Syn (The Merseyside Crime Series Book 2) - Malcolm Hollingdrake (world of reading TXT) 📗

and start the interviews. It seems the murderer will kill either sex so keep an open mind. See if there’s a reason, a link why Jennings and Sharpe were victim one and two. Sharpe was the first according to pathology so start there. Relationships, upset, broken promises …’ April let the sentence hang in the air before Skeeter broke the silence.

‘Have you all seen the report added to HOLMES about the caps found at the scene? The computer had linked the two pieces of evidence but Tony and I spotted it too. Remember I mentioned Nike, the winged Goddess?’ Skeeter boasted.

April turned and focused on her colleague. ‘Yes, speed and victory and the like.’

‘Both victims were, we believe, wearing a cap bearing the same logo, the Nike swoosh or they were both intentionally left at the scene. You may recall that Nike had an advertising campaign with the catch line, “Just do it!” Well Carla’s motto for life was, and we’ve heard it said from her close friends on more than one occasion, Life is for living – just live it! It’s stencilled on her lounge wall.’ Skeeter held up a photograph taken during the forensic investigation of the apartment. ‘For me, that’s too close to be coincidence and besides I don’t believe in them. Whoever killed her knew her and may have been in her apartment.’

‘Have we assessed fully the touch DNA found there? That’s why we have computers. Let’s get onto it.’ April’s frown seemed to weigh heavily as she stared at the image. She stated the obvious. ‘We need to find the killer before we end up with more victims.’

Nic’s Nails and Beauty was busy. April entered first. Music was playing, it seemed a blend of relaxing spiritual instrumental with the occasional high pitched vocal. It was mellow and sonorous. Two beauticians were working on clients’ nails. Both worked under a bright lamp. The woman on the nearer table looked up, a white, protective mask covering her mouth and nose. ‘He’ll be with you in a tick. Please take a seat.’

The word ‘tick’ made April focus on Tony.

‘It’s like when you buy a car, ma’am, you never saw one before you got it and then when you drive it away every other vehicle is like your new one. We’ll see swooshes and ticks everywhere now. We’re just more alert to them. It’s normal psychology.’

The beaded curtain rattled causing them both to look in the direction of the noise. Carlos appeared and paused momentarily as he recognised Tony. He moved to the security of the reception desk. ‘Police?’ His enquiry was quiet as if not to broadcast the fact to the clients. ‘Tell me you’ve found her.’ His look said so much. ‘Have you found her?’

‘Afraid not at this stage, but our enquiries show we’re close.’

‘When my colleague was here previously you were asked about the last time you’d seen Carla. Can you go over that again?’

Carlos looked at Tony and then at his boss who was still busy. ‘Please come this way.’ He moved to a door at the far end of the room through which April could see the treatment table. Carlos flicked on the light. ‘More private.’ Even with the light on it was dull. ‘Sorry it’s subdued, it’s designed to be moody. We can change the colour to suit.’

‘What was your relationship with Carla, Brian?’

‘She was like a mum to me.’ Tears began to well in his lower lids and he took a tissue from the drawers next to the treatment table. ‘When I started, I was all at sixes and sevens. It was as if I couldn’t do anything right. I confused diary dates, mixed essential oils incorrectly. I was a fucking disaster. Please pardon my French. Carla obviously noticed. She sensed my discomfort and fear and she patiently guided me. She covered up my mistakes on more than one occasion. She, Nicola, was going to sack me a couple of weeks after I started but Carla, bless her, stuck up for me. That’s when they started to call me Carlos. They said I was like her shadow. She taught me so much. And I owe her a lot.’

‘Did you ever see her socially? Meet for a drink or a meal?’

‘Only staff dos. Not … you know. She has boyfriends and I … Anyway, Callum was a lovely, handsome man; goodness me I could fancy him myself!’ He giggled and brought his hand to his mouth.

‘Did you go to her flat at all?’

‘When they were living together in that place on Lord Street, dead posh that was too, I went there to a couple of parties.’

‘Do you recall who was there?’

‘Yes, I’ve a good memory for faces. Names though just disappear like mist in the morning. I never could remember stuff like that. Maybe a couple of names if I’m lucky.’

Carlos looked across at Tony and read his thoughts.

‘I could write some down that I remember but I must warn you that my spelling is atrocious and my handwriting, you really don’t want to know. Carla said I should’ve been a doctor as nobody could decipher it. That was one of my early problems when filling in the diary. I’m dyslexic, see. I had a shit time at school. I’m not thick, I know that, I’m more creative, arty my teachers used to say. Kids though, can be cruel.’ He looked at April and then Tony as he shrugged his shoulders.

‘A doctor? They’re renowned for their illegible writing, I’m told.’ For the first time April saw a smile. ‘I will want you to come to the station with us to look over some photographs, Brian, if that’s okay with your boss. You don’t realise just how much you can help her if your memory is as good as you say it is. Would you be willing to do that, Brian?’

‘Anything.’ His expression changed immediately as he looked at his hands.

April and Tony allowed him time to think. They sensed he had