The Fourth Friend

by Joy Ellis

  ‘It might have been very important to him. His whole family were trash, and his twin brothers were the worst of the lot. They’d have had his money away in a flash.’

  ‘Did you know Joanne?’

  ‘Yes, she’s a lovely girl. She was totally devoted to Ray, and all she wanted was to make his life comfortable. Her favourite day out would probably be a trip to Ikea, and her spare time seemed to be filled with cooking for the freezer and scanning women’s magazines for ideas on decor.’

  ‘Oh dear.’ Marie couldn’t imagine a life like that.

  Carter sighed. ‘I know, but Ray thrived on it. And given his background, who could blame him? Ray and Joanne were a perfect match. The grafter and the homemaker. Now Joanne is cooking dinners for one, and Ray is sitting in an urn on top of the mantelpiece. Thanks to me.’

  Marie frowned at him, but said nothing.

  Carter sighed again. ‘Okay, so let’s imagine I’m Ray and I want somewhere to stash some cash for my wedding. I’m not too keen on banks, but they should give me a few bob in interest at least.’

  ‘Yes, and these days a few bob is probably all you will get! Since your wedding is coming up, you might need to get your hands on some readies at short notice. That puts a high interest account out of the running. Perhaps you would just find a safe place and hide it.’

  Carter frowned. ‘I suppose Ray could have meant it wasn’t in a savings account or in a bank at all. Do you really think he might just have hidden it?’

  Marie thought about it. ‘But that means it has stayed hidden for over eighteen months. Surely someone would have found it when they sorted out his things?’

  ‘Mmm. So where would be safe? One thing’s for sure, it wouldn’t have been at his parents’ place. That leaves his flat, and Joanne regularly cleans it from top to bottom. She moves the furniture around as often as she brushes her teeth.’ He paused. ‘Not only that, I’m sure Joanne knows nothing about the nest egg. She’s naïve — not a fool, but deception never enters her mind. If you ask her a question, she will answer you honestly. Even if it’s the evil twins who are doing the asking. No. Ray would have kept his mouth shut.’

  ‘How about where he worked?’

  ‘No way. Ray worked as an engine fitter at that big tractor company out near Swineshead. He might have trusted his mates, but the place was full of strangers. He couldn’t stash any cash there.’

  ‘So where?’ Marie had run out of ideas.

  Carter sat up straight, almost overturning his beer.

  ‘Of course! The Eva May! Right here! When Ray wasn’t with Joanne, he was always here on the boat. Sometimes with me, or with the others, but often on his own. He slept here for three nights once, when Joanne was off on some course. Where better to hide it?’

  ‘But surely this boat is a prime target for vandals or dossers? Would you leave a load of wonga unattended in the middle of nowhere?’

  Carter gave her an enigmatic smile. ‘Ah. But the boat is not unattended.’

  ‘Explain, please.’

  ‘My dad owned Stone Quay. Years ago he owned the boatyard. He damn well owned half the county.’ He coughed. ‘Anyway, you wouldn’t notice it, but the Eva May has a neighbour. Ever heard of Silas Breeze?’

  ‘Crazy Silas?’

  ‘The same. Only he’s not as crazy as he makes out. Sure, he’s a bit odd, but he’s loyal, and he likes me.’

  ‘Hang on. You saved his brother from drowning, didn’t you? When you were still doing your training?’

  ‘Something like that. Wasn’t exactly a dramatic rescue. I hauled him out on the end of a boathook, actually. Pissed as a newt he was, but Silas was grateful to me.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘Silas worked on my father’s boatyard. He taught me to shoot and to fish, and he used to take me poaching on Dad’s land. Happy days!’

  ‘Get to the point, Carter. Where is he now?’

  ‘In a tiny cottage about five hundred yards from here. You can’t see it from the lane or from the quay. It nestles in a tiny inlet of the river, surrounded by reeds and stubby windblown trees.’ He smiled and pointed. ‘Over there.’

  Marie shook her head. She could see nothing.

  ‘I doubt if more than a handful of people know it’s there, and that’s just how he likes it.’

  ‘Is his brother with him?’ asked Marie.

