Murmurs went around the room as they took in the images. Sheldon guessed that word of the body had gone round the station, but photographs made things more real.
Sheldon cleared his throat and then turned round to look at the squad. His hands went into fists again. Last night was grim, he said. I was there. I know how it was. We need to catch whoever did this. He tried to make it sound like a rallying call, but he was met by stares and silence. His tongue flicked across his bottom lip, waiting for someone to ask a question, just to fill the gap.
Do we know who the victim is yet? a voice said at the back. Sheldon recognised him. Duncan Lowther, the poster boy for the local CID. He was a hobby copper, inherited wealth funding his life, not the job. His was the Porsche on the car park, to match the expensive cologne, and the weekends spent in the wine bars of Manchester. He talked of great literature and art-house cinema, and didnt wear the usual uniform of pastel shirts and chain store suits, preferring tight grey V-necks and silk ties.
Sheldon had seen too many coppers like him. All glory, no graft.
Thats the first thing we need to work out, Sheldon said. Always start with the victim. And someone needs to go through the incident logs for the county for the last twelve hours, just to check if someone didnt come home.
Extra-marital? someone else said. Maybe a jealous husband?
Sheldon nodded. Maybe. That is one angle. It was cruel, and so revenge seems a motive. He looked at the photographs again. The face was removed and wasnt left in the hotel room. We need to find where it went, because someone took it away for a reason, and so we need to know why.
It could just be a random sick murder, Lowther said. These things do happen. And does it matter why? Its the who thats important.
Sheldon felt the smile grow on his face, although it felt tight and unnatural, and he knew it hadnt reached his eyes. Thank you for your wisdom, but if you get the why, youve got yourself a suspect list. And youve just got yourself the CCTV job. When Lowther looked confused, he added, Go to the hotel and watch the camera footage. Account for everyone staying there. If someone comes in who you cant put in a room, theres your first suspect. Then go through the town cameras. Someone running, or a car going too fast. He looked around the rest of the room. The rest of you. Divide yourself up into twos. Its time to knock on doors. You know the routines. Get the paperwork in, look for the unusual, and lets hope for a forensic hit.
How long have we got the job in Oulton? a voice said at the back. FMIT are coming over.
I want to keep it with us, Sheldon said. The people in this town know us and trust us. You know how it is around here, that they dont like outsiders. If we let FMIT take over, people might clam up and we will lose that local contact.
There were some murmurs of agreement, before everyone looked to the front, startled, as a uniformed officer burst into the room. He looked at the photographs, and then at Sheldon.
Yes? Sheldon said, irritated.
Weve just had a call, sir, from the paper, the Lancashire Express, and he pointed to the photographs taped up at the front. Its about your case. They said theyve got something you have to see.