The Next Girl(Detective Gina Harte #1)(6)

‘Did you see anything or anyone suspicious when you went out to tend to the baby?’

‘No, I can’t say I did. The old man told me where it was and I found the little one straight away. I called you lot and held the baby until the paramedics came, hoping to keep it warm. It didn’t even cry,’ the woman replied, staring at the wall.

‘The baby’s in good hands. I’m sure your help paid off. Did you see anyone hanging around?’ Gina asked. She wondered if the mother had waited until someone found the baby. Maybe she had been standing at the end of the street or around the corner. Gina’s face began to glow from the fire’s warmth. Even her hair had stopped dripping.

‘No. There was no one in sight. Just me.’

‘If you remember anything else, please call,’ Gina said. She handed the woman her card and walked to the door.

‘Can you let me know how the baby is?’ Mrs Craneford said as she saw Gina out.

‘Yes, of course.’ As she left, the press release ran through her mind. An appeal for the safety of the mother and witnesses would be their best hope. She’d need to pass all the details to DCI Briggs so that he could get the information to the press before the morning news went out. Rain pelted down and the drains gurgled as they flooded. The ambulance splashed water over the pavement as the paramedics pulled away. Jacob Driscoll jogged towards her.

‘As requested, I’ve bagged and tagged all the garments for the lab,’ he said as he wiped his wet face and removed his latex gloves. ‘We’d best get back and process everything that’s happened. There appears to be no witnesses. We’ve asked everyone along this road – well, the ones who answered. I think we should get back. Oh, and one last thing – not good, I’m afraid. The CCTV hasn’t been on for over a year due to funding cuts. It’s just been left there as a deterrent.’

‘Damn.’ Gina wiped the rain from her face and watched as the lights in the houses started switching off and curtains were closed. All the action was over, leaving the public to go back to their books, television programmes and nice warm baths. She sloshed through the gutter towards her car. ‘I’ll see you back at the station,’ she called as she closed the door and started demisting the windscreen. She would find out to whom the baby belonged and how it arrived there. In her experience, the truth always found its way out. To start with, she’d organise the appeal. She released the handbrake and followed Jacob back to the station.

As she drove, she stared hard into the darkness of the street and imagined a figure. At the moment it had no face, it had no size, it wasn’t a woman or a man. Whoever placed the baby there had chosen carefully. The library entrance provided some shelter to protect the baby from the stormy weather. The road was densely populated and was crossed by passers-by with frequency. The figure would’ve been aware of this, and therefore they’d have left the baby quickly. Were they local? Was it a relief to leave the baby or was it the most heart-wrenching moment of their life? Was there violence involved?





Three





As Luke sipped the last of the wine in his glass, he watched Brooke twisting her blonde curls between her thumb and finger. Their gaze met. He couldn’t look away. He didn’t want to look away. He leaned across and stroked the side of her face before kissing her. She tasted just as he’d imagined. A hint of wine lingered on her breath. As his tongue reached further, caressing hers, she ran her fingers through his hair and pushed her body closer to his. The fire crackled as he reached up her jumper. He wanted her; she wanted him.

‘Stay the night,’ she whispered.

‘What about the kids?’

‘I’m sure they’d love a sleepover.’

He smiled as they continued kissing. She reached back and unclipped her bra. He stroked her soft back as his desire increased. The firelight glinted off his gold wedding band, and he moved his hand out of sight. Tonight, he wasn’t going to wallow in his sorrows or keep reliving the past. Her hand moved along his leg and continued upwards. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was the wood gently burning, but he wanted her. He had to move on and now was as good a time as any. Now was the perfect time. He leaned across and pushed his groin into hers, relishing the moans she was making in his ear.

Then Joe barged through the living room door, forcing them to part. ‘I hurt my finger,’ the little boy said, tears falling down his face.

Luke’s heart was beating like mad. He straightened his hair as Brooke pulled her jumper down. Glancing down at his ring, he shivered as he thought of his past, his children.

A thunderous noise filled the house as Max and Heidi ran down the stairs. ‘Daddy, she hit me,’ Max shouted, as he jumped into Luke’s lap.

‘I did not. He started it,’ Heidi replied, her face reddening. As his nine-year-old little girl stared up at him with her hazel eyes, he was reminded of the only woman he’d ever truly loved. She resembled her mother more every year.

‘She did!’

‘Do you two always have to argue?’ Luke shook his head. ‘Damn it! I suppose we should make a move.’ He stood up.

Brooke hugged her son and looked up from the sofa. ‘Blooming kids,’ she replied with a smile. ‘Is that a no to the sleepover then?’

‘I forgot, their nan’s coming over first thing. I really need to get back.’