Free Buried in Cornwall by Janie Bolitho

gloom, knowing that this was no social visit.
    ‘Just a few questions,’ Jack said in a voice more official than she had heard before.
    ‘Please, do sit down.’
    Jack pulled out a chair and introduced the younger man as Detective Sergeant Green. It was he who took notes whilst Jack asked the questions. ‘Three days ago you rang the emergency services regarding what you thought was a scream coming from near or inside the old mine shaft.’
    Rose waited. If this was another game to humiliate her further she would threaten to make an official complaint. She was certainly not about to mention the second occasion.
    ‘What made you think there might be someone there?’
    ‘Look, Jack, I’ve better things to do with my time than play games with you. I admit, I was wrong. I thought I heard a scream, later it was proved that I couldn’t have done.’ Sergeant Green’s eyebrows shot up at her use of his first name.
    Jack did not fail to notice Rose blushing. ‘That’s not what I meant. Have you any reason to believe anyone uses the place for whatever activities they think fit? You know, drugs, orgies, painting, like yourself? Witchcraft?’
    Rose laughed. ‘None at all. That place is always deserted.’
    ‘Thank you. Just one more thing. When did you last see Jennifer Manders?’
    ‘Two nights ago. I was at the opening of Stella Jackson’s latest exhibition. Jenny was there as well.’
    ‘Not since?’
    ‘No.’ So Nick had been more than a little concerned if it had reached the stage of police involvement.
    ‘And you wouldn’t have any idea where she might be staying?’
    ‘Jack, I hardly know her. I’ve met her less than a dozen times, mostly at Stella’s, once with her father. We haven’t reached the stage of exchanging confidences.’
    It was Jack’s turn to raise a sardonic eyebrow as if he found this unlikely. His next words confirmed her suspicion. ‘I’d say that was unusual, wouldn’t you? People do seem to have a tendency to confide in you.’
    ‘I don’t know where she is,’ Rose replied firmly. ‘Nor do I have any idea why she’s disappeared.’
    It was a mistake. She knew that as soon as she had uttered the words.
    ‘I didn’t say she’s disappeared.’
    ‘Then why are you asking these questions? Her friends in St Ives will be far more use to you than I could be.’ Damn him, she thought, feeling his dark eyes on her face: he probably believed she knew more than she did and was holding something back. The fact that this was true made her uncomfortable.
    ‘If you do hear anything you’ll let us know, won’t you?’ It was an order rather than a polite request.
    ‘Her father,’ Rose added, recalling the firm, interesting features of Alec Manders. ‘Have you tried him? She might be staying there.’
    Jack didn’t answer. Instead he stood, nodded to his silent companion and made his way to the door. ‘Sorry to have troubled you, Mrs Trevelyan.’
    Rose closed the door behind him. The formality hurt and it shouldn’t have done. The agreement was that they remained friends but Jack didn’t seem to want it that way. She peered into the fridge trying to decide what she fancied to eat. Jenny Manders had only been missing for a few hours short of two days. Rose thought it odd that so much was being made of her disappearance. So soon, anyway. She shrugged. There were probably factors sheknew nothing about and there was no way she was going to allow Jack to involve her. ‘But I think I’m already involved.’ She spoke aloud as a terrible thought crossed her mind. Could it possibly have been Jenny whose screams she had heard? No. Jenny had been at Stella’s after that first occasion. She shook her head. The painting was finished, there was no need to go there ever again.

CHAPTER FOUR
    Jack Pearce was thoughtful during the drive back towards Camborne. It had been a deliberate policy to take someone with him because whenever he encountered Rose he was unsure how he would react. Her