Page 36 of Her Deadly Promise

‘What time was this?’

‘I’d say around five. I know he pulled up in a car as one of the party had to ask him to move it as he was blocking one of them in. He then left the car on the road.’

‘He turned up around five and in a car?’

‘That’s right. I’ll get you a copy of the CCTV in a moment, but I know he did. I remember thinking that I hoped the party would hurry up and go. They’d been there for hours, and some people were starting to arrive for after-work drinks and the party were rowdy. They made a total mess of the garden, and I was eager to clean it up.’ Gina watched as Jacob made a note about him driving. She knew from their records that he didn’t have a car that was registered to him, but his mother did, Brock even said so himself. Jacob glanced at her.

‘Can we get all the CCTV from two until the time he left?’

‘Of course. That won’t be a problem, but it might take a short while. He was here until closing and he left with a woman at around eleven thirty. Are you okay to wait? I can get Bradley to pour you something cold if you want to wait in the bar.’

‘Actually,’ Gina stood, ‘we need to get on. Can I see it quickly and I’ll send an officer to collect it later?’ She needed to confirm the man’s arrival with her own eyes, and she wanted to see who he left with.

‘Yes, follow me through.’

Gina leaned over the desk beside Elouise as she scrolled through the grainy footage. Brock had indeed arrived just after five and in a car. He’d lied to them.

‘Can I get the hard drive picked up within the hour?’

‘Of course. I should have it ready by then. Give me two to be sure. There’s a lot of footage if you want all cameras.’ Agreeing, Gina made her way to the door.

Jacob stood and followed her back out. The sun had ducked behind the trees at the end of the car park and Gina was glad that the air was cooling a little. ‘He had opportunity, motive, and possibly a change of clothes in the car. Did he buy a new top on the way, knowing that he was going to kill Billie and things could get messy? And he lied to us. We need a warrant to get that car and his mother’s flat searched as soon as possible. If he killed Billie, there has to be traces of blood in that car. I’m going to call Briggs with an update. If Brock has arrived at the station, we need to keep him there.’

Jacob nodded. ‘I’ll make a call to organise the warrant, then we can head straight to the station to collect it.’

‘Great, get a warrant for the flat, her car and the communal areas for the block.’ Gina headed over to the other side of the car park, leaving Jacob to make his call. Briggs answered almost immediately. ‘Gina, have you got something?’

She relayed her conversation with Elouise, trying to forget what had happened between them and remain professional. ‘Is Brock there?’

‘No.’

‘He was meant to go straight to the station.’

‘He hasn’t been in. I’ve just caught up with the case after dealing with the press all day.’

She kicked the wall. ‘Dammit. We’re coming back to collect a search warrant for Brock’s mother’s flat and car before heading straight there. Jacob is sorting that out as we speak along with a tow truck to take the car. We need to act fast before he gets the opportunity to destroy any evidence. He’s already had too long. Can you send someone to the Angel to grab the CCTV in a couple of hours? Sorry to ask but we’re rushed off our feet.’

‘Of course. I’ll get a PC to collect it.’

‘And we’ll need some officers ready to help with the search of the property and the arrest of Shaun Brock. We now have enough to bring him in.’

After ending the call, she turned back to Jacob. ‘Let’s go. Brock didn’t turn up at the station. We need to get that warrant, find him and arrest him.’ The more she thought about it, the angrier she got. They had Brock earlier and they’d let him go. If only she’d seen the CCTV before they arrived at his. He’d have been at the station right now. Instead, a suspected murderer was out there and running desperate. That made him even more dangerous.

TWENTY-THREE

Jacob pulled up outside the flats and Gina grabbed the warrant.

‘There’s his mother’s car.’ She pointed at the red Ford that was parked against the kerb.

O’Connor stepped out of his car and ambled over, zapped by the heat. He waved at Gina and Jacob. ‘Keith from forensics is on his way to take any samples we might need. Bernard is still going through yesterday’s evidence with his team, so he won’t be coming.’

‘Thanks, O’Connor.’

Heading towards the Brocks’ front door, the old neighbour stood against his door frame as he folded his garden chair up. ‘Back so soon.’ He smiled at Gina.

Great, the last thing Gina needed was a nosy neighbour loitering around. This wasn’t going to be pleasant for Ms Brock. She waited for Wyre, Kapoor and Smith to catch up, watching as they took a shortcut over the grass. Gina hammered on the door and waited. Beryl Brock answered. ‘What now?’

Glancing at the old man, Gina cleared her throat. ‘May we come in? It would be best if we spoke inside.’ Realising how hard searches were for families, she didn’t want to embarrass or upset the woman any more than she had to. Stepping in, Gina held up the paperwork. ‘Ms Brock, we have a warrant issued by Cleevesford Magistrates Court which gives us the authority under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act to search your address and vehicle for evidence connected to an offence of murder which we are currently investigating. You’ll be given a copy of the warrant, which provides further details. We’re also looking for your son, is he here?’

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