by M A Comley
“Why not? It would be brilliant to catch up. Why don’t you bring hubby with you? You can spend the weekend with me and my folks. You remember them, right? They’d love to see you, too.”
“Crikey, you’re as bad as me. Once an idea takes hold it gets carried along at the speed of an express train. I’ll have to check with Tony first. If he’s agreeable, we could drive up tomorrow. How’s that? It’s not exactly the weekend, but I suppose the sooner we tell the victim’s wife, the better.”
Sally yelped with excitement. “Bloody marvellous. I do believe you’ve just made my week.”
Lorne smiled. It was wonderful to hear her friend so excited at the prospect of them meeting up again. She was sure that Tony would have no hesitation about agreeing to the adventure, too, although she wasn’t sure Chief Roberts or Katy would feel the same way once she broke the news to them. “Can I confirm everything later this evening, Sally? I’ll have to pick the right moment to broach the subject with the chief.”
“Of course, you’ve got my mobile number. Call when ready. You’ll have to take us as you find us, if that’s okay?”
“Of course.” Lorne ended the call then immediately rang Tony’s mobile. He answered the call after two rings. “Busy?”
“We’re on a stakeout. What’s up?”
“I won’t keep you for long. Any chance you can take the next couple of days off?”
“It’s doable. Why?”
Lorne ran through the conversation she’d had with Sally and waited for him to respond. She looked down at her fingers and almost laughed when she saw them tightly crossed.
“Sounds like fun. I’ll run it past Joe. Gotta go. See you later.”
He ended the call before she could say anything else. Lorne left the office to find Katy. “Umm... I might be going on a trip.”
Katy looked puzzled by the out-of-the-blue announcement. “Where to?”
“Norfolk, would you believe?”
“For the case? You think it warrants a special trip, Lorne?”
“I won’t know until I get there. I think it warrants the personal touch—my personal touch. You know what I’m like, Katy. I don’t want to hear things second-hand. Did I sound convincing?”
“What does that mean?”
“I’m going to need Sean to give me the go-ahead. You can handle things at this end. I’ll only be away for a day or two at the most.”
Katy shrugged. “There’s only one way to find out, and yes, we’re more than capable as a team of working on our own initiative in your absence.”
“I know that. It wasn’t meant as a slight against any of you. You know me better than that, Katy.”
“Shoo... go and tell the chief.”
Lorne needn’t have worried about Sean’s reaction to her request. He thought it was a great idea, and she got the impression he would have volunteered to go with her, had it not been for the mammoth proportions of the paperwork piled high on his desk. She had an inkling that his role in the last two cases the team had solved had sparked into life his need to get away from the constraints of sitting behind his desk, dealing with mind-numbing paperwork day in, day out. She cringed at the thought of having Sean within close proximity, questioning every move or thought she made during a case. She was grateful his workload was keeping him tied to the desk.
He let her go with his best wishes but ordered her to return within forty-eight hours. Lorne neglected to tell her boss that Tony was accompanying her. She had a feeling he wouldn’t have been too impressed by that snippet of news.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Once they eventually found their way off the M25, the journey to the east coast was a pleasant one. Even though they had left the house early, the whole population of the capital appeared to have had the same idea about getting away for a few days that morning. When they hit the A11, they were able to breathe far easier. Lorne had asked Tony to drive because she loathed the congestion that often took place on the M25. Tony breathed a sigh of relief when he pulled into the police station car park at Wymondham around ten thirty.
Lorne flashed her warrant card at the female officer on duty behind the reception desk. “We’re here to see DI Sally Parker.”
“Take a seat, ma’am. I’ll see if she’s available.”
Seconds later, the inner door buzzed, and Sally, who was still sporting the same blonde hairstyle, and looked as if she hadn’t gained a single ounce of fat since their final meeting at Hendon a few years back, swept into the room. She rushed up to Lorne and hugged her so tightly that Lorne almost choked as the air rushed out of her lungs.
“It’s so fabulous to see you,” Sally said, finally releasing her.
