A Deadly Imperfection: Calladine & Bayliss 3 Read Online Free

got when we get back.  Imogen – what do you know about the Prideau case?’
    ‘We’ve got a missing child, Guv, Isla Prideau.  Thorpe took the case on.  He did some initial investigations but got nowhere.   I did some background on that one, but he didn’t want to listen to my theories,’ she shrugged.  ‘So I had no choice but to leave him to it.’
    ‘What theories?’
    Imogen tapped away at her computer keyboard for a second or two then scanned what she had.  ‘There are two kids missing, Guv - the Prideau girl from Hopecross and another one, Leah Cassidy from Oldston.  I think the two are linked, Thorpe doesn’t, and he wouldn’t even look at what I’d got.  Both girls’ are the same age, both just starting school and their mothers had social media accounts and posted photos of the little girls wearing their school uniforms online within hours of them going missing.  I thought that, and the fact that there’s only eight miles between Hopecross and Oldston too much of a coincidence.’
    ‘So do I?  What about Long – wasn’t he interested?’
    ‘He didn’t seem so.  I think he’s leaving it up to Thorpe.’
    Two kids missing, and effectively, no one was doing anything.  Calladine would have to give it some consideration and fast.
    ‘Get all the stuff you’ve got together.  I’ll take it and give it the once over tonight,’ he told her.  ‘We’d better go.  You’ll have to drive,’ he told Ruth.  ‘I’ve not got mine – remember?’
    ‘I suppose that means I’ll be taking you home too,’ she nodded.  ‘Deliver you safely back to Lydia once we’re done.’
    The two detectives made their way out to the car park.  Ruth had a smile on her face – things were finally looking up.  Calladine was back and they had a juicy case to get stuck into.  Suddenly the job was less of a drag and far more interesting than it’d been in weeks.
    ‘You’ve changed,’ he decided once they were in the car.  ‘And don’t say it’s my imagination because I know when things are different.’
    ‘I’m the same me, Guv,’ she insisted.  ‘It’s probably because we’ve not worked together for a while.’
    ‘No it’s not that, you have changed.  You look different, you’ve grown your hair, and it’s several shades lighter, and that skirt’s rather short for you too.’
    He’d never realised it before but Ruth had a really good pair of legs.  The rest of her was shaping up rather well these days too.
    ‘I’ve got a man in my life,’ she laughed.  ‘And anyway, I’ve decided it’s a good thing to make the most of myself.  Before Jake I was in a bit of a rut.’
    ‘You look good – it suits you.’
    ‘A compliment, I’m honoured,’ she grinned.  ‘Wish I could say something nice about the way you look too, Guv, but to be truthful, you’re still looking a bit rough.  Not too much for you, this jumping straight back into the hot seat?’
    ‘Charming, been going to flattery school or what,’ he joked.  ‘But don’t worry about me.  I’m fine - this is just what I needed.’
    ‘You’ve missed us then – us and the cut and thrust of the job?  I know we’ve all missed you.’
    ‘I’ve been living in a sort of limbo land.  I wanted to come back but I got stuck in a bit of a rut too.  The rut of life on the sofa, in front of the telly and having Lydia run herself stupid to keep me fed.’
    ‘I’m surprised you want to give that up – given how you feel about her.’
    ‘Lydia or not I’ve still got to work.  The bills and the boredom don’t go away you know.  I’ve decided to chalk what happened down to sheer bad luck and get on with things.  I’m surprised I didn’t see more of you.  You kept your distance, you and the team.’
    ‘Well it’s difficult, isn’t it?  Lydia is still press and she’s always on the hunt for a story.  If any of us said anything about work she’d be on it straight away and then there’s the other thing .  I