‘Thanks, I couldn’t exactly offer to take her to Angie’s.’
Annie noticed how concerned he was about Jackie and hoped that there wasn’t anything developing between them. ‘So, have you left the motel?’
‘I’m staying at Angie’s from tonight. It’s easier and the decontamination crew have nearly finished. Then I want to get started on the redecoration.’
Annie felt that twinge of guilt again, thinking Charlie was only in this position because she hadn’t taken his sister’s story seriously. But even if she had, would that have prevented what happened? She would never know that for sure, especially if it was Jim Moorcroft who was responsible and not George Goodman, whom Angela had suspected.
But now, Annie had to go back to being a detective. Getting out her notebook, she started the interview. ‘So tell me why you happened to be with Jackie tonight?’ That was a question she wanted the answer to both personally and professionally.
‘She sent me a text message earlier today asking if I would go back to the house with her. Then later when she came to the hospital, she explained that Jim hadn’t been into work today. He’d phoned in this morning apparently, to say he was taking the day off. Jackie was frightened to go home alone in case he started on her again.’
‘OK, we obviously need to check that out with his workplace, find out who spoke to him, how he sounded. Might also help us establish a time line. But what did you mean about him ‘starting on her again’?’
Just as Charlie was about to answer, Bronski motioned to Annie.
‘I’ll be back in a minute, Charlie.’
Annie walked into the hallway where Bronski was waiting. He had been liaising with Glen Heaviley who was in charge of the crime scene investigation. Bronski passed her a piece of paper in a sealed plastic bag. Annie read it through the plastic. It was clearly a suicide note and a confession to the assault on Angela Goodman, and it asked for Hegarty’s forgiveness.
‘Strange that Jackie Winters isn’t even mentioned, don’t you think?’ Bronski offered.
‘Strikes me as strange too, considering that they were living together. Should we show this to Charlie?’
‘Don’t see any reason why not,’ Bronski said, ‘but then again we can’t be sure if it was typed by Moorcroft. Someone else could have typed it and left it for us to find. Until the post mortem is done, we don’t know for sure whether he did kill himself or not. This could all have been staged.’
‘So nothing firm yet. Still it would be interesting to see what Charlie’s view on the note is.’
‘It’s sealed and labelled, so there’s no problem you showing it to him. Still, you better ask him not to share it with Jackie Winters just yet. We’ll have to interview her further when she’s not in shock. She won’t know about the note.’
Charlie wondered what Annie was carrying as she came back in the kitchen. The hall, landing and staircase were crowded with investigators and Bronski was basing himself in the master bedroom, where the note was found.
‘What’s up?’ he asked as Annie placed the plastic envelope on the table in front of him.
‘What do you make of this?’
He read the note word by word:
I can’t live with my actions any longer. I am a danger to women. My temper is uncontrollable. I was in love with Angie, but it wasn’t reciprocated. When she refused my advances that night, I lost it. I just lost it completely. It was like I went into an altered state. I couldn’t believe what I’d done. I was so scared I just ran out. I thought she was dead.
Charlie, I’m sorry. Your sister loves you. This is all my fault. One of these days she’ll come out of that coma and tell you it was me. I can’t live with that dread any longer or with what I have done. I want to ask your forgiveness, but I can’t. It wouldn’t be fair. Jim
Charlie slid it across the table to Annie, who looked at him expectantly.
‘I’m confused – I just can’t believe he did that to Angie. She never mentioned anything about the two of them, other than them just being friends.’
‘Would you have been in a position to know?’
‘Seems there is a lot about my sister that I didn’t know. I can’t believe this is happening. My gut instinct tells me that something is wrong here.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I don’t know what I mean.’ Charlie got up and started to pace around the kitchen. Then he turned and faced Annie. ‘I’m still trying to come to terms with what Jackie has been going through with him. That caught me unawares. I thought they made a really good couple. Just goes to show, eh? And now to think that he had feelings for Angie. Frankly, I just can’t make sense of it. So what now?’
‘I think there are more questions than answers. We’ll have to show the note to Jackie when we interview her. But for now, Charlie, we need you to keep this to yourself.’
‘Sure, but is that the end of the investigation of Angie’s assault? I mean, do you really think Jim did it?’ His eyes were firmly fixed on Annie and she tried to stop herself blushing.
‘I’m not sure what I think just yet. Somehow this just seems too convenient.’
56
A half hour later, Annie joined Bronski while he had a final run through the events with Glen Heaviley. The forensics team would be in the house for a while yet. There was nothing else that either Annie or Bronski could do that night.
‘So, shall I drop you back home, Detective?’
‘Thanks sir, but I’m going to go back to Angela’s house with Charlie. I still want to look through those diaries of Angela’s.’
‘OK, but take some evidence bags, just in case they enlighten us about anything.’
‘Of course.’
