Page 31 of The Unseen
“We’ve spoken to her already. She didn’t give us much,” Logan interjected.
“Well, I hit a brick wall with her as well, although I believe she knows much more than she’s letting on. She might not have stayed in touch with her sister, but their father was in contact with his adopted daughter and would have mentioned her from time to time. The brother was equally tight-lipped.”
“Why are they so reluctant to help us?” Quinn exclaimed. “What do they have to lose?”
“I don’t know, but I’d like to find out,” Drew replied.
“So was that all?”
“No, there’s more.” Drew leaned back in his chair, confident and relaxed. He seemed satisfied with the progress of the investigation. “After interviewing Karen and Michael Crawford, I stopped into Quentin’s old school. Few teachers who taught there when Quentin was in sixth form were still there, but there were two old biddies who were happy to talk to me. One was Miss Mackie, an art teacher, and the other a Mrs. McComb, who helped Quentin prepare for her A-levels. Mrs. McComb didn’t have much to impart other than recalling that Quentin struggled with math but worked hard to pass her exams. She never got to know her on a personal level but was quick to reassure me that Quentin was a pleasant, well-mannered young lady.”
“Helpful, that,” Logan snorted.
“Patience, Logan,” Drew drawled.
“Sorry, please go on,” Logan said, looking contrite.
“Miss Mackie was vastly more helpful. She taught art to Quentin for two years and knew her quite well. She said Quentin was very artistic, and extremely imaginative. She loved art and excelled in it. Miss Mackie said Quentin often stayed after class, since it was her last of the day, to chat.”
“What did they talk about?” Quinn asked.
“This and that. Miss Mackie didn’t recall the actual conversations, but she was able to remember the name of Quentin’s best friend—Sarah Denton, who just happens to live at the same address she resided at during her school years.”
“Did you speak to her?” Logan demanded.
“I did. Lovely woman. Looked after her sick mum until the mum died two years back and left Sarah the house. She lives there with her five-year-old son. Single mum.”
Quinn kicked Logan under the table before he had a chance to blurt something out once again. Drew had his own way of getting to the important bits, so they had to be patient. Perhaps the details weren’t that important to her and Logan, but they helped form a more comprehensive picture for Drew.
“Sarah and Quentin were inseparable in the sixth form. Quentin came to the house often, and slept over once or twice a month at the weekends. Sarah went to the Crawford house only once and got the impression that Quentin wasn’t comfortable having a friend over. She preferred to come to Sarah’s house, where she felt more at ease.”
“Did Quentin ever confide in Sarah?” Quinn asked.
“She said they spoke mostly of music, fashion, and boys. Quentin didn’t like to talk about her family, especially her siblings.”
“Well, Karen said they never really got on,” Logan chimed in.
“Was she able to shed any light on where Quentin might have gone after her mother’s death?” Quinn asked.
“She was, actually. Quentin met a man in her final year of school. He was a local photographer who came to do the school portraits. They began a relationship and she moved in with him after she left home.”
“Did you get his name?” Logan asked.
“Jesse Holt. He has a studio in High Street and I have an appointment with him tomorrow. I’d have stopped in while I was in Leicester, but the studio was closed and Mr. Holt only sees people by appointment.”
“Can I come with you?” Quinn asked. She hadn’t meant to interfere with Drew’s investigation, but she desperately wanted to speak to someone who’d known Quentin and hopefully loved her.
“If you like. I’ll be at St. Pancras tomorrow at ten. Meet me on platform three.”
“I’ll be there,” Quinn promised.
“I wish I could come, but I have an early morning shift at the hospital. Fill me in after?” Logan asked.
“Of course. I only hope there will be something to tell.”
“Don’t get your hopes up, Quinn,” Drew warned.
“I can’t help it. You’ve already discovered four new leads, which is a lot more than we were able to accomplish. Perhaps this Jesse Holt will point us in the right direction.”
