This excerpt is from the book entitled The Black Hill Hotel Mystery an English Murder Mystery book set in the winter countryside, starring two policemen who have been working together for a few years and get along well.

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This is terrible news, Inspector Knowles, do you know who the victim is?”

“I have no idea, as yet, because the face has not been exposed, just the left hand and part of the forearm, but when the face becomes available, as it were, would you like to come and see if you know who it is? You and Annette?”

“I suppose we could do that for you, Inspector, do you know when you will require us to be there?”

“In about 30 minutes time, if you could come out and walk up the road, we should be ready by then,” replied Knowles, “I am hoping the Forensics team will arrive soon and start their work.”

“Is this them here?” asked Andrew pointing to his left.

Knowles looked and saw PC Bob Street heading towards him at a fair rate of knots for a big man. Knowles walked towards Street, so they could have a private conversation about both their news items.

“Bob, you have something for me?” asked Knowles.

“I have news, but it’s that we didn’t find anything at all, other than evidence that someone spent the night in the barn, but they are no longer there.”

“Any tracks?”

“Well, there were some towards Goat Magna, Manton Rempville direction, but that doesn’t mean to say it was the fugitive, does it?”

“No, it doesn’t, but I still think he’s coming back this way at some point, to be close to his dad, who is staying here, at least that’s what I think.”

“So we just watch dad then?” said Street.

“As best we can, yes, but I reckon the dad will try and pick up the son when the dad leaves.”

“Right, well let us know and we will be waiting for them”

“Good, but something has happened, which means we might not be able to wait that long.”

“Oh what’s that, has someone else been attacked?”