Dead Memories (D.I. Kim Stone #10)(61)

Bryant groaned inwardly. His day was not getting any better.

‘Sir, you know I’ll do my best but I repeat that you are making a mistake. I know that you’re angry with her and part of you feels she’s let you down by losing control, but just think about what she’s had to face this week. Almost hitting someone doesn’t even come close to being equal with the emotional rollercoaster. I know you’re in a difficult position but without her on this case I fear that many more people will lose their lives.’

Woody shook his head. ‘Sorry, Bryant, but it’s out of my hands.’





Seventy-Nine





Alison entered the club feeling less out of place than she had the night before.

A pair of scissors and a cheese grater had scruffed up her Victoria Beckham jeans and her blouse had been replaced with a V-neck tee shirt. Her hair had been shaken out and hung loosely around her shoulders.

Surprisingly it was a whole different animal this time around. Although the place wasn’t heaving with people, there were just a few free tables and the others seemed to be occupied by couples enjoying a quiet drink to a Coldplay track in the background.

Tom looked up from the till, hesitated and then smiled.

‘Back again?’ he asked.

She nodded as she took a seat. ‘Although it’s much quieter tonight.’

He looked around. ‘Yes, my usual Wednesday night entertainment is otherwise indisposed.’

She frowned and then pretended to put two and two together.

‘Aaah, that musician who attacked—’

‘Yes,’ he interrupted. ‘But, please keep your voice down.’

‘Sorry,’ she said, realising the people at the table behind probably heard.

Damn it. She wasn’t here to get herself noticed. She was here to observe Tom.

Unlike police officers she had no experience of gut instinct or that special feeling for the truth. All she did was analyse actions, behaviour. She didn’t interview, interrogate or speak to many people directly. She had used all of her knowledge and experience to develop a profile for the killer of Jennifer Townes and she needed to see how closely this man came to fitting it.

‘Dry white wine?’ he asked.

‘Please,’ she answered, reaching for her handbag and she was pleased that this time he didn’t try to stop her. ‘And a bag of chicken crisps.’

He placed the drink and packet on the bar and took her money.

She noted his clean fingernails, remembered the pleasant smell of pine from the night before.

Clean and well groomed.

Check.

He glanced towards the other end of the bar as a couple had just entered, but Tilly miraculously appeared and began to serve them. Alison had read the statements of the bar owner and his staff member numerous times.

She opened the pack of crisps and turned slightly to the side. She took a couple, but one fell from her fingers before it reached her mouth.

‘Oops,’ she said, watching it fall to the ground.

‘So, that guy last night,’ he said, leaning forward, resting his forearms on the bar. ‘Your boyfriend?’

‘Oh no,’ she said.

‘Seemed like you were having a bit of a tiff over there.’

Observant.

Check.

‘He’s a colleague. Just a difference of opinion.’

‘And what is it that you do, Alison?’ he asked.

How did he know her name?

‘Your colleague said your name last night before he whisked you away and I never forget the name of a beautiful woman.’

She felt the heat flush into her cheeks.

Charming.

Check.

She ate another crisp and dropped one.

‘Teacher,’ she lied. ‘Maths,’ she added. It would have been her second career choice.

‘Hey, Tom,’ Tilly said, sidling over. ‘Stock requisition forms done and—’

‘Filed?’ he asked.

She smiled. ‘Of course. I know how you get.’

‘Okay, can you give Freda a call and see if she’s feeling better? If not, we need to get her covered.’

Tilly nodded and moved away.

Efficient and organised.

Check.

She ate a crisp and dropped one.

‘How about you?’ she asked. ‘How long have you owned this place?’

‘Three years,’ he answered proudly.

‘Since…’ she started to say, ‘you were twenty-six,’ but realised he hadn’t told her his age. ‘Since it went into liquidation from the previous owners?’

He nodded, giving no reaction to her slip-up.

She ate a crisp and dropped one.

‘Luckily for me they just wanted shot of it. I managed to do some decent deals with suppliers, made use of that business degree and managed to get the place into the black in two years.’

Educated.

Check.

Alison saw her opportunity.

‘I suppose having live entertainment has helped?’

He nodded. ‘As long as it’s the right kind.’

‘Like that guy, Curtis something?’ she asked dropping a few bits of crisp and then scrunching up the packet.

He took it from her and put it behind the bar. He nodded towards the corner. ‘Let’s talk over there.’