The Aura by Carrie Bedford Page A

not sure what he meant.
    “I know you haven’t seen much of Rebecca, but you’ve taken the time to consider what she’s told you about this rather mysterious boyfriend, to analyze what the missing aftershave might mean. Not many people do that. Most of what we say goes in one ear and out the other. In my job, I’m often asking questions, talking to witnesses, trying to construct a backstory for a victim or a perpetrator and you’d be amazed at how hard it is. We don’t communicate with each other very well at all.”
    I felt my cheeks redden. In my real life, as I thought of it now, the life I’d led before, I’d be as inattentive and unheeding as the people he was describing. It was only because of the aura that I’d been paying attention, listening to the nuances of what Rebecca told me, trying to uncover a clue, a thread that would have helped me to save her.
    Clarke straightened up in his chair and glanced at his watch. “I should be going. Are you all right? Do you have far to get home?”
    “I’ll be fine. I’m going straight to work. Just a few stops on the Tube. It’s no big deal.”
    “Do you live alone?”
    “What?”
    He laughed. “I’m sorry, That came out wrong. I just want to know if you have anyone who will be with you. Look after you for a few days. Finding a body is enough to throw most people into a tailspin. Do you have somewhere you could go? Family?”
    “My brother,” I said. “But he’s in Italy, for a funeral.”
    “I’m sorry to hear that. Someone you knew?”
    “Yes, a friend of my father’s. She died last week of a stroke.”
    “My condolences,” he said. “That and now Miss Williams. That must be hard on you.”
    And Sophie too, I nearly said out loud.
    “Not great,” I agreed. I was mired in misery, but he didn’t need to hear that.
    Two young women walked past our table, both giving Clarke a sidelong glance of appreciation. He didn’t look like a detective. In his well-tailored suit and black wingtips, he could have been one of the City finance guys; he had that same air of self-confidence.
    He pushed his chair back, slipped on his coat and followed me out, hurrying forward to hold the door open for me. We stood under the awning for a few seconds.
    “Thanks for taking the time to talk with me,” he said.
    We said goodbye to each other. I watched him walk away under the relentless rain. Just as I turned around to head towards the Tube station, I caught sight of Nick in a Burberry coat and scarf, carrying a black umbrella and walking in the direction of the police station.
    “Nick!” I called, and he lowered the umbrella.
    “Hi, Kate. Just going to the station to do my fingerprints. Have you done yours?”
    I nodded but didn’t speak. Even in the torrential rain, I could see the aura moving around his head and shoulders.

CHAPTER THIRTEEN
    When I walked into the office, Annie waved me over to the reception desk. “Darth Vader’s been demanding to know where you,” she whispered, even though there was no one else around. She always called Alan Darth Vader.
    “You have five messages, and there’s a meeting going on in Josh’s office.” She handed me the message slips.
    “Good luck with DV.”
    I punched the button for the elevator and used the short ride up to smooth my hair and apply some lipstick. At least I should look as though I was trying.
    Alan, Josh and Ben were grouped around Josh’s desk, looking at something on his computer. Alan pushed his chair back when he saw me come in. He crossed his arms.
    “Good afternoon, Kate,” he said. “I don’t recall approving flexible hours for the staff. Must have slipped my mind completely.”
    I didn’t have the energy to fight with him.
    “Rebecca’s dead,” I said.
    Josh jumped up from his seat. “What?”
    “An accident in her apartment.”
    “Who are we talking about?” asked Alan.
    “Rebecca Williams, Montgomery’s Financial Director,” I said.
    Ben’s mouth dropped open.
    “Jesus