‘Lollipop lady.’
‘I like it.’ Gill beamed. ‘So, perhaps he’s not lying about his time of arrival. Only what he did after.’
‘He’d have time to kill her, nip home and change, taking the shopping and the phone, and get back,’ said Lee.
‘Have we enough for an arrest?’ Janet said.
‘I’d say.’ Gill nodded. ‘I’ll talk to command. What are you getting from friends and associates?’
Mitch took the floor. ‘Pretty much tallies with what we’ve heard so far. Sean is regarded as the type of bloke who’ll get into a scrap, rise to the occasion, if she’s goading him – which is apparently how it went. Lisa was on the shorter fuse. But he’s not known for carrying a knife, or using one. Unlike Lisa’s mother, most people wouldn’t have thought him capable.’
‘We’re all capable,’ Gill said. ‘Have we spoken to the cousin – Benny?’
‘Says he and Sean were in the house that afternoon until three. At that time Benny left: he was helping another cousin lay carpets. His story checks out,’ Mitch told them. ‘Mind you, he might have been coached.’
Gill tilted her head, inviting him to elaborate. ‘He’s a bit slow,’ Mitch said.
‘OK, so Sean is alibied until three, seen outside the school at twenty past. He still had opportunity. And he’s a liar. I think he’s got a shock coming.’ Gill raised her arms like a conductor, hands splayed in invitation: ‘Carry on,’ she dismissed them.
At her desk, the phone was ringing and Rachel grabbed it, rattling off her name, still a flush of pride as she added, ‘MIT.’
What she heard at the other end of the line made the hairs on the back of her neck stand up. She went straight into Gill, who glared at her. ‘Knock first.’
‘Sorry, boss. Someone’s using Lisa’s phone.’
‘What!’
‘Telecoms just picked it up.’
‘Where?’
‘Piccadilly Gardens. Boss, can I-?’
Gill silenced her with a look.
‘Please?’
‘You’ve no idea what you’ll find. Where’s Janet?’
‘Prepping for Sean.’
‘Go on then, but not on your own.’
Rachel’s heart jumped. She nodded eagerly, her mouth dry.
