Murder on the Home Front by Jessica Ellicott

Author:Jessica Ellicott [Ellicott, Jessica]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Severn House
Published: 2023-01-06T00:00:00+00:00

SIXTEEN

In what felt like no time Billie and Peter had reached the police station, placed the items in an evidence box and alerted Sergeant Skelton as to the status of the case. Although the sergeant rarely had complimentary things to say about his direct reports, if Billie had to guess she would’ve said he seemed favorably impressed by their progress. He had even turned and included her in his nod of approval when Peter mentioned that she had been the one to spot Stan Reynolds’s bout of nerves when murder was mentioned.

He agreed with their assessment that Doreen Cook should be questioned and, if possible, her husband should be located. It was the first solid lead they had in the case and one he was eager for them to pursue. Billie could not believe her luck at the sergeant’s insistence that she be included in the questioning and was once again allowed to head out of the station. It was almost as if he was as eager for her to be far from her colleagues as she was.

The address Stan Reynolds had given for Doreen Cook was close enough for them to head there on foot. As much as Billie enjoyed riding the tram or one of the many coaches that zigzagged across the city, she always felt as though she learned more about her surroundings when she traveled on foot. Besides, after the excitement of the day and the slight case of nerves that had built up as she anticipated interviewing a witness, she appreciated the opportunity to stretch her legs and burn off any pent-up energy.

As they approach the apartment building, Peter slowed. ‘I think you ought to be the one to take the lead with this witness. After all, she might be more inclined to open up to another woman,’ he said.

Billie’s stomach gave a flip-flop. She didn’t think of herself as prudish exactly, but her experience with extra marital affairs, or any affairs of the heart for that matter, was extremely limited. One of the things she had not become accustomed to about the job was how much of it felt like it comprised of a breach of etiquette. There was really something rather nasty about asking such sordid questions, especially of strangers. Although when she came to think on it, it would not be any less distasteful to pry so unwelcomely into the private lives of her nearest and dearest.

Still, if she wanted to gain the respect of her fellow officers, she would need to be willing to do whatever the job required of her. Before she had donned her uniform, she never would have expected to help locate missing persons, take down purse snatchers, or to get to the bottom of a murder enquiry. It was just one more thing she was going to need to adjust her thinking on and to become adept at handling. She was certain that soldiers on the front, men like her father and her brother, did not turn away squeamishly because something was distasteful.

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