Free Lethal Outbreak by Malcolm Rose Page A

mind?’
    ‘Didn’t you see what Precious had at the bottom of her back garden?’
    ‘No.’
    ‘A motorbike – with plenty of chrome.’
    Lexi smiled. ‘I’ve always fancied riding one. I like the way they take corners. I’d like to feel that sort of speed with one knee centimetres from the road surface.’
    ‘Just scrape the paintwork, not your knee.’
    Precious Austin was not pleased to see the two detectives again, but she didn’t seem surprised. ‘Yes,’ she admitted, ‘I use a chrome-type spray paint. I like to keep the bike looking good. Why?’
    Ignoring her question, Troy asked, ‘Have you still got the spray can?’
    ‘No. Do you want to go into my workshop to prove it?’
    ‘No. Lexi will just take a sample off the bike.’
    ‘What?’ She looked horrified.
    ‘A tiny scrape will do. No one’ll notice.’
    Precious glanced at Lexi. ‘Do you have to?’
    ‘No. I could take a great big bit instead. A scratch that everyone’ll see.’
    Precious scowled at her. ‘You know what I mean. Are you being deliberately provocative?’
    Troy smiled to himself. His partner was being deliberately provocative. She wouldn’t admit it, though. But it was what Precious deserved.
    Lexi said, ‘I’ll take as much as I need – which isn’t very much.’
    While Lexi went for the sample and Precious eyed her carefully from the window, Troy asked, ‘When did you leave the Shallow End job?’
    ‘Three weeks ago. Friday the twenty-first of March.’
    ‘Are you going to tell me when the members of Two Races Apart are getting together?’
    ‘I’ve got no idea.’
    ‘But you’re a member. I’ve got a witness who says so.’
    ‘Are you sure?’
    ‘A reliable witness. There’s no doubt.’
    ‘In that case, yes, it’s tonight at eight thirty.’
    ‘The community centre in the second quarter? Not far from here?’
    ‘So I’ve been told,’ she replied.
     
    Afterwards, Troy looked at the small evidence bag in his partner’s hand and its streak of silver paint. ‘If it matches, it’s yet another piece of evidence against her. But does it make her look more guilty – or more innocent?’
    ‘Innocent?’
    ‘Exactly.’
    ‘How do you make that out?’
    Troy explained, ‘I still can’t believe that someonesplattering graffiti on a sports stadium is the same person who’s threatening an outer massacre. They’re worlds apart. Would a murderer spray evidence against themselves over a public wall? It just doesn’t figure.’
    ‘All I do is get evidence,’ Lexi said, ‘but, if you want me to tread in your territory, what about a double bluff?’
    Troy frowned. ‘You mean, she wanted us to pin the graffiti on her because we wouldn’t believe that the vandal and the murderer were the same person?’
    ‘Result? We dismiss her as a murder suspect.’
    Troy sighed. ‘Well, she left her bike out where we’d see it, but even so … I’m not buying it. Something’s telling me … ’
    ‘What?’
    ‘It’s just too easy. She’s not a fool. Would someone so clever make it so easy?’
    ‘Don’t ask me. You’re the one who’s good on human behaviour. I just think if she’s that clever, she could work out a double bluff.’

SCENE 24
    Thursday 17th April, Morning
    Lexi worked on the paint sample while she nibbled at her breakfast, laid out in front of her like an entomologist’s display. Troy concentrated solely on his black pudding and curry sauce. By the time he’d finished, Lexi announced, ‘Hey presto. It matches. That’s not proof Precious Austin’s our graffiti artist, but it’s not bad. Do you want to arrest her on suspicion of defacing a public building?’
    ‘Not really,’ Troy replied, wiping his mouth. ‘I want to catch a multiple murderer who’s holding every outer on the planet to ransom.’
    ‘And I haven’t convinced you they’re the same person?’
    ‘No.’ Troy paused before asking, ‘Do you want to arrest her?’
    ‘No. If she’s playing a double bluff game, I