Just Keep Breathing by GS Rhodes (any book recommendations txt) 📗

“Why the bloody hell is Dexter Black back in his cell and CPS hasn’t been called to charge him?” he barked.

DC Campbell looked up from behind his computer screen, a gleeful smile spreading across his face. Kidd wanted to throw something at him. He made a mental note to do it later.

“He’s not our prime suspect, sir,” Kidd said.

“This is a murder investigation, he was found with the body!”

“And she was wearing his jacket,” DI Kidd said. DCI Weaver’s eyes widened at this new information and opened his mouth to speak. DI Kidd started before he had the chance. “I know, sir, it’s damning, but after interview he’s not our guy. He’s going to help us get to the bottom of this though.”

“I don’t think you understand what I’m saying here, Kidd—”

“I think I do, boss,” Kidd interrupted. “You want me to charge this lad, even though we’re fairly certain he didn’t commit the crime, right, DS Sanchez?”

“Right.”

“We have his statement recorded from the interview,” Kidd continued. “We’re working with him to track down his alibi who will be able to corroborate that statement, and DS Sanchez here is going to go and carry on with the other enquiries that we have. Right, DS Sanchez?”

“Absolutely, sir. I’m just about to grab my coat,” she said with a smirk. “DC Ravel, can you give the school a call and see if Caleb Kaye is in today?”

“Sure thing,” she said, immediately picking up the phone and dialling.

“Caleb Kaye?” DCI Weaver repeated.

“This lot,” he said, pointing over Weaver’s shoulder, “were getting ready to tell me all about what they found out down by the riverside, and DC Ravel is already in contact with the pathologist so we can find out exactly what happened to Sarah Harper,” DI Kidd said, leaning around DCI Weaver to take in the rest of his team.

DC Powell was watching him with his mouth hanging open, probably scared that he’d be next in the firing line if Weaver couldn’t take his frustrations out on DI Kidd. DC Campbell couldn’t stop grinning. DC Ravel looked like she was about to burst out laughing as she dialled.

“Isn’t that right?” DI Kidd prompted.

DC Campbell sprung into action, grabbing his notebook from his desk and walking a little closer. “We spoke to the people who are staying in the houseboats by the riverside and they didn’t see anything that night. Apparently, there are Uni students down there all the time so they’ve sort of learned to tune it out.”

“However,” DC Powell piped up. “One of them does remember being woken up by a scream. They thought maybe it was a fox because, you know, wildlife out there. That might have been when Sarah fell, right before she hit her head.” DCI Weaver rounded on Powell, and while Kidd couldn’t see his face he could imagine it was screwed up like a raging bull ready to charge. “Just a theory, sir.”

“Caleb Kaye is off school today,” DC Ravel called across the room. “Mother called in this morning.”

“Perfect, thanks, Janya,” Zoe said.

“What happened with the FLO at the Harpers?” DCI Weaver asked, his rage appearing to subside.

“They were distraught, sir,” Powell said quietly. “Caitlyn is there doing all she can. They didn’t want to come and identify the body. They know they’re going to have to, but neither one of them want to. It’s…it’s shit, sir.”

“One, or a couple of you, need to go and make sure they’re doing alright. Things have obviously changed quite drastically now and I want this sorted.”

“We know, sir,” Kidd said. “We’ll follow up later on today if we can.”

“Fine, fine, fine, good work.” Weaver grunted, turning his attention back to Kidd. “I want this wrapped up as soon as possible, DI Kidd. Otherwise, I’ll take it out of your hands. You’ve got until the end of the day or I’m calling CPS, is that clear?”

DI Kidd resisted the urge to say that he would like to see him try, but instead, he nodded and said, “Of course, sir,” and let DCI Weaver storm out, slamming the door behind him. The air in the room was thick with the tension DCI Weaver had brought in. It was Owen who broke it.

“I thought he was going to rip your head off, sir,” he said. “Honestly, he looked like he was about to properly erupt.”

“Bold move,” DS Sanchez said.

“I told you I was going to give him hell,” he said. “Are you alright to go and see Caleb at his house? Might give you a chance to talk to the mother as well. I know I sprung that on you a little bit there.”

“Of course,” she said. “Powell, grab your coat, we’ve got work to do.” She started towards the door, DC Powell quickly collecting his things and heading out of the room behind her.

“I’m going to talk to Dexter Black,” he said. “Apparently, he knows Nicholas Ayre quite intimately, that’s what I have as proof that he didn’t hurt Sarah.”

“But Nicholas posted the article?” DC Ravel said. “Doesn’t look good, sir.”

“It doesn’t look good for Nicholas, no, but if Dexter can get him here then at least we can question him about what’s going on,” DI Kidd said heading back towards the door.

“Hold up, sir,” DC Ravel said quickly, getting to her feet to grab his attention. “We’ve got a problem.”

“What’s that?”

“Joe Warrington.”

DI Kidd’s face screwed up in confusion. What on earth did Joe Warrington have to do with this?

“What about him?”

“He’s just updated his news page, sir,” she said. “He’s outed Nicholas Ayre as the guy who made the post about Sarah.”

“Shit,” DI Kidd grunted. Nicholas Ayre was in big trouble.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

DS Sanchez headed out to the car park with DC Simon Powell hurrying along behind her, having to take two steps for every one of hers. By the time they made it to the car, he was a little