‘I know, but when I finally thought she was coming home, this had to happen.’
‘Far better it happened when she was still there, rather than having to be readmitted. They all know her on the ward. Where are you now?’
‘I’m over in the diner for a quick drink. I needed a change of scene. Angie was asleep when I left.’
‘So, you’ll need to stay at the hospital, then?’
‘I’ll check with the medical team. If it’s going to be much later this evening before they can tell me any more, I could see you for a while and then go back. How’re you fixed? Can you leave work in the next hour or so? I could pick you up, get a bite to eat and take it from there.’
Annie looked at her watch. ‘That might work, but I’ll have to check. I’ll ring you back as soon as I can.’ As Annie returned to the squad room, Bronski was hanging up the phone. Ellison was on the computer. Bronski looked over at the two of them.
‘That was Caruso’s on the phone. They know Patrick Mearns by name and he did have lunch there the day he was murdered. Guess who he was meeting for lunch.’
Ellison swung his chair around. Annie was still standing by her desk. ‘Don’t keep us in suspense,’ Ellison replied.
‘None other than our esteemed mayor, Matthew Lansdowne.’
Ellison reacted immediately. ‘According to the captain, the chief has been keeping him informed. We’ve not heard anything about him knowing Mearns, let alone having lunch with him on the very day he was murdered. What the hell is going on?’
‘Makes you wonder, doesn’t it? Speaking to Elizabeth Mason, I got the impression that Mearns was secretive about who he was meeting.’ Bronski turned to Annie, seeking confirmation.
‘I got that impression, too,’ Annie said. ‘Seems suspicious that he didn’t volunteer the information when he was speaking to the chief, wouldn’t you say?’
‘Yeah, but maybe he did and the information hasn’t been passed to us. The captain has to be told about this and I’m sure he’ll want to clear it up with the chief if there’s been a breakdown in communication. Let’s keep an open mind until we speak to the captain. If nothing else, at least we can now account for that period of time.’
‘There is that, but it also opens up a lot of other questions. Where’s the captain? I haven’t seen him today,’ Ellison asked.
Bronski got through to the switchboard. A minute later he turned back to them. ‘He’s on his way back here. I propose we all see him, tell him about the mayor and give him an update on our interviews. Agreed?’
‘I’m in,’ Ellison said. ‘How about you, Macpherson?’
‘I need to make a phone call.’
‘Soldier boy?’ Ellison asked.
Annie blushed at the reference to Charlie, in front of Bronski, so she decided to make her response businesslike. ‘I spoke to Captain Hegarty a few minutes ago. There’s been a setback with his sister.’
Bronski was interested. ‘What’s happened?’
‘She developed a severe headache and they’ve had to sedate her. She had been doing really well and was supposed to be discharged tomorrow. Now they have her on observations again and are doing more tests. Charlie sounded really worried when I spoke to him.’
Bronski didn’t hesitate. ‘Macpherson, go. She’s still important to us for the Hardman case. If anything happens to her, the nature of the charges could change. Ellison and I can do the feedback.’
Annie grabbed her jacket off the back of her chair. ‘Will one of you ring me on my cell and let me know what the captain says?’
‘Sure,’ Ellison replied. ‘Now get out of here before you run into Franconi yourself.’
Chapter 31
Annie decided to jump in a cab, as there was a rank near the station. The cabs mainly worked the bus depot on the opposite corner. Once the cab was on the way, she rang Charlie. It went to voicemail. ‘Hi, I’m on my way to the hospital. I’ll meet you on the ward.’
Entering reception twenty minutes later, Annie checked that Angela Goodman was still on the same ward. If things had worsened since she’d spoken to Charlie, Angela could have been moved back to the ICU. Annie was relieved when the receptionist gave her the ward number. She knocked softly on the door and then pushed it open gently.
‘Annie.’ Charlie pulled her into a hug and kissed her lightly. ‘Thanks for coming.’
‘What are the doctors saying?’ Annie asked as Charlie released their embrace. Angela was clearly sedated, but there were no wires attached.
‘I’m still waiting for them.’ Charlie glanced at his watch. ‘They said they would speak to me before six o’clock.’
Annie looked at Angela Goodman. ‘At least she’s resting.’
‘I’m glad you managed to get here. Was it difficult leaving work?’
‘There’s been a development that needs checking out. I left Bronski and Ellison waiting to brief the captain. They may ring me when they’ve done that.’
Before Charlie could respond, the door opened and Angela’s surgeon came in. ‘Charlie, and Detective Macpherson, isn’t it?’ Annie was surprised that the surgeon remembered her. She and Bronski had taken a statement from him several weeks ago after Angela Goodman’s first surgery.
He walked over to his patient’s bedside and picked up her chart. A moment later, one of the residents joined them and gave a reprise of the latest tests on Angela. When the resident finished, the surgeon turned to Charlie. ‘I’m not unduly concerned. I don’t think there’s a bleed or anything that might indicate further surgery will be required. I’d like her to stay in through the weekend, so we can keep a close eye. She’s been making good progress and I want to keep it that way.’ He put the chart back and addressed Charlie again. ‘Don’t look so worried. Your sister is a strong woman. She’s already survived the worst. I’m sure you’ll see an improvement in the next twenty-four to forty-eight hours. She’ll sleep now for a good few hours. You should go out and get yourself a decent meal.’
