by Carole Pitt
Patterson agreed. 'There's plenty of connecting roads to the lakes and the main Swindon road runs parallel to the railway line.'
When they turned around, Grayson had knelt down amongst the building debris and was examining the upper part of the body. Elizabeth's phone beeped. 'Sorry,' she said and went outside.
It was Daly. 'Any updates?' he shouted down the phone.
'Joe says someone deliberately drowned our female. He's almost ready to leave here so we won’t have any more info on this for a while but I’d say it was the same perp.’
Daly said. 'You seem sure?'
Elizabeth sensed Grayson had already made up his mind. 'It looks that way.'
'What state is the body in?'
'It's bad.'
'Message me the details when Grayson’s finished. Something's come up which means I won't be here tomorrow and I've asked Dr Dalman to postpone her talk on facial reconstruction procedure until I get back. Then we can all benefit from her wisdom,' Daly said.
Elizabeth waited, expecting him to tell her where he was going. After the Yeats case, he'd promised not to disappear again without saying why. The silence continued and she resisted the temptation to ask.
'Okay Liz, you can stop the silent treatment, I'll only be away a couple of nights. The person I'm meeting has asked me to keep this a private matter.'
'I assume this is connected to the investigations then.'
'Think what you like Liz but I won't jeopardise the right to someone's privacy.'
'Any specific instructions for me?’ Elizabeth asked.
‘Text me if there are any developments. Jack Woods and his sergeant will co-ordinate from Cirencester freeing you up to see Dr Dalman. She's asked if you'd meet her at the lab tomorrow.'
'What's so important, you know I'll be busy.'
'I've no idea but I want you to go.'
Daly not telling her everything was his prerogative and there were enough leaks during investigations without adding to them.’
'You can sort Eldridge and Patterson out. They’re slacking which is unfair while you're not feeling good.'
'I'm coping okay; don't concern yourself on my behalf.' Elizabeth heard Grayson asking how long she would be. 'Grayson's calling me. Anyway, good luck with whatever you're up to.'
'I'm not expecting miracles,' Daly answered.
Elizabeth switched off her phone and realised the face masks were inside the tent. She found a clean tissue in her pocket, opened it up and held it over her mouth.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
The eleven-ten cross-country train from Plymouth to Edinburgh arrived on Cheltenham station twenty minutes late. Daly hadn't travelled much by train and was beginning to regret opting for the four-hour journey instead of the hour's flight from Bristol to Newcastle. Like most people who used the railway infrequently, he hated the delays. He checked his ticket, saw he was in coach C, picked up his overnight bag and boarded the train.
While his wife had packed his essentials, Daly had no option but to tell her his destination, but no other details. When she'd casually suggested a connection between his sojourn to the North East and the current investigation, he'd changed the subject rather than lie.
Jean Daly knew when to keep quiet. She'd had over thirty-five years experience. 'Ring me when you get there and let me know when you're due back,' she'd insisted.
'Sorry to leave you with the dog, but I can't take it with me,' he'd stated, concentrating on hiding paperwork he'd printed off.
She'd slammed down the iron, picked up the puppy and glowered at him. 'I wouldn't let you take him. Oh, and by the way Ted, I'm not waiting any longer to give him a name. I've decided on one and I won't negotiate.'
As he stepped onto the train, he thought about the name she'd chosen. It wouldn't have been his choice but then he believed dogs, like children, should have traditional names, not called after an area of New York, or a mountain range or some distant star. A good strong name like Buster would have suited the puppy. He located his seat and was pleased to see the one next to him was vacant. It took him a while to get comfortable and when he did, all thoughts of work and home fell away. He decided to sit back, relax and enjoy the ride.
Ex DI Graham Brotherton had told him that all cold cases deserved a second chance and that a mystery was only a mystery until someone solved it. His friendly upbeat tone had impressed Daly who'd wrongly assumed that Brotherton was probably miserable and decrepit by now. On the phone, his voice hadn't reflected his seventy-eight years.
