Dying For You Read Free Page A

to the case. Somehow, he would have to harness that knowledge and use it to find Estelle's murderer without letting anyone know he had been present at the dating agency party to acquire it.
    But, in order to be able to do that he had to stay both out of suspicion and out of jail. And he hadn't much time to make sure of either.
    He sat in his office, thinking furiously. Idea after idea was discarded. It was ten minutes later when he finally hit on the solution. During his exploratory chat with Beard, Rafferty had learned that Harry Simpson and the team were still at the murder scene. And, although Simpson had quickly discovered from her flatmate that Estelle had attended the Made In Heaven dating agency ‘Getting-To-Know-You’ party at The Elmhurst hotel's annexe on Saturday evening, Beard, who had a leisurely way with orders, hadn't yet arranged for anyone to get round to Nigel's address. It gave Rafferty the opportunity to stage a timely burglary.
    He glanced at his watch. One thing at least was going his way. Today was his usual day for taking his Ma to the supermarket. Although he normally took her in the evening she would be unlikely to argue if he changed the time, especially as the neighbours who, like her, were mostly retired, would be more likely to see her eldest son taking her out. Though, this time she'd have to forego the drink he usually took her for. Because, before the shopping, she was going with him to Jerry's flat, where, she would have to bear witness, if it became necessary, that Jerry's flat had been broken into.
    Again, Ma was unlikely to refuse him. Rafferty knew she had been itching to see inside the place since Jerry had bought it, but invitations to most of the family hadn't been forthcoming. Rafferty had been one of a select few who had received an invite and that was only because, with their respective professions, he and Jerry shared the tarnish of being beyond the pale and occasionally had a drink and a commiseration together.
    Fortunately, he had the keys to Jerry's fancy apartment and, to Ma, could use the ready lie that he had promised Jerry he would keep an eye on the place while he was away. That particular business would only take a few minutes; he would be able to rely on his ma dawdling as she admired the plush decor in the luxuriously appointed entrance hall. It would give him a few minutes breathing space, which was all he would need.
    He would have to get rid of Jerry's passport and credit card. Rafferty sighed as he realized that, like Jerry's documents, his expensive designer suit was also going to have to be sacrificed. He had promised he would look after the suit and make sure any stains disappeared. He hadn't expected to have to make the entire suit disappear. But he couldn't risk someone recognizing it – especially if Jerry was in it at the time and looking almost as much like ‘Nigel Blythe’ as Rafferty did. He'd have to stump up for a replacement. To be on the safe side, the Italian leather shoes and the silk shirt he had purchased to wear with the suit would also have to go.
    He had already lost Estelle Meredith. He couldn't help but wonder how much more his failed quest for love would cost him before the real killer was found and charged
    He dropped into the station reception to speak to Bill Beard, whom he dragged from his immersion in The Mirror to check on the situation vis-à-vis Nigel's apartment. ‘So what's been found at this Blythe's home?’ he asked Bill's bent head. ‘Anything useful?’
    Beard looked up from his newspaper for long enough to say, ‘Haven't despatched anyone yet. I'm waiting for a couple of the lads to be freed up from the murder scene. You know how short-staffed we are.’
    Rafferty nodded. ‘I've got to go out. Just got a call from one of my snouts,’ he confided.
    Beard, who had returned to his Mirror crossword, just grunted.
    ‘If anyone asks for me tell then I'll be back in an hour.’ Or two. ‘Bill? Are you listening, or