Before the Dawn (Detective Karen Hart) by D. S. Butler

Author:D. S. Butler [Butler, D. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2024-01-23T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty

Karen walked along the corridor, a large mug of coffee in one hand and her phone in the other. She was expecting a call back from an officer at the Metropolitan Police, but he was taking his time about it.

It was already dark outside and the muted orange of the lights in the car park glowed through the rain-speckled windows. As she entered the open-plan office, her mobile started to ring and she fumbled awkwardly, one hand still clutching her mug, trying to answer it before it went to voicemail.

The screen told her it was DS McKenzie of the Metropolitan Police.

Karen hadn’t even had a chance to say hello when a gruff voice said abruptly, ‘What can I do for you, DS Hart?’

Karen sat down at her desk and pulled her notebook towards her. She took a deep breath and began to explain the situation to him. As she leaned on the desk, she ran an index finger along the folder where she’d been keeping her notes. ‘So that’s why I’m interested in your case about the London sniper,’ she said, her voice dropping to a hushed tone, even though the office wasn’t busy. ‘I think it could be connected to a fellow called Quentin Chapman, based in Lincoln.’

Karen was surprised by McKenzie’s response. She’d expected him to be defensive or dismissive or even secretive, but instead he laughed.

‘It’s not a bloody sniper,’ he spluttered. ‘The media have taken a leak and run with it. It’s sensationalist stuff. You know how it is.’

Karen did. She’d experienced her own problems with journalists. One local hack, Cindy Connor, had caused Karen a great deal of grief across several cases. Though, lately, Cindy had been helpful and less irritating than usual. Which implied maybe even hacks were capable of change.

Karen’s mind was already working on the possibilities. ‘What kind of weapon was used?’

‘A Beretta 9000s,’ the detective said. ‘Whoever carried out the hit was skilled. But it wasn’t a gunman on a grassy knoll with a sniper’s rifle, like you’d think from reading the newspaper articles.’

Karen frowned as she processed the information. The papers had said it was one clean shot from a distance away. But she now knew it wasn’t a sniper . . . The information from the police database had been limited for obvious reasons. The investigating team would keep their evidence and witnesses close to their chest rather than risk leaks or witness intimidation.

‘But it was a professional hit?’ she asked.

‘I’d say so. It has similarities with another hit in Nottingham, and one just yesterday in Reading.’

‘Yesterday?’ Karen was surprised. She hadn’t heard about that one yet.

‘Yeah, in a public park, right in front of the Forbury Lion. That one was a statement, all right.’

‘You’re sure the crimes are linked?’

‘Yeah, we think it was the same gun and same shooter. They were hiding in plain sight. Baseball cap and raincoat. Caught on CCTV every time, but not great pictures. All three cases, including the one in Nottingham, were carefully planned.

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