Chasing Ghosts: A Detective Jack Buchan Novel

by Michael Fowler

  Suddenly feeling downcast Toby answered, ‘I know. In fact, I think she may already have dumped me.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I haven’t seen her all day and she’s not answering my calls or texts. She’d gone by the time I woke up this morning and I’ve been trying to get hold of her. You haven’t seen her have you? She hasn’t turned up there, or spoken with you has she?’

  ‘No she hasn’t I’m afraid Toby.’

  Toby sensed honesty in his friend’s voice. He said, ‘What about Tammy? Has she been in touch with her?’

  ‘I don’t think so. Just a minute, she’s in the other room I’ll ask.’

  Toby heard James shout his wife’s name, then his voice became muffled and he guessed he was holding his hand over the receiver. He heard Tammy’s voice in the distance but couldn’t make out what she was saying. A couple of seconds later James was back on the line.

  ‘Sorry mate. Carrie’s not rung here.’ There was another short pause and then James asked, ‘Don’t worry she’ll be back. It’s not as though she’s anywhere to go. I mean she doesn’t have any family here and didn’t she say that all her friends live back home in Australia.’

  Toby nodded to himself, ‘That’s right, except for me, and you two of course, we’re the only people she really knows.’

  ‘Well she’s definitely not rung us.’ There was another pause and then he said, ‘What about her stuff has she taken that?’

  ‘She’s gone off in her car but she’s not taken any of her clothes. They’re all still here.’

  ‘Well I wouldn’t worry then mate. She’s gone off in a hissy and needs some breathing space. If she’s not taken any clothes that means she’ll be back. And if I was you, when she does come back, I’d have the biggest bunch of flowers waiting for her.’

  ‘Toby took in a sharp intake of breath. Then he said, ‘I guess you’re right. I’ll do that.’ Then before he hung up, ‘James if she does contact you or Tammy, you will let me know won’t you?’

  ‘Sure mate no probs. Give me a ring when you sort everything out.’

  James hung up.

  4

  Toby was woken by the sound of wind and rain lashing the window panes. He’d not closed the curtains when he’d finally gone to bed just after midnight and his first view of what morning held was a sky laden with angry dark storm clouds. For a moment he lay there listening to the weather, staring beyond the casement window and, without warning, the thought of Carrie jumped back inside his head. He had slept fitfully – tossing and turning most of the night, his mind attempting to jigsaw the events of what had happened the previous evening, first at James and Tammy’s, and then back here, but he had struggled to put a full sequence of actions together. He could recall the early part of the evening. He and James had especially got on well, as usual chatting about art and their work, but then the atmosphere changed at the dinner table. Carrie had triggered the mood change – his mood change - with her comment of, ‘Do we have to listen to art again? Can’t we just talk about something else?’ He’d instantly reacted by sniping back, ‘Why is it far too intellectual for you?’ bringing scorn from Tammy, causing her to sulk. That’s when he had thought bugger the pair of them and stepped up his drinking. By the end of the meal he was rounding on them, most of his conversation being sarcastic retorts that had resulted in Carrie telling him he’d drunk too much and she thought it was time for home. And that’s when he had gone into meltdown – banging the table repeatedly and demanding, ‘Who the fuck do you think you are, trying to control my life?’ He could recall his foul language becoming a tirade and James and Tammy had come to Carrie’s defence, which had made him even more angry, but beyond that everything was a jumble.

  Following yesterday’s telephone chat with James, he could vaguely bring to mind getting in the car with Carrie driving, but he couldn’t remember the journey home, and as for whatever happened in the kitchen, that was nothing but a blur of gyred images thrashing around inside his head. How his clothes had got into that state, how the two wineglasses had got broken and where the blood had come from remained a complete mystery?

  He closed his eyes and slapped his hands against the side of his head shouting ‘Fuck’ to an empty room. His life was a bloody mess again and he knew it was down to him.

  Taking longer than normal in the shower, letting the warm jet ease away the tension in his neck, he ran through a battle plan as to what he needed to do that day, then he got dressed and made his way downstairs. Although his stomach was churning with emptiness he felt sick and knew he couldn’t face anything to eat so he made himself a mug of coffee. While he waited for it to cool he made his first phone call. Carrie’s mobile. It didn’t ring out. It went straight to voicemail. She’d either switched her phone off or the battery was dead. He ended the call, staring at his mobile and cursed. Last night he’d left three messages and she hadn’t got back. She always got back – even when pissed with him. Sure, she would let him suffer a few hours but she’d get back. He decided to call James and Tammy’s again. Tammy answered. Taking a deep breath, he asked, ‘I’m just checking if Carrie’s been in contact since yesterday?’

