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Chapters (70)
  1. Cover
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  3. Map of Rutland
  4. Map of Oakham
  5. 1
  6. 2
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  68. On Borrowed Time
  69. Acknowledgments
  70. Adam Croft

‘Totally agree,’ Dexter said. ‘Which is why I’ve arranged to visit Arthur Clifton Construction at midday today. The office’ll be closed for a few days, but I got hold of his office manager and she’s agreed to meet us. I also left a message with two councillors this morning and I’ll ring the main council office as soon as it opens at nine.’

Caroline nodded her approval. ‘Nicely done, Dex. Much appreciated.’

A couple of hours later, Caroline and Dexter arrived in Burley for their meeting with Roger Clifton’s office manager, having driven the two miles from the office. When they arrived, a woman in her late forties was waiting for them at the gate. She wore a hi-vis jacket — something that struck Caroline as completely unnecessary if the yard was closed, but she supposed it was just habit. Grief did strange things to people.

‘Sonya Smith?’ Caroline called out the car window.

‘Yeah, that’s me,’ Sonya said, almost inaudibly, as Caroline parked her car next to a portakabin. They got out of the car and followed Sonya inside, noticing two large men leaning against a storage unit in the main yard, watching their every move.

When they got inside, Sonya sat down behind her desk, waiting for Caroline to speak.

‘Detective Inspector Caroline Hills. This is Detective Sergeant Dexter Antoine. First of all, can I just say how sorry we are for your loss.’

Sonya nodded. ‘Thank you. I know it sounds a bit weird, but we’re not really sure what we have lost. No-one knows what happens now.’

‘Who are those guys?’ Dexter asked, gesturing through the window to the two men leaning against the storage unit in the yard.

‘They work here. When we heard the news yesterday, I phoned round everyone to let them know. Said we’d be closed for a few days until we know what’s going on. Word must’ve got round that I was meeting you here today, because they rocked up at the same time, wanting to know if they were going to get paid or have any work in the future.’

‘A difficult situation, I can imagine,’ Caroline said. No work meant no money. ‘What’s the setup of the company like? Does someone else automatically take over?’