Page 64 of The Stranger in Her House

‘I can’t confirm anything more about an ongoing investigation,’ she continues. ‘Only that a man has been released on police bail. However, evidence has come to light that might be related to accusations you made when we last met.’

‘What evidence?’

‘Letters, photographs, videos.’

‘Of Fran,’ I say.

‘Actually, this isn’t footage involving the deceased,’ Krisha says. She is treading carefully.

‘Then who?’

‘Others.’

‘The women I told you about?’ I ask excitedly. ‘Where did you get it from?’

‘I was hoping you might know that.’

‘It was stolen from me, I told you.’

‘You didn’t happen to take any photographs of anything you found, or save video clips or pictures on to your phone or computer?’

‘I told you that any pictures I’d taken had been deleted.’

‘Before the arrest, we received an anonymous email containing a large cache of photos and video files of everything you told me that you found and took from Paul Michael’s house.’

I shake my head. ‘I don’t understand.’

‘I need you to be absolutely honest with me here, Connie. You are categorically stating that this emailed evidence didn’t come from you?’

‘Absolutely, but I wish it had. Maybe then you’d have believed me.’

‘I am going to need to talk to you further about this.’

‘What, like a police statement?’

‘Normally, yes. But these circumstances are different. Should a prosecution take place, it’s unlikely you’d make a credible witness. Your previous convictions and motives for appearing in Gwen’s life might potentially hamper our case. But that’d be up to the Crown Prosecution Service to decide if it ever gets that far. So for now, I want to talk to you off the record about everything you’ve learned so far about Paul’ – she corrects herself – ‘about our person of interest, but the facts, not your suspicions. Anything pertinent that might help with our ongoing investigation.’

If there weren’t other people in this carriage, I’d punch the air with joy. This is a massive step forwards. After all that monster put me and his victims through, is he really about to get his comeuppance? I don’t even know if I want to think about this, in case it all fizzles out.

‘Of course,’ I tell Krisha. ‘I’ll be back tonight around seven-ish. Is that too late? Hello? Hello?’

It’s black outside and I realise the line has gone dead because we’re passing through a tunnel.

I try calling her back but realise I’ve run out of credit on my phone. It’s hard to focus on anything else for the rest of the journey. I’m both anxious and excited. This is the best birthday gift anyone could’ve given me.

But Krisha’s call raises several questions I can’t answer. Who on earth was the anonymous sender of copies of my evidence? How did they get hold of it? And why did they start investigating Fran Brown’s death first? I find her son Jon’s number and use the train’s wi-fi to text him on iMessage.

I’ve just heard about your mum, I type.I’m so sorry.

A few minutes pass before he replies.You were right about the bloods. Be in touch soon.

Soon after, the train pulls into the station at Hampton-in-Arden, a village between Solihull and Coventry and one stop away from Birmingham International Airport. I walk for ten minutes until I reach a small, terraced house on a quiet road. I stand outside a faded yellow wooden front door and check my appearance using my phone’s camera. I’m inexplicably nervous.

Before I left home, I assumed this was where my journey with Gwen would come to an end. But with an investigation into Paul beginning, things might not be over just yet.

CHAPTER 53

MEREDITH HARPER

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