Blood Loss by Kerena Swan (good beach reads .txt) 📕

she has anything to do with Robert Nash. Her neighbour said she wasn’t away overnight at all in February. Shall I ask the team to stop investigating her background? I don’t see any reason to pursue Miss Smith further.’

‘I agree,’ Metcalfe said. ‘Let’s focus our resources on finding Trina Hodges or whatever her real name is. Any suggestions?’

Paton frowned. He wasn’t sure where to go from here and Metcalfe had put him on the spot. ‘I… Er… I thought we might contact the Milton Keynes and Manchester police stations to check on known criminals who supply false documents. There might be a police informer amongst them. It’s a small chance but one worth taking.’

‘Good idea. We also need to share the E-Fit picture with Milton Keynes police. If this woman knows criminals, she might have got herself noticed by the force.’

‘Do you think it’s worth me taking a trip down there?’ Paton asked. Wendy wouldn’t be thrilled at the idea of him going away again so soon but this case was important and maybe his sister would look after Tommy if needed.

‘What’s the population of Milton Keynes?’ Metcalf asked.

‘Approximately 250,000.’ Paton’s spirits dipped as he considered this. It would be easier to find a lost wedding ring on a two-mile stretch of beach.

‘I won’t authorise it at this stage. Do some more research then come back to me. In the meantime, I’m reducing the size of the team by two. We’ve got a lot going on in other areas and I need them. I’m sure you’ll cope fine with the rest.’

Losing two outsiders from the team was no great hardship, but Paton was aware that this could be the beginning of the end for this investigation. His dreams were slipping away from him. He needed something more to link Trina to Milton Keynes. He just hoped she’d drive around in the silver car with the same number plate again because he badly needed a new sighting.

As Paton walked along the corridor the theme tune to The Sweeney drifted from his jacket. He pulled his phone from his pocket and saw it was Tommy. He glanced at the time and noted it was five fifteen then answered the call. Tommy knew not to call before six so it must be urgent. His heart thumped.

‘Hi, Dad. I’ve made you dinner.’

Paton breathed out and was about to tell Tommy he shouldn’t call during work hours but he held back. He’d remind him later. ‘What have you made?’ he asked. ‘Did Mum help you?’

‘I did cooking at school. You’ve got pizza and salad.’

‘Wow! Thank you. My mouth’s watering already.’ There was silence at the other end. ‘Is everything else all right?’

‘Can I have a kitten? Ben’s cat has had six.’

Not that again. Paton liked cats but Wendy’s eyes swelled up like a gargoyle’s if she got too close to one. He’d have to say no again to Tommy and disappoint him. Paton could see a difficult evening ahead and he suddenly felt exhausted.

Chapter 51

The Previous April | Sarah

‘Can you get some milk while you’re out?’ Mark asks as I pull on my coat.

‘Shall I get something for dinner too?’

‘Just milk. I’ve got what I need for dinner.’

I give him a swift kiss and he pulls me to him for a hug, showing no sign of tiring of me, even though I’ve been here for two weeks now. When I returned from the hospital and told him the image of Mum lying on the sofa all alone in the final minutes of her life was haunting me, he suggested I stay with him for a few days. Just as I’d hoped he would.

I think he’s enjoying the company and staying here has been great for me so far. Mark enjoys cooking, although thankfully he isn’t too adventurous with his menus, and he keeps his home spotless. Such a contrast from the house in Netherfield. I feel cared for and respected – both a novelty for me – and I’m grateful to him.

‘I should think about going home at some point,’ I mutter into his chest. ‘The reporters will have given up by now.’ I’d been shocked when three people had turned up for a story but then I suppose the wife of a convicted murderer choking to death on her own vomit could be newsworthy.

‘Do you want to go home?’ He holds me at arms’ length and looks earnestly at my face.

‘Not really, but I don’t want to outstay my welcome. I need to contact the Housing Association as my name isn’t on the tenancy agreement. If they won’t let me take it over, I’ll need to find a room somewhere.’

‘Would you like to take the tenancy over?’

‘I can’t afford it, to be honest. Mum was claiming an incapacity benefit of some sort and would have had Housing Benefit to help with the rent. There’s a long waiting list for housing too and I won’t be a priority as I don’t need a three-bed house. There’s bound to be a family out there desperate for a home.’’

‘I’d be happy for you to move in here, Sarah.’

I restrain myself from jumping in the air and shouting, ‘Yes!’ Mark is as easy to play as a game of Ludo. ‘I’d like that,’ I say, after a measured pause. ‘I’d like that very much.’

Mark wraps his arms around me again and lifts me off my feet. I look down at his smiling face and my first thought is Sucker! But then another thought creeps in. Maybe this could work. Maybe Mark is the one who’ll finally make me happy.

I sit in the café and look up as Derek walks in. He’s late but I can’t complain. He’s doing me a massive favour, yet again.

‘How are you, Sarah? I’ve been worried about you.’ Derek takes the seat opposite me and I notice that he’s washed his hair and his clothes are relatively clean, although they’re still crumpled from lack of contact with an iron. He’s also