Imperfection (DI Gardener 2)

“He’s done her somewhere else?”

“Possible. But how could you get a body into the arcade and into the shop without anyone seeing you?”

“He managed it in the theatre.”

The SIO glanced around the shop in disgust.

Steve Fenton nodded. “I’ll be outside. Give us a shout when you need me.”

Gardener blew out a sigh, nodded at Fitz. “Okay.” He stopped Steve Fenton leaving the shop. “Any sign of her clothes?”

“Not so far.”

Gardener turned his attention to the quote:

The night passed – a night of vague horrors

– tortured dreams.

What the hell was that supposed to mean? And where had it come from? Another film?

In spite of the fact that he knew beyond any doubt she was dead, he still had to check. He felt for a pulse. No one questioned him. It was the duty of every officer – where possible – to preserve or save life. Briggs came back into the shop, muttering about the mess and the bastard who’d created it.

“Does she have a name?” asked Gardener.

“Janine Harper. Bloke next door identified her. She’s worked here for years. He thinks she’s about twenty-five. He’s not sure where she lives.”

“Any idea what time it happened, Fitz?”

Fitz sighed, removing a thermometer from her rectum. “Judging by the results, I’d say he started last night, reasonably late, so as not to be disturbed.” The pathologist leaned forward and pointed. “Look at the bruising to the face. I think she resisted him. He probably punched her a few times, eventually overpowered her, and then most likely drugged her to be able to get her into that position.”

“Why was she in the shop late at night by herself?” Gardener asked. “It wasn’t her business.”

“Ask him,” said Briggs, pointing outside.

“I intend to, if he ever decides to speak.” Gardener didn’t say anything else, but walked around the counter and through to the back of the shop. Reilly followed. “There are signs of a struggle,” suggested Gardener. His partner nodded.

A small number of bottles and boxes were scattered around the floor. The SIO glanced closely at the shelving and then down at the floor. “The nearest one’s been moved, probably by force.”

“Maybe she ran into here to try and escape.”

“Where to?”

Reilly had no answer. “He obviously followed her.”

“There’s still no trace of blood spatter. So, she couldn’t have been killed in here.”

“That suggests she was still alive when he came into the shop,” offered Reilly.

“So, what the hell did he do with her?”

“More to the point, where?” added Reilly.

Gardener turned back into the main shop, and read the quote. “What’s that supposed to mean?” He stood contemplating. “I suppose it blows the theory of the watch committee.” He nodded towards Janine Harper. “She certainly wasn’t on it.”

“Maybe not,” said Reilly. “But her father might have been.”

“Her father?”