“You didn’t, at least, I didn’t take it that way. Maybe the situation has highlighted a flaw in our relationship that I hadn’t realised was there. I adore my job, yes, I might complain about it now and again, but on the whole, I find it exhilarating. To go home every night and not be able to share how my day went with him is extremely hard.”
“Wait, why can’t you do that, within reason of course?”
“Because he just stares at me as though either I’ve lost him or he’s plainly not interested in what I’m telling him.”
“Ouch! That’s not very nice. Not casting aspersions on Brandon or anything, but I reckon he needs a good shake-up. Any man who loves his woman should find her interesting, whether she’s stuck at home looking after the children, baking all day long, or the opposite, at work, and in our case, putting our lives on the line every day. Maybe you’re going to need to sit him down and thrash out what he expects from your relationship.”
“Looking back, I think his attitude changed when I joined the K9 team,” Charlie admitted after a few minutes of silence.
“He’s always worked with dogs, hasn’t he? Perhaps he might have been a touch envious or jealous of your achievements in that department then, is that what you’re saying?”
Charlie sighed. “This is the first time I’ve really sat down and considered what’s wrong. It’s hard to tell what’s happened. Maybe I need to take the bull by the horns and thrash it out with him.”
“I would. It could go two ways, either pull you back together or break you apart. It’s got to be worth a try, you can’t go on living the way you are, hon. Everyone deserves to be happy in their life. Hey, think about what your parents went through during your childhood, do you really want to go down the same route?”
Charlie raised a pointed finger. “Now you’re making me see sense. I always said that I would avoid emulating my parents at all costs. I’ve been an idiot, I should have had it out with him sooner. Thanks for helping me see the light, Katy.”
“Hey, just bear in mind that we’re old friends and not just colleagues. Umm… let me correct that, I’m old friends with your mother, but well, I’m always here if you need to bounce ideas off me, Charlie. Sometimes, we’re too involved and need to take a step back to see things from an outsider’s point of view.”
“I hear you. I’m grateful you’re not a self-absorbed tyrant of a boss, that’s really working in my favour.”
“Thanks, I think. We’re almost at the location now. I wonder what we’ll find this time.”
“This is right out in the middle of nowhere, I hope it’s not too gruesome, whatever it is.”
“I’m with you on that one. I’ll let you into a secret.”
“What’s that?”
“I detest attending a scene first thing in the morning, it’s not good on the stomach.”
Charlie laughed.
Katy saw the Scene of Crimes vehicles blocking the road up ahead and parked behind the final van. She and Charlie togged up and then headed into the melee. They found Patti crouched next to the victim, talking into her phone and describing the scene on a recording app. She glanced up and stood.
“Hello, you two. No rest for the wicked, eh? Had I known you were on duty over the weekend, I would have rung you direct.”
“Thought I’d keep quiet about it just in case you felt the urge to ring me at a godawful hour of the morning. It has been known in the past, Patti.” Katy grinned broadly at her pathologist friend.
“Touché, I suppose you’re right. Anyway, it’s nice to see you both so soon after our last encounter, and don’t ask, I haven’t got around to doing the PM on that victim yet.”
“Too charred or what?”
“No, I simply haven’t had the time. I had a two-car pile-up to deal with yesterday afternoon.”
“Sorry to hear that. Many deaths?”
“Three, let’s just say that kept me busy most of the day. I didn’t get home until midnight, then I got the call to attend the scene at seven this morning and well, here I am.” She spread her arms wide and slapped them against her thighs.
“So, what have we got? Apart from the obvious, before you fling that one at me.”
Patti bared her teeth and then pointed at the victim. “Poor man was run over, several times.”
“Several times, as in different cars or the same one?”
“My initial assessment, judging by the tread marks on his body, would be by the same vehicle.”
“Bloody hell.” Katy surveyed the area. “We’re out in the sticks, do you think he was intentionally targeted?”
Patti shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. Maybe someone accidentally knocked him off his bike and decided to drive back and forth over him to ensure he was dead, rather than suffer the consequences of being hauled in for dangerous driving.”
“That’s some imagination you’ve got there, Patti,” Katy replied, dumbfounded by her suggestion.
Patti raised her eyebrows. “Tell me I’m wrong. You can’t. Therefore, until we know what went down, that’s my input right there. Do with it what you will.”
“All right, there’s no need for you to get snarky.”
“I’m not. It’s the only explanation I can muster that has any legs, at this time.”
Katy winced and stared at the bone which had broken through the victim’s Lycra leggings. “That was terrible, just saying.”
Patti smiled. “I know, sorry. I did find his ID in his rucksack. I’ve placed it in an evidence bag over there.”
“Charlie, can you get that for me?” Katy asked, seeing that her partner was standing the closest to the area Patti had indicated.
“His name is Bobby Simmonds. I’ve got an address. It’s on this road, only a few more miles.”
“Great news. Who found the body, Patti, do we know?”
“Yes, the man was still here when we arrived. He was shaken up, so I told him to head
