by Emily Selby
'A hunch,' she replied, giving a short laugh. 'I talked to Trish yesterday and had a similar impression. She didn’t tell me she'd seen Olivia, though.'
Jack rubbed his chin.
'See... People are not telling the whole truth. They’re hiding details for God-knows-what reasons, protecting their nearest and dearest, as well as their own backsides. Just another day in a murder investigation.'
She released her breath.
'Okay, Inspector, I get it. How can I help you crack this case?'
'Tell me if there is anything else you know.'
'I promise,' she replied. 'Can I ask you a question?'
'You can ask. I may not be able to answer it, though.'
'How come Trish overheard Olivia and Jeff?'
'From what she told me, and note how I handle this sort of information, she was sitting behind her car smoking a cigarette in the dark-'
'That's rubbish! Trish doesn't smoke!'
He lifted his eyebrows and spread his arms. 'See? How can I trust anything anyone tells me. But, I must say, she smelled of smoke when I spoke to her last night.'
Katie shook her head so energetically, the rogue strand of hair slipped from her ponytail and swooshed across her face. She tucked it behind her ear. 'Trish is a health fanatic. I know that for a fact.'
'Interesting. She told me she'd started smoking after she split with her boyfriend. And she was smoking in the darkest spot she could find, so no one would see her.'
'Ah! The cheat...' Katie gasped. The perfume overuse on Sunday suddenly took on a different meaning.
'So, do you believe her?' Jack asked.
Katie nodded reluctantly.
'It makes sense. And, speaking of the boyfriend,' she added. 'Do you know he’s disappeared, too?'
He pushed his glasses back up his nose. 'No. She's never mentioned it. Care to tell me when and where this bloke’s gone?’
‘I haven’t managed to find out, because she hasn’t told me. I can check one of my sources right now if you like.'
'Yes please,' Jack answered, smiling and leaning forward.
She pulled her phone from her handbag and dialled Dorothy's number.
'Hi, Dorothy, got a quick question for you, if you don't mind,' she said hastily.
'No, fire away, but I expect explanations at some point.'
'With pleasure and a cup of tea. Rob Heron, did he do your garden on Saturday?'
'No, he didn't turn up, nor has he responded to my calls or messages. His phone has been off since 10 am Saturday. It’s strange, he's usually quite reliable.'
'Thanks. Catch you later,' Katie disconnected and reported Dorothy's revelations to Jack.
Jack rubbed his chin again. It started looking reddish.
'Can you check his number?' she asked.
'Only if he's had his mobile switched on at any point and exchanging signals with any local telecom towers.'
'I guess, it's the same with Alex's phone?'
'Yes. Alex's mobile has been off since Saturday night. We're monitoring it. The tower near the community centre registered him around 8 pm, and then - the one closer to his home. The signal disappeared around 10.30 pm. He might have turned the phone off and gone to bed, and never switched it back on again.'
Katie nodded.
'If you're able to tell who was in the vicinity by checking people's mobile signals, why can't you use the same method to find out who was in the building at the time Jeff was murdered?'
'Ha! That's a good question, Madam. You're getting the hang of digging for evidence. We can do it, but it's complicated, and not always useful. On top of this, there were a lot of people in the area around the time of the murder, but no one seems to have a reason for killing him, and they have alibis.'
'No trace of anyone suspicious?'
'Nope.'
'Maybe people are telling you lies about whether or not they had connections with Livermore.'
'Maybe. Or maybe we're dealing with a very cyber-savvy criminal,' he added.
She made a mental note to read more about these things when she had time.
'That bone which Trish had to pick with Olivia and her husband, do you know anything about it?' Jack asked after a short pause. 'She denies anything.'
'Not much, most of it are my hunches. Want to hear them anyway?' She flashed him a smile.
His Adam's apple bobbed, and he let out a sigh.
'Okay but try to include as much evidence as you can.'
'Fine,' Katie said, laughing. She gave him a brief summary of her suspicions.
