Page 12 of The Truth Will Out (DI Sam Cobbs #18)

Before Bob could answer, Des’s van appeared at the end of the harbour. The officer in charge checked the pathologist’s credentials and then allowed him access to the harbour.

“I need to have a word with him.”

“Shouldn’t you see… Claire, first?”

Sam released a long sigh. “It’s one of those cases where I want to, but at the same time, I don’t. I’m aware that the images will haunt me for the rest of my life.”

“I think you need time alone with her before you hand the scene over to Des. That’s just my opinion. But what do I know?”

“Okay, you win. Let me get my protective suit on. How long have you been here?”

“Around ten minutes. I thought it would take you longer than normal to get here.”

“It has. I had a hard time digesting the information when I was told this morning. That’s why I requested you to attend the scene.”

“What are you saying? That I’d deal with it better because I’m more in control of my emotions? ”

“Yes, that’s the case for most men, isn’t it? God, I’m dreading telling the rest of the team, especially Nick, who has only just joined us.”

“I wouldn’t stress about it. I think you’ve got a much tougher task on your hands.”

She stared at him and nodded. “Telling Scott?”

“Yeah. Good luck. I wouldn’t want to be in your shoes.”

“Right, let’s see what we’re up against. Was there any evidence found at the scene?”

“She was fished out of the harbour, so that’s unlikely.”

“Bugger. Who found her?”

Bob gestured to an elderly man with a border terrier standing at the end of the harbour wall. “Mr Torrence. He told me he didn’t mind waiting around for a little while.”

“In other words, he has a bird’s-eye view of what’s going on standing there and would prefer it if we left him alone to watch for a while.”

“I think you’ve scored a hole in one there. Who could blame him? He’s probably retired, and nothing interesting happens to brighten his day.”

“I’ll have a chat with him soon.” Sam spotted Claire’s body, hidden by the obligatory white sheet. She walked towards it, her legs heavy.

Bob bent and lifted the cover. Sam stared at the sergeant’s face, with whom she’d had the pleasure of working for the past ten years or so.

“Oh, God. I hate seeing her like this. It’s never easy dealing with a corpse, and it’s even more difficult when that person is a serving police officer and a member of your team.”

“What was she doing here? Did you know about this?” Bob mumbled.

“No. She told me she was researching something before sharing the details with me. Did she have a secret assignation with someone? Was it personal? I can’t see it.

So, this has to be connected to the case we’re working.

Did she discover something that triggered the killer, making them believe she was onto them?

Did they tell her to meet them here, then kill her to silence her? ”

“Too many questions and not enough answers, as usual. I guess we’re going to learn more about that when we get to the station. You’d think there would be some form of trail left behind on her computer.”

“We’ll get it forensically analysed after we’ve had a quick look at it first.”

Bob winked at her. “That’s what I was thinking. You can’t see it, but her hands have been bound with a cable tie.”

“Makes me wonder if she was already dead, or if the killer wanted her to struggle before she took her last breath.”

“We’re going to need Des to give us more information about that.”

“About what?” Des asked from behind Sam.

“If she was dead before she hit the water. Her hands are tied,” Sam told him.

“I doubt if she was dead then. That’s usually the way it works with these sadistic bastards. I’ve been told she’s one of yours, Sam. I’m sorry for your loss.”

“Believe me, so am I, Des. She was a great officer. I hope her death isn’t in vain.”

Des tilted his head and asked, “What do you mean by that?”

“Bob and I believe she found something out about the killer and… well, it’s a shot in the dark at the moment, but we think she might have arranged to meet the killer at this location.”

“How foolish of her. Why meet them alone? Was she hoping for a courage or bravery award?”

“She wasn’t the type. Honestly, we don’t know how or why this has happened. What we do know is that one of the most dedicated officers at the station has just lost her life.”

“Is this a matter of concern for you, Sam? Should another team deal with this now?”

“I’ll have a word with the DCI when I get back to the station.

I’ll request that we continue working the case, but I fear it will be stripped from us now, in light of Claire being murdered.

” She turned her back on the corpse and surveyed the area around them.

“Bob, we need to source all the camera footage in the vicinity. I can see one or two on the shop frontages. Although they might be too far away, we still need to get them analysed.”

“I’ll get on it as soon as they open. It’s still only seven-fifteen, Sam.”

