‘Right, well, Stan you can get on with searching those genealogy sites online, to see if there are any living relatives of the women who have been murdered. I want a full list, addresses, any info you can get on them.’
Ben added, ‘John said you’ve done this kind of thing before, so it would be much appreciated if you could lead with this one.’
‘Yeah, sure.’
John was still staring at Morgan. ‘And you’re on with the social media crap. How is that going?’
‘Not too well, there’s a lot of stuff to sift through.’
He was nodding. ‘Appreciate that, but anyone commenting who sounds a bit off?’
Morgan did her best not to roll her eyes at him. ‘Sir, most of the people commenting sound a bit off, but nobody that really stands out as yet.’
‘Well, keep going. It’s a thankless task, but you may find something, even if it’s just a tenuous link, let me know.’
He turned away from her, and she glared at Ben who shrugged an apology in her direction.
‘Briefing in twenty minutes. I want a full update on where we’re at and why we don’t have a suspect in the traps.’
He walked out, and Morgan watched as Ben’s shoulders drooped a little.
‘What the hell?’
‘I know, he’s an arse.’
Stan was logging on to the computer. ‘A complete arse. I’ve worked with him twice and each time he’s driven everyone insane.’
‘He has a point though,’ Cain said, and they all turned to stare at him. ‘I mean, maybe they do have some distant relative that’s a psychopath.’
Morgan stood up. ‘Boss, can I have a word?’ She strode towards his office and went inside. Ben followed, making sure the door was closed behind him.
‘Look, it’s not my fault he’s covering. We’re just going to have to suck it up and put up with him until Marc’s back.’
Morgan’s voice was low when she spoke. ‘It’s not about him, we can deal with him; we work with Marc, don’t we?’
‘Oh, what’s this about then?’
‘Scotty.’
‘What about him?’
‘I could be wrong, and I hope to God that I am because I’d hate to think I’m right.’
‘Morgan, I’m way past being stressed; in fact I’d say there’s a good chance I’m well on my way to an imminent nervous breakdown. What has he done now?’
She slowly released the breath she’d been holding. ‘I’m worried he’s involved.’
‘Enlighten me, please. I’m too tired to try and second guess what you’re trying to say.’
‘Scotty is, was, friends with all the Williams sisters. Knew their parents too.’
‘I know, poor bloke must be feeling terrible.’
‘What if he’s not? What if he’s the reason they’re all dead?’
Ben’s gaze fixed on hers then he began to shake his head. ‘Come on, I mean it’s a decent lead but you’re talking about Scotty. He’s the laziest person I’ve ever met, laziest copper. I mean I have no idea what he’s like outside of work. How have you jumped to this conclusion, which I think is out there, even for you?’
Her cheeks flared a deep red. She’d known Ben would object, but not to this level, and he had annoyed the hell out of her.
