Free Beyond Evidence by Emma L Clapperton Page B

that he was getting on so well with Mark.
    "So, you work here full time, what else do you do?" asked Mark as they were stacking chairs and bar stools.
    "Nothing, just this. We are kind of house plants me and Jodie, we like to chill out in the flat whenever we get the chance."
    "You don't go out?" Mark sounded surprised.
    "Not really. We go out for dinner and a few drinks every now and then, but like I said we like our home comforts." Patrick didn't want to talk about the church, he thought that it was best kept for another time.
    "Well, whatever keeps you happy mate. I was thinking since I've just started we could go for a drink one night? Since we're going to be working together then might as well know who I'm working with. What do you say?" Mark had a huge grin on his face that made Patrick think he wasn't going to take no for an answer.
    I've never been on a night out without Jodie before, Patrick thought to himself. That sounds ridiculous.
    "Might do you both some good to do something separately," said Mark.
    "Can I get back to you on that?"
    "No bother mate, don't mean to put under pressure. Just thought it would be good for team building," he laughed.
    Patrick collected his jacket and wallet from the staff room and turned out the lights. As he approached the door Mark was stood outside the main entrance to the bar smoking a small cigar. William had already left earlier in the night and asked Patrick to lock up. He punched the digits into the alarms keypad and went outside.
    "How you getting home?" he asked Mark.
    "Taxi mate. It's on its way. You?"
    "Same. Just going to phone it now," Patrick took out his mobile phone from his jacket pocket. There were still people crowding the streets trying to order cabs and make their way home.
    "I can drop you off if you want and we can split the fare?"
    "Do you live far from Glasgow Harbour?" Patrick realised he didn't know.
    "Not far," said Mark.
    The taxi pulled up and Mark opened the door, cigar still in hand. The taxi driver called out from the front, "You can't smoke that in here mate!"
    "Just putting it out now," he turned to Patrick. "You coming?"
    "Yeah, why not? Thanks." Patrick climbed in and the taxi began its journey to Patrick and Jodie’s flat.

Twelve
    What if?
     
    Jodie sat out in the small balcony. It was 2:15am and she couldn't sleep. Her head was filled with Patrick. She was worried about him, he seemed to be losing sleep over the situation he now found himself in and she was slightly anxious about his involvement now with the police. All sorts of scenarios were going through her head, causing her to lose sleep herself.
    What if the killer knows that we are working alongside the police and is watching us? What if he knows where we live? What if Patrick gets hurt during all of this? What if there is another murder before the Police catch whoever it is? I'm scared about going out by myself now.
    She hadn't mentioned any of this to Patrick, she didn't want him to be worrying about her when he had all of this going on in his head. She wished she could take it from him and she be the one that had to deal with it.
    Even though it was summer, there was still a cold breeze flowing past. She sat on the wicker chair in the balcony and watched the night go by. She watched the odd car pass by and wondered if Patrick were on his way home yet. Just as she was about to go back inside the sound of a black taxi pulled up outside the main entrance to their building. Jodie leaned over the side to look down and saw Patrick get out of the taxi. She smiled and went inside to put the kettle on. The night was silent and she could hear Patrick climbing the set of stairs outside their front door. Then his key being turned in the lock.
    "Hi," he called out quietly, aware of the neighbours. "What are you doing up at this time?" he asked putting his jacket on the coat hook next to the door.
    "Couldn't sleep," Jodie replied. "How was your shift babe?" Jodie handed him a cup of tea and they