The front door opened and Gwen stepped out with Blue. Her hair had been straightened and she wore pale pink lipstick. Meadows’ eyes travelled down her body; her petite figure was highlighted by a snug-fitting blue sundress.
‘Hi, I hope you don’t mind Blue coming with us. He’ll howl if I leave him at home.’
‘It shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll look after him when they’re filming you, if he’ll stay with me.’
‘I’m sure he will, as long as he can see me he’ll be fine. He is well-behaved, you just have to be firm with him.’ She turned and locked the door before taking a step towards Meadows. ‘Is this OK?’ She indicated the outfit she wore. ‘I didn’t know what to wear.’
You look beautiful. ‘Yes, you look very nice. Maybe you should take a coat, in case it rains.’
Gwen looked up at the sky and shrugged. ‘I’m sure it’ll hold off, and besides it is sheltered once you get on the path.’
They walked through the village with Blue sniffing at gates and lampposts on the way.
‘In Sam Morris’ statement he said that he left you at the cattle grid at about 4 p.m. Do you think you would have walked across the mountain and picked up the footpath from there?’
‘I don’t think so. I never went to the quarry alone. It’s kind of spooky up there.’
‘Maybe you had arranged to meet someone or Bethan at the shack.’
‘I can’t see Beth waiting alone in the shack and, besides, she was ill that morning, so I wouldn’t have been able to arrange a meeting. Don’t forget there were no mobile phones in those days.’ She turned and smiled. ‘We are dinosaurs now.’
Meadows felt his heartbeat increase in tempo. I could just reach out and take her hand now. Concentrate on the job, you idiot! ‘So it’s more likely that you walked back into the village and met Bethan before going to the quarry. It’s a fair walk back down and doesn’t leave a lot of time. You would have been just behind Sam, but it’s not impossible. Doreen Hopkins said that Bethan wasn’t ill that morning, she just didn’t want to see you.’
‘Oh, well, I can’t think why not. We argued sometimes, I suppose, but if we weren’t on speaking terms then I wouldn’t have called for her that morning. It doesn’t make sense.’
They reached the entrance to the quarry and Gwen hesitated by the gate.
‘I’ll be with you every step of the way.’ He opened the gate and placed his hand on the small of her back to guide her through.
Blue tugged on the lead as soon as he saw the water. ‘Not now.’ Gwen pulled him back. ‘He likes to go swimming.’
‘Why don’t you let him go? We have plenty of time.’
Meadows watched as Gwen unhooked the leash and the big dog went bounding towards the stream. He leapt off the bank and landed with a splash before dipping his face to gulp down the water. Gwen and Meadows followed the dog and stood at the edge of the water watching.
‘Why do you stay with him?’ Meadows regretted the question as soon as it left his lips.
Gwen looked up at him. ‘He married me. I don’t think anyone else would have and there are the children to consider. I suppose I don’t like the idea of being on my own for the rest of my life.’
‘I don’t think you would be on your own for long.’
Gwen laughed. ‘Like I have a long queue of suitors lined up! It’s not just the scars on my body, they run a lot deeper than that. Matt was the only one interested in me after it happened. Everyone else treated me like a freak.’
‘Not everyone.’
‘No, but you left …’ Gwen turned away.
‘You were already with Matt by then.’
‘No, I wasn’t.’ She spun around and glared at him. ‘Who told you that?’
Meadows clenched his jaw. The lying bastard.
‘It was Matt, wasn’t it? And you believed him.’ Her eyes bored into his.
‘It’s in the past now. It doesn’t matter.’
‘It matters to me. I never understood why you left. I thought we were friends. I thought we were …’
‘I’m sorry. If I’m honest, I would’ve left anyway. I had a place in university but I would have done things differently.’
‘It’s OK, it’s not your fault.’ She called Blue and he bounded over, dripping water in his wake. Gwen attached the lead and returned her attention to Meadows. ‘So why don’t you tell me about yourself? I’m at an unfair advantage, you know everything about me.’
