Free A Murderer's Heart by Julie Elizabeth Powell Page B

this devastating news. Not only had he lost a friend but a damn good partner in their new venture. He must go to see Mary – she’d be shattered, she’d had such high hopes for their future. She’d confided in him many times. She wanted their marriage to work – especially because of Sean, their son.
    “You were quite friendly with his wife, Mary Burgess. You’ve been seen many times in her company.”
    Meakin again looked for Frank’s reaction to this statement.
    Frank was alarmed at the inference.
    “We are just friends. There’s never been anything else between us!”
    “You have a reputation as a ladies’ man, Doctor Miller.”
    “That may be, but I never….never, Alan was my friend. I like women, yes, but I’ve never….” He broke off, not knowing what to say. It was all such a terrible shock.
    Meakin turned to Anne.
    “Doctor Blake, do you remember seeing anything suspicious at the fundraiser? Nothing you thought unusual?”
    “Nothing at all...it all went very well.”
    Her face blanched, and he could barely hear her.
    “Very well, I’ll need to speak to both of you again; I’ll need your statements about your movements on the night of the fundraiser.”
    He looked at them both, as he rose from his chair.
    Putting away his notebook, he smiled grimly at the doctors before saying his goodbyes.
    “I must go! I’ll speak to you soon,” whispered Anne and quickly left Frank’s office.
    She followed Meakin to the lift and touched his arm saying, “I have to say that Frank would never, ever, break up a marriage.”
    “What about murder, Doctor Blake, do you think him capable of that?” Meakin looked at Anne with his usual composure.
    Anne stepped back with the shock of his words, stammering, “No, of course not! Frank is a brilliant doctor and a good friend; I would stake my life on his honesty and caring.”
    “But that doesn’t stop him from being capable of murder.”
    “That’s ridiculous! You’re wrong, Inspector, I know it.”
    “Well, we’ll have to see, our investigation isn’t over yet. By the way, I did see your friend, Missus King. On the face of it, it doesn’t seem like her case is connected to the others. However, I have warned her to be vigilant and to keep on with the notebook. If we can establish a pattern, there may be a way of catching this one.
    “Though listening to what she’s been through, it seems different, though I can’t quite put my finger on it...just a hunch. It doesn’t fit into the usual mode of obsession – it feels more like a predator.”
    Dismayed, Anne realised the importance of these words.
    “If that’s the case, then shouldn’t she be warned about the danger? Can you give her some protection? Why would someone do this to her?”
    “You are more qualified than I into why it should happen. My experience knows it takes all sorts to make up this world – many of them very sick. Protection isn’t warranted at this stage, there have been no direct threats. I didn’t think it prudent to emphasise the jeopardy of the case. She didn’t seem the type to withstand the pressure. Her husband should be told, however, I have a meeting with him later today.”
    “She’s very intelligent and sensible but I think the birth of her twins left her a little nervous. You may be right though, she may not be strong enough to know the truth...if it is indeed the truth. I’d feel happier if she had some proper protection.”
    Anne felt sick.
    “I’ll talk to David too, between us we can give her enough protection until……you must find who’s doing this, and soon. There’s got to be some clue as to who it could be.”
    “I’ve already told you, it is very difficult to identify stalkers, especially if they are determined to stay hidden. They are often a loner, obsessed with their fantasy. They can be very clever. Though, I say again, in Jenny’s case I do feel there is something more to it than the usual stalker.”
    Seeing the look on Anne’s face he