Page 68 of She Saw What He Did

‘He will,’ he says. ‘Meanwhile we act normal.’

Chapter Forty-One

Ellen stared at her reflection in the grubby loo mirror. She’d put mascara on. She wasn’t sure if she liked it. But it was too late to remove it now. The door opened, and a fellow officer walked in.

‘Crappy mirrors aren’t they?’ she said, joining Ellen at the washbasin. Ellen felt embarrassed to be caught looking at her own reflection.

She smiled.

‘I don’t like any mirrors.’

The woman smiled.

‘Ditto’.

Ellen waited until the woman had left the loo before scrutinising herself in the mirror again. Soft blue eyes stared back at her. She wished she were prettier and that her hair was thicker. She ran a brush through it, cursed the static and pushed it behind her ears.

Weis was waiting outside by the car.

‘Sorry about the state of the loo,’ he said, opening the car door for her.

‘Oh,’ she said, surprised. ‘How would you know the state of the ladies’ loo?’

‘Hearsay,’ he smiled.

Ellen laughed.

‘When an officer from the islands comes over we make an effort. Aside from the loos that is,’ he said, climbing into the driver’s seat beside her. ‘It’s about forty-five minutes to Fernsea.’

He was attractive, thought Ellen. His warm brown almond-shaped eyes and firm lips were very appealing. She’d looked him up. He’d been married for fifteen years but divorced last year. He had one son aged twelve. She’d heard the rumours. He’d put in too many hours before his promotion. His wife had gone off with a local builder. Weis was married to his job. Ellen understood that. If only Peter did. As though reading her mind, Weis said,

‘How’s Peter?’

‘He’s fine,’ she said casually.

She wasn’t going to mention that they’d had a big argument before she’d left. He’d accused her of being obsessed with the murder case and she’d accused him of being obsessed with his mate’s stupid hotel.

‘He’s busy doing up his friend’s hotel. I think he wants to go into partnership.’

‘Great,’ said Weis, handing her a folder.

His knee was touching hers and Ellen didn’t know whether she should move.

‘Details of the job I was telling you about, if you’re still interested. It will mean a promotion. I reckon you’re up to it. Personally, I’d like to see you apply,’ he said, giving her a sidelong glance. ‘The other applicants don’t have your enthusiasm.’

‘Thanks,’ she said, opening the folder.

‘For telling you about the job or saying you’ll be good at it?’

‘Both,’ said Ellen, blushing.

He cleared his throat as if he also was embarrassed.

‘I’m suspicious of Abby and Jared Miller,’ he said, changing the subject.

Her head snapped up.

‘Suspicious, why?’

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