Page 46 of Gone in the Night (Detective Morgan Brookes #16)

FORTY-SIX

‘Have you seen this?’ Marc had stormed into the office waving a sheet of paper in the air, but noticing the two PSD officers sitting there he dropped his hand to his side.

‘Ben, I need a word.’

Ben knew the moment Morgan had told him about talking to Fin Palmer there was going to be a shit storm coming their way, though it had happened much sooner than he’d imagined and now he didn’t know how he was going to be able to protect her when there were already two PSD officers looking into them after being the last people to speak to Jack.

Ben had given them his statement, and then they had asked to speak to Morgan, and he’d told them she’d be back soon.

He had just been about to go and find her when Marc had barged in like a bull in a china shop.

He followed Marc to his office, closing the door behind him so nobody could listen in.

‘What’s the problem, boss?’

Marc thrust the paper his way. It was a printout from a local news website.

Police May Have Given Misleading Information to the Public Regarding the Two Murders

Ben felt as if he was going to vomit all over Marc’s desk. He looked up at him.

‘Read the rest of it.’

He scanned the short article.

Is there anything to worry about after two women were found murdered in the space of 48 hours?

According to the statement given by Rydal Falls police there isn’t, they have a suspect.

However, after this reporter was first at one of the crime scenes, I think they are being a little premature with the assumption there will be no more murders.

I witnessed firsthand the horror of what happened to the victim who has been named as Lydia Williams, 39 years old from Lancaster, and I still cannot get the image out of my head.

I would like to believe that the police have this under control, but I’m sceptical especially as they have released no further information to back up these claims. In my opinion I ask any lone, female, solo athletes, campers, vloggers, tourists, walkers not to go out into the Lake District alone.

Not to publish your locations on social media or your itineraries until we have had clear evidence from the police that the killer has been caught.

Fin Palmer

Exhaling a long, slow breath he thanked Fin for not dropping Morgan into it from a great height, because there would be nothing Ben could have done to stop the fallout if this was quoted as coming from her.

‘How bloody dare he,’ exclaimed Marc. ‘Why is he saying this after the statement we released?’

Ben’s knees felt as if they were going to give way, the stress and pressure was too much, and he was exhausted. He dropped into a chair, motioning for Marc to sit down too. Marc copied him.

‘Look, Marc, I can’t say I blame him. You’re not going to like what I’m about to say but that press release you issued earlier, I think it was too soon to presume there was going to be no more murders. Have you read Jack’s post-mortem report or spoken to Declan about it?’

‘No, I’ve been in meetings.’

‘Well, Declan believes Jack was murdered, that he didn’t hang himself. Identical fibres from the rope used to strangle Jack were found at both Sharon’s and Lydia’s crime scenes. I think it’s a good thing that he’s issued this warning. Do you want any more women’s deaths on your hands?’

‘On my hands? The first two aren’t on my hands, Ben. It’s not as if I could have prevented those. They had already happened.’

‘No, but if someone else goes out camping thinking it’s safe to do so because of that earlier press release, then their blood would be, and I don’t want to live with that kind of guilt on my conscience.’

Marc was staring at him, and then he buried his head in his hands on top of the desk.

‘In the words of Stan, what a shit show.’

Ben couldn’t disagree.

‘What do we do about Palmer?’

‘Nothing, leave him to it. He hasn’t done anything wrong; he’s allowed his opinions. If we go after him again, it’s going to make everything a hundred times worse. He’ll make it his personal vendetta to make us look like fools.’

‘Do you ever wish you could rewind time and start again? Start the day fresh knowing you could change stuff that had happened for a better result.’

Ben nodded. ‘Every, single day, boss.’

Marc’s eyes narrowed, and Ben knew he was trying to figure out what he meant.

‘Your wife’s death?’

‘Yes, that was the biggest shit show of my life and what I wouldn’t give to go back to that day and change it. Not work late, go home on time, show her the attention she so desperately needed. Only I can’t and all I can do is try to make sure I never make those same mistakes again, with anyone.’

‘I’m sorry, for what it’s worth. I don’t know if I’ve ever told you that.’

‘Thanks.’

‘If Jack isn’t responsible then who is? Have we got any leads that are worth following up on?’

‘Morgan is trying her best to find connections between the three victims.’

‘Good, do you think she will?’

‘At this point she better had, or we’re all screwed. I need to go find her.’

‘What do we do about this?’

‘Nothing, ignore it. Like I said, it’s Palmer’s personal opinion. If we challenge it, we’re only making it worse.’

Ben stood up. ‘Have you heard that Amy’s in labour? Cain’s gone to be with her.’

Marc was shaking his head. ‘Poor Amy, what a day she’s having but at least she’s going to have a beautiful baby to show for all of this pain when it’s over. They always say that when one life ends another begins.’

Ben smiled at him, wondering if Marc was going soft in his old age or whether the last few days had worn him down as much as it had Ben.