by Anita Waller
Later that night, after Adam had been despatched off to bed, they sat around talking. Erin filled them in on everything the doctor had said about Michael, that nothing was going to be a quick fix, but there was no reason that he shouldn’t walk again, with a prosthetic leg. The right leg was a case of so far, so good, and they were hopeful they wouldn’t have to remove it.
Everybody skirted around the subject of Jenny, partly because nobody knew anything, but partly because they could see Sally’s fragility. Steve had told them he would be flying back to the States, leaving at eight o’clock the next morning, and Tim would be staying in Lincoln. He said he would return in time for Grace’s funeral, but they had stuff to deal with back home which required the presence of one or other of them.
Erin decided to stay over, sharing Michael’s apartment with Caro, and by midnight, they had all gone to bed.
In every bedroom, with the exception of Adam’s, sleep didn’t happen easily.
29
They were woken at just before six o’clock with a loud hammering on the front door. Mark was the first to reach the door, closely followed by a terrified Erin.
Gainsborough stood on the steps, holding a piece of paper. ‘Mr. Carbrook, we have a warrant to search the apartment in Sheffield. We need you to accompany us, and bring the apartment keys, please.’
‘What? Why?’
Mark was rubbing his eyes. His head was whirling. Immediately, his thoughts flew to the letters, and relief engulfed him, as his mind flashed to where they now resided.
‘We have further information about Jenny Carbrook, and we will be re-interviewing Melissa and Jonathan Price. We have reason to believe your wife wasn’t in that apartment for the whole of that night. We need to do a search of the apartment and require you to be there.’
Sarcasm was evident in Mark’s voice. ‘Am I allowed to get dressed first?’
‘Of course, and I’m sorry we have had to do this. As quickly as you can though, sir.’
Mark nodded. By now, everyone was up, including Adam. Ignoring Gainsborough, who had now entered the hallway, he spoke to his son.
‘Adam, I have to go to Sheffield. There’s plenty here to look after you, and I’ll be back as soon as I can.’
‘Sally, Tommy, can you do a shop? I was going to do it today, but that might not happen now. Steve – safe journey, and we’ll see you soon. Tim …’
‘Just go and get dressed, Mark,’ Tim said. ‘We’ll take care of things. Despite the antagonism, it really is only Jenny they’re after.’
‘There’s no antagonism, Mr. Carbrook,’ Gainsborough responded directly to Tim. ‘This isn’t Florida. Five minutes, Mark.’
Mark climbed the stairs, not rushing, and went into his bedroom. He gathered his clothes together, popped his mobile phone into his pocket, and went across the landing to the bathroom. He locked the door behind him and texted Tim.
When we’ve gone go to office. Locked drawer in desk. Key under plant on windowsill. Remove out of house the brown envelope with letters in it. Do not let anyone see. Don’t reply and delete this text.
He prayed Tim hadn’t got his phone on him; he didn’t want anyone hearing the ping of an incoming text. He deleted the text and slipped the phone into his pocket.
Mark flushed the toilet and went downstairs.
‘Ready?’ Gainsborough asked. ‘Leave your mobile phone at home, sir.’
Mark stared at him. ‘Are you out of your mind? My father is seriously ill in hospital, I have an eleven-year-old son scared witless because of you, and you think I’m leaving it at home? Not an earthly.’
‘Then, I’ll hold it. I’ll hand it back when we get back.’ Gainsborough held out his hand. ‘And I need the keys to the apartment, please.’
‘Why am I being treated like a criminal? Strikes me I’m the victim, not the fucking perpetrator.’ He handed the phone over. ‘If it rings …’
Gainsborough nodded. ‘I’ll check it immediately.’
‘Daddy …’ Adam’s heartbreak was evident in his voice. ‘Are you coming back?’
Mark tightly hugged his son, running his hand over his hair. ‘I am, for definite. Later today. Take care of Aunty Caro and Aunty Erin, won’t you? And look after your Nan for me.’
