‘It was an honour,’ Stacey said, beaming. ‘It was a great night. Got to speak to so many fabulous people, and there were even snacks afterwards, the really good shit.’
Penn nodded his agreement.
Kim was pleased that half her team had enjoyed themselves.
‘I gotta ask,’ she said, glancing over at the coffee pot. ‘Did anyone else notice that Bryant bought a new suit?’
‘Yeah,’ Stacey said.
Penn nodded. ‘Pretty smart.’
It was just her then. She really should start paying more attention.
‘How’d it go last night?’ Bryant asked her, nodding towards the door.
‘Suspiciously okay,’ she said, still surprised at her boss’s reaction. ‘Put it this way: I’ve still got my job, so anything more is a bonus.’ She poured herself a coffee from the nearly full pot and took a sip. ‘Hmm, thanks, Penn.’
‘Hey, how did you know it wasn’t me?’ Bryant asked.
‘Cos it tastes really good, unlike when you put in the bare minimum of coffee like there’s a national shortage. Trust me, there’s more at the supermarket.’
Penn offered his colleague a triumphant grin.
‘Okay, guys, moving on. I know Bryant explained why we were called away.’
Stacey and Penn both nodded.
‘Penn, get the board,’ Kim said and took another swig of coffee. He really did make a good cuppa.
‘Our victim is thirty-four-year-old Ashley Reynolds. There’s a single stab wound and a few defensive cuts to her hands. No other apparent injuries. Looks like she was on her way home from netball practice at the community centre, which is approximately one mile from her home. Website says practice finishes at nine, and she was discovered just before ten. It’s a mainly busy road and well lit, except for this small area.’
She turned to Bryant. ‘Any update from the crime scene?’
He took out his phone and accessed the email. ‘Body was removed at three this morning. Evidence collection expected to last until at least midday. No murder weapon found.’
‘Right. I’m informed by Inspector Plant that our victim is survived by a husband and daughter who were understandably distraught at the news. Obviously, that’ll be the first port of call for Bryant and me, but on the face of it, there was no obvious reason for this young mother to lose her life.’
‘So, maybe it was just?—’
‘It wasn’t random, Stace,’ Kim said. ‘There was nothing missing. Her bags hadn’t even been opened. No violence and no sexual assault.’
‘So, it’s all about her,’ Penn said.
Kim nodded. ‘There’s something in her past or present that prompted this. Stace, I want to know everything about her: work, neighbours, friends, enemies. I want to know the name of anyone she had a spat with in primary school even. And do the usual checks on the spouse.’
‘Got it, boss.’
‘Penn, check in with Keats and attend the post-mortem, and walk the route she took from the community centre. See if there’s anything we missed.’
‘Got it,’ he said.
‘Everyone know what they’re doing?’ she asked.
They all nodded in her direction.
‘Hey, guv, did I hear right that Martha’s back in?’ Bryant asked.
Kim rolled her eyes and nodded.
