“Leave it with me,” Mick shouted after them.
They raced across the car park and joined the crush of traffic heading into the city. They’d need to turn off soon, so hopefully things would speed up for them then.
“What do you think’s going on?” Charlie asked. Her leg had developed a nervous twitch and was juddering.
“Well, if it’s linked to the other cases we’re working on, there has to be a connection to the cars…saying that, as far as we know, Ray Thatcham didn’t have his car stolen, did he?”
“Nothing has been reported along those lines so far. What about his boat? Do you have any idea how much they cost? That one used to be a beauty before the fire took hold. Maybe the men were trying to rob it when the river police showed up.”
Katy assessed what Charlie had come up with and nodded. “If that’s true then I’m impressed you should think of that. However, being cautious, I have to ask why the thugs didn’t succeed in taking the boat and were seen running from it. Would they leave a high-value treasure like that to burn?”
“Maybe our lot showing up like that was enough to scare them off.”
“Perhaps. I suppose we’ll find out soon, hopefully. Let’s try and think why someone would be stealing expensive cars.”
“To sell to the highest bidder?”
“Maybe. Here’s what I don’t understand: why send four heavies in to steal the cars and kill the owners in the process? Where’s the sense in that?”
“Money. People will go to extremes where money is concerned. Do you think we should get the team looking into it? Or is it too early to suggest that?”
“No, I agree. Let’s face it, we’ve got no other possible leads to work with at present. Make the call, get Karen to do the search for us. She’s more likely to come up trumps than the others, but those words never left my lips, okay?”
Charlie snorted and placed the call. She hung up a few minutes later. “She’s on it. Do you think the pathologist will be at the scene?”
“I should’ve asked Mick. I just presumed she would be. Do you want to check for me? Here, use my phone, it’s under Patti. Give her a call on my behalf.” Katy passed her mobile over to Charlie.
Her partner made the call and then handed back the phone. “She’s running late. I hope I didn’t upset her, she was a little brusque with me.”
“Don’t worry about it. She can be a tad tetchy at times. Her focus is usually on the crime scene.”
“Thanks for the warning. I’ll try and not to take things to heart in the future.”
“I’m delighted with what you’ve achieved so far, Charlie. I have no reservations whatsoever about you being my partner, so do me a favour and relax. Not too much, just enough to enjoy yourself. What am I saying? You get what I mean, right? You’re not stupid.”
“I understand. What you’re telling me to do is take a chill pill but don’t get so chilled that I end up horizontal.”
“Perfect. Why couldn’t I find the words to say it like that?”
They both laughed. Katy indicated and left the mounting traffic behind. She knew a shortcut to the area they were heading, so there was no need to use the satnav on this occasion.
Katy drew up at the edge of the cordon. The body of the victim had been covered by a white sheet and was in the actual curve of the cul-de-sac. “Let’s hope we have a few witnesses we can count on.”
“You’d think so, given the location.”
Charlie and Katy stepped out of the vehicle and went to the back of the car to retrieve two sets of protective clothing. They flashed their IDs at the uniformed officer on guard, and he held the tape up for them. Off to the left were two SOCO vans.
“Let’s see what Patti has to say about this,” Katy said.
A couple of the technicians were in the process of erecting a marquee to protect the corpse from the threatening grey sky.
“Hi, Patti, we meet again,” Katy said, her tone more cheerful than she felt.
“We do. As you’re here, does this mean you think there’s a link to the other cases you’re dealing with?”
“Stands to reason, doesn’t it? How many times do you get called out to a murder scene where the victim’s car has been stolen?”
“Point taken. We’ll wait until the tent’s up and then dive in.”
“I don’t suppose you’ve had any results back yet for the other victims?”
“Not yet. The first ones are due back later this afternoon. I’m doing my best to rush things through for you, Katy.”
“Thanks. I don’t have to tell you how much I appreciate that.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to say it now and again.” Patti smirked.
“Get you. I’ll be sure to remember that in the future.”
“I was kidding. Let’s just say you’re one of the more likeable inspectors I have the pleasure of working with.”
“High praise, coming from you. I’ll take it. Have you assessed the vic’s injuries?”
“I have. You haven’t noticed anything, have you?” Patti wiggled her eyebrows.
“Such as?”
Patti stared at the victim’s covered body and then pointed at something just beyond the sheet.
“Good Lord, is that a leg?”
“It is. Don’t go reaching for the sick bucket, it’s a prosthetic one.”
“His?”
“Of course, unless he hopped around on one leg and someone else jogged by and mislaid their artificial one.”
“All right, there’s no need to be sarcastic.”
Charlie laughed. “Have you listened to yourselves? You two are so funny.”
“Believe me, it wasn’t my intention to add a dose of humour to the crime
