Page 26 of Her Lips Are Sealed

‘I don’t think you have to be worried, but being cautious about your safety is always a good idea. I think we sometimes get a little too complacent. I mean you live in a beautiful home, in a gorgeous village that should be one of the safest places in the world. Yet someone has committed a heinous act almost on your doorstep.’

‘I’m ordering a Ring doorbell right now on Amazon. I’ve been meaning to get one for ages. John always said we didn’t need one, now I know why. I’d have seen him sneaking that slut in and out when I was at work.’

Morgan nodded. ‘Definitely look into something like that and if you’re worried or see anything you think is odd, please don’t hesitate. Ring nine, nine, nine if it’s urgent or one, zero, one if you want to speak to me and ask for them to get a message to me. Actually, still ring nine, nine, nine if you’re worried but here…’ Morgan tucked the water bottle under her arm and tore a page out of her notebook, scribbling her mobile number down. She passed it to Marina. ‘Call me if you need to talk, are worried or think of something.’

‘Are you sure?’

‘Positive, please, be safe.’

Marina gave her a sad smile that didn’t reach her eyes. ‘Thank you, we’ll do our best.’

Chantelle rushed inside with Milo cradled in her arms. ‘Found him.’ She kicked the front door shut with her foot.

‘I’ll go ask an officer to bring his stuff over when they can get access to it.’

‘Thanks, Morgan, it’s okay though, he can sleep on my bed.’

Marina rolled her eyes but didn’t say anything, and Morgan left them to it.

Letting herself out she closed the door softly behind her and nodded in approval at hearing the key turn in the lock.

SEVENTEEN

Declan was suiting up to go into the scene, and Morgan lifted a hand to wave at him. He mouthed, What is going on? in her direction, and she shrugged. She wished she knew but she had no idea, his guess was as good as hers. Ben beckoned her towards him and she ducked back under the crime-scene tape.

‘Any luck?’

‘No, but found a home for the cat.’

‘Jesus are you being serious?’

‘Why, did you want it?’

‘That’s not what I meant, and you know it. I’m going in with Declan and then we’re going to have to regroup back at the station because I literally feel as if my head might self-implode.’

‘Is that even a thing?’

‘Morgan.’

‘Sorry, I’m stressed.’

‘We all are, it’s a stressful situation.’

Cain and Amy sauntered towards them. Ben looked in their direction with such optimism in his eyes that Morgan felt bad for him when they both shook their heads simultaneously.

‘It was raining heavy last night, boss, everyone was tucked away inside their houses, curtains closed and arguing over whether they needed to turn the heating back on or put another jumper on.’

They were standing in a small circle, heads almost touching. ‘Thanks, Cain, at least you tried. Any doorbell or dashcam footage?’

‘This is where it gets interesting. The bakery, which has a bird’s-eye view of the house, has a camera, but the owner is in Manchester. The woman from the flat above has messaged her to take a look at it, so hopefully it will have caught something or someone.’

‘Amen to that, nice one,’ whispered Ben.

‘Ben,’ Declan’s voice called to him.

‘Coming.’

‘I can manage if you’d rather wait it out,’ Ben said to Morgan.