Molly hadn’t taken her radio, so couldn’t call for backup. But Tina needed to come in. ‘What about April? She needs to see a doctor. You can’t fix this on your own.’
But Tina’s eyes were darting from left to right, her expression dark with mistrust.
‘We’ll look for Matty,’ Molly continued. ‘But we need to know more. What are you involved in? Who’s in charge? We can safeguard you.’
Tina stuffed her hand in her pocket and raised it a couple of inches in the air. ‘You take one more step towards me, and I’ll cut you, you hear?’ She narrowed her eyes at Molly as if daring her to take another step. ‘I’m taking a chance just being here. But Matty’s in danger. Real danger, and it’s all your fault. So, get your piggy arse back into the station and find him.’
‘He’s in danger? From who?’
A burst of wild laughter left Tina’s lips. ‘You have no fucking idea how deep this goes.’
Molly stared at a bruise the size of a golf ball protruding from Tina’s forehead. ‘Tina, did they do that to you? Who are they?’
But Tina ignored the question. ‘Don’t mention me to anyone. Look him up under your own steam. If anyone hears I’ve been here . . .’ She quickly glanced around. ‘They’ll finish what they started. I mean it. Not a word.’
Molly knew she should arrest Tina and bring her in. The fact she had sworn in public gave her grounds for a breach of the peace. It was a simple offence with no lasting consequence. But Molly’s gut told her that Tina was telling the truth. She knew what it was like to be the odd one out. She squared her shoulders, pinning Tina with a gaze. ‘I need something to go on. Matty’s name, for a start. Where does he come from?’ Molly had tried to identify him, but without a surname it was an impossible task.
‘Tower Hamlets,’ Tina said at last, her hand firmly in her pocket.
‘Has he got family? What about his mum?’
‘That junkie bitch ain’t coming for him.’ Tina snorted in disdain. ‘And he doesn’t have a dad, not a proper one. The only reason he likes you is ’cos you look like his big sis.’
‘I know,’ Molly began to reason. ‘Look, you don’t trust me, and I don’t blame you. But if you want me to find him, then you’ll have to come in. Please. Don’t be scared. Come in and tell me what you can.’
‘I ain’t scared of you.’ Tina’s face creased in a scowl. ‘He’s Matthew Clarke, born on Christmas Day. We found him at the train station. He’d done a bunk from the kid’s home and snuck on to a train.’ Tina swiped her nose with the back of her hand before backing away. ‘Just find him, all right? That’s all I know.’
‘Who’s behind this?’
‘If I tell you, they’ll get me too.’ Tina’s voice cracked as she spoke, and Molly got a glimpse of fear. ‘None of this came from me. You got that?’ Clearing her throat, Tina looked away.
But Molly wasn’t ready to let her go. ‘Are you being pimped out for sex? What about these murders, do you know anything about them?’ She stretched out her hand.
‘Fuck off!’ Tina spat, swiping it away. ‘Touch me and you’ll be sorry.’
‘Tina, wait!’ Molly grabbed the sleeve of her jacket. She did not see the flash of the knife until it was too late. She gritted her teeth against the sharp slash of pain. Staggering, she clasped the knife wound as Tina bolted up the road without a backwards glance.
CHAPTER FORTY-THREE
Amy scowled at her desk phone as it rang insistently. She’d just covered Donovan’s press release so he could organise another search team. She didn’t have time to take calls too. Usually, Molly was quick on the draw, answering phones and redirecting enquiries, but she hadn’t returned from town. The toxicology reports had come back, and poison had been detected in their victims’ bloodstreams. Now the ante was upped even higher on the back of Tasha’s phone call last night. Donovan had been like a man possessed, barking orders at everyone. It was a novelty to see her normally calm and placid DCI so impassioned.
Amy gritted her back teeth as the phone continued to ring. As well as following her usual lines of enquiry, she was interrogating the victims’ social media accounts to deliver a background story on their lives. Sometimes the most random updates could hold clues of their own, and their families had been accommodating in allowing her access. ‘Priority Crime Team, DI Winter speaking.’ Amy spoke sharply as she picked the handset up.
‘I’ve got a call here for DC Baxter. It’s her mother.’ Usually, Amy would tell her to ring back, but it was unlike Molly not to have returned by now. ‘Thanks, Elaine. Put her through.’
A tight, brittle voice followed. ‘I was hoping to speak to Molly. Is this her boss?’
‘Yes, it is. Molly’s not at her desk, can I help?’
‘Well.’ She sounded unsure now. Hesitant. ‘I was wondering if she’s all right. She hasn’t called since this morning. Can I have a quick word with her?’
‘She’s out.’ Amy checked her watch. If her mother had already spoken to her, why did she sound so worried? Molly had mentioned something about not living a normal life. ‘She has been gone a while,’ Amy continued. ‘Is there anything I need to know?’
But no response was given.
‘Are you there?’ Amy waited.
‘No. I . . . I mean, yes. I’ll try her mobile phone again. Will you tell her to call me the second she gets back?’
Amy told her she would before ending the call. The woman sounded spooked, and Molly hadn’t been her usual chirpy self. But Amy didn’t have much time to dwell upon it as Paddy signalled for her attention.
‘It’s Molly,’ he said, his brows knitted in a frown. ‘She’s checked herself into
