‘If she succeeds – we need her to get on best terms with the volunteers and find out the relationship between Smith and Toffee.’
‘If she succeeds she’ll do what comes naturally and find out all that and more.
‘There was a young woman asking for Toffee. She called herself Martine, said she knew him from the Faith and Light hostel. I tried to talk to her but all she really wanted to do was see Toffee and she wasn’t allowed. She scarpered before I could grab her.’
‘We heard about a Martine when we went to the hostel – we need to find her – she’s one of Toffee’s protégés. She could be just scared without Toffee but instinct tells me she must have something to hide if she scarpered.’
Chapter 23
The next morning Zoe made sure she was called when Simon came into the hospital. She was there within twenty minutes. Simon looked up at her and smiled as she approached.
‘Fancy a home-made brownie?’
Simon stood and picked up his jacket. ‘Lead the way. You said the magic word: brownie.’
Zoe quickly tidied up the front seat of the Corsa and got rid of the crumbs on the seat.
‘Sorry, I never meant to let the kids eat in the car but there we go – rules, huh?’
‘I know – to be broken. Please don’t worry,’ Simon said as he got in and buckled up.
‘Okay. Hold tight… only kidding.’ She smiled across at him and thought how, out of the hospital environment, he looked so much more calm.
‘Your mum won’t mind us invading her like this?’
‘No, she needs something to do in the day when the kids are at school. I’m always telling her she should get a job or do some charity work or something.’
A ten-minute drive and they were outside Zoe’s house. Her mum walked past the window and saw her car pull up. She waved. Zoe could see her eyes go towards the passenger seat, checking Simon out.
At the front door she made the introductions: ‘Simon, this is my mum, Diane. Mum, I’ve been bragging about your brownies.’
‘They’d better be good then.’ Diane held the door open to let them in. ‘Come in and I’ll get some tea on. Tea or coffee, Simon?’
‘Has to be tea with brownies.’
‘Absolutely, I agree.’ Diane watched him walk past and then smiled at her daughter. Zoe gave her mum a look that said: ‘Don’t be silly – don’t even think it. I am not becoming a vicar’s wife.’
‘Please, Simon, have a seat.’ Diane put the kettle on as she watched Simon looking around the kitchen. ‘Do you mind sitting in here? It’s the warmest room.’
‘Of course not. Thanks so much for inviting me.’
‘You run the Faith and Light hostel, Zoe tells me.’
‘I do, yes. I don’t cook unless I have to but I’m a mean washer-upper.’
‘And you take the services at the multi-denominational church there?’
‘I do, sometimes. Do you go to the church near here?’
‘Yes. Or rather I did. I haven’t been for a few weeks.’
‘Months,’ corrected Zoe as she walked around the kitchen, folding her son’s clothes from the drying rail.
Diane looked embarrassed.
‘Zoe told me that your husband passed away. I’m sorry to hear that.’
‘Yes. Thank you.’ Diane poured the tea and took a plate of brownies across to the kitchen table. ‘Please help yourself, Simon.’
‘Will you join me?’
Diane went back across to the sink. ‘Yes. Of course.’ She glanced at Zoe.
‘Mum – I’m going to check on the kids’ rooms while I’m here. Josh is missing some of his sports kit.’
‘Okay, love. As long as Simon doesn’t mind you deserting him.’
‘Not at all,’ he said. ‘I’m looking forward to chatting with you, Diane – can I call you Diane?’
‘Please do.’
Zoe took the piles of clothes and walked up the stairs with them.
‘Can I see a photo of your husband, Diane?’
‘Of course.’ She went into the front room and came back with a shot of them together.
‘This was before he got ill. On holiday in Palma. We used to go away often. Always tended to go back to the same places but you know what you’re getting then, don’t you?’
‘Absolutely.’ He held the photo in his hands. ‘You look a lovely couple. You obviously made one another very happy. That’s a precious thing in this world.’
‘Yes. It’s even more difficult then, isn’t it? To lose your soulmate?’
‘Not lost. Still with you in spirit.’
‘I feel he’s lost. I worry that I’ve been living a lie and that we will never be reunited in any form. I try not to think like that. I’ve tried very hard to keep believing but something’s missing in me now.’
‘Have you got new challenges in your life? We all need daily challenges.’
‘I think I have enough. I come here most days and help so that Zoe can pursue her career. I am always busy.’
‘Because if you felt you had any time, just whenever you could – we could always do with a hand in the hostel.’
‘I don’t know what use I’d be…’
‘You’re kidding! You’d be a godsend. You could teach the clients to cook basic food for themselves. You could listen to their troubles, sit and talk to them. It’s that I wish I had more time to do things… and you could make us brownies as good as these.’
‘Okay.’ She brightened up. ‘I will certainly think about it.’
‘And Diane – I understand how you must be angry. It never seems fair. I can promise you, you will find your faith again. Don’t punish yourself, don’t go to church if you don’t want to, but don’t block your faith out. It’s okay to question. We all have our faith tested now and again.’
Chapter 24
‘Mr Ellerman?’ Willis walked in first, followed by Carter. ‘I am Detective Constable Willis and this is Detective Inspector Carter.’
‘I’ve been sitting here for half an hour. I understood this was just an informal interview?’ He was irritated.
‘It is, Mr Ellerman,’ answered Willis. ‘We thought you’d want to keep this as discreet and private as possible. So, in here is the best place to take a statement from you. We won’t keep you longer than necessary.’
Ellerman shifted in his seat, impatient. Carter stayed quiet.
‘Okay, well let’s get on with it. What do you want to ask me? The officer who asked me to come in said it concerned Olivia Grantham.’
‘Yes – I’m sorry to inform you that Olivia Grantham was killed – we think she was murdered.’
‘No… how terrible… How did it happen?’
‘We don’t know why but she walked into a derelict building in Shadwell, where she was attacked. Where were you last Sunday evening?’
‘Sunday? I already told the officer on the phone; I was at home in Richmond. Poor Olivia.’ He rubbed his forehead with his fingertips.
‘Have you got someone who can verify your whereabouts?’
‘Yes. My wife; but I’d rather not involve her.’
‘Were you close to Olivia?’ asked Willis.
‘I wouldn’t say we were close.’
‘How long had you known her?’
‘We met a few months ago, I think it was. Maybe even as much as twelve months. We didn’t see one another often.’
‘When was the last time?’
‘Probably three weeks ago.’
‘And how was that?’
He shrugged. ‘Fine. She seemed okay – same as usual.’
‘Usual?’
‘Yes.’
‘What was usual for her?’
‘Well – you know… maybe a little obsessed with work, but not depressed or anything.’