by Emily Selby
Jack nodded, scribbling in his notebook.
'All three of you left at the same time?'
'Yes. We only have one key. I've got it,' she rushed to add. 'I took it because I was going to come back to pick up some of the supplies we left behind. I needed glitter for Julia.'
Jack's mouth twitched.
'By the way, where is your daughter now? Is she waiting for you to come home?'
Katie smiled. He remembered and cared. Nice.
'No, she's staying with friends for the night. But thank you for asking.'
Jack gave a quick nod.
'Did you lock the spare room?'
'No. I'm not sure if the door locks any more. I don't think I've seen the key anyway. I wonder if this was one of the reasons why we chose it. We needed something with a quick and easy access.'
'Did you keep any valuables in there?'
'Not really. A few handmade cards that I was going to put on our stand tomorrow morning and some glitter,' Katie replied. 'I don't think we'd be able to recover these...' she added, trying to ignore the pang of sadness cramping her chest.
'I'm sorry, Katie,' Jack said, looking deep into her eyes. 'At this stage, I can't tell you. But it won't happen tonight, or even tomorrow."
Katie nodded. She didn't expect it anyway.
'Once you left the community centre, did you lock the entrance door?' Jack carried on.
Katie chewed on her lower lip.
'I think I did. Pretty sure.'
'There's an alarm system in the building. Did you set the alarm?'
'No. The agreement with the local council was not to set the alarm in this part of the building. It was just too much hassle with so many people coming and going.'
'I can check it later, but do you know if there are any security cameras around the building?'
'They have some at the front, over the car park, but not on the side or round the back, where our crafts room is. We've been asking the council for one for ages.'
'Is the building accessible from all the entrance doors?'
'You can access most of the building from the main entrance, but some parts are only accessible from the other entrances. For example, the back door leads only to the crafts room. That particular side entrance gives access to the storage room and, through the double door, to the main hallway. And before you ask, the double door was supposed to be locked to stop anyone wandering into our storage room from the main part of the centre.'
'You left the building around 7:30. Where did you go after that?'
'I went to Michelle's. My friend, Michelle Webb do you remember her?'
Jack nodded. Michelle's husband Kevin had been a key suspect in one of the previous murders.
'What did you do next?'
'I arrived at her place about 7.40 and almost immediately went upstairs to get the kids ready for bed. Michelle was going out to meet with someone regarding a business idea. Kevin was also at home, doing something in the garage.'
'Did Michelle leave the house the moment you arrived?'
Katie blew out a breath. 'I'm not sure. I crossed her in the hallway. She had her coat on and appeared in a hurry. I felt a little guilty, because I was a little late. She mentioned she had a meeting planned and asked me to be at her place as close to 7.30 as possible. But to be honest, I didn't hear anything - the girls were in the bathroom splashing and screaming. I assumed she had left immediately. When I came downstairs, it was about 8 pm and Michelle returned shortly afterwards. We sat in the kitchen and talked about the kids for a while. Then Olivia arrived. Michelle and Olivia have been working on a business idea for some time and the church fete was their test run, so to speak. Olivia came over to talk about the day and what to do tomorrow. It was about 8.15 pm. I let them talk and went upstairs to check on the girls. I stayed upstairs for a while, reading with them. When I came downstairs again, it must have been about 8.40 pm. Olivia was getting ready to leave. After she left, Michelle and I talked a little, until I had to go, which was about 9.25.'
'So what time did you reach the community centre?'
'About 9.30, maybe 9.35 pm. It was dark inside, nobody around, as I said.'
'How did you get in?'
'I've already told you. I have a key.'
"Who else has a key?'
Katie paused, trying to think. 'No idea. I got the key from Miriam, our president. I'm sure the management of the community centre will know if you ask.'
Jack nodded and closed his notebook. 'That's very helpful. Thank you, Katie. That will be all. Obviously, I'll talk to your friends to confirm your movements this evening. One more question. Do you own any guns?'
