The Lighthouse Murders by Rachel McLean

Author:Rachel McLean [McLean, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2023-04-26T16:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER FORTY-ONE

Lesley gazed out of the window, a coffee in her hand. She needed to get into the office, but it was Sunday. No one would notice if she waited for Elsa to wake.

She downed the last of her coffee and turned towards the kitchen for another cup just as Elsa entered, still in her dressing gown.

“Hey,” Lesley said.

“Hey.” Elsa put an arm around Lesley and kissed her. “I didn’t hear you get up.”

“I didn’t want to disturb you.”

“I don’t mind.” Elsa eyed Lesley’s mug. “You want another one?”

“Please.” Lesley handed it over.

Elsa went into the kitchen and started up the coffee machine. It was complicated, a wedding present. She turned on the radio: Fleetwood Mac.

“They played this at the wedding.” Elsa looked at Lesley, smiling.

Lesley went to the kitchen and took Elsa in her arms. She brushed Elsa’s long hair out of her face. “They did.”

“You’ve got to go into work today?”

“I’m SIO on a double murder enquiry.”

“I know.” Elsa sniffed, pulled out of Lesley’s arms and went to the coffee machine. She inhaled. “It’s a bugger to use, but it makes damn good coffee.”

“It does.”

“I’m sorry I was asleep when you got in last night. How was Dennis?”

“How you’d expect?”

“Stoic.”

“That’s Dennis.” Lesley took the coffee that Elsa offered her.

“Has he got a solicitor?”

Lesley paused, her mug midway to her mouth. “You’re offering?”

“That’s not what I said.”

Lesley sipped the coffee. “I don’t know.”

“He must have. They’ve interviewed him, what, twice? And he’s up before the magistrates tomorrow.”

Lesley nodded. “He must have. Still…” Dennis was stubborn. He was the kind of man who still believed innocent people didn’t need lawyers.

Oh Dennis, I do hope you’re protecting yourself.

“You want me to ask some of my contacts, see if anyone’s been hired by him?”

“Would they tell you? You’re a bit close to it all.”

“Who’s hired who is no secret.” Elsa raised her eyebrows. “As you well know.”

Elsa had worked for Arthur Kelvin, a local organised crime boss, until she’d left her previous firm. Now she was trying to set up on her own.

Lesley sighed. “See what you can find out. Keep it subtle.”

“Of course. If he doesn’t have someone…”

“Now you’re offering.”

“I know some of the people involved. If the case hinges on the fact that Mackie was investigating the Kelvins, my experience could be of help.”

“Or it could be the exact opposite.”

Elsa shook her head. “Arthur Kelvin’s dead now. There’s no conflict.”

Lesley grabbed her wife’s wrist. “And you need clients.”

“It’s Dennis. I’ll do it pro bono.”

Lesley cocked her head. “You’d do that?”

“I’ve seen how worried you are about him. He’s on a DS’s salary. Of course I would.”

“You’re trying to set up a business.”

“That’s not the issue here.”

Lesley put down her empty mug. It was nine am: she needed to get moving. “It’s kind of you, sweetie.”

“It’s selfish. I want you to be happy. And you won’t be until Dennis has been cleared.”

‘You’re confident he will be.”

“Of course I am. So are you.”

Lesley drew in a breath. She looked at her wife, who was eying her over the rim of her mug.

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