“You suspect a lot but have no proof.”
“Yes,” Patricia agreed. “We may need to produce evidence for a warrant, and we thought there may be things that you could tell us that would help.”
“You know about confidentiality?” Erica asked.
“Yes.”
“But?”
Patricia looked at her and frowned.
“But, her life may be in danger so I should help,” Erica finished.
“She may already be dead and a nine-year-old boy’s future is in the balance,” Patricia said. “We need to help and protect this boy from his father.”
Erica started and again turned to look out the window. She raised her hands to her face, withdrawing into her own world.
Isobel knew here was a woman tormented by something. Time had not faded or healed this and she needed to talk, to unburden herself, to confess. By doing this there might be some relief for her.
Isobel turned to Patricia. She gave her a thumbs-up and then put a finger on her lips. Patricia nodded back in understanding and agreement. They waited.
Eventually Erica turned slowly from the window. “Some years ago and against my better judgment, I was prevailed upon to be generous in my interpretation of a situation. I’ve worked nearly forty years and in the main know I’ve done my best for all concerned and sleep easily at night. But this one episode weighs on my conscience. For myself, for my peace of mind, to maybe right something I regret, I will tell you. You can judge my part and the consequences it has had.”
For a moment she looked old and troubled then she shook herself, took her seat and began to talk.
“This all happened nearly fifteen years ago. I was a Maths teacher before I became a principal and an administrator. Matt and Thomas were in my classes all the way through school. Thomas was a wonderful child, one of those children who you know will go far,” her voice caught at this, “could go far. He was very bright – not only that, he was one of those kids who everyone liked. Matt was a different kettle of fish altogether. To be honest, I never liked him.” Here, she looked up at them. “I found him to be a sneaky child, crafty, and he would act and look so innocent. I often wondered if he and Thomas were friends because they lived near each other or if Thomas felt sorry for him. For A levels they were doing the same subjects, including Maths. It was a surprise to me when Thomas said that he was going into finance. The plan was that he and Matt were going to go to college together. I always thought that Thomas would have ended up going out with Ellen Murphy. They always seemed close but, no, it was Matt she started dating. It seemed to me that Matt had to win there to prove he was better than Thomas. Thomas didn’t seem to mind – in fact, he seemed to be oblivious to Matt’s faults. Academically, though, it was going to be hard for Matt to beat Thomas and he didn’t. The night the results came out Thomas had done brilliantly, and Matt had done well enough. The next morning Thomas’s dog was found hanging at the school gates. It had been tortured. God, Thomas was devastated. He just shrank into himself. Naturally, we called the police and they came and talked to everyone but nobody had seen anything.”
Isobel said, “But . . .”
“But in my heart I knew that it was Matt. It was Thomas’s punishment for doing so well, for doing so much better than him.”
“But, you couldn’t be sure that Matt did it,” Patricia said. “You may have suspected, you may even have been right, but you couldn’t be sure.”
Erica smiled sadly. “Exactly. I couldn’t be sure, but I suspected Matt and he knew it. He knew from the way I looked at him and he used to grin back at me. It was as if he was taunting me that he’d got away with it. After a few weeks it all died down. The lads were getting ready to go off to college and we were going back to school. I was in on the day before class started, tidying my room and getting lesson plans and books organised. Matt arrived, to thank me for all that I’d done for him, he said. He’d got me a little present. When I wouldn’t open it in his presence he unwrapped it, because he wanted me to see it. It was a little ceramic dog that looked very like Thomas’s dog. I gasped when I saw it. He smiled and said, ‘So you don’t forget, Mrs Wood, so you don’t forget’. I was terrified even though I tried not to show it. When I looked up, he looked me in the eye and said, ‘It doesn’t matter what’s true, only what you can prove.’ And he grinned and then he left. To be honest, I had to go home I was so shaken. Many of the kids here have behavioural problems, even go on to commit crimes of theft and drug-dealing, but I’ve never encountered someone who frightened me as much as that.” She shivered. “The next day I went to the principal and told her what had happened. She told me the boys were gone from the school, the incident was over and there was nothing more we could do. That was true but it felt as if we shirked our duty. All along Matt had done malicious things but we could never prove it so he got away with it. I couldn’t sleep I was so concerned. After a week I went to the police station and spoke to one of the officers who’d come to the school to investigate. They said there was nothing they could do as there was no evidence. In the end I had counselling for a year and I also went on some extra courses on dealing with difficult children. All of which helped me in my career but I always felt that, because I wasn’t on the ball enough, Matt got away scot-free and learned that so long as no one could prove you were guilty you were innocent.”
The silence was deafening.
After a minute Isobel said, “We suspect that he’s still living by that lesson and we’re desperately looking for proof.”
“I’m sorry, I don’t think there’s anything else I can do to help you. But let me say that I believe you’re right and encourage you to do what I couldn’t – find proof.”
Patricia said, “We’re doing everything we can.”
There was little more left for anyone to say so they bid her goodbye.
