In Dark Water (Detective Shona Oliver 1)

Marie boiled the kettle and doled out tea to Shona while they waited for news from Dan Ridley in Carlisle. Isla found a charger for Shona’s phone then got out a pack of cards and showed the boys how to play patience.

‘About a week after you told me she was dead, she turned up at the house,’ said Marie quietly. ‘It was dark and raining. I heard this noise in the garden, opened the back door. There she was. Nearly gave me a heart attack. She was all wet. I thought I was seeing things, that she was a ghost, come back from the sea.’ Marie shivered. ‘I wanted to say something to that nice lad of yours, Ravi. Should have told my sister Margaret I suppose, but she didnae care about Siobhan. Seemed better to just keep quiet until you got the guy. Isla’s been here ever since. I’m sorry.’

Shona touched her arm. ‘It’s okay.’ She thought of Becca and how far she’d go to protect her. ‘In your shoes I might have done the same thing.’

Liam was coaxed into offering Shona a biscuit from a packet of chocolate digestives he gripped tightly. Shona took one and thanked the little boy who walked slowly back to his cousin, giving no sign that he’d heard her.

When she’d drunk her tea, Shona distracted Liam and Ryan by building a Lego garage for the battered toy car they’d found at the beach, giving mother and daughter some space. Marie took her daughter into one of the bedrooms and half closed the door. Shona could hear her rising voice and worried tones as she questioned Isla on what was happening. Then Marie came out and gave Shona a look that said, you better be right about this.

As the day wore on and the skies grew darker, Shona could feel the elation from finding Isla alive and a lead on the murders begin to ebb, with no news from Dan forthcoming. The atmosphere inside the caravan was close and tense. Condensation pooled on the windows as five warm breaths raised the temperature of the confined space. Marie made sandwiches. No one wanted more tea. Ryan was restless and pleaded to go back to the beach with Isla, but with the full threat against her family now laid bare, Marie didn’t want anyone leaving the caravan. Even with Isla’s blonde hair dyed black, and few neighbours, her mother was taking no chances.

Marie finally shooed the boys into her bedroom and a few seconds later Shona heard the jaunty sounds of a kid’s cartoon start up on the TV.

Shona took the opportunity to step outside for a moment, holding her phone up to check the signal. The strong four bars said she hadn’t missed any calls. In ordinary circumstances she would be badgering Dan, demanding an update and issuing fresh orders. The wind cut through her fleece and she shivered as she stared south across the Solway Firth, across the border, as if the pressure of her gaze alone could bring some news. The claustrophobia of the caravan and her own powerlessness pressed on her, raw and heavy. She wanted nothing more than to dive into her car and head for Carlisle, but she wasn’t even sure she had enough petrol to get there.

‘C’mon, what are you doing?’ she muttered at the phone. They should have heard something by now. She checked the time. It was just after six p.m. In less than an hour it would be dark. They must have risk-assessed the building. Campbell might be armed. Perhaps they’d decided to go in early tomorrow, catch Campbell in bed. After ten minutes of cold, damp air she could see the women’s anxious faces through the van window and she went back inside. ‘No news yet, sorry.’

‘Fuck, I need a fag,’ Isla muttered, and her mother frowned at her.

Shona sat back down. Her phone pinged. Marie and Isla both jumped in their seats. Shona had only put a few close contacts in the directory. Becca’s name lit the screen. ‘It’s okay,’ Shona smiled and reassured them. ‘It’s just my daughter.’ She opened the text message. At lifeboat station. Pick me up.

Shona tutted. She thought she’d at least succeeded in bringing Becca up to use please and thank you when she wanted something, but the thought was q

uickly overtaken with relief. At least Becca was getting out. Rob’s worries about the effect of the accident were an overreaction. Tommy had probably coaxed Becca into some small lifeboat task, counting donations or polishing brass, pointing out she still had one good arm and may as well make herself useful by using it. On this holiday weekend there would have been some visitors to keep her busy. This might be Shona’s chance to have a word with Becca away from Rob. Ok, back in a bit. Shona hit send. The reply was immediate, Come now.

Before Shona could remind Becca of her manners, Dan’s name appeared on the screen as an incoming call. ‘I’ll just pop outside and take this.’ Shona got up from the table. Marie’s hand reached across and took her daughter’s.

‘No sign of Campbell at the flat,’ Dan said. ‘We’re got a watch on it and doing ANPR checks on a vehicle registered to him, a dark grey Land Rover Discovery.’

Shona’s heart sank. ‘Okay. Listen, you’ve got the CCTV footage. Campbell’s wanted in connection with the death of your bail absconder, Jamie Buckland. Get it out to the media and put a cross-border alert out on him.’

‘Already done, boss,’ Dan replied. ‘Don’t worry, I’m on this,’ he reassured her. ‘You should really talk to Murdo though, he’s beside himself.’

‘Why? What’s happened?’ Shona felt guilty she hadn’t called her deputy, but any association with her left him open to disciplinary proceedings.

‘A temporary DI, some guy from Ayr station, is pulling the place apart. He’s suspended all investigations into the deaths and is reviewing cases from the last six months.’ Dan hesitated. ‘He’s also told all staff not to contact with you. Murdo’s attempting damage limitation but I don’t think it’s going too well.’

It was as Shona had thought. ‘Then while I’m suspended, it’s best I don’t phone him.’

‘He’s really worried about you. He’s been calling your house on the sly. Rob said you we’re out, but he didn’t know where.’

‘Will you tell Murdo I’m fine, Dan? But don’t mention Isla,’ Shona said, biting her lip. ‘Concentrate on finding Evan Campbell, he’s the key to this.’

‘Okay, boss. You still with Isla?’

‘Yes.’

‘Do you want anyone with you? I mean, if she’s a target?’

‘No, we’re safe enough here. Only you and I know she’s alive. Make sure it stays that way until Campbell’s in custody. Keep me posted.’ Shona stepped back inside and delivered the news that there was no news. Marie had opened the kitchen window and was furiously washing a set of already clean mugs.

‘How can youse no find this guy?’ Marie’s frustration boiled over. ‘You’ve got cameras all over the place. You cannae move without getting nipped for drink driving, but murder folk and suddenly you’re invisible?’

Isla was sitting curled up on the banquette. Her gaze met Shona’s. A small, perverse smile of triumph. I told you so, the girl seemed to say. The devil himself. You won’t find him.

‘Look, it’s still early. Officers are at his flat and tracking his vehicle. If he’s out there, they’ll get him. We just need be patient. It will be on the local news. Web, radio, TV, the works.’ Shona saw Isla’s look turn to alarm. ‘Don’t worry, Campbell’s wanted for Jamie’s murder. No one knows you’re alive. No one knows you’re here.’

‘But we cannae stay here for ever,’ Marie said. Isla sat biting her nails. ‘Maybe we should go to Spain, there’s family out there. Isla’s got Siobhan’s passport. We could get the kids away,’ Marie said desperately.