‘No. Probably dozens, knowin’ her.’

‘I assume you weren’t friends, then?’ Archer asks sardonically.

‘No, we weren’t. I hated her.’

‘Why?’

‘She was stuck-up. Thought she was better than me.’

‘In what way?’

She frowns and shrugs. ‘I dunno. She just did.’

‘Tell me about Elaine. How well did you know her?’

‘Met her once or twice. But I knew she was a tart.’

‘How did you know that?’

‘She was sleeping around with half the estate.’

‘Do you know the people she had been with?’

‘No. But Frank did.’

‘Did Frank tell you that she had been sleeping around?’

‘Yes.’

‘And you believed him?’

‘Why wouldn’t I?’

‘Do you know anyone Elaine has allegedly slept with?’

Lauren frowns as she mulls over the question. ‘I dunno their names.’

Archer’s patience is thinning. ‘Have you met any of these men?’

Lauren’s lips tighten and she shakes her head.

Archer has heard enough and stands up. Lauren clearly knows nothing about Elaine other than what Kelly has made her believe. She has provided him with an alibi and that is all Archer needs for now. ‘Thank you.’

‘What about my Frank?’

Archer ignores her and makes her way down the small narrow hallway.

‘He needs to come home now. I’ve helped you so you help me.’

Archer bites her tongue and pulls open the front door more forcefully than she means to. They make their way to the car where she and Quinn sit in silence waiting for it to warm up and the windows to demist.

‘She was a delight,’ says Quinn, breaking the quiet.

For a moment Archer isn’t sure if Quinn is referring to Lauren or the baby. She looks at him and he shoots her a wry smile.

Quinn continues, ‘A little spoilt, perhaps. What I don’t understand is what she is doing with Frank Kelly. She’s young, with her whole life ahead of her, yet she wants him. What is it about him that all these young women find attractive?’

‘That is the million-dollar question.’

‘The other night when I was at his drinking holes I asked those who knew him what he was like. Some described him as a drunk and a skank. Others spoke fondly of him, describing him as having a way with words.’

‘Elaine’s father apparently called him a council estate lothario.’

Quinn laughs, indicates and pulls out. ‘That’s one way to describe him.’

Chapter 37

37

QUINN’S PHONE RINGS. HE PUTS it on speaker as he steers the unmarked car through traffic.

‘Harry, it’s Klara, is DI Archer with you?’

‘Yes, we’re driving back to the Charing Cross.’

‘Hi, Klara,’ calls Archer.

‘Grace, I’ve been trying to call you but there was no answer.’

‘Sorry, Klara. It’s been on silent since we interviewed Kelly.’