‘He might,’ Gordy said. ‘If he finds out that his DCI has been in the wars.’
‘It’s nothing.’
‘We both know that’s a big lie.’
Harry knew that at some point he’d have to tell someone about what had happened, and that someone would be Alice Firbank, his still-official Detective Superintendent, down in Bristol. The team, though, didn’t need to know the dark bits of his history. No one did.
Liz arrived next, then a few minutes later Jenny skipped in. And just like the rest of the team, they were more than a little shocked by the state of Harry’s face.
‘Right, that’s enough,’ Harry said, holding up a hand to put an end to the constant questioning. ‘Everyone, sit!’
Harry’s bark was enough to get everyone’s attention and they all grabbed a chair.
‘Before we go any further and decide what we’re all going to be doing with our day, I know you’re all sitting there waiting for some kind of explanation about this . . .’ Harry circled his face with a finger. ‘I know it was rough before, and I know it looks a whole lot worse right now, but all you need to know is that there’s nothing to worry about. I’m fine. Nothing happened. Okay?’
The room seemed to take a deep breath and Harry thought he was in the clear.
‘No, not really,’ Matt said.
Harry rolled his eyes.
‘Listen, Detective Sergeant,’ he began, but Matt cut him off.
‘The thing is, Boss, whatever that is, whatever happened, well, you can keep it private if you want to, that’s your prerogative, but you need to remember, no, you need to realise and understand that us lot sitting here in front of you? Well, we actually give a damn.’
‘I know that,’ Harry said, but again Matt was in.
‘I’ve not finished,’ he said. ‘Like it or not, and as insane as this may sound, we’ve all come to like you.’
Harry laughed.
‘No, I’m not being all emotional, it’s just the truth,’ Matt said. ‘Yeah, you’re gruff, you swear a bit, you don’t smile much, and your face looks like it’s made of badly set concrete, but you’re our DCI. Do you hear what I’m saying?’
‘I do,’ said Harry.
‘You’re part of the team,’ Gordy said. ‘Not much you can do about it.’
‘I get that, I really do,’ Harry said. ‘And I appreciate it.’
‘Then whatever that is,’ Matt said, ‘whatever it was, you don’t go letting it happen again without us.’
‘It was nothing.’
Matt was out of his seat and he stepped forwards to face his boss.
‘Please,’ he said, ‘don’t be a wazzock, now, you hear? We’re not asking to ride off as some kind of vengeful posse, are we? No, of course, we’re not! We’re just saying, all of us, like, that no one gets to stand alone, no matter how deep the shit they happen to be standing in.’
‘You’ve a real way with words, you know that?’ Harry smiled.
‘That’s what Joan says.’ Matt laughed. ‘No, wait, she doesn’t.’ He sat down.
Harry waited for everyone to settle, then moved over to stand by the board. He noticed then that it looked rather different to how it had when Jadyn had first done it.
‘What’s happened here, then?’
‘Jen helped me with it,’ Jadyn said. ‘Neatened it up a bit. Is that okay? I mean, I hope that’s okay. I’ve still got the photo of what it looked like and I can put it back like that if you want?’
‘No, no, it’s great as it is,’ Harry said. ‘Much improved.’ He turned his attention to the rest of the team. ‘First of all, I’ve just had a message through from the pathologist about the piece of cloth.’
‘That was quick,’ Matt said.
‘And the reason for that,’ Harry said, ‘is because there’s nothing on it of use. It’s a piece of grey tweed, and that’s about it. There was some hair though. Fox hair, so unless foxes have decided to take things into their own hands and start hunting humans, that’s a dead end.’
‘So, a fox could’ve dragged Charlie’s hat away from the crime scene, then?’ Jim asked. ‘Shouldn’t we go and have a look?’
‘We’ll see,’ Harry said. ‘Right now, though, I’m looking for suggestions, ideas, anything. Something must’ve come up over the last few days, something that we’ve all missed.’
No one spoke, silence sitting somewhat awkwardly among them, an uninvited and unwanted guest.
‘Matt,’ Harry said, taking a seat, ‘can you just run through again, what we’ve got?’
