‘You can’t be serious.’ Maggie listened to Nathan rant about the implications this new information could have on the case.
‘Well, it hasn’t been verified, but that’s what Julie told me. We have to check this out, don’t you think? The last thing we’d want is for Julie friggin Noble to break the story on the news before we’ve even looked into it.’
‘Fuck. I really don’t want to do this, but … OK, I think we need to confirm it’s Kate before we go barging in. I’m going to call DI Rutherford; you grab Bethany and Kat and head to the address. See if you can get a sighting of Kate. Once confirmed, we can go in and worry about any warrants after – we’ll think of something. Do not enter the property on your own or alert the suspect that we’re there, do you hear me, Maggie? No bullshit superhero crap. We follow protocol, and sort out that reporter, will you? What the hell is she doing snooping around people’s houses, and how did she know he was a person of interest or that Kate was even missing?’ Nathan didn’t wait for an answer, which was good as Maggie didn’t know it, but she would do her damnedest to find out.
Maggie rang Bethany, who confirmed she’d pick her up in twenty minutes. She texted Kat the address and told her to meet them outside the coffee shop. She changed into her jeans and grabbed her trainers. If she needed to run after a suspect, she wanted to be prepared. She placed her phone in her back pocket and grabbed her coat just as she heard a beep outside. Locking the door behind her, she raced to Bethany’s car and once inside relayed the information that she and Nathan had discussed.
‘Do we know how Ms Noble knew that information?’ Bethany stared ahead as she drove to the address Maggie had given her.
‘No. Unless she’s been snooping around and someone told her about him. I wouldn’t put it past her to be paying someone for information. What I don’t understand is why our killer had been contacting her before and feeding her information. He wouldn’t identify himself and provide an address, so has he played her? Why did he stop all contact?’
‘Nearly there, we’ll soon find out.’
‘There’s the coffee shop. She said it’s around the corner from the address. Drop me here and you go and park near the property but stay out of sight. If he leaves or anything looks unusual, call me, OK? Update Kat as well, if you can.’
Bethany nodded and pulled over, letting Maggie get out of the car. Julie saw her from the window and made her way outside.
‘Good, you’re here. What’s the plan?’
Maggie waved Bethany off and turned back to Julie. ‘You, get inside. We’ve a few things to clear up first.’
Julie followed her into the small café. Maggie ordered a coffee and sat down at the table where Julie had perched herself.
‘When was the last time the killer made contact with you?’
Julie shifted in her seat. ‘I told you all this. Aren’t we wasting time here?’ Julie tapped her foot. ‘He hasn’t for a while now. You know the last time – his little request for a meet up. Nothing since.’
‘So how did you get this address and why were you hiding outside his house?’
‘I overheard you and Kate talking about him, and then when I saw you’d interviewed him, I looked into his background. I thought he was curious. I had no idea that Kate would be there – I’d heard from a source that she was missing. You do realize I walk by the police station every day – I see and hear things.’
‘Did you see Kate’s face? Was she OK?’
‘That’s the weird thing. From what I saw, she looked … comfortable. I didn’t see her face but the mannerisms were the same. He was talking to her.’
That didn’t sound right to Maggie. ‘I need you to promise me you’ll stay here and don’t report about any of this.’
‘What the hell? If it wasn’t for me, you wouldn’t even have this lead.’ She leaned back and crossed her arms. ‘I’m sorry, but I can’t make those promises.’
‘Julie, please,’ Maggie pleaded. ‘If this isn’t Kate, you could be putting her at risk. We can discuss an exclusive once we know more. Is that fair?’
Uncrossing her arms, she smiled. ‘OK. But only because it’s you.’ Julie winked at her.
‘Erm …’ Maggie felt her stomach tighten. She was flustered and needed to focus. ‘I’m going to go and meet my colleague around the corner. Let us do our job and then I’ll be in contact.’ Maggie stood. ‘Please don’t let me down. I’ll have no hesitation in arresting you if I need to.’
‘No need for threats, even if you have no grounds for an arrest. I’ll keep my word as long as you keep yours. Oh, and Maggie …’
Maggie turned and waited.
‘I’m not averse to cuffs, just so you know.’
Maggie turned on her heels and left the café. There was no mistaking Julie Noble’s meaning, and, uncharacteristically, Maggie was intrigued. She couldn’t deny there was a spark between them, but she needed to focus on finding Kate. Maggie walked towards the address and saw Bethany’s car parked two houses away. She slid into the passenger seat. ‘Have you seen anything?’
‘Lights on in the front room. All I could see from here were shadows. Two, possibly three people – but I can’t be sure. Are we going to knock on the door?’
‘No. Not yet. Nathan said we need to identify Kate before we barge in, given that it seems as if whoever is with him is there of her own accord. I’m going to try and get a closer look. Do you have any binoculars?’
Bethany shook her head.
‘I guess I’ll have to try and get as close to the property as possible. My phone is on silent but vibrate is on, so if you need to warn me about anything, call. Any sign of Kat yet?’
Bethany shook her head.
‘Odd. OK, contact Nathan and let him know what we’re up to. If it is Kate, I’ll let you know so you can ring it in and come back me up.’
‘Be careful.’
Maggie smiled as she left the vehicle and got as close to the bushes on the pathway as she could. As she neared the property, she crouched and slowly crept towards the front window. The curtains had been closed, but there was a sliver of light from the corner. She put her eye to the glass and strained to see in. Her heart caught in her breath. A woman with long, black hair and a slight figure sat with her back to the window. He was there, facing the woman, smiling and chatting casually. Maggie tried to get a closer look but as she stretched towards the window something snapped beneath her feet. She ducked down and, with her back to the wall, she hugged her body close hoping she wouldn’t be seen. The light cast a shadow across the lawn and the sweat beaded across her forehead. Then darkness.
Fuck!
He had closed the drapes completely and now Maggie had to make a decision. Should they bust into the house and risk exposing their hand? She had to be sure. An idea formed in her mind – she just hoped Nathan would be up for it.
Maggie crept back along the route she had originally taken and made her way to the coffee shop. She ran her idea through her mind once more.
It could work. Then they would be sure.
She took a deep breath and walked into the café.
It’s now or never.