by Jade Winters
“Well? Have you?”
Ashley slowly shook her head. These were always difficult situations as the victim’s loved ones needed to lash out, and it was often the police who were the first line of attack. She understood that feeling of anger at the injustice of life and that alone stopped her from trying to placate him.
His broad-carved face twisted in anger. “No, I didn’t think so, so no, you don’t understand DS whatever your name is.”
Mrs. Connor cast a disapproving look at her husband. “Stop it, Danny, stop it right now. She didn’t mean anything by it.”
A muscle twitched at the side of Danny’s eye as he turned to his wife. “Are you siding with them, Debbie?”
Dale moved to Ashley’s side. She saw the quick flash of anger in his face, almost instantly masked. “Come on, let’s go. Our support is clearly not wanted.”
“We’ll keep you both updated.” Ashley caught Debbie’s eye. She glanced back at Ashley with an apologetic look.
Once they were seated in his car again, Dale said angrily, “Fucking prick.”
Ashley slid the seat belt across her chest and slipped it into the buckle. “He’s upset, understandably so. And he was right. I don’t know what he’s going through.”
“It would be impossible for anyone to know what someone is going through personally, that’s why the word empathy was invented.”
“Yeah, well, whoever knocked that poor girl over seems to be sorely lacking in any kind of emotion.”
They drove through the wet streets in silence, both deep in thought about what type of sub-human knocks over a young girl and then drives away.
Chapter Eleven
The commute to St. Helens school was a short one. Dale spent the journey fuming about Mr. Connor’s attitude and Ashley was silent, lost in thought about Abbi. The case could not have come at a worse time for her. She liked to be able to give one hundred percent when she was investigating a serious crime. But with Nathan’s arrest, she could barely keep her thoughts in a straight line. Even Tasha had to take a back seat in her priorities. She could only hope that the mysterious hit and run driver would be caught sooner rather than later.
On entering the imposing school building, they were led, by the school secretary, directly into a plush carpeted office area. The secretary knocked on a door marked with the words “Mrs. S. Heywood – Headmistress” in a clear black font with subtle gold edging. The door opened on the first knock and a tall, willowy woman, who looked every inch a headmistress from the Victorian era, ushered them into her office with a sweep of her hand. Ashley and Dale tried not to smile as they caught each other’s eye and realised they both felt like naughty children being called into the headmistress’ office.
This particular headmistress was tight-lipped with dark hair neatly swept up into a bun on top of her head in a positively Jane Eyre-ish fashion. Ashley glanced around the office and couldn’t help but see the resemblance with her own headmistress’ office from her school days. Cold. Impersonal. The air heavy with authority. Mrs. Heywood’s features were sharp-planed and expressionless. Her steel blue eyes drilled into Ashley’s as she introduced herself.
Mrs. Heywood demurely took a seat behind her desk and gestured for Ashley and Dale to be seated in the chairs opposite. Of course the chairs were as uncomfortable as sitting on stone, and Ashley tried not to wriggle whilst attempting to find a comfortable spot to sit in.
“This is a terrible tragedy. Absolutely terrible,” Mrs. Heywood said, clasping her hands together in front of her. “I pride myself in providing a safe, nurturing environment for my pupils and then something like this happens.” She shook her head, despairingly. “An absolute tragedy,” she repeated.
“I’m sure this incident will have no bearing on the school’s reputation, Mrs. Heywood,” Ashley said reassuringly.
Mrs. Heywood’s eyes narrowed. “I should hope not,” she said. “The school itself is not involved. It does not reflect on us.”
Ashley carried on determinedly. “So, what can you tell me about Abbi Connor?”
Ashley thought she saw a flash of distaste on the lady’s features when she mentioned her pupil’s name. As if she realised this, Mrs. Heywood bowed her head slightly, diverting her gaze from the detectives and looking at her well-polished desk.
“What can I say about Abigail? She was a typical teenager,” she quipped lightly and then fidgeted more with her hands.
Ashley exchanged a quick glance with Dale. He raised one eyebrow in a silent question. “Was she a popular girl?” Ashley asked.
