by Peter Boon
I pictured Noah telling Kieron’s parents how excited he was about their son’s murder while I stood next to him, blinking away. ‘Maybe not.’
‘I know I’m not quite an adult, but me and you are a team. I already missed going with you last night, and I want to be there for this one. And, no offence, I do sometimes pick up on things you don’t.’
I weighed everything up. Noah had brought his A-game this morning with all the facts he’d checked, people he’d spoken and work he’d done. I realised now; he was trying to show me he could still be useful. Not to mention that he’d shown awareness of saying the wrong thing sometimes.
A lot had happened to Noah in the last twelve months: losing a mum while gaining a foster family, and then finally meeting his dad. Maybe I needed to give him more credit for maturing.
‘Okay, Noah. I’ll check with Patrick, and if he doesn’t mind, you can come.’
‘Oh, thank you, Edward! Maybe I can cheer them up by telling them about some of our other murders.’
Uh oh. ‘Sorry, what do you mean?’
‘Just some of the murder methods we’ve seen: poisoning, being hit with a shovel, being buried in the snow, being actually pushed off a cliff. Their son just had his car brakes cut. They’re quite lucky, really.’
Maybe I spoke too soon.
24
Kieron’s parents lived in a converted farmhouse near Lewes, about half an hour's drive from our village.
It was set back in its own grounds with an electric gate and gravelled path leading up to the house, but otherwise wasn’t as extravagant as it could have been for the parents of a multi-millionaire famous footballer. Though it was certainly a step up from the two up-two down terraced house Patrick had described visiting when he was young.
We’d driven through crowds of journalists and onlookers waiting at the gates; a few of them had tried to follow us through but Patrick pressed the horn til they backed away. Noah had his hands over his ears the whole time.
I saw a garage next to the house which likely held any cars they had, but then I spotted it: parked across the driveway haphazardly was a white sports convertible with its roof down (Patrick told me the make of car but I have no clue now).
‘Maybe Kieron and his dad had similar tastes in cars,’ Noah said, as Patrick tried to park without blocking it in. It took me a second to realise what Noah meant: the car Kieron died in was the same car as this, except red.
Who was it, Ellie? No, she was apparently staying with them but this car was parked as if it had just been abandoned last minute. Not to mention the insensitivity of bringing the same model of car he went to his death in, and then parking it right in front of his parents’ window. Surely Ellie wouldn’t have done that, but we didn’t have to wait long to find out who would.
‘Hello, boys!’ We were just getting out of the car to see Chloe Stone totter across the gravelled driveway. Giant sunglasses, red beret, big stupid iced coffee in a plastic cup: it was as if she was a walking Barbie doll who had selected ‘Spring driving outfit’ as her accessory pack.
She took her sunglasses off to stare us down. ‘I didn’t know you knew Kieron’s parents. Or are you just out doing your Hardy Boys routine?’
‘I know them. I’m a good friend of Kieron’s brother,’ Patrick said. ‘We’re paying our respects.’
‘What about you?’ Noah asked her, in complete innocence. If anyone else had asked her this, I’d have thought they were being facetious.
‘Oh, I’ve just been to see Ellie. She needs her friends around her right now.’ She paused and turned her attention to me. ‘I know you’re the amateur investigator guy. You’re probably trying to work out what you can.’
The focus on me individually threw me for a second and I didn’t know what to say. ‘Yes, erm, I guess I am. I don’t mean any harm, though.’
‘Oh no, I don’t mean that. I don’t care what you do,’ she said dismissively. ‘It’s just… look, I don’t like you poking your nose in our business, and our reputations are very important to me. We’re a tight-knit group at BHU. Your journalist friend Fiona will tell you that. But, we all want justice for Kieron. And I guess that’s more important than what gets out to the press.’
‘I’m glad you think so,’ Patrick said, looking unimpressed.
‘The thing is, Ellie said,’ she started.