Isobel and Patricia were slightly shellshocked as they walked through the now empty schoolyard and out onto the road.
Isobel took another few steps, and then stopped.
“There’s the local shop which the kids probably use to get lunch. Let’s get a sandwich and have a sit-down.”
Patricia nodded. They were both pensive as they collected sandwiches and coffee and neither spoke until they were seated at the high counter in the shop.
Isobel said, “So it’s likely that Anne is dead and buried in their garden.”
“Yes.”
“And . . .”
“There’s more?” Patricia queried.
“Well then, today we hear that at school Thomas, as we know him, was killing animals.”
“Allegedly.”
“Allegedly, and sometime later he nearly strangled his girlfriend who ran away to stay alive, her mother says.”
Patricia nodded.
“And then his mother disappeared to Scotland to a new life and he sold the family home.” Isobel raised her eyebrows. “Does it not sound familiar?”
“What do you mean?”
“A very plausible reason why someone is not around.”
Patricia shrugged.
“Like Anne.”
“What?”
“I think his mother might be buried at number forty-two.”
“Jesus,” Patricia breathed, then standing up said more loudly, “Jesus!” She glared at Isobel then abruptly sat down. “What nightmare have we found our way into?”
Isobel massaged her forehead. “Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe I’m getting carried away.”
“You don’t think so, do you?”
“There’s one easy way to find out.”
“How?”
“Get Malcolm to bring Bella and check number forty-two’s garden.” Isobel frowned. “We really need to find out that couple’s name.”
Patricia rolled her eyes. “We have a pregnant woman who we found resting at home and we want to see if there’s a dead body in her garden. Not conducive to a stress-free pregnancy.”
Isobel nodded. “Yes, I think we need to speak to the hu
sband alone just in case this is all pie in the sky. Maybe he could get his wife out of the house while we check the garden. If there’s nothing there then she doesn’t have to know.”
“Oh my God, you’re serious.”
“Yes, and we’re running out of time. We also need to talk to the work colleague you got from Facebook. Could you contact him and see if we can see him later today, maybe at eight o’clock? Hopefully we can have the planning meeting after that.”
“Isobel, are you sure about this? Do we need to put these people through this? What if we’re wrong?”
Isobel felt her eyes filling up with tears. “I don’t want to do this but I can’t just walk away. What if he has done all of these things? I feel the same as I did about Anne, that I have to know for sure. Hopefully there’s nothing but I need to be sure.”
Patricia looked her in the eye and then nodded.
Isobel stood up and connected to Malcolm, quickly explaining everything to him. In a few minutes they were both back sitting at the counter.
“Malcolm thinks it’s worth doing, especially because there’s no risk of Thomas knowing. Malcolm can bring Bella for six o’clock-ish. Any luck with the guy from work?”
“Yes, he’s working late. I have the address. When we finish here we can go straight there and then on to the meeting.”
“Good.” Isobel glanced at her watch. It was five o’clock, not long to wait. “Is there any way you can find the name of this couple?”
Patricia grinned. “I’m on it.”
Isobel said, thinking out loud, “Maybe if we knew what he looked like we could stop him before he gets home and tell him all this and see what he thinks is best for his wife.”
Patricia nodded in agreement.
Chapter 31
It only took Patricia ten minutes to find out that the couple at 42 Sycamore Street were Tim and Sarah Woodward. Another few minutes’ work and she had found Facebook pictures of them. Having met Sarah, it was easy to confirm her husband’s picture and Patricia saved it on her phone and sent it to Isobel so they would know him when they met him in the street.
By a quarter to six Isobel and Patricia were each stationed a number of doors down from Number 42 at opposite sides and out of the line of sight of the house.
It was just after six when Patricia stopped Tim in the street.
“Mr Woodward, my name is Patricia King. I work for a solicitor’s office and I wonder if I could have a few words with you.”
Tim Woodward, a brawny six foot with shoulders that would do justice to a rugby player, paused. “You’re one of the women who called to my wife earlier. She said you were coming back this evening. I live near here, as you know – we can talk at the house.”
Patricia persisted. “Mr Woodward, the subject matter I need to discuss with you is distressing. I would prefer to discuss it with you and then let you talk to your wife.”
Tim Woodward looked mystified and a bit distracted.
Isobel walked up to them. “Mr Woodward, neither you nor your wife have done anything wrong. However, you may be able to help us with a situation – not just us, the police as well.”
Tim Woodward seemed to relax somewhat. “My wife is expecting me home. I don’t want to worry her. She hasn’t been well – high blood pressure with the pregnancy.”
Patricia said, “We guessed that when we met her earlier and thought that talking to you first might be the wisest thing. We would like your help, Mr Woodward, but we don’t want to stress your wife.”
He nodded. “Tim, please. Let me ring her and let her know I’m delayed.”
He pulled out his phone and walked away to speak quietly to his wife.
When he came back, he gestured down the street. “We can get a coffee and talk.”
