Page 20 of The Unseen (Echoes from the Past #5)

SIXTEEN

Quinn felt a flurry of excitement as she headed toward FreeState Coffee.

This time Alex had remained at home with Gabe, sleeping peacefully when she left.

It felt good to be out on her own, and she walked along at a brisk pace in an effort to keep the winter chill at bay.

London was glittering in the afternoon sunshine, its urban sophistication softened by the magical touch of Christmas decorations.

Christmas was just two weeks away, and everyone seemed happier, more excited, and more purposeful as they went about their day.

Several women carrying colorful shopping bags passed Quinn, laughing and talking, their cheeks rosy with cold.

The pubs were full, still serving the lunch crowd, and several people smiled at her for no reason other than they were in a festive mood.

Quinn was filled with anticipation as she approached the coffee shop.

Drew had said he had something to share with her and Logan, and regardless of what news he had to impart, she planned to take a few hours after their meeting and go Christmas shopping.

She’d already ordered several things online, but she wanted to experience the pleasure of buying gifts for the people she loved in person, and she wouldn’t be filling their gift boxes with pajamas and socks.

The gifts would be personal and special, something to really put smiles on their faces.

And this year, she’d be buying more than ever.

There’d be presents for Logan and Jude, a little something for Colin, gifts for Seth and Kathy, a present for Rhys, and even a gift for Sylvia.

And of course, there’d be gifts for her parents, Phoebe, and Jill.

She’d feel like a right old Father Christmas.

Quinn pushed open the door and entered the warm, fragrant café.

There were few empty tables, but she managed to snag one and ordered herself a decaffeinated cappuccino and a chocolate croissant.

She felt the urge to indulge. The baby weight was far from gone, but she had a craving for something decadent.

Logan arrived a few minutes after Quinn. His normally spiky hair was nicely combed and he sported what he referred to as “ designer stubble.” “Sorry, was running late this morning and didn’t have time for the beauty routine,” he explained. “Overslept.”

“Right. Did Colin oversleep as well?” Quinn asked, grinning at Logan. She knew only too well what usually led to Gabe “oversleeping.”

“He did, rather,” Logan admitted. “But his patients don’t mind waiting, being dead and all.”

“Always an advantage.”

“Do you think Drew’s found Quentin?” Logan asked as he unwound his scarf and settled into a chair.

“He’d have told us, I think. This is more of a status report.”

“Better than nothing, I suppose.”

“We’re about to find out,” Quinn replied as she spotted Drew Camden passing the café window and opening the door.

Drew lumbered into the café and headed straight for their table. He wore a plaid scarf in green and red and a charcoal-gray wool coat that made him look more like a corporate executive than an ex-copper.

“Good afternoon,” he said as he took the outside chair and sat down, stretching his damaged leg before him. “I love this weather. Very bracing.”

“Indeed,” Logan replied with a smile. “Love freezing my bollocks off. There’s nothing like it.”

“Dress warmer,” Drew suggested, glancing at the short black leather jacket slung over Logan’s chair.

“Have you been able to discover anything?” Quinn asked, eager to get to the point. She’d waited a long time to learn something about Quentin, and she didn’t want to waste time on pointless banter .

“Not much, but I thought I’d give you a progress report nonetheless. I know how anxious you two are.”

“Go on then,” Logan invited.

“I had a relatively productive day in Leicester. I began with Karen Crawford.”

“We’ve spoken to her already. She didn’t give us much,” Logan interjected.

“Well, I hit a brick wall with her as well, although I believe she knows much more than she’s letting on.

She might not have stayed in touch with her sister, but their father was in contact with his adopted daughter and would have mentioned her from time to time. The brother was equally tight-lipped.”

“Why are they so reluctant to help us?” Quinn exclaimed. “What do they have to lose?”

“I don’t know, but I’d like to find out,” Drew replied.

“So was that all?”

“No, there’s more.” Drew leaned back in his chair, confident and relaxed.

He seemed satisfied with the progress of the investigation.

