‘I-I can’t come for a bit. I’ve had to call the police. They’ll be coming through the gates any minute. Any sign of ‘em yet?’
‘The Police! Yes. There’s a police car just drawn up in the road. And there’s some men coming through the gate. In white overalls and uniforms and detectives, I think. What’s wrong, Ralph? What’s happened? Are you all right?’
‘Now, don’t fret yourself, Sandra. Sit down. And listen carefully to me. We’ve got a body in here. A girl’s body. I-I’ve just found her.’ There was a cry of alarm at the other end of the line. ‘Don’t get yourself upset now. Or you’ll do yourself and the baby no good. I’ll be home soon. When they’ve finished with me here. First I’ll have to answer their questions. You can forget my breakfast though. I don’t fancy it now. Just a piece of toast will do.’
34
Turner snatched up a piece of buttered toast and ignored the tempting pieces of smoked bacon that his wife was cooking. She had just come in from seeing to one of her elderly patients, Mrs Barnes, who’d had a bad turn at home that morning. He poured out another cup of strong saffron coloured tea and heaped in sugar by the spoonful. She looked over at him anxiously. ‘You sure you don’t want a bacon sandwich, love?
‘No, thanks.’
‘Is it another killing, Stan?’
He sighed heavily. Nodded. ‘Seems like it, love. The Scene of Crime officers are there. And it’ll be another lousy long day for the team traipsing around. Making house calls. Knocking on doors. And the Incident Room on full alert. Oh, go on then, love. I’d better have a rasher or two, I suppose. Make me a couple of sandwiches. Don’t know when I’ll be back in. It promises to be another scorcher too. So I’ll fancy nothing too heavy, tonight.’
‘A light salad then? I’ve got some ham in or there’s cold chicken.’
‘That’ll do nicely. Just our luck I’m on and you’re free this weekend. Still there’ll be no leave for anyone. Give your mother a call. If you’re worried about Mrs Barnes. Ask her to keep an eye on the kids this morning. She offered, remember? Then give the kids the picnic in the garden, I should this afternoon. Fill up the paddling pool for them. Sorry it’s happened like this on our day out.’
Carole Turner sighed too. She had hoped they could do something special this weekend. Take a trip out into the country. Let the kids run loose a bit. Take a picnic basket. And get away from the crowded beaches and the holidaymakers. She was frightened by the way the case was building up but she didn’t want to worry Stan. She stirred her cup of tea and with one eye on Emma feeding her rabbit in the garden said; ‘It is another young girl, isn’t it?’
Guessing the way her mind was working, he nodded and frowned. ‘Yes, I think so. Don’t start chaining Emma up, woman. But she’ll not be going anywhere without you or me till this case is cleared up. And don’t say what if it isn’t. It will be. Kent is a good ‘un. And everyone is behind him. We’ll catch the bugger. You’ll see.’
‘Oh, I really hope so. I shan’t be able to work without wondering what’s happening to her if you’re called out. You know what kids are like? They don’t see any danger when they’re Emma’s age. Maureen didn’t, did she?’
‘No. But Emma’s got more sense. Stop seeing danger when there is none. There’s a good girl.’
*
Viviane stirred in her bed. Beazy sat up right as they heard the quick light footsteps on the stairs. She ran her fingers through her hair, yawned and listened. Out again. Another call? She hoped that it didn’t qualify what she’d thought before the night before. That it would be so easy to snare another victim while the Carnival revels were on. The fireworks display had been so loud and noisy. But if it had, it must have happened afterwards. There were such big crowds it would be fairly easy to pick up a girl without attracting too much attention.
She had made no plans for the day. Other than taking it easy in the garden where the dried up lawn and plants were simply begging for water. And hoses as usual were banned. It was too hot to do any needed housework. The spiders could spin their webs for all their worth in the house. Instead she’d hand wash some newly acquired cambric vintage petticoats she’d spotted and bought in the old town, and hang them out to dry. They should look good with the sun helping to bleach them white. And they looked a pretty sight on the line when she stood back to admire them.
Simon was playing cricket later with some of his friends. He’d asked her to come along to watch. But she wasn’t in the mood. Here was the weather that the town hoped for and all the day-trippers would be down by the coach load. Filling up the cafes and the beaches. It didn’t make Jon’s work any easier. She could imagine the team pulling out all the stops in the incident room to nail the killer. They really needed a break. Perhaps they would get one now.