by M A Comley
“Possibly. We’ll never know,” Sam said, not really one for believing in the afterlife. The belief she held was that there was something out there, but she hadn’t been convinced what that ‘something’ was. “Has your father mentioned if any strangers had been working up at the farm lately or if he saw anyone hanging around up there in recent weeks?”
“No, I don’t believe so. Wait, he mentioned some foreign men knocked on his door a few weeks ago, looking for cash-in-hand jobs. He sent them off with a flea in their ears. Couldn’t stand anything as underhand as that going on at his farm. If he had to pay his taxes, then others should do the same, that was his motto. I always agreed with him, too.”
“I don’t suppose you can tell us anything else about these strangers? How many there were, if they had a vehicle, what type it was, that sort of thing.”
“Oh my, no, I can’t answer any of those questions.” She glanced down at her clenched hands in her lap as if ashamed. “I’m letting him down, aren’t I?”
“No, don’t think of it like that. If you don’t know, then there’s nothing more to be said.”
“I didn’t ask. I’m embarrassed to say I wasn’t interested when Dad told me, and now, he’s dead; I feel guilty about that. What if those people are to blame for his death? What if I could have prevented him from losing his life?”
“You really mustn’t think along those lines. At least, not until we’re aware of the facts. I have to ask, although I didn’t see any sign of that at the farm when we were there earlier, did your father have any form of cameras up there?”
“Cameras? Oh, you’re talking about CCTV, that sort of thing?” Jean shook her head. “No, I tried to persuade him years ago to install some kind of security, but he didn’t see the need for that, said he was at home most of the time, either in the house or in the barns, tending to the animals. The likelihood of anyone being up to mischief at the farm was too remote to be bothered about having cameras and the like.”
“That’s a shame. Farmers can be very stubborn in general, I’m led to believe.”
A slight smile appeared. “You have no idea how true that statement is.”
“I can appreciate that. Do you have any other family members who might have been told about these foreigners?”
“No, not really. I’m an only child. I have a son and a daughter, but no siblings.”
“What about your father, did he have any brothers or sisters?”
“He had a brother, two years younger, but he died a few years ago from a heart attack. That’s why Dad had been forced to take his heart problems seriously this year. To consider retirement, while he was still relatively fit to do so. Now he’s gone! It still hasn’t really sunk in. Why would anyone kill an old man like him? A man who has always strived to help others in the community?”
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to answer your concerns soon enough. We will get to the bottom of this, I promise you.”
“I hope so. I hear too many bad things about the police these days. No offence.”
“None taken. I can assure you my team and I will strive to get the answers we need to solve this case. Before we leave, to begin the investigation, is there anything else you believe we should know? Anything you feel that could point us in the right direction?”
Jean fell silent while she contemplated. In the end, she shook her head. “I don’t think so. Dad really wasn’t much of a talker, he didn’t tend to confide in me that much, not really. I wish I could be more helpful, the truth is, I can’t, sadly.”
Sam and Bob rose to their feet. “It doesn’t matter. I think we have enough to go on, for now.”
Jean also stood and led the way back to the front door. She opened it and moved aside to let them pass. “When will I be able to see him?”
“I’ll get in touch with the pathologist to let him know what your wishes are. He’ll be in touch within the next few days, after he’s carried out the post-mortem.”
Jean shuddered from head to toe. “Does he have to go through one of those things?”
“I’m sorry, but yes, any suspicious death is treated the same. If it’s any consolation, the evidence they provide can sometimes lead us directly to the killer.”
“Oh, I never thought about it like that. Forget I asked. Please do your best for me and my family.”
“You have my word. Here’s my card, if you think of anything after we’ve left, don’t hesitate to ring me.”
“I’ll do that. Thank you.” She waited a few seconds and then gently closed the door.
Sam and Bob walked back to the car in silence. Once inside, Sam blew out a breath. “Hate it! Telling a family member about the death of a loved one… it’s not good for the soul.”
“I know. You handled it well, though. Damn, that sounds condescending, I didn’t mean it to come out that way.”
“Don’t be sorry. It’s fine. Right, let’s get back to the station and run through what we have with the others, then we’ll decide what to do next.”
“Not that we’ve got much to go on,” Bob grumbled.
“Don’t even go there. Let’s hope the forensic team come up with something because, as it stands, we don’t have much at all.”
Sam drove back to the station, lost in thought throughout the journey. “Maybe I should have called a member of her family or a friend to be with her.”
“I was surprised you didn’t, but then figured that you didn’t think she seemed that upset.”
“Hmm… possibly. I thought she seemed cut up at first. Oh, I don’t know, maybe I’m overthinking things. Perhaps I’m conscious of the way my mother would react if I broke the same sort of news to her.”
“Yeah, I suppose everyone is different, right? Depending on how close a family is at the time of a loved one’s passing. Anyway, what’s your take on things? A burglary gone wrong, still?”
Suddenly, the radio cut out as she turned a corner in the narrow lane, and the automated voice announced, “Mum calling.” Sam cringed. “Sorry, mate.”
Bob snorted. “For what? You don’t know what she’s going to make you apologise for yet.”
