Page 11 of The Truth Will Out (DI Sam Cobbs #18)

S am’s phone vibrated on the bedside table. Sleepily, she picked it up and stared at the screen. It was only ten past six, fifty minutes before her alarm was set to go off. She sat up and answered it. “DI Sam Cobbs. This better be good.”

“Ah, sorry to trouble you at this time of the morning, ma’am. I thought you would want to hear the news right away.”

“I’m listening. What news?”

“A body has been discovered in Whitehaven Harbour this morning.”

Sam glanced at Rhys, who was still fast asleep, his breathing slow and steady. Rather than disturb him, she threw back the quilt and finished her call in the en suite. “A body? Is this linked to the case I’m working on?”

“Umm… it is… Er, I’m sorry to have to inform you that it’s a member of your team.”

“What? Are you sure?” Sam’s first thought was that the woman at the control centre was talking about Bob. Her legs wobbled. She sat on the edge of the bath to hear the rest. “Is it my partner?”

“No, it’s Claire Owen, ma’am. ”

“It can’t be. Not Claire. Are you sure?”

“Yes. Her warrant card was found on her person when the officers turned up to assess the scene. The pathologist is on his way.”

Sam’s head swirled with all types of scenarios she’d rather not have to consider at this time of day.

“Ma’am, are you still with me?”

“Sorry, yes. I’m still here. I’ll get dressed and attend the scene. Can you put in a call to Bob Jones and request that he joins me? Don’t tell him who the victim is. I’ll bring him up to date at the scene. It’s going to hit him hard, and I don’t want him to have an accident en route.”

“I understand. Are you okay, ma’am?”

“I don’t know. I’ll have a cold shower and let you know afterwards.

I can’t believe this is happening. She was one of our best officers…

I dread to think how the other team members will cope with this news.

I’m not sure how I will either, once it sinks in.

Shit! She was… one of my best officers,” Sam repeated, her voice trailing off at the end.

“With a great reputation at the station. She’ll be missed, ma’am.”

“How? How did she die? Did she fall and hit her head?”

“It wasn’t an accident. Her hands were bound. A gentleman out walking his dog found her floating in the water.”

“Shit! It gets worse. Okay, don’t tell me anything else. I’ll be there within half an hour. Thanks for the call.”

“You’re welcome. Do you need anything else from me?”

“I don’t think so.” Sam ran the shower and adjusted the dial to drop the temperature.

“Very well. I’m sorry for your loss. Please drive carefully.”

“I will. Thanks.” Sam ended the call, stripped off her PJs and stepped beneath the cool water. The shock took her breath away. Tipping her head back, she let the water pound her face as the thoughts ran through her mind.

How could this happen? I left her at the station. Did she find something out? Decide not to call me? Think she could handle the situation on her own?

She opened her eyes and slammed a fist into the wall, cracking one of the tiles in the process. She stared as the blood from the cut mixed with the water and surrounded her feet. Tears ran down her cheeks.

No, there has to be some kind of mistake. This can’t be true. Not Claire! She was such a loyal officer…

Sam wrapped a flannel around her wound and stepped out of the shower. She waited a few seconds for the blood to wash away before she turned off the water. She stood there, hair dripping, some of it clinging to her face, staring at her reflection.

How could this be happening? Not Claire. Did she uncover something vital that led her to the killer?

All of this was pure speculation for now. She had to get to the location and see for herself. Sam wrapped a towel around herself, dried her hair with another towel and entered the bedroom to find Rhys getting out of bed.

He stretched and yawned. “You’re up early.” He rubbed a hand over his stomach. “I’m still full from last night. Can I make you some breakfast before you go? Wait, have you been crying?” He crossed the room to hug her. “Sam, are you all right? Tell me what’s going on. It’s not your father, is it?”

“No. I need to sit down.”

He gripped her by the elbow and guided her to the bed. “You’re worrying me. What is it? What’s wrong, Sam?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to worry you. I’m in shock. I thought I’d be okay after I had a cold shower. The truth is, I’m not.”

“It’s all right. Tell me in your own time. I’m going to make us a coffee. Stay there.” He sprinted out of the bedroom, and the two dogs bounded down the stairs after him.

Sam stared at the doorway long after they had departed.

I should get dressed, but I can’t. I feel like I’m in limbo. I need to get a grip, shake myself out of this. Otherwise, I’m going to be worse than useless at the crime scene.

