Eye for an Eye Read Online Free PDF

had done nothing to stop him pouring vitriol on the perceived shortcomings of Fife Constabulary.
    Gilchrist avoided McKinnon’s feral stare, mounted the makeshift podium, braced himself and started to speak. He confirmed that a body had been found by the harbour and that the Stabber was a suspect, then parried a barrage of questions that demanded gory details, reporting only that the MO was indeed that of the Stabber. He fought off the persistent clamour for the victim’s name, refusing to reveal the identity until the family had been notified.
    Then he heard McKinnon’s voice, harsh and rough as a smoker’s bark.
    ‘If you can confirm nothing else, Inspector, can you at least confirm that you are no closer to catching the Stabber than you were when his first victim was found in Thistle Lane?’
    ‘Every day brings us closer,’ Gilchrist replied.
    ‘Four months later and you’re no further on.’
    ‘I can assure you he will be caught.’
    ‘But when, Inspector? The public need an answer.’
    ‘We’re doing everything in our power to—’
    ‘
Everything?
’ Cruel eyes grinned back at him from above a dirty beard that bushed to the neck of a threadbare sweater. Grey hair slicked back in a greasy ponytail. Blackened teeth parted beneath a moustache yellowed from forty years of sixty a day. ‘Have you given any thought to turning the case over to someone who could deliver results?’ Before Gilchrist could respond, McKinnon added, ‘Have you been asked to step down?’
    Gilchrist caught the gleeful tone of victory and in that instant knew that Patterson had confided in McKinnon, had told him he was about to be kicked off the case.
    Gilchrist tried a wry smile. ‘Not yet,’ he said.
    Laughter fluttered into the damp air.
    ‘Are you saying you expect to be removed from the case?’
    ‘I haven’t heard anything to suggest that. Have you?’
    ‘We understand St James’s Palace has expressed concern about the lack of progress.’ A woman’s voice from the back.
    Gilchrist looked up, thankful for the respite from McKinnon. The American accent did not surprise him. Ever since Prince William had commenced undergraduate studies at St Andrews University, the town had become a haven for royal-watchers. With the young royal residing in the same town as a rampant serial killer, this made for international news.
    ‘What are you doing to reassure the Palace of Prince William’s safety?’ she asked him.
    ‘Prince William has nothing to fear from the Stabber.’
    ‘How can you say that?’ Her voice snapped with such emotion that heads turned. ‘This town is gripped by fear,’ she continued. ‘A fear that grows each day the Stabber is allowed to roam the streets. Any one of sixteen thousand residents will tell you they’re afraid to go out at night. How can you possibly say Prince William is not in danger?’
    Gilchrist tried to keep his tone even. ‘Firstly, Miss ...’
    ‘Reynolds,’ she hissed. ‘Jennifer Reynolds of
Newsweek
. And it’s Ms.’ The word buzzed.
    Gilchrist felt the dry warmth of a flush creep into his face. Focus, he heard his mind order. Focus on a response. He stared at her. ‘Prince William in no way fits the profile of the Stabber’s victims,’ he said. ‘Quite apart from that, he is protected by his own security personnel at all times.’
    ‘How does that fact help the other sixteen thousand residents of this town?’ she persisted. ‘Is it or is it not safe for people to walk the streets at night? Especially during a thunderstorm?’
    Gilchrist felt his face grow hotter and decided to be non-committal. ‘On the whole,’ he said, ‘the streets of St Andrews are as safe at night as those of any other town.’
    ‘But this isn’t any other town,’ sniped Reynolds. ‘This is the town in which the future king of England is attending university.’
    Gilchrist felt his flush evaporate, as if a wind had risen from the East Sands and chilled the air. ‘Britain,’ he