He went to the key cupboard and picked up the small bunch of keys marked Sheffield, handed them over and went out the door, followed by Gainsborough. He was so angry, he couldn’t speak. The constable moved to help him into the back seat and Mark turned on him. ‘Touch me, and I’ll flatten you and bugger the consequences. Understand?’
The constable hesitated, then nodded. Mark eased himself into the back of the car, and Gainsborough slid into the front passenger seat.
Mark breathed a sigh of relief he had already texted Tim; he had half expected Gainsborough to tell him to leave his phone behind. Now, his worry was whether Tim would read the letters, or not. If he was a gambler, he would bet he would read them …
The journey to Sheffield took less than an hour, and by half past seven, they were in the lift, heading for the fifth floor.
They had hardly spoken on the journey; Mark was seething with anger at the way they had been treated.
Tim walked down to the car with Steve. They had decided to take it back to the car hire desk at the airport, and Steve would pick up another one when he returned. Tim had access to several vehicles in Lincoln, so didn’t really need it.
Tim smiled at Steve. ‘Well, it’s never quiet with my family, is it? You take care, and get back here as quick as you can. And thank you for …’ He nodded towards the boot of the car.
‘No worries. Can I look at whatever it is?’
Tim shrugged. ‘The text said Don’t let anyone see. I think that meant don’t let anyone see me taking out of the drawer, not don’t let anyone see whatever it is. It’s up to you. Either look, or don’t look, just bring it back with you. If Mark wants it out of the house, so be it. I don’t know why he couldn’t have done it when he got back, but he’ll have had his reasons.’
Steve leaned through the window, and they shared a kiss, before he put the car into gear and drove away. Tim watched him depart, then began to walk up the short drive to the house. Two police cars drove in, one pulling into the empty space left by Steve, and one parking across the entrance, blocking any cars wanting to get out.
He stared in astonishment.
‘What the …?’ he muttered to himself.
‘DS Spring, sir. And you are?’
‘Tim Carbrook. If you’re wanting my brother, he’s in Sheffield having the apartment turned over by another set of thugs looking just like you.’
Spring sighed. ‘Was that really necessary?’
‘Yes, it was. I have an eleven-year-old nephew crying his eyes out in there, because he thinks the police have taken his daddy away, and he won’t be coming back – just like his mummy and sister won’t be coming back. So, don’t ask me if it was really necessary, because it bloody well was. What do you want?’
‘We have a warrant to search these premises, sir.’
‘What?’
‘So, if you don’t mind …’
‘Show me.’
Spring handed over the warrant, and Tim pretended to read it. His mind was whirling, and he knew that somehow, whatever he had packed into Steve’s suitcase, would have been a problem, if found, for his brother.
Tim handed it back. ‘We’ve just finished breakfast. I’m assuming you’ll allow everyone to get dressed?’
‘Of course. We will be starting the search in fifteen minutes, so I suggest we get in the house and tell everyone.’
Nothing was found, nothing was taken away, from either the apartment in Sheffield or Lindum Lodge.
Lissy and Jon confirmed everything they had said on their original statement was accurate, and no, they didn’t want to add or change anything. As far as they were concerned, Jenny had been very ill, and medication had been given in the middle of the night, around two o’clock.
G
ainsborough was curious about why the mattress had been removed from the bed base and left standing by the side of the bed, and Mark explained they were going to arrange to have it taken to Lindum Lodge for when Michael came out of hospital. He had got it ready for the removal men to collect it, after stripping it of its bedding. He showed them the laundry basket with the bedding in it, and the suitcase packed with the quilt and pillows ready for transportation with the bed.
Gainsborough seemed satisfied with the answer and moved across to the safe, asking for the code. Just to be awkward, Mark said he didn’t know, and they would have to ask Michael. Technically, it was his apartment, he had married Anna before her death, and it hadn’t been mentioned in her will, so he inherited it.
‘And you never used the safe?’
‘Why would I need to use the safe? We only use this place when we come over for a match, and you don’t exactly bring valuables with you to a football match.’
