‘Does Joe know he was tricked?’
‘You’ll have to ask him, though I think you might be too late. He uses a place in Ambleside. You should try there.’
‘Jesus, Sandy, you signed his death warrant? Who did you tell about his place in Ambleside?’
‘Like I said, you don’t know who you’re dealing with.’
‘Yes, I do. The military? They want a product to hide Neurohydroxy-14?’
Sandy began to laugh.
‘Now’s not the time for jollity, Sandy,’ Kelly said.
‘Why not? Things are too gloomy around here. You know I am retiring next week?’
‘Something tells me you might be otherwise detained,’ Kelly said.
She glanced beyond the trees and spotted a small house. It was hidden from the road. And Kelly had never known it was there all the years she’d been coming here running, walking and swimming. The Lake District was like that. It kept secrets from prying eyes behind private gates and thick trees.
‘How long has he lived here?’
‘He was monitored.’
It wasn’t an answer.
They heard sirens in the distance.
‘Stand up,’ Kelly demanded.
Sandy looked up at her, docile now, and Kelly felt impatience bubble up inside her. They were losing time.
‘Get up,’ she repeated firmly.
Sandy sighed and did as she was asked.
Kelly turned her around and slapped cable ties on her hands, then she read her rights, and marched her towards the house. In her book, they were all guilty of beating Angelina close to death and also of killing her baby and pushing Jamie over the banister; whether they were bystanders or active players, they all deserved to rot. But if this was the only one she could arrest, then so be it. Sandy didn’t look the type to take to prison very well. Kelly reckoned she’d do a deal in exchange for her knowledge.
She watched Johnny approach the house and peer up at the windows. There was no noise from inside, no vehicles close by and no sign that anyone was home.
‘Is he home?’ Kelly asked.
Sandy didn’t answer.
‘Jamie trusted you,’ she said to Sandy, pushing her forward, trying to find an entrance to the property.
‘No, he didn’t!’
‘Watch her.’ Kelly stopped at the back door and indicated to Johnny.
‘No way. Wait, they’ll be five minutes, max,’ Johnny pleaded with her.
Sandy laughed. ‘You’re going in there on your own, without a gun or a radio. Have you got your little taser or a truncheon in those pretty pants?’
Kelly grabbed Sandy and shoved her into the wall without thinking and Johnny winced.
Kelly let go of Sandy’s arm and looked towards the house then back at Johnny, working out what to do. She knew he was right. She could delay for a few minutes. After all, she had no idea what she’d find inside. There was no harm in keeping a cool head, but every fibre of her body wanted to rush into the little cottage. Her head filled with questions. What if Paul had killed again? What if Kevin Streeting was in there?
She made her way around the windows at the rear, but she was still in sight of Johnny and Sandy. She peered through and saw an empty kitchen.
