I told Reb as much.
“Nothing I can do about it. That’s what the autopsy showed. You now know as much as I do. Maybe more. I haven’t been in on any of your little interviews.”
“I’ve not found out much from the interviews. I don’t know what’s going on any more than you do. We’ve got to find the girl we chased, I’m betting everything on this case on what she knows. I’m sure she knows something.”
“What about Joe?”
“Who told you?”
“Pill gave me a call yesterday. It sounds bad.”
I sighed. I’d asked Pill not to tell anyone else but I guessed it didn’t matter who knew now that Harry knew what was going on. “Yeah, it is. The police will want to talk to him again. He looks good for it but I don’t think Joe did it.”
“Was he with Harry?”
“No, I don’t think he was.” I thought back to the night we’d found the corpse. Joe on my doorstep. It made me wonder. But I didn’t say anything.
“I can’t say I’m sorry anyway. I never really liked the fellow. He was always dodgy as far as I could tell.”
“Yeah, but he’s my friend. I don’t think he did it.” I said this more for my own benefit than for Reb’s.
“What’s the plan today then?”
“I’ve got to make a few phone calls.”
“Who to?”
“I don’t know. Go back to the beginning I guess.”
*
I called Peter Parkinson but he was out, probably at work. I hadn’t thought to ask him what he did. It didn’t seem relevant at the time. I thought about calling James Tamerlain but I was fairly sure I’d be wasting my time there so I didn’t. I didn’t have his number handy anyway. I guessed I could get it off Johnny.
I smoked a joint and thought about whom to call but I couldn’t come up with any decent solutions. The joint was a dry left over from the night before and brown with tar. It didn’t taste good and didn’t really do anything for me. After the amount I’d smoked this week it would take more than just one joint to get me going. I smoked it down to the roach though, only putting it out when it started to burn my lips. I finished my cup of coffee and lit a cigarette. I was at a dead end and I didn’t know what to do. The case was going cold and there was nothing I could do about it. My detective work would have to be something I could do from the couch. Like thinking. I’d have another joint to aid the process but I was out. I’d have to get Pill round to bolster my supply. That’s the problem with being tight, you’re reliant on others for your supply of drugs. I could have a drink but I didn’t feel like drinking so early in the morning. Still, there was a bottle of scotch in the cupboard. I’d have another cup of coffee with maybe just a tot to get me going. I was still in pain so I was allowed.
I decided to call Johnny to see if he had anything to say on the matter. He was in, which was a bit of luck because I didn’t feel like moving today.
“Johnny. It’s Jake.”
“Hi, Jake. How’s it going?”
“Not bad. We’ve found out pretty much all we can for now. We’re at a bit of a dead end.”
“So are we. We’re not getting anywhere on the drug angle. I don’t think her death had anything to do with the drugs. She kept it quiet after all. I think she was probably a weekend user or something. Her boyfriend didn’t seem to know anything about it either.”
Nobody’s a weekend user of heroin, I thought.
“Yeah, I don’t think the drugs have got anything to do with it. Did you get any response to the reconstruction?”
“No, but we’re running it on Crimewatch. We’ll have to wait and see.”
“Might get something from that, I suppose. Are you getting anywhere on tracking down the girl?”
“No, we’ve asked for her to come forward, and we’re making the appeal again tonight, but I’m not holding out any hope.”
“No, I can’t find her either. I don’t think she wants to be found. What about Joe?” I asked.
“He’s been pulled in again. I have to tell you, he’s acting funny for someone who’s been pulled in on a murder. He seems to think everyone’s out to get him.”
“He’s ill, Johnny. It’s not his fault. It doesn’t mean he did it.”
“Yeah, well, I know he’s your friend and all but he looks good for it and he’s in with Harvey at the moment. It’s his illness I’m worried about. Sick people kill people, too, you know. Just because he’s sick doesn’t mean he didn’t do it.”
