Death's Cold Hand by J.E. Mayhew (good romance books to read txt) 📕

ethnicity? There’s nothing in his statement other than his own prejudice to suggest the men were politically motivated. Nobody has claimed responsibility for Paul Travis’ death as far as I know,” Blake said. “Price said they spoke to each other in a ‘foreign language’, but he couldn’t identify what type of language.”

“Marvellous. We’re duty-bound to investigate this new angle, though. We can’t just dismiss it. God, this’ll crank up tensions, no end. If the press get hold of this, it’ll go national.”

“I know sir,” Blake said. “I’m wary of making this public. You can imagine how some political groups would use this for their own ends. My only worry is Lex Price. With his record, I can’t be certain he wouldn’t blab to the press and try to make something of it, especially if we come down hard on his son.”

“You’ve warned him, of course,” Martin said.

“I was saving that conversation for just before he left, Bobby’s being processed at the moment and his father’s with him. Our only hope is that Lex Price wants to keep out of the spotlight, himself…”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m not certain, sir, but I suspect that Price isn’t exactly squeaky clean himself and as such, he mightn’t like any unwanted media attention.”

“You think the man’s a criminal?”

“It’s just my suspicious mind, sir. He does have a record and for someone who did ten years for armed robbery, he seems very well set up.”

“Let’s hope he keeps his head down, then.”

“Yes, sir. As you say, the fallout could be pretty dire.”

“Can you imagine the headlines? ‘War hero executed by terrorists on a war memorial,’” Martin groaned, scrubbing his face with his palms. “Lord above. So we tread carefully. Contact the Counter-terrorism Unit and see who we have locally who might pose any kind of threat. Take advice from them. We go softly on this. A gentle bit of asking around first. Please don’t let this blow up in our faces, Blake.”

*****

Lex Price filled a chair in the reception area with Bobby sat next to him. Blake watched Lex mutter some kind of advice to his son whilst simultaneously picking apart a plastic cup. It made sense, Blake supposed, the man had experience of courts and prison after all. What a thing to have to pass on to your kids, though. Bobby kept his eyes down, staring at the floor all the time. Something about the whole relationship made Blake’s gut twist but he wasn’t sure what it was or what he could do about it.

“Mr Price,” he said, approaching them. “Hopefully, it’s been explained to you that, although Bobby has been charged, we aren’t going to detain him. We’ll submit the DNA evidence and the interview recording to the CPS and we’ll see what comes of it. Can you just ensure that Bobby stays close to home for now? It would be disastrous for him if he were to get into any more trouble…”

Lex Price nodded and extended his hand. “I understand. Thank you for your help, Inspector. I’m sorry he’s caused all this bother, if you want an apology to the old man, I’m sure Bobby would be keen to make that.”

Blake thought back to Smith’s bitter comments about the leniency of the penal system these days. “Well, I’ll feed that back to Mr Smith. Obviously, this will have to go further but, hopefully, Bobby has learnt his lesson.”

“I’ve told him before, Inspector, you guys are just doing your job and lashing out at members of the public isn’t acceptable.”

“Could I ask one more thing. We need to verify Bobby’s story and obviously, it’s a sensitive area. It would probably do more harm than good if this were to become public knowledge…”

Lex’s face hardened. “if some flippin’ towel heads have done in a veteran, don’t you think the public need warning?”

“If there has been some kind of terrorist atrocity, then yes, I agree we need to find and apprehend the people concerned quickly, Mr Price but if Bobby was mistaken, then we’ll have caused a panic and that might hamper our investigation.”

“Fair enough,” Lex said, slightly mollified.

“Thanks, I knew you’d understand. We’ll be in touch,” Blake said, shaking Lex’s hand. “If you don’t mind me asking, what is it you do for a living, Mr Price?”

Lex Price levelled his gaze on Blake. “I’m in security, building sites, empty factory units, that kind of thing. Keeping things safe and secure. Not unlike you, Inspector.”

Blake watched Lex guide his son out of the police station. “Totally unlike me, I suspect, Mr Price,” he muttered to himself. “Totally unlike me.”

*****

As soon as DS Vikki Chinn had finished interviewing with DCI Blake, she headed for the psychologists Nicola Norton’s office in Heswall on the Deeside of the Wirral. Heswall was a small market town and wasn’t immune to the damage online shopping had inflicted on high streets everywhere. But whereas many town centres succumbed to tattoo parlours and pound shops, Vikki noticed a large number of eateries and coffee shops.

Norton’s office was above a shop selling second-hand mobile phones and other related technology near the bus depot in the centre of town. Vikki had trouble gaining access at first. She went into the shop and the woman behind the counter directed her round the back. A narrow staircase led up to a second floor and in the darkness above, Vikki could make out a door. As Vikki climbed the stairs, the door flew open and Nicola Norton loomed over her, coat on and bag over her shoulder. She gave a little yelp. “You scared me,” Nicola said.

“Sorry, madam,” Vikki said, showing her warrant card. “DS Vikki Chinn, we spoke on the phone the other day about Richard Ince. You were going to call me back.”

Nicola Norton put a hand to her head. “I’m so sorry. With all that’s going on, there’s a lot of upset at Pro-Vets and I’ve been working flat out. It just slipped my mind.”

Vikki nodded but didn’t move. “I understand Ms Norton. Is there