“I can do that. I’ll take you anywhere you want. Get rid of him. I’ll come to the hospital and sit with you both. Robert is no good for you.”
Bella shook her head. “You can’t say that, it’s not true. Robert is a good man. He’s been a great help. Please, Joel, just go and leave me alone.”
Joel looked away. “I don’t like the creep. There’s something weird about him.”
“That’s rich, Joel, coming from you!” Bella was losing it. She hadn’t had much sleep, and she was tired of Joel’s persistence. Why wouldn’t he just leave her alone?
He stepped closer. “What do you mean? I’m not weird. I’m your friend. I care. I’m simply trying to look out for you.”
“You watch me. You’re always in the background somewhere, spying. Every time I turn round, you’re there. The minute I think I’m free, you’re back again. It isn’t Robert who’s weird, Joel, it’s you. You’re the creepy one. I’ve thought that for ages, so do other people. Now please go. I don’t want you here!”
Bella had shouted the last words. Joel looked shocked. But she had to say it. Robert was the one who’d help her. He’d known Alan, and he’d stepped in when she’d needed someone. Joel was okay in small doses, but he needed keeping at arm’s length.
He stood very straight and looked her in the eye. Bella stepped back. “If that’s how you feel, I’ll go. But you will be sorry for this, Bella. Very soon you’ll wish you hadn’t said those things. You will regret the way you’ve treated me.”
Chapter 29
They’d parked outside a big stone house.
Matt nodded at the sign on the gate. “The dental practice is still going.”
“That’ll be Carl Thornley’s partner running it,” said Lily. “He was interviewed at the time. Didn’t know much. Carl didn’t turn up for work one day and he was never seen again. As far as the partner was aware, there were no problems. The Thornleys were happily married and had no debts.”
Matt frowned. “So which one of the Thornleys’ friends was he really after, our killer?”
“Deborah’s mother lives on the estate over there. She might know something that will help.”
“Okay, let’s get it over with. I hate dragging stuff up like this. The poor woman is probably just getting her head together, then we come along and bring it all back again.”
“When I spoke to her on the phone, she sounded fine.”
Matt doubted that. Whatever impression she’d given, she’d lost a daughter, and the killer was still at large. She’d be a long way from fine.
Sarah Baxter was in her early fifties, tall, with short brown hair.
Matt introduced them. “Sorry to do this, Mrs Baxter. We would like to talk to you about Deborah and Carl.”
Sarah Baxter opened the door for them. “I’m not sure what I can tell you that hasn’t already been said. Carl was a dentist, and Deb was his nurse. It was a lucrative business, kept them in new cars and foreign holidays. They had no enemies. They were just ordinary. Why are you here now? Has something happened?”
“The case is ongoing, Mrs Baxter,” Matt explained. “We are looking into a different aspect of it.”
“Did they see much of Anita Verity?” asked Lily.
“She was Carl’s cousin. She lived locally. A pretty girl, but troubled, you know how they can get. Always on a diet, never thin enough. She used to come round here with them and barely touch her food. Then I read the lurid tales in the press. Anita had an affair with a Premier League footballer. He finished it, and Anita really came unstuck. She couldn’t get her head straight after that. For a while she leaned a little too hard on Carl and Deb. Then she disappeared.”
She sighed and shook her head. “It makes me want to weep. Such a waste. Not only my Deb and Carl, but what that girl Anita did with the chances she had. She was a clever girl, you know. Spent a couple of years at university doing law. She spent hours at the courthouse in Huddersfield. I was really surprised when Deb told me she was taking up modelling instead.” Sarah Baxter took a tissue and dabbed at her eyes. “Why? Has Anita got something to do with Carl and Deb’s murders? The police who came before never asked about her.”
“We are following a number of new leads, Mrs Baxter. We know our killer was responsible for a number of deaths, Carl and Deborah’s among them. But they were not alone. There were others that we know nothing about.”
