NO AGE TO DIE: The release of a dangerous prisoner leads to murder (DCI John Blizzard Book 9) by John Dean (free ebook reader for android .TXT) 📗

in a newspaper interview, as far as we can see, but changed the name to Alexander just in case anyone queried it. However, they never did and whenever anyone got too close, she just said that she could not give any more details to protect other members of the family. I mean, not many people would dare to challenge such a tragic story, would they?’

‘I guess not,’ said Blizzard. ‘Meanwhile, the work started rolling in?’

‘It did. At the last count, her charity had received well over a million pounds from government departments and councils wanting her to advise them on safeguarding children. It’s a huge agenda.’

‘It certainly is.’

‘There’s even a rumour that Councillor Gill has been talking to her about running some workshops for the city council at a cost of £50,000.’

‘It’s quite brilliant in its own way,’ said the inspector. ‘Highlight the problem by leading a protest then charge the local council to put it right. Some might even call it elegant.’

‘And what would you call it?’

‘Me?’ said Blizzard. ‘I’d call it the work of the Devil.’

Chapter twenty-seven

The next day was a Saturday and Blizzard was up early again after what little sleep he had managed to snatch had again been disrupted by the nightmare in which he was trapped. He was not sure why it had occurred twice in such a short space of time but suspected that it might be linked to his sense that he was not in full control of things. If often was. He knew that recent events had been allowed to dictate his actions and he determined that the day ahead would put that right.

After giving Michael his breakfast in front of Thomas the Tank Engine, the inspector arrived at Abbey Road Police Station shortly after 8.00am. He immediately sought out Colley in the CID squad room.

‘You ready to crank the pressure up on the good reverend?’ asked the inspector. ‘Hopefully, a night in the cells will have cleared his mind.’

‘You might want to delay it a bit,’ said Colley. ‘Margaret Hatton is waiting in front reception.’

‘Is she?’ Blizzard sat down. ‘Do you think she knows that we tracked down her son?’

‘I doubt it. Alistair is the only one who could have told her and Sarah seems pretty sure that he wants nothing to do with his mother. You going to mention it to her?’

‘No, not yet,’ said Blizzard. ‘I’ve got this nagging feeling that there’s more to come out first. Besides, we’ve already got what your mate on the radio station told us about her. That should be enough to rattle her. You sure he’s on the level?’

‘Yeah, he’s straight up is Graham.’

‘OK, go and get her, will you?’ Blizzard stood up. ‘We’ll see her in my office.’

Colley left the room, his gait still bearing the shadow of a limp.

‘Oh, David!’ shouted Blizzard.

The sergeant popped his head back round the door.

‘Guv?’ he said.

‘Are you still planning to play rugby this afternoon?’

‘I told the skipper that I’m not available. We’ve got too much on here.’

‘I am sure we can spare you for a couple of hours,’ said Blizzard. He gestured to the other officers in the room. ‘We’ve got plenty of bodies and I know that Broughton Nick is a big game. You’ve been looking forward to it for weeks, I think.’

‘I have, yes, it’s a real grudge match.’

‘Are you in any shape to play?’

‘I certainly am not,’ said Colley. ‘The doc says that I should rest my hand for at least three days and my knee is still giving me gyp.’

‘But you’re going to play anyway?’

‘Certainly am.’

‘You’re mad,’ said Blizzard.

Colley grinned and loped off to the reception area, leaving the inspector shaking his head. A few minutes later, the two detectives were sitting opposite a very different Margaret Hatton. The sharp business suit, deep blue this morning, was still there, the hair was as immaculate as ever and the make-up had been applied perfectly as usual, but the expression on the face was different. There were bags beneath eyes which seemed haunted.

‘And what brings you here, Mrs Hatton?’ asked Blizzard. Noting the change in her demeanour, he found himself torn between opposing views – good act put on for the detectives’ benefit by a calculating conwoman, or genuine distress? He came down on the side of the former and his voice hardened. ‘Before we start, are you sure you wouldn’t like to invite a camera crew or two in here to film our meeting? Hey, we could live stream it.’

She shook her head.

‘So, what can we do for you?’ asked Blizzard.

‘I need your help,’ she said in a quiet voice. ‘I’ve received death threats.’

‘Have you now?’ replied Blizzard. He leaned forward in his chair. ‘Do tell me more.’

‘You must be enjoying this.’

‘Actually, I’m not. We may have our disagreements, but I don’t like people being threatened, especially not on my patch. What happened?’

‘The first one was two nights ago,’ she said. ‘The hotel reception put a call through to my room at eleven o’clock. It was a man’s voice. I didn’t recognise it. He said he had seen my television interview that evening…’

‘Refresh my memory, there have been so many,’ said Blizzard.

‘The one where I said it was time that paedophiles were driven from the city.’

‘Oh, that one,’ said Blizzard. ‘Do I take it your caller did not share your views on social justice?’

‘He said that if I said anything else, something horrible would happen to me.’

‘Which, doubtless, you ignored?’

‘I gave an interview with local radio yesterday, saying the same thing.’

‘And he called again, did he?’ asked the inspector.

She nodded, her composure crumbling once more. The lips were quivering slightly, and the detectives thought that she appeared close to tears. Definitely a good act, thought