It pleased Mark to be unhelpful. He knew there was absolutely nothing in the safe, and he also knew the code, but Gainsborough was still holding on to his phone, and two could play at being difficult.
‘Can I ask what you’re actually looking for? And why? I thought you were trying to find my wife, and she’s clearly not here?’
‘Mark, come and sit down.’
There was a change in the policeman’s tone.
Mark looked at him for a moment and moved back into the lounge area, sitting on the sofa.
Gainsborough took the chair across from him. ‘We have new information. Forensic information.’
‘What? Is that what this is all about? This warrant?’
‘Two warrants, Mark. I have a team in Lindum Lodge at the moment.’
Mark stood. ‘Bastard! Adam is there …’
‘Sit down, Mark. Adam is fine, there is a female PC there, and his two aunts are there to keep him entertained.’
Mark stared at Gainsborough. ‘Have you got kids?’
‘No.’
‘Well, that’s fucking obvious.’
‘I said sit down, and I’ll tell you what we have that’s led us to tying up loose ends. And that is all this is, loose ends. We would be neglecting our duties, if we hadn’t done these searches. I didn’t expect to find anything, but we have been thorough, nevertheless.’
Puzzlement was etched on to Mark’s face. ‘So …?’
‘We recovered your wife’s car, as you know. It went straight off to forensics, and they discovered traces of blood on the driver’s seat. Those traces proved to be a match to Ray Carbrook and James Oswoski. There is only one-way traces of blood from both victims from that one night could have got into that car, and that’s from their killer. Hence the searches.’
Mark couldn’t speak. He felt sick. He stared at Gainsborough, coughing to clear his throat.
‘You think Jenny killed Ray? And Mr. Oswoski?’
‘Hundred percent sure. And we’ll prove it. This today, as I said, has been an exercise in tidying up loose ends. We know you didn’t live in Lincoln when the murders took place, so we’re hardly likely to find blood stains in Lindum Lodge. We checked that out, in case Jenny had left any clothes there we could link to the murders.’
‘I burnt everything,’ Mark said. ‘I didn’t want anything of hers left in that house.’
Mark’s head dropped. The one person he had been protecting all through this, Adam, was now likely to find out everything.
‘Sir …’ A man dressed in a white CSI suit popped his head around the door. ‘We have blood trace in the bathroom.’
Gainsborough looked at Mark. ‘Mark, we don’t assume anything. It will be tested.’ He turned and spoke to the man. ‘Where is it?’
‘On the handle of the shower head.’
The DI nodded. ‘Expedite the testing, will you?’
Mark shook his head. Everything was falling apart quite spectacularly. His world was imploding, and he almost felt as if he wasn’t being allowed to grieve for his little girl.
‘Let me get this right,’ he said eventually. ‘You think Jenny went from here, without my mother being aware of it, drove to Lincoln in the middle of the night, killed Ray then James Oswoski, and drove back here? She then went in the shower, again without Mum hearing the water, conned Mum into going to Lissy for medication to set up an alibi, and got away with it for fifteen months?’
‘That’s almost right, Mark. It’s the bit about your mother not knowing I’m struggling with. I think Anna did know. I think they set up the alibi between them; what I don’t know is why. Why would your wife want to kill her father-in-law? Because it’s now clear the idea was to make it look like a serial killer was on the loose. She killed Joan Jackson first, following it up with Ray Carbrook. I believe poor James Oswoski wasn’t particularly planned for that night. He was just in the wrong place at the wrong time, and she took advantage of him being an old man and not likely to put up a fight. She would have been running on adrenalin, don’t forget, and that would have given her extra strength.’
There was a lengthy pause, while Mark assessed just how much Gainsborough knew, and how much he was guessing.
‘But, why would you think Mum knew about it? You can’t just say that!’
‘Mark, I’m going to prove it. When this one goes to court, your family will be laid bare, make no mistake about that. If you know anything, tell me now.’
‘For God’s sake, man, I was in Derby on the night this all happened. My alibi is strong; the hotel vouched for me being there – I know absolutely nothing. This has all come as a bloody shock, I can tell you.’