‘Hang on a second,’ Noah said, interrupting her. He took his phone out of his pocket and went into voice memos, pressing record. ‘I like to record in case there’s anything interesting. You don’t mind, do you?’
She rolled her eyes, but continued anyway. ‘Ellie just mentioned something to me that may be important. You might want to talk to her about it.’
This could be interesting. ‘Go on.’
‘The thing is,’ she started, before stopping and looking back towards the house. She moved closer to us and spoke in a conspiratorial whisper. ‘She’s not doing very well at all. I don’t know if this is her guilt for spilling his secret, but she’s convinced that’s not the reason he was murdered. But she’s not thinking straight at the moment, so I’m not too sure.’
Patrick was losing patience quicker than I was. ‘Just tell Edward what you know.’
To be fair to her, she looked genuinely worried about what she was about to say. ‘She just kept talking about how a few of the boys used to come to Kieron with their troubles off the pitch. Danny certainly did. She thinks maybe he knew too much.’
Noah could barely contain his delight at this new twist. ‘Everyone thinks the murder was because of Kieron coming out, but what if it was because of something he knew that he shouldn’t?’
She continued. ‘He was Kieron’s best friend, and I’m Ellie’s. I still can’t believe he’s been murdered for any reason. And the timing, straight after what Ellie said, is very coincidental. But yes, I suppose it is possible that there was another reason.’
‘We’ll get to the bottom of it, don’t worry,’ Noah said.
‘Thank you,’ she said. ‘Just go easy on Ellie, she’s all over the place. And whatever she tells you, please make sure it doesn’t end up in the press, courtesy of Fiona. Speaking of that lot, I better go face the mob again.’
And with that, she fixed her sunglasses on her face, got in her ridiculous convertible and drove off.
‘Is that all she’s bothered about, the press?’ Patrick said with frustration in his voice. ‘A man is dead. She’s unbelievable.’
‘Patrick,’ we heard a voice say. We all turned to see a tired looking middle-aged woman standing on the doorstep. She was well presented, but one look at her told me it was in appearance only.
‘Elaine, I’m so, so sorry,’ Patrick said in reply. Kieron’s mother ran forward and fell into Patrick’s arms, sobbing her heart out.
25
‘Would you like me to help make some tea?’ Noah asked Kieron’s dad. Patrick had guided Elaine Juniper back into the house, and we were now sitting in their front room.
Noah caught my look of surprise. ‘I’ve read that when someone is upset, you should make them a cup of tea.’
‘That would be lovely, thank you,’ Kieron’s dad, Michael, replied politely. ‘I’ll show you.’
I heard Noah carry on speaking as they left the room. ‘Does she take milk and sugar? I don’t want to get her drink wrong, she’s been through enough.’
Kieron’s dad wasn’t phased at all. ‘No, don’t worry. I know how she likes her drink. I’ll make it with you.’
I immediately liked Michael Juniper. He had correctly identified Noah as someone who might say the wrong thing to his wife, but got him out of the way with a minimum of fuss.
I looked around the room, taking it in for the first time. Kieron was everywhere. On every wall they had photos, memorabilia, trophies, medals and other souvenirs from his successful career.
‘You must be so proud of him, Elaine,’ Patrick said. ‘Anthony is.’
‘I think there’s a photo of you and Anthony here somewher
e. I found it the other week.’ She went to the cabinet and returned a moment later with a picture of twelve-year-old Patrick and another boy.
‘Look at the state of me,’ Patrick said with a laugh.
‘Take it,’ Elaine replied. ‘Give it to your mum and pass on my regards to her. Tell her to treasure it.’
She broke down in tears again as Patrick comforted her. ‘So, Anthony’s back tomorrow, isn’t he? I spoke to him on video call yesterday.’
Elaine nodded through her tears. Patrick had told me that his old friend Anthony, Kieron’s older brother, now lived in Australia and was on a flight back, arriving tomorrow morning.