The local pub had retained the wood floors and bar of an old establishment, so rare nowadays. Behind the bar was a twenty-something blond woman who smiled a greeting when they came in. They collected coffees and took a table away from the bar.
“What’s all this about?”
Isobel said, “We’re looking into a case involving a man whose wife has disappeared.”
“His mother also disappeared about ten years ago,” Patricia said. “She used to live in your house. He sold it.”
Isobel took up the baton again. “We don’t want him to know yet what we’re doing. So we were wondering if –”
“He killed his wife?” Tim cut in.
Isobel made a face. “We don’t know that yet but it’s a possibility.”
“And you think he might have killed his mother too?”
“That’s a theory we’re exploring.”
“So?” He waited for someone to reply.
“So, we were wondering if you would let us bring a cadaver dog into the garden to see if she can find anything.”
Tim looked at her steadily.
Isobel continued, “All you have to do is give your permission. It will only take ten minutes.”
“And if you find something?”
Isobel blew out air through her lips. “Honestly, Tim, we think this is a bad man and we’re struggling to find ways to prove anything. If we found something here I’m not even sure what the next step would be. We would have to see what the police think is the best way to proceed. At the moment we’re trying to make sure this guy doesn’t know we’re on to him.”
Tim rubbed his face with his hands, “And my wife? If you find something in the garden, what’s that going to do to her at this delicate time? Not to mention that this is our home?”
Isobel and Patricia exchanged a look.
Patricia said, “We know it’s a lot to ask. But this man has a nine-year-old son and that’s how all of this came to light, trying to find the best thing for him. If we don’t get this straightened out he may end up living with a murderer. Maybe you and your wife could help us find the best outcome for this young boy.”
“And justice for two women maybe,” Isobel added.
Tim ran his fingers through his hair. “When?”
The women looked at each other and shifted in their seats.
“Now.”
Tim raised his eyebrows. “You’ve already organised the dog?”
Isobel winced. “There’s so little time. Tomorrow morning is the crucial day and we’re trying to line up as many ducks as we can, so we know what has gone on. We didn’t know if you would say yes, we just hoped you would. We’ve just made sure that it could be done tonight. We were praying that you would want to help.” As she finished speaking her voice shook and she bowed her head.
Without a moment’s hesitation, Tim reached out and stroked her hand. “There, there, love.”
Isobel hastily wiped her eyes. “We’ve been fighting and fighting to get people to look at this case. He might get away with it.”
Tim said, “OK, I’m going to ring my wife now and tell her to go round to my sister’s. You do the dog thing. If you find something, we’ll see what the police say is the best approach for you to take and I’ll figure out how best to tell my wife. She’s a good woman, she would want to help.”
Tim got up to talk to his wife again on the phone.
Isobel called Malcolm and then they headed for 42 Sycamore Street.
When they arrived Sarah was gone, and Isobel wondered what Tim had said to her to persuade her to leave so quickly. She didn’t ask. Tim offered more coffee but they declined, too tense now to take anything. They waited quietly in the sitting room. There were photos of Tim and Sarah on the wall and on the bureau. From the posed wedding photo to more relaxed and informal beach shots, they looked happy.
They heard a car stopping outside the gate, a door banging then steps on the path. The doorbell rang.
Tim went to answer, and they heard Malcolm introducing himself in the hall.
Then the two men came into the living room.
Malcolm greeted Isobel and Patricia and explained that he wanted to be alone to do the sweep of the garden. He then went back to the car to g
et Bella while Tim went to open the back door for them.
Isobel and Patricia heard Malcom and Bella make their way down the hall to the kitchen and out into the garden. Then they joined Tim in the kitchen and lined up at the kitchen window to watch.
In a way there was very little to see. Malcolm and Bella walked up and down the garden. At one point Bella lay down and whined. Malcolm placed something from his pocket on the ground at that point and then continued on checking the remainder of the area. He didn’t mark anywhere else. Having completed walking over all of the garden he petted Bella and talked to her, then called to the others that he wanted to bring Bella through and would they wait in the living room.
In a few minutes Malcolm returned.
“Well?” Tim asked. “You found something?”
“Yes, Bella has signed that there may be a cadaver in the place I marked but it isn’t certain. I want to talk to the other police involved in the case. We’re meeting later tonight. I can ring you then and let you know what’s going to happen. To be honest, we probably don’t have enough information for a warrant. We may be right but no judge is likely to sign off on this – they call them fishing expeditions – which is a shame because digging here wouldn’t alert Thomas to what we’re doing. If we found something here it would really help with the case against him.”
“Can I do anything to help?” Tim said. “What if I dug there?”
“But why would you decide to dig there?” Malcolm said. “It would be suspicious.”
Isobel made a face. “You could be digging a pond.”
Tim nodded. “Yes, what if I was digging a pond and found something?”
“Now you want to really get involved?” Patricia asked. “What about Sarah?”
Tim drew himself up. “I’ll be telling her everything the minute I see her, now that it seems possible that there is something there. There was no point distressing her over nothing but if there’s a chance of it being something we will assist you in any way we can.”
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