by Salkeld, J J
Jane was about to say that Hall didn’t look all that busy, just standing there on the lawn in his suit and wellies, but then she remembered that they were at work, not at home.
‘OK’ she said, adding ‘I’ll be in touch with you’.
‘I’m sure you will’ said Hall, watching her walk away. He wouldn’t want to be in Phil Mann’s place, that was for sure.
Half an hour later Hall was standing at a safe distance from the small, white tent. Sandy Smith’s forensic suit was muddy at the knees, but she was smiling broadly.
‘You’ve got the fuckers, Andy. It’s a male stiff, about 40, been in the ground for between one and three years, says the doc.’
‘Any ID on him?’
‘No, but the jaws are intact, and there’s plenty of clothing left. He’ll not be hard to ID.’
‘Anything on cause of death?’
‘The Doc’s being cautious. You know what he’s like though, Andy, he wants to wait ‘til he gets the chance to march around the slab fucking declaiming about all the cool stuff he’s found. But I’ll tell you now it was a stabbing, as you said, and a frenzied attack by the looks of it. The poor bloke was a fucking human colander by the time your killer was done with him.’
Suddenly Hall felt slightly deflated. It was odd, usually that feeling came much later, when the incident room was quiet and everyone had returned to their normal duties. Perhaps it was the setting, or the weather, the low cloud like a shroud on the early summer landscape. He told himself to snap out of it.
‘Timings from here then, Sandy?’
‘We’ll have him dug up and away from here in a couple of hours, so you should have an initial report tonight and the whole bloody lot sown up by the end of the week. But will you need it? Those posh bastards are in for the shock of their lives now, aren’t they? Can you imagine how they’re going to feel when they find themselves on remand in some shit-hole or other?’
Hall couldn’t, and thought that’s perhaps what was making him feel that way. It was illogical, he knew, because one murderer was no better or worse than the next. But even so he did find himself wondering if either brother would survive their years in jail.
Jane had calmed down by the time she reached Kendal station. Ian Mann was long gone, and Phil Mann was sitting waiting in an interview room with Nobby Styles.
‘Sorry to keep you waiting’ said Jane, sitting down next to Nobby. ‘So, Mr. Mann, what is it that you’ve come to tell us?’
‘It’s about Tim, Tim Williams’ he began, and Jane had to suppress the urge to smile. ‘What I told you wasn’t true. He did leave the car, when we were on the ferry that day. I went fishing on my own, and I dropped the car back at his place that night. I just pushed the keys through the letterbox and walked home.’
‘Let’s just go through this more slowly’ said Jane. ‘So was Williams driving when you drove on to the ferry?’
‘Aye, he was.’
‘And had you agreed that you’d swap over drivers, anything like that?’
‘No. He just suddenly said he’d had a better offer, like, and would I slide over into the driving seat, and then take the car home after the fishing.’
‘And he used those words? That he’d had a better offer?’
‘Aye, I’m sure he did. He was smiling when he said it, like.’
‘And then what happened?’
‘He got out, and walked over to the far side of the Ferry. I looked, but I didn’t see him again.’
‘So what did you think had happened? You must have thought about it, something as strange as that.’
Phil Mann shrugged.
‘Did you think he’d climbed into the back of someone’s car? Into the back of a single woman’s car?’
‘No, of course not.’ Mann paused. ‘I thought he’d seen someone he knew, that’s all. Maybe he was trying to surprise them, I don’t know. The first time that I knew something was wrong was when he told me you’d been asking questions. Honest, I hadn’t given it any thought at all.’
‘He mentioned that he’d been interviewed before I spoke to you?’
‘Oh aye, you bet he did. Told me to keep my mouth shut and all.’
‘And why did you do what he said? You committed a serious criminal offence when you lied to me, you know.’
‘Aye, I know. He said it was nothing, just messing about like. He said nothing happened, just a misunderstanding. He thought the girl was someone he knew, and he wanted to surprise her.’
