Page 5 of Her Deadly Promise

‘We haven’t examined the body that closely yet, but I can’t see any more bruising and her clothing is all intact. It looks like there was a bit of a struggle but not much. There are a couple of smashed cups and a few other kitchen items on the floor. I’d say this was quick and unexpected. The house is a mess. Items have been flung out of drawers, things like that.’

‘Was the back door unlocked?’

‘Yes. When we got here, the keys were on the kitchen table. The sliding lock on the gate was open.’

‘Any phones or devices?’

‘We haven’t found any yet but if we do, we’ll get them bagged immediately.’

‘Time of death?’

‘As always, this is approximate but given the state of the body, I’d say within the last three hours. There is another thing. Look through the window.’

Gina swallowed and stared through the smeary glass and spider plants on the window ledge. On the back wall of the kitchen was a word written in red that made her shiver. SLUT in capital letters. ‘What is it written in?’

‘Pen.’

‘Any sign of the pen used?’

‘Not as yet.’

Her heart sank for the bluish-tinged woman lying on the floor. Her chocolate-brown fringe matted with blood made Gina look away. In her mind’s eye, all she could then see was the woman’s little boy. The child at the neighbour’s watching cartoons, oblivious to what had happened to his mother. His world was going to be turned upside down.

FOUR

NADIA

Nadia dragged William into the house, sitting him at the kitchen table while she made him a squash. ‘How was school today?’

‘Mrs Hallam brought in a guinea pig to show us. He had sticky up hair, and I stroked him.’

‘Wow. That sounds wonderful. I love guinea pigs.’ She grabbed several packets of biscuits from the cupboard and slid open the bifold doors that led to her pride and joy; the perfect golf course lawn that her husband always lovingly tended to. As promised, he’d put the parasol up and cleaned the large table. She’d promised the other mums a fun evening of tea and biscuits. They all knew that meant a glass or two of wine while their children played on the jungle gym and in the tree house. They could catch up on school news, sort out who was doing what at the summer fete in a couple of weeks. She’d promised Mrs Hallam she would help and that’s what she’d do. This year’s fete was going to go down in school history. It was time to put her bad day behind her and paste on her happy face.

‘Mum, can we have a guinea pig?’

‘No, honey. We already have Fluffball.’

‘But Fluffball doesn’t like me.’ William went to pick up the long-haired tortoiseshell cat and she hissed at him before darting away.

‘Fluffball is hot, that’s all.’

Nadia gasped as someone rang the bell. The other mothers were here already. If only her session hadn’t run over with her client who wanted to lose another stone before her holiday. It was only meant to last an hour. All that running in the park, turning over tyres and shaking the ropes had taken longer than Nadia had thought, but her client was thrilled with the burn as she called it. Then she had other things to do, things that couldn’t wait. If she’d have been on time, William would have already had his snack and she’d have prepared more than a few packets of biscuits. She’d had all day up until her session but something else had cropped up. Something more important. She swallowed down the anxiety that was threatening to overwhelm her.

Opening the door, Candice stood there calling her daughter over. The little girl’s pink cheeks flushed with heat and looked like they were burning. With their red-haired complexions, they preferred to stay out of direct heat. She giggled on seeing William before they raced each other to the jungle gym. ‘Come through,’ Nadia said. She passed Candice a bottle of wine and a couple of glasses. ‘I’ll be out in a moment; I just saw Meera pulling in.’

‘Fabulous. I’ll pour the wine. God, it’s so hot.’ Candice placed the chilled wine on her forehead and smiled as she headed to the garden.

‘Hi, Meera.’ Nadia waved as Meera unstrapped her son from the back of the car.

‘It’s so hot. I’m melting. I just went to see my mother and the woman is sitting in her lounge with all the windows shut. Can you believe it?’

‘Damn, on a day like this? I hope you’re thirsty. The wine has been opened.’ Nadia reached over and hugged her friend.

‘I’m parched.’

Meera’s long flowing summer dress, fitted at the waist, showed off her figure.

‘You look lovely. Is that dress new?’

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