Lynsey had managed to find and talk to the group leader, and the dead woman’s story bore a striking resemblance to Jasmine’s. She had been isolated, although her background was totally different. She had been brought up in care and had never managed to establish any close friendships. As an adult she had become depressed and found it difficult to find a steady job. It was her isolation and her mental state that seemed so similar.

The group leader also told Lynsey that there was an older woman at the meetings who had been very supportive. Once again, frustratingly, people didn’t have to give their real names, but the leader described her as a woman in her early seventies, quite elegant, with long silver hair. Lynsey had immediately contacted the organiser of the bereavement group that Jasmine had attended and asked if anyone following that description had been a member.

They had. It was a woman fitting that description who had been seen walking to the tram stop with Jasmine.

Could it be that someone was targeting lonely young women with little or no support who were struggling to come to terms with something in their lives? A woman in her seventies, though? Had it been a man then it would have made more sense, or a younger woman possibly working as part of a team. But a female pensioner?

Because it seemed such a ridiculous lead Becky decided to keep it to herself for now. She would think about it overnight and talk to Tom in the morning.

CHAPTER 54

54

Tom swivelled in his chair and stared at his brother. What the hell was he playing at?

‘Don’t glare at me like that, Tom. I know Nathan well enough to know that he’s not got any interest in what happened to me and why I’m supposed to be dead.’ Jack turned to his old friend. ‘Have you?’

Tom turned back to look at Nathan. The only sign that he was surprised to see Jack was a slight flaring of the nostrils, as if he was trying to suppress a smile.

‘Nope. Couldn’t care less, but it’s bloody good to see you, mate. And don’t look so worried, Tom. I’m aware no one needs to know about this, and as I’ve got no one to tell we don’t have a problem as far as I can see.’

Jack looked at Tom again. ‘And as you have probably noticed, Nathan is perfectly capable of controlling his facial expressions. If someone mentions my name to him in passing, he’s not going to blush and stammer, is he?’

Nathan grinned. ‘I’m not, but you want to watch your reactions, Tom. You nearly dropped that bloody mug when I mentioned Jack’s name.’