by M A Comley
Not long after, AJ popped his head around the door. “Morning, boss.”
“Morning, AJ. Is everybody here?”
He looked over his shoulder. “They are now. Graham has just arrived.”
Lorne left her desk and picked up the sheet of paper. “I’ve got some news.”
“Concerning the case?”
“Could be of relevance, yes.” She went to the investigation board. “Morning, team. Grab yourself a drink and gather around, please.”
The team shared a quizzical look then assembled quickly.
Lorne held up the note Mick had given her. “I’ve just been handed this information on the way in, so the details are as sketchy to me as they are to you. Please bear with me. According to the desk sergeant, a woman might have been abducted last night. This is the interesting part—the incident took place close to where Nadine Walker-Scott was murdered. We can either look at that as being pure coincidence, or we can consider linking the crimes from the outset. I vote for the latter.”
“Why is it being regarded as an abduction, boss?” Karen asked. “Was there a witness?”
“Apparently, there was. AJ and I will go out there and get a statement from the witness today. I need to contact the officer in charge of the case first, to see what they have to say about things, before I go barging in like a raging bull. But to me, it looks like our case just got that bit more interesting. Having a witness can only be a good thing, right?”
Karen nodded. “Is there anything else we can be looking into while you’re out, boss?”
“Hang tight for now, troops.”
The meeting ended, and Lorne went back to her office to contact the officer who had taken on the case.
“Sergeant Falkirk, this is DI Lorne Warner. I’m ringing up regarding a case that came to your attention last night.”
“Yes, ma’am. The suspected abduction case. I’m afraid I have very little to go on just yet. I was going to chase up the witness first thing this morning.”
“The thing is, I wondered if you’d hand the case over to us as we’re investigating a murder that took place in the same area last week. Maybe there’s a connection, and it’ll only confuse matters if there are different teams carrying out separate investigations.”
“I don’t have a problem with that. I’m just down the hallway. I could drop the file off to you.”
“Excellent news, much appreciated. I’ll let you know the outcome if anything should come off the case.”
“Thanks, that’d be great. See you in a tick.”
While she waited for the officer to arrive, Lorne sorted through the daily post, dividing the letters into different piles depending on their urgency. AJ appeared a few minutes later with a file in his hand.
“Sergeant Falkirk has dropped the case notes over, boss.”
Lorne pushed away from her desk. “Then let’s go.”
AJ drove out to the witness’s house and parked outside the woman’s quaint pink-painted thatched cottage. Lorne recognised the house because she passed it virtually every day on her way home from work. She knocked with the large round door knocker then waited for the door to open. A grey-haired woman in her early sixties cautiously opened the door a few seconds later.
“Mrs. Marriott?”
“Yes, and you are?”
Lorne and AJ both produced their ID cards. “DI Warner and DS Jackson. We’d like to ask you a few questions about what you saw last night. Would you mind if we come in?”
The woman held open the door. “Come through to the kitchen, I’ve just started preparing my lunch.” They followed her through the house to the country-style kitchen at the rear. The heat from the range warmed the room. “Take a seat, please.”
The three of them pulled out a chair at the circular aged oak table. “You’re obviously still shaken by what you witnessed. You’d have to be pretty heartless not to be, so take your time and just tell us what you saw.”
Mrs. Marriott’s Siamese cat jumped onto her lap, settled down quickly, and purred noisily. She stroked the cat’s head as she recounted the events. “I was out walking Gordon over there.” She pointed at a little Yorkshire terrier fast asleep in its basket. “He’s deaf, probably not even aware that you’re here. He’s a dear old soul. Anyway, we were out on our usual evening stroll.”
“What time was this?” Lorne asked gently.
“Around six forty-five. Any later, and it would have been too dark out there.”
Lorne motioned for AJ to take notes. He opened his notebook and jotted down the time. “And where do you usually take Gordon for his evening walk, Mrs. Marriott?”
“Just around the country lanes. We might venture into the woods over the back here during the day, but definitely not in the evening. If poor Gordon ran off, I wouldn’t be able to find him again, so we tend to stick to the main road. It quietens down at that time of night, you see. We hadn’t been out long when I noticed something in the road a few hundred feet ahead of me.” She stopped stroking the cat and clutched her hands together on the table in front of her. “As I got closer I realised it was a dog. It was crying in pain, a heart-rending cry that touched my very soul. I froze on the spot, just didn’t know what to do for the best. Gordon doesn’t get on with other dogs, you see. I contemplated turning back to the house, but my legs were momentarily rigid. It was a horrible sensation. I suppose it was fear.”
“I’ve heard it can affect people in that way. Can you tell us what you saw?”
“It was what I heard that scared me the most I think, dear.” Tears trickled down her cheek, and she withdrew a tissue from the box in the centre of the table then daintily blew her nose before she continued, “I’m an animal lover, and to hear the pain that dog was in just tore me to pieces. That poor baby… when Gordon and I approached it, I could tell that it had been run over. His back leg looked as if it had been crushed.” Her voice became shaky, and she teared up. “I always carry my mobile phone with me. When I saw the dog was still alive, I immediately rang my vet; he said he’d come out straight away. I then rang 999 to call the police.”
