Call connected at 15:48.
‘Hello?’
‘Hello. Is that Ida?’
‘Yes. Who is this?’
‘It’s Detective Sergeant Gabe Martin. Ida, we’ve met with the pathologist. I’m sorry to tell you, but we can now confirm that the body found on the Dunlow Estate was Melanie.’
‘Oh.’
‘I’m truly sorry for your loss.’
‘You still don’t think I should come to see her?’
‘It’s not a good idea.’
‘If you say so.’
‘Would you like me to pass on your details to our bereavement services?’
‘No, I don’t think so.’
‘We have specially trained officers who can liaise with you about the case.’
‘I’d rather talk to you.’
‘Well—’
‘We’re going to have a memorial. I know how these things work, I’ve seen it on TV. We won’t be able to bury her for a while, but we want to do something.’
‘It may take some time for her body to be released, at least until the initial stage of the investigation is over.’
‘I thought as much. We’re going to have a service at my church next week.’
‘That’s good.’
‘I’d like it if you would come.’
‘Oh. Once you have everything decided, send me the details. I’ll try to be there.’
‘Thank you.’
‘Is there anything else, Ida?’
‘You’ll catch him? The man who did this?’
‘We’re doing everything we can to bring the person who killed Melanie to justice.’
‘Good.’
‘We’ll release a short statement to the press later, naming Melanie as the victim and appealing for witnesses.’
‘Will it be in the papers?’
‘It might be.’
‘They got that poor little girl on the front today.’
‘Yes. Ida, I’ll be in touch if we have any news.’