Cars were parked in the Collinses’ drive and on the road. Bradfield parked opposite in the street, got out and ran his hands through his hair before heading towards the house. He stopped and turned to see where Jane was and she was still sitting in the car. He walked back and tapped on the passenger window, which she wound down.
‘What are you doing?’ he asked.
‘I thought you wanted me to wait in the car.’
‘I was being sarcastic, Tennison, but please yourself. I won’t be long anyway.’ Bradfield walked off.
Jane was upset by his attitude and, feeling she’d be a hindrance rather than a help, stayed put.
The front door of the house was wide open, people going in and some still parking outside. Jane sat looking from the car window, watching the mourners walking sedately up the path. Ten minutes passed and Jane crossed and uncrossed her legs as she desperately needed to go to the bathroom. She began to feel uncomfortable and eventually couldn’t wait any longer.
She left the car and entered the house where she saw the young girl who had sung the solo holding a tray of white wine ready for the guests to take into the living room.
‘I need to use the bathroom,’ Jane said, feeling embarrassed.
The young girl grinned. ‘The vicar just went into the downstairs one. He’ll probably be a while, what with his cassock and surplice to contend with, but if you go straight up the stairs there’s a bathroom just along the landing.’
‘Thank you,’ Jane said and hurried up the stairs.
Bradfield felt cornered as Mr Collins stood close to him. Everyone else was talking quietly and Mrs Collins was sitting on the sofa crying profusely. Mr Collins was eager to know if there were any developments in the police investigation. Bradfield told him that they were still trying to track down whoever supplied Julie Ann with drugs and they had a couple of positive leads they were currently following up on. Mr Collins asked what had happened to the young boy they had arrested. Bradfield knew he was referring to Eddie Phillips and not wanting to distress Mr Collins further just said he had been released pending further enquiries, but it would seem he wasn’t involved in her death.
Bradfield saw Jane attempting to attract his attention from across the crowded living room. She was surreptitiously raising her hand, but when he didn’t respond she threaded her way through the guests and moved to stand just behind him.
‘Sir, could I have a word with you, please?’
He turned to face her, and excused himself to Mr Collins.
‘Can’t you see I’m busy talking with Mr Collins, and take your ruddy hat off inside the house,’ he whispered.
‘Please – it is very important I speak with you in private.’ Jane removed her hat, causing her hair to fall loose.
‘I’ll be with you in a minute,’ he said sternly and turned back to Mr Collins.
He made his excuse to leave and shook hands with him and then spoke briefly with Mrs Collins telling her how nice the service for Julie Ann had been.
At last he made his way to the front door, placing his empty wine glass onto the young girl’s tray as he edged past her.
‘That was a very nice solo,’ he remarked as Jane trailed behind him feeling something akin to a lap dog.
As they walked down the front path towards the car Jane tapped his arm.
‘I think you need to look in the garage at Mr Collins’ car before we leave, sir.’
He stopped and turned abruptly.
‘What on earth for, Tennison?’
‘It may not have been a Jaguar XJ6 or 12 we should have been looking for.’
He glared at her, but at the same time he was curious, and gestured for her to move out of the way as he crossed the small section of grass towards the garage door which was closed. Jane stepped in front of him. She had a quick look round before grabbing the handle and pulling the door halfway open. She ducked underneath and into the garage followed by Bradfield who saw the only thing in it was a vehicle covered by a fitted tarpaulin. The garage was dimly lit by the natural daylight filtering in. He looked at Jane in a manner that made it clear she’d better get to the point quickly as he was beginning to lose patience. She lifted back a section of the cover over the offside front wheel, pulling it back further for him to clearly see the dark maroon colour. He snatched the tarpaulin from her and whipped it back to reveal the front registration plate and maker’s badge.
‘It’s a two-door 1960s Bristol?’ he said.
‘Eddie Phillips only ever saw the car from behind, sir. We may have been wrongly assuming that it was a four-door Jaguar.’
Bradfield pulled even more of the cover back onto the car roof to reveal the driver’s door and offside of the vehicle. He tried the door-handle but the car was locked.
‘Can you see the colour of the carpet?’ Jane asked.
He shaded his eyes with both hands and peering into the car could just about see the matching maroon carpet surrounding the gear stick. He stepped away, chewing at his lips. He checked his watch.
