He's Gone

by Alex Clare

  The door to the incident room was propped open. Robyn stopped in the doorway. ‘Morning, all. Bacon rolls all round? And egg for you, Ravi.’

  She reckoned taking the lift down wasn’t cheating.

  As the doors opened in the lobby, Khalid was waiting. ‘Morning. I was on my way to see you – that’s some black eye. Are you OK?’

  ‘I’m fine, thanks.’ Robyn smiled. ‘And we caught the burglar, as requested. I’m going to the canteen – join me?’

  Khalid smiled in return. ‘Why not? Yes, it was a good result just a shame his arrest came too late for the local paper. Never mind, more coverage tomorrow.’

  ‘Just what you wanted.’

  ‘Yes. Stolen jewels, a fight, an escape. All we needed was some scouts and it would have been a Boy’s Own adventure.’

  ‘Girl’s Own.’ Robyn held up a finger. ‘Lorraine and me.’

  Khalid tensed, searching her face until Robyn smiled and he relaxed. ‘Well then, Girl’s Own. But it should be “Lorraine and I”.’

  Robyn opened her mouth to protest then saw the corners of Khalid’s mouth were starting to rise. ‘OK, one all.’ She turned to the counter. ‘Four bacon and one egg roll please.’

  ‘Do you know anything more about when Janice will be charged?’ Khalid had lowered his voice but the lady behind the counter grimaced.

  Wanting to get away, Robyn stopped searching for the right change and handed over a note. ‘Can we talk about this upstairs?’

  Khalid drew back as Robyn took the bundle of rolls, grease already leaking through the napkins. ‘And you’re going to eat those?’

  ‘Well, could you carry the drinks then?’

  In the lobby, the HR Business Partner pushed into the lift as the doors were closing. ‘You might have held the doors open.’

  ‘I’m sorry.’ Khalid gave a charming smile. ‘Your people normally do that for you.’

  She sniffed and stared into her phone until they reached the second floor.

  Robyn checked to make sure the lift doors had shut behind them. ‘I see why you work in PR.’

  ‘Because I speak proper.’

  Stepping into the incident room, Robyn sensed a charge in the atmosphere. Ravi spoke first. ‘It’s her, Guv. The lab called. The skeleton is Lacey Penrose.’

  Robyn’s jaw set. ‘I only put the sample in yesterday. Are they sure?’

  ‘Absolutely, Guv. Lab said ninety-nine point lots percent certain the skeleton was a close relation to the sample provided.’

  ‘Sounds like you made a bit of a hit at the hospital, Guv. The technician you spoke to yesterday was very upset when he couldn’t speak to “nice DI Bailley”.’ Graham sniggered.

  Robyn ignored him. Someone had killed a girl the same age as Becky. She was looking forward to finding them. She took a deep breath. ‘Right, to work. We need to cover all aspects of Lacey Penrose’s life. First, her work: Lorraine, as you got on so well with the receptionist at Derby and Rutherford, with me. It’ll be a nice surprise for Ms Chivers to see us again so soon.’

  Lorraine grinned and reached for her bag.

  Robyn took a breath and continued. ‘Ravi, Chloe, follow up on the home side. I’ve got these things of Lacey’s from her parents’ home – go through the handbag and get the lab to test everything. The last time she was with her family was the twenty-ninth of November – find when Lacey last used her bank cards, phone, anything else to help us pinpoint when she died.’

  Chloe scurried to her desk and scrabbled papers into a pile.

  ‘And, Graham, can you find out who else used warehouse B – as we suspect something illegal was going on there, find out whether Lacey was mixed up with it. We need the reason she went to the warehouse.’

  One of the bacon sandwiches fell to the floor with a soft thump. Robyn jumped; she’d forgotten them. ‘OK, I’ll have that one. Here we go, everyone.’

  ‘Do you want an announcement to go out?’ Khalid passed over the last drink and wiped his fingers.

  ‘The killer’s had nearly three years of peace and quiet before we found the body. They can sweat for a bit. Also, we need to tell the Penroses before we do anything. I’ll go as I spoke to them yesterday.’ Robyn moved to the door.

  ‘Ah, Guv?’ Graham was hovering. ‘What’s happening about Janice?’

  Robyn forced herself to keep her face neutral. ‘DI Farnham has confirmed the charges. They’re the lowest we could hope for and she should get bail today.’ She paused. ‘You all know what happens next. I’m guessing Janice will ask for a trial and let a jury decide.’ She paused. The tips of Graham’s ears had flooded a dull red. Robyn swung her bag to her shoulder. ‘I did what I could.’

