He wanted to talk to Robert Anderson, the local police inspector, about the cleaned wine glass in the cupboard at Anna’s house. He also wanted to find out why Anna’s parents weren’t taking care of their granddaughter Lucy. But Jimmy was told that Inspector Anderson was in a meeting and wouldn’t be available all day. Perez left a message for Robert to call him back. He stood at his window and watched a flurry of snow blow across from the hills. Parents had collected their children from school and were hurrying home. He saw Gail’s Land Rover move away down the main street. Back outside, the light was already fading and it felt colder. Perez left the hotel and made his way to the school. He found the main door still open. Some older children were practising Christmas carols in the school hall. A woman in reception took his name and showed him to the head teacher’s office. Maggie Redhead was in her fifties, with fine grey hair pulled into a comb at the back of her head and bright brown eyes.
