‘What’s that?’ French asked of the document that Nick was reading.
‘Maria Santos’ witness statement. Details her time at Solace Farm and the events of yesterday.’
‘Anything interesting?’
‘It makes for very strange reading. She’d lived there for the last fifteen years, but there’s nothing that amounts to anything criminal,’ Nick said.
‘And I don’t suppose it’s an offence to offer a wayward teenager free board, lodging, and some religious guidance,’ French added.
‘No. But when they start to vanish off the face of the earth, you’ve got to ask yourself what else was going on up there?’
Nick’s phone began to ring. It was Ruth. ‘Everything all right, boss?’ Nick asked. In the back of his mind, he was worried about Sian’s condition.
‘I’m up at Solace Farm. They’ve found human remains in the first grave and I’ve got a strong feeling that it’s Ketha Langley.’
‘Why’s that?’
‘Young female, lots of earrings, piercing studs still with the body ...’
‘Sounds about right.’ Nick pictured Darren Langley in his mind, sitting at home drinking away his feelings of loss. ‘We’re about to arrive to interview Maria Santos, so I’ll see if I can jog her memory about Ketha Langley.’
‘See you back at the ranch,’ Ruth said as she ended the call.
French parked in front of some gloomy-looking houses that formed a council-run sheltered housing community for pensioners.
‘Number 17,’ Nick said as they got out of the car.
They knocked at the door and after about a minute it was opened by a woman in a wheelchair.
‘Maria Santos?’ Nick asked.
The woman nodded and croaked, ‘Yes.’
Nick thought she was probably in her early sixties. She wore a dark head scarf that covered her entire scalp and forehead, but it was clear that she had very little hair underneath. She wore tinted glasses, and patches of burned red skin on her cheek and chin were covered in some kind of cream.
Her hands were heavily bandaged and Nick assumed that she had suffered burns from the previous day’s fire. He showed her his warrant card. ‘Is it okay if we come in and ask you a few questions?’
‘Not really. I’ve already given a statement,’ she muttered, and then coughed. ‘I’m still not over the fire from yesterday.’
‘It’ll only take a couple of minutes,’ French said with a kind smile.
Maria gave them a withering look and backed her wheelchair away from the door. ‘If you must then,’ she groaned.
Nick couldn’t place her accent. He knew the name was Portuguese.
They followed her into a darkened living room that was cluttered with all sorts of trinkets, ornaments, patterned cushions, and coverings. The curtains had been drawn to allow only a small amount of daylight in.
‘We’ve arrested your son this morning, Mrs Santos,’ Nick said as he sat down next to French on a narrow sofa.
‘I know. I spoke to him just before you came ... Let me ask you something officer, you think it’s a crime to try and give these kids a better life? They have food, a warm bed, and we try to help them live a decent, moral life.’
‘Our investigation is into their disappearance, Mrs Santos. Not how they arrived at the farm or the life they lived there,’ French said.
‘Disappearance? What are you talking about?’ Maria asked quizzically.
Nick clicked on his phone, found a photo of Ketha Langley, and leaned forward to show Maria. ‘Do you recognise this girl, Mrs Santos?’
Maria squinted for a second. ‘Yes, that’s Mary.’
‘Ketha Langley, who was renamed as Mary once she got to the farm, is that right?’
Maria nodded. ‘Yes. Lovely girl. Very musical.’
‘Can you tell us where Mary is now? Does she still live on the farm?’ Nick asked.
‘No, no. She left us a long time ago. That’s part of the deal you see. My son talks to these teenagers who have had a tough start in life and tells them about what’s on offer at Solace Farm. If they decide to come, then we look after them and give them religious instruction for as long as they want to be there. If they decide to move on, then we have given them a better chance in life, haven’t we?’
Nick could see that what Maria had explained was charitable and admirable in many ways. However, the reality of the situation was very different.
‘Mrs Santos, there’s a field close to the farm where fourteen large holes have been dug in recent years. Do you know anything about that?’ French asked.
