‘Come and take a look, Mother. It’s almost as if the little brat is here with us in the room.’ He began jumping up and down on the spot, as excited as a child on a birthday morning. ‘Look, Mother, look, it’s truly wonderful. I’m such a clever boy.’

‘For goodness’ sake, calm yourself down, Henry. Take a breath. It’s time to get out of here.’

‘Never a word of praise from your mouth, not a single one.’

‘Oh, come on, stop feeling sorry for yourself, you needy boy. It’s time to leave back the way you came. And stay close to the wall as soon as you’re back on the path. Keep your head down. Focus on the ground. You’ll avoid being seen and identified that way, and that’s important. You don’t want to be a jailbird. Being caught isn’t a part of the plan.’

He looked back at her with a contemptuous sneer. ‘I know that, Mother, I know. Weren’t you watching? What do you think I did on my way here?’

Heath was about to leave the lounge to make his way home when he suddenly remembered the tube of cherry-red lipstick in his trouser pocket. He removed the top, strode purposefully towards an area of the white wall directly above a coal-effect gas fire, and began writing, taking pride in creating the words in well-practised, one-inch high capital letters.

DEAR BITCH,

I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE SURPRISE I LEFT FOR YOU. IT CERTAINLY AMUSED ME. THERE’S ANOTHER SMALL GIFT IN THE HALL AND YET ANOTHER IN THE BRAT’S BEDROOM, WHICH I’M SURE YOU’LL FIND INTERESTING. SHE’S STILL CLINGING ON TO LIFE FOR THE MOMENT, BUT YOU’LL NEVER SEE HER AGAIN. I PLAN TO HAVE SOME FUN WITH HER BEFORE SHE DIES. THINK ABOUT THAT AND WEEP. I’LL KEEP YOU UPDATED IF THE MOOD TAKES ME. YOU’VE BROUGHT THIS ON YOURSELF.

LOVE AND KISSES,

YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE X

23

‘Well, that went well.’

Kesey glared at Lewis with a look that said a thousand words. ‘Yes, thanks very much for the sarcasm, Ray. It was frigging horrendous. I’m well aware of that.’

‘I was just saying, that’s all.’

‘Well, don’t. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to keep your opinions to yourself.’

‘The fingerprints on the window tell us all we need to know.’ Kesey was quick to reply. ‘They could have been there for any length of time. They point us towards a potential suspect, I’ll accept that much, but they’re not definitive, not in themselves.’

Lewis shook his head. ‘Give me a break. They were on the frame. They were on the glass. They tell their own story. Who else left them? Follow the evidence. Every word Megan said was true.’

Kesey sighed. ‘Where is she now?’

‘She’s still sitting waiting in reception, as far as I know. I told her I’d run her home.’

‘We’re not a taxi service.’

‘Oh, come on, boss, it’s the least we can do.’

Kesey folded her arms. ‘Do you think I don’t know that? Really? Is that what you’re suggesting? I’m not made of stone, you know.’