Read Under a Silent Moon: A Novel for Free Online

body should tell us more.”
    “Do we have any idea when that’s going to be?”
    “I’ve asked for it to be prioritized and linked it to Op Nettle. Might have it by the morning if we’re lucky. They recovered the body and the car.”
    Back in her office, she braced herself to phone Andy Hamilton’s mobile. Went through the motions of looking it up on the Force Directory, even though she knew it off by heart.
    “Andy, it’s me,” she said when he answered.
    “Yeah,” he said.
    Of course. He knew her number as well as she knew his. God, this was so awkward; she was glad she’d managed to push him aside to the other body. With a bit of luck, the two cases would be completely unrelated and she could get another DI in.
    Could she ever be that lucky? Of course not.
    “Area are desperate to get rid of this one, Boss. They’ve been on to Mr. Buchanan, claiming it’s definitely linked to Hermitage Farm. I think we’re going to have to take it.”
    Shit! Shit! She’d completely forgotten to phone the superintendent back. She would have to do it the minute she got off the phone.
    “Have they got any actual evidence linking it?”
    “Witness statements to say that Brian Fletcher-Norman was having an affair with Polly Leuchars. Witness statements going on about how unstable Barbara—that’s our body in the quarry—was, how she was jealous, an alcoholic.”
    “Evidence, Andy? Rather than village gossip?”
    “Nothing yet. I reckon Barbara went over to confront Polly about her affair with Brian, got riled up enough to kill her, then went back to the Barn. Washed her hands, was overcome with remorse, drove drunk to the quarry, and went over. Accidentally on purpose.”
    “Thanks for that, Sherlock.”
    “You’re welcome.”
    “If you know anything more by tomorrow morning, come to the briefing?”
    “Wouldn’t miss it.”
    Every little thing felt like flirting where Hamilton was concerned. Did he do it to everyone, or just to Lou? And how did you stamp your authority on the working relationship when there was this sort of history between you? Two months ago she’d been a DI, and his ranking equal. When it had happened, she’d been his sergeant. Her swift rise to DCI was all to do with her grim determination to get her head down and concentrate on work rather than let herself be distracted by men, or one man in particular—Andy Hamilton.
    Sooner or later she was going to have to have a chat with him. It wasn’t going to be pleasant, but it had to be better than this.
    She dialed the number for Mr. Buchanan’s secretary. No answer, of course, not at this time of night. She tried the mobile, and got the answering service.
    “Sir, Lou Smith. Sorry I didn’t get back to you earlier. I’m guessing you were calling about the second case in Morden. I’ve sent Andy Hamilton over to establish links, if there are any. Hope this is okay. If you need me, the mobile’s on, otherwise I’ll brief you tomorrow first thing. Thanks. Bye.”
    With luck, Buchanan wouldn’t phone back tonight.
    The next person on the list was Jane Phelps, who had finally made it back to the office. Lou had worked with Jane before, had confidence in her.
    “How’s the house-to-house?”
    Jane waved a small pile of papers. “All done for now. Area had covered most of it before we got there. Lots of people seem to be away on holiday—it’s that sort of place, weekenders and well-off families. And I tell you what, some of these women who sit at home all day planning lunch parties—it feels like all they want to do is gossip about their neighbors. You wouldn’t believe some of the things they’ve come up with.”
    “I think I know what you’re going to say, but carry on, I like a good goss.”
    “Well . . .” Jane rifled through the pages, handwritten at this stage. “Mrs. Newbury at Willow Cottage, she seems to think Polly was having an affair with Nigel Maitland. Apparently he’s the reason she came here to work.”
    Lou