Read Online Blood Line by Lynda La Plante - Free Book Online Page A

hairs on his jacket. It was working on that bloody car that he said was the reason he was out so late.’
    She closed her eyes.
    ‘I find this all upsetting, you know, because I have told you all this before, and if I did find out there was another woman he’d run off with, you’d be the first people I’d contact. I told that to the Missing Persons people. They’ve asked me the same questions over and over.’
    ‘He used to collect you from here sometimes?’ Anna noted.
    Tina looked at Paul, who still hadn’t spoken.
    ‘Yes. When he took my car to work he’d drop me off here and pick me up. Not frequently because I never liked to get here as early as he needed to be at the garage.’
    ‘Did any of the girls working here seem friendly with him?’
    ‘No, no way. They’re not his type; the Donnas of this world wouldn’t be interested in him either.’
    ‘Really.’ Anna said it so quietly that Tina flushed.
    ‘They’re too young and Alan’s so straitlaced and he didn’t have much time for chit-chat.’
    Felicity walked in. ‘I’m sorry to interrupt you, Tina, but your client wants to see you.’
    ‘Tell her I’ll be two minutes.’ Tina sipped her coffee and put the mug down. ‘I’m gonna have to go and unwrap her. Is there anything else you wanted to ask me?’
    ‘No. Thank you for your time.’
    Tina hesitated, as if about to say something, then seemed to change her mind and started to walk out. However, she thenstopped and turned back. Anna felt as if the woman was in some way rearranging her features or her emotions, since she was suddenly nervous.
    ‘I am beginning to think he took off—you know, left me—because he was too afraid to tell me he didn’t want to go through with the wedding. He would have been in turmoil about it; it’s the only reason I can think of for him walking out the way he has done. It doesn’t make it any easier, obviously not, and …’ She broke off and took out a tissue from her pocket. ‘I’ve been wondering how long it will be—you know, your investigation. I mean, when do you call it quits?’
    ‘That would depend,’ Anna told her.
    ‘Depend on what?’
    ‘Well, whether or not we trace him.’
    ‘But what if you don’t?’
    Anna glanced at Paul, not wanting to get into the discussion herself. He took over. At last he showed some interest.
    ‘It will depend on whether we uncover any evidence that gives us confirmation that Alan has met with foul play. Then it will become an ongoing murder enquiry.’
    ‘Murder?’
    Paul nodded and flicked his eyes to Anna, who was giving him a frosty gaze.
    ‘Is that what you think, that Alan’s been murdered?’ Tina said shakily.
    ‘We will look into every possibility.’
    ‘But can you have a murder enquiry without a body?’
    ‘If we suspect foul play, then yes.’
    She sniffed and dabbed the tissue to her nose. ‘And do you?’
    Anna had heard enough. She stood up and turned to Paul, saying briskly, ‘We should go; Tina has to unwrap a body.’
    Paul could hardly keep his face straight, but he stood up and joined her.
    ‘Thank you, Miss Brooks, for your time,’ he said politely. ‘We will no doubt be in touch if we have any news for you.’
    Anna had already walked past and was heading into the main area of the salon.
    ‘She doesn’t like me, does she?’ Tina sniffed.
    ‘No, it’s not that, it’s just been a long day.’
    ‘Tell me about it. And you tell
her
she could do with some treatments. A wash-in colour enhancing shampoo followed by a cut and blow-dry would do her good, and I’ll give her a discount.’
    ‘I will pass that on to DCI Travis.’
    Anna was waiting for him in the patrol car. He got in beside her, repeating what Tina had said.
    ‘Cheeky cow, but she’s right about me not liking her. I don’t.’
    Paul started up the engine and added that Tina had also said she would give her a good price reduction.
    ‘Wild horses wouldn’t get me into that salon.’
    They drove off, heading