Down to the Woods by M. J. Arlidge

Author:M. J. Arlidge
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781405925679
Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd
Published: 2018-08-20T16:00:00+00:00

79

It had been a long wait, but at last her patience had paid off.

Having been jumped by Graham Ross earlier, and dressed down by Simmons, Emilia had been determined to get back on the front foot. Which is why she was now in the car park of the Premier Inn, watching Matteo Dominici scurry across the tarmac.

Her coverage of the New Forest Killer had been good so far – better than good – but it lacked anything that genuinely tugged at the heartstrings. Melanie Walton had been too traumatized to talk and had knocked back all enquiries. Lauren Scott’s parents, meanwhile, weren’t even in the country and her boyfriend had gone to ground. Emilia had seen the footage of him fleeing his flat this morning and had immediately set about making enquiries, texting the cleaners, porters and receptionists she knew at the local hotels, hoping the promise of some drinking money might loosen their tongues. Sure enough, her foresight had paid off, one of her informants confirming that a flustered Dominic had checked into the Premier Inn off New Road earlier that morning.

Emilia had raced down there, but on arrival was frustrated to find that Dominici had left again, almost immediately after his arrival. She cursed her lengthy chat with Simmons and her contretemps with Ross, was sure she could have snagged him if she’d moved a bit quicker. But, counselling herself to be patient, she’d set up camp in the car park, watching the predictable parade of businessmen, stag-do revellers and adulterers file past.

Eventually Dominici surfaced. Exiting a taxi, he hurried across the car park towards the service lift, presumably hoping to avoid any unwanted attention. But Emilia was one step ahead of him, sauntering towards him, so as not to excite his interest, until it was too late to avoid her.

‘Matteo?’

He jerked his head up, startled. Emilia stepped directly in front of him, extending a hand.

‘I’m Emilia Garanita. I wonder if I could have a minute of your time?’

‘Who are you?’ he barked.

‘I’m from the Southampton Evening News. We’ve been covering your –’

He pushed roughly past her, continuing his progress towards the building.

‘I know you’re grieving, Matteo,’ Emilia continued, hurrying after him, ‘and that you deserve some privacy. But ignoring the press is not the answer. The best thing you can do is give me your side of the story, then all this will –’

‘Go to hell.’

‘I’m not trying to upset you. I understand your distress, I really do.’

Dominici walked more quickly, Emilia struggling to keep up.

‘I just want to get to know Lauren a little better. She was a wonderful woman, I’m sure, and I’d like to give our readers a better understanding of her. To afford them a glimpse of the woman you knew and loved.’

‘Where do you get off?’ Dominici stopped abruptly, rounding on her. ‘Pretending to be interested in me, in Lauren?’

Emilia held her ground.

‘I’m just doing my job, Matteo. I will quote you accurately and I won’t put in anything you don’t want me to.

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