Page 51
‘She was a hard-nosed cow,’ Jane said.
She was in Sameer’s office, the safety of the space allowing her to vent her frustrations. Even the hot tea he had offered her wasn’t helping.
‘Like looking in a mirror then, was it?’ Sameer joked.
‘Not funny. She insisted I call her Kathy. Initially I only wanted to see if she could shed any light on Burrows and Alice Rogers’ relationship, but now I’m thinking she deliberately misled me and that makes me suspicious.’
‘Ah, I remember those good old days when I had to use Sam instead of Sameer. Because apparently the extra three letters were just so hard for people to say.’
‘Don’t take her side; and fuck off – I always said your name right!’
He gave her a cheeky smile. ‘Yes, you did. What can I help you with exactly?’
‘I tried checking the nurse’s shifts with the agency care provider but there’s no response from the manager and the staff on duty said they can’t help. I need to force them to hand over their records; how fast can you get me something legal?’
‘Why are you wasting your time with trivial stuff? Ask one of your team to do it.’ He cocked his head to one side, narrowing his eyes at her. ‘Don’t tell me they’re still giving you trouble?’
‘No, nothing like that. I just don’t have the heart to go big on another suspect only to find out she has a cast-iron alibi. The team are on board with this investigation, I don’t want to lose that momentum.’
‘You’ll get it back, once you get close to the killer. They’re seasoned professionals, they know how this works. Trust them.’
Jane carried on pacing. ‘I just want to check out this lead first. You have any biscuits? I’m starving!’
She stopped pacing, waiting as he checked his drawers.
‘Why are you so convinced that being on shift means she couldn’t have done it?’
‘The care agencies aren’t dumb. When carers come on shift, they check in with them. At my mum’s, they call the landline to the house and the carers have to answer and confirm they’re there.’
‘What is this, the eighties?’
‘No, it’s Burnley.’
‘Ouch!’
‘It’s just the way they operate, so I’m hoping she didn’t do that, made up some excuse. Or was conveniently visiting homes with no landline.’
‘If the manager isn’t responding, then go visit them.’
‘He lives out in Bradford.’
Sameer stopped searching for snacks. ‘What’s the care company?’
‘Pennine Hills Home Carers. Why are you smirking at me?’
Sameer didn’t reply, instead dialled a number from his mobile, with the speaker on. A man’s gruff voice answered.
‘Aslamaalaikum, chief. Should I be worried you remembered me?’
‘Walaikumsalam Riaz, bhai. How are you and the family?’
‘Alhamdulillah, Tell me, I hope it’s good news?’
‘Calling on official business. I need some information on one of the carers who works for you.’
‘Don’t tell me. Some cop called Joan has been leaving me messages. Was going to call you and check why.’
Sameer mouthed the word ‘Joan’ at her, while laughing silently.