‘What do you want to know?’
‘I don’t see a wedding ring so I take it you didn’t get married. Either that or you’re divorced.’
‘No, I didn’t get married and I don’t have any children. I was engaged.’ He knew Gwen would want to know more but he didn’t think he could talk about it now. I should explain. He drew in a deep breath and let the air out slowly. ‘She died two years ago.’ He started to walk away, Gwen followed closely.
‘I’m sorry, that must have been really hard for you.’
‘We worked together and both knew the score. The job comes with risks.’ He stopped walking and looked around at the view. ‘It was a routine call, a domestic, but the guy was high and he stabbed her. She died instantly. It’s part of the reason I left London. Too many memories. I needed to get away and make a fresh start.’
‘And then you ran into me and all my problems.’ Gwen smiled.
‘I’m glad I did. I did think of you after I left. Even thought of writing to you. Then Mum told me you married Matt and I guess I just moved on with my life. Come on, we better start walking or the film crew will be waiting for us.’
They continued to walk until they reached the shack. Meadows noticed the change in Gwen. Her body was rigid and she twisted the lead around her hand.
‘Shall we look inside?’
She nodded and he opened the door. He closely watched her reaction as her eyes darted around.
‘There were more tools on the walls, your blood was found on an axe hanging about here.’ He walked over to the wall and touched the empty space. He turned and saw Gwen put her hand to the back of her head, her eyes narrowed as she moved her hand in front of her face and examined her fingers.
‘Blood,’ she whispered, I’m bleeding.’ The colour drained from her face.
Meadows stood still, not wanting to disturb the flashback. He watched her draw an unsteady breath then look around the shack until her eyes rested on the floor. She shook her head and stepped towards the door.
‘I’m sorry I can’t stay in here any longer.’
‘It’s OK, you’re doing really well. What did you see?’
‘Just blood on my hand. I could feel the numbness in the back of my head, then my vision started to blur, my legs felt weak. I could see Beth lying on the floor.’ She hurried out of the shack.
‘Don’t try and fight the memories,’ Meadows said as he followed her outside and back onto the path. ‘This is where you were found.’ He leaned over the fence and pointed to the location he had seen in the photographs. The cliff face was jagged and he tried to not to think about Gwen tumbling down, her broken body lying at the edge of the water.
Gwen stood next to him and peered over. ‘There wasn’t a fence then. It’s a long way down, you would think I’d remember, but looking down there doesn’t stir any memories.’
‘I imagine you were unconscious by the time you reached the bottom. You might well have been unconscious when you went over.’
‘You mean I was just thrown down there. Why? It would have been easier to leave me in the shack.’
‘My theory is that you tried to escape.’
‘And just left Beth.’
‘No.’ He turned and placed his hands on her shoulders. ‘You didn’t leave her to die. You had traces of Bethan’s blood on your hands and clothes. You were trying to help her.’ He looked into her eyes and saw the doubt. ‘You must have been terrified but you didn’t leave. Whatever happened here I think you showed tremendous courage. You’re stronger than you think.’ He let his hand
s slip from her shoulders, afraid that he would pull her closer if he kept contact. Every sense in his body was screaming at him to kiss her.
Gwen stepped back onto the path. She looked towards the direction from which they had come, then back up the path. He saw her eyes glaze as she stood rigid. Blue tugged at the lead, moving her arm like a puppet. Quietly Meadows stepped towards her. He heard her breath quicken, saw her cheeks flaring red. After a few moments her eyes refocused and she looked up the path.
‘I came from this direction,’ she pointed ahead. ‘I was running from someone. I was so afraid he was going to catch me. I came to the shack to hide.’ She bit her lip in concentration. ‘So I did come from the mountain.’
‘That’s good. Come on, we will walk a little further up to see if you remember anything else. I’ll ask the film crew to take shots from the cattle grid and across the mountain. Do you think you were on your own or was Bethan running with you?’