Daly disembarked at Durham, home to the Prince Bishops. As the train moved slowly over the high viaduct, he looked down on the city. He'd hated secondary school and had left at sixteen but history was one subject that had fired up his imagination. He stared out of the window and remembered that every Bishop of Durham from the latter part of the eleventh century was a Prince Bishop until eight hundred years later when the last one founded Durham University.
The train pulled in on time and Daly exited the small station onto the taxi rank. A young woman with a baby and a toddler followed him out. He smiled at her and noticed she was crying. A taxi drew up and the driver signalled for Daly to get in. He wondered what had distressed the young mother but didn't feel he should ask. Always conscious of his duty he told her he wasn't in a hurry and was happy to wait for the next one. She thanked him and as the driver closed the passenger door, he watched her wipe her eyes then put a phone to her ear.
Within minutes, he was passing Durham Cathedral towering from its strategic position on a promontory high above the River Wear. Before returning home, he decided to try to fit in a couple of hours sightseeing.
The final leg of his journey took just over thirty-five minutes to the Sunderland suburb, Seaburn, which Daly had correctly predicted had to be by the sea. The taxi driver turned left, passed a large park and pulled up in a leafy side street of substantial thirties style semis. As he stepped onto the pavement, he shivered. A strong breeze was blowing off the North Sea and Daly wished he'd brought an overcoat. He paid the driver and stood looking at the house trying to estimate its value. At Cheltenham prices, it would have cost in excess of half a million but he had no idea what property sold for in this once famous industrial town. The shipyards were long gone, as was the coal industry, replaced by call centres and car manufacturing plants.
Before he reached the front door, it opened and for moment, Daly went back to the era in which he'd first met Graham Brotherton. At first, he barely recognised him. The man standing on the step bore little resemblance to the overweight untidy detective who had worked at Park Road for over thirty years. Brotherton hadn't shrunk from his original six foot two height, but his lank greasy dark hair was now silver grey and cut close to his head. His suntanned and weather-beaten face showed hardly any lines apart from in the corners of his bright blue eyes. Daly glanced down at his stomach hoping all the recent cakes hadn't added to his waistline and his beige linen suit hadn't creased too much.
Brotherton stepped forward his hand outstretched. 'I'm still shocked Ted, to think you've come all this way to see me. You're the first one from Park Road.'
Daly updated him. 'Didn't you hear? We finally got kicked out and are currently becoming acquainted with the new premises?'
'I read you were due to go. I can see the move hasn't impressed you.'
Daly threw up his arms. 'Old habits, as they say.’
'Come in, I can't keep you on the doorstep. Alice is busy with some drinks. I bet you could do with a stiff one after sitting on the train for four hours. Or would you prefer tea?'
Daly suddenly relaxed. Inside, the house was spacious and well furnished and it occurred to him that maybe ex Detective Inspector Brotherton wasn't living on his pension alone. He followed his host into a large lounge where a slender woman who looked to be in her early fifties was holding a tray of cut glass tumblers and a bottle of malt whiskey.
'Sit down Ted,' Brotherton said.
Daly wished he could take off his shoes but th
ought that might be taking liberties. 'Those cross country trains are bloody cramped and uncomfortable, not like the old 125’s he stated.
'I bet there wasn't a buffet coach either.'
Daly laughed. 'Probably a good thing.'
Brotherton took the tray from his wife and placed it on a large pine coffee table. 'Alice, meet Ted.'
Daly almost forgot his manners and struggled to get up.
'Stay where you are Ted,' she said and bent down to shake his hand. 'This is great for Graham. It was sad that none of his old colleagues bothered to keep in touch. Still, she said and turned to her husband, 'you've made a few friends in the Northumbria force, haven't you?'
Brotherton nodded. 'Great bunch, I help out a bit with fundraising for injured officers. We have loads of events and the public are always very generous.'
Daly was surprised he'd made friends with serving officers after retiring. 'Sounds like you have a good life up here.'
Daly finally stood up and raised his glass. 'Thanks for seeing me. I'll try not to bore the arse off you, just a bit of background stuff and I'll get out of your hair.'
They touched glasses and Brotherton reiterated. 'I still can't believe you're in my house.'
