Chapter 27
‘We have an ID on the victim,’ DS Rogers informed the team at the morning briefing. ‘His name is Darren Enticknap and he was the owner of the property at the time of his death, which was recorded as suicide.’
‘Why? Surely someone must have reported him missing, at least?’ The voice belonged to DC Carpenter, who’d joined the team from uniform six months earlier. Normally, DI Harrison liked her; she was keen and eager to make her mark. Today, she just wanted her to go away.
‘It seemed an open and shut case, from what I’ve been able to find out,’ DS Rogers told her. ‘The victim left a note saying his girlfriend had just left him, his car was discovered by the coast, which explains the lack of a body, and he was apparently about to lose his job.’
This was news to DI Harrison. She couldn’t remember Darren saying anything about that. She tried not to shudder as she thought what he would have been like at home all day with nothing to do except find fault with her.
‘Any luck tracking down the girlfriend?’ she asked, hoping above all for a negative answer.
‘Not so far, Ma’am,’ DS Rogers replied.
‘She’s got to be the prime suspect, hasn’t she?’ DC Carpenter interrupted. ‘Aren’t most murders committed by people known to the victim?’
‘The majority, yes,’ DS Rogers agreed. ‘So I agree that the girlfriend is pivotal. I spoke to the neighbours, but most of them moved in after the events we’re interested in, so didn’t know anything.
However, one older resident said she did remember him.
She was a bit hazy about it, but seemed to think the girlfriend was blonde and called either Claire or Sandra.
The only useful piece of information she divulged was that she was certain she worked in the Pig and Whistle pub. ’
‘Would you like me to follow that up?’ DC Carpenter really was being irritatingly keen this morning.
‘That would be difficult, as the Pig and Whistle closed fifteen years ago.’
‘I could contact the tax office?’ DC Carpenter persisted. ‘They must have PAYE records.’
‘Good idea, assuming the staff were on the payroll and not simply paid cash in hand. Follow it up, but don’t waste too much time on it if it proves to be a dead end.’
‘Good work, everyone,’ DI Harrison told them, keen to wrap this up as fast as possible.
For the time being, things seemed to be going her way.
Although she had been on the payroll at the pub, she was fairly certain that the tax office only kept five years of historical PAYE records so DC Carpenter wouldn’t find anything to link her to the Pig and Whistle.
The neighbour might be a problem though.
But DS Rogers had said she was hazy, so that probably wouldn’t come to anything either.
She just needed to sit tight and hold her nerve.
‘Have you texted him yet?’ Liv’s voice from the other side of the door startles me.
‘I’m working. Go away,’ I reply testily. I know she’d say she’s only got my best interests at heart, but Liv seems to have turned the idea of me contacting Finn into some kind of personal crusade.
‘You aren’t working,’ she replies, sounding completely unruffled by my grumpy tone. ‘I’m willing to bet a fiver that you haven’t written a word in the last hour.’
Beside me, Meg stirs in her sleep, half opening one eye and regarding me balefully. Although she was delighted to see me when I got home, I think she’s pissed off with me now because she’s worked out that me being home means no more doggy daycare.
‘Stop that,’ I tell her. ‘I said I’d talk to Donna about it later, OK?’
‘Has she still got the arse with you?’ Liv calls.
‘You might as well come in,’ I tell her with a sigh.
‘I bring offerings,’ she announces as she opens the door. ‘Fresh coffee and a rather nasty piece of millionaire’s shortbread.’
‘The coffee is welcome, but you can keep the shortbread. I’m trying to be good after thoroughly overdoing it while I was away.’
‘Suit yourself. It’s disgusting anyway. How people eat this stuff is beyond me. There’s no balance of flavour, nothing to excite the palate. It’s just layer after layer of sugary sweetness.’
‘Why did you make it then?’
‘Donna likes it.’
‘Wow.’
‘What?’
‘It must be love if you’re prepared to do that.’
Liv grins. ‘It’s a two-pronged attack, if you must know. Give her what she likes to keep her sweet, but also try to educate her palate at the same time.’
