Chapter 27

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

A na waited patiently at the corner of the street, holding her Starbucks paper cup tightly. The time on her phone told her she'd be late if she didn't leave soon. She'd studied the woman's movements and knew she had the time right, so where was she? A few more minutes and she would have to go.

She chewed her lip anxiously, rechecked her phone and was about to walk to her car when the woman turned the corner. Ana took a deep breath, pretended to be studying her phone and then deliberately walked straight into the other woman, splashing cold coffee down the front of her pink flowery dress.

‘Oh,' cried the woman, stepping back.

‘Oh my God, I'm so sorry,' said Ana, rummaging in her bag for a tissue. ‘It was my fault.'

The woman looked up, her features creased in anger. ‘It's new,' she said. ‘God knows if the stain will come out.' She dabbed frantically at the dress.

She was well-spoken, Ana noted. Just his type , she thought.

‘I'll have to go back and change,' she said miserably.

Ana dug into her bag. ‘I'm really sorry. Here's my number. I'll pay for the dry cleaning.'

Just as Ana hoped, the woman looked at the card. ‘You're a police officer.'

Ana nodded. ‘Look, give me your number, so I'll know it's you when you call,' she said, smiling.

The woman hesitated for a second. ‘Okay,' she said, finally. ‘I'm Olivia Wilson. I'll WhatsApp my number when I get home. I'd better rush, or I'll be late for work.'

‘Don't forget,' called Ana as Olivia rushed off.

Ana cursed. She'd hoped to get the number immediately. Then, checking the time, she saw she was also late and hurried to her car.

‘Beth Harper,' said Will to the copper behind the desk.

‘Can I help, sir?'

‘I wouldn't be asking for Harper if I thought you could help,' snapped Will. ‘Some of us have jobs to do. Can you let her know I'm here?'

The desk sergeant gave Will Moulson a hard stare. He'd become a copper to get respect from people, not this kind of shit. The bugger could wait. ‘Take a seat, sir,' he said, pointing to the waiting area.

Will sighed. ‘I'll stand.'

‘Your choice, sir.'

The desk sergeant tidied the counter and answered a call. Finally, just as Will was getting red in the face, with anger, he buzzed through to Beth.

Will, agitated now, sat down and swung his foot back and forth. ‘Is she coming or what?'

‘On her way, sir.'

A few seconds later, Beth entered. ‘Mr Moulson. Thank you for coming. We didn't request it.'

‘Leigh said you came to the house and asked some questions.'

‘Just routine. Come through. Would you like tea or coffee?'

‘I haven't got long,' he said, his agitation evident. ‘I just don't want the police turning up at the garage. Doesn't look good, you know.'

Beth led him to an interview room where Tom was waiting.

‘DI Miller,' introduced Beth.

‘Thank you for coming in, Mr Moulson.'

‘Yeah, yeah,' interrupted Will.

‘Is everything all right, Mr Moulson?' Beth asked. ‘You seem rather tense.'

‘I'm late for work.'

‘It was your choice to come in, Mr Moulson. If you'd prefer to do this another time.'

‘No, I just want to get things over with. It doesn't look good when the police come to your house. Leigh should have phoned me.'

Tom looked down at the paperwork before him while Beth kept her eyes on Will Moulson.

‘You hinted to DS Harper on Sunday morning that if the police didn't do something about the trail bike rider, you would have to take things into your own hands. Is that correct?'

Will laughed. ‘I was angry, okay?'

Tom nodded. ‘So you weren't serious? Only someone did take it into their own hands and they smashed the bike to bits.'

‘Like I said to my wife. I'd like to buy that person a pint. That kid was torturing everyone with that bloody bike.'

Beth noticed Will's finger was bandaged. ‘Well, he won't be now. You're the manager of a garage in Cowley, I understand?'

‘That's right, and I'm running late.'

Beth fought back a sigh and tried not to let her irritation show. ‘Mr Moulson, may I remind you that you chose to come today.'

‘Yeah, I know.'

‘You've hurt your finger,' Beth said lightly.

Will looked down at the bandage.

‘Yeah, that's working in a garage for you.'

Or from smashing up bikes , thought Beth. ‘Another witness told us you chased the lad in your car.'

‘Yeah, but he sped down a narrow back lane and was aiming for the Ludbrook estate.'

Tom stood up. ‘Well, I don't think we need to ask you any more questions.'

Beth raised her eyebrows. As far as she was concerned, there were plenty more questions.

Will also stood up, clearly relieved the interview was over. ‘Great, I'll get off.'

‘Your wife said you're a Chelsea supporter?'

‘Yeah, I am,' said Will proudly.

‘Me too. Did you go to the game on Saturday?'

‘Sure did.' Will smiled. ‘Great win.'

Beth opened the door for him and he hurried off to work.

Once Will Moulson was out of earshot, she turned to Tom. ‘There was plenty more we could have asked him. Like, was he on that coach returning from the match.'

‘Let's just watch him,' said Tom thoughtfully. ‘He's anxious about something. I don't want him to know we're suspicious.'