Mrs. Heywood’s head shot up. She looked intently from the one detective to the other. She seemed to find whatever she was looking for in them, and only then said, “Hmmm.” Her mouth pursing as if she was tasting something sour. “Popular? Yes, you could say that.”
From the expression on her face it was quite obvious she didn’t think much of the girl.
“Mrs. Heywood, I need to get a realistic picture of what Abbi is like if we’re ever going to find out if this incident was an accident or not.” Ashley did not have time for Victorian parlour games, and found that she had unintentionally spoken with a sharp edge of annoyance to her voice.
Mrs. Heywood’s eyes narrowed almost into slits as she asked testily, “Are you trying to imply I’m being dishonest?”
“I don’t think she was implying anything, you’re doing that all by yourself,” Dale came in loyally. Ashley hid a smile behind a fake cough. Obviously, Dale had also had enough of this cat and mouse game.
Mrs. Heywood’s eyebrows shot up. “I beg your pardon! I don’t know who you–”
“–Look, we are not trying to be offensive, but time is of the essence if we are to catch this person. Please, Mrs. Heywood, let’s cut to the chase. Anything you tell us is for our ears only – to help us build a picture of Abbi and her life. Nothing goes beyond these walls,” Dale said, flashing his most charming smile.
Mrs. Heywood’s face softened as she let her defences down, Dale’s words disarming her, his previous verbal transgression now forgotten.
“Okay.” She leaned forward, her chin resting on her elegantly curled fist and said in a low conspiratorial tone, “She is what I would call, a ‘feisty’ child. Wilful and headstrong. Brought up to think for herself and act accordingly.” She made quotation marks in the air above her and her nose wrinkled again in distaste. “At least that’s what her mother said to me when last I spoke to her about Abbi’s behaviour. Have you met the parents?” When both detectives nodded, she continued, “Then you know exactly what I mean.”
At that, Mrs. Heywood rose briskly from her seat and brushed down her long flowing skirt. Gone was the friendly tone and back was the headmistress’ cold voice. “But enough of my thoughts. I’m sure your time would be better spent talking to the pupils. To whom would you like to speak to first?”
Ashley shrank back in her seat, a little intimidated by the sharp tone of the woman. She was glad Dale was at her side. This Ice Queen seemed to have no effect on him whatsoever. He had obviously not spent a lot of time in the headmistress’ office at school like she had.
“Adam Cameron, the boy who found her,” Dale answered when Ashley didn’t respond.
He glanced at Ashley and grinned, whispering, “Who’s terrified of the headmistress?” he teased, nudging her lightly on the arm as their eyes followed the ramrod back and welded bun of Mrs. Heywood as she left the room.
Chapter Twelve
Adam was a tall, lanky teenager who looked much older than his fifteen years. Frown lines were already etched in his forehead and his voice had broken into a deep rumbling tone. He stood in his blue uniform near the office door. Ashley and Dale turned their chairs around to face him.
Adam’s eyes flicked from one detective to the other constantly. “Are you going to arrest me?” he asked, his fingers fiddling with the end of his blue and white tie.
“Why would we do that, Adam?” Dale asked, an amused look in his eyes.
Adam
shrugged. His eyes darted from Dale to Ashley and back to Dale again. “I don’t know. Seems odd you want to question me again. I already spoke to a policeman earlier. That’s all.”
“We just need to clarify a few things. It’s just an informal chat, I assure you. You’re not in trouble. You can walk out of here any time you want.” Ashley adopted the tone she normally used when dealing with children. Adam didn’t physically look like a child, but mentally he was only a few years out of primary school and this must be a terribly scary situation to find himself in.
Adam gave a quick nod. “Okay.” He seemed to relax slightly. He stepped into the office, closed the door and lowered himself on to a seat near the wall.
Ashley crossed her legs and leaned back. “So, Adam, what can you tell us about Abbi? Did you know her well?”
He shrugged awkwardly and his gaze fell to the ground.
