Imposition (DI Gardener 5)

Gardener added to the boards. “Okay, everyone on Manny’s case. I want him found. I appreciate what Maurice says, that it doesn’t seem to be Manny’s style. If he wasn’t there, he might know who was. If he was there, at the very least he could put himself in the clear for the murder by telling us what he does know.”

“It’s just possible that he was there and saw what’s gone on and now he’s in hiding,” said Cragg. “Maybe he’s been threatened.”

“Even more reason to find hi

m,” said Gardener.

The SIO allowed the buzz to die down before updating them on what he and Reilly had found. The visit to Robbie had produced something of a result when he gave them names and addresses of Jane’s doctor and solicitor. Gardener mentioned the lack of a laptop or any other computer, and that Robbie had insisted they could search the house again if they wanted.

“Doesn’t mean to say he didn’t have one tucked away somewhere,” offered Patrick Edwards.

“I appreciate that, Patrick, but it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.”

“And he sure as hell isn’t going to volunteer where it is,” said Reilly.

“Emma, hack into his Facebook for me, see if there’s any posts from him.”

She nodded.

Gardener went on to inform them what Fitz had said, the most important point being what Fitz figured might be a blood pressure pump. Gardener described the small pump and held it aloft. He asked Cragg to take photos of it and then turned to Paul Benson. “I know it’s a long shot but will you take that around the hospitals tomorrow and see if anyone recognises it?”

“Do you think it’s imperative to the investigation, sir?”

“I don’t know, Paul, but we can’t afford to leave any stones unturned.”

The clock informed Gardener it was nine-fifteen. As he pulled his mobile out of his pocket, the door burst open and in rushed Colin Sharp. His hair was unkempt, and Gardener could see he was concerned.

“What’s up, Colin?”

“We’ve got a bit of a problem.”

“We’ve had them all day, one more won’t make any difference.”

“This one will.”

Gardener sighed. “It’s about Robbie Carter, isn’t it?”

Colin made for the left side of the room. “Give me a second, please, sir.” He grabbed an empty cup and poured in some tea, picking up the final vanilla slice. “I haven’t eaten all day.”

No one spoke while he polished off the bun. Everyone knew Sharp to be one of the most dedicated professionals they had ever met and whatever he had to tell them would be important.

He took a quick slurp of the tea. “The man’s a bloody enigma. I’ve spent all day trying to build up a picture on him.”

“And?”

“I only know he’s been in Bursley Bridge about four years.”

“Where was he before that?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“Just that. He seems to have blown into town on an ill wind. I can find no record of our Robbie Carter ever having existed before that.”

Gardener was lost for words. “He must have done.”

“That’s what I thought. Trouble is it was late afternoon before I pieced all of this together, and I haven’t had much of a crack at it since. I need more time.”