Behind them a bell above the door pinged and an older man walked in, towel draped around his neck. He raised his hand to the receptionist who lifted his own in response. Then the man wandered past and into the gym proper.
‘Do you have a few minutes?’ Claudia asked.
‘I can’t really take time away from work, but if you don’t mind me working around you, I can talk,’ he said.
Claudia looked around again. It was quiet enough. She was sure they could manage. If he had anything of evidential value to say then they could organise a statement when he finished his shift. ‘Sure, that sounds fine. What’s your name?’
‘Great. I’m Angus.’
Claudia thanked him. The music in the gym was beating hard through the building and throbbing through Claudia’s bones. She wasn’t a gym-goer. She preferred to get her exercise out in the fresh air rather than being trapped in a building with other sweaty bodies and with a beat you potentially weren’t going to like. Though of course most people took their own earphones.
‘Who is it you’re after?’ Angus asked. He picked up a bottle from under the desk and took a slug.
‘Brendan Carter.’
Angus’s eyes widened. ‘What’s happened?’
It was always difficult, getting cooperation without giving too many details away. Brendan’s family had been informed, which made this an easier conversation. ‘Did Brendan come into the gym last night?’ Claudia attempted to sidestep the question for the time being.
‘Yeah, I remember speaking to him. He was pumped because they, he and his husband, were working on a new project. He was pretty excited about it. Loves his work. I’ve seen some of his shots. He’s pretty goddamn amazing.’ Angus stopped talking and stared at the detectives. ‘Has something happened to him?’
‘I’m afraid to tell you that Brendan has been murdered.’
‘Shit.’ Angus took a step back. He reached out a hand and found the glass of the display cabinet behind him, his palm leaving a print on the smooth surface. ‘Fuck. No.’
‘I’m sorry.’
‘And you think it was on the way home from here?’
‘It appears that way. What time did he leave?’
Angus looked at his watch, even though it wasn’t going to tell him the time from last night. He shook his head. Claudia didn’t know if this was in shock at their disclosure, or because he didn’t know what time Brendan had left. She waited him out.
He shook his head again. ‘I didn’t see him leave. I had a new client. I was tied up last night while he was here and didn’t see him leave.’ He sounded hurt.
‘You said you spoke to him about his new project,’ said Russ.
Angus looked at him surprised, as though only now noticing Russ was there. ‘Yeah. That was when he arrived. We said hello. Spoke for a few minutes. Then he went and did his workout and my new client arrived. I didn’t see him from then. Oh God, I’m so sorry.’
‘Were there any arguments in the gym last night?’ asked Claudia.
Angus ran a hand through his hair and frowned. ‘No. We don’t have many of those. It’s a pretty laid-back place.’
‘What about Brendan? Has he had any run-ins with anyone recently?’
‘Like I said, it’s a laid-back place. And Brendan’s a great guy. I’ve never heard anyone say a bad word to or about him. I can’t believe he’s gone.’
Claudia looked across at the treadmills, where one of the women she’d noticed earlier was now looking pleadingly at the trainer standing beside her. He was waving his hands in the air, encouraging her to keep going for a while longer. Her face said she wanted to do anything but keep going. Claudia longed to walk over and tell the woman that running outside in the fresh air was so much better, with the air in your nose and the breeze on your skin, people to watch or rivers to run alongside. Your view was entirely up to you. But she kept her counsel and focused on what she was doing.
‘Did Brendan mention anything he was worried about that he might not have mentioned at home?’ Claudia was desperate for anything.
‘I’m sorry. We chatted, yes, but I didn’t know him that well. It wasn’t like that. He came here to train. Not to get a coffee and make friends. Gyms are quite isolated places. Most people like to be left in peace generally, other than a welcome when they come in. We provide them with what they need.’
Claudia looked around. She couldn’t see any cameras but she asked the question anyway. ‘Do you have CCTV?’
