EVIL CRIMES a gripping crime thriller full of twists

by MICHAEL HAMBLING

  ‘You know, one of the great things about you having me so young is that there’s only seventeen years between us. I’m so much closer in age to you than I am to Hannah and Jade, and when it comes to married life, I’ve got rather more experience than you. None of us can ever be certain, Mum, but I think it’s worth a try. You’ll be giving up your independence, sure, but you’ll gain in other ways. Look, Jade really likes Bill. What more can I say?’

  Susan looked pensive. ‘Do you think she’d like to be a bridesmaid? Along with Hannah?’

  Sophie looked at her mother through narrowed eyes. ‘You sneaky individual. You’d already decided to say yes, hadn’t you? And I’m sure both of them will say yes. They’d love it.’ She paused. ‘When are we talking about?’

  ‘At the New Year? Maybe?’

  ‘For pity’s sake. When were you going to tell me? I need a special outfit for this. There can’t be many forty-four-year-old women who get to attend their own mother’s first-ever wedding ceremony. Should I go muted or bright? What are you wearing?’

  ‘For goodness’ sake, Sophie. Does it matter? It’s not as though it’s going to be a big church wedding or anything remotely like it. It’ll be here in Bristol, in one of the quiet hotels and without any fuss. I’ve told Bill my terms and he seems to accept them. He knows I don’t want too much of a palaver if I do decide to go ahead.’

  ‘Who do you want to give you away?’ Sophie asked, then realised what she’d said.

  ‘You must be joking. Do you really think I’ll have anything to do with some outdated concept of male ownership? You know me better than that. I was thinking that James might be happy to walk me down the aisle or, if not him, Martin. What do you think?’

  Sophie smiled at her mother. ‘Martin would do it like a shot, you know what he thinks of you. But James is the ideal choice if he’ll agree, which I’m sure he will. It’ll be so meaningful for him.’ She paused. ‘You know this is going to cause a few tears, don’t you?’

  Susan sighed loudly. ‘Yes, I know. To be honest, that’s why I’ve been putting it off. But then I finally came round to your way of thinking and thought why should I spend all this time wondering what to do? Just get on with it. So I did. Bill doesn’t know yet, though. I’m telling him tonight.’

  ‘The champagne moment? Would the two of you like to come across to Wareham for Sunday lunch tomorrow? You can break the news to the others then. Hannah will be with us. She’ll be arriving late this afternoon and bringing Russell, her boyfriend, with her. The timing will be perfect, Mum.’ She heard the sound of the front door opening. Martin was back. Sophie looked at her watch. ‘Talking about timing, we’d better be off. I told Jade we’d try to get home for lunch. Thanks for putting us up last night.’

  Chapter 10: Family Lunch

  Sophie poured Bill a pint of beer from the small keg that was sitting on a rather too rickety table on the rear veranda. Bill was a tall, slightly stooped man with a head of pale, sandy-coloured hair. He looked slightly uncomfortable in his buttoned up collar and brightly coloured tie.

  ‘Dorset beer,’ she said, as if he’d challenged her. ‘Can’t be bettered.’

  ‘I won’t argue with that, Sophie,’ he answered diplomatically. ‘Where’s Martin?’

  ‘In the kitchen. Up to his armpits in potatoes, leeks, beef and lots of other stuff. You know him and his cooking. We’ll take him a beer.’

  ‘Are the girls up and about?’

  ‘Not yet.’ She looked at her watch. ‘I’d maybe better rouse them. They were all out clubbing last night in Poole and I have no idea what time they got back. Hannah’s boyfriend, Russell, is here. He’s been up over an hour now, but popped out for the newspapers. He said he needed the fresh air. I’m guessing he was the only one who stayed sober last night. It was his turn to organise the taxis and shepherd them from place to place. He’s a lovely young man. I’m so relieved that Hannah’s ended up with someone like him. It’s a minefield, Bill. I worry constantly, but I try not to let it show.’

  ‘What about Jade’s boyfriend?’

  Sophie frowned. ‘Even Jade is beginning to have her doubts. Anyway, today isn’t about them. It’s about you and Mum. There’s champagne for later. You are free to have as many beers as you like, but I would tactfully suggest that you don’t, particularly with my mum watching.’

