Bad Sister(25)

‘Connie, isn’t it? We met last year?’ Her voice, every bit as slippery as her nature. The other customers in the queue turned to look at her. Or perhaps that was her imagination. Her neck burned, the prickling heat travelling to her cheeks.

‘Interesting developments at the prison, don’t you think?’ she continued, craning her head around Connie’s side to get back in her eye line. Kelly Barton knew what she was doing; she was waiting for a reaction.

Connie closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. Go away. Seeing the woman on the news, listening to her say her name, knowing she was eager to link Connie to Hargreaves’ death, had been bad enough. Meeting her unexpectedly, face to face like this, was enough to cause a wave of anger to pulsate through her tense body.

‘It’s been confirmed. It’s Eric Hargreaves. How ironic that he escaped then wound up back at the prison, dead. Bet that wasn’t his plan.’ She laughed; a light, bubbly giggle as if she’d been told a joke.

This woman needed taking down a peg. Connie’s fists clenched. The weight of people’s stares dragged her shoulders downwards. Let the horrible woman blabber on, she wasn’t going to engage.

‘How do you feel about it? You know, seeing as you got him released then he raped that poor girl.’

Connie heard a gasp from the woman in front of her. Great. Why wasn’t the queue moving? The heat in her cheeks spread. She shivered as a bead of sweat ran down her spine. Don’t give her the satisfaction.

‘Yes, you must be so relieved. At least he can’t hurt anyone else now. And you can’t be blamed for anything more. You’re off the hook. Pretty convenient for you really.’

The woman who’d gasped turned to face Connie full on. ‘I hope you can sleep at night!’ she said before bustling out of the shop.

Kelly grinned. ‘I’m sure you will now. The person who almost ruined your career has had his comeuppance. Must feel pretty good.’

That was it. All she could take. She finally whipped round and confronted Kelly Barton, put her face as close to hers as she dared.

‘I think you’ll find it was you who ruined my career, you ignorant woman.’ Connie’s words forced themselves through her gritted teeth. No longer feeling like anything to eat, she pushed past Kelly and walked out, leaving the echo of shocked whispers behind her.

Connie took big strides, getting back up the hill more quickly than she’d ever managed before – adrenaline fuelling her ascent. She didn’t stop until she was securely behind her door. She leant back against it, her breath coming in rapid pants. Her hands and legs shook. Kelly must know where she worked. If Connie remembered correctly, Kelly worked from the news studio in Exeter. Far too local for her liking. And now she seemed to have set her sights on Connie again. How many more times would she ‘bump’ into her from now on? She was after a story, and she wouldn’t stop until she got her teeth into something substantial – something to get her noticed nationally. If that woman dared to cause a major upset in her new career, she’d better be prepared for the consequences. She’d got away with it once but Connie wouldn’t let it happen twice.





CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX


Connie


It’d taken the best part of half an hour for the shaking to fully abate. She was able to put the incident to the back of her mind while she saw her afternoon clients; now, though, as she finished typing the notes on her computer, Connie sat back in the chair and allowed it to replay in her head. Where did Kelly get off following her into a shop and harassing her? She should call the news broadcasting house, put in an official complaint. She felt fairly certain that Ms Bloody Barton wasn’t acting on her employers’ request. This was all her. Her attempt at gaining a reputation for herself; a leg-up the journalistic career ladder into the gutter tabloid press. At anyone’s expense.

The ring of the phone pulled her abruptly from her thoughts. She picked it up, grateful for the distraction.

‘Miles Prescott, I’ve got some of the information you requested on Stephanie Cousins,’ the gruff voice stated.

‘Hi, Miles. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly.’

‘I’m not sure what I have is that enlightening, but I’ve done my best.’ His tone hinted at indignation. Like she’d asked for something over and above his duty.

‘Okay, well anything more than what I have has got to be useful.’ Connie took a pen and poised her hand over her pad of paper ready to write notes.

‘There’s nothing about a brother.’

Connie’s shoulders slumped. ‘Really?’

‘Really. I did find out about the fire at her family home, though.’ Connie heard the clicking of computer keys. ‘I’ve got a psychiatric report here from children’s services, dated October 2007. Makes for interesting reading.’

‘Can you email it to me?’

‘Sure. I’ll have to send you a redacted version though, you understand, for security.’

Connie sighed. ‘Fine. Anything else that might help me in untangling this story?’

‘I don’t know if it’s a help, but her mother was diagnosed with severe dementia shortly after the fire. She has apparently never spoken a single coherent word since.’

‘That’s sad. Must’ve been so traumatic for her. And Steph.’