As the door shut, Charlie breathed out heavily. ‘I was starting to think the worst again.’
Annie put her arms around him and he dropped his head on her shoulder. ‘Come on, you need a break.’
Twenty minutes later they were in Mario’s, the Italian restaurant Franconi had taken Annie to several weeks back, when he wanted her to meet Christine James and Michael Turner. Christine had lived in England, in the next village to Annie. She and Turner had been instrumental in the resolution of a case that Franconi had led on and that Bronski was involved in, the year before Annie’s placement had begun. Sitting there now, Annie wondered about Christine. She also half expected Franconi to turn up, as she knew it was his favourite restaurant.
Charlie had gone to wash his hands after they ordered their food. As he returned to the table, Annie’s cell rang.
‘Macpherson.’
‘Hi, it’s me. You OK to talk?’ Ellison asked.
‘Fine. We’ve left the hospital to get something to eat. How’d it go with the captain?’
‘Let’s say he had a few choice words to say about the mayor, which I won’t repeat. He’s sure that the chief would’ve told him had Lansdowne said anything about Mearns. He’s going to call Chief Conlon at home, so Bronski and I are staying here until we know if you and Bronski are interviewing the mayor tomorrow morning.’
‘That’ll be a treat. So, will you let me know before the morning?’
‘Only if you want to be disturbed again,’ Ellison answered.
‘I’d rather know what’s in store,’ Annie replied before she closed the phone.
‘Everything OK?’ Charlie asked.
‘Sort of. They’re waiting for some information from the captain, so Ellison may be ringing me again.’
‘Will you have to go back to the station?’
/> ‘No, whatever we do, it’ll be in the morning.’
‘Good, any chance then that we can spend the night together?’
‘Hmm,’ Annie replied picking up her glass of red wine, ‘that’s the best offer I’ve had today.’
Chapter 32
‘Sorry, ma’am, I didn’t mean to scare you.’
Monica Lansdowne’s hand was on her chest. ‘You nearly gave me a heart attack.’
The man in the brown uniform smiled at her. ‘I work for BCConn Alarms,’ he explained, pointing to the alarm box on the side of her house. He held a clipboard in his hand and had a bag of tools slung over his shoulder.
‘Have you come to check the alarm? I don’t remember having an appointment for an inspection.’ Monica shut the back lid of the car. She had finished loading it with her suitcase and the bags with Lydia’s things in them. ‘I hope you haven’t wasted a journey, as I’m about to go out.’
‘No, you weren’t booked in for an inspection,’ the man replied, looking down at his clipboard to check the name, ‘Mrs Lansdowne. We’ve had some of your neighbours complaining of fault messages on their systems. We think there’s been an intruder trying various houses, as all the faults indicate potential breaches of the patio doors. So we’re checking the customers who’ve had the fault to see if there’s anything wrong. You aren’t on the list. However, I noticed your box and frankly, I saw your front door open, before I realised you were standing there.’
Monica laughed. ‘My husband is always telling me off for leaving the door open when I load the car. Our baby is inside and I want to be able to hear her. I’d rather do that than leave her in the car while I get things from the house.’
The engineer smiled again. ‘I’ve never thought to ask my wife how she manages with our little boy on her own. Amazing, huh, how much stuff you need to carry once you’ve got kids.’
‘Yes, especially if you’re away for a few days.’
‘Well have a safe trip ma’am. I’ll carry on with my list now.’ He raised the clipboard as if in a wave. ‘Again, I’m sorry I disturbed you.’
Monica watched the man walk down the drive, but then he turned around. ‘Excuse me ma’am. I was just thinking, do you want me to check the alarm while I’m here? If nothing else, it’ll give you peace of mind while you’re away.’
Monica hesitated. Usually she would check things like this with Matthew. About time, though, she made a decision herself. Besides, Matthew hates being disturbed at work. ‘Will it take long? I want to get started so I can travel before the traffic builds up.’
‘No ma’am, five minutes at the most.’
Monica led the way into the house. ‘I don’t know what you need to see.’ She opened the hall closet and pointed to the small box where the alarm was set and deactivated with a code number.
‘I need to see the control panel itself. Do you know where that is? It’s much bigger than the operating box.’
‘Oh, that’s in the basement.’ She led him further down the hallway to the door leading to the basement. She twisted the doorknob and opened the door for him. ‘Let me turn on the basement light. The box is over by the washing machine, to your right at the bottom of the stairs.’
‘Thanks, ma’am. I won’t be a minute. I’ll find it. You get on with what you need to do.’
‘Everything OK?’ Monica Lansdowne asked, as the man came back into the hallway minutes later.
‘Fine, ma’am. Yours didn’t have the fault, but it’s always better to be sure. Double check your patio doors anyway before you leave. You can’t be too careful these days I’m afraid.’
‘Thanks. I’ll do that,’ Monica replied, shifting Lydia on to her other hip.
