Erica gave a brief nod. ‘Does she have a boyfriend?’
‘She has a friend. I’m not convinced it’s a love thing, they’ve been boyfriend and girlfriend since they were about six, but he lives in Bridlington, a couple of doors away from her parents’ home. They’re close, but Susie’s going to have a career that will take her away from Bridlington, so… His name is Brandon Eyre.’
‘I know what you mean,’ Erica said, again with a slight affirmative nod. ‘And the rest of you? Do you have boyfriends?’
‘No. We’ve had a couple of dates, but nothing that would make us think boyfriends. DI Cheetham, is there something you’re not telling us?’ Worry flashed across Becky’s face as she spoke.
Erica stood. ‘Give me a couple of minutes, girls. I’ll get back to you. Would you like a drink?’
They asked for water, and Erica left the room heading towards the machine. She gathered together three cups of water, then texted Ivor Simmonite, asking for the tattoo picture to be forwarded to her phone.
She returned to the family interview room, and handed out the paper cups of water. ‘Sorry, we don’t provide glasses, but the water is beautifully cold.’
The two girls thanked her and took sips as Erica’s phone pinged. She opened the picture, and stared at it. It was the same as the picture she had seen on Katie’s phone.
Erica waited until they had placed their drinks on the table, then lowered her voice. ‘I do have something to tell you. In the early hours of this morning we found the body of a young woman. She matches the description of Susie…’
‘No!’ came from both girls, simultaneously.
Erica continued. ‘And furthermore she has a butterfly tattoo on her right shoulder which is a match for the tattoo on the picture on your phone, Katie.’
At first the girls seemed unable to speak but eventually Becky stumbled through asking where they had found the body.
‘In the river?’ Katie gasped. ‘But she was an amazing swimmer.’
‘I think it’s highly likely she was killed, then dumped in the river,’ Erica explained as gently as she could, given the horrific visions she was conjuring up for the two students. ‘The River Porter is in full spate at the moment with all this rain, and if Susie hadn’t become trapped as the river passed through underneath the Midland Station, we might never have known what happened to her, as it goes out to the North Sea eventually. I have to go to Bridlington to tell Susie’s parents, but we also need to speak to…’ Erica glanced down at her notes, ‘Clare. I’m going to ask my DS to take you home, and to take statements from all three of you about what happened last night. Please don’t contact Susie’s parents until I’ve had time to talk to them, and I imagine they’ll be heading to Sheffield quickly to assist us with the identification.’
‘Can I see the picture on your phone of the tattoo?’ Katie asked, still unwilling to accept her friend was dead. It was clear she thought the tattoo might not be a match.
Erica passed it to her, and she stifled a sob. ‘It is the same tattoo,’ Katie said. ‘The top two wings have a sort of curly S on the edges, for Susie. I was with her when she discussed the design with the tattooist.’
‘Had Susie fallen out with anyone in the recent past?’
‘No, she wasn’t like that.’ Becky shook her head in denial as she spoke. ‘In fact I’ve never heard Susie so much as swear, or say a wrong word about anybody. Why would somebody want to kill her? She was so lovely. Her parents will be devastated. She’s… was an only child.’
Becky let the tears flow, remembering the week of nights spent under canvas, all four of them joined each evening by Brandon and Susie’s mum and dad, Olivia and Harry; the songs they had sung accompanied by Harry’s guitar playing. And she remembered the way Brandon hadn’t been able to take his eyes away from Susie. She suspected it was a case of absence making the heart grow fonder from Brandon’s point of view, but she knew Susie didn’t feel the same.
If Becky was ever pushed to talk about the subject, she would have to say that Susie’s feelings were more directed towards Clare than they were towards Brandon. But this DI hadn’t asked, and Becky felt it wasn’t part of her remit to talk about it.
Beth Machin drove them home, where Clare was waiting, eager for news.
Clare was surprised to see the trio approach the back door, and felt a sickening thud inside her; something was seriously out of kilter.
She flung open the door. ‘What’s wrong? You’ve found her?’
Beth held up her warrant card. ‘DS Machin. We’d like to come in.’
Clare stepped aside, feeling foolish because she was blocking their entry into the kitchen. ‘Sorry. I felt so worried. Becky, what’s happened?’
‘Can we sit down, Clare, please?’ Beth’s voice was gentle, and the four of them walked through to the lounge. It was a comfortable room with a large three-seater sofa and two armchairs, positioned to face a silent television. The room was warm, and Beth waited until the others were seated before sitting in an armchair.
‘Clare, I’m sorry to bring you bad news, but we’ve found a body who we believe to be your friend, Susanna Roebuck.’
‘No,’ Clare whispered, then shouted, ‘No!’
Katie pulled her towards her, and held her, but Clare’s tears began immediately. She was inconsolable, but Katie didn’t let go until her sobs were almost under control.
Becky had disappeared to make cups of tea, and Beth spoke again when Becky returned. ‘I have to ask some questions and take statements from all three of you,’ she said quietly, her voice calm as always. The girls responded by nodding, all three of them holding on to the mugs of