Sam rolled her eyes. “Hi, Mum. Just to let you know, I’m in the car with Bob.”
“Hello, sweetheart. Ooo… and how is the delightful Bob these days? We haven’t seen each other in a while.”
Sam motioned for Bob to answer her mother. “Hello, Mrs Byron, I’m doing good, thanks for asking.”
“And how are those lovely wife and daughter of yours getting along, dear?”
Sam quickly faced her partner and mouthed, “Pretend.”
Bob took the hint, knowing what Sam’s mother was like when she latched on to uncertainty. “They’re both fine. How are you and your husband doing? I hear you’re going on holiday soon.”
“That’s right, in fact, that’s why I’m ringing. Sam, would you pop in and look after the plants and feed the fish in the pond for us while we’re away? I know it’s asking a lot, but we’re not that far away and you’re out and about every day, aren’t you?”
Sam groaned internally. “Yes, Mum, that’ll be fine. And for your information, the reason I’m ‘out and about every day’ is because I’m a very busy person on the trail of criminals.”
“Oh yes, of course you are. I didn’t mean anything by my remark. Now I’ve upset you. I’m so sorry.”
“You haven’t upset me, Mum. Can I give you a call back later? I’m on the road, heading back to the station.”
“Oh, where have you been?”
“Out.”
“Ah, okay, in other words, mind your own business.”
“You’ve got it, Mum. Love you, I’ll ring later this evening. You can give me my instructions then.”
“Very well. In that case, I’ll leave you to get on with your busy day.”
Her mother’s tone was spiky and Sam cringed as her mother ended the call.
“Oops, tut tut sounds like you upset her,” Bob suggested.
“She’ll get over it
. She’s tougher than you think.”
“Okay, I’ll have to take your word for it. All I know is that if I’d spoken to my mother like that, she’d be down the station within ten minutes, giving me a thick ear.”
Sam gasped and drew to a halt at the traffic lights. “What are you saying? That you think I disrespected my mother?”
“Sort of, yeah.”
“Bollocks! It’s how we speak to each other, there was nothing disrespectful about my tone. You’re the one at fault for misreading things.” The lights changed back, giving her the go-ahead to begin her journey.
“Whatever, if you insist.”
Sam chuckled. “You’re so easy to wind up, loosen up, man.”
He heaved out a large sigh. “Maybe it’s all the shit I’m dealing with at home. Sorry, if I sound a bit… oh I don’t know, I’m struggling to find the right word.”
“Morose, would be suitable.”
“Get lost. I know, I was going to say judgemental, so you got that wrong.”
She laughed. “It’s a good job I know you inside and out, Bob Jones.”
“Yeah, it is. Anyway, where are your folks going?”
“They’re flying out to Barbados, lucky sods. What I wouldn’t do to be going with them.”
“Geez, it’s all right for some. I bet the most we’ll be able to afford next year is a trip to Bognor. We haven’t had a holiday away in years.”
“That’s a shame. Maybe it’s what you all need to put things right between you. A few days away from all this gloomy weather.”
“Possibly. The problem is that we overstretched ourselves when we bought the house and funds are extremely tight. Abigail keeps going on at me about wanting a new kitchen, you know how much one of those costs these days. She wants us to consider getting a loan to fund it. I refuse to go along with that idea. Why should we get into more debt just so she’s got a kitchen to match her friends’?”
“I’m with you on that one. You know how much we’ve spent on getting our cottage up to a modern-day standard. The central heating alone cost over ten grand to put in, and we haven’t even started on the kitchen or bathrooms yet.”
“If you don’t mind me saying, I thought it was a bit silly of you taking on a vast project like that, what with you both working full-time.”
Sam sighed, her partner was right. “Thinking about it now, you’re right, we were foolish, but we fell in love with the place the second we stepped over the threshold, and that was it. Once a house draws you in, there’s no turning back. Chris does his best in the evenings and at the weekends, but the renos are taking far longer than either of us anticipated.”
“He has more patience than me. I get home after a long day at work and all I want to do is veg out in front of the TV with a couple of cans of beer.”
“Really? No wonder Abigail is always pulling her hair out.”
Bob tutted and shook his head. “Cheeky, I do my share around the house. More than most blokes I know. I put the bins out and wash the cars every week.”
“Wow, is that the extent of your chores around the house?”
“What else is there to do? Oh, wait, I sometimes clean the garage out when it resembles a tip.”
“Seriously? Ever tried your hand at any form of housework, you know, like hoovering, dusting, cleaning the bathroom and the loo? Cooking the dinner, doing the washing up, actually shopping for the food that’s put on the table for you every night?”
“Umm… no, that’s—”
“Stop! Don’t you dare utter the words I sense you’re about to say.”
“All right, I won’t say it’s women’s work, then.” He smirked, chancing his luck.
Sam made a fist and thumped his thigh. “How dare you? That’s the caveman in you talking. I hope you’re at least pulling my leg?”
“I’m not. Abigail works part-time so she takes up the slack with the chores at home.”
“Christ, and you wonder why your marriage is in the toilet.”
“I didn’t say anything of the sort. Anyway, our problems centre around our wayward teenager, not whether I help out around the house or not.”