Lorne coughed. “You, too, despite the damage you’ve done to my insides.”
Sally slapped Lorne’s upper arm. “Get on with you. It would take more than a friendly hug to knock the wind out of a tough bird like you,” Sally jested.
Tony cleared his throat and held out his hand. “And I’m her other half, Tony Warner. Pleased to meet you, Sally. When we have a spare five minutes, you can dish the dirt on what my darling wife got up to in her training days.”
The pair shook hands, and Sally winked at him. “Impossible, Tony, not because we made a secret pact never to divulge such stories, but because you’d need to stick around for at least a month before we even broke the surface.”
“Hey, you! Don’t go saying that. Knowing my husband, he’ll think you’re bloody serious.”
The three of them laughed. Sally signed Lorne and Tony in as visitors and issued them both with passes, then they all ascended the stairs to her office, where Sally proudly introduced her visitors to the team. “Coffee first, then we’ll visit the victim’s wife. Is that okay with you, Lorne?”
“Sure. We’re totally in your hands. Have you managed to find out anything about the victim?”
“Nothing much. Let’s see what today brings and go from there. I have to say, I’m getting the same kind of niggle that you have about this case. Something doesn’t ring true,” Sally called out from her position by the vending machine.
“It’s strange. Maybe I should have called my psychic friend, Carol, before we headed up here. Just to see what she saw, if anything.”
Sally returned, carrying two cups of coffee, shaking her head. “I can’t believe you still have faith in all that claptrap. I would’ve thought you’d grown out of it by now.”
Lorne glanced at Tony, who was smirking. “Go on, tell her. You believe in Carol’s abilities, too, now, don’t you?”
Tony placed his cup on the desk behind him and raised his hands. “I admit I used to be a total sceptic until Carol proved her worth. Every now and again, she missed the mark, but just lately, her psychic powers have helped Lorne—and me, I have to admit—solve some major crimes. In fact, if it hadn’t been for Carol’s input into Lorne’s last case, I doubt Lorne would still be with us or in this country.”
“Really? How come?” Sally perched her backside on the desk behind her.
“It’s a long story. Basically, Carol had a vision of where the person who had abducted me was holding me captive. It happened to be a small airport. If Tony and his partner—oh, and Sean, my chief—hadn’t rescued me, I would more than likely be ingrained in the sex trade by now, along with my daughter, Charlie.”
Sally seemed shocked by the revelation. “Whoa, you’re having me on, aren’t you?”
Lorne shook her head. “Totally true.” She leaned over and kissed her husband on the cheek. “My hero saved me from an inevitable life of torture and slavery.” Lorne shuddered at the image her words conjured up.
“I had no idea.” Sally raised her coffee cup. “To heroes. Where would we be without them?”
Lorne tweaked Tony’s face as the colour rose in his cheeks. “I’d definitely be lost without mine.” Lorne eyed her friend with concern as a shadow of sadness descended. She took a few steps closer to Sally. “One day, you’ll find a fella who is worth sharing your life with, hon. Ne
ver give up hope. Don’t let the bitterness of your past relationship cast clouds over your future. You’re too strong to let one man cause a lifetime of damage to your heart and your head. Seriously, I thought I was stuck for life in a dead-end marriage to Charlie’s dad, but the minute I met Tony, I knew that I’d spend the rest of my life with him.”
Sally’s eyes misted over. “Did Tony realise that, too?”
Tony winked at Sally. “What can I say, Sally? She’s a convincing woman.”
Lorne laughed. “Romantic isn’t his middle name, either.” She watched Sally intently for a few minutes as her friend churned what Lorne had said through her mind. Unexpected expressions flowed across Sally’s face. Lorne held out a hand for Sally to grasp, and she whispered, “I know that look. You’ve met someone already, haven’t you?”
Sally’s eyes widened. She scanned the room to see if any members of her team had overheard their conversation, then she placed a finger to her lips. “I don’t know. It might be one-sided. Who can tell with these things? Let’s get back on terra firma and stick to the case instead, eh?”
