by Emily Selby
'Jack arrested her and got a warrant to search her house. Unless we find more evidence from the search, she’ll be out on bail. Still a suspect. I've got to get her home.'
'Need someone to hold her hand?'
Chris sighed. 'I think it would help.'
'No problem. I can help you. Is the hubby still in the hiding?'
'She's contacted him.'
'He turned his phone on at last?'
'I see you're well informed.' Chris looked at her squinting. 'Have you been sniffing around again, Officer Redford?'
Katie shrugged. 'As always, Sergeant Fox.'
'Ay, Lass, you're a crazy one. Just don't put yourself in danger, okay?'
'No, I've promised Ja... Aaav promised,' Katie corrected herself promptly. Had it been one of her paper crafting friends, this slip wouldn’t have gone unnoticed, but Chris was a bloke.
'Yeah, and remember that, lass!'
Katie nodded eagerly. 'Okay, it's a deal. I'll help you get Olivia home even without any insider info in exchange. But since you offered, what is it?'
'Actually, already shared it with you.'
'Not really. How did she contact him?'
'Snapchat. Your favourite inspector thinks Alex has another phone with him.'
'Can you please stop calling him my favourite inspector?'
'Is he not?'
Katie tensed her shoulders. The pain at the base of her neck appeared again. Trish was right, her problem was probably stress related. She'd had to try to do something about it, really.
On another note, how could she navigate the minefield of suspicions without arising more suspicions?
'Never mind,' she said, adding a wave. 'Let's stick to the subject. So, he's using Snapchat? Why so?'
'Snapchat messages only last for 30 minutes or something and then. Puff! They're gone!'
'I see... However I look at it, Alex Gibson's behaviour seems highly suspicious to me. What do you think?'
'Agreed. And your... er, DI Heaton is of the same opinion, as far as I can read him.'
'You've learnt to read zeroes and ones?'
'No. Heavens forbid! He's got easier to read. Actually,' Chris added after a short pause, 'I think it's your influence. He's kind of more human.'
Katie's heart flipped.
'Oh, I-I don't think it's me. I think it’s the effect of having to work with a bunch of people who are not all logic and evidence. People who speak in riddles and gossip a lot.'
'You can say that as well. Good team player, aren't you, Katie?' Chris winked at her.
She tried to protest, but the door opened, and Jack walked in.
'Morning, team Sunnyvale,' he greeted them with a broad smile. If the main reason for his being in Sunnyvale wasn't so grim, Katie would think spending time in the area was doing DI Heaton a lot of good.
'What did you decide with the crafts meeting for tonight?'
'We've cancelled it. But thanks for letting me pick up that leaflet from the room.'
'Back problems?'
'A little,' she replied, uncomfortable talking about it. Even more, because she’d been so exhausted last night, she hadn't felt like exercising at all. She’d soaked in a hot bath for nearly an hour. But she'd try the exercises tonight for sure.
'I've heard Olivia is having a meltdown,' she said, changing the subject.
'Is the lawyer gone?' Jack asked, turning to Chris.
'A few minutes ago. I think he couldn't stand her wailing either. Can't blame him. I'm really struggling with this one.'
'Why so? I'm sure you've seen a fair number of bawling suspects,' Jack asked.
Chris heaved a sigh. 'She's just too genuine. It makes you doubt her guilt. She's a nice woman. She's done a lot of good things for other people. Not that I know her very well, but my missus has a positive opinion of her. I tried to probe her last night,' he rushed to add, seeing Jack's questioning look.
Jack ran a hand through his hair, ruffling it even more. Katie couldn't help noticing the relaxed look suited him quite well.
'I think I know what you mean. She does come across as a good person. But I still think she's not telling us everything.'
'Do you think she knows where her hubby is?' Chris asked.
'That or something else to do with him.'
'What about her meeting with Jeff. Has she admitted to arguing with him?' Katie joined in.
'She still denies it. Insists they didn't argue, and says the conversation was polite and calm. It makes me wonder how much the person who overheard it actually could hear.’