As Annie came back into the kitchen, Charlie looked like he was deep in thought. Annie wasn’t sure if she wanted to ask him what was on his mind. For a man who had only recently come home on leave from Afghanistan, expecting a vacation in Montana and then time with his sister, instead to be faced with what he had been over the last several days, how does someone cope with that? Annie had to stay focused for both their sakes. Maybe the diaries would be important. He broke the silence.
‘Want to get a bite to eat on the way to the house?’
‘Sure, I never did get to eat before I was called out.’
It was getting late as they entered the diner. ‘I think I’ll have a sandwich. I’m sort of past eating, really,’ Charlie said as he folded the menu.
‘Tuna on toast sounds good to me.’
‘So one tuna on toast and a BLT.’ Charlie ordered the food and they both decided on another coffee. The one they’d had in the kitchen seemed like ages ago. As he put both menus back behind the paper napkin holder, he said, ‘It would be nice just to take you out for a meal, not to be rushing from the hospital, or worse still, a crime scene.’
Annie smiled, ‘Story of my life, I’m afraid.’
‘Does that mean all your life you’ve been dating cops and you discuss cases over a meal?’ he said, smiling.
‘Something like that.’ Annie could see that she hadn’t satisfied his curiosity. Somehow she felt in the mood to tell him more. ‘My ex-fiancé was a cop; I mean, is a cop, back home. We’re in the same force but based at different stations.’
‘Is that awkward if he’s an ex?’ Charlie took a drink of his coffee while he waited for her to reply.
‘Sometimes, but we’re more likely to come across each other outside work, rather than at work.’ Annie sipped her coffee, unsure how much to say.
‘Is that because he hasn’t given up on being an ex?’ He smiled. ‘I can see why he wouldn’t want to.’
Now Annie smiled. ‘Unfortunately we come from the same place in Scotland as well. When I got the job in Stockport, we’d only just got engaged. It took him a few months l
onger to get a transfer. At the same time I was thinking about whether I should relocate my mum and brother to Manchester, so they could be near us. My brother has Down’s Syndrome and severe epilepsy. He worships Paul and so does my mum.’
‘And that made the break up more difficult?’
‘Still does. My mother harbours an unshakeable belief that we’ll get back together. While I’ve been away, Andrew, my brother has been in hospital. It was touch and go. Paul made the trip back home and was there for them. He even telephoned me to let me know how things were going.’
‘Was that awkward, talking to him, I mean?’
‘Thankfully, it was on the answer machine. I was at work when he phoned.’
‘And Andrew, is he doing better now?’ The waitress came with their orders just as Charlie asked the question. It took a minute or two for the waitress to establish they had everything they needed.
Annie resumed when the waitress had retreated. ‘He’s much better, for now at least. He’s being discharged, but really I guess it’s a matter of time. Each time he’s admitted he seems to deteriorate a bit more, does less for himself when he comes out, doesn’t bounce back as quickly. And each time we think that the new medication or the new dose of the old medication will lessen the attacks, and it usually does for a short while and then the cycle repeats itself. Mum won’t accept that they can’t cure the epilepsy.’ Annie paused to cut her sandwich into smaller pieces and to put ketchup on her French fries. ‘Still, enough doom and gloom for one night; let’s talk about something more pleasant.’
‘Seems doom and gloom is all there is at the moment,’ said Hegarty reflectively.
‘I agree, but enough is enough for one day. Just while we eat, talk to me about something else. Tell me about Montana and the Yellowstone. I’m still jealous.’
Nearly an hour later, they were back in Charlie’s car. ‘It’s getting late, are you sure you want to come back to Angie’s and look for the diaries, or should I pick you up after work tomorrow and you can get them then?’
‘How difficult will they be to find?’
‘I’m not really sure. I’ll have to go into the attic. I know the trunk is up there. I’m not sure how many of them there are and I guess it depends how far back you want to go. I don’t know what else is in the attic. I might have to shift things around to get to the trunk.’
Annie hesitated, not sure how to answer. It didn’t seem very practical to try and get them now, she had to admit.
Charlie broke in again. ‘So, is tomorrow evening better? We could have something to eat first and then go into the attic. The guys from the decontamination company should be finished late morning. Then I’ll be able to spend the afternoon with Angie.’
‘Well, I guess the diaries can wait a bit longer. Tomorrow morning we’ll be tied up interviewing Jackie Winters and sifting through evidence from the house.’
‘OK, so why don’t you call me when you’re finished and I’ll pick you up from the station.’
‘Sure.’
When Annie got into the apartment, she checked her answer machine. At least there were no messages, so she knew all was well with Andrew and her mum.
57
Approaching the office of the South Mass News, Connie Lombardi needed every ounce of courage that she could muster. She could feel her heart thumping and her hands felt damp. A handwritten sign on the door said: Back in 10 minutes.
‘Damn.’ Looking at her watch, she knew that if she waited the 10 minutes, that would only give her just over five minutes to tell her story before she had to rush back to the office. Her determination was beginning to dissolve but as she turned around, a young man strode up to the door. Deciding to save him the trouble, she blurted out. ‘There’s no one there, the sign says they’ll be back in 10 minutes.’