“Surely that wouldn’t happen. Their bodies would be found. If not, then someone would report them missing,” she replied, puzzled.
“For that to happen they would need to have people close to them who would notice. Granted it is a very risky strategy for a killer. He has taken risks. We do not know enough about him. It might be that killing his true target’s nearest and dearest is simply part of some insane ritual,” Matt explained. “We are dealing with a serial killer. The reasons why he commits the crimes will be complex.”
“And you think she can help — Anita?”
Matt nodded.
“I did have an address for her. She was on my Christmas card list. Give me a minute, and I’ll see if I can find it.”
She disappeared into an adjoining room and returned holding an address book.
“Here you are. The address of her flat in Manchester. Before she became ill she got a job with a modelling agency there.”
“Thank you, Mrs Baxter, you’ve been very helpful.”
* * *
They made their way across the police station car park. Lily yawned. “I’m knackered.”
Matt smiled. “Did you notice? She referred to the courthouse in Huddersfield. Anita was doing law, and spent time in the public gallery, and Caroline had done jury service there.”
Lily stood still for a moment, putting it all together. “Robert Nolan is a solicitor. He will work there and elsewhere. He could have seen Bella in the past and not let on.”
“We can’t ignore it. We’ll see what Carlisle’s come up with, then we’ll call it a day. We’ll look into the link with the courthouse tomorrow.”
When they reached the incident room, Beckwith was updating the incident board. “You were right. Seems both Crosland and Firth knew Caroline Sheldon. The super wants another briefing before we finish.”
Lily groaned.
“Got somewhere to go?” Matt asked her.
Lily stepped back in mock surprise. “You mean do I have a life away from the station? On a Thursday night I do, as it happens. I’m a member of the pub darts team. We’re practising for a big match that’s coming up.”
“Any good?”
“We pass, with the odd stroke of brilliance. A bloke called Greg’s our star player. When he’s in the mood, that is.”
Matt smiled. “I might pop down and watch you sometime.”
“Please don’t, that’d put me right off. It’s bad enough with Greg making stupid comments all the time. Reckons I can’t throw for toffee. But I made the team, so I can’t be that bad.”
“He’s probably jealous. Take no notice. Is Greg the team captain?”
“Yes, and in case you’re wondering, he’s also my fella.”
Matt smiled to himself. He hadn’t noticed a ring on Lily’s finger, and he hadn’t asked. Relationships were notoriously hard once you had on that detective’s hat. The job left little time for anything else. Still, with her having no parents, it was good that she had someone in her life.
“You got anyone, sir?”
He smiled again. “Apart from my mother, you mean?”
Lily clapped her hand over her mouth in mock regret. “Sorry, shouldn’t have asked. Too bloody nosy, that’s my problem.”
“It’s okay, and the answer is no. There is no one. Hasn’t been for a while.”
Dyson’s voice boomed out. “Alright you lot! Let’s get this over with.”
The team gathered in the main office in front of the board. Carlisle kept glancing at the office clock on the wall. He looked annoyed. No doubt he wanted this to be over quick so he could get off. Beckwit
h, on the other hand, had his eyes fastened on some paperwork. He looked more engrossed than he had in days. Perhaps he had the makings of a good detective after all.
“DI Brindle. What have you got?”
“We’re following a lead given to us by the mother of Deborah Thornley, sir. Our unknown victim could be Anita Verity, one time model, lately turned recluse due to mental health issues. We also have a link with Huddersfield courthouse, but it needs further investigation. It is possible that the killer identified his special victims there.”
“Good. Have you spoken to the Richards boy yet?”
“No. He was sleeping when we went. I’ll do that tomorrow. His mother said the lad had been rambling about the man with tattoos. About that — our killer could be using the tattooed arms thing to deliberately mislead us. Caroline Sheldon’s boss reckons the man she was seeing had none. Which doesn’t tally with what Oliver or the lad in the newsagents said.”
“DI Carlisle, what do you have for us?”
