Katy glanced in Charlie’s direction for a split second and then back at Mrs Carr. “It must have been hard taking on the responsibility what with Daniel’s disabilities?” Katy asked, choosing not to raise the subject about Mrs Carr’s niece for now.
“At first, yes, I admit, it was very difficult, but we’ve grown to accept life and the situation we’re in as a family. We love this new version of him. I know you’re going to find that hard to believe after seeing him, but you get into a routine. Our main aim in life now is to ensure he has an exceptional quality of life.”
“That’s admirable. Does Megan pop round to see you often?”
“Yes, a few times a week and regularly at the weekend, when she’s not working.”
“And where does she work?” Katy probed, homing in on the one fact that had managed to escape them so far.
“She works in a bottling factory on the production line. She hates it and has tried several times to leave the damn place but has been unlucky; each time the other job she had an interview for has fallen through at the last minute. She’s a clever girl, she doesn’t deserve to be slogging away in a factory.”
“Has she worked there long?”
Mrs Carr paused and placed a finger on her cheek as she mulled over the question. “She worked in a café when she left school, but that closed down after a few months. That’s when she saw the opening for the factory job. I warned her that it would be too mundane for her, but she wouldn’t listen. She wanted a full-time job that would enable her to stand on her own two feet.” She sighed heavily. “I told her there was no need for her to leave here, tried to tell her this was her home for however long she needed it to be, but she insisted she needed to get out there, to make something of her life. That’s why the job at the factory was supposed to be a temporary measure. I think she’s been there around four years now, waiting for another more prosperous opportunity to arise.”
“Interesting. I’ll get to my point, do you know where Megan is right now?”
“I’m guessing she’s at home. Now, you need to tell me why you’re so desperate to find her.”
“There’s no easy way to tell you this, but we believe your niece has been involved in some terrible crimes this week.”
Mrs Carr gasped and covered her mouth with her shaking hand. After a few seconds, she dropped it and asked, “What sort of crimes?”
“The worst kind. We believe she’s responsible for five deaths.”
“What? This can’t be true. There must be some mistake. Megan wouldn’t… she doesn’t have it in her to harm people. I think you’ve made a grave mistake.”
Mr Carr appeared in the doorway. “Everything all right, love? What are they saying? Where’s Megan?”
“Come in, Sam. You need to hear what they’re accusing Megan of. It’s unthinkable. It can’t be true, I refuse to even contemplate it. How’s Daniel? Should I go and be with him?”
Mr Carr entered the room and stood behind his wife. He placed his hands on her shoulders and massaged her neck. “He’s fine. He’s having a snooze.”
“Good. I don’t want him to hear this, it would kill him to know what they’re suggesting of our… little girl.”
“What’s going on? I demand to know. You can’t come in here accusing our niece of doing all sorts and not expect us to be upset.”
“I appreciate you getting upset, the news isn’t good, sir. We believe your niece is responsible for the deaths of five people. We’re eager to speak with her.”
“Wait! What? I can’t get my head around what you’ve just told me. Back up a second. Five deaths? How? I want facts. How did these deaths occur?”
Katy nodded. She needed to tread carefully, so decided to leave the victims’ names out of her summation. “Okay, the first death, the man was found in his car, it had been set alight.”
“No way! Not Megan.” Mr Carr paced the room.
“Love, take a seat and calm down. You and I know this can’t be true. Let’s hear what the inspector has to say for now. Let her speak without interruption.” Mrs Carr reached for her husband’s hand. He accepted it and gestured for Katy to continue.
“The second victim was knocked off his bike and run over several times.” Katy watched the couple closely. Both of them seemed bewildered by what she was divulging. She continued, “The third man was attacked while he was taking a run through the forest. The three victims were specifically targeted.”
“You mentioned five victims,” Mr Carr said, frowning.
“We believe the man and woman found at the third murder scene were innocent bystanders, in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
“Murdered?” Tears ran down Mrs Carr’s cheeks. “Not Megan, she’s not capable of murdering anyone. You’re making a huge mistake, you have to be. Why do you think it’s her?”
“Well, we believe it has to do with the accident that happened eighteen years ago.”
The couple shared an anxious glance at each other. Then Mr Carr faced Katy again and asked, “What do you mean? She got over the accident years ago.”
Katy cocked an eyebrow. “Did she? We believe she’s been on a revenge mission. Megan has killed three out of the four men involved in the crash.”
Mrs Carr let out a scream and sobbed. Her husband quickly tried to comfort her. “Hush now, you’ll disturb Daniel and make him anxious. I don’t know what to say. Is there any way you could be wrong?”
“We’re ninety-nine percent certain Megan is to blame. There’s more.” Katy sighed.
Mr and Mrs Carr both stared at her. “What more could there be? Don’t tell us she’s gone after their families as well?”
“No, not