Katie's face drained.
'Of course, I don't,' she croaked. 'I haven't seen anything like that in my house since my divorce.'
'He didn't leave you anything, did he?
Katie swallowed hard. It was a bit impertinent of Jack to ask, but she was too tired and too petrified to reply with anything other than a simple, 'No, he didn't.'
She drove home shivering. She wasn't sure if it was from the chill of the November evening or the adrenaline washing out of her system. Her chest was tight, her stomach clenched again. On entering her flat, she locked the door behind her and double-checked it. She hesitated over putting a chair against the door for extra security, but she felt too exhausted to drag one down from upstairs. She ended up checking the door for the third time and climbing the stairs.
She’d involved herself in another murder. This time at least, the body wasn't anywhere near her house.
Small mercies.
3
By the time she filled the kettle and turned on the heating in the cold kitchen, she knew she wouldn't be able to sleep in her flat. Her body was restless. Her thoughts swirled in her head like dry leaves in the autumn wind.
She didn't want to be by herself, with her thoughts and suspicions. She kept pacing her little kitchen, trying not to step on the squeaky floorboards. After what felt like half an hour, but in fact was seven minutes according to the clock on the cooker, she pulled out her phone and dialled Michelle's number.
'Katie!' Michelle sounded breathless on the phone. 'It's good that you're calling. I've heard some awful news.'
'How do you know?'
'We saw the flashing lights and Kev had a text from one of his mates. Why didn't you call me?'
'I'm calling you right now. Are the girls still asleep?'
'Yes, don't worry. They’re in bed. Kev's just gone to bed, too. I'm sitting in the kitchen drinking tea. I can't sleep...'
Her voice trailed off, but Katie detected an anxious note in it.
'Do you mind if I pop over?'
'Not at all. Bring your pyjamas and everything you need.'
'Thanks, Michelle,' Katie replied, relieved by the invitation, 'I’m on my way.'
She disconnected and packed her overnight stuff into a plastic bag. A few minutes later she was back in her car driving to Michelle and Kevin's place.
It was going to be a long night.
Michelle waited for her with a pot of freshly brewed green tea.
'Sorry, I'm a bit stressed today,' Michelle explained pouring Katie a cup. 'I've run out of tea except for this stuff.'
'Not a problem,' Katie replied, watching her friend attentively. The lines on Michelle's forehead deepened. Her beautiful golden curls were in disarray, which was unusual for her.
'You do look stressed.'
Michelle glanced at the dark window. They sat at the kitchen table in silence for a few minutes.
'Who is it this time?' Michelle asked eventually, sipping her tea.
'A certain Mr Livermore.'
'Livermore?'
Michelle whispered the name in a way that sent a chill down Katie's spine. She stared at her friend. Michelle was pale, her lips were parted and trembling.
'Are you okay?'
Michelle closed her mouth and shook her head. Tears streamed down her face. Katie jumped up and gave her friend a hug.
'You knew the guy?' Katie asked simply. There was no other explanation for Michelle's behaviour she could come up with.
Michelle nodded. She covered her face with her hands and sobbed quietly.
Katie rubbed Michelle's back for a while.
'I'm so sorry...' Katie repeated. 'Faced with murder. I don't know what to say. Was he a friend?'
'No, I'm sorry. I really shouldn't...' Michelle wiped her face with her hands. 'All the stress of the day is now coming over me. It's actually related to Jeff.'
'Jeff?'
'The guy who was killed.'
'How did you know him?'
'He was the guy I’d arranged to meet tonight.'
'So, he is or rather, was your business consultant?'
'That's him. Jeff was the ex-husband of one of my American friends,' Michelle explained, visibly calmer now. 'Livermore and Sarah separated a few years ago. She went back to the States, and he stayed in England. I haven't kept in touch with him,' she paused and licked her lips, a hint of hesitation in her voice. 'I, I... Well, Sarah, his ex-wife is still a good friend of mine, but Jeff and I weren't close. When Olivia came to talk to me about her business idea, Jeff was the only person I could think of to seek advice from. You see, he used to be a business consultant, specialising in online marketing. Although, I don't think this is what he's doing right now.'
