The Fourth Friend

by Joy Ellis

  ‘And I’m guessing there will be no way to connect what happened to Leah with the Cannon family?’ asked Marie.

  Sidney rolled his eyes. ‘Not in a million years. And as soon as I leave this place, I’m forgetting every word that was said.’ His face broke into a rather sad smile. ‘I’d do the same if I were you, miss, for all our sakes. No one goes up against the Cannons. But I’m thinking that as long as Danny is in your care, your young woman will be safe to return to her life again.’

  They ordered Sidney more tea, and thanked him. Marie walked ahead, turned to say something to Carter and saw him mutter a few words into Sidney’s ear and pass him a small fold of notes.

  Back in the car, she turned to him and raised an eyebrow. ‘Money well spent?’

  ‘Oh yes, I think so, don’t you?’ His face lit up. ‘Now we can get back to doing some real police work.’

  He started the car. Marie watched him as he drove. From the set of his jaw, she knew that one way or another, Carter McLean was going to get to the truth of what happened in Holland Cottage. Was it to see justice done, or to rid himself of a ghost?

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Robbie looked down at his growing pile of reports. He had been meaning for some time to visit Joanne Simms, the late Ray Barret’s fiancée, but there weren’t enough hours in the day. At last he picked up the phone, wondering if it was really the lack of time that was holding him back. Or was it his reluctance to talk to a woman whose future husband had died just days before their wedding.

  Robbie arranged to meet her outside the DIY store where she worked. He drove across town, marvelling at how resilient people were. A terrible tragedy occurs and, somehow, those left behind pick up the threads and move on. He thought of his old crewmate, Stella, gunned down as she tried to protect innocent bystanders. He thought of Marie, continuing to be a damned good copper after the love of her life had died in front of her, racing his favourite vintage motorbike. Then he considered Carter McLean, and his mind went into overload.

  He drew in a deep breath. Don’t even go there, Melton!

  Joanne waited for him in a small park beside the store. She looked nervous. Robbie knew that he didn’t look like a police officer, which helped a lot in situations like this. He adopted his “little brother” persona, and Joanne began to relax. In no time at all, they were chatting away like old friends.

  ‘It seems unbelievable that the wife of one of five such close friends could be attacked and removed from her home, and not one of them, including her husband, had the slightest idea that she was even missing.’ Robbie shook his head.

  Joanne nodded. ‘But poor Tom had been staying with us, hadn’t he? He hadn’t been back to the house for fear of meeting Suzanne.’ She shuddered. ‘Initially I thought, thank God he didn’t. It would have been terribly shocking to find all that blood. But now,’ she tugged at her earlobe, ‘I wonder if he had gone back, then the stag trip would have been cancelled, and they’d all be alive.’

  Robbie patted her arm, afraid that she was about to break down. ‘You mustn’t think like that, Joanne. No one can alter what happened, and “what if?” are two very painful words.’

  ‘You’re right.’ She gave a shaky sigh. ‘Anyway. How can I help you?’

  ‘I believe that it’s very important that we find out what led to Tom and Suzanne having such a serious row. We have no details at all. Is there anything more you can tell me, apart from what you said — you know, about it being a storm in a teacup?’

  Joanne wrung her hands. ‘I haven’t allowed myself to think about the things Ray said for a long time. It was all so horrible. But recently I’ve been starting to come to terms with my loss, and I have been trying to recall what it was all about.’

  ‘I don’t mean to cause you pain, Joanne, but we now know that Suzanne was killed in that cottage, and her body was taken away.’

  ‘Murder?’

  ‘Maybe, or manslaughter at the very least.’ He looked at her earnestly. ‘We have to find who did this, and where they took her body. Anything at all that you can tell us might help.’

  Joanne’s voice was stronger now. ‘Some of this is just my thoughts on what happened. But, whatever. I believe the upset between Tom and his wife was serious, possibly irreconcilable.’

  Robbie tensed. This was the first time he’d heard it described as anything more than “a bit of a tiff.”

  ‘Tom was with us for four or five days before they went on that trip.’ She paused. ‘Well, Tom was a sweetie, a real softie, and he really loved Suzanne. He couldn’t understand why his friends, and Carter McLean in particular, couldn’t love her too. He hated the fact that no one liked his wife. He was aware she had had a lot of men before she met him, but he swore that from the moment they got together she had been faithful to him. He thought that meant she deserved a second chance.’

