SECRET CRIMES a gripping crime thriller full of suspense

by MICHAEL HAMBLING

  Her mobile phone rang. When the call ended, she looked across the table at Ed.

  ‘It’s the police. Can they talk to us again this evening?’

  He nodded. She told the caller they would be at Ed’s flat.

  ‘Let’s walk the long way back,’ he said. ‘I need some fresh air, and a walk along the front would be just right. We should make it before the rain starts.’

  * * *

  Rosemary Corrigan perched nervously on the edge of her chair. Sophie was facing her across a low table. Marsh sat to one side, notebook in hand. They’d asked Wilton to leave the room while they talked and Rosemary could hear him and his daughter clearing dishes in the kitchen.

  ‘You’ve told us that you met Sarah at a divorcees’ social evening, Rosemary. Can you expand on that? Think back carefully. How did you get talking?’

  Rosemary chewed at her lower lip. She felt mentally and physically wrung out. ‘It had been advertised in the local paper. It was held in a room in one of the Portsmouth city centre pubs, midweek, I think, about eighteen months ago. I found it all very strange. Everyone seemed a bit overanxious. It wasn’t a very relaxed atmosphere and I wasn’t impressed by any of the men there. They were all trying too hard. By then I’d realised I really wasn’t ready for it anyway. I was debating whether to have another drink or just cut my losses and go home, when I turned and bumped into Sarah, and she spilled her drink. I apologised of course, being me, but it was just as much her fault as mine and she said so. I remember her saying to me that the evening was a bit crap and did I fancy going somewhere normal? I agreed, so we left and headed down the road to another place that she knew. We got chatting and we decided to meet up the next week for a meal out. And we hit it off. She started talking about these music festivals that she went to. I think I must have expressed an interest because the next time we met, she told me she’d booked the two of us in for a blues weekend at Hayling Island. I was a bit taken aback by the way she’d done it without checking with me, but I decided to go anyway.’

  ‘Did anything unusual happen?’

  ‘Not really. By the time we went, a couple of months had passed and we’d met several more times for evenings out. It became obvious that she was out for light-hearted flings, as she called them. Even so, I was a bit shocked by how easily she paired up with a man. She would flash that lovely smile at some poor bloke, and he’d be hooked. When we went to Hayling Island she didn’t appear back in our room until the middle of the night — well, more like two in the morning. It was all a bit of an eye-opener for me.’

  ‘Did the same thing happen the second night?’

  She frowned. ‘We-ell . . . on the Saturday evening we saw a couple of bands, had a few drinks but stayed together. We’d almost got back to our building when she said she was heading off again. I guessed it was to see Roger, or whatever his name was. I thought it was a bit odd, because she hadn’t breathed a word of her plans until then. So I went in by myself. That was when she stayed out all night, and came back just before breakfast.’

  ‘Roger? Are you sure that was his name?’

  ‘No. I can’t be sure, but I think so. Although I haven’t seen him again. He wasn’t at the next one. At least, I didn’t spot him.’

  ‘Where was that?’

  ‘Gloucester, in July.’ Again the frown and the bitten lip. Sophie waited. ‘You know, I’ve just realised that the same thing happened there. On the Friday evening we went out and she met up with someone, just like before. She stayed out until well past midnight but came back in. On the Saturday night she made no attempt to hit on anyone. Once we were near our hotel, she disappeared again and I didn’t see her until the next morning. It was the same pattern.’

  ‘But not the same man?’

  ‘No. There his name was . . . I remember now. The second one’s name was Roger. That first weekend, the guy’s name was Jonathan. At least I think so. It’s so hard to remember.’

  Sophie turned to Marsh. ‘Is there a way of checking the names of visitors to these festivals? What happens here in Swanage?’

  ‘Not easy, ma’am. Because it’s spread across most of the town’s pubs, there’s no ticket system. People can buy a wristband for the weekend, but it’s cash only. There’s no list kept, so we can only trace people via the hotels and guest houses. We’d miss out on any day visitors.’

