Chapter Fifteen
MAURICE BRADDICK HAD DECIDED hed keep Lucy at home until Waldens killer was caught.
Maurice thought it would be good for the two of them to spend a day together in the garden.
Then they could treat themselves to tea in The Golden Fleece.
Lucy would like that; she was always glad of an excuse to dress up.
Lucy, though, had other ideas.
I thought wed give the Woodyard a miss today.
Maurice tried to sound bright, in control.
We could have a day here and then go to The Fleece for our tea.
A bit of a treat.
We could go to The Fleece when I get back from the Woodyard.
She started to eat, as if the matter was already settled.
But he knew she also loved routine.
Anything different threw her.
Still, he gave it one more try.
But that man from there was killed.
Not in the Woodyard, Dad.
And he had no answer to that.
Ill give you a lift there and back then.
See you safe inside.
She gave him one of her lovely smiles.
The wind was stronger.
He could see it gusting on the river as they drove down towards Barnstaple.
He knew that was ridiculous.
What could happen to her here, with all these people about?
But even in the day centre, there were sometimes accidents.
Perhaps Lucys friend Rosas parents had had the right idea taking her away and keeping her safe at home.
Maurice thought this notion of giving people like Lucy more independence was going too far.
But they needed to be protected.
In the past hed seen the day centre as a place of safety.
Now, he wasnt so sure.
Maurice couldnt face driving home straight away; he knew hed be too restless to settle to anything.
Chapter Sixteen
They had an early start.
Jen pulled rank and insisted on driving because shed get paid the mileage and she needed the cash.
Come and wait for a moment.
You know what hes like in the morning, he spends more time in the bathroom than me.
Melanie rolled her eyes in mock-despair, but Jen could tell shed forgive Ross anything.
Jen wished there was something to dislike about Melanie.
She was as immaculate as the house, with flawless skin and hair already styled for work.
But she was kind too.
As far as Jen could tell, her only fault was her taste in men.
She and Ross had been going out together since they were teenagers, but Melanie still worshipped him.
A real hug, full of affection but sexy too.
At that moment Jen realized what she really felt for the couple was envy.
This was different, though, because Ross was just a colleague, and she was different.
She didnt have to pretend to care.
When he paused for breath, she broke in.
You do know I dont give a flying fuck about this sporting crap?
He stopped, shocked and offended, and they spent the next few miles in silence.
Then she thought this was ridiculous.
Ross wasnt Robbie and they had work to do.
She should make more of an effort to get on with him.
So, you made appointments with Waldens wife and Alan Springer.
Who are we seeing first?
It was hard to pin him down.
He didnt want us going to his home.
Has he got something to hide, do you think?
Maybe, but I didnt think I should push it.
We dont want him disappearing and all we have at the moment is that phone call.
Theres no record from the GPS on his mobile that he was anywhere near North Devon when Walden died.
So, where are we meeting him?
Jen indicated and pulled off the motorway.
Ive booked an interview room.
The boss knows an inspector there and pulled some strings.
Stringer preferred to come to the police station rather than talk to us at home?
Jen hoped the man wasnt messing them around, buying time.
She hoped hed turn up.
In the end, Springer was there before them.
He was waiting when they walked in and the officer on the counter nodded towards him.
Tall and well-built, muscular, sandy hair and blue eyes.
Thanks for agreeing to meet us.
I was sorry to hear about Simon.
A Bristol accent, the one Jen had heard on the answer machine.
How did you know him?
Theyd decided shed take the lead on the interview.
We were in the army together.
We became friends, both from the same neck of the woods.
Got married at about the same time and I left the forces soon after he did.
When he set up the business with Kate, his ex, I put a bit of money in.
He looked straight at Jen.
Never do business with a mate.
Tell us about that.
Kate was the driving force behind it.
Shed worked in hospitality.
When Si left the army, she said she wanted to see a bit more of him.
She hated being a forces wife, left behind, moving every few years.
So, when he came out, they bought a little restaurant.
Hed be the chef and shed do the admin and front of house.
Si wasnt so fussed about the idea.
Hed have been happy working in a kitchen somewhere, finish at the end of the day.
He wasnt ambitious and he needed time to settle back in civvy street.
The last thing he needed was more stress.
