Page 77 of Her Lips Are Sealed

‘Ben, armed response are on their way.’

The Control room inspector’s voice was calm.

‘Perfect, they can take over the search. I’m heading to the vets to get more background information on him. When they find him, lock him up for police assault, but don’t mention the murders. I want to have a full plan before that.’

Lucy was nodding. ‘Wise, it will buy us more time. I’ll stay here, make sure Morgan is okay and keep you updated. Cain can go with you before he upsets Morgan any further.’

Cain was out of hearing range, currently lifting the lid of an industrial waste bin and peering into it.

‘Thanks, she’s used to him though. He doesn’t mean anything by his sense of humour.’

‘I get that, but I want you to have someone with you.’

Ben shouted, ‘Cain.’

He snapped his head to look in his direction.

‘We’re going to the vets.’

He let the lid of the bin slam shut and began strolling back towards him. A paramedic had arrived and was currently checking Morgan over as Ben walked past. He pointed to her and said, ‘Hospital to get checked out.’

Morgan rolled her eyes, and Ben winked at her. ‘Sometimes, you have to do as your boss tells you.’

Then he was strolling back to the van with Cain, ready to go and find out exactly who their killer was.

FORTY-EIGHT

Inside of the vets it was chaos. All the employees had been herded into the staff room where they were chattering loudly and speculating about what had happened. Ben could hear the noise as Mac led the way.

‘I thought it was best not to say too much until you guys got here. The patients and their owners have all left, there were only two and Scotty got their details for you. They both gave first accounts and said that it went from calm to utter madness in a matter of seconds. Neither of them knew why the nurse slammed the door on Morgan or why she was chasing him, but they didn’t seem disturbed. In fact it was quite the opposite, they were excited and chatting to each other about what it was about. I didn’t tell them, just sent them on their merry way.’

Ben couldn’t help smiling at Mac. ‘Cheers.’

‘How’s Morgan’s head?’

‘Tough, she’s had more head injuries than a cage fighter. She said it just knocked her sick. He threw a mug at her head.’

‘Aye, that would do it. Glad she’s okay, had me worried for a time. I’ve told them nobody is allowed in the kitchen as it’s a crime scene. They weren’t too happy, but what can you do, a group of grumbling people is nothing I care too much about.’

Cain was smiling at him. ‘You should be working with us, Mac, we could do with your calm expertise to keep us all in hand.’

Mac shook his head. ‘I’ve done that, pal, I’m happy out on patrol dealing with the minor crap.’

Pointing to the door where all the noise was coming from, he turned and left them to it.

Ben opened it and Cain followed him inside.

A tall, short-haired woman in blue scrubs stood up. ‘What the hell is going on? My nurse got chased out of here by some woman and that officer outside said he’s a wanted man. Wanted for what exactly? Jaxon is one of my best nurses. I’ll be putting a complaint in about your officer’s behaviour. She had no right to enter the private rooms like she did.’

Ben pointed to the chair she’d just stood up from. ‘If you’d like to take a seat. My detective was doing her job when she recognised your vet’s nurse Jaxon as a suspect in a series of murders. He ran, assaulted her so badly that she’s currently being treated by paramedics. And now he’s missing.’

She was shaking her head. Three other women and a man were staring at Ben.

‘Murders? Who?’

‘Let me introduce myself. I’m Detective Sergeant Ben Matthews, this is my colleague Detective Cain Robson, and you are?’

‘Doctor Sara Lewis, head vet and owner of this practice.’