Garth’s grin was replaced by laughter, wiping ten years from his features. But he said, ‘It’s you as should have applied for the Super’s job-’
‘Not a chance! I’m happy right where I’m at.’
Perhaps they could be friends after all.
David wondered at his sense of relief when he received a call telling him to investigate a domestic disturbance. At last, he thought, I’m back to concentrating on normal police work. The past months had been very trying, and the background of David’s thoughts was still dominated by the child pornography debacle.
When he arrived at the scene, several people were milling about the front entrance to a walk-up. One elderly woman, dressed in layers of clothing so that she resembled a bag lady or a gypsy, approached him and said, ‘There were a lot of shouting a few minutes ago, then he made this horrible scream. I’d lay odds on she’s killed him.’
‘Who’s she?’ David asked her, getting out of the Black Maria.
‘The one as lives with him- don’t know what her name is. But his name is Archie Skinner. He drinks too much.’
‘I’m sure he does,’ David said, smiling wryly. ‘Well, here goes nothing.’ He went up to the flat and banged on the door. ‘Ma’am? Hello? It’s the police.’