Maria shook her head and looked utterly confused. ‘No, no. I’ve no idea what you are talking about. What field?’
‘We believe that the holes are graves, Mrs Santos. We think that they hold the bodies of former residents of Solace Farm,’ Nick said.
Maria’s eyes widened in horror. ‘No, no. That can’t be right.’
‘We have found human remains in the first grave. We think they belong to Ketha Langley, whom you knew as Mary.’
Maria crossed herself. ‘Please, I don’t know anything about this. It is such a terrible thing that you are saying.’
She seems to be genuinely shocked and upset.
‘When was the last time you saw Mary?’ French asked.
‘I really cannot remember. A year ago - maybe more.’
‘Can you tell us about Rachel Ryan?’ Nick asked.
‘Rachel was our leader. She was a prophet ordained by God to lead us to salvation.’
French shot a look at Nick as if to say that he’d picked up on something.
‘Sorry, Mrs Santos. I couldn’t help but notice that you used the word “was” twice when you were talking about Rachel Ryan?’
‘Yes. Well you must know, surely? Rachel is now with Our Lord and will live in eternal harmony.’
Even though they had found the necklace on one of the bodies, they still had no other confirmation that Rachel Ryan was dead.
‘Are you saying that she is dead?’ French asked.
Maria nodded sadly. ‘Yes. I watched her perish in the holy flames with my very own eyes.’
IT WAS LATE AFTERNOON, and Ruth had returned to Llancastell CID for an update, and the second briefing with her team. She was keen to keep busy and avoid dwelling on Sian’s injuries. A phone call to the ICU had confirmed that there was no change in her condition. The nurse said this was a good sign.
At 6pm Ruth moved to the centre of the room. ‘Right everyone. It looks like this case is moving fast now. As most of you know, human remains have been found in the first hole in the field next to Solace Farm. Due to the jewellery that was found with the remains, we believe that it is Ketha Langley buried there. Obviously, we will need DNA verification of that. It also means that it is very likely that we are looking at thirteen other bodies. Jim, did you manage to look at the notebook that was found up there?’
Garrow nodded and picked up the book. ‘Yes, boss. I’ve been through this and it goes back to 2008. There are seventy-two names written down, with an arrival date beside each name. We have fifty survivors of the fire yesterday, and seven fatalities. That means there were fifty-seven people living at Solace Farm as of yesterday. It also means that fifteen people arrived at Solace Farm but are now unaccounted for.’
Nick looked over and said grimly, ‘If we include Callum Roper and the fourteen graves, we’ve accounted for everyone.’
Ruth nodded but shuddered at the thought. ‘In terms of criminal prosecutions, we now have skin and clothing samples from all of the residents at Solace Farm. That should allow forensics to tell us who used firearms. What about Maria Santos?’
‘Seemed genuine to me and Dan. She and her son thought they were helping wayward teenagers find a better life. My suspicion is that they had no idea of what Rachel Ryan was doing at the farm,’ Nick said.
‘And she was certain that she saw Rachel Ryan die in the fire?’ Ruth asked.
There was still part of Ruth that belie
ved she was still alive. She had no idea if it was instinct or paranoia.
‘Yes. Although she seemed to think it was a holy fire,’ Nick said sardonically.
CHAPTER 37
Ruth looked up and saw Drake come in. He gestured to indicate that he wanted a quiet word.
‘Nick, can you carry on for a second? I just need a word with DCI Drake.’
Ruth saw Drake’s expression and moved quickly towards him.
‘Something wrong?’ she asked.
‘It’s Sian. The hospital has asked for relatives and next of kin to go to the ICU,’ Drake said very quietly.
‘Why? What’s happened?’ Ruth said, feeling sick to her stomach.
‘I don’t know exactly. They said she had deteriorated in the last couple of hours.’
Ruth’s mind was trying to process what Drake was saying to her. ‘Right ...’
He touched her arm gently. ‘You should go, Ruth. Now.’
