Free Witness the Dead by Craig Robertson Page A

made Winter fairly sure that he wasn’t.
    ‘What information is that?’ Addison couldn’t help himself.
    ‘The fact that Kirsty McAndrew’s bloodstream contained heavy levels of benzodiazepines.’
    ‘Where the fuck were you keeping that little nugget of information?’
    Addison paused, seeing the reproach on Shirley’s face. ‘Sorry. Where the fuck were you keeping that little nugget of information, sir ?’
    Kelbie smiled smugly, enjoying Addison’s fury. ‘I took the liberty of having a wee chat with your lab people. Very accommodating they were, too. The toxicology tests aren’t complete yet, as some of the samples have yet to be returned, but the blood samples suggest Kirsty McAndrew was heavily sedated. Some derivative of Rohypnol, most likely.’
    Shirley leaned forward, deliberately cutting off the space between Addison and Kelbie. ‘Thank you, DCI Kelbie, good work. Derek, contact the lab and ask them to match the results against the samples taken from Hannah Healey.’
    ‘No need.’ Kelbie grinned like a pit bull licking raw meat. ‘I’ve already asked them to check. They’ll get the results back to me by the morning.’

Chapter 10
    Late Sunday afternoon
    Addison and Winter followed Cat Fitzpatrick as she led them through a set of swing doors and down the pale, narrow corridor on the first floor of the Scottish Police Services Authority building. Winter saw that Addison’s gaze was focused admiringly on the pathologist’s rear and gave him a frown of disapproval that the DI cheerfully shrugged off.
    ‘I don’t mind acting as tour guide,’ Fitzpatrick was saying, albeit in a tone that suggested she did mind. ‘But I’m not sure Sam will have results for you by now.’
    ‘If they’re not ready, they’re not,’ Addison replied, his stare never wavering. ‘I’m just keen to find out the conclusions. Before anyone else does.’
    Winter knew full well what the last comment meant, and so too, by her reply, did Cat.
    ‘Such admirable dedication. And I’m sure that it has nothing to do with a visit this morning by DCI Kelbie. And why have you got Tony with you, anyway? I can’t see any need to photograph lipstick samples.’
    ‘Do you two mind not talking about me as if I’m either not here or stupid?’
    They both ignored him and Addison coughed unconvincingly before answering. ‘I feel it will help to record the process. For evidentiary purposes. And because we have to attend another location immediately after we leave here.’
    ‘The Station Bar by any chance? I hear that place is full of highly suspicious characters.’
    ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about, Miss Fitzpatrick.’
    ‘Course you don’t. Okay, here we are.’
    Fitzpatrick opened the door into the lab and led them inside. Winter was struck, as he always was, by the suffocatingly clinical nature of the room. Diffused lighting, sterile workspaces and numerous trays of blue plastic test tube holders. There were phials and bell jars and endless computer monitors. Above all, there was a pervading sense of seriousness.
    Cat Fitzpatrick looked around the lab, obviously not seeing the person she was looking for. ‘Sam?’
    ‘Two seconds.’
    An impossibly tall and slender young woman in a white lab coat emerged from behind a screen, her hands resplendent in bright-purple nitrile gloves and a pair of protective glasses pushing long dark hair back onto her head. She unashamedly looked Winter and Addison up and down, seeming to take a particular interest in the DI’s lanky six-foot-four frame. Rather than address either of them, however, she spoke to Fitzpatrick, betraying the hint of an accent that might have been Aberdonian beneath its educated overtones.
    ‘Hi, Cat. I take it these are the long legs of the law.’
    Fitzpatrick tried to hide the smile that fought its way onto her face at seeing Addison on the receiving end of a sexist remark for a change.
    ‘It is indeed. Detective Inspector Derek Addison and