Jack listened, nodding to the salient points.
'Rob and Alex are friends?'
'It seems so.'
'I may need to go back to our lovely secret smoker and ask her a few more questions. If she's angry with her ex, we may even get something useful from her.'
'I'll see what other information I can collect,' Katie offered, thinking about a cup of tea with Dorothy, who might have some juicy gossip.
'Thanks.' He stood and pushed on the door handle. 'One more thing, Katie, 'he added looking at her over his shoulder.
Her heart fluttered.
'Yes?'
'Please don't get yourself into any danger, okay?'
'Promise,' she said, clasping her hand on her stomach to help contain the butterflies.
12
Katie left the police station at 12.30 pm as usual. She had a new cleaning gig in the afternoon between 2 and 4 pm, which suited her very well. She had enough time to have lunch, do some housework and still pick up her daughter Julia from school on the way back. Today however she was going to visit her friend Dorothy. She stopped at the bakery to buy two slices of the delicious cheesecake she'd discovered during the church fete.
A few minutes later she rang Dorothy's doorbell.
'Coming, coming,' Dorothy called out from inside.
Katie heard footsteps on the stairs.
'It's Katie, no rush!' she shouted, not wanting her friend to hurt herself, she was still quite early in her recovery.
Dorothy opened the door and greeted Katie warmly. Katie followed her upstairs into her flat. After exchanging pleasantries, Dorothy made tea, proudly displayed the cheesecake and cucumber sandwiches on a cake stand, and they sat.
'Now, tell me about Rob, Katie? Why did you need to know if he had come to sort out my roses?'
'I've just heard he's disappeared. Do you know anything about it?'
Over the past couple of months, Katie had learned that Dorothy was a woman who often knew things that others didn't. She was observant and had interesting insights into human nature and life in general. She had an uncanny talent for knowing things that really mattered. She was also positive and easy-going, and Katie simply enjoyed Dorothy's company, despite the twenty-five year age difference between them.
'Rob disappeared? Did he and Trish split up again?'
'Again? I didn't know they'd split up before.'
'Yes. Trish has been wondering about the relationship for quite some time. It’s my guess Rob is not successful enough for her.'
'I see...' Katie thought about it for a while. 'Trish is rather ambitious.'
'And Rob worries about it. They've been together for a few years, but they've known each other for a long time. They're both locals, you see. If I remember correctly, Trish was going out with Rob's brother in high school. I think Rob has always been in love with her secretly. But then Trish went to London. She got a glamorous job in the real estate, and a glamorous boyfriend to go with it. Sadly, it all ended badly. After the housing bubble burst, she returned home with a broken heart but, luckily for her, enough money to start her own business. I think this is when she and Rob finally got together.'
'Do you think they’re a good match?'
'I had an impression Trish changed a lot while living in London. Rob seems to be a good guy. He's relaxed and happy enough. He's an outdoorsy type, loves working in the garden, hunting and fishing. He told me a few times he’d like to buy a farm.'
'Oh, I can't imagine Trish working on the farm.' Katie thought back to those perfectly manicured fingernails and the immaculate make-up that stayed in place even when she cried. She bit into a sandwich.
'Totally agree,' Dorothy added and sipped her tea.
'So maybe it's better for both of them that they've broken up?'
'It's not for me to judge,' Dorothy said cautiously. 'But I've worked with Rob in the garden centre for a few years now. And he comes and helps me with the garden since I had a problem with my hip. He does a good enough job, and is reliable, except for last Saturday.'
'Where could he have gone?'
'My money would be on a hunting trip. A weekend in Scotland or somewhere north. Usually, he knows in advance and takes time off. But maybe someone rang him asking to cover for someone else. Having said that,' Dorothy mumbled quietly, looking into her cup. 'Rob would normally let people know. He may be a bit lazy, but he's quite loyal.'
Katie drained her tea. Dorothy's theory made sense. And if Rob was indeed somewhere in remote Scotland, he would probably not have a mobile network. It was maybe worth mentioning to Jack. Maybe.
