STORM LOG-0505: A Gripping, Supernatural Crime Thriller (The First Detective Deans Novel) Read Free

headphones.
    ‘Dress down day?’ Deans said, looking Young up and down.
    ‘I’m at court tomorrow,’ Young replied, as he scoured the office. ‘Something going on, Deano?’
    ‘No. I’m it.’
    ‘Who else is on lates?’ Young asked more attentively.
    ‘You’re it.’ Deans smiled and turned back to his computer screen that was still showing dark and grainy images of a faraway park. Reflected in his monitor Young was pleading silently; arms out at his side.
    With only a short time to go before his shift was due to end, Deans checked the log of ongoing calls for anything requiring CID attention. Though sixteen outstanding jobs showed nothing obvious to be concerned about, one made him take a second look. Medium Risk MISPER, LOG-0505.
    CID did not normally deal with missing persons unless someone with pips on their shoulders deemed they were high risk. Deans knew that with a starting point of medium risk, this particular job had potential to ascend the stairs to the suits and so he read on.
    Third party informant is reporting a missing housemate. MISPER – Amy Poole last seen on Friday afternoon. MISPER has not returned home over the weekend and has not attended lectures this week. Informant has spoken to MISPER’S boyfriend who has not had contact with her since Friday. Alternative telephone numbers are unknown .
    The log now had Deans’ full attention and he continued reading.
    MISPER is a 20-year-old female student of Minerva University, Bath, living in privately rented accommodation. MISPER last seen with boyfriend, Carl Groves, on Friday 3rd October after final lectures. MISPER not answering calls texts or social media .
    A lacklustre voice from behind interrupted Deans’ concentration.
    ‘Anything I need to know about, Deano?’
    ‘Not really. There’s a medium risk MISPER – female student – probably one to keep an eye on.’
    ‘Oh great, not another bird shacked up somewhere? She’ll return once she’s had enough.’
    It was not unusual for MISPERs to return of their own accord but the problem with them, especially when they were higher risk, was that they absorbed significant resources and time. Considering there were any number of MISPER logs every day, and this was the third that Deans knew of during his shift alone, only occasionally did one come along that grabbed the attention, and this was a case in point.
    ‘It seems a little strange to me,’ Deans said.
    ‘Well, it’s medium risk. Leave it for the woodentops to deal with.’ Young was always so complimentary about his uniformed colleagues.
    Deans chortled and grabbed his bag. ‘I’m out of here,’ he said, tapping Young’s desk with his knuckle as he passed. ‘Have a good one.’
    ‘Remember I can’t get involved in anything, I’ve got court tomorrow.’
    Deans did not reply. His stint was over.
     
    Walking home, Deans continued to think about the MISPER log, and it bothered him. Friday afternoon to Tuesday lunchtime was a significant period with no contact. The boyfriend must have heard from Amy Poole at some point, some other family member, or a friend. But he knew the job would probably be waiting for him next day, along with God knows what else, so he continued his journey home and did not give it another thought that night.

Chapter 4
    Wednesday lunchtime and Deans was at home with his wife, Maria. She had been off sick from work since Monday. He was making her beans on toast, which was all she fancied. He made himself the same but double the amount. He was starting late-turn that day and wanted to know he had some food inside him just in case he did not get another chance to eat.
    Despite Maria feeling unwell, they had at least spent some unexpected time together although she was not particularly forthcoming.
    They were enduring an anxious time. No one else knew other than close family; no one else needed to know – yet. It was taking a toll, especially on Maria. For Deans it was slightly different. It was not