She yawned and checked her watch. Six forty-five. There wasn’t much they could do until Adi came back with more forensics tomorrow. She might as well send the team home. Maybe she’d drop by the university on her way, check Connie was doing OK. She felt as if she’d abandoned her today.
The outer door opened and Zoe sucked in a breath. Mo placed a hand over his phone and stopped talking, his eyes going to the newcomer.
Zoe allowed herself a breath. It was Adi. He waved at her through the glass and knocked on her door. She beckoned him in.
“Give me some good news,” she told him. “I need it.”
He beamed as he sank into the chair opposite. “Happy to oblige.” He slapped a file on her desk and pushed it forward.
Inside were photos of the two bodies, close-ups of the dog hairs found on them, and two DNA analyses.
“They match,” Zoe said.
“They certainly do. Either both those men were in contact with the same dog, or the people who killed them were.”
“Or one of the victims was in contact with the dog, along with the killer of the other man.”
“Blimey Zoe, you do like to complicate things.” He leaned back and crossed his legs, an ankle resting on a knee.
“Got to entertain all possibilities. What d’you reckon?”
“In both cases there’s no sign of a dog having been at the scene. Laurence lived in a hall of residence where pets aren’t allowed, and his parents didn’t have a dog. Jenson’s a bit less clear cut. But we’ve found no evidence of dog hairs anywhere in the house, just on his body.”
“That could mean he had contact with the dog.”
“We didn’t find any hairs on his other clothes. We took some from his room, both at the house and at Boulton Hall.”
“Did you do the same for Laurence?”
“Yup.” Adi smacked his lips, pleased with himself.
“So some other person introduced the dog hairs to both bodies, at or not long before the time of death.”
“I don’t see any other explanation.”
“We’re looking for a dog lover.”
“A dog owner. Or someone who works with dogs. With this dog in particular.”
“Can you get the breed from the hairs?”
“You’re the third person who’s asked me that today. ’Fraid not, sorry. It’s a short-haired brown dog, with quite wiry hair. But that doesn’t narrow it down by much.”
“Thanks anyway.” Zoe closed the file.
Adi stayed put, surveying her.
“Something else?” she asked.
He licked his lips and shifted position. “You might be wondering why I came in to tell you this, when I could have called you or just sent an email.”
“I know you like dropping in here, Adi. It’s like a second home for you.”
He continued staring at her, his eyes losing their brightness. Zoe tugged at her sleeve.
“Adi, you’re making me nervous,” she said. “Is something wrong?”
“I heard you’d stopped seeing DI Whaley.”
“Well… it’s not quite like…” She shook herself out. “It’s not really your business, Adi.”
He leaned forward. “I was wondering if you’d like to go out for a drink.”
Zoe laughed then slapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh Adi, I’m sorry. I’ll happily go for a drink with you. But not… like that.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Like what?”
“You’re asking me about my relationship with Carl and then you invite me out for a drink. Like I say, I’ll go for a drink with you anytime. It’s not as if we haven’t before. But I can’t go on a date with you, if that’s what you’re asking.”
He paled. “What made you think I was asking that?”
“I… I just… let’s forget we had this conversation, eh? I’ll see if Mo and Rhodri want to join us in the pub.”
Adi stood up. The colour had returned to his face but he was struggling to meet her eye. “That sounds like a plan.”
Chapter Sixty-Nine
Connie stood in the bike shed, her eyes on the front of the hall of residence. A group of students walked out, laughing between themselves. One of them wolf-whistled and another slapped him.
She fiddled with her bike lock, taking her time. The warden had told her she couldn’t ‘wander the corridors’ to find Lin, but there was no reason she couldn’t talk to her if she bumped into her out here.
She would wait.
She couldn’t stay too close to the main doors; someone might spot her. But she needed a vantage point.
The bike shed would do. How many people would be coming to retrieve bikes in the dark? And if they did, she could pretend she was picking hers up.
“See ya, Connie,” Rav called. He stood next to a blue car, another man in the driver’s seat.
“Bye, Rav. Thanks for your help today.”
“My pleasure.”
Connie couldn’t see his face, but she was sure he was smiling. Rav was cute. She’d worked with him on a case last summer. And there’d been that wink…
She stepped out of the bike shed. Did she have the courage to ask him out for a drink?
He gave her a final wave and slid into the car. She cursed herself.
She had to wait here, to find Lin. The boss had given her a job, and she didn’t want to let her down. Besides, Rav was with a colleague.
She’d find an opportunity to see him again. She could volunteer to go to the forensics team and fetch the sampling results.
She turned towards the building. She needed to focus. Don’t let yourself get distracted.
The building was quiet. Connie could see people moving around inside, the lights in the reception area bright against the dark night. She shivered. It had started to rain, and the bike shelter gave her some protection, but not as much as she’d have liked. She hoped Lin would emerge soon.
She heard voices coming from behind her and turned. Three people approached, their footsteps brisk. Trying to get out of the rain. As they came closer, she recognised one of them.
Connie stepped forward. “Lin?”
Lin raised a hand over her eyes. “Yeah. Who is it?”