‘Poor woman.’
‘Oh, she’s OK. Do you like her?’
‘I’ve already told you I like her, Liv. She’s a good match for you and I can see why she makes you happy.’
‘Yes, I know. I just want to make sure that you’re still all right about her though. You don’t feel left out?’
‘I’m fine.’ In truth, Liv has been so keen to make sure I don’t feel like the third wheel that she’s overcompensated if anything. ‘Just relax. I like her; I think she likes me. The only person who’s unhappy with the current state of affairs is Meg here, and I’m going to fix that.’
‘I told Donna that you were thinking about sending Meg back to daycare, and she’s delighted.’
‘I think it’s the right decision. I just resent paying for other people to look after Meg when it should be my job. But I get that she’s mainly Collie and needs more stimulation than I can provide. I don’t know, Liv. I feel like I’ve failed her a bit.’
‘Nonsense. You’re doing everything you can for her. Top dog mum of the year, that’s you. Anyway, have I won the bet?’
‘No, because I didn’t accept it.’
‘Only because it would have cost you a fiver.’
‘Fine. No, I haven’t written anything for the last hour.’
‘Just message the boy, will you? Put us all out of our misery.’
‘That’s not the reason I haven’t written anything.’
‘Bollocks. You’ve been sitting here trying to decide and procrastinating as usual. Just do it.’
‘Argh. OK. You’ve worn me down. I’ll message him now, OK?’
‘Good.’ She settles herself on the bed.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Watching.’
‘Umm, no? These things are private.’
‘They are for normal people, but you need supervision.’
‘Oh, for God’s sake,’ I growl, snatching up the phone.
To be honest, the message is easy because I’ve spent so long thinking about what to say, not that I’m going to admit that to Liv.
Having tried lots of different options, I’ve gone for something that I hope sounds casual enough not to frighten him, while making it clear I’m expecting him to reply.
Hi Finn. Just checking in to see whether you’ve heard anything from the TV people? I’m back in the UK – escaped the Double-Doubles!! xx
‘There. Happy now?’ I say, showing her the screen once I’ve sent it.
‘Ecstatic. I’ll be even more ecstatic when he replies.’
‘He hasn’t replied,’ I complain later that afternoon. I’ve given up trying to write anything as I’ve been fixated on my phone.
‘Has he seen it?’
‘Nope.’
‘Maybe he’s in meetings or something.’
‘Or maybe he lost his phone and this isn’t his number any more. Or maybe it was stolen and I’m actually messaging the new owner in China or wherever the phone is now.’
‘Maybe he’s been eaten by a shark, or abducted by aliens,’ Liv observes wryly.
‘Stop taking the piss.’
‘Stop acting in such a pissworthy manner then.’
‘I’m not sure that’s a word.’
‘It is, even if I’ve just had to make it up to describe you. Anyway, I expect he’s just busy. Relax, he’ll get back to you, I’m sure.’
As if on command, my phone beeps to let me know I have a new message.
‘Is it him?’ Liv asks, leaning forwards as I pick it up and unlock it.
‘Yes.’ I’m suddenly aware of my heartbeat, which has definitely quickened.
Hiya! You must be a mind reader as I was just about to message you.
Been in meetings all day with the TV people but the result is…
they’ve gone for it! Show will be called ‘Winning Bid’ and recording starts in a couple of weeks.
Believe I owe you a studio tour and dinner if you’re still interested. xx
‘Hmm,’ Liv observes, reading the screen over my shoulder.
‘What?’
‘I can see why you’d think he wasn’t interested. I mean, it’s not very enthusiastic, is it?’
I turn to look at her.
‘I’m kidding, you idiot. Give it to me. Let’s see. “Just about to message you”; “I owe you a studio tour and dinner”; two kisses. I’m with Cara. He’s nuts about you.’
‘You can’t deduce that from a short message.’
‘Of course I can. You’d better reply quickly though. If he’s half as much as a ditherer as you’ve been, he’ll be paralysed with self-doubt, wondering if he’s overplayed his hand.’