Lorne winced when the details about the dog were revealed. “You did the right thing, Mrs. Marriott. Did you see any cars in the vicinity?”
“No, dear. Once I realised who the dog belonged to, my concern switched to Kath. She’s devoted to that dog, never lets it out of her sight.”
“So you know the owner?”
“Yes, it’s Kath Brinck. She lives a few doors down from me. All I can think about is that it could have been me if I’d left the house a few minutes earlier, and Gordon of course.” She shook her head and dabbed at her eyes.
“If you can give me Kath’s address, that would help. We’ll drop by the house. Maybe this will turn out to be a terrible mistake.”
“There’s no mistake, dear. I know it was her dog. I tried to ring her when I got home, but there was no reply. She’s a spinster, you see. Lives alone, although she does have other animals in the house. I’ll ring the RSPCA, see what they suggest doing about that.”
“That’s a shame. Do you know Kath well?”
“Not really. We all seem to do our own thing out here. We get together once or twice during the year when the community puts something special on like a fête or something along those lines, but I’m ashamed to say we don’t mingle as friends. That sounds bad, I admit.”
“Not at all. We all live busy lives. It’s understandable. Are you sure you didn’t see any vehicles on the road?”
“No, definitely not. All I keep thinking about is what if that had been me—I was wearing a dark coat yesterday. I don’t usually in the autumn and winter months, but I’ve mislaid my reflective coat. It could so easily have been little Gordon lying in the road.” She shuddered at the thought.
Lorne patted the woman’s hand. “It’s a terrible situation. Maybe someone left the gate open, and the dog got out on its own.”
“But he had his lead on. Why would he have his lead on if Kath wasn’t with him
? Sorry, I know something dreadful has happened to Kath. Please, you have to believe me. I’m not in the habit of wasting police time.”
“I’m sorry. Please don’t upset yourself. We’ll find the person who has done this. Can you tell me how the dog was? I’m an animal lover, too.” Lorne smiled.
“He was in a dreadful state. The vet wasn’t sure if he’d need to put the poor creature to sleep or not. Looks like a car ran over his back leg. The injuries made me feel sick when I saw them, but I comforted the dog the best I could until help arrived. What kind of sick human being could hurt a living creature like that?”
Lorne exhaled a long breath. “Sadly, it is becoming more and more prevalent these days. Certain parts of society have little, or no, respect for our four-legged friends. It’s my belief that if the different cultures and people in this world are intent on abusing animals, then those same people are capable of committing heinous crimes against their fellow man. Sorry, I’ll step off my soapbox now. It does incense me, though.”
“It is a very sorrowful world we live and breathe in today, Inspector. You’re right about that. What will happen about Kath now?”
“We’ll go to her address, see what we can find there, and then put out a bulletin in the local news, see if anyone comes forward. If after that, we suspect that Kath has been abducted, then it might possibly be linked to another crime we’re investigating in the area.”
“Would that be Nadine’s murder?”
“It would, yes. Perhaps you should consider forgetting about going out on your evening walk with Gordon for now, until things become much clearer for us.”
“I’d already thought about that, Inspector. Maybe I’ll take Gordon out at four or five instead. Will that be okay?”
“Perhaps even earlier.” Lorne stretched her neck to look out the kitchen window. “You’ve got a back garden; maybe just let little Gordon have a run around out there temporarily instead.”
“I will. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“I think we’ve covered everything for now. I’ll leave you one of my cards just in case you need to contact me. Day or night, okay?”
Mrs. Marriott nodded and gently placed the cat on the flagstone floor beside her then showed them to the front door. “Sorry I couldn’t be more help in your enquiries. I hope you find Kath safe and well soon.”
“So do we. Ring me if you’re worried at all. Lock the door and don’t open it until you’ve seen some form of ID from the person calling.”
“Is that really necessary?”
“Two possible incidents within the last two weeks, yes, I’d say that would indeed be necessary.”
As they walked up the path between the late-blossoming roses, Lorne heard Mrs. Marriott attach the safety chain to the front door.
“Not much to go on,” AJ stated, sounding downbeat.
“You’re telling me. I think we should drop by this Kath Brinck’s house before we go back to the station.”
The cottage was set back from the road. Lorne knocked on the door, but it remained closed.
AJ looked through several of the windows. “Nothing here.”
“Well, that’s enough for me,” Lorne replied, her suspicions raised that the woman had been abducted. “I’ll just take a quick peek around the back.” She eased down the side of the cottage and peered through the kitchen window. She knocked on the back door but again received no response. She returned to AJ and shrugged. “Let’s go.”
They returned to their car and drove back to the station in relative silence.
When they arrived, Lorne found DCI Roberts waiting for her at the top of the stairs. “You go ahead and fill the team in, AJ. I won’t be long.”
“Yes, boss,” he replied, looking awkward.
“Everything all right, Lorne?”
“In relation to what, sir?”
