To Die For (DI Sam Cobbs Book 1)

by M A Comley

  “Yep, Alex is on the case. What are we going to do now? Want to knock on a few doors?”

  “Nope. Let’s get back to the station.” She held up the address book she had placed in a clear evidence bag. “We have yet another next of kin to find. I’m also going to ask the desk sergeant to arrange a team to conduct the door-to-door enquiries. My take is the killer has their wits about them.”

  “Maybe. Saying that, didn’t Des mention he might have left DNA at the scene?”

  “Yep. At least we might have some possible evidence in our favour, at last.”

  8

  Sam insisted they stop off at the baker’s on their way back; she had a feeling they were in for a long day. Once they arrived at the station, she told Bob to go on ahead while she hung around to speak to the desk sergeant. “Do you have anyone free, Nick?”

  “I can always find someone to help you out, Inspector. What do you need?”

  “A team of officers, actually. They need to go out to the Chatley farm in Mosser, more to the point, the surrounding area. Knock on the neighbours’ doors, see if they saw any suspicious vehicles in the area in the last few days.”

  “I can instigate that for you. Leave it with me.”

  “Good, thanks, Nick. Let me know if they come up with anything. I won’t be holding my breath. I think we have a crafty killer in our midst.”

  Nick tilted his head and winked. “They all slip up sooner or later, you know that as well as I do.”

  “How true.” She smiled, turned and tapped the number on the security keypad which released the door. Wearily, she made her way up the stairs to the incident room. She paused, wondering whether she should take a detour to the chief’s office, to keep him up to date. Her stomach rumbled which helped to make up her mind. The chief could wait.

  The incident room was buzzing, but it quietened down as soon as she entered the room. “Don’t let me stop you. Let’s get lunch underway and chuck around a few ideas while we eat, yes?”

  Bags rustled and Bob joined Sam at the vending machine. He put his hand in his pocket, for a change, to buy the drinks. She touched his forehead. “Are you feeling all right?”

  He tutted. “Bugger off. I thought I’d better show willing, considering you bought the sandwiches.”

  “Thanks, it’s appreciated. I’m sure the rest of the team will agree.”

  Between them they handed around the drinks. In between bites and sips, Sam ran through what they had discovered up at the farmhouse. Crap, I wish I’d finished my lunch first. Her stomach objected and she placed half of her sandwich aside, to maybe go back to later. “That’s what we have, ladies and gents. Any suggestions?”

  Claire raised a hand, lettuce poking out from the corner of her mouth. She finished what she was chewing on and wiped her lips with a serviette. “Sorry about that, boss. Messy eater, I know, Scott’s always saying the same. Going back to the case, do you want me to delve into their backgrounds, the three who knew each other? Would that help?”

  “Anything we can find out about the three of them is going to help, Claire, so go for it. They’ve been friends for over fifty years, I seem to recall, so they might have a few skeletons in the cupboard to uncover.” Claire set her sandwich aside and pounded the keys of her computer. “Hey, finish your lunch first, that’s an order. I know if there’s dirt to be found, you’ll find it, but you’re going to need sustenance to do it. Anyone else got any ideas?”

  Bob raised a finger. “I know I keep coming back to the medals and the money, maybe I’ll trawl through the database, see if there have been any burglaries where medals have been snatched in the last couple of years.”

  “Makes sense to me. Suzanna, I’m going to task you with finding a next of kin for me.” She left her seat and handed the constable the address book. “I think that’s everything covered for now. I’ll be in my office, carrying out the daily grind I didn’t have the chance to complete this morning. Give me a shout if anything shows up.”

  She ate the last mouthful of her sandwich just as her mobile rang. Looking at the caller ID, Sam expelled a deep breath. Bugger, what the heck does he want? He only gets in touch when something goes belly up. She prepared herself for another nightmare confrontation with her brother. That’s all they seem to have lately. “Hi, Mike, how are you?”

  “Sis, I need twenty grand.”

