Page 19 of Silent Scream

‘Of course. She asked if I would be accepting any volunteers onto the project.’

‘What did you say?’

He shook his head. ‘No, I only accept volunteers who have completed at least one year at university. Ms Wyatt expressed an interest in the subject of archaeology but hadn't completed any study and certainly wouldn't have been able to before the project commenced at the end of February.’

Kim felt herself deflate. This was not a lead that would help them uncover a killer. It was a harmless conversation.

‘Was there anything else?’ Bryant asked.

The professor paused. ‘She did ask where about we would be commencing the dig, which I found a little strange in the context of the conversation.’

Yes, Kim thought. That was a little strange. ‘What happened later?’ she asked, recalling his previous comment.

Professor Milton swallowed. ‘I got home from work and Tess didn’t greet me as she usually did.’

Kim looked at Bryant. Dawson had said the professor was single again.

‘Ordinarily she sleeps in the kitchen, next to her water bowl but as soon as I put my key into the lock, she’s there, wagging her tail.’

Ah, that made more sense, Kim thought.

‘But not Wednesday. I called her as I walked to the kitchen but she didn’t come. I found her next to her bed.’ He swallowed. ‘She was convulsing on the floor. Her eyes were glassy and staring and for a few seconds I didn’t even see the note.

‘I scooped her up and drove to the vets as quickly as possible but it was too late. She’d gone by the time I got there.’ He wiped his right eye.

Kim opened her mouth to ask about the note but Bryant cut her off.

‘So sorry to hear that, Professor. Had she been unwell?’

Professor Milton shook his head. ‘Not at all. She was only four years old. The vet didn’t need to examine her. He could smell the antifreeze on her breath. Apparently, dogs love it because it tastes sweet. The chemical had been poured into her water dish and she’d drunk the lot.’

‘You said there was a note?’ Bryant prompted gently.

His eyes reddened. ‘Yes, the bastard stapled it to her ear.’

Kim winced. ‘Do you recall what it said?’

He reached into his jacket. ‘I have it here. The vet removed it afterwards.’

Kim took the note. Forensically it would be of no use now. The Professor had handled it, and so had the vet.

She unfolded it and laid it out on the table. It was simple black type on white paper and read:

‘KILL THE DIG OR WIFE NUMBER 3 WILL BE NEXT’

‘I didn’t even go back home. I’m ashamed to admit that I was terrified and still am. Who would do this, Detective?’ The professor drained the last of his tea. ‘I don’t even know where I can go.’

‘Mrs Pearson,’ Kim offered. She’d seen the expression on the woman’s face when she’d spoken of the Professor. That little bulldog wouldn’t let anyone near him.

Kim stood and took the note while Bryant shook the man’s hand and offered to get him a ride to wherever he wanted to go.

Kim clutched the note and headed back to the office. She couldn’t help but feel that somewhere out there was one humungous can of worms and that she’d just been handed the can-opener.

‘Okay, Kev, I think we’re gonna need fresh coffee. Stace, what did you find out about that land?’

‘It’s about an acre in size and sits right next to the Rowley crematorium. It’s at the tip of a council estate built in the mid-Fifties. Before the housing development it was the site of a steelwork factory.’

Bryant entered the room on his mobile phone. ‘Thank you, Courtney. You’ve been a wonderful help.’