Page 54 of The Girl in the Woods

PRESENT DAY

Ana had an hour before she visited Olivia. An hour was enough for a road trip to Summertown. She wanted to check the place against the map she had made of the CCTV cameras she’d seen in the evidence room. Also, what better way to get to know the area than a road trip?

She ticked off some of the CCTV cameras on her map, including the one near the bingo hall.

Realising she was low on petrol, she stopped at a garage on the way back, and it was then she saw the camera. Supposing the driver had stopped for petrol? It was a long shot, but still worth checking out. The manager was accommodating and showed her the video from that evening, but there was no sign of a Golf or anything like it.

On the journey back, she passed the rest of the CCTV cameras on her map, but coming through the village of Bladon, she saw another that wasn’t. Had she missed it when going through the evidence? It was too obvious not to be seen. Perhaps it was new. Ana made a mental note to check it out. Time was getting on, and she didn’t want to be late getting to Olivia’s.

The entrance to Olivia’s block was identical to Ana’s, even down to the tiled flooring. It felt uncanny as she got into the lift, to find that it was also identical. I’ll be walking into my own flat at this rate, thought Ana. Olivia answered the door wearing the dress that Ana had spilt coffee over. The faint sounds of jazz music came from inside the flat.

‘Just so you know, I really did get it dry-cleaned.’ Olivia smiled.

Ana handed over the chocolates, and Olivia opened the door wider. Ana stepped inside and gasped. The flat wasn’t identical to hers at all. There was a state-of-the-art sound system, an opulent fireplace, and a mantlepiece decorated with solid silver candle holders. A bouquet of flowers sat in a vase on the dining table and plush corner-to-corner couches covered in colourful tapestry cushions filled the living area. It was like something in a home magazine.

‘Thanks for the chocolates,’ said Olivia, walking to the kitchen. Here, Ana noted there were more fresh flowers. Were they from him?

‘I’ve got red wine or white if you prefer?’ Olivia opened the fridge.

‘Just a coffee for me. I don’t drink the night before work. I’m useless the next day if I do.’

‘I’ll make a fresh pot.’

‘Your flat is beautiful. Is that what you do for a living, interior design?’

Olivia laughed. ‘I wish. No, I’m a legal eagle. Mostly high-profile divorces.’

‘Wow, I bet that’s interesting. Seeing how the other half live.’

‘Are you at Oxford police station?’ Olivia asked, taking the coffee into the lounge.

‘No, Stonesend.’

‘It’s quaint there,’ said Olivia, opening the chocolates. ‘I hope you’re not on a diet and will share them with me.’

‘I don’t do diets.’ Ana grinned. She looked around for evidence that would prove she had the right woman. ‘What do I owe you?’

‘Eighteen fifty. Is that okay?’

Ana pulled her purse from her bag and handed the money to Olivia, noting the blue sparkler on Olivia’s finger as she did so. ‘That’s beautiful,’ she said, pointing to the ring.

Olivia blushed. ‘Thanks, a gift from my boyfriend.’

Ana blew out her cheeks. ‘I should have such a boyfriend.’

Olivia poured the coffee and didn’t answer.

Ana said, ‘I’ve not been here long enough to meet anyone apart from colleagues, and I’m not sure about dating another copper. However, there is a cute one at the station. He asked if I wanted to go to the summer fair at Stonesend. Are you going?’ She helped herself to a chocolate. Are you going with him? she wondered.

Olivia looked doubtful. ‘I’m not sure.’

‘Maybe I’ll meet your boyfriend,’ said Ana. ‘Does he have a friend?’ She laughed.

‘He works unsociable hours.’

Ana wondered if she was pushing too hard and too fast. ‘Well, if you’re ever at a loose end and want to go for a drink one night, I’m free.’

‘Thanks, that’s kind. I heard about that vigilante guy. Are you working on that case?’

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