Meadows walked to the end of the bridge and inspected the wall where the car had impacted. ‘I don’t think she lost control of the car. I think she knew she couldn’t make the bridge and thought her best chance was to come off the road, but was going too fast to make the turn. Come on, let’s go to the hospital and see what she can tell us.’
Gwen was sitting up in bed when they arrived, and a large angry bruise shone on her forehead. Matt sat in a chair, his hair sticking up at various angles revealing patches of pink scalp.
‘How are you feeling?’ Meadows approached the bed.
‘I’m OK, I think I had more of a shock than anything else. The doctor wants me to stay in overnight for observation. I’d rather go home.’ She smiled.
‘It’s probably better you stay in to be on the safe side. Are you up to answering some questions?’
‘No she’s bloody not!’ Matt jumped up from the chair. ‘I don’t know what you are doing here. She already spoke to that copper before she left in the ambulance.’
‘It’s OK, Matt, I don’t mind. Why don’t you go and get a cup of tea?’
‘I’ll stay.’ Matt plonked himself down in the chair and glared at Meadows.
‘Can you tell us what happened?’ Edris took out his notebook and pen.
‘I’m not sure, it happened so quickly. I think the brakes on the car failed. It was OK when I left the house but when I started down Turnpike Road I tried to slow the car but the brakes felt odd. Then they stopped working. I could see some people on the bridge, I knew I was going too fast to make it across the bridge without hitting them and even if I managed to get across the bridge I wouldn’t make the bend. I tried to pull the car off the road but I lost control.’ Her voice quivered and she reached onto the bedside table for the glass of water.
‘I’m having the car checked out to see if it’s been tampered with.’
Gwen’s eyes widened. ‘You think someone is trying to kill me?’
‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ Matt glared at Meadows. ‘It is an old car.’
‘Yes, but it’s just passed its MOT.’ A frown creased Gwen’s forehead. ‘I think it’s Epworth.’
‘Why do you think he would tamper with the car?’
‘I was coming to see you when I crashed the car. I remembered what I had seen in the barn that day. I couldn’t reach you at the station so I was hoping to catch you at home.’
‘You said you were going swimming.’ Matt’s jaw clenched.
‘I was, I just wanted to see Detective Meadows first.’ She looked away from Matt.
‘You didn’t say anything to me.’ Matt scowled.
Meadows sensed Gwen’s unease, and Matt was obviously fighting to control his temper. ‘What do you remember about the barn?’
‘I was going to shelter there from the rain. Epworth was there with a young boy. They were having sex.’ Gwen looked away.
‘A boy?’
‘Yes, about thirteen or fourteen years old.’
Meadows felt a flutter of excitement. This could be the breakthrough we need. Epworth would want to keep that secret. What lengths would he go to?
‘What happened then?’
‘He saw me, he was angry and started shouting. I ran from the barn and he chased after me. I slipped and hurt my wrist.’ Gwen rubbed her left wrist as if the memory bought back the pain. ‘He was shouting for me to come back. I got up and run to the quarry entrance and he followed me in. I hid behind a tree. I don’t remember anything after that.’
Matt snorted and Meadows turned to look at him.
‘You’re not taking this seriously, are you?’ Matt looked from Meadows to Edris. ‘First she thinks it’s her uncle and now the headmaster. Who’s going to be next?’ He turned to face Gwen. ‘Your head is completely fucked up, I told you from the start that this investigation is stupid. You are making things worse and wasting their time.’ He waved his arm, indicating the policemen.
Meadows could feel his anger threatening to erupt. He clenched his right fist tightly and put it behind his back to stop himself driving it into Matt’s face. ‘It is not a waste of time, and for your information everything Gwen has remembered so far has been collaborated. It’s a fact that Gwen’s left wrist was broken even though the rest of her injuries were on her right side and consistent with the fall. So yes, I am taking this seriously.’ He turned his attention to Gwen. ‘Do you know the boy that Epworth was with that day?’
Gwen’s eyes were shining with tears and Meadows fought the urge to go closer to her. He knew Matt’s words had stung her and she was struggling to keep her composure.
