Mildenheath General Hospital was a place that Wendy would be glad if she never saw again. The cold white walls, the beeping of machinery, the deathly rattle of old people coughing. The reminders of Michael. She was only pleased that now she was here for happier reasons. In a way, the juxtaposition was beautiful. What had come out of absolute tragedy was wonderful, serene.
She had told herself that she had come to terms with her new state of being. Wendy the mother. Inside, she knew that she was no mother. She was a police officer and that was that. The everlasting memory of Robert, though, would change all of that. To be carrying his baby made her feel as though a part of him was still with her. A part of him which hadn't suffered, hadn't died in writhing agony at the hands of her brother, Michael. The truth be told, she had rarely been happier.
As she sat in the waiting room of the maternity ward, the fabric of the chair grew softer, enveloping her with warmth and comfort. This was the maternal glow, she thought. The miracle. Her over-rational head tried to tell her that it was purely hormonal, that this wasn't her, but she knew better than to listen to her head. Her heart was telling her otherwise. Her heart was beating for two.
‘DCI Culverhouse? Liz Prior here from forensics. I've got some rather interesting news for you, as it happens.’
‘Go on.’
‘Well, first of all, the DNA found on the body in the woods matches that of Danielle Levy.’
‘So it's her?’
‘Yes, I'm afraid so. The thing is, there's a big crossover match between another investigation I believe you're currently working on.’
Culverhouse's eyes lit up. ‘Go on.’
‘It's regarding the samples taken from Gary McCann's house. We found a number of hairs which we've identified as belonging to someone you may be interested in. Danielle. This puts her as having been in his house and car on at least one occasion fairly recently.’
‘Fucking brilliant! Well done, Liz. I owe you one.’ Culverhouse didn't replace the handset, but simply pressed the hook button before releasing it and dialling Wendy's mobile number.
‘Knight. Culverhouse. I need you at the station as soon as you can. There's been a very interesting development.’
‘I’m waiting to see the midwife for my appointment, guv. Is it urgent?’
‘Put it this way — your baby's going nowhere at the moment. As for Gary McCann, that's another story.’