'I tell you what. I bloody hope I look as good as you do when I reach the same age. How come you're so fit and well?'
Brotherton smiled. 'Getting out of the force Ted, that's what did it from me. I was a mess, didn't think I'd make it to sixty, let alone nearly eighty. I tell you what, I've never felt better, got a great life and I'm finally happy.'
Daly knew he didn't want to face up to retirement and that's why he kept on delaying it. Yes, he'd pissed off the Chief Constable often enough without getting the heave ho, but the next time might be his last. He shuddered, thinking about his long-term adversary and vowed to behave himself in future. As long as he didn't make any monumental blunders, they'd have a hard time getting rid of him.
Then again, he glanced at Brotherton and felt a tiny bit of anxiety. Maybe he needed to consider what he’d said about the benefits of retirement.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
It's almost dawn, a good time to be alone. I came back feeling dissatisfied hoping to find the place deserted and not secured properly. Then I saw the sailors moving like wraiths through the low-lying mist. They have eyes like hawks, so I must move my position.
I should have remembered that water sports enthusiast's rise early, ever keen to use their time effectively, especially today when the weather forecast is good once the fog lifts. I stare across at the scene guarded by a single uniformed officer. He scans the surrounding area with night vision binoculars but now I am practically invisible.
With this second discovery, the mystery deepens. More truth seekers will arrive when the last of the darkness lifts giving way to a pale sky. A bigger group of analytical minds is essential if they hope to succeed, but this will bring further problems. Disagreements are inevitable as opposing theories gain momentum and there is always the risk of misinformation reaching the public. Corruption hovers tantalisingly close to those determined to hide facts and identifying these culprits won't be an easy task. Accusations are worthless unless you can prove them.
Yesterday the woman stood out. She was particularly interesting because she is ill and continues to work. The reason she does is simple, two bodies are a stronger magnet than one. The rest are going through the motions, diligently collecting evidence that will inevitably throw up inconsistencies.
The man who stood out is tough, experienced and not known to the woman. That was obvious from how they interacted. She will do better if she listens to him. Together they have more chance of success.
Neither one is troubled by ego, or status, making theirs a dangerous liaison.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
A ten-minute walk took Daly and Brotherton to The Sunderland Navy Club not far from the marina.
On the way, Brotherton told the story of how he’d ended up in Sunderland. He'd met Alice on one of her rare visits to Cheltenham to visit her ageing aunt. During her stay, she'd decided to give Sainsbury's a miss and go to Waitrose instead as it was the closest supermarket. Her aunt's equally ageing car had started to play up and when Alice had finished loading the shopping into the boot, she was horrified to find the right rear tyre was completely flat.
'That's where I came in,' Brotherton said. 'I changed it for her, end of story. Except I worried about the age difference and never imagined it would come to anything. After I left Park Road and Meg and I got divorced, I was in a bad way. Alice didn't want to move south and asked me to come up here. My two kids had no objections, they just wanted me to find a bit of happiness, so I followed her here and started to pull myself together. Alice was already a member of The Navy Club and she introduced me to all her friends and encouraged me to give the sailing a go. Now I have my own little sailing boat. Here we are.'
They stopped outside an unattractive square building on a corner. Daly couldn't wait to sample a northern pint and followed his old colleague into the bar.
'What do you fancy?' Brotherton asked.
'A local brew please,' he said and looked around.
The place was busy. Brotherton pointed to a table at the back where it was less crowded and Daly noticed the passing glances as they walked across the room.
When they sat down Brotherton lowered his voice. 'They're wondering who you are.'
'I'm not being anti social Graham but I'd rather you didn't introduce me to anyone,' Daly whispered. ‘Better to stay incognito.'
Brotherton looked at him surprised. 'That's spy talk.'
'No one knows I'm here except the wife. This is unofficial.'
'Let's have a couple of drinks then head over to the marina. Alice said she was going to bed early to read. She knows you want to talk to me privately about Park Road.'
'She's a lovely woman,' Daly said, feeling slightly envious.
'How's Jean?' Brotherton asked, as if he'd read Daly's mind.
