Page 39 of The Girl in the Woods

‘We think late Monday night.’

‘Your husband did threaten to take things into his own hands,’ said Beth.

Leigh forced a laugh. ‘Oh no, he’s all talk. He wouldn’t really do that.’

‘Was he home Monday night?’ asked Tom.

Beth noticed Leigh hesitate.

‘Yes, he was. We watched TV,’ she said, averting her eyes, aware that Beth was watching her closely.

‘So Will didn’t go out at all Monday night?’

Leigh’s lips closed tightly together as though someone had glued them.

‘It’s just to eliminate suspects,’ Tom assured her.

‘Will has done nothing wrong.’

‘We’re not saying he has. It’s just routine questioning,’ said Tom casually.

‘No, he didn’t go out at all.’

‘Well, thanks for your time. Hopefully, you won’t hear any more trail bikes.’

Tom reached the front door, saw the Chelsea cap hanging on a hook and said with a smile, ‘Who’s the Chelsea fan then?’

‘That’s Will,’ she said. ‘Won’t miss a match.’

‘Me neither,’ lied Tom with a smile. ‘Thanks for your help.’

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Tom drove the car in silence until they reached Stonesend, where he stopped at The Bell pub. ‘Share a plate of nachos?’ he asked.

Beth looked pleasantly surprised. ‘Since when did you share anything?’ she asked.

‘When weren’t you hungry?’ he retorted, opening the door.

‘This is true.’ She grinned.

The pub was pretty quiet – it was way past lunchtime. Jack, the landlord, took one look at Tom and sighed. ‘Well, well, look who’s back. Like a bad penny, you are. Last time you were here, we had a murder.’

‘Well, as you know, I didn’t commit it.’ Tom smiled.

‘What’s happened now?’ asked Jack, looking at Beth.

‘DI Stephens has left, so we have a new DI.’

Jack scoffed. ‘Sacked him, did they? It took long enough before someone realised. That bloke would have given one to a tree if it had a hole in it. I’ll bring menus over, and don’t worry,’ he said, looking at Tom, ‘nothing is on the house. I wouldn’t want to be accused of bribing a police officer like last time.’

Beth held back her smile. ‘Jack’s got a memory like an elephant,’ she said, adding, ‘We’re sharing a plate of nachos, and I’ll have a Diet Coke.’

‘Mineral water for me,’ said Tom.

‘Don’t overdo it,’ said Jack.

‘Nice to get a warm welcome.’ Tom smiled.

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