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“Well,” said Lottie, “when you’re under our roof, you’re part of our family. I’m glad we’ve been able to look after you both.”
“You really have. Thank you.” He looked down at the boy, whose eyelids were definitely drooping. “And now I think I need to get this one to bed before Father Christmas comes.
Chapter Forty-One
HANNAH
Hannah listened carefully to the words being said to her. She’d guessed it would be important the moment the phone rang, and was grateful to Lottie for shepherding her into her office. Sitting at the old desk, she paid attention as DC Lasota went through the facts.
“I’m pleased to tell you that we have made an arrest,” he said. “I realise it’s late and it’s Christmas Eve, but I thought you’d want to know.”
“Oh, yes, of course,” said Hannah, absently pulling a pencil from the pot on the desk and fiddling with it. “I’m grateful for you taking time out of your day to let me know. Is there any more you can tell me?”
“As I mentioned earlier, based on the evidence we had, we had a good idea of who the perpetrator was. We took a while to track him down, but in the meantime we searched his home and it was clear that was where he’d prepared the letters, and indeed he had a few more that were ready to be sent,” the officer said.
“To me?” Hannah felt her breath catch.
“To you,” confirmed the DC, “but also potentially to others. We found him eventually, staying with his mum in South Wales of all places.”
“And you’re sure it’s him?” Hannah picked up an old receipt that had fallen out of the pot and slowly rolled it up between her fingers.
“Yes, we are.” The officer’s certainty was reassuring. “We’ve got him.”
“Wow,” said Hannah, feeling relief course through her. “Thank you. Really, thank you so much.”
“You’re welcome,” said the detective. “We’ll need you to give a formal statement at some point once you’re back in London, but there’s no hurry. Things will go quiet now for a few days. Please, enjoy your holiday.”
“Thank you. I hope you have some time off, too,” said Hannah. “Happy Christmas.”
“And the same to you,” said the officer, signing off with a smile in his voice. Hannah could relate. He had carried out an investigation and brought it to its conclusion. It felt a lot like when she got to the end of a story she was investigating. She thought of her own grandfather and his pride in his job as a police officer.
She ended the call and put her phone on the desk. She sighed and leaned forward, resting her face on her arms. It was over – and her first thought was to tell Lottie, whose concern for Hannah had been written all over her face.
She lifted her head and unrolled the piece of paper between her fingers. It was now rather crumpled after the nervous furling and unfurling during the call. It turned out it wasn’t a receipt after all. It was a list. She started to read, and slowly her mouth opened in horror.
Why I cannot date Hannah Castle:
She is the iciest of ice maidens.
She lives in London, which is more than 500 miles away.
She clearly has no social life to speak of – what’s that about?
She’s not even gay. Or maybe she’s confused. Either way, do I want to be an experiment? Nope.
I have Zack and Freya to worry about. I don’t have the time or inclination for a relationship.
She’s emotionally unavailable.
She would probably break my heart.
Line by line, it was a brutal takedown of any of the hopes Hannah might have had for a meaningful relationship with Lottie.
The disappointment was sharp, and Hannah felt utterly deflated, the contrast made more stark by the good news she’d received just moments earlier. Lottie had no intention of being with her.
Hannah could feel the heat rising in her face, her heart rate picking up and her breathing begin to get ragged. The last thing she needed was a panic attack right now.
She concentrated on the moment she was in and then attempted the method she used at work after a distressing court case or story, on those occasions on which she saw the worst of humanity. She closed her eyes, took three deep breaths and attempted to clear her mind.
