Christmas Killing Read Online Free PDF Page B

afraid.’
    ‘Ya can’t do that.’
    ‘Oh but we can. Kevin Riley, I’m arresting ...’
    ‘Okay. I was out wiv my frens, like I say. We was out nickin’.’
    ‘And what exactly was ... were you nicking?’
    ‘Mobile phones and stuff.’
    ‘I see. And what have you done with them?’
    ‘Sold ‘em to a mate.’
    A whole new line of investigations was opening up now. Ray felt weary and decided to put him in the cells till later. Maybe he could get someone else to interview him about his mobile phone business . For now, it seemed he was innocent of murder. That particular investigation was about to start over again.
    There was a knock at the door of the interview room.
    ‘Come in,’ Ray called. ‘What is it?’
    A constable came in.
    ‘Sorry to bother you sir. I need a word. If you could just step outside for a moment.’
    ‘Okay. Take him down to the cells. I’ll leave him to think about his misdeeds for a while. Now, what is it constable?’
    ‘We’ve just picked up two lads with a collection of mobile phones. They claim Kevin Riley was with them on Wednesday when they went on their nicking spree.’
    ‘Okay. Thanks. Can you put them in separate interview rooms and see what you can get out of them. I wish you luck with it. Interviewing Kevin was a nightmare. I need to gain some strength before I see him again.’
    ‘Right. Thanks for that,’ the constable said sarcastically. ‘I’ll get someone else to interview the second lad. Honestly, what do they think they’re doing? Must be mad. No-one makes much out of cell phones these days.’
    ‘Maybe not but it’s something we need to stop. Right. I’m going back to the store. You come too, Sergeant. I want to interview some more of the staff.’
    *
    Foredyce’s was a large independent chain store, situated in a good part of Brixeter. The owners had received a number of offers for the site but they had held on, believing they were somehow essential to the town. Their Christmas festivities were well known in the area, especially the Christmas Grotto. Jimmy North had been hired to play Santa for the past ten years, from the end of November, through to Christmas Eve.
    The store had the advantage of a large car park with a clever system of free parking for those who shopped in the store and rather extortionate fees payable for those who merely used it to park near the centre of town. It was largely owned by a family who had been members of the board for over a hundred years and often, they didn’t seem to have changed much for most of that time. There was a distinct air of something rather old fashioned about the place.
    Ray and his sergeant walked in through the main doors. He looked around, trying to decide who to tackle first.
    ‘I think maybe we should go to HR. Miss Pringle will sort out the various members of staff for us. Come on. Upstairs.’ He was looking around him as he went. There were large displays of decorations hanging down from the top of the stairs, huge balls in silver and gold with trails of something metallic between them.
    ‘Pretty, aren’t they?’ said Ted.
    ‘If you like that sort of thing. I’m happy with a small tree and a few fairy lights myself.’
    ‘Yer, but the kids expect a bit more don’t they?’
    ‘I suppose so. I don’t have any kids myself, thank the lord. Mind you, not having a wife helps.’ He looked away, remembering his wife who had died some years ago. Ted looked slightly awkward. He spoke again.
    ‘So what do you do with yourself at Christmas?’
    ‘Me? I usually settle down with a bottle of single malt and a good book. Unless I’m called out of course.’
    ‘How sad are you? I’ll have a word with the wife. Maybe you could join us for dinner at least.’
    ‘Kind of you but I don’t think so. Now, I think this is the office we want.’ He knocked at the door and opened it before he heard anyone say come in. ‘Miss Pringle? Good morning. Detective Chief Inspector Ray Jones. And this is my