by Emily Selby
'Good point.' Katie fiddled with her spoon. 'Did you hear anything about the Stanleys and the Marinos having a deal relating to the house? Or something with the house lease?'
'No, not really. I don't think this was discussed in town at all.'
'Are there any Stanleys still living in town, or their relatives?'
'No. The Stanleys were transient, often on the go, kids in and out of school. The local grapevine said they were always on the run from the police, and other government agencies. Anyhow, I think my mum will join us in a minute. How about we set the table for dinner?'
'Sure,' Katie said and got up to help. She added the mysterious house deal to her mental list of things to explore. She was running out of mental space to hold all this information. She should sit and write it all down, as she had done for Mrs Dunbar's murder. She could use the same notebook. She'd do it once she had access to her flat again. Hopefully tomorrow.
19
The first thing Katie heard when she walked through the staff door in the morning was Chris' raised voice.
'But why is this taking so much time? Michael is not the murdering type,' Chris said with a hint of criticism.
Kate hunched. Was there another argument in the air? She didn't like people arguing - it made her think back to her parents' heated "discussions". She pushed the door to the staff room with her heart hammering.
Jack and Chris were standing in the middle of the room, still in their jackets, looking as though they'd been there for a while. The atmosphere was tense.
Katie slipped behind Jack's back into her office and closed the door. She blew out a breath, but although not in the room, she could hear every word.
'I understand your frustration, but I can't speed it up.' Jack's words were clipped.
'But it's taking too long. In the meantime, Michael and his family's reputation and his livelihood are at stake.'
'Chris, I told you, I can't speed it up. And Michael is not helping by refusing to talk. He can't or won’t account for his movements on the day of Stanley's murder.'
'He was out with his father, taking him to see a doctor. What's wrong with that?'
'He wasn't there the whole time and could easily have sneaked out.'
'Remind me again, why would he do it? He didn't even know Ash Stanley.'
'That's what he says. Yet the victim had a photo of Michael's phone on his phone.'
'So what? Do you really believe they met?'
'I collect evidence, Sergeant Fox, not beliefs. And the original document is missing from Michael's office,' Jack said in a voice that could have frozen a pot of the hottest chilli.
'Didn't he report a break-in? Someone stole the documents. We need to find the thief,' Chris said eventually, his voice strained. 'Besides, Michael can't possibly be responsible for Zac's murder. I can't imagine him clambering over roofs. And he was home, with his family and friends on the day of the murder. They've confirmed it. Is it not enough?'
'Yes, I'm aware of that.' Jack's voice was steady again, but it had an undercurrent of irritability. 'He could have hired someone. Zac was just a tool. Michael didn’t want to get rid of Stanley, he wanted the house and the plot of land. Once Stanley was out of the game, it would be easier to persuade the Marinos to sell the house. Michael had a motive, an opportunity and means to kill him, even if he didn’t physically kill Stanley.'
'Okay,' Chris said slowly. 'I can see your logic. I don't argue with this. But I really can't imagine Michael killing anyone.'
'He's your friend, Chris. It's hard to imagine our friends doing bad things.'
'I'm an experienced police officer, Inspector Heaton. I'm not naive. I've seen all sorts and don't trust people easily. Please, don't undermine my opinion.'
'I'm not...'
Katie's stomach signalled that the saturation of hostility in the room might have reached a dangerous level. Any further in the exchange and sparks might fly. Katie pushed the door into the staff office.
The silence in the room was so intense someone could snap any minute.
She had no idea how to intervene, but she hoped with a third-party present, the men would at least try to behave in a civil manner.
'Am I interrupting anything?' she asked, keeping her voice steady. Chris was leaning against the filing cabinet, his face burning red, and his forehead glistening. His eyes were throwing thunderbolts.
Jack stood in the opposite corner, near the fax machine, holding a plastic folder in front of his chest as if for protection. His brow furrowed when she glanced at him.
'Not at all,' Chris said, blowing hard.
'Sorry, I couldn't help but overhear. It's hard not to listen,' she waffled on, desperately searching for things to say. A cold bead of sweat formed on her temple. She'd have to share her hunches then! So be it! 'And there is something I wanted to discuss. It may be important, it may not. I've heard some gossip regarding the Marino's house, the one on Stream Drive. And I have a hunch.'
Jack sent her a look that could splinter wood, which she ignored.
'I think the Marinos are involved. They should be interviewed,' she added and immediately regretted it.
'Yes, madam,' Jack replied in that frosty voice again. 'This is an avenue we are exploring, but for me to continue with the investigation, I need an impartial team,' Jack turned to face Chris. They looked like two dogs getting ready to fight. Katie's stomach clenched again.
'That's why I have to ask you, Sergeant Fox, to step back from this investigation. I'll talk to Inspector Lumley about putting you on other duties until this investigation is over, or Michael is cleared off suspicions.'
Heat flashed in Chris' eyes. His jaw dropped. Katie gulped.
Jack walked out. Chris stared blankly at the wall.
'Chris,' Katie said carefully, her throat parchment dry. 'I understand you want the best for your friend. Inspector Heaton’s right. It's better for everyone if you stay away from the investigation.'
