be furious to know they could have had him under surveillance and done this properly.
She took out her phone ready to film him if he went into someone’s house. She couldn’t call the police because technically she shouldn’t be following him. He’d be shouting out that it was a free country and she was breaching his civil rights; but the feeling inside her gut told her he was up to no good.
He didn’t go to any houses; instead he ducked into the deserted circular cul-de-sac which housed garages and lock-ups. She didn’t dare to follow him inside. He would see her – it was too risky. Instead she zoomed in and tried to take some photos to show to Ben. The sound of a garage door being opened echoed around the peaceful street and she turned back. It could wait until tomorrow; she’d show Ben the footage. He could get a search team, and maybe they’d find something inside. Hurrying back the way she’d come, an eerie feeling she was being watched made her walk faster back to the Chinese.
Grabbing her takeaway, she drove the short distance home. The food smelt good and she realised how hungry she was. She went inside, her mind busy with the different scenarios she was running through her head about what was inside the lock-up Barker had gone into.
Fifty-Two
Morgan’s eyes opened like clockwork. She realised she’d fallen asleep on the chair and was shivering. It was cold, the heating had gone off and she had no duvet or pillow. Getting up, she went into the bedroom and climbed into bed, under her duvet, until she felt the warmth flowing through her body. She tried to go back to sleep, was desperate to, but her mind wouldn’t let her. At least she hadn’t had any bad dreams. Her mind wandered to the woman who lived in the cottage in the woods, trying to remember her name. Ettie, that was it, she had seemed nice. Reminded her of her mum. She’d quite happily live in that little house. Tending the garden and brewing all sorts of teas. She might ask the landlord if she could plant a little herb garden around the back. She’d like to go and speak to her again, not for work but on a personal level. She thought about Ben’s overgrown, messy garden. That would be the perfect space to plant flowers, herbs and vegetables. He didn’t appreciate how lucky he was to live in that huge house. Then again it was probably more like a mausoleum to him, full of sad memories. There must have been good times, though; you don’t stay married to someone for that long and not have happy memories.
She remembered seeing Barker last night and grabbed her phone. Pressing Ben’s name, she waited for him to answer.
‘Yeah.’ His voice was gravelly and she realised it wasn’t even five. He was going to kill her.
‘Sorry, I forgot it was so early.’
‘It’s okay, I’m getting used to your antisocial hours. Do you ever sleep?’
‘Not much, I’ll speak to you at work. Sorry again.’
‘Hang on, I’m awake now. What did you want?’
‘I got a Chinese last night.’
‘Good for you, I’m happy for you. Was it that good you couldn’t wait to share this splendid news?’
‘That’s not why I rang. I saw Greg Barker walking down the high street while I was waiting for it.’
There was some rustling and she realised he was throwing off his duvet and getting up. ‘And?’
‘Well he was walking really fast, wearing a black hat pulled down low, a scarf around his face and his hands in his pockets. He looked really suspicious.’
‘Did you see where he went?’
She wondered if she should admit what she’d done, especially after his lecture the other day and realised she had to tell him.
‘I followed him.’
‘Jesus, Morgan. What did I tell you, he’s dangerous and already on the warpath.’
‘Sorry, and I know, but he didn’t see me. I followed him to the Honey Pot. He went to a cul-de-sac off Macadam Street, where there’s some garages and lock-ups. He went inside one.’
‘Did you see which one?’
‘I tried to take some photos and then I left. I didn’t want him to see me. What if he’s got stuff stashed in there?’
She could tell he was up and walking around.
‘Can you pick me up in fifteen minutes?’
‘Of course.’
‘Good, you can take me there and show me. Then I’ll get a search warrant. Well done, Morgan, but you shouldn’t have put yourself at