“Well, I was hoping that you’d let me know how your interview with IPCC went. Twenty-four hours have passed since they questioned you.”
Lorne punched her thigh. “Damn, sorry, I forgot all about that. Got tied up with the case. We’ve got a possible abduction to add to the murder now, we think.”
His eyes rolled up to the ceiling. “Why do I get the feeling that you’re avoiding the issue here?”
“I’m not, I promise. I’m just being practical and focused on the case. I can’t do anything about the complaint, sir. That’s totally out of my hands. I’m not about to lose sleep over something I can do fuck all about, excuse my French, but you get my drift. If they want to sack me…” She shrugged. “Let them, it’s not as if I haven’t got another job to go to.”
Roberts folded his arms and shook his head. “It won’t come to that. Did they listen to what you had to say or shoot you down in flames?”
“Barton started off as though he had a cattle prod sticking out of his arse, but by the end of the interview, he appeared to be listening to what I had to say with interest, but who can tell with that lot?”
“Did he give you any indication how long it would be before they complete their investigation?”
“Nope. I couldn’t care less, if I’m honest with you. I’ll probably lose because right now the whole damn system is so screwed up, nothing would surprise me.”
Roberts placed his hand on her forearm. “Whoa! Where the hell did that come from, Lorne? Is that what you truly believe?”
She slumped against the wall. “How the fuck would you feel if your career was on the line? If your word was being scrutinised over that of a murdering criminal banged up on remand?”
“I guess I’d feel pretty much the same as you do. Hey, I believe you, never doubted it for a second. You know that, right?”
Lorne nodded. “I think I know you well enough to think that now, but once upon a time, I think you would have welcomed any form of action against me, just to teach me a lesson after our relationship ended the way it did.”
He laughed. “You have such a low opinion of me at times, Lorne. I’ve always backed you and spoken up for you, even though you can be a right bitch at times.”
Lorne’s eyes widened, and she pushed herself off the wall to stand inches in front of him again. “Is that so?”
“Now don’t get shirty with me. You said something about an abduction?”
“Nice change of direction there, sir. Yes, it’s so damn frustrating that these incidents are taking place out in my neck of the woods, where there is no CCTV footage at our disposal.”
“You think that’s an intentional ploy by the offender?”
“It could be.”
“What’s the next step?”
“Before I was rudely interrupted.” She smiled tightly. “I was about to organise the media coverage, and then I thought I’d send a couple of members of my team out to the scene to do house-to-house enquiries. There’s nothing else we can do at this moment in time, infuriating as that is. I’ll get in touch with the media, call a press conference for either this afternoon or tomorrow. Let’s hope we can flush this bastard out.”
“I’ll let you get on. Keep me informed.”
CHAPTER SIX
He opened the door to the garden shed and snuck inside. The woman was sitting up against the wooden wall, her hands tied in front of her, her feet bound by thick blue tow rope, and a plastic carrier bag over her head.
Her head tilted and turned his way. “Hello? Please, let me go. I promise I won’t go to the police.”
“You’ll be released when I say, not when you want,” the man’s gravelly voice filled the confined space. He watched the woman as she began to tremble.
“Please, what about my dog? Is he all right?” the woman pleaded, her voice shaking.
He remained silent for the next few minutes, aware that his silence would only add to her torment. Finally, he replied, “I doubt he made it. Beats me why you people have the stupid animals in the first place. They’re a drain on your time and your resources. If you hadn’t been out walking the damn thing, I wouldn’t have pi
cked you up.” He laughed, a vicious laugh full of hidden intent.
The woman shuddered. “Can I have a drink or something to eat?”
He got down on the floor beside her and whispered in her ear, “Do you think this is the Hilton? No, you can’t have any drink or food. You won’t be in need of them soon anyway, not where you’re going.”
“Tell me what I’ve done to deserve this? I’ll put things right if I can. I have some money set aside. You can have that if you let me go.”
His ears pricked up at the mention of money. He’d always thought she was quite well off. Most older women living on their own were. “Where is it?”
“I don’t trust banks. I keep it hidden in my bedroom.”
“At least we agree on one thing. Banks are thieving bastards. Where in your bedroom?”
She gulped. “Under the floorboards beneath the bed. I could show you.”
“How much are we talking about?”
“Around fifty thousand pounds the last time I counted it.”
“Spend your lonely evenings counting all your money, eh?”
“No.”
He slapped her around the head, and she cried out in pain. “How did you get to be so dumb?”
“I’m not. Take the money; just let me go. I’m begging you.”
He leaned in closer. “I’ve got news for you, lady. I’m going to take the money and then kill you. See? You really shouldn’t have laid all your cards on the table at the first opportunity. You obviously don’t value your own life. I’m not going to kill you just yet, though. I need to go over to your place to verify that you’re telling me the truth. God help you if you’re lying.”
“I am telling you the truth. What use would it be for me to lie to you?”
“People in dire straits often try to lie their way out of a situation.”
“You’ve already told me you’re going to kill me. Why don’t you get it over with? Kill me now, you twisted bastard.”