by Bill Kitson
Mira was shivering, trying to control her emotions. She looked at him, caught between despair and hope, her eyes like saucers. ‘I suppose it would be too much to say I didn’t do it,’ she said when she eventually found her voice.
‘If you’re talking about the burglary at Hemmings Department Store, I have some good news for you. Mr Hemmings has decided that there was no burglary.’
‘What? I don’t understand.’
‘He says it was all a mistake, apparently there was no robbery at his store, just an error by his office clerk.’ Nash smiled. ‘I understand he and his general manager are talking to the owners of the gift shop and the hardware store. I have very little doubt that, given Mr Hemmings’ powers of persuasion, they will also realize that they, too, didn’t suffer a burglary.’
Mira’s brain was reeling. She still didn’t understand what was happening. She felt dizzy, and seeing this, Nash put an arm out to steady her. ‘I’m sorry if all this is a bit too much for you, so perhaps I’d better explain.’
It took a while, but eventually Mira got the message. ‘And I’m not going to be arrested?’
‘How can I arrest you for offences that didn’t take place?’
‘And the other thing? You’re certain of this? Can I tell Bruno and Cheryl?’
‘I don’t see why not. I think we can trust Mr Hemmings to do what he promised, don’t you?’
As they were talking, they were unaware that they could be seen from the leisure centre door. As she went out to buy some lunch, Toni saw Nash with Mira and felt her heart sink. She liked Mira, and knew what problems her family faced. Knowing this, and her friend’s ability as a gymnast, Toni had suspected that she might have been the burglar. Now, it seemed as if Mike had similar suspicions. She watched in dismay as he put one hand out. It looked as if he was about to detain her. Toni couldn’t watch any longer. She turned away, saddened by what was happening. She knew Mike had his job to do, but how cruel for Mira and her family to face this fresh crisis on top of everything else they were suffering.
* * *
When Nash reached the CID suite, his colleagues were seated in a semicircle drinking coffee, their empty sandwich wrappers still on the desk. ‘Keeping busy?’ he asked.
‘It may have escaped your notice, but it is lunchtime,’ Clara protested.
‘I don’t suppose anyone thought to get me a sandwich, did they?’
‘No, we didn’t know what time you were due back.’
‘OK, I’ll go get myself one. Perhaps while I’m out someone might manage to make me a coffee, if it’s not too much effort.’
He returned ten minutes later and went straight into his office. Pearce followed him in, and announced, ‘I don’t know what the heck’s going on, Mike, but while you were out getting your sarnie, the woman who owns the gift shop phoned to withdraw her burglary accusation.’
Nash had bitten into his sandwich, which was as well, because it was sufficient to disguise the look on his face. ‘Very strange,’ he mumbled. ‘Did you ask her why?’
Viv nodded. ‘I did, and she told me she found the cash at home and that was when she remembered that she had left the window open a few days earlier. She now realizes she hasn’t actually been robbed at all.’
‘We still have the Bishopton Hardware robbery to investigate,’ Nash told him, ‘I suggest you concentrate on that.’
As Pearce left, he glanced back at the door to Nash’s office.
‘What’s up, Viv?’ Clara asked him.
‘I’m not sure. It was just that Mike didn’t seem interested. I don’t know why, but I almost got the feeling I was telling him something he already knew.’
That feeling was strengthened later in the afternoon, when Pearce told Nash that the final burglary victim had also withdrawn their complaint.
‘Good, that means we can concentrate on solving these murders,’ Nash told him.
* * *
Next day, the local papers had only one lead story. A photograph showed Gilbert Hemmings holding a small boy, with a smiling Bruno and Cheryl Kaminski alongside holding a cheque. The article beneath highlighted the generous donation made by the owner of Hemmings’ department store to enable the parents to take their son to America for his much-needed treatment. Clara read the article with interest, and while Viv and Lisa were studying it, she went into Nash’s office and closed the door behind her.