‘And you believed him? Is that what you’re saying?’
‘Aye, that’s it.’
‘I’m sorry, but I don’t believe you. Not for one second. Now you listen carefully to me, Mr. Mann, because you won’t get another chance, you understand me? Either you answer my question honestly, or face the consequences. So I’ll just ask you once more. Why did you lie to me?’
‘All the reasons I said, honest, plus he said he’d tell my wife about a one night stand I had, last year. She doesn’t know.’
‘And how did Tim Williams know?’
‘I told him. What a plank. We were away fishing soon after it happened, and I was worried, like. She kept texting me, you know, all that. I was getting scared.’
‘And what did he say?’
‘He said she must be begging for it. Kept asking me her name. Never stopped going on about it, not for ages. I thought it was a bit weird at the time, like.’
‘So what made you change your mind and tell us the truth? What made you decide to come in and make a statement?’
‘My brother said that whether it was Tim or not that it was bound to happen again. He wouldn’t give up, not once he’d started.’
‘And you know that we think he has attacked again?’
‘Aye, I saw on the news. I knew it was him. Had to be. Got his arse kicked too, by the sounds of it.’
‘He did, but that’s not how it would happen next time, is it?’
‘No, I know that. That woman was lucky.’
‘You were lucky, Mr. Mann. And you’re prepared to give a formal statement, are you? You do realise that you may be called as a witness against Tim Williams if and when this comes to court?’
‘Aye, I know. Ian explained what will likely happen.’
‘Right, let’s make a start then. And one piece of advice, Mr. Mann. Why not tell your wife what happened, rather than worry for months about it coming out in court?’
‘Aye, I will. She’ll probably chuck me out, like, but I suppose I deserve it.’
Before Jane could answer Nobby asked if anyone fancied a brew and a biscuit. It turned out that only he did.
‘So what will happen to Tim now?’ asked Phil Mann, when Nobby had gone.
‘He’ll be arrested, very possibly charged with at least the attack on Rita Bose, and then we’ll see. You do understand that you mustn’t talk to him about this? I expect he keeps contacting you, trying to make sure that you haven’t talked to us.’
Mann looked surprised. ‘Aye, he does. How did you know? Oh, I suppose this is what usually happens, in situations like this, like.’
‘That’s right, Mr. Mann. They say that everyone is different, don’t they? But when it comes to deception, people covering up what they’ve done, then we find they’re pretty much all the same.’
‘And what will happen to me?’
Jane paused. ‘It isn’t up to me, so don’t take this as a promise, but I expect you’ll be asked to accept a Police Caution. It will appear on your record I’m afraid, but you wouldn’t have to go to court, anything like that. Would that be OK?’
‘That would be fantastic, thanks. My brother told me that I could trust you.’
‘I’m not doing you any favours, Mr. Mann. What you did was disgraceful, absolutely disgraceful. If I had my way you’d be prosecuted, and be sent to prison for attempting to pervert the course of justice. But the chances are that’s not what’s going to happen. You’ll probably get a caution, and that will be the end of it. It’s just the system, a
nd the system stinks, if you want my opinion.’
Back at HQ in Penrith Val Gorham was looking out of the window, waiting for the arrival of Amanda Knight. She’d heard stories about her, seen her in court once or twice, but she’d never actually been in a nick that the great Amanda Knight had visited. Gorham found herself wondering if the ladies had been cleaned that morning. She’d only managed to crowbar her way into the case at all because she was Andy Hall’s line manager, and she’d already made her presence felt in a couple of meetings with the CPS. Because Angela Knight or no Angela Knight, Superintendent Gorham was determined to get her slice of the glory from these arrests.
