Vigil for the Dead: A Yorkshire Murder Mystery (DCI Tom Raven Crime Thrillers Book 6) by M S Morris

Author:M S Morris [Morris, M S]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Landmark Media
Published: 2024-03-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 20

‘So, you and Sean Collins knew each other from your army days?’

Becca was back in Raven’s car, leaving the latest crime scene behind them. They had seen all there was and now it was up to Holly and her team to finish scouring the Nissen hut to see if any further evidence could be recovered.

They’d taken the longer route back from the old radar station, avoiding the cows this time and instead enjoying the scenic walk along the clifftop. Miles of rugged coastline stood above an aquamarine sea beneath a cobalt sky. The only cloud was the black one that seemed to follow Raven wherever he went. He lumbered silently along the narrow path, his collar up and his head down, as if the sunshine affronted him. Becca knew she would get nothing out of him when he was in that mood.

But in the car he had little choice but to answer her questions.

‘We served together in the same regiment,’ he confirmed, his focus on the road. His driving style had reverted to type, sprinting down the narrow straights and spinning hard around bends as if taking part in a time trial.

Becca waited until they were safely over the white-knuckle ride of Bloody Beck Hill and the contents of her stomach had resettled before resuming her interrogation ‘And he was with you in Bosnia?’

‘That’s right.’

It seemed she was going to have to prise every last scrap of information out of him.

She knew there were things Raven wasn’t telling her. She recognised this withdrawn, uncommunicative mode he adopted when he wasn’t sharing information. It drove her mad, but she tried to keep her tone light and friendly.

‘Where were you stationed?’

‘In a town called Goražde. We were there as part of the UN protection force. Our mandate was to secure the so-called “safe area”. But nowhere in that country was truly safe.’

Becca already knew that Raven had seen active combat during his deployment to Bosnia. During a routine patrol, his unit had come under fire from Bosnian Serb soldiers. Raven had left his position and engaged the enemy to provide cover for two injured members of his patrol, enabling them to escape with their lives. He had been shot in the leg, then later awarded a medal in acknowledgement of his bravery.

Becca hadn’t even been born when the Bosnian War was fought. The whole thing was a mystery to her, as remote as World War Two. It felt weird to be sitting next to someone who not only remembered it but had been an active participant in its drama. Raven had opened fire on enemy soldiers, maybe even killing them. Perhaps that explained the darkness within his soul. And also his reluctance to talk about his experience.

But that was a lonely way to live your life.

Besides, if they were going to solve this double murder, Becca needed to know the truth.

‘Was Sean with you when… when you were shot?’

Raven nodded grimly. ‘He was injured too.’

‘And you provided covering fire so that Sean could be taken to safety.

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