Nash looked up, and saw that Clara was studying him. ‘Something wrong?’ he asked.
‘No, not really. I was just trying to picture you with a white beard and a red suit. You’ll need more padding of course, now that you’re getting to be so fit.’
‘Clara, what on earth are you talking about?’
‘You might fool the others, Mike, but I know you too well. You go missing for half a day, and suddenly all those burglary charges get dropped. Next thing, Gilbert Hemmings suddenly decides to donate to Bruno and Cheryl Kaminski’s fund.’ Clara paused, and when Nash didn’t respond, said, ‘Now others might think that was pure coincidence, but someone once told me that they don’t believe in coincidences, and I took their advice on board. So come on, Mike, you can confess. Your secret will stay within these four walls.’
‘Clara. I could lose my job if the powers that be got to hear about it.’
‘I won’t say a word. However, I think you’re wrong. I don’t think they would be stupid enough to even consider sacking you.’
Nash watched her, waiting for the sting in the tail. Clara smiled sweetly at him and turned away. He was surprised, and it was only long after she had left his office that he realized she’d had the last word — by not saying anything.
Later that afternoon, as he was reading through some paperwork prior to sending it to the CPS, Mironova returned to his office. Nash looked up and saw the puzzled frown on her face. ‘Problem?’ he asked.
‘I’m not really sure. I’ve just taken a call from the landlord who owns the building where Georgina Drake lived. In view of what happened to his tenant, he’s decided to sell the building.’ Clara paused. ‘Actually, I think he was looking for an excuse to sell the place, and the murder provided one. He mentioned that he’d an eye on a property in Spain. Anyway, the reason he rang is that he wants to know what to do with Georgina Drake’s belongings. The flat was let furnished, but some of the pieces, including that bed and the dodgy wardrobe, belonged to Georgina Drake, and there’s all her clothing, jewellery and so forth. The owner wants to clear everything out so he can sell the building as a shell, if you get my meaning. I think he reckons he’ll get more for it that way.’
Nash frowned. Something didn’t seem right. ‘Hang on, though, what about the other tenant? The nurse we met, who lives in the ground-floor flat. Katy something or other.’
‘Katy Morgan. That’s what puzzled me. I asked the owner about her, and he told me Ms Morgan was only there on a short-term let. Six months it was, and she moved out last week.’
‘That’s surprising. I thought she was there for the foreseeable future. Did she give a forwarding address?’
‘She did, but when I checked it out, I found that the place doesn’t exist. I rang Netherdale General, which was where she told us she works, and they don’t have a Katy Morgan employed there either as a nurse or in any other capacity. It seems as if Katy Morgan doesn’t exist, except as an alias, and I can only think of one possible reason for that.’
‘She’s got something to hide?’
‘Perhaps more than that.’
‘You think she is our serial killer?’
‘Either that, or she’s working with the killer.’
‘I must say I can’t really imagine her in the role of a sadistic murderer. There are many reasons why people change their identity — and not always criminal. Besides which, if she was involved, why would she be so helpful? Why give us all that information about Georgina Drake? She could have pleaded ignorance.’
‘She could have, but then she could have been asked more questions. Tell the police what
they want to hear and they leave you alone. You never know, Mike, the most unlikely people turn to crime these days. PE teachers as burglars, for instance.’
Nash smiled. ‘Fair point. And I think we should try to find Ms Morgan, or whatever she’s calling herself now, if only to eliminate her. Quite how we set about that, I’ve no idea.’
Chapter Sixteen
‘You’re not wearing your uniform.’
‘No, I thought it would be less conspicuous if I dressed in street clothes while I’m out and about. Besides which, we’re not playing doctors and nurses today, are we?’ He smiled. Doctors and nurses had come to mean something totally different over the past few months. ‘How are our guests?’
‘As uncomfortable as I can make them without actually harming them. I detest having to touch them, even with gloves on. They make my skin crawl just looking at them.’
