Page 126 of Final Betrayal

‘And?’

His shoulders slumped as he shoved the page back at her. ‘Okay. Right. Yes. I did write the note. Happy now?’

She glanced sideways at Boyd. He gave her a discreet thumbs-up.

‘When did you send it?’

‘A week after I was released from prison. Just wanted to scare her. I know she lied about seeing me that night.’

‘Why did she lie?’

‘I don’t know.’

‘And the coin?’

‘What coin?’

‘The one that was in the envelope with the note.’

His eyes told her he hadn’t a clue what she was talking about.

‘I don’t know anything about a coin.’ He stared at the note before lifting his eyes to hers. ‘There wasn’t an envelope either.’

‘So how did you get the note to her?’

‘Dropped it into the pharmacy where she worked. Have you a copy of the back of it?’

Where was he going with this? Lottie took a second page from the file. AMY was scrawled on one half, as if the note had been folded in two and her name written on the outside. She had noticed this before but hadn’t paid it much heed. After all, the note had been in an envelope when she found it.

‘There you are,’ he said. ‘I went into the pharmacy thinking Amy would be there. I wanted to look her in the eye when I handed the note to her, but there was no one behind the counter. I heard a door open somewhere, and before I knew what I was doing, I’d left it on the counter and fled. That’s the truth. No envelope. No coin.’

‘Who did you give it to?’

‘Told you, I just left it there. Didn’t see anyone. I dropped it and got out as quick as I could. Can I go now?’

‘No, you cannot.’

‘Look, Inspector, I had no reason to kill any of those girls.’

‘Louise and Amy’s eyewitness accounts got you convicted.’

‘Louise visited me in prison. She told me she was sorry. She didn’t give me any details, but she did say that she would do her best to make it right. I did not assault or rob Bill Thompson, and if Louise had come clean, I would have been exonerated. Why would I kill her?’

Why indeed? Lottie thought. ‘You never offered a defence at the time. Why?’

He shrugged and bowed his head.

‘Why did you leave that note for Amy?’

‘I was in a foul mood. Feeling sorry for myself. Wanted her to experience a little of what it was like for me in prison. In there, eyes are on you twenty-four seven. That’s all. I swear to God.’

Could she believe him? If she did, then she’d made an unforgivable cock-up ten years ago. Or rather her boss, Corrigan, had. And if Dowling hadn’t carried out the assault on Thompson, then who had?

FIFTY-FIVE

Kirby returned from the canteen with croissants and coffee. Lottie grabbed a cup and felt the warm liquid hit the bottom of her empty stomach.

‘You need to eat,’ Boyd said. ‘I can hear the rumbling over here.’

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