‘I just don’t understand anything, Patrick. None of it makes sense. Why would anyone want to kill my boy? And this story about him being gay. It just makes little sense.’
Kieron’s death itself was the most shocking news any parent could expect to hear, but Elaine Juniper also had to deal with the added bombshell of Kieron being gay, and this being a motive for his murder.
‘I can’t even imagine how difficult this must be for you, Elaine. But as long as you’re up to it, any questions you can answer for Edward might help us catch who did it.’
She sat up straight with renewed resolve. ‘Yes, of course. Michael and I both agreed Edward should come with you to see us.’ She turned to me. ‘Edward, we’ve heard so many positive things about you. And God knows, that DI yesterday was useless. Please, help find my son’s killer. Anything you need to know, ask away.’
I started with the topic she’d already broached. ‘He’d never discussed being gay with you before, or gave any sign?’
‘None. They always say a mother knows, and I feel foolish because I didn’t know. It never crossed my mind once. I mean, he’s been with Ellie since they were teenagers.’
I wondered how the two women were getting on under the same roof, and what Ellie’s current stance was on her fiancé’s revelation. Her own family didn’t live in the area, and she apparently decided the only place she wanted to be was with the Junipers. She was now ‘having a little lie down’ after Chloe’s visit and would join us soon.
‘If he could have told me, if he only could have told me,’ Elaine continued, inconsolable. ‘He didn’t need to hide it, not from me. But Danny was his best friend, at least he had someone to tell.’
‘Have you seen Danny since?’ I asked.
‘No, I haven’t,’ she said sadly. ‘He’s messaged Michael a few times, said he’d visit us soon. I thought he might have come along with his fiancée, but he must be grieving himself. She didn’t stay long, anyway.’
There was something about the way she said that which made me press further. ‘It was nice of Chloe to come and see Ellie, wasn’t it?’
‘Was it?’ she replied, glancing at the door. ‘I guess so. I don’t know, there’s just something about that girl. I noticed she was talking to you all outside just now, with one eye on the press at the gate. She’s probably the reason there’s so many of them.’
I didn’t have the heart to tell her that her son was currently the biggest news story of them all.
Just then, the door opened and Michael Juniper slowly edged through, carrying a tray of tea and biscuits. Noah walked behind him, reading his phone and not helping.
‘Noah, what are you doing?’ I asked.
‘I’m afraid the young man got a little distracted. He’s quite excited.’
‘Edward, you won’t believe it! Look what’s been confirmed in the press!’
He came running over and shoved his phone under my nose while Kieron’s dad placed the tray down with a dubious look. ‘Elaine, I think you better prepare yourself.’
I took Noah’s phone and looked at the screen. Troy Nicholson had confessed in full to an affair with Kieron.
26
TROY NICHOLSON: KIERON WAS MY LOVER
Troy Nicholson, Chloe Stone’s best friend, has come forward as Kieron Juniper’s SECRET LOVER.
This comes after Juniper’s death on Friday night, with the police suspecting that his brakes were deliberately cut.
Troy released the following brief statement to the press:
‘I confirm I was in a secret relationship with Kieron Juniper at the time of his death. This was without the knowledge of his fiancée, Ellie Marsden. I would like to offer my sincere apologies to Ellie for the hurt I have caused.
I would also like to publicly state that I have no part in Kieron’s murder. I am fully co-operating with Sussex Police about my presence at the private function for Beachy Head United on the night of Kieron’s death.’
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27
‘It could be a double bluff. Troy admits everything, including his presence on Friday night. The police think he is co-operating and just feels guilty about the affair. But really he knew he couldn’t have Kieron, so he was there to send him to his death.’
‘It’s a good point, Noah. Remember, we only have Troy’s word for it he was still even in the relationship. It could have long since ended; maybe he was there that night to talk him round but failed.’
We were sitting in the Junipers’ garden, waiting for Ellie to come and speak to us. Kieron’s parents were still very upset about the Troy revelation, so Patrick had stayed with them.