She raised her eyebrow. “And you don’t think there’s a possible link?”
“No, do you?”
Sensing the anger rising within, she inhaled and exhaled a few deep breaths. “I think we’re better off discussing another topic before we end up falling out.”
“If you like.”
They kept the conversation going with far less emotive topics until they reached the station. They climbed the stairs to find DCI Armstrong about to enter the incident room. “Ah, there you are, Inspector Cobbs. Any possibility of a quick chat?”
“Of course, sir. Go ahead, Bob, I shouldn’t be too long.”
Bob excused himself and left them to it.
DCI Armstrong took a step back away from the stairs and Sam followed him. “Here will do, it’s nothing formal. I wanted to know how you were getting on. Has a new case come your way yet?”
“As it happens, yes. We got the call about a suspicious death at a farm this morning.”
“Tell me more.” Alan Armstrong crossed his arms, leaned back against the wall and listened intently as she recapped the murder scene and her subsequent trip to break the news to the victim’s daughter.
“We’re just about to sink our teeth into the investigation now. I gave instructions for the team to delve into the backgrounds and financials while we were at the scene.”
“Good, sounds like you have it all in hand. Bravo for going the extra mile as usual, Sam.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ll keep you informed as the investigation progresses, if that’s what you want?”
“It is. I’ve also had it on good authority from HQ that certain forms which they requested haven’t been returned by you and your team. Can you chase those up for me and get the issue addressed ASAP?”
“I’ll do my best, sir, but surely the investigation should be our priority now.”
He cocked an eyebrow and said in a stern tone, “It should. You’re going to need to delegate a member of your team to fill out the forms requested. I don’t want HQ being on my back about this again, am I making myself clear?”
“Of course, sir. I’ll get things organised right away.”
“Good. Have a productive day.” He turned on his heel and marched up the corridor to his office at the end.
Sam shook her head and entered the incident room. “First of all, I’m going to need a volunteer to fill in the forms HQ sent last week, anyone?”
Suzanna raised her hand. “I’ll do it, if no one else wants to, boss.”
“Thanks, Suzanna. I’ll fish them out for you shortly. Has Bob brought everyone up to date?”
Bob looked over the rim of his cup. “I take it that’s a no then. Get me a coffee, you selfish pig.”
“Charming.”
He brushed past her as she made her way across the room to bring the whiteboard up to date. A member of the team had written the victim’s name on the board, his DOB and the location, and that was about it. “Right, has anyone managed to find out anything in our absence?”
Claire was the first to speak. “I’m in the process of going through his bank accounts now. I’ve not found anything untoward so far. No substantial amounts going in or out. Just the usual monthly bills and regular withdrawals of around two hundred in cash every month. I’m presuming that’s for food and other essentials.”
“Thanks, Claire, sounds plausible; the older generation don’t tend to like using their cards as much as us. When we arrived at the farm, it was to a bloody mess in the main bedroom. The victim had been shot in the chest and his dog had also been killed. She probably tried to assert her authority with the intruder and suffered an horrendous outcome.”
“That’s terrible,” Claire said. She was a dog lover, just like Sam.
“There were no witnesses. The postman found the body. He gained access through the back door which was open. There are no ca
meras on the farm, so that’s of no use to us. After we left the murder scene, we called round to see the daughter; she was shocked to hear of her father’s passing. She informed us that her father was due to leave the farm soon. She confirmed it was common knowledge in the community, which doesn’t really help us. What I think we need to do is organise house-to-house enquiries in the area; saying that, we only passed a few farms on the way to the victim’s residence.”
“Yep, they’re scattered few and far between over that way,” Alex suggested. “My old Dad used to have a small farm out there.”
“Is he still alive?”
“No, he popped his clogs several years ago, the dreaded drink finally took its toll on his body.”
“Sorry to hear that. Getting back to the case in hand, the daughter also mentioned a group of foreigners showed up at the farm looking for work a few weeks ago. The victim said he had nothing available. Is it possible they returned to rob the place and kill him in the process? The house was ransacked, as though someone was looking for something specific. That leads me to two questions: who and why?”
“Easy. If we find the answers to those two important questions, we’ve solved the case,” Bob suggested. He grinned and took another sip of his coffee.
Sam reached for the cup he’d placed on the nearby desk and nodded. “You’re a very wise man, Bob Jones, you’re wasted on this department.”
He raised his cup at her. “I agree.”
“Anyway, as I was saying, in order to find the answers to those important questions, we’re going to have to do some legwork on this one. I suggest we team up, I’ll leave you to do that. Sorry, Claire, I’m going to need you to remain here, I know you prefer doing all the digging.”
Claire waved her apology away. “I’m fine. It’s my forte, boss.”
“Good. Anyone have any suggestions about what to do next? No? Right. I know it’s very early doors. So… we’ll head over there again and see what we can find out.”
Sam picked up her cup and went into her office. She sipped her drink at the window, mesmerised by the view. Hills off to the right and the sea over to the left, she had the best of both worlds in this location. How anyone could consider taking another person’s life in this beautiful setting is far beyond me.