‘You have a beautiful daughter. My wife and I are hoping for a daughter next. We’d like one of each.’
Monica Lansdowne smiled and looked down at her daughter, whose face was a little red. ‘She’s teething, so we’re not getting much sleep, I’m afraid.’
‘I remember that with our son. Anyway, I’ll get off. Your name, Lansdowne, is your husband the mayor?’ the man asked as he started to walk towards the front door.
‘Yes, he is.’ Monica liked it when people recognised Matthew’s job.
‘I voted for him. I like his policies.’ The man raised the clipboard again as a wave, and then headed out the door.
Monica Lansdowne was relieved that she hadn’t forgotten an appointment and was pleased that her alarm system providers were so efficient. She was also reassured that her alarm didn’t have the fault that the company was finding in others on the street, but she still checked the patio door one more time. It was secure. Then she checked the kitchen. Matthew liked everything spotless. It was easier before Lydia was born to keep to his exacting standards. She was looking forward to having the next two weeks at her parents, not having to worry if everything was how Matthew wanted it. She could relax when she was with them and they were such a help with Lydia, unlike her husband. Sometimes, she wondered if he really wanted a child as he took so little interest in their daughter. Still, she never dared broach it with him, especially as she wanted a second child. Strapping Lydia into the car seat she kissed the little girl. ‘Wait till your grandma and grandpa see you. They won’t believe how you’ve grown.’
Chapter 33
Annie reached over when she heard the alarm on her phone. Charlie was still asleep and she took a minute to study his face. In repose, it was so much more relaxed, not showing the worry over his sister, nor she imagined, the horrors he’d seen in Afghanistan. The sun was already streaming into the room. Time to get up. She headed into the kitchen and put the coffee maker on, checking there was bread for toast. As the coffee percolator did its work, Annie stepped into the shower letting her thoughts wander back to the previous night. She could almost feel Charlie’s hands on her body, the gentleness of his touch. Her own need had surprised her and Charlie had sensed what she wanted each step of the way.
Then thoughts of what the day’s work would bring intruded, as the water poured over her. Ellison’s text from the previous night had been brief: that they would catch up this morning. There was a lot to do, so she hurried in the shower. Nearly dressed, she walked back into the bedroom.
Charlie woke up as she came in. ‘I was having a great dream that we were spending the day in bed together. Only thing is, you weren’t dressed in your work clothes,’ he said, still groggy from sleep.
Annie laughed. ‘I’m afraid you’ll have to hold that dream. In real life, people get murdered and cops have to find the bad guy. The coffee should be ready and I’m putting some toast on.’ Annie was scooping her long curls into a ponytail.
‘OK, I’ll shower at mine. I’ll drop you into work first, unless you want to change your mind, and come back to bed.’
If only I could, Annie thought.
*****
As she got out of the car, Annie hoped she was early enough to avoid Ellison, who would have a comment to make about Charlie dropping her off again. Luckily, she was the first one in. She barely had time to make coffee before he arrived and joined her in the kitchen.
‘One of those for me, I hope?’
‘Of course,’ she answered, pouring the two cups. ‘So, were you and Bronski here late last night?’
Ellison shrugged. ‘We can’t all have a social life.’
‘I did spend part of it in the hospital with a key witness,’ Annie reminded him.
‘OK, I’ll let you off.’
‘So what happened with your conversation with Detective Baxter? I never got a chance to catch up with you on that,’ Annie asked as they went though to the squad room.
Ellison took his first swallow of coffee before replying. ‘You do make good coffee for a foreigner,’ he commented before answering her question. ‘He’s due here about ten o’clo
ck. Dan Parker is going to take us though all the images on Bannister’s computer. Baxter’s bringing a CD with the ones they have. You’re with Bronski to see the mayor about eleven o’clock. You can join us for a bit first if you want. You’ve been the main link to Baxter so far.’
‘Thanks, I’d like to meet him. So is the interview with the mayor confirmed then?’
‘Better let Bronski brief you on that, as he’s the lead for Mearns.’ As if it had been stage-managed, the door opened and Bronski walked in.
‘Coffee, sir?’
‘Sure, Detective, thanks.’
Ellison followed Annie back into the kitchen. ‘I need a refill. It’s going to be a long day.’
‘So,’ Bronski began when they came back in the room, ‘has Ellison told you that Detective Baxter is coming over this morning?’
‘He was starting to, but that’s as far as we got.’
‘OK, well he’s an old pal of the captain’s, so we need to make a good impression. So far, it looks like he wants to concentrate on Bannister’s computer and those photos you found in his room at the seminary. The only link so far to Mearns is that we know that Mearns was potentially acting for Bannister.’
‘There’s also the mention of John Merton in Mearns’ file note and the match with the Merton boy on the computer,’ Annie added.
‘That’s right. Now, if Parker has made any more progress on Mearns’ computer, we may be able to take Detective Baxter through anything relevant.’
‘Are we wondering if Mearns and Bannister had more than a professional relationship? Only, I’m not convinced from what we saw in Mearns’ room that he would have the same tastes as Bannister,’ Annie commented.
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