SECRET CRIMES a gripping crime thriller full of suspense by MICHAEL HAMBLING Page B

drowned in the bath or basin while still unconscious. Then they dressed her, smuggled her out into a car, and dumped her body on the shoreline, hoping it would look like a simple case of falling and drowning while drunk. Did she have much alcohol in her blood, by the way?’
    ‘Some, but not a hugely excessive amount. She was over the drink-driving limit, but wouldn’t have been incapacitated. She didn’t have any underwear on, by the way, so that fits in with your theory.’
    ‘Yes, I remember. She had nothing on under her jacket. We also spotted that the zip on her jeans was only half pulled up, and one of her boots was also not fully zipped. It all helps to back up the story.’
    ‘A bit of an adventuress, was she?’
    ‘Apparently, and very attractive from what I’ve heard. Would you agree, Benny?’
    He laughed grimly. ‘Seeing a body on a mortuary trolley is not the best place to make judgements like that. I used to try to imagine what they would have looked like full of life and vigour, but I gave that up years ago. This one? Yes I’d guess so . . . You’re teasing me, aren’t you?’
    ‘Would I ever? Anything else of interest? The shape of the wound to the head for instance?’
    ‘Something heavy with a blunt edge, I’d imagine. The cut is about three inches long and caused significant bleeding, but I can’t visualise what could have caused it. No doubt your forensic people will have some theories about that.’ He paused. ‘Oh, there was something else. She had a number of small tattoos that might help with identification. A butterfly in the small of her back, a flower on her left upper arm and a heart on her right wrist. Now, do you fancy a spot of lunch before you drive back? It’ll just be in the canteen, but you look as though you could do with a few minutes to relax. I know I could.’
    * * *
    ‘How are you settling in, Rae?’
    Barry Marsh had taken a mug of coffee across to the new member of the team. He placed it carefully among the piles of documents on the young DC’s desk.
    ‘I haven’t really had time to stop and think about it, sir,’ she answered. ‘It’s been non-stop since I arrived. But that isn’t a complaint. It’s actually been really good.’
    ‘That’s a murder investigation for you. A few hours each day to eat and sleep, then back to the grindstone.’
    ‘You’ve worked with the boss before?’
    Marsh nodded. ‘This will be the third time. And I’m joining the team permanently from next month. Which really means from now on. If you’d said to me a year ago that I’d be second in command of a speciality murder and violent crime unit, I’d have laughed at you. But here I am, and here you are.’
    ‘Should I be worried?’
    ‘She’s fair-minded, if that’s what you mean. What you see is what you get. But don’t underestimate her. If you do, she’ll run rings around you. Don’t be taken in by that “I’m just an ordinary cop” act she puts on. She isn’t. She’s got an Oxford degree in law and a masters in criminal psychology on top of it. She’s probably got more brainpower than you and me combined. But she’s also got this very ordinary background, born to a teenage mother in a Bristol council flat.’ He looked down at his new assistant. ‘Not sure I should have told you that, but it’ll help you not to make wrong judgements about her. Please keep it to yourself.’
    ‘Sure thing, boss. But I’m glad you did.’
    ‘Rae, if anyone starts to create problems for you because of your background, bring it to me. I don’t want the DCI bothered by any distractions in the middle of this investigation. I’ll deal with anyone who makes trouble.’
    ‘I hope there won’t be any problems.’
    ‘So do I, but we’ve got to be realistic. Sooner or later someone is going to start stirring, and it’s better to be prepared. Where do you live, by the way?’
    ‘I’m renting a little place in Wool. It’s very convenient for getting to HQ. I’m not sure