He pulled his shoulders back and purposely walked towards the office, reminding himself that he was a grown-up and one of authority. He recognised Catrin Evans seated behind the reception desk. Her eyes lit up when she saw him and she tucked her red hair behind her ears before tilting her head to the side and smiling.
Meadows showed his badge and identified himself even though it was unnecessary.
‘You’re the second one today, I’m beginning to feel like a naughty girl.’ Her laugh tinkled around the office.
‘Is there somewhere we could go to talk in private?’ He looked at the other two women in the office who were staring with curiosity.
‘The staff room should be empty, we won’t get disturbed in there.’
Meadows followed her up a flight of steps, averting his eyes from her legs. Once inside she shut the door and took a seat, crossing her legs. She made no effort to smooth down her skirt, which had risen up to reveal her thighs.
‘So what can I do for you, Detective?’ She curled a lock of hair around her finger.
Meadows took a seat opposite. ‘As you are aware from the earlier visit by my colleague, we have re-opened the case into the murder of Bethan Hopkins and the attack on Gwen Thomas.
‘Yes, I’m aware, but I don’t see how I can help.’
‘You were friends with the girls.’
‘Yes, when they chose to let me be part of their group. You know what it was like. I remember you. You think you had it hard, try being a redhead.’
Meadows smiled. Doesn’t look like you have any confidence issues now. ‘If you could just tell me what you remember about Bethan, I’m trying to build up a picture of her personality.’
‘She was popular with the boys, they all drooled over her and she knew it. She used to flirt to get what she wanted. All the boys wanted to go out with her and all the girls wanted to be her. If you were her friend you got to hang out with all the hot boys.’
‘You mean like Gwen?’
‘Well yes, Gwen wouldn’t have raised an eyebrow on her own. I think she was jealous of Beth.’
‘Why do you say that?’
‘Beth had everything, her parents bought her all the clothes she wanted. She always dressed in the latest fashion and had all the chart music. Gwen was a little mousy by comparison. She didn’t have a father and I guess not a lot of money. So she couldn’t compete with Beth.’
Meadows felt a strong urge to defend Gwen. It’s not how I would’ve described her. He gave Catrin a tight smile and continued. ‘Gwen’s uncle, David Collier, seemed to be a bit of a father figure to her. Did Gwen talk about him?’
‘Not really, he used to come to parent evenings. Sometimes he would pick her up if she missed the bus. Why?’
‘No reason, as I said I’m just trying to build a picture. You said a lot of boys were interested in Bethan. Anyone in particular?’
‘They used to follow Matt Thomas and his gang around, but I don’t think Matt was that interested. There wasn’t anyone in particular, just any boy that took their fancy would get the attention.’
‘What about after school?’
‘I didn’t see much of them outside school.’
‘Boyfriends?’
‘Beth was going out with Sam Morris at the time, as you know. I don’t think Gwen had a boyfriend.’
‘And before that?’
‘Beth always had some boy on the go. I know I shouldn’t say it but she was a bit of a slapper.’
‘Gwen said that she called at your house the morning of the attack.’
‘Did she? I suppose I must have been out. Saturday mornings usually meant helping my mother with the grocery shopping. I didn’t know anything about it until the police called on the Sunday morning asking if I had seen the girls. It was me that told them about the quarry.’
‘Did you ever go up to the shack with them?’
‘Once or twice, we just sat around talking about boys and smoking.’
‘I understand that you have a daughter the same age as Ariana.’
‘Yes, Jessica and Ariana are good friends. Ariana comes around the house often.’
‘Ariana said that she was at your house last Wednesday. Did you have any other visitors that evening?’
‘Is this about the letter?’ Catrin grinned. ‘I know all about it, you should know you can’t keep anything quiet around here.’
Meadows felt irritation crawl at his skin. ‘Was there anyone else at the house last Wednesday evening?’
‘No, just me, Jess, and Ariana.’
‘Did you stay friends with Gwen when you left school?’