Daly was surprised he remembered her. 'Fine,' Daly said before downing half of his beer. 'We've moved out of Cheltenham. Bought a dilapidated cottage out in the sticks and just got a dog as well.'
'I never clocked you as a country person Ted. I'm surprised.'
They left after their second pint. The same curious stares followed them until they got to the door. It was still light as they crossed the coast road and Daly watched the grey North Sea pounding onto the sand. The cool wind whipped at his face and straight through his lightweight suit. Although he felt cold, it was invigorating and the tall masts bobbing around in the marina fascinated him.
'This was the original site for the old North Dock in Sunderland Harbour, designed by Brunel during the first half of the nineteenth century,' Brotherton explained.
'Sunderland was one of the greatest ship building towns in the world, shame it all ended up in Korea,' Daly said.
'When the yards closed, they started gentrifying this area as part of the town's refurbishment.'
'Isn't Sunderland's a city now?'
'It is, and a different place. No heavy industry now, but it's on the up.'
Brotherton showed him around the Marina. Daly admired the snazzy apartment buildings as gulls swooped overhead. 'I can understand why you've settled here,’ he said.
'It's living by the sea. It makes you feel free. We have all the popular water sports and you can even learn to surf. Fancy a go?'
Daly stared at the North Sea and shook his head. 'If I was fitter I might.'
'Here's an idea. Why don't you and Jean come up for a weekend? We've plenty of room.' Daly knew his wife would jump at the chance. The landscape was so different. She'd often suggested Northumberland as a holiday destination. The castles were the attraction, especially Bamburgh. He checked the time and reminded Brotherton about the purpose of his visit. I'll get back to you on that idea. You said you’d hung on to some documents and we could talk. It will have to be tonight as I'm heading home later on tomorrow.'
Daly bent down and brushed sand from the bottom of his trousers. 'Right now I'm permanently on red alert. You are right about the amount of stress that goes with this bloody job. You made the right choice leaving Park Road.'
Brotherton turned his head away. 'I haven't been completely honest with you Ted. Even Alice doesn't know the truth.'
Daly felt a twinge of apprehension. What was he about to divulge. Perhaps he shouldn't have made contact. His short relationship with him had been more professional than social, other than on the rare occasions when they met up in the pub.
Brotherton sounded nervous. 'The Walker investigation had cost a fortune, especially for those days. The work force deployed caused problems due to the miner’s strike. Operation Clover offered plenty of overtime, but half of the people working on it fiddled their expenses.'
'We've all done that at some point,' Daly said.
'I'm not talking a few quid here Ted. I found out through a snitch that three of my team, all seasoned officers who should have known better were cheating, claiming hundreds supposedly for information received. I confronted them, said I'd report them to DCS Ledbetter, but soon found out he was on the take as well. When he got wind of me threatening them he only started hurling accusations at me.'
Daly wished Brotherton would move on to the results of the investigation. 'I don't need to know about bent cops or your feud with Ledbetter. Back then loads of cops were out for themselves, didn't give a shit about doing the job properly.'
'It's relevant Ted. I'd overheard stories about Ledbetter but refused to believe them. Nobody liked him and plenty knew he was dodgy, but he got away with it. He was well in with the Chief Constable but stupidly I still reported him. Then I made another mistake. While I was with the Chief, I told him something I'd only just discovered about the Walker couple. I was beginning to see the case from a different perspective and had plenty of new ideas. Everyone assumed the family was murdered. Who could hide five bodies successfully Ted and no one see a bloody thing? The public gave us tons of sightings and other leads so we searched most of bloody Gloucestershire. Even had help from neighbouring forces. I told the Chief I wanted to get rid of some of the staff working on Clover because I didn't trust them. He didn't like that one bit. Told me it was closing down completely. What a bloody shock that was, then it got worse. The next day Ledbetter summoned me and suggested I retire by the end of the month. When I started arguing with him, he got really nasty. Banged on about how many complaints he'd had about my attitude from the team. I told him I wouldn't retire until I'd solved the Walker case and that shut him up, but only temporarily.'