‘And what about Donald Hobson’s parents? Don’t they deserve answers?’
‘It could be anyone. If Donald was carrying out these murders for some sort of misguided justice for Erin, Harry, and Ella Beynon, then his accomplice could even be another teenager he persuaded to join him. Donald decides to go to the police, so his accomplice kills him,’ Lester said. ‘I think you are going to have to cast your search wider.’
‘Or it could be one of this lot.’ Meadows pointed to the board.
‘Not one of them has a direct link to Jean or Ryan Phillips. This investigation is a mess. This morning’s headlines say we’ve got a serial killer in the valleys,’ Lester said.
‘We are doing our best,’ Meadows said.
‘I’m going to have to give out a press release. That statement may well be that we believe Donald Hobson was responsible for the murders and then took his own life.’
‘I need to speak to his parents first,’ Meadows said.
‘Then don’t leave it too long.’ Lester stood. ‘I’ll ask the custody sergeant to arrange Rhodri Lewis’ release.’
‘On bail?’
‘No, release under investigation. With his young son to care for I doubt there is a risk he will leave the area. Keep me updated.’ Lester left the office.
Meadows looked around the room. The team looked dispirited.
‘You think he’s wrong to let Rhodri Lewis go,’ Edris said.
‘He’s right, we don’t have any more on him than we do on Bible Bill or any of the others. Right, first thing in the morning we’ll go and see Donald’s parents. They might be able to tell us if he had a friend we hadn’t considered. Someone who called around the house. Then we better see Anthony and Cloe Evans. Valentine, I’d like you to speak to Sarah Kelly, ask her if she will come to the station to give voluntary fingerprints. See what reaction you get.’
‘I have an appointment in the morning,’ Valentine said. ‘I should be back by 9.30 at the latest.’
‘That’s fine. Paskin, can you go and see Tomos and Ellis John and ask them to do the same? Tomos is a strong guy so better take Hanes with you in case there are any problems.’
‘Okay,’ Paskin said.
‘Cool,’ Hanes said.
‘You can all get off home,’ Meadows said with a smile.
‘I’ll stay a bit longer,’ Edris said. ‘I’ve got a Halloween party to go to tomorrow night. I’d rather work late tonight and get off early tomorrow to get ready.’
‘A party? I thought Halloween was just for kids,’ Meadows said.
‘No, it’s just as much fun now,’ Edris said. ‘It’s always been one of my favourite nights of the year. Halloween was only one night when I was a kid, now they have the decorations out for a week. Out would come the pumpkins and we would dress up and scare the shit out of the neighbourhood grannies.’
Meadows laughed. ‘Sounds about right for you. I’m guessing you were a wicked little sod.’
‘No, it’s what we all did. Didn’t we, Hanes?’
‘Yeah, I loved Halloween. Used to hide in the graveyard and jump out at anyone that walked by.’
‘And you became policemen. I’d be surprised if anyone in the valleys has respect for you two,’ Meadows said.
‘Didn’t you dress up?’ Edris asked.
‘No, I was a good boy. We celebrated Samhain. It marks the feast for the dead.’
They all stared at Meadows.
‘It’s not some weird ritual. It’s a sort of remembrance for those who have died. Even Churches celebrate All Saints Day. It’s not supposed to be about ghosts and zombies.’
Edris laughed. ‘You had a very sheltered childhood. How about this year we dress up and go trick or treating?’
‘I’ll join in,’ Hanes said.
‘Nutters,’ Meadows said, shaking his head. He turned to Paskin and Valentine. ‘Are you two joining in with this insanity?’
‘Yeah, I’m going to the party, so I’ll stay on with Edris,’ Paskin said.
‘Me too,’ Valentine said.
‘You could come,’ Edris said to Meadows. ‘I’m sure you could make up a costume.’
‘I suppose you’re going to this party, Hanes?’ Meadows asked.
‘Erm, yeah, well it’s in my flat. I would have mentioned it, but I didn’t think it was your thing.’
‘No worries,’ Meadows said.