The image of a dark and quiet car park between the community centre and the church hall appeared in Katie’s head.
‘Trish would have to be quite close to hear a quiet conversation, I think,’ she said slowly. ‘And it would probably only be a snippet.'
'Apparently, they were walking from the church hall towards the community centre, crossing the car park,' Jack said, watching Katie carefully.
'There’s a dark spot behind the charity clothing bins. The streetlight has been out for a few weeks now. This is the best place to hide, if you ask me.'
'Apparently that’s where Trish was sitting and smoking.'
Katie nodded. It made sense. 'The question remains, to what extend you can trust Trish. Because now, you have Trish's word against Olivia's. Livremore is dead, so he can't be part of this. Unless there was another person hiding in the bins or somewhere else...'
'Good thinking, lass. You're sure you want to study law not policing?' A sparkle of admiration flashed in Chris' grey eyes.
Katie flinched. The comments on her dropping out of university and questions about going back had been painful. She'd love to but being a single mother of a young daughter was not conducive to several years of studies and tuition fees.
'Thanks Chris,' she replied simply.
Chris was a good friend and all round nice bloke, without a mean bone in his tall, broad-shouldered body.
'It was a good question, Katie,' Jack chimed in. 'And who would you trust, Detective Hunch?'
A hot wave crept up Katie's face. She hated being put on the spot and reminded of her 'favourite detective methods'. To her relief, and delight, Jack's comment seemed positive. She'd take up the challenge.
'Difficult choice,' she said, carefully considering her words. 'I agree with you. I think Olivia is not telling the full story, but Trish has a grudge against Olivia and Alex. Trish isn’t someone I'd choose to upset,' she added, thinking back to a recent clash between Trish and Ally Baker over some club rules. The disagreement left Ally, who was no sensitive flower, shaking.
'Maybe you should go back to Trish and see if you can drag some extra information from her.'
'Thank you, Detective, I shall try,' Jack said and cocked his head.
'You're welcome. I also can make tea, coffee and comfort nice ladies who cry buckets,' she added to cover her growing discomfort at being in the spotlight.
'That's be great, Katie!' Chris said, jumping at her comment. 'If you don't mind, that is.'
She didn't mind. She had learnt to be less trusting of what people said and appeared to be like, but she was also aware that false accusations happened. Over the previous few months, the murders that had shaken the small Sunnyvale community had taught her to look for evidence and not to jump to conclusions. Olivia might not be a close friend, but she was a fellow paper crafter and a rather nice woman.
Katie prepared a cup of tea, put it on a little tray with a small container of milk and two sugars and took it to the interview room.
Olivia was sitting at the table, with her head in her hands. She must have washed her hair, but it looked uncombed. Maybe this was Olivia's sign of distress.
She was whimpering.
'Olivia, it's Katie. Brought you a cuppa. Do you want milk or sugar with it?'
'Katie,' Olivia lifted her head. Her face was red and swollen. Chris was right, she had been crying a lot.
'Yes, tea please. Milk, no sugar,' Olivia reached out for the milk with her
trembling hand. She fiddled with the opening for a few seconds.
'Let me do it for you,' Katie said gently, and took the container from Olivia's hands. She opened it and poured milk into the cup.
'Thank you,' Olivia croaked. Her lips were dry and cracked.
'You've lost a lot of fluids,' Katie said and pulled herself a chair to sit beside her. 'You need to drink.'
'I've been crying so much,' Olivia said, her voice trembling. 'This is so overwhelming. I don't know how I even ended up in this mess. I've never done anything wrong in my life. I couldn't practice as a counsellor if my reputation wasn't squeaky clean.'
Katie listened, nodding. She didn't know what to say, or how to offer comfort. Listening was always a good option. That, and making soothing noises.
'I hope this all ends well for you.'
'The inspector doesn't believe me. Doesn't believe a word I say. I really didn't argue with Jeff. We talked, but only a little. I was in a rush to get to Michelle's place. Running late. I-I didn't want you guys to wait for me. We were both so keen to get our business off the ground... And now, I've ruined it all. I lost Michelle's laptop. I wasted her time...' A sob shook her rounded shoulders.
