‘I’m not sure I’m supposed to talk to you without my solicitor present,’ I comment.
Her face is pale and there are blue shadows under her eyes. I guess she didn’t have a good night’s sleep. ‘We have decided not to continue with your questioning for now. You’re still a person of interest but–’
‘You don’t have any real evidence to tie me to anything,’ I finish as relief floods through me. ‘You do realise that’s because I haven’t done anything wrong?’
Rawlins ignores my words although, from the tension in her jawline, she’s still not convinced. Her eyes drift to my cheek, no doubt wondering about the scratches there. I hope they’re not too bad. ‘Dr Pat called. She’s yet to write up her report but she was most insistent that you could not have committed any crime. She seems to believe you don’t have the mental capacity for it.’ Her voice is strained. ‘Her opinion was far less certain yesterday afternoon.’
I shrug amiably. ‘I guess she slept on it.’
Rawlins’ eyes narrow. ‘What exactly did you do?’
‘I didn’t do anything. I was here all night. I’m sure your patrol car can confirm that. You’re welcome to check my phone records if you wish. All I did,’ I pause, ‘was go to sleep.’
Rawlins’ reaction to my words is immediate and she jerks, confirming my suspicions. I give her a reassuring smile. ‘I know you dreamed of me. I know you remember.’
‘You planted the thought in my head,’ she hisses. ‘It was just my subconscious acting it out. It’s no different to watching a film and then dreaming about it.’
‘Are you sure?’ I watch her carefully. ‘I know you watch a lot of films. Gone With the Wind? Alice in Wonderland? The Shining?’
She recoils. ‘You work as a computer programmer. Have you hacked into my system? Is that how you know these things?’
I keep my tone calm. ‘Unless you keep an online dream diary, how would I know that you were dreaming of packing a large trunk and trying to move it?’
Rawlins hisses like a cornered cat. ‘Stay out of my fucking head!’ She backs away, runs to her car and slams the door shut before speeding off. I watch her go, gnawing at my lip. I didn’t want to freak her out, I just wanted her to realise that I had nothing to do with Salib or Miller’s deaths. I hope I’ve not made an enemy.
The phone rings. I close the door carefully, relocking it out of habit more than anything else, then grab the receiver before it stops. ‘Hello?’
‘Zoe! I was starting to wonder whether you were still with us,’ Jerry’s voice booms.
Guilt surges through me. ‘I’m sorry,’ I apologise hastily, ‘I’ve been, um, busy.’
‘I got your letter via MailQuick.’ Oh. ‘The thing is that there was nothing inside apart from a coupon for a weekend getaway in the Lake District.’
I wince. I should have thought that through a little more carefully. I was more focused on the deliveryman rather than the contents of the letter I gave him. ‘I spotted it yesterday and wondered if it would be something you and your wife might be interested in. You’ve been sounding pretty tired lately.’ I force a laugh. ‘I guess that baby is keeping you up at night.’
‘Oh.’ He seems rather nonplussed. ‘That’s a kind thought. Thank you.’
My guilt increases. ‘No problem. Actually, speaking of holidays, I’m feeling a bit burned out myself. I wondered if I could take a break. I know there’s a big job coming up in a week or two and I want to be fresh.’
Jerry doesn’t answer immediately. ‘Hello?’ I ask tentatively.
‘Zoe, this is wonderful news!’ he finally gushes. ‘I have been trying to get you to go on holiday for quite some time.’
I nibble my lip. He has but I always declined in the past. What would I do on holiday? Watch morning television? I like peace and quiet and monotony but that would be a step too far, even for me. ‘Great. Although I’ve just realised,’ I add hurriedly, ‘that I didn’t keep a copy of that coupon for myself. Could you maybe photocopy it and send it back?’
‘I’ll scan and email it. You’ll have it in a jiffy.’
Damn it. That’s not going to work. I think a little bit more. ‘Actually, I was hoping you could use MailQuick to send it to me because, um, because...’ I’m hit by inspiration ‘...because I really like the guy who does the deliveries and I was hoping I could chat to him again.’
Jerry laughs heartily. ‘I’m thrilled to hear it! It’s about time you got yourself a nice fella. Maybe you should ask him for his phone number, though. If you keep this up it could get expensive.’