Page 22 of The Truth Will Out (DI Sam Cobbs #18)

A t the scene, Sam struggled to figure out how a doctor could be found dead in his consulting room halfway through the day. She asked for clarification from the receptionist.

“I was asked to cancel all his appointments until this afternoon. He also told me to come in late today as I wouldn’t be needed.”

Sam glanced around the empty waiting room.

The second surgery she’d visited this week, both empty, and yet there was outcry from the general public about the need to sit on the phone every morning in the hope of being offered an appointment.

The new system was a sham, a disgrace to society, especially if this was the result.

“I see. What time did you arrive?”

“Just after two. I saw Dr Trigg’s car was out the back, and when I came in, his door was closed. I presumed he didn’t want to be disturbed and that he was either catching up on paperwork or on a call to a patient.”

“What time did you find him?”

“It was a good half an hour later, so around two-thirty, give or take.” She sniffled and wiped her nose. Tears dripped onto her cheek. “ I’m sorry. I’m trying my best to hold it together. It’s not easy, not after seeing him like that. It was such a shock.”

“I’m sure it was. Are you alone here?”

“Yes. I’m the receptionist, and Dr Trigg is—or should I say was —the only doctor on duty this week.

The other two doctors are on holiday and maternity leave.

Jesus, why would someone kill him, let alone bloody do that to him?

I don’t get it. You see and hear about horrendous crimes like this on the TV all the time.

I never thought I’d have to deal with it personally, though. It’s just shocking.”

“I know. I’m sorry you were the one who discovered the body. Why don’t you take a seat, and I’ll make you a drink?”

The receptionist waved the suggestion away. “It’s fine. I only drink water. I’m on a diet; I’ve lost three stone since January.”

“That’s incredible. Well done. Before we get in there and assess the scene, is there anything you can tell us about Dr Trigg? By that I mean, has he had any problems lately that you’re aware of, either at work or at home? Is he married? That should have been my first question.”

“No. He got divorced last year. His wife moved away with their two children. She now lives in Kent, I believe. Dr Trigg went down to see them last month, knowing that he wouldn’t be able to visit them again until Christmas because of what’s going on around here with the other two doctors.”

“I don’t suppose you have the ex-wife’s address, do you?”

“No. I would have no need to know that. As for anything else going on in Dr Trigg’s life, I really wouldn’t know.

He didn’t tend to confide in me that much.

I don’t think he was dating anyone else; he was not the type.

I got the impression he was enjoying the peace and quiet at home.

Some people suffer from depression after they get divorced.

He hasn’t, not that I’ve been aware of. But…

oh God, you need to see him. Someone evil did this to him.

” Her hand trembled. “I can’t believe what I saw in there.

I screamed when I opened the door and took a step back. I thought I was going to pass out.”

“You didn’t enter the room?”

“No. I wanted to stay as far away from him as possible. I know that sounds awful, and I should have checked for a pulse, but his eyes were… it was obvious he was dead. What kind of sick piece of shit does something like this to a doctor?”

“We’re going to find out who did this, I promise you. We’ll need to get a statement from you; are you willing to do that now?”

“Yes. I’d like to get it over and done with. I think it would be therapeutic to get it out of my system; otherwise, I’m only going to dwell on it, let it fester, and what good is that going to do me?”

“Exactly. Have you cancelled all the appointments for today?”

“Yes, I dropped into professional mode after I rang 999 to report his death.”

“That’s great. Thank you for doing that.” Sam peered over her shoulder at the two uniformed officers standing by the door. She recognised one of them. “It’s Ray, isn’t it?”

The taller officer beamed and took a step towards her. “That’s right, ma’am. What can I do to help?”

She faced the receptionist again and asked, “I apologise. I didn’t get your name.”

“It’s Hazel.”

“Ray, I need you to sit down with Hazel and take a statement from her, if you will.”

“With pleasure. I’ll nip out to the car and get the paperwork, ma’am.”

“I’ll leave you in the constable’s capable hands.”

“Thank you.” Hazel returned to sit behind the reception desk, her gaze drawn to the doctor’s office.

Calmly professional, Sam joined Bob, who had collected two protective suits from the car. “I guessed we’d be needing these.”

“I’ve received a message from Des. He’s stuck in traffic on the other side of Workington. He should be with us soon.”

“Nothing new. The traffic has been worse than abysmal lately. I’m surprised we didn’t get caught in it.”

