Read Online Blood on the Cowley Road by Peter Tickler - Free Book Online

start with you. Then you’ll be free to break the news as best you can. After that, I think we should interview all your other colleagues. While Wilson and I are doing that, Detective Sergeant Fox and you can draw up a list of members, and try and prioritize those who had a relationship, good or bad, with Jake. And of course with Sarah Johnson.’
    Blunt, whose eyes appeared to have half shut, raised his head with a jerk. ‘Sarah?’ he exclaimed. ‘You think Jake’s and Sarah’s deaths are connected? She committed suicide, right? So what possible connection—’
    â€˜I think nothing at this stage,’ Holden said firmly. ‘I keep an open mind, and try to consider all possibilties. And one of those possibilities is that the deaths of Sarah and Jake, who seem to have had at least a friendship, are in some way connected.’
    Blunt’s mouth was open. Twice he tried to say something, and twice he failed. Holden noticed the side of his neck pulsing like a steam piston, and she wondered if he was going to lose it. She couldn’t seem him crying – he didn’t seem the type – but sometimes those who held themselves together most tightly could behave in unexpected ways. A third time Blunt moved his mouth, and this time words came out. ‘Are you saying Sarah’s death wasn’t suicide. That she was murdered too.’
    Holden leant back now, and gave a deep exhalation of breath. ‘Sarah’s death was most probably suicide. We can’t be certain. But as far as your members are concerned, there is no need to alarm them by suggesting it wasn’t.’
    â€˜Right,’ he said, and gave a single nod.
    â€˜In a minute, I’d like you to go and break the news about Jake to them, but first I have to ask you a couple of questions.’
    Blunt drew his hand across the top of his head. Wilson wondered if this was a nervous reaction. Holden waited deliberately for a few seconds before continuing.
    â€˜How did you get on with Jake?’ she asked with studied casualness.
    â€˜Well enough,’ Blunt said, but he made no elaboration of his answer. Holden looked at him carefully. She frowned. She too was in no rush.
    â€˜Well enough ... for what, I wonder?’ She spoke softly, dreamily
almost, looking up at the ceiling as she did so.
    Blunt waited for her eyes to focus back on him before reacting. And when it came, it was a measured and assertive reaction. ‘Just well enough. Nothing more, nothing less. I was his boss. I had to tell him off occasionally, and challenge him too. He was a bit idle, if you want my honest opinion, and sometimes he needed a metaphorical kick up the arse. Generally, he took it well. But we weren’t pals or anything. It’s not a good idea from my point of view to get too pally with colleagues.’ He stopped talking, and again his hand passed unconsciously across his head.
    Holden held his gaze, and for several seconds said nothing. Only when he adjusted himself in his chair, and his hand for a third time flew low across his almost hairless head did she ask the obvious final question. ‘Where were you last night? Between eight and eleven o’clock?’
    â€˜In my flat. Watching a DVD, until I fell asleep in the armchair.’
    â€˜Can anyone vouch for that?’ Holden asked evenly.
    â€˜No,’ said Blunt firmly.
    Holden smiled. ‘You appreciate that we have to ask’
    Blunt smiled back. ‘O yeah, detective, I’ve seen it on the TV!’
    Holden waited until he was almost out of the room. ‘One last final question, Mr Blunt, if you don’t mind.’
    He stopped and turned. The smile was still plastered across his face. ‘That’s what they all say, isn’t it? Who do you model yourself on? Frost, Morse, or maybe you’re more of a Columbo. Just missing the crumpled raincoat.’
    â€˜What was the DVD?’
    â€˜Why? Are you into