‘No, I’m sorry, I don’t know.’ She took a sip of water, avoiding Meadows’ eyes.
She knows, she just doesn’t want to betray the boy to Matt. ‘OK, I’ll leave you to rest now.’
‘Are you going to speak to Epworth?’
‘I’ll wait for the results on the car, but yes, we will be bringing him in for questioning.’
Meadows was in the office early the next morning, waiting for the results on the car. As soon as his phone rang he snatched it up. Edris hovered near the desk, his face showing his eagerness to hear the results.
‘There is no doubt the brakes were cut,’ Meadows informed Edris as he put down the phone.
‘Do you think Epworth would go that far? It’s hell of a risk, he would’ve had to go close to the house and anyone could have seen him.’
‘Well, someone cut them, and Epworth has motive. Gwen saw him having sex with an underage boy. That would be his career ruined. Gwen remembers him chasing her into the quarry so that puts him at the scene of the murder at the right time. He could’ve easily gone to her house during the night to cut the brakes, it’s unlikely he would have been seen. He has good reason to silence Gwen.’
‘And Bethan Hopkins, how does she fit into this?’
‘Maybe she took a walk up the quarry footpath that day and met up with Gwen and Epworth. Doreen Hopkins said that Bethan was going out for a walk when she left the house.’
‘So are we going to bring him in?’
‘I want to see Gwen first. I’m sure she knows the identity of the boy in the barn with Epworth. I’m betting he is our anonymous caller. If we can get his name then that’ll be another witness against Epworth. I need you to get fingerprints from Matt and Alex and anyone else who may have been in Gwen’s car. We already have Gwen’s and Ariana’s. If we can link Epworth to the car then we will have a stronger case against him. We’ll also need a warrant to search his house and office at the school.’
‘I’ll get on to it, but to be honest I don’t think he would be stupid enough to leave fingerprints on the car or have anything to incriminate him in his house.’
‘He does appear very sure of himself, but he wouldn’t have been expecting to see Gwen that day so wouldn’t have been prepared. Maybe we will get lucky and be able to match his DNA to the crime scene.’
Meadows left Edris to apply for the warrant and headed for Gwen’s house. The door opened as soon as he stepped out of the car and Blue bounded towards him, jumping up and placing his paws on his shoulders. Meadows was thrown off balance by the weight of the dog. He could hear Gwen giggling.
‘Down, Blue!’ Gwen ordered. ‘Sorry, he’s a bit overexcited today. I think he likes you.’ She smiled.
Meadows ruffled the dog’s fur. ‘It’s OK. I don’t mind, I wouldn’t want to meet him when he was in a bad mood. So how are you feeling today?’
‘A lot better, thanks.’ Gwen led him into the kitchen and filled the kettle. ‘Tea?’
‘Please.’ Meadows took a seat at the table and watched Gwen prepare the tea. Blue sat at his feet and placed his head on Meadows’ knees, his bushy tail swept the floor.
‘We had the results on the car this morning. I’m afraid the brakes were tampered with.’ He watched as Gwen’s body stiffened, she turned around to face him.
‘Do you think Epworth is capable of doing something like that?’
‘It wouldn
’t be difficult, he could have read it up online, these days you can learn how to make a bomb if you know where to look. After what you told me yesterday he certainly has motive to keep you quiet.’
‘But he doesn’t know that I’ve remembered what happened in the barn.’
‘No, but you are still a threat to him, we’ve already questioned him twice so he is rattled.’
‘Will you arrest him now?’
‘Yes, but we could make a better case against him if you tell me the name of the boy you saw with Epworth. He could have witnessed what happened that day.’
Gwen chewed her bottom lip and turned away. She filled the cups from the teapot and stirred before answering. ‘I’m sorry I couldn’t tell you yesterday, Matt can be a bit of an arsehole sometimes and I didn’t want him knowing and spreading it around.’
She picked up the cups and placed them on the table before taking a seat. ‘It was Carl Perkins. He was in the year below me.’
