Page 38 of The Girl in the Woods

‘I had a Golf. It looks like one of the older makes.’

‘Great, thanks for your help Mr…’

‘Jonny,’ he smiled. ‘Jonny Manners.’

‘Jonny, thanks. I’ll let you get back to work.’

‘I was just about to make a coffee if you’d like one.’

She checked the time. What she wouldn’t do to say yes, but she had to get back. ‘That would have been great, but I need to be somewhere else.’

‘Well, if you need more help, this is my number.’ He handed her a card: Jonny Manners, Software Developer.

Ana looked up. ‘Can you freeze and print photos of the car, make them bigger?’

He grinned. ‘Yeah, no problem.’

‘Great, call me at Stonesend station.’ Ana debated giving him her mobile number, decided against it and said, ‘Thanks for your time.’

‘My pleasure,’ he said with a smile. ‘Have that coffee next time.’

‘I will.’

Ana wished she could have captured that smile on video.

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

Leigh Moulson peered around the net curtain and her heart sank.

Why couldn’t they have come this evening when Will was at home? Knowing her, she was bound to say the wrong thing.

‘Hello, Mrs Moulson, this is DI Miller,’ said Beth pleasantly. ‘Sorry to bother you. It’s about the trail bike your husband reported the other day.’

‘He’s at work,’ said Leigh, clearing her throat, which had suddenly become very dry.

‘Where would that be?’ asked DI Miller.

He had a soft, calming voice, and Leigh relaxed. They weren’t going to ask her any questions after all.

‘In Cowley, Rutland’s Garage. He’s the manager.’

‘Great.’ Tom smiled, writing in his notepad.

‘Could we come in for a moment?’ asked Beth.

‘Oh,’ said Leigh, surprised. ‘I didn’t see anything that night. I can’t really help you. It’s Will you need to talk to.’

‘It won’t take long,’ said Tom reassuringly.

‘Well,’ said Leigh reluctantly, opening the door. She was embarrassed that the vacuum cleaner was out, and a duster and tin of polish sat on the hall table. Leigh felt a sudden urge to explain. ‘Cleaning day. Come into the kitchen.’

‘We believe the trail bike has been badly damaged,’ said Beth. ‘I don’t think you’ll have any more problems.’

‘Oh, did he have an accident?’ Leigh asked, careful to keep her tone neutral. ‘I’m not surprised if he did. He drove it like a madman.’

‘No, someone deliberately smashed it to pieces,’ said Tom.

Leigh’s mouth opened as though she were about to speak, and then she closed it quickly. God, Will wouldn’t do something like that, would he? She needed to be careful what she said. ‘Oh, when did it happen?’

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