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“Quite nice.” Degsy sipped his coffee and looked up at the stars.
Thurstan smiled. “Yeah, not bad. That little touch of caramel syrup makes all the difference. There’s more if you want. Flask’s in my bag on the back seat.”
They were leaning against Thurstan’s car, blue lights from the road closures strobing the trees and bushes. In the darkest section of the street, portable lighting bathed the body sprawled on the pavement opposite; white suits calmly went about their business.
“Well, what do you think, Boss?”
The DCI drained his cup, shook it out and threw it on the back seat.
“I think we both know, Derek. Especially with that new unopened toothbrush lying on the floor next to him. It’s a long way to the nearest shops. Why wander about with it in his hand? No. He knows. He’s letting us know he knows and yes... he’s taking the piss.”
Degsy placed his empty cup through the open window, dropping it onto the seat alongside Thurstan’s.
“So, what do you reckon? He followed him to the darkest part of the street and shot him from behind?”
Thurstan shook his head. “No. It is a perfect ambush point but I think he probably came out of the car park further down. There’s no CCTV there.” He turned to face his DS. “Approaches him from the front. Less suspicious. Nobody likes hearing someone behind them on a dark street. I think he’d probably have engaged him in a short conversation. Asking the time, that sort of thing, to allay any suspicions. It’s what I would do. Then, as they part company, a few steps, turn and ‘pop’. Then he goes to the body, head shot to finish him off and leaves our little gift.” He sighed deeply. “Do you know? If I didn’t know better I might think he actually knew what rota we were on.”
Degsy chuckled. “It has passed through my head before, Boss”.
“What time did the FME reckon?”
Degsy flicked through the pages of his notebook.
“She said roughly about an hour before he was found, give or take, so that would put it around one-thirty.”
Thurstan poured himself another coffee.
“Help yourself, if you want one, Derek. I’m going to have a word with the Crime Scene Manager. In the meantime, start calling them in. I want them briefed, ready to go and feet on the ground by seven o’clock.”