by K Leitch
Carla could see that James was seriously pissed off and she supposed she couldn’t blame him. It must be really hard being married to her, but bloody hell after all she’d had to deal with today and with all that she had on her plate, surely he could cut her a bit of slack for god’s sake. She disengaged herself from him and went to the fridge to see what she could make for dinner, finding some cheese and tomato, she sulkily grabbed the loaf of bread and began to make herself a sandwich. James continued to load the dishwasher in angry silence and the atmosphere in the kitchen plummeted.
This was an ongoing argument between the two of them; James struggled to juggle his increasingly busy workload with the kids various clubs and hobbies and as such was beginning to feel a bit resentful of the demands of Carla’s work. Even though he had always known that she couldn’t be a hands on mum and a Detective Inspector without a lot of help from him. He had always been willing to be a stay at home dad, it had made sense, Carla’s job paid more than his at that time (James worked for a children’s charity as a fundraiser) but he had recently been promoted and was now based permanently in Redbank, which in itself wasn’t a problem; especially as the kids were a bit older now. But he hadn’t figured on all the after school activities that they would be involved in, all of which required lifts to and from and which were a nightmare to organise. Carla’s friend Tracy had been a godsend picking up Rosie from school when she could, and quite often taking her to either her ‘am dram’ or her gymnastic classes, but he couldn’t expect her to do that all the time especially now she had a small baby to cope with.
Carla on the other hand was riddled with guilt. She knew that she didn’t do enough with the kids and that she totally depended on James to run the household, etc. But in fairness that had been the deal that they had struck when James had said he wanted children, and up until the last year or so it had worked out perfectly.
She ate her sandwich in the awkward silence of the kitchen watching James as he continued to tidy up. Gradually her anger dissipated…she loved this man with all her heart and she owed him such a huge debt of gratitude for always being there and supporting her, and after what she had seen today she should know better than anyone that life was just too short!
‘I’m so sorry James,’ she began her eyes welling up. ‘I know I’m a terrible mother and an awful wife, but I don’t mean to be…I love you all so much, and I hate it when we fight…’
She didn’t get any further James came over and gathered her into his arms, kissing away her tears.
‘I’m sorry too sweetheart,’ he said between kisses, ‘I know how hard you work…and for the record you are not a terrible mother…I’ve seen you being quite a good mum…um like the time you made that shepherd costume for Harry out of a ‘Delights of Torquay’ dish cloth, and when you put Anusol on Rosie’s cut knee instead of antiseptic cream…’
‘Ok, ok,’ said Carla with a watery giggle, ‘I know I’ve got no idea on the children front, but you can’t say I’m not giving it all in the wifely department.’ She gave James her most seductive look.
James gave her an equally smouldering smile, ‘Oh no my darling I have to admit you are right up there with the best of them as far as all things wifely…um apart from when it comes to mending my trousers…I seem to remember one incident, a simple hemming job as I recall, ended up with both trouser legs sewn together…’
Carla stopped him with a passionate kiss…Rosie walked back into the kitchen…
‘Muuuum…ooo that’s soo gross, Daaad put her down, oh my god I should not have to see this sort of stuff…MUUUUM!’
The next morning the incident room was buzzing. Forensics had checked the blood found on the wallet for DNA and it wasn’t a match to the victim, weirdly though it wasn’t a match to the DNA that they had obtained from the hair either so it was just another confusing fact, amongst a whole lot of other confusing facts that they had.
The tyre mark had proved just as unhelpful, they now knew what size and type it was, unfortunately it seemed to be a very common tyre, typically used on the smaller hatchback type of car, but until they had a tyre on a car to match it with, it was no help at all.
Carla met Lindy at the address she had been given for Tina Filpott, the waitress that had been assaulted. She lived in a one bedroom flat on the tenth floor of a block on the ‘Buttercup estate’ and of course the lifts were out of action.
Carla and Lindy were both gasping for breath by the time they reached the right floor.
