Fatal Connection Read Online Free

don’t know why. My guess is that he’d tried to call me. You know, just before he got really bad and passed out. Maybe he hit the wrong button. That’s almost certainly it, don’t you think?’
    Clearly she was hoping there was nothing sinister or secretive in Richard’s actions, so he replied, ‘Confusion’s one of the symptoms – along with poor memory and tremors – so, yes, you’re probably right.’ He showed her the images of the other three patients and told her their names. ‘Do you know any of them? Or do you think Richard would’ve known them?’
    ‘I certainly don’t. As for Richard’ … She shrugged. ‘I wouldn’t know. I should’ve asked after his friends more. I shouldn’t have let the gulf grow wider and wider.’
    ‘It’s not your fault. Being close takes two people.’ Troy’s attention seemed to stray but, a moment later, he was fully focused on the interview. ‘I don’t suppose you asked much about the food he’d been eating or any strange drinks he’d tried?’
    ‘No. We should’ve shared more, like it used to be when we were young.’
    Outside, the sun ducked behind a building and was gone.
    ‘Do you know if any of his friends have gone down with something similar?’
    ‘No, I don’t. If only I’d taken the trouble to …’ The sentence faded to nothing.
    ‘What did he do by way of work?’
    ‘He was always artistic. He could paint, model wood, almost anything. Really good with his hands. Creative. He used to make hats. Now, he makes furniture.’
    ‘Hats?’ Lexi queried.
    Richard’s wife smiled sorrowfully. ‘Yes, hats. Someone’s got to do it. Richard switched to furniture about a year ago.’
    ‘Was he well? Did the hat job make him sick?’ said Lexi.
    ‘No. Why?’
    ‘I bet you’ve heard the phrase: mad as a hatter,’ Lexi replied. ‘Rabbits’ or hares’ fur was made into felt and mercuric nitrate was used to smooth it down. A slow reaction in the felt gave off mercury vapour. It made hatters tetchy and mixed up. Basically, a bit mad.’
    ‘No. Nothing like that,’ his wife replied. ‘Besides, it was a long time ago. I wish I’d asked him more about his jobs. You do at first but then … your mind’s on other things, you know, and you get tired of hearing the same old story every day.’
    ‘Did he keep a diary or jot notes on a computer?’ Troy asked.
    ‘No. Not when there’s golf to play. Nothing else got much of a look in.’ She sighed once more. ‘If only I’d developed an interest in golf. Things might have been different.’

SCENE 8
    Wednesday 7th May, Morning
    The beginnings of a spreadsheet decorated the large screen in the forensic department of Shepford Crime Central. Lexi sipped beer and ate cricket pâté on banana worm bread as she entered data methodically.
    ‘Shepford in the middle of the country, Pullover Creek and Hoops down south, and Pickling up north. Not even close on an atlas. A school student, a seller of pet fish, a furniture maker and a fossil hunter. Pick a common factor out of that lot, if you can. By the way, Keaton’s real job was in his local insect farm. Yummy.’
    ‘An insect farm?’ As part of his breakfast, Troy swallowed a chunk of black pudding.
    ‘You don’t have to be an outer to make outer food. But he wasn’t the most dedicated worker. He cracked open more rocks than water beetles. More interested in hunting fossils than producing meat.’ She paused, thinking. ‘There’s a sort of common thread between two of them. One deleted everything from his phone and another lost hers. Richard Featherstone and Alyssa Bending.’
    ‘That link’s hanging by a thread,’ Troy replied with a grin. ‘Way south of solid. Both could have been an accident.’
    ‘Yeah. But it’s about all we’ve got. Except that all four were healthy before they died. Swimming, cycling, climbing, chasing fish around the country, golf, smashing rocks.’
    ‘What did you get from Keaton Hathaway’s latest