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CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

PRESENT DAY

L uke worked through the paperwork while Ana studied the CCTV footage. It was her third time looking at them, and her eyes were becoming sore.

Taking a sip of cold coffee, she turned to Luke. ‘Anything?’

He handed her a folder. ‘The friend’s statement. The squeaky door was mentioned, and I remember that now, but at the time, I knew that unless we found a car, there wasn’t much we could do with the information.’

‘Right,’ agreed Ana.

Luke continued rustling papers, and Ana rubbed her eyes before returning to the CCTV footage.

‘Bingo,’ exclaimed Luke. ‘Here’s the report on the CCTV camera in Bladon. It wasn’t working the night of the hit and run, so that explains it.’

He handed it to Ana, who glanced through it. How did she miss it? I’m too focused on him , she thought. I need to concentrate on work properly.

‘I must have missed it,’ she said. ‘Thanks.’

Luke rose from his chair. ‘I think you’ve reached the end of the road, if you’ll pardon the pun, just as we did. Unless you can get a reg on the car, you’re buggered.’

Ana sighed, realising he was right.

‘Coffee?’ asked Luke.

Ana was about to answer when Matt popped his head around the door. ‘Someone on the phone for you,’ he said. ‘Jonny Manners.’

‘Who?’ she asked.

‘He said something about some photos.’

Ana then remembered the security camera outside Jonny’s house.

‘Hi,’ she said, picking up the receiver.

‘I have the photos for you, and I was right. It’s a Golf. I looked it up, and I reckon it’s a Volkswagen Golf estate 1999, so I printed out the details.’

‘Great, thanks. Can you drop them into the station?’

Jonny seemed to hesitate and finally said, ‘Or I can give them to you over a drink tonight if you’re free.’

Ana chewed her lip. It wouldn’t hurt. After all, most of her nights were spent reviewing evidence or watching Olivia’s flat from her window. ‘That would be great.’

‘Shall I meet you at the pub in Stonesend at about seven? If that’s easier for you.’

Ana felt Matt’s eyes on her.

‘Sure, see you then.’

Matt raised his eyebrows in interest.

‘It’s not a date,’ she said.

Matt smiled. ‘Pleased to hear it. I’ve booked you for the fair, don’t forget.’

‘Careful.’ She smiled. ‘Or I might charge a booking fee.’