Send in the Clowns, a Detective Mike Bridger novel Read Online Free PDF Page A

free meal. He had needed to get things moving before there
was any unwanted contamination of the body. Becky Wright had
replaced Grant at the scene and so he nominated her officer in
charge of the body. She would have to oversee its removal, and any
evidence found under or around it. Then she would have to make
herself available for the subsequent autopsy and again collect any
relevant evidence. Not a pleasant job, one that Bridger was glad to
delegate. The rules of evidence dictated that there is a clear
chain of evidence between locating it and presenting it in court.
It was always easier if there were less people involved in that
process. Looking at his wristwatch, he noted the time. The scene
should almost be clear by now, hopefully cleansed of the bloody
remnants of the unfortunate victim. In the last 12 hours, they
would have taken more photographs of that one particular area of
the alleyway than any time in its history, a bloody snapshot in
time.
    It was time to get on
with things. Taking a deep breath, he faced the microphone on the
lectern in front of him. “The deceased’s name is Michael James
Wilson; he is fifty seven years old and is part owner of Wilson’s
circus, which is currently in occupation at the Oval in Princess
Street. He was found dead in the alleyway behind the Hercus
building in Great King Street at about eleven thirty last night.
The reason for the deceased’s presence in this location has not yet
been established. At this stage, the police are treating this as a
suspicious death and will be following all possible avenues of
enquiry. That is all I have for you at the moment.” Bridger did not
want to let on anything about the injuries received by the victim
just yet. There was no need to cause any undue panic until they
ascertained whether this was a random attack or something more
intimate. He turned to leave and the vultures swooped.
    “ What about
the girl that was injured on the trapeze last night, is that
connected somehow…?”
    “ How was he
killed…?”
    “ Do you have
any suspects…?”
    “ What are the
police doing about the growing violence in the north
end…?”
    “ Was Michael
Wilson gay? Is this a homophobic attack…?
    The last question gave
him pause as he went to close the door on the squawking wake. Was
Michael Wilson gay? He had not considered that angle. Then what
difference did that make anyway. Looking back, he saw the question
had come from an attractive blonde reporter, dressed very
businesslike. She had a serious look on her face and was staring in
his direction, she actually expected him to answer. Not likely, it
was always best not to tie yourself to one piece of speculation. He
closed the door and filed the thought away just in case. Any piece
of information, no matter how small, could be the key to finding
the killer.
    “ My office…”
The order barked from the end of the hallway. Bridger cringed and
raised his head in the direction of the call, just in time to see
Acting Detective Inspector Amanda Allison disappearing into the
elevator without waiting for him.
    ‘ Ma’am’, as
he was told she insisted on being called even though she had not
been officially promoted, was three years younger than he was, and
had graced them with her presence from Christchurch where she was
on the fast track too greatness. He had no issues with females in
the police service normally, everyone was equal in his eyes,
promote on ability alone, no matter what gender. What got him upset
was using her gender to further her career. He had not known her
long, so her work ethic was untested, but what he did know was she
had very little experience as a Detective before shooting up the
ranks, giving rise to his doubts. However, that would not be an
issue hopefully; she was just plugging a hole until Inspector Gregg
Matthews returned to work, when she would then hopefully slither
back too Christchurch for another promotion.
    Bridger yawned and rubbed
his eyes; he was dog-tired, only