Breaker

I'd really love to see the house since you've had all the decorating done. Maybe I could take a day off and visit you when William's at work? That way he can't complain if all we do is sit and gossip. Do you remember Wendy Plater? She got drunk a couple of weeks ago at lunchtime and called Purdy 'a tight-arsed prick' because he was in the hall when she came staggering back late, and he told her he was going to dock her wages. God, it was funny! He would have sacked her on the spot if good old Trew hadn't spoken up for her. She had to apologize, but she doesn't regret any of it. She says she's never seen Purdy go purple before!

I thought of you immediately, of course, which is why I've been ringing. It really is ages. Do call. Thinking of you.

Love,

Polly Garrard

Attached to it by paper clip was the draft of an answer from Kate.

Dear Polly,

Hannah and I are doing well, and of course you must come and visit us. I'm a bit busy at the moment, but will ring as soon as I can. The house looks great. You'll love it.

You promised on your honor The story about Wendy Plater was really funny!

Hope all's well with you.

Speak soon.

Love, Kate

The Spender brothers' parents looked worried when Ingram asked if he and DI Galbraith could talk to Paul in private. 'What's he done?' asked the father.

Ingram removed his cap and smoothed his dark hair with the flat of his hand. 'Nothing as far as I know,' he said with a smile. 'It's just a few routine questions that's all.'

'Then why do you want to talk to him in private?'

Ingram's frank gaze held his. 'Because the dead woman was naked, Mr. Spender, and Paul's embarrassed to talk about it in front of you and your wife.'

The man gave a snort of amusement. 'He must think we're the most frightful prudes.'

Ingram's smile broadened. 'Just parents,' he said. He gestured toward the lane in front of their rented cottage. 'He'll probably feel more comfortable if he talks to us outside.'

But Paul was surprisingly open about Steven Harding's 'friendliness.' 'I reckon he fancied Maggie and was trying to impress her by how good he was with kids,' he told the policemen. 'My uncle's always doing it. If he comes to our house on his own he doesn't bother to talk to us, but if he brings one of his girlfriends he puts his arms around our shoulders and tells us jokes. It's only to make them think he'd be a good father.'

Galbraith chuckled. 'And that's what Steve was doing?'

'Must have been. He got much more friendly after she turned up.'

'Did you notice him playing with his phone at all?'

'You mean the way Danny says?'

Galbraith nodded.

'I didn't watch him because I didn't want to be rude, but Danny's pretty sure about it, and he should know because he was staring at him all the time.'

'So why was Steve doing that, do you think?'

'Because he forgot we were there,' said the boy.

'In what way exactly?'

Paul showed the first signs of embarrassment. 'Well, you know,' he said earnestly, 'he sort of did it without thinking ... my dad often does things without thinking, like licking his knife in restaurants. Mum gets really angry about it.'

Galbraith gave a nod of agreement. 'You're a bright lad. I should have thought of that myself.' He stroked the side of his freckled face, considering the problem. 'Still, rubbing yourself with a telephone's a bit different from licking your knife. You don't think it's more likely he was showing off?'

'He looked at a girl through the binoculars,' Paul offered. 'Maybe he was showing off to her?'

'Maybe.' Galbraith pretended to ponder some more. 'You don't think it's more likely he was showing off to you and Danny?'

'Well ... he talked a lot about ladies he'd seen in the nude, but I sort of got the feeling most of it wasn't true ... I think he was trying to make us feel better.'

'Does Danny agree with you?'

The boy shook his head. 'No, but that doesn't mean anything. He reckons Steve stole his T-shirt, so he doesn't like him.'

'Is it true?'

'I don't think so. It's just an excuse because he's lost it and Mum gave him an earbashing. It's got 'Derby FC' on the front, and it cost a fortune.'

'Did Danny have it with him on Sunday?'

'He says it was in the bundle around the binoculars, but I don't remember it.'

'Okay.' Galbraith nodded again. 'So what does Danny think Steve was up to?'