DARK CRIMES a gripping detective thriller full of suspense by MICHAEL HAMBLING

And surely that’s only about half a mile from the station?’
    ‘I think so.’
    ‘How did you spot this?’
    ‘I was just keeping my eye on messaging, and realised something was going on. I phoned Bob Thompson over in Bournemouth once I realised its importance. I asked him to email the details across.’
    They went back into the interview room.
    ‘We will terminate this interview now, Vilis. You will remain in custody overnight, while we continue to make enquiries.’
    ‘Is that necessary?’ asked the solicitor.
    ‘I’m afraid so. This is a murder inquiry, and Mr Berzins is one of the chief suspects. It is getting late, and we have some further inquiries to make. I suggest that we continue the interview tomorrow.’
    ‘You only have until three thirty to keep him without charging him,’ said the solicitor.
    ‘I’m aware of that. We’ll meet tomorrow.’
    The Duty Constable led Berzins out of the room, followed by the solicitor.
    ‘Look at this.’ Sophie handed the paper across to Silver.
    ‘My God. Do you think it’s linked?’
    ‘What are the chances of it not being connected? I’ll need to get across there to see. Want to come? I can drop you home afterwards.’
    Marsh came back in. ‘What’s happened?’ he said.
    ‘Another murder. This time in Bournemouth. A young woman, a prostitute, was strangled, probably earlier today. Her room has been cleaned out of any personal or contact information, and there is no trace of a mobile phone.’
    ‘Surely it’s just a coincidence? Why do we think it’s connected to this case?’
    ‘It’s in the red-light district. Which is only half a mile from the railway station. And Berzins was at the station for much of the morning, waiting for a supposed meeting with a non-existent embassy official.’

CHAPTER 4: Silk Umbrella
    Late Tuesday Evening, Week 1
     
    The four detectives drove north out of Swanage. It had been a long and stressful day, so Sophie had told Barry Marsh and Lydia Pillay that they needn’t come, but they had both opted to.
    ‘We don’t want to miss this,’ Pillay said. ‘It could wrap the case up. It’s just too much of a coincidence, surely, him being in the neighbourhood when this girl was killed?’
    Sophie didn’t reply. She was thinking hard about how the latest murder added so many complicating factors to the investigation, forcing her to rethink some of her tentative theories.
    ‘Never assume anything,’ replied Silver. ‘You can easily make a fool of yourself if you jump to the wrong conclusions. Let’s just say that, at the moment, it could be a very interesting development. But we need to wait to see what the facts are first. By the way, do we know who’s in charge at Bournemouth?’
    ‘Bob Thompson was the one I spoke to, sir. He’s a DS,’ replied Pillay. ‘I think it’s a DI McGreedie in charge.’
    ‘I know Kevin McGreedie. You’ve worked with him, haven’t you, Sophie?’ Silver said.
    ‘Yes. He’s a good detective. It’ll be done properly if he’s in charge.’
    ‘That’s if he stays in charge. If it looks as if it is linked, I could ask the ACC to transfer the case to us. It would make sense. But let’s wait and see.’
    Sophie asked Pillay about the missing umbrella.
    ‘Maria thinks that it was an expensive designer one. It was deep burgundy in colour with a pattern of small cream-coloured roses. She also said that, even though it was obviously pricey, Donna had said she needed a new one. Maria didn’t know why.’
    Outside the busy holiday season the ferry route to Bournemouth, across the mouth of Poole harbour, was quicker than the long drive around the huge inlet. On a chilly and damp November evening, the wait was non-existent. They drove straight onto the ferry and were across to the Bournemouth side within ten minutes.
    They soon found the road they were looking for. It was in a rather down-at-heel area of Bournemouth. At the end of the street, close to the railway station, there was a mix