Nine Lives by Anita Waller (best english books to read .txt) 📗

she said. ‘They’re on their way. I’ve told them to go to A and E, I’ll meet them there.’

‘No. A and E will direct them to the relatives’ room. Wait in there, DI Cheetham. It will be comfier for you, and will save you having to arrest the drunken skeletons and witches we always get on Halloween.’

‘Thank you. You’ll let us know…’

‘Of course. You’re close colleagues?’

‘Very close. Beth is my sergeant. Currently working a case that’s making us see each other differently, and as a result we seem much closer. She’s in here right now because I felt uneasy, not because of good policing or anything. If we hadn’t been close she wouldn’t have been found until tomorrow, probably.’

‘And that,’ he said, ‘would have been much too late.’

He escorted Erica to the relatives’ room, and left her with a promise that he would keep her fully informed.

Erica finished her second bottle of water, and nipped out to find a ladies toilet before risking a coffee. She was washing her hands when her mobile rang, and she saw it was the number for the station.

‘Steve?’

‘Yes, ma’am. We’ve got him.’

‘Evan Yeardley? You’ve got Evan Yeardley?’ She had passed his name on within a minute of seeing Beth lying on the floor of her home, with little hope of anything happening quickly.

‘Drunk as a fart if you’ll pardon the expression, ma’am, and covered in blood. Big carrier bag of CDs and DVDs. He was sitting on the floor of a bus stop singing a Bob Dylan song when the squad car stopped to investigate. He’d taken the sleeve out of the case to read the words, blind drunk.’

‘Has he said anything?’

‘Nothing much beyond he feels sick.’

‘Steve, for God’s sake don’t let him choke on his vomit. I need that fucker in front of me answering questions, and let’s pray it’s not a murder charge he’s facing.’

Steve’s tone softened and she knew he didn’t want whoever was there to hear him. ‘Erica,’ he said, ‘you look after that lass. And don’t worry about this plank here, it’ll be dinnertime tomorrow before he’s fit to be questioned. You’ve heard nothing yet?’

‘She’s in surgery. I’m expecting her mum and dad to arrive anytime now, and the doctor said he would keep us informed as soon as there was anything to say. I’m staying here until I know she’s stable, then I’m going home for a couple of hours’ sleep before I tackle that cretin you’ve got in the cells.’

‘No worries. You take care, you hear, and I’ll check in tomorrow to see how things are going.’

She gave a half smile. ‘You’re a good ’un, Steve. Oh, and Steve, leave that light on in his cell all night, at its brightest. Let’s have him waking up to the mother of all hangovers tomorrow, and no paracetamol available.’

‘Yes, ma’am,’ he said, and she heard his chuckle as they disconnected.

18

Hiding from the Halloween trick or treaters by going to the gym hadn’t helped Tanya Lacey at all. There were several others who had staggered in over the three hours she had spent there, all laughing in an embarrassed sort of way as they admitted to not liking the annual event. Four of them had left their homes in desperation after continually answering the door, and had figured half an hour getting fit was preferable to walking up and down a hallway, false smiles stuck on their faces.

Tanya had enjoyed the planned evening but now felt tired, she was ready to go home and not looking forward to the walk. The offer of a lift, as she and another escapee stepped outside to feel rain on their faces, was gratefully accepted, and she sank into the passenger seat of the small black car.

‘Nice to see you again, and thanks for this. I live quite close…’ She said no more as she felt the soft touch of a hand on her right breast, followed by the sharp prick of a needle as it sank into the flesh of her neck.

Erica arrived home shortly before four, grateful for the lack of traffic at that time in the morning. The Machins had opted to stay by their daughter’s side in HDU, saying they would find a local bed and breakfast place later. Beth’s mum had looked relieved when Erica told her they had Evan Yeardley in custody; her father looked angry, and Erica suspected he had hoped he would get to Evan before the police did.

Frannie had been asleep, but stirred as she felt Erica slide in beside her.

‘Everything okay?’

‘No. She’s out of surgery, but everybody’s being non-committal. Wait and see seems to be the general consensus. Her parents are with her in HDU, and they’re going to ring if there’s any change. I spoke to the doctor on the way out, and he more or less shook his head. He actually said keep every finger crossed if you don’t believe in prayer. Hold me, Frannie, it’s been a shit night.’

‘Has he said anything?’

‘Evan? He’s too drunk to be coherent, according to Steve.’

Frannie pulled her close, and stroked her hair. ‘Go to sleep, sweetheart, try for a couple of hours at least. What time do you need to get up?’

‘If I forfeit a shower and breakfast, I can sleep till eight.’

‘Then do that.’

Steve rang her at seven. ‘Some of the shelf-stacking staff at Waitrose can see a body propped up where the culvert starts. I’m sending a car for you, ma’am,’ he said. ‘I imagine you’ve had little sleep. I’ve sent a team already, they’ll be waiting for you when you get there. Any news on DS Machin?’

‘She’s out of surgery,’ Erica said, struggling to get herself out from under the duvet. Her feet seemed to be tied together. ‘I’ll be ready in ten minutes, Steve. I take it it’s a girl’s body.’

‘Yes, ma’am. Exactly like the others.’

Forensics were installing a tent when she arrived. She thanked her driver and said she would grab a lift to the station later, but he