Free Two Evils: A DI Charlotte Savage Novel by Mark Sennen Page A

said, puffing from the exertion. ‘The CC is keeping tabs. Next thing you know she’ll have a security tag around my bollocks.’
    When Maria Heldon had taken up her post, she’d instigated a full-scale, force-wide audit of operational procedures. The audit was yet to be completed, but Heldon had already decided there was a lack of leadership due to senior officers spending too much time in meetings and not enough time on the ground. Hence Hardin’s presence at the scene.

    Savage shook her head. The last thing she wanted was the DSupt poking his nose in.
    ‘Well?’ Hardin gestured into the tunnel.
    ‘Bad news I’m afraid, sir. He’s in there. Jason Hobb. And we’re not talking accidental death.’
    ‘Bugger.’ Hardin stared into the blackness as if he had some kind of superhero night vision. He shook his head and there was silence for a moment. Then he stuck his tongue out over his bottom lip before speaking again. ‘Where the fuck is that John Layton?’
    It was early evening before Riley managed to make his way over to Plymstock to interview Perry Sleet’s wife. Getting the CSIs organised and up onto the moor had seemed to take forever and by the time he’d returned to Plymouth and dropped Enders off at the station the streetlights were on and the rush hour over.
    Sleet lived in a new-build just off the A379 to the west of the River Plym, the estate set in a huge quarry. A sign announced to Riley that he’d arrived in Saltram Meadow, although the estate had been built in the old quarry workings and was next door to what had once been the local tip. Still, Sleet’s property wasn’t bad, a three-storey townhouse with what looked like a pretty decent garden out the back.
    Riley pulled up outside and stared at the house. These days property developers provided you with a ready-made dream, the garden with a front lawn and little flowerbeds, inside everything fully fitted. He wondered if that included the family. Except in this case, just a few months into their new life, it appeared as if things had gone very wrong for the Sleets. Would the developers be honouring their money-back guarantee if the dream soured?

    The woman who opened the door introduced herself as Catherine and she was even better looking in real life than in the Facebook shot Riley had seen. She smiled at Riley and ushered him in and through to the living room, the furnishings within almost exactly as he’d expected, right down to the white leather sofa with double recliners. One of the recliners had been tilted back, a fleece blanket thrown to one side, the TV flickering on the far side of the room with the volume muted. On the arm of the recliner sat a box of tissues.
    ‘Any news?’ Catherine asked as she walked across to the sofa and touched a button on the side. The recliner moved into an upright position and the woman sat. She gestured at Riley to do the same. ‘He’s usually so reliable and nothing’s been bothering him. I can’t think why he would have left the car and set off onto the moor.’
    Riley nodded. He hadn’t asked any questions yet, but Catherine Sleet seemed keen to give answers. He took one of the armchairs. This woman appeared at first sight so cool and in control that he wondered if the box of tissues was part of an act.
    ‘I know what you’re thinking,’ Catherine continued. Riley still hadn’t said anything more than his name and rank but he nodded. ‘You’re thinking why isn’t she blubbing her eyes out. Well, I’m trying to hold it together for the sake of the kids.’
    ‘I’m not here to judge you,’ Riley said. ‘Your husband is missing and it’s our job to find him. Besides, people have varying reactions to stress. We all cope in different ways.’
    ‘Well, I’m struggling, if you must know. It’s been over twenty-four hours without a word. That’s not like him.’ Catherine shook her head. ‘Shit, what am I saying? He’s never done anything like this before. Not been missing for a