Free No Cherubs for Melanie by James Hawkins

bet I do, Sir. It wasn’t suicide. It was murder. He killed her.”
    â€œInspector…” “Sir…” Bliss tried interrupting, but was silenced by the forcefulness of Edwards’ response.
    â€œAs I was saying Inspector, it was suicide. You’re not questioning my professional integrity are you?”
    Now what, thought Bliss, already feeling the senior officer’s bite.
    â€œI’m sorry…” he began. “But…”
    â€œBefore you answer, just remember, Inspector Bliss, you weren’t involved in the case. You probably haven’t even seen the file.”
    â€œI’m aware of that…” Bliss fumbled to find conciliatory words but failed, and his voice drifted off.
    â€œGood. I’m glad you understand.”
    â€œBut you may not know he’d already murdered his daughter, sir.”
    Edwards jerked forward in mock surprise. “I understood it was an accident.”
    Bliss was passionate. “Believe me, sir, Melanie’s death was no accident. It was murder. Her father drowned her.”
    â€œNot according to the coroner.”
    â€œThe coroner was wrong.”
    The superintendent’s squinted eyes pierced Bliss. “And not according to the copper who did the investigation. He had it pegged as an accident. In fact there was never any mention of foul play.”
    â€œIt was me, sir. I was the investigating officer.” Edwards pretended he hadn’t known. “So are you telling me you committed perjury? Is that what you’re saying? You stood in front of a coroner’s jury, stuck your hand on the Good Book and deliberately perverted the course of justice.”
    â€œNo. It wasn’t like that.”
    â€œGood. Because as far as I’m concerned the case is closed. The girl died accidentally and her mum committed suicide ten years later ’cos she couldn’t stand the strain anymore.”
    â€œBut that’s not what happened.”
    â€œIt is as far as I’m concerned, and it better be as far as you’re concerned as well. Personally I don’t give a monkey’s fart whether he done her in or not, all I care about is keeping the records straight and if some prat like you starts stirring up shit from the past I shall take great delight in stomping all over you. I trust I make myself clear, Inspector Bliss.”
    The onslaught forced Bliss to retreat somewhat, but he had no thought of total capitulation. “But you must admit it’s possible he killed his wife.”
    Edwards slowly and deliberately pulled himself up to his full sitting height behind the oversize leather-topped desk, and fixed Bliss with a defiant stare. “I admit nothing of the sort. The case is closed, Inspector. It was suicide ten years ago and it will remain suicide today. Do I make myself clear?”
    Although Bliss was nodding he couldn’t get his face toagree, so Edwards drove the point home with the hint of a threat. “Just remember, it may not be in your best interest to make waves. You need all the friends you can get at the moment.”
    That went well, thought Bliss sardonically as he slunk out of the superintendent’s office and found DCI Bryan hovering in the corridor. “How are you getting on, Dave?”
    â€œBrilliant, sir. You gave me a murder, I’ve ended up with three, and now I’ve got the superintendent on my back. Just brilliant. Thanks a lot.”
    DCI Bryan tipped his head queryingly. “Three murders?”
    â€œGordonstone’s kid and his wife,” continued Bliss. “I’m almost sure they were murdered as well.”
    â€œAlmost, Dave?”
    â€œWell, all right. Personally I’m sure. I can’t prove it yet, but I will.”
    â€œSo how have you upset the super?”
    Bliss filled him in quickly. The chief inspector glanced up and down the corridor then caught hold of Bliss’s sleeve and dragged him toward the washroom.