It only took Maggie fifteen minutes to get to the café. She stared into shop windows as she passed, trying to think of questions that wouldn’t give the reporter any additional information to use. The sun glared off the glass and Maggie had to shield her eyes. Before stepping through the café door, Maggie ran her fingers through her hair. Best get it over with.
‘You showed up, and on time. I’m impressed, DC Jamieson.’ Julie Noble smiled.
Maggie cringed. Everything Julie Noble said had an edge of sarcasm to it. Or at least it sounded that way to her. ‘Can we just get on with this? I don’t have time for any games.’ Maggie sat.
‘Do you want anything? My treat.’ Julie pushed her chair out.
‘Stay where you are; this won’t be a long meeting. What I do need is some answers though. Why didn’t you come forward when the killer contacted you?’
‘I didn’t actually know if the letters were a hoax until I saw your boss’s face at the press conference when I asked about the living doll reference.’
‘On that, I looked at everything you were sent, and nowhere does it reference living doll. Where did that come from?’
‘The way she was dressed up. Plus sewing the eyes and mouth shut, like a doll. I thought “Living Doll Killer” had a nice ring to it.’
‘I still don’t see how you drew that reference. Did someone from the police or crime scene contact you? Please don’t bullshit me either. If we have a leak on our team, we need to know. You’re jeopardizing our investigation by holding back information.’
‘Oh please. It sounds like you’re fishing and that I’m on the right track.’ Julie sat back in her chair and crossed her arms.
Maggie needed to play her cards right and keep Julie onside. She could just hear Nathan chirping in her ear, reminding her that she could come across as an abrasive know-it-all at times – perhaps not the exact words he used, but it was what had been implied. ‘You haven’t denied what I asked. Look,’ Maggie leaned forward, ‘I am intrigued about your name for this killer. Are you sure you’re telling us everything?’
‘Why wouldn’t I share what I know?’ She paused, and Maggie gritted her teeth. ‘OK, OK. You got me. He sent me a CD with that song, “Living Doll” on it. I figured it must be significant so I stuck it in. Happy now?’ Julie looked directly in her eyes. ‘You’re a fascinating woman, DC Jamieson. Tell me what you know. Tell me who’s on your persons-of-interest list.’ She leaned forward.
Maggie’s face reddened.
‘Wait. You do have a list, don’t you? There must be someone you can tie to this case.’
‘I can’t talk about the details of an ongoing investigation.’ Maggie was sick of saying that phrase.
‘You don’t need to. It’s written all over your face. Don’t ever take up poker; your face would give you away.’ She clapped her hands together. ‘So it looks like you need me, DC Jamieson. How does that feel?’ A coy smile formed on the reporter’s face.
Maggie clenched her fists under the table. ‘That’s why I’m here. You offered your assistance. Or is this just another way for you to embarrass me?’
‘Embarrass you? What do you mean?’ Julie’s eyes widened.
Maggie lost it then. ‘Are you bloody serious? The Raven case. You and your newspaper accused me of putting an innocent man behind bars. You still owe me an apology for that, you know.’
‘An apology? Is that what’s got your knickers in a twist? I reported the facts at the time, and they were correct. What happened afterwards was another matter, if you recall.’
‘Forget it. Sorry, I can’t do this.’ Maggie stood. ‘When you have something to add to this case, perhaps we can talk then.’ She dropped her card on the table, turned, and walked out of the café.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. Nathan was going to have her head on a platter, but that woman knew how to push her buttons. She walked back towards the office and then heard her name being called. A hand touched her arm and she turned, placing her free hand on her baton in case it was needed.
‘Whoa.’ Julie removed her hand. ‘I think we got off on the wrong foot. If it’s an apology you’re after, then I’m sorry. I don’t know why the killer reached out to me. Maybe he was playing off the fact that we know each other professionally and that I haven’t always been complimentary towards you? A message to the police that he’s in control? Do you think you might know this person?’
Maggie didn’t want to reveal the connection to Kate just yet. ‘I don’t know. I’m heading back to the station to look over everything.’
‘Great. Two heads are better than one.’ Julie started to walk alongside her.
‘Sorry, I should have made myself clear. I appreciate your help and I’ll be in contact if I have any further questions, but I’ll be going back to the office on my own.’
‘Oh. Right. Of course. Well, you know my number if you need anything.’ Julie waved as she walked off.
Don’t sit by your phone waiting for my call, Ms Noble.