Free Woman in Black by Kerry Wilkinson Page B

one brother had been so aggrieved at being written out of the will.
    ‘What did your father do?’ she asked.
    Charlie knew what she was getting at. ‘Oh, the house? We weren’t rich or anything, it’s complicated. Our mum died because of a medical mistake and our dad got a large payout; that’s why he had a house in that area. Apart from the gardens, I don’t think he ever really liked it. He was more hands-on and worked as a gas-fitter before that. With all that money he took up gardening and that was pretty much his only pleasure. I think the money just depressed him. Given the choice between that and Mum, he would have picked her every time.’
    Jessica could see a picture of a very complicated family life emerging. She picked up the missing persons file that was still on her desk and read the address out. ‘Is that where you’re going to be living now?’
    Charlie rubbed the stubble on his chin as he nodded. ‘I guess. It’s not as if I have anywhere else to go. I was only renting down south and the furniture was all theirs. I had a few bits to sell off but everything I arrived with this morning is all I have.’
    Jessica felt an idea forming. ‘Did your brother ever sign the other half of the house over to you?’
    ‘No, he was going to do it when I moved back. I don’t know what’s going to happen now.’
    Jessica had a reasonable inkling. It would probably take a while to go through the legal hoops considering Ed was missing, not confirmed dead, but the house would eventually become Charlie’s in its entirety. Given the earlier rivalry between them, she wondered if the wounds hadn’t entirely healed – people had killed for less in the past. If the test result on the first hand didn’t come back as a match, it might be worth looking into the circumstances regarding Ed’s disappearance and any possible connection to his brother. If Charlie’s swab did show the first hand belonged to his brother though, it could give them a lead, albeit one with many unanswered questions.
    There had been a brief pause in the conversation and Charlie spoke next. ‘Can you tell me what you needed a sample for? Do you think he’s…?’
    He didn’t finish the sentence but Jessica didn’t jump in too quickly, watching him closely to see if there was any reaction she wouldn’t expect. Charlie looked a little upset. His eyes were slightly red and he had his arms crossed tightly. Jessica figured she was going to end up telling him one way or the other within the next few days, so informed him about the hand they had found. She left out the woman in black – if he wanted to check the news, he could find that out for himself.
    ‘So you think the hand could be Ed’s?’ Charlie asked.
    ‘We don’t know. Your sample will help us find out one way or the other.’
    ‘Why do you think it might be his?’
    Jessica didn’t give the full details but said someone he previously went to college with had also been missing and it was a shot in the dark. Charlie nodded along.
    ‘Can I give you a couple of names and ask if you know them?’ Jessica asked.
    ‘Sure but I’ve not lived here in a while.’
    ‘Do you know a “January Forrester”?’
    Charlie shook his head. ‘Never heard of her. I’d probably remember someone with that first name but I don’t even recognise the surname.’
    ‘How about Lewis Barnes?’
    The man screwed up his eyes. ‘I don’t think so. It rings a vague bell but maybe that’s just because the first and last names aren’t that uncommon? I can have a look in the house if you want? All of Ed’s photos and papers are still around – there might be something in those.’
    Jessica wasn’t sure what to make of his reaction. It seemed genuine and perhaps she was being overly suspicious because of the complicated family setup. He hadn’t really done anything to alert her. ‘Okay, that would be good. Do you still have my number?’
    ‘Yes, I’ll call if I find anything.’
    She knew it was a