“He didn’t do it.”
“He’s got no alibi and he’s not getting out in the state that he’s in at the moment. I think he’s dangerous and so should you. He’s on suicide watch, too. I thought you should know. It’s pretty serious and it looks bad for him. He’s ranting, too. It’s not helping. I don’t know, Jake, but I’m beginning to think he might have had something to do with this girl’s death. Some of the things he’s saying just aren’t making sense.”
I couldn’t see it somehow. I didn’t think Joe was dangerous at all. But then, just how well did I know him? There was a lot about Joe I didn’t know.
“What about the muffler and the umbrella and the legs and her neck being broken and the strangulation marks? Can you explain any of that? It sounds too strange to be a psycho, surely? And the note? What’s all that about shadows? It doesn’t sound like the work of a disordered mind. Surely if it was Joe he’d just strangle her and be done with it?”
“It sounds exactly like the act of a disordered mind. Who knows what Joe was thinking? I certainly can’t tell. I wouldn’t trust him as far as I could throw him. He said Harry’s left him and I’m not sure Harry’s safe either.”
“He’d never do anything to hurt Harry.”
“Well I’m glad you’re sure of that, because I’m not.”
“When are you letting him out? Haven’t you got any other suspects?”
“No, no other suspects Jake. I have to tell you, I’m looking at Joe for this.”
“Well I still don’t think he did it.” I wasn’t sure though. I just wasn’t sure.
“We’ll have to agree to differ. I’m waiting to see what the psych evaluation turns up, but I don’t think he’s getting out of here. I wouldn’t want to risk it.”
“Well I guess we’re at an impasse. I’ll let you know if I find anything out.”
I wished I could tell him about the wedding band. But it was more than it was worth to say anything. Let him find out on his own. That was what he was paid for.
“Keep in touch then.”
“Anything from the parents?” I asked before he could hang up.
“No, nothing. They hadn’t seen each other for years. Some big family bust up but I got the sense they were holding back. I don’t think it’s got anything to do with the case though so I didn’t push it. They didn’t seem all that cut up. They might talk to you.”
“Can you give me their phone number?”
“I shouldn’t really.”
“I’ll be discreet.”
He ummed and ahhed for a bit but he gave me the number. I didn’t bother to ask for James Tamerlain’s number. I didn’t want to use up my quotient of good will on a dead end.
*
15. Sedition
I didn’t have a chance to call the parents. Harry came round.
I went down to the front door as soon as the bell rang. I was hoping it was a Jehovah’s Witness so I could vent some of the anger that was building up inside me. The stairs played havoc with my lower back but I managed it OK. I opened the door and there was Harry. I felt a wisp of breeze on my face as I opened the door. She had on a bomber jacket but it didn’t look dated on her, and tight jeans with the same trainers as the day before. She looked like she’d been crying. I held the door open for her and she stepped into a hug. It was brief but it meant the world to me. I guess it meant a lot to her too. She held on tight for a moment then let go and walked past me into the hall. She looked good, even though her eyes were rimmed with red.
&
nbsp; “Come on up,” I said.
We walked up the stairs past my rows of books and into the front room. The radio was on. She turned to me as she took her coat off. She had on a tight white top, which showed off her small breasts. I could see the outline of her ribs pressing against it. I looked away, ashamed at the thoughts I was having at a time like this.
“I heard,” I said. “Are you OK?” It was a stupid question but I asked anyway.
“I left him.” She sniffed and sat down. Her eyes were brimming with tears. I wanted to put my arms around her again, to feel her pushing against me, but I sat down instead. My feelings weren’t important at the moment. I’d be no good to her if I was feeling horny. I set my hopes and dreams to one side.
“He told me.”
“It’s over. Johnny told me what he’d done. I’m scared of him now more than ever.”
“He’d never do anything to hurt you.”