  ‘Eli died some years ago now. Silas is alone, with his dog. That’s another reason no one comes looking for him. Klink, his dog, isn’t exactly friendly.’

  ‘Funny name.’

  Carter grinned at her. ‘Haven’t you learnt anything since they threw you out of Wales? It’s local dialect for marvellous.’

  ‘Well, you learn something new every day. And my dad came from here, I’ll have you know. He was a pure yellowbelly, just like you.’

  ‘Aye, true Lincolnshire, born and bred.’ Carter smiled proudly. ‘Well, ya takin’ a long whiles learnin’, me duck.’

  ‘So Silas and his pooch keep an eye on this boat for you? Nice one.’

  ‘After his brother died, he couldn’t stand his old home. I gave him the cottage and a small allowance when we brought the Eva May down here. We put a petrol generator into the one remaining storeroom and kept some of our equipment and tools there. We couldn’t have done it without having someone close by to keep an eye on it. As you said, a deserted boat is a prime target for vandals or bored kids.’

  ‘And did Ray know Silas?’

  ‘He met him a few times. Ray was a bit of a birdwatcher, especially water fowl. That made him acceptable to Silas. He wasn’t too keen on the others, but he seemed to like Ray well enough.’

  Marie could sense Carter’s growing excitement.

  ‘If I can get this right, I’ll know for certain that I’ll be able to let my friends move on.’

  Marie nodded. Carter needed closure. If he had to live the rest of his life waiting for that smell of burning, she wasn’t sure how long he would last. Marie stood up. ‘Okay, let’s start the treasure hunt.’

  For thirty minutes they searched the boat, but they found nothing.

  Carter rubbed a sweaty forearm across his brow. ‘Damn! I was so sure it was here.’

  ‘I thought so too,’ said Marie. ‘I hate to say this, but it’s getting dark.’

  Carter nodded. ‘Back to the bloody drawing board.’

  He stared back up at the old vessel.

  Marie had a feeling he would come back after he’d dropped her off, and dark or not, he’d tear the Eva May apart if he had to.

  Carter picked up a stone and flung it far out into the river. They watched the rings spread out from where it had struck the water.

  ‘Let’s sleep on it,’ said Marie softly. ‘I think we are on the right track, don’t you?’

  ‘I guess.’

  * * *

  Carter took a deep breath and set off after Marie. She was leaning on the side of his car. Suddenly he stopped and sniffed the air. Oh no! Not here. Not with Marie just a few steps away.

  ‘Not now,’ he hissed. ‘Go away!’

  ‘Carter?’ Marie was moving towards him. ‘What’s wrong?’

  ‘No, no,’ he mumbled, looking around him.

  ‘Carter, you’re scaring me.’ She, too, looked around. Then she stopped. He saw her look up and wrinkle her nose.

  My God! She could smell it too!

  Carter froze. Did that mean she would see them as well?

  ‘Get into the car, Carter. I’ll drive. Just get in, close the windows and take some deep breaths.’ Marie held out her hand for the keys.

  You won’t keep them out by shutting the windows, he thought, almost giggling at the notion.

  ‘The car, Carter! Bloody get in!’

  He did as he was told and they set off, hurtling down the lane and over the fields. Suddenly she braked and pulled over.

  ‘Look.’

  She pointed. Across a vast field he saw a bright orange glow spreading across the old corn stooks.

  �
�The farmer is burning off his field, getting rid of the old stubble. It’s supposed to be illegal, but they still do it. That’s all it is. Just a farmer at work. Okay?’

  Carter closed his eyes and sank down in the seat. How could he be so stupid?

  ‘It’s okay, honestly. You’re safe. The smoke was a trigger, that’s all. It caused a flashback, a panic attack.’ She smiled at him gently.

  ‘Yes, I suppose it did.’ He bit his lip. Let her believe that. It was certainly better than the truth. He remembered her reaction when he first mentioned seeing the guys. How could Marie be expected to understand, when he certainly did not?

  ‘I’ll get you back home and we’ll have a cup of strong coffee, yeah?’

  He put on a weak smile and nodded.

  This couldn’t go on. He had to find that damn money, sort out whatever Jack and Tom needed, and kiss them goodbye. Otherwise he would go mad.