  Joanne glanced at her watch, but went on. ‘Whatever it was, he was devastated. He and my Ray would talk well into the night, and I could hear Tom crying. It was horrible, and Ray made it worse by begging me to leave Tom alone. All he would tell me was that Tom had been hurt, and couldn’t bear to talk about it.’

  Alarm bells began to ring in Robbie’s head. Harvey Cash had said the same thing. Suzanne hurt people.

  ‘I should get back to work. But if I think of anything at all, I’ll ring you.’

  Robbie gave her his card and thanked her. He hurried back to his car. He needed to talk to Harvey Cash, and he’d damn well buy another ticket to Sanxenxo if he had to.

  He ran into the office, pulled out his pocketbook and looked up Harvey’s number. Sod the cost of the call, this was important.

  Harvey Cash was incoherent.

  Robbie gritted his teeth and desperately tried to get him to concentrate. It took a while, but finally he got his answer.

  He hung up and felt a surge of excitement. Now all he needed was for Carter McLean to confirm it, and they had a motive for Suzanne’s death.

  * * *

  When Carter walked into the CID office, Robbie Melton practically vaulted over his desk and ran towards him.

  ‘At last! Can I take five minutes of your time, Sarge? It’s urgent,’ Robbie said.

  ‘Take as long as you like. Marie is just talking to Jackman, and we think that the Leah Kingfield problem is probably sorted.’

  ‘Oh, that’s a relief, especially for the super. Can we go to your office, please? What I want to ask about concerns Suzanne Holland.’

  Robbie followed Carter into his office, sat down and began immediately. ‘Sarge? Is there a chance that Suzanne Holland was a husband beater?’

  Carter felt as if he’d been punched in the gut. ‘I . . . I hadn’t considered that.’

  ‘Then do, Sarge. Because I think she was a bully, and not just verbally. I think she may have been physically abusive.’

  Carter was too shocked to speak.

  ‘Sarge, did Tom ever say anything about his relationship with Suzanne that made you think it wasn’t a . . . a healthy one?’

  ‘Like what?’

  Robbie was almost bouncing in his seat. ‘As in, did he ever describe his home life as being volatile? Emotional? Crazy?’

  ‘Kind of, although he never said much. He used to say that she was unpredictable, and he was always getting things wrong. Is that what you mean?’

  ‘Exactly.’

  ‘But he didn’t talk about her much at all, Robbie, and that was my fault. I didn’t like her, and that hurt him, so he kept his problems to himself, and I did nothing to help.’

  If he’d just been a bit more understanding, if he’d tried harder, if . . .

  ‘And maybe your attitude made no difference at all, Sarge. Most guys who are involved with abusive women don’t talk about it, they can’t.’ Robbie threw up his hands. ‘Think about it! You’ve lost your self-respect, you feel powerless and manipulated. You might even start to believe all the crap she is feeding you about yourself. You are traumatised by her behaviour, embarrassed by it
and ashamed of being unable to stop it. Tom Holland couldn’t “offload,” as you put it, to anyone at all.’

  Carter looked at Robbie. ‘Tom did change. He got quieter and, well, a bit introverted, I guess. How did you get to this, anyway?’

  ‘By listening to a drunk.’ Robbie sighed. ‘And I’m surprised to say that I’ve become rather fond of him.’

  ‘Suzanne’s first husband?’

  ‘Suzanne’s first victim.’

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  Marie and Jackman went upstairs to report to Superintendent Ruth Crooke. Carter had opted out, saying, “The girl is safe now. I know it, okay? Just tell the super that, would you? I want to get to work on Suzanne.”

  ‘I feel relieved of course,’ Ruth said, ‘but it’s been such an unsettling time that I can’t bring myself to believe it’s over.’

  ‘We have no real proof, ma’am,’ Marie said apologetically. ‘But I’m pretty sure the old boy was telling the truth. He and Carter go back a long way, and Carter said that Sidney’s info has always been reliable.’

  ‘And you, Marie? What’s your impression? You said there was a bad feeling on the streets the other day. Is it something I should be concerned about?’

