‘So now you’re saying Steven Grant is—’

‘What I’m saying is, there’s something not right here. There are connections that need investigating properly.’

Jason chewed on that for a few moments but said nothing of it, nor did he ask how Dani knew about the Jessica Bradford case.

‘Maybe I am crazy,’ she said, ‘but can you do me a favour at least?’

She’d hoped Jason would give an immediate yes. The time it took him to do so suggested his agreement was some way from binding.

‘I’ve no doubt McNair will try to gloss over these notes,’ Dani said. ‘But do everything you can to get to the bottom of them. Check out the women on the missing persons list again. Jessica Bradford in particular. What’s happened to her? See if there’s anything to connect them to each other, to Reeve, to Ethan Grant. Natalya was being held somewhere. You have to find where. Above all, just keep me informed. I can still help.’

Jason let out a long sigh.

‘Ok. Leave it with me. But don’t get your hopes up that we’ll find anything. And if you want my advice—’

‘No, Jason. I really don’t. But thanks all the same. I honestly think there’s something else happening here. Something much bigger than two young people being stabbed to death because they’re mixed up in drugs. I’m certain our killer’s still out there. I’m certain the notes are from him. And I’m certain that if we don’t catch him, then he’s going to kill again.’

Chapter Forty-Six

To say his conversation with Dani Stephens was a turn-up for the books was something of an understatement. For years Steven Grant had felt he’d had something to offer to the police, but they’d shunned him as though he were simply a morbid nutter, much the same way the Chief Superintendent had on the golf course last week. What was his name again? Baker? Baxter?

Arsehole.

Dani Stephens, though, had recognised Grant’s worth, although she wasn’t exactly operating with her superiors’ knowledge. From what she’d told him, and she’d really been quite open and honest, she’d been put on leave from the force pending a disciplinary investigation. Apparently they felt she might be to blame for Dean Harland’s death – Harland being yet another of Ethan’s acquaintances. Apparently.

Dani’s suspension should have seen her down tools, but then she’d received that note.

That note.

Of course Grant had readily emphasised to Dani that the note was most likely the work of a wind-up merchant. She got that, so she said. But Grant could tell she didn’t really want to believe that explanation. Truth be told, neither did he.