He snorted. “Well, that certainly sums up the pertinent facts.” He flicked his hand in the direction of the tent. “Shall we?”
She nodded and stepped towards the structure as the PVC fluttered and crinkled against the wind.
“Ma’am,” said a young man dressed in a white coverall, safety glasses, and a face mask. Kate waded through the long grasses and rushes, and the young man held back the door of the newly erected canvas structure.
“Safe to go in?” Kate asked.
“Yes, ma’am. Dr. Anderson is already examining the body.”
She nodded and ducked inside, Timmons on her heels.
“What’ve we got?” Kate squatted beside another white-clad figure.
“And you are?”
“Detective Sergeant Kate Brannon.” Kate held out her warrant badge, her picture clear for the examiner to see.
“Ah. Welcome to North Norfolk. I’m Doctor Anderson. Nice to meet you.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” she said. “And this is—”
“Detective Inspector Timmons,” Dr. Anderson said. “We’ve worked together before.”
“All right, Ruth,” Timmons said and pointed to the body. “So?”
“Female, Caucasian, approximately thirty to forty years old. Fatal gunshot wound to the face.”
“Savage said there was no ID,” Kate said.
“Correct. And I don’t have a picture for you to flash around to try and find someone who recognises her. Not without facial reconstruction anyway.”
“That’s okay. I’ve got a couple of ideas. You’re going to need a vet to knock the dog out when you collect the evidence from her. I’ll get them to check her chip and see if we can get a name and address from it.”
Anderson smiled. “I like the way you think, Detective.”
“Thanks.” Kate peered over her shoulder to make her own observations.
There was little left of the woman’s face to identify her. Long, dark hair framed her head in a tangled mess, lumps of brain matter and blood clumped indiscriminately. There was a small mole on the right-hand side of her neck. Jeans, stout hiking boots, and a thick purple coat covered the rest of the body. Her right arm was flung out, lying flat on the ground. Barely far enough from the edge of the narrow creek for them to get the tent over her without having to go into the water.
“What kind of weapon would cause that much damage? A shotgun?”
Anderson shrugged. “Maybe. But I wouldn’t bet my licence on it. There’s something in the wound that doesn’t look like it belongs there.” She leaned closer to the body. “Light’s crap here though. I can’t tell what it is until I get her back to my lab and have a good look.”
“Fair enough.”
“Are you planning to attend the autopsy, Detective?”
“Wouldn’t miss it, Doctor.” Kate quirked her lips. In all honesty, she’d love to miss it. There was nothing more clinical and dehumanising than watching victims being reduced to the sum of their parts in an attempt to learn what had happened to them. But it wasn’t something she planned on missing. It also wasn’t something she had to attend very often either. Small villages didn’t throw that many suspicious deaths their way, after all.
“Do you have an ETD for us to start working with?”
“Given the temperature out here, her core temp, very little insect activity, I’d say she’s been dead about four hours now. I’ll have a better idea when I examine stomach contents if you can get me an ID and the time she last ate, but four hours looks about right at the moment.”
Kate checked her watch. Eleven o’clock. “Around seven?”
“Approximately.”
“Sunrise. Well, almost.”
“And high tide today,” Timmons said.
Kate nodded. “Nice time to walk the dog.”
“Hmm. Unfortunately, that fur ball’s done more than enough to contaminate my scene.” Anderson waved in her assistant and together they manoeuvred the victim into a body bag. “The wound’s been licked, the beast has got tissue, bone fragments, and brain matter all over it, and I couldn’t tell you from the surroundings if someone else was with her or not. All the grass is trampled with paw prints.” She dusted off her hands and pulled her face mask down. “Then there’s the rain.”
Kate looked around again, committing the surroundings to memory. “So what you’re telling me is, don’t expect too much.”
Anderson laughed. “That’ll be about the size of it, yes.”
“Well, it could be worse,” Timmons said, chuckling.
“How do you figure?”
“Another foot and she’d have ended up in the water.” He pointed. “Don’t know about you, but I find late October a bit cold for swimming around here.”
“Fair point, well made, Inspector.” Anderson offered a quick grin.
“I’m going to ask around and see if I can get a bead on an ID. Do you have a number I can get you on in case I get something?” Kate asked.
“Sure.” Anderson quickly recited the number as Kate tapped it into her phone before tucking it back into her pocket. “Thanks. I’ll let you get on, Doctor. See you at the morgue later.”
“Thanks.”
“No problem.” Kate ducked her head as she left the tent and spent a couple of minutes looking around, memorising as many details as she could, while Timmons answered his phone. She wanted to be able to remember everything she could see and feel, every sound and smell. What was the victim doing out here? Walking the dog? Who was she? Local? Kate had to assume that was likely. Most of the cars parked in proximity to the path access were patrol vehicles, an ambulance, and her own car. Not a single driving visitor, so the victim must have lived, or was staying, within walking distance. How many “Connies” were there going to be in this village with a dog like the one they’d found with the body?
The doctor closed up the back of the van and waved as she climbed into the front seat. Kate looked over at the petrol station, lights shining brightly, cars moving on and off the forecourt. She grabbed her phone and clicked a quick picture of the dog before sending the PCSO off with her. No harm in trying a couple of things while she waited for the vet to get information from the dog’s chip, right?