Before I can come up with a suitable riposte, we’re interrupted by the ringing of the doorbell and Meg barking furiously.
‘Yes, all right,’ Liv tells her as she goes into the hallway. ‘It’ll be Auntie Donna come to see you, I expect.’
Meg’s tail is thrashing so hard when she spots Donna that I feel a slight pang of jealousy.
I know she loves me, but she’s been a bit more muted with me since I’ve been back, reminding me a little of how she was when Angus first left.
To see her so full of joy at the sight of someone else isn’t easy.
‘Hi, Laura,’ Donna says to me, after she’s kissed Liv hello and made a huge fuss of Meg.
She obviously spots the look on my face because she continues quickly.
‘Don’t worry. Dogs are lovely, but they’re not terribly diplomatic.
Meg’s excited to see me because she knows me and associates me with fun.
It doesn’t mean she loves you any less, I promise. ’
‘Bloody disloyal, that’s what I call it,’ I reply. ‘I’m the one that buys her dog food and provides a roof over her head. Miserable animal.’
Donna smiles. ‘You don’t mean that.’
‘No, probably not. It wouldn’t hurt her to be a little more appreciative sometimes, though.’
‘The thing you have to remember about dogs is that they live completely in the moment,’ Donna explains.
‘One of my owners is a computer programmer and he described it brilliantly. Apparently, in computer programs, you have a concept called If… then… else. So if condition A is true, one thing will happen, but if it isn’t then something else will.
Dogs totally don’t get this. So Meg doesn’t think “If I show how pleased I am to see Donna, then Laura will get upset”.
She’s just “Oh, wow. I’m excited to see this person and I want to show it”.
Think how she was when you turned up to collect her from daycare last time. She couldn’t get enough of you.’
She’s right, I realise. Meg was just as delighted to come home from daycare as she was to see Donna just now. I need to stop expecting her to be capable of human emotions.
‘Laura’s a bit all over the place because of a boy,’ Liv tells Donna with a wink.
‘It’s not that,’ I retort. ‘It’s just…’
‘It so is that,’ Liv replies with a laugh when I run out of steam.
‘Well, let’s get your dog sorted, and then that’ll free up your mind to deal with the boy,’ Donna says kindly as we head into the sitting room. ‘Any chance of a cup of tea and a piece of that delicious shortbread, Liv?’
Thankfully, Liv is standing behind her as her exasperated eyeroll is far from subtle.
‘Of course,’ she manages to say without a hint of sarcasm. ‘You go and chat to Laura and I’ll bring it in when it’s ready.’
‘Shall I let you in to a secret?’ Donna says as we settle ourselves on the sofa and Meg climbs up between us. ‘I’m not actually that fussed about millionaire’s shortbread. I mean, it’s nice and everything, but it’s not my favourite.’
‘Why get Liv to make it for you then? You know she doesn’t like it?’
Donna grins. ‘It’s a comparatively minor character flaw in me for her to focus on. All the time she’s trying to wean me off the shortbread, she’s not noticing all my other major flaws.’
‘I’m really not sure that’s how it works, Donna. Maybe stick to dog psychology.’
‘Perhaps you’re right. Anyway, I do appreciate it because I know it’s not her thing, but she does it because she thinks it makes me happy. I probably ought to let her off though. Her pastries are to die for, aren’t they?’
I smile back at her. ‘I really hope that’s not a euphemism.’
She tilts her head back and laughs. ‘I’ll have to think about that. Now, let’s talk about young Meg here.’
By the time we all make our way up to bed some hours and a bottle of wine later, I’m feeling much happier about Meg’s situation, and any final reservations I had about Liv and Donna’s blossoming romance have also melted away.
Donna is easy company, it’s lovely to see Liv so happy and there wasn’t a single moment where I felt excluded.
In fact, the evening has been so much fun that it’s only as I’m climbing into bed that I realise with horror that I never messaged Finn back.
Hurriedly, I grab my phone and, after re-reading his message, send a reply.
Congratulations!! I knew they’d go for it. Studio tour and dinner both sound amazing. When did you have in mind? I’m flexible xx.