‘I heard about Sophia. Terrible,’ he said, exhaling smoke and picking a stray fleck of tobacco off his lip. Erika could see he had a silver bar piercing in his tongue.
‘You and Sophia were in a relationship?’ asked Peterson.
‘I’d say we were more casual than that, if you know what I mean,’ he said. There was a little boast in his voice that Erika found distasteful.
‘We’re just asking everyone who knew her a few questions. Can you tell us where you were last Monday, 22nd October between 4pm and 8pm?’ asked Peterson.
‘Let me think… ’ He took a drag of his cigarette.
‘It’s a simple question,’ said Erika.
‘Yeah. I get that. I work shifts and my times are all over the place. Monday… Monday 22nd I met this girl late afternoon in the city, and then we went to her place and then we had sex.’
‘What was her name?’
‘I’ll have to check that out,’ he said.
‘Can you check for us now?’
‘I forgot my phone. I was late for work, and I have all my text messages in there,’ he said, picking another piece of tobacco off his tongue.
‘Did you ever visit Sophia at her flat?’ asked Erika.
‘Yeah. When her sister was out.’
‘When was the last time you visited?’
He blew his cheeks out.
‘Two weeks ago, I think. I’d have to check.’
‘Keep a diary, do you?’ asked Peterson.
Reece exhaled and spat on the floor. ‘No. It’ll be in my phone.’
‘Did you ever meet Sophia’s neighbour, Vicky?’ asked Erika.
There was a flicker of something in his eyes.
‘Has she got dark hair?’
‘She did have dark hair,’ said Erika.
‘What? Did she dye it?’
‘No. She died. Her body was found yesterday morning…’ Reece sat up and went pale. ‘Did you have sexual intercourse with Vicky?’
‘Listen. I didn’t know about this, Vicky…’
‘Did you have sexual intercourse with Vicky?’ repeated Erika.
‘Yeah. And Sophia. At the same time. But it was consensual and…’
‘When?’
‘Again, I’d need to check my phone, and I can show you my text messages, but I’d say it was a couple of months ago.’ The attitude he had was now gone, and he looked agitated.
‘Would you be willing to provide us with a DNA swab?’ asked Erika.
Reece hesitated. ‘Do I have to?’
‘No. But we will view your refusal as suspicious and we can obtain a warrant.’
‘Okay. I’ll give you the sample,’ said Reece.
‘Thanks for your time. Here is my card,’ she said, taking one out and giving it to him. ‘If you could send me the name and details of your date last Monday, and arrange for us to take a DNA swab.’
‘What do you think?’ said Peterson, when they were back in the car. They could still see Reece sitting on the bench, staring ahead in shock.
‘He’s not ringing any alarm bells, but I’ll feel happier when we have his DNA swab,’ said Erika, buckling up and starting the engine. ‘And I’m not looking forward to asking Maria Ivanova about this.’
48
When they arrived at the huge glass entrance doors of Honeycomb Court, they saw Maria was taking delivery of a large cardboard box from a courier. Her face was bloodless, and she was dressed in black trousers and a shapeless black top. They passed the courier on the way in.
‘Do you need a hand with that?’ asked Peterson as he saw her trying to heave the squat square box through her front door. Maria let go of the box and straightened up. She’d tucked the silver crucifix under her top and she pulled it out again and smoothed down her hair.
‘Have you caught the man who killed Sophia?’ she said. ‘I hear that Vicky was killed. Is that what you are here to tell me?’ She was shaking with anger.
‘Could we please talk to you inside?’ asked Erika.
‘I can help you with this box, too,’ said Peterson. Maria hesitated and then nodded. The living room looked the same as when Erika visited the first time. Painfully neat and plain. Maria shifted the coffee table out of the way so that Peterson could bring in the box. He placed it down on the floor.
‘It’s heavy,’ said Peterson.
‘Thank you,’ said Maria. ‘It’s a folding bed… My parents are arriving tomorrow. It will be the first time they’ve come to this country… They want to take Sophia’s body back to Bulgaria, so we can give her a proper burial. I keep asking Fiona, the Family Liaison Officer, when you are going to release my sister’s body?’