Dorothy pushed the plate with sandwiches towards Katie.
'You're not eating much, Katie. I've made them for you and I know you're rushing from one job to another. By the way how is the new job?'
'I've only been there once,' Katie said and paused. She didn't know how to express her feelings about her new client.
Dorothy raised her eyebrows.
'That's interesting... Tell me about it, please,' she said in theatrical whisper. 'What's the name?'
'Jane Starr. I think the husband's name is Keith.'
'Is she the tall, slim girl with wet-looking, long, ginger hair? She came to the last club meeting?'
'Yes, that's the one. She is a knitter more than a paper crafter, but as they’re new in town she thought joining our club would help her settle in. I think she's considering taking up scrapbooking.'
'Any children?'
'No. I think the cleaning help is for her. She's quite... poorly,' Katie hesitated. 'A lot,' she added after a short pause.
Dorothy nodded and sipped her tea.
'I see. I wondered. I've seen them both. They are'-Dorothy inhaled loudly–'a strange couple. To be honest, he gives me the creeps.'
'She seems nice enough,' Katie rushed to add. Once Dorothy had said it, Katie couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something eerie about Mr Starr. But she didn't want to think or talk about it now. Maybe some other time.
'How is the murder investigation progressing?' Dorothy asked, changing the subject.
'I'm not sure if I'm allowed to share it with you,' Katie replied a little uncomfortable. The social convention was that a piece of gossip was exchanged for a piece of gossip, but Katie knew she shouldn't be sharing some of the information she'd become privy to. 'I'm sorry, Dorothy,' she added hastily.
'No problem,' Dorothy replied in a completely calm tone. 'I understand. How is the new inspector?'
Katie gave a sharp laugh.
'Are you using a psychological strategy on me? I said no to your first request now I have to give you something?' she said feeling her face burning.
Dorothy chuckled.
'I'm an old witch, Katie.' She winked. 'I can see right through people.'
Katie gulped. Dorothy always struck her as someone who could read people very well.
'The new inspector is quite nice. I think he's learning how to talk to people in Sunnyvale. Which is a progress from the cold and logical computer headquarters send us to investigate Mrs Dunbar's murder.'
Dorothy cocked her head.
'Katie, you not answering my question, dear.'
'Nothing to write home about I'm afraid. He seems quite grateful for the help I have offered in the past. I think his attitude towards me has softened.'
'And?'
'And time will tell.'
Dorothy wiggled her eyebrows and ran her hand through her short spiky hair.
'Let me know if you need a chat, dear. And to change the subject entirely, are we having a club meeting tomorrow?'
Katie's hand jerked to her mouth.
'Oh, I've forgotten! I think the club house is still cordoned off as a crime scene.'
'No news on that? When are they going to release it?'
'No idea. But I know who to ask about it. Actually, I think we should. Because if the room is not available, we would have to decide whether to cancel the meeting or have it elsewhere.'
Katie called the station. Lucky for her Chris answered, but he had bad news.
'Sorry, lass. We finished with your crafts room, but the inspector wants to keep the whole community centre closed off for a little longer.'
'Bother,' Katie said. 'I suppose we'll have to cancel our meeting tomorrow. Unless we can get access to our crafts material. I mean, take some of the stuff and have the meeting elsewhere.'
'I don't think this is possible, not a whole bunch of people.'
Katie stretched her neck gently. The pain between her shoulder blades was growing again. She remembered the conversation she had with Trish on Sunday. They wouldn't allow a group of people in, but what about one person?
'I wondered if I could pop into the room, supervised of course,' she rushed to add. 'I just need to pick up something off the noticeboard. A little leaflet. Do you think it's possible? It's very important to me.'
'I'll ask Jack Heaton. Hold on.'
He put her on hold for a couple of minutes and when he came back on the line, his voice carried a smile.
