Free Death on High (The Lakeland Murders) by J J Salkeld Page A

It’s all a bit strange though.’
    ‘How do you mean?’
    ‘I just can’t work the lad out. He’s a farmer’s boy, probably as hefted to where he comes from as those bloody sheep are, but he doesn’t seem to mind nicking off other farmers. It just seems a bit out of character somehow.’
    ‘He’s not Robin Hood, Ian. Blimey, you’ve only been gone five minutes and you’re already going native, if we’re still allowed to say things like that.’
    ‘Only if you say it ironically Andy.’
    ‘I meant it ironically then. Seriously, you watch yourself. Just because you had a day of male bonding over a load of fence posts doesn’t make him your best mate all of a sudden. He’s a thief Ian, so let’s not lose sight of that. Maybe next week, maybe next month, but you’re going to nick him. So you just keep that in mind.’
    ‘I will, don’t worry.’
    ‘What about Spedding? You seeing any ways in with him yet?’
    ‘No, sod all. He and his pals don’t seem very friendly, and that’s an understatement. It might take me months to even get on more than nodding terms.’
    ‘And they say northerners are friendly.’
    ‘Who says that?’
    ‘Northerners I expect.’ They both laughed. ‘We’ll need to move things along then. Tell you what, leave it with me. I’ll have a chat with Ray Dixon tomorrow and see if we can come up with anything to help. He’s got a bloody devious mind.’

    Friday, 22nd February
     
     
    When Hall got in to work he called Robinson’s secretary and found out that he was in, alone, and didn’t have a meeting for half an hour. Hall said he’d come straight along. Robinson was waiting for him when he knocked.
    ‘Come in Andy, come in. Progress on the matter we were discussing?’
    Hall had no idea why Robinson felt the need to be oblique. They were alone.
    ‘Yes. We had a chat with Ed Willis, Tony’s partner.’
    ‘We?’
    ‘Yes, me and Jane Francis.’
    ‘Was that wise?’
    ‘You know the rules as well as I do sir. We’d have nothing admissable otherwise.’
    ‘So you think there’s something in it?’
    ‘I think there’s a very small chance that a very serious offence has been committed. But until I’m absolutely certain that there hasn’t been then I would prefer to proceed as normal.’
    ‘And Jane Francis is trustworthy? Not a gossip?’
    ‘Ian Mann gossips more than Jane does. She didn’t even know that those two PCSOs had got together, the ones who had that civil partnership last year.’
    Robinson looked uncomfortable. ‘I didn’t know about it either.’
    ‘They put a notice up sir, inviting everyone to a party. I think there was an email too.’
    Robinson smiled weakly. ‘OK Andy, point taken. So what next? Is there even a next?’
    Hall took his time before answering. ‘I’m not sure. The only two things that Willis said that are even remotely indicative of anything at all are first that Tony didn’t like heights, and second that Willis had Tony well insured.’
    ‘Really?’
    ‘Yes, you know, key man stuff. I’m sure it’s common enough in small professional services firms, because if one senior person goes under a bus then the rest are,’ Hall hesitated for a moment, searching for a suitably unsweary term, ‘in trouble.’
    ‘I see that. So what about this issue with heights? If he didn’t like them then what was he doing right out on the edge?’
    ‘Vicky says he insisted they follow that path, but of course it’s always possible that it was her idea.’
    ‘So you’ll talk to her again?’
    ‘Yes, sir, I will. There are a couple of things I’d like to chat to her about actually.’
    ‘Fine.’ Robinson seemed distracted. ‘And Willis didn’t say anything else of interest?’ Hall shook his head. ‘OK Andy, go and talk to Vicky again by all means. But will you do me a favour and go on your own this time?’
     
     
    Back in his office Hall made a note to call Vicky Harrison, but something didn’t feel right. He called Jane in and