Page 96 of No Safe Place
Everyone on the call knew it was a snub, the ongoing repercussions of his fuck-up with Callum.
She thanked them all, the civvy support worker promised to get the notes over in the next hour or so, and Field closed the laptop.
Chapter 66
Saturday | Morning
Field
The Jacobs’ home was in Erith, a large detached red-brick house.
Wilson pulled onto the drive, parking next to a smart little Corsa.
There were no curtains in the downstairs windows, and as they approached the front door, Field could see straight into the bare living room. The driveway was neat and well maintained, no weeds sprouting through the cracks in the paving – a war Field had long given up on in her courtyard at home.
Ruby opened the door within a few seconds, and Field wondered whether she’d been waiting in the hall for them.
‘Hi, Ruby, I’m DCI Field, and this is DS Wilson.’
They held out their warrant cards, but the girl didn’t look at them.
Ruby was a tiny wisp of a girl with big dark eyes anddyed-purple hair. She was wearing a long-sleeved black dress and, despite the weather, black tights.
‘You spoke to my colleague, I believe?’ Field asked, gently. ‘You were expecting us?’
‘Yes, God. Sorry. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I think it’s the heat.’
She led them through the hallway, which was stacked high with moving boxes. There were marks on the walls, where pictures once hung, and a large mirror was on its side, leaning against the bottom banisters.
‘You’ll have to mind the mess,’ Ruby said, her voice a squeak. ‘Mum and Dad are getting the new place sorted. They complain about all the DIY, but—’ she kicked a black bag out of the way ‘—I think I drew the short straw, packing this place up.’
‘Moving house is the worst,’ Wilson said with feeling, as they made it to the kitchen. ‘My housemates and I are looking for somewhere at the moment. Total nightmare.’
Ruby seemed to relax a little. Gold star, Wilson.
The kitchen was empty too – nothing on the sides, apart from a kettle and a tea cannister. A temporary-looking dining table was set up against the far wall, consisting of a cheap white desk and a few garden chairs. Ruby didn’t offer them a drink.
‘Hopefully we won’t take up too much of your time, Ruby,’ Field said, as she sat down.
Wilson pulled her daybook from her bag, and produced a pen from her breast pocket.
Ruby nodded, went to speak, hesitated. ‘You already know about my sister, don’t you?’
She looked crestfallen. Field kept her voice gentle. ‘Yes, Ruby. I think DS Riley explained on the phone, that in the course of our investigation, we’ve been looking into Dr David Moore’s past patients.’
‘And the trial?’ Ruby pressed.
‘Yes,’ Field answered. ‘And the trial.’
The girl’s hands were on the table. They looked dry and painful, like she’d scrubbed at the skin. The fingernails were bitten down to painful-looking stubs, the skin around the nail beds picked at and raw.
Ruby flopped back into her seat. ‘I thought so. I was shocked when I saw the news about David, but then Sam too—’
Sam’s name hadn’t hit the press yet.
Ruby must have caught Field’s expression, because her eyes went wide, and her mouth opened a little. ‘I saw it on Facebook. I’m friends with Sam on there.’
They were going to need to tread carefully. Ruby could clearly give them valuable information, but if Field wasn’t careful she’d clam up like Lily.