But Andy Hall wasn’t sure how much glory there would actually be. Amanda Knight was pressing for charges to be brought or for her clients to be released, and that made Hall nervous. The chances of worthwhile forensic evidence turning up in or around Plouvin Hall were, he judged, very low, because of the time that had elapsed since Rupert Plouvin’s death, and the near certainty that it was Cliff Morrow who had done the killing anyway. But that hadn’t stopped Hall from deploying every qualified officer in the county to help with the search of Plouvin Hall, and the farmhouse too. To everyone’s surprise a Superintendent, who hadn’t searched anything other than his desk drawers in years, had signed back on duty at the end of his shift to help out. The troops were impressed, and Ian Mann reported that everyone was really grafting.
Hall knew that he’d have to assume that no further physical evidence would turn up, but the CPS had confirmed that they were happy to charge both brothers, based on what they’d already got. And when Amanda Knight told the senior CPS solicitor who was on site that she’d only be representing Christopher Plouvin in future it was clear to Hall what was going to happen.
‘I have a prepared statement to read on behalf of my client’ said Amanda Knight, as soon as the tape was running. ‘Shall I read it for the benefit of the recording?’
‘Please do’ said Hall.
‘My client confirms that he did meet Terry Miles at the Appleby Horse Fair, and that he did seek an introduction to Cliff Morrow. My client met Morrow along with his brother David, and it was agreed that Morrow should encourage Rupert to accept an offer that David and Christopher had already made to Rupert, namely that Rupert should leave the family home and emigrate. This decision was made at the behest of Barbara Plouvin, was entirely instigated by her, and she was fully aware of the implications. Christopher did not request the use of excessive force, merely that general threats should be made. However, Christopher is aware that his brother met with Morrow, possibly with Barbara Plouvin in attendance, and Christopher believes that it was at this meeting that David and Morrow conspired to murder Rupert Plouvin. My client had no knowledge of the intention to murder Rupert, nor of the act itself, until after the event. However, when informed by his brother and sister-in-law he did become involved in the ongoing cover-up. Further, my client was indeed contacted by Cliff Morrow during last year’s Appleby Horse Fair, and at that meeting he agreed to make an additional payment to Cliff Morrow, in return for his silence. It was agreed that payment be made in cash, and that the money was to be handed over at a night-time meeting at Long Meg. My client had every intention of making that payment, but when it took place his brother David produced a shotgun that my client believes he had previously concealed behind one of the stones, and he proceeded to shoot and kill Mr. Morrow. My client did help bury the body, but had no involvement in the planning or execution of the crime.’
Hall nodded, and took the printed copy that Knight pushed across to him. Hall noticed that her fingernails were painted blood red, and he passed it to Jane without looking at it.
‘Just a couple of questions for now, Mr. Plouvin’ he said. ‘But you do appreciate that we will need to take a much more detailed statement from you in due course?’ Plouvin nodded. ‘Good. So let’s talk about the death of Cliff Morrow.’
Plouvin looked surprised. ‘I’d have thought you’d regard my brother’s death as much more important.’
Hall smiled. ‘So when you met Cliff Morrow at the Fair last year he tried, to use a vulgar term, to blackmail you? What was the amount of money demanded by Morrow?’
‘Ten thousand pounds. The same as before.’
‘To be paid in cash, I assume?’
‘That’s right.’
‘And the meeting at the stones was held the night after you met Morrow at the Fair, is that correct?’
‘Yes.’
‘And you intended to pay him off at that meeting?’
‘Yes, exactly.’
‘So did you get the money? And if so, how? Did you pop into the bank, or what?’
Plouvin hesitated. ‘My brother, or rather David and Barbara, were responsible for getting hold of the money.’
‘Really? I am surprised. Our forensic accountants have been over your family’s financial affairs in detail, and our understanding was that you control the vast bulk of the family fortune. Indeed, it seems to us that your brother and Barbara are very much dependent on you financially.’
‘Largely, yes, that’s true, but David has access to money. I don’t know where he got it from.’
‘Did you see this money, this ten thousand in cash, before you met with Morrow on the night that he died?’
‘No. Why should I have?’
