'Til Death (DI Steven Marr Book 1) - UK Crime Fiction Whodunnit Thriller Read Free Page A

drag of the cigarette.
    'DS Reid.'
    Sam turned around to see Becky walking up to her, holding out her phone.
    'I've just had a call from a Caroline Marcus, asking about Anna Markham.' Becky said.
    Sam didn't recognise the name.
    'What did she want to know?'
    'She was asking me to confirm whether or not Anna was dead.'
    'What did you say?'
    'Said I couldn't confirm anything. She could have just been press.'
    That was true, thought Sam. But if she was press, how the hell had she found out about the murder already? The family could have run to the press, she supposed, but that would have been a first.
    ‘Give Rob a call, see if he knows who she is.’
    Becky did so. A quick thirty seconds later they had the answer.
    ‘Caroline’s is Anna’s best friend. Rob is still with Anna’s parents, so they didn’t tell her. It must have been the fiancée.’
    ‘What’s his name?’
    ‘Gregor Stanic.’
    Anna nodded.
    ‘OK, thanks Becky. I’ll take care of it.’
    Becky gave Sam Caroline’s number before returning to the main barn.
    The first ring had barely sounded when there was a soft ‘click’.
    'Hello?' asked a female voice. It was high, almost a squeak. Caroline Marcus – if that was who it was - sounded frantic.
    'Caroline?' Sam asked.
    'Yes. Who's this?'
    'My name’s Detective Inspector Reid. I believe you rang my colleague a few moments ago.'
    'Oh god, is Anna OK? The other detective wouldn't tell me.'
    'Were you and Anna close?' Sam asked.
    'Oh god, really, though, is she OK?'
    'Caroline, I think it would be useful if you came to see us.'
    ‘Of course, yes, where, Hendon House?'
    Sam looked back across the field, where the white CSIs were still dotted against fields.
    'Actually, I’ll come and see you’ she decided, ‘What's your address?'
    Caroline lived close by; this side of Colchester. Sam checked her watch. A twenty minute drive at most.
    'OK, Caroline, I'll be with you soon, give me an hour or so.'
    She cut the call before Caroline could ask the question again, then dialled through to Marr.
    'We’ve had a call from a Caroline Marcus, claiming to be Anna’s best friend. I think the fiancée already told her about Anna’s death, so I'm going to go and see her now. She's only twenty minutes away. I'll grab coffees on the way back.'
    'And that, DI Reid, is why you'll be a Superintendent someday,’ Marr replied.
    Sam lowered her voice.
    ‘Don’t be so fucking patronising’ she said, though she was smiling when she hung up.
     
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
    CHAPTER SIX
     
     
    Caroline Marcus' flat was in the Hythe area of Colchester. Traffic was pretty light, so Sam had no problem dealing with the one way system. She arrived at the building five minutes later than she’d planned, but didn't think that would be much of a problem. Caroline wasn't going anywhere until she got confirmation that Anna was dead.
    Even so, it was a surprise to see her waiting by the outside door to the building. It didn't take much working out that it was her: her hands were still trembling.
    'Caroline?' Sam asked.
    Caroline nodded. Her forehead was a mess of worry lines.
    'Thanks for coming.' she said.
    'Of course. Shall we go up?'
    They'd been in the flat less than five seconds when Caroline asked the same question. Convinced that she wasn’t a reporter, Sam gave her the answer. The honest one.
    Caroline instantly deflated, the anxiety flooding out and the numbness rushing in. Her hand stopped shaking. She sank onto the sofa, her eyes fixed on the carpet.
    'I'm sorry,' Sam said. 'Shall I make us a drink?'
    The reply was non-existent, but Sam carried on anyway. There was little point just staring at the poor girl and waiting.
    As Sam busied herself with the kettle, she heard the click of the door behind her. Caroline had locked herself in the bathroom. Briefly, Sam was worried. Then she heard the unmistakable sound of retching.
    Two steaming mugs of tea were on the coffee table by the time Caroline re-emerged. Her face had