Animal Instinct by James R. Vance Page A

shred of evidence represents a piece of the puzzle. Hopefully, the individual pieces come together to form the bigger picture. In most cases there are always missing pieces, which can turn up unexpectedly or can be the result of forensic studies or by following a specific line of enquiry. Occasionally, there are aspects of some investigations that gnaw away at me because something is amiss. I have to find the answer. This is one such situation.”
    Caroline smiled. “My sister, Diana.”
    “You're very astute.”
    “Your expression said it all on your previous visit. Her lack of emotion was all too evident. Your reaction to her calm acceptance of Lara's murder was very noticeable. You are obviously here to find out why my sister was so detached.”
    “I found it strange that she showed little or no distress, even during the journey back to Cheshire. She talked a great deal about her daughter. Maybe that was her way of dealing with it. I'm not so sure. You know your sister more intimately than I do. I was hoping that you may be able to enlighten me.”
    “You have to understand not only the mother-daughter relationship, but Diana's disappointment over Lara's ambitions. My sister only wanted the best for her. Lara was not only beautiful, but also extremely intelligent and her mother could never comprehend why she was besotted by a dream, a fantasy world as opposed to a realistic career with genuine prospects To see her daughter working in a small town boutique with a below par boyfriend drove a wedge into their relationship.”
    “Diana mentioned that Lara was adopted. Was that an issue?”
    “Not at all. Of the two children, one would think that Michael was the adopted child. He is so quiet and withdrawn, whereas Lara was full of life and celebrated her family life like any other child. It has never been mentioned apart from when her mother told her. Even before that, Lara was closer to me than to her mother. She confided in me. There were aspects of my niece's life completely unknown to Diana. Lara was driven by her dream of superstar model. Her aspirations knew no bounds. She would explore every avenue until she could fulfil her ultimate goal in life, no matter what the cost.”
    “How do you mean, ‘no matter what the cost’?” asked Massey.
    The two customers in the main lounge left the bar. Caroline thanked them, bade them farewell and crossed to the bar. She turned towards Massey. “Can I offer you a drink, tea, coffee or whatever?”
    “A half of bitter will be fine,” said the inspector, gravitating towards a bar stool at the empty counter.
    Caroline served the beer and poured a glass of wine for herself. “Excuse me for a moment,” she said. “I have something, which may interest you.” She disappeared into the private accommodation, reappearing after a few moments with a large buff envelope.
    Massey sipped his beer. Carolyn sat on an adjacent stool, placing the envelope on the bar.
    “You may find some pieces of your jigsaw puzzle in here,” she said. “You asked about the cost to Lara. That sleaze ball who employed her at the boutique in the shopping centre…”
    “You mean Donald Kimberley?” said Massey.
    “That's the one. Occasionally he organised fashion shows. Lara, of course, was his star model. She recruited other girls to help as mannequins and, naturally, that letch loved every minute of having numerous nubile young females around. Apparently, he took every opportunity to invade their dressing facilities whilst they were hovering in their underwear between garment changes.”
    “Not surprising,” said Massey, reflecting on his impressions of the man.
    “Those fashion shows afforded Lara a certain amount of exposure in the local press and consequently one or two modelling agencies contacted her. She eventually compiled a portfolio, which she intended to tout around the main studios and fashion houses in the capital. You see, she was determined to explore every option…and I really