He laughed, but almost at once began coughing. In an instant she was at his side, massaging his shoulders and chest gently as she waited for the bout to end. Even when it was over, the pain and stress were evident in his expression.
‘Do you want a painkiller?’
He shook his head. ‘They’re not having much effect now. Besides which, we don’t have many left, and we need them for our patients. I think we have to face the fact that I’ll be leaving you soon. If that happens before we’ve finished, will you be able to manage the rest?’
She turned away so he couldn’t see the tears in her eyes. They’d always known this was going to happen, but that didn’t make it any easier. ‘Of course I will, but I hope you can see it through to the end.’
‘Who knows, we might get lucky. There are plenty of instances of remission, sometimes for months, years even. If we got one of those, everything would be fine. I just don’t think we should rely on it happening. Anyway, enough about me, I think it’s time we put together another communication to the doting parent. I had an idea earlier that I thought would grab his attention and make him more willing to carry out our instructions.’
‘What’s the idea?’ She was glad he’d changed the subject. As he explained what he had in mind, she was at first appalled, but then realized it was no worse than what they had already done. And it would certainly have the desired effect, unless the man they were targeting was dead to all feeling. And even if that was the case, they had the alternative solution within their power.
‘I think it’s brilliant. Let’s make a start.’
* * *
The leisure centre car park was almost full when Nash arrived. Having found one of the last remaining places he took his sports bag from the boot and walked towards the entrance, unaware that he was being watched from the reception area of the secondary school. Mira Kaminski was concerned to see him there, but when she saw him enter the leisure centre, she relaxed.
‘What’s going on next door?’ Nash asked Toni when he went into the fitness room.
‘It’s parents’ evening,’ she told him. She looked at the detective for a moment, her expression serious as she wondered how to broach a delicate subject. ‘Didn’t I see you talking to my friend Mira yesterday?’
She saw his expression change, become instantly guarded. Was that how he looked when he was working? she wondered.
‘Er — yes, I did have a chat with her.’
‘I hope she isn’t in any trouble.’
‘No, I don’t think so.’
‘What was it about? It looked very serious.’
‘It was a routine inquiry, that’s all.’
She waited for him to amplify that remark, but all he said was, ‘I’m not allowed to discuss my work.’
‘Sorry, I’d forgotten.’
Next morning, Toni was at work long before her normal time. She watched out of the plate-glass windows of the reception area. After a few minutes, she saw Mira’s car pull into the shared driveway and hurried outside to meet her. ‘Morning, Mira, how are you? I saw you talking to one of my clients on Monday. Mr Nash, the detective. You’re not in bother, are you?’
Much as with Nash the previous night, she saw her friend’s expression become wary. ‘No, it’s nothing like that.’
‘I did wonder, because I know he’s investigating those robberies, and his idea is that the burglar has to be someone who is a trained acrobat or gymnast, like me — or you.’
‘Actually, he did say something about the burglary charges having been dropped.’ Mira’s face was a mask, but the telltale spots of colour on her cheeks gave her away.
Toni continued as if she hadn’t noticed. ‘I was ever so pleased when I read about your nephew being able to go to America for treatment. You must be really happy. Wasn’t it nice of Mr Hemmings to come up with the money?’
‘Yes,’ Mira seemed relieved by the change of subject. ‘Bruno and Cheryl are over the moon. I must go, I’ve a class first thing, and I need to prepare.’ She started to walk towards the school entrance, then paused and looked back. ‘He’s nice, isn’t he? Mr Nash, I mean. Is he married?’
‘Yes, he’s very nice. No, he’s not married.’ Toni smiled. ‘Why do you ask?’
‘Just interest, that’s all.’
I bet it is, Toni thought, as Mira continued walking. She wondered what Nash’s reaction would be if he knew. There was no doubt Mira was a highly attractive young woman, and she had the idea that Nash might be susceptible in that direction. Still, if he suspected her of being a criminal that would not be a good start to a possible relationship. On the other hand, if the complaints had been withdrawn, that would no longer be the case. Perhaps it was a lucky coincidence.
