Ben stood up. ‘Whoever this is, they are clever, cunning and have plotted things down to the smallest detail. They are forensically aware; there have been no fingerprints or DNA, the only real evidence they have left behind at each scene is the knife in the chest. According to the pathologist the chest wound didn’t kill them first, it was the cut throats. Declan’s report for Lydia stated that without the neck wound she would have died from the knife wound to her chest but not as fast. He wanted a quick death, the knife is left behind purely for drama, like a calling card. We’ve identified the knives as a generic brand that is sold by the thousand on Amazon. We’ve asked Amazon for a list of anyone in the North West and Cumbria so we can narrow it down. Up to now Amazon aren’t being overly helpful, claiming data protection and customer confidentiality.’
John was nodding. ‘Leave Amazon to me, I’ll speak to someone and get a warrant for this and tell them that their GDPR is not relevant to a high-profile murder investigation.’
‘That would be very useful, thank you.’
Ben smiled at him, and Morgan wondered if Bigfoot was being all showy and full of bravado because he might be a bit nervous taking on an enormous case with a department of people he didn’t know. She decided to go a little easier on him and try not to fight him on every sentence that came out of his mouth. She couldn’t help but be protective over her colleagues and friends, they meant the world to her, and they had been through some terrible times together making their bond stronger than ever.
THIRTY-ONE
Ben grabbed hold of Morgan’s shirt on the way out to hold her back, waiting for everyone else to file out of the blue room. He waited until it was just the two of them before closing the door.
‘You had me worried then.’
‘I know, I didn’t realise until I started to speak how much you would panic. I’m sorry about that, it’s just he wound me up so much.’
‘I get that, but please, for the sake of my mental health, don’t do that again. Were you referring to Scotty?’
She gave a half-hearted shrug. ‘Kind of but not really.’
Ben threw his hands in the air. ‘Morgan, stop it. You’re giving me heartburn for no good reason. Are you mad at me, is this because I didn’t propose to you in New York?’
She stared at him. A deep red flush rose up his neck and cheeks, and she thought,so here it is, he’s finally acknowledging it, and she wanted to put a stop to it for good.
‘Declan was really disappointed with me. I’m sorry I didn’t but I was too scared you’d say no, so I put it to the back of my mind and kind of forgot about it.’
‘What has that got to do with anything that’s happening here, right now?’
‘I don’t want you being so angry with me that it’s getting in the way of our working relationship.’
‘First of all, no. I am not mad you didn’t propose. Declan has a bee in his bonnet about that. He was checking my ring finger, and I didn’t even realise what he was getting at. I never expected you to propose, if I’m honest it was the last thing on my mind. I just wanted to have a break, and you all to myself whilst visiting one of my bucket list cities. You made that dream come true and I appreciate that so much. Why are you stressing about not proposing, Ben? I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone in my life and if you asked me to marry you, I would say yes in a heartbeat. But I don’t expect you to. I’m so happy the way we are, I wouldn’t jeopardise that for anything. As long as you’re in my life that’s enough for me. I don’t care about any kind of ring on my finger.’
She wrapped her arms around him, pulling him to her. He pulled her even closer and kissed her with far too much passion for a workday. She had to break away from him to come up for air. The door slammed open, and they tore themselves away from each other. Cain was standing there grinning, and he winked at them.
‘Don’t mind me, you sneaky little lovebirds, and don’t shoot the messenger but Bigfoot wants you in his office now, Ben. And I want to warn you that he’s moved himself into your office. So, you know, do you want to do some deep breathing to calm yourself down before you go and throw him out of it? Oh, and please don’t throw him out unless I’m watching, although I’m going to be frank with you, Benno, I think he could kick your arse in a fight.’
Morgan doubled over with laughter whilst Ben sat down on the chair nearest to him, shaking his head.
‘I don’t think I can take much more today, you lot have done me in. And thanks for that vote of no confidence, Cain. Justbecause he’s built like a brick shithouse doesn’t mean I couldn’t take him in a fight.’
Cain laughed even louder. ‘Before you do, can we start a sweepstake? Take bets? We could all do with a bit of cheering up.’
Ben gave him the finger. ‘Get out of here now and take her with you, the pair of you are liabilities, you know that right?’
They both nodded and left him there, but Morgan softly closed the door behind her to give him a little headspace before he went back to face their newest challenge.
As they walked down the corridor, she whispered. ‘Did Angela message back?’
He shook his head. ‘She must be busy, or maybe she left her phone at home. It’s not like I have any trust issues with her, I just worry about her. She really is the best thing that ever happened to me, my life has changed completely since I met her.’
‘Aw, you really are a sweetie under that rough exterior. Has Bigfoot really taken over Ben’s office?’
He nodded. ‘Yeah, I told him it was Ben’s and that Marc’s office is on the second floor, but he said he didn’t want to work away from the team. He likes to be in the thick of it and said Ben wouldn’t mind sharing.’
‘Lord, the guy has no idea, does he?’
‘Nope, be fun to watch Ben tell him though.’
‘I think Ben’s had enough for one day, I’ve almost finished him off.’
