Page 62 of Final Betrayal

‘I need SOCOs here as soon as possible. This place needs a forensic sweep and I want to see if any coins have been left with the bodies.’

‘You think this is the work of a serial killer?’ Boyd made to step into the room, but Lottie caught his arm.

‘We can’t disturb the evidence.’

‘Never stopped you before.’

‘I know, but … this seems different. McGlynn’s methodical work is necessary before we contaminate anything.’ She leaned into Boyd, comforted by his proximity.

‘What is it, Lottie? What’s holding you back?’

‘I’m thinking about something that is particularly scary right now.’

‘And what is that? Nothing fazes Lottie Parker.’

‘This is the work of someone who has killed before.’

‘The person who killed Amy and Penny?’

‘Even before them.’

Boyd’s face showed dawning realisation. ‘Bernie Kelly? No, that doesn’t make sense. As far as we know, she only killed people she believed to be family or people she was involved with illegally, and there’s no way she could know these girls. She only escaped yesterday morning.’

‘What if she hired someone to kill Amy and Penny and then she herself killed Cristina and Louise in a similar manner?’ She looked at him intently. ‘What do you think?’

‘I think you’re losing it. Come outside and get some air.’

‘No.’ She tapped the camera icon on her phone and quickly photographed the scene. ‘Let’s have a look in the other rooms.’

She turned and edged past him. Opening the door to her right, she walked into a compact living room. Two armchairs, a gas heater and a small window. She lifted the blinds and looked across at the gated enclave where Amy Whyte had lived. Sirens wailed in the distance. A squad car pulled up outside the block of flats, followed immediately by Jim McGlynn’s station wagon and the technical van.

She watched as McGlynn robed up and took his equipment from the boot. He was soon joined by members of his team, and Lottie wondered how they were all going to fit into the tiny apartment.

Moving away from the window, she was struck by the subtle decor in the small room. Wall hangings depicted large images of the Buddha, while others portrayed Japanese gardens with trailing greenery and pink flowers in open bloom. A single shelf in one corner held crystals and a clear orb that reflected the light from the window onto the wall. She lifted it up and watched the light sprinkle a rainbow of colour all around her. As she was putting it back, the corner of a white card caught her eye. She slid it outwards with her gloved finger. It was a business card. And the name on it made her gasp aloud.

‘Boyd!’ she yelled.

‘What are you doing in my crime scene?’ Jim McGlynn said.

Lottie imagined his angry spittle spraying the inside of his mouth mask.

‘The crime scene is in the next room.’

When he made his way out, she slipped the card into a small plastic bag and pocketed it.

At the entrance to the kitchen, she found herself backed up behind the SOCOs. She needed to know about the coins before she left. There was no sign of Boyd. Probably out having a smoke.

By the time she elbowed her way in, McGlynn was directing a team member with a video camera.

‘Any coins?’ she asked.

‘Will you give me a minute?’

‘Just look, will you? I didn’t set foot in there. I could have, but I waited for you.’

He slowly clapped his hands. ‘It’s only taken you twenty years to figure that out, Inspector.’

‘I can do without the sarcasm today.’

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