  ‘The beat bobbies think the unrest is caused by the Cannons’ relatives and friends, ma’am. There are two camps. Half are convinced that they will get off, like they usually do, and the others are cautiously expecting them to go down. They are divided, and they are taking it out on us.’

  ‘And me in particular, I guess.’ Ruth sounded exhausted. ‘After all, I was the officer in charge of that investigation.’

  ‘It’s par for the course, ma’am,’ Jackman added. ‘It happens every time we nail a local villain.’

  ‘Marie? You didn’t answer my question.’ Ruth was looking at her.

  ‘I believe that Leah is good to go. And Carter does too.’

  Ruth exhaled. ‘In which case we’ll just keep an eye on her for a while, but I think I can relax a little, don’t you?’

  ‘You mean, give up the Monopoly?’

  Ruth gave a weak smile. ‘Thank heavens! That get-out-of-jail-free card was giving me the heebie-jeebies.’

  Marie left Jackman talking with the super and walked slowly down to the office. Something was bothering her. Something about the morning had hoisted a red flag. The problem was that Marie had no idea who or what was waving it.

  ‘I know that look.’ Gary Pritchard came and stood beside her.

  ‘Mmm. It’s that one that renders me totally useless for hours while I try to fathom out what is bothering me.’

  Gary pulled over a chair and sat down. ‘Is it a recent something, or an historical one?’

  ‘Oh recent. Today, in fact. I’m sure of it.’

  ‘Then retrace your footsteps. Think about every place and conversa—’

  ‘Got it! You’re a star!’ Her smile faded instantly. Now she had to work out why breakfast with Sidney should have registered a warning.

  ‘Any time.’ Gary stood up. ‘Wish all my queries were answered so easily.’

  ‘Hang on, Gary.’ She pointed to the chair, and Gary sat back down. ‘I know you haven’t been stationed here for very long, but you are local. What do you know about a snout of Carter’s called Sidney?’

  ‘Ah, Sidney.’ Gary absentmindedly played with his signet ring. ‘What do you want to know about him?’

  She shrugged. ‘Anything at all really.’

  Gary said nothing for a while. Marie sensed he was uncomfortable.

  ‘Sidney Leyton-Crowe. One-time head teacher of a public school for boys. Was at the centre of a scandal, found innocent and completely exonerated, but the impact on him was profound. He had a breakdown, Marie. Very sad, very sad indeed.’

  Marie knew that many street people had heartbreaking back stories. She should have realised that Sidney was one of them. She recalled his intelligent shrewdness. ‘Of course,’ she murmured. ‘So what was with all the “rozzers” and “silly buggers” talk?’

  ‘When in Rome. He’d not last long out there if he acted like a “snob.”’ Gary made air quotes.

  ‘How did he come to be one of Carter’s snouts?’

  Gary took a quick look around. There was no one within earshot. ‘He was Carter’s headmaster. If Carter hadn’t stood up and testified on his behalf, he wouldn’t have had a chance. He’d been fitted up, but everyone was too scared to take his side.’

  ‘Except Carter.’

  ‘Exactly. He had a strong sense of right and wrong even in his schooldays. No wonder he became a copper.’

  ‘Thanks, Gary, and don’t worry, my lips are sealed.’

  He nodded and stood up. This time she let him go.

  She glanced around. Apart from Charlie Button and a couple of younger pool detectives, the room was empty. ‘Charlie? Has something happened that I don’t know about?’ She indicated the empty chairs.

  ‘Max and Rosie have gone back to have another talk with Mr Ponytail Doolan, and Robbie practically did a rugby tackle on Carter the moment he set foot in the room. I haven’t seen them since.’

  ‘Has he found something?’

  ‘I would think so, from the look on his face. He’d been chatting to his Spanish drinking partner.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Sounded like he was talking to a little child, or a complete idiot.’

  ‘Then I expect Harvey was drunk again.’ Marie wondered what Harvey had revealed in his inebriated state.

  She decided it was time for coffee. ‘Want one, Charlie?’

  ‘No thanks, Sarge. I’ve got some water here. I’m training again. Decided I need to have a crack at busting Carter’s time on the marathon. I still can’t believe he beat Max and me.’

