I didn t mean to talk about her like she was just another victim, she s your daughter and
Doesn t matter. I rammed a handful of old notebooks in on top of the cables. Anything that helps get her back.
OK. A nod. Henry s ferry got in half an hour ago he wants to meet us at the burial at Cameron Park.
I stared into the box. All that time, and what did I have to show for it? No house, a shitty little Renault, and a cardboard box full of crap. I m not on the case any more.
Are you going to let that stop you?
Was I hell.
A queasy groan came from the door. Never, ever again Rhona pale as a mealie pudding, with the skin texture to match. She leaned against the door frame. I m dying
Then go home and lie down. I dumped the last of my stuff in the box.
No chance. Katie s birthday s tomorrow
I m not going anywhere till we find her. Rhona slumped into the nearest chair, covered her face with her hands.
Oh God
Anyway, Dr McDonald swung her little red feet, we should probably get going, Henry won t be
Hold on a minute, Princess. Rhona surfaced from behind her fingers. What s with the new look?
Do you like it, I had a bit of an accident in the shower this morning: grabbed Aunty Jan s hair-product stuff and it went all straight, but I think it
Yeah, and the clothes they an accident too? You really think you can replace Katie by dying your hair and nicking her clothes? Rhona curled her top lip. You re fucking sick.
I blinked. Frowned. Stared at Dr McDonald. The hair, the clothes, she did look
I m not replacing her: I m trying to get into her head, I mean when I saw what had happened to my hair, I thought, OK, let s go for it, sometimes it helps me piece together connections and points of contact, and don t you think we should be doing everything we can to
God, enough! Rhona buried her head in her hands again. Do you never stop talking?
I picked up my box and headed for the door.
Dr McDonald hopped down from the desk and pattered out ahead of me. I think your friend might be a little hungover.
No wonder she came top of her class.
I slammed the CID office door behind me.
I parked the Renault on McDermid Avenue opposite the alleyway I d used last night to get into Cameron Park clambered out into the gloomy twilight and marched over. Ducked under the police tape. You found my DNA, Officer? Well, of course I was there: five to eight on Sunday morning, with Dr Alice McDonald. Saturday night? No, you must be thinking of someone else
Dr McDonald padded along beside me. Brrr, it s cold, isn t it cold, I m cold.
Cameron Park was a monochrome blur, disappearing into the mist. The SOC tent from last night shone like a lighthouse in the gloom. Dew dripped from jagged trees and drooping bushes. We followed the path, then cut across to the entrance.
Henry s ancient Volvo estate was parked on the grass outside Sheba had curled up in the back next to a suitcase and a couple of file boxes, twitching, her grey muzzle resting on her paws.
A voice behind me: She s not well
I turned and there was Henry.
He nodded at the steaming mug in his hand. Before you ask, it s just coffee.
Dr McDonald stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the stubbled cheek. Thanks for coming, I
We need to talk about the order of victims.
She stepped back. Nodded. Then wrapped an arm around herself.
Well, it really depends on whether or not the Birthday Boy took a year off, and
He didn t. Henry took a sip of coffee. The mug trembled in his hand. I know for certain there was a victim five years ago, but the parents didn t come forward.
She stared at him, head on one side. How do you know they
The father told me. He gazed off into the mist.
They don t want to be involved.
That makes Katie number thirteen, she s the one he s been building up to.
Fuck I sat on the bonnet of Henry s car. Cold leached through my trousers.
He smiled at Dr McDonald. You look frozen, Alice. Why don t you nip in and get yourself a mug of tea? Maybe see if they ve got a detailed map of the area while you re there?
She backed up a step. Looked from Henry, to me, and back again. Then nodded. OK. Her red Hi-tops squeaked through the damp grass as she disappeared into the SOC tent.
The only sound was the diesel generators powering the spotlights inside.
Thanks for coming, Henry.
You have to tell her.
I don t want
Ash, she needs to know. She s not playing with a full deck and you won t let her see all the cards.
No.
He put a hand on my shoulder. I spoke to Dickie they put you on compassionate leave. It doesn t matter any more.
It matters to me!
Why? For God s sake, Ash, you re
Because it s mine. OK? That s why. I pushed away from the car, hands curled into aching fists. It s been mine for four years. Rebecca s not public property, she s my daughter. I m not having bastards picking her life apart and telling me she s dead
Henry s voice was barely audible. I m sorry, Ash, but Rebecca
She s not dead. Not until I get that card
A glow spread through the mist, peach and gold and blood red. The sun must have made it up over the hills.
