have some significance. I know you’re busy with the undertakers and coffin makers but it might just offer us a lead.’
She ended the call and allowed the case to run through her mind as she tried to search for links that she hadn’t already found. Watching the footage from the café while Jacob was in the room had sent her pulse rate soaring, now exhaustion had set in. Briggs may have only briefly touched her hand, but it would have been enough to get people talking. She inhaled, counted to three and then exhaled slowly. Pulling the letter from her pocket, she lay it on the table.
Gina,
Those who stand by and watch are as guilty as those who hurt people. They deserve to be punished and sometimes a person has to take things into their own hands. Can you remember how it felt back then? How it hurt? Does it still hurt? Do your dreams take you to places you can’t escape from? Close your eyes, think back, take a journey through that tunnel, back in time.
I know. I know everything.
We are the same, I just need you to see that. I will show you, I promise.
I promise. She trembled as she held the letter and envelope that were in the clear plastic wallet. A million thoughts rushed through her mind. They were referring to her past, to Terry. She knew that much. We are the same. What did that mean? Was this person one of Terry’s other victims from his past? He’d never mentioned any previous relationships to her, getting irate if she dared to ever mention the subject. I will show you. She felt her throat starting to close as she held back a sob. She could never escape her past. However hard she tried to let it go, it always came back for her. She knew she had to tell someone – and it had to be her superior. A shiver ran down her spine. No, it couldn’t be anything to do with the current case she was working on. It was nothing. She threw the note to her desk.
There was a knock at the door. She placed a file over the letter and Briggs entered, taking a seat at the other side of her desk. ‘Panic over.’ He began to fiddle with the end of his tie.
She nodded. ‘It seems that way. Only your back appeared on the CCTV. But you can’t do that again.’
He paused and ran his fingers through his hair. ‘I know. It was a slip up. It just felt so… natural.’
Gina cleared her throat and thought about breaking the silence with the news of her letter but then stopped as he went to speak.
‘You okay?’
‘Yes, why wouldn’t I be?’
‘Okay, onto the case. The press have our victim’s photo and it’s due to be released on the local news at lunchtime and, get this, the nationals are out there too.’ He paused and linked his fingers together on the desk.
‘Don’t keep me waiting. There’s more, isn’t there?’ She leaned forward, eyes widening as she urged him to continue.
His smile dropped. ‘Lyndsey Saunders is back. She’s been sent from Fleet Street to follow the story and she’s teamed up with the Herald while here as they already apparently have inroads. I don’t know where they got that from either.’
Gina slumped back and ran her fingers through her hair as she took in the news. The reporter who’d always tried to make a feature of her, who’d caught her at her worst, was back. Just when Gina thought she had gone for good. ‘Damn it! Anyone but her would have been fine. If she comes near me—’
‘You’ll just refer her to Corporate Communications. Stay calm and don’t say anything to her. Let Annie deal with her, that’s what she’s there for. Any updates?’
She moved her mouse, lighting up her computer screen. ‘Yes, I was just updating the website before briefing the team. As you know, Jacob and I went to the café and the church. First things first, we came straight back and sent you the screenshot of our victim. After, I began working my way through everything that was said and updating the system. We have the start of a name. June, the lady who always knits at the café.’
He smiled. ‘I remember June.’
‘She said she’s seen our man before. He hangs around the streets with a sleeping bag. I’m guessing he’s homeless given that he smelled of smoke and looked so unkempt. I