Page 41 of The Truth Will Out

“Apology accepted. This part is going to hurt… and I’m sorry for having a go at you.”

“Is this about what happened last night, when you got home?”

She frowned and shot him a quick look before she returned her gaze to the road ahead. “Meaning?”

“What the fuck? You didn’t tackle Rhys about what we found, did you?”

Her grip tightened around the steering wheel.

“No need to answer. Actions speak louder than words.”

Sam sighed. “I couldn’t. God help me, I wanted to, but my anger got the better of me. After we’d eaten, I ended up shutting myself away in the bedroom for the rest of the evening.”

“I don’t get it. Why?”

“Because I was too scared to start the conversation with him. We don’t have enough evidence against him, and I wasn’t sure how I wanted to proceed. Just finding his name in a file isn’t enough to be suspicious of him, and yet last night, I treated him like a convicted criminal.”

“Jesus, Sam. Why?”

“Stop bloody asking me that. Because…”

“What? Just because, or am I missing what you’re trying to say here?”

“Because for the first time in my life, I’m confused. No, make that dumbfounded beyond words that Claire chose not to confide in me, went behind my back and ended up…”

“Dead! You can say the word. It doesn’t stop you normally. It’s generally part of our usual vocabulary, especially during an investigation.”

“All right, Bob, there’s no need for the added sarcasm. I’m feeling shit enough about this case as it is.”

“I’m sorry. At the end of the day, we’ve got a job to do. Would you rather it was me who tackled Rhys?”

“No. I’ll do it in my own time. First, we need to find out how deep this goes and what Claire’s involvement was in it.” She drew onto the road leading to the building site. “Let’s leave this conversation here, for now.”

“We will definitely revisit it, though. We have to, Sam. All you’re doing by avoiding the obvious is tying yourself into knots.”

“I hear you.” She parked behind two patrol cars.

Four officers were trying to control a crowd of workmen, and things appeared to be getting heated.

“We’d better shake a leg or two and get in there to help out.”

“I’m sensing things might escalate soon. My advice would be for you to stay back.”

“Thanks for your concern. I happen to believe the opposite would be better to ease the tension here.”

They exited the car, and Bob shrugged at her.

“You’re the boss.”

“Exactly.” She grinned and marched towards the group. “Who’s in charge here?”

An older man raised his hand. “I’m the foreman.”

“Can I have a chat with you in private?” Sam pointed at a free spot not ten feet away.

He followed her, and the crowd quietened down behind them.

“Sorry, I didn’t catch your name?”