‘Oh my god I am so unfit,’ gasped Carla hanging on to the rail that ran along the passage at the front of the flats.
‘Just give me a minute,’ wheezed Lindy hands on her knees as she gasped for air.
‘Right,’ said Carla a couple of minutes later, ‘this is your case love, so I will just let you do the talking, unless I think of something that I need to know that hasn’t been covered ok?’
‘Ok boss,’ said Lindy smiling and they both made their way along the narrow landing until they found number 11, Lindy knocked on the door.
It was a while before it was answered, but they could hear someone slowly making their way towards the door until finally it was opened a crack and a small badly bruised face looked out nervously at them. Tina had only just been released from hospital and it was obvious that she was still in a bad way.
‘Tina…hi, remember me?’ began Lindy, ‘I’m DS Ford and this is my colleague DI Right, we were wondering if we could ask you some questions about what you remember from the other night…the night of your assault I mean.’
Tina seemed to think about it for a couple of minutes but then she opened the door a bit wider and let them in.
She was moving around very gingerly, obviously the wound in her side was still giving her pain, and she seemed very short of breath.
‘Have you got anyone here to help you Tina?’ Carla asked as the girl made her way back to her seat on the sofa.
‘Yeh…my sister but she’s out shopping,’ gasped Tina.
Carla waited for her to sit down then she asked if she could make them all a cup of tea, which Tina seemed grateful for, and went into the tiny kitchen, leaving Lindy to it.
By the time she had made the tea and found some biscuits Lindy had obviously managed to make the young woman feel a lot more at ease and she seemed quite happy, even eager to talk about it.
‘I didn’t hear her coming up behind me until it was too late,’ she began slowly once she had got her breath back. ‘I was so pleased to be going home and I was enjoying the first fag I’d had all night when bam! I was hit round the head and on the floor…I had no idea what was going on then she grabbed me round the neck and started choking the life out of me…I was so shocked I didn’t do anything at first, then I just thought, fuck this…if I’m going to die I’m not going quietly. So I started fighting…you know squirming and kicking, then I managed to reach round and scratch the bitch a few time, pull her hair you know anything to try and get her off me, but she was bloody strong…strong as a man and I couldn’t loosen her grip. Then she moved her arm a bit and I was able to bite her, I bit down as hard as I could and she moved then let me tell you. Well I tried to get back to the restaurant then, but I could barely walk I was crawling really…I tried to shout for help, but nothing came out…it was like those nightmares you have, you know the ones, where you are moving as fast as you can but you don’t seem to be getting anywhere and shouting at the top of your voice but nothing’s coming out.’ Tina’s voice dropped to almost a whisper, ‘I was so scared…never been so scared in all my life. I had to get back to the restaurant I just had to…but she grabbed me again and then I felt a hard thump in my side and I felt something cold…inside me you know? Then I just fell to the ground…oh my god the pain was so bad and there was so much blood. And she was just standing there watching me, calm as you like…and she said iii desservved iit…that biittch…shhee saaiid ii deesseerrveed iiit…’ Tina finally broke down sobbing in Lindy’s arms.
The two women
let Tina cry for a few minutes before questioning her further, but once she had calmed down Lindy said, ‘So did you recognise the woman that attacked you Tina?’
‘Yes I did, like I told you before it was that woman from the restaurant…the one with that gorgeous man Mr…oh what was it…James, that was it Mr James.’
‘You didn’t happen to catch what her name was did you Tina, you know as you were waiting on them or anything…he didn’t use her name at all?’
‘No, not that I can remember; but I can tell you what she looked like, a right tart that’s what, wearing far too much makeup and dressing far too young with all her boobs falling into her dinner. It’s not like she was particularly pretty either…bit on the podgy side if you ask me…too fat to be wearing that skirt anyway.’
