Chapter 61
Chapter sixty-one
As Matty wandered through from the kitchen into the lounge, there was a sharp knock at the door.
Gloria and Sloan looked at each other. “If that’s Jehovah’s Bloody Witnesses, tell them to piss off.”
“Thank you, Mother.” Sloan stood. “I think I can handle unwanted visitors without resorting to swearing at them.”
She left the room and Gloria said to Matty, “They won’t take no for a bloody answer. Used to have her dad standing there for hours till I’d had enough and shut the door.”
Matty chuckled and sipped her coffee.
They both listened, hearing voices in the hall, then the sound of shoes on the floorboards.
Sloan appeared in the doorway. “Matty, It’s DS Saint.”
The officer came into view and Gloria all but snarled at him. “I hope you’re here to apologise. Had the girl up half the night with worry.”
He smiled tightly at her, then turned to Matty. “Can I have a word?”
Sloan stepped between them. “Are you planning on arresting her again?” Her glare didn’t shift. “Because I think we’ll speak to our solicitor before we speak to you.”
Saint nodded. “I understand that sentiment, but no, I’m not planning on arresting Matty.”
Matty stood and touched Sloan’s shoulder. “It’s okay. I’ll talk to him.” She looked at Saint. “But we can do it here. I’ve got nothing to hide from Sloan or Gloria.”
Gloria lifted her chin. “You’re not getting a cup of tea.”
“So,” Matty said, sitting back down, “what did you want to speak to me about?”
Sloan sat beside her, leaving the armchair opposite free. Saint pointed at it. Sloan gave a short nod.
“Thanks,” he said, taking the seat. “I wanted to ask more about this Sarah.”
“You believe me now?”
“I’m leaning towards there being more to this than meets the eye. I just don’t know what it is yet.” He watched her. “Do you have any photos of her? Anything that could help identify her?”
Matty shook her head. “No. We weren’t what I’d call friends. She lived there, I lived there, and we got on. We chatted about life and my jobs. What we’d been up to. You know—casual stuff.”
“What kind of things did she talk about?”
Matty tried to rack her brains. She pulled a face.
“Nothing, really, now that I’m thinking about it.
I’d get home from Art sometimes and she’d be up in the kitchen drinking tea, coffee, or a beer.
Sometimes Brandon was up too. We’d catch up, then I’d go to bed.
I assumed that’s what they did as well.” She looked away. “I feel a bit stupid now.”
“You couldn’t have known,” Sloan said, reaching for her hand.
“But I think I did know.” Matty looked at Sloan, then back at Saint. “At least, I knew something was off. I just… She was nice, so I didn’t worry about it.”
He nodded. “Did you ever go into her room?”
Matty shook her head. “No. I never needed to.”
“Her room was at the top, right? Just to clarify?”
“Yes. The attic room.”
“That room’s empty,” he said. “Completely.”
Matty frowned. “But it can’t have been. She would get changed. She had to have had something up there.”
“Maybe she just had a big bag,” Gloria said. “Carried round what she needed, dropped it off in the room, made out like she was living there.”
Saint’s gaze flicked to Gloria, then back to Matty. “Would you be prepared to come to the flat with me and show me around?”
“Am I off the hook?”
“For now,” he said. “But I need to prove that this Sarah existed, and I need to find her.”
“What made you believe me?” Matty asked.
“A few things.” He sat back. “We found nothing in your room to suggest you had a hidden stash of cash or drugs. But mostly, I’ve met criminal masterminds, and unless you’re an Oscar-winning actress, you don’t fit the bill.”
“Of course she doesn’t,” Sloan said, squeezing Matty’s hand.
“Am I allowed to take some of my things if I come to the flat with you?”
He stood. “I don’t see why not. We’ve taken anything we deemed of interest…including your phone.”
“I’d like that back.”
“I’ll arrange for that.” He nodded once towards Gloria. “I’ll be in the car.” He left without another word.
They waited in silence until the front door opened, then thudded shut. Sloan moved to the hall to make sure he was gone.
“All clear,” she said. “Are you sure you want to go with him?”
Matty nodded. “Yeah. I think he’s genuine. And I want to clear this up. If I can help do that, then yes.” She reached for Sloan. “And I need some clothes. I can’t keep wearing yours.” She laughed, looking down at herself in the overly expensive sweatpants and designer T-shirt.
“I kind of like you in them,” Sloan said, smiling.
“Get a room, the pair of you.” Gloria grinned up at them. “And at least make me another cup of tea before you go.”
“I’ll still be here, I’m supposed to be working,” Sloan said, but one look at Matty told her a different story. “Unless…you want me to tag along?”
“Course she does.” Gloria laughed at her. “Open your eyes, Sloan. She wants you there.”
Matty slid in closer. “You do seem to have my back, and that’s very…” Her fingers slowly traced the seam of Sloan’s shirt. “Hot.”
“Honestly.” Gloria shook her head at them. “I’m too old for this. Get your shoes on and go.”