  Bill laughed. ‘Your mum and my soon-to-be wife. I still can’t quite believe she’s changed her mind about marrying me.’

  ‘Just go with the flow, Bill. Don’t start analysing her ’cause it’ll be like entering a labyrinth. But you’ll have to stay on top of things, you know. The first dirty sock on the floor and your marriage will be over, trust me. The way to her heart will be a cup of tea in bed every morning.’

  ‘Oh, right. How do you know that?’

  ‘Like mother, like daughter. I couldn’t cope without it. I’d be a wreck.’ She poured a little sherry into a glass and handed it to him. ‘This is for Mum, her favourite. Just one glass, mind. We don’t want her up on a table singing, not with her voice.’

  They delivered a glass of beer to a slightly flustered looking Martin in the kitchen. Hannah had just joined him and had volunteered to help with vegetable preparation. She was sipping at a mug of coffee.

  ‘A good night?’ Sophie asked.

  Hannah pursed her lips. ‘So-so. Jade’s chucked Jamie.’

  ‘Really?’ Sophie tried to sound more concerned than she felt. ‘What happened?’

  ‘He was being a complete arsehole. He was niggling her all night, and then he got drunk and pushed her so she fell against a wall and bruised her arm.’

  ‘Is she alright?’

  ‘She’s fine, Mum. Don’t know about him though. Jade kicked him on the shin then socked him in the nose. Russ and I grabbed hold of her and we scarpered. I think he probably had a nosebleed.’

  Sophie put a hand to her brow. ‘I can’t believe this. Here I am, a senior officer in the county police force and my daughter is out brawling in a nightclub.’

  ‘We weren’t in a nightclub, Mum. We’d just left one. Anyway, he deserved it. He was being a right prick, picking on her all the time. She was really upset before it all blew up. If it had been me, I’d have walked out on him ages ago. If anything, she’s been too kind-hearted.’

  ‘Russell didn’t tell us any of this when we had breakfast. He said you had a good night out.’

  ‘Of course he didn’t tell you. He’s very diplomatic, as you well know. And we did have a good time before Jamie started having a go at Jade. We came home right after.’ They heard the sound of running water in the shower. ‘That’ll be Jade. Don’t mention it, Mum. She’s fine. I went in to see her before I came downstairs. She’ll tell you when she’s ready.’

  Sophie turned to Bill. ‘And you thought I had a carefree family life, didn’t you? I need beer.’ She swallowed the remains of her glass in one mouthful. ‘Let’s take this sherry through to your future wife. At least she doesn’t get involved in punch-ups on Saturday evenings out. At least, I don’t think so.’

  * * *

  Sophie poured the champagne. She had asked Martin to propose a short, informal toast.

  ‘I love it when romance is in the air,’ he said. ‘Although I have to say, Bill, that you probably need your head examined. Why give up your freedom for someone like Susan? Granted, she’s warm-hearted, reliable, very attractive, has a wonderful personality, a great sense of humour and money in the bank, but why give up your freedom for such . . . unimportant things as these?’ He waited for the laughter to subside. ‘Seriously, you lucky sod, you’ve landed the best woman on the planet other than my own better half. So here’s to Susan and Bill, and their very happy future together.’

  They all clapped, cheered, and sipped at their glasses of bubbly. Martin added, ‘Lunch will be ready in about half an hour. Jade, can you help with the starter?’

  Sophie watched as her slightly pale younger daughter followed her father through to the kitchen. She then
turned to her own mother and gave her a hug. ‘Love you, Mum. I guess I can stop worrying about you now. One down and two to go.’

  * * *

  Sophie finally had a moment with Jade that evening, after Susan and Bill had set off for Bristol, taking Hannah and Russell with them as far as the local railway station.

  ‘I know Hannah’s told you about last night, Mum.’

  ‘It’s not wise to react like that, Jade. I know you were provoked but any police officer chancing by would have seen you as the guilty party and reacted accordingly. A night in the cells is not a very pleasant experience.’

  ‘I know it was stupid, but I’d been bottling it up all night, and it really hurt when he pushed me against the wall. I just kind of erupted before I knew it.’

  ‘It’s a good job he didn’t hit back. He might have really hurt you.’

