“When you got out of Marion’s Lexus, did you see anyone near the car?”
“Several vehicles passed me in both directions,” said Preston. “I didn’t see anyone walking if that’s what you mean.”
“Thank you, Mr Preston. It’s been most enlightening,” said Gus.
Derek Preston looked confused.
“Is that it? What happens now?”
“The CPS will consider what charges you will face, Mr Preston. That’s none of our concern. We’ll carry on looking for Marion’s killer.”
When Preston left the room with his escort, Luke sat back in his chair.
“That sounded convincing, guv.”
“It confirmed what we already knew, Luke. The field is narrowing with every person we interview. Let’s visit Churchfields once more. I’ve got questions that need answers.”
“That John and Kathy Preston were involved in those parties must have come as a shock to Derek Preston, guv,” said Luke.
“John was the cameraman,” said Gus, “unless I’m much mistaken. Serena Campbell warned me this affair went deeper and higher than I imagined. I wonder what Marion Reeves meant by her last comment to Derek Preston?”
“Blessing told us people believed Maureen Glendenning moved to Spain, guv. She had a child by Graham Street in 1966, six years before he got Kathy Mellor pregnant. Nobody has seen Maureen since 1968.”
“We’ll look into it once we’ve solved Marion’s murder,” said Gus. “I’ll leave my car here. You can drive, Luke.”
While Gus and Luke listened to Derek Preston’s story, the rest of the team had work to do. Neil arrived in the Old Police Station office at nine o’clock.
“I wondered who would get the gig with Gus to interview Preston,” said Alex.
“Luke asked me to call heads or tails,” said Neil. “He reckoned it was heads, so he’s gone to Bourne Hill to meet Gus. We should get on with talking to Genevieve Harding and Serena Campbell.”
“What did Luke do about Gus’s meeting with Warren Baker?” asked Alex.
“Luke called him to delay their meeting until lunchtime. Why?” said Neil.
“Genevieve Harding lives the other side of Salisbury, doesn’t she?”
“Redlynch,” said Blessing, “a village several miles further on from Downton, where Gus used to live.”
“What are you thinking, Alex?” asked Lydia.
“If we’ve got to go that way, why don’t we speak to Warren Baker?”
“Another coin toss?” asked Neil. “One where I can check the result.”
“No need, you can go to Redlynch and back to Bourne Hill, Neil,” said Alex. “You haven’t left the office on this case yet. Take Blessing with you, as she did the work of finding the lady. Lydia and I will follow up on Serena Campbell. She lives near enough to Salisbury for the four of us to keep in touch and then meet up at Bourne Hill later.”
“When we’ve got something to pass to Gus and Luke, we can call them,” said Neil.
“It beats sitting in the office waiting for news,” said Blessing.
Neil contacted Genevieve Harding and said they were leaving right away.
“We’ll get to her place by half-past ten,” said Neil. “Alex, can you call Baker and let him know we’ll be at Bourne Hill for noon. Let their desk sergeant know to expect DS Davis and DC Umeh.”
“No worries, Neil,” said Alex. “Good hunting.”
Neil and Blessing headed for the lift and were soon on their way out of town.
Lydia’s phone call found Serena Campbell at home in Bemerton Heath, Serena told Lydia she was working in the café this afternoon, but if they needed an hour of her time this morning, she would stay home until they arrived.
“If I drive via Devizes, we should get to her cottage by ten o’clock,” said Lydia.
“I’ll drive,” said Alex. “There’s no rush.”
Lydia and Alex took the lift to the ground floor, and Alex drove them towards Devizes. It was a team effort, after all.
CHAPTER 13
Neil and Blessing arrived in Redlynch at twenty past ten.
“This village is like Mere, isn’t it?” said Blessing. “Lots of old buildings, a small population, and houses dotted around that are way out of my price range.”
“If the rumours concerning our former Family Liaison Officer are correct, Genevieve could live with someone who can well afford to buy a decent house here,” said Neil. “We won’t find many priced at less than half a million.”
“This is it,” said Blessing, “well, it’s got kerb appeal. Roses around the door, well-kept gardens. How old do you think this house is, Neil?”
“The earliest parts of the house are from the nineteenth century, and someone has extended and improved it several times since. The satellite dish has only been on the roof for two decades.”
Blessing giggled.
“You knock, Neil. I can’t see a doorbell.”
Neil knocked on the solid wooden door, and Genevieve Harding answered.
The Freeman files showed that Phil Youngman had described the former FLO as curvy and attractive. Neil had to agree, and at forty-eight, she left him tongue-tied.
“DS Davis, I presume?” said Genevieve.
“Yes,” said Blessing. “And I’m DC Umeh. We need to talk to you about the Marion Reeves murder case.”
“Come in, please,” said Genevieve. “Excuse the mess; the dogs were frisky this morning after I took them for a walk. I’ve shut them in the conservatory, or else you wouldn’t get a second’s peace. We can talk here in the living room.”
“The dogs must be splendid companions,” said Blessing. “Do you live here alone?”
“I do these days,” said Genevieve, “Tom, my partner, died eighteen months ago.”
“We’re sorry to hear that,” said Neil. “We hoped to speak with him. Where did Tom work before he retired? Sorry, I assume he was older than you. Perhaps our information was incorrect.”
Genevieve sighed and sat in a chair beside the
