realized it probably wasn’t the right time, but she didn’t think she could go on talking to Banks unless she cleared the air. He would have to meet her halfway. The last time she had tried to reach out to him and heal the rift, he had dismissed her. She polished off her glass and held it out for a refill. Dutch courage. Banks narrowed his eyes and poured.
“I’m sorry,” Annie said. “I don’t mean to be sarcastic. After everything that’s happened, things just seem to come out wrong.”
Banks caught her eye for a moment, then gazed past her out of the window. There were flowering shrubs outside in the backyard, and Annie could hear bees buzzing from one to another behind her. Impulsively, she reached across the table and put her hand on his arm. “What is it, Alan? We can’t go on like this.
Banks didn’t flinch when she touched him, but he didn’t say anything at first, just kept staring over her shoulder, through the window. Finally, he turned his eyes back to her.
“You’re right,” he said. “I feel as if I’ve been a long, long way from everything that used to matter, but I’m getting closer again.”
“Light at the end of the tunnel?”
“And all the other cliches. Yes.”
“I’m glad,” Annie said, feeling herself choke up. There was so much more to say but she sensed that now was not the time. Besides, there were other things of more immediate concern that they needed to talk about. She took another sip of wine. Definitely not your everyday quaffing plonk. Banks lit a cigarette.
“I thought you’d stopped that,” Annie said.
“I had,” said Banks. “It’s only a temporary return.”
“I hope so.”
“Why do you want to see me?”
“Have you heard about the woman found dead in the car near Eastvale?”
“I’ve read about it in the paper,” Banks said, “but they haven’t really given out much information.”
“Her name is Jennifer Clewes. Do you know anyone by that name?”
“No,” said Banks.
“Guess what we found in the back pocket of her jeans?”
“I’ve no idea.”
“An address.”
“Whose address?”
“Yours.”
Banks’s jaw dropped. “What? I can’t… What’s her name again?”
“Jennifer Clewes.”
“I’ve never heard of her. What’s it all about?”
“We don’t know yet. She had your address and directions written on a slip of paper in her back pocket, in her own handwriting,” Annie went on. “The directions were to the damaged cottage. It looks as if it has been broken into. You can imagine what a flap it created up there, finding your name and address on a victim’s person. Superintendent Gristhorpe decided to sit on it until Monday.” Annie could see that Banks was thinking furiously, trying to make things connect. “Come on, Alan, give,” she said. “You know something. What is it?”
“I don’t know anything. I’m telling the truth. I’ve never heard of the girl.”
“But you know
“It’s complicated.”
“I’ve got time.” Annie was feeling a little tipsy from the wine, but what the hell, she thought, in for a penny, in for a pound. “Maybe you can start,” she went on, “by telling me what you’re doing here. Last I heard, you and your brother were hardly on the best of terms.”
“He’s disappeared,” Banks said.
“What?”
Banks told her about Roy’s phone call and the empty, unlocked house.
“Have you reported this?”
Banks said nothing, just stared over her shoulder out of the window.
“You haven’t, have you?”
“Why does everyone keep going on about it so?” said Banks, with a sudden flash of anger. “You know as well as I do how much effort we’d put into looking for a missing adult when he’s been gone less than forty-eight hours. I’ve probably done more myself than the locals would have.”
“Who are you trying to convince? Listen to yourself. There are suspicious circumstances and you know it. You told me he said it was a matter of life and death.”
“Fair enough, you want to split hairs. I’ll say no more right now, but don’t forget it might be your brother’s life you’re playing fast and loose with. For Christ’s sake, Alan, you shouldn’t even
“Thanks for reminding me.”
“Oh, sometimes I just wish you’d grow up. You might be able to see the light at the end of the tunnel, but, quite frankly, you’re still a mess. You’ve done nothing but paperwork for the past few months, you’ve barely spoken to a soul, you rarely bother to shave, you need a haircut, and you’re half-pissed most of the time. I was in your flat. I’ve seen how you live.” There was no point going on at him, Annie knew. She just had to let her frustration out from time to time.
“What put you in such a good mood?” Banks said.
Annie just shook her head. “Look, I know you’re concerned,” she went on in a softer tone. “I know you’re worried about your brother, but you’ve got to stop being so stubborn. For his sake as well as your own.”
“You’re probably right,” Banks said, “but look at it from my point of view. I’m worried they might find out a few things about Roy our parents would rather not know, and I know there’s no way they’ll let me work on the case if it becomes official. Besides, how can I know the job’s being done properly if I don’t do it myself?”
“Sometimes I wonder how you made DCI,” Annie said. “Such skills of delegation.”
Banks laughed. Annie was surprised, and it broke the tension.
“Are you sure you’ve never heard of Jennifer Clewes?” she went on. “You’ve no idea why she should have your address in her pocket?”
“There’s a Jenn in Roy’s mobile call list.”
“That’s what her friends called her.”
“Wait here a minute.” Banks disappeared upstairs. Annie sipped more wine and looked around the kitchen. Expensive, she thought, especially for a room that didn’t get used much. Banks soon returned with a bulging folder under his arm, sat back down and started flipping through pages.
“Do you have her phone number?” he asked.
“Her mobile’s missing, but I got the number from her flatmate.” Annie read out the number from her notebook. It was the same one Banks had on Roy’s call list.
“My God,” said Annie. “So there definitely
“Corinne was right. He did have a new girlfriend.”
“Corinne?”
“Roy’s fiancee. Ex-fiancee.”
“From now on, this is official,” Annie said. “I’m going to have a word with DI Brooke about your brother’s disappearance. He won’t be happy.”
“Suit yourself,” said Banks.
“Look,” Annie went on, trying to placate him, “you know you’re too personally involved to be assigned to the case – either case – but that doesn’t mean you can’t be of some use.”
“On whose terms?”
Annie managed a thin smile. “Well, it’s not as if anyone’s going to be keeping tabs on you twenty-four hours a day, is it? As long as we stay on the same page.”
Banks nodded. “I suppose that’s the best I can hope for.”