Gainsborough pressed on. ‘As I said, the motive is unclear. Did Jenny kill Carbrook to get Anna out of an unhappy marriage? Did Michael Groves know about it? He was pretty quick on the scene after Ray Carbrook died.’
‘My mother contacted him. He had had no contact with her for 35 years when Ray died. You know that. Stop clutching at straws, Inspector.’ Mark’s reply was scathing.
‘So, what turned Jenny Carbrook into a multiple killer? Because, believe me, I know she is. We may not have the proof yet, but we have enough proof to convince us. And if she hadn’t taken Grace last Wednesday, none of this would have come out. It would all have eventually been relegated to a cold case, and I would possibly have gone to my grave a very frustrated copper, never knowing who had managed to kill three people and get away with it. But, I’m frustrated no longer, Mark. And that blood sample on the shower control is going to place either James Oswoski’s or Ray Carbrook’s blood in this flat, brought here by your wife.’
Michael was dozing. He had experienced some pain following only a small amount of physiotherapy, so they had increased his pain control slightly; it made him sleepy. He was aware he had been somewhat lacking in visitors; nobody had been at all.
When Mark did eventually arrive, he was alone. ‘Dad? You okay?’
‘No,’ Michael grumbled. ‘They’ve started doing physio, and it damn well hurts. Where is everybody?’
‘You might well ask. We’ve had a hell of a day. Just be thankful you’re in here.’
He went on to tell his father about the trip to Sheffield and the search of Lindum Lodge. He even told Michael not to panic, but Gainsborough had placed him in the frame for ordering Ray’s death.
He gave a small laugh. ‘I’m not panicking. I haven’t done anything, so there can’t be any proof.’
‘They’re clutching at straws – they have no idea why Jenny would do it, so tried saying she was helping you and Anna out by getting rid of him. I pointed out divorce was an easier option than murder, and it would have been relatively simple to get that divorce. They may come and see you, but I don’t think he was being serious about you being involved.’
‘Mark, your mother didn’t contact me in any way until after Ray’s death,’ Michael said mildly. ‘And I wouldn’t have stabbed him, that’s not my style at all. I rather think I would have poisoned him.’
‘Well, that’s good to know, Dad.’
‘So – the letters? I’m assuming they didn’t find them, because you’re not locked up.’
‘No, they haven’t found them, and they’re actually quite irrelevant now. At this particular moment in time, they’re in Florida.’
‘What?’
‘When I went upstairs to get dressed before they took me off to Sheffield, I messaged Tim and told him to move them as soon as I’d gone. I told him where they were, and where the key was. He did as I asked, and Steve came up with the idea of stowing them in his suitcase for a few days – he’s coming back for the funeral. We were very lucky, apparently. The police turned up to search Lindum about a minute after Steve left. However, I can’t guarantee they won’t read them. We might have some explaining to do. I’d like to keep the whole sordid mess away from Caroline, but that’s not going to work with Tim. He’ll probably be able to work everything out, without even having to ask.’
Michael shook his head. ‘I suppose really we should destroy them. Let’s face it, the only reason we’ve hung on to the damn things is to try to protect Adam, and when they find Jenny, and it goes to court, she’s going to have to explain why she did what she did. She’ll tell them about Adam to go for the sympathy vote with the jury. You know, Mark, I’d do anything to spare Adam that.’
‘So would I, Dad, so would I.’
30
Monday was wet, very wet. The dry, warm spell which had lasted for weeks suddenly disappeared, and rainclouds covered Lincolnshire. The trees dripped on anybody passing underneath their branches, and it was noticeably cooler.
Erin backed her car out of the corner plot of the hard standing in Mark’s front garden, and carefully manoeuvred it so she could drive forwards on to the main road. She hadn’t slept well for the second night in a row; she had spent most of the night chatting with Caroline about the day’s events, and what the consequences were likely to be. They were both aware nothing had been found at either property, but the real shock had come when Mark had revealed the results of forensics on Jenny’s car.