Page 34 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘Yes. It’s been a big day for him. He’s been surrounded by so much emotion; I think it’s difficult for him to process it all. Is there a cup in there for me?’ he asked, nodding at the pot.

‘Of course.’ Pauline began to pour. ‘Did he say anything?’

‘He wanted to know what happens when we die. He’s full of questions.’

‘He hasn’t really known anyone die. He was too young to understand when his father died.’

‘I was in my thirties before I went to my first funeral,’ Leo said, taking a sip of his tea. ‘We all react to these things in different ways.’

‘I suppose. I worry about him so much, Leo.’

‘I know you do.’ He reached across the table and placed a hand over Pauline’s. ‘You don’t need to do this on your own. You’ve always got me.’

‘Thank you. We both owe you so much. Thank you doesn’t seem enough.’

Leo looked at her over the top of his mug and gave her a warm smile.

ChapterFifteen

DC Eddie Ritter was freezing cold. His waterproof jacket was not doing its job as the fine drizzle had seeped through and wet his jumper. His left sock squelched as he walked, which meant there must be a hole somewhere in the sole of his shoe, despite the fact he’d only bought them from the market a fortnight ago. He was hungry. He’d kill for a pint, and he was seriously pissed off.

He knew none of the prostitutes working Canal Street would want anything to do with him. They were all seasoned workers and could smell a copper in a force nine gale. They certainly recognised Eddie when he climbed out of his car. Well, two of them did. They tipped him a wink and Mel came up to him, asking if he wanted the usual, but he told her he was here strictly on business. She couldn’t walk away fast enough. She almost tripped on her impossibly high heels.

He was about to call it a night and head back to his flat when a familiar face got out of a Ford Escort. She pushed down her short skirt, tucked a couple of notes into her pocket and popped a Polo mint into her mouth.

‘Tania Dove, fuck me!’ he said out loud.

She turned at the sound of her name. ‘Eddie Ritter. No offence, but you couldn’t pay me enough to shag you again.’

‘Too man enough for you?’

‘No, you dirty bastard, I was itching for a week after I’d been with you. What do you want, anyway? You might as well be in uniform. Punters can spot a copper a mile off, even one in a cheap suit.’

‘I want to talk.’

‘I’ve nothing to say.’ She made to walk away but Eddie grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to the side of the road. ‘You leave a bruise and I’ll report you.’

‘I bet you’re already covered in bruises, love. I know how you like it. Listen, I want to ask you a few questions, that’s all. You know that girl who was raped and murdered a couple of weeks back, the night of the big storm?’

‘Yes,’ she said, shaking her arm out of Eddie’s grip.

‘It wasn’t far from here.’

‘I know.’

‘We think it might have been a punter, someone who saw her and thought he’d have his fun with her. Any of your regulars into anything, you know, a bit kinky?’

‘You mean apart from you?’

‘I’ve never wanted to strangle anyone, Tania, you know that.’

‘True. I’ll give you that. We’ve had a few dodgy blokes over the years, some a bit creepy, but none we can’t handle.’

‘Any perverts?’

‘Plenty. A few that you share an office with.’

‘Come on, Tania, I’m freezing my balls off here. Let’s have some names.’