Page 19 of Her Lips Are Sealed

‘You don’t, you just look super stressed and I worry about you.’

He reached out and squeezed her arm. ‘I don’t know what I did to deserve you, Morgan, but I’m so grateful you blundered into my life that first day they let you out on your own. I never did ask you who signed you off to say you were ready.’

‘Dan.’ Then she let out a belly laugh, so loud Ben couldn’t help joining in. ‘My murderous brother who probably thought I’d screw everything up spectacularly or was hoping that I would.’

‘You do have the worst family ever, apart from Ettie who’s a sweetheart.’

‘Yeah, thank goodness I have her and must take after her. Imagine if I’d turned out to be a daddy’s girl.’

Ben shuddered. ‘I’d rather not, you’re a good person not like him at all.’

It was Morgan’s turn to sigh. ‘Thanks, I’m glad you think so.’

It was early evening and the sun was beginning to set below the Old Man of Coniston, casting a burned orange glow over it as Morgan drove into the picturesque, small village. She saw the police tape that was cordoning off a small road and the first thing she noticed was the church on the opposite side.

‘Hey, do you think this has a religious element to it?’

‘Why do you say that?’

‘Look, there’s a church at the other end of the street. Rachel’s street is overlooked by a church too.’

‘Maybe, let’s bear that in mind. But it’s the Lakes, there are lots of churches dotted around. I was thinking that he was going after women who live alone in the shortest streets. If it’s the same guy, I mean it might not be, we won’t know until we’ve taken a look.’

‘I’ll be surprised if it isn’t though. I mean I can’t imagine there are two of them running around doing this at the same time.’

They got out of the car, ducking under the crime-scene tape, and a PCSO Morgan had never met before asked their names to sign them into the scene. Sitting on an old plastic garden chair outside a small, white cottage with a lemon-coloured front door was a woman huddled in a pink blanket, her face pale, mascara tracks running down her cheeks and a tissue clenched in one hand, a mug in the other. Morgan felt her heart squeeze tight at the thought of another devastated family. She headed straight for her, crouching down so she was at her level.

‘I’m Detective Morgan Brookes and I’m so sorry for your loss. Is that your daughter inside?’

The woman looked at her and whispered, ‘Yes.’

‘Should we go sit in the car or one of the vans to give you a little privacy?’

Morgan was aware of the spectators watching her every move. The woman nodded and made to stand up, but she wobbled so much Morgan hooked an arm through hers and steadied her, helping her to her feet. Ben was talking to the officers who were first on scene. Morgan walked the woman to the nearest van, lifting the tape up for her to walk under, then guided her inside.

‘I’ll just be a moment.’ She gently slid the door to and stormed across to the officer who was standing nearest. ‘Get them moved on, this isn’t a public show. Let’s give the mum some privacy, please.’

The two officers looked at her and Morgan thought to herself, please don’t roll your eyes at me in public because I will lose my shit with the pair of you. As if sensing the anger that was radiating from her, they gave her a curt nod and strolled over to the small crowd of onlookers to move them away.

She let out a long, slow breath then went back to the woman inside of the van, and sitting next to her she began to ask her questions as gently as she could.

THIRTEEN

‘It was my birthday yesterday and Ash never rang or visited, that’s how I knew something was wrong. We hadn’t fallen out or anything, but she wouldn’t not say happy birthday.’

‘I’m so sorry, happy birthday for yesterday.’

The woman nodded. ‘Thanks, it was miserable to be honest. Now they’re just going to be unbearable. Was she killed on my birthday? It looked as if she’d been there a while.’ Her voice broke, emotion overwhelming her.

‘I can’t say, I haven’t been inside and my colleague, Doctor Donelly, who is the forensic pathologist, will be the one to answer those questions. I didn’t catch your name?’

‘Donna Black.’

‘When was the last time you spoke to Ash?’

‘Last week, on the phone.’

‘How was she, did she seem okay, was she worried about anything?’