‘Is there anything more you can remember about that moment? His height, features, anything?’
‘No. I didn’t look at what he was wearing. I was looking under the car for the hedgehog most of the time.’
‘We’ll get that area checked out too. Thank you for all your help. We have your address. Can I take your number? When you get home, can you call the station? Given what’s happened, we’ll also send someone over to make sure your apartment is secure.’
Madison grabbed the pen that sat next to the hospital menu. ‘I’m going to stay with Alice for a few days now that I know Nanna has been settled in back home. I know Alice is only next door but I don’t want to be alone and I’m not in a fit state to care for Nanna at the moment either so I’ll have to call her carers. Alice lives at number one, I’m number two.’
Gina nodded. ‘That’s good. We’ll do the check anyway ready for when you do go back to your apartment. One last thing, are you familiar with a site called AppyDater?’
‘Yes, everyone has it. I didn’t until Monday night but I ditched it last night, just before my attack.’
‘I know this is personal but can I please have your login so that we can see who messaged you?’
‘Do you think my attacker used the app?’
‘We’re investigating various lines of enquiry at the moment.’
Grabbing the pen again, Madison wrote down her login and password for the app and passed it to Gina. ‘I didn’t meet anyone or send any messages. Alice set it up for a laugh and I didn’t want it so I deleted it. I only deleted the app though. I didn’t delete my account. That’s something I was going to do later, so you should still be able to log in.’
‘Thank you. If we have any developments I’ll let you know, otherwise someone will be in touch soon. Here’s my card. If you remember anything else, please call me straight away, anytime.’
Jacob opened the door and Alice peered in. ‘Am I okay to come in now?’
Madison nodded. ‘Just in time, I need to get dressed and I think I need a hand.’ Madison seemed unsteady as she threw her legs over the side of the bed and stood. ‘I feel like I have the hangover from hell. I just need to get out of here.’
Gina smiled and left them both to it. As they reached the exit and hit the wall of cold air, Gina couldn’t wait to check her phone again. She had a message from Wyre.
I’m feeling a lot better now, guv. I’m heading to the station. Sorry I was a bit vague, I slipped in the shower and was trying to get the feeling back in my leg when I texted. I’m okay now, be there in half an hour.
Gina smiled. ‘Wyre’s okay. Looks like she fell over in the shower but she’s okay now.’
Jacob pressed the central locking on his car and got in. ‘Poor, Wyre. She’s going to be sore for a while.’
‘In more ways than one. Will you call the Angel Arms and get hold of the footage for Monday night? That’ll be more to add to O’Connor’s pile. I’ll meet you back at the station for a quick break, then we’ll head over to the Fish and Anchor. See what our underwear thief has to say.’
As she headed to her car she glanced ahead at the overflow car park and saw that the area was still cordoned off. PC Smith was talking with another PC. She jogged up the mound. ‘Have forensics finished with this scene?’
‘For now.’ PC Smith began chewing on a bacon bap that the other PC handed to him.
‘Are you here for the day?’
‘I wasn’t meant to be. Kapoor should have been here but she didn’t come in for her shift? So here I am and it’s bloody well cold.’ He bit into his sandwich again. ‘It’s okay though. Got my trusty thermals on.’
‘I’ve never known Kapoor to take a sick day. Must be bad.’
PC Smith shrugged. ‘I just hope it’s not contagious. I don’t fancy the flu or norovirus. January’s gloomy enough.’
‘I’ll leave you to it then.’ She waved as she carried on back down the mound, waving at Jacob as he pulled out of the car park.
Her phone went. ‘O’Connor? What you got?’
‘Kapoor’s mother has just called. She says she’s been to see her consultant about her test results and she was meant to call Kapoor as soon as she received them. She said her daughter hasn’t answered and she’s worried, which is why she called us to see if she was okay as Mrs Kapoor knew her daughter was working today. She said they’re a close family and her daughter wouldn’t ignore her, let alone when it came to something so important.’
‘I didn’t realise Kapoor had that on her mind.’
‘Me neither. Kapoor’s father also has a spare key and is on his way over to Kapoor’s apartment.’
‘Keep me posted.’ Gina glanced back at Smith who rolled his tissue up into a ball and popped it into his pocket. Kapoor never had a day off sick. Her stomach began to churn just a little. No, Kapoor wasn’t a student… but she is on AppyDater… and she did look a little like Madison. A sick feeling passed through Gina’s body. What if Kapoor was the next victim?
