Bad Samaritan Read Online Free PDF Page A

through the city-centre pubs. It’s one of those jobs I should delegate, but on this occasion I wanted to get stuck in myself. Lets the team see I don’t mind rolling my sleeves up. Harrison said at my last staff appraisal that I should be sitting at the centre of the flow of information where I can best collate, weed out and decide on the next part of the investigation’s strategy. I say that’s how you get fat and lazy.
    The canvassing was ineffective. No sign of the girl with the red Ford, and no one recognised the photo of Aileen.
    I park, climb out of my car and lock it. Spot the laptop which is still in the backseat. Curse. Unlock the car and pluck it out.
    As I walk towards my front door, I look up at the window of my third-floor flat. The light’s on. I’m sure I didn’t leave it on this morning. There are only two people with a key. Maggie and Kenny. This time of night and it’s got to be Kenny. My criminal friend.
    Upstairs and inside the flat I’m greeted with the sight of Kenny’s size-eleven feet hanging off the end of my brown leather sofa.
    â€˜Where the fuck have you been?’ he asks as he sits up.
    â€˜What? Did we arrange…’
    â€˜Na,’ he gives me a giant Kenny grin, ‘just messin’ with you.’ He nods towards the kitchen. ‘I could murder a coffee.’
    â€˜Well, you know where the kettle is, O’Neill. And while you’re at it, I take mine black with no sugar now.’
    He jumps to his feet. ‘Riiiight. Getting fed up with folk talking about how much beef you’re putting on?’
    I shoot him a finger. He spots the laptop under my arm.
    â€˜Finally getting into the digital age, Mr McBain?’
    â€˜Black, no sugar,’ I repeat.
    â€˜Not answering the question suggests this is police work.’
    I ignore him and place the laptop on the coffee table.
    â€˜Miserable bastard,’ he mumbles. ‘You people not heard of work–life balance?’ He goes into the kitchen. As I power on the machine I hear him organise the drinks. By the time the computer has wakened up he’s returning with a pair of mugs.
    â€˜So,’ he sets them down in front of us and takes a seat beside me. ‘You shagging Maggie yet?’
    â€˜None of your business.’
    â€˜You sound a bit frustrated, mate. I’m guessing that’s a no.’
    I ignore him and study the prompt in the middle of the screen that’s asking for a password. Alessandra got nowhere with the iPhone. It’s a safe bet this isn’t going to be straightforward either. A small button below the space for the password reads “Hint”. I click on it. The word “vampire” appears.
    â€˜For chrissakes, Ray. At least respond to my good-natured attempts at banter,’ says Kenny as he holds his mug to his mouth.
    â€˜Oh, snookums, is nobody talking to you?’
    He decides to be direct. ‘Fud.’ He picks up the remote and, switching on the telly, leans back into the leather. ‘Anything decent on tonight?’
    Vampire. What the hell could that be? I picture myself in Aileen’s bedroom again. I’m looking at the bookcase. Didn’t her dad say she was still into those Twilight books?
    â€˜You got your phone on you, Kenny?’ I ask.
    â€˜Ooh, I get to help you with police work. What’s the story?’
    I get him up to speed.
    â€˜Shit. I saw that wee lassie’s picture on the news tonight. That’s what you’re working on?’ He fishes his phone out of his pocket. ‘You’re looking for password ideas linked to vampires? Try typing in Twilight.’
    I do.
    The computer suggests I speak to the administrator.
    â€˜Do you guys not have IT specialists who can do this for you?’ Kenny asks.
    â€˜Aye, but I wanted to have a go. If I get nothing I’ll take it to them first thing in the morning.’
    â€˜Is that not a wee bit unorthodox, DI