O’Connor grabbed a pen from the window ledge and wrote Stevie Boy next to Steven’s details and photo. ‘Stevie Boy, that’s original.’ He tapped his foot on the floor, filling the brief silent gap with an irritating sound that echoed through the damp-smelling room.
‘Ooh, morning, guv. Coffee?’ Jacob placed a tray of machine coffees on the middle table.
‘Perfect timing.’ Gina grabbed one and took a long swig. Just the tonic she needed to feel more human. ‘There’s a lot of conversation on this chain. How far have you read back?’
‘I’ve gone back a couple of weeks to catch the lead up to Jade’s murder. It mostly talks about the meet-up arrangements. I think anything more risqué is saved for private chat. You’d think it was a Women’s Institute meeting or something. People are formal, on their best behaviour and don’t really give a lot away. There are several anonymous users who don’t even have profile pictures. They are just marked as living in the area.’ A message bubble pinged up on her screen. ‘Check this out, I have an invite to a private chat.’
‘Accept it.’ Gina leaned in closer. Jacob and O’Connor rushed over and stood behind them.
‘It’s an invite, guv. Oh dammit.’
Gina heard Smith whistling along the corridor as he headed out of the kitchen with a cup of coffee. ‘Morning all.’
Gina’s attention remained fixed on the screen.
PC Smith wandered over. ‘Morning.’
‘I’ll be with you in a minute,’ Gina replied as she placed her drink down and read the message.
Hi All.
Just to let you know, we’ll be holding a bash at ours tonight. It’s an informal drinks evening to get to know the other members in the area. Some of you were already invited a couple of weeks ago but I’ve resent this invite for the benefit of the new people and those who haven’t confirmed their attendance.
I see we have a couple of new people – huge welcome from Swap Fun! I hope you all come along to some of our events and have lots of fun. Anyway, drink and chat starts at eight tonight. As always, don’t forget to bring a bottle. There will be nibbles. We look forward to meeting you all. The address and directions are attached to the location tab. You never know, you may meet some new, special friends!
Don’t forget to click confirm. I need numbers.
Admin – SwapFunSarah.
Gina spotted that eight people had confirmed attendance and one included Stevie Boy. ‘We need to be there.’ Gina leaned over and clicked attend on the mouse. ‘Hope you’ve still got that blonde wig to hand.’
‘Looks interesting. Is this to do with the Jade Ashmore murder?’ Smith asked as he gulped his coffee down.
‘Smith, are you busy tonight? You’re going to a party.’
He almost choked, spitting coffee down the front of his uniform. ‘What? I get off at five, this best be meaty. If it’s meaty, count me in.’
Wyre pulled the wig from a bag under her desk and placed it on her head. ‘I can’t go, the witnesses have seen me.’
‘I know, our Stevie Boy has seen you. I’ll think of something, just give me a minute. Put a comment in the invite. Tell them that you and your husband, err, Fred will be attending.’
‘Fred. Do I look like a Fred?’ Smith asked.
‘You will do. At some point today, go home and get your party clothes. Not too weird. Smart jeans and a shirt. Shiny shoes. At 6 p.m., I want you all ready to go and we’ll all be in the area, in position. Jacob, O’Connor, check out the address and maps, work out our observation points.’
He nodded as Wyre passed him the address.
‘It’s in a large house along the river in Bidford-on-Avon. Not too far from a boat storage and mooring facility. We should be able to hide our cars there and looking at the map, there are plenty of good vantage points and trees to stay behind.’ Jacob clicked on the street view. He was right, it was an undercover surveillance dream.
‘Smith, we’ve gotta go. There’s been a call in. Some woman is arguing with another woman about a parking space over at the Co-op and apparently she pushed her.’ PC Kapoor’s voice filled the room.
‘Kapoor? How would you like to do something more exciting than break up a couple of warring motorists today?’
‘What?’
‘Like going undercover to a partner-swapping party.’
She burst into laughter and took a couple of steps back. ‘Are you serious?’
