Page 11 of Her Hidden Shadow

Seven

Gina pulled up as Jacob stared out the passenger window. First light was breaking through the grey clouds and the hint of frost had melted. She reached behind and grabbed her bag off the back seat. A message flashed up. ‘Sienna’s parents have been informed of her murder.’ Jacob grabbed his pen and popped it in the top of his suit jacket. ‘Jacob, you know you can always talk to me if there’s something on your mind.’

He smiled, opened his jacket and checked that his notepad was in there. ‘I’m okay, honest.’

‘You’re not. How long have we been working together?’

‘Can’t remember, guv. Far too long,’ he joked.

She could tell he was using humour to mask whatever was going on. ‘Which is why I can tell something’s up.’

He opened the car door. ‘Haven’t we got an interview to do?’

It was obvious that Jacob didn’t want to speak to her about his problems. She did suspect something was going on at home. Maybe he and Jennifer had been arguing. ‘What number is it again?’

‘Twenty-three. Looks like the house on the end.’ Jacob began walking across the green, treading on damp grass. Gina opted for taking the pavement. When they finally reached the end of the terrace, she glanced up at the characterless red-brick house with its dilapidated porch and steamed up windows, and she thought of Sienna, the woman who would never be coming home again. As she knocked, the glass in the door rattled. ‘I wonder if she lives alone.’

A bang followed the clunking of locks, then a rotund, middle-aged woman answered with a piece of toast dangling from her mouth. She removed it and stared at them for a couple of seconds. ‘Hello.’

‘I’m DI Harte, this is DS Driscoll. May we come in?’

‘I ain’t done anything. What Minty said wasn’t true. I don’t even like garden ornaments so why would I nick them?’

Gina took a deep breath. ‘We’re from major crimes. Does Sienna Moorcroft live with you?’

The woman threw her toast on the grass out the front and reluctantly opened the door. Gina stepped into the dark hallway first, then they all went into the living room. The curtains were still closed, and a rerun of Friends played. The woman grabbed the remote and turned the TV off. ‘’Av a seat. What’s this about Sienna? She doesn’t get into trouble. Anyway, she’s not here so you might have to come back later, or maybe try calling her.’

There was no good time to spill the news of Sienna’s murder. ‘I’m afraid we have some bad news.’

‘What?’

‘I’m really sorry to tell you that Sienna’s body was found in the early hours. Is there anyone we can call? Someone who can be with you?’

The woman went to speak but remained open-mouthed.

‘Are you and Sienna friends?’

‘Yes, well I’m her landlady, but we really get on. She’s been living with me for three years and we’ve become close. How…’

Gina swallowed. ‘I’m afraid Sienna has been murdered.’

The woman swallowed then coughed, almost choking on her own saliva as she collapsed into an armchair.

Jacob stepped forward. ‘Erm, would you like me to make you a drink?’

She shook her head and cleared her throat. ‘No… thank you.’

Gina sat in the armchair opposite the woman and leaned forward, waiting for the news to sink in. ‘Could I take your name, please?’

‘Patsy Griffin. I can’t believe it, seriously.’ The woman tugged at a dark strand of hair that was grey at the root. ‘Was it him?’

‘Him.’ Gina waited for Patsy to elaborate. Maybe she knew of Sienna’s relationship with Robbie.

‘Smarmy-looking charmer, goes by the name of Gerard.’

Gina glanced at Jacob who was scribbling a note of the name.

‘Can you tell me about Gerard?’

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