Chapters (81)
- Cover
- About the Author
- Dedication
- Prologue
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Five
- Six
- Seven
- Eight
- Nine
- Ten
- Eleven
- Twelve
- Thirteen
- Fourteen
- Fifteen
- Sixteen
- Seventeen
- Eighteen
- Nineteen
- Twenty
- Twenty-one
- Twenty-two
- Twenty-three
- Twenty-four
- Twenty-five
- Twenty-six
- Twenty-seven
- Twenty-eight
- Twenty-nine
- Thirty
- Thirty-one
- Thirty-two
- Thirty-three
- Thirty-four
- Thirty-five
- Thirty-six
- Thirty-seven
- Thirty-eight
- Thirty-nine
- Forty
- Forty-one
- Forty-two
- Forty-three
- Forty-four
- Forty-five
- Forty-six
- Forty-seven
- Forty-eight
- Forty-nine
- Fifty
- Fifty-one
- Fifty-two
- Fifty-three
- Fifty-four
- Fifty-five
- Fifty-six
- Fifty-seven
- Fifty-eight
- Fifty-nine
- Sixty
- Sixty-one
- Sixty-two
- Sixty-three
- Sixty-four
- Sixty-five
- Sixty-six
- Sixty-seven
- Epilogue
- Acknowledgments
- Read More
- Prologue
- One
- Two
- Three
- Four
- Follow Merilyn online
- Dedication
Nell unclicked the pen lid. ‘OK, but even so …’ she wrote the name next to Joanne’s, ‘… Gloria is only linked to Connor, not Eve, as far as we know,’ she added over her shoulder.
Paul was staring at the board, looking as frustrated as she felt.
‘Ever get the feeling this case is becoming less about Connor and more about Eve?’ he asked.
She did. Turning back to the board, she searched it for answers. Maybe Carla and Bremer would come back with something from Gloria, but something told her they wouldn’t. No, it was here, she just had to see it.
‘What about Joanne?’
She turned to Paul. ‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, if she’s writing to Eve – she could have written to Kelly-Anne. The case is similar to the one that saw her chucked in prison.’ Clocking her doubt he held up his hands. ‘I know, it doesn’t help us find out how this M fits in, but one tenuous link, is still a link.’
He had a point. It did link Joanne to both Kelly-Anne and Eve. Wouldn’t stand up in court, mind, but they’d only just started and as it looked like it was the only lead they had, it must be worth a go.
‘OK. We’ll wait for Bremer to get back, see what they’ve got, then tell them our theory.’
‘Our theory?’ Paul looked amused.
‘OK, your theory. I’m fine with that. If you’re right I’ll still get the glory, but if you’re wrong I’ll just sit and shake my head knowingly from the sidelines.’
‘Such a supportive sergeant.’
‘Always, Paul, always.’
Twenty-two
Then
‘MARY!’
I am late to the café so Aoife greets me with a massive hug when I walk through the door. I smell wine on her breath and look over at Alf, who is smiling at us. A bottle sits on the table, between two glasses.
I’m unsure what to do, knowing I don’t want to be here but unable to think of a way to leave. He’s looking at Aoife like he wants to strip her of her red dress, and the look he gives me is more of the same.
‘Come and join us,’ he says, his arm over the back of Aoife’s chair. She smiles at me, her eyes glassy, and I wonder how much she’s had.
I hesitate. He frowns.
‘What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?’
I move to the table, programmed to please. He pats a chair next to him and pours me a glass of wine before lighting a cigarette and leaning back, watching me drink. It tastes sour – dry – coating my tongue, stinging my throat.