  She fell back in her chair. “What? Wait, that’s the first thing you say to me? No, hi, Sam, how are things with you? Sorry I haven’t been around much lately? You know, things are a little hectic at this end, you understand, don’t you?”

  “Bollocks, Sam. You know how much I hate chatting on the damn phone. Give me a break for fuck’s sake.”

  Anger seared her veins. Her pulse rate escalated at the speed of light. “You truly are a piece of work, Mike. You’ve gone too far this time.”

  “What? What have I said?”

  “Oh, let me see, oh yeah, you just fucking asked me for twenty grand of my hard-earned money. No way, buster. Get off your arse and get out into the real world, earn it like the rest of us.”

  “Here goes, another fucking lecture coming my way.”

  “Too frigging right there is. Why should I give you money? What do you need it for?”

  “You know very well what I need it for, drugs. I’m an addict, you know that.”

  She shook her head and puffed out her cheeks, trying hard to suppress her temper from flaring out of control. “You know my answer to that one. This has been going on for five years or more, bro. It’s time you sought help with your addiction.”

  “What the fuck do you think I’m trying to do?”

  “Not in the form of a handout, idiot. You need to seek medical help. Admit to the doctor you have an addiction, they can assist you getting the proper help and advice you need to get clean.”

  “I’m in the process of doing just that. In the meantime, I need twenty grand.”

  “You’ll have to find it elsewhere.”

  “Go on, you can afford it. I hear inspectors get paid really well these days.”

  She let out an ironic laugh. “Ha, you reckon? Even if we did, you know we need the money to do up our house.”

  “At least you’ve got a house. I’m stuck in the same bedsit I’ve been in for years.”

  She closed her eyes and imagined the snarky look on his face, the one that always seemed to be present as a kid when he spoke to her. “Whoa! Don’t go blaming me for the crappy situation you’ve found yourself in. When was the last time you held down a job for longer than a few months?”

  “Fuck off! And back off. I need the money. I have to be desperate to come to you cap in hand in the first place.”

  “Meaning what?”

  “You’re the copper, figure it out for yourself.”

  “Jesus, Mike. Listen to yourself. You call me expecting a huge handout, which I know damn well I will never see again, and you start slinging shit my way in the form of insults. Get a fucking life, man. Grow some frigging balls for once in your life. Get off that numb arse of yours and get out there, like the rest of us, and earn the money you need to survive. Gone are the days I hand over any more money to you.”

  “Wind you up and let you go, that should be your frigging mantra. Thanks for listening.”

  He slammed down the phone to end the call. Sam tossed her mobile to one side and got back to work, except she found it hard to concentrate. She picked up her mobile and called her brother back. He answered after the fourth ring.

  “Yeah, what do you want now?”

  “What a welcome that is, and you wonder why I don’t bow to the pressure and offer you the money. Get a life, Mike.”

  “I’m trying. But someone is standing in my way.”

  “Fuck off. I rang back to make sure you don’t go hounding Mum and Dad, playing the guilt card on them.”

  “I wouldn’t. The bitch won’t accept my calls, anyway.”

  “The bitch? Is that any way to talk about your own mother?”<
br />
  “She stopped being a mother to me a few years ago.”

  “Ah, yes, I recall the scene well. We were all at a family barbecue, you turned up, stoned out of your tiny mind. You made a show of us all that day, not just our long-suffering parents.”

  “Did I fuck?”

  “You took Mum to one side and asked her to lend you, what was it? Five hundred quid, something like that. She refused, so you decided to deck her. Your own frigging mother, for fuck’s sake. And not once since then have you shown any kind of remorse. And here you are, showing up like an unexpected vile smell, asking for yet another handout.” Her brother remained silent. “Mum had to have two teeth removed after your last contretemps with her. That cost her over five hundred quid.”

  “Ha, it would have been better if she’d handed the money over to me in the first place, at least she’d be five hundred quid light, with less pain to deal with.”

