Read Double Dealing (Detective Sergeant Catherine Bishop Series Book Two) for Free Online Page B

Dave.’
     
    Keith Kendrick watched her as she sat down, taking in the dark smudges under her eyes and the slow, careful movements. He’d need to keep an eye on her.
      ‘How are you, Catherine? Really I mean, don’t give me any flannel.’
    She laughed.
      ‘I wouldn’t dream of it. I’m fine.’
      ‘You only had three weeks off, it’s not long.’
      ‘I want to be here, this is what I’m paid for.’
      ‘What does that lass of yours say?’
      ‘Lass? Do you mean Louise?’
      ‘Aye, that’s the one. Mousy hair and a sour look on her face.’ Kendrick grinned, not sure if he was pushing his luck. Catherine shook her head.
      ‘No idea, I’ve not heard from her. Don’t expect to either.’
      ‘Very bloody supportive.’
      Catherine took a deep breath. She didn’t want to think about Louise; there was only so much guilt she could handle.
      ‘I need to talk to you about a missing person.’
    She explained what Mark Cook had told her and what DC Lancaster had dug up so far. Kendrick listened, pinching his lower lip between his thumb and forefinger.
      ‘Well, I think we need to talk to the husband again at least,’ he said. ‘You’d think the bride-to-be would have been putting photos and God knows what else on Facebook - who’s been sick where, how many times they’ve fallen over and all that. Have you ever been on a hen night?’
      ‘Not for a few years.’
      ‘They sound worse than a stag do, and they’re bad enough.’ He shuddered.
      ‘It could just be that Lauren was spending the weekend with someone she didn’t want her husband to know about, of course, but then why tell him a lie that was so easy to disprove?’
      ‘A boyfriend you mean? Could be. So what are you suggesting, we talk to a friend first, someone she could have confided in?’
      ‘It might be best. It shouldn’t take any time. DC Lancaster’s been looking into it so far.’
      ‘Good idea, give him some experience. Let me know what you find out and we’ll take it from there.’
     
     
     
      He held the mug of hot chocolate between shaking hands, blew across the top of the sickly-looking liquid and took a sip. It wasn’t so bad. He hadn’t wanted it but his colleague had insisted, saying it would do him good, that it was too cold to be just drinking the squash he would have preferred. He took another reluctant sip, the churning in his stomach not helping. He’d received a text early that morning, short and to the point as always : Pint tonight? Collect you at 7 . They wouldn’t be going for a pint, of course. He screwed up his face. He didn’t know what to do and there was no one he could ask for advice. He’d been stupid; so very stupid. He might have more cash than before, but was it worth it? No. No way. He couldn’t eat, couldn’t sleep, and who knew what he’d have to do tonight. It couldn’t be as bad as what they’d done already. He closed his eyes, the image of the knife blade sinking into the soft, pale flesh unbearable. Chewing on the inside of his lips, he pressed them together, willing himself not to be sick.
      The memory of what he had done afterwards was even worse.
      He gave up on the last mouthful of hot chocolate and turned to rinse his mug in the sink. He needed to think.
     

12
     
     
     
     
    There was a tap on Kendrick’s office door and the desk sergeant, Rich Smithies, stuck his head into the room.
      ‘Sorry, Guv. I wondered if I could have a quick word with DS Bishop?’
      ‘Can’t it wait, Rich? We’ve almost finished.’
      ‘Not really, I’m afraid. The woman who was reported missing earlier, Lauren Cook? I’ve got her husband back downstairs, as well as her mum and dad. The mum’s causing a proper scene.’
      ‘Bloody Norah,’ Kendrick complained. ‘We’ve already told the husband that there’s nothing we can do.’
      ‘I know, that’s the bit she has a problem with.’ Smithies shrugged. Catherine heaved a sigh and got