Page 28 of She Saw What He Did

‘Can you describe the men you saw?’ asks Officer Lester.

‘No,’ I say, frustrated. ‘The man that was … bludgeoned to death had his back to me and I couldn’t see the killer’s face, not clearly. It was too far away. He was about thirty, I guess. Oh, and the man that was killed was wearing a raincoat.’

Ryan coughs nervously.

‘Mrs Miller, I have to ask this question. Had you or your husband been drinking at all?’ he asks quietly.

‘Drinking?’ I repeat.

It’s ridiculous, I know, but I feel stupidly insulted.

‘I’m a mother,’ I say sharply, struggling to keep my emotions under control. ‘My husband is a diabetic. We’re not in the habit of drinking during the day, or in the evening, come to that.’

Sergeant Burden looks uncomfortable.

‘There was no evidence that Mr and Mrs Miller had been drinking, Ryan,’ she says quietly.

He chews his lip. He’s a ruggedly attractive man but too insensitive for my liking. She seems nice and unassuming. Surely she believes me.

‘Mrs Miller,’ he says, running a hand through his hair. ‘Please appreciate our predicament. We haven’t found a body …’

‘Not yet,’ I interrupt.

Sergeant Burden nods in agreement.

He’d got rid of the body, of that I have no doubt. He most likely dumped it in the sea. It wouldn’t have been difficult.

‘Surely someone has reported a missing man?’ I say.

Burden gives an apologetic look.

‘I’m afraid not. That doesn’t mean they won’t of course, but so far, there has been no missing person reported to the police.’

‘In the meantime,’ I say, fiddling with my wedding band, ‘there’s a killer out there who knows I saw him.’

Ryan Lester scratches his head thoughtfully.

‘By all accounts, you didn’t see his face clearly, so we can presume he didn’t see yours.’

I shake my head in irritation.

‘He was looking at me through binoculars,’ I repeat for the hundredth time.

‘I imagine your telephoto lens was just as strong as binoculars,’ he counters, ‘so it’s feasible he didn’t see your face clearly either.’

‘So, does that mean you don’t bother looking for him?’ I say crossly.

‘Of course not,’ Sergeant Burden assures me.

‘This is ridiculous,’ I snap. ‘You don’t believe me, do you? Why the hell would I make this up?’

‘We believe you,’ says Burden. ‘But without a body …’

‘It’s in the sea.’

‘We can’t drain the sea,’ remarks Sergeant Lester dryly. ‘We can only hope it gets washed up.’

I fiddle again with my wedding ring and finally say,

---