  ‘I don’t think he could have done. Hannah and Russell moved in between us pretty quick.’ Jade rubbed her arm. ‘I’m a bit ashamed, Mum. I know I shouldn’t have reacted like that, but it just seemed to happen. I’ll be more aware next time. I’ve got a huge bruise. It really hurt at the time.’

  ‘Do you want me to have a look?’

  Jade nodded. There were tears in her eyes. ‘I shouldn’t have let it get this far. I should have finished with him weeks ago. That was part of the problem, keeping on trying to patch things up. It didn’t work and it made him think he could say what he liked to me.’

  ‘Will you be okay at school tomorrow? He’ll be there, after all.’

  ‘I’ll be fine. He texted me earlier with an apology.’

  ‘I always knew he had some decency in him, Jade. You wouldn’t have gone out with him otherwise. It would be good if you could stay friends.’

  Jade gave her mum a slightly tearful smile. ‘And, Mum, I wasn’t boozed up. I know you think I was, but I hadn’t been drinking much. I wouldn’t do that, not with you in the job you’re in, and when I’m not eighteen yet.’

  ‘Jade, you’re one of the good guys. I’ve always known that. I see no reason to change my opinion of you, sweetheart.’

  Chapter 11: Trompette Militaire

  Hattie Imber sat in the cathedral, listening attentively to the sonorous notes of the organ. This was her quiet place, the only thing that could take her back to the inner calm she had lost so long ago. For her, there was no other route to peace. She knew why. Church organ music took her back to the time before all this madness started. She could appreciate the complex harmonies, being a talented organist herself. She’d been well taught, at the hands of an expert, and in more ways than one.

  The music faded and died away. Hattie had forgotten where she was and who she was with. She clasped her hands tight, tears in her eyes.

  ‘That was so beautiful,’ she murmured. ‘He’s a magician.’

  They got out of their seats and made their way towards the exit. She grabbed Matt’s hand. ‘That organ is pure history. In the whole country there’s only three with a trompette militaire stop, and Exeter cathedral has one of them. I feel as if I’m walking on air.’

  Matt didn’t know what to say to this. To him, organ music sounded somewhat pompous and much too noisy, but Hattie clearly felt differently. In the few hours they’d had together she had never seemed so animated. He basked in the joy that poured out of her, and when she grabbed his arm as they emerged into the bright sunshine outside the door, he felt he was in heaven too.

  ‘Oh, Matt, this has worked out so well. I wouldn’t have gone to that service if it hadn’t been for you, and I’d have missed that music. I’m in raptures.’

  ‘It’s so great being with you, Hattie. You’re not like anyone I’ve ever met before. I can’t believe I met you on Friday and this is only the second time we’ve been together. I’m kind of confused by it all. I couldn’t follow that music like you could, but I love it when you’re happy.’

  She turned to face him, and kissed him hard on the lips. ‘Let’s get a quick lunch and something to drink. Then we can go back to my room. Okay?’

  Matt’s heart leapt. ‘Where shall we go?’ he asked.

  ‘How about the bar where we met on Friday? It’s the place that brought us together so we ought to give it a toast. Two lost souls, wandering the universe, and finally finding each other. I’m so happy, Matt.’

  * * *

  This time when Matt returned home late that evening, his mother looked at him with more suspicion. He felt her gaze flicker over him and saw the distant look in her eyes.

  ‘Sally was asking about you, Matthew. She was surprised that you weren’t in church with us. I told her you’d gone to Exeter to meet a friend. I think she was disappointed.’

  Hardly likely, Matt thought. His mother was undoubtedly exaggerating.

  ‘I was at church, Mum. Hattie took me to the morning service at the cathedral, and then afterwards she explained all about church organ music. She says that she can play really well and has had lessons since she was small.’

  His mother’s attitude seemed to soften. ‘That’s nice. What did you do in the afternoon, dear?’

  ‘She took me round the campus. It’s all landscaped.’

  ‘That’s what Sally said. She tried to get into Exeter but her grades weren’t good enough. She said she’s happy enough at Reading, though. She said it has a lovely campus too.’ His mother’s eyes hardened again. ‘I still don’t understand why you couldn’t have got back here in time for tea. It just doesn’t seem right, you staying out late on a Sunday. I dished up a plate of salad for you. It’s in the fridge.’