‘If you’re all staying a bit longer I want to go through everything we have. Phone records, evidence logs, and every witness statement.’
* * *
They worked late into the evening but didn’t turn up anything of interest. Paskin, Valentine, and Hanes left and just as Edris was putting on his coat the phone rang. He picked it up, his face becoming serious.
‘Okay thanks.’ Edris put the phone down. ‘A 999 call was received from the Lewis’ house. Sounds like an angry crowd has gathered outside.’
‘We better get over there. Come on.’
Meadows sped towards Gaer Fawr with the blue lights and siren on. Edris held tightly to the hand grab as the car rounded the corners.
‘I was afraid something like this would happen after Anthony Evans’ reaction when we arrested Rhodri. I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s rounded up a few of the farm boys.’
‘Great,’ Edris said. ‘We’re not going to stand a chance if things kick off.’
‘Better make sure they’ve sent more than one car.’
Edris made the call for backup as the car flew over the humpback bridge and Meadows felt his stomach lurch.
‘I suppose all it needed was for one person to see him come home,’ Edris said.
‘Yeah and half the village will be baying for his blood.’
Meadows took the turn off the main road and stopped the car where the crowd had spilt off the pavement and into the road. Two uniformed officers were trying to disperse the crowd and Vicar Daniels stood outside the Lewises’ front door looking terrified.
‘It’s like some medieval witch hunt,’ Meadows said as he got out of the car.
‘Move out of the way, Vicar,’ someone shouted. ‘You don’t want to get hurt.’
The two uniformed officers were struggling now as a scuffle broke out. One of them got punched in the face while the other discharged his taser. One man fell to the ground and the crowd turned on the officers. Edris moved quickly to help while Meadows leaned in the car and put his hand on the horn. He held it there until the attention of the crowd turned his way. He took his hand away and straightened up.
‘What is wrong with you, people?’ Meadows shouted. ‘There is a child in that house who is terrified. Go home before we arrest you all.’
‘You let that murdering bastard go,’ someone shouted. The crowd joined in. ‘He should be locked up, there is no justice.’
‘Rhodri Lewis was taken to the station to help with our enquiries,’ Meadows said. ‘He has answered all our questions and he has been released without charge.’
‘What about my daughter?’
Meadows looked into the crowd and saw Anthony Evans. ‘Where is the justice for her? You are going to let him walk free.’
‘Rhodri Lewis didn’t kill your daughter. There has been a development in the case which I will discuss with you, but not here. Now unless any of you have evidence of Rhodri Lewis’ guilt, then by all means step forward.’ He beckoned with his hand. ‘I’ll be happy to take your statement right here.’
Two police cars screeched to a halt with their blue lights flashing. Meadows looked at the crowd who now looked uncertain.
‘Come on, don’t be shy,’ Meadows said as the uniformed officers jumped out of the car.
‘Go home, the lot of you,’ Anthony Evans said.
There was a general murmur from the crowd, and they began to disperse, apart from a couple of men that were restrained and put into the police car. Anthony Evans walked over to Meadows.
‘So what’s this new development?’
‘I’ll call around and talk to you and you
r wife in the morning when you have had a chance to calm down. I don’t want a repeat of what happened here tonight,’ Meadows said.
‘This was my idea,’ Anthony said. ‘I was going to come by myself, then a couple of the other boys at the farm came with me and I guess things got out of hand.’
‘That may well be but taking matters into your own hands won’t achieve anything. What would have happened if Rhodri had come out of the house? Would you have stopped there, or would you hurt his family to get back at him?’
‘I would never have hurt Gemma or the child.’
‘Maybe not but what about the rest that were here tonight? Like you said, things got out of hand. Now go home.’
Meadows walked over to Edris who was talking to one of the uniformed officers who was bleeding from the nose.
‘I thought they were going to lynch you,’ Edris said.
‘So did I.’ Meadows smiled then turned to the injured policeman. ‘Are you okay?’
‘Yeah, I’ll be fine. Thanks for the help. If you hadn’t intervened I don’t know what would have happened. We didn’t expect this when we responded to the call.’
