Alan’s barrister tears into the physical evidence. No conclusive proof that the hairs belonged to his client, no proof that any such hairs couldn’t have arrived in Brandon’s grave through everyday contact, around the house.
Ralph takes a different tack. ‘You say no one else had access to the property or knew about the money, but that’s not quite true, is it, DI Warren?’
‘As far as I know it is,’ he says.
‘Then perhaps your inquiries should have been a little more extensive. Both Mrs Pike’s boyfriend, Edward Farrington, and her sister, Mrs Ruth Fletcher, had keys to the property and knew about the money withdrawn from Mrs Pike’s account. And given Mrs Fletcher’s belief that Brandon Wells killed her sister, she had a strong motive to harm Brandon, wouldn’t you say?’
‘Mrs Fletcher was in her fifties at the time, as was Edward Farrington.’
‘But it does disprove your statement that no one else had access, doesn’t it?’
‘I suppose, but Mrs Fletcher’s blood-coated hairs weren’t found in Brandon’s grave.’
‘DI Warren, you’ve already stated that Mr Wells had a romantic interest in my client, Ms Winter. Is that correct?’
‘Yes.’
‘Then is it beyond the realms of possibility that he obtained the hairs without her knowledge, from a comb for example, as some sort of token or keepsake?’
‘It’s possible but highly improbable.’
‘But you cannot say with one hundred per cent certainty.’
‘Ninety-nine point nine.’
‘I’m sorry,’ Ralph says. ‘Where did you get that figure?’
‘Well, I—’
‘Made it up?’
‘Used it to illustrate how far-fetched the idea is.’
‘Isn’t that for the jury to decide, DI Warren? It would be better if you stuck to established facts rather than invent statistics to advance your case. Thank you. No further questions.’
Chapter 41
1994 – Guildford
The sun had started to dapple the Downs opposite her bedroom window and Julia watched it rise fully until the entire hill was bathed in light. She’d been unable to fall back to sleep after Genevieve left. Brandon overhearing their conversation had left her uneasy. She checked the coast was clear and Genevieve was in her room before going downstairs to make some tea.
Gideon was at the kitchen table drinking coffee and eating toast. ‘How are you feeling this morning?’
Julia had vague recollections of being put to bed, and hadn’t Brandon knocked on her door?
‘Not bad. I’m sorry if I was a pain last night,’ she said.
‘Not a problem, we’ve all done it. I thought you might be hungover.’
‘No. I got up in the middle of the night and drank some water. I think that saved me.’
Gideon looked at her. For a moment a frown crossed his forehead, then it was gone.
‘You got up – what time?’ he asked.
‘Not sure, to be honest. Around dawn, I think – why?’
‘I was going to ask you to come to the cinema with me, but if you’re too tired …’
‘I’m not, but I’m meeting friends in London at around three.’
Pearl and Andre had arranged to meet her in Camden. They were going to trawl the markets, eat noodles, sneak in a couple of pints. Then back to Pearl’s house to chill out before getting ready for the evening back in Camden.
‘I’m heading up there too. Do you fancy going early and seeing Three Colours White at The Prince Charles? We could catch the twelve-thirty showing. I doubt it will be showing down here.’
‘Sounds good,’ she said.
‘Leave at eleven?’
‘Great, it’s just …’
She thought of Brandon, knocking on her door in the night.
Gideon had half turned to walk away. ‘Just what?’ he asked.
Julia shut the kitchen door. ‘Best not to mention it to anyone else.’
Gideon gave her a quizzical look, but said, ‘Sure.’
Julia left the house first. Her bag contained only her purse, a paperback, black eyeliner, waterproof mascara, a change of top, a clean pair of knickers and a toothbrush. Gideon had agreed to leave five minutes later and catch her up at the station.
The train carriage was near empty, and they spread between four seats, facing each other.
‘Have you seen any of Kieślowski’s other work?’ Gideon asked.
‘Only The Double Life of Veronique, which was amazing. And Three Colours Blue, of course.’
