On Cold Ground (Detective Karen Hart) by D. S. Butler

Author:D. S. Butler [Butler, D. S.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Published: 2021-03-24T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER TWENTY

Nina Brown lived in a bay-window-fronted terraced house on Horton Street. The street was on a hill, and there was no parking outside and no driveways or gardens. The front doors of the terraced houses opened directly on to the pavement.

Karen and Leo parked around the corner and then walked up the hill towards Nina’s house.

‘It’s had a bit of work done. Windows have been replaced,’ Leo noted as they approached the property.

A white diesel van passed them, chugging up the road. Karen couldn’t help thinking that even with good windows and sound insulation, the noise from traffic would be constant during the day.

They knocked on the grey front door.

Nina answered, looking pale. ‘Come in. Can I get you a drink?’

Leo and Karen declined the offer as they entered the dark hallway. Nina led them to a square lounge at the front of the property. The door to the kitchen was open, and Karen got a glimpse of the kitchen units, which were a faded yellow colour and old – but everything was spotlessly clean.

‘Sorry about the smell,’ Nina said, gesturing around. ‘I think it’s damp. I’ve been on to the landlord, but he hasn’t done anything.’ She sank into an armchair beside the fireplace, which looked to be original but obviously wasn’t used, as there was a display of dried flowers behind the grate.

Karen could only detect the smell of a floral air freshener and the chlorine scent of bleach.

‘Landlords, eh?’ Leo said. ‘Mine is just the same. It takes him forever to do basic maintenance.’

Nina managed a smile and then gestured at the other chair and sofa, indicating they should sit down.

Leo took the chair, and Karen sat on the sofa, which had wooden arms and looked like it belonged in a conservatory.

‘I’m very sorry we have to trouble you again so soon, Nina,’ Karen said. ‘But it’s important we find out everything we can about your sister, so we have the best possible chance of catching the person responsible.’

‘She was murdered then? I suppose I knew that really, but I’ve been trying to convince myself she could have got those injuries on her own,’ Nina said.

‘We believe she was strangled,’ Leo said gently. ‘Once we get the post-mortem results we’ll be able to tell you more.’

There was a noise from the kitchen. A small tabby cat stopped in the doorway, inspecting them, then rushed through the room and disappeared.

Nina’s cheeks coloured. ‘My cat, Tommy. I’m not supposed to have pets. The house is rented.’

‘Shy, is he?’ Leo asked.

‘A bit, with people he doesn’t know.’

Leo chuckled. ‘He was probably quite annoyed to find us in his living room.’

Nina managed a smile.

Leo leaned forward, forearms resting on his knees. ‘We need to ask you some sensitive questions. Do you feel up to answering them?’

‘You want to know if I can think of anyone who would want to hurt Laurel . . . And I’ve been racking my brains, but I can’t think of anyone.’

‘She didn’t have any new relationships, or a relationship that ended recently?’ Leo asked.

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