She looked at him questioningly, unable to take in what was happening. She nodded grimly as she grasped the significance of his words. ‘Okay, thank you. I’ll call you when I know anything.’
She’s not going to die. She can’t die.
Breaking into a run, she reached the stairs. She wasn’t going to waste time waiting for the lift.
Please don’t let anything happen to her, she begged as she bounded down the steps two at a time. Her head was spinning.
Sprinting across the car park, she reached her car. Her hands were shaking as she fumbled for the keys.
It’s okay. She’s going to be okay. They’re just being cautious. Keep it together.
Whizzing through the centre of Llancastell, she parked in a disabled bay outside the hospital.
She ran inside, and sprinted down the corridor towards the ICU.
Turning right, she slowed to a fast walk and a nurse buzzed her in.
Glancing frantically left and right, she looked for someone to talk to.
Then she saw a face looking at her from the seated waiting area.
It was Sian’s brother, Phil.
As he got up, she could see that his eyes were full of tears.
No, no. This cannot be happening.
He came over and hugged her.
Please God, please. Make her be alive. I’ve got all this wrong. I must have got it wrong.
‘They said they did everything they could for her,’ Phil said as he stood back and sobbed uncontrollably.
‘I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.’ Ruth felt as though she was in some terrible dream.
Let me wake up. Let this be a dream and I wake up next to her.
Her whole body was shaking now, and she couldn’t get her breath.
‘What are we going to do without her?’ Phil asked, his face now contorted with the pain of grief.
This isn’t happening. It can’t be happening.
‘I don’t know ...’ Ruth whispered but she couldn’t process it. She felt a little unsteady on her feet as though she had just walked off a rollercoaster.
‘Come and sit down,’ Phil said, taking her hand.
Ruth nodded. ‘Can I see her?’
He nodded. ‘Wait there for a second.’ He went over to speak to a nurse.
They both followed her to an ICU room. She opened the door with a sympathetic look and gestured for them to go in.
Ruth looked in and saw Sian’s bare feet.
And then her legs and the bottom of a hospital gown. She moved past the large resuscitation trolley.
For a moment, she looked away. If she saw Sian lying there, then it would be true. There would be no going back. Nothing would be able to bring her back.
Moving slowly, she brought her eyes back onto Sian lying still on the bed. The ventilator had been removed from her mouth and nose. The drips had been taken from her arms.
Oh God. What am I going to do? I put you through so much and you didn’t deserve any of it.
Blinking away the tears, she placed her hand gently on Sian’s. Even though her life had gone, her hand wasn’t yet cold.
I had so much I wanted to tell you. I had so much I wanted to do with you. Places to take you. Things to see. And I messed it all up. I hurt you and I’m so, so sorry.
She leaned over and kissed her on the forehead, and then on the lips.
I love you, Sian. And I always will.
CHAPTER 38
Sitting in the dark stillness of her garden, Ruth wrapped a blanket around her as she dragged on a cigarette. She felt completely lost. She could cope with her loss. It was the tsunami-sized waves of grief, guilt, and pain that came with no warning that she couldn’t cope with.
The image of beautful Sian laid out on the ICU bed was etched so painfully into her mind. It just wouldn’t leave.
‘I’ve opened another bottle,’ came a voice from behind her. It was her daughter Ella.
‘Good.’ Ruth reached for her glass and swallowed the rest of her Merlot.
Ella put the bottle onto the patio table and sat down next to her mum.
For a while they sat in silence looking out into the thick darkness.
The air felt crisp and icy-cold against Ruth’s face. She wished it would permeate her whole body and numb her from thinking or feeling anything.
How can she be gone? It just doesn’t feel real.
‘We had got back together,’ Ruth said eventually.
Ella frowned and looked at her. ‘I don’t understand.’
‘I went to see her a few days ago. Then we slept together. I don’t know ...’ Ruth said in a voice that was barely audible.
‘You loved each other. Anyone could see that.’
‘But I put her through so much. Why didn’t I see what I had right in front of me?’ Ruth said shaking her head.
