‘Cass, hi. Thanks for coming over. Lovely to see you after all these years. Sorry but I don’t think I’m much company at the moment.’ Kerry’s streaked blonde hair fell over her shoulders. The light shining through it showed the many shades that made up the overall honey tone. Her large green eyes and petite features seemed wasted on the pink track bottoms and the oversized T-shirt she was wearing.
This wasn’t the Kerry she recognised from her Facebook photos sporting flawless skin and fitted clothing, always showing off her slender figure. At school, Kerry always owned and wore the newest of trends and had the most stylish of haircuts. She was everything the other girls at school aspired to be. Now, without her make-up, she looked so ordinary, if not slightly pockmarked. Maybe they had more in common than Cass thought.
‘Cass, are you okay?’
She realised she’d been staring. ‘Sorry, yes. It’s just been such a long time.’ She reached into her bag. ‘I thought you might need this.’ She held the bottle of bargain rosé wine up and smiled. Instantly, she wondered if she should have spent a little more on the wine, not getting the bottle from the fiver basket. Kerry was more of a vintage woman, she guessed.
‘That’s lovely of you. Well, don’t stand on the doorstep all night. I best get the corkscrew out.’
Cass knew there was no need for a corkscrew. She followed Kerry through the large hallway with its reception sofa and wide central staircase. Underneath stood a large white plinth containing a vase full of dying carnations, the same ones from the wedding reception centrepiece.
At twenty-five, Kerry had everything. There was no way Cass could ever invite her to her scruffy flat. She would bet everything she had that the corner of the bathroom, or should she say bathrooms, wouldn’t have a regularly recurring patch of mildew spores reaching for the lighting. She could also guarantee that Kerry wouldn’t need to place a collection of buckets around the house during rain showers. She wanted to slap herself. Kerry was her friend and her soon-to-be best friend. She couldn’t envy her. Envy was an ugly trait, one she wished hadn’t plagued her so readily.
Kerry led her through the double-door entrance into a large open plan kitchen and dining room with a table that seated around twelve. She grabbed two wine glasses from a cabinet and sat on a chair. ‘Well, sit down. Take your coat off. Get comfortable.’
Cass smiled as she undid her Primark coat. She would also bet that Kerry didn’t own any clothing that had come from Primark.
‘Hearing from you reminded me of back then. I won’t lie, it’s been a bad few days. None of us can believe what happened to Holly.’ Kerry poured them both a glass of wine and stared at the pink liquid.
Cass was sure she could see a bubble of water building up in the corner of Kerry’s eye. If there’s one thing she’d learned over the years it was to listen to people and never look shocked. Always keep a straight but friendly face and people would spill out their secrets and thoughts. ‘I’m so sorry about what happened and I know we haven’t spoken for a long time but we’re friends and I’m here for you.’
Wiping a tear away, Kerry half smiled. ‘I treated you badly at school. I can’t believe you’re here now. For years I thought about you. I thought you might never want to speak to me again. I was just a stupid kid. That’s no excuse, I know, but I want to make things right. Losing Holly like we all did has made me realise how precious life is. I didn’t want you to go through life hating me.’ Kerry sniffed as she wiped her eyes.
‘As you said, we were just kids. It doesn’t matter any more. How are you coping?’
Kerry shrugged.
‘It’s okay, we don’t have to talk. We can just drink.’ Cass took a long swig of the wine and almost pulled a face. It was as sour as anything. She wished she’d picked the Zinfandel instead of the house wine but money was an issue. She didn’t have everything and she definitely didn’t have parents that propped her up financially, like Kerry did. ‘So, where’s the new husband?’
Kerry shrugged and poured some more wine. ‘Who cares?’
‘Oh, I’m sorry. I really should mind my own business.’
‘You weren’t meant to know. I bet you think I’m such a loser now.’
‘Of course I don’t. I mean, I’m the loser. Look at you, you really have your life together. Me, I’m stuck in a damp flat with a job I hate.’
