas said.

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