‘A lost soul,’ said Wheeler.

‘Might be quite a big section of the city,’ said Ross.

‘I know, but it’s a start,’ offered Newton.

‘So, are you directing us back to Watervale?’ Robertson sounded irritated.

‘I don’t believe so; this wasn’t done by kids.’

Wheeler thought about the list of ex-Watervale pupils who had landed in trouble with the police.

Stewart strode into the room. ‘Thank you, Dr Newton. Now if you’re finished, a word in my office?’

‘You’re very welcome. I hope it maybe gives a bit of room for thought but, as I said, it’s not an exact science.’

Wheeler remembered her previous conversation with Stewart. Special budget. Special rates. She watched Stewart and Newton leave the room together. Did that mean ‘mates’ rates’ and what had Newton meant by ‘there’re more of us around than you’d think’? She saw the back of Stewart’s pristine suit, knew the hit of his aftershave was floating around the room. Suddenly the unwanted image of Stewart in a bright red dress, wearing lipstick and high heels, flashed across her mind. She quickly turned away. Too late, the image had registered. Wheeler shook her head and wondered if she would ever lose it.

Chapter 46

Wheeler went back to her desk and fired up her computer. Checked her messages. There was an email from Callum Fraser asking her to call him.

So she did.

‘Lauren Taylor had gamma hydroxybutyrate in her system.’

‘GHB,’ Wheeler said, ‘the date rape drug?’

‘Except that she wasn’t raped. Hadn’t had sex recently, which means—’

‘Which means,’ she finished for him, ‘that she took it recreationally.’

She listened while Callum gave her the specifics. Wheeler jotted the information down in her notebook.

‘So, the side effects, if I remember correctly, include hallucinations?’

‘Hallucinations and often a sense of euphoria.’

‘So she could have been hallucinating and walked out onto the balcony?’

‘It’s certainly one possibility.’

‘Anything else, Callum?’

‘The individual may feel dizzy and their vision may become impaired.’

‘Could she have been pushed?’

‘There were no signs of a struggle, no defence wounds. Nothing much under her fingernails to suggest that there was a scuffle.’ He paused. ‘My other phone is ringing, Katherine – may I email you the results later?’

Wheeler agreed, thanked him quickly and put down the phone.

Ross was at his desk. ‘GHB?’

Wheeler nodded.

‘Jason?’

‘West End are interviewing him later. I’ll email them the results Callum sends through.’

‘Was there anything at the scene to link him to Lauren?’

‘Nothing.’

Later, at his interview, Jason omitted to mention that after he had left Kat Wheeler’s flat he had gone home and calmly showered. Then he made sure that there was nothing incriminating in his flat. He had washed out his hip flask, put the gloves in a drawer and had made sure that he had his story completely straight before he met with the cops. He hadn’t been with Lauren that night – she’d been there by herself – so, unless they had evidence to the contrary?

They had none.

Chapter 47

Since her meeting with Maurice Mason, Stella had not stopped thinking about him for a heartbeat, but she was smart enough to carry on her daily routine and for her this meant shopping. She had just pulled her car into the underground car park in the Buchanan Street Galleries when her mobile rang. It was Doyle.

‘You in town?’ He knew she was; she had told him where she was going before she’d left that morning.

She kept her voice soft. ‘I’ve just pulled into the car park, babe. You need me to pick up something for you?’

She waited, heard the hesitation in his voice. ‘No, I don’t need anything. I’ve just had a phone call . . . it feels all wrong.’

‘Yeah?’ Stella heard her breathing quicken a pace, tried to keep her voice casual. ’Anybody I know?’

‘Lizzie Coughlin.’

Silence. Stella’s chest tightened for a second. She inhaled then exhaled, calmly. Took her time.

‘You there, Stella?’

‘The reception’s bad here, babe,’ she lied. ‘I didn’t catch the name – who was it again?’

‘Lizzie Coughlin. You remember her?’

‘Vaguely. Isn’t she big Kenny’s daughter?’ And Maurice bloody Mason’s girlfriend. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

‘She wants to talk to me,’ said Doyle.

‘Lizzie wants to talk to you? She say what about?’

‘No, she wants a one-to-one. In private. Thought you might know what about. Fuck knows, I’ve got nothing to say to her.’

‘I could come home, babe, and speak to her?’

His voice suspicious, ‘No need, it’s me she wants to see. I was just wondering if you had any bloody idea what it’s about?’

‘Haven’t heard from Lizzie in years.’ Stella kept her voice calm. ‘Maybe it’s something about Kenny. He still inside?’

‘Yeah.’ Doyle sounded bored. ‘Just thought I’d check it out with you. I’ll sort it. See you later.’

The phone went dead.

Stella sat in the car, drummed her scarlet nails on the dashboard. Glanced at the phone, dialled, waited a heartbeat for an answer. ‘Sonny, about that favour? It’s needed ASAP.’ She ended the call without waiting for a reply.

She crossed the car park, heels clicking on concrete, a flash of red sole. She took the lift to John Lewis and stood at the entrance to the store and breathed deeply, allowing the calm and order of the shop to comfort her. The place was as close to a spiritual home as Stella had and she felt almost reverential. She glanced around, noted that everything on display was ordered, arranged neatly and looked beautiful. Stella felt herself calm. Breathed deeply again and stepped over the threshold. Once inside, she made for the kitchen department and began browsing, running her fingers over the knives on display.

A few seconds elapsed before an assistant approached her. ‘Hello, may I help you? Are you looking for anything in particular?’ The assistant was middle-aged and enthusiastic and managed a smile which seemed genuine.

Stella returned the smile. ‘As a matter of fact I am. I’m looking to buy a knife, a big boning knife,’ she held her hands out, a foot apart. ‘You know the kind butchers use?’

‘Of course.’ The smiling assistant led the way. ‘What kind of meat will you be preparing?’

‘Tough meat. Usually that’s the problem isn’t it, meat that’s all bone and gristle? You have to hack your way through it. Gets messy.’

The assistant had stopped in front of a display. ‘There’s quite a difference in price range and weight – some of the knives are very heavy.’

Stella reached across and took a fifteen-inch, stainless-steel knife in her right hand, felt the heft, curved her fingers around the handle. ‘Beautiful.’

‘That one’s pretty heavy—’ The assistant looked doubtful.

Stella cut her off. ‘No worries, I’m stronger than I look.’

The assistant pointed to another, smaller knife. ‘There’s one over here which might—’

Stella smiled sweetly. ‘Where do I pay?’

The assistant nodded and led the way.

Chapter 48

The Gaggia hissed steam and gurgled and Doyle waited patiently until the thick black liquid had poured into his cup before turning to her. ‘You want a coffee?’

Lizzie shifted uncomfortably in her seat. ‘I wouldn’t mind, Mr Doyle, if it’s not too much trouble.’

Doyle turned back to the machine. A few seconds later he settled himself. ‘Right, let’s get started. Stella says you’re an old pal of hers from school.’