Ultimate Dilemma (Justice Again Book 2) by M Comley (best books under 200 pages txt) 📕

Katy’s interest soared. “Funeral? The name of the person who died was?”

“Bruce Crawford.”

“And they were close, were they?”

“Many years back. They’d lost contact with each other over the years, and he was surprised when he’d received the call from Bruce Crawford’s daughter saying her father was being buried, inviting him to attend.”

“Nadia?”

“I think that was her name. Why? What does this have to do with Robin’s death?”

“It might be nothing; however, Robin’s death is the third case we’ve stumbled across where the victims all knew each other.”

“No! What are you saying?”

“That something might have gone on in the men’s history that we need to get to the bottom of. Did Robin ever speak about anything?”

“No, nothing. We were happy, content to be with each other. We focused on the good things in life instead of anything bad.”

“What was his reaction to Bruce’s death? Did you notice a change in him at all?”

His gaze drifted to the photo on the dresser by the far wall and he sighed. “I suppose looking back on it, he did seem a little subdued. I didn’t press him, put it down to him mourning an old friend and a close friendship, nothing more.”

“I see. What about a Dale Peters, did he ever mention him?”

He leaned a hand against his face and thought. “I don’t think so, it’s not a name I recognise, sorry. Why do you ask?”

“He’s the other victim I mentioned, another gentleman whose murder we’re trying to solve at this time.”

“And you think there’s a connection?”

“Yes, at least that’s our understanding. How they knew each other is the one thing we’ve yet to figure out.”

He shrugged. “Are you suggesting they were more than just friends who went out socialising together, is that it?”

Katy shrugged back. “It’s all a bit foggy, and we need to obtain a clearer image if we’re going to solve the cases.”

“Hadn’t you better get out there? Aren’t you wasting time being here?”

“I wouldn’t call it a waste of time, Nicky. It was our job to inform you of your partner’s death, which we’ve done. Are you sure there’s nothing in Robin’s past that he has revealed to you that you think would help our investigation?”

“Nope. I’d definitely be considering Laila.” He twisted a finger into his temple. “She’s always been a bit unhinged in my eyes. Worth doing an in-depth into her life.”

“We’ll definitely be doing that in the next day or two.”

“You haven’t told me how he died? I can take it, you know, the truth.”

“He was beaten with something heavy. Anything more than that, I can’t tell you, not until the post-mortem has been performed, which should take place today, all being well.”

He visibly shuddered and sucked in a breath. “Does he have to be cut open? Can’t they examine him without slicing him up?”

“The pathologist has to do it, I’m afraid. Any suspicious deaths need to be investigated thoroughly.”

“Will I be able to see him?”

“Once the PM is out of the way, the pathologist’s department will ring you to make all the necessary arrangements for you to see him. Again, I’m so sorry for your loss.”

“We’d made plans to get married next year. We were in the process of saving up to fly out to Las Vegas. Both of us have always wanted Elvis to marry us.” He held his head in his hands and sobbed.

“I’m so sorry. Is there someone you’d like me to call to come and be with you?”

“No, I’m not really one to air my feelings in public. I’ll get through this; it might take me a while. He was a wonderful man. So giving with his time, his patience was second to none, and his love knew no bounds. I shall miss him. Mr Pip and I will get through this together, though. We’re tough, resilient buggers. I think we are, yes, we are, we will survive. I’m sure we will. Is there anything else you need to ask?”

“Only what Robin’s job was.”

“He was a local actor at the theatre. He also did voice-over work at one of the studios nearby. Do you want me to write down the addresses for you? Are you thinking it could be someone who worked at either of those places who might have killed him?”

“It’s better to be armed with the facts. We’ll need to have a word with his colleagues. Did he work yesterday?”

“Yes, he was at the voice-over studio until around ten last night. That’s a regular job. He’s been doing the same routine for months now, if that helps.”

“It does. When he didn’t come home last night, weren’t you worried about him?”

“Of course I was. I rang a few of his colleagues, the ones I had the numbers for. They all told me they hadn’t seen him. Sometimes he went to the studio alone, told me he could get more work done that way. Actually, now and then he chose to work through the night if things were flowing well for him.”

“Without notifying you?”

“No, that was unusual, which is why I kept ringing him. It wasn’t until I saw you standing on my doorstep that the penny dropped, why I hadn’t been able to contact him.”

Katy and Charlie stood.

Nicky did the same, walked out of the room and showed them to the door. “Please promise me you won’t give up searching for this person. You hear of so many cases remaining unsolved these days. I would hate for Robin to become one of those statistics.”

“You have my word that we’re going to do our very best. Here’s a card. If you hear of anything we should know about, give me a call.”

“I will. Thank you.”

Katy smiled and made her way back to the car. “What do you think about that revelation?” She slotted the key into the ignition. “Put the wife’s postcode into the satnav before giving me your answer.”

Charlie flipped open her notebook and punched in the code. “Twenty-three minutes. Enough time for us to have a conversation before