by M A Comley
The woman was distraught. She had a screwed-up tissue in one hand and was clinging on to her husband’s arm with the other.
It was Kolo who responded. “Thank you. We got here as soon as we could. I don’t know how I managed to concentrate on the motorway after hearing the dreadful news.”
“I’m glad you got here in one piece. Come this way.” Katy punched in her security number, and the door clicked open.
The couple followed her up the stairs to the incident room. Katy’s gaze was immediately drawn to the whiteboard over to the right, their son’s picture sitting prominently at the top, with very little else written on the board to do with his death. She breathed out a sigh and led the way into her office where she offered them a drink.
“Not for us, all we want is for someone to tell us the truth about what happened to our son,” Mr Kone stated.
“Very well, I’ll tell you what we know so far. Please take a seat.”
The three of them sat. Katy was in dire need of a coffee but knew she’d have to plough on regardless if the couple had declined a drink.
“Unfortunately, your son’s body was found in Hyde Park, tucked behind some bushes. It was obvious he was out on a run; is that something he liked to do?”
“Yes, our son was very fit. There was no reason for him to die through illness,” Mrs Kone replied. “I’m a nurse, I give all my family a thorough check-up at least once every six months. He was very fit indeed, thanks to his nightly runs and a couple of trips to the gym every week.”
“Thank you for the insight. Do you know which gym he attended?” Katy jotted down the relevant details as the woman spoke lovingly about her son.
“Does it matter?” Mr Kone asked, his brow furrowed.
“It might do. Our job is to try to ascertain if your son had dealt with any possible problems which might have led to his death. Yesterday, we visited his place of employment, and there didn’t appear to be any issues there. The next task on our agenda would be to find out if there were any venues your son might have frequented, where he may have encountered any likely trouble.”
“Weight Less is the gym, it’s in the same road where he worked. He was a member and used to go there at lunchtimes, when he didn’t have any clients to see in the afternoon, of course. I can’t believe he’s gone and that he was killed so close to home when he was exercising. Do you know who did it?” the man asked in a thick African accent.
“No, we’ve yet to establish any possible suspects. We’re doing our best but, without witnesses, it’s proving an impossible task.”
“You mean because our son is black!”
Katy looked the man straight in the eye and shook her head. “I don’t think so. We’re unsure if this case is race-related or not. As yet we have very little evidence stating either way.” Although I suspect wholeheartedly you’re right.
“Take my word for it, it’s because of the colour of his skin.”
“Hush now, you can’t say that, Kolo. You mustn’t jump to that conclusion every time something happens against our family,” his wife admonished her husband.
“Ha, you might not think that’s the cause.” He slammed a fist on his chest. “I know it here, woman. We’ve dealt with enough of this shit over the years to know when something doesn’t feel right.”
“Racism?” Katy asked.
“Yes. There are certain people in this world who object to sharing it with the likes of us. Who think of themselves as the greater race. They are deluded, but it is not for a man of colour to put them right; as you can see, this is usually the outcome when someone seeks the courage to speak out.”
“We don’t know that’s what happened for certain, Mr Kone. At present we’re keen not to limit our investigation by thinking that might be the case.”
“I feel it in my bones, Inspector. You get a sense when something is wrong, and I’m getting it about how our son was killed, murdered. How dare they? Rob us of our precious boy just because they didn’t believe he fitted in. We sacrificed everything for that boy. Saved all the money we earned from our jobs just so we could make his life better. Put him through college and university. He achieved top marks, was one of the brightest students in his class. Was always eager to learn more, that’s why he continued studying, despite having secured a decent job, this time to become a prosecutor. Trying to better himself with every breath he took, for what? For someone to come along and take his life, just because of his colour.”
Katy let the man have his say. Deep down, she had a feeling his perception of how his son had died was an accurate one, but she couldn’t admit it, it was too soon to do so. “We’re going to need to investigate your son’s case further before we can come to that conclusion, sir.”
“I don’t care what you think. I’m telling you it’s the truth. We haven’t been able to trace our daughter-in-law, Gillian. Have you spoken with her?”
Katy heaved out a sigh. The couple were as yet unaware of what she suspected had gone on at the house. “My partner and I went to the house yesterday, to break the news to Gillian, but she wasn’t there. I’m afraid I haven’t been able to contact her by phone either.”
“Why not? Let me try.” Mrs Kone took her mobile out of her bag.
Her husband flung a hand over hers to prevent her making the call. “Look at her, she wants to tell us more, Eliza. She’s keeping something from us. What is it, Inspector? You need to tell us.”
Katy nodded. “You’re right, it’s yet to be confirmed, but we believe Gillian and her child may have been abducted.”
“What? Oh no! Please don’t say that,” Mrs Kone shouted and broke down.
Her husband leaned over and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. “Keep strong. We need to do that for her, for them.” He faced Katy and asked, “How do you know this?”
“When we showed up at your son’s house, we found the back door open. When we searched inside, there were signs of a struggle. I questioned the neighbour on the right; she told me she’d heard shouting coming from the house and presumed it was Adama and Gillian having an argument. I knew this wasn’t the case because of your son’s whereabouts at the time. Which led me to the assumption that Gillian had been abducted.”
