Challis - 03 - Snapshot Read Online Free PDF

and distress on the newer
estates. Not surprisingly, Tessa Kane was loathed by many, including
Superintendent McQuarrie.

    Challis tossed the matter around. He
didnt feel ready to speak to her yet. Maybe he lurked in her mind, never far
from her consciousness, just as she often lurked in his, but the days when hed
immediately and automatically phoned her with details of a story were long
past.

    In the end he made two calls, one
requesting updates on stolen, abandoned and burnt-out cars on the Peninsula,
and the other to McQuarrie.

    My granddaughters still very
upset, Inspector, the super told him firmly. I know you need to speak to her
while things are fresh in her mind, but she needs a little time, okay? Well
see how she feels at lunch time.

    Sir, Challis said.

    Now to establish if there was a link
between the victim and the woman who lived at number 283. He was reluctant to
break into the house, so coaxed the Triumph into life and drove two hundred
metres to the nearest neighbouring property, a long mudbrick house with a
clerestory roof. Here a woman in overalls was pushing a wheelbarrow load of
mulch around a garden at the rear. She had a smooth, youthful face and gave her
name as Lisa Welch.

    Youre the second policeman to come
knocking this morning, she said warily, knuckling a strand of hair away from
her face. I know its something to do with next door, but he wouldnt say
what. Not that I saw or heard anything.

    I know it seems like a waste of
manpower, Challis said, but we need to contact the woman who lives there.

    Mrs Humphreys. Joy. But shes in
hospital at the moment.

    He stared at her intently. Do you
know why?

    Hip replacement. Shes in her late
seventies.

    Challis tried to process this. Could
an elderly woman be the intended target? Could a young woman be mistaken for an
elderly one? Which hospital?

    Waterloo.

    Well, that was convenient. Does she
live alone?

    I think her husband died a few
years ago.

    Challis said patiently, But since
thenany long-term visitors, tenants, anyone like that?

    The woman shook her head. I wouldnt
know, really. Im new to the area and I dont know all the comings and goings.

    Challis pocketed his pad and pen. Thanks,
youve been very helpful.

    He saw her swallow. She was holding
herself tensely. Can you tell me what happened? Was her house broken into?

    Challis hesitated. It was always
possible that this woman was the intended target. If so, would she run
when she learnt what had happened next door? Rather than make another trip out
to question her, he said, Ms Welch, there was a shooting. A woman is dead. Not
Mrs Humphreys, he said, holding up his hand, but a younger woman.

    Oh, God.

    Do you have any enemies?

    She shrank away from him. Everyone
has enemies. You really think they went to the wrong house?

    We have to check everything.

    What if they come back? I live
alone here.

    Is there anyone you can stay with
tonight or the next few nights?

    My parents live up in the city.
She gave him an address and phone number in Highett.

    He said gently, I dont think youre
in any danger. Whoever did this is long gone. But it would be wise for you to
stay with your parents for the next couple of days until we sort this out.

    He agreed to wait while she packed a
suitcase, locked up and drove away in her car. He noted the make, model and
number, and then headed for Waterloo.

    Unfortunately, his route took him
past the local airfield. Inside one of the hangars was a Dragon Rapide, a 1930s
biplane that he was supposed to be restoring, but some things had gone wrong
for him and the old plane was still only seventy per cent complete. Hed lost
all enthusiasm for carrying out the remaining tasks, such as hunting down the
correct tyres. Besides, the hangar spooked him. He could feel Kitty there
sometimes, at work on restoring her World War II Kittyhawk fighter. Of course,
both plane and woman were long gone, but shed been a companionable
presencealmost a frienduntil her husband had