Julia had little interest in arthouse cinema and had only seen these films thanks to Ellie, of all people, who claimed ‘Blue’ to be the best film of the decade so far. Why were people always blinded by Hollywood tripe? Julia now realised it had been a play for Christian’s attention. A ridiculous one, as Christian hated subtitles and his favourite director was Steven Spielberg.
Right now, he and Ellie were probably sprawled across the sofa, watching Jurassic Park. Still, one way or another it had taken Ellie another step towards her goal. And now Julia found herself dancing the same dance for Gideon. Why was she so desperate to impress him, when she wasn’t even sure if she liked him? Was she even on a date? Gideon had made it seem so casual – hey, look, we’re both going to London and want to see a film – they might just be two friends interested in the same thing. And who went on lunchtime dates when they had somewhere else to go afterwards?
‘Are you all right?’ Gideon asked. ‘You look miles away.’
Julia realised she had been staring into space.
‘I’m fine,’ she said.
‘You’re not worried about Brandon, are you?’
‘Has he said something?’ she asked.
‘I saw him trying to come into your room last night. After he thought everyone else had gone to bed.’
‘I did hear something,’ Julia said.
‘It was a bit creepy. You were out of it. He must have known that.’ Gideon put his head to one side and looked at Julia. ‘He’s got a thing about you, hasn’t he?’
‘Hmm,’ Julia said and looked away.
‘You should ask Genevieve to put a lock on the door.’
‘That’s a bit of an overreaction, isn’t it?’
Gideon raised an eyebrow. ‘Better to be safe. If he bothers you again—’
‘It’s OK. I’ll talk to him.’
‘Is he the reason you wanted us to leave separately?’
It was too complicated to tell him about Genevieve as well.
‘Partly. People can jump to conclusions,’ she said.
‘Rightly, sometimes.’
His manner was nonchalant. Did his words mean more? Was this a date?
Gideon started talking about his plans for the evening. He was going over to his friend’s house early, to help prepare for his thirtieth birthday bash. Julia didn’t know anyone who was thirty, not socially at least. She’d forgotten Gideon was so much older. She’d only just finished the rounds of twenty-first parties. And again, it made her wonder why she cared if he liked her or not.
The film followed an unlikely plot: a man seeks revenge on his ex-wife by having her wrongly convicted for murder. Julia had brief thoughts about exacting a similar revenge on Christian. But she realised that, even if she had the means, she no longer cared enough. It still hurt to think of him with Ellie, and she would have been pleased to hear of their breaking up. But the raw anger, the active wish to enact revenge, had vanished. It was progress, of a sort.
Standing outside the cinema after the film and squinting in the sunlight, she felt awkward. She was still unsure about Gideon. What if he tried to kiss her? How would she respond?
Gideon looked at his watch. ‘I’m going to have to hurry,’ he said. ‘I’m meeting Jonny in twenty minutes. See you back at the house.’
He jogged off before Julia could say goodbye. So much for a kiss. Julia wandered through the street performers and endless snack options of Leicester Square. The date had bee
n nothing more than two people going to see a film. She needed to get a grip.
‘So, this Gideon fella, is he cute or what?’ Andre asked.
‘He’s not bad-looking, I suppose,’ Julia replied.
‘Such enthusiasm,’ Pearl said.
She had managed to bag them the best table in the pub, in the corner with a view across the market and Camden High Street. It was packed out – some generic grunge band was whining over the tiny speakers. They should really be outside on a day like this. Julia’s pint of cider was nearly full. Pearl and Andre’s were nearly finished, and they weren’t their first.
‘So, you don’t fancy him?’ Andre said.
‘I’m not sure.’
‘And Brandon?’ Pearl asked.
‘I was drunk – it doesn’t count,’ Julia said.
‘Using that rule makes me a virgin,’ Pearl said.
Julia couldn’t help laughing. ‘I’m being serious,’ she said.
‘So was I. What about you, Andre?’
‘Drunken sex? Only with women.’
Both girls put their pints down.
‘You’ve slept with women?’