Carlisle nodded to Beckwith, who stood up. “Sonia Crosland was a hairdresser. She worked in a salon in the centre of Huddersfield. According to her colleagues, she did know Caroline. The two had been friendly at school and met up after a gap of several years, shortly before Caroline was killed. They saw each other quite a lot. Caroline had her hair done at the salon regularly, and the two went out together. Prior to Caroline meeting this Doug bloke that DI Brindle found out about, the pair had gone speed dating at a pub in town.”
“Do you know if she met Doug at one of these events?” Brindle asked.
Beckwith shrugged. “Her colleagues didn’t know. Oscar Firth was a student at Huddersfield University. I spoke to a number of his friends, and none of them had heard of Caroline. However his tutor told me that Oscar did know her. He was doing up an old Mini Cooper for her in his spare time.”
Dyson nodded. “Well done. We now know that all three green stamp victims knew Caroline Sheldon. No one has come forward to report her missing. No body has been found. So — the big question. Is she dead, or has she simply done one?”
“There was a false trail, sir,” Matt reminded him. “The job in Glasgow that didn’t exist. We will check out the Anita Verity angle in the morning. If she can’t be found either, then we have to seriously consider that our killer has taken these women.”
Dyson was silent for a moment, evidently considering this.
“If that is the case,” Matt continued, “Then it’s likely that Bella is in real danger. Considering what has happened recently to everyone close to her, I reckon that she is the killer’s next target. We have a FLO keeping an eye out, but is that enough? Perhaps we should have her watched.”
Dyson shook his head. “If Bella Richards is his third victim, it was a mistake on his part. Bella is subject to a layer of protection he knows nothing about. We can be assured that her contact will be keeping tabs on her. Apart from which she has spent most of her time at the hospital since her son was found. We have officers there.”
“Is there a presence at her house, sir?” Beckwith asked.
Dyson looked at the team. “I don’t think the killer will risk it. If she disappears, there will be an instant hue and cry. Our man has cocked up good and proper this time. Also Bella has attracted attention because of the Chalker angle. She is now well-known and has people around her. No more living the quiet life for Ms Richards.”
“We should ensure her safety ourselves, sir,” Matt told him. “The witness protection crew are good, but we don’t want any mishaps, do we? If there isn’t anyone there currently, then we should get it arranged.”
Dyson nodded at Matt. “Ring the woman and tell her. Tell her to stay put until one of our people gets there.”
Chapter 30
It had been a long day. Matt was tired, but buoyed by the fact that they were making progress. It was dark when he left the station. He was about to hop into his car when a woman called out to him from the shadows. “Hello, you!”
He swung round. The voice had soft, rounded tones, with a hint of huskiness. He’d know it anywhere.
“Melissa!”
“You didn’t ring, there were no texts. I’ve given you long enough, Brindle. So here I am.”
She stepped into the light. Her blonde hair was pulled into a ponytail. She was wearing a loose, well-worn waxed jacket over jeans and a T-shirt. Her head was tilted to one side and there was just the hint of a smile hovering on her lips. She appeared to be unsure of her reception.
She stepped closer. “Come on, then. Do I get a hug or what?”
Matt didn’t move. He was momentarily stunned. She was the last person he’d expected to see. It was over between them. He’d made himself clear enough six months ago. Had she not understood the words he’d written? “What are you doing here, Mel? Why didn’t you call me first?”
“I’ve just told you — I did, on and off for weeks, and it got me nowhere.”
“You shouldn’t have come. You know what happened. I made it plain enough. I was a mess, both physically and psychologically. I didn’t want you being part of that. Better to make a clean break.”
He looked into those dark blue eyes and met her cool gaze. Matt always got the feeling she was sizing him up, and she could see right into him.
She shook her head. “Wasn’t that my decision to make? Don’t I even get a say? My opinion counts for nothing, does it? I thought we were in a relationship, that we loved each other. What did you think I’d do, Matt? Did you think our relationship was so shaky that I’d do one after you were hurt? There’s no way I’d have done that. I would have helped you recover.”
