Free And None Shall Sleep by Priscilla Masters Page B

thought you said most of his face was missing?’
    â€˜Not quite all,’ she said shortly. ‘There’s enough there, if we use our discretion with a sheet.’
    He nodded. ‘I thought I might ask his son, save his wife the trauma.’
    Colclough grimaced. ‘But you said they weren’t close. It shouldn’t upset her, should it?’ His nose was still in Joanna’s preliminary report.
    â€˜Yes, but ...’ She left the comment to hang in the air. Colclough hadn’t seen Jonathan Selkirk’s body.
    â€˜That’s what I like about you, Piercy,’ he said. Always considering the victims’ feelings.’ He leered at her. ‘I suppose you’ve considered the fact that she’s one of the chief suspects.’
    â€˜So’s the son,’ she said. ‘And if you think that not being allowed to hang her family portraits around the place is a just excuse for murder ...’
    â€˜But how deep did it go?’ Colclough wagged his finger at her. ‘That’s what you’ve got to remember. How deep? She may have had this resentment festering for years. Something might have snapped. Or circumstances changed.’
    Joanna shook her head slowly. ‘You didn’t see his body, sir. It didn’t look like anything had snapped.’ She paused. ‘There wasn’t a sign of anger or hatred. He’d been led there and shot in cold blood. It looked like a professional job. There was no beating up, no obvious bruises. Anyway,’ she continued, ‘we’ll know more after the PM.’
    Colclough nodded. ‘So now what?’
    She stood up. ‘I’m going over to the school where Justin Selkirk works to pick him up.’
    â€˜He’s a teacher?’
    â€˜Yes. In some sort of Special School.’
    â€˜Right. How’s the arm?’ he asked kindly. ‘Not too sore, I hope?’
    â€˜A bloody nuisance. Still, Korpanski makes an able chauffeur.’
    Mike grunted and they both turned to look at him with amusement.
    Colclough gave her a curt nod and she know it was the nearest he would ever get to acknowledging her curtailed sick leave.
    She was almost through the door when he called her back. ‘How professional, Piercy?’
    â€˜Sir?’
    â€˜How professional a job?’
    â€˜We’ll know more after the PM,’ she said.
    His eyes were grim and she knew he expected a better answer.
    â€˜It looked like a contract killing,’ she said reluctantly. ‘Even the knots were neat and tight.’
    A long, tidy curved drive led to the charming old house that was now the Tall Firs school for children with severe learning difficulties. A few vans were slewed across the entrance. Scaffolding was erected at the side of the building. As they approached, a workman shuffled past them, wheeling a barrowful of cement.
    â€˜I don’t envy anyone the upkeep of this place,’ Joanna remarked.
    Mike gave a twisted smile. ‘Think they appreciate all that’s being done for them?’
    She shrugged her shoulders. ‘It’s like the bloody old folks’ homes,’ Mike continued sourly. ‘Palaces, most of them. And they’re probably too knocked off to realize.’
    â€˜Never mind, Mike,’ she said with a grin. ‘Maybe one day, if you play your cards right, you’ll be lucky enough to end your days in a “palace” like this.’ She turned and looked at him. ‘For goodness’ sake, it’s supposed to be the mark of civilized society how you treat your less fortunate members. Have a heart.’
    â€˜I have,’ he protested. ‘I just don’t like to see all my taxes going to waste.’
    She decided to tease. ‘Your wages come out of taxes, Mike. Some people might think that was a waste too.’
    â€˜Score one-all,’ he growled. He pulled the car up outside the double glass doors and a tall woman immediately rushed