Connie realised she was silhouetted by the light over the bike shed. She took a step back so it would illuminate her face and brought out her ID. “It’s DC Williams. I’ve just finished taking DNA samples.”
“Oh. Cool.” Lin started walking. The other two students had gone on ahead and were at the door to the building.
“Could I talk to you?” Connie asked, falling into step beside her.
“Again?” Lin sighed. “I missed dinner. I’m planning on ordering a pizza, I’m bloody starving.”
“I’ll buy you a pizza.” Connie hesitated. “Sorry, I’m not sure if I can. But I can buy you a drink, if you like.”
“I’m not thirsty. I need food and I need my bed.”
“It’s about Kayla and Jenson.”
Lin stopped walking and turned to Connie. “What about them?”
“Was their relationship consensual?”
“That’s a hell of a question.”
“Was he taking advantage of her?” Connie asked. “He was her tutor, he was five years older than her.”
“They were both adults.” Lin’s voice was sharp.
“Was she happy with him?”
Lin snorted. “You’d have to ask her that, buddy.” She shook her head and started to walk away.
“Did Laurence assault Kayla?”
Lin stopped walking. She stood still, facing away from Connie. Rain drummed on her head and shoulders.
“Lin? You know something, don’t you?”
Lin turned. She plunged her hands into the pockets of her coat. “I don’t know anything, OK?”
“Whatever you tell me will be strictly confidential. I just need to know—”
“Leave it. Just leave it alone.”
Lin turned away from her and half-walked, half-ran, into the building.
&nbs
p; Chapter Seventy
Zoe put a hand on Mo’s shoulder. “I’ll see you in the morning.”
“See you, Zo.”
She turned to Adi. “And you, Adi. Thanks for the drink.”
Adi looked up at her. “Sure thing, Zoe. Thanks.” He gave her a lengthy look which she tried to ignore.
She picked up her Diet Coke and downed the last of it, then checked her watch again. Nine o’clock.
“I’d best get home. Get my beauty sleep.”
Adi looked away. Zoe rolled her eyes. Normally Adi would take a statement like that as an opportunity to make a joke. She hoped this new awkwardness wouldn’t last.
“See you tomorrow, guys.”
She turned and headed out of the pub. They were in the White Swan, not far from the office. She’d hoped that going out with Adi and Mo would lighten the air between her and Adi, and make it clear she wasn’t about to start dating him. She liked Adi, she’d always liked him, but she’d never been attracted to him. She’d watched him flirt with every woman he worked with, always good-natured, never threatening. She’d never thought he meant it.
The cold air hit her lungs as she left the pub. It had started to rain. She ran to her car and dived inside.
She pulled out of the car park, looking forward to a couple of hours in front of the TV with Yoda on her lap. Nicholas was in London and she wouldn’t have to sit through one of his documentaries. She wondered how he was getting on.
Her phone rang. Zoe hit hands-free, expecting it to be Nicholas.
“Hey, you.”
“That’s a bit informal Zoe, even for you.”
Zoe straightened in her seat. “Ma’am.”
“Who did you think I was?” Lesley asked.
“I thought you were my son. Sorry.”
A hoarse laugh. “That’s OK.”
“How are you? Are you still in hospital?”
Lesley coughed. Zoe listened, her gaze flicking between the phone and the road ahead. That didn’t sound good.
She waited for Lesley to catch her breath.
“I wanted to talk to someone who wouldn’t nag me about my health,” Lesley croaked. “I’m hoping you’ll be that person.”
“I promise not to ask you how you are again. Although…”
“You can find out about my heath from someone else. I’m sure Terry has been on the phone to David Randle.” Terry was Lesley’s husband; Zoe had met him last time the boss was in hospital.
“Tell me what you’re doing, right now,” Lesley said.
“Err… I’m driving along Richmond Hill Road. Just left the White Swan.”
“Glad to hear you’ve been enjoying a bit of downtime, Zoe.”
“I went for a drink with Mo and Adi. Adi was being… you don’t need to know about that. It was good to relax with them.”
“I’d give anything to be in the pub with you right now.”
“They looking after you, Ma’am?”
“I thought you weren’t going to ask after my health.”
“OK, how’s the food?”
A laugh. “No fucking idea. I was being shunted around from one department to another till an hour ago and I missed dinner on the ward. You think I should ask if they’ve got leftovers?”
“I wouldn’t advise it.”
“Not based on the last time I was in here.”
“Take care of yourself, ma’am.”
“Uh-uh. You promised.”
Zoe heard a voice in the background.
“I’ve got to go, Zoe. But don’t let them give you any shit while I’m gone. Yeah?”
“I’ll try not to.”
“I mean it. Randle. Dawson. I know what they’re like. You’re a damn good copper, you’re worth ten of DI Dawson.”
Zoe felt her spirits lift. Coming from Lesley, that was quite something.
“Thank you, ma’am.”
“Shush. Come and visit me when you can, eh? I know you’re busy. But I’m bored as hell.” Zo heard the voices again. “Even with my husband here. Especially with my husband here.”
“I will, boss.”
“Good. I’ve got to go, Terry’s nagging me. See you soon Zoe.”
