Maggie slammed the door behind her after she let herself into the house. She had initially tried to get the guv on side by asking if she was ok after pointing at the dark circles under her eyes. DI Rutherford hadn’t taken too kindly to the comment and told Maggie to mind her own business. Now all she kept hearing was the voice of DI Rutherford drumming in her ears. You’re too close at the moment. Nathan was right. Go home, get some sleep, and come back tomorrow with a fresh head. Any mistakes now could result in us finding Kate’s body and none of us wants that. She was raging even though she knew her boss was probably right, but she had no idea how she would even be able to sleep.
She chucked her jacket over the bannister and stomped her way into the kitchen, nearly tripping over Scrappy as he let out a long and desperate meow for his dinner. Bending over, she petted him and whispered, ‘All right, Scraps. No moaning, I heard you. The whole bloody neighbourhood probably heard you. Fish or chicken then?’ She opened the cupboard and took out the tin closest to her. ‘Fish it is. I’ll save some for Salem too. You wouldn’t want your roomie to get mad, would you?’ She emptied the foul-smelling chunks into Scrappy’s bowl, made a dish up for Salem and put it by the door. She flicked the kettle on. Kate had been making herbal teas the last few evenings and Maggie thought that if there was ever a time she needed to settle her nerves, it was now.
She sat at the breakfast bar and leafed through a magazine while she waited for the familiar click to let her know the water had boiled. Choosing a berry-flavoured tea, she poured the water into a large mug and let it steep. She went into the living room and sank into her couch, the tension in her muscles apparent as they ached. Scrappy sauntered into the room, licking his lips and rubbing against her leg. She caressed his head as he danced in and out of her legs, purring loudly.
Everything felt out of control at the moment and that scared Maggie. She liked order, thrived on knowing what her next step would be, only this time she had no clue. The team had spent countless hours interviewing the victims’ families, friends, and numerous potential suspects and they were no further forward. Colleagues’ backs were up when they were put in the frame, even though they understood the seriousness of the matter and why they may have been placed in the loop. And then there was Julie Noble. She frustrated the hell out of Maggie. She had hoped to spend some time with Julie when the killer had suggested a meeting, but something must have spooked him because Julie hadn’t received any more notes or instructions that could help lure him out into the open. She jumped when her mobile phone ringtone snapped her out of her thoughts. Looking at the screen she didn’t know whether to scream or smile when she saw who it was.
‘Hello?’
‘Hey. Are you busy?’
Julie Noble whispered into the earpiece.
‘Why are you whispering?’
‘I’m across the road from that forensic guy’s house – in some bushes to be exact – and I don’t want anyone to hear me.’
‘What the hell? What do you think you’re doing? He’ll probably put in a complaint if he sees you pissing about outside his house. Get your stuff and go.’
‘When we spoke about him, I could see the fire in your eyes. I don’t think you believe he’s not involved, do you? In fact, I bet you have your own separate list and are going through them in your own time.’
It frustrated Maggie that this woman knew so much about her without them even spending much time together, but she wouldn’t give her the satisfaction of knowing that. ‘You know nothing about me. Now stop playing detective and get your arse home. If my boss finds out you were anywhere near that house, she’ll make me haul you in for obstruction.’
‘We both know that’s not true. Don’t you even want to know why I’m here?’
‘Frankly, I don’t. If I get myself involved in this, it will be my arse on the line too. I have to think about Kate now. I’ve been sent home to recharge and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.’
‘Look, there’s a coffee shop around the corner. Come and meet me. Let me tell you what I’ve found and if you still feel the same, I’ll back off. Hang on … I see something.’
The line went quiet and Maggie could hear some rustling. What the fuck did Julie think she was doing? She’d have them both under fire if she carried on.
‘Julie! Julie! For fuck’s sake, will you answer me? What is going on? Are you OK?’ Panic was beginning to set in the longer it took her to reply. ‘Bloody answer me or I’m going to hang up the phone.’ If she was messing about, that would surely get a response.
‘Sshhhh. I need to move closer. Don’t hang up. I’ll be with you in a min …’
The line went silent again.
As each second ticked by, Maggie was more and more on edge. Her nails would be bitten to the quick at this rate. ‘OK, I’ve seriously had enough. What the—?’
Before Maggie could finish, Julie came back on the line.
‘You need to get here quick. I’m not one hundred per cent sure but …’
‘What?’
‘I’m looking through the window and I could swear I see Kate in there.’
Maggie had to catch her breath.
‘Hey. Are you still there? Did you hear what I said?’
‘You’d better not be messing me about. Text me the details and get over to the coffee shop you mentioned … NOW! I’m going to call this in and I’ll be there as soon as I can.’
Maggie’s hands shook as she ended the call with the reporter and searched for Nathan’s mobile number. He answered after the third ring and sounded like he’d just woken up. Maggie was still angry with him, but also felt a little bad for disturbing him because she knew this was taking its toll on everyone.
‘I was just having a nap. Why do you sound so flustered? Has something happened?’
Nathan yawned down the line.
‘I’ve just had a call and I think I may know where Kate is. You’re not going to like it …’