SECRET CRIMES a gripping crime thriller full of suspense

by MICHAEL HAMBLING

  * * *

  ‘Jimmy said you’ve got a degree in engineering, Rae. Is that right?’ Jen Allbright asked as she followed Rae back to her desk.

  ‘Yes,’ Rae replied. ‘Marine engineering.’

  ‘What? Ships and things? What made you join the police rather than looking for a job with ships?’

  ‘As I told Jimmy, I found out I actually didn’t like ships very much. But I do like people. And solving crime puzzles.’

  ‘You haven’t been in the Dorset force very long. I looked. Where were you before?’

  Rae sighed. ‘I haven’t got time to chat, Jen. Can we leave this till later? I’m not trying to dodge your questions, but I’m new so the boss has her eye on me.’ She glanced round. ‘She’s watching us now.’

  Jen Allbright returned to her own desk somewhat reluctantly. She still had a puzzled frown on her face. Rae was perturbed by Jen Allbright’s interest in her. Had she guessed? If so, would it be the start of the trouble the boss and Barry had warned her about? Well, she couldn’t do anything except wait and see what would happen next.

  * * *

  As they walked out to the car, Sophie was talking to Marsh about the same incident.

  ‘I think that Jen Allbright has guessed about Rae, Barry. I watched her face as Rae was giving her summary. We need to be prepared in case it goes further, or she decides to start stirring.’

  ‘I thought it would be more likely to be one of the men, ma’am. Shows how good my judgement is.’

  ‘Men are less observant. They only look at the obvious. Legs, bum and tits. Facial features to some extent, but only so far as they compare to the media images. Rae’s face is actually quite attractive, and she also has a good figure. I’d guess that Jen had already picked up some slight anomalies, and Rae’s voice confirmed her suspicions. Rae can control it when she’s speaking quietly in a one-to-one situation, but reporting to the group was a different matter. Maybe it was wrong of me to ask her to do it, but I was just treating her the same as everyone else. That’s what she wants. The other thing to remember is that Rae’s situation is more of a challenge to women than men, particularly if they’ve got prejudices. Some might object to their toilet being used by an “interloper.” They feel threatened by the presence of someone they think is not one of them. It can get really bizarre, Barry. So if you hear anything more, let me know. I’ll stamp on it before it goes any further. One thing I won’t tolerate is mindless prejudice. Given half a chance Rae will be a good detective, and I won’t allow her development to be put at risk.’

  ‘I’ve known Jen for some years, ma’am, ever since she joined us. She’s got a very understanding personality. I don’t think she’ll give us any problems.’

  ‘Let’s hope you’re right.’

  * * *

  Sarah Sheldon and Hugh Shakespeare’s son, Peter, was dark-haired and brown-eyed like his mother and tall, like his father. He looked tanned and fit, although his eyes showed signs of strain. He stood slightly hunched as the two detectives approached.

  Sophie spoke gently. ‘I’m sorry to have to meet you in such awful circumstances, Mr Shakespeare. It must have come as a terrible shock to hear the news of your mother’s tragic death. I can only try to imagine how you’re feeling.’

  ‘Thank you,’ the young man replied. ‘Dad has helped. He’s been very understanding. I still can’t take it all in. Are you getting close to finding who did it?’

  ‘We’re making progress, but that’s all I can say. The case is complicated and your mother wasn’t the only victim.’

  ‘Do you mean there were other women killed like her?’ Peter asked.

  ‘No, not killed. But other women have been assaulted in a similar way in the past, at least one at a music festival, although not murdered. But that wasn’t what I meant. We found the body of one of the men we believe was involved in your mother’s death, and we suspect that he too was murdered.’

  ‘Christ.’ Hugh Shakespeare looked stunned.

  After a moment Peter broke the shocked silence. ‘So the killers might be killing each other? Is that what you’re saying?’

  ‘It’s possible. We’re still awaiting full forensic results, so please don’t talk about it to anyone else at the moment.’ She paused. ‘Now, are you okay to go ahead with this straight away or would you like a coffee first? If you feel up to it, I thought we could talk more over lunch, but it’s entirely up to you.’

  Peter turned to his father. ‘Let’s get it over with, okay, Dad? And lunch will be fine if it’s just something light.’ He turned back to Sophie. ‘I suppose you want to know stuff about Mum?’

  Sophie nodded. ‘It would help us complete the picture of her life. There are some things about her that just don’t add up, and you might be able to help. I know a lovely café in the town centre that’s ideal for a quiet chat. But I do want some time alone with you, Peter.’ Hugh stiffened when he heard this. ‘Please don’t be offended, Mr Shakespeare. I have to do this. There was clearly a serious breakdown between you and Sarah, so I need your son’s account of things.’

  Hugh didn’t reply.

  ‘Okay. Let’s get it over with,’ said Peter.

  The four of them made their way to the viewing room.