‘I know, I put it there. I’m Patrick Meehan, staff reporter.’ Putting his hand out to shake hers, she was momentarily taken aback. He looked more like a college student than a reporter.
‘Connie Lombardi.’
Holding the coffee in one hand, Patrick pulled his keys out of his trouser pocket with the other and let them in. Connie heard the beeping of the burglar alarm.
‘Take a seat over by that desk while I turn this off.’
Connie looked around the office. It was smaller than she expected, but then again this was a local free newspaper. I just need to get through this, she thought, as Patrick Meehan took his seat behind the desk.
‘Now, is it Ms, Miss or Mrs Lombardi?’
Connie smiled. She was certainly old enough to be his big sister, if not quite his mother.
‘Connie, will do, and it’s Miss.’
‘OK, Connie, how can I help you?’
‘My boyfriend has disappeared, I’ve been to the police but frankly, they don’t want to know. I have been thinking of putting posters up, as I am frightened that something has happened to him. He’s never been out of touch for this long since we started going out.’
‘And what? You want us to carry the poster?’
‘I haven’t actually done one yet. I guess I wanted some advice as to whether that would be a good thing.’
‘Well, I guess that depends on how you’re going to get them circulated. Most of these towns have ordinances. That means you can’t just put posters up where you want to or you might find yourself with a fine.’
Connie blushed, that had never occurred to her.
‘Tell you what, the story of one missing person, especially an adult male isn’t exactly news, but if I can get an angle.’ Patrick Meehan smiled and turned towards his computer. ‘So you’d better tell me all about him.’
Walking back to the office, Connie felt hopeful for the first time in the last few weeks. Someone believed her, believed that Jason had no reason to go missing. Patrick Meehan was going to find out how many more men like him were out there. How many people were suffering like she was? What was the toll of the human misery left behind? Maybe someone would recognise his photo.
That was the only part that disappointed Patrick: she only had a single photo of Jason from her phone. Jason had never like being photographed. She’d caught him unawares and told him she’d deleted it, but she hadn’t. That way she could look at him whenever she wanted. Of course, she hadn’t told him that. And when Jason was back, and if he was angry about the photo, so what? At least he’d be back.
58
He sat down in front of the TV, flicking through the channels. The crime programmes fascinated him. He smiled to himself now as one came on the screen. Watching it, he spotted all kinds of mistakes that the perpetrator had made. Not like him, his actions had been exemplary … except, of course, for the bitch. But there was still time to get that right, if he had to – if the surgeons had managed some kind of miracle.
He thought about his earlier visit to the hospital. As usual, the cop outside the door couldn’t do enough for him: ‘Father this and Father that.’ He made a mental note to find out if the officer had been an altar boy. But it was getting more difficult to contain himself when he went into her room. The urge to finish what he’d started was almost overwhelming, but the timing had to be right for that one final act, if indeed it became necessary. Before then, there was the added enjoyment of seeing her suffering prolonged, whispering in her ear. Not prayers, no not prayers. Yes, this was all an unexpected bonus and he could go into her room with impunity whenever he wanted. But he had to be careful, not seem over solicitous and be convincing that he visited other patients as well.
Just as the adverts came on, he thought, maybe I should write an episode for the TV, show people what you have to do.
59
‘I hear you had an interesting night. Finding a dead body beat the prospect of having dinner with me, eh?’ Dave Ellison was smiling at Annie while she took her jacket off
and put it on the back of her chair.
Annie noticed that Ellison always seemed amused at her habitual morning routine. ‘Not your usual pick up line, Dave. Want a coffee while I fill you in?’
Annie walked over to the kitchen, and Ellison got up to follow her. ‘Want a decent coffee downstairs, instead?’
‘I would, but I’ve got lots of notes to write up. I imagine Franconi will want to catch up with us. Bronski should be here soon. Thanks for the offer, Dave, but I’d better stay put.’
Ellison leaned back on the counter, folding his arms. ‘So, the body was one for the books, was it? Must admit I’ve seen some bodies in my time, but never one suspended from a rope.’
‘Well, be grateful for small mercies, Dave. Believe me, it was not a pretty sight, especially since he’d been there for hours. And the smell, there is nothing like it.’ Annie put the milk in the cups and then poured the coffee from the coffee maker.
‘So Hegarty found him, eh? Why was he there?’
‘Good question, Dave, but it was legitimate. Jackie Winters asked him to go back to the house with her after the problems she’d had with Moorcroft the previous night.’
‘Convenient for her, then?’
Annie turned to Ellison while she passed him the coffee. ‘Is that enough milk for you?’
‘Great,’ he said taking a sip.
‘What do you mean by ‘convenient for her’?’
Ellison paused for a moment. ‘Well, it would have been different had she walked into that house alone, wouldn’t it?’ He took a sip of coffee.
Det Annie Macpherson 01 - Primed By The Past Page 21