Kerry walked across to a wooden unit and opened the door. ‘Here, let’s properly drink to us both being a pair of losers.’ She placed two tiny shot glasses down and poured a couple of Sambucas. ‘We never got to drink together as teens. We missed out. Let’s make up for all those missed times. Drink.’
Cass stared at the glass. She’d never really done shots. The drinking culture had missed her out during her teen years. The most she’d had was a bottle of wine and Elvis had to carry her home from a friend’s house. She swore she’d never get into that state again as she’d spent the night on their bathroom floor with her head leaning over the toilet bowl. She sipped the liquid and coughed as she watched Kerry down the shot in one.
‘What’s your fella like with you?’
Cass shrugged. ‘He’s okay, I think. Sometimes I’m not so sure. I don’t know where he is half of the time but when we’re together, he can be lovely.’
‘So you’re not sure if he’s the one?’
She shook her head. ‘No. He’ll do.’ She giggled a little to lighten the mood. ‘How about you? Is Ed the one?’
‘I married him.’
‘That’s not what I asked.’ Cass took another sip of the Sambuca. ‘I’m sorry. Elvis always tells me I’m too nosy.’
Kerry flicked her hair over her shoulder. Cass noticed the clip in strands beneath her layers. Those beautiful lengths of silky hair weren’t all hers.
The smile on Kerry’s face dropped. ‘I don’t trust him. He’s cheated on me before.’
Cass coughed as she almost choked on her drink. So much for keeping a neutral expression.
‘I know, I know. I thought things would change when we committed. Do you know what I mean?’
‘Yes.’ Cass knew exactly what Kerry meant. Her relationship with Elvis had changed immensely over the past few months. He’d gone from all over her and completely turned on as soon as they were in a room together to meh, I’ll do it if I have to. However much she craved his attention, she knew she could never marry him. Forever was a big commitment; one which Kerry and Ed were already failing at. ‘If I’m honest, I know Elvis isn’t the one. I just like being with him at the moment. I bet that sounds horrible. I think he might be seeing someone else though.’ There, she’d said it. Now Kerry might say something if she’d heard any gossip.
Kerry let out a snort and poured another Sambuca. ‘You’re falling behind.’
It looked like Kerry wasn’t going to say anything. Maybe Cass had got it wrong about Elvis seeing Holly. Cass knocked the rest back, taking her breath away as the liquid burned her gullet. ‘Fill it up.’ A rosy glow flushed up her neck and her face burned up a little, in a nice way.
‘What can I say? Ed and me. I think Ed enjoys the lifestyle.’
Cass could understand that. She’d once enjoyed the lifestyle that came with being Kerry’s best friend. When that went, she’d felt so ordinary and it had stung even more when the beautiful people – Holly, Fran and Lilly – had stepped into her shoes.
‘We had an argument today.’ She paused and stared out of the window into the darkness that spanned acres of fields. No doubt one of them would house the stables for all her horses. ‘He thinks our life isn’t exciting enough. I mean, we have everything we flipping well want. Holidays, cars. How can it not be exciting? I was obsessed with him, couldn’t bear to let him go at whatever cost, so we got married. My dad wasn’t happy about it. I mean, we’d only been together a year and we rushed it. My dad wanted me to get a prenuptial agreement but I couldn’t ask him. It just felt so… cold. I wish I’d listened because since the reception, I’ve barely seen him. Holly died a few days ago. I need
him to be here and he—’
Tears began to spill from Kerry’s eyes. Cass was almost relieved that the drinking had ended. Another Sambuca and she’d be hoping Elvis would call her back just so that he could come to rescue her. She scraped her chair on the heated floor tiles and placed an arm around Kerry. It was just like old times.
‘I was thinking of staying with my parents while I cleared my head. What a failure! Twenty-five and going back home.’
Cass was never going to lose her best friend again, whatever it cost. She gripped Kerry a little closer, closing her eyes as she comforted her broken friend.
‘Ouch,’ Kerry said as she pushed her away and wrenched one of her hair extensions from the crease in Cass’s coat. ‘Do you mind if we call it a night? I could do with being alone with my old friend, Sambuca.’
