Contents
46. Birdy
Overview
Birdy discovers through Carter’s sister that Sergeant Carter is married, shattering Birdy’s trust. Determined to verify his work, Birdy interviews Old Stu, who denies ever seeing a second woman chase Eden. This contradiction raises doubts about Carter’s integrity and the investigation’s reliability, intensifying Birdy’s personal and professional conflict.
Summary
Shaken by Carter’s sister revealing that Sergeant Carter is married, Birdy reels from betrayal and questions Carter’s honesty about both his personal life and the case. Her anger pushes her to re-examine evidence, especially Carter’s transcript of Old Stu’s account mentioning a second woman chasing Eden.
Birdy locates Old Stu’s cottage and presents her badge. Despite his gruff manner, Old Stu agrees to speak. Birdy re-asks about the sighting on the hill, focusing on the alleged second woman described in Carter’s transcript.
Old Stu categorically denies ever mentioning a second woman, insisting he saw only one woman running toward the suicide spot. He complains that Carter misrepresented him and that the police keep getting his statement wrong.
Birdy leaves unsettled, weighing two possibilities: Old Stu forgot or Carter fabricated or distorted the account. The conflict sharpens Birdy’s suspicion that Carter is concealing key facts, undermining both their relationship and the credibility of the investigation.
Who Appears
- BirdyDCI; discovers Carter is married, questions his integrity, and re-interviews Old Stu to verify the second-woman claim.
- Old Stu (Stu Cummins)Gruff witness; insists he saw only one woman run toward the cliffs, contradicting Carter’s transcript.
- Sergeant CarterAbsent but central; revealed as married and suspected of misrepresenting Old Stu’s statement.
- Carter’s sisterCasually reveals Carter’s marriage, triggering Birdy’s personal and professional doubts.