“I think that’s more down to my expert driving and knowledge of all the shortcuts in the area.”

Bob snorted and rolled his eyes. “You keep telling yourself that. Anyway, it gives us a chance to have a look in there. Did you get anything from the receptionist?”

“Nothing much. The victim is recently divorced. Let’s change and get in there to see for ourselves what’s going on. From what she’s told me, I’m already inclined to link his death to the other murders.”

“Without seeing him?”

Sam nodded. Once they were suited and booted, she placed her hand on the doorknob. “Brace yourself.”

He nodded and lowered his voice so only Sam could hear what he had to say. “I’m fully braced and ready for anything this fucker is prepared to throw at us.”

“You and me both.” She opened the door and froze. “What the…? I forgot to ask, do you recognise his name?”

“Yep, from the list. Another reason we should suspect it’s the same killer.”

They stood in the doorway. Sam’s gaze trained on the doctor.

His hands were clasped in prayer over his chest, and his lips and eyes had been sewn shut, reminiscent of what had happened to the other victims, or some of them.

She noticed there was a book open on the desk in front of him.

They entered the room, and Sam immediately went to investigate what type of book it was, presuming it to be a medical reference book.

Instead, she discovered it was the Bible.

One passage in particular had been underlined in red:

For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light. Luke 8:17

“What does that mean?” Bob said, reading it over her shoulder.

“I’m taking it to be a message from the killer about the victims and the part they’ve played in his or her past.”

“Er, that much I kind of worked out for myself. The killer must be a warped fucker, that’s all I can say. ”

“That’s twice you’ve called them that today. Give me a break and don’t say it a third time.”

“That told me.” Bob circled the room and stopped in front of the corkboard. “Shit!”

Intrigued, Sam approached him to see what he’d found. “What is it?”

“An old photo.”

“I can see that. Who are all these people?”

The photo was yellowed and worn. Its edges curled with time.

Bob unpinned it and read what was written on the back. “Shit! It’s a staff photo from Pendle House.”

Sam peered closer at a specific person she thought she recognised—it was Rhys.

Bob did the same and tutted. “Is that Rhys?”

Sam’s heart thundered until it made her gasp for breath, enough to worry her partner.

“Are you all right?”

She inhaled and exhaled a couple of deep breaths. “Look at his expression. It’s haunting. His eyes are distant, wary almost. Or is that my imagination?”

“No, I’d call that a spot-on assessment. What is going on?”

“I don’t know. I’m sensing he knows more about what went on at that children’s home than he’s willing to share with me.”

“By what you told me in the car about your meeting earlier, I would have to agree. If that’s the case, Sam, he’s playing a dangerous game.”

She paused, torn between the case and her relationship, not that she had the chance to consider that for long because Des and his team arrived.

“What have we got here, then?”

“Another doctor, and yes, we believe the cases are connected.”

Des took one look at the victim and nodded. “I’d agree with your assessment. What do we know about him? And what are you holding, Inspector? ”

“We’ve just found this photo pinned to the corkboard.” She handed it to him.

“What am I looking at?”

“A staff photo from Pendle House.”

“I take it the victim is on here?”

“I haven’t got that far. We’ve only just discovered it.” Sam compared the people in the photo to the victim, with Bob peering over her shoulder. “The names are handwritten on the back.”

“Hang on, isn’t that him?” Bob pointed to a young man at the rear. He was standing two feet away from Rhys.

Her gaze was drawn back to her fiancé.

“Do you agree?” Bob prompted.

“Yes, that’s him. I wonder if the receptionist will give us a copy of this.”

“I’ll ask.”

“Make sure she doesn’t touch it. You deal with it and let her press the button. Not teaching you how to suck eggs or anything.”

Bob grinned and left the room.

“Are you all right, Sam? You seem to be a little distracted during this investigation. Tell me to butt out if you have something personal going on at home.”

“You’re right. There is something. I’m just not sure how relevant it is right now.”

“Are you going to let me in on this secret?”

Sam swallowed hard. “One of the people in that photo is Rhys.”

“Whoa! As in your fella Rhys?”

“As in my bloody fiancé Rhys.”

“Ouch! And what’s he said about what’s happened this week?”

“I met him about an hour ago to tackle him about it…”

“I take it things didn’t go too well.”

“No, he ended up walking away from me.”