Play Dead (D.I. Kim Stone, #4)(90)

Professor Wright and Catherine sat at the table and Jameel stood at the computer desk, telling her that he was the one who had let them in. She really would have a word about that later.

Kim moved further into the space as her team filed in behind her. They fanned out to various points of the Portakabin.

Kim looked to the professor, who was wringing his hands.

She immediately noted the absence of the security guard. ‘Darren not here yet?’

‘He’s called in sick,’ Professor Wright answered, looking worried.

Kim glanced at Bryant, who nodded and stepped back outside. A unit had been sent to Darren’s home after she’d learned of his visit to the hospital. When the constables had received no answer she had assumed he was on his way to work. They were not in a position right now to chase after him, but Bryant would instruct a squad car to keep trying.

Catherine offered her a warm smile and a nod as she stood. She wore light jeans with an embroidered design and a pastel vest top. Kim was surprised to see that she had added a little make-up too.

‘May I get anyone a drink?’ she asked, looking round. ‘We have tea, coffee and bottles of Coke in the fridge.’

Most of the team said no. Only Dawson said yes.

A scent of flowery perfume wafted past her as Catherine reached behind her into the fridge.

‘Okay, I’m assuming Professor Wright has explained to you why we’re here.’

Both Catherine and Jameel nodded in her direction.

‘Shortly, a backup vehicle containing a further five police officers is going to be parked up at the end of the lane should we need them.

‘I want Bryant and Professor Wright at the site where Louise was found. Catherine and I will be over at the recent site where Jemima and Isobel were found, and I want Kev and Jameel in the middle.’

There was a simple logic in her plan and it all revolved around physical fitness. The professor was not as agile as his other staff members and so he was best placed at the most unlikely spot. Both Dawson and Jameel had youth and fitness on their side and could get to either of the two danger spots quickly if needed.

‘Stacey, I need you here keeping watch on the cameras and monitoring the radio.’

Stacey nodded her understanding.

‘We will be using the on-site radio system so Stacey can keep a check on us all. She will also be our link to the backup team down the road. Keep your torches aimed at the ground and use them only when necessary. Once you reach your designated location turn them off.’

Kim paused so that everyone could indicate they understood.

‘It is imperative that we do not separate from our partners. Jameel, Catherine, Professor, you are there to assist us with guidance of the site only. Under no circumstances are you to do anything that will jeopardise your own safety or the safety of anyone else.

‘If anything happens you get on the radio immediately and assistance will come. Do you understand?’

Three voices said yes.

‘And finally I want a check call once you reach your designated location and every fifteen minutes thereafter. Got it?’

They all voiced their understanding.

She caught the brief look of doubt that shadowed Bryant’s expression as he nodded in her direction.

She turned away, took a deep breath and offered a silent prayer.

Tracy, for your sake, I hope I called this right.





Eighty-Three





Tracy heard the sound above. Again she was unsure how long ago he’d left her. The thought was floating around her head like a wind-torn kite and she just couldn’t grab its tail.

The tea tray had been cleared away. She didn’t know when, and she didn’t need to wee any more, but she wasn’t wet, and she didn’t smell either.

The door opened, and for a moment Tracy thought her eyes were deceiving her.

The figure that stood before her looked… normal. The make-up and the pigtails were gone. He was dressed in jeans and a T-shirt.

She had the fleeting thought that it wasn’t the same person at all. That this man was here to save her. She’d been found. She was being rescued.

But then she saw the eyes. They were piercing and full of anger. The keys in his hand were being smacked against his other palm.

‘Come now, Tracy, it’s time for you to go.’





Eighty-Four





Bryant followed Professor Wright from the Portakabin into a pool of light from the one lamp to which the CCTV camera was affixed. An orange glow rained down and shone their way to the end of the gravel patch. The glow of the circle amongst the surrounding darkness reminded him of a dozen science-fiction films.

Beyond the glare their path was lit by a moon that peeked occasionally from behind the gathering storm clouds.

Bryant increased his speed to keep pace with the professor. For a portly man, he could move at speed.

As they left the safety of the glowing circle the professor activated the torch and shone it to the ground about five feet ahead. There was little point shining it directly ahead of the feet. If you were that late illuminating a hole in these fields you were going down. And in this place, you would not be alone.

Bryant shuddered at the thought of it.

He knew they were heading over to the area where Louise had been found. It was the furthest point west of the property and about three-quarters of a mile from where Jemima and Isobel had been dumped.