  “You’re a piece of work you are. What the fuck did we do to deserve to be lumbered with a fucking shit like you?”

  “Bloody charming, that is. Screw you, Sam. This is me saying goodbye, you’re not likely to see me again in the future. If I can’t pay off my debts, they’re going to kill me. Thanks for listening.”

  He ended the call a second time. Sam sat upright and considered what he had said. The trouble was… Mike was a born liar. Every time he opened his mouth, another belter tumbled out. She decided not to call him back again. She had more important things to deal with, like four murders and no possible suspect. Mike could go screw himself. He’d been on drugs most of his life and expected handouts to fund his disgusting habit, instead of working for a living. Enough was enough. Even if she had the money, she wouldn’t give it to him. What was the point? Addicts always sank to another level with money in their pockets. She didn’t want to be held responsible for him ending up in the mortuary.

  She shook out her arms, ridding herself of the added stress he’d put on her shoulders. You prick, you need a frigging rocket or something even larger up your arse. What a disgrace he is to our family. No wonder Mum and Dad no longer want anything more to do with him. I haven’t been so cruel as to cut him off, but if he carries on the route he is travelling, it would only be a matter of time before I do just that.

  Taking a sip of her coffee, she resisted the temptation to call and discuss her brother’s plight with Chris. It would only make him more stressed than he already was, what with the kitchen renovations going on. If there was time later, she’d make him aware of what had gone on.

  As if I don’t have enough on my plate without my brother surfacing from under whichever rock he’s been hiding lately. Why did life have to be so full on at times? I could do with going home tonight to put my feet up. Like that’s going to happen.

  Shrugging off her personal problems for now, she decided to throw herself into her work. It took another hour to trawl through the mind-numbing chore of dealing with the post, and by that time, she was in dire need of more caffeine.

  She left her office to join the rest of the team. She was pleased to see them all with their heads down, beavering away at their computers. Feeling generous again, she bought them all a coffee and distributed the cups. One by one, she asked her colleagues if they’d managed to find out anything in her absence.

  The search into the three neighbours turned out to be the most disappointing. Claire went through a few minor incidents, mainly to do with sheep rustling and another couple of incidents to do with the farms, but in Sam’s mind they were nothing which waved a red flag.

  She paused at the whiteboard and brought it up to date with the last two deaths. There has to be a connection, what the hell is it?

  “I might have something.” Bob startled her by sneaking up behind her.

  She turned to face him. “I hope so. We’re truly struggling with this one.”

  “It’s to do with the medals. I’ve been working with Alex on this one. Until we actually know what type of medals they are, we’re not going to get very far. Would it be all right to go to the evidence room and take a closer look at them?”

  “Go for it. It will be interesting to get some indication as to how much they’re worth.”

  Bob collected Alex on his way out of the room. Sam perched on the desk behind her and read the information on the whiteboard over and over until her vision blurred. She rubbed her temple, doing her best to ease the headache she could feel coming on.

  “Are you all right, boss?” Claire asked.

  “I’m fine. I’ll be better once we’ve located the bloody killer. Until then, we plod on, right?”

  “Not the easiest of cases we’ve had to deal with lately.”

  “I know. Let’s do our best to get the victims the justice they deserve. The feeling of helplessness is exceptionally high on this one, more than any other case I’ve dealt with over the years. Lack of clues and evidence.” Saying the words out loud jolted Sam. “Wait, we do have something. I need to make a call.”

  She rushed back into her office and rang the mortuary. Des answered the phone within a couple of rings. “Hi, I know you’re going to consider me a bloody nuisance, but I was wondering if you’d actioned the DNA samples yet.”

  “Hi, Sam, yep, I knew you were up against it, so I actioned them upon my return. We should have something for you ASAP, I’ve told them to prioritise the samples.”

  “Thanks. I appreciate that, Des. I don’t suppose you’ve had a chance to carry out the PMs yet, have you?”