Angus rubbed his jaw. ‘I’m sorry. The only CCTV we have is in the entryway and carpark. No one wants to think we’re watching them train.’
Claudia looked hopeful but wondered why Angus was looking so forlorn. She questioned him with a look.
He continued. ‘It’s currently down. It’s been down for a week. We’re upgrading it, you see. It’s a really old system, and though no one wants it, what we have needs to be reliable. And what we had just wasn’t.’
Claudia took a deep breath, then thanked Angus and gave him her card. ‘If you think of anything else, please do get in touch.’ She didn’t hold out much hope. It was as though Brendan had disappeared off the face of the earth to then appear again hanging from a bridge over a canal. And only the killer knew what had happened to him.
CHAPTER 34
The post-mortem was a grim affair. It had indeed shown that Brendan Carter had been suffocated by the weight of his own body. There were more tests that Nadira had to send off, but from what she could see from his body she gave Claudia a preliminary report.
Claudia wasn’t sure if she could think of anything more grim than suffocating because you had a brick attached to your feet and the weight of your body was too much for your lungs to bear. The thought made her shudder.
This killer was inventive, and he needed to be brought in quickly before he took the life of anyone else.
Graham had managed to trawl Arundel Gate and seized the council CCTV as well as CCTV from private premises. It had all fitted together to provide snatched glimpses of Brendan as he made his way from Fab and Fit towards home.
Brendan had had a sports bag slung over his shoulder, and Claudia wondered where this bag was now. Brendan looked relaxed, as if he didn’t have a care in the world. Strolling home to his husband in his beautiful apartment, little knowing these were his last moments alive before a crazed killer would scoop him up and make him part of a scene that would have the country talking.
Again, grim.
The incident room watched on in silence as Brendan turned the corner and disappeared out of sight.
‘So we know he was safe when he left the gym,’ said Claudia. ‘He had his gym bag with him and he made it along Arundel Gate. What we don’t know is what happened next. I find it difficult to imagine you pick up a fit guy like Brendan from the street against his will. So was it someone he knew? The problem with that is our circle of friends is wide. We’re not just talking about friends we see regularly, but acquaintances, people you come into contact with and know by sight. I want you to attempt to create a list and interview all of them, though I recognise this is a long shot. Obasi isn’t likely to know everyone Brendan knew in passing. For instance, he won’t know his gym acquaintances. So go back to Fab and Fit and get a list of all clients with active memberships and visit those. There are people who came into the shop. See if Obasi has a record of regular customers and find out what other pastimes Brendan was into. We talk to as many people as we can and find out their whereabouts at the time Brendan walks around that corner.’ Claudia looked at the screen again.
It was a lot of work, but that was the nature of the beast of a homicide investigation. Murders weren’t the thrilling cases that were depicted on television dramas, but a dull slog of enquiries, often going on for weeks at a time as officers tirelessly worked their way through them for the smallest lead. But when a lead came through, it made the slog all the more worthwhile.
But right now the team were staring down the barrel of a long and tedious line of enquiry
.
‘We don’t think it’s the husband?’ asked Rhys.
‘I don’t believe so,’ answered Russ. ‘But when we speak to Brendan’s friends let’s get a feel for the relationship between Brendan and Obasi. We need to rule him out in any case.’
‘He’s obviously got no alibi,’ said Lisa scratching a pen on her scalp through her hair. ‘He was at home waiting for Brendan to come home.’
‘Let’s be as discreet as we can.’ Claudia remembered the sobbing man in the apartment. Now alone. ‘He’s grieving for his husband. I know this has to be done. Just tread carefully.’
Murder affected not only the victim but those left behind. It was of course their job to investigate the death, but Claudia wouldn’t have her team lose sight of the fact that these were real people at the heart of the investigation. No matter how monstrous this killer was. They would follow him with integrity and care for those he was leaving behind.
CHAPTER 35
Dominic lined up with everyone else to enter the prison and go through the security procedures. He was of course taking a risk in visiting Samuel Tyler’s cellmate, but it was a better course of action than visiting Tyler himself and having a big flashing sign above his head showing he was interfering with the case.