'He's overreacting. I can be impartial,' Chris croaked and waved his hand at her. 'He didn't have to remove me from the case. I think he's wrong, and I want justice for Michael!'
'And you'll get it. Just let him handle it.'
Chris glared at the wall in silence again.
'It's been a very stressful, week for us all,' she added, soothingly.
'It has...' he drawled through his teeth.
'It's hard to support your friend and deal with the doubt he might be the killer.'
'Michael is no killer. Stop it!'
'Neither is Kevin,' Katie said, looking straight into Chris' eyes.
Chris looked as though he’d been working the graveyard shift for a week. Sunken cheeks, uneven shave and his strawberry blond hair stuck out in tufts in all directions.
'I felt like it took forever to get all the evidence through,' Katie continued. 'It's awful when you’re in the middle of it, but you're actually powerless. All you can do is to watch your friend melt in front of you. Getting angry doesn't help. '
'What does help, then?'
Katie shrugged to shift the heavy weight that landed on her shoulders. She hadn't quite thought this pep talk through.
'Wait. Do whatever you can do and wait.'
'Just wait? Thank you, lass. So, that’s the message you have for me, what about him?' Chris pointed at Jack who just walked through the door again. 'What have you got for him?'
'And for you, DI Heaton, I have the same message I had before.'
'Which is what?' he asked, his voice more relaxed now. Did he know what was coming?
'To listen to people's hunches. The fact you don't have your own intuitions doesn't mean other people don't get any. And if you're able to hear them out and understand what they're telling you, you may get a lot of useful information.'
Jack cocked his head.
'All right, Miss Hunch. What do you have for us, then?'
Katie exhaled, feeling the tension dissolving slowly. At least, she had this part prepared. Well, a little.
'You need to take into consideration what Chris is telling you, because... because it's called...' she stuttered, scrambling for words. Shoots! What was it called? She really should have not quitted the university law course. 'Character evidence. Chris knows Michael, and this is what he's telling you.'
'Good point, lass,' Chris said.
'I'll take it as such.' Jack said. 'But I still believe you need to step back from the case, Chris. Let us do our job. I've talked to Inspector Lumley about it.'
'Okay, but I still don't like the sound of that,' Chris said, now with less tension.
'Katie,' Jack turned towards her. 'What hunches did you want to share?'
Put on the spot, Katie stumbled.
'Let me just check where you all are with your knowledge of the local gossip.' She glanced at Jack. She had to somehow get him to admit how much he knew about the deals over the Marion's house and land.
'Jack, you talked to Harold Bower yesterday. What did he tell you?'
Jack's eyebrows shot up. 'Are you fishing for information?'
'Yes and no. I have my own sources. We can compare notes. I just don't want to repeat something you've already heard.'
'Smooth.' Jack said quietly. 'Ok. Here’s the gist. Stanley contacted Harold Bower a couple of weeks ago, no exact date. It was about that old house on the plot behind the Dunbar property. Apparently, he has a claim to the house and was trying to get a sense how much he could sell it to Bower senior for. From my understanding, he was simply fishing for information. He didn't know much about the situation on the house. Harold also talked about Michael being only a minority shareholder, and an employee rather than a full-on owner.'
'Yeah,' Chris cut in.' It's been an issue between Michael and his old man. But Michael has to dance to his father's tune. Harold has made some bad decisions lately. Michael’s been working really hard to fix things. Honestly, the old man is losing it and he won't admit it, not even to himself.'
'I hear he's quite stubborn,' Katie said, remembering a chat with the health care assistant. 'Rumours suggest the company is not in a good way.'
Chris nodded. 'The worst thing is, Harold can still fool people that he's alright. He is not. Michael is worried his father's insisting on making all the decisions.'
'I've heard they won't be paying shareholder dividends this year,' Jack cut in casually.
So, Harold wasn't as shrewd a businessman as he considered himself. Maybe Michael's actions were really justified?
'On top of everything else, houses on the new estate aren’t selling too well. No one wants to live with a view over an eyesore.'
Chris sent Jack another dagger-filled glance. 'It's looking grim, despite Michael's efforts. And with the pace this investigation advances it can get only worse.'
Jack pursed his lips.
Katie chewed on her cheek. How far was Michael Bower capable of going to save the company? Would he kill to buy out the eyesore?
'Now, tell us what you know, Katie,' Jack said after a brief pause.
Katie told them about the gossip around debts and the legend of the hidden treasure.
'I think the result is what we saw on that document. The ring may be part of the treasure trove. The house has not been sold because no one wants to let go of it without searching it properly. And it's too dangerous to search. So, each is trying to eliminate the other party.'
Jack folded his arms.
'There is absolutely no indication of the existence of a treasure trove. What's your evidence? The ring you found in the workshop?'
Katie felt her scalp burning right to the tip of her copper-colour hair.
'My workshop used to belong to the Marinos as well.'
'How long ago?'
'No idea. But I'm sure you can find old deeds if you look hard enough.'
'Yeah, bring on some more deeds writing in spiking curly hand writing with dip pens,' Jack said and waved his hand.
