Kate looked sideways. Across the room, Carmichael and Brown had their heads together, arranging a quick drink at a local pub. Neither had family ties. Just then, Andy’s mobile rang in his hand. His mildly irritated expression altered when he viewed the home screen. He said something to Lisa. Intrigued, she shuffled closer as he answered the call and held the device between them. They both listened. Thirty seconds later, Andy hung up. He stared at the phone, before glancing in Kate’s direction.
‘Fuck!’ she said under her breath. ‘There goes my dinner – and yours, if I’m not mistaken.’
Hank called out. ‘Did you have to answer the damn phone, Andy?’
‘The house-to-house team found a witness, Sarge.’ Reacting to the exchange, the majority of the team hung back. Coats were on, but no one moved. ‘Her name is Gemma Munro. She owns a café in Craster. She recognised Hannah when uniforms were doing their rounds with her photograph. The duty sergeant had the foresight to secure CCTV, inside and out, though the tapes only cover a week or so. Munro changes them over every weekend, though she has been known to forget.’ He held up his phone. ‘I have them here. Want me to upload them?’
‘No, you get off. Forward them to me. I’ll take a look . . .’ Kate glanced at Hank, his coat half on. She didn’t need to spell out how significant the next few hours might be. This was one witness, one sighting, but if they could pin down Hannah’s movements in the days leading up to her death, it would push them closer to a resolution of the case. ‘You OK to stay on for a bit?’
‘Can I get takeaway?’
Kate made a face. ‘Must you?’
‘I’ll drop if I don’t eat soon.’
‘Be quick then. The rest of you stand down.’
Hank and the MIT were gone before she had time to change her mind.
Kate walked into her office.
Jo dragged her coat off her chair and followed her in, giving her a pointed look as she walked through the door. ‘Did it not occur to you that Hank might have had plans for the evening, what’s left of it? You could have asked me to stay.’
Kate sat down. ‘It’s fine. Julie’s out tonight and so is Ryan.’
‘You make it sound like you’re doing him a favour.’
‘You know Hank. He’ll do anything for a bucket of noodles.’
‘OK, if I’m not required, I’ll be off then.’ Slipping her arms into her coat, Jo wrapped a plaid blanket scarf around her neck, tucking it in. ‘I’ll think of you when I’m in a hot bubble bath with a pink gin.’ Checking that the incident room was truly empty, she gave Kate a peck on the cheek before heading for the door. Without looking round, she called out. ‘I won’t wait up.’
‘Fine,’ Kate called after her. ‘Make sure you lock up.’
‘Yes, Mum.’
‘Jo, wait!’ Kate’s internal phone rang. It was Bright, asking for an update. When she looked up, the profiler was already gone.