“No,” she said, looking down at her feet. “I don’t suppose he would. But I’m still scared of him. I knew he was ill but I didn’t think he was that ill. I can’t believe what he’s done and he’s never told me.”
“It was probably something he wanted to forget.”
“But he’s never been well as long as I’ve known him. And to think that he had that kind of violence inside him all the time and I didn’t know.”
“He’s good at keeping secrets.”
“What did he say to you?”
I thought for a moment. It wasn’t my place to tell her he’d been seeing someone else. But then my feelings aside she was still my friend and I didn’t think it would be good to keep it from her. A smaller, snide part of me thought that telling her would really drive the coffin nails home.
I decided on the middle ground.
“He told me he knew the girl. The police took him in for questioning. He’s in again today. I spoke to Johnny earlier and he said they thought Joe was dangerous. He’s being held on suicide watch in the cells at the station. They’ve taken his shoelaces away and everything. I don’t think he’s very well. He’s paranoid at the best of times but the police really are after him now.”
“Perhaps that’s why he thought the police were after him? Because he’d really done something?”
I thought about this. It didn’t ring true that Joe was a killer but then like Johnny said, I couldn’t discount it.
“I don’t know enough about it to tell you one way or another. I don’t think he did it but then he’s my friend so perhaps I just don’t want to believe.”
She sobbed then. “But what if he did do it? I shared my bed with the man. I feel so dirty.”
I got up from the armchair and moved over to the sofa where she was sitting. I sat down, wincing from the pain but not crying out, like the man that I was, and took her hand in mine.
She looked like she needed to talk so I sat in silence for a while. I can be caring when I set my mind to it.
“The police spoke to me earlier. They asked me if he was with me on Saturday night. I couldn’t tell them anything. I don’t know where he was Saturday night.”
I thought about Joe on my doorstep. He’d gotten round awfully quick. I should probably tell the police but it looked bad enough for Joe as it was. I’d already gotten what I wanted. Harry was free, after all. I didn’t need Joe to go to prison for Harry to be free. I kept having to remind myself that whatever Joe was he was my friend too. I hoped my trust in him wasn’t misplaced. His trust in me certainly was. Here I was with his ex-girlfriend thinking lustful thoughts. I should be ashamed but I’ve not got that much pride to start with.
“He knew the girl,” she said. “I kept thinking last night, how did he know the girl? Why did he know her? It didn’t make sense. Then I thought about all the little things. About Joe not answering my calls. Disappearing for days. Keeping his own council and seeming to be far away. I just thought he was having a bad time with his illness and everything but I don’t think that now. I think he was seeing her. I think he was having an affair with that little trollop. When I think about the betrayal I’m glad that he’s in jail and that she’s dead. I feel bad for thinking it but there, that’s what I think.”
I was quiet for a while. I knew she was waiting for me to say something. Some sort of absolution. I couldn’t think of a thing to say. I couldn’t make her feel any better by admitting to her my own darker thoughts. I wasn’t glad the girl was dead but I was glad all this had come to light. The further Joe and Harry were rent asunder the better chance I had of getting somewhere. This was as clean a break as I could have hoped for. The better part of me felt bad for thinking these thoughts but I couldn’t stop it just the same.
Sometimes there’s nothing left to say but the truth.
“He was seeing her,” I said.
She cried then. I let her cry for a while. Just sat there, holding her hand. Eventually she said, “It’s not jealousy I feel, it’s betrayal. And the sin isn’t mine. It’s his.
“I don’t think they’re going to let him out for a while. Johnny doesn’t seem to think he’s ever going to get out. Will you be OK?”
“I’ll be fine. I feel stronger than I ever have. I don’t want anything to do with him ever again. Whether he did it or not.”
“Well the police certainly seem to think he did it.”
“I don’t care one way or the other anymore. My days of caring for Joe are over. He betrayed me. He lied to me. I hope he rots in there.” There was more anger in her voice than I would have thought she was capable of. I’d never seen Harry angry and hurt before. I hoped I never had to see it again.