  ‘The Gloucester one was like that,’ Rosemary added. ‘But the one at Hayling Island was in a holiday park, and we were in a chalet. I remember that we had to check in for that.’

  ‘So we might be able to follow up on that one. And in both cases you never saw who Sarah was meeting on the Saturday night? The assumption was that it was the same man as on the Friday, but you can’t be sure?’

  ‘No. And there’s something else that’s odd. She’d talk about the Friday night man over breakfast on the Saturday morning. She’d be laughing and giggling about it. But on Sunday morning she’d be more tight-lipped. I’ve never thought of that before.’

  ‘Let’s return to this current weekend. Think about the two men, Brian and Derek. Is it possible that you might have seen them before at one of the other festivals?’

  ‘I don’t think so. They’re certainly not the men Sarah picked up previously, and they didn’t look familiar. So, no.’

  ‘Take me back to yesterday evening, Rosemary. I know you gave us a potted account this morning, but I want to know why you left the first pub, the one where you’d been talking to Ed. Was it your idea or Sarah’s to go to the one up the road?’ Sophie asked.

  ‘Sarah’s. And something else has just occurred to me. Her behaviour yesterday was entirely different to the previous Friday evenings. Yesterday she didn’t act as if she was on the lookout for a man, despite what she told Ed. She was quieter. That’s until we walked into that second bar. Once Derek appeared she was back to being full of life.’

  ‘Did she get any phone calls earlier in the evening?’ asked Marsh.

  ‘No. But while I was talking to Ed, she got some text messages. It was just after one of those that she grabbed my arm and said we were going somewhere else.’

  ‘Was there any hint that they already knew each other? Sarah and Derek, I mean,’ Marsh continued.

  ‘I didn’t think so at the time, but the way she behaved with him was much more forward than I’d ever seen before. They were all over each other. I had to warn them to cool it because I was worried there might be complaints. You know, from some of the other people there, or from the staff. I was actually quite embarrassed.’

  ‘Could you describe exactly what you could see happening between them?’ Sophie asked.

  ‘Well, it didn’t take long before his hand went inside her jacket. He was squeezing her breasts. And it wasn’t so obvious because it was going on below table height, but her hand was inside his trousers. Honestly, she’d never gone that far in public before. Nowhere near.’

  ‘Looking back now, do you think they might already have known each other?’

  ‘Look, I just don’t know. They were whispering to each other, but I don’t know what they were saying. It was too noisy to hear a thing, what with the band playing and all the people crammed together, shouting at each other.’

  ‘What about when you walked back to the hotel? What was going on then?’

  Rosemary thought for a moment. ‘I was in front, talking to Ed. Brian was trying hard to keep up with me. Sarah and Derek hung back a bit. It wasn’t far. It could only have taken us a couple of minutes. When we arrived at the hotel we made for the bar. It was so quiet compared with the pubs. I settled into a sofa and felt like going to sleep. I remember that the barman brought over a tray of liqueurs and brandies that someone had ordered. I think it was Derek. The next thing I knew was when Sarah nudged me awake and told me that we needed to visit the loo. It was a bit weird really.’

  ‘Why was that, Rosemary?’

  ‘When we got there she got quite bossy. She told me that she was going to spend the night with Derek, and th
at I ought to loosen up a bit and go back with Brian. Or Ed. It didn’t matter which, as long as I found somewhere else to go. It wasn’t a discussion. She made it very clear that I was getting my marching orders. Then she walked out. I followed, explained the situation to Ed and he invited me to stay here. That was when Brian left. I collected a few things from our room, said goodbye to Sarah and came out with Ed. I was tired, confused and angry and I let her know how I felt. I was beginning to ask myself whether I wanted to carry on being friends with her, but I didn’t say anything. I decided to wait to see how she behaved this morning, and whether she’d apologise. And that was it. I think you know everything else that happened.’

  Sophie was silent for a few moments. ‘That’s fine, Rosemary. I think we now have a much clearer picture of your relationship with Sarah, and what happened yesterday. I just have a couple more questions. How did you get here from Portsmouth yesterday? Can you take us through that, please?’

