Phillip Brighton stood and kicked the door. ‘I didn’t do anything. I want to go. Let me go. Let me out.’ He hit the door several times.
‘Sit down, Mr Brighton.’
The man stared as his shoulders dropped. He took two steps back and slumped into his chair.
‘I need your clothes.’ She was sure that Phillip Brighton was shaking in his denim jacket.
He trembled as he almost ripped the jacket from his own back before throwing it onto the table. ‘Have it. Have everything. Have it all!’
He stood and manically shouted and grunted as he began peeling his clothes off. His solicitor tried to whisper something to him but Phillip pushed him away. He pulled the jumper over his head and threw it onto the floor before finally kicking his boots off his feet at the wall.
If the blood on his jumper was a match for any blood samples taken from Holly’s hotel room, Phillip Brighton would have a lot of explaining to do. Gina pulled a pair of gloves from the draw next to the table and snapped them on. She picked up the jumper. ‘We’ll get these to the lab. Thank you for your cooperation. In the meantime, we’ll get you something to wear.’
Chapter Twelve
Cass’s fingers trembled as she opened the message.
Thanks for your thoughts, Cass. I can’t believe what happened. Poor Holly, and our reception was ruined. I don’t know what to do. My mum has barely said a word and my dad keeps telling me everything’s going to be okay. It’s not though, is it? Kerry.
The open message showed Cass that Kerry had begun to type another reply. Cass had to keep the conversation going. Now was her big chance. Kerry stopped typing.
For years, Cass had tried to strike up conversation with Kerry but nothing had worked. Once primary school friends, Cass had found herself dumped in favour of Holly. Timid, little Holly – the girl who would do anything Kerry asked of her. Cass had been the opposite. She was loud and clumsy. Now was the right time to be a friend to Kerry once again. She’d missed her for years. She’d missed having the fancy cakes her mum used to make and the fun sleepovers, when it was just the two of them. Everything was perfect until Holly came on the scene. Lilly and Francesca soon followed and they made up the popular gang. Cass had become history. Not for long though.
Cass twirled a strip of coarse hair between her fingers. She hadn’t fitted in with them all those years ago. Her freckly skin became a little spotty with the early onset of puberty. Her figure became more ample, setting her apart from her athletic peers. Now was her chance to make things right, to get her friend back. With Kerry on side, she could also probe her for information, find out if she knew anything about Elvis and Holly or, indeed, Elvis and anyone. Kerry knew everything, she always did.
Nothing changed with age, it just meant more candles on a cake at the turn of another year. Right now, she felt like that dumped nine-year-old once again, but this time, she was going to fight to win back her friend. With Holly out of the way, she had hope. Gaining Kerry’s trust was a part of the new plan.
Cass hit reply and began typing her message in the little box.
Kerry, what happened was terrible and if there’s anything I can do, just ask. You’re one of my oldest friends and it hurt like hell to see you so upset yesterday. I know we haven’t spoken in a while but a friendship like ours never dies. I’m totally here for you. Just ask. Anytime. Shall I pop over to your house?
No response.
Don’t you dump me again! Not when I’d do anything for you.
She stared at the screen. Nothing. Kerry was now offline. ‘Dammit.’ She slammed her phone on the bedside table causing Elvis to stir. ‘Morning, sleepyhead.’
‘What time is it?’ he murmured as she wiped a trail of drool from his cheek and squinted at the ray of sunlight that had seeped through the gap in the curtains.
‘Nearly eleven.’
He fought with the sheets and tumbled onto the floor, dragging them off her. She knew he had to work and she’d let him sleep in.
‘My head hurts, bloody hell.’ He pressed his temples. ‘I didn’t even have a drink. I feel pissed.’ He stumbled to his feet and almost hit his forehead on one of the low beams by the window. Maybe she’d given him more to drink than she thought. His phone beeped. He grabbed it, taking it with him to the bathroom. It was obvious he was hiding something.
She followed him in and he placed the phone on the windowsill. ‘Why don’t you call in late?’ She pulled her nightshirt over her head and wrapped her arms around his naked torso, while inserting one hand into his jeans and caressing him. He had to want her. Whoever was messaging wasn’t important and she would show him just how unimportant they were. She began running her tongue over his shoulders, grimacing as her taste buds recoiled from the sweat and deodorant on his skin.
‘Cass.’
She undid his jeans while catching his reflection in the shaving mirror.
‘Cass? Stop it.’
She snatched her hand back and stepped away, grabbing a towel to wrap around her body. ‘What?’ She tried to swallow but a mass was forming in her throat, a familiar lump. Tears began to spill down her cheeks. ‘I thought you loved me.’
‘For heaven’s sake. Let’s not do this now. I have to go to work and I feel like utter shite. I don’t know why you’re acting so weird, but not now.’
‘What’s that?’
