Page 33 of Her Lips Are Sealed

‘Hi, I’m Detective Brookes, Rydal Falls police. Can I speak to the duty manager, please?’

He smiled at her. ‘That would be me, I’m manager, night porter and general dogsbody all in one this evening. If I had a clue how to fix the generator, I’d be an electrician too. How can I help?’

He looked a little frazzled around the edges, but still managed to keep his cool, polite attitude.

‘Bad night, huh?’

He nodded. ‘Although probably not as bad as yours if you’re here this late. Are you working the murder?’

‘Word gets out fast. Yes, I am. I was wondering if you could confirm for me if Dan Webb was in work last night, what time he got here, what time he left?’

He arched one eyebrow at her. ‘Is Dan in trouble, a suspect?’

‘No, just tying up loose ends. Unfortunately for Dan, he lives above the woman who was murdered so I want to discount him from our enquiries.’

‘Ah, he said earlier when he came in that his friend had been murdered, it’s so sad. I sent him home, no good here if he’s got that on his head. This is the last place he needs to be, especially when there’s not even enough electricity to brew up. It’s going to be a long night.’

She smiled at him, hoping it conveyed the sympathy she felt about not being able to make a coffee. She couldn’t work a night shift without a coffee every couple of hours to keep her brain functioning.

‘Was he here last night?’

‘Yes, sorry. He most certainly was, he manned the door like the professional that he is. He also managed to defuse at least two fights at the wedding reception before it ended. They were a wild bunch, full of champagne and far too much energy. The groom had to be carried up to his room by his best man and Dan. The bride was crying in the corner over him messing up the last dance. I’m telling you now, I do not get paid enough to go through that every night.’

She grinned at him. ‘Thanks, that’s great. Not the shambolic wedding guests, the fact that you can alibi Dan.’

‘I thought he wasn’t a suspect?’

‘He’s not, not really but we work backwards to rule out any possible suspects so we can focus on the culprit.’

‘Sounds as much fun as dealing with drunken wedding guests.’ He winked at Morgan and she laughed. He was older than Ben, but very handsome in his three-piece suit. He looked a little like Richard Gere in Pretty Woman and charming too. He seemed like an okay boss, especially if he sent Dan home. Not a lot of employers would do that.

‘I’d offer you a coffee, but we’re out of juice.’

She smiled at him. ‘I’ve probably drunk far too much caffeine already. I’m going to struggle getting to sleep tonight.’

‘I bet, do you have nightmares dealing with the awful stuff you do? I mean I have them over wedding guests, so I bet you’re traumatised the stuff you see.’

‘Sometimes, it’s a little hard to switch off but I like what I do, especially when it means I get to rule out decent people from our suspect list.’

He stood up and leaned over the desk, holding out his hand. ‘I find that very refreshing from a copper and I mean no disrespect by that. I’m Grant Barrow. If you ever find yourself in need of a coffee and someplace to hide out for a little while, then you’re very welcome here.’

‘Morgan, Morgan Brookes.’

‘Well, it was my pleasure to meet you, Morgan. I mean that, you just tell them Grant said he owes you coffee.’

She laughed. ‘Thank you, Grant, that’s very kind of you. I hope the power comes back on soon.’

‘So do I, this is going to be one hell of a long night if I can’t make myself a mug of tea to drown my sorrows in.’

She left him to it, to go speak to Dan and ask him about the flats and the ID.

There was still a scene guard on the little street where Rachel’s flat was and she parked by the church and walked down. Mac was sitting in a plain car with the window down, smiling at her as she approached him.

‘Still hard at it?’

‘Yes, I thought you’d be up the hospital still.’

He shook his head. ‘Nope, Amber took over, wasn’t very happy about it either but there’s not a lot to be done. That idiot isn’t going anywhere. He needs a pin in his ankle apparently.’