The line went dead. Zoe stopped at the lights to the Bristol Road and smiled to herself.
Chapter Seventy-One
Zoe flung her coat at the hook, missed, and stepped over it. She wandered into the living room and dropped her bag on the sofa.
The house was a mess. She needed to stop letting Nicholas do all the tidying up. But when she was working a case, even if she did get any downtime, it was hard to focus on anything else. She didn’t notice the dishes piling up in the sink and the dirt accumulating in the corners.
She had to get better at this. She didn’t want to end up like her own mum, alcoholic and slovenly.
She went into the kitchen and filled the filter coffee maker. There were hours to kill before bed, so no harm in taking her time over a coffee. She was peckish, too.
She opened the fridge and grimaced. A pile of carrots, a lump of cheese, and two cartons of milk. A Tupperware container sat at the back, something pale Zoe didn’t recognise inside. It was probably worth eating, possibly something Nicholas had made. But then, it could be anything.
She’d dial out for a pizza. The carbs would restore her energy.
She closed the fridge door and pulled the pizza menu from under the magnet. Not that she needed it; she had the number programmed into her phone and she always ordered pepperoni, extra chilli.
She called the number and ordered. The pizza would be half an hour. Time for a shower.
Twenty minutes later she was in her bedroom, clean and refreshed. She’d felt the grubbiness of Jenson Begg’s house on her skin all day. Some people felt that way about her own house, she knew, including Mo.
She pulled on clean jeans and a shirt and tramped downstairs. Her stomach rumbled. Her phone was on the coffee table; two missed calls.
She picked it up, hoping she hadn’t missed Nicholas.
It was Carl. He’d left two texts.
The first was brief: Just checking how you are, Carl.
The second was less so: Sorry things are weird between us right now. I’ll call you as soon as the trial is over xx
She dropped the phone on the table. She was tempted to call him, just to hear his voice. But she knew it was a bad idea.
Her phone pinged and she picked it up, her breathing tight.
Hi Mum, London’s great. Dad keeps buying me stuff. Taking advantage of it!
She smiled. Good to know Nicholas was enjoying himself. She hoped he was getting along with Geordie. The two of them rubbed each other up the wrong way. Nicholas didn’t know how to compensate for Geordie’s autism and Geordie didn’t know when to leave Nicholas alone. Nicholas had been eleven and Geordie thirteen when the two of them had first met, so they’d never had the chance to become comfortable around each other.
Her phone rang. Zoe put it to her ear.
“Couldn’t resist calling me?” she asked.
The voice on the other end laughed. “Don’t tell my wife.”
“Sorry, Mo. I thought you were Nicholas.” This was the second time tonight she’d done that. She had to get used to him not being around.
“He out with Zaf?”
“He’s gone to London for the weekend with Jim and his family.”
“Oh.”
“Oh indeed. He sent me a text, seems to be enjoying himself.”
“Good. And you?”
“What about me?”
“I know how you feel about Jim and Nicholas.”
“He’s his dad, Mo. I can’t stop him taking him places.”
“Good. So I wanted to check you were OK, after this evening.”
“Course. Why?”
“Did something happen with you and Adi earlier?”
Zoe sat down on the sofa. “Was it that obvious?”
“He wasn’t flirting with you.”
“What’s so odd about that?
”
“He always flirts with you.”
“This is between you and me, Mo. Confidential.”
“You know me. Zippy’s my middle name.” He made a zipping sound. Zoe could imagine him miming zipping his lips. She chuckled.
“He asked me out. Thought things were finished between me and Carl.”
“I was wondering when he’d get around to it.”
“What?”
“Come on, Zo. All that my favourite detective stuff? You might not have noticed, but the guy’s face lights up when he’s around you.”
Zoe felt her face heat up. “He flirts with everyone.”
“That’s a diversion. He’s trying to make you jealous.”
She laughed. “Don’t talk bollocks.”
There was silence for a moment. “I take it you turned him down, which is why you dragged me along for protection.”
“You weren’t protection.”
“You didn’t want to be alone with him.”
“No. And yes. I did turn him down. I’ve never thought of Adi that way.”
“What about Carl?”
Zoe heard muffled voices in the background: Mo’s girls. She listened while he spoke to them, unable to make out the words.
“Sorry, Zo. I’ve got to go. Look after yourself, yeah?”
He hung up. Zoe stared at her phone, feeling empty. She was realising how much she missed Carl. There had been something solid between them, something she’d hoped might grow. Now he thought she was dodgy and she resented him for it.
The doorbell rang. Zoe heaved herself up from the sofa, glad of the distraction. She’d console herself with a pizza and a film instead of the man she’d thought she was falling in love with.
Chapter Seventy-Two
Dawson was sitting at Zoe’s desk when she arrived in the office the next morning. She stood opposite him, hands on hips. How was she going to stop him doing this?
He leaned back in her chair, his feet on her desk. She thought of Lesley, the way she sprawled over her own desk. But that was her own desk. Lesley would never do this in Zoe’s space.
Deadly Reprisal (Detective Zoe Finch Book 5) Page 21
