by Joy Ellis
‘Later this afternoon? Well, four thirty would be good. I have something to sort out now, but I’ll be back by then. Okay, see you later.’ He ended the call, looked at Marie and shrugged. ‘Yvette Symons says that the family will talk to us, but she wondered if she could be first, and she’d prefer to come to the station.’
‘So the rest of the family don’t hear what she has to say,’ Marie added.
‘That would be my guess. She sounded as if it was urgent.’
Marie got into the car. ‘Does she know something, do you think?’
Jackman started the engine. ‘Let’s hope so.’
* * *
Rory Wilkinson was already at the crime scene when they arrived.
‘You do like to shower me with different versions of death, don’t you? And the weirder the better, it would seem.’ He peered at them over the top of his glasses.
Jackman and Marie were still trying to take in what they were seeing.
‘Bizarre,’ muttered Jackman.
‘Grotesque,’ added Marie, fighting back the urge to retch. The stench in the hot, airless room was overpowering.
‘Indeed. And our fiendish killer decided to confuse the poor pathologist even more by sealing the doors and windows tightly and leaving two electric heaters on full. Silly things like that play havoc with determining time of death.’
Jackman stared at the two bodies. Their bonds held them in an upright sitting position, although their heads had fallen forward. He saw that they were holding hands across the table. Touching. ‘Who died first, Rory? Any idea yet?’
‘I’d say most probably the man, although I need to do extensive tests.’ He drew in an exasperated breath. ‘Putrefaction. The whole time of death thing is going to come down to the rate of decay, and because of the hot, stuffy atmosphere, even that will be difficult.’
Jackman noticed that Rory wasn’t his usual jovial self. The foetid air must be getting to him too. ‘Have they been here long, Rory? I’m not asking for the impossible, I just want to get some idea of what happened.’
The pathologist stood back and looked steadily at the dead woman. ‘They’ve probably been here for around ten days, but I don’t think they’ve been dead for more than two.’ He shrugged. ‘I know that sounds odd, but I think they were imprisoned here for quite a while, maybe even two weeks. The fatal doses of tablets were not taken until two or three days ago.’
Marie looked at the empty packets. ‘What are the tablets?’
‘Paracetamol, Amitriptyline, an anti-depressant, and Oxazepam, an insomnia medication by the looks of it. We’ll do a toxicology report, just in case the packets are a red herring and they’ve been given something completely different. Nothing would surprise me.’
‘Me neither.’ Jackman glanced at Marie. ‘I think it’s time we got out of here before one or both of us throws up and contaminates the scene.’
Marie moved smartly to the doorway.
Rory chuckled behind his mask. ‘Lightweights!’
‘Sorry, but the smell is absolutely disgusting.’
‘I daresay you’d be a bit pongy too if you’d been made to sit in a chair for a fortnight.’
Marie groaned. ‘This killer is too sick for words. I’ve never encountered anyone so . . .’ She spread her hands, at a loss for words.
‘So inhuman?’ finished Jackman. ‘I think that’s what’s got to Rosie.’
Rory looked up. ‘Ah, young Rosie McElderry? You need to watch that lass very carefully, Detective Inspector. The bad old years of stiff upper lip and soldier on regardless are long gone. I saw her when I arrived, and unless I’m very much mistaken, she needs help.’
Jackman nodded. ‘The FMO is coming in later. I’ll make sure they have some time to talk.’
‘Good. Now, since you weedy children are deserting me, I’d better get on. I’m sure these two souls will be much happier in my morgue than they are in this stuffy room.’
* * *
Marie felt as if she would never escape that terrible smell. It seemed to envelop her, and it clung to her clothes and her hair. All she wanted was to go home and take a long, hot shower, but Yvette Symons was due right now.
Yvette was punctual to the minute, and soon Marie was sitting alongside Jackman in interview room two.
Yvette seemed to have prepared exactly what she wanted to say, and began immediately.
