For those of you who want a taster of what to expect from DI Hunter Wilson's exploits in the case he examines in Hunter's Rules. Here is another extract that you may find interesting.
The Blurb
When best-laid plans go awry…
Hunter and Meera’s romantic plans come to an abrupt end when they stumble into the scene of a crime.
A young woman was attacked in a hotel lift. She has traumatic injuries, but she clings to life. Hunter notes that her wounds are like those inflicted on two other women, who died from their ordeal.
Can Meera keep the injured woman alive long enough for her to identify the assailant? Is the same person responsible for all three crimes? When Hunter is identified as a suspect, can he establish his innocence and lead his team to solve the crime and keep Edinburgh safe?
The Extract
“Scott,” Hunter repeated. “Earth to Scott.”
“Evening, sir. This is posh, isn’t it?”
“Are you here to work or admire the décor?” Hunter asked.
“Sorry. The sarge says you need us to take witness statements.”
“Exactly so, and here comes the cavalry,” Hunter said. He smiled at Chloe Ferguson. Everyone called her Fergie. She led her team of CSIs towards him. He looked at her grim expression.
“We’ll need to get this done pronto so the hotel can have their lift back. Of course, it must be thoroughly sanitised before it’s back in use,” she said. “Anyway, Sam’s on her way. We’ll let her get her initial photos taken before we start. It looks like someone’s danced on the floor. Look at those bloody footprints in the car and all over here.” She pointed to the marks on the shiny polished floor.
“Sorry, Fergie. Hands up, that was me and Meera. We checked if the woman was still alive and when she was, Meera did what she could for her while I called you and the ambulance.”
“For fuck’s sake, Hunter. You know better.”
“I did as little damage as I could, but the victim was in a lift.”
“I know, I know. It’s just lucky the professionals are here now. Oh, and there’s Sam. Let’s give her space.”
Hunter watched the quiet photographer get her equipment ready and set to work.
“Neil, if you stay here and keep everybody away from the elevator. No mobile phone photos or films either. See anybody taking any you just confiscate their phone as containing evidence. That’ll stop the rest fast enough. Charlie, you and Scott take statements from the staff on duty in the bar and restaurant tonight. The guests too. See if you can get any descriptions of the woman and whoever she was with.”
“As we don’t know what either of them look like or names or anything, can you give us a clue, perhaps?” Scott asked.
“The woman mentioned the name Frederick. She has dark hair and was dressed in a fancy red velvet dress. A cocktail dress, I think they call it,” Hunter said. “I suppose there wouldn’t be too many red velvet dresses.”
“What are you doing here anyway?” Charlie asked.
“I was treating Meera to dinner, if it’s any of your business.”
“Well, it is. If you were having dinner at the same time as the victim, you could be witnesses. Did you see her?”