An image of her dip pen pushed into Zac Greenberg's jugular flashed through Katie's mind. A wave of nausea hit her stomach. She swallowed hard, trying to contain it.
'No dip pens, with ink or any other substance,' Katie said, 'Just normal pens, pencil, or in the worst case, feathers. I'll bring you more info if I find any, but this is all I've got for now.'
Jack inhaled loudly. 'That's a load of... useful info to process,' he said, drawing out some of the words.
'Thank you, Inspector.' Katie said, caustically. 'Now, how are you going to check the evidence for it?'
Clearly, Jack did not see it coming, and he flinched.
'You normally say you need to support guesses with evidence. Here is something for you. As I said, I think you should interview the Marino women. Get them to tell you their real reasons for returning to town after all these years despite the bad memories.'
Jack's head jerked back.
'Ah,' Katie carried on, feeling giddy. Where was all this coming from? 'Sorry, I forgot. They both live under the name Parker.'
Katie delivered her message, turned on her heel and walked back into her office. Still light-headed like a teenage girl on the first date.
20
Half an hour later there was a light knock on her office door.
'Yes?' Katie called out from her desk. Today's tasks, apart from calming the stormy waters in the office, included learning to set up the new video conferencing system. The system arrived earlier in the week and it was Katie's job to set it up. The boss, Andy Lumley, was very keen not only on building closer relationships with his colleagues in the region, but also with other agencies in town.
The door open and Katie turned to face it.
'Just me. Can I come in?' Chris said ruffling his hair.
'Sure.'
'Sorry about the outbursts earlier. It's been hard.'
Katie nodded. 'I thought so. I'm sorry if what I've said upset you even more.'
Chris leant on the wall next to the door.
'Heaton’s right, though. I need to keep my mind open and unbiased. I can do it. I'm a cop. A good one.'
'I have no doubts about your ability to do any of these,' Katie said and paused. She sensed Chris wanted to say something else.
Chris rubbed his forehead. 'I think you've got a point about him'—he made a quick move with his head back, showing the door-'he needs to learn how to talk to local people. We're not a load of blooming computers.'
'Thank you, Chris.'
'You're really good. It's a shame you didn't get to finish law school. Are you thinking of going back?'
Katie stifled the urge to join in with 'poor me'. It hurt.
'Maybe one day, when Julia is bigger, and have enough savings. But first, I'd have to find a better place to live.'
'You don't like your flat?'
Katie chewed on her lower lip. It wasn't an easy question to answer.
'I like having my own place, without old memories to face. It's affordable and large enough for the two of us, but it really needs an upgrade.'
'Have you got anything else in mind?'
'A nice modern house with a little garden and a view over the stream and the fields and hills behind.'
'Michael's estate. Good choice! When you’re ready, let me know, I'll talk to Michael to find you a nice deal.'
Katie thanked him with a smile.
'Thanks for your support, lass.'
'No prob. Any time. As you have done it for me many times.'
Chris pushed himself off the wall and grabbed the handle. 'One more thing,' he said. 'You may like it. DI Heaton rang the Marino women. They're coming for an interview this afternoon.'
Katie heart flipped in a bounce of joy, and then froze again. How was she going to learn what happened?
'And I have a special surprise for you.'
'What is it?'
'At our strategy meeting last Monday, we talked about using our resources better, remember?'
'Yeah,' Katie glanced at the teleconferencing set, which was part of what happened.
'One of the thing
s we suggested was to make better use of your skills and time.'
'That, I do know very well.' Katie said, pointing at the large cardboard box on her desk.
Chris gave a sharp laugh. 'But I bet you gonna love this one! I suggested to Inspector Heaton that instead of using a junior officer to help out with the interview, he can simply record it and get you to transcribe it.' Chris's face brightened with a grin. 'You're very welcome!' he added and walked out.
Katie gasped.
'What? She was going to get more work still? Transcribing?! She hated transcribing. It was tedious. Honestly, they should have just got one of those voices to text software. There was a lot of really good stuff out there, and cheap too.
Why on earth should she be happy about it? Transcribing an interview with Chiara and Sofia! Christ must have lost his mind!
Katie blew out a breath. Suddenly, she realised what it meant. She was going to know what they had to say!
She jumped to her feet and pushed the door handle.
'Chris!' She called out. But he must have already gone. The staff room was empty.
Katie retreated back to her office.
'Thank you, Chris,' she whispered to herself. Returning to the video conferencing equipment wasn't such a daunting thought.
A series of short, sharp sounds interrupted Katie's workflow. Someone was pushing the buzzer in the reception. She forced herself to refocus, but the sounds attacked her again, angrily. Whoever was on duty this morning must have had more important things to do than man the desk.
Katie got up, irritation growing in her with every push of the bell button.
The staff room and the duty rooms were empty, but there were two people in the reception area.
The Marino women.
Sofia was pacing back and forth within the limited space. Her heels clicked on the stone floor. Click, click, click, click, click, click. Exactly six steps to go from one end to the other, and then six more clicks to return. Chiara was sitting in her wheelchair apparently asleep.
The moment Sofia spotted Katie in the reception area, she trotted towards the counter.