‘No, I was definitely alone. I think I’d been running for a while because my chest was hurting and I was struggling to catch my breath. I could feel my heart beating against my ribs.’ She walked as she spoke, all the while her eyes darted around as if searching for a trigger for her memory.
‘It does make more sense for you to have come this way, we just have to work out how you met up with Bethan.’
‘What if I didn’t go to the shack but ran towards home? I could have met up with Beth. You did say that she was supposed to have gone out for a walk that day. I could have met her on the way to my house and told her about someone chasing me and then we went back up.’
‘I suppose it’s a possibility, but why on earth would you come back up here if you were afraid?’ Meadows looked around. It’s very isolated. No one would have heard the girls scream.
‘Beth wouldn’t have been afraid. More likely she would have teased me. She would’ve wanted to look for herself, confront the person chasing me to show I made a mistake. I think she would’ve found the whole thing funny.’
‘Then it would’ve had to been someone you knew and not some random stranger.’
‘I guess so, but who would have been up the mountain? It couldn’t have been long after Sam left me at the cattle grid.’
‘If he left you at the cattle grid.’
‘You can’t seriously believe that he’s responsible for what happened. He had no reason to hurt me.’
‘There was no evidence to tie him to the scene of the crime other than his coat, which he claims he gave to you. It doesn’t mean that he is innocent.’
‘He did give me his coat, I remembered that.’
‘What if he found out that Bethan was pregnant? It would give him motive and you could’ve got in the way.’
‘Sam wasn’t like the rugby boys, he was a bit of a geek. I don’t think he would have had the strength to fight the two of us.’
‘OK. To be honest, I don’t think Sam is our man but until someone comes forward to confirm his story I still have to treat him as a suspect.’
They reached the gate that led onto the mountain and stepped through. Once they were in the clearing they had a good view of the surrounding farmland. Blue’s ears pricked up as he caught the scent of sheep, he pulled at the leaded, his eyes bright as he jumped around.
‘No!’ Gwen commanded. She led him to the brow of the hill where the road was visible in the distance. She spun around then placed her hand on Meadows’ arm.
‘The barn! There was someone in the barn.’
Meadows followed her gaze. ‘Is that another place you used to hang out?’
‘No, I don’t think we ever went into the barn, we stayed on the footpath or in the shack.’
‘Come on, we may as well take a look now we are here.’ Meadows led the way.
When they reached the barn Gwen became still. She stood, her eyes wide with trepidation. The wind had picked up, whipping her hair around her face. ‘I can’t go in there, I don’t want to see it again.’
‘What don’t you want to see?’ Meadows coaxed.
‘I … I don’t remember.’ There was a tremor in her voice as she backed away.
‘It’s OK, we can come back another time. We should head back now.’
Once they were back on the footpath Gwen relaxed and was fully composed by the time they met up with the film crew. Meadows took his turn in front of the camera, outlining the history of the case and appealing for information. He was aware of Gwen standing to the side of the camera watching. He was itching to loosen his tie, he could feel the perspiration gathering on the back of his neck and his skin felt clammy. He focused his attention on the camera and tried not to let his attention wander to Gwen.
After several takes the actresses were bought in. A reconstruction of Gwen leaving the house and heading across the mountain was followed by Bethan walking towards the quarry. A crowd had gathered by the time it was Gwen’s turn to be interviewed.
Meadows took hold of Blue’s lead and watched Gwen answer the questions with confidence. He knew she must be nervous, but she didn’t once hesitate or stutter. When the filming came to an end, Meadows handed the dog back to Gwen.
‘You did really well.’
‘I was shaking inside.’
‘Me too.’ Meadows grinned.
Gwen laughed.
‘I’m serious, I don’t even like having my photo taken.’
‘Well, it didn’t show and it will give the viewers some eye candy.’
‘Well, if that’s what the public want I should have got Edris to do the shoot.’ He took off his tie and put it in his jacket pocket. ‘They have all they need now so it should go out on the evening news tomorrow.’
