Page 76 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘Can’t you?—’

‘No,’ Freya interrupted. ‘Look, I’m taking a huge risk just being here talking to you.’

‘I understand,’ Jennifer said, offering a placating smile. ‘Is there anything else?’

Freya took a deep breath. She wiped away a sheen of sweat on her forehead. ‘There’s a witness,’ she began, quietly. ‘She’s a prostitute and said Anthony watched her while she was with her clients. She said, on the night of the murder, he was watching them, but he seemed different. He had a dangerous look about him.’

‘In what way dangerous?’ Jennifer asked with a heavy frown.

‘I don’t know. I haven’t seen the statement myself. I’m just going on what I’ve been told. The thing is…’ Freya paused. She looked uncomfortable. She knew she was going too far simply by being here. She took a deep breath. ‘I may as well be hanged for a sheep as a lamb. There’s someone I know in CID, we’re close. He’s of the same mind as me. I’m not telling you his name, so don’t ask. He’d get in even more trouble than I would. He’s overheard that Bishop paid this woman to make a statement. Apparently, she wasn’t even out on the night of the murder, because of the storm.’

‘Do you have the name of this woman?’

‘No. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t know even half of what I do know.’

Jennifer thought for a moment. ‘Were there any other suspects in the frame before DI Bishop arrested Anthony?’

‘No.’

‘No other person of interest?’

‘No.’

‘In cases like this, it’s usually someone close to the victim, a family member. You said you spent time with Alice’s parents. What about the father… what’s he called?’

‘Geoff,’ Freya said. ‘No. They were both distraught when she went missing. And when she was found, well, they both fell apart in front of me. The other thing is, there’s little to no evidence, either.’

‘What do you mean?’

‘I don’t know how much you know about where Alice was found. However, at first, they thought she’d been hit by a falling tree in the storm. It was only when the pathologist was conducting the post-mortem that he realised she’d been strangled. By the time DI Bishop and his team went back to the woods where she was found, there was nothing there. Police had trampled all over it. Not only that, but Alice’s body had been cleaned. There’s no evidence to suggest Anthony killed her. All they’ve got is a false confession and a flimsy statement from a prostitute who places him near the scene.’

Jennifer wanted to smile but knew how inappropriate that would be. ‘I’ve just realised I don’t know your name.’

Freya was reluctant to answer. ‘Freya. Freya Sloan. You’re not going to ask me to be a witness or anything, are you?’

‘No. Nothing like that. I assure you. However, if you hear of anything else, will you let me know?’

‘Like what?’

‘I don’t know. Anything to do with the case. I’ve met Anthony a few times and, each time, my belief in his innocence grows. He didn’t do this. But I need to know who did. I need as much proof as possible.’

‘I’ll try, but…’

Jennifer dug around in her handbag and pulled out a wrinkled business card. She grabbed a pen and wrote down a number on the back. ‘This is my home number. I’m either in the office or at home. Ring me any time. I promise, whatever you tell me will remain anonymous. Nobody will know we’ve spoken.’

Reluctantly, Freya took the card. ‘If I was a higher rank, I wouldn’t care, but I’m only a WPC. DI Bishop doesn’t even have any women in his team yet. He thinks all we’re good for is photocopying and making him mugs of tea. Women have been integrated into the main force for the last ten years, and we’re still treated as second-class citizens.’

‘You don’t have to tell me. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve turned up to see a client only for them to call the office afterwards and say they want a man representing them. Fortunately, Mr Bryce always fights my corner.’

‘I wish I had a Mr Bryce fighting for me,’ Freya said, looking dejected.

‘Freya, the force needs people like you. It needs women like you. I’m guessing you feel bad about going behind the backs of your colleagues, that you’re betraying them, but you’re not. If you stick to your guns and fight, there’s no reason why you can’t climb the promotional ladder like any of the male officers.’

‘I wish I had your confidence,’ Freya smiled.

‘Confidence comes with self-belief. I know I can do my job just as well as any man. I can prove it. One day soon, that brass plaque will say Inglethorpe, Bryce and Ripley. I know it,’ she said, full of determination.

Freya smiled. ‘I know it, too.’