Free DARK CRIMES a gripping detective thriller full of suspense by MICHAEL HAMBLING Page B

at one thirty sharp, directly after lunch. I’d like a verbal report from everyone on progress so far. By then we should know the DNA results. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.’
    * * *
    She was sipping a coffee in the corridor when her mobile rang. It was the forensic office at county headquarters. She listened intently, and then went to find the senior station officer.
    ‘The DNA analysis has come back from forensics, and it’s positive. I’d like Berzins charged at one thirty. Could you put someone on to getting his solicitor back in?’
    ‘That’s brilliant news. You must be pleased. Do you think you can find enough evidence to charge him with the other two murders?’
    ‘We’ll do our best, Tom. By the way, I’ve arranged for someone to come in and observe while we charge him. She’s DI Wendy Blacklock from the Met’s domestic violence unit. She should be arriving sometime soon, but if she is late we hold back on the charge until she’s here. Okay?’
    She returned to the incident room, called the team together and told them the news about the DNA match. There were one or two whoops and cheers.
    ‘Don’t get carried away. We still need all of this backup evidence. If anything, it’s even more important now. And we need to trace the brother. So keep at it.’
    She spoke quietly to Marsh.
    ‘Barry, we’ll charge him at one thirty. His solicitor is being contacted. I’ve arranged for someone from the Met to be present as an observer, just so that you know. I want you there as well.’
    * * *
    Wendy Blacklock had been second in command of the Met’s domestic violence unit for three years. She was considered to be one of the foremost experts on assaults within relationships. Sophie had met Wendy while attending several training courses that Wendy had run, and they had stayed in contact. She was shorter than Sophie, dark-haired and with none of Sophie’s sharp dress sense, but they got on well. Both were dedicated and shrewd, and well respected professionally. Wendy had travelled from London to Wareham after Sophie’s phone call the previous evening.
    ‘I can do my paperwork on the train, so it won’t be a problem,’ she’d said. ‘It will be good to get out of London for a day, particularly to the seaside.’
    Berzins had been brought up from the cells, and was sitting in the interview room with the solicitor. Sophie sat down opposite him. Barry Marsh and Wendy Blacklock stood against the wall, just inside the door. Berzins looked tired and pale.
    ‘Good afternoon, Vilis. Have you been treated well since I saw you last?’
    The young man nodded.
    ‘Is there anything you wish to change in the statement you made yesterday?’
    ‘No. I told you what I know.’
    ‘Is there anything that you wish to add? Maybe you’ve thought of something else, something that you forgot to tell us?’
    ‘I do not think so.’
    ‘We didn’t really talk much about what you did while you were at the railway station in Bournemouth. Did you leave the station at any time?’
    ‘No. I took a book with me and sat reading it while I was waiting. I sat for most of the time in the waiting room where it was warmer than outside on the platforms.’
    ‘What book was it?’
    ‘ A Tale of Two Cities . I am trying to read some of Dickens’ novels.’
    ‘Where is the book now?’
    ‘In the cell. It was taken from me when I was first brought here, with my phone and other things. But I asked for it to be returned yesterday evening so that I could read more.’
    Sophie turned and looked at Marsh, indicating that he should fetch the book.
    ‘So you didn’t leave the station? Were there others in the waiting room with you?’
    ‘Yes. People came and went. Most didn’t stay long, just to wait for their trains to arrive.’
    ‘Did you talk to anyone? Would any other travellers be able to verify that you were there?’
    ‘I don’t think so. I sat reading all of the time. I don’t remember speaking to anyone.’
    ‘Have you