Therapeutic Death by Helen Oliver

Author:Helen Oliver [Oliver, Helen]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-03-28T22:00:00+00:00

31

Akpata bombed along the road to Little Brampton. Reduced her speed to thirty when she reached the village. Ahead of her, a dark blue Mini also slowed and stopped outside Dunedin. Parking up behind it, Kylie asked herself if she should wait for a moment to see if the driver, possibly the reporter DCI Hammond talked about, would call at No. 9. Assuming this was the girl from the Post, oughtn’t Akpata get out of her car and be first on the doorstep? The decision was taken out of her hands: while she waited for a cyclist to pass, the girl swung her legs out of the Mini and walked briskly towards the Foxes’ door. Akpata followed fast, had her fingers round her warrant card before anyone came to the door. The blonde turned quickly, eyebrows raised. Akpata smiled. “DC Akpata, North Yorkshire Police.”

“Hi. Leanne Robb, the Post.”

Akpata said quietly, “Go easy, they’re very fragile.”

Leanne Robb said, “I’ve done this sort of thing before.”

Mrs Fox opened the door. To Akpata, the poor woman looked worse than she had before. “Hello, Mrs Fox. It’s me again.”

Kate Fox squinted at the blonde. “Are you a detective?”

Leanne Robb made to cross the step, but Akpata put a hand on her arm. “This is Miss Robb from the Post. We’re hoping a spot of publicity will help in our search for Judi.”

Mrs Fox put on a brave face. “That sounds promising.”

Strained pleasantries were exchanged in the front room, Colin Fox seeming less ready to have his say than the day before. Akpata eyed Leanne Robb. “I’d like a word alone with Mrs Fox. Will you keep Mr Fox company for a bit?” Leanne smiled at Mr Fox. “We’ll manage that, won’t we?” and for a moment his face lit up.

In the kitchen, Mrs Fox lifted the kettle. “Would you and the reporter like a cup of tea?”

Akpata shook her head. “I think she’s short of time, and there are one or two things I need to ask you.”

“I’ll help if I possibly can.”

Akpata waited for a second or two. “Does Judi keep a list of her Reiki clients, or a diary with information that might help?”

“She has a diary. I just hope she didn’t take it with her.”

“Do you mind if we have a look?”

Holding the banister for support, Mrs Fox led the way to her daughter’s bedroom. She opened the wardrobe door and felt along the top shelf. “This is where she usually keeps paperwork.” She gave an annoyed sigh. “Oh blow, she’s moved things again.”

Akpata hid her disappointment. “What sort of things?”

“She keeps her diaries and her Reiki address book, in an old –” She turned round. “Ah, wait a minute.” She crossed to the bed, kicked gently under it, bent down and pulled out an old leather briefcase. “Here we are,” she said and handed Akpata the address book and a handful of diaries.

“Thank you, Mrs Fox.”

The two went downstairs again, to where Leanne Robb was talking to Colin Fox and writing hard at the same time.

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