She fell silent for a while and I just sat there holding her hand, stroking the back of her hand where the skin was smooth to the touch with my thumb. She didn’t seem to notice the contact but I could feel electricity singing up my arm. She sobbed for a little longer. She held her head in her free hand but didn’t break contact with me. Her hand squeezed mine tighter. I squeezed back. My heart was in my throat and I was full of conflicting emotions.
We sat like that for some time. She sobbed occasionally. She never let go of my hand. I felt bad while she was crying. My feelings for Harry were all inappropriate stiffies and youthful flushes. I shifted on the seat to hide my embarrassment.
Then, after I don’t know how long, out of the blue she asked me, “Why haven’t you got a girlfriend, Jake?”
I didn’t know what to say. Honesty sprung to mind. “There’s plenty of good looking girls out there but me, I’d rather a girl with a rare mind. Not in an underdone sense, you understand.”
She looked at me thoughtfully, through a sheen of tears. Then she smiled and squeezed my hand again.
”Thanks for being there,” she said. I felt lighter than I had in ages.
We were quiet once again, each alone with our thoughts. Then, suddenly, Harry began singing along to a record that came on the radio. She sung sadly.
She sung to the whole song. I kept quiet and laid my head back against the couch to listen. It wasn’t beautiful and it wasn’t whole hearted but there was something there that tugged at the pit of my stomach. She finished singing and wiped her eyes. She smiled at me again and said, “I should be going.”
She left me sitting there holding my hand where her warmth still lingered. I didn’t see her out.
*
It was early afternoon before I moved off the couch again. I smoked cigarettes until my mouth got so dry I needed to get up and make some coffee. I thought then that I hadn’t offered Harry a drink the whole time she’d been round. I felt like a bad host, but some of the things she said had given me hope. I could still remember how it had felt for her to be holding my hand.
I made coffee and sat back down on the couch. I was planning on putting the television and basking in the warmth that Harry had left inside me. Despite the circumstances I still felt buoyed by her visit. If she knew the things I was thinking I was sure she’d never talk to me again. I sat back down on the couch with a couple of painkillers after tur
ning the radio off and the television on. There was nothing on I wanted to watch and I wouldn’t have been able to concentrate anyway. My brain felt like it had taken a shot of anaesthetic. It couldn’t spell either.
I sat like that for a good couple of hours. I smoked a couple of roaches left over from the night before but there wasn’t really enough there to have any effect. It just made my mouth feel funny and the day old tar stung my lips. I decided to stick to cigarettes.
I was on my second cup of coffee when the phone rang. I’d just laid down and done nothing all afternoon. It was beginning to feel like a foregone conclusion that Joe had killed the girl. I still couldn’t get my head around the possibility.
There didn’t seem to be any point in following up any further leads. I felt lazy and upset and elated. I had a roller-coaster ride of emotions all welling up inside me and I couldn’t think straight at all. I felt like everything was working out right with Harry but then everything else had gone wrong. I’d known Joe for nearly three years. He just couldn’t be a killer. But then why would the police be wrong? Surely they didn’t make mistakes of such magnitude. If they were wrong the killer was edging closer to getting away with it every day. Perhaps I should just carry on with the investigation and see where it led anyway.
I put my thoughts aside and realised the phone was still ringing. I picked it up.
“Hello?”
“Jake, it’s Pill.”
“Pill, what’s up? You at work?” I must have given the impression that I didn’t really want to talk as he sounded put out at first.
”Yeah, still at work but I’m on a break. What’s up with you? You sound stoned.”
“I’m not. Just been thinking is all.”
“About the case?”
“About a lot of things. Nothing important though. What’s up?” I asked again.
“I just thought you should know. I talked to Harvey earlier during my lunch break and they’re going to do a psychiatric evaluation on Joe.”
BLOOD DRUGS TEA (A Dark Comedy Novel) Page 11