Page 76 of Worse Than Murder

‘What are you talking about?’ Alison asks, turning sharply to Claire.

‘Who was in charge of the police here, back then?’

‘Inspector Bell.’

‘And what do we know about Inspector Bell since he left the police?’

The penny drops. ‘We know that Inspector Bell isn’t the upstanding, law-abiding police officer everyone thought he was.’

‘Precisely. He took all that collection money, remember.’

‘I should tell Matilda about that.’

‘Well, good luck to Matilda trying to get anywhere near Lionel Bell. You know what Gill’s like.’

‘I do, but I also know how unstable Matilda Darke is right now. If Gill stops her trying to get to speak to her father, she’s liable to smack her teeth in.’

A smile spreads across Claire’s face. ‘I would pay thousands to see that.’

For the first time since my arrival, I’m the first one up. Usually, I’m woken by the constant calls from Sally to Carl to get out of bed and dressed to get to school on time. This morning, I don’t have a lie-in. I usually spend so long trying to get to sleep in the first place, and when I do, my sleep is disturbed by dark dreams. So, by the time it’s morning, and actually time to get up, I’m physically shattered.

This morning, however, is different. I have a reason for getting out of bed. I have a task.

I pull up outside Lynne and Iain’s house in the Porsche and look at the cottage. The after-effects of the storm are evident in the neighbourhood and Lynne is busy cleaning the inside of the new living room window as I walk up the path. We make eye contact and Lynne’s face falls. She opens the door before I have a chance to knock.

‘Good morning,’ I say, proffering what I hope is a natural, friendly smile.

Lynne nods. ‘I know Alison has spoken to you; asked you to look into what happened to her sisters, but…’ She pauses and takes a breath. ‘I’ve been told not to speak to you.’

‘Oh?’

‘Yes. I’m sorry.’

‘Who by?’

Lynne looks down.

‘Who is it?’ Iain calls out as he comes from the kitchen into the hallway. ‘Oh. Hello. You’re Matilda Drake, aren’t you?’

‘Darke,’ I correct him.

‘Sorry. Yes.’ He places a protective arm around his wife’s shoulders. ‘I’m afraid you’ve had a wasted journey. Inspector Forsyth has told us not to talk to you.’

‘Has she? Did she give any reason?’

‘Given that a car has been found and… the items found with it appear to point to the fact that Celia and Jennifer may be in there, Inspector Forsyth said it’s an active investigation and any outside help might muddy the waters.’

‘I can understand that,’ I say, placating the couple, despite wanting to tell them that Gill’s excuse is complete bollocks. ‘However, I’ve spoken to Alison and she’s really struggling with what’s going on. She’s placed her trust in me, and I like her. I’d really like to help.’ I’m laying it on thick, but if it gets me over the threshold, I don’t care.

‘I don’t… know,’ Lynne hesitates.

She’s weakening.

‘If I could come in for five minutes. I promise I won’t pry; I won’t make waves. I only want to ask a few questions.’

‘I really don’t think…’

‘It’s just a couple of questions, Iain,’ Lynne interrupts.