The Dark Fear by Katherine Pathak

retrieved useful evidence from it. She knew that some of her department were relaxed about the investigation. Galloway’s death wasn’t going to cause them any sleepless nights. But to Moffett, it was an important case. If these criminal gangs were allowed to go around executing each other as they pleased, where did that leave the police?
                  She gathered up the evidence and knocked at Bob Gordon’s door. ‘Have you got a minute, boss?’
                  ‘Aye, come in Sharon.’
                  ‘I want to go back to the murder site, see if there’s something we missed.’
                  ‘The techs did a thorough enough search. The sea has been in and out several times since. There won’t be any traces left.’ The DCI had barely glanced up from his files.
                  ‘I know, but I’m curious to see the layout of the carpark again. I want to pinpoint where the accomplice was situated.’
                  ‘Fine, it won’t do any harm. Aren’t you needed on your disciplinary panel?’
                  ‘DCI Bevan went back to Glasgow. We’ve suspended our deliberations whilst the Galloway investigation continues.’
                  ‘Okay, fine. You may as well take the department camera and get some more shots.’
     
    *
     
    The water was completely calm as DS Moffett gazed out to where a container ship was perched on the horizon. She turned and marched back towards the gap in the thick bracken which led to the car-park. The path had been re-opened. The techies had no hope of retrieving any further material from the crime scene.
                  Sharon climbed the bank to examine the tank trap which was half buried in the sand and vegetation. She kicked around the dirt in the position where DC Calder was found slumped and unconscious.
                  It would have been easy for someone in one of the cars to jog up and strike the detective from behind. They already knew the wind that evening had partially masked the sound of the gunshot. Calder wouldn’t have heard them approach. Moffett snapped a few shots with the camera.
                  She paced out the route that the killer’s compatriot would have taken back down to the parked cars. Sharon noticed a new vehicle positioned near to her own. A man was sitting in the driver’s seat, not making any move to get out.
                  Moffett approached the car and tapped on the window.
                  The man rolled it down.
                  Sharon immediately recognised him. ‘DCI Lamb. What are you doing here, sir?’
                  Stuart Lamb squinted his eyes. ‘I’ve come for a walk on the beach. It’s a free country. Do I know you?’
                  ‘I’m DS Moffett, I work out of the Knox Street Headquarters. Our paths may have crossed from time to time.’
                  ‘But you know who I am?’
                  Sharon raised her eyebrows ironically.
                  ‘Okay, fair enough. I suppose every officer in Scotland knows who I am.’
                  ‘You really shouldn’t be here, sir. I am investigating Alex Galloway’s murder under the command of DCI Gordon. I wouldn’t want to have to put in my report that I saw you here. My superior wouldn’t like it.’
                  Stuart opened the door and climbed out. He offered his hand to her and she shook it. ‘Pleased to meet you, DS Moffett. Look, I spent months trying to build a case against Galloway and all our efforts were scuppered at the last moment. Now, I find myself suspended from duty and likely to lose my rank, at the very least. I’m as interested to find out what happened to Galloway here as you are.’ He tipped his head. ‘You’ll excuse me if I can’t summon up the same confidence in the