A message flashed up on Kerry’s phone and the name lit up. It was from Lilly. Kerry scooped it up and paused while she read it.
Something had changed. Kerry was withdrawing.
‘But… I want to be here for you.’
‘I know and I’m grateful. Maybe another time. I’ll message you, promise.’
Kerry really was desperate for her to leave. Her phone rang. It was Ed’s name flashing up this time.
‘Do you need a taxi? I can get you one.’
Cass shook her head. She wasn’t after Kerry’s money or help. ‘No, I’ll be okay. The bus stop’s just down the road.’
‘Message me tomorrow?’ Kerry smiled. ‘I really am grateful that you came. Thank you. I may be better company another day; my head is everywhere at the moment.’
Kerry stood to see her out and before Cass knew it, her friend gave her a light hug before closing the door, leaving Cass wholly unsatisfied by the whole experience. She looked up and then it hit her. The friend that had it all didn’t really need someone like Cass, but she did need a confidante and tonight had been a start. Perseverance was all she needed.
Her stomach rumbled and the alcohol on an empty tummy began to churn. She couldn’t resist the urge of food any longer. She almost wished she’d eaten the cake at work. Cass checked her phone as she followed the windy drive all the way back to the main road. No reply had come through from Elvis. She checked her watch. He was scheduled to finish work a few hours ago. She tried to call him but his phone went straight to voicemail.
Chapter Thirty-Four
Gina tapped the window again, the one left of the communal door that was firmly locked. After ringing his buzzer several times, they soon realised that Phillip Brighton wasn’t in. ‘I wonder where he went?’
A twig snapped beneath her foot as Jacob shone his torch in her direction then through the window. ‘He’s probably back out there selling drugs. I doubt people like him change overnight.’
She nodded as they peered through his window. A pile of washing filled almost one half of the room. This was mixed with several pizza boxes, odd shoes and a mangled umbrella. His bed was pushed against the wall in front of the tiny worktop that displayed the microwave. His soiled bed sheets had been pulled back to reveal a stained mattress.
‘No wonder he doesn’t want to stay in. Dammit. I really needed to speak to him. Maybe he’s gone.’ Gina pressed her face against the glass and peered through again. What Phillip owned wouldn’t be much to leave behind. He had a past record of drug abuse and dealing, and not all of his crimes had taken place in Cleevesford or even Warwickshire. He was a drifter, travelling from town to town. ‘What were you doing at Holly’s apartment, Phil?’ The sound of an argument coming from a house a few doors away filled the night air and was soon followed by the barking of several dogs.
Jacob stepped back. ‘It’s no use us staying here. Shall we go and get a bite to eat?’
Gina thought of the cake in the fridge at the station but a takeaway was sounding far more appealing in her head. ‘Sounds like a plan. We can grab some food and head back to the station. Let’s hope our bailed drug dealer turns up at the station for his ten in the morning appointment. Something is telling me he’s scarpered.’
‘You have little faith, guv, but then again, I was wondering that myself.’
Gina’s phone buzzed. She snatched it from her pocket as she followed Jacob back to her car. ‘O’Connor?’
‘It’s Francesca Carter, guv.’ The line crackled slightly as her signal dipped. She took a step back and it cleared.
‘What about her?’
‘Her body’s just been found at her house. Forensics have been called and are already there cordoning the place off.’ He reeled off a summary of what he knew.
Gina checked her watch. ‘Dinner will have to wait.’
Jacob glanced back.
‘Francesca Carter is dead. She appears to have been drowned in her own home.’ Gina grabbed the door handle and slammed the car door shut with full force. ‘We spoke to her today and she was fine. She was alive. Phillip Brighton and Samuel Avery were released and this happens.’
‘We best get over there.’
She clipped her seat belt in and started up the engine. Another violent murder in less than a week. The pressure to get results had just been turned up to full. ‘How many bridesmaids were there?’
Jacob flicked through his notes. ‘Three.’