Carla piped up, ‘And you are sure it was the same woman Tina, you weren’t confused…it was dark after all…’
‘No it was her, definitely one hundred percent, I would know that bitch anywhere…she’s got a mad evil face on her. She gave me loads of filthy looks earlier when they were eating, just because it was obvious that her man was more interested in me than in her…sad cow. She sent her meal back you know…said she found a long blond hair in it…fucking bitch probably put it there to get me into trouble…no it was definitely her.’
‘Ok Tina that’s all we need for now, we’ve got your description of this woman from the police artist that you spoke to last week so unless you remember anything else…’
Tina was shaking her head, ‘No I think I’ve told you everything…I hope you get her, she is mental…truly you did not see the look on her face it was…terrifying.’
‘Well we’re going to do our best Tina…thanks again, no don’t get up we’ll see ourselves out.’
Carla and Lindy shared a look outside the flat.
‘Oh my god Carla, we are dealing with a proper nutter here,’ said Lindy shaking her head.
‘I know, believe me,’ said Carla grimly, ‘and we have to find her before she sets her sights on her next victim. For all we know she may have already have her eye on someone…right let’s go over to this restaurant, see if anyone there remembers anything.’
The ‘Blue Boar’ restaurant was situated along a quiet little street between Kenley village and Redbank. There were a few other shops along the same street, Mini-mart, hairdressers, that kind of thing, but unfortunately no CCTV cameras and none of the shops had felt the need for cameras either so there was no record of the couple arriving or leaving the restaurant.
Carla asked to speak to Mr Tony Donetti, the restaurant manager, a rather flamboyant man of about middle age, who seemed to have a penchant for very bright coloured clothes and rather elaborate hair pieces. Carla tried desperately not to stare at his quiff or indeed catch Lindy’s eye when the man minced over to them holding out his hand.
‘Detectives welcome…I’m Tony Donetti owner and manager of this establishment,’ he said with obvious pride, ‘how may I help you?’
Lindy shook his hand and he indicated for them all to sit down at one of the tables. ‘Mr Donetti we are investigating the assault that took place outside the restaurant last week, more particularly we need anything that you can remember about the woman that Tina says attacked her. I believe she was dining with a Mr James, was he a regular here?’
‘Ooh no…I certainly would have remembered him, fine looking man he was…no it was his first time here…’ Tony broke off as a young girl came over with coffees for them all.
‘What about his lady friend…seen her before?’ asked Carla putting milk in her coffee.
‘No I’m pretty sure I haven’t,’ replied Tony after thinking for a moment, ‘although I can’t say I paid much attention to her. Of course she did send her meal back…said it was too cold or something and then found a hair in her desert…’ he paused raising his eyebrows dramatically, ‘you have no idea how often that happens, everyone’s after a free meal…but in answer to your question no I don’t think she’s been here before.’
‘So Tina went home at…what, about ten?’ said Lindy.
‘Half ten,’ said Tony, ‘she had been on since about two that day.’
‘And about what time did Mr James and his companion leave, can you remember?’
‘Now that I do remember, because he had obviously had far too much to drink, she, his girlfriend, had to almost carry him out. She was killing herself laughing and he was just mumbling on making no sense at all. We were laughing ourselves at them both, because she was so much smaller than him…it looked really funny, this little woman practically carrying this 6ft plus man…she must have some muscles on her that one.’
‘So who paid for the meal Mr Donetti, if he was incapable?’
‘Oh she did, the woman,’ Tony laughed when Carla and Lindy’s eyes lit up. ‘It was paid for with cash…sorry.’
‘Course it was,’ said Carla wryly. ‘You say Mr James had had too much to drink can you tell me exactly what he did have?’
‘Well no…not now, all the copies of receipts go to our accountants once a week so I don’t have anything here I’m afraid…I do know that he had a glass of house red and some water for the table…just a minute I’ll see if my son remembers, he was working that night.’
Mr Donetti minced back into the kitchen leaving Carla and Lindy to themselves.
Carla gave Lindy a look, ‘Don’t say anything ok…I couldn’t even look at you when he first came over. What is that wig about! I didn’t think people still wore such dodgy toupees, and especially not with such a bright blond quiff.’
