Free A Need To Kill (DI Matt Barnes) by Michael Kerr Page A

And anyway, the tan stretched to the tips of his fingers, encompassing them.  There was no telltale white strip that might have implied that he usually wore a large ring. Hopefully the video tapes would disclose some guy wearing the ring, but it was long shot.
    Back in the squad room, Matt gave Errol the job of phoning the mortuary for any update he could get on Marsha’s autopsy, and to then confirm whether her father’s business trip at the time of the killing was on the level.
    Pete cabled up the video camera to a monitor in Matt’s office, while Matt poured them both coffee and then closed the Venetian blinds at the large window that faced the squad room.  He saw no need for anyone else to view what were in reality no less than pornographic home movies.
    It took time, even though they fast forwarded to find a clear view of each punter ’s hands.  Not one of Marsha’s partners wore a ring that matched the imprint found on the victims.
    “ What does that tell us, boss?” Pete said, removing the last tape, switching the camera and monitor off and disconnecting the cables.
    “ That if the killer wears his ring to commit murder, then I don’t see him taking it off to make love.”
    “ So you don’t think we’ve just had the pleasure of seeing our boy on screen?”
    “ I think it highly unlikely.  I’ve got the feeling we’re going through the motions.  The only clue we have is the ring.”
    “ Why not feed it to the press?  Someone out there will know if a friend, workmate or partner wears a bloody big ring with a wolf or some animal’s head on it.”
    “ We might do that, Pete, but not yet.  I don’t want him to go to ground or feel in danger.  We still have to run down some of Marsha’s contacts; ex-boyfriends and people who she worked with and for as a model.  And I want to talk to her best friend, whoever that might be.  All women have another female friend who they confide in.  And when the funeral takes place, we need to be there.  Maybe the killer will turn up wearing a black suit and a wolf head ring.”
    “ I’ll run down all her friends and acquaintances.  I’ll team up with Marci and―”
    “ Take Errol.”
    “ Wouldn’t Marci be better to handle any girlfriends Marsha had?”
    “ Okay, I can see that.  But we need to talk.”
    “ About what?” Pete said guardedly.
    “ You know what.”
    “ You mean Marci and me?”
    “ Yeah.  I drew the short straw and got told to impress on you two that it’s against policy for...you know.”
    “ It doesn’t compromise how we work, boss.”
    “ That’s not how I or the DCI see it.  One of you will be transferred out of SCU if you don’t cool it.”
    “ I don’t believe you’re saying this to me, boss.  What about you and Beth Holder?”
    “ She isn’t on the team, Pete.  Beth is a civilian, remember.  She consults for various departments if the need arises and the case falls within her area of expertise.”
    “ You’re splitting hairs, boss.”
    Matt didn’t like being the mouthpiece for Tom.  This was an area that made him squirm inwardly.  He was poking his nose into people’s personal lives.  It would have been easier to deal with if Pete had a problem with drink or gambling.  And his DS was right.  He was splitting hairs.  He had put procedure aside and gone off like a loose cannon on two occasions when Beth’s life had been at risk.  That was why he knew he was right in knowing without the slightest doubt that given the circumstances, Pete or Marci would let their feelings for each other interfere with how they carried out their duty. It had been no big deal when his sergeant had been having a fling with one of the lab technicians in ballistics, which was not off limits, but this was.
    “ Pete, I don’t know how tight you are with Marci, and don’t want to go there,” Matt said. “But you know the policy.  I didn’t just make it up.  Everyone on the team knows that you two are an item.  You