Lorne agreed. “Is the victim’s house far from here?”
“Not too far. I sent one of the boys out to the residence to see if someone was around. He reported back that he saw two cars at the residence.”
“And when was this?” Lorne asked, her interest piqued.
“Around nine this morning.”
“I’m even keener to get out there now.” Lorne downed the remains of her coffee and urged Sally and Tony to do the same. “Time’s a-wasting, peeps.”
Outside in the car park, they agreed they should all pile into Sally’s car. Her partner, Jack, decided to remain at the station to continue delving into the victim’s past with the rest of the team.
Sitting directly on the bank of the River Bure was a timber-framed building with its own mooring and boathouse.
Tony whistled. “Nice gaff.”
“Something I’m guessing we’d only be able to afford in our dreams,” Lorne said, twisting in her seat to look at him.
“You’re not wrong there. Can you imagine what this place would be worth if it was situated on the Thames?”
“Maybe that’s why they own a mansion in Fulham and a stunning riverside retreat in Norfolk,” Lorne suggested.
Sally smiled. “You’re missing out on a lot living down there, Lorne.”
“Story of our lives, eh, Tony?”
“Yep. Do you guys want me to come with you, or would you rather I stay here?” Tony asked, surveying the surroundings of the house.
Lorne shrugged at Sally. “It’s your call.”
“Maybe it would be better if you stayed here, Tony.”
Lorne and Sally walked across the deep gravelled drive, their heels sinking into the stones. “When we introduce ourselves, I think it would be wise just to give our ranks and leave out the part about what division we belong to,” Lorne whispered as they stopped outside the front door.
“Any reason?”
“We’re not deceiving anyone, just being economical with the truth. What’s the harm in that?”
Sally shook her head and grinned. “Same old Lorne. Never give up anything without there being a good reason to.”
Lorne nodded in agreement. “Cards and chest come to mind.”
Sally rang the bell.
It was opened briskly by a blonde woman with blushing, mascara-stained cheeks. She looked disappointed when she saw Lorne and Sally waiting on the doorstep. “Yes?” she asked sharply.
“Lucy Timcott?” Sally asked as both she and Lorne flashed their warrant cards. “DI Sally Parker and DI Lorne Warner.”
“That’s right.” She gasped, and her hand clutched the edges of her lace-trimmed cardigan at her chest. “Police? Does this mean that you’ve found my husband?” She looked beyond Lorne and Sally at the car. “Is that him?” her voice notched up a few octaves in expectation when she saw Tony’s outline.
“No, I’m sorry. Perhaps it would be better if we discussed this inside,” Lorne suggested.
The woman took a few steps back, then she led the way through the double-height entrance hall displaying stripped-oak beams on every available surface. Lorne considered the beautifully renovated barn conversion with interest and a fair amount of envy. It had always been her goal to reinstate the charm into a building as desirable as this. She would have fulfilled that ambition, too, if she had ignored her calling to return to the force, years ago. I had my chance. Maybe once retirement hits, Tony and I can take up the challenge of renovating such a stunning place. Yeah, and there’s a pig passing overhead now.
“You have a very beautiful home,” Lorne stated, her tone full of admiration.
The woman shrugged. No eager smile to agree, nothing. Instead, she opened the twin glass doors into the living room. When Sally and Lorne entered the room, Lorne was surprised to find a well-groomed woman in her sixties studying them.
In a trembling voice, Lucy announced, “Mum, it’s the police.”
“Ladies. I hope you’re bringing us good news. My daughter, we’ve both, been worried sick about Ryan.”
“Sorry, I didn’t catch your name?” Lorne asked.
The woman’s smoky-coloured made-up eyes turned Lorne’s way and seemed to penetrate into her very soul. If the glare had come from a male, Lorne would have felt the need to shudder. Instead she found the glower emanating from this woman as a challenge. The woman left the heat of the open fire and walked towards them, her elegant ring-filled fingers extended, ready to shake hands. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Lucy’s mother, Claire Knight.”