“Gracious me. Why? For what purpose?” Mr Kone asked, his head shaking as disbelief descended.
“So far, that part of the puzzle has us foxed. At first, we wondered if Gillian was possibly being held while the perpetrator forced Adama to do something illegal. But that theory went out of the window when Gillian wasn’t released after Adama’s body was found.”
“Oh no, poor Gillian.” Mrs Kone grabbed her husband’s hand. “What about Jamillia, our granddaughter? Where is she? How do you know nothing serious has happened to them?”
“The truth is, we don’t,” Katy replied in a defeated tone. Giving herself a mental shake, she gave the couple a reassuring smile. “But we need to hang on to the fact that neither of them has been found yet.”
“Are you telling us that you’re seeing that as a positive?” Mr Kone asked, confused.
“We have to. Take it from me, we’re doing our very best, searching hard for them. Patrol cars are on full alert. Hopefully something will come to light soon. I need to try to find a next of kin for Gillian. Would you have their contact details?”
Mrs Kone shrugged and shook her head. “We don’t have one. She was alone in the world when Adama first met her. We welcomed her into our family. Yes, she is white, but to us, the colour of her skin has no relevance, it’s what lies within that matters. She loved our son, gave him an heir we’ve been waiting a long time to have, and now you’re telling us she’s gone, is missing.”
“Unfortunately, yes. As stated previously, without any witness statements to go on, we’re at a loss as to know what could have happened at the house at the time she went missing.”
“Can’t you put a trace on her phone? Isn’t that what you police do?” Mr Kone asked.
“We’ve already tried that. SOCO made a th
orough examination of the house and found her handbag in the lounge, beside the sofa, with her phone inside.”
“Bugger. I can’t believe this is happening, not to us. First you tell us our son is dead and now you’re saying that our beautiful daughter-in-law and grandchild are both missing and you haven’t got a clue where they might be or who has got them. I feel sick,” Mr Kone said. He squeezed his wife’s shoulders.
“I’m sure the officer is doing her best for us, Kolo. Please, we need to give her a chance. Let’s face it, what else are we going to do?”
“I hate being in limbo. It’s the not knowing that is destroying me, love.”
Katy smiled at them both. “Believe me when I say this, I share your frustrations. You have my word that we’re doing everything we can to try to find them both. Is there anything else you can tell us about your son? Has he reported any possible conflicts in the past few months?”
Mr Kone contemplated the question whilst shaking his head. “No, nothing. My son was content in his personal and professional life. Things were getting better and better for him every day. Since Jamillia came into their lives, he’s regarded her as a lucky charm for him and his family. None of this makes sense to me, to us.”
“I have to ask if either of you has encountered any possible abuse lately.”
The couple glanced at each other and shook their heads.
Mr Kone replied, “No, nothing lately. You think this has something to do with us?”
Katy held her upturned hands above her desk. “The truth is, I really don’t know. The way things are right now, we’re going to have to look long and hard for a possible motive. If nothing is forthcoming, we’re going to be forced to put this down to a one-off attack. However, that would not explain why Gillian and Jamillia have been abducted.”
“Do you believe our son was specifically targeted?” Mr Kone asked.
“Hard to say, given what we know about his murder.”
“Can we see him?” Mrs Kone clutched her husband’s hand tighter.
Katy smiled. “Yes, I can arrange for the pathologist’s department to call you to make the arrangements.”
“Would that be soon?” Mrs Kone whispered.
“I believe so, yes. Is there anything else you can tell me that you think would help us?”
“No, nothing,” Mr Kone said. He rose from his seat and helped his wife get to her feet. “Will you ring us if you find out anything? Or capture the killer?”
“I’ll do it straight away. Thank you for coming in to see me today. I’m sorry it was under such terrible circumstances. I want to assure you, we’re going to do all we can to find the person responsible.”
“We have faith in you,” Mrs Kone said, her sad expression easing to give Katy a brief smile.
“I’ll show you out.” Katy left her seat, and the couple followed her through the incident room and down the stairs to the main entrance. She waited until they got in their car and waved them off. After she ascended the stairs again, she filled the team in on what little information the Kones had shared with her. “Graham, can you and Patrick take a ride out to the gym for me? Ask around down there, see if there’s been any kind of bother involving Adama. Apparently, he used to frequent the place during the day, during his lunchtimes, and run in the evening. Maybe he had a running mate sometimes. Listen to me, you know what to ask, I don’t need to spoon-feed you.”
“Yes, boss. Shall we go now?” Katy nodded, and both men left their seats. “Hand over what you were working on to Stephen and Charlie before you go. I’ll be in my office, attacking my post if anyone should need me.”
She returned to her office, and a thought crossed her mind. She picked up the phone and rang Carol, the psychic. “Carol, hi, it’s Katy. Can you speak or are you otherwise engaged?”
Carol chortled. “You mean am I in conference with a spirit?”
“Yes, that.”