  CHAPTER FIVE

  The following morning, Marie arrived at the station early. The CID office was empty, which allowed for a private call to Laura Archer. The psychologist wouldn’t be at work yet, but she could leave a short message on her answerphone asking for an appointment.

  She didn’t feel that she was being disloyal to Carter. In the early days, she had accompanied him on so many of his visits that, in the absence of a next of kin, it had been agreed that she would speak for him if things got difficult. It meant she had his blessing to consult with Laura if she felt the need.

  She left a message and switched on her computer.

  ‘Is McLean in yet, Marie?’

  Marie jumped. She hadn’t noticed Superintendent Crooke come into the office. She hurriedly stood up. ‘I haven’t seen him, ma’am.’ She noticed the deep, worried creases in the super’s forehead, and the dark shadows beneath her eyes. Marie suspected that Carter was not the only one suffering from lack of sleep. ‘Nothing’s happened, has it, ma’am? With your niece, I mean.’

  ‘Nothing she is aware of, Marie, but I was up at three in the morning chasing round the garden like a madwoman. I’m certain someone was out there, watching the house. Well, watching Leah’s bedroom window to be precise.’

  ‘Who was on duty, ma’am? They did show, didn’t they?’ She had heard Carter put in the request to uniform to keep an eye on the place while on patrol.

  ‘Oh yes, I saw your crew on several occasions. I’m not complaining about that. Whoever it was just seemed to pick the time when there was no one here. If I hadn’t got up for a call of nature, I’d never have seen him.’

  Marie wondered how he knew which window was the girl’s. Or even know that she was there, and not in her own flat? ‘Want me to check out the garden, ma’am? See if the intruder left any traces?’

  Ruth Crooke shook her head. ‘Did it myself, at first light. Fine tooth-comb and all that. There’s nothing.’ She massaged her temples for a moment. ‘I’m not even a hundred per cent sure there really was someone. I may be a police officer, but I was half asleep, had a bursting bladder and was deeply worried about Leah.’ She shrugged. ‘Doesn’t make me the most reliable witness, does it?’

  Marie shook her head. It was weird. Crooke loathed Carter and vice versa, but the super didn’t seem to have it in for her or anyone else. She positively liked Jackman, and he in turn was quite happy to let Ruth Crooke call him by his first name. No one else did that.

  Ruth Crooke was shrewd, and very aware of what went on in her division. She was also straight-laced, and everything had to be done by the book. She had been an awesome and very active copper in her early years, and then when she finally made superintendent, she found that the post suited her. Although she would never admit it, she revelled in the bureaucracy. She understood all about service performance indicators, information cascades and the rest of that rubbish. Somehow, despite the red tape, the budgets, targets and flow charts she managed to keep the division ticking over.

  Marie just could not understand why Ruth Crooke persisted in holding Carter back. Whatever, right now she felt genuinely sorry for the super. ‘Pound to a penny, ma’am, if you think someone was there, he was there.’

  ‘I appreciate your confidence, Sergeant. I just wish I felt as sure myself.’ She turned away. ‘Tell McLean to come to my office when he gets in, if you would.’

  ‘Yes, of course.’

  Marie felt decidedly unsettled.

  * * *

  Danny Hurley looked out of place. Under the watchful eye of the shop assistant, he wandered around the upmarket handmade chocolate shop looking for the right gift. He took a while to decide on the right box and the gift wrapping, and then he paid the uneasy girl with a fifty pound note. She made sure to test it under the light box.

  ‘She must be very special,’ she said.

  Danny’s eyes lit up. ‘Believe me, darling, she is.’

  He left the shop and sauntered over to the bridge. He stood for a while at the bottom of the ramp, listening to a busker playing a guitar. Danny clicked his fingers and swayed to the beat. When the song ended, Danny threw a tenner into the open guitar case. ‘Sweet, man. Really sweet.’ He nodded appreciatively and walked off. The amazed musician grabbed the note and stared after him.

  Another man joined Danny on the bridge and they walked together in silence until they reached the far bank. They strolled a little way along the riverside path until they came to a wooden bench where they sat in silence, staring at the slow moving water. The other man looked thin, unhealthy, with lank hair and skin like unbaked dough.

