Page 24 of Her Lips Are Sealed

‘Yes.’

‘Thought so, but I like that you have morals. I also like that you don’t look like one of those coppers. Are you really one or are you a journalist fishing for gossip?’

‘I am not a journalist.’ She tugged her ID out of her pocket and held it towards the girl. That was possibly the worst insult Morgan had ever received. After her run-ins with Fin Palmer, she had an immense distrust of them.

The girl squinted at her ID. ‘Detective, that sounds so cool. Do you want to come inside? My mum’s on her way home anyway and Karen from the cake shop is busting a gut leaning out of that top floor window. She’s going to have a stiff neck if she doesn’t fall right through the glass first.’

Morgan turned and saw a woman with her face pressed to the glass of the window watching everything. When she realised Morgan was staring at her she ducked out of sight.

‘God, she’s nosy. Knows everyone’s business and it drives my mum mad, especially after Mum threw my dad out for sleeping with the woman who runs the post office. Oops, too much information.’

Morgan tried not to, but she couldn’t help it and grinned. ‘Yes, I’d like to come inside if that’s okay with you. What’s your name?’

‘Chantelle. Was almost Chanel, but the mother changed her mind at the last minute, thank God. Could you imagine the horror I’d have been put through at school? I’d have been called number five for the rest of my life.’

This time Morgan laughed as she followed the girl inside, closing the door gently behind her. She was worried about Chantelle and her mum living here alone when there was a violent killer on the loose and she wanted to wait until her mum arrived home before she left her. Not that she thought he would be so brazened as to try and murder anyone while the whole area was teeming with police, but he was clearly confident and she needed to warn them both about being alert and safe.

The inside was small, open plan and stunning. The glow the setting sun cast through the stained-glass window was simply beautiful.

‘It’s pretty cool, isn’t it? I didn’t want to live here at first. I thought it was going to be creepy and cold with all the dead bodies and sinners that have used this place. It’s not, it’s peaceful and I love watching the muted light filtering through the stained glass.’

Morgan was impressed. ‘That’s wonderful, I would love it too.’

‘Yeah, my mum is working two jobs to make sure we can pay the mortgage. I do my best not to bother her for stuff, so she doesn’t feel too stressed. I’d hate it if we had to leave here because my dad’s a dick.’

‘Your mum sounds like an amazing woman.’

Chantelle grinned at her. ‘She is, but don’t tell her that I said so. It’s not my job as a teenager to appreciate the beauty of this place or the fact that she’s a legend. I don’t want her to think I’m being nice to her because she’s got no man.’

‘You’re an idiot, Chantelle.’

The woman’s voice shocked the pair of them, and Chantelle screeched, ‘Mum, you scared the crap out of me.’

‘I love you too, what’s going on?’ She turned to Morgan. ‘Please, sit down, I’m Marina and you’ve met my daughter Chantelle.’

‘Thanks.’

‘She’s a real life detective. Isn’t she cool?’

‘Chantelle, have you asked Morgan if she’d like a drink?’

Chantelle turned to Morgan. ‘Sorry, would you like one?’

‘You know, I would love a glass of water, please.’

The girl put her hands in the prayer position, and Morgan smiled.

‘You’ll be glad you didn’t ask for a coffee. Considering she works in a café, her coffee skills are sadly lacking.’

‘Can’t be perfect all the time.’ Chantelle walked to the fridge and opened the door, took out a bottle of water and then passed it to Morgan.

‘Thanks, but tap water is fine.’

‘No, it’s not. Tastes rank; enjoy.’

Chantelle flopped down on the sage green sofa next to Morgan. Her mum sat on the chair opposite them.

‘What’s happening, I had to park ages away and walk here.’