‘So he would have been about fourteen at the time.’
‘At the most.’
‘Do you think Epworth was raping him?’
‘I don’t know. I think at the time I was so shocked I couldn’t take in what I was seeing. Still, rape or not, it’s pretty sick. Epworth is a teacher. When you send your kids to school you expect them to be safe.’
‘Well, I can assure you he won’t be teaching again. If Carl Perkins will testify the least we can have him on is intercourse with a minor.’
‘Poor boy, can you imagine going into school every day after that? I bet he never felt safe.’
Meadows took a sip of tea then put his hand into his jacket pocket, pulled out a small electronic device, and laid it on the table.
‘What’s that?’
‘It’s a panic alarm. If you hit the button it will send a signal to the police station and they’ll immediately dispatch a car. I want you to keep it with you at all times. Please don’t tell anyone about it, not even your family.’
‘But if you arrest Epworth why would I need it?’
‘It’s just to be on the safe side. I don’t want to take any risks. Promise me you’ll keep it on you at all times.’
Gwen picked it up and turned it over in her hand. ‘OK.’ She slipped it into her handbag. ‘Thank you. I’m glad you came back.’ She blushed but kept eye contact.
‘So am I.’ He reached across the table and touched her hand. Desire sent sparks through his body, making his skin tingle. ‘I’d better go. Edris will call later to get fingerprints from Matt and Alex so we can eliminate them from the ones on the car.’ He stood and drained the last of his tea. ‘Please be careful, we still can’t be one hundred per cent certain that it was Epworth that cut the brakes on the car.’
‘Well, I won’t be driving anywhere soon and I will stick to the park and rugby pitch when I walk Blue.’
‘Good.’ Meadows resisted the urge to touch her again. Back in the car he placed a call to Edris to look up Carl Perkins’ address, then rested his head against the seat. Would she leave Matt? If she didn’t have the children I think she would. He ran his hand through his hair and sighed. Stop thinking about it, I’ve already overstepped the mark. The phone trilled, jolting him from his thoughts. Edris gave him a home and work address for Carl Perkins. Meadows started the engine and headed for Bryn Mawr, figuring it more likely that Perkins would be in work.
He parked the car outside AJ Accountants and put on his jacket before entering the building. The secretary made a call then led him to an office at the back of the building.
Carl Perkins rose from his desk and shook Meadows’ hand before sitting back down. Meadows looked him over; he was slim with a boyish face and soft hazel eyes.
‘What can I do for you, Detective?’ he smiled pleasantly.
Meadows recognised the gentle voice. ‘As you must be aware, we have reopened the investigation into the murder of Bethan Hopkins and the brutal attack on Gwen Collier. I believe you made an anonymous phone call to the station claiming to have seen Giles Epworth on the mountain with Gwen Collier the day of the attack.’
Carl seemed to shrink in his chair. ‘I, erm … I think you must be mistaken.’
‘No I don’t think so.’ Meadows leaned forward. ‘Gwen remembers seeing you with Epworth in the barn that day. I understand how difficult this is for you. Please, Mr Perkins, your testimony could be vital to this case.’
‘I’m sorry, I can’t help you.’ His eyes pleaded with Meadows. ‘I have a wife and children.’
‘I’m sure your wife would understand. What Epworth did was wrong, you were just a boy. Think of your own children. Would you want the same thing to happen to them?’
‘You don’t understand.’ Carl’s eyes misted over.
‘Then make me understand. I am not here to judge you, I promise.’
Carl sighed, he stood up and walked to the window. ‘I was a bit of a handful when I was in school.’ He kept his back turned to Meadows. ‘I got in a few scrapes and my grades were down. My father was a strict man and I rebelled, I just wanted to do anything I could to disappoint him. Epworth was kind to me, helped me with my homework and extra study. Then he started buying me gifts and giving me money. He made it seem like what we did was OK, it was like I owed him. I didn’t like it but he sort of had a hold on me. I guess he was controlling. I didn’t know how to get out of it, it’s not like I could tell anyone what was happening and who would believe me?’
