Free The Eighth Witch by Maynard Sims

“Careless,” he said. “I take it you’re Holly Ireland.”
    She nodded.
    “And I also take it these people have told you the news about Professor Norton?”
    “We put her in the picture,” Carter said.
    “We’d like to ask you some questions, Ms. Ireland.”
    “Would you mind if I come along to the station later? I was about to go to the hospital to see Henry.”
    “This won’t take long,” Lacey said, pulling up a chair and settling his large frame into it, making it clear he wasn’t going anywhere. He looked from Annie to Carter. “Don’t let us keep you.”  
    “I was going to take Holly to the hospital,” Annie said.
    “You still can. We’ll only be fifteen minutes or so, if you wouldn’t mind coming back.”
    Carter tucked the laptop under his arm. “Yes, well, I have to get off.”
    “Is that your computer, Ms. Ireland?” Lacey said, noticing the fire-buckled plastic case.
    “No it’s Hen…” She stopped herself, but too late.
    Amusement glimmered in Lacey’s eyes. “The laptop, Sergeant,” he said.
    Sparks stepped forwards, effectively blocking Carter’s path. “If you wouldn’t mind, sir?” he said, holding out his hand.
    “Yes I would,” Carter said and tried to move past the detective.
    Lacey sighed. “Don’t be difficult, Mr. Carter. The computer was Professor Norton’s. It might contain important clues that could lead to his attacker, so hand it over, there’s a good chap.”
    “I don’t wish to pull rank, Inspector, but if I have to…” He reached into his jacket pocket, produced his Department 18 ID card and passed it to Lacey. Ian Lacey flicked his gaze over the laminated card, looked hard at Carter and then passed the card to Sparks.  
    The sergeant read the card carefully. “What is Department 18?”
    “Government Spook Squad. And we’re not talking spies here, are we, sir?”
    “No, Inspector, we’re not,” Carter said.
    Lacey’s eyes narrowed. “Are you here officially?”
    “At the moment I’m just looking into things. I’m actually on leave…but I can make it official with one phone call.”
    Lacey pursed his lips, nodding slowly. “My chief constable knows your boss. Crozier, isn’t it? They’ve played golf together.”
    “Simon Crozier, yes. What has that got to do with anything?”
    “Nothing at all, really. It’s just that I could make a phone call too. I’m sure Simon Crozier wouldn’t approve of one of his operatives obstructing police business.”
    “I’m not interested in obstructing your investigation, Inspector. The computer’s password protected. I’m taking it to someone I know to get the password cracked. Once I’m in I’ll go through Norton’s files, and anything I think will help your investigation I’ll pass on to you.”
    “I’d prefer it if you’d just hand over the computer once you’re finished with it.”
    “Fair enough.”
    “Sir?” Sparks said. “You’re not letting him take it?”
    “It would appear that I am,” Lacey said.
    Sparks was glaring at Carter, a mixture of incredulity and anger in his eyes.
    “Oh, simmer down, Matt,” Lacey said. “You’ll give yourself an ulcer.”
    “But, sir…”
    “We’re on the same side, Sergeant. I trust Mr. Carter here to do the right thing.” He turned to Carter. “You will do the right thing, won’t you?”
    “Of course. Where can I reach you?”
    Lacey dipped into his pocket and pulled out a card. “That’s my direct line. I don’t know if I’ll be here or back in Bradford, so call that and you’ll be patched through.”
    Carter turned to Annie. “I’ll ring you.”
    “Later, Rob.” She turned to Holly. “I’m going to pick up my car. I’ll be back in twenty minutes, and then I’ll take you to see Henry.”
    Holly smiled at her gratefully.
    Once they were alone Lacey sat forwards in his seat and rested his hands on his knees. “Perhaps we can start with you telling me about last night,” he said to Holly.

Chapter Nine
    Ollie