‘You did good. Make sure you get that seen to.’ Meadows pointed to the injury.
‘I will, I’m going with those two to be booked in first.’
Meadows nodded then went over to Vicar Daniels who was still stood by the door looking shaken.
‘Are you okay?’ Meadows asked.
‘Yes,’ Vicar Daniels said. ‘Gemma called me. I came over straight away. I thought they might listen to me. I never expected this. They were like a pack of wild animals and there was no reasoning with them. I thought I was doing something good in this village. What would have happened if you hadn’t showed up? That poor innocent child inside.’ The vicar’s voice wobbled.
‘I think the vicar could do with a stiff drink,’ Edris said.
‘Let’s get you inside,’ Meadows said as he knocked the door. ‘You can open up. It’s safe now,’ he shouted.
The door opened and Rhodri peered around.
‘Can we come in? Vicar Daniels has had a bit of a shock.’
Rhodri frowned at Meadows but stepped back to let them inside then locked the door behind them.
In the sitting room Gemma was holding Harry and both were crying.
Rhodri turned on Meadows. ‘See what you’ve done?’
‘I had no choice but to take you in,’ Meadows said. ‘Now I think Vicar Daniels could do with a cup of tea.’
Rhodri looked at the vicar and nodded. ‘Sit down, Vicar. I’m sorry I didn’t come out to help you. I was afraid they would get inside.’
‘It’s probably best that you didn’t attempt to go out,’ Meadows said.
‘What are you going to do about this?’ Rhodri said. ‘We will never be able to go outside again.’
‘We’ll get a couple of officers to keep watch overnight. I’ll also talk to Anthony Evans in the morning.’
‘I’m taking Gemma to stay with her mother in Bristol in the morning,’ Rhodri said.
‘I’m sorry, Rhodri, but you have been advised not to leave the area when the investigation is ongoing,’ Meadows said.
‘In that case you are going to have to arrest me again. Gemma can’t drive all that way with Harry alone. What if he was to have a fit when she’s on the motorway?’
‘Isn’t there anyone else who can drive her?’
‘No, don’t you think my wife and son have had enough stress? If it makes any difference, I’ll call in to the station when I return.’
Meadows looked at Gemma and Harry. The child was still clinging to his mother. Maybe it would be better for them to be out of the way, he thought. If Rhodri was guilty then at least they would be safe. He nodded to Rhodri who left the room to make the tea.
‘Are you okay?’ Meadows asked Gemma.
‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘Everyone thinks that my husband murdered Stacey. I have to leave my home, and everything behind.’
‘It will be okay,’ Vicar Daniels said. ‘This darkness will soon go and there will be light again, you’ll see.’
Gemma nodded and sat down in the armchair. She kissed the top of Harry’s head.
‘We are making progress with the investigation,’ Meadows said. ‘It’s just a matter of elimination.’
‘There you go,’ Vicar Daniels said. ‘It makes sense to go away now, doesn’t it? The detective will soon solve the case and things will be much different.’
‘Will they?’ Rhodri came back into the room and handed a mug of tea to Vicar Daniels. ‘The way I see it, anyone that gets questioned is going to get the same treatment. People don’t see that they’re much better off with the doctor gone. They soon forget what he was like now he’s dead.’
‘Rhodri,’ Vicar Daniels said. ‘That is not the attitude to have. What this village needs is peace now.’
They are not going to get that until the killer is caught, Meadows thought. ‘We’ll leave you now,’ he said. ‘I’ll make sure that a police car is parked outside overnight. Vicar Daniels, would you be able to come to the station tomorrow to provide fingerprints for elimination?’ He watched the vicar’s reaction for signs of distress but there were none.
‘I have a meeting with the bishop in Carmarthen in the morning. Will the afternoon be okay?’
‘Yes, that will be fine,’ Meadows said. He left the house hoping that he wasn’t making a mistake by letting Rhodri leave Gaer Fawr in the morning.
Chapter Twenty-nine
There were no more incidences in Gaer Fawr overnight and as Meadows drove through the next morning all seemed quiet. Most of the houses had carved pumpkins in the windows. Some had standard triangular eyes and noses, others were more elaborately carved.
