A Body in the Lakes by Graham Smith (great books of all time .TXT) 📕

‘Let me get this clear.’ Beth leaned forward a little. ‘You pursued and seduced him?’

‘In laymen’s terms, yes.’ Beth caught the knowing look Louise tossed her way. ‘In reality, I turned things around so he thought he was pursuing and seducing me.’

Beth understood Louise’s point and tactics even as the woman was speaking. Men like Forster could often have their pick of women, yet when faced with enough of something that’s easy to obtain, it’s human nature to desire the thing you can’t easily have. Be it an expensive sports car, a house with a bigger garden or the person who is unaffected by your best efforts to charm them.

These are relationships of inverse proportions: the less obtainable the item is, the more you want it. The most bedevilling aspirations are those which are fractions beyond the fingertip. Close enough to visualise and communicate with, but just out of reach.

If Louise had piqued Forster’s desire and then intimated that she was unobtainable, he’d have been in her thrall. A man as powerful and successful as Forster would have enjoyed the challenge of seducing someone. His ego would never have allowed brain space to the idea that he’d been played by his conquest.

‘So, you lured him into your bed. You say you used a false name to add a layer of spice to the experience.’ Beth leaned back and mirrored Louise’s relaxed slump. ‘I’m sorry if it sounds like I’m doubting you, but your reasoning for using a false name doesn’t ring true to me. I think you used a false name because you didn’t want your husband or boyfriend to find out.’

‘I have neither a husband nor boyfriend and haven’t had for quite some time. It’s why I get needy from time to time.’ Louise pointed at her handbag. ‘May I?’ When Beth nodded she reached inside and brought out her mobile and pressed its screen a couple of times. ‘Here, this is my Facebook feed. Have a look through it. Scroll back to the dates in question if you like. You may want to pay particular attention to the relationship status.’

Beth placed Louise’s mobile on the table where she and Thompson could both see it. As she scrolled through the feed she saw a myriad of nondescript posts and plenty of ones about her being free, single and ready to mingle. The relationship status was marked as ‘single’ and the overall theme Beth got was that of a single woman enjoying life. None of the pictures on Louise’s Facebook wall showed her with a man in anything other than a group photo and there was no mention of romantic dinners out or dates with anybody.

‘Okay, I think we’ve established that you’re single and have been for some time.’ Thompson passed Louise’s mobile back to her. ‘What about your exes, did you have any nasty break-ups? Did you put anyone out on their arse? Break their hearts?’

‘No to all of your questions. My marriage fizzled out five years ago, and once I’d got used to living a single life again, I dated here and there for a few weeks, but never serious. I may have needs, but they’re not so strong that I’ll settle for second best rather than be alone.’

Beth kept her face implacable, but inside she was giving Louise a mental high five. Her life was in order and she appeared to be happy with her lot. When she had needs she dealt with them and went on with her routine. It wasn’t the life Beth wanted for herself but she admired Louise for living a life she enjoyed.

Louise’s face crumpled in thought. ‘So you’re not so much asking about me, as any partner I may have. You’re also asking about the night I spent with Derek Forster. That makes me think something has happened to Derek. Am I right? Is he okay?’

Beth tossed a look at Thompson and caught the tiny nod he gave.

‘We think someone is trying to frame the mayor for a crime he didn’t commit, but we don’t know the person’s motivation.’

Louise pulled a face. ‘I get it. You think my partner may be that someone. The problem with that line of thinking is that I don’t have a partner or anyone who cares enough about me to set up someone I had a one-night stand with.’

Thompson rose to his feet. ‘We’re sorry to have troubled you.’

Beth wanted to reflect on what little they’d learned from Louise, but before she’d passed through Louise’s garden gate, her mobile went off.

A minute later she was running back to her car. O’Dowd’s insistence that she be at Carleton Hall by 4.45 p.m. was a worrying development, especially as the DI hadn’t given a reason for the summons.

Thirty-Six

Beth made it back to Carleton Hall with two minutes to spare thanks to getting a clear run along the A66 from Keswick. For once there had been no slothful caravans or tractors to impede progress on the parts of the road which weren’t dual carriageway.

As she entered the office, she took in the scene. Unthank was at his desk, phone pressed against his ear as he scribbled notes or peered at his screen. O’Dowd was fiddling with an ink cartridge for the ancient printer that refused to die despite giving a death rattle every time it was asked to print more than a full stop. She looked up at Beth as the younger woman put her jacket over the back of her chair.

‘What is it, ma’am?’ As fearful as she was of getting a bollocking from O’Dowd, Beth had learned that the best way to deal with the DI’s capricious moods was to front up and face the music.

‘Press conference at five.’ O’Dowd reached into the printer. ‘The brass are running scared so I have to take it and, quite frankly, I’m not of a mind to face