‘There is no doubt that my brothers Dale and Liam are still totally committed to our cause, and because of that I’m sure you will be very thorough when you check out what they were doing at the time of these deaths. However,’ she paused and looked at each of them, ‘there are certain people who have spent years helping to find a way to clear Brendan’s name. Susie and I both agree that . . .’ she looked down, ‘that they . . .’ She let out a sigh of exasperation. ‘Oh, how can I say it? Frankly, Inspector, we don’t know why they have been so motivated for so long. They seem to be even more passionate about it than us!’
‘Some people love a good cause to grab hold of,’ volunteered Marie.
‘Susie said exactly the same thing. They need some kind of crusade in their lives to give them meaning.’
Jackman nodded. ‘That’s very possible. So, do any of these supporters give you cause for concern?’
Yvette seemed to relax now that her point had been made. ‘I could be maligning them, but they all seen a bit full-on at times.’
‘Names?’ asked Jackman.
Yvette placed a sheet of paper on the table and pushed it across. ‘I’d rather this stayed between us, if that’s okay? If your investigation includes checking the people who have helped us, then these names would come up anyway, but they are the ones Susie and I agree are perhaps a little worrying.’
Marie leaned over to look, but the names written on the paper meant nothing to her.
‘I recognise one name,’ said Jackman. ‘He’s a doctor, isn’t he?’
‘Retired doctor, yes. Mark Courtney. He’s a very intelligent man, Inspector. But actually we found him rather overpowering. We are working folk and sometimes he seemed more concerned with theories and big words. Still, he really knew how to put together a speech for the newspapers or for anything legal. He was Dad’s right-hand man until our father died, then he supported Mum when she took over the campaign.’
‘And he still does?’ asked Marie.
‘Oh yes. In fact, now Mum is ill he’s taken on a lot of the organisation.’
Marie frowned. ‘Wouldn’t it be better if a member of the family did that?’
Yvette looked at her rather sadly. ‘Probably, but it’s been so long now. I have to admit that I’ve had enough. So have Susie and Kenny, though don’t tell them I said so.’
Jackman’s voice was gentle. ‘You still believe that your brother was innocent though, don’t you?’
Yvette looked worn out. ‘He never did it, end of story. But we have no evidence, and Brendan is never coming back, so what are we really doing it for?’
‘For justice,’ said Jackman quietly.
Marie knew that Jackman was thinking of Gary’s informant, the man who swore that Brendan was telling the truth.
Yvette frowned and stared at Jackman. ‘Am I imagining this? Is a policeman telling me we could be right?’
‘I’m just saying that I understand why you are doing it. You are convinced he was wrongly convicted, and that his incarceration caused his death. I think you have every right to protest.’
Yvette let out a little laugh. ‘Why weren’t you around when we started this? We might just have won a retrial.’
Jackman raised his hand. ‘I wouldn’t go that far.’
‘No one listened to us. No one!’
Marie thought Yvette was about to cry. She said, ‘We’re listening now.’
Yvette took a handkerchief from her pocket and wiped her eyes. ‘Could you help us?’
‘Who knows what we may turn up as we investigate these deaths? But frankly, Yvette, I doubt we will ever get irrefutable pr
oof after all these years,’ Jackman said evenly. ‘But don’t give up hope.’
He picked up the sheet of paper with the names on it: Mark Courtney, Christian Ventnor, Art Pullen and Jeremy Shaw. According to the Symons sisters, each man was either extreme or militant.
‘Thank you for bringing them to our attention. We will definitely interview them.’ Jackman smiled. ‘Regarding the rest of the family, is there anything we should know? Like how to approach Dale without getting an earful.’
‘Liam’s the one you need to watch. He’s wild, always was, and I think he’d be lost without the cause.’
‘What about Kenny? He didn’t have much to say when we visited you.’
‘Don’t let him fool you, Detective.’ Yvette raised an eyebrow. ‘He’s a sweet man, and he has a lovely wife, but he’s eaten up with worry about our mum. It’s all he can think about. He’s very smart, the best educated of all of us. He even went to university, but something made him drop out. He’s a teacher now, but he’s taken a leave of absence to care for Mum.’
‘Interesting. So you are all at home, for your mother’s sake?’ Jackman asked.
She nodded. ‘We are, but it won’t be for long.’