“No. I’m okay to talk at the moment. Actually, something strange woke me during the night, but nothing has really materialised as yet.”
“Can you give me more than that?”
“No, nothing at this moment. Sorry.”
“What about the victim you called about the other day? Anything else there?”
“I was going to contact you later. What he’s relaying is very confusing. It’s strange, he’s coming across as an articulate man, but well, quite frankly, none of it makes any sense to me. Maybe it will to you.”
“What have you got?”
“People beating someone, I’m presuming it’s the victim. But also, I see a woman and a child. Is there a connection? No, don’t answer that. I take it I’m seeing the man’s wife and child but then nothing else.”
“Can I speak now?”
“Yes, of course, sorry.”
Katy sighed. “We learned that Adama’s wife and child might have been abducted. They were missing from the family home when Charlie and I turned up there. I have to ask the one question I’m trying to avoid: do you think they’re dead?”
“Ah, I see. Adama hasn’t appeared, not since the last time. All I can tell you is that when I saw the image of the woman and the child, they appeared to be still alive. I can’t give you anything clearer than that, though.”
“Great. I know it’s not your fault and I’m grateful for what you’ve given us so far. I was hoping against hope that you’d be able to see the wife and child somewhere and we would be able to rescue them. I know, I’m guilty of asking too much of you.”
“Sorry, I wish I could help. Maybe whatever woke me will point me in the right direction for you later. All I can say is that I’ll keep in touch.”
“Thanks, Carol, I know it was a long shot ringing you. This case is bugging the life out of me because we’re not getting very far with it. Saying that, it’s still early days.”
“I’m sure something will turn up soon. I’ll try and summon the spirits later and get back to you with the results.”
“It would be amazing if you could do that, Carol. Thanks. How are you?”
“I’m well. Umm… dare I ask how Charlie is?”
“She’s doing okay, I think. You should probably ask her that question.”
“I will. Tell her to give me a ring if she needs me. I have a spare room she can have.”
“Are you telling me you know about her and Brandon breaking up?”
“Yes. Don’t tell her, but her grandfather visited me at the weekend. He said he was concerned about her and Lorne. I rang Lorne, she seemed her usual carefree self, but I haven’t managed to get hold of Charlie in days. Maybe she’s avoiding me.”
“I doubt it. She thinks a lot of you, Carol, it wouldn’t be intentional. Give her time to sort herself out. She told you in the car she would pop around and see you at the weekend.”
“I’ll look forward to that. Just let her know I’m here if she wants to get in touch.”
“I will. Can you keep me informed about what goes on later?”
“You’ll be the first and only person I ring.”
“Thanks, Carol. Take care of yourself.”
“You, too, Katy.”
She hung up and worked her way through the mundane task of bureaucracy that crossed her desk every morning, dividing it into piles of urgency. She dealt with the priority letters first.
Charlie entered the office with a welcome cup of coffee. “Thought you might need one of these.”
“You’re a treasure. Question for you.”
Charlie frowned. “Go on.”
“Are you avoiding Carol for any particular reason?”
Charlie slumped against the doorframe. “Not really. Has she been telling tales on me?”
“No, she’s concerned about you. Give her a ring when you can. She told me to pass on a message that she has a spare room at the house if you should need it.”
“She’s funny. I’m trying to do things my way.”
“She cares about you as much as we all do.”
Charlie waved her hand.
“I’m fine. I inherited strong genes, remember?”
Katy laughed. “I’m not likely to forget. Just ring Carol when you’ve got a spare five minutes to put her mind at ease.”
“Okay, I will.”
“Right, I’d better get back to it now. I’ll be out as soon as I’ve worked my way through this lot.”
“I don’t envy you.”
Charlie left her to it. Katy put her all into getting the task completed. Well, her intentions were good until her mobile rang.
“Hi, Patti. It’s unusual for you to call my mobile, it can only mean one thing.”
“There’s a reason why you have the tag of being the smartest detective in the Met. We’ve got another body. Thought you might want to attend.”
Katy stood and slipped her arms into the sleeves of her jacket while she jiggled the phone between her hands to write down the information Patti was feeding her. “It’s about fifteen minutes to where you are, give or take, and depending on the traffic. I’ll see you soon.”
“No rush. The victim isn’t going anywhere.”
“See you later.”
Katy hung up and raced out of the office. “Charlie, we’ve got another victim.”
Charlie got to her feet and made her way to the door.
“Are you not taking your jacket with you?”
“Oops, yep. It’s no longer summer out there, is it?”
Katy shook her head and addressed the other members of the team. “We’ll visit the crime scene and be in touch. Carry on with what you’re doing, we’ll contact you as soon as we can with all the details.”
On the way to the car, Charlie asked, “What do you know about the victim?”
“Not much. Patti is never overly talkative when she contacts me about a vic and requests my attendance at a crime scene. She prefers to surprise me with the details in the flesh, so to speak.”
“Ah, the element of surprise has a habit of making me retch.”
Katy smiled and got in the driver’s side. “You’ll get used to it, eventually.”
“Why ring you? Does that mean that Patti believes the two cases are linked?”