  ‘We came in my car. I picked her up straight after leaving work at six. I’d normally be working later than that on a Friday, but I’d arranged for my deputy to take over from me for this weekend.’

  ‘Was that at her house?’

  ‘Yes. I texted her when I set off so she knew when to expect me. She was waiting in her front porch with her case. Nothing unusual happened on the drive across, as far as I can recall.’

  ‘You’re in retail management, aren’t you?’

  ‘Yes. I manage a medium-sized department store. Weekends are our busiest time.’

  ‘So you have a pretty responsible job.’

  ‘In a way, yes. But there’s not much room for manoeuvre, not for the individual store manager these days. All the important decisions are made higher up, at head office. We are just responsible for implementing them.’

  Sophie nodded.

  ‘It took us about an hour and a half, maybe a bit longer, to get here. By the time we’d checked in and unpacked it was nearly eight. Sarah waited while I changed out of my work suit and touched up my make-up. Then we went out. We managed to get some food in the pub. That’s where we chatted to Ed. He was at the bar at the same time.’

  ‘Who chose that pub?’ Marsh asked.

  ‘Me. Sarah wanted to go to the Red Lion, but a band had already started playing and it was absolutely mobbed. And I was starving. I pulled her away from the door because I could see that the Swan was a bit quieter. We got some food there quite quickly.’

  ‘Did Sarah seem put out when you got her to leave that pub and go somewhere else?’ Marsh asked.

  ‘It’s difficult to say. Maybe for a very short while, but I did agree to go back with her later. She was happy with that.’

  ‘You said you changed into informal clothes at the hotel. Does that mean that Sarah didn’t need to? Was she already in her evening outfit when you picked her up?’ said Sophie.

  ‘Yes. She was in jeans and a sparkly top. And her leather jacket.’

  ‘But I thought she worked in a bank.’

  ‘I’d guess that she finished at five and had time to go home and change. That was what I assumed.’

  Sophie changed the subject. ‘Did you see anyone you recognised from a previous weekend?’

  Rosemary shook her head. ‘No. I think we were about the last to check in at the hotel. Most people had arrived earlier and already gone out. And no one at the pubs was at all familiar.’

  ‘What about late at night when you came back to the hotel’s lounge bar? Who else was there?’

  ‘I really can’t remember. I was so tired by then, all I wanted to do was go to sleep. There might have been a small group around a table in the other corner. I think there was. But I can’t remember anything about them.’

  ‘This might be a bit harder for you, but I want to get some idea of the relationship between the two men, Derek and Brian. How close did they seem?’

  Rosemary thought for a moment. ‘They didn’t talk much. But then, it would have been difficult the way Sarah and Derek were behaving. She had her arm hooked into his almost as soon as they met. But they didn’t seem to be very alike, not in personality anyway. As far as I remember, they didn’t speak to each other much.’

  ‘When they did speak, who took the lead?’

  ‘Probably Brian. Derek was more laid back. Brian seemed kind of edgy. I don’t know if it was just last night or whether he was always like that.’ She paused. ‘There was something about Brian that I just didn’t like. I might have imagined it, but once or twice I thought it was something more than just resentment that I wasn’t playing ball.’

  ‘Do you know who Sarah’s next of kin might be? Are either of her parents still alive?’

  ‘She never talked about her father to me. I always assumed that he must have died some time back. Her mother died just a couple of years ago, I think.’

  Sophie glanced at Marsh. He shook his head very slightly. She smiled encouragingly at Rosemary. ‘We don’t have any more questions for now, Rosemary. You’ve been really helpful, thank you. We’d like to talk to Ed now but we shouldn’t be long.’

  Rosemary left the two detectives and joined Ed and Ella in the kitchen. They were sitting at the table, nibbling at some cheese. She sat down heavily, looking washed out.

  ‘They want to speak to you, Ed.’

  ‘Are you alright? You look a bit tired.’

