IMPOSTURE: Hunters become the hunted in this gripping murder mystery by Ray Clark (book series for 10 year olds TXT) 📕

in Slaters to take statements from the two shop assistants, and in fact anyone else who was around, or arriving for work at that time. It’s a long shot because I believe the victim was placed here overnight. If on the other hand he wasn’t and it was early this morning, someone may have seen something.

“Sean, can you go down there?” Gardener pointed to the surveillance car and the two officers who were standing beside it. “Find out what they know and ask them how the hell this could have happened when they were supposed to be on duty watching the place.”

Reilly turned without question. Gardener knew it was exactly the type of job he relished.

“I need someone at the hospital. With the victim clear of the scene where he was found, his clothing is now a crime scene, as is his body. But they won’t let you near him until he’s stable. Stay there for as long as is necessary, and I need a progress report on his condition by the hour, or the minute if necessary.

“We need some operational support officers and all the forensic angles working, usual stuff: house-to-house, shop-to-shop, CCTV trawl from the cameras on the corner of the street, and I’m sorry to do this to you guys because I know you’re already chasing up existing leads but I need everything we can get in time for the next incident room meeting.”

“When will that be, sir?” asked Patrick Edwards.

Gardener glanced at his watch. “No later than three o’clock. But before you all go there is one big priority action and it really is a long shot.”

“You want to know where he’s been held,” said Colin Sharp, “makes sense, I would.”

Gardener nodded. “I said it was a big one, but you guys go about the actions I’ve given you. Sean and I will concentrate on that last one, which ranks in importance with speaking to Rosie Henshaw.”

“She’ll defo have to be told,” said Edwards.

“She will, Patrick, but I don’t want her to know we’ve found her husband just yet. I need to know if she knows about Michael Foreman, and what her reaction is either way. This will be a tough one, but we need answers, and fast!”

As his men dispersed, Reilly approached.

“This doesn’t look good,” said Gardener.

“Apparently they were relieved of their duty at midnight last night.”

“By whom?”

“You’re gonna love this. Detective Superintendent Palmer.”

Chapter Thirty-four

Following a really awful night’s sleep, Anthony had dragged himself out of bed an hour before, deciding breakfast might help him perk up.

That was a laugh. The dining room was another outdated box with peeling wallpaper, cobwebs, and a carpet held together through a variety of stains. Breakfast, which was not the usual full English, consisted of tea and coffee facilities, and two tables with individual packets of cereals, milk, pastries and an odd selection of continental meats and cheeses.

Anthony was hungry so he devoured a bowl of cereal, a plateful of meat and cheese, a bread roll, followed by two croissants and two doughnuts, all washed down with two cups of strong coffee. The quality of it all surprised him somewhat.

Back in his room, following a shower he was sitting on the end of the bed in a T-shirt, jeans and trainers, trying to figure out a plan of action.

Zoe Harrison had to be the key suspect in his downfall. Michael wasn’t bright enough to complete such a task. He was a follower, not a leader. Besides, he didn’t have the guts.

He doubted James was behind it either. He was a family man and perhaps the most stable of them all. Following David Hunter’s death, James was the most concerned, and the least likely to draw attention to himself. It was also very possible that he had in fact made it out of the country. Probably started running before they found him.

Which left Zoe. She was brutal in nature, like the female spider that eats the male after copulation. She was also ruthless enough. They had all seen a new side to her on the night of the deaths. After all, she had not only killed David Hunter, but Ann Marie as well – calculated, and in cold blood.

Yes, Zoe was definitely in the running. Chances are she had been responsible for extinguishing him in cyber space.

So, what now?

Anthony realised that no one knew where he was, nor where they were able to contact him. They could email him but he didn’t have to answer. Unless, of course, whoever had officially made him deceased had also disconnected his emails. He had a phone, but no one knew the number. He’d been careful to withhold it when he’d called Rosie.

However, she claimed the police had a trace on her phone. And although he was aware that pay-as-you-go was considerably more difficult to trace than contract, it probably wasn’t impossible these days, so he’d still have to be careful.

The next and most likely thing to do would be to don a disguise. If the police were involved, they might have photos of him, which meant they would circulate them before long, and he would be noticed.

The next and most important thing to do would be to gain a little more freedom. For that he either needed a taxi, or a car, or possibly public transport. A taxi would be too expensive, and public transport too inconvenient. Which left only a hire car. But could you do that without the relevant documents? Anthony thought not.

Glancing around the room and at the state of the place, he figured he knew a man who might be able to help him. The owner was probably desperate enough for cash that he might consider lending Anthony his, or someone else’s, car for the day, at the right fee.

Anthony was going to find out who was behind what