“Sorry, yes, you’re right. I’ll see what Mr Torrence has to say for himself and then send him on his way.” She walked towards the elderly man. His dog barked at her.

“Hush now, Rex. Do you want to get us in trouble for disturbing the peace?”

“It’s not a problem. I’m Detective Inspector Sam Cobbs, Mr Torrence. First of all, I’m so sorry it was you who discovered the body. Can you tell me what time that was?”

“Around five forty-five. I don’t sleep well these days, so when the weather is fine, I like to take Rex for an early morning stroll around the harbour.

I live in the block of flats around the corner.

It’s convenient for me, being this close to town.

I don’t drive now; let’s face it, who can afford to run a car these days?

” He came up for air and continued before Sam had a chance to ask another question.

“Well, I came around the corner, and there it was, floating in the harbour. The state the water is in these days, that muddy orange colour, I knew it wouldn’t be anyone daft enough to be having an early morning dip in there.

When I got closer to the edge, I saw that the person was face down in the water.

I immediately rang 999. The operator took my details and asked me to stay here until the patrol arrived. ”

Sam had jotted down all the information in her notebook as Bob was still busy talking to Des. “Thank you. You’ve given me a clear image of what happened. I don’t suppose you saw anyone else in the area, did you?”

“I didn’t. No, wait… I’m telling a lie. A man staying on board one of the boats came on deck. He saw me, and we had a brief chat. I pointed out the body. He hadn’t noticed it; that’s what he told me anyway.”

“Which boat would that have been, sir? ”

“The one with the flash of red on the side. I can’t see the name of it from here.”

“Not to worry. I’ll have a word with him after I’ve finished talking to you.”

“I thought you might. I would, too. You can’t be too careful these days. He might pull up his anchor and set sail if you delay speaking to him.”

“It’s fine. I’ll sort it. And you said you didn’t see anyone else in the vicinity?”

“That’s right. I didn’t even see the little bugger who left the graffiti on the shop window over there.” He pointed to the shop on the corner.

Sam withdrew her phone, took a picture and zoomed in on it due to her eyesight deteriorating lately. The message was written in red; it might have been blood, but without getting closer, Sam wasn’t sure. It read, ‘Traitor’.

What the heck? Was that directed at Claire? It must have been. It’s too much of a coincidence otherwise.

“Forgive me for interrupting. You seem distracted. Do you know the victim?” he asked. “The reason I ask is because you seem upset. Or am I reading things into it?”

“You’re very astute, Mr Torrence. She’s a member of my team.”

“A policewoman? Oh, no, I had no idea. Was she working a case?”

“Yes. I’m sorry. I can’t go into detail.”

“Of course. My wife Edna was always telling me that I’m a nosey git. God rest her soul. Despite our differences, I still miss her. She’s been gone over ten years now. Rex is a comfort but not really the same. Forgive me, I’m waffling again. The police officer—was she married?”

“Yes. She also had two children. Around ten and twelve, I believe.”

“How awful. Your lot really do put your lives on the line, don’t you? I’m sure I speak for most of the community when I say this: we’re grateful for the sacrifices you make to keep the public safe in the line of duty. ”

“Thank you. We really don’t hear that enough from the public.”

“Well, let’s be honest, all the bad press the Met has received over the years probably puts all coppers in a bad light, I suppose.”

“Yes, we’ve had to take the flack for that. Right, I’m going to need to get on now. If I can take your address, I’ll get a uniformed officer to visit you at your convenience over the next few days to take a statement from you.”

He gave her the relevant information and smiled. “It’s just awful the young lady was killed. I sincerely hope you find the person who robbed her of her life. This type of thing shouldn’t happen, not when all you’re guilty of is doing your job.”

“I agree. Unfortunately, it happens more than the public realises. Thank you for making the call this morning.”

“Only doing my duty. I wish the outcome had been better for her and for you.”

“Me too. Take care, Mr Torrence.”

He smiled and jerked his dog’s lead to get it to walk on. “Come on, Rex. Let’s get home for some breakfast now, if we can stomach it.”

Bob joined her as she watched the man and his dog walk back along the pier.

“There’s something we’ve missed,” Sam whispered.

“Huh? What’s that?”

“Come with me.”

They walked towards the row of shops.

“Shit. I can see it. What the fuck? Was that aimed at Claire?”

“I can only assume that it was. I hadn’t noticed it when I drew up. The old man pointed it out to me.”