She shook out her arms and summoned up the energy to sort out her outfit for the day. She chose a black trouser suit as a sign of respect for her dearly departed colleague.

Gone too soon, long before her time. She had so many adventures left ahead of her…

Shit! I’ve got to break the news to Scott.

That’s going to be tough. He’s an odd one; even though Claire loved him, there were still days when she struggled to handle him.

He has a mind of his own and is one of those men who think they’re always right, even when it’s obvious they’re wrong.

I remember Claire telling me how he always needed to have the final word when they had an argument.

It’s not going to be easy… telling him that she’s no longer with us.

Rhys entered the bedroom carrying two mugs. He placed one on the dressing table in front of her.

She raised her head and managed to offer up a slight smile of appreciation. “I’m sorry. You must think I’m a right idiot.”

“Why? Something has obviously happened that has rocked your world. I’m not going to force you to tell me what that is. Just know that I’m here for you, ready to listen when you want to offload.”

“Thanks, Rhys. I love you for being you.”

He smiled. “That’s good, because I have no intention of changing. You’re stuck with me as I am.”

“It’s Claire, a member of my team… she’s dead.”

He walked back towards the bed, mug in hand. He sat on the corner. “What? Do you know how it happened? Was it an accident?”

“No. I don’t know much about the incident, not yet.

I’ll know more when I turn up at the scene.

I feel numb. She volunteered to stay behind after we all left the station last night.

She told me she wanted to carry out some extra research on something before she presented it to me, presumably as evidence. ”

“Damn. Do you think she followed up a lead she found on someone, and they ended up killing her?”

“You tell me. That seems to be the most logical explanation. Oh God, I’m struggling to get my head around this one, Rhys. Why Claire?”

“You won’t know that until you find the killer.”

The dogs came running up the stairs again and separated when they entered the room. Little Tilly ran towards Sam, expecting her usual hug and tummy rub, but Sam didn’t have it in her to give her one. Her mind was elsewhere .

“Sam. Love, please don’t ignore her,” Rhys prompted gently.

Tears filled her eyes, and she bent down to scoop Tilly into her arms. “I’m so sorry, sweetheart. Please forgive me.” She sobbed into her pup’s fur.

Rhys came towards her and rubbed Sam’s back. “I’m sorry you’re going through this. I know it’s too raw to talk about right now, but please know that I’m here if you ever need to unload.”

Tears blurred her vision as she looked up at him. “I’m sorry. I’m not sure what has come over me. I should be there at the scene. I just can’t bring myself to go there… to face the truth that I’ve lost one of my officers.”

“Do you want me to drive you? I think you should be there, but no one is going to blame you if you can’t handle it, love.”

She kissed the top of Tilly’s head and put her on the floor. “Hug time over, sweetie. Mummy needs to get her shit together.” She held out a hand to Rhys. He slipped his into hers. “Thank you for caring.”

“Always. Sam, you’re never alone, not with me around.”

“Thank you. That means the world to me. I need to get my act together and get over there.”

“The offer is still on the table if you want me to drive you.”

“No, what you can do is take care of the dogs’ needs for me. It’s too early to drop Tilly off at Doreen’s before I head off.”

“Leave it with me. I’ll see to the dogs.”

“Thanks. You’re the best fiancé anyone could hope to have.”

He smiled, pulled her to her feet and gave her a tight hug. “Don’t ever push me away. We’re in this together, through the highs and lows, darling.”

“I know. The news just knocked me for six. I feel better now I’ve had a cry to get it out of my system.”

“Always what the doctor orders, venting those pent-up emotions. They can do the average person more harm than good.”

Her eyes widened. “Nice to know where I stand, being called average in your eyes.”

He cringed and shook his head. “Bugger, you know I didn’t mean it like that. Stop twisting my words. ”

“I know. I’m just teasing.” She continued to dry her hair, then slipped into her suit, teaming it with a red blouse. But she had second thoughts and swapped it for a cream one instead.

Bob was there to greet her at the scene. He marched towards her, waving his arms around. She prepared herself for an ear-bashing.

“Can you effing believe this? Shit! What the fuck is going on here? Did you know it was Claire?”

Sam raised her hands to silence him. “First of all, good morning. Can we hold fire on asking questions neither of us knows the answer to, for now at least? Yes, I knew. I told the girl at the call centre not to tell you. I didn’t want you to have a crash en route. I need to see her.”

“Sorry, morning. What a shitty way to start our day. She’s over here.”

“I thought Des would have been here by now. Have you heard from him?”