  ‘Thanks, Mum. I’ll have it now, then maybe I’ll have a shower and go to bed. I’m quite tired.’

  * * *

  Back in Exeter, Hattie was lying on her bed, staring at the ceiling and turning things over in her mind. Her blissful earlier mood had gone, to be replaced by one much darker. She rose, changed her clothes, slipped into her coat, pulled on a pair of high-heeled boots, put a few odds and ends into her largest bag and walked out into the late autumn darkness. Some things couldn’t wait, and a special appointment with one of the university’s most senior professors was one of them. He was so naïve. He didn’t even realise she was a student here. But she knew very well who he was. She had photos from their weekend away together in the early autumn and was ready to use them when the time was right. She walked away from the campus towards the city centre and one of the more downmarket hotels. This one had a back entrance, usually kept locked. Ten pounds in the right hands and the door would be left on the latch for an hour or two.

  A short while later, Hattie was in her element. She finished tying his naked limbs to the bedposts, using a soft cord she’d extracted from her bag. This time she wasn’t quite so gentle with the knots and he gasped. A slight smile played around her lips although he wouldn’t be able to see it, not blindfolded. She took out the riding crop and sliced it through the air, listening to the swishing noise it made. She aimed a couple of experimental blows at his buttocks. He emitted a soft moan, whether of pain or pleasure it was hard to tell. Time to find the rhythm. She struck faster, harder and he groaned. He muttered something indistinct.

  ‘Did I hear you say something?’ she asked. Her voice was as sharp as a barb. ‘Did I say you could speak?’

  She reached forward, low over his back, grabbed his hair and pulled his head back so that his body arched. She couldn’t see his face but guessed that he was grimacing. She struck him again, this time with more force. Her long red hair swung to and fro, in time with her movements.

  ‘Fucking wimp,’ she taunted.

  She slapped him hard across his buttocks then slid her hand up between his thighs. She squeezed, hard. He moaned again, louder now. She laughed but there was no humour in it.

  ‘What’s wrong? Cat got your tongue?’ Several more hard blows. ‘So, is this more like it? Is this what you’re looking for? You’d better be enjoying it because I’ve only just got into my stride. There’s plenty more to come. You’ll get your money’s w
orth from me, I can assure you of that, you worthless piece of shit.’

  Chapter 12: The Game’s Afoot

  Sophie was outside an upmarket apartment block in Dorchester. She rang the doorbell, and stood back. A crackly voice said, ‘Yes?’

  ‘DCI Sophie Allen,’ she replied. Early on a Monday morning probably wasn’t the usual time for detectives to visit witnesses, but it would help to keep this particular conversation on safe ground.

  ‘Come on up and straight in,’ said the voice. ‘The door will be unlocked and coffee’s on. I remember you like a good cup of coffee.’

  Sophie listened for the buzz and pushed the door open. Pauline Stopley lived on the first floor, so Sophie mounted the stairs rather than taking the lift. She entered the flat and followed the sound of a radio through to a spacious kitchen, where Pauline was setting out cups and saucers. Sophie stopped dead in the doorway and Pauline looked up, eyebrows raised. Then she smiled.

  ‘Ah, it’s the hair colour, isn’t it? I went blonde last month just to try it out. What do you think?’

  Sophie smiled back. ‘You look great, but then you looked equally good as a brunette. I heard that congratulations are in order. Is the new look marking your engagement to Tony?’

  ‘Partly, I suppose. And thanks for the card. It was thoughtful of you.’ Pauline poured the coffee and pushed a cup across the table. ‘I’ve got about twenty minutes before I need to be off, so what do you want to know?’

  ‘I saw Flick Cochrane, your walking group leader, on Friday and she thought that you might remember this woman more clearly than her. So tell me what you saw.’

  Pauline gave a deep and rather exaggerated frown. Ever the actress, Sophie thought.

  ‘We met up in the car park at Durlston at eleven. You know, the country park. It probably took us an hour to get to Dancing Ledge, what with the stiff wind blowing in our faces. I think we were almost halfway there when I saw her. We were on the coast path proper, just above the cliff top but she was on a path further up the slope. She was by herself and hurrying the other way, back to Durlston. I thought it was a bit odd that there didn’t seem to be a dog around. I suppose it’s possible that she had one, but I didn’t see it.’