Page 192 of The Mysterious Case of the Alperton Angels
Will you arrest him?
Aileen looks back, fixes them with a stern stare.
AILEEN
You two want some sleep tonight, right? So do I.
They nod. Aileen starts the engine, turns away.
AILEEN
I’ll put it down to trauma, if you both behave yourselves. Promise? (they nod) And if the unit asks my name, say Marie-Claire.
Aileen chuckles to herself.
HOLLY
If someone asks you about tonight, not now but years in the future, what will you tell them?
Aileen locks eyes with her in the rear-view mirror.
AILEEN
I’ll think of something.
Holly settles back into the seat as the car pulls out of the car park and away from The Assembly.
WhatsApp messages from me to retired detective chief superintendent Don Makepeace, 3 September 2021:
Amanda Bailey
I’ve found out who the baby is, Don. Sorry.
Amanda Bailey
What I mean is, sorry you had to lie. But nothing stays a secret for ever.
Correspondence between me and Oliver Menzies, 6 September 2021:
Amanda Bailey
I know who Christopher Shenk was.
Oliver Menzies
Raphael.
Amanda Bailey
There was no Raphael in the Alperton Angels. Only in the Ninja Turtles.
Oliver Menzies
The fact you can’t see something doesn’t mean it isn’t there. All it means is YOU can’t see it.
Amanda Bailey
Heard about Minnie Davis? She based her book on a project about fake news by an art student. She had no idea until a proof-reader flagged up a trail of anomalies.