'So, did you meet with him?'
'No. He sent me a last-minute cancellation. Something else came up urgently.'
'What was he doing in Sunnyvale? Did he come specifically to meet with you?'
'No. I emailed him late October, hoping he would give me advice via email, or on the phone. He replied saying he was coming to Sunnyvale anyway on business. Somehow, he talked me into meeting him.'
'But you didn't meet him, did you?'
Michelle shook her head so hard her hair spilt over her face.
Katie waited in silence, calculating the timing of Michelle's arrival back home and Jeff Livermore's estimated time of death. From what she could tell, the events were too close to each other to put Katie's mind at rest. A bead of cold sweat formed on her forehead. She wiped it with the back of her hand.
Michelle pulled her unruly hair into a ponytail.
'Right,' she said, springing to her feet. 'Enough of that moaning for tonight. We have a long day ahead tomorrow.'
'Hang on, Michelle,' Katie said firmly.
Michelle looked at Katie from over her shoulder.
'You need to talk to the police about it.'
'I will,' she said curtly. 'Tomorrow morning. I don't think it makes any difference to anyone tonight. We'd better go to sleep,' she said and marched out of the kitchen.
Katie wrapped her hands around her cup. She'd known Michelle for many years and had no doubt her friend was honest and trustworthy. But her behaviour that night had been strange, not the usual Michelle at all. Looking back, Katie wondered if it had anything to do with Michelle's encounter with Livermore, and whether the meeting really had been cancelled.
Michelle seemed to not only preoccupied and distracted, but also appeared to be hiding something. Katie had a hunch it was to do with Michelle's relationship with Livermore. They didn't get on. But maybe there was another reason why Michelle didn't want to meet the man in the first place. She'd only agreed when he'd manipulated her into it. Yet Livermore had cancelled the meeting, and she hadn't met him in the end.
Or had she?
4
Katie woke early on Sunday morning, well before the sunrise. She went downstairs to the kitchen as quietly as she could.
But she wasn’t the first one to get up in this household. Michelle was already in the kitchen sitting at the table and staring at the dark window. The rain started to fall and silver trails of water dimpled the windowpane.
'How are you?' Katie asked quietly.
Michelle flinched.
'Been better. And you?'
'I've actually managed some sleep. Maybe it's because I'm getting used to murders,' Katie said trying for a lighter tone. Maybe she was becoming a little desensitised, but maybe it was easier for her this time as she wasn't personally involved. Unlike her friend.
'You know we have to go and talk to the lead investigator, Inspector...' Katie added hesitantly. She didn't really know how to breach the subject with her friend except for being straight up.
'I know. No need to remind me.'
It was unusual for Michelle to be so brusque.
'I'll come with you, if you want,' she offered, keen to make sure her friend actually reached the station.
'That'll be great,' Michelle mumbled and busied herself with the coffee machine.
Not knowing how early she could turn up with Michelle, but desperate to get this out of the way, Katie send Jack a text message.
'I have some extra information and someone who knew the victim. What time can we pop in?'
You must have been up early as well as the reply came within a minute.
'I'll be at the station from around 7 am. Come in whenever you're ready.'
Katie rushed Michel into getting dressed and leaving the house before the kids woke and started asking questions.
When they left the house, the rain was pouring down. Katie drove Michelle to the station in complete silence, except for the soothing sound of the wipers. On one hand, Katie worried about Michelle behaving a little unusual, but on the other hand, she knew Michelle had a tendency to keep her thoughts and feelings to herself until she’d processed them fully.
The police station was dark except for the light in the staffroom as they walked in, still without exchanging a word. Their steps echoed in the hallway. Katie pressed the buzzer, not being sure if she was allowed to proceed normally like an employee or a member of the public.