“After interviewing Karen and Michael Crawford, I stopped into Quentin’s old school.

Few teachers who taught there when Quentin was in sixth form were still there, but there were two old biddies who were happy to talk to me.

One was Miss Mackie, an art teacher, and the other a Mrs. McComb, who helped Quentin prepare for her A-levels.

Mrs. McComb didn’t have much to impart other than recalling that Quentin struggled with math but worked hard to pass her exams. She never got to know her on a personal level but was quick to reassure me that Quentin was a pleasant, well-mannered young lady. ”

“Helpful, that,” Logan snorted.

“Patience, Logan,” Drew drawled.

“Sorry, please go on,” Logan said, looking contrite .

“Miss Mackie was vastly more helpful. She taught art to Quentin for two years and knew her quite well. She said Quentin was very artistic, and extremely imaginative. She loved art and excelled in it. Miss Mackie said Quentin often stayed after class, since it was her last of the day, to chat.”

“What did they talk about?” Quinn asked.

“This and that. Miss Mackie didn’t recall the actual conversations, but she was able to remember the name of Quentin’s best friend—Sarah Denton, who just happens to live at the same address she resided at during her school years.”

“Did you speak to her?” Logan demanded.

“I did. Lovely woman. Looked after her sick mum until the mum died two years back and left Sarah the house. She lives there with her five-year-old son. Single mum.”

Quinn kicked Logan under the table before he had a chance to blurt something out once again. Drew had his own way of getting to the important bits, so they had to be patient. Perhaps the details weren’t that important to her and Logan, but they helped form a more comprehensive picture for Drew.

“Sarah and Quentin were inseparable in the sixth form. Quentin came to the house often, and slept over once or twice a month at the weekends. Sarah went to the Crawford house only once and got the impression that Quentin wasn’t comfortable having a friend over.

She preferred to come to Sarah’s house, where she felt more at ease. ”

“Did Quentin ever confide in Sarah?” Quinn asked.

“She said they spoke mostly of music, fashion, and boys. Quentin didn’t like to talk about her family, especially her siblings.”

“Well, Karen said they never really got on,” Logan chimed in .

“Was she able to shed any light on where Quentin might have gone after her mother’s death?” Quinn asked.

“She was, actually. Quentin met a man in her final year of school. He was a local photographer who came to do the school portraits. They began a relationship and she moved in with him after she left home.”

“Did you get his name?” Logan asked.

“Jesse Holt. He has a studio in High Street and I have an appointment with him tomorrow. I’d have stopped in while I was in Leicester, but the studio was closed and Mr. Holt only sees people by appointment.”

“Can I come with you?” Quinn asked. She hadn’t meant to interfere with Drew’s investigation, but she desperately wanted to speak to someone who’d known Quentin and hopefully loved her.

“If you like. I’ll be at St. Pancras tomorrow at ten. Meet me on platform three.”

“I’ll be there,” Quinn promised.

“I wish I could come, but I have an early morning shift at the hospital. Fill me in after?” Logan asked.

“Of course. I only hope there will be something to tell.”

“Don’t get your hopes up, Quinn,” Drew warned.

“I can’t help it. You’ve already discovered four new leads, which is a lot more than we were able to accomplish. Perhaps this Jesse Holt will point us in the right direction.”

“See you tomorrow then,” Drew said as he laboriously got to his feet. “Enjoy your Christmas shopping.”

“How did you know I was going Christmas shopping?” Quinn asked, astounded by Drew’s skills of deduction .

“The list fell out of your pocket, probably when you put your gloves away and withdrew your hand after.”

Quinn looked down at the floor. Sure enough, her shopping list lay beneath the table, with Gabe’s name at the top. “And there I thought you were clairvoyant,” she joked.

“I am. I can tell you with almost one-hundred percent accuracy that you’re about to spend a lot more than you’re planning to.” Drew’s laugh was rich and velvety, and Quinn and Logan joined in. Drew was spot-on.