The meanest Flood

and when the librarian found it Marie asked her if it was popular.
    ‘It’s used a couple of times a week. Sometimes more.’
    ‘All the marriage records are in here, right?’
    ‘It’s fairly comprehensive.’
    ‘So if I wanted to find a marriage record and I didn’t know how to do it, would you do it for me?’
    ‘Of course, but it’s easy to use.’
    ‘I’m a private detective,’ Marie told her. ‘I’m trying to find out if anyone has been making enquiries about Sam Turner.’
    ‘Is he the one who’s gone missing? The one who killed those women?’
    ‘Yes, he’s a suspect. The police want to talk to him.’ The librarian took a deep breath. ‘How exciting,’ she said. ‘What’s your question?’
    ‘Has anyone asked about marriage records for Sam Turner in the last few weeks? Or do you recall the name or description of anyone who has recently used the St Catherine’s Index?’
    ‘Is this what you call a long-shot?’ the librarian asked.
    Marie smiled. ‘Yeah. We’re scraping the barrel.’
    ‘I don’t recall anyone asking about that particular name but I’m not the only one who works here. I’ll ask my colleagues and get back to you. Do you want to leave a phone number?’
    Marie gave her her card. ‘You can get me at either of those numbers.’
    ‘We know most of the people who use St Catherine’s,’ the librarian said. ‘Many of them use it frequently. They’re interested in family history, ancestry, genealogy. People are fascinated by it.’
    ‘So if someone new came in you’d probably remember?’
    ‘It’s not out of the question. If it’s been a busy day I can’t remember anything that happened when I get back home. But if it’s slower I remember the interesting ones. I’ll remember you.’
    Marie let her have a faint smile, but she didn’t say anything.
    ‘All right,’ the woman said. ‘I’ll ask around and come back to you.’ She waved Marie’s visiting card in the air like a miniature fan.
    Back at the office Marie got the keys for the Montego and asked Celia for some cash.
    ‘As in wages?’ Celia asked. She was wearing an ancient black dress with slits at both sides. Tango shoes with a chain around her ankle. She’d been quieter than usual since the death of Nicole Day in Leeds and Sam’s disappearance. Although she was over seventy, Marie usually thought of her as much younger. But today Celia looked her age. The extravagant clothes and jewellery that she normally carried with aplomb seemed excessive and overindulgent. She could have been an ageing transvestite.
    ‘No, expenses. I’m going to Nottingham. Might have to stay overnight.’
    ‘I’ve got about a hundred. If you need more than that I’ll have to go to the bank.’
    ‘A hundred’ll do. I’ve got a credit card.’
    ‘Be careful, Marie. Whoever’s behind these killings won’t let anyone stand in their way.’
    ‘Don’t worry. I’ll be back tomorrow, maybe tonight if I run out of people to talk to. I don’t expect to go head to head with a psychotic butcher. Besides I was never married to Sam Turner, which seems to be a guarantee of immunity in this case.’
    Celia shook her head. ‘I don’t know if anyone’s immune.’ As an afterthought she added: ‘Have you had something to eat?’
    Marie laughed. ‘I’ll get a sandwich on the way.’
    ‘Pity. I got us a couple of pork chops for tonight.’
    ‘They’ll keep,’ Marie said. ‘Put them in the fridge.’
    As she was ready to leave she looked back at Celia who gave her a quick smile and looked away.
    ‘There’s something wrong, isn’t there?’ Marie said. ‘Yes, there is,’ Celia said. ‘I’m still not sure how wrong.’
    ‘Tell me?’
    ‘I’ve been having these headaches. The side of my head goes numb, inside, as if part of my brain has frozen. Sometimes my sight goes wonky, I see things in twos and threes.’
    ‘How long has this been going on?’
    ‘A few weeks, couple of months. I’ve been to see a specialist, had a scan.’
    ‘And?’
    ‘Inconclusive. There’s some kind of growth. They think it’s still growing.’
    Marie wrapped her arms around Celia and hugged her.
    ‘I’ve tried to get a prognosis out of the medics but they won’t commit themselves. I’m so old, my whole metabolism is so slow that it could take for ever. If it accelerates they’re worried I might develop epilepsy.’
    ‘So what happens next?’
    ‘Another scan in a few months. See if the growth has got any