Marie could believe that. Sheila Symons had looked about as ill as it was possible to look without receiving a visit from Rory Wilkinson. She yearned to find out the truth about Brendan Symons, and to do it while his mother was still around to hear the news.
After Yvette left, Marie was alone in the CID room. The others had finished for the day and Jackman had gone to report to Ruth Crooke. She thought about the case. It was damaging them. Though Jackman seemed to be firing on all cylinders, he was obviously deeply affected by the death of his sister-in-law and consumed by worry about the safety of the rest of his family, especially the children. And Rosie, who had taken on thugs single-handed, and had once bravely gone undercover to find a perverted killer, was all at once as weak as a kitten. Who would be next? Max? Head over heels in love with Rosie, he would be worried sick about her and wouldn’t be able to fully engage with the investigation. That left Robbie, Gary, Charlie and herself. Could the four of them take on this sadistic freak? She doubted it.
‘How come you’re looking so thoughtful?’
She hadn’t heard Robbie Melton come in. ‘I thought you’d gone home, Rob. I was just thinking that this case is really taking its toll on the team.’
‘Rosie? Mmm. I heard Max telling Gary that she was in with the FMO earlier. Then he told us what had happened. It doesn’t sound too good, does it?’
‘Jackman is right though, isn’t he? There is always one case that seems to hit harder for some reason.’
Robbie nodded slowly and sat down beside her. ‘As far as that’s concerned, I’ve written the book, and I very nearly didn’t come through.’
Marie closed her eyes. How thoughtless could she be? Poor Robbie had been terribly affected when his partner Stella North was shot. He had all but thrown in the towel, but Marie and Stella had been good friends, and Marie had persuaded Jackman to bring Robbie into their team. It turned out to be fortuitous for everyone. Robbie Melton was a damned good detective, and getting him into a different division, away from all the ghosts and memories, had been the saving of him. ‘Sorry, Robbie, that was thoughtless of me.’
‘No, it’s a fact, isn’t it? Most coppers will tell you they have something that still gives them nightmares. I’m no special case.’
Marie patted his arm. ‘Actually, you are special, Rob. You’re a fighter, and you did get back on the horse.’
‘I’m glad I did. And I hope Rosie does the same. She’s a tough kid. Let’s hope she bounces back from this.’
Marie nodded. ‘I’ll get Charlie to take over liaising with Beech Lacey. Would you work with Max for a few days, Rob? Keep an eye on him. I reckon he’ll be pretty cut up at seeing her like this. I’m sure he could use a friend.’
‘Of course I will.’ Robbie smiled at her. ‘They are pretty close, aren’t they?’
‘Yup. I reckon that if they weren’t so career-minded, they’d be engaged by now.’
‘Would it matter? They aren’t high rank, so there’s no problem with having a relationship, is there?’ Robbie asked.
‘Oh, there’s nothing to stop them, but I know from personal experience that it isn’t easy. It’s the hours and the shifts, the unpredictable nature of the job. It worked for Bill and me, but we were in different jobs within the force. Even so, there were times when we hardly ever saw each other.’
‘Think they’ll get married?’
Marie shrugged. ‘Who knows? They certainly suit each other.’ She grinned at Robbie and punched him playfully, ‘You’re a right little match-maker, aren’t you, Rob? I bet you like slushy films too!’
‘So what if When Harry met Sally is my favourite film? I love a happy ending, that’s all.’
‘Nothing wrong with that. Now, how about giving a happy ending to a very sad woman with just a few weeks left to live? Gonna help me?’
Robbie looked at her suspiciously, ‘Um, I think so . . .’
‘I guarantee that if this works, you’ll really feel like you’re in a slushy film.’
‘If it works.’
Marie tutted. ‘It will work. Sheila Symons will have a happy ending.’
‘We’re talking about the woman who has been the bane of every policeman’s life for the past twenty years? That Sheila Symons?’
‘The very same. But it’s what I want, okay?’
‘And what DS Marie Evans wants, DS Marie Evans gets.’ Robbie threw up his hands. ‘Okay, tell me what to do.’
