The Silent Twin by Unknown Read Free Book Online

benefit from having our own separate briefing room.’
    ‘That makes sense,’ Jennifer said as she followed Ethan down the corridor. The only difference between their investigation and DCI Anderson’s was that theirs would also take into consideration any possible supernatural element. Jennifer blushed as she realised which room he was pointing out. The PIRS room, where witnesses used to be taken to ID photos of suspects; the same room where they’d had a drunken fumble at the Christmas party last year. As Ethan shoved his key in the lock, he paused, gave her an awkward smile, then pushed the door open.
    Jennifer’s embarrassment was forgotten as she took in the contents of the narrow room. A whiteboard had been attached to the wall, and was filled with a timeline of events, beginning from the first report. Images of family, friends and relatives of Abigail were pinned to the wall on the other side. On the table were photocopies of the investigation to date, as well as history of the area and a list of items seized.
    ‘I’m impressed,’ Jennifer said, peering at the timeline. ‘When did you do this?’
    ‘I started after briefing with DCI Anderson. It didn’t feel right, you know? Going home to my nice warm bed when that little girl was still out there somewhere.’
    Jennifer nodded. It was an insight into Ethan she hadn’t seen before.
    ‘You need to add another person to the wall,’ Jennifer said, pointing to the sea of faces. ‘Karen Corbett. She’s been spending time at the house.’
    ‘As in Karen Corbett of Lexton CID?’ Ethan said. ‘I knew she was helping the family, but so are a lot of police officers.’
    Jennifer had watched her with interest when the group of searchers returned to the farm. ‘She seems very close to Nick. She has a brother too, Matt, who’s a few years younger than Nick. Apparently, they socialise sometimes, all three of them. I just find her a bit . . . clingy.’
    ‘Right,’ Ethan said, his hands on his hips. ‘I’ll see that they’re added. Anyone else?’
    ‘Well, Joanna had a sister but she committed suicide last year. Jumped in front of a train,’ Jennifer said. ‘Whereas Nick’s sister . . .’
    ‘Is homeless and has a record as long as your arm,’ Ethan said, finishing her sentence. ‘It’s hardly any wonder he doesn’t mention her.’
    ‘They’ve not spoken in years,’ Jennifer said. ‘I’m hoping she doesn’t make an appearance at the farm.’
    ‘Quite the troubled family.’ Ethan patted his pockets for his cigarettes. ‘Still, we’re not here to pass judgement. Anyone else missing from the board?’
    ‘No, you’ve got everyone here. He’s a bit odd.’ She pointed to the picture of Charles Radcliffe. ‘I earwigged him having a conversation with Nick earlier. He’s quite well spoken for a handyman, and judging by his accent, he’s not a local either.’
    ‘He’s already on the radar,’ Ethan said. He didn’t need to elaborate. Anyone who had attended the farm in the last couple of weeks would be under scrutiny.
    Jennifer frowned as realisation dawned. ‘All these faces . . . this is more than a missing child investigation. Do you know something I don’t?’
    Ethan pointed to the evidence picture of Abigail’s broken glasses. ‘Finding them was enough to set alarm bells ringing. That, and the fact that she’s not the type to wander off. If she’s not discovered soon, this will be elevated into a murder inquiry.’

Chapter Nine
Diary Entry
    O ur story has spread and is bringing with it a wave of hatred and finger pointing. How I wish I could meet with the online trolls who make it their business to despise people they know nothing about. They are ignorant of real hatred, real pain. To them, this is just entertainment. I wanted to lash out today. I wanted to cut, stab, and pierce until my boiling rage subsided. For a few brief seconds, I caressed a carving knife in the kitchen. Gliding my fingers along its sharp edges, I dreamt of