DARK HOUSES a gripping detective thriller full of suspense Read Online Free PDF Page A

I spotted it. I’ll try and lose it. I’ll take a run up the bypass first, put them off the scent. Then I thought the Crown? Speak to the staff. Check what shifts Jessie worked yesterday, and what time she left.”
    “My thoughts too,” he said. “After which, I suppose we’ll have to speak to her mother.”
    “God help us. Mavis won’t be pleased. She hates the police, and given what’s happened she’s bound to blame us,” Grace replied.
    “That’s hardly logical.”
    “Mavis isn’t logical. She’ll be emotional and angry and she’ll want to vent that anger on someone.”
    Grace took them down the bypass towards Manchester and then around the first roundabout. By the time they were back in Oldston, the red saloon had disappeared.
    “The Crown has a car park but I’ll hide ours round the back,” she said.
    “What’s this place like?”
    “I’ve not been here in a while. You know how it is, getting babysitters and all that. The last time I came here they were doing meals. The food wasn’t bad either.”
    “Me and Suzy could do with finding somewhere local and decent to eat.”
    “Hope you have better luck than I did. I was halfway through the pudding when I got a phone call to say that Holly had a temperature.” She rolled her eyes. “I haven’t bothered much since then.”
    “Who runs this place?”
    “A woman called Megan Hunter. She’s okay, doesn’t stand for any bother. She’s a friend of my mother’s.”
    It was three in the afternoon and, apart from a couple finishing a late lunch, the pub was empty.
    Grace spoke to the woman behind the bar. “DC Harper and DI Greco. Oldston CID.”
    “Jessie?” The woman’s face dropped. “I can’t get my head round it. She was only here last night, stood where you are now,” she said, nodding at Greco.
    “Are you Megan Hunter?” said Greco.
    “Yes. I’m the landlady.” She beamed at Grace. “You okay, Grace? Enjoying the job?”
    Grace smiled back, and nodded. “What hours did Jessie work yesterday?”
    “She did the lunchtime shift, twelve to four. She was back in at nine and stayed until eleven thirty. She was fine, laughing and chatting with the punters. There were no problems, nothing unusual. I just don’t get it.”
    “Did she leave with anyone?” Greco asked.
    “No. She did tell me earlier on that Frankie was picking her up, but then she got a text. Apparently he couldn’t make it. Had a better offer, if you ask me.”
    Megan Hunter folded her arms and tucked them under her chest.
    “I take it you don’t like him much?” Grace said.
    “He’s flash and mouthy. He looks like class but that’s a sham, believe me. I don’t care what school he went to or how wealthy his family is — that young man is trouble.”
    “Anything in particular?” Grace said.
    “He started a fight in here last weekend, all over nothing. Some bloke slapped Jessie on the backside and he was off. Jumped over the table and wrestled him to the floor.”
    Grace shot Greco a look. This was a side of Frankie Farr she hadn’t known about.
    “He might look like a well-mannered, businessman type, but that’s just the gloss. I think that’s why he liked Jessie so much. He recognised a kindred spirit. With her he could be himself, act natural. He didn’t have to put on that front of his.” Megan Hunter winked. “The one with you looks okay, Grace. Your mother would approve.”
    Grace blushed. God knows what Greco must think. They weren’t here for a drink, for pity’s sake. They were investigating a murder. “Did Frankie Farr come in here at all yesterday?” she said.
    “Not as I remember.” Megan paused. “No. Last time he was in was the night before. And that night he took Jessie home. She came into work yesterday, so everything must have been fine.”
    “Did Jessie spend time with anyone else yesterday? Did anyone bother her last night? Ask to meet up after her shift?”
    “No, I don’t think so. We were run off our feet to be honest.