Page 38 of Maybe Tomorrow

‘Thank you, Freya. You can get back to your duties now.’

‘Do you still want me to go and talk to Geoff and Judith?’

‘No. That won’t be necessary.’ Henry waited until Freya had left the incident room and the doors were closed behind her. ‘Who was doing the library? Didn’t one of you mention a weirdo?’

‘I did,’ Eddie said. He was scrambling through his messy notebook. ‘Anthony Winstanley.’

‘And?’

‘And what?’ Eddie asked, looking sheepish.

‘A weirdo in the library where Alice goes who matches the description the prozzies gave you last night, a bloke who likes to watch women have sex, probably repressed, inexperienced, horny. Is this not ringing any bells with you, Eddie?’

‘I… I didn’t really think about it, sir.’

‘Fuck me! Why do I bother with you lot?’ Bishop stubbed out his cigarette even though it had only been half-smoked. He stood up and rubbed his hands together. ‘A weirdo who likes watching prostitutes having sex, and friendly with Alice. Maybe he tried it on with her. Maybe she rejected his advances and he snapped. Eddie, Chris, get down to the library and get his alibi for the night of the murder. If he doesn’t have one, bring him in. I’ll go and tell the super we’ve got a person of interest in our sights. That should keep the jackals of the press off our backs for a bit. And Eddie,’ Bishop called out as Eddie and Chris reached the door. They both stopped and looked back. ‘While you’re at the library, ask if they’ve got a book calledPolicing for Beginners. Something in big print with pictures.’

ChapterSeventeen

Anthony Winstanley was sitting at the front desk at the top of the library. He was checking back in some books, removing the tab of card from the borrower’s file and placing it carefully in the little pouch at the front of the book. He was slow in his movements as he concentrated hard on his task.

‘Anthony Winstanley?’

He looked up at his name being called. Two men in suits stood in front of the desk, looming over him. He suddenly felt nervous, and he didn’t know why.

‘Yes,’ he said with a croak in his voice. His mouth was dry.

‘DC Eddie Ritter, North East Police. This is DC Tyler. We understand you were friends with Alice Patterson.’

His face lit up, slightly. A sad smile caught his lips. It quickly faded. ‘Yes. I miss her.’

‘I’m sure you do. Can you tell us where you were on the night she was killed?’

‘I was watching the storm.’

‘You were watching the storm?’ Eddie looked to Chris then back to Anthony. ‘On your own?’

‘Yes.’

‘Did you see anyone?’

‘No.’

‘Did anyone see you?’

‘I… I don’t think so.’

‘We’d like you to accompany us to the station.’

‘Station?’

‘Police station.’

‘Why?’

‘We’d like to talk to you about the murder of Alice Patterson.’

‘What’s going on?’ Jane Wilkinson asked, coming out of the back room. She stood, protectively, beside Anthony.