Under a Silent Moon Read Free Page B

you’re finding it difficult fitting it around home, I want to know about it, okay? I can’t have you not with us a hundred percent on this.”
    â€œYou know me, Boss. Loads of energy and up for anything.” He finished with his cheekiest grin, and a wink.
    Lou felt something twist inside her. She looked up at him. “Strictly work, Andy, okay?”
    â€œSure thing.” And he was gone.
    But he had always had trouble taking no for an answer.
    15:40
    Flora pulled her cold Wellington boots on over her thick socks in the mudroom at the back door.
    â€œCan I come with you?” the policewoman asked, appearing in the doorway.
    â€œSure,” Flora said, her tone unnaturally bright. “You’ll need boots. Here, try these.”
    The woman slipped off her shoes and pulled Felicity’s old boots up over the cuffs of her smart gray trousers. “They’ll do,” she said.
    â€œWhat’s your name?” Flora asked, giving in at last.
    â€œMiranda Gregson,” came the reply.
    As soon as she heard the name Flora remembered it. “Of course. Sorry.”
    â€œThat’s okay. It’s a difficult time.”
    She gave Miranda one of her father’s jackets to wear and they set off toward the stables. It was already starting to get dark, a wind blustering and swirling around the farm buildings, tugging at their clothes.
    â€œI used to go riding when I was younger,” Miranda said. “I helped out at some stables on weekends. Loved it.”
    Flora didn’t answer. Given a choice, she would much prefer to work with this woman over Connor Petrie. Nigel had phoned him twenty minutes ago and told him to get his arse down to the stables. He’d been somewhere else, clearly, even though he was supposed to be working.
    Petrie, leaning against the horsebox, gave them a wave as they approached. “Who’s this, then?”
    â€œThis is one of the police officers,” Flora said quickly. “Miranda.”
    â€œYou here about Polly?” he asked. “Boss told me. Lots of blood everywhere, right?”
    â€œShut up!” Flora snapped at him. “Have some bloody respect. You’re here to work.”
    â€œI’m the family liaison officer,” Miranda said, her tone even. “Here to help, if I can.” She offered her hand, and after some shuffling and wiping, Connor gave it a brief shake.
    Oh God, this was no good. The ugly little bastard was going to have her crying in a minute. She had come out here to try and take her mind off the subject of Polly’s death, lose herself in mindless physical activity. She walked away from them to the hayloft. Connor could talk to the police all he wanted, she wouldn’t be there to listen. Didn’t care anymore, in any case.
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    MG11 WITNESS STATEMENT
    Section 1—Witness Details
    NAME: Felicity Jane Elizabeth MAITLAND
    DOB (if under 18; if over 18 state “Over 18”)    Over 18
    ADDRESS:      Hermitage Farm
                      Cemetery Lane
                      Morden
                      Briarstone
    OCCUPATION: Farm manager/housewife
    Section 2—Investigating Officer
    DATE: Thursday 1 November
    OIC: DS 10194 Samantha HOLLANDS
    Section 3—Text of Statement
    My name is Felicity Maitland and I own and run Hermitage Farm, together with my husband Nigel. My main role is running the stables. We have five horses, three of which are liveries, the remaining two belong to us.
    Polly Leuchars is a family friend and has been working with us since December last year, looking after the horses. As part of the arrangement we allowed Polly to live at Yonder Cottage, which is part of the farm estate. She was expected to be working with us for another few