‘That soon?’
‘Yes, it’s only the local news. Do you think I would have got the part if it was national?’
‘No, I think it would definitely have been DC Edris,’ Gwen laughed.
They walked back to Gwen’s house and Meadows was pleased to be invited in. As they sat drinking tea and talking in the kitchen the children arrived home from school. Ariana was first through the door. Her face fell when she noticed the absence of Edris but she quickly recovered and took a seat.
‘So how did it go?’
‘OK, I think,’ Gwen smiled.
‘Your mother was fantastic, you can see for yourself tomorrow.’
‘I wanted to watch today,’ Ariana complained.
‘You would’ve put me off,’ Gwen teased.
Alex sauntered into the kitchen and dumped his school bag on the floor before searching the cupboards. He took out a packet of biscuits and sat opposite Meadows.
‘So do you think you’re going to catch him this time?’ Alex took a biscuit from the packet and stuffed it into his mouth whole.
Meadows studied the teenager. He looks just like Matt at that age, I hope for Gwen’s sake he doesn’t have the same nature. ‘I certainly hope so.’
‘Good.’ Another biscuit was jammed into his mouth.
The front door slammed and Matt entered the kitchen. He looked at each of them then sat next to Ariana. ‘Well, this is very cosy.’
Meadows felt his body tense. ‘Hello, Matt.’
‘What are you doing here again?’
‘We were filming today,’ Gwen said, her face colouring.
‘I know that. Why do you think I came home early from work? I thought you might need some support.’ He glared at Meadows.
‘You’ll be pleased to know that it went well and hopefully we’ll get a good response.’ Meadows stood. I’d like to wipe that arrogant look off your face. ‘I should be going, I’ll let you know of any developments.’ He smiled at Gwen.
‘Bloody waste of time if you ask me,’ Matt grumbled.
Gwen rose from the table. ‘I’ll see you out.’
Meadows followed her to the door. ‘Thank you again for today. It made all the difference.’
‘I’m glad I could help.’
Meadows climbed into the car and sat watching the house. I suppose he’ll
give her a hard time now I’ve left. He started the engine and pulled away, his fists curled tightly around the steering wheel as images of Matt loomed in his mind. He drove the short distance to the garage where Sam Morris worked. He should be told about the reconstruction.
The garage owner led him to the workshop at the rear of the building, where a pair of oil-stained legs stuck out from beneath a car. A radio played in the background and Meadows could hear Sam humming away as he worked.
‘Sam, sorry to disturb you at work. Is it OK to have a quick word?’
The trolley slid back and Meadows peered down at Sam. He looks rough, hardly recognisable from the boy I knew at school. His grimy face was a map of lines and his overalls swamped his pitiful thin body. Guarded eyes looked back at Meadows.
‘Hi, Sam, I don’t know if you will remember me. I’m Winter Meadows, we went to school together.’
Sam stood up and wiped his hands on a rag. ‘Oh yeah, I remember you. You were one of the few people who didn’t cross the road to avoid me.’ A ghost of a smile played on his lips. ‘What can I do for you?’
‘I’m a detective now and I’m leading the investigation into the murder of Bethan Hopkins.’
‘I see.’ Sam sighed and his shoulders drooped.
‘There’s nothing to worry about. I just stopped by to let you know that we filmed the reconstruction today and it will be aired tomorrow evening.’
‘I did hear about it. Got everyone riled up again.’
‘I appreciate that it was a difficult time for you.’
‘You have no idea.’
‘Then enlighten me.’
‘What’s there to tell? I was with Gwen that day. I never denied it. I gave her my coat because it was raining but I swear I never touched them. Bethan’s and Gwen’s blood was all over the coat, that’s what they told me. That doesn’t mean I had anything to do with it, but no one believed me. I spent hours locked up in a cell but that was nothing compared to the interrogation. No one takes any notice if a suspect accidentally falls and gets a few cuts and bruises.’ Sam glared at Meadows.
The Silent Quarry Page 11