Page 64 of Her Lips Are Sealed

‘Hey, Tina, where’s Sam tonight?’

‘Lucky Sam, it’s her grandson’s birthday, so she’s taken the day off.’

‘Oh, bless. Yes, lucky is definitely the word. Has anyone said much to you?’

‘The woman from directly above has been down a couple of times to ask how Lisa is and if we have any updates. I told her whoever came to speak to her would be able to update her better, sorry for dropping you in it.’

Morgan smiled. ‘It’s okay, you haven’t dropped me in it.’

She climbed the stairs feeling weary, that coffee she’d had earlier seemed as if it had been a lifetime ago and she was hungry not to mention caffeine deprived. The door opened before her closed fist even touched the wood.

‘Oh, good evening. Detective Brookes.’

‘Come in, how’s Lisa? I keep asking and nobody knows or they’re not saying.’

‘How well do you know her?’

‘We talk most days.’

‘She’s stable, we’re waiting to interview her when she’s ready.’

‘I can’t believe it, that something so awful could happen here. It’s so ridiculous. I mean this is a quiet village, it’s not some busy city. Am I safe living here on my own?’

Morgan had to refrain from telling her that it didn’t matter what the population of a place was. If some sick person wanted to go out and murder people, they would do it regardless of the location and number of people living there.

‘I understand your frustration.’ Immediately she realised how wrong that sounded. ‘Sorry, it’s been one hell of a day. I talked to Lisa yesterday, so it’s a bit of a shock to me too. I’m not going to lie to you, I’d like to say that you’re perfectly safe, but do you live on your own?’

She nodded.

‘Then please, do not open your door to anyone that you don’t know. Can I ask your name?’

‘Sally Rowlands, oh God, this is terrifying. I’m sorry. Please sit down. Can I get you a drink?’

Morgan glanced at the Ninja coffee maker on the kitchen side. ‘No, it’s okay but thank you.’

‘How about I make us both a coffee? You look like you could do with one and I need something to do. I am literally pacing up and down feeling so useless.’

‘That would be lovely, thank you.’ Morgan sat down on the sofa. The flat was the same layout as Lisa’s open-plan kitchen/living area.

‘What did Lisa speak to you about yesterday?’

Morgan smiled at her. ‘I’m supposed to be the one asking the questions.’

‘Yes, you are. Sorry, it’s just freaking me out that’s all.’

‘Did she mention seeing a guy hanging around outside of an evening to you?’

She whisked her head around to face her; she looked genuinely surprised. ‘No, nothing. Was there?’

‘Yes, she told me she’d reported it a couple of days ago.’

‘Why didn’t she tell me? I’d have Mike next door go out and have words with them. He’s always very protective over us both and very helpful, he’s a nice guy.’

‘I don’t know, I think she wasn’t sure of his motives and I get the impression she didn’t want to make a fuss.’

Sally sighed. ‘Well, I think after today it’s pretty clear what those motives were.’

The smell of the coffee beans as they were ground almost tipped Morgan over the edge. She waited until Sally had made two mugs of coffee and sat opposite her before taking the photo of the suspect off the clipboard and passing it over to her. ‘Do you know him?’