‘Yes, we were friends when the girls were young but we had a falling out.’
‘May I ask what about?’
Catrin blushed and smoothed down her skirt. ‘It was about Matt. You know he has a reputation, he’s had several affairs over the years. I told Gwen she should leave him, he obviously isn’t happy with her.’
Meadows clenched his jaw. Catrin was starting to irritate him and he had a feeling there was more to the falling out than she was letting on. ‘I see, so Gwen was upset by this?’
‘Yes, we haven’t spoken for years. So tell me, is there a Mrs Meadows?’
Meadows stood up. ‘I think that’s all for now. If you remember anything that you think might be important call the station and ask for DC Edris.’ There’s no way she is having my number.
‘OK, and in case you’re interested, it is just me and Jess now,’ she winked.
Meadows ignored the comment and left the staff room, more than happy to see himself out. Back at the station he filled Edris in on the interviews.
‘So what did you make of the redhead?’ Edris grinned.
‘Don’t even go there.’
‘Well, you’re single, I reckon you could be in there,’ Edris winked.
‘Not my type, but I bet she could teach you a few things.’
‘Ugh, I’ve got more than enough experience with women, thanks.’
‘So I’ve heard.’
Edris blushed. ‘Too be honest, she frightened the hell out of me. I was glad to get to the headmaster’s office and that’s saying something. Anyway, security’s not bad there. You have to enter through the office. He agreed to uniform having a chat with the kids. Funny guy though.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, he appeared a little nervous when I first went in, then he remembered that I had been a pupil there and became all authoritarian, like I was still a kid.’
‘Well, you are.’ Meadows chuckled. ‘He used to be my English teacher. Didn’t like him very much back then. Anyway I have set up a meeting tomorrow morning at the television studio to discuss the reconstruction, they’re going to put it out on the 6 o’clock news, Thursday. I’ll call in to see Gwen after I’ve finished there. Maybe she has reconsidered taking part.’
‘What’re you going to do if she hasn’t?’
‘Go ahead anyway, Doreen Hopkins is keen on the idea. I’ve had another look at Sam Morris’ statement, he claims that he saw the rugby boys coming back from the match at 5 p.m. but no one backed up his statement. According to the post-mortem report Bethan died between five and six. I want you to check that out. Go and see him in the morning.’
‘You want me to go and see him?’ Edris raised his eyebrows.
‘Yes, he will recognise me and might think I have clouded judgement. It’s better that he sees a fresh face. Go over his statement with him and tell him about the reconstruction. See what response you get.’
‘OK great, I can handle that.’ Edris stood up and put on his jacket. ‘Fancy a pint?’
‘No thanks, you go ahead. To be honest, I’m not one for socialising.’
‘So I’ve heard.’
‘Blackwell?’
‘Yep.’ Edris’ face flushed.
‘It’s OK, I can imagine what he said. Go on, I’ll see you tomorrow.’
Meadows typed up his notes from the interviews then drove to his mother’s flat. He
took the keys from his jacket pocket and let himself in the front door.’
‘Hi, Mum.’
‘Hold on a minute, Winney love.’
Meadows stood in the hall, he could hear the cupboard doors open and close. Probably hiding her plants. He smiled. ‘Mum, don’t bother doing that, I can smell the weed in the air.’
The kitchen door opened and Fern Meadows appeared. ‘It’s just a little bit for my arthritis.’
‘It’s OK, Mum, I’m not the drugs squad.’ He bent down and kissed her.
‘I was just stewing some tea.’
‘Nettle?’
‘It’s good for you, detox after all that crap you put in your body.’
Meadows took a seat at the kitchen table and watched his mother prepare the tea. Her long grey hair was braided and swung across her back as she moved. She wore a bright orange T-shirt over a long cotton skirt. Her feet as always were bare, with painted toenails.
‘Have you heard from Rain?’
