‘She does, and I’m lucky to have her too.’ He smiled as he climbed in beside her. ‘She’s one in a million.’
Tanya dropped Luke off at the edge of the village. Wishing her a safe journey home, he watched the BMW until it was out of sight before turning and making his way back to the cottage.
He let himself in, climbed the stairs to his bedroom and stood for a moment. The late afternoon sun washed over the room, bringing with it warmth and light. He realised how much he’d missed this place and gave an involuntary shudder, remembering the Spartan conditions in the custody suite. Currently he was out on bail while the police followed up another line of enquiry, but at least he had his freedom.
Thoughts of his imprisonment reminded him he needed to catch up with Gareth to thank him. He might have walked away in the beginning but he had come good in the end.
His mobile sat on the dresser where he’d left it on charge and he automatically reached for it. Although he wasn’t planning to make an appearance at the club until nine, now he’d said goodbye to Tanya he desperately needed to hear Cat’s voice. To his surprise the phone was dead. Surely it should be partially charged by now? Checking the charger, he discovered it wasn’t turned on. Strange, he thought as he stared at it. He was sure he remembered the blue light showing on the unit before he left the room to take a shower earlier. Oh well, no hope of ringing her now, he’d simply have to wait until he saw her later.
Chapter Twenty-Four
As Gareth Hunter pulled into his driveway he spotted the grey police Volkswagen Passat parked to the left of the front door. Evie had sounded nervous when she’d called to say two detectives had arrived at Clyffe House. She wasn’t sure why they were there. She told him she’d made coffee and asked them to wait until he arrived home. Like Evie, at first he’d felt confused. They’d already been interviewed. But then he realised after Luke’s release – news Arcadia had been buzzing with since lunchtime – they would probably want to see everyone again. Not that there was anything to add to the information both he and Evie had already given, but still …
Letting himself in through the front door, he left his keys on the hall table and made his way towards the living room. This was his favourite part of the house. Folding doors led out to beautifully kept lawns and borders while the room itself was a fusion of beiges and apricots. He had to admit Evie might be a difficult bitch to live with but she had taste. Giving her a free hand to redecorate the whole house after his mother’s move to a care home had completely transformed the place. Many people, he knew, envied him having what they perceived as a perfect home, and a glamorous wife. However, today as he entered the room his eyes took in a different Evie; not the usual stylish hostess but one who looked pale and uneasy.
‘Gentlemen.’ He nodded to Phillips and Cousins who were sitting opposite his wife drinking coffee.
‘Mr Hunter, sorry to bother you again,’ Phillips said apologetically, setting his cup in its saucer and placing it back on the low table in front of him.
‘No trouble, Inspector. How can we help?’
There was a ghost of a smile and then Phillips’ pale eyes slid across to where Evie sat. ‘Actually, it’s your wife we came to see.’
‘Me?’ She looked anxiously at Phillips. ‘Why? I’ve already told you everything I know.’
‘Evie calm down, there’s nothing to worry about.’ Gareth patted her hand as he settled beside her.
‘We found this,’ Phillips’ said, his hand slipping into his jacket pocket and bringing out a small plastic bag. ‘Does it belong to you?’
Gareth watched Evie’s face as Phillips opened the bag and tipped the item into his open palm, revealing an emerald and diamond bracelet.
‘Yes it does,’ he answered for her. ‘I bought it last year. A birthday present, wasn’t it, darling?’
‘Yes.’ Evie’s eyes widened in surprise. ‘Where on earth did you find it, Inspector?’
‘I had no idea you’d lost it,’ Gareth interrupted, frowning. ‘Why didn’t you say something?’
‘I …’ Evie shrugged uncomfortably. ‘Well, I thought I’d mislaid it somewhere in the house. I decided not to mention anything until I’d searched properly.’ She placed a hand on his knee. ‘I didn’t want you to worry unnecessarily. Where did you say you’d found it, Inspector?’
‘So you think you lost it in the house, Mrs Hunter?’ Phillips said as he placed the bracelet carefully on the coffee table in front of them both.
‘I … well, I supposed I must have.’ She hesitated for a moment, her hand placed at the base of her throat as she chewed her bottom lip thoughtfully.
‘Can you remember when you last wore it?’
‘No, sorry.’ Evie drew in a breath. ‘Although, wait a minute, I do remember leaving it on the dressing table a while ago.’ She turned to Gareth. ‘It was the day Jordan was here withthat Polish waitress, Marika, you know, the poor girl who was murdered a few days ago.’
‘She was here?’ Phillips looked surprised. ‘I had no idea your son was having a relationship with her.’
‘Oh, he wasn’t.’ Evie gave a silly laugh. ‘I think you could describe it best as … well … a sort of friendship. Not that it lasted very long. He’s back with Chantelle now, as you know.’
‘So are you saying she might have taken the bracelet while she was here?’ Phillips asked as he scratched his chin thoughtfully.
‘Well, I don’t know.’ Evie shrugged and turned to look at Gareth. ‘I suppose it’s a possibility.’
‘Inspector, can we cut to the chase?’ Gareth’s gaze flipped between Phillips and Cousins. ‘This bracelet is connected to the murder in some way, isn’t it? That’s the reason you’re both here.’
Phillips nodded.