Across the road was a row of shops, a cafe, as well as the petrol station with a convenience store inside. She’d eaten breakfast at the cafe just a couple of days ago. Nice bacon, free-range eggs, and strong coffee. It’d be worth a return visit in the near future.
Kate looked back over at Timmons, who was still on the phone and gesticulating wildly. She gestured at him and when she caught his attention, indicated that she was heading over to the shops and she’d be back in ten minutes. He nodded. Then she crossed the road, went into the petrol station, and walked straight up to the cashier. “Hi, I’m wondering if you can help me.”
The young woman behind the desk popped a big bubble and nodded. “Sure.”
Kate showed her the picture of the dog. “Do you know this—”
“How’ve you got a picture of Merlin?”
Bingo. “She’s been found on the marsh. Do you know who her owner is?”
“Well, yeah. She’s Connie’s dog. Isn’t it on her collar?”
“Connie who?”
“Connie Wells.” The girl pointed towards the far end of the shop. “She owns the campsite at the end of the row of shops. She’ll be frantic. That dog’s about all she cares about.” She wiped her woolly-gloved hand under her nose, wrinkling it as she did so.
“You know her well?”
“Used to work for her.” She sniffed. “For about three days. Bitch said I wasn’t cut out for working with an upper-class clientele, so being her secretary was never going to happen.”
“Was that recent?”
“No. About six years ago. When she first took over. I worked for the people who they bought it off.”
“They?”
“Her and her girlfriend.”
“Right. And they own the business together?”
/> “Humph. For now.”
“Excuse me?”
“Ah hmm.”
Kate turned around at the soft cough behind her. An elderly lady with a heavy shopping basket stood waiting. “Oh. I’m sorry.” Kate reached for the basket. “Here let me help you with that.” She put the basket in the well at the counter. “Thanks for your help,” she said to the cashier. “I really appreciate it.”
She tucked her hands into her pockets as she exited into the cold air again and turned in the direction the young woman had indicated. The sky blue-and-white italic “i” for the information centre was hung above the door, and flashing multicoloured rope lights blazed underneath the sign. She pushed open the door and stepped inside. A poster behind the desk told her she was in the right place. The grey-and-white dog with the blue eyes grinned into the camera while she leaned against the side of a woman with long dark hair, green eyes, a mole on the right side of her neck, and a warm smile. And with the exception of having a face, she looked remarkably like the victim she’d just seen zipped into a body bag.
“Hi, can I help you?” The blonde behind the counter smiled.
Kate flashed her badge. “Detective Sergeant Brannon. Do you recognise this animal?” She showed the woman the picture on her phone.
“Sure, that’s Merlin.” She pointed to the picture behind the desk. “She’s Connie’s dog and the campsite mascot. She has her own blog and everything.” The woman chuckled.
Without holding out much hope, Kate asked the logical follow-up question. “Is Connie around?”
“No. She hasn’t been in yet.”
“Is that usual?”
The woman shook her head. “No, not really. She practically lives here, usually.”
“Where does she live?”
“Just in one of the cottages on the other side of the farmhouse. Why?”
“How well do you know Connie?”
“Pretty well. I’ve worked here for two years.”
“Seasonally?”
“No, full time.”
“And your name is?”
“Sarah. Sarah Willis.”
“Are you the manager here?”
“No. That’s Gina. I’m just a tourism assistant.”
“I see. Is she here?”
“She’s in the office.”
“I need to speak to her.”
“Has something happened?”
“I’m afraid so. Please, can you ask Gina to come talk to me?”
“Of course.” Sarah picked up a small handheld radio and pushed the button. “Hi, Gina, can you come down to reception, please?”
A short crunch of static before a soft voice said, “On my way.”
“Thank you.”
“What’s happened?”
“I’m afraid I’m investigating a suspicious death. This dog was found with the victim.”
“Oh, my God. What happened? What victim? Connie?”
“That’s what I’m trying to find out.”
She frowned. “I don’t understand.” She pointed to the photograph. “This is Connie. Was it her or not?”
“Are you aware of any identifying feature that Connie has?”
“Like what?”
“A tattoo, maybe. A scar. Something like that.”
“She had an operation last year,” someone else said.
Kate turned towards the back door. A woman had one hand holding the handle of the door and the other stuffed deep in the pocket of a down-filled jacket. Shoulder-length dark hair peeked out from under a red beanie hat, and wide blue eyes stared at her.
“Where?”
“Appendix.”
“Thank you. Are you Gina?”
“Yes. Georgina Temple. And you are?” She offered her hand.
“Detective Sergeant Kate Brannon.” Kate took the proffered hand, her fingers wrapping securely around warm flesh as a jolt of electricity radiated between them. A tingle ran up her arm and her gaze locked onto beautiful eyes. They reminded her of the sea the last time she’d been holidaying on one of the Greek islands. She shook her head, aware that she was still holding onto her hand. “Thank you for coming.”
“No problem.”