  * * *

  Sophie had always liked Dorchester. The market town was full of interesting buildings, and the pubs and cafés were cheerful. She’d again settled on the Oak Room, where she’d taken Rae earlier in the week. They sat in a panelled room upstairs to eat their lunch. She and Barry Marsh gave Hugh and Peter a short summary of the investigation so far, and the two men seemed satisfied enough. After lunch, Marsh took Hugh out for a walk through the town centre, leaving Sophie and Peter behind.

  ‘So what do you want to know, Chief Inspector?’

  ‘Your father is pretty hard on your mother, Peter. He was obviously deeply hurt by her. I’d like to hear your view of things.’

  Peter thought for a while. ‘I loved my mother. She was always caring and warm-hearted to me. Growing up, I was always aware of her lively personality. She loved the company of other people. But, to me, that made her all the more special. I don’t know how much sense it makes, but I felt closer to her than my friends were to their mothers. It’s as if there was a special bond between us. There was a kind of link that meant we were together even when we were apart.’

  ‘Were you still in regular contact, even though you lived in New York?’

  ‘Yes, we talked on the phone every few weeks, and we emailed each other.’

  ‘Did you get birthday cards or presents, Christmas cards and the like?’

  ‘Yes. She hardly ever forgot, although some of her recent choices were a bit off-the-wall. And I did my best not to forget her birthday because I knew how much she appreciated the presents I sent, especially after I went to New York.’

  Sophie thought for a while. ‘Your father implied that your move to New York was partly to get away from your mother. That doesn’t square with what you’ve just told me.’

  ‘No. They were fighting with each other, Chief Inspector. It was pretty awful. I desperately wanted to stay on good terms with both of them, so I suppose I told him what he wanted to hear.’

  ‘And what did you tell your mother?’

  ‘I didn’t need to tell her anything. She always knew what I felt. She knew I needed a break from both of them.’ He paused. ‘She visited me in New York a couple of times, but Dad doesn’t know that.’

  ‘This is a difficult question, Peter. If you’d prefer not to answer it, I’ll understand. Okay?’ She waited for his nod of agreement. ‘Your father told us that your mother had numerous affairs and that was the cause of their split. Was that your understanding also?’

  Peter thought for a long while, and his answer was slow and hesitant. ‘The fact that she had a couple of affairs didn’t surprise me. They really were like chalk and cheese. Is that the right expression?’

  Sophie nodded.

  ‘She loved people. She loved par
ties, dancing. Dad is nothing like that, so it led to friction. It’s no surprise that she looked for those things somewhere else. I expect he felt betrayed, though he was always tight-lipped about it, particularly when I was a teenager. He thought I should be protected. I guess I just wanted Mum to be happy. And she wasn’t, she really wasn’t. But if he used the word numerous that was his bitterness coming out. It makes her sound as if she was completely flighty. He really did love her you see, especially when I was young. When it all started going wrong I think he was angry for a while, but then accepted that separation was the best option. After they divorced he met Françoise and she’s very different to Mum. They seem to be devoted to each other. Maybe that comes with maturity. The thing is, I saw the vulnerable side of Mum. Maybe no one else ever did. She had this party-girl facade, I know. I saw it. But she was really thoughtful and caring towards me. When the two of us were together it was just the best thing, you know? I had a good relationship with Dad, but it wasn’t the same.’ He shook his head slowly.

  ‘There is this other thing, Peter.’

  He looked her in the eye. ‘What other thing?’

  ‘We have some evidence that recently she was involved in group sex activities. I’m sorry if this is a shock to you, and I wish I didn’t have to mention it, but it will come out in court when we catch the killer and put him on trial. You may as well know now rather than finding out then.’

  He was silent for almost a minute. ‘I expect she was looking for something, something to fill the emptiness. Cheap thrills, Chief Inspector. That’s all it was. I guess she got herself hooked on those thrills.’

  ‘We found a photo on your mum’s laptop that shows her in a wedding dress. It could have been taken just a couple of years ago. The dress was cream. Does it ring a bell?’

  ‘No! How bizarre. When she married Dad she wore white.’ Peter looked astounded.

  ‘You don’t think she could have married again some time, in secret? Much more recently?’

  ‘If she did, then it would destroy everything I thought about our relationship. To get married and not invite me? That would be so hurtful.’ He shook his head. ‘I think she went on an exotic cruise two and a half years ago. I got several postcards from places in the Caribbean.’ He paused. ‘The trouble was, she was very mercurial. She had a habit of doing things on the spur of the moment, then regretting them later.’

  ‘So you’re not saying the idea is totally ridiculous?’

  He bit his lip. ‘No. It’s conceivable, even if I hate the thought of her having done it.’

  ‘You’ve shown the most astonishing maturity and understanding, Peter. What do you do for a living?’

  ‘I took a degree in Psychology and Human Behaviour. I’m a clinical psychotherapist. Quite apt, given the circumstances, don’t you think?’ He sighed. ‘I think I may need some therapy myself now. I’ve lost the single most important person in my life. And I don’t know how to cope with it.’