Jack popped his head round the reception door.
'Please, come in,' he said calmly and led them into the interview room.
He was being more formal. Maybe it was for the better. If Michelle was hiding something, it would be easier for Jack to challenge her about it in a formal setting.
Clad in a steel-coloured suit, a white shirt with a dark blue tie, Jack was the embodiment of formality. His clean-shaved face looked perfectly neutral, just like the little notebook he was holding. Such a contrast to the previous night's warm exchange!
'What would you like to tell me about?' Jack asked, his voice as crisp as his shirt.
Katie shot a sideways glance at Michelle, who sat beside her, shoulders hunched, her hair covering her face.
'It's Michelle,' Katie said and nudged her friend.
Michelle heaved a sigh. She flicked her hair back.
'Okay,' Michelle said. 'Let's get it over and done with. I knew Jeff Livermore.'
Jack opened the notebook and started to scribble in it.
'Since when? In what context?' Jack asked. Michelle repeated most of the facts she'd presented to Katie the night before.
'So, you were to meet him last night, at the community centre around 7.45 pm?'
'Yes.'
'That's an unusual place to meet,' Jack observed watching Michelle attentively.
Michelle shifted in her chair and tugged at a button on her coat.
'I didn't want to meet with him at home. He was the one who suggested the community centre. I thought it was a good idea, because they have a Wi-Fi spot and I wanted to show him the website we've been working on.'
'You preferred to meet in a public place?'
'Yes.'
'What time did you reach the centre?'
'About 7.50 pm. I sat in my car for about ten minutes wondering if I should even go.'
'Were you late?'
'Correct. But I didn't expect Jeff to arrive on time either. He never was a punctual person.'
Jack nodded.
'What time did you get the message from him that he couldn't meet you?'
Michelle lowered her head.
'I can't remember exactly. I think I heard the ping when I was parking the car, b
ut I didn't check my phone until a little after eight,' she said.
'You can check the time on your phone,' Jack said in a matter-of-fact way.
Michelle didn't reply.
'Michelle!' Katie nudged her friend.
'No, I can't.' Michelle lifted her head and looked at Jack. 'I deleted them all.'
Jack closed his notebook. He glanced at Katie.
'We can recover text messages,' he said to Michelle.
'No problem,' Michelle said, not looking at Jack. 'You can have my phone.'
She handed it across. Jack thanked her, put it on the table beside him and opened the notebook.
'Did you notice anybody or anything suspicious around the building at the time?' he asked Michelle.
'No. The lights were still on across the car park. There were people leaving, maybe a couple of cars. The community centre was already dark. I came around from the back, where the crafts room is.'
'Where did he want to meet with you?'
Michelle hesitated.
'I don't know. I didn't think about it. I somehow assumed we would meet inside the building, or by the main entrance. But the door was locked when I arrived. So, I went around to see if he was there. I didn't see anybody or anything.'
'Are you sure?'
Michelle paused and looked up at the ceiling.
'Hang on, there was someone. But he was leaving.'
'Who was it?'
'Alex Gibson. He was looking for his wife. Apparently, she'd called to tell him she'd forgotten to bring something from home. And he was dropping it off for her in an envelope. He thought she was in the community centre.'
'But she wasn't there?'
'No. As I said, the building was dark, and the main entrance was locked. The crafts room was also dark. I didn't check the door, but I think it was locked.'
'What about the side entrance?'
Michelle looked blankly at Jack.
'I'm sorry, I've no idea. I didn't think of checking.'
Jack nodded. 'Where was Olivia Gibson?'
'I think she was on her way to my place.'
'And he didn't know about your meeting with her?'
Michelle shrugged. 'I don't know. He insisted on showing me that she'd called him. He was a bit... pushy. As if I was lying to him that she was supposed to come to my place. But then when I suggested I could pass the envelope onto his wife, he was reluctant to hand it over to me.'