The Fourth Friend (DI Jackman & DS Evans #3)(12)

Carter led the way downstairs and out of the building. They could talk freely in the car.

‘You’ve seen the girl here once or twice, haven’t you? Visiting her aunt?’ Carter turned on the ignition and let the windows down.

Marie nodded. ‘Leah, isn’t it? Tall, skinny, long dark hair in a ponytail and teeth white enough to spook horses?’

‘That’s the one. She’s nineteen and studying psychology at the Fenland Uni.’

‘And?’

‘She thinks she’s being stalked.’

‘What? With those teeth?’

Carter grinned. ‘Naughty! Apparently the kid is pretty upset.’

‘Sorry. Ignore me. I’m probably just denture envious. Being stalked is horrendous, actually.’ Marie’s face darkened. She had once been in a bad situation with a man who was obsessed with her, and knew the fear it generated.

‘Yeah, so let’s go talk to her, shall we?’ He started the car. ‘Oh, and when we’ve finished tonight, do you fancy a beer on the boat?’ His tone was light, but Marie could tell that something was worrying him.

‘Now that sounds more like it.’ She smiled brightly, but her heart sank. Going to the boat meant he wanted to talk, and that meant going over it all again. Yet another harrowing evening listening to a dear friend hating himself for simply being alive.

Marie tried to concentrate on Leah’s stalker. It was far less draining.

*

‘It first started when I found a bunch of flowers on my doorstep.’ Leah Kingfield looked from Carter to Marie. ‘I didn’t think too much of it at the time, but now . . .’ She shrugged.

‘Was there a card with them?’ Carter asked.

She nodded. ‘It had a single X on it, and sorry, but I threw it away.’ She looked down. ‘I have a boyfriend, you see.’

‘You’re certain they weren’t from him?’ said Marie.

‘Flowers? No. Definitely not his thing. A book on parapsychological phenomena maybe, but twenty-four red roses? No way.’

Marie raised her eyebrows. ‘Two dozen! Wow. He’s no cheapskate, that’s for sure.’

Carter frowned at her. ‘When was that exactly?’

Leah picked up a sheet of paper from the coffee table in front of them. ‘Auntie Ruth told me to list everything that had happened — times, dates and places.’

‘I should have known.’ Carter smiled wryly, taking the list from her slender hand. ‘Very professional.’

Marie glanced around the flat. It was a far cry from the usual student’s grotty pad. It wasn’t quite as antiseptic as Carter’s place, but it was dusted and tidy. Marie suspected that Leah’s allowance was subsidised by her auntie, and probably stretched to a cleaner. ‘Do you live here alone?’

‘No. I have a flatmate, but she’s on holiday in the Algarve with her parents.’

‘So, you are on your own at present?’

‘Sounds pretty feeble, but actually I’m staying with Auntie Ruth until she gets back. I’ve only come here now to meet you and to grab some more clothes and things. I’m afraid all this has freaked me out a bit.’

‘It’s not feeble at all,’ said Carter. ‘It’s very sensible.’

Marie was still taking in the surroundings. Not cheap. Nice area. ‘How about CCTV?’

‘Yes, that’s weird, isn’t it? Somehow he avoided the cameras, although I have no idea how. They seem to be everywhere.’ She stood up abruptly. ‘Sorry, where are my manners? Can I get you a drink? Police officers thrive on tea, don’t they?’

They both nodded. ‘White, no sugar for both of us, thank you,’ added Carter.

Leah disappeared into the kitchen. Carter passed Marie the list and she scanned it quickly. It began with notes under her car windscreen wipers. Then amorous notes through the door, followed by a sense of being watched, then actual sightings of a shadowy lone male staring at her flat. More recently she thought that a dark van was following her every time she drove away from the apartment block. She had never been able to get close enough to see the number plate and she couldn’t identify the make and model. Now it was telephone calls. The caller never spoke but Leah was certain she could hear soft, rapid breathing down the line. The calls often came at dead of night, and it was these that scared her most of all.

Marie took her mug of tea and placed it on the coffee table. ‘Have you any idea who it could be? A jilted ex? Someone from uni? Maybe some guy who’s too shy to actually talk to you?’

Leah sat down on the sofa and drew up her long legs beneath her. ‘I’ve gone over it again and again, Detective. Auntie Ruth asked the same questions. But no, I really have no clue, and I find that very disturbing.’

Marie found it disturbing too. There was nothing normal about a stalker. It was a perverse and creepy way to approach someone. She glanced out of the big picture window and saw dense woods, close to the block of flats. Oh, great! The perfect spot for a peeping Tom. She caught Carter’s eye and nodded towards the window. He returned the nod. He’d seen it too.

Carter looked at the girl. ‘Okay, Leah. We are going to take this very seriously. I would suggest you continue to stay at your aunt’s house until we get a fix on this guy, and make sure that wherever you go, you always have someone with you. I’ll organise an officer to keep an eye on you, and we’ll both give you our direct mobile numbers. Anything scares you, don’t hesitate, call us straightaway. If he persists, we’ll see about getting your phone tapped as well. Are you happy with that?’