Dead of Night by Chris Collett

Author:Chris Collett [Collett, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Detective and Mystery Fiction
ISBN: 9781780105864
Publisher: Severn House Publishers
Published: 2014-08-14T23:00:00+00:00

SEVENTEEN

Mariner had the FLO drop him back at his house to get a quick shower and a change of clothes before going in to Granville Lane. ‘Stay close,’ he told her as he got out of the car. ‘And make sure someone asks Grace’s mother and sister about that necklace.’

Despite the shock and disappointment that this was how Grace Clifton had been found, the incident room was buzzing, a new resolve fuelled by the imperative of finding out what had happened to her, and why. When Mariner arrived, Vicky Jesson was sharing details of the events of that morning.

‘And there’s no doubt that it’s her?’ asked Superintendent Sharp.

‘None whatever,’ Mariner confirmed, slipping into the back of the crowded room.

‘How did her parents take it?’ Charlie Glover asked.

‘About as you’d expect,’ said Mariner. ‘They were devastated, of course, but Councillor Clifton was very restrained under the circumstances. It could have been far worse. We’ve got people out searching the rest of the woods?’ he asked Sharp.

‘As we speak,’ she said, standing up. ‘All right with you if Dawson and I handle the press on this?’ she asked Mariner. He was only too happy to let her take it. ‘Right, I’ll let you all get on.’ The meeting broke up as people went to their assigned tasks.

‘How are you feeling?’ Jesson asked Mariner.

‘I’ve had better days.’

‘Did you ask about the necklace?’ said Jesson.

‘Councillor Clifton didn’t know anything about it, but he’s agreed to talk to his wife and daughter when he gets the chance,’ said Mariner. ‘They weren’t in any fit state to answer those kinds of questions. I’ve told the FLO to prompt the conversation if necessary, but it probably won’t be for a while.’

‘I keep wondering, why P?’ said Jesson. ‘We’ve been all over her laptop, social networks and all that. I can check the list again, but I can’t think of anyone we’ve come across with that initial, except for her best friend: P for Pippa.’

‘Pippa Talbot?’ For some reason Mariner hadn’t thought of her. He wasn’t so sure. ‘Do girls this age wear something dedicated to their best friend?’

‘It would be unusual,’ said Jesson. ‘By eighteen they’ve normally grown out of all that.’

‘Unless it signals more than just friendship,’ said Mariner. ‘Everyone’s been pretty keen to tell us that Grace doesn’t have a boyfriend right now, but do we even know for certain that she’s interested in boys? And do we know anything about Pippa’s sexual preferences?’

‘Even if it does relate to Pippa, she might not know anything about it,’ said Glover. ‘Grace could have had a secret crush on her friend.’

‘It’s possible, I suppose.’ Jesson was dubious. ‘But if it’s not Pippa, it could be a friend or boyfriend that either no one’s telling us about—’

‘Or who no one knows about,’ said Mariner.

‘It could be a secret admirer that even Grace was unaware of,’ added Glover.

‘All of which are feasible,’ Mariner said. ‘We’ll need to trawl back through everyone she knew, talk to family and friends again to see if they can identify anyone with that initial.

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