‘Only twice?’
‘Who the hell were they?’ Julia said.
‘I thought me and Jules would be your first port of call,’ Pearl said.
‘Just a little experimentation. And can you imagine if it had been one of you?’
‘Yuck,’ Pearl said.
‘Well, thanks very much,’ Andre said with mock offence.
‘You know what I mean. Too close to home and all that. More Julia’s thing.’
‘Hey – give it a rest,’ Julia said.
Pearl was still laughing. ‘I don’t get you, Jules. All this self-loathing. All this shall I, shan’t I? Have a fling, don’t have a fling – it’s just a bit of fun. You don’t have to marry the guy.’
‘Pearl’s right,’ Andre said. ‘You’ve just escaped the dreaded Christian.’ Julia didn’t like to correct him and point out that Christian had escaped her. ‘You don’t want to leap out of the frying pan into the fire.’
‘Run from a wolf to meet a bear,’ Pearl said.
‘From a Christian to a lion,’ Andre added.
Julia wished she’d had more cider and found the satire on her love life as hilarious as Pearl and Andre. In truth, she was annoyed. Guildford was supposed be nothing more than a dormitory and her main life was meant to be in London. Instead, London had become the sideshow and her life was happening in Guildford, in a house with a batty old landlady and four other people with whom, apart from Lucy, she had little in common.
‘But really, Jules,’ Andre said. ‘Don’t get tied down on the rebound.’
‘Gotta love a mixed metaphor,’ Pearl said.
‘Shut up, I’m being serious,’ Andre said. ‘Do you know how many people end up marrying someone they barely know – as a reaction to a break-up – and regret it? To show your ex you don’t need him. When nothing says desperation like falling in love with the next guy you happen to run into.’
‘Talking from experience?’ Pearl said.
‘You bet.’
‘Who—’ Julia began.
‘We’re not talking about me,’ Andre said. ‘We’re talking about you. Have some fun. And forget Brandon and Gideon too. He sounds pretentious. Who’s called Gideon in the twentieth century?’
‘Says Andre,’ Pearl said.
‘I didn’t choose my name.’
‘Neither did he!’
Julia banged her fist on the table. ‘Look, you’re both getting carried away,’ she said. ‘I never said anything about being in love. I’m not sure I even like him.’
‘But you went to the cinema with him,’ Andre said.
‘And he fended off this Brandon – that’s quite sexy,’ Pearl said.
‘Yes but …’
What was the but? Why didn’t she like him? Because as soon as Pearl and Andre had started to insist she did, she realised she didn’t. He was kind, thoughtful, cultured … and yet … and yet …
‘I’m bored of talking about both of them,’ Julia said.
‘Good, your round,’ Pearl said.
‘I’m not even halfway through this one.’
‘Then keep up.’
‘And we’re going out tonight,’ Julia protested.
‘Training,’ Pearl said and downed the last of her pint.
Julia sidled up to the bar. Who was she kidding? She wasn’t Gideon’s type. He would have the sort of girlfriend other men envied. Not ‘mate, you could do a lot better’. No, Gideon was just being friendly. He’d moved into a town where he knew no one. Alan was odd, Brandon hostile and Lucy never there. The mild interest from two men had gone to her head. She wasn’t Pearl or Lucy. Even Brandon’s attention had been more for convenience than due to any strong attraction. His apparent jealousy was merely the instinctive response of an alpha male guarding conquered territory.
Chapter 42
2018 – Guildford Crown Court
Former detective constable Luke Crane grows a full six inches as he takes the witness stand and swears in. He obviously enjoyed his job, retirement isn’t suiting him and he’s pleased to return to a courtroom.
‘I remember the incident well,’ Crane says at Mapplethorpe’s prompting. ‘I had only recently joined CID. On Monday 22nd August 1994, we received a call about the sudden death of a Mrs Jennifer Pike, also known as Genevieve D’Auncey, who was the landlady at 72 Downs Avenue, Guildford.’ Crane turns to the jury. ‘Police attend such deaths to ensure there are no suspicious circumstances.’
