The Amen Cadence Read Online Free Page B

Electrical, that’s the working hypothesis.’
    ‘Easy to fake, mate. Two minutes in the fuse box here, and I could turn this whole place into a firework.’
    ‘I don’t doubt it.’
    ‘Where’s Pepper Wilson anyway? It’s attempted murder, is this. Shouldn’t she turn out? No offence, like, son.’
    Armstrong smiled again.
    ‘Off duty until later on, is Acting DI Wilson. And this is looking like an aggravated burglary, at most, Mr. Hood. That buys a day of my time, a few hours of Pepper’s, and maybe a bit of forensic support, if I’m lucky.’
    ‘Christ, is that all? I’m surprised that you people ever catch anyone. What do criminals have to do to get caught these days, leave a signed photo of themselves at every crime scene?’
     
    The doctor and a nurse came out of the room before Henry could reply, so he badged the doctor and took him to one side. Then Henry knocked and went into the room, leaving Davey Hood talking to the doctor. Mrs. Hood was sitting up, and she seemed alert. And if she was in pain she most certainly wasn’t showing it. Henry showed his Warrant Card, asked if he could sit, and if Mrs. Hood was up to answering a couple of questions.
    ‘Of course I am, love. But I don’t think I’ll be much use to you. I never even saw whoever it was.’
    ‘That’s OK, don’t worry about that. Now, do you lock your doors whenever you go out, Mrs. Hood?’
    ‘I do, love.’
    ‘And do you ever forget?’
    ‘The odd time, maybe. But the house was locked when I got back last night.’
    ‘You’re sure?’
    ‘Aye, certain.’
    ‘I do those kinds of things on automatic pilot though, Mrs. Hood, and maybe you do too. So how can you be so sure you left your house locked up tight?’
    ‘Because when I got home I didn’t think anything was wrong, dear, that’s why. I unlocked the front door, just the same as always. Until I got hit I didn’t have a clue that anything was wrong, like. I’m not going soft in the head, love.’
    ‘Of course not. And you’d gone out at what time?’
    ‘Half six, same as always on a Monday night. It’s the bingo, see.’
    ‘And what time did you get back?’
    ‘Just before ten, it would have been. I usually watch the news, before I go to bed, and I sometimes just have time to make a brew before it comes on, like. That’s how it was last night.’
    ‘Got you. So maybe ten to ten?’ Mrs. Hood nodded. ‘And you didn’t notice anything unusual?’
    ‘No, love. I just hung my coat on the hook, took off my shoes and put on my slippers, then walked down the corridor to the kitchen. And then, wham, that was it. Until I woke up in here, like.’
    ‘All right, thanks. Tell me, Mrs. Hood, do you have much jewellery in the house? Any small valuables? Gold items, that sort of thing?’
    ‘No, love, not a thing. Oh, I did have, don’t get me wrong. My late husband Michael was a generous man, always was. But I sold it all when my son set up his business. I wanted to help, like. But not a word to Davey please, love. He has no idea about what I did. He thinks it was money that Michael left me specifically to help out when the lad left the military, like. That’s what I told Davey, anyway.’
     
    Armstrong stood up and smiled down at Mrs. Hood. ‘I understand, and don’t worry. We’ll need to talk to you again, but that’s been really helpful. Now, I’ll get out of your hair and send your son in, shall I?’
    ‘Aye. But not a word about my jewellery, OK?’
    ‘Not a word.’
     
    Armstrong almost bumped into Hood as he came out of the room.
    ‘Well? I was right, wasn’t I?’
    ‘Too early to say. But we are looking at an aggravated burglary, by the looks of it. We’ve got enquiries to make, and I’m sure that Pepper will be able to update you later on today. But why not get in to your mum now, eh? She’s asking for you.’
    ‘In a second. Did the bastards get her jewellery? My dad bought her all that, and she loves it. Irreplaceable, it is. She’d be