Chapter 7

The forensic teams were unloading their equipment from the vans when Lewis arrived at Hathaway's house. The street was swarming with SOC teams, police, police dogs, tracking dogs and of course the media. He always wonder how the pesky media manage to arrive to the scene of a crime before the police.

Crime scene tape had been placed in front of Hathaway's house, back garden and much of the woods behind the house. He was impressed and touched at the growing number of people involved in the search of his missing partner.

Lewis notice Dr. Hobson attempting to wade through the hungry reporters. They were shoving mics in her face shouting questions after questions to her. He could barely hear her response, "No comment." A slew of camera men were walking backwards and sideways filming and hampering her every move. She finally arrived to the safe zone, behind the crime scene tape.

With Laura safe, the media's attention instantly turned to Lewis. He quickened his pace to get to the tape before he was surrounded by the vultures, but they were younger and quicker. Several reporters descended on Lewis each asking questions at the same time. Each one stumbling, pushing and shoving elbowing each other to the attention of the Inspector. Each reported had either a camera, digital recorder, mics and who knows what thrust into his face blocking his view.

Lewis kept moving forward the best he could. The going was painstakingly slow and annoying, his temper was growing. He was being pushed, shoved, pulled and tugged. The crowd was close, too close, he no longer could move forward, backwards or in any direction. His head was pounding and he was sweating from lack of air in the center of the pushy crowd.

Before he knew what was happening he tripped or was pushed and started to fall. But a slender well dressed arm reached through the crowd and steadied him. Lewis then heard a loud voice boom over the crowd, "MOVE BACK! NOW! Let Inspector Lewis pass or you will be arrested for obstructing a POLICE INVESTIGATION!" Chief Inspector Innocent ordered the unruly reporters.

"I will have a press release at the station in two hours," she informed, her voice now calmer and less bellowing. The crowd parted begrudgingly allowing Lewis and Innocent to do their work.

"Thank you, Ma'am," Lewis thanked Innocent as they walked underneath the crime scene tape a PC was holding up above their heads. He nodded his head in respect toward the senior officers.

Innocent ordered the crowd to be moved, using force if necessary, up the block to give the SOC teams more space to work in peace. She looked at Lewis with scrutinizing eyes, wondering if he was up to the task of solving the whereabouts of his Sargent. Lewis looked tired and old, the way she felt.

"I have teams searching the woods," Jean filled Lewis in, her voice reflected how she felt. "Were doing a house to house questioning everyone. A team is suiting up to start on James' house, if you like to join them"

"Thanks Ma'am," Lewis said with great relief. He started toward Dr. Hobson when he noticed Mrs. O'Malley looking out her window, Percy still barking from her lap. "Ma'am someone should interview her," Lewis informed Innocent as he pointed to Mrs. O'Malley. " She's the last one to see DS Hathaway. Oh, tell them to be gentle," he added.

"I'll talk to her myself, Lewis and I'll be gentle," she said as she eyed the old woman.

"You two, you're with me," Chief Superintendent Innocent procured the nearest pair of PCs and ordered the two to follow her. She marched toward Mrs. O'Malley's house.

A young PC was walking away from Mrs. O'Malley's house shaking his head dejectedly. "She won't open the door. She just sits in that window shouting at me to go away," the PC informed Innocent. "And that dog won't shut-up. Darn thing should be hoarse with all that barking."

"She'll talk to me," Innocent replied with authority. "Or she will be hauled to the station for a long chat." She spoke loud enough for nosy old lady to hear. Loud enough to be heard over the incessant barking.

Mrs. O'Malley's front door open slowly, Percy the poodle darted outside barking to welcome the visitors. "Come in, please," a timid soft voice called to the Chief. "Percy baby, come inside before you catch a cold." Percy pranced into the house still barking. Innocent and the two officers followed.

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