The Secret Child (DI Amy Winter #2)(62)

Another thought occurred to Amy. ‘But why hasn’t Luka specifically mentioned being drugged?’ The vagueness of his motives had bothered her all along. She’d toyed with the theory that he was trying to protect the people responsible so he could get to them first. But why involve the police?

Inside her office, the phone began to ring. Amy turned to Molly one last time. ‘I’ve set some new tasks on the system. Let Paddy know if you’ve any problem keeping up.’ The computerised system was used to keep track of the vast number of updates inputted each day. Each entry was time-stamped, and Amy used it to oversee proceedings and set tasks of her own. It was up to her sergeant, Paddy, to chase them up and ensure completion in the timescales she set.

The call was from Amy’s brother, Craig. It was only natural for him to be devastated by the news about her biological mother but, after the foray outside the station, she had little energy to deal with it now. She felt horrible for giving Donovan the brush-off earlier on.

‘I’m fine,’ she lied, after Craig asked her how she was. ‘But I haven’t got time to talk.’ In the privacy of her office, her blinds were half-closed. Her egg-stained jacket hung on the back of her chair, ready for the dry cleaner’s.

‘Why didn’t you tell me?’ Craig replied. ‘Mum’s been so upset.’

‘I’ve only just found out myself.’

‘I’m your brother, I should be looking out for you. How were you meant to cope with it on your own?’

‘By taking a leaf out of Dad’s book and getting on with things.’ It was how their father had coped with every situation he encountered. Robert Winter had also been adopted. His mother was only sixteen when she’d had him, and neither had tried to get in touch with the other. Unlike Lillian, who would not give Amy a minute’s peace. Ever since Robert died, she’d seemed hell-bent on bringing Amy down – something Adam seemed more than happy to help her with. Amy would not have been surprised if Lillian had somehow organised the scrum of people outside.

‘To think you nearly married that chump . . .’ Craig said, the sound of his footsteps punctuating his words as he paced the floor. ‘I can’t believe Adam printed that story. He cheats on you, humiliates you the day before your wedding and now this . . .’ His footsteps came to a halt. ‘I should give him a piece of my mind.’

Amy smiled. Her brother was a lover, not a fighter. She had stuck up for him throughout their schooling, scaring off any bully who dared approach. But the newspaper headlines were like a punch to the face, connecting Amy to the brutal murders her parents had committed during those dark years. ‘Adam’s pissed off because he thinks I’m seeing someone else,’ Amy said.

‘After everything he did? Unbelievable!’ Craig exclaimed.

‘Looks like I had a narrow escape.’

‘You’re dealing with this really well.’ Craig’s voice carried a hint of concern. ‘Mum said that’s why you went to see Lillian in prison. I remember feeling jealous because she granted you an audience. I’m so sorry. I behaved like an idiot. I should have been there for you.’

‘There’s nothing anyone can do.’ Amy massaged her temples. In truth, she did not want to give it any more of her energy, which was best served focusing on the case. Thanks to the information Deborah had supplied, officers were closing in on Stuart’s address. Credit checks had assisted in obtaining the current address of Christina, the other orderly who had worked at the Curtis Institute. Their safety was paramount.

‘So who’s this new guy on the scene?’ Craig said, pulling Amy from her thoughts. ‘Mum said he’s in the job too.’

‘Oh, nobody, we’re just friends. I told Mum we were seeing each other so she’d get off my back about Adam.’

‘I don’t think you need to worry about that now. Listen, I’ve got to go, but if there’s anything you need . . .’

‘Don’t call you – yeah, I know.’ Amy smiled. ‘Now, stop being so nice, you’re freaking me out.’

‘Yeah, that’s right.’ Craig chuckled. ‘But I’m lodging a complaint with the paper. It’s about time Adam was taken down a peg or two.’

Thoughts of Adam were quickly discarded as Paddy sharply rapped on Amy’s door. ‘I’m wanted. Chat to you later,’ she said, ending the call. She looked at Paddy. ‘What is it?’ He swung the door open with an urgency that relayed something was up.

‘Two things. We’ve got an address for Stuart Coughlan. Officers are on their way to Stuart’s address.’

Springing from her chair, Amy grabbed a spare blazer from the hook on the wall.

‘You can’t go, not yet.’ Paddy shot out an arm, blocking her departure. ‘That’s the second thing . . . Luka’s on the line, and he’ll speak only to you.’





CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

Amy’s team gathered around her, the room falling silent as she picked up the phone. Every effort would go into tracing the origin of the call, but their suspect was not stupid. He would not hang around for very long. ‘DI Winter,’ she said, her tone firm.

But the voice that responded was brittle and pained. ‘I’m only going to say this once, so you’d better take note.’