  On a tetchy note she responded, ‘I’ll put you on to James.’

  Toby heard the phone being put down followed by Tammy’s barely audible call to James and then a couple of seconds later the phone was picked back up.

  ‘Hi mate. How are things?’ James sounded lively.

  ‘I’m just ringing to see if Carrie’s got in touch since yesterday?’

  ‘Sorry mate she’s not rung here. She’s not been in touch then? Not come back?’

  Toby was staring at the kitchen window his wraithlike reflection stared back. He watched himself shaking his head. ‘Nope. Nothing from her. Still not answering my calls. I checked the hospital at Penzance just in case she’d been in an accident but she’s not there. I don’t know what to do?’

  ‘Have you rung the police?’

  Toby’s face changed. He caught the shocked look in his reflection. After a short pause he said sharply, ‘No I don’t want to bother them.’

  ‘Well that’s something I’d think about, especially if you don’t track her down by the end of the day. As you said, about the accident. I don’t want to scare you, but she could have crashed her car and be trapped somewhere, or she might be unconscious in a hospital and no one knows who she is. If I was you I’d give them a call. Put your mind at ease at least.’

  Toby thought about what James had said and replied, ‘Yeah I’ll see how things go and if I’ve not heard anything from her by the end of the day I’ll think about it.’

  ‘To be honest Toby, if it was me, I’d do it as soon as.’

  ‘I’m just going to do another check with the hospital.’

  ‘Yeah okay. Let me know how you go on mate.’

  Before ending their conversation Toby said, ‘Tammy sounded a bit frosty with me.’

  ‘I’m afraid you’re really in her bad books at the moment but she’ll come round.’ After a short pause he added, ‘Anyway, can’t stand chatting, I’m guessing you’ve got loads of ringing round to do. As I say, let me know how you go on.’

  Before Toby had time to respond James hung up.

  Trance-like, Toby stared at the phone listening to the long burr. He knew he should take James’ advice – contact the police and report Carrie missing, but that was something he dare not do. Not with his past.

  5

  Detective Constable Jack Buchan was slouched over his desk, running his eyes over the summary page of the court remand file he had freshly printed off when he felt a gentle tap on his shoulder. He stabbed a finger over the sentence he had just read, held it there and looked up. Detective Inspector Dick Harrison was leaning over him.

  ‘Morning Jack.’

  ‘Morning Boss.’

  ‘Up to much?’

  ‘Just going through the paperwork for last night’s robbery. CPS want it by lunchtime – they’re going for a remand.�
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  ‘Oh, you picked that job up then?’

  ‘Yeah, everybody else was tied up.’

  ‘And you okay with that?’

  ‘Yeah sure. No problem. To be honest it’s a cut and dried job. Caught at the scene and a straight up cough.

  ‘Oh okay. It’s Ryan Mason that’s trapped up isn’t it?’

  Jack nodded. ‘It certainly is, bless his little cotton socks. He’s not a happy bunny. And that’s not surprising given what happened to him.’ He had to hold back an urge to smile as he finished the sentence. Ryan Mason was one of their regulars. Jack had dealt with him many times over the years. ‘To be honest, the custody officers told me before I went in to interview him that Monkey had suffered a bit of a hiding. And not from the officers who turned out to the call but from the victim! It’s the easiest interview I’ve ever done with him. I didn’t have one ‘no comment’ from him this morning. It’s amazing what a good hiding can do to loosen someone’s tongue. Maybe it’s something we should go back to?’

  ‘Now, now, Jack, let’s not go there. None of your Life on Mars stuff here.’

  Jack let out a chuckle.

  ‘I thought I’d read on the tagged incident that the complainant is a pensioner?’

  ‘He is, but he’s built like a barn door apparently. He’s a retired coalman. Spent forty-odd years humping hundredweight sacks of coal about. Still as strong as an ox. Monkey went there armed with a baseball bat, but the bloke smacked him in the face before he could even take a swing, then he took the bat off him and gave him a good hiding with it. When the officers got there, Monkey was screwed into a ball screaming, “get him off me.”’