  “I’m just about to start the first one now. Want to join me?”

  “Not particularly. Do you mind?”

  “Nope, although I would rather you were here, it’s always good to have the SIO present.”

  She sighed. “I could be there in forty-five minutes, if you’re prepared to hang on.”

  “I’m not one to twist an officer’s arm into doing their duty.” He sniggered.

  “All right. I’m on my way.” She groaned and hung up.

  It was already four o’clock, the traffic would be starting to build on the A595. She kicked herself for getting into such a hole. If I hadn’t bloody rung him, I’d be going home in a couple of hours.

  On her way out to the car, Sam dropped by the evidence room.

  “Are you checking up on us?” Bob teased. He frowned when she rolled her eyes and didn’t smile. “Something wrong?”

  “I’ve been summoned to attend the PMs. Just on my way to Carlisle now.”

  “Shit! This late in the day? Want me to tag along?”

  “No. You keep things ticking over here. Any luck yet?”

  “We’ve taken several photos. Some of the medals are known to us, but it’s the others that have us intrigued. We’re going to compare them to what we find on the internet.”

  “Okay, sounds promising. I’ll let you know how I get on later.”

  “I was going to suggest the same. Drive safely.”

  “Yes, Dad.” She grinned and shook her head. “See you tomorrow.”

  9

  Sam was flustered by the time she arrived at the hospital. She had rung ahead, warned Des that she was running late due to the heavy traffic in town. He was standing at the entrance, awaiting her arrival. From there, he hurried her through to the changing room, supplied her with the right size protective greens, or thereabouts, and whisked her into the examination suite before she had a chance to fully draw a breath.

  “Talk about working in a whirlwind. Blimey, a hello, how are you, would you like a cup of coffee, would have been a nicer greeting. Just saying.”

  Des laughed and pointed at the victim, Brenda Chatley, positioned on the stainless-steel table, Des’s tools of the trade sitting alongside her on a trolley. “She’s my priority, not you. Actually, she and her daughter are. Anyway, thanks for joining me here today. Shall we begin?”

  Sam rubbed her hands together and smiled broadly so her eyes wrinkled. “Ooo, let’s. What are you waiting for?”

  He shook his head. “Although I fi
nd your enthusiasm endearing, I have a feeling that will diminish once I create the Y-incision.”

  Sam didn’t respond. She took up her position on the other side of the corpse and prepared herself for what was to come.

  “The Vicks is on the trolley, should you need it.”

  Sam ignored his comment, choosing not to use a barrier to combat the smell that usually followed once a body was opened up.

  “I’ll carry on then. Are you ready?”

  She nodded and gulped as the first incision was made. PMs were an unwelcome part of the job at the best of times, but to be standing here, watching a woman she had come to know over the past few days being opened up, made her stomach lurch.

  Des recorded every move he made after the first incision. “The hyoid bone has a large nick in it, meaning that I believe the perpetrator carried out the attack with force.”

  Sam shuddered. Des glanced her way. “Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine. Just the thought of Brenda, sorry, the victim, going through such an ordeal before her death… well, it doesn’t sit well with me. Callous, cruel and undeserved to treat an elderly woman in such a way, in my opinion.”

  “I agree. May I continue?”

  Sam’s cheeks heated up under his gaze and he smirked. “Please, do carry on.”

  “Thank you.” He went on to describe several other injuries Brenda had across her upper body, which included several areas of bruising plus entry wounds from a blade. Several minutes later, Des changed position and moved to the lower part of the body. Here, there were further nicks to the skin, and although the marks were on the surface, they hadn’t reached any of the major organs. “My conclusion is that the victim died from having her throat cut, although she clearly suffered other injuries beforehand.”

  “You’re telling me in a roundabout way that you believe she was tortured.”

  “That’s correct. I’m going to take samples of her organs now before I sew her up. Do you wish to leave the room while I do it, perhaps take a break? There’s a coffee machine outside.”