‘God I know…I’m still trying to get my head around the fact that he has a son! Shh he’s coming, straight faces.’
‘Well,’ said Tony excitedly as he approached the table, ‘my son Mario is certain that they hardly had any alcohol at all, he remembers the man having a glass of red as I mentioned, but said that the woman didn’t drink anything except the water on the table, and he doesn’t remember taking any more drinks over to them all evening. So that chap…Mr James must have had a drink before he came…maybe the Merlot just pushed him over the edge.’
‘Yes maybe,’ said Lindy unconvincingly, ‘what time did you say they left Tony?’
‘Oh sorry love…I got so carried away I forgot to say…it was about ten, I know because they were the last to leave and I was desperate to get upstairs and watch ‘Made in Chelsea’, I just love that show don’t you…that Binky though she’s such a tease and…’
‘Could you describe the woman Mr Donetti, was she tall, short, dark, fair?’ interrupted Carla.
‘Well as I said I didn’t take much notice, but she was not tall…’
‘How tall would you say…my height?’ Lindy stood up.
‘Yes about that, maybe a bit shorter…but then she was plumper than you my dear, so that might have made her appear shorter.’
‘And what about her hair colour?’
‘She had brown hair…shortish and very big…’ he made a gestured to represent her breasts, ‘boobies. And she was wearing lots of makeup… she looked like a clown actually.’
‘Eye colour…you didn’t happen to notice that did you?’ said Carla, Tony shook his head.
‘Was there anything unusual about her…you know a mole or a birth mark anything that the public could look out for?’ asked Lindy.
‘No sorry I just didn’t notice…oh hang on there was…she had a tattoo, I remember now.’
‘That’s great Tony, where was it…and what was it?’
‘Well it was on her…’ he pointed at his chest area.
‘On her breast you mean,’ said Carla patiently, Tony nodded, ‘and what was this tattoo of, can you remember?’
‘Oh yes it was a rose…a pink rose…at least I think it was a rose, anyhow it was a flower of some sort…bit tacky really I thought, a woman of her age I mean…’
‘Thank you so much Mr Donetti,’ said Carla cutting him off and getting her things together. ‘You’ve been a great help, and thanks fo
r the coffee as well.’
‘Anytime Detectives…next time come for a meal, anything you want…it’s on the house.’
‘Thanks again…and if you remember anything else that you think might be important please give me a call.’
Carla and Lindy walked back to the car in silence mulling over what they had heard.
‘We need to get that photo fit image out to the public as soon as possible,’ Carla said when they were in the car. ‘I’ll speak to DCI Drew when I get back, see if she can get us on this week’s Crime Watch; if we’ve got a decent enough image, along with the tattoo information that might be enough for someone to come forward.’ She was beginning to feel a lot more hopeful, it felt like they’d turned a corner.
‘Fancy a drink later?’ asked Lindy when Carla dropped her back at her car. ‘It’s been ages since we’ve had a catch up.’
‘Sorry love can’t tonight; I’ve got a cauldron meeting.’
‘Oh my god, are you still doing those?’ said Lindy laughing.
‘Couldn’t do without them, they are all that’s keeping me sane at the moment,’ Carla said with a smile, ‘but we’re sure to keep bumping into each other over the next few weeks, let’s arrange something soon.’
‘Definitely, say hello to the girls for me,’ said Lindy with a wave as she got into her car and drove off.
CHAPTER 32 - CAULDRON MEETING
‘So are you ok now…really?’ said Helen looking intently at Tracy who laughed at her serious expression.
‘Yes love,’ she said giving her a squeeze, ‘it was just some young kids having a laugh trying to scare the crap out of us…I’m not going to let it spoil my gorgeous new house.’
‘Quite right too Tracy love…don’t let those little fuckers get to you,’ said Maggie, ‘did you manage to find that paint I was telling you about by the way? I can’t wait for you to try it.’