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Ella Jarvis hadn’t had the best of days. First the washing machine broke down, then just after lunch the school phoned her saying that both boys had been particularly unsettled. Ryan had got into a fight. Nothing serious, just a scuffle, but he was so angry afterwards that he had to be taken out of class. Miles had been tearful all day, and nothing seemed to placate him, so at two, Ella had picked them up and brought them home.
She let them watch their favourite film, Zootropolis, and promised to make them banana waffles with honey. People would say she was encouraging bad behaviour by rewarding them, but the kids were suffering, and she wanted to do whatever she could do to make things better for them.
‘Can we wait and eat dinner with Daddy tonight, Auntie Ella?’ Miles asked.
‘I’m not sure what time he’ll be home, sweetheart. Shall I ring him and ask?’
Miles shrugged and walked away. ‘If you like.’
Ella sighed. James wasn’t spending enough time with the boys. Yes, he was struggling, but he had to find a way to hide his grief and have some thought for his sons or they would see it as yet more rejection.
She phoned James from her room so the boys wouldn’t hear. He said he was in the middle of a complex business deal and he could well be late.
Ella hung up and immediately rang Jackman. ‘I hate to ask this when I know how busy you are.’ She explained about James.
‘Of course, I’ll be there. Six thirty okay? I’ll stay until the boys have gone to bed.’
Ella ended the call. She wondered why James couldn’t be more like Jackman, who made time while hunting a dangerous killer.
‘Auntie Ella?’ Ryan stood in the doorway.
She looked at his serious little face and her heart went out to him. ‘Come in.’ She patted the bed beside her.
Ryan sat down. ‘I’m sorry I got into a fight.’
She put her arm around him. ‘It’s not like you, Ryan, so you must have had a good reason.’
‘A kid in my class said my mum was a sinner and she wouldn’t go to heaven. She said she’d burn in hell.’
Ella swallowed. ‘Well, all I can say is, whoever said that was talking out of their bottom.’
Ryan gave a little giggle.
Ella held him tighter. ‘Your mummy wasn’t a sinner. She was a good woman and a loving mother. Don’t you dare list
en to anyone who says different. She’s looking down on you from heaven, and she’ll always love you.’
He looked up. ‘So she won’t burn in hell?’
‘No, Ryan. Your mummy has died, and that’s very sad, but she’s at peace now.’
Ryan nodded. ‘Did my brother ask if Daddy will be home for dinner?’ Before she could speak, he said in a flat voice, ‘He’ll be working. Miles is stupid sometimes.’
‘He is working, that’s true, but Uncle Rowan is coming instead.’
‘Yay! Do you think he’ll play Cars 3 with us?’
‘Is he good?’
‘No, he’s rubbish, that’s why we like to play him.’
‘Ryan?’ Ella asked, ‘Do you know why Miles was so upset today?’
Ryan pulled a face. ‘He’s having bad dreams.’
‘Oh no. He should call me when that happens. What are they about? Do you know?’
Ryan hesitated. ‘He dreams he sees Mummy’s bad man.’
Ella drew in a breath. ‘Mummy’s bad man?’
‘Uh-huh. Mummy warned us never to talk to strangers cos there are bad men out there.’
‘Well, that’s quite right, but she only meant you to be careful. We’ve all told you not to speak to strangers or get into cars, or to take anything from anyone you don’t know, haven’t we?’
He wrinkled up his face. ‘Yes, but it wasn’t like that, Auntie Ella. Mum meant someone really bad. We saw him once. Now Miles sees him all the time, in bad dreams.’
Had they really seen someone? Ella swallowed and said calmly, ‘Will you tell Uncle Rowan about it when he gets here?’
The little boy nodded seriously. ‘Yes, but we’d better do it man to man. Miles will get upset, so I can’t say in front of him. I’ll tell Uncle on my own. You can look after Miles.’
She nodded gravely. ‘That’s very sensible, Ryan.’
‘After we’ve played Cars 3.’
Ryan jumped up and ran off. Ella sat on, feeling sick.
She listened out for the boys playing downstairs, and then rang Jackman again, relating what Ryan had said. Jackman told her not to worry, he’d come as planned and they’d take it from there. Ella hung up, very relieved that she had Jackman to rely on. If it was up to James to sort these things out . . . well, it didn’t bear thinking about.