2.0 - What Lies Below by Helen Phifer

Author:Helen Phifer [Phifer, Helen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Unread
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Forty-One

A den lifted the mug to his lips and blew the steam away from the tea; Stella mirrored him with her own drink. They were perched on stools behind the small counter, facing each other.

‘So, what are you going to do?’

She shrugged. ‘I don’t know.’

Before she could continue, a man and women – both wearing smart suits – entered the shop. Aden bent towards her and whispered, ‘Police, you can spot them a mile off.’

Stella put down her mug, brushed chocolate brownie crumbs from her top, and stood up, smiling at them. ‘Can I help you?’

The woman smiled back. ‘Stella Sykes?’

‘That’s me.’

‘Detective Constable Emma Sloane, and this is my colleague DC Mike Burns. Can we have a word with you?’

‘Does it need to be in private?’ Stella was aware of Aden staring open-mouthed at DC Burns as if he’d just set eyes on the long-lost love of his life.

‘It’s up to you.’

‘Come on, we’ll go upstairs to my flat.’

Stella led them out of the shop and up to her flat, hoping they were going to tell her they had that prick Connor in the cells and he was crying like a baby. She led them inside and tried to ignore the broken glass and blood still on the floor.

‘I’m afraid we’re having a bit of trouble tracing Connor,’ DC Sloane began. ‘Can you give me a list of friends, contacts, addresses where he might be lying low?’

Stella shook her head. ‘I’m sorry, I don’t know any of his friends or contacts. Have you tried his home address?’

The detective nodded. ‘Several times. We have a plain-clothes officer giving it passing attention, and the building security guard has promised to ring should he turn up. How well do you know him?’

Stella tried to stop her cheeks from betraying her, but she could feel the faint redness that always began at the base of her neck begin to burn just below her clavicle.

‘Not very well. He’s a friend of a friend.’

‘Which friend?’

‘My girlfriend; his ex-girlfriend.’

DC Sloane took out a notebook. ‘I see. And do you think your girlfriend could be hiding him?’

‘No, definitely not. She left him. In fact, she’s left London, and didn’t give him her new address.’ A sickness began to spread inside Stella’s stomach.

‘Has he been in contact with you?’

‘No, thank God.’

‘Good, that’s good.’ DC Sloane smiled. ‘Well, I just wanted to check with you. If he turns up, you phone in immediately. And don’t worry, we’re doing all we can to locate him.’

The pounding in Stella’s head was making it hard to concentrate.

‘Stella, are you okay?’

She looked up, forcing a smile. ‘Fine, it’s all just been a bit of a shock. I’ve never been in a situation like this before.’

For the first time, the other detective spoke. ‘Are you sure you’re okay? If he comes back here, just ring 999. Don’t hesitate.’

Stella nodded. ‘I’m fine, thanks. I will. I’m not stopping here. I’m staying with a friend, and he doesn’t know where they live.’

DC Burns smiled at her. ‘That’s good, and probably best until we find him and arrest him.

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