‘What happened on the mountain that day?’
‘Epworth had arranged to meet me in the barn, he said it was safe there and as long as we arrived and left separately no one would find out. I don’t know how long Gwen stood watching, I remember the look on her face, she was horrified. Epworth was furious, he was swearing and shouting as he chased her out of the barn.’
‘Did you follow them?’
‘No, I was too ashamed. I thought she was going to tell everyone at school. I ran back home and locked myself in my bedroom. Then I heard about the murder. At first I thought both of the girls were dead. I was terrified and stayed at home for a few days pretending to be ill. My father soon sent me back to school. I tried to avoid Epworth but he managed to get me in his classroom alone. He told me to keep my mouth shut about what happened.’
‘Did he threaten you?’
‘He didn’t have to, he knew I wouldn’t want anyone to know what we were doing that day. After that I stayed away from him and he didn’t talk to me alone again. When I saw the appeal I wanted to come forward but even after all this time I’m ashamed.’
‘You’ve got nothing to be ashamed about, Epworth groomed you. Would you be willing to make a statement?’
‘I can’t. Can you imagine what my life would be like? People talking about me and the effect it would have on my family. I don’t think I could face anyone if it came out.’
‘You’re probably not the only boy that Epworth took advantage of. If you make a stand against him it may encourage others to come forward. We could make sure that he never gets a chance to do this to another boy. I can’t promise you that your name won’t come out, and if it goes to court you could be summoned as a witness. I will however do all in my power to protect your identity from the media. Please, will you just think about it?’
Meadows left Carl Perkins at his desk. He felt sorry for him and knew he would probably go home and confess everything to his wife. I just hope that his wife can persuade him that he’s a victim and has nothing to be ashamed about. Maybe then he’ll make a statement. Meadows started the car and drove towards the station. Time to bring in Epworth, let’s see him squirm his way out of this.
Chapter Twenty-four
Giles Epworth stood in his kitchen chopping salad as a single potato revolved in the microwave. He placed the salad on the kitchen table then poured a large glass of red wine. He took a sip, savouring the bitter liquid on his tongue. The small dog fussed at his feet.
‘You’ll have food when I eat,’ Giles snapped. ‘I just want some peac
e. I’ve listened to Catrin prattle on all day about Gwen’s car crash. She should’ve died, that would’ve been of more interest.’ He felt a smile creep across his face.
The dog’s ears pricked up and he scratched his paws against his master’s legs. Giles shrugged him off and drank deeply from the glass. The microwave pinged and he set the already filled bowl of dog food on the floor before taking the potato and setting it on his plate with the salad. He topped up his glass before seating himself at the table. As he picked up his knife and fork someone knocked the door. He ignored it and sliced the potato, adding a generous amount of butter. The door sounded again, heavy insistent banging.
‘This better be important.’ He put down his cutlery and walked slowly to the door. He could see a tall, shadowy figure through the frosted glass. A sense of unease crept over his body as he turned the key and swung open the door.
‘Giles Epworth, I have a warrant for your arrest and to search both your home and your office at the school.’ Meadows thrust the paper at Giles.
Giles scanned the document. ‘I don’t understand, why would you want to search my house?’ The paper shook in his hands. ‘This is not convenient, I’ve just sat down to eat. You’ll have to come back later.’
Meadows looked down at him. ‘Please step aside and allow the officers to enter. DC Edris will take you to the station.’
Giles could feel his heart thudding against his ribs, he knew this would soon be followed by gripping pain. ‘I need my medication.’ He turned and hurried inside. He could hear Meadows close behind. He picked up his jacket and made sure his angina spray was in the pocket before turning to face Meadows.
‘You’re making a mistake, you can’t just come into my home and look through my private things. This is outrageous!’ He could see officers starting to file into the house while the dog yapped and growled.
‘We have every right to search your property. Now, I would appreciate it if you would let my officers do their job. Either you can go with Detective Edris quietly or he can cuff you.’ Meadows gave him a look of disgust.
The Silent Quarry Page 17