Private Princess

Chapter 31

Sophie Edwards’ body hung bloated and purple from a rope tied to a tree branch.

“That’s her,” Lewis confirmed, without having been asked. “Looks like her tricks caught up with her.”

Morgan turned to look at the police officer. “Her tricks?” he said evenly. “So you did know who she was, and what she was doing?”

“Of course I did.”

“And Sir Tony?”

“Who?” the woman asked, her look convincing Morgan that she was either ignorant of the man and his connection to Sophie Edwards, or that she was an excellent liar.

Cook was about to walk forward when Morgan gently grasped her elbow. “We need to leave the police a good crime scene. Or whatever’s left of one after this rain.”

Cook nodded, understanding. “Such a waste,” she said, shaking her head. “She had so much going for her.”

Morgan looked to his phone: there was no reception.

“We should go back to the car,” Cook suggested. “Head back down the track until we get service.”

“You go and call this in,” Morgan told her. “I’ll watch over the body.”

But as Cook turned to go back up the trail, the crack of bullets crashed through the trees.