Sally was the first to shake hands with the woman. “DI Sally Parker. This is my colleague, DI Lorne Warner.”
The woman smiled as she daintily shook hands with Lorne. She hated it when people didn’t shake hands properly; she much preferred a firm handshake, even from women. Her father had always told her that a person can learn a lot from someone’s handshake. The only thing Lorne picked up from Claire Knight was her sense of breeding. It was obvious from the woman’s attire and the way she held her head that she’d enjoyed the high life from a very young age. That kind of demeanour could never be taught. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, ladies. I don’t think I’ve ever dealt with female officers of the law before.”
What am I supposed to take from that? That you’ve had plenty of involvement with the police over the years? Or am I misreading your message?
“It used to be a male-orientated career years ago; not so much now. We’re fighting back, shall we say.” Lorne smiled tautly at the woman. “Would you mind if we sit down?”
“No, please do. Excuse my lack of manners,” Lucy mumbled, inviting them all to take a seat.
Everyone sat except for Claire, who resumed her place in front of the fire, blocking the heat from penetrating the room. Lorne held back and let Sally conduct the conversation. Lorne’s gaze flicked between mother and daughter as Sally issued the news regarding the victim.
The second Sally said ‘your husband’s body,’ Lucy broke down and sobbed like any adoring wife would after finding out her husband had passed away. However, as Claire studied her daughter, Lorne noticed a coldness seep into the woman’s eyes. She would even have gone as far as to describe it as hatred emanating from the woman’s chestnut-coloured eyes. Admittedly, it only appeared for a split second, but Lorne had spotted it nevertheless. Then her hand rose to her cheek, and she made a small whimpering sound. The whole bizarre display stuck in Lorne’s throat. Nothing about Claire’s reaction seemed genuine.
As if sensing Lorne’s eyes upon her, Claire rushed to her daughter’s side to comfort her. “Darling, how awful. We’ll ensure he’s never forgotten.”
‘We’ll ensure he’s never forgotten’? Is that really the first thing a mother can come up with to console her daughter? Lorne had delivered the shocking news of a husband’s demise dozens of times during her career. Never once had she stumbled across a situation as awkward as t
his.
Lorne glanced sideways at Sally, who, judging by her expression. Didn’t think anything out of the ordinary was afoot. Lorne’s disappointment intensified, and she hoped it wouldn’t cause a rift between Sally and herself once they’d left the premises.
“Where?” Lucy managed to say before her throat clogged up with yet another sob.
“On his boat. We’re under the impression that the vessel exploded in a bay off the Kent coast, sometime Sunday afternoon.”
Lucy turned to look at her mother, who was kneeling at her side. “The Kent coast? What was he doing there?”
Sally extracted her notebook and began taking notes. Lorne did the same.
“Where did you think your husband was on Sunday, Lucy?” Sally asked.
“I knew he’d taken the boat out. I just wasn’t aware of how far he’d gone.”
Claire patted her daughter’s hand and rose to her feet to stand alongside her daughter’s chair. “You know what men are like. Keen to show off to their pals when they have a new toy, Inspector.”
“I do,” Sally agreed. “So, he left here at what time on Sunday?”
Lucy was silent for a few seconds as she contemplated her answer. Had the lengthy hesitation come from the mother, Lorne’s suspicions would have multiplied. However, she didn’t get the impression that Lucy was doing anything but trying to recall the actual time.
“It was around ten, I suppose. Yes, I had just started to prepare the Sunday roast.”
“Ah, so from that, I take it you expected him to return within a few hours?” Sally asked, noting down the reply.
“Yes, we always eat around two. That would have given him enough time to show off to his friends and return home.”
“Any friends in particular, Lucy? It might be an idea if we had a chat with them after we leave here.”
Lucy shook her head. “My mind is all over the place. I can’t think of anyone who would be interested in his new acquisition.”
“What about John, Terry, or Bob?” Claire offered before Sally could ask another question.