Page 62 of Silent Scream
Nicola felt her jaw drop. ‘How do you know about Beth?’
He looked up and down the corridor. ‘Look, I wasn’t going to say anything but she was here earlier today.’
Nicola felt her mouth dry up. ‘She was here?’
Lou nodded. ‘Demanded I let you go so you could do something more meaningful with your life.’
‘Oh, God, no,’ Nicola breathed. She could feel the heat climbing up her face. She’d never felt so humiliated in her life.
‘What did you say to her?’
‘I told her you were a big girl and perfectly capable of making your own decisions.’
‘Thanks, Lou. I’m so sorry. Did she say anything else?’
‘Yeah, she called me a few names and accused me of exploiting you. Nothing I haven’t heard before.’ He rolled his eyes.
Nicola smiled. ‘And you said?’
‘I thanked her for her comments and asked if there was anything else I could help her with.’
Nicola laughed out loud. It was a welcome release and an antidote to the tension that had built in her body.
Despite his good humour she was mortified that Beth had brought their family issues to her place of work.
‘Look, Lou. My heart’s not in it tonight so it’s probably best if I get home.’
He nodded his understanding. ‘I tell you what, out of the two of you I’m glad I got you ‘cos your sister is one pissed-off lady.’
‘I know,’ Nicola said quietly, while thinking to herself, you have no idea.
She began walking towards the changing room at the end of the hall.
‘Oh, and Nic ...’
She turned.
‘Watch yourself. I get the feeling that she’s really pissed off at you.’
Nicola sighed heavily and repeated her earlier thought.
Youreallyhave no idea.
Thirty-Two
‘Okay, Kev, you first,’ Kim instructed.
She had already briefed them about the crime scene of the previous day and the discovery of the conifer that linked both crimes.
Cerys had been true to her word and the photographs had been received just after six thirty. An aerial view of the site had been taped to the white board.
Dawson stood and traced the line from the location of the first grave to the edge of the map. ‘This is victim number one. Although there’s been no formal identification of sex, we believe from the clothing and the recovery of beads that the body is more likely to be female and that she’s been down there for approximately ten years.
‘The body has now been removed from the site and is at the lab with Keats and Doctor Bate. So far we know for certain she was decapitated.’
‘Gruesome,’ Stacey said.
Dawson made notes on the white board as he talked.