  ‘At least I’m still alive. That’s what I keep telling myself.’ She gave him a weak smile. ‘I’m okay. But they are very thorough. She’s quite remorseless. I had visions of a couple of country cops who might be a bit clueless. I really thought I knew Sarah, but after some of the questions they asked, I’m beginning to doubt it. They followed up on every single decision we made yesterday. It’s made me think again about the way the evening went. And the sergeant just sits watching, and occasionally throws in another question. I feel like some kind of criminal.’

  ‘Have a glass of wine. There’s still a bit left in the bottle.’ Ed poured her a glass before he left the kitchen.

  * * *

  ‘Tell us about yourself, Mr Wilton,’ said the sergeant. ‘I understand you’re a professional musician and music producer.’

  Ed was surprised that the initial question came from the sergeant.

  ‘So you live in London most of the time, and use this flat as an occasional retreat? How often does your daughter visit?’ Again it was the sergeant who asked. The DCI watched and listened in silence.

  ‘Two or three times a year. She tries to get to one of the music festivals with me. I arrived yesterday morning, and she got here early evening.’

  ‘But you went out by yourself? Why didn’t she go to the gig with you?’

  ‘She had some work to write up for university and wanted to do it while it was fresh in her mind. She was planning to come out with me today.’

  ‘How many festivals have you attended?’

  ‘Over the years? Most of them. I used to come regularly with my wife, Lizzie. She died eighteen months ago.’

  At last the DCI spoke. ‘I’m sorry to hear that, Mr Wilton. It can’t have been an easy time for you. But I hope you understand that we have to ask you these questions, given the circumstances.’

  Ed nodded.

  ‘What band did you see last night?’ asked the sergeant.

  ‘Blue Moods. They’re quite young, but I was given a tip-off to see them. The vocalist is really special.’

  ‘What other bands have impressed you recently? At the last festival for example?’ the sergeant continued.

  Ed thought back six months and listed a couple of gigs he’d attended.

  ‘Mostly female vocalists, Mr Wilton.’ This from the DCI.

  ‘Along with many other people in the music business, I think the female voice is usually clearer and more expressive. Women singers are often willing to work harder at what they do. I recommend acts to a couple of agencies and studio labels, and they want people with real potential. At the moment, as far as vocalists are concerned, that usually mean
s women. Too many guys think they’re God’s gift to the business and don’t live up to any early promise.’

  Ed noticed the DCI incline her head towards the sergeant.

  ‘How did you get to meet Rosemary and Sarah last night?’ he asked.

  Ed described the scene the previous evening. The two women had been waiting at the bar. ‘I happened to be beside them, and sat with them while they ate. We were lucky to get a table. We got served just before the place started to get busy, so Rosemary and Sarah got their food fairly quickly. We chatted a little, but they went as soon as they’d finished eating.’

  ‘Who suggested that they should leave?’

  ‘I don’t know. I went to the loo, and they’d gone when I got back. I felt a bit let down, because they hadn’t mentioned leaving. Though I thought Sarah seemed a bit edgy.’

  ‘In what way?’

  ‘She kept looking at her watch. She also spent a while on her mobile phone. Texting, I think.’

  ‘What did you do then?’

  ‘I’d lost my seat so I got myself another drink and found a stool in a corner. I stayed there for most of the gig. I was surprised to see them come back in later. The band was well into its second set by then.’

  ‘Describe how the four of them behaved.’

  Wilton told them of Shapiro’s increasing irritation, and Sarah and Derek’s heavy petting. He told them about the walk up to the hotel late in the evening.

  ‘Who else was in the hotel lounge, Mr Wilton?’

  Ed thought for a few moments. ‘A couple of men in the other corner. We were sitting on sofas on one side of the fireplace. They were in chairs at a small table.’

  ‘Can you describe them?’

  ‘Difficult. They were wearing casual clothes. Zipped jackets and jeans, I think. I didn’t take much notice, especially since we were only there for ten minutes or so and I was worried about the way Shapiro was acting.’

  ‘Can you explain?’

  ‘He was angry and I could understand why. His chum was getting on with Sarah like a house on fire, and he wanted to do the same with Rosemary. But it clearly wasn’t going to happen. I was getting worried for her safety, so I offered her a bed back here. I was glad to help, and relieved when she accepted.’