“Can you excuse me for one moment? I just need to relay that information.” Kate held her phone up.
“Of course.”
Kate quickly pressed the buttons and asked for Dr. Anderson.
“You caught me just as we stopped, Detective. What can I do for you?”
“I have a possible ID on the victim.”
“Fast work.”
“Distinctive pooch.”
“So distinguishing features, right? What am I looking for?”
“Appendectomy scar.”
“Hold on.”
Kate heard the sound of a zipper and rustling as the doctor checked.
“Yep, got one. Probably about twelve months ago, I’d say. So who is this?”
“I believe she’s Connie Wells.”
“I’ll proceed accordingly. Keep me updated if you find anything different and I’ll be starting the autopsy at two. If you can get me anything for a DNA comparison, that’d be good.”
“Understood.” She disconnected and turned back to Georgina. “Sorry about that.”
“Connie’s dead?” Georgina’s hands trembled.
Not going there until the next of kin’s notified...and we have a definitive ID, of course. “I’m sorry, but I can’t comment on that right now.” Like she’s going to swallow that line of crap.
“I’ll take that as a yes.”
See? Sometimes Kate hated the procedures that went along with her work. But they were there for a reason. Well, some of them were. Georgina’s face paled and she seemed to sway backwards a little. Just enough to make Kate think she was going to collapse on her. Kate saw a chair positioned at a computer terminal. “Please, sit.” She turned the chair and gently guided Georgina towards it. “Miss Temple, I’m really sorry, but I do need to ask you some questions. Is it possible to close the shop for a little while, or can we go somewhere more private?”
“I’ll lock up,” Sarah said and scurried around the desk, fishing a key from her pocket as she did.
Kate focused on Georgina. The tall, willowy brunette sat shivering in the chair. Her eyes downcast, tears welled and slipped easily down her cheeks. “She was a good friend of yours?” Kate asked.
Sarah sniggered. Kate glanced over her shoulder.
“Yes,” Georgina said. “We’d worked together since she moved here. We became friends over the years.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Thank you.” Georgina’s voice was quiet, the tremble distinct.
“Do you mind answering some questions for me?”
She shook her head. “Anything. What happened to her?”
“That’s what I intend to find out. Was Connie often out on the marshes in the early hours? Around sunrise time?”
“Yes. High tide was early today. Seven, I think. And sunrise not long after, she’d have been out there today. Walking Merlin, maybe taking pictures if it looked like it was going to be a nice morning.”
“There wasn’t a camera with her.”
Georgina shrugged. “Maybe the light wasn’t good.” She pointed to some of the pictures hanging on the walls. “They’re all hers. The postcards too.”
Kate looked at the beautiful landscapes, colourful sunsets and sunrises over the marshes, boats on the water, birds in flight, a beach with half-rotted posts sticking out of the sand, rocky outcrops, and a windmill poking out of the mist looked down at her. “She was very good.”
“Yes.”
“Did she usually walk alone?”
“Yes, just with Merlin.”
“I understand she owns the campsite with her girlfriend. Is she here?”
Sarah snorted. “Not bloody likely.”
Georgina shot her a look. “I’m afraid this is probably the last place you’ll find Leah right now.”
“Leah?”
“Leah Shaw. Connie’s ex.”
“Ah.”
“Yeah.” Georgina flicked her eyes up to Sarah and back to Kate.
It seemed as if she didn’t want to air Connie’s dirty laundry to the staff. Fair enough. “Do you have a key to Connie’s home?”
“Yes. There’s a spare set in the office,” Georgina answered. “Why?”
“I need to locate something with her DNA on it. A hairbrush or toothbrush, something like that. Would you mind taking me to her house?”
“Of course. I’ll go and get the keys.”
“Thank you.”
Kate watched Georgina leave.
Sarah cleared her throat. “Can I get you anything, Detective?”
“I’m fine, thank you.” Kate smiled. “Was Ms. Wells a good boss?”
Sarah shrugged. “I’ve had better, had worse. You know?”
Kate nodded. She’d learned over the years that often keeping quiet and letting other people fill the silence was more illuminating than asking questions, so she waited. She didn’t have to wait long.
“She was planning to leave.” Sarah spun her finger in the air, indicating the entire information centre. “She wanted to sell up and go back to where she came from, but she wasn’t going to wait until it sold. She was going to close up after the October school holidays were finished. End of this week.” She sighed and sat down. “She’d have closed and gone ages ago though if we hadn’t already had bookings in for the holiday.”
“What happens to you when this place closes?”
“Out of a job. Get lost, goodbye.” She shrugged. “It’s not much, but you know, some of us live here too.”
“What do you mean?”
“I’m onsite staff. I live in the hostel as well as work here.”
“So you don’t have anywhere to live either?”
“Not unless I go back to my mum and dad’s.”
“Is it just you?”
Sarah frowned.
“Living in?”
“Oh, no. There’s William, Rick, and Emma too. Rick and Emma will probably go to Rick’s parents. They’ve got some caravan or something in the garden that they’ll move into. It’s William I feel really sorry for.”
“Why?”
Collide-O-Scope (Norfolk Coast Investigation Stories Book 1) Page 2
