The Cedar Face: DI Jewell book 3 (DI Elizabeth Jewell) Read Online Free PDF Page A

desk phone beeped and Eldridge tried not to sigh with relief. If he was lucky, he thought, Yeats might need to go out, allowing him a temporary reprieve.
    Eldridge stood up and signalled he was leaving but when he reached the door, Yeats called out to him. 'Don't go anywhere.'
    He replaced the phone. 'Do you know the Grasmere Academy?'
    'I know where it is.'
    'Good.' Yeats said, throwing a bunch of keys at him. 'You can drive.'
    'What's happened?' Eldridge asked, noting Yeats' expression.
    'I'll tell you on the way.'
    Outside in the car park Yeats pointed to a dark blue BMW. It was brand new and top of the range, his spirits lifted immediately. He opened the driver's door and got in.
    Yeats fastened his seat belt and said, 'What puzzles me Eldridge is how you made it into CID.'
    Eldridge started the engine and reversed . 'Probably because I've got a first class honours degree in computer science. I fancied a job in software development and worked for a big company back in Devon for a while. Then my best mate applied to join the police force so I did too.'
    'Why move to Gloucestershire ?' Yeats asked.
    'I lived at home all the time I was at uni, and continued to when I started my first job. Mum and Dad didn't like the idea of me moving out. I was going nuts and had to find somewhere further away, a place they couldn't pop in every day.'
    'So you're an only child ?'
    'Three older sisters all married with kids. They left home years ago.'
    Yeats nodded. 'I see the picture clearly now .'
    Lansdowne Road was busy. The traffic had piled up at the Montpelier roundabout due to a broken down delivery lorry. Yeats hadn't said a word but Eldridge sensed there was something seriously wrong. Once they got onto the Tewksbury Road, it took another ten minutes to reach the school. Eldridge had visited the school after he first arrived at Park Road. Sent there to deliver a cautionary lecture on safety which he'd found embarrassing, as he wasn't used to public speaking. When he pulled up outside the main entrance, a woman in her sixties was waiting for them. She rushed over to the car before they had time to get out.
    'Come quickly. Something terrible has happened.'
    She practically ran up the corridor and Eldridge wondered why. Yeats still hadn't said anything. Once they caught up, the woman introduced herself as Janet and explained her co-worker was in a state of shock. She led them to the art department. Janet hesitated by the door to a small office. 'Before we go in I want to tell you I haven't touched anything.'
    Yeats pushed open the door and Eldridge followed. Keith Wilson lay on his back, arms and legs splayed. Considering this was his first murder scene, Eldridge didn't feel nauseous or about to faint. Playing the fantasy game he'd got used to violent death on a screen, where the blood and gore didn't smell. He stared at the knife standing perfectly straight and wondered why it hadn't fallen over. Anatomy wasn't his strong point and he wished Yeats would yank it out. Blood on the computer screen was a different colour to the pools on the floor and he shifted his eyes downwards wondering why there was so much. Yeats stood unmoved, no sign of any emotion. He glanced across, his eyes cold and unfeeling. Eldridge took one last look. Wilson's eyes were wide open, his expression more puzzled than scared.
    'Get in touch with Grayson,' Yeats shouted.
    Eldridge went back into the corridor and pulled out his mobile. Grayson wasn't answering so he left a message. When he went back, Yeats was on his knees examining the body.
    Yeats turned to Janet. 'So you waited nearly half an hour before contacting us. Can I ask why?'
    'Because I needed to make sure Libby was all right. There was nothing I could do for Mr Wilson.'
    Yeats paused before speaking. 'What I want you to do now Janet, is to go back to Libby and stay there until I come and talk to you. You might need to let your family know you'll be late getting home. I'll make sure someone drives you.