Hall didn’t reply. But Amanda Knight knew full well why he’d asked. Because unless the defence could demonstrate that the money had actually been available to pay Morrow that night the only reasonable conclusion was that it had never existed. The brothers had always intended that Morrow should die. Hall knew, and now Amanda Knight knew it too.
‘Let’s talk about Rupert, and the decision that the three of you arrived at to persuade him to leave. What was the origin of that decision?’
‘Barbara’ said Christopher firmly. ‘She was behind it, right from the start. She said that Rupert would always dominate our lives, stop us from achieving anything, from being what we wanted to be. He made no secret of the fact that he didn’t like me, or my sexuality, and I remember him telling me how grateful he was when his first son was born.’
‘That’s understandable, surely?’
‘No, you don’t understand. He was grateful that there was no chance that I would inherit the house, the estate, everything. He kept saying that I’d turn it into some sort of freak show, a holiday home for sodomites I think he called it.’
‘You didn’t like your brother?’
‘No, I didn’t. He was like my father, only worse. At least my father had an excuse, that he was from another generation. But I didn’t want my brother to be killed, just frightened into leaving, that’s all.’
‘And what about your brother and Barbara? Their motivation was somewhat different, I suppose, in that they acted for love.’
Plouvin snorted. ‘Love is for other people, Chief Inspector. For people like you, perhaps, but not for Barbara. For her it’s always a matter of business.’
‘You’re saying that she doesn’t love David?’
‘Of course not, and he knows it. He’s always known it. But what was the alternative for Barbara? End up divorced, living in some damp cottage on the edge of the estate, surviving on a few grand a month for the rest of her days? Oh no, when Barbara took Rupert on and married him a deal had been struck, and she wasn’t going to let any of us go back on the deal. She had become the lady of the manor, and that’s how it was going to stay.’
‘But you’re saying that it was David who instructed Morrow to kill your brother, and who later murdered Morrow. Why would he do that, if he had so little to gain?’
‘My brother is a weak man, and Barbara is the dominant partner in that relationship. Anyone can see that. I’ve told you that he pulled the trigger when Morrow was killed, but the real guilt is hers.’
Hall sat back.
‘And how about you, Mr. Plouvin? What are you guilty of, would you say?’
‘I’ve been stupid, I know that, and no do
ubt you will try to suggest that I’m guilty of various criminal offences, but Barbara and my brother must take the moral responsibility for what they’ve done.’
‘And what if Barbara and David both blame you, what then? After all, you’ve already admitted that it was you who introduced the family to Cliff Morrow, and you’re the one who met with Morrow a year later to arrange the blackmail payment. It’s hard not to draw the conclusion that you were actually the prime mover in all this, and no doubt that’s what David and Barbara will say. After all, Mr. Plouvin, I may only be a common man, who measures the extent of his estate in square yards rather than square miles, but I’d have thought that big house, the one you have been living in, must have been quite a motivating factor.’
Amanda Knight cleared her throat. It sounded like a bag of diamonds being shaken.
‘What you think is a matter of no importance whatever to my client, DCI Hall. He has made a very full statement, and no doubt you’d like a short time to consider how you’d like to proceed from here.’
By the time he’d interviewed David Plouvin, Hall had a headache and a sore throat. He would have been hungry too, if he’d had the time to recognise the sensation. He had a meeting with the CPS to attend.
‘Do you think David might eventually take the lot, conspiracy to murder and the murder of Morrow?’ asked Tony Sanders, the CPS lead prosecutor for the region. ‘It would certainly make life a whole lot easier, by which of course I mean less expensive.’
‘Come on, Tony’ said Hall, ‘you can’t really believe that he’s behind this? Did it all on his lonesome? You heard what he said just now, it was a precise mirror image of what Christopher had to say. So we’ve got to charge the lot of them, Barbara included. We’ll never disentangle their stories, evidentially I mean, so they all need to stand trial for the whole lot. It’s the only way.’