“Thanks,” Jack replied.
Dissatisfied, Sally and Jack left the office.
“Well, I suppose we should be grateful he clocked the bloke’s car. Let’s see what cameras are located in the area, Jack. That car must be on at least one of them.”
“My thoughts exactly. I’ll call the station.”
“Hold on. Let’s drop back to the motel room and see if there’s an ID for the girl. You can get the next of kin info at the same time.”
Simon was leaning over the body when they entered the room. “Everything all right? Is there something else we should know about?”
“Apart from the fact that the killer is escalating, you mean?”
“It can’t be the same killer, Simon. We checked the remand centre—he’s still lying on a two-inch mattress in a cell.”
He shrugged. “Then I need to re-examine all the bodies again to see if there is any other DNA that will lead us to who the real culprit is.”
“What about the wounds? Can you tell us what the positive cause of death is?”
“A fatal wound to the heart. He exerted a lot of force, because the knife he used was of the short-bladed variety. She has bruising to the mouth where he probably held a hand over it while he carried out the attack. If that is the case, then I would say anger was his motivation.”
“Maybe she changed her mind once he enticed her into the room,” Jack offered.
“I’m more concerned if we have the right man banged up for the previous crimes at the moment. What if the DNA was wrong? Is that possible?”
“No. You know that as well as I do, Inspector,” Simon replied impatiently. “To me, despite your theory, going by the available DNA, there is no doubt that this man is guilty.”
Sally sighed. “What a mess. Then we need to rush the results through for the DNA found on her. We’re stuck until we have that.”
“I’ll do my best to rush things along due to the importance of the issue.”
“Okay. We need the woman’s ID so we can contact her relatives. Do you have it?”
Simon picked up the victim’s small handbag and removed the woman’s purse. “Let’s see… I have a credit card with the name Tracy Brand.”
“Anything with her address on?” Sally asked hopefully.
Simon pulled out a recent electricity bill with the woman’s name and address on. “Here we go. Flat two, Duchess Street, Lingwood.”
“That’s not far from here. Let’s get over there, see if anyone is at home.” Sally turned, expecting Jack to follow her. She called over her shoulder, “Two days, max, on the results, Simon, if you can.”
“I have enough welts on my back already, evidence of your slave driving,” he called after her, and she chuckled. She knew he would do all he could to get the results promptly—that set him apart from the other pathologists she’d worked with over the years.
They parked outside the woman’s flat and got out of the car. Jack rang the bell. No answer.
“I’ll nip next door, see what the neighbour can tell us.” Sally rounded the hedge and knocked on the red door, which a woman in her late sixties immediately opened, holding a yapping Yorkshire terrier. “Hello, I’m DI Sally Parker,” she shouted above the enthusiastic dog.
“Hush now, Stella. Let’s hear what the nice lady has to say.” The woman jiggled the dog in her arms until its barking ceased and was replaced by a low, intermittent growl. “There, that’s better. Sorry, dear, you were saying?”
“I’m with the Norfolk Constabulary. I was wondering if you know the resident or residents next door.”
“I do. Whatever have they done to bring the police knocking at their door?”
“Nothing. We’re simply conducting enquiries regarding a case we’re working on at present. Can you tell me the occupant’s name or names?”
“Let me think. There’s Jill and her friend, Tracy. Now don’t go asking me what their surnames are. I haven’t got a clue about that.”
“That’s really helpful. Do you know if Jill is around?”
“I wouldn’t know, dear. If there’s no answer, then I guess she must be at work.”
Sally shook her head. “There isn’t. Any idea where she works?”
“They both work at the local petrol station, the Esso one just down the road.”
“Thank you. I’ll drop by and see her. I really appreciate your help.”
“Any time, dear. Carry on doing a fabulous job keeping our streets safe, won’t you?” The woman waved Sally off.
“I’ll do my best.” Sally motioned for Jack to join her. “Apparently, Tracy shares her home with a friend named Jill. They both work nearby.”
They drove to the petrol station. Sally flashed her ID at the young woman with purple dyed hair and several piercings in her lip, serving behind the counter. “DI Sally Parker, and this is my partner, DS Jack Blackman. Are you Jill?”
She frowned and folded her arms defensively. “That’s right. Have I done something wrong?”
“Not that we know of. It’s concerning a friend of yours, Tracy Brand.”
“What about her?”
“I have some bad news. She was found dead this morning.”
Jill’s eyes widened, and she fell back against the counter behind her. “What? No, that can’t be right.”
“I’m afraid Tracy’s handbag was found at the scene. Of course, a formal ID has yet to be confirmed, but it’s important that we get our investigation started immediately, if we have any chance of finding the perpetrator.”
“I don’t understand. Are you saying her death was intentional?”
“Exactly. Her body was found in a motel room out at Great Plumstead.”
Confusion clouded the woman’s expression again. “I don’t understand. Why would John take her to a hotel room?”
Sally glanced at Jack and raised an eyebrow, then she turned back to the woman. “It was a motel, not a hotel. Who is John? Do you mean Tracy had a boyfriend?”
“Yes, John Hartman. Look, I had my own fella stay over last night. Tracy said she would give us some space and spend the night at John’s place. Not sure where the motel comes into it, though. John owns his own property.”
“Interesting. I don’t suppose you can give us his address?”
“Not off the top of my head, no. I can tell you where he works if that would help?”
“It would.”
The woman dipped her head and placed her hand over her eyes as if the news of her friend had just hit her.
“Are you all right, Jill?”
“Sorry, it’s such a shock. Not something you have to contend with every day. Let me think. Ah yes, he works in a restaurant down by the river. The Friendly Trout, I believe it’s called.”
“Okay, I know the place. Can you give us an insight into their relationship? Have they been dating long? Any trouble between them?”
“Gosh, doesn’t every relationship have problems from time to time? I don’t think theirs was any different. They’ve been dating a few years, off and on. There were no plans on them settling down and having a baby, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
“That’s the type of information I was after. Any major bust-ups lately that you know of?”
“No. I doubt she would have made arrangements to stay with him last night if that were the case.”
“Thanks for your help. I’m sorry for your loss. One last thing, do you have an address where we can contact Tracy’s parents?”
“No. All I know is they’re both seriously ill.”
“Okay, we’ll look into that. Do you know their names?”
“Not their first names. I only know them as Mr. and Mrs. Brand or Mum and Dad.” She smiled weakly. “The nursing home is in the area, if that helps any.”
“Thanks, it does. Does she have any siblings?”
“No. She’s an only child. Dealing with her parents’ care alone has been a nightmare for her.”
“Okay, thanks again. Are you going to be okay?”
“I’ll survive. I’ll call my boss and let him know. Tracy was due to work the evening shift. He’ll be pissed off about the inconvenience, I’m sure. Well, screw him.”