Gina pulled up in the church car park, unable to recall the journey there even though she’d driven all the way. The letter in her pocket felt as though it was trying to burn its way out.
Jacob unclipped his seat belt. ‘Are we heading over to the café, then coming back to speak to our vicar or is it the other way round?’
‘Café first.’
As they hurried over the mound of grass dividing the church and the bus stop, the rain began to fall a little harder. A rumble of thunder filled the skies followed by the tiniest of flashes. Gina felt the hairs on the back of her neck creeping around her nape. The thunder that crashed on the night she watched her abusive ex-husband Terry tumble down the stairs to his death would always haunt her. She’d never be able to switch off that association, but things had been getting better – that was until she’d read the letter.
Gina followed Jacob across the road through the gap in the traffic, just before a lorry rumbled past. ‘I don’t envy Bernard and the team in this weather. They’ve been at it all night and are still searching the area for more.’
‘I think we drew the long straw for a change. I can’t think of anything worse than scrutinising mud all day for the tiniest of clues, in the rain.’ As Jacob opened the café door, the gale force wind almost blew them in.
Two mothers were enjoying a hot drink while their babies slept in prams. Gina tried to hide her face as she spotted June and Cyril. The scarf the elderly lady was knitting dangled on the floor. Her chunky needles stopped clicking and she looked up. ‘Hello, dear. Where’s that lovely man of yours today? It’s so nice that you can be happy now.’
Cyril nudged her. ‘Don’t take any notice. She doesn’t know what day it is.’
Gina’s face flushed and Jacob’s brows arched. ‘Who’s this man?’
‘No one and it’s none of your business.’ She concealed her angst with a jokey smile and turned away from Jacob. It’s so nice that she can be happy now – what was June on about? ‘He’s just a friend, June.’
‘Well, he’s a nice man. He’s definitely a looker.’ She stopped clicking and poured her tea from a pot.
They dodged the chairs and waited at the counter for someone to come back in to see them.
‘So, who’s this friend then?’
She tutted and looked up. ‘It was only Briggs. We were just having a coffee here the other day while talking about a case, that’s all.’ She didn’t mention the other times they’d met there after work. Briggs had insisted that it was only coffee, and that two friends and colleagues should be able to talk over coffee. Gina heard Lucy humming from the kitchen. A door slammed and she approached.
‘Oh, what can I get you… don’t tell me your name… I should remember.’ She clicked her fingers with her eyes closed. ‘Gina. Is that right?’
Gina nodded. ‘You remembered.’
‘I aim to please. What can I get you both? I know you like an Americano with a splash of milk.’
‘You’ve mellowed, guv. You don’t normally have milk.’ Jacob undid a few buttons on his coat.
Lucy began twisting her hair, as a fair few women always would when they came across Jacob. He didn’t give her much of a glance. He didn’t give anyone a glance any more, not since being loved up with Jennifer.
‘We’re on official business, actually, so no time to sit around enjoying one of your lovely coffees today.’
Lucy tightened her ponytail and redid her apron, nipping in her waist a little more. ‘Is it about those kids the other day? Is that boy alright, the one they were all picking on?’
‘He managed to run away from us once we’d dusted him down. It’s not about that. Unfortunately, we lost them. On that same night, do you remember that man, the rude one who was moaning about the price of sandwiches?’
Her nose scrunched as she thought. ‘Yes, I don’t think I’d forget him in a hurry. What about him?’
‘We’re trying to identify him and we need your help.’ Gina gulped. ‘Do you have any CCTV in the café at all?’
Lucy glanced up above Gina and pointed to the camera in the corner of the room. ‘That’s all we have and it points straight towards this counter. I thought it was a good idea just in case we were ever robbed.’
Gina felt her heart racing. She and Briggs were sitting almost underneath it but there was a chance they may appear in the corner of the frame. ‘May we take that footage? It would really help.’ Gina pulled a memory stick from her pocket and passed it to the woman.
Lucy shrugged and took it. ‘I can’t see why not. Can you watch the shop for a few minutes while I head out the back? I just have to go through it on the computer then save it onto your stick.’ She turned and poured two filter coffees. ‘Here, these are on me while you wait. Take a seat.’
‘Thank you.’ They both sat and sipped the coffee. Gina glanced at the camera once again.
Jacob smirked. ‘Fancy describing Briggs as a looker.’
‘I’ll tell him you said that.’
‘You dare.’
‘Were you on about that horrible man, dear?’ June’s hearing was obviously intact. She removed her glasses and placed her knitting next to her empty plate.
‘Yes, do you know him?’
She shook her head. ‘Not really, but I have seen him around. Always looks a scruff.’
‘And he stinks.’ Cyril placed his newspaper on the table. His eyes crinkled at the edges as he rolled them. ‘That was cruel of me. We think he’s homeless because we’ve seen him sitting on the streets wrapped in an old sleeping bag. June gave him a few pence to buy some food with, didn’t you?’
She nodded. ‘He walks up George Street. I’ve seen him a few times.’
‘Where have you seen him sitting?’ Gina bit her bottom lip.
‘Just around the corner from the accountants. He’s doesn’t try to get attention. He just leans against the wall staring into space like he’s on drugs or something. Is he in trouble?’
‘No. We’re just making enquiries at the moment as a part of our investigation. Have you ever—’
As Gina pulled her notebook out, Lucy came back in from around the back. ‘The footage isn’t very clear but it should give you something to work with. If there’s anything else you need, just ask.’ She placed the memory stick on the table.
‘Have you seen him around or has he been in before?’ Gina almost burned her mouth on the coffee as she took another gulp.
Lucy shook her head. ‘Not that I can recall. I’d have remembered him, I’m sure of that.’
Gina turned back to June who had picked her knitting back up. ‘Have you ever spoken to him?’
June nodded. ‘I went up to him a couple of weeks ago and tried to get him to talk. I know his name. He said, call me Al, like the song by Paul Simon. I think that’s why I remember. Cyril likes Paul Simon.’
‘Thank you so much, June.’ It might only be something small, but it was a start. She only hoped he was using his real name. Al could be an Alan, an Alex, an Ali, an Albert or an Alastair. There are probably many Als that weren’t coming to mind too. ‘Did he say anything else?’