“The original investigation couldn’t find a connection between Street and Marion’s murder,” said Blessing. “They uncovered nothing related to these sex parties either. Why didn’t they interview Serena Campbell or Dave Francis? Their names aren’t in the murder file.”
“Excellent spot, Blessing,” said Luke. “Serena Campbell told us this swingers group, or whatever you want to call them, was well-connected. A high-ranking police officer and his wife attended these parties in the early years. Serena claimed he steered the murder investigation in a different direction. Gus believed her. We know Marion’s mobile phone went missing too, and the forensics guy, Warren Baker, could be responsible for its disappearance. Whether he was a participant in the parties or acting on orders from above, we don’t yet know. Finding the name of that police officer will be another job for first thing in the morning. As Gus said, tomorrow should be interesting.”
“Blimey,” said Neil. “This group must have clout if they’ve kept a lid on goings-on such as that for over twenty years. My Dad never heard a whisper. You know how close Dad had his ear to the ground.”
“Someone broke ranks seven years ago, Neil,” said Luke. “Serena told us Marion Reeves received intimate photos showing her at these parties. There was no note, no demand. The envelope arrived on Thursday, and on the following day, she withdrew the cash. On Saturday, she called Serena, and they arranged to meet in the café the following afternoon. That was when Serena learned what had happened. On Monday morning, Serena received a text message from Marion saying the blackmailer wanted to meet her on Stephenson Road at Churchfields Industrial Estate. As Gus pointed out, at no time was any sum of money ever mentioned.”
“If Marion Reeves had six grand in her handbag, why did she die?” asked Alex. “It makes little sense.”
“Even if her killer was angry that six grand was everything Marion had that day,” said Lydia. “Most blackmailers keep the victim on the hook and squeeze them for money any way they can.”
“What happened to the photographs?” asked Blessing.
“They never found them,” said Neil. “Perhaps Marion Reeves had already destroyed them; or, if she had them in the car, her killer would have taken them, plus the money. They could destroy the photos whenever they wished.”
“What happened to the lunchbox then?” asked Blessing.
Lydia laughed.
“You won’t forget that lunchbox, will you, Blessing? Are you hungry?”
“We only had Stephanie’s word that her mother took a packed lunch every day,” said Alex.
“Not now,” said Luke. “Martyn Street confirmed Marion gave him a packed lunch every day before she died. It’s another gold star to Blessing. Why didn’t they find it in the car?”
“I can’t wait until tomorrow,” said Blessing.
“You can help me first thing in the morning, Blessing,” said Luke. “Serena Campbell gave us the names of three women who may have given birth to a child by Graham Street. I’m not sure of the relevance yet, but Gus wanted to check them out.”
“It’s time we disappeared, folks,” said Neil. “We’ve had more than enough highlights for one day. Anyone fancy a party?”
“Gross,” said Blessing.
As his team made their way down in the lift, Gus Freeman drove past Wadworth’s brewery in Devizes. He wondered whether he would see Suzie pulling out of the car park as he made his way along London Road. There had been surprising developments today and yet more setbacks. It still wasn’t clear who had the opportunity to murder Marion Reeves. Indeed, Gus wasn’t sure he understood the motive.
If Graham Street was so concerned with what Marion knew about his past, why wait twenty years to take action? The same went for Dave Francis. Serena walked away, divorced him without the golden handshake of a free flat or a cash settlement. Serena had mentioned no document she signed swearing not to talk of the sex parties and who attended. Why didn’t Francis take the same precautions as Street? Gus wondered if he was wrong to take everything Serena said as gospel. Had her good looks blinded him to the fact she was as much a threat to Francis as Marion was to Graham Street?
Gus continued to mull this over as he drove into Urchfont. He parked the Focus beside the bungalow and went indoors. Gus had been so engrossed in his thoughts that he’d forgotten to look towards the Wiltshire Police HQ. Less than a minute after he hung his jacket on the back of a kitchen chair, Suzie breezed through the front door.
“I was two cars behind you from the car park to the junction,” she said. “Didn’t you see me waving and flashing my headlights?”
“I was watching the road ahead,” said Gus.
“I’ll bet,” said Suzie. “My money is on that case of yours. You’re stuck, and it’s occupying your every waking minute.”
“As it happens,” said Gus, “we might make a breakthrough in the morning. I can’t deny I wasn’t considering the case on the way home, but I can’t tell you too much, I’m afraid.”
“Now you’ve got my interest,” said Suzie. She closed the distance between them and held him close. “Are you sure there’s nothing you want to tell me?”
“If what Luke and I learned this afternoon is true, then if word gets out, we’re pursuing a particular line of enquiry, it could put us in danger. The fewer people that know, the better.”
“I don’t like the sound of that, Gus,” said Suzie. “Why can’t you get a simple murder case to solve? You’ve survived an assassination attempt from Albanian gangsters, brought a dirty cop to justice, and