  ‘You should know by now that Carter is full of surprises.’

  ‘Isn’t he just?’

  Marie went to make her drink, wondering why Carter hadn’t told her Sidney’s story. It seemed odd that he could share so much with her, yet keep other things secret. What else hadn’t he told here?

  When she returned to her desk, Robbie was just coming out of Carter’s office.

  ‘Sarge, I’ve just been talking to Carter about a theory I had. It’s something that Harvey Cash confirmed — well, sort of confirmed.’ He looked at her intently. ‘I think we need to talk to the DI.’

  ‘He’s still with the super. Tell me.’

  Marie listened with fast growing concern. Robbie might well be right. Why else would a man clam up on those closest to him? Some of the most traumatic situations Marie had come across had involved two people living together. If Harvey was confirming it too, they could well be looking at their elusive motive for murder.

  ‘I’ll go and interrupt Jackman. He’ll want to hear this.’ She stood up, then abruptly stopped and asked, ‘How has Carter taken it?’

  ‘As you can imagine, Sarge, he’s pretty staggered. He blames himself for not realising that Tom Holland had a serious problem.’

  ‘Carter blames himself for everything.’

  Marie felt a hint of concern. She decided to go and talk to him.

  Then she saw that his door was closed. Carter never closed his door.

  With Robbie at her heels, she hurried across and knocked. Receiving no answer, she went in. The small room was empty.

  ‘This is not good,’ she murmured.

  ‘Damn. It’s my fault!’ Robbie growled. ‘I should have waited and told you first. I was just so amazed at what Harvey told me that I rushed in and told Carter everything. Stupid, stupid thing to do!’

  ‘Lord! Don’t you start taking the blame now. You did what any normal detective would do. Let’s just find him, shall we?’

  * * *

  Laura sat opposite Sam and stared at the heavy file on the desk between them. ‘You really think I should continue with my paper?’

  ‘I’ve read it, Laura, and it’s good. You don’t need an outcome for Carter McLean’s case study. The structure of your observatio
ns will suffice. You must finish it, and present it too. It’s an excellent piece of work.’

  ‘Praise indeed, Professor. I am honoured.’

  ‘Credit where credit’s due, student!’

  The doorbell rang.

  ‘I know I haven’t got an appointment, but . . .’

  ‘Carter?’ Laura took one look at his face and said, ‘Come in, come in.’

  She opened the door to her office. ‘Sam, this is Carter McLean. Carter, come inside and sit down.’

  Carter halted in the doorway and looked at Sam Page, obviously disappointed to find him there.

  ‘Carter, Sam is a professor of psychology. He is my teacher and my mentor. He is also my friend.’ She smiled at him. ‘Even we professionals sometimes need help and advice, and Sam’s the one I always turn to. You can trust him.’

  Carter seemed to relax a little. She had purposely left the door open. He glanced at it and walked to an empty chair.

  ‘You’ve just had a bit of a shock, or am I way off target?’ Sam asked softly.

  Carter made a huffing noise. ‘Bullseye, Prof.’

  Laura watched him carefully. He was showing signs of agitation and barely controlled anger. Was it directed towards himself? ‘Can you tell us what happened?’

  Carter began to rock steadily back and forth. He put his hands over his mouth and looked around the room, as if checking for an escape route.

  Laura remained calm. She was thankful that Sam was here to witness this. ‘If you can talk to us, it might help.’

  ‘I’ve failed him. Yet again, I’ve failed him.’

  ‘Tom? Tom Holland?’

  Carter drew in a shaky breath. ‘Tom Holland. My best mate. I’ve failed him twice now, but I won’t do it again.’ He breathed in deeply, then straightened up. ‘I’m sorry, Laura.’ He turned to Sam, ‘I apologise to you too. I’m not normally like this, but maybe I should explain . . .’

  Laura sat and listened. As if a switch had been thrown, the confused and tormented soul became the rational policeman again.

  At the end of the story, he sat back, as if he were in a briefing and waiting for feedback.

  Sam spoke first. ‘I think that I too would feel enormous guilt in those circumstances. But if a friend is holding something back, they’ve drawn a line. It’s not easy to know whether you should cross it or not. If Tom had given just a little, I’m sure you would have been there for him. He put up the barrier, not you.’