Page 86 of The Other Side

Osian gulped. “Wow.”

“You remember me telling you about Stan Motson? It was his mother. I had to stand outside for hours, then I got called to Matthew’s house where he, his wife and his kids were waiting. I don’t know why they thought I’d have any answers. But Matthew said privately to me that he remembered me walking towards him through a field, so had I seen the house? Ugh. I said no. He didn’t say anything about seeing you. He’s still confused and that’s not going to change.”

“Okay.”

“Not sure he wants his job back. Oh, and there’s something I hadn’t told you.” Drum pushed to his feet and looked through the pile of folders on the side table. He came back with a piece of paper and handed it to him.

“Don’t spend time in Sparlow after dark,” Osian read.

“Matthew got the same message ten years ago. I didn’t tell him I’d had it too.”

“You think Sparlow has something to do with the murders?”

“I have no idea. Then I got a call from Control asking me to go and see Lily. She’s scared. Two old ladies murdered. She doesn’t want to be the third. I reassured her as best I could. I feel…frustrated I’m not involved in the investigation. There has to be a link between the murdered women.”

“Let me get the food and we can talk it through if you like.”

They ate in silence for a few minutes, each occupied with their own thoughts. Drum would be thinking of the murder. Osian was thinking about their future.

“The same person killed them,” Drum said eventually.

“Almost certainly.” Osian nodded. “So what’s the link between the women?”

“They weren’t friends. Joan Motson was ten years older. She lived in a care home, Sonita didn’t.” Drum sighed, then frowned. “What if Sonita was practice? A rehearsal?”

“Someone rehearsed a murder?”

“It wouldn’t be the first time. Kill someone vulnerable. Learn what works. Discover what doesn’t. Then go after the real target.”

“That feels cold.”

“Murder usually is.”

Drum stared at the note lying on the coffee table.

“That warning or instruction about Sparlow probably has nothing to do with the murders,” Osian said. “Matthew got his message ten years ago. Don’t try to connect too much.”

Drum groaned. “I’m intrigued now though.”

“Have some ice cream. It will make you feel better.”

One spoonful and Drum widened his eyes. “Oh my God. This is delicious. Are these pretzel pieces?”

“Yes.”

“You are such a good cook.”

“Not really.”

“Better than me.” Drum sucked another spoonful into his mouth.

“So if you were in charge of the murder investigation, what would you be doing?” Osian asked.

“I’d be looking carefully at Stan Motson.”

“You think he could kill his own mother?”

“Maybe, if he felt desperate. He appeared grief-stricken but it could have been an act. The place where his mother lived was expensive. And… Hmm. Let me just call Lily and ask her something.” Drum put his phone on speaker.