  ‘Some summary justice then?’

  ‘Just a bit. He’s had it a long time coming. He’ll probably think twice now before he does his next job. And you ought to see Monkey’s face. He was ugly enough before, but now his looks have been enhanced by a pair of walled up eyes and a broken nose.’

  ‘So why did he do go to his house then?’

  He heard in the pub that the guy had a safe at his house with a load of cash in it. Thought because of the guy’s age he’d be a pushover. You know what he’s like – dense as fog in a Sherlock Holmes film. He just steamed in there without doing his homework.’

  ‘And is there a safe at the man’s house?’

  ‘There is, but he’s doesn’t keep much in it these days – mainly paperwork – deeds to his house, that kind of thing. The safe was from when he had his coal business, but he’s been retired ten years now – sold up to a local builder’s merchants.’

  ‘And you say CPS have suggested remanding Ryan?’

  ‘Yeah they’ve recommended a charge of robbery. He was already on bail for assault. He smacked the landlord of the King Arms for refusing to serve him a couple of weeks back. He’s probably going to get a good few years inside this time.’ Jack broke into a grin. ‘All the misery he’s heaped on folks in the past, it couldn’t have happened to a better man.’

  The DI met Jack’s self-congratulatory smirk with one of his own. ‘Good job Jack. Good to have you back in the fold.’ Then his face set straight, ‘You okay?’

  Jack offered a brief nod, ‘Yes it’s good to be back. I never thought I’d miss this shit-hole of a job but I did.’

  Dick Harrison let out a laugh, ‘Good to see you haven’t lost your sense of humour.’ Then he stepped to one side, ‘I want to introduce you to our newest recruit.’

  Directly behind the Detective Inspector stood a slim, dark haired, twenty-something female. She was dressed in a midnight blue trouser suit and white cotton blouse.

  ‘This is Fabi – Fabi Nosenzo. She’s here on attachment. She’s wants to be a detective and I want you to show her the ropes.’

  Jack Buchan pushed himself up from his desk and offered his hand. ‘Fabi – what a lovely name.’

  ‘It’s short for Fabiola. My parents are Italian.’ She took a step forward and clasped Jack’s large hand.

  Her grip was strong and confident. Jack held on to it momentarily, studying her features. Her hair was scraped back exposing high cheekbones and sparkling almond shaped eyes and her olive complexion was flawless. There was a fresh natural beauty about her that he couldn’t help but admire and, as he viewed her, the term classic beauty instantly came into his thoughts. As he let go of her hand she offered up a smile, but Jack felt that it seemed forced, almost nervous, and he attempted to set her at ease by returning an avuncular grin, before saying, ‘Welcome to CID Fabi. And by the way, that comment I made about this being a shit-hole of a job, just ignore me. I’m a typical cynical old detective. What I really meant was that this is a wonderful job, with good pay and conditions, the hours are great, and everyone loves you and regularly tells you how well you’re doing.’

  She let out a snort of laughter.

  The DI switched his gaze between the seasoned and fledgling detectives. ‘See I told you what to expect.’

  Jack turned to the DI, ‘Should I be offended by that comment?’

  ‘On the contrary Jack I told her I was putting her with my best detective.’

  ‘Now who’s bullshitting?’

  Dick Harrison let out a laugh, ‘No flies eh Jack?’ Then on a serious note he said, ‘You know the drill Jack. Fabi’s with us for six months at least. I want you to look after her and show her how the job should be done.’

  Jack nodded, ‘Sure boss.’

  ‘And your first job together is waiting for you downstairs in the foyer. I’ve just been told a lady wants to report a friend missing and that she’s concerned for her welfare. Uniform were going to deal with it but the lady insists on speaking to a detective. She thinks her friend may have come to some harm. Are you okay with that?’

  ‘Yeah the Mason file is done. I’ll e-mail it across to CPS and then we’ll nip down and speak to her.’

  6

  The slip of paper in Jack Buchan’s hand told him that Tammy Callaghan was 33 years old and that she lived in The Old Fisherman’s cottage at Penberth Cove. The woman he was trading eye contact with in reception was petite with a bob of light brown hair framing a fresh looking face that bore only a hint of makeup.

  She displayed an anxious look.

  ‘Ms Callaghan, Tammy Callaghan,’ he said stepping forward. He shook her hand, his hand almost swallowing her dainty one. Her shake was limp.