‘Not in a while, you know what your brother is like, always trying to rescue people. The last postcard was from Cambodia.’ She indicated the board on the wall which was pinned with various postcards from around the world.
‘So tell me, what’s troubling you?’
‘Nothing, I just thought I would pop in and see you.’ Meadows forced a smile.
‘You can’t fool me, Winney.’ Fern ruffled his hair and placed a kiss on top of his head. ‘You were always easy to read.’ She returned to the pot and stirred vigorously.
Meadows knew her ways, she would stay silent until he spoke and he could never keep quiet for long. ‘It’s this case I’m working on. We’ve re-opened the case of the murder of Bethan Hopkins and the attack on Gwen Collier.’
‘So I’ve heard, you know how gossip spreads.’ She turned and looked at Meadows with a knowing smile. ‘Ah, little Gwenny, that explains a lot. Have you seen her?’
‘Yes, a few times.’
Fern filled two mugs and placed one in front of Meadows before taking a seat. ‘Did it stir up all those old feelings?’
‘Mum, please.’ Meadows squirmed in his seat. ‘There wasn’t anything between Gwen and I.’
‘Of course there was, and there could’ve been a lot more. I know how you felt about her. You used to light up whenever you spoke about her.’
‘Well, that’s all in the past now.’
‘Is it?’ Fern held his gaze. ‘I know she married that Matt Thomas and has a couple of children.’
‘Yes, and it’s not a happy marriage by all accounts. He’s allegedly had several affairs. I don’t understand why she stays with him.’
‘Women stay for all sorts of reasons and when children are involved it’s hard.’
‘Is that why you stayed with Dad?’
Fern flinched and lowered her eyes. ‘That’s different. Anyway, we were talking about you and Gwen.’
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to upset you. This case just brings back so many bad memories.’
‘I know.’ She reached out and patted his hand. ‘It wasn’t an easy time for you and Rain. I still feel guilty that you had to bear witness to what went on between your father and me.’ Fern sighed. ‘Still, it’s no use looking into the past, it will only make you bitter.’
‘Sometimes we have to look back to get answers.’
‘You know your father wasn’t always that way, and there were a lot of good times.’
‘I remember, things were different in the commune. He was happy there, then we moved and he was always angry. What happened to change him?’
‘I don’t know, it was a gradual change. He struggled to find work and he didn’t fit in easily with village life. To be honest, I don’t dwell on it, and I haven’t thought about him in years.’
‘Aren’t you curious as to what happened to him?’
‘No, what’s done is done. Now, please, leave it alone.’
‘OK.’ He took a sip of his tea and tried not to grimace as the bitter liquid assaulted his taste buds.
‘So what are you going to do about Gwen?’ There was mischief in her eyes.
‘There’s nothing I can do. I will help her any way I can to recover her memory and find her attacker. It wouldn’t be ethical or professional to do any more than that.’
‘I don’t think that’s all that’s stopping you.’
Meadows sighed, he knew what was coming next.
‘You mustn’t feel guilty. Imogen is gone and you have to move on.’
‘I have moved on.’
‘No you haven’t. When was the last time you went out with a woman?’
‘I haven’t had the time, with the promotion and the move. Give me a chance.’
‘You’re not too busy for a bit of loving.’ Fern winked. ‘Don’t leave it too long. If things are meant to be with Gwen then they will happen naturally, but you have to take the chance when it comes.’
‘I will, but only when the case is closed. Then I can have a clear conscience with regards to work.’
‘And what about Matt?’
‘Well, if he doesn’t cherish what he has then it’s his own fault if he loses her.’
‘That’s the spirit, you need a bit of fight in you, and I want to see the light back in your eyes. You know I worry about you.’
‘I know, but I’m fine. Honestly.’
Meadows left his mother and drove home, thoughts of Gwen swirling around his head. He didn’t want to see her unhappy but a greater part of him hoped that the rumours of Matt’s affairs were true, and when the case was closed she would be free of the past and just maybe she would choose him this time.