Matt stood up. ‘Right then, key points,’ he said. ‘We know Charlie was upset Friday night. It could’ve been because of the ghostwriting thing, which was set up by Anna, or Chris’ revelation about him being her dad, which turned violent, with Charlie injuring Chris’ arm, and Chris hitting him—we think with the statue Liz found—to get away from him. That corresponds with the blood on his shirt that wasn’t from the shotgun blasts.
‘Eric saw Charlie leave later that night and chased after him, then later still, both he and Abigail saw Charlie drive off. At some point later that morning, Charlie was shot in the woods, just down beyond Gammersgill, but by whom, we still don’t know. We know that Chris can’t drive, so she couldn’t have followed him. As for motives, we’ve all discussed them, and still, here we are, wondering just what the hell happened.’ He looked over at Harry. ‘That do?’
‘Yeah, that’ll do,’ Harry said and stood up again, and as he did so, something fell from his pocket to spill across the floor.
‘Look, if you don’t like them, you only have to say,’ Matt sighed, looking at the floor.
Harry stared down at the photographs, the ones Matt had given him from their trip down Crackpot. He bent down to pick them up, shuffling them together to stuff them back into their plastic wallet. There, once again on top, was the one Matt had taken of him after his prank.
‘You’re a funny man,’ Harry said, holding the photo up briefly. ‘You know I’ll get you back, don’t you?’
‘I’d be disappointed if you didn’t at least try.’ Matt grinned. ‘But it’ll take everything you’ve got to get one up on old Smoke and Mirrors Dinsdale!’
Harry laughed. ‘That your stage name?’
‘I used to be into a bit of magic, back when I was in my teens,’ Matt said. ‘I’ve still got some tricks up in the loft I think.’
‘Smoke and mirrors,’ Harry said shaking his head, and went to put the photos back in his pocket. Then he stopped.
‘Boss?’ Matt said.
‘That’s it, isn’t it?’ Harry said. ‘That’s it! Smoke and bloody mirrors! All of it!’
‘Is he alright?’ Gordy asked. ‘Jim, get the kettle on! Looks like Harry needs a brew.’
Harry was pacing now. ‘Smoke and mirrors, Matt, that’s what this is all about, I mean, that’s what it all is!’
‘What is?’ Matt asked.
‘We need to go back to the lodge,’ Harry said. ‘There’s something I need to check, something that’s been bothering me from the first time we went out there.’
‘We’ve checked everything,’ Jenny said. ‘You think we missed something?’
‘No, I’ve seen something, I know I have,’ Harry said. ‘I just need to go back and see it again.’
‘See what?’ Liz asked.
‘Yeah, come on, Boss,’ Matt said. ‘You’re not making any sense. What’s there to see that we haven’t already seen?’
Harry stared at his Detective Sergeant. ‘How to break a leg when you’re already dead.’
Chapter Thirty-Three
Approaching the lodge, Harry was doing his all not to just stamp on the accelerator and floor it. He’d been pushing it on the way over, with Jim commenting a couple of times on their speed, and now that they were basically there, his impatience was even more acute.
‘I’ve had slower journeys,’ Jim said, as Harry pulled in front of the building, once again seeing those massive windows staring down.
‘Y
eah, sorry about that,’ Harry said. ‘Fly alright?’
The dog looked up at him from where it was lying at Jim’s feet. He didn’t look all that happy either.
‘Come on,’ Harry said and was out of the car as the rest of the team pulled in behind them. Jim joined him, Fly resting his head on the passenger window, which Jim had wound down, concerned that after that particular journey the dog probably felt a little bit sick.
Matt was first over to Harry, the others following. ‘Well, here we are again,’ he said. ‘You mind telling us what’s going on, Boss?’
Movement caught Harry’s eye and he saw the door to the lodge open and Anna step out. She walked over, her eyebrows raised in surprise.
‘We weren’t expecting you,’ she said, or at least that’s what Harry assumed she was going to say, but her words crumbled as she drew nearer, her eyes wide. ‘Dear God, you look terrible!’
‘Before you ask, it’s nothing,’ Harry said, self-consciously rubbing at the scratches on his scarred face.