No one was paying attention to the cellmate, and Dominic had to keep it that way by making sure Craig Lawton didn’t speak to anyone he shouldn’t do.
His mobile phone was taken from him and boxed securely away. He was then seated in what was called a boss seat. This was a chair that scanned you for any items you might have secreted inside of you. Once cleared, Dominic was moved on to the visitors’ section of the prison.
He hadn’t identified himself as a police officer. He was in the main visiting room with everyone else. This wasn’t a work task. In fact, questions would be asked if anyone found out he was here.
A row of visitors, single men and women, and women with children hanging off their hips, shuffled into the visiting room.
It was a risk coming into the open prison this way as a visitor. If any of the other prisoners recognised him as being a cop, they were extremely likely to kick off and attempt to attack him. Cops were really not popular within these walls. To try to prevent this happening, Dominic kept his head bowed. Refusing to make eye contact with anyone. Hoping they were all focused on their own visitors, their loved ones. After all, they were locked up so long that the joy of seeing a loved one should distract them long enough for Dominic to get in, say what he needed to say and get out again.
Dominic looked around. He’d never met Lawton but had seen his custody photograph. He’d been a little surprised when Lawton had agreed to add him to his visiting order. Maybe the guy didn’t get many visitors and was glad of the request.
The room was filled with the expectant faces of the occupants of the prison.
Dominic’s first concern was that Tyler would be in here, but a couple of seconds scanning the room put paid to that concern.
Next he had to identify Lawton.
The man sat in the corner with hopeful look on his face. Lank hair down to his shoulders. A grey sheen on his skin. It was the hope that was different to his police photograph, where Lawton held a look of arrogance. Now hope shone out. Someone from outside wanted to see him. Prison tended to strip the hope away from you, but it had wheedled its way onto Lawton’s face.
Dominic almost pitied the man waiting for him. Being inside should have taught him better.
Dominic approached.
Lawton lifted his chin in acknowledgement. He half raised himself from the plastic chair pinned to the floor, then in his half-crouched position decided this didn’t warrant him standing for his visitor, especially when he caught the look in Dominic’s eyes. He dropped back to the plastic chair with a thud.
‘Dominic Harrison?’ he asked.
Dominic seated himself opposite and gave a curt nod.
‘Do I know you?’ A puzzled frown crossed Lawton’s face as he tried to place his visitor.
‘You don’t know me. I’m DS Dominic Harrison from Snig Hill police station in Sheffield.’ He allowed the silence to play out as the information sank in. The police didn’t normally visit this way. For starters, they were up front about who they were and didn’t request to see you. They came and pulled you out of your cell and interviewed you at their demand. This was, Dominic knew, highly unusual.
‘I don’t understand.’ Lawton looked around the room as though a group of cops were going to jump out at him, obviously afraid this was some kind of sting operation.
‘Calm down. It’s just me.’
His head stopped rotating, but his eyes flickered around him still. Not sure of his visitor’s honesty. ‘What do you want?’
‘To have a chat with you.’
‘About?’ He scratched at his upper arm. He was a thin man. There was no bulk on him at all. But he was wiry. Dominic suspected he could probably hold his own if he got into a fight. Something he’d be nervous about if any of the occupants in the visitors’ room recognised that he was talking to a cop.
‘Look, I’ve had a look around, I don’t recognise anyone. You can relax.’
‘You still haven’t told me what you want. It’s a bit strange, isn’t it?’ The room was loud with the excited noise of people who were pleased to see each other, but Lawton’s words were low and quiet.
And he was right. This was not by the book at all. Dominic needed to play this extremely carefully. ‘You might be in a position to help me.’ He mirrored Lawton, keeping his voice low. He didn’t want to draw more attention to them than was necessary.
‘Why would I do that?’
Dominic ignored the question. ‘Your cellmate is Samuel Tyler, isn’t it?’