‘And did Mrs Pike’s death raise any concerns?’ Mapplethorpe asks.
‘None whatsoever.’
‘And was Brandon Wells at the house on that occasion?’
‘He was not,’ Crane says. ‘The other lodgers told me he had left the night before, following an argument with Mrs Pike.’
‘That is the defendants, along with Lucy Moretti?’
‘Miss Moretti was working away from home that week.’
‘So, no one else was in the house, other than the three defendants?’ Mapplethorpe asks.
‘That’s correct.’
‘I see.’ Mapplethorpe pauses as if this holds greater significance than the other information. Though I can’t see how. ‘And you returned to the house on Wednesday, a follow-up visit. Who was present on this occasion?’
‘Again, just the three defendants. Lucy Moretti was working in Newcastle that week. Something confirmed by records kept by her then employer.’
‘So to confirm one more time, the three defendants were the only occupants of the house on Wednesday before Brandon disappeared after telling his friend, Grant McCluskey, he was returning to the house to fetch his belongings?’
‘Yes.’
‘Thank you. No further questions, Mr Crane.’
Crane looks disappointed, he was enjoying giving testimony. He appears reinvigorated when he sees Ralph get to his feet.
‘Mr Crane, am I correct in thinking that you established quite quickly that there was no third-party involvement in Mrs Pike’s death, no suspicious circumstances?’
‘Correct. This was later confirmed by the coroner.’
‘My client, Julia Winter, found the body – do you recall?’
‘I do. She was young and very shaken. I didn’t blame her for being upset. It’s not something you ever get used to.’
‘And yet, despite stating there were no suspicious circumstances, you returned to the property several times, searching Mrs Pike’s belongings and questioning the housemates. Why was this necessary?’ Ralph asks.
Crane sips his water and looks straight at Ralph.
‘We had to make doubly sure nothing was amiss because Mrs Pike’s sister was constantly on the phone to us. Ruth Fletcher knew the chief constable through her charitable work, and she insisted that Mrs Pike’s death should be investigated further. She believed Brandon Wells had murdered her.’
Chapter 43
&
nbsp; 1994 – Guildford
At Waterloo, Julia nursed her hangover with a can of Coke and a bacon sandwich. They settled her stomach and gave her just enough energy to plod up the hill at the other end and back to the house. A journey that seemed longer and steeper than last time. She must be getting old.
On entering the house, she half expected a summons from Genevieve, like the previous week, but the kitchen was empty. She’d make a cup of tea to take to her room. The kettle had just boiled when Brandon came in, as if he’d been waiting for her return.
‘Where’s Gideon?’ he asked.
‘Dunno,’ Julia said.
‘You didn’t spend the weekend with him?’
‘What? Of course not.’
‘But you must have caught the same train.’
How could he know that?
‘Are you watching me?’
‘I knew you were both going to London and heard you leave around about the same time,’ Brandon said.
‘I saw him on the train, then went to meet my friends. That’s all.’
She hoped this would end the conversation. Brandon had other ideas.
‘You must think I’m stupid,’ he said. ‘Me the other week, Gideon this. There’s a word for girls like you. You really don’t care, do you?’
He took a step towards her. Julia held her ground.
‘Am I supposed to?’
‘I heard what you said to Genevieve.’
‘You have been spying on me then,’ Julia said.
‘Just happened to be passing the door.’
‘Like you just happened to be looking out of the window when I left yesterday? Or did you follow me to the station?’
Brandon didn’t answer.
‘Oh my God, you did.’
‘Don’t turn this on me. You’re the one being a bitch.’
‘Ahh,’ Julia said and put on a toddler’s voice. ‘Are you going to run and tell Genevieve? Will she pat your head, tell you you’ve been a good boy and give you more money? You need to grow up.’
She grabbed her tea, sloshing half of it across the countertop.
‘Wipe that up,’ Brandon said.
‘Fuck off!’
Julia stamped up the stairs and slammed her bedroom door behind her.
The Verdict Page 20