She mulled over the moving parts, her mind refusing to still. In all three murders, the motive seemed to be to silence the victims. The staging had been done for kicks, and that churned her stomach.

Before leaving London, she’d called Johnny and asked him about Leo Brown, the young corporal kicked out of the army for drugs twenty years ago. He’d rung round a few old pals and learned that Leo Brown had spent two years at Catterick, and was in and out of trouble for minor misdemeanours all the time: fighting, drunken behaviour, assault on a girlfriend and keeping his sleeping area in rag order. Usually the army straightened out messed-up kids prone to violence and flouting authority, but not so with Leo. His reports were poor, and it was a miracle he made corporal. His only redeeming feature was his fitness. Apparently the lad was memorable because he’d shagged the company commander’s daughter.

None of Johnny’s contacts knew what had become of Brown after he was discharged in 1998, but it was quite obvious that he hadn’t turned his life around. Kelly hoped he’d be brought in quickly. His photo had been released, and by now he should know that he was wanted for questioning. If he didn’t turn up soon, it would be obvious that he was avoiding detection.

By the time the car pulled up in front of her house, the sky was fully dark. She thanked the driver and gathered her belongings. The house was lit with lamps and there was wine in the fridge. She smiled. It must have been Johnny. She dialled his number and heard a phone ringing upstairs. She pressed end call and threw her own phone onto the kitchen counter.

‘You took your time.’ He was in bed.

‘I’m filthy.’

‘Perfect, you’ve come to the right place.’

She went to him and sat on the edge of the bed. His body was warm and she allowed herself to be held. For the first time in almost three years, it really was like coming home.

Chapter 37

Kelly toyed with the idea of going in late. It had been a delicious surprise waking up next to Johnny. Her first thought was that the bed smelled different to the one in the Premier Inn, and it was more comfortable. Then she felt his body and knew where she was. When she put her arms around him, she could tell he was beginning to put on a little bit of the muscle that he’d lost, and she liked it. One day, though, he’d have to give up the fried breakfasts, or take on another challenge.

She tore herself out of bed and he made her coffee. They made plans to meet for lunch and drive to Wendy’s house. She’d been putting it off for months.