‘I’d hate to see the other guy,’ Anna said.
Harry said nothing, which was usually for the best under such circumstances.
There was more movement from the door, this time revealing Abigail dragging a rather large suitcase down the steps and across the gravel.
‘Today’s Wednesday,’ Harry said, looking to Anna again. ‘I thought you were booked until Friday?’
‘We are,’ Anna replied. ‘But really, with everything that’s going on, we’ve all had rather enough of it.’
Mark then appeared, his own luggage considerably smaller, comprising a leather case carried on a shoulder strap.
‘Something up?’ he called over.
‘No, you just carry on,’ Anna called back.
‘I’m afraid that I’m going to have to ask you to stay,’ Harry said, staring down at Anna. ‘And by ask, I mean politely demand.’
‘You can’t force us to stay,’ Anna said. ‘We have homes to go to. And we’ve all been interviewed, haven’t we? You have all of our contact details. Really, Detective, I don’t think there’s any more help that any of us can be. At all.’
Next out of the lodge door was Adam, followed by Chris, then finally Eric. Chris stopped mid-stride at the sight of Harry and Eric almost walked into her.
‘I need to ask you all to go back into the lodge,’ Harry said, and before Anna had a chance to answer, he called Gordy over. ‘Get them in, sit them down, make sure none of them leave.’
‘Not a problem,’ Gordy said. ‘Come on, Ms James, let’s get you back inside, shall we?’
Anna went to protest, but it was no good, as Gordy, with the aid of Jim and Jadyn, guided the party back indoors.
‘Liz?’
‘Boss?’
‘I need you to go and double-check whose room was whose, please, then meet me at the top of the stairs in five minutes.’
Liz jogged off towards the house.
‘Jen, I need you to go and fetch Abigail for me if you could.’
With Jen following Liz, Matt stared at Harry.
‘Where are you going with this, Boss?’
Harry didn’t answer, instead motioning with a nod of his head for Matt to follow him. He walked over to the front door before turning to his right and continuing to walk, his head down, staring at the flower border.
‘What are you looking for?’ Matt asked.
‘This,’ Harry said, pointing at a patch in the flower bed which something had flattened.
‘And what exactly is it?’ Matt asked.
‘For now, I’m not quite sure,’ Harry said. ‘A hunch.’
‘And your hunch squashed these poor plants, did it?’
Harry said, ‘I want you to stand here for a few minutes. That okay?’
‘It’s a tough assignment, right enough, but I think I’ll cope.’
Harry left his DS behind and went into the house. Abigail was with Jen in the hallway.
‘Liz upstairs?’
‘She is,’ Jen answered.
‘Right then, come on,’ Harry instructed, leading the two women up the stairs.
At the top, he said to Liz, ‘Show me where everyone was sleeping. I know Abigail here could tell us, but I just want to make sure.’
Liz took them down the hall, pointing out who had occupied each room as they went.
‘And this was yours, yes?’ Harry said, looking to Abigail.
‘It was, and I won’t be sorry to be leaving it either,’ Abigail replied. ‘The mattress was like sleeping on porridge, the drafts have, I’m sure, given me some kind of hideous flu, and the dust! Goodness, it’s just everywhere!’
Harry held up a hand to stem the flow of Abigail’s complaints, fairly sure that they would have easily continued for the rest of the day. ‘Can you show me something?’
‘What?’ Abigail answered.
Harry opened the door and walked over to the window. Outside he saw the parking area. Abigail, Liz, and Jen joined him.
‘You said that you saw Charlie get into his car, yes?’
‘I’m not lying!’ Abigail snapped back.
Harry ignored the flare of temper. ‘Can you show me where Charlie’s car was parked, please, you know, when you saw him climb into it and drive off?’
Abigail leant forwards to stare out of the window then pointed downwards. ‘Over there,’ she said. ‘Close to the house, just beyond that ridiculous entrance to this place. God, what were the designers thinking? It’s a Gothic monstrosity!’
‘Is it?’ said Jen. ‘I rather like it.’
‘And you’re sure that’s where it was?’ Harry asked.
