Death Marks (The Symbolist) Read Online Free PDF Page B

could view the body.'
    Redd saw the woman stiffen, her smile disappear. 'I'll just go and get my husband. He's a moaning old bugger - he's digging up the potatoes.'
    Dove felt like Alice in Wonderland. How could she talk about crops and potatoes when it was evident her son was dead?
    As the woman left the room, Redd turned to Dove. 'She's in denial. Look, I want you to chase up David's friends okay, see if any of them knew this young woman. Leave it until Mrs. Baker's seen the body.'
    'Will do Sir. I'll also scope out his place of work. I wonder how the poor woman will react when she sees the head's decapitated?'
    'We'll do it in stages. The pathologist will cover the remains, so it won't be so much of a shock. We'll get DC Barrett to inform her of the state of the body afterwards. God knows how she'll take it. It's enough to send anyone insane.'
    Coughing, the husband entered the room, his tee shirt hardly covering the beer belly, tattooed arms grimy with dirt. 'So what's the bugger been up to this time?'
    Frowning, Dove remained silent, as the wife said gently, 'Now Bert, that's no way to be talking about our Dave. These police officers have come to take us to the Station.'
    Wiping his shaved head, he growled, ' For Christ's sake Hilary, ain't I got enough to do? Time the fucker grew up. I haven't got time to be doing this. Why the fuck you rang the police over a bloody photo I don't know? You—'
    'Sir, it won't take long.' Redd interrupted. 'Your wife did inform us that your son resembles the photo in the paper, so we just need you to identify the body. That would be a great help.'
    'Bert, the Inspector's got a photo of him - take a look.'
    The man wiped his hands on his dirty jeans before taking the photo from Redd. Glowering, he peered at it, his brow creasing. 'Nah - can't be - just looks like him - nah it ain't him.' Looking up, his eyes haunted he gave the photo back to Redd.
    Mrs. Brown bit her lip, then said softly, 'Just go and have a quick wash Bert, we don't want to keep the officers waiting.'
    'Nope, I told you, it ain't him. You go, I ain't wasting any more time. I've got work to do.'
    Redd could see the man was more in denial than his wife. His voice firm, he said, 'Sir, I think it is important that you accompany your wife.'
    Bert pursed his lips. 'Seein' as you put it like that, I ain't got a choice, have I?
    The ride to the Station seemed interminable. Dove sighed with relief as they parked in the Station car park. On the journey, they'd spoken in monosyllables, with the occasional gravel cough from a truculent Mr. Baker.
    Redd's voice was soft, as he spoke to Mrs . Baker, 'We're going to view the body now.'
    She frowned. 'The mortuary?'
    'Yes, it's on the Station premises. Come this way.'
    Dove walked beside Hilary, whilst Redd followed with Bert.
    Opening the door to the viewing room, Redd told the morgue attendant they were ready to view the body.
    Dove moved closer to Hilary, as the curtains draw apart. Their son, covered in a soft blue blanket to his chin, lay on the gurney. Thankfully the head appeared attached. She felt the woman's arm jerk, 'Oh no - no - can't - can't be Dave.' Putting her hands on the window, she cried, 'My baby - please -it can't be. Bert.'
    Dove turned to see the man's face pale to white, His mouth opened in a cry, Hilary - Hil.' Groping his way towards his wife, he clasped her in his arms, as she buried her head against his chest. Bert gave a terrible cry, 'Can't be him - nah - can't be.'
    Surprised at the man's reaction, Redd went to him putting a hand on his shoulder.
    'Bert, I'm so sorry.'
    The man sobbed, his words almost incoherent, ' That's my boy in there - my boy - what'd he go and do that for?' His sobs turned to a shout, rage now suffusing his face, 'Who did it? Who did it? I'll bloody kill him; I'll tear the fucker's head off.'
    Dove winced at the man's words. She heard Hilary sob, ' Don't Bert - don't - not in front of ... he's gone Bert - gone.'
    How would he take