Gardner left Barnett in her office to pan relentlessly for gold.
Not only was he lightning fast with all manner of databases, but his people skills were also sharp. He always made a lasting, positive impact on others, hence an uncanny knack of calling in favours from people he’d not seen in donkey’s years, people who’d have long forgotten anyone else.
She knew it wouldn’t take him long.
In the meantime, she went to put Marsh in the loop, feeling confident she could grow the team.
‘Dental records show that the skull in Robert’s possession belonged to James Sykes. Born in Leeds in November 1967. Had he lived, he’d be fifty-seven. Ray has already dragged up the case file on his disappearance eighteen months ago. A rather short case file, I might add. I hope someone makes more of an effort to find me if I ever vanish without a trace! Although, we’re still filling out gaps, the crux of it is that Sykes was a factory worker, living in a block of flats in Leeds. After failing to come in to work for a week, they made a missing person’s report. There were no signs of foul play at his apartment. He had some background of depression, some brushes with the law. There was a suspicion he’d committed suicide. Like I said, early doors. We still need to digest it.’
Marsh was nodding. ‘I take it from the excitement in your voice, Emma, that you think he’s been murdered then?’
Excited? Hardly the right word… just trying to do my job. ‘If James Sykes was murdered eighteen months ago that’s ample time for his body to decompose. If he was left outside to the elements and insects, the quarry dust could be an indication of where that may have occurred. So, fingers crossed that we get a match.’
Marsh nodded.
‘Still no cause of death?’
‘Nothing clear. It could be starvation, or hypothermia. Maybe someone kept him imprisoned in those conditions, and he died? Intentionally or accidentally?’
‘That’s quite a leap, Emma…’
‘Sorry. Just hypothesising. Also, James Sykes’ skull was taken from that body. It was detached carefully, and the match is perfect. So, James Sykes disappears, and eighteen months later, his body is dumped on two people by a mysterious woman who has stolen Jess Beaumont’s car? The notes indicate that it’s something to do with their past, and some hidden truth. I don’t really know what more I need at this stage… There’s clearly something way off here. Suicide won’t cut it with this one any more and I can’t run a case like that on fresh air.’
‘Okay. Let me think… there’re six of you already so—’
‘Five,’ Gardner interrupted.
‘You’re forgetting the officer I already gave you to collect samples,’ Marsh said.
Fair point. ‘Still, six isn’t enough.’
‘I get that.’ Marsh sighed. ‘Okay, how about…’
Here it comes… six more, surely?
‘Three? Yes, I can spare three,’ Marsh said.
‘Three?’ Emma rose, her hands in the air. ‘Just three? That’s still fresh air!’
Marsh raised an eyebrow and waited for the hands to come back down before speaking.
‘You want to talk about fresh air, Emma, then let’s talk about how much of it’s blowing through our coffers…’
God, here we go… No thanks! Gardner had to force herself not to roll her eyes.
‘Yes, didn’t think so,’ Marsh said. ‘Three… and I’ll have to try for that. You may have to settle with two. And that includes the officer I’ve already given you to collect quarry samples.’
Bloody hell.
‘If necessary, I’ll muck in,’ Marsh said.
Jesus, Gardner thought, there really must be a lot of fresh air in those coffers if her indoors is offering to step out of HQ.