“As simple as that, eh? Okay, I’ll chase it up once we’ve had a word with the victim’s next of kin. I suppose we should make a move and get that over with just in case they’re missing him and set off to find out where he is.” Katy searched ahead of them. “I take it the route is blocked?”
“Yep, I’ve been informed if you go back the way you came, there’s a lane on the right about a mile down the road, it circles us and joins the main road at the end.”
“Thanks. Is there anything else you can give us before we go?”
“Not really, no. Another point I’d like to make is he was dressed as if he’s an experienced cyclist. In my opinion, they don’t tend to take any risks, not on roads such as this. That might be worth bearing in mind as well.”
“I’ll do that. It’s looking more and more like an intentional act, isn’t it?” Katy nodded thoughtfully.
“Yep, although it might be better to keep an open mind until I’ve performed the PM.”
“We’ll be off then. Have you jotted down the address, Charlie?”
“I have. I’ll just put the evidence bag back.”
Katy said farewell to Patti and walked to the cordoned off perimeter where she deposited her paper suit in the awaiting black bag. Charlie joined her and did the same.
“Now, for the part we hate the most: telling the relatives. I’ll ring the witness en route, see if he’s up to speaking to us.”
They slipped into the car and Katy dialled Trevor Wardley’s number.
“Hello, who is this?”
“Hello, Mr Wardley, sorry to disturb you. I’m DI Katy Foster. I’m the Senior Investigating Officer on the crime that was committed this morning. The cyclist being knocked off his bike.”
“Ah, yes. Okay. Terrible thing to discover first thing in the morning. My wife and children are still very upset by what they saw.”
“I can imagine. Maybe you can run through how you discovered the victim for me.”
“I’d rather not, not over the phone. I suppose you’ll be needing a statement from me, would it be all right if we left it a few days? Not sure my head is in the right place to consider all the details and I’d hate to miss anything out.”
“As you like. Is there that much to tell, sir? Perhaps you can tell me if you saw anyone else in the vicinity? Either on foot or in a vehicle?”
“No, nothing at all. Wait, you might as well hear what I have to say. Let me take the phone in another room.”
“Thank you.” Katy put the phone on speaker and started the engine. She reversed and trundled down the road taking a right into the lane Patti had mentioned.
“I’m back. Sorry, my kids and wife are really upset, revisiting the incident with them in the room would have brought on another bout of tears.”
“No need to apologise. I totally understand. Can I ask what time you stumbled across the victim?”
“Around ten-to-seven, I believe it was. We were on our way for an early morning swim. The pool opens at seven-thirty on a Saturday for special swimming lessons for kids under the age of eleven. We always go then, so my two can have the freedom to learn without other swimmers cursing them for getting in the way.”
“I see. Going back to the incident, sir… You found the man lying in the road, did you touch him at all? We need to know for DNA purposes.”
“Oh my. Yes, my wife told me off, but by then, it was too late. I felt for a pulse in his neck. I’m sure anyone else in my position would have done the same.”
“I have no doubt that’s correct. Did you recognise the victim?”
“No. I don’t think so. Although, it was hard to tell with the muddy tyre marks covering his face. How could anyone drive over another person like that? I find it utterly barbaric, don’t you?”
“Absolutely, I do, that’s why we’re going to do our very best to punish the person guilty of this atrocious crime.”
“How do you propose doing that? There can’t be any cameras out on that road.”
“We have ways of finding suspects when they least expect it, don’t you worry. Of course, at this time, we’re reliant on what the witnesses tell us.”
“I’ve failed you then because I really can’t tell you much at all.”
“It’s fine. Please don’t be concerned about it. I will need a statement from you, would that be okay?”
“Of course. I’ll do anything I can to help the police. When?”
“I’ll get in touch with the station, they’ll contact you to make the necessary arrangements and take a DNA sample from you.”
“Good. Good. Okay, is that all for now?”
“It is. Thank you for speaking with me. Take care of your family and try to put the incident out of your minds if at all possible.”
“I’ll try. We’ve got a few videos lined up for the day. A bit of Disney will do the trick, I’m sure.”
She smiled. “It always works in my house with my little girl. Thank you again.”
“Goodbye. Oh, and I hope you manage to find the person.”
“We’re going to do our best.”
She ended the