Lawton stiffened.
Dominic waited for a response.
None was forthcoming.
In here Lawton had learned to play the long game. The silent game.
If Dominic wanted something, he had to speak. He had to say what it was he wanted from Lawton rather than expecting Lawton to figure it out alone. ‘Do you know who I am?’
Lawton looked around the room again. Trying, difficult though it was, to make it appear as though he really wasn’t keeping an eye on his fellow convicts. ‘You’re the cop whose wife Sam says he didn’t kill.’
Dominic took in a deep breath. They were already halfway there.
‘That’s what he’s saying, is it?’
Lawton shut his mouth. A solid, thin line on his face. His eyes steely.
Dominic leaned forward and lowered his voice even more. ‘I need for you to tell a different story.’
‘And why would I do that for you, filth?’ Lawton leaned back in his chair and crossed his arms. A look of defiance.
Dominic found he was looking forward to this next bit, even though he had been in two minds about whether he would actually use it. ‘Have you spoken with your son recently? I hear he’s doing pretty well in college. It’d be awful if anything stopped his dreams in their tracks.’
Lawton tipped his head to the side. Narrowed his eyes. ‘What d’you mean?’
Now was the time to play the cards in his hand. See how Lawton reacted. He had to be careful. He didn’t know Lawton, other than the fact he was a family man. Family meant everything to him. It was the reason he was sitting right where he was.
Some goon had tried it on with his daughter after a date. Hadn’t known what the word ‘no’ meant, had taken what he wanted and raped her. His daughter had run home in floods of tears and talked to her parents. Lawton’s first reaction had been to explode out of the house and find the male in question. A beating had gone too far as his temper and anger at his daughter’s distress fuelled him on, and the man had succumbed to his injuries.
Craig Lawton would do anything to protect his family. It was why Dominic had decided to take the route he had. But Lawton had been locked up for a while and could clearly flare up if provoked. Dominic wasn’t protected. The screws didn’t know D
ominic was a cop. Of course they’d protect him as they’d protect anyone. But they weren’t paying him particular attention, and that was because he hadn’t wanted them to. It was swings and roundabouts, the game he was playing.
‘Did you hear he’d been stopped in his car recently?’
Lawton lifted his chin and tightened his jaw. Colour streamed into his face. ‘What d’you know ‘bout that?’
‘I asked him to say hello to his dad. Did he mention it?’
The hand that was on the table curled into a rigid fist, but very quickly Lawton yanked his arm from its position and back into his lap.
Dominic allowed himself the smallest of smiles. Not too much. He didn’t want to gloat and antagonise and put Lawton too far offside. No further than he obviously had. But this had to be done. Gloating on top of the threat was a step too far.
The visitors’ room continued the loud buzz, everyone unaware of the table at the end where the two men were in a silent standoff. There was no movement to give away the animosity and violent threats that were passing from one to the other, but they were clearly heard between the two present. One had the upper hand, though. Circumstances gave him all the cards, and he knew how to play them.
‘What the fuck?’ Lawton hissed.
‘There’s no need to be like that.’ Dominic tried to calm him down. It really would do him no good if Lawton flew off the handle. ‘I just needed to give you a little nudge in the right direction, is all.’
Lawton’s eyes bore into Dominic. ‘For what?’
‘Like I said, I need a little something from you. It won’t be too much trouble.’ He had no idea how much trouble it would actually be.
Lawton hardened his stare and Dominic carried on. ‘As I mentioned, Tyler . . .’
A pulse flickered in Lawton’s jaw.
‘I need for you to tell someone of importance, a screw or suchlike, that Tyler has told you that he did in fact kill Ruth Harrison.’ He leaned back a little, not knowing what reaction was coming.
Lawton paused. Took in what Dominic had said. ‘Your wife, yeah?’
SECONDS TO DIE a totally gripping serial killer thriller with a twist (Detective Claudia Nunn Book 2) Page 13