Work Text:
The Killer Inside
Barbra Havers looked down at the paint covered body that lay inside a concrete drainpipe. Who knew that Paint Ball was now a ‘Thing’ for City Executives out on a Team Building Exercise. The victim had a single paintball blast which covered the killing blow to the chest. The stab wound had been barely detectable under the bright red paint.
She stepped aside to allow the body to be removed. She looked up and rolled her eyes as she caught sight of her boss. Detective Inspector Tommy Lynley was having an animated conversation with the company director. All smiles and nods of the head and now a handshake.
Lynley turned and caught her eye and headed in her direction. She met him halfway, then together they walked away from the crime scene.
“I know what you are thinking.” He said in a low tone.”
“Do you now”? She smirked. They headed towards his car.
“Yes, I do.”
He opened the passenger side door for her and then walked around and got into the driving seat.
“What’s it then?” She asked as she clicked in her seat belt.
“You think that the company director of Paintball Prime and I are on first class terms with each other, we went to school together and socialise in the same circles?”
“Well don’t you?” Barbra said with a smile and it was Lynley’s turn to roll his eyes at her.
“No, he did not go to school with me but did with my younger brother. I have never socialised with him ever but he did date my sister just the once.”
He turned on the engine and drove off as Barbra looked smug in the passenger seat.
“See, I knew you knew each other and I did get most of it correct.”
They now headed to the nearby Paintball Prime buildings to interview all of the teams and staff who had been on hand that morning.
“Do you think that the killer is still inside?” Tommy Lyndley asked his Detective Sergeant.
“Oh yes.” She nodded decisively. She had got all the feels on this one. “I bet the murderer is inside.” She pointed towards the building.
“Dinner?” Lynley suggested as he got out of the car and headed to the main entrance
“Yes.” She confirmed with a nod. “Good choice.”
“Remember whomever wins chooses the venue and the loser pays the bill?”
It was a game they played. They each got to choose whether the killer would be within the first of the interviewees at the scene or not. He had won the bet last time out, so he got to choose the theme this time.
“Yes and if I win I’m taking you to Burger King! She announced seriously. “Time you see how the other half lives.””
Lynley had his back to her so she failed to see his cringe of horror. But she knew and chuckled as she saw him hesitate mid stride as she followed him inside.