Morgan laughed. ‘He’s certainly something, I’m sure Ben will appreciate you coming back. I don’t know what use I’m going to be with this boot on.’
‘Role reversal, you can do the Intel checks and CCTV viewings; I’ll go out and do the legwork. I might even get a gold star, you never know.’
Ben walked in and his face lit up with a huge smile to see Amy sitting on the corner of Des’s desk.
‘Before you say anything, yes, I’m back, I want to help out.’
‘Thank God for that, it’s been far too quiet around here on my own.’
‘Yeah, well next time you complain about my attitude remember what you just said, you missed me.’
He laughed. ‘I actually did, and I’ll try not to forget it. Are you all set for this afternoon?’
‘As ready as I can be. I said I’d go with Des’s mum in the funeral car, I didn’t want her to be alone.’
‘Thank you, that’s kind of you. It’s also going to be hard for you.’
‘Yeah, I know, but I couldn’t be bothered not eating all week either to fit into my tunic. Why are they so tight? I mean did we not eat when we joined up and were in training or something?’
Ben shrugged. ‘We were younger, a lot fitter.’
‘We were definitely something, imagine if this was one of us instead of Des, he’d be laughing his socks off because his tunic still fits him perfect with his weird dietary choices. He’s getting buried in it. I’m telling you now if I die on the job for the love of God bury me in my pyjamas. I want to be comfortable for all of eternity. I’m not haunting you lot in a tunic that’s so tight I can’t wave my arms around in it to scare the shit out of you all.’
Their laughter filled the room and suddenly it felt a little lighter in there despite the gravity of the Lawsons’ horrific murders and the fact that they had to attend Des’s funeral this afternoon.
Cain walked in with a tray of mugs, and they all picked one up and followed Ben down to the briefing room.
SEVEN
The briefing room wasn’t as full as it usually was for a murder investigation. Ben had the policy book tucked under his arm and the mug of coffee in his hand. Marc came in behind them, taking a seat at the head of the table. Wendy came in next, and behind her was Nigel from the fire service. Ben, Morgan and Amy took seats as the sound of heavy footfall on the stairs signalled the arrival of task force. Al was in the lead, his team following behind. Once everyone had shuffled into place, they waited for the room to be silent before Ben began to talk.
‘Today is not the best day to be starting a triple murder investigation, so I appreciate everyone turning up and I know that the majority of us will be attending Des’s funeral this afternoon, but right now, we need to focus. Sally Lawson, her husband, David and fourteen-year-old son, Tim, were brutally murdered last night, and their house set on fire. We need to find out who did this and why this happened, we need to figure out who the victims were, if they had any problems with friends, family, neighbours. A few of you may already know Sally if you go to The Hair Bar on the high street. Morgan, maybe you could fix up speaking with the staff at the salon for me.’
There were a few murmurs and nods, the expression on Al’s face one of pure shock.
‘You’re joking. Sally? Who always gives a discount for blue light workers and is always smiling?’
Ben nodded. ‘I’m afraid so. What we know up to now is that Sally arrived home at 19.37 and a neighbour called Fire twenty minutes later. When Fire arrived at 20.07 the front of the house was burning, but the back of the house was mainly smoke damage. The crew discovered the bodies of Sally, David and Tim at the kitchen table. I think it’s easier to show you.’
He opened the photos that Wendy had sent him, and the Lawsons’ kitchen filled the Smart TV. He clicked on the next one, a close-up of the family all slumped forwards, with thick, clear plastic bags on their heads. Morgan knew what was coming next. Ben clicked, and the camera zoomed out enough to show the bloodied stumps of their right hands.
‘Jesus, where are their hands?’ Al was staring at the screen his eyes wide, his lips parted.
‘We haven’t located them yet.’
Morgan noticed the big US-style fridge freezer in the corner of the kitchen. ‘Did we check the freezer?’
Wendy shook her head. ‘I photographed and documented the scene, focusing on the bodies before they were moved. Nigel and I are going back this morning to do a thorough search once we have the go-ahead from Fire that it’s safe to do so.’
Nigel smiled. ‘I’m Nigel Adams, Fire Investigator with the North Cumbria Fire Service. I’m usually based in Carlisle but cover the entire county when needed.’
Ben nodded. ‘Pleased to have you on board, Nigel. Anything you need see either myself, Morgan or Amy, although I’m sure Wendy is looking after you.’
‘She certainly is, thank you. I have to say I’ve never seen anything quite like this. I’ve attended multiple fatalities over the years and a couple of suspicious deaths, but this is…’
‘Next level?’
He looked at Morgan. ‘Yes, it is. I mean the missing hands, the bags over their heads, it has to mean something to whoever did this but to me, I’m at a loss.’