Matt spread his hands. “You would have felt obligated. I didn’t want that. Anyway, I was a terrible patient. I left the nursing to my mother. Despite all the airs and graces, she’s a tough old bird, and could take the flack.”
She laughed. “I’d like to have seen that!”
“Tone it down, Mel. I owe my mother a lot. Without her, I doubt I’d have made it. Have you been round to the house?”
“Didn’t see the point. Your mother was unlikely to give me the time of day. You remember how it was. I was nothing but an irritation. I certainly wasn’t lady of the manor material.” She looked away, shaking her head. “I read about the case you’re working on in the paper, and decided I stood a better chance of finding you here.”
There was a time when Melissa Gibbs had been the love of his life. Had things been different, he would have married her. The incident, and not his mother, had put paid to that. That decision had hurt him almost as much as the grenade had.
“You can do better than me, Mel. I’m no good for anyone, not anymore. I’ve changed. I can do my job, but—”
Melissa faced him, her hands on her hips. “That bloody job! Return to work, give your all to being a damn good detective, but sod what we had!”
“I’m doing you a favour.”
“No, you’re not. You are taking the easy way out. I thought you were better than that, Matt Brindle. All those weeks of lying on your back, helpless. Your mother got to you, didn’t she? Kept on and on about how I was no good for you. How I’d bring down the Brindle name if you got too involved!”
“No! What I did was entirely down to me. Selfish as it might appear, it was the only way. I’m not better yet. I can live with how I am, but I can’t expect you or anyone else to do the same.”
“And your mother?”
“She bought in for the duration when she gave birth to me.” Matt gave her a sad little smile and opened the car door.
“Are you seeing someone else?”
“No. It’s pointless. Leave it, Mel. You’re better off without me.”
“We will see each other. You can’t avoid it, I’m afraid.”
“Why? What have you done?”
“I got fed up with living in London so I decided to come home. The team at Huddersfield had a vacancy for a social worker. I applied and got the job. So here I am.” She smiled at him, and those big blue eye
s shone with defiance. “Until I know the ropes, I’m working with the Emergency Duty Team.”
Chapter 31
Day 16
Bella felt dizzy and faint. She had no idea what had happened, just a vague recollection of someone talking to her — then nothing. She couldn’t even remember who that was. She regained consciousness half-sitting in a dark, cramped space. Panic took hold as she struggled to make sense of her surroundings. She couldn’t extend her legs properly or move her arms. Both her ankles and wrists were tied tight, and her mouth was gagged. Her wrists had been tied behind her back, but with a bit of manoeuvring, she was able to run her fingers over the wall to one side of her. It was hard, like plasterwork. Underneath her was wood, possibly floorboards. Where was she, and how long had she been here? Fear and adrenalin sharpened her senses. She tried desperately to prise open the rope binding her wrists. But there was no way she could escape without help. The realisation struck her like a sharp blow to the guts. Whoever had taken her had rendered her helpless, and locked her in a cupboard.
Bella tried to scream, but the gag was too tight, and nothing more than a muffled whimper emerged. Squirming around in the dark, she hit her head on something hard. Raising her right knee slightly, she was able to kick out with her foot. Anyone close would hear the sound. She groaned. Stupid! No one would come. He’d have taken her somewhere no one would find her. Bile rose in Bella’s throat, almost choking her. Finally they had won. This was the end.
* * *
Matt rang Lily and suggested they meet up at the hospital. They’d talk to Oliver Richards, and then continue the search for Anita Verity. They had the address of her flat in Manchester, so that’s where they’d look first.
Lily was waiting for him when he arrived at Oliver’s room. “Bella isn’t here. It’s a problem because Oliver can be discharged this morning. That solicitor, Nolan, arrived about ten minutes ago. He’s been round to her house, and she isn’t there either. Apparently they’d arranged last night that he would pick her up this morning, bring her here, then he’d take her and the boy home.”
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