Savage Moon

'That place,' an officer with curly black hair sighed knowingly.

'Sorry, what was that Detective… ' Jon waited for the officer to identify himself.

'DC Murray, boss. Hugh Murray. It's like a bloody hotel. More facilities than most kids enjoy.'

'You've been there?'

'A few times. I used to work on the Child Protection Unit.'

'Good. After we've been through Peterson's house you can get over there and dig out all the information you can on the man. My hunch is that he was attacked by someone who knew him. There was a witness to the early part of the assault… '

'At Crime Lake?' A female officer with a carefully arranged mess of collar-length brown hair asked.

Jon shook his head, aware he'd got ahead of himself. 'Sorry, no. Peterson was first attacked in a car park at Silburn Grove, Middleton, last Thursday. His assailant was described as a young lad by the person who rang nine-nine-nine. I suspect Peterson could have encountered his attacker during his time as a care worker.'

'Encountered as in what sense?' asked DC Murray.

'Possibly an abusive sense, given his record. While you're at the facility we'll go through Peterson's place looking for any evidence relating to his time at the Silverdale or any link to Rose Sutton.'

Starting at the left-hand edge of the group, he counted off the five officers. After getting each one to introduce themselves, he said, 'You lot with me. Now, Detective…?'

'DC Adlon. Joseph Adlon.'

'I'd like you to coordinate the uniforms in a door-to-door of Peterson's street.' He turned to the woman who'd asked the earlier question.

'DC Gardiner, I need you to liaise with Inspector Clegg. He's the officer in charge of the Sutton enquiry over at Mossley Brow. After we've finished in Peterson's place I need you to bring back the list of all Rose Sutton's family and friends interviewed so far and start moving all her case files over too. OK with that?'

'No problem.'

Jon closed the file and stood. 'Let's meet in the car park in ten.'

Seventeen

Jon walked quickly over to his desk and called home. Alice answered just as he was about to give up. 'Hi Ali, it's me.'

'Jon, you don't normally ring from work.'

The comment took him by surprise. Wasn't it obvious things weren't exactly normal? 'No. I wanted to check you were OK.'

'Why? Shouldn't I be?'

Actually, no. You were in a foul mood last night. And you've kicked our dog out of the house, remember? 'Well, you know

. . you were upset.'

'Oh that,' she said breezily. 'My hormones again. They go up and down like a bloody yo-yo at the moment.'

Unable to see her face, Jon tried to focus on the intonations in her voice. It sounded like the Alice he knew and loved. But was it an act or had her dark mood really passed? 'So what you said about stuff. Punch for instance… '

'Oh Jon. I know it's not easy, but we can't have him in the house. Sorry.'

Still she sounded so normal. Like they were debating whether to ditch a cheap piece of furniture. 'Ali, I can't leave him at some kennel for strays. We need to talk about this properly.'

'Jon, Holly's crying. I have to go.'

'OK, I'll try and call later.'

'Fine. Speak to you in a bit.'

The line went dead and Jon found himself staring at the mouthpiece of the receiver as if he could find a clue to his wife's behaviour in the arrangement of holes there. He dialled his mum and dad's number.

'Hello?'

Dad. Why did he always sound vaguely surprised at the phone's ability to transmit voices into his ear. 'Morning, Dad. You all right?'

'Yes.'

Jon waited for him to elaborate. Nothing. Christ, the man was awful at speaking on the phone. 'Did you see Salford playing the other day? That Aussie they've brought in looks like he'll be useful.'

'He does. You want your mum?' Jon gave in. 'Yeah, go on then.'

'Mary! It's Jon. He wants a word.'

A bang as the phone was put down on the wooden sideboard. Jon could see his Dad wandering back into the front room where his paper and cup of coffee awaited.

'Hello, Jon. Everything all right?'

'Yeah-'

'Have you seen the morning news? That case you're on is talk of the town.'

Jon shut his eyes. 'I know. Listen, can you pop round ours later? Alice was a bit upset last night.'

'Upset?'

'Over-tired I think. She's probably going a bit stir crazy in the house with just her and the baby. She could do with some company.'

'She should get some fresh air. Take Punch out for a walk.'

'She won't be doing that. She kicked Punch out.'

'Kicked Punch out?'

'She doesn't want him in the house anymore.'

'Why on earth has she decided that?'

'She thinks he's a danger to Holly.'

'Danger to Holly?'

'I know. She reckons Punch is jealous of her.'

'Well, now you mention it, I've heard that before too. Dogs are pack animals, very sensitive to where they lie in order of importance.'

Jesus, not you too, Jon thought. 'Mum, we're talking about

Punch. He's a total softie.'

'True, but you can never really tell what an animal is thinking.'

'Mum, it's not like Alice to be so harsh.'

'She's protecting her baby, Jon. Maternal instinct.'

'She's acting strange more like. Emotional.'

'Has she rung Amanda?'

Amanda. Alice's mum, who had just gone on holiday with her latest boy friend. 'She's in the Canary Islands for the next fortnight, remember?'

'Oh yes. I'll give Alice a call. See if she wants to go out for a coffee or lunch.'

Jon felt the tension in him abate slightly. 'Thanks, Mum, that would be a great help.'

'Where's the dog then?'

'In the back of my car. I didn't know what to do with him. I don't suppose he could stay at yours?'

'Ours? I don't know.'

'Just for a day or two.'

The silence spoke volumes as she searched for a valid reason to say no. He cut in, not wanting to hear what she came up with. 'Don't worry. I'll see if someone else can take him in.'

'Well, if you're sure. I don't want to be awkward… '

His mobile started to ring. 'OK. I've got to go. Speak to you later.' He hung up without waiting for a reply, angered by what he perceived as selfishness on her part.

As soon as he saw Carmel's name on the screen, he took the call. 'You lot ever tell the fucking truth? You can forget-'

'Jon, it wasn't my story. Look at the names on the front page. The news editor coordinated the whole thing. Him and a rich businessman mate who's offering the reward.'

'And who is that?'

'I don't know. Honestly. They've got me on background stuff. You'll find my piece on Alien Big Cat sightings on page three. You realise they've got Peterson's address?'

'Yeah. Nothing to do with you either?' he said, marching towards the side exit.

'Listen. I just wanted you to know that I kept my word.'

'And I don't believe you. The interview's off.' He hung up, taking a small amount of pleasure in cutting her down. The other officers were in the car park waiting for him. 'Right,' he barked. 'Let's get over to Peterson's. By the way, it fucking stinks in his house.' Setting off towards his vehicle, he called over his shoulder. 'I can take one other.'

He opened up his car and Punch scrabbled excitedly to his feet. Jon leaned forward, extending a hand over the seat so his dog could nuzzle eagerly at his palm. 'Hello boy,' he smiled, spirits lifted by the animal's uncomplicated affection.