“What does that mean? Either you...” Dale started.
Ashley shot Dale a look that silenced him. “Okay, Adam, what my colleague means is did you ever hang out with Abbi? Were you friends with her on Facebook.”
Adam lifted his head and stifled a giggle, rolling his eyes, he said, “Facebook is so yesterday.”
Ashley smiled. She was going to get an update on current social media by the sounds of it. She was only twenty-seven herself but even she found technology moving with such a fast pace she felt like an old person any time she dealt with a teenager.
“Okay, whatever forms of social media you now use to chat with your friends?”
Adam shifted uncomfortably in his seat. “Yeah, she was on my WhatsApp.”
“Okay. WhatsApp, right, got it. So do you know who she had a fight with today?”
He shook his head and dropped his eyes to the ground again.
“Are you sure?” She pressed on gently.
Adam slowly raised his head and looked at her with uncertainty. “You know you said I could go any time I wanted?”
Ashley nodded.
“I think I’d like to go now.” He stood up, then walked towards the door without his eyes meeting either of the detectives.
“Adam.” Ashley’s voice was firm enough for the boy to hesitate. His hand stopped in mid-air as he reached for the door handle.
“What’s your girlfriend’s name?” Ashley asked, keeping her voice intentionally light.
He twisted his head around. “I don’t…” He looked panicked but didn’t make an attempt to leave the room.
Ashley pushed herself up onto her feet and walked over to him, stopping inches away from his lean frame. She looked up at him and said, “You aren’t going to lie to a police officer are you, Adam?” She made sure she looked him straight in the eyes when she said, “Now I’ll ask you again. Only this time think before you answer.”
His cheeks flushed as he rested his head against the door. “Mia.”
“Mia who?”
“Mia Headly,” he said weakly.
“Thank you, Adam. That wasn’t so bad, now was it?”
He didn’t answer but fumbled with the door handle before swinging it back wildly and disappearing through the opening.
Seconds later, Mrs. Heywood appeared, glancing at Adam’s retreating back then to Ashley.
“What happened? What did he say? Why is he in such a rush to leave?”
Ashley shrugged nonchalantly. “I think he has somewhere to go. We were done anyway. Could you fetch Mia Headly please, we would like to have a word with her.”
Mrs. Heywood looked at her in confusion. “Mia? What’s she got to do with this?”
Dale stood up, towering over Mrs. Heywood.
“Mrs. Heywood, I am sure you have much more important things that need your attention than overseeing two officers just asking a few kids some questions. As soon as we speak to Mia we can finish up what we need to do here and be out of your hair sooner rather than later. Then you can get back to the running of your fine school. Now, would you mind fetching her for us?”
Mrs. Heywood looked flustered. “No, of course not. I’ll get my secretary to find her.” She trotted off down the corridor, her sensible shoes making little noise on the linoleum flooring.
Ashley looked at Dale and with a grin on her face said, “You are absolutely the master of manipulation!” She shook her head, still smiling. Dale was a charmer, alright, no doubt about that, but his gentle nature really helped them out more often than not. She was again grateful to have this amazing man as her friend as well as her colleague.
After waiting for ten minutes, there was a hard knock at the door and it burst open without the person waiting for an answer.
Mia Headly rushed in like a whirlwind. Long frizzy brown hair swayed from side to side as she strode to the centre of the room then stopped abruptly. She wrapped her arms tightly around her chest. “Don’t think you lot scare me,” she said in a heavily northern accented voice as she eyeballed Ashley and Dale.
Ashley looked up at her, and tried hard not to smile. The girl would most probably take it as an insult. “Hello, Mia. Please sit down. We are not here to scare you in any way. We just want to have a chat with you.”
Ashley eyed the girl, standing in front of them with her fists balled under her armpits and her chin tucked down defiantly.
“Er...no. I don’t wanna sit and ‘chat’.” Mia spat the word out. “Geez, who even uses that word any more?” Mia huffed. “Oh and just so you know,” she continued without catching a breath, “I’m not going to be all ‘nicey nicey’ like these bunch of hypocrites at this stupid school. Two faced little scum bags. All of them. Not one has the balls to say it, so I'm going to: I’m glad the bitch is in the hospital. I hope she dies. I really do. There, so arrest me for saying what everyone is thinking.”