The expansive garden was on a slope which led down to a fish pond, apple trees and greenhouse. Sitting at the top in the patio area, we had beautiful views all across the Downs.
‘Hello, guys.’ Ellie Marsden was in a fluffy pink hooded dressing gown and matching slippers. She had no make-up on and around her eyes was blotchy from crying.
‘Thank you for having a chat with us,’ I said. ‘I know we haven’t met before so I really appreciate it.’
She smiled weakly as she took a seat at the patio table. She was being polite, but I could see her eyes weren’t smiling. ‘That’s okay. I agreed with Elaine and Michael that I would. We all know your reputation. We want you to find out who did this. That stupid DI probably still thinks I did.’
‘Oh DI Appleby? Yes, we’re much better than him.’
‘You must be Noah,’ she said. ‘I’ve heard how brilliant you are.’
Our first impression of Ellie at the celebration hadn’t been the best, with our only time seeing her being when she was on the microphone. There was something about her though, that seemed genuine. We needed to hear her side of this story.
Luckily (or maybe not), Noah was on hand to prompt her. ‘Are you upset about Troy’s story breaking in the press?’
She took a few moments before she answered. ‘I don’t even know what to think anymore. Surprised, upset, shocked, angry, heartbroken… they’re all just merging into one at the moment.’
I could see and hear this mix of emotions in her face and voice, but she didn’t seem like someone who’d just found this out by reading an article a few minutes ago. ‘Chloe told you about it when she came round earlier, didn’t she?’
She attempted to smile again. ‘They’re right about you being a good detective, then. Yes, she did. She got to the bottom of it after Danny kicked off at Troy last night. I believe you were there. Anyway, Troy told her he wanted to go public. When she couldn’t persuade him not to, she thought the least she could do was come and tell me first.’
The friendship between the two women seemed to still be intact. ‘You don’t blame her, then?’
‘No, course I don’t. She was the one who told me. I mean, I suppose you’re saying that her telling me set off the entire chain of events that led to his death, but that’s not Chloe’s fault. I’ll have to live with my part in that for the rest of my life.’
It was time to find out what happened between the two couples earlier that night. ‘Can you tell me about it in your own words?’
‘Hang on a second!’ Noah said, before pressing record in his voice memos on his phone.
‘Are you sure you don’t mind?’ I said.
‘No
t at all,’ she replied. ‘I trust him not to sell it to a newspaper or anything.’
‘Of course not,’ Noah said. ‘I won’t even give it to Fiona.’
She started her story. ‘Kieron seemed off all day that day from when he came back from training, just like really agitated. We were getting a taxi to the function with Chloe and Danny. It was all arranged, but at the last minute he said he’d drive and pick them up.
‘When those two got in the car, I could tell there was something going on with them all. The entire atmosphere was just really strange, like they all knew something I didn’t. We arrived at the stadium and Chloe asked could she stay in the car with me a moment and speak to me. Then she told me. She got it out of Danny earlier that day and insisted on telling me, which led those two to argue. Then I think he must have tipped Kieron off she knew, which was probably why he was so off.’
She filled in the couple of questions I had: that Chloe had got Kieron’s statement from Danny and showed her, and that Kieron had admitted it to her himself.
‘Did he actually admit it, though?’ Noah asked.
‘Pretty much,’ she said. ‘He just kept saying that it wasn’t what I thought. It was much more complex, but we should wait and talk about it at home. He obviously meant the Troy stuff.’
There was something else I wanted to know: ‘what made you come here, to his parents?’
‘It just felt like the right place to be. I’ve been with Kieron since we were 16, they’re like my second family. Whatever Kieron did, they’ve lost their son. I knew they’d understand like no one else would.’
‘Chloe said that you think maybe the murder was nothing to do with Kieron being gay,’ Noah said in his usual matter-of-fact way.
‘I don’t.’ She replied quickly, without even hesitating.
‘You don’t even think it could be Troy?’ he asked.