‘Looks like they are going ahead with the Halloween party,’ Edris said as Meadows parked the car outside the Hobsons’ house.
A group of people carrying decorations were heading towards the community centre.
‘I hope Hanes is doing up his flat. It adds to the atmosphere.’
Meadows didn’t comment, he felt a sickness in his stomach. The last time he had been here had been bad enough, when he had to tell Anwen Hobson her son was dead. Now he was about to desecrate their son’s memory.
The door was opened by Cerith Hobson. He wasn’t dressed or shaved, and his eyes were bloodshot. Meadows guessed by the look and smell of him that he had been drinking all night.
‘I’m sorry to intrude,’ Meadows said. ‘Could we come in to have a chat?’
Cerith nodded and led them to the sitting room where Anwen was sat with her eyes fixed to the television screen. She had a faraway look.
‘Police, love.’ Cerith picked up the remote control and turned off the television. The room fell silent.
‘Have a seat,’ Cerith said.
Meadows and Edris perched side by side on the sofa. It was dark in the room. Only a weak light came through the drawn curtains and Cerith made no move to put the light on and remained standing up.
‘I’m sorry but I need to tell you some difficult news,’ Meadows said.
‘You’ve found the bastard that killed my boy?’ Cerith asked.
‘No, not yet.’
‘We heard Rhodri Lewis was arrested,’ Anwen said. ‘We thought perhaps it was him. Cerith wanted to go around there last night.’
Meadows tried to pick his words carefully. ‘We have no evidence that Rhodri Lewis was involved in Donald’s murder.’
‘Who then?’
‘That’s not what I’m here about. When someone dies in suspicious circumstances, we take all sorts of samples. Blood, hair, and DNA. The DNA sample we took from Donald as well as hair samples were a match to those found on Stacey Evans.’
‘I don’t understand,’ Anwen said.
Meadows sat forward. ‘It appears that Donald was responsible for the attack on Stacey Evans.’
‘What!’ Anwen jumped up from the chair. ‘No, don’t you dare come here accusing my son
, get out,’ she pointed at the door.
‘Anwen, please,’ Meadows said. ‘I understand how distressing this is for you, but we do have evidence.’
‘I don’t care what evidence you think you have,’ Cerith said. ‘I know my son, he is not a murderer.’
‘We’re not saying that he murdered Stacey Evans,’ Edris said. ‘All we know is that he was involved in the sexual assault on her.’
Cerith was red in the face. ‘My son was not a pervert!’
‘You met him,’ Anwen said. ‘He was a shy quiet boy. How can you think he would be involved in something like that? It’s not possible.’
‘We don’t believe that Donald acted alone,’ Meadows said. ‘Please sit down, Anwen. All this information will have to come out at some stage. Even if it’s only at the inquest. It would be better if you tried to help us understand why Donald would have become involved in Stacey’s murder. We know he was good friends with Erin Kelly. He blamed Stacey for Erin’s death and we think that’s why he attacked her. Maybe he didn’t mean to kill her. What we don’t know is who else was involved. It could have been someone close to Donald who persuaded him to act. We think Donald was going to come clean, talk to us, and that’s why he was murdered. I need you to think carefully, who was Donald close to?’
Anwen sank down into the chair. ‘He didn’t really have any friends. No one we knew of or came back to the house. He never mentioned anyone at school. There was only Erin.’
‘It’s likely to be someone older than him,’ Meadows said.
‘Well, there were lots of people in church he spoke about. He often visited Sarah and he would do Mary Beynon’s shopping for her when she wasn’t well.’
‘Did anyone call at the house to see Donald over the last couple of weeks?’ Edris asked.
‘No, not that I can think of,’ Anwen said.
‘What about Tomos?’ Cerith said.
‘Tomos John?’ Edris asked.
‘Oh yes,’ Anwen said. ‘He came around to see Donald when he wasn’t well.’
A Knot of Sparrows: a murder mystery set in the heart of the valleys Page 19