Katie put her hand on Olivia's forearm. 'I'm sure the laptop will turn up. It's probably in your car, with Alex.'
The mere mention of her husband elicited another sob.
'The inspector keeps asking about Alex. I really don't know where he is. I worry about him. I don't think he would do anything to himself, but I'm not sure of anything anymore. He was so happy with that new project...'
Olivia covered her face once more, whimpering.
Katie pushed the cup towards her. 'Drink the tea. Otherwise, you'll dehydrate. I'm not joking.'
Olivia peeled her hands away from her face and took hold of the cup. 'You're right, Katie,' she said and sipped the tea.
'A new project Alex was working on?'
'Yes, not sure what it was, but Alex seemed happy. I even told Jeff Livermore about his progress. Jeff tried to help Alex last year when we lived in Nottingham. It didn't go well back then. I was quite angry with Jeff. But this time, he seemed pleased with the boys' progress and said they were doing really well. They just needed to keep going, little by little, baby steps,' Olivia sipped her tea again.
Boys? They? Who was she talking about?
Olivia wrapped her hands around her cup and started to rock back and forth. The door opened, and Chris appeared. He gestured for Katie to leave.
Katie left the room.
'What's up?' she asked Chris once they were out of earshot.
'She's not going home, I'm afraid. They found a bullet in her house. Same calibre as the one the coroner dug out of Livermore’s head.'
Katie's jaw dropped.
14
'A bullet? A used one?' Katie asked once they were back in the staff room. Her head hummed and rushed like the local stream after a week's rain.
'No, a bullet, it means an unused one. Not an empty shell,' Chris explained. 'It was under the sofa.'
'What does it mean?'
'It may be just a coincidence, but it may mean the gun used to shoot Jeff had something to do with Olivia, or her husband.'
'The gun hasn't been found yet?'
Chris shook his head.
A gun! Olivia and a gun!
'Wouldn't you need a licence to have a gun?'
'Yes, of course. But not everyone is a law-abiding citizen...'
'Where would people get these things?'
'All sorts of illegal channels. The internet.'
'Really? Isn't it regulated?'
'It is, but people always find ways to circumvent the law.'
Katie leant against the closest wall.
'I just can't believe it...' she whispered.
'I think, Katie, the world may not be as happy and good as you think,' Chris said, a frown line appearing on his forehead.
'I'm not that naive, Chris,' she replied. 'But guns... Learning that someone you hang out with has an illegal gun in their house, or at least a bullet, that's scary. I went to her house. I helped her look for the laptop. I tried to clean the filthy sofa. What if I'd found the bullet...' She let out a harsh breath.
'You would have told us about it immediately, wouldn't you?'
Katie looked at Chris. His freckled, friendly face was pale. His grey eyes were serious.
'I would. I swear, Chris. I would.'
She sneaked into the windowless room called her office but left the door slightly open. She was worried about Olivia, and couldn't stop thinking about the bullet in her house. She swore she would never go into anybody's house by herself any more.
She tried to focus on her work, but it proved difficult. Her ears were pricked to catch what was happening in the offices outside. She sat at her desk strung tight, with the pain between her shoulder blades intensifying again.
'Let's see what happens now.'
She heard Jack's voice in the staff room and jumped to her feet. She grabbed her mug form the desk and rushed to the door. If anyone asked, she just wanted a cup of tea...
Jack was standing by the front desk, punching a number on the phone. Chris was working on his computer.
'How is she?' Katie asked.
'She's staying in the cells,' Jack replied, holding the phone receiver. 'I'm not letting her out until I know what’s going on. Her lawyer is with her... Hello, Ms Bollard? This is Detective Inspector Jack Heaton from Sunnyvale police station. I have a few more questions for you. Could you please call in to the station sometime today?'
Katie held her breath. Was Jack revisiting Trish's statement?