  Danny glanced around briefly, reached into his trouser pocket and took out an envelope. Wordlessly, he passed it to the man, who put it in his pocket without looking at it. ‘Same as before?’ he muttered.

  ‘No.’ Danny nodded towards the university buildings, further along the towpath. ‘Her car this time. Red Citroen Saxo.’ In a whisper, he gave him the registration number and handed over a pass card and a key. ‘The card will get you in to the Emerson House car park, west side. She parks along the back row. Their CCTV is rubbish, just two cameras for the whole area. Go in at one forty exactly and you are clear for one minute fifty-five seconds. Plus, if she’s being watched by the Old Bill, they are coming up to shift change, so you’re safe as houses. Got it?’

  ‘Understood.’

  Danny handed him the gift. ‘Place this in the passenger footwell, and be careful, they cost a bloody arm and a leg.’

  The man gave a lecherous gap-toothed grin. ‘This bird really must be the dog’s bollocks.’

  Danny glared at him. ‘You have no idea what she means to me. Now shut the fuck up and go earn your money.’

  Danny made his way back down the path, seething with anger. His next job would be to find himself a different runner. No one made comments like that about his girl. No one.

  * * *

  Carter fought hard to concentrate, but lack of sleep and Ray’s final request were playing havoc with his brain. If it weren’t for the super’s “problem,” he might have thrown a sickie and tried to get his head down for a couple of hours. But after his earlier terse meeting with Crooke, it was clear that taking time off to sleep would not do much for his career. This was not how he had planned his return to full duties. He should be on the Holland case.

  He finished his second black coffee and forced himself to focus on Leah Kingfield. Marie was busy scanning through a box of CCTV tapes of Leah’s home address. She trusted no one else to do the job properly, and was ploughing through the whole lot herself.

  His mind wandered again. He’d had to dump poor Rosie because of Leah’s problem, and now the young detective was up to her armpits in statements and reports that he should be helping her with. They concerned a complicated drugs case involving a family of villains called Cannon. They were all vermin, especially the eldest son, Louis, who had an encyclopaedic knowledge of the law, and especially how to evade it. Rosie would need to sew everything up tighter than a duck’s backside if she wanted to make the charges stick.

  Carter was
very good at paperwork. It came naturally to him. His head for figures and his easy grasp of everything from spreadsheets to police law was about the only thing he had to thank his father for.

  He scribbled down some points to discuss with Rosie as soon as he was free again, and then his mind wandered back to Ray and his missing money.

  Maybe someone had found it already and pocketed it. Nothing would surprise him about the Barratt family. He had been so certain that Ray had concealed the money on the Eva May. Maybe he was on the wrong track altogether, and his mate had done the sensible thing and put it safely away in a bank.

  He sighed, picked up the sheet of paper with all his ideas of places to hide money and stared at it morosely. Then he screwed it up and threw it into the waste bin.

  Oh, sod it! Come on, Ray. Help me out here, for Joanne’s sake, and for mine. I want to find that bloody money!

  * * *

  Marie found nothing on the CCTV footage. She had just received a text from Laura Archer asking her to be at her office at noon. She hated keeping things from Jackman, but didn’t know how to explain to him about Carter and his “hallucinations,” and that she was visiting his shrink.

  Laura Archer’s consulting room was in the basement of an old three-storey terraced house that soared majestically above a quiet stretch of the river. Marie stepped inside and immediately a feeling of calm washed over her. It happened every time. Was it the room or the woman inside it? It was weird when you thought about it. The place must have heard a thousand cries for help. Sadness, fear and pain must have washed around this room in torrents, but you could feel none of it.

  ‘Thanks for fitting me in.’ Marie looked around at the shelves weighted down with books, the soft grey walls, the restful watercolours and the two comfortable recliners. Uplighters diffused a warm glow. Nothing jarred the senses. All that was missing was a cold bottle of Chablis and two glasses. ‘I do appreciate it.’

  ‘No problem.’ Laura indicated one of the chairs. ‘I always keep an hour free, just in case someone needs a chat.’ She smiled and sat down opposite. ‘How have you been? I haven’t seen you for over six weeks.’