Free A Perfect Death by Kate Ellis Page A

neglected and there was no loss of life. How’s that for justice?’
    ‘Oh dear.’ Wesley mouthed the words silently. It seemed they didn’t know the place was occupied, and in any case they’d worded
     the announcement so that there was no admission of guilt. But even if they were responsible, it was unlikely that any court
     would convict them of premeditated murder. If he was a betting man, he would have put money on a manslaughter verdict.
    As he returned to Gerry’s office he looked at the huge notice board that filled one wall of the incident room. There were
     photographs of the charred corpsefound in the field near Queenswear, only the shape making it recognisable as a human being. There was also a picture of a
     young woman with the name Donna Grogen scrawled beneath it in Gerry Heffernan’s untidy hand, with the note ‘no DNA match’
     scribbled beside the name as an afterthought.
    There was also a posed photograph of a prosperous-looking middle-aged man. The name underneath was Jon Bright – local property
     developer and the new owner of the field where the burned body was discovered. His wife’s name had been added to the display
     as well, along with the comment that she had been receiving death threats, but there was, as yet, no photograph of the unlucky
     lady.
    Wesley studied the board for a while. It would take him some time to get up to speed with all the details of the case. Sometimes
     holidays just weren’t worth the trouble. Not that he hadn’t enjoyed Carcassonne … at least until his meeting with Ian Rowe.
     He made a mental note to call Neil later to tell him all about the encounter.
    ‘I think she’s hiding something.’
    Wesley swung round to see Rachel Tracey standing there.
    ‘Who is?’
    ‘Sheryl Bright – Jon Bright’s wife. The boss and I went to see her yesterday. She receives an anonymous threat to burn her
     to death then, lo and behold, a woman’s burned to death on the site where her husband’s due to build twenty houses. Now does
     that sound like a coincidence to you or does it sound like mistaken identity?’
    ‘What do we know about these Pure Sons of the West?’
    ‘We know one of them’s called Chas Ventisard. Donna Grogen is going out with him.’
    Wesley smiled. ‘So I’ve heard. Has this Ventisard got form?’
    ‘Drunk and disorderly. Driving while banned.’
    ‘We’d better pay him a visit.’
    ‘Aren’t you supposed to be …?’
    ‘On holiday? Sort of.’
    ‘Bet Pam’s not pleased about that,’ she said, avoiding his eyes.
    ‘As a matter of fact she was remarkably understanding,’ he said, looking at his watch. Pam’s attitude had rather surprised
     him. Things were definitely looking up. ‘I’ll go with the boss to see this Ventisard character, then I’ll get off home. Have
     we identified any more of these Pure Sons of the West?’
    ‘Trish is working on it.’
    DC Trish Walton, Rachel’s housemate, was several desks away, talking on the phone and frowning with concentration as she made
     copious notes.
    ‘Who’s that?’ Wesley nodded in the direction of a plump man in his thirties with thinning red hair. His was a face Wesley
     didn’t recognise. He’d only been away for a week and it seemed that things in the office had changed in that short time.
    Rachel lowered her voice. ‘He’s Steve’s replacement. His name’s Nick Tarnaby and he’s been transferred from Neston. Boss doesn’t
     think he’s too bright.’
    ‘And what do you think?’
    Rachel shrugged. ‘He seems a bit morose … hardly a bundle of laughs.’
    ‘Perhaps he’s got problems.’
    ‘And if the boss takes a dislike to him his problems are going to multiply. Who was it who said that Gerry Heffernan doesn’t
     suffer fools gladly?’
    ‘Probably Gerry Heffernan.’ Their eyes met and they exchanged a smile. ‘Which reminds me, he’s waiting for me.’
    ‘He’s asked me to have another word with Mrs Bright. I’m taking our new boy … got to