'You're a lucky girl, Katie. Or maybe the inspector is in a good mood. I can take you there as long as I keep an eye on you all the time.'
'That's great. I'll pop in on my way in few minutes. Would this suit you?'
'It would unless we have another emergency.'
'I promise I won't find another body.' Katie laughed.
Then, she rang Miriam Fischer, the Paper Crafts Club president, to tell her the room was inaccessible.
'I'd still like to discuss the results of the fete,' Miriam said, disappointment brimming in her voice.
'As do I,' Katie replied, considering how much of a lie this was. Although curious as to how much they’d made, she also wanted to get the afternoon over and done with. Her back was becoming quite aching already.
'We'd need a big room, though,' Katie added. 'Lots of people have contributed to the sale, they deserve the feedback. Mind you, everyone in town knows about the murder. They'll understand if we cancel.'
'You're right, Katie. We'll reschedule. But how? I don't have the time to ring everyone.'
Katie stifled a sigh. Ever since Miriam's husband, Julian, became ill, she had less and less time for the club.
'You don't have to ring everyone, these days. You can send them text messages. I can do it. I think I've got all of the regulars in my phone. For everyone else, I may leave a notice on the door. If the police let me do it, that is.'
'Thanks, Katie, you're a darling,' Miriam whispered and disconnected.
'I see you have a lot of work to do before you start work,' Dorothy stated, smiling sadly.
Katie hunched. 'It'll keep me out of mischief.' She tried to lighten the tone.
'Miriam should consider resigning as president. She doesn't have the time for her café, her husband and this as well,' Dorothy added.
'Poor Miriam. I'm trying to help as much as I can.'
'You'd better go then, dear.' Dorothy clambered to her feet. Katie followed suit.
Fifteen minutes later, Katie marched into the crafts room under the watchful eye of Sergeant Chris Fox. She was curious to see if anything in the room had been moved or changed following Livermore’s murder. But Chris hurried her along.
'Don't touch anything on the way. What is it you want?'
Katie strode across the room to the notice board. It took her a while to locate Trish's leaflet. It was a simple booklet A-5 size with a few pages, containing short d
escriptions and simple illustrations.
'That's the one. Hiding in plain sight,' she said and pointed it to Chris.
Chris took a small camera out of his jacket. 'It's all been looked through and recorded, but I'll just get the cover, so we know what you took,' he said and snapped a photo of the front page.
Once he was done, he handed the booklet to her.
Katie put it in her handbag and pinned the Meeting Cancelled notice to the door.
She was keen to start working on the exercises that night. Jane Starr's house was big. Her back would be aching even more after she'd done the cleaning.
13
When Katie reached the station, she was happy to see Chris Fox at the duty desk. Frankly, being in the same room with Celia was a bit too much for Katie at the moment. But where was Officer Celia Baxter? It was supposed to be her morning on duty.
‘Morning, Chris,’ Katie called out to her long-time friend and colleague. 'I thought you were doing afternoons this week.'
'Celia rang me last night to come in for a shift swap. A personal emergency or something.'
Katie felt a pang of concern mixed with guilt.
'A personal emergency? I hope she's alright.'
Chris glanced at Katie.
'I think she's fine. Except for a broken heart.'
'A broken heart?' Katie asked, feeling her own heart accelerating. Was it anything to do with a certain nerdy yet dishy inspector?
'Boyfriend trouble,' Chris replied.
'Must be something in the air,' Katie said. 'It looks like everyone around me are splitting up.'
'Me and me missus are not.'
'Good to hear it! I've heard a lot of stories of missing husbands, disappearing boyfriends, phones being turned off and now Celia...'
'Speaking of missing husbands,' Chris said and got up to his feet. 'I'd trade you some insider info if you can help me with this one.'
That was an interesting offer.
'I’m game. What's the favour?'
'There’s a woman in the interview room, crying buckets. I'm not good with crying women. Not even when they are suspects in murder cases.'
'Olivia?'
'Yeah.'
'What's happened?'