Nothing but Meat: A dark, heart-stopping British crime thriller by Adrian Kendrew Page A

last name.
Vic probably told me but I can’t remember.’
    ‘Was he there every week?’
    ‘I don’t really know anything about him.’ There was an
element of jealousy in her voice – it raised an octave as she spoke and
Simone found it quite reassuring, she knew Beth didn’t have anything to do with
Victoria’s death and her feelings towards her were heartfelt and genuine. Beth
had loved Victoria and even if the sexual side of their relationship was just a
teenage phase that they would eventually grow out of it didn’t matter because
at that precise moment her affections were true and the love she felt was real.
Victoria couldn’t have asked for more. ‘If he had given it to her she wouldn’t
have thrown it away because she wasn’t the sort of person who’d do that. Oh God
do you think he did it? Gary, do you think he’s the one?’
    ‘I didn’t even know he existed until just now.’
    Tears swelled in her eyes and the sun made them sparkle. ‘All
I can think of is how scared she must have been.’ Beth began to sob and Simone
pulled her close. She buried her head into Simone’s shoulder and Simone shushed
her gently. She glanced towards the house half expecting Beth’s mother to come
rushing out but she didn’t. Simone wanted to tell Beth that everything would be
okay, she wanted to make the promise that they would catch whoever did it, that
they wouldn’t stop until Victoria’s killer was in prison but she knew that
would be a lie – the words, We’ll
do our best, just weren’t good enough.
     

6
     
    The door to the community centre was locked. West looked at
his watch. ‘Five o’clock,’ he said and banged on the heavy wooden door with the
heel of his hand but the sound fell silent.
    They could see the church steeple poking over the nearby
houses. ‘Let’s go over to the church,’ said Simone. ‘See if they are going to
open the hall tonight and to see if anyone knows this Gary character.’
    West grunted an affirmative and looked at his watch again as
he stepped towards the car.
    There was a jangle of keys and a man’s voice from behind
them. ‘Can I help you?’ They turned around as the man approached, he said, ‘Did
you want to go in?’
    West introduced them and the man returned the pleasantry.
‘Gary Stevens,’ he said. Simone’s stomach leapt could this be the man they had
come to meet, could this be the one they were looking for? Simone turned to
face him directly and was ready for a chase if Stevens suddenly took off. Simone
wondered if Nathan felt the same revulsion at the sight of him and eagerness to
get him into custody. West began to explain why they were there when Stevens
interrupted him. ‘Are you here because of Victoria?’ he said.
    ‘Yes.’ Clearly West was going to take his time. ‘We want to
ask some questions about the volunteer work that goes on here. Am I right in
saying there’s a group that gets together and feeds the homeless?’
    ‘That’s right, we call it The Shelter and it’s tomorrow night
as a matter of fact.’
    ‘Are you involved in it?’
    ‘I am, I help out before, during and after, I arrange the
room, help with the food and help straighten up afterwards.’
    ‘How well did you know Victoria?’
    ‘Not terribly well, I knew her name and we had the occasional
polite conversation. That was all really.’ As he spoke he twisted the bundle of
keys with both hands.
    West watched as Stevens tightly bunched them repeatedly with
his fingers and said, ‘What’s happening here tonight?’
    ‘A local band hires it for rehearsals every week. I’ve just
come to open up and to collect their money.’
    ‘Here’s what I’m going to do Mr Stevens,’ said West coolly,
‘I’m going to ask you to accompany us to the station,’ he motioned to the
Mondeo, ‘where we can continue this conversation.’
    Stevens’ jaw dropped. ‘What? Are you arresting me?’
    ‘No, just think of it as a formal chat. A polite conversation
if you