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

hard. Surely there are other pathologists who could take your place, aren’t there?”

“Nope, we’re short-staffed. Anyway, if you want something done the right way, it’s better to do it yourself rather than rely on someone else’s inept attempt to accurately portray what happened.”

“Fair enough. Care to fill us in?”

Katy and Charlie shuffled forward, their protective suits and shoes rustling in the slight breeze, to get a closer look at the victim highlighted under the temporary spotlights the SOCO team had erected at regular intervals around the corpse.

“The victim is apparently the manager of the supermarket. You’ll be pleased to know we have a witness to this one, ladies.”

“Well, that’s good news. Where are they?” Katy scanned the area.

Patti pointed to a vehicle with its interior light on, beyond the car park in a side street. “An older gentleman, he’s pretty shaken up.”

“I can imagine. Does he know the vic?”

“Not sure. What, you want me to do your job for you?”

“All right, don’t have a pop at me. Go on, what about the vic, how did he die?” Katy peered closer at the body. “No, that’s not tyre marks over his face?”

“It is. There are several other injuries. Again, I’m linking this one to the previous victim if only due to the similar weapon being used. My take is that he was beaten with a metal bar and then run over to ensure he was dead.”

“Jesus. This perp definitely isn’t keen on leaving any loose ends, like keeping one of them alive, right?”

“Yep, the same thought ran through my frazzled mind. They’re keen to make sure no one survives the attack.”

“So definitely premeditated. None of the other victims had been burgled, so each of the attacks had been thought through, I’d say,” Katy suggested.

“You have an ID for him?” Charlie asked.

“Yep, his name is Ellis Bird and his address is on his driving licence if you want to make a note of it, Charlie, it’s in the evidence bag over there.”

“Thanks, I’ll get it.” Charlie stepped away.

Patti and Katy crouched beside the corpse. Patti said, “The fear was still showing in his eyes when I arrived. The first thing I did was to close them.”

“Shame they didn’t reflect who the bloody murderer was. This investigation frigging stinks.”

“Maybe having a witness this time around will give you the impetus you need to move forward.”

“Why allow someone to see them? The killer has been extra vigilant up until now, so why change?”

“Maybe because we’re in the middle of a high street this time. Perhaps the killer thought this would be the ideal spot to kill him if he was aware of where he lives. I don’t know the area this particular victim lives in, it could be built up compared to the previous two vics.”

Katy rubbed her chin. “You could have a valid point.” Charlie reappeared and showed Katy the address. “I know it, and yes, Patti, you’re right, it’s too built up. Killing him here would’ve likely been their only option, except they hadn’t bargained on there being a witness.”

“Or CCTV footage from the security cameras at the rear of the building.”

“Crap, I hadn’t noticed,” Katy said. “We’ll get those sorted ASAP first thing in the morning, remind me, Charlie, will you?”

“I’ll arrange to get the footage myself, how’s that, boss?”

“Good, good. Okay, I’d better have a word with the witness, get his take on things and send him on his way. I’ll be back soon.” Katy walked in the direction of the parked vehicle.

The driver was staring at her with every step she took towards him.

“You do that. I’ll finish up here and get the vic settled in the fridge overnight, ready to start the PM in the morning. There’s no way I’m doing it tonight, not after the day I’ve had.”

“About time you put your foot down, Patti,” Katy bellowed over her shoulder.

The man opened his car door and hopped out from behind the steering wheel.

Katy smiled. “Hello, sir. I’m DI Katy Foster, the SIO on the investigation. Would you mind telling me what you saw? As it’s rather late, we’ll arrange to take a proper statement from you in the next day or two, if that’s okay with you?”

“I’m Paul Somers. I don’t mind either way. Yes, okay. Right, well, I’d nipped in the supermarket to get a bottle of wine. They’d run out of their usual quality brand, and stocks were quite low, therefore, I decided to nip around the corner to the off-licence. I bought a similar grape variety and was just on my way back when a car came tearing out of the car park. Almost mowed me down in the driver’s haste to get out of here. I was livid. Raised my fist at the bastard, sorry, to the thug, but they refused to stop. I was grateful they drove off when I came around the corner and saw him…lying there.”

“The victim?”

“Yes. I know first aid but decided to hold back. I did touch his neck to see if there was a pulse, no such luck. I got on the phone to the operator right away, called nine-nine-nine and requested the police, apprised the operator of the situation. The woman asked if I required an ambulance as well. I made the call not to have one. It was obvious he’d gone. Why would anyone do something like that to another human being? The car which left in a hurry obviously did it on purpose, right? No one knocks someone over like that and leaves the scene, do they?”

“Unfortunately, hit-and-runs happen all too often for my liking. Did you get a good look at the vehicle, sir?”

“Yeah, and the driver, although I won’t be able to give you much there, as they were wearing one of those vile hoodies. The car was a red VW, one of the sporty versions.”

Katy jotted the information down and hesitated, apprehension spiking whether she dare ask the next question on her tongue. “And the registration number?”

He held up a finger