Mia stuck her arms out ahead of her, wrist touching wrist as if she was waiting for them to snap cuffs on her.
Ashley ignored the dramatics and leaned forward in her chair. Straight away she mentally removed Mia from her suspect list. The girl was too feisty. She had a beef with Abbi, that was obvious, but she had no doubt if Mia had something to do with the incident she would have no problem telling the truth.
“Any particular reason why you and Abbi don’t get on?” Ashley waited for the answer she was damned sure she already knew.
“Because the clingy bitch can’t leave my boyfriend alone that’s why! He dumped her and she can’t accept he doesn’t want her any more. Like, build a bridge and get over it, geez! Move on.” Her hands defensively crossed her chest again as she rolled her eyes heavenwards.
“Okay, so I get that you don’t like her, but do you know of anyone would want to hurt her?”
“Er, hello? Weren’t you listening? How about the whole school? Everybody hates her, she’s a bully and she got what she deserved. Karma, you know? What goes around comes around.”
Tell it as it is why don’t you. “Was it you she was fighting with?” Ashley asked.
Mia looked at her as if she’d gone mad. “Me?” She poked herself hard in the chest and gave a dry, humourless laugh. “She knew better than to mess with me. I ain’t scared of her. I can take care of myself and that bitch didn’t even try getting one over on me. No, she wouldn’t have dared mess with me.”
Dale raised his brows. “So if it wasn’t you, who was it?”
Mia dropped into the empty seat with a loud clatter and began twisting her hair around her finger. She gave a derisive snort. “Helena Thomas.”
“Who else did Abbi have problems with?” Ashley asked.
Mia threw back her head and let out peal of laughter. “Ha! Like, how long you got? Bring out the school register!”
Chapter Thirteen
Dale blew out a breath as they walked along the school corridor and took the exit to the car park. “Bloody hell that Mia’s a handful. I feel sorry for anyone who gets on the wrong side of her. And only fifteen, Jesus. I’m a grown man and she even scared me.”
Ashley giggled. “I know. I’ve seen fully trained sergeants tha
t don’t have that girl’s guts.” She looked at Dale across the roof of the car and said, “Seriously though, it must be so difficult raising a child. On the one hand you don’t want to raise a bully, but you also don’t want to raise a victim. Parents have it hard these days trying to get the balance right. At least Mia is never going to be anyone’s victim.”
Dale laughed as he said, “When Adam didn’t want to give us his girlfriend’s name, I thought he was protecting her. In reality I think he was protecting us from her!”
To Ashley’s dismay, Helena Thomas was absent from school. They had spoken to a few of the girls that Mia had said were on the receiving end of Abbi’s scorn. Not one of them had shed any new light on the hit and run. Mia was right; most people only had negative things to say about Abbi. She sounded like she made enemies easier than she made friends.
Since none of the students were of the legal age to drive they would have to look into the people they associated with. They were going to have to wait until the following day to speak with Helena, that’s if she bothered turning up to school.
Until late afternoon Ashley and Dale went from shop to shop on the high street, checking out the CCTV cameras. They had no luck and left the high street feeling frustrated.
“Dale, it really feels like this case is going to be a hard one to crack. We’ve got nothing to go on.”
“Be patient, Ash. The truth will always surface if you wait long enough. The answers will come if we just don’t stop asking questions. You’ll see.”
Ashley grinned. “Thanks, Guru Dale; I’ll try my best to remember that.”
Back at the station, Ashley focused on the report Colleen had asked for, whilst Dale arranged a meeting with the collision investigator. He then called all the local garages to see if any cars had been brought in with damages consistent with such an accident. Ashley jumped every time the desk phone rang, thinking it was news about Nathan. Whenever her mobile buzzed, she prayed it would be Tasha. But she heard nothing about either of them.