Indefensible (DI Sara Ramsey Book 12) by M Comley (brene brown rising strong TXT) 📕

“And I’ve told you several times, too many to mention, that I have done no such thing. Why won’t you believe me?”

Sara let out an exasperated sigh. “Because of this… cracking evidence. Some of the best incriminating evidence I’ve ever held in my hands. I can’t understand your logic in denying your involvement any longer. Give us all a break and admit the truth.”

“Are you fucking deaf or just plain stupid? I ain’t admitting to nothing because I didn’t frigging do it. Bloody hell, how many more times do I have to say it? Actually, you know what, don’t answer that, because screw you, bitch. From now on only two words are going to leave my lips: no comment.”

And that’s how the afternoon panned out for all of them. Intense frustration filled the room, both parties stubborn to a fault. But at the end of the day, Jo Zappel stuck to his word and continued to go down the ‘no comment’ route.

At seven o’clock, Sara decided enough was enough for one day. Zappel was thrown into a cell, still protesting his innocence.

“Pain in the bloody arse, why can’t these criminals make life easy for us and damn well confess when we have them by the short and bloody curlies? Boils my piss, I can tell you,” Sara complained on the way back up the stairs to the incident room.

“You don’t say,” Carla mumbled behind her.

The rest of the team had all stayed behind, eager to see what the outcome was to the interview that had taken all afternoon to conduct.

Throwing up her hands in frustration, Sara filled them in. “So, in a nutshell, that’s it, folks. We’ll get back to it in the morning. At least, we should be able to sleep better in our beds tonight, knowing there’s a killer off the streets of Hereford, whether he’s willing to admit to the crimes he’s committed or not. By the way, that’s your cue to pack up for the night.”

The team didn’t need telling twice. Sara turned to walk into her office and caught the sound of a text going off. Probably one of the team’s partners demanding to know where they are. I’m surprised Mark hasn’t left me a message. She collected her coat and returned to find Carla staring at her mobile. “Hey, what’s up? Nothing’s wrong is it?”

Carla waggled her phone. “I’m not sure. It’s from Gary.”

“Shit! What does he want?”

“To see me.”

“And are you going to?” Sara wondered what the tosser wanted after her recent conversation with him, something she’d managed to keep from her partner.

“No way. Not after the way he treated me. I’d have to have a screw loose for that to happen. Are we fit?”

Sara giggled. “Yep, to drop. I don’t know about you, but I’m dead on my feet. Any plans for this evening?”

“Straight home, open a tin of soup, sling some bread in the toaster and feet up in front of the TV for a few hours, that is if I can keep my eyes open long enough. I’m cream-crackered.”

Sara switched off the lights and they left the building together. “I’m hoping Mark is at home with his pinny on, rustling up something nice to eat. I’m famished.”

“It must be nice having someone like Mark to rely on. He never lets you down, does he?”

Sara stopped and faced Carla. “You’ll find a decent bloke who treats you right one day, sweetie, don’t give up just yet.”

“You reckon? They all seem ideal candidates for the role for the first few months and then bang, everything turns upside down and I’m back to square one, being single and dwelling in self-pity mode.”

“Hang in there, you’re still young. Please, whatever you do, promise me you won’t go down the online dating route.”

“No fear of that.”

“Good. Oh, I forgot to tell you, last night when Mark came home, he told me he’d had a confrontation with one of his customers and ended up with a bloody nose for his trouble.”

“What? Who in their right mind attacks an effing vet? Was he all right?”

“Yep, I cleaned him up and tried to pressure him into making a statement against the guy, but he was having none of it.”

“Any reason?”

Sara pressed the key fob and her car doors clunked open. “He said it showed how much the guy loved his pet. He was examining a German Shepherd’s hips at the time.”

“I suppose he’s right, but bloody hell, you don’t go around beating up the guy who is trying to make your dog better for fuck’s sake!”

“I know. He’s too soft, I’ve told him that time and time again.”

“He’s an absolute gem. You’ve landed on your feet there, Sara. Goodnight.”

She smiled and waved. “See you tomorrow. Chin up.”

“I’m fine. Don’t worry about me,” Carla shouted over her shoulder.

Concerned, Sara sat in the driver’s seat and fiddled with this and that, pretending she was looking for something, all the time keeping a close eye on what Carla was doing behind her in her own vehicle. She couldn’t tell one way or another judging by her partner’s expression. Eventually, Carla pulled up next to her and lowered her window.

“Everything all right?”

“I’m fine. I’ve lost my shopping list, it’s my turn to stock up the cupboards on the way home. Enjoy your evening.”

“I will. Hope you find it soon.”

Carla drove off and Sara set off soon after. She hated fibbing to her partner, but she had a suspicion Carla would back down and see Gary, despite assuring her that she had no intention of getting in touch with him. Maybe I should hang around, go and see him. Nope, I need to trust Carla will do the right thing and steer clear of the idiot.

She slotted into first gear and drove home with Smooth Radio on in the background. Mark rang when she was five minutes away from home.

“I was just about to ring you. Are you at home?”

“I am. Dinner’s ready, how