Three Little Maids(30)

‘Thank you, Mrs Flitch. You have been very helpful.’





21




‘Jon - you look bushed, so how’s it going?’

‘Not good, I’m afraid. I won’t be good company this evening, Viviane. Sorry to spoil it for you,’ Jon said when he walked through the side gate into the garden, where he found Viviane with the aid of the watering can trying to undo some of the damage that the heat wave was wreaking on her shrubs and plants. ‘This new victim, her parents are flying over to identify her tomorrow.’

‘Who was she, Jon? You must know if her parents are coming. Flying you say? She’s not local?’

‘She was a French student. Just eighteen.’

Viviane stared back at him and let the water from the can drain away over her sandals and into the lawn. ‘Damn! Sorry Jon, when you told me that there was another girl, I didn’t want to believe it not at first. So is it possible that the two deaths are connected? Can you tell, or is it too early yet?’

He sighed and shrugged his shoulders. ‘Can’t say for the moment. For God’s sake, I hope that they aren’t. If they are perhaps it would make things much easier for us to deal with.’

‘You can’t really mean that.’ She stared back at him. ‘You do! Why?’

‘Because it would mean that there’s only one killer to pin down and catch. According to Turner, lovers find those woods irresistible. We think she was dumped there after she was killed elsewhere. Just like Maureen Carey.’

‘So the killer knows all the quiet spots. Where else is he going to strike before you stop him?’ She refilled the watering can from the water butt. ‘He’s running rings around you. Two murders in three days, that’s really going some, isn’t it?’

‘Viviane...’ He put a hand gently on her shoulder for a second and then took it away again. ‘Don’t worry. We will do our best to catch the bastard. What else can I say? I can’t promise anything else. Two families have lost their daughters and I don’t want it to happen again. But we have a clue given us by a taxi man who said that he dropped her off at a chapel near midnight.’

‘A chapel! So late at night! How strange. Does that mean she was meeting somebody who used it? You’ll have that to work on at least. I wish you all the luck that’s going. You’ll get the break. Just when you need it.’

‘Thanks a bundle. Well you know a lot of what goes on around here. You know the locals. You can give me the low down on some of them. If and when I need it.’

She laughed. ‘Now you’re trying to get round me. It’s your job to get to know the locals. But if I can fill you in on anything or anyone I will.’

‘Okay. I’m going to take a shower.’ He grinned. ‘I think I need one and an early night. In the morning I want to check up on the acquaintances and friends of both girls to see if there is any connection.’

Viviane thought on for a long time, hunched up in bed, with the cat pinning her feet down, she worried over what she already knew about the case. Was it possible that there was some real connection between the two girls? When the news broke to the public the following morning that another girl had been murdered, it was going to be difficult to keep it from being blown up in sky-high letters in print by the media. And that wasn’t good for the town’s good holiday reputation it would only attract weirdoes and the press.





22




The next day, Monday, saw the beginning of the Carnival week at last. And anticipation of the daily events to be carried out in Victoria Park, the pier and on the sea front, built up as the posters were on view everywhere announcing The Baby Show and Fancy Dress competitions for children to be held in the park, and dances nightly held in the pier ballroom.

And the big Carnival Float Parade through the town on Saturday, followed up by the presentation of prizes for the best floats, and the Firework Display in the evening in the Victoria Park.

It seemed so unreal to Viviane, considering the two deaths, with all the entertainment going on as usual. But the show had to go on. Although it was bound to affect the party atmosphere generally encouraged during Carnival week. Careful parents were becoming especially vigilant now with their daughters’ safety in mind after dusk. The police force would be kept busy with watching out for drug pushers plus this murder investigation now their prime task.

Viviane didn’t envy Jon. Given that he did have the able assistance of Sergeant Turner at his elbow and some obviously well motivated detectives and uniformed officers. They needed a real break and some genuine leads to follow up that would solve the case sooner than later.