Page 58 of Her Last Breath

‘We need screenshots of those. Do you have any items still in your possession?’

Matthews’ face reacted as though she had asked him for both kidneys. She had the urge to slap him for being such a prick. Eventually he nodded, her gaze unflinching and threatening.

‘Good. We will need them back. And a list of times and dates when you met up with Kangna.’ He looked blank. ‘Kathy.’

‘What about the money I gave her for them?’

‘This isn’t a trade,’ DS Johnson said.

‘This is why I hate you lot.’

As Matthews recalled his interactions with the nurse, Jane thought how the engravings proved Kangna Kandasamy had stolen those goods from others. She hoped her fingerprints were still on the items Matthews still had on him. Either way she was looking forward to confronting her with what they had found out.

Chapter 36

Energised, Jane watched her team dart around the office, calling out to each other, answering phone calls, jotting down leads. Turning away, she looked out of the window. The sky was bleak, mill chimneys piercing the grey shadowy clouds. Burnley was laid out in front of her, a thriving hub nestled in a mountainous grip.

Jane texted Lorraine to make sure her mother was OK. Since their fight, Maeve hadn’t contacted her at all, making Jane feel both guilty and anxious, which was unfair. Even now, she felt as though she were to blame for their altercation.

Kangna Kandasamy had been brought in and was stewing in one of the holding cells, while they drew up the case against her. DC Berry knocked on her door.

‘Sorry, boss, just to let you know Liam Harrison has posted bail and been released.’

‘Great,’ she said dryly.

‘He’s still under surveillance and inquiries are ongoing as to where he was when Alice died. Maybe we’ll turn up something …’

In her heart, Jane knew the case against Liam Harrison was looking less and less secure. Even though she would have loved to see that scumbag behind bars, her best bet now was to find concrete evidence that tied Kathy to the murders.

‘Thanks, DC Berry.’

Examining her young DC, Jane saw the tell-tale signs of a lack of sleep and a stress-filled home life etched on his face. He had tried to spruce up his clothes, but the creases were visible in his trousers, a smear of something on his jacket lapel.

‘Everything OK, Steve? I don’t just mean in work. At home? Can’t be easy with the family situation?’

Furtively, he glanced down at his shoes, which Jane noticed needed a good polish.

‘Yes, ma’am. Just two of the kids are ill, so is the wife. It’s been a tough couple of days.’

Relief seemed to creep into his features, sharing the heavy burden he had been carrying around with him.

‘Sorry to hear that. Do you need to take some time off?’

‘No, ma’am. It’s going to be like this for a few years, I know. I can’t keep running home whenever it gets a bit tough. To be honest, being in the office is a good break.’

‘Is there anyone to help out?’

‘My mother steps in when she can. We can’t really afford a babysitter and my wife’s going to have to go back to work soon. Don’t know how we’ll cope without one then.’

‘Let me know if I can do anything to help.’

‘Thanks, ma’am.’ He seemed hesitant for a moment, embarrassed even. The colour rising into his face, he plucked up the courage to ask her, though. ‘I did ask DS Johnson to look into a raise and some childcare benefits. He said he’d look at subsidised housing for police officers, but I don’t think it ever went anywhere. Other priorities, I suppose.’

More like a lack of understanding from someone who didn’t have the same childcare issues. Not that Jane did, but she hoped she had enough empathy to notice and act when someone else needed help.

‘Leave it with me. I’ll speak to DCI Malik.’

‘Thank you, ma’am. I don’t want you to think any of this impacts my ability to do my job.’