Free Missing Believed Dead by Chris Longmuir Page A

It wouldn’t do for either the family or the police to find the laptop. She had to hide it and she knew the perfect place.

 
    Chapter Eleven
     
    Kate tightened her lips as Bill moved to peer into the van. The man was insufferable, not only had he tried to advise her about procedure but he had brushed off Malik’s treatment of her with a flip remark. Well, a few days of watching CCTV footage would soon sort him out.
    Crossing to the far side of the car park she approached the two policewomen guarding the boys. ‘DI Rawlings,’ she said, brandishing her ID card. ‘And you are?’
    ‘WPC Amanda Burns, ma’am.’
    ‘WPC Louise Walker, ma’am.’
    ‘And which of you two boys found the body?’ Kate eyed them speculatively. ‘Well, speak up lads,’ she said, ‘we don’t have all day.’
    ‘Excuse me, ma’am, but their parents are on the way to the office and I was about to take them there for questioning.’
    Kate frowned at Louise. ‘I want to know how the body was found. After that you can take them in for questioning.’
    A smile of grim satisfaction pulled at the corners of her mouth as she watched Walker’s face redden.
    ‘Well lads,’ she said, ‘which one of you has a tongue in his head?’
    ‘It was me, miss. I was the one as saw the body first.’
    ‘And your name is?’
    ‘Ross, miss. Ross Duncan.’
    ‘Well, Ross. How about telling me what you were doing when you found him.’
    ‘We weren’t doing nothing, miss. We was just walking past the van when the door swung open. We couldn’t miss seeing him, miss. He were lying there all horrible like.’
    Kate’s mouth twisted into a grim smile. She wondered whether his story would change once he knew they’d been spotted on CCTV. She was tempted to tell him but knew if she did, it would contaminate the evidence.
    ‘I see. And what about you?’ Kate swung round to face the other boy who immediately burst into tears.
    ‘I think that’s enough,’ Louise said. ‘I don’t think we should question them further without their parents present.’
    ‘When I want your opinion I’ll ask for it,’ Kate snapped. But she knew the policewoman was right, which made it even more aggravating.
    * * * *
     
    ‘Oops, here comes your boss. I’m off to pack up my kit before she nobbles me.’ Colin scuttled to the front of the van and started to gather up his gear.
    Bill followed him and tapped his shoulder. ‘What’s the matter, mate. You got something against women cops?’
    ‘Not particularly, but that is one formidable lady. Besides, I heard the way she talked to the doc and I’m not in the mood for that kind of treatment.’
    Bill suppressed a laugh. ‘Go on then. I’ll keep her occupied.’
    He watched Kate’s approach, and was forced to agree with Colin’s assessment of her as she strode purposefully towards them with a ferocious expression on her face. Beyond her, Louise and WPC Burns were ushering the two boys into a car. He willed Louise to turn and look towards him, maybe send him some signal, Bill was disappointed when she didn’t.
    He turned back to Colin. ‘I expect the DI’s going to want to see inside the van,’ Bill said. ‘Is it clear for that yet?’
    ‘Sure.’ Colin grabbed his bag and headed for the SOCO van. ‘We’re finished but the guys from the mortuary will be here any minute. You’d better be quick.’
    ‘What’s happening?’ Kate’s voice was sharp.
    ‘The SOCOs are finished, ma’am. We can have a closer look at the body now.’
    ‘About time,’ she muttered. ‘They say anything?’
    ‘They think it’s an overdose. He’s got a needle stuck in his arm, but he’s also tied to the floor of the van. They don’t think it was accidental. Oh, and he’s got green beads stuck in his eyes.’
    Kate scrambled into the van for a closer look. ‘You think it might be a weird sexual game gone wrong?’
    ‘Could be,’ Bill said. The uncomfortable feeling at the pit of his stomach led him to think it was