A Question of Blood: An Inspector Rebus Novel (A Rebus Novel)

The place did you discover this? ” “Inside a booklet he used to be examining. ” “Which publication? ” “Why do you need to grasp? ” She shrugged. “Just questioned. ” “It was once a biography, i believe. a few soldier who ended up doing himself in. ” “You imagine that’s a clue? ” “A clue? ” She nodded. “To why Lee killed himself. ” “Might be, i assume. Did you ever meet any of his buddies? ” “I don’t imagine he had many associates. ” “What approximately Doug Brimson? ” The query got here from Siobhan. She was once sliding onto the banquette. Teri’s mouth twitched. “Yeah, i do know him. ” “You don’t sound enthusiastic,” Rebus commented. “You may perhaps say that. ” “What’s unsuitable with him? ” Siobhan desired to comprehend. Rebus may well see her prickling. Teri simply shrugged. “The lads who died,” Rebus acknowledged, “ever see them on the events? ” “As if. ” “Meaning what? ” She checked out him. “They weren’t the kind. Rugby and jazz song and the Cadets. ” as though this defined every little thing. “Did Lee ever discuss his time within the military? ” “Not a lot. ” “But you requested him? ” She nodded slowly. “And you knew he had something approximately weapons? ” “I knew he stored photos . . . ” She bit her lip, yet too past due. “On the interior of his cloth wardrobe door,” Siobhan further. “It’s now not everybody who’d be aware of that, Teri. ” “Doesn’t suggest whatever! ” Teri’s voice had risen. She was once fidgeting with her neck chain back. “Nobody’s on trial right here, Teri,” Rebus acknowledged. “We simply need to know what made him do it. ” “How may still i do know? ” “Because you knew him, and it sort of feels now not many folks did. ” Teri used to be shaking her head. “He by no means informed me something. That used to be the item approximately him—like he had secrets and techniques. yet I by no means idea he’d . . . ” “No? ” She fastened her eyes on Rebus’s yet acknowledged not anything. “He ever convey you a gun, Teri? ” Siobhan requested. “No. ” “Ever trace that he had entry to at least one? ” A shake of the pinnacle. “You say he by no means quite spread out to you . . . what in regards to the opposite direction around? ” “How do you suggest? ” “Did he ask approximately you? probably you spoke to him approximately your loved ones? ” “I may have. ” Rebus leaned forwards. “We have been sorry to listen to approximately your brother, Teri. ” Siobhan, too, leaned forwards. “You most likely pointed out the crash to Lee Herdman. ” “Or probably one among your mates did,” Rebus extra. Teri observed that they have been hemming her in. No get away from their stares and questions. She had positioned the picture at the desk, concentrating her consciousness on it. “Lee didn’t take this,” she stated, as though attempting to swap the topic. “Anyone else we should always seek advice from, Teri? ” Rebus was once asking. “People who went to Lee’s little soirees? ” “I don’t are looking to solution any further questions. ” “Why now not, Teri? ” Siobhan requested, frowning as if really questioned. “Because I don’t. ” “Other names we will consult . . . ” Rebus was once asserting. “Might get us off your again. ” Teri Cotter sat for a second longer, then rose to her ft and climbed onto the banquette, stepped onto the desk and jumped all the way down to the ground on the different aspect, the gauzy black layers of her skirts billowing out round her. with no on reflection, she made for the door, opened it and banged it close in the back of her. Rebus checked out Siobhan and gave a grudging smile.