‘So only Lilly Hill is still alive. Give O’Connor a call back. Get someone to check on her.’
Two out of three bridesmaids was a bit too much of a coincidence. There had to be a connection.
Chapter Thirty-Five
He walked over, wearing only his boxer shorts, to the bed where she eagerly awaited him. Enthusiastic as ever, she bent her leg up and teased a few curls over her shoulders. She knew what was coming and she wanted it. Frannie hadn’t realised what a gift he’d given her and if she hadn’t have known things about him, it could have been so different. Frannie could have enjoyed this as much as the woman in front of him did.
He kneeled on the bed, right between her legs and pulled the tie from her hands. They both knew what was coming next. Goosebumps prickled her skin, each bump defined by the subtle lamp on the bedside. He crawled up further, running his large hand firmly up her legs, brushing her hips until he straddled her. She gulped and fixed her gaze on his.
Looping the tie around her neck, he smiled. They were both electrified by what they were about to do. She wriggled beneath him, taking the weight of his body with a slight expulsion of air as he rubbed against her, teasing her senses.
He felt her movements matching his and they knew it was time. She went to grab the tie, to loosen it but he wrenched her hand back, bending it at the wrist until she let it go over the side of the bed. He’d driven all the way back for this and now he was getting his reward.
‘Shush,’ he said as he placed his index finger across her lips and kissed her nose. All she had to do was lie back and let him get on with it, enjoy it, take it all in.
Was this enough?
It was definitely enough for now. It would have to be, but there was someone else. Her time would come soon. He wrenched the tie and watched as her face reddened but she knew better than to resist.
Chapter Thirty-Six
Jacob held the inner cordon tape up as Gina hurried underneath, nodding to the PC who guarded the scene. A couple of teenage girls hung around at the end of the drive and they were quickly joined by a woman wearing jeans and a jumper.
‘What’s going on,’ she called out. ‘I live just over the road. Is Francesca okay?’
Gina took a few steps towards her. Now would be a good time to check out what at least one of the neighbours had seen. ‘Have you been in all evening?’
The woman nodded. The two girls stepped closer. Gina could see the resemblance now. They were her daughters. Both of them had the same dark skin tone and slight build. ‘I’ve been in since about five. Is Fran okay?’
Glancing at the girls, Gina called her to one side. ‘May I have a word with you?’
‘Sally, take your sister in. I’ll be back in a minute.’
‘What’s this about?’ Her short curly hair bounced as she settled on a spot and stood, arms crossed in front of her.
‘That’s what we’re here to find out.’ Gina didn’t want to say too much. She had no idea if Francesca’s parents had even been told. The last thing she needed was for them to find out that their daughter had been murdered on social media. ‘Have you seen anyone around here acting suspiciously this afternoon or evening?’
She shook her head. ‘No. I came back from work and made dinner. That’s what I do every night. The girls have just got back from swimming so they wouldn’t have seen anything either. They came in and told me that the police were outside.’
Gina had hoped for more.
‘Has someone broken into the place? I keep telling my husband we need to invest in better security.’
‘No, it’s not a burglary. There’s been an incident and we’re investigating at the moment.’
‘Is it something to do with her husband? They’re a funny couple.’
That piqued Gina’s interest. From what O’Connor had reeled off to her, her husband, Charlie Carter, had been at his mother’s fitting a curtain pole earlier that evening but knowing more about them could be of some help. ‘What makes you say that?’
‘I don’t know. When they first moved in a few months ago, I thought they seemed lovely but they shout all the time. She’s always yelling at him about something, often trivial things like how he positions the bins back when they’ve been emptied. Then he will yell at her when they’re coming home from shopping. I think they had money worries. They seemed to be shouting about her spending habits. I don’t think it was just me who heard it all, the other neighbours probably did too – they have been rather loud. My husband keeps saying that Charlie loves himself. Charlie is rather well preened so I think he’s just a bit jealous.’ The woman laughed a little. ‘That was it really.’
Her Last Mistake - Detective Gina Harte Series 06 (2020) Page 15