The doorbell rang and Ella looked at her. ‘Expecting someone?’
‘No, I don’t think so.’ She would give the world for it to be Sian standing at the front door.
Anything. I would give anything for that to be true.
Ella went to the door and returned a few moments later with Nick.
Ruth walked towards him, and spontaneously they hugged each other tightly.
‘I’m so, so sorry...’ he whispered, his voice breaking.
Ruth rested her head on his shoulder for a moment. It was such a relief to be held.
As they moved apart, she looked up at his tear-streaked face.
‘What are we going to do without her?’ he asked.
‘I don’t know,’ Ruth answered softly, feeling lost again.
‘Do you want a cup of tea, Nick?’ Ella asked.
‘No, no. I’m fine. Thanks.’
He wasn’t fine - Ruth could see the pain in his face. ‘Hey, I thought tough Welshmen didn’t cry,’ she said, as she wiped the tears from her own eyes.
‘Christ, you should see us all when we sing the national anthem before the rugby. There isn’t a dry eye in the house.’
Ruth looked at him for a moment. He nodded at her. They would support each other through this.
‘How’s Amanda?’ Ruth asked.
Nick didn’t answer.
Ruth felt anxious. ‘What’s wrong? Is she all right?’
‘Yes, she’s fine. She’s coming out of hospital some time tomorrow,’ he said quietly.
‘That’s good, isn’t it?’ Ruth asked – Nick still looked upset.
‘Of course. Amanda’s coming home, but Sian isn’t. And that doesn’t seem fair.’
CHAPTER 39
Sipping her hot coffee, Ruth was running through police bodycam footage of the siege and fire at Solace Farm. She knew it was crazy, but she wanted to see if there was any footage of Sian. She wasn’t sure how no one had seen her until French had found her trapped. For some reason, Ruth wanted to know about Sian’s final moments. What was she doing inside the burning building? Why hadn’t she made herself known as a police officer when the raid started? Ruth wanted something to hold on to. A shred of something to explain why she had died.
/> Fighting back the tears, she dabbed her face with a tissue and took a deep breath.
Bloody hell, Sian. What were you doing? Why didn’t you get yourself somewhere safe? Why?
The grief came in another painful, overwhelming wave as Ruth gazed at the computer monitor and the moving images. How was it possible that she was never going to see Sian again? That can’t be real?
Please let it not be true. Please.
Ruth screwed up her face, blew out her cheeks and took another deep breath.
Come on, keep it together.
As she stared vacantly at the screen, something caught her eye. A figure walking across the background of the picture. It was blurred. Ruth played it back and watched it again.
That’s Rachel Ryan, isn’t it?
Drake knocked at her door, came in, and sat down.
‘I’m so sorry, Ruth,’ he said in a gentle voice.
Ruth nodded and felt the tears coming again. ‘Thank you.’
‘Do you need anything?’ he asked, leaning forward.
Ruth shook her head. ‘I don’t think so.’
‘I’m not sure it’s a good idea for you to be here, Ruth. I’d like you to take some compassionate leave,’ Drake said.
What I really need is to be left alone. I don’t want to talk about how I feel at the moment.
‘I can’t do that. I can’t sit at home on my own, twiddling my thumbs and feeling like this.’
‘What about your daughter?’ Drake suggested.
‘I can’t ask Ella to take time off work. I’ve put her through enough in recent years.’
‘You’re sure?’
‘Yes, I just need to keep busy,’ she said.
Drake spotted the footage that Ruth was trawling through. ‘What are you looking at?’
Ruth hesitated and then said, ‘I’ve just spotted something on this bodycam footage, boss.’
‘Someone else can do that, Ruth,’ Drake suggested kindly.
She pointed to the screen. ‘See this figure here?’
Drake leaned forward and squinted. ‘What am I looking at?’
Ruth rewound the footage and played it again. ‘This person walking here.’
The Solace Farm Killings: A Snowdonia Murder Mystery (A DI Ruth Hunter Crime Thriller Book 7) Page 21