AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Martin replies a few seconds later.
Closest neighbours moved away, but found a new address for one of them.
Jennie taps out another question.
Next steps?
The reply from Martin comes almost immediately.
Just arrived at the address. Heading in to see them now.
Good, thinks Jennie. They need the neighbour’s input. Paul Jennings might have put on a convincing performance as the grieving father last night, but as far as she’s concerned, the jury is still out on him.
She shudders, remembering Hassan’s words about Hannah’s misaligned ribs being a result of an untreated break. Did Paul Jennings force her to hide the wrist and rib injuries? Could he have inflicted them?
Jennie blinks, trying to push away an image appearing in her mind. She clenches her fists as in her mind’s eye she watches Jennings clamp his rough hands around Hannah’s neck. Nausea rises inside her. Did Paul Jennings strangle his own daughter?
If he did, I’ll make him pay.
Chapter 11
Elliott Naylor is waiting in reception. He stands up as he sees Jennie coming through the door into the station. ‘Can we speak? There’s something I need to tell you.’
Maybe it’s the lack of greeting, or the intimate way he speaks, or just the fact he’s clearly been waiting for her, but Zuri gives Jennie a questioning look and raises her eyebrows. Jennie almost laughs out loud; the idea of there being anything romantic between her and Elliott is absurd. She cringes inwardly, remembering when she initially got to know him. He was the first one of the darkroom crew, aside from Hannah, to really warm to her. He was kind and attentive, spending hours talking her through how to develop her own photographs using the various chemical baths, and then coaching her through her first few attempts.
It was the first time Jennie had had that kind of closeness with a boy, and she’d thought maybe she had a chance with him. When Hannah had realised, she’d laughed and teased Jennie mercilessly about how her gaydar was off. Jennie had been gutted, but she’d tried to put a brave face on it. Even so, Hannah had sensed her discomfort and backed off quickly. But Lottie persisted in mocking her, often making kissy faces at her behind Elliott’s back and trying to get her to play ‘straight or gay’ as she pointed at different kids in assembly. Jennie made a point of never telling Lottie who she had a crush on after that.
Jennie smiles at Elliott. Careful to keep her tone professional rather than overly friendly, she says, ‘Can I ask what it’s about?’
‘Hannah,’ he says, a pained expression fliting across his face as he looks from Jennie to Zuri. ‘I need to tell you something important about Hannah Jennings.’
Jennie glances at Zuri. ‘Can you find us a free room?’
Her DS looks confused, but she recovers quickly. ‘Sure.’
As Zuri heads over to the desk sergeant to find out which interview rooms are available, Jennie leans closer to Elliott. ‘What’s going on?’
He shakes his head, the pained expression back on his face. ‘It’s bad, Jen. I have to …’
‘We can use room two,’ says Zuri, rejoining them.
‘Great,’ says Jennie. ‘Could you take a seat here for a couple of minutes while we get set up?’
Elliott frowns. ‘Erm, sure … Okay.’
‘Thanks,’ replies Jennie, giving him a reassuring smile. ‘We won’t keep you waiting long.’
Leaving Elliott in the waiting area, Jennie and Zuri stride along the corridor to the lifts. Jennie’s wondering how to play this; it must be obvious to Zuri that Elliott knows who Jennie is, and that she knows him well enough to be on first-name terms. But she can’t let Zuri know just how close they once were or it could give away the strength of her connection to Hannah.
Reaching the lift, Zuri reaches out and presses the button for level two. As the lift doors open and they step inside, she turns and looks questioningly at Jennie. ‘What did I miss?’
The question throws Jennie for a moment. ‘Miss?’
‘When I was getting the room organised,’ says Zuri. ‘He was telling you something?’
‘Nothing of note,’ Jennie replies, keeping her tone light. ‘Just that he’s really anxious to talk with us.’
‘Interesting,’ says Zuri. ‘You think he’s about to confess?’
