Taste of Fury by M Comley (dark academia books to read txt) 📗

“We have no reason to think it’s not him. He was found in his vehicle which is registered to this address,” Katy replied, wondering how the young woman would know such a thing.

“I’m studying criminology at university. I’m home for a break at the moment.”

That explains it! “Ah, I see. I’m sorry to add to your grief, but I need to ask a few questions about your father’s whereabouts the last few days. If that’s okay?”

Mrs Davis nodded at her daughter. “They have to do their job, love, let them get on with it, all right?”

Sammy closed her eyes and let out a large sigh. She opened them again and said, “Dad was a frequent visitor at the local. Mum and Dad had a row last night, he stormed off to the pub and never came home.”

“Was it a regular occurrence? Him staying out all night?”

“Yes, he’s been known to sleep in either his car or his van on occasions. That’s why neither of us reported him missing.”

Katy nodded. “Ah, I did wonder. Can you tell us which pub he usually used?”

“The Fallow Deer Inn, a few streets away,” Sammy told them.

“Why did he take the car and not walk, if it’s that close?” Katy enquired.

“You’d have to ask him that, oh wait, you can’t, because he’s bloody dead!” Sammy sneered. “What type of question is that?”

“I’m sorry. I just need to get more background into your father’s actions, et cetera. Some of the questions I’ll be asking might seem a little idiotic, but please bear with me.”

“If we must,” Sammy grumbled.

“He always took his car. The number of times I’ve tried to dissuade him, is nobody’s business,” Mrs Davis added. “He was a law unto himself most of the time. Nothing I said could sway his decision making, so I gave up years ago.”

“Has he been under any kind of stress lately?” Katy pressed on.

“No more than usual. Work is hit and miss at present, hasn’t got back to where it was before that damned virus struck.”

“What line of business was he in?”

“He was a painter and decorator. Don’t look around, I know you can’t tell.”

“Don’t worry, we’re not here to judge. And he used the same pub all the time? It was his regular, was it?”

“Yes. He trundled down there at least four nights a week. I’ve pleaded with him to knock it on the head as money is tight, but me opening my mouth only appeared to make him more obstinate. No man likes to be told what he can and can’t do, do they?”

Katy smiled. “I suppose. To your knowledge, has he fallen out with anyone recently?”

Sammy squeezed her mother’s hand and asked, “Why? Are you saying he died in suspicious circumstances?”

“Unfortunately, yes.”

Both women gasped and tears slipped down Jane’s cheeks. Sammy flung an arm around her mother’s shoulders. “Stay strong, Mum. Don’t crumble now.”

“I can’t deal with this. I know I didn’t always show it, but I loved the bugger. I can’t bear the thought of him being killed. Why? Why would someone want to kill Jason? He’s never knowingly done anyone any harm, not that I’m aware of. Oh, God, what the hell is going on, Sammy? Why us? Why now?”

“You heard her, why us? Why Dad?” Sammy was quick to fire at Katy.

“It’s very early into our investigation, far too soon for us to figure out the whys and wherefores, I’m sorry. Hence my need to come here today and question you. I know the timing could be better, but the more you can tell us about Jason’s character and what he got up to, the more likely we are to find the person responsible.”

“My dad always had a secret side to him.”

“Sammy! You can’t say that. What on earth will the officers think?”

“It’s okay, Mrs Davis, we need to hear the facts. Secretive? In what way? By that I mean regarding a specific topic or just all round secretive?”

Sammy lowered her head a little and sighed. “You might as well know the truth. Mum and Dad didn’t get along.”

“Sammy! We did so… occasionally. Although I must admit… recently, his foul moods have made all our lives intolerable. I still loved him, no matter what anger he showed within these walls.”

Katy tilted her head. “Are you telling us that his moods developed into something more? Did he abuse you?”

Sammy’s head lowered a farther few inches and her mother turned to her and patted her on the hand. “I think we should tell them the truth, sweetie, don’t you?”

Katy sensed the women were about to share some interesting news. “Anything you can tell us at this point could prove crucial in our investigation.”

“I can’t, Mum. Not yet. I need to know how he died first.”

Katy nodded. “If you feel you’re strong enough to take it. Your father was tied up in his vehicle and someone set fire to the car.”

“Oh shit! Was he… burnt alive?” Sammy demanded, her eyes blazing with fear.

“We won’t know the true extent of what really happened until the pathologist has completed the post-mortem.”

“Why did you have to ask that, Sammy?” her mother asked, horrified.

“It’s my warped mind, Mum, I need to know the ins and outs.”

“What good will it do to know how he died?” Jane held up a hand when Sammy went to answer. “No, I don’t want to hear what goes on in that head of yours. It’s full of secrets just like your father’s, I’m sure of that.”

“That’s a bit harsh, Mum, and totally unfounded. Jesus, I’ll go and leave you to deal with the police then, I know when I’m not wanted.”

Jane clenched her daughter’s hand with both of hers. “No, I didn’t mean anything by that, I promise. Stay here, I need you to be with me, not upstairs by yourself.”

“Okay, it doesn’t alter the fact you’ve lashed out and hurt me though.”

“I’m sorry, that wasn’t my intention, Sammy. Please forgive me, I’m not thinking straight, not with your father’s death.”

“All right, but