Chapter 78

‘Okay, folks, get yourselves together. It's been an emotional day and a lot of stuff got solved.' Kim turned to Penn. ‘Just one question on the whole Logan-and-Olivia thing. Why the hell did he keep the fishing equipment?'

Penn and Tiff looked at each other and then back at her.

‘Arrogance,' they said together.

Penn nodded for Tiff to continue. ‘He couldn't leave it at the side of the lake, as that would have alerted police to James's location, and he couldn't throw it all in just in case it didn't sink. He had no choice but to take it away.'

‘But to keep it?' Bryant said with disbelief.

Tiff went on, ‘Because of his mother's acquiescence, Logan really thought he could control all events around him. He never considered that we might suspect him of murder, and even after admitting it to his mom, he never thought she'd tell on him – and he was right. She used the information to try and keep herself safe, but she was missing that last bit of detail that only the person who took James's kit would know.'

Kim nodded. ‘Nice job, guys. Unfortunately, none of that helps with our main case and time's a ticking,' she said, tapping her watch. ‘Thoughts?' She was mainly asking Stacey and Bryant. Penn was still on catch-up after working the Dench case.

Neither responded.

‘Anything?' she prompted.

‘Everything I've read or learned about the pageant world reeks of jealousy, rivalry, competitiveness and in some cases even corruption,' Stacey observed. ‘But that's all to do with the contestants themselves. Why target the moms and why do it now?'

Stacey had voiced the questions running around in her head.

All of them turned their attention to the board.

Kim started thinking aloud. ‘The daughters had varying levels of success, and some enjoyed it more than others. Katie hated every minute and was humiliated by Sheryl. Toyah had a great time but had to stop because of her brother. Lottie enjoyed it but needed to spend less time with her mother. Both Katie and Lottie have had problems with their moms in the years since, and we suspect both have spent time being advised by Judith Palmer, a complete fantasist who wouldn't know the truth if it slapped her around the face.

‘Given the little mementoes found in the throats of all three victims, it's fair to say our killer is angry about something pageant related. We know the ERA detests the pageant world and will cross lines to get their point across. We have service people who have been forced from the industry for one reason or another and have every reason to bear a grudge against all of these women. That's only half of what we've uncovered this week, so tell me, folks, did I forget anything?'

‘Nope, pretty good summing up there,' Bryant offered, nodding his approval.

‘Okay, guys, there's nothing else for it. We go back to the beginning and start again. We're missing something. Penn, I want you looking at Stacey's matrix which lists everything about the girls, including what they had for tea last night. We need fresh eyes on that.'

Stacey pushed a paper copy of her matrix across the desk towards him.

‘Stace, I want you going deeper on the backgrounds of everyone we've spoken to since Tuesday. We have to—' Kim stopped speaking as Penn sniggered.

‘Well, that's a turnaround, isn't it? How did she explain that?' he asked.

They all waited.

‘I mean the irony of Bobbi's attitude towards the pageant business in her role at the ERA.'

‘Still drawing a blank, Penn,' Kim said.

‘Well, surely Bobbi Carter is also Roberta Carter, the most popular pageant girl at the top of this list?'

Kim looked at Stacey, who looked at Bryant, who looked at her.

How the hell had they all missed that?