Page 53 of Her Lips Are Sealed

‘Yes, it was. I’m going to have to think about that for some time to process it.’

Cain didn’t answer and she was glad not to hear any more sarcasm from him. He’d almost crossed the line with Rena, and she hoped she wouldn’t put a complaint in about them, but she got the impression that this version of Rena wasn’t the kind of person to waste her time complaining. She was so mixed up, she had no idea what the hell was happening.

They sat in the car in silence until it hit Morgan. ‘What if she got Paul Graham to kill Rachel? Maybe they’re working together.’

‘You better let Ben know that Rena, from what you told me about her, has undergone a full personality transplant. I don’t think I’ve ever met someone who actually thrives off grief like she seems to be doing. It’s not normal, is it?’

Morgan shrugged. ‘Nothing about this case is normal.’

Her phone began to ring, and she heard a faint whisper.

‘Help me.’ The call cut off.

Horrified, Morgan looked at Cain, and then at her mobile. It said No Caller ID. The only person she’d given her personal number to recently was Lisa Palmer.

‘Drive to Crosslands Mews, Coniston, now, and put your foot down.’

He didn’t argue with her but swung the car around and sped in the direction of the road that would get them to Coniston.

Morgan took out her radio. ‘IR to Crosslands Mews, urgent assistance. Control, can you put a log on for me, please?’

‘What’s happening, Morgan?’

The Control room inspector asked.

‘Ma’am, I’m not sure. I just got a phone call from a woman called Lisa Palmer asking for help then it cut off. I’d rather we got there and figured out what’s happening than be too late. She already reported a suspicious male hanging around near to her flat this week, and I believe she rang it in again after being advised to…’ She withheld the information that it had been Marc who had neglected to inform anyone about Lisa’s concerns, that would need to be dealt with later.

‘We’ll find the log. All patrols in the vicinity of Coniston travelling, please, until we know what’s happening.’

Morgan’s stomach was churning. ‘Do we have the phone number she called in on the other night? Can somebody try and ring her, please?’

‘Already doing that, Morgan. We’ll keep you updated. Up to now it’s ringing out.’

‘Put your foot down, Cain.’

He didn’t need telling twice and sped up as fast as he could without putting them at risk of a collision. The roads were twisty, narrow and dangerous at a high speed, but Morgan had a terrible feeling that whoever got to Lisa first it might be too late.

THIRTY-THREE

Cain screeched to a halt, the car skidding on the gravel driveway of Crosslands Mews. The sirens behind them were getting closer. Morgan was out of the car, slamming the door and running towards the building with no idea which flat was Lisa’s. ‘Control, on scene, what number is it?’

‘Three, should be on the second floor.’

The front door was ajar and she barged through it. Taking the steps two at a time, out of breath and barely able to breathe, she reached the unassuming wooden front door of Lisa’s flat with her heart pounding so hard it felt as if it might explode out of her ears. She slammed the full force of her body against the door, hoping it wasn’t locked, and winded herself. Cain pushed her clear, lifted his foot and kicked it so hard the door flew open. Before he could stop her, Morgan ran inside and felt the bile rising up her throat.

Lying on the kitchen floor was a semi-naked Lisa, her blood-red lips open, a rope around her neck and her eyes half closed.

‘Noo.’ Morgan screamed and ran to her. She unwrapped the rope and began to do chest compressions.

Lisa’s eyelids flickered.

‘Keep going, she’s still breathing.’

‘We need an ambulance now.’

Cain was relaying this to the Control room.

‘Lisa, it’s Morgan, don’t you dare give up. Keep breathing, please. I came when you called, I told you I would. Stay with me.’