  He told her his name and introduced Fabi. Then he said, ‘We’ve been told you’re concerned about a friend?’

  She shied away her sparkling grey eyes. ‘Yes I am. Carrie. She’s gone missing and no one's heard a thing from her.’

  ‘Carrie you say. What’s her full name?

  ‘Carrie Jefferies.’

  ‘And how old is Carrie?’

  Tammy canted her head and took on a thoughtful look. ‘I think she’s early thirties. I believe she’s slightly younger than me.’ She paused and glanced up. A couple of seconds later she returned her gaze. ‘To be honest I’m not quite sure.’

  ‘But you’d say roughly around the thirty mark?’

  Tammy nodded.

  ‘And when exactly did she go missing?’ Jack asked.

  ‘Sunday. Early hours Sunday morning was the last time I saw her. Five days ago now. She had a row with her boyfriend and since then we’ve not heard from her.’

  ‘And you think she may have come to some harm?’

  She returned her gaze. ‘Well I’m not too sure. I don’t want to get anyone into trouble. But, well, it just doesn’t feel right. I mean it was an almighty row they had and now she’s just disappeared. He says she’s gone off on her own accord, but I’m not so sure. He had a lot to drink that night and he can be quite nasty when he’s had a few.’

  Jack touched her shoulder and pointed out one of the interview rooms in reception, ‘I think we need to have a chat,’ he said and guided her across the floor.

  The small soundproof room they entered was only big enough for a table and four chairs. Tammy Callaghan took the chair offered her at the b
ack of the narrow room and Jack and Fabi took up their places across the table.

  Jack watched her pick her fingers for a few seconds then said, ‘I can see you’re nervous Tammy. May I call you Tammy?’

  She stopped picking the skin around her cuticles, looked up and gave a quick nod.

  ‘As I said, I can see you’re nervous, but you’ve no need to be Tammy. You’re here because you’re concerned about a friend and you’ve every right to talk to the police. I’m sure if the roles were reversed your friend would be sat here doing exactly the same thing.’

  ‘She’s not really my friend.’ She squeezed her eyes and a frown appeared, ‘What I mean is she’s a friend of sorts but not a good friend.’ She paused, ‘Am I making sense?’

  Jack nodded, ‘I understand. Now you said Carrie went missing five days ago?’

  Tammy laid her delicate palms flat on the table. ‘Yes, she and Toby…’

  ‘Toby?’ Jack interjected.

  ‘Toby Alexander. That’s who Carrie lives with. They came to our house for a meal and they ended up having this almighty row.’ She straightened herself and switched her gaze between Jack and Fabi. ‘Look, it’s like I say I don’t want to get anyone into trouble, but it’s the circumstances in which she’s gone that I’m not happy with.’

  ‘I can see you’re troubled Tammy. In your own words just take us through things and then we’ll see if there’s anything we need to worry about.’

  Tammy took a deep breath ‘Last Saturday evening Toby and Carrie came to our house for a meal. Toby is my husband’s friend – he invited them. I know Carrie, not really that well, but she’s a lovely person and easy to get on with. Well, we had a couple of drinks and had our meal and then just started chatting. It was all very friendly at first. We’ve had a couple of meals together before. My husband and Toby got to chatting about art – like they usually do – they're both professional artists – and Carrie just made a comment about them “always talking about art. Can we talk about something else?” It was just a comment, but Toby took it really personal and started having a go at Carrie – calling her stupid and started picking on her. I tried to calm him down but he’d had quite a bit to drink and there was no calming him. He just got worse as the evening wore on and we ended up calling it a day just after midnight. Toby was quite smashed. In fact, he was having trouble standing and my husband had to help him into the car. Carrie was driving. I did ask her if she was going to be all right because he was still picking on her and she said that she was “used to him being like this” and then drove off. The next day Toby rang my husband and asked if we’d seen or heard from Carrie because she wasn’t at home. To be honest, it didn’t surprise me given the state he was in. I just thought good for her. But then he rang us on the Monday and told us he’d still not heard from her. My husband told him to report her missing to you but I don’t know if he’s done that. I’ve just come to see if you know about it and see if she’s turned up or not. It’s been five days now and she’s not answering her mobile. I’ve left her a couple of messages on her voicemail and she’s not come back to me. I’m really worried about her.’