* * *
Nash realized that it was time to restock his freezer. One of the disadvantages of living out in the wilds, as Jack Binns referred to it, was that if there was a prolonged spell of bad weather, Smelt Mill Cottage could be cut off for days, sometimes weeks on end. It was a wise precaution to keep a good supply of food in the house to cater for such emergencies.
Having made a list of his requirements, Nash phoned an order through to his butcher, and on Thursday evening, on his way home from work he called to collect the meat. As he was entering the shop, Nash was unaware that Toni had seen him as she passed in her car. She went to the roundabout, and returned, parking in front of the detective’s Range Rover.
Normally, when Nash went in the shop, the greeting was a cheerful one. Lee Giles looked serious, which was unusual.
Nash paid for his order and was about to leave when the butcher stopped him. ‘I’m glad you’re here. I wanted a word with you.’
Nash looked at the butcher. ‘Problem?’
‘I wouldn’t go that far. Come through to the back, will you?’
Nash went round the counter and followed Lee into the cramped office.
‘This might sound daft, but I think there’s been an intruder. I can’t say for definite because nothing’s been taken, and all I know is that sometimes I get the feeling that things have been moved. Not a long way, they’re just not precisely where we left them when we locked up.’
‘You don’t keep cash on the premises overnight though, do you?’
‘Oh, sorry, you misunderstand me. I’m not talking about the shop. It’s the abattoir where I think someone might have been inside.’
The family business had a small abattoir a couple of streets away from the shop, one of the few surviving privately owned slaughterhouses to meet the strict Food Hygiene regulations. Many similar operations had chosen to close down rather than face the expense of meeting the criteria.
‘Has any meat gone missing?’ Nash smiled ruefully as he thought of the amount he had just handed over for his purchases. ‘Let’s be honest, at your prices there must be a small fortune hanging from your meat hooks.’
‘Don’t be so cheeky, Mike. No, there’s nothing gone missing. We’d know straight away because once the carcasses have hung for long enough we butcher them and bring them straight here. Most of the cutting-up is done in the shop.’
‘Is there any sign of
a break-in? Damaged door or window?’
‘No.’ Lee looked mystified.
‘Then I reckon it’s down to your imagination.’ Nash paused and thought for a moment. ‘If I could make a suggestion, it might be a good idea to ease up on that Greek Raki you’re so fond of.’
He walked out of the shop, smiling at the unmistakeably rude gesture Lee had given him by way of farewell. He was loading the carriers in the car when he heard his name called, and looked round to see his personal trainer standing a few feet away.
‘Hi, Mike, I saw you going into the butcher’s shop and waited to have a word with you. I didn’t want to talk to you in there.’
‘Are you a vegetarian? Don’t you approve of people eating meat?’
‘No, it’s nothing like that. I love meat. Give me a juicy fillet steak with blood oozing from the sides and I’ll purr like a kitten. The reason I didn’t want to come inside is that what I had to say was for your ears and no one else’s.’
‘Have I done something wrong? I’m sure I didn’t leave the showers running or anything like that.’
‘No, no, I just want to say that you’ve been found out, but your secret’s safe with me.’
‘Secret? What secret?’
‘You don’t have to pretend, Mike. I know it was you that arranged for the charity donation made by Mr Hemmings and got those complaints dropped. Mira told me everything.’
Nash’s face was a picture of dismay. ‘She wasn’t supposed to say anything. She promised me she would keep quiet about it.’
Toni laughed out loud. ‘Got you!’ she exclaimed. ‘Mira was as good as her word. She didn’t tell me; I worked it out. You’re not the only detective around here, you know. Anyway, I simply wanted to tell you I think what you did for the Kaminski family was wonderful. Mira thinks so, too.’ Toni paused and said, ‘I think you made a conquest there, Mike. She seems really taken with you.’