Chapter Fourteen
Gwen hesitated near the entrance to the quarry path. A cold heavy feeling tugged at her stomach and kept her from stepping through the gate. It had been over a week since she walked the path, she had tried a few times to repeat the process but fear of what she might remember held her back. Part of her wanted to know the truth, but the vulnerable part wanted to hide away and not relive it all over again. What if it is someone I care about? Then again, I can’t spend the rest of my life afraid, always looking over my shoulder. If the attacker is caught maybe I won’t be afraid to be alone. Matt won’t have that hold on me anymore, then he can go and screw to his heart’s content, I don’t care.
She pushed the gate. Blue strained at his lead, desperate to get to the water that lay on the other side of the gate. Her chest constricted and she sucked in air as panic gripped her body. The ground moved beneath her feet, she bent forward as she tried to slow her breathing. It’s just a panic attack.
‘I’m sorry, boy, I can’t.’ She turned and led him towards home.
As she walked through the village she tried to push thoughts of the attack to the back of her mind. She still felt light headed from the panic attack. Think of something nice. An image of Meadows instantly came to her mind, making her smile. I thought he would’ve come to the house yesterday. He went to see Doreen Hopkins so he was in the area. Maybe he didn’t want to see me, I’m not surprised after the way Matt spoke to him. Anxiety gnawed her stomach. She tried to concentrate on the feel of the sun on her skin, willing it to melt away the dark mood that cloaked her body. Since seeing Meadows in the hospital she had found it difficult to concentrate. Her life now seemed pointless and missed opportunities came back to haunt her. This is stupid, I’m married to Matt and even if I wasn’t I doubt he’d want me. He was the one to leave last time.
Her thoughts swirled around in her mind and she was oblivious to her surroundings as she approached the front door and pulled the keys from her pocket.
‘Gwen.’
She started and spun around. ‘Uncle David, you gave me a fright.’
‘Sorry, love. Are you OK?’ David smiled. ‘You were off with the fairies.’
‘I’m fine, come in.’
They walked into the kitchen. Gwen unhooked Blue from his lead and filled his water bowl before switching on the kettle.
‘Have you been hav
ing a sort-out?’ David indicated the cardboard box on the table.
‘No, Doreen Hopkins brought that over yesterday. It’s filled with Beth’s things. I haven’t worked up the courage to go through it yet.’
‘Well, that’s understandable. I can help you if you like.’ He inched closer to the box.
Gwen looked at her uncle. Even though he was smiling there was still an unease about him. She felt her skin prickle and had the sudden urge to ask him to leave. His hand was hovering close to the box. Why would he want to see what is inside? She tried to relax her face. ‘So how are things with you?’
‘Things are good, thanks. I just wanted to call in to see if you’re OK and if you’ve had any more flashbacks.’
‘Just a few.’ She turned her back and warmed the pot before adding the tea. He definitely looks shifty. What is he worried about? ‘Nothing important though.’ She turned and smiled. ‘Mrs Hopkins was hoping that if I looked at Beth’s things I would remember.’
‘Poor woman. How is she?’
‘She looks old and frail. She wants me to be part of the reconstruction. I think I should do it, I owe her that much.’
‘You don’t owe her anything.’ David took a step towards her and placed his hand on her shoulder. ‘You have been through enough.’
The flashback came suddenly.
She was running from the house, she could hear David shouting as he ran after her, feel him closing in. I have to get away. Tears blurred her vision as she reached the gate and yanked it open.
‘Gwen, stop!’ His hand grabbed her forearm and she was spun around.
‘Let go of me!’ she yelled, the fury bubbled up in her throat.
‘Gwen, wait, we have to talk about this.’ Anger reddened his face and he increased the pressure on her arm.
‘You’re hurting me.’ She tried to wrestle free but his fingers dug into her flesh. ‘I hate you!’ She tried to prise his fingers from her arm but he was too strong. ‘Let go or I’ll scream the fucking place down!’
The Silent Quarry Page 9