On A Dark Sea (The DCI Dani Bevan Detective Novels Book 2) by Katherine Pathak

Oil Conglomerates operated out of a more traditional building than its rival, closer to the older part of Stavanger. Holm’s office was in a small room on one of the top floors. Bevan caught a glimpse of an impressive view from out of the louvred window. Dani noted that this was every bit the domain of a scientist. Textbooks lined the wooden shelves and pieces of laboratory equipment filled every available space on the floor.
                  The Scientific Officer himself was aged in his late-fifties. His white hair was thick and obviously in need of a cut but the man’s face wore a broad smile. ‘So, you are here from Glasgow,’ he stated. ‘I lived in Maryhill for a few years in the early 90s. I was a visiting lecturer at the university. I have happy memories of the place.’ Holm gestured for them to take a seat.
                  ‘I’m sorry to be bringing up such an unpleasant incident again, Mr Holm, but as Detective Karlsen may have told you, we think that an oil executive in Stavanger is being targeted by an extremist group. There might be a connection to the attack on you.’
                  The scientist sat down heavily in his chair. ‘I will be honest with you, it is an episode of my life that I would dearly love to forget. There was never any evidence that environmentalists were responsible for the assault on me.’
                  Andy leant forward, placing his elbows on his knees. ‘Did you receive any threatening communications in the weeks and months leading up to the day you were attacked?’
                  Holm ran a hand through his snowy locks. ‘I did go through all of this with the detectives at the time. My department was working on a technique for creating a synthetic substitute for crude oil. It was a highly secretive project at the time, although we now have a patent for the product. Within a decade, it should be in limited commercial use. My approach is based on the Fischer-Tropsch process, first pioneered in Germany between the wars, but it incorporates a simplification of our current methods of oil refining.’
                  Bevan and Calder glanced at one another, their expressions displaying incomprehension.
                  ‘I have long been an opponent of drilling for oil in the Arctic Ocean,’ he continued, ‘I have written many scientific papers on the alternatives. The problem for the oil companies is that the research involved is lengthy and there are no guaranteed results. Fortunately, Skaldic Conglomerates has funded my team for the past decade. Some of the environmentalist groups tar all oil workers with the same brush, but the larger organisations are actually very supportive of our work.’
                  Andy nodded. ‘Did you get a good look at the man who attacked you?’
                  ‘It was very dark. I had just reached for my keys when I was grabbed from behind and shoved against the bonnet of my car. The punches came thick and fast, mostly aimed at my body but some at my face. It was one of the blows to my head that made me lose consciousness. I have to assume that the assault carried on after that time. At one point early on, I tried to twist around and noticed the man was wearing a balaclava. That was all I saw.’
                  ‘Did you ever have a theory as to who was responsible?’ Dani asked.
                  Holm smiled wryly. ‘I actually always assumed it was a case of mistaken identity. I couldn’t imagine who would want to harm me in that way.’
                  The two detectives stood up and thanked the scientist for his time. As they approached the door, Andy turned back and said, ‘who had you been having dinner with - if you don’t mind me asking?’
                  Holm looked firstly confused and then he caught Calder’s drift. ‘Oh, it was an office party. The attack took