‘That’s what I said, didn’t I?’ Abigail replied. ‘His car was there. He got into it. He drove off. There’s nothing more to say!’
Harry was sure that he could hear the cogs in his mind whirring and clicking as things started to fall into place. But he wouldn’t voice it, not yet, not until he was absolutely sure.
‘Liz, can you take us to Charlie’s room, please?’
Liz did exactly that. Harry strode over to the window and opened it, which it did surprisingly easily. He then leaned out and directly below him saw Matt.
‘Now then,’ Matt said, staring up. ‘Everything okay, Boss? I’m still here, as requested. Never say I shirk from my duties.’
Harry pulled back from the window. ‘Abigail?’
‘What?’
‘I need you to do something for me, please.’
Abigail shuffled across the floor.
‘Can you tell Detective Sergeant Dinsdale, who’s standing directly below us, to go move to where you say Charlie was parked that night?’
‘Why?’
‘Could you just do it,’ Harry said.
Abigail leant out of the window and did as Harry instructed. Harry waved to Matt. ‘Eric’s room, please, Liz.’
In the next room, Harry once again walked up to the window. He stared out of it, looking left, looking right. ‘Got you,’ he said, then turned to Abigail, thanked her for her help, and led the way back downstairs. In the hall, he was about to head into the lounge when he noticed the boots he’d spotted beneath the coats last Saturday morning. He dropped to his knees and checked the soles of each boot until he found one pair that made him pause. He stood up, holding them upside down. He called for Matt.
‘See that?’
‘What?’
Harry pointed at something stuck in the grip of the boots.
‘Those are feed pellets,’ Harry said. ‘For pheasants.’
‘From where we found the body?’
Harry gave a nod, then walked into the lounge. Inside, eyes stared back at him, the wide-eyed lifeless and glassy gaze of the dead things decorating the walls and various shelves, the expectant glares belonging to his team, and finally the worried looks on the faces of the party who had come to Wensleydale to celebrate Charlie’s new book, The Hunt, only to have everything go to hell within hours of them arriving on its doorstep.
‘Thank
you for your time again today,’ Harry said. ‘I’m afraid police work can be a little tedious, but it’s all to the good in the end, I hope.’
‘What is this?’ Anna said. ‘What is it that you want?’
‘We just need to have another little chat with you all, that’s all,’ Harry said, his voice calm, fully aware now that he didn’t want to set the hares racing. ‘We promise to be as quick as we can.’
‘But we were leaving,’ Mark said.
‘And now you’re not,’ Harry replied. ‘Detective Sergeant?’
Matt stepped forwards.
‘I’d just like to go over everyone’s little chats from yesterday, if that would be okay?’
‘Not a problem,’ Matt said. ‘Any particular order?’
Harry stood thoughtful for a moment. ‘If you and Jen take Chris, first, Gordy and Jim can speak with Adam, and myself and Jim, we’ll have a chat with Eric. Liz, if you can just keep everyone comfortable in here, that would be great. Jadyn?’
The police constable snapped his head round, alert as a startled rabbit.
‘Ask Matt to take you outside and have you stand in the same place Abigail moved him to, if you could.’
Harry was fully aware that absolutely no one in the room knew what the hell he was doing other than him, but it was important he kept it that way. The less anyone knew, the easier it would be to deal with what he would be coming soon. Assuming, of course, that his hunch was correct.
Walking over to Eric, Harry smiled down at the old man. ‘Care to join me?’
‘Of course,’ Eric said, lifting himself out of a sofa.
‘Tell you what,’ Harry said, ‘why don’t we take a walk instead of sitting down?’
‘Good idea,’ Eric said. ‘Getting stiff sitting down on that chair. Too damned low if you ask me.’
Eric followed Harry out of the lounge, Jim strolling along quietly behind.
Harry made his way up the stairs. At the top, he stopped. ‘Now Eric, you heard Charlie leave, isn’t that right?’
‘He banged on my door, probably fell into it drunk,’ Eric replied. ‘I came to see what was up and saw him on the stairs. I followed him but by the time I’d put on my dressing gown and found myself downstairs, he was gone.’
Shooting Season: A DCI Harry Grimm Novel Page 24