but if I knew he was back, I’d have gone out looking for him. We had no idea.’ A few wisps of her red hair fell over her face as she hunched over the table and began playing with a spider plant leaf, wiping the dust with her finger from base to tip. ‘I feel terrible as we’d started to live again. I’d convinced myself he’d made a new life and things were better for him. I lied to myself so that I could get on with life. Maybe I was being selfish but things got easier. We managed to laugh again, we went on holidays, we had fun, and all this time he was out there, suffering, and now he’s been murdered.’
A lump formed in Gina’s throat. The baggage this poor couple were carrying felt greater than her own. She couldn’t imagine losing her grown up daughter, Hannah, in such a way. She couldn’t imagine the heartache it would cause her and her young granddaughter, Gracie. Pushing that image out of her mind, she looked up. ‘Is there anything else you can tell us? What was he like before all this?’
‘He was always a handful. Nicky put up with a lot. He was a drinker and he was a bit of a wild child. He got into trouble at school for not doing homework, skipping classes and occasionally for minor scuffles. We hoped he would calm down. We’re not aggressive in any way or form. I don’t know where he got it from. When he met and married Nicky, we couldn’t have been happier. He seemed calmer for a few years. He settled into a job at a medical supply factory on the industrial estate. We were so proud when he became a line supervisor. It doesn’t sound much but it was a lot for him. For the first time in his life, he seemed calm and settled, then the baby came along. All was fine for a bit then redundancies were announced and, unfortunately, he was on the list. After that, all he could get was low paid, short-term agency work. He’d gone from a respectable salary to odd-jobbing for minimum wage. They’d cancel him some days, at the last minute. With every job rejection, he became more and more depressed. That was the start of it all.’
Eveline licked her dry lips. ‘Can I see him now?’
Gina smiled sympathetically and nodded. ‘Of course. We’ll be with you the whole time. If there’s anything else you think of to tell us or ask, just go ahead. Here’s my card just in case you need to contact me after.’ She passed her card over the table.
Something niggled Gina about Eveline but she couldn’t think what it might be. She took another glance around the room, then back at the couple. No, it wasn’t coming to her at all.
‘I saw the news earlier. That letter from the murderer, it mentions you.’
A judder filled Gina’s chest as her heartbeat began to ramp up. She now officially hated the press more than ever. Compromising their case was unforgivable. ‘Yes, that’s right. I’m going to be working hard on this case and I will find your son’s murderer. One last thing, can you think of anyone else who might have a grudge against him?’ Please don’t mention that letter again. She loosened her clenched fists.
Eveline shook her head. ‘Maybe the debt collectors and anyone else he may have stolen from. He’d fallen out with everyone in his life. The problem is, I don’t know who any of these people are.’
Gina pulled her car keys from her pocket and kept glancing at Eveline. She was sure she hadn’t met Eveline before but her mind was on full alert. There was something about the woman in front of her that gave her an overwhelming sense of déjà vu.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
‘Well, the morgue wasn’t as bad as I thought it might be,’ Jacob said as he offered Gina a cherry drop.
‘No, thanks.’ Gina paused as they pulled into Nicky Swinton’s road. It was time to speak to Alexander Swinton’s wife. Even though they hadn’t been together any longer, Gina hoped she might be able to help.
‘You look like your mind’s whirring away.’
It was, in more ways than one, and she couldn’t shake any of it. ‘There was something about Eveline, something I can’t put my finger on. Did you get the same feeling?’ It was annoying her now. Normally her mind made links with ease, especially when it