Page 64 of The Scene of the Crime
Iris returned with the tea, two large slices of sponge cake and a can of spray cream. ‘Hope you like the cake. I made it myself. It’s a bit dry, but the squirty cream moistens it.’ She shook the can and then sprayed the cake with the cream. They each tried a bit and commented on how delicious it was. ‘There’s plenty more in the kitchen if you want it,’ she smiled.
‘Do you mind if I ask you a few questions about Liam?’ Chapman asked. ‘It’s just that we don’t know much about him.’
‘Not at all, but I don’t think I can help you much. I haven’t known him very long.’
‘My colleague DS Wood will take some notes if that is OK with you.’
‘Of course, that’s what detectives do, isn’t it? I watch a lot of detective shows on TV, so I know the procedure.’
Chapman smiled. ‘How long has Liam lived here?’
‘About six or seven months now. He’s a friend of Winston’s.’
‘Who’s Winston?’
‘He rents the flat from the council, but he’s gone back to Jamaica and said Liam could use it.’
‘Do you know why Winston went back to Jamaica?’
‘His dad died suddenly. His mum’s got Alzheimer’s, so he needed to look after her.’
‘Did he say when he might be returning?’
‘No, but I think it might be a long time from what he said. He might even stay there for good.’
‘How do Winston and Liam know each other?’
‘Winston used to live with Liam’s mum, Maria, in the flat, but they split up about a year ago and she moved out. Poor thing was an alcoholic. Winston did his best to help her, but in the end, he couldn’t handle it anymore, so he asked her to leave.’
‘Do you know where she lives now?’ Chapman asked.
‘Not a clue, sweetheart. She used to drink in The Bell on the High Road, next to the fire station, if that’s any help.’
‘It is, thanks. Does Liam have any regular visitors or close friends in the area?’
She shook her head. ‘He’s a quiet lad. Keeps himself to himself.’
‘Did he say what he does for a living?’
‘I think he works in a shop or something like that. He said he likes serving people and chatting to them.’
‘Do you know what shifts he works?’
‘Nights mostly, but I don’t know what hours.’
‘Could it be a local supermarket he works at?’
‘Maybe, but I’m not sure. There’s an Aldi on the High Road and a Tesco Express. You ask a lot more questions than that Anderson fellow.’
‘Did you tell him what you’ve just told us?’ Wood enquired.
‘No. He just asked me who lived in the flat and what he looked like, then he left. Liam’s done something bad, hasn’t he?’
‘We don’t know, but we do need to speak to him,’ Chapman replied. ‘I don’t think he’d hurt a fly.’
‘I know you gave DCI Anderson a description of Liam, but it would be good to get it again, just in case he missed anything.’
‘I think he’s about twenty-five and your height, whatever that is.’