  Chapter 14: Family Contrasts

  Thursday afternoon

  Two sets of families, each come to identify the body of a loved one. It was interesting to observe the contrast between them. Soon after the Shakespeares left Dorchester, Pamela Derek arrived with her two sons, Andy and Kenny. Sophie and Marsh had returned to the pathology department and were waiting in reception when Jen Allbright arrived with the family. The two boys, both in their late teens, were quiet and damp-eyed and, despite her earlier protestations, Pamela was sobbing. Sophie was glad that the two Shakespeare men had departed a good while earlier: a meeting of the two families could have been catastrophic, given the tragic circumstances. She sent Marsh on ahead to double-check that the two bodies had been correctly exchanged.

  All three family members entered the viewing room, with Andy, the elder son, at the front. Barry Marsh lowered the sheet covering the corpse’s head and the young man sighed, then nodded.

  ‘Yes,’ he whispered. ‘That’s Dad.’

  He turned and put his arms around his mother and his younger brother.

  The small group went to the hospital café for some tea.

  ‘Were you close to your father, Andy?’ Marsh asked.

  ‘Suppose we were, sort of a bit. But Kenny saw him more than me, didn’t you Kenny?’

  The younger teenager nodded. He looked utterly miserable. He had red, swollen eyes and a streaming nose. Sophie reached across the table and put her hand on his.

  ‘It’s alright to show your feelings, Kenny. It’s a mistake to think that you have to keep them hidden from other people, particularly from Sergeant Marsh and me. Our job means that we’ve seen far too much tragic loss. The worse thing is when people bottle it up and hide it away, thinking that’s the right thing to do. You loved your Dad and you feel as if a huge chunk of you has gone missing now that he’s dead. It’s not wrong to feel devastated by that.’ She waited. ‘You’re frightened of a future without him, aren’t you?’

  ‘Sort of. I dunno what to think. Not now. Everything’s gone wrong. I feel wrong. I just want him back.’

  ‘Of course, Kenny. We’re human beings and that’s what we feel when someone we love is taken from us.’ She paused. ‘Kenny, Sergeant Marsh has a few questions for you, and for Andy as well. I’m going to stay here with your mother while he takes you outside. The fresh air will probably do you good.’ Pamela looked as if she was about to protest. ‘We have to, Pamela. I have to get to the bottom of this awful crime. I need to know the facts, and they rarely come from any one person, however honest he or she is trying to be. We pick up snippets from talking to everyone. If we’re lucky, we can begin to get a picture of the real situation. Andy will be with Kenny, and Barry will be careful.’

  Pamela slumped in her chair.

  * * *

  Marsh and the boys walked out to a grassy area just outside the café windows. There they stood, watching some birds pecking at the damp turf.

  ‘How are you feeling about all this, Andy?’ Barry asked. ‘You’re older, but you probably feel the pressure just as much as Kenny. You might not want to show it, though.’

  ‘Yeah. It’s been like that ever since Dad left. I felt hassled after that, as if I was in charge or summat. I never asked for it. Just got landed with it. I worried about both of ’em. And Kenny. I worried about him. But I didn’t have no one to talk to. It’s like now. It’s fine for Kenny to cry, but I can’t, cos I’m the eldest.’ His voice was choked.

  ‘What do you remember about your parents’ breakup?’ Barry asked.

  ‘I felt sick about it.’ Andy’s voice was little more than a whisper. ‘What was wrong with them? Why couldn’t they patch things up? I was sick every morning before I went to school. And I had to put on this pretend show so my mates didn’t know. Stay tough. And all the time I wanted to crawl away and die. I would have done if it hadn’t been for Kenny. He needed me. Mum was useless for a long time. She drank. We saw Dad most weekends and it was like a different world. He still gave us money. He lived in a flat, and he was like he always had been, and I could pretend we were back to normal. But then we’d go home on Sunday and see the state Mum was in.’

  ‘And this was about two years ago?’

  Andy nodded. ‘It took her months to get over it. She still isn’t, really. But she’s cut back on drinking, and it’s tidier at home.’

  ‘Do you know why they split up?’

  ‘It was another woman. That one who’s dead. It was the first time we’ve seen Mum laugh, I mean a proper laugh. When she found out that that woman was dead. That Sheldon bitch was how she referred to her.’

  ‘Did you ever meet her?’

  The young man nodded. ‘She came into Dad’s flat a couple of times when we were there.’

  ‘What did you think of her?’

  The younger son suddenly broke in. ‘Fucking bitch. She stole our Dad. She deserved what she got. Serves her right.’

  Marsh put his hand on Kenny’s shoulder. ‘I can understand how you feel, Kenny. It was her that changed
everything, wasn’t it?’

  Kenny nodded miserably.

  ‘I liked her,’ Andy said quietly. ‘And that made it all worse. She talked to me about her son. She knew how I felt. And she was pretty, even though she was older than our mum. And there was something about her. I didn’t know what it was then, but I do now.’