‘And you’re sure it’s him?’ Daniel Neal asks.
I nod. ‘He was found in a white van, the same one used in your wife’s abduction. Her blood was on his clothes. His name was Stuart King. Does that name mean anything to you?’
He frowns. ‘No. Doesn’t ring a bell.’ He hesitates, his voice barely audible. ‘Did you find Jo’s…?’
I pause. ‘I’m sorry. But we’re not giving up. If you remember anything about Stuart King, please let us know.’
‘Yeah, of course.’ His gaze drops to the floor. ‘Where did you find him?’
Shit.‘On a track near a pig farm,’ I say quietly.
His eyes widen. ‘A pig farm?’
‘We shouldn’t jump to conclusions,’ Dario interjects.
‘No,’ Neal murmurs, looking lost.
‘I’m so sorry,’ I say.
He nods.
‘The investigation’s ongoing,’ I add. ‘We’re following every lead.’
Another nod. As we walk down the carpeted hallway toward the lift, Dario leans in.
‘Jesus. Did you have to say “pig farm”?’
‘We don’t know for sure. Her body might still turn up.’
‘Yeah. In bacon rashers.’
I swat his arm. ‘Shut up.’
I press the lift button in a bid to close the doors before he can get in, but he lunges and manages to squeeze through.
‘So childish,’ he mutters.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Josie
Almost five weeks have passed since Joanna Neal disappeared.
‘The boys aren’t happy about the babysitter,’ I say. ‘I know they’re going to run rings around her.’
What a great date I’m turning out to be.
Geoff moved out a week ago. Things got so bad that I couldn’t sleep in the same bed as him anymore. I was exhausted, both mentally and emotionally. Eventually, I gave up and moved to the sofa bed in the living room. The boys heard Geoff and me arguing, and that was it. The truth came out. Geoff packed his things and moved in with his mum. The boys have been angry ever since.
When Dario suggested dinner, I jumped at the chance. I’ve been lonely and sad for weeks, and I need something for myself. So here we are.
‘He’s had the house cleaned, apparently,’ I say.
‘What?’ he asks. ‘I was asking what wine you wanted.’
I shake my head. ‘Sorry. I was thinking about Daniel Neal. I’ll have the chardonnay.’
‘Great, me too. Who had what cleaned?’
