Stephen waits a moment, takes a sip of his drink. The heat is spreading. It’s making him want to flap his hand in front of his face, the way people do even though it makes barely a bit of difference. He’s getting irritated that Frank continues to lie to him.
‘Like I said, I owned the cottage back then. I rented it out as a holiday let. I was there to double check the people had arrived. Normally, the visitors would send me an email or leave a voicemail to say they’d arrived, found the key and settled in, but they didn’t.’
‘Are you saying there was no one staying at the cottage at the time?’
‘That’s exactly what I’m saying. No one turned up.’
‘What was their last name? The people who were supposed to rent it?’
‘How the hell should I know? It was a decade ago.’
Stephen leans forwards. ‘I’m really going to need you to remember their last name, Frank. It could be important.’
Frank grunts, staring straight past Stephen at the wall. Stephen checks over his shoulder in case he’s looking at something in particular, but it appears he’s merely doing that thing that most people do when trying to summon a forgotten memory: they stare blankly into space in the hopes it will help.
‘Lankin.’
‘Are you sure?’
‘No, but it definitely started with L.’
Stephen’s shoulders slump slightly. He’s not sure what he was expecting. A lightbulb moment, perhaps. But the revelation of the name doesn’t help him. There are still many questions to ask.
Stephen takes a sip of whisky to steady his racing mind. He’s had two tipples now within a short period of time and is feeling the effects. Nausea, wonky vision and numb fingers. He reaches forwards for his pen, but he can’t grab it quite right. It skids across the table and onto the floor.
‘My apologies,’ says Stephen, shuffling off the seat. He reaches to grab it with shaking hands, but his body has other plans. The last thing he sees is the floor hurtling towards him. His head bounces off the side of the table and the world turns dark.
Chapter 38
GRAHAM
Something keeps tapping against the window, as if someone is trying to get his attention. The more he tries to ignore the rustling and knocking, the louder it becomes. Mr Mallow has been gone for over an hour and he hasn’t texted to say he’s finished talking to Frank either. Graham hopes he will bring back some useful information. Nothing is making any sense lately.
Graham is stuck twiddling his thumbs. He never likes to be idle. He is more at home, more comfortable when he is constantly busy, never allowing his thoughts to settle. That’s especially been the case before everything that happened last year in Cherry Hollow, but now it’s behind him and he has finally learned the truth, he thought his mind might take the chance to reflect and rest. But it seems he’s doomed to be restless. There will always be mysteries to solve in life. He knows what he really wants to do. He wants to speak to Olivia, but he isn’t due to visit her for a few more weeks. Perhaps he’ll call her instead. It will be nice to hear her voice.
Graham picks up his phone and dials the number for the prison. It’s way past the hours allowed for calls to prisoners, but if he doesn’t try, then he’ll be mulling it over all night.
‘Good evening, Ashmoore Prison.’
‘Hello. Good evening. My name is Detect—ah, Graham Williams. Is it possible to speak to Olivia Willows, please? It’s rather urgent.’
‘All calls for prisoners need to be between the hours of nine a.m. and three p.m., Monday to Friday.’
‘Yes, I’m aware, but this is important.’
‘Are you a family member?’
‘I … no, but …’
‘I am sorry, Mr Williams, but unless you’re a family member, then I can’t … oh, it appears I was mistaken. Your name is on the list of trusted family members and friends.’
‘Yes, that’s what I was trying to tell you.’
‘Very well. I shall get her to call you back, but please be aware that your call will be monitored.’
‘I understand. Thank you.’
Graham stares ahead blankly as he lowers his phone to the table and places it down. He wonders how long it will be before she calls. He knows she will. It’s not the middle of the night yet, but he knows she’ll call him back no matter the time.