She watched him check his calendar and agree on what she would only guess was the time for another interview with Trish.
'Any new evidence?' she asked when he put the phone down.
'Olivia denies any knowledge of guns or bullets. Interestingly, she says one of her husband's friends, a certain Rob Heron has access to guns. Rob visited Alex Gibson on Friday night. He was going hunting somewhere remote, she was told. Since we can't get hold of Rob Heron, I thought his girlfriend might be of help.'
'His ex-girlfriend,' Katie corrected. 'I thought you wanted to double check her statement regarding Olivia and Jeff's conversation.'
'That as well.'
'When is she coming?'
'This afternoon, 2 pm.'
Katie nodded. She had many more questions but didn't dare to ask them. Rob and Alex were friends. She'd heard that from a number of people now. They might have disappeared together. Maybe Rob had invited Alex to come with him to the hunting event? Somewhere remote. That would explain why they both were incommunicado, with their phones not connected to the Internet or mobile network. Didn't Olivia say Alex was heading somewhere in Northumberland? Newcastle? What was that? A Newcastle location to send him something he forgot. And come to think of it, did Olivia find the forgotten item? Did she send it to him?
She opened her mouth to ask Jack, but he had walked out of the main office. She'd do it some other time, now, she had to get back to her work.
She backtracked to her desk but didn't achieve much. A few minutes later, her mobile rang.
'Miriam, what can I do for you?'
'Could we meet regarding the church fete money, Katie? After lunch, in our tearoom? Ally keeps ringing me about the money. She doesn't feel comfortable having it all in her house and she needs it to be counted officially, and signed off before she can pay it in. We need a quick board meeting.'
Katie blinked. She didn't know she was now part of the Paper Crafts Club board. But as always, she was keen to help her club.
'I don't have anything planned for this afternoon, so no problem for me. What time?'
'It must be after lunch rush hour,' Miriam replied, sounding distracted. Miriam and her life-long friend Sunita Patel, ran a tearoom/café Une Tasse de Bonheur - a favourite place for anyone who loved tea, cake and a bit of gossip.
'Will 2 pm be late enough?'
'Yes, great idea, Katie. I think Ally should be fine with it.'
'I'll check with her. You return to your customers.'
'Thank you, Katie. You're a star.'
15
With almost an hour left until the urgent board meeting, Katie drove to Une Tasse de Bonheur, for lunch and to collect her thoughts about stuff that had been going on in her life.
But boy! The place was busy. All the tables seemed to be occupied. Granted, the fete must have helped - the tearoom, one of the fete’s catering businesses, appeared quite popular. The location was great, the food was fantastic, the decor was bright and happy. A real cup of happiness.
Katie navigated her way through the lunch hour crowd. She would have to join someone at a table or have a take out. She took her place in the queue, determined to decide what to do at the very last moment. Maybe someone would leave by the time she got to the counter?
'Hey, Katie,' a familiar voice cut through her thoughts. She lifted her head to find Trish Bollard sitting at a table nearby. 'Care to join me?'
'That would be nice, thanks!' Katie replied, her heart accelerating. What was Trish doing here?
Katie organised her cup of tea and tuna salad on the little table, considering her next steps. She was dying of curiosity, keen to ask Trish all sorts of questions about her overheard conversation, but this would be too rude. She chose a safe option.
'Thanks for letting me join you. It's really full here. I didn't reali-'
'Yes, they are quite popular, particularly during lunchtime.'
'You like it here?'
Trish blew her cheeks out.
'Good place to hide during busy hours, I found.'
Katie thought back to their meeting in the pub.
'Interesting strategy you have - hiding in busy, bustling places, instead of quiet, dark corners,' she added and gasped. What a gaffe! 'I mean–you know...' she babbled to cover it.
Trish jolted upright. 'Yeah, I've been hiding a lot lately,' she said and looked away. 'It's been hard... '
Katie watched Trish's jaw working back and forth.
'Sorry to bother you, Katie, but I'm freaking out. I wondered if you could help me.'
'What with?'