  Without waiting for anyone to ask exactly what she’d done, she walked out. Only when she got to the lift did she realise she’d forgotten her tea.

  37

  Frustrated, Robyn jabbed the lift button once, twice. Up the corridor, Lorraine manoeuvred backwards out of the incident room carrying two cups. The lift arrived.

  ‘Here you go, Guv. The bacon roll wasn’t worth saving.’

  ‘Thanks, Lorraine. Can you keep mine until we get there? I’ll need it more then.’

  Neither of them spoke on the journey to Pickley. Robyn parked outside the Penroses’ house: the driveway was empty. She downed the barely warm tea in a couple of swallows.

  ‘You might as well stay in the car, Lorraine. Oh and I didn’t get a chance to say, good work on Saturday.’

  ‘Thanks, Guv. Glad you’re OK.’ Lorraine settled into her seat with the autopsy report.

  From inside the house, Robyn could hear the faint burble of a radio. She rang the doorbell. Luke poked his head around the door.

  ‘Hello, I’m DI Bailley. We spoke on Sunday. Are either of your parents in?’

  The lad was the same height as her and seemed fascinated by the bruises around her eye. ‘Luke? Are your parents in?’

  He dropped back into the hallway, allowing the door to swing open. ‘Gran. It’s the policeman from the weekend.’

  Of course. She was hardly wearing any make-up and, without jewellery, in a grey trouser suit, what else could she expect?

  A voice responded with something inaudible and the radio was switched off. Luke slouched into the front room. Robyn followed, closing the door behind her. The grandmother was sitting at the dining table, photos and bundles of letters spread out in front of her.

  ‘Good morning, Mrs Penrose. May I sit down?’

  The woman took off her glasses and met Robyn’s eyes, without any reaction. When the contact was finally broken, she indicated a chair with a flick of her hand, passing the other over her face. Robyn had a dull certainty the woman understood why she was here and wondered whether Luke had a foreboding as well: he refused to settle, sinking onto a chair before rising to pace the floor.

  ‘Mrs Penrose, I’m afraid I have some bad news. I wonder if we can speak in private?’

  ‘Luke, come here.’ Robyn found her own back straightening. Luke stood up and came to stand at the end of the table. ‘Sit down, dear.’ The tone was softer but no less commanding. ‘You need to hear this.’

  Surprised, Robyn cleared her throat. ‘Mrs Penrose, Luke. I’m sorry to have to tell you the DNA provided confirmed it was Lacey’s body in the warehouse. We have launched a murder enquiry.’ She watched the faces. Luke’s drained of colour, leaving his spots as livid highlights in his white face. Mrs Penrose remained impassive, reaching across the table for a picture of a family standing beside a font next to a vicar with a white bundle in his arms.

  ‘Lacey’s christening. She was such a good baby, never cried, smiled at everyone.’ She picked up the photo. ‘Look, Inspector. Lacey took so much after her mother.’

  Robyn took the curled print. Everybody looked very happy. There was a contrast between the two Mrs Penroses: Lacey’s mother was wearing a fashionable frock which now looked dated while the older woman’s dress was elegant and timeless. ‘I am sorry for your loss. We think sh
e died soon after she disappeared.’

  ‘So even if the police had investigated, they would not have found her. How convenient.’

  Luke sobbed, the cry of a frightened child, burying his head in his arms.

  ‘We believe she was killed on or around the thirtieth.’ She tried to speak so that the old lady could hear and Luke couldn’t. ‘Luke saw her on the twenty-ninth. May I ask him some questions?’

  ‘You must remember, he was only eleven when this happened.’

  Robyn nodded.

  Mrs Penrose placed the photo of Lacey in front of Luke. ‘Do this for her.’

  ‘Luke, will you help me, please?’ Robyn paused, wondering if Luke could even hear her. ‘Can you remember anything particular Lacey said to you when she took you to the cinema?’

  There was no answer.

  ‘For example, did she say she was worried about anything?’

  ‘If so, she would hardly have mentioned it on Luke’s birthday trip.’ Mrs Penrose tapped the photo in front of Luke. ‘Luke, stop crying. Lacey is gone, now we need to find who did this to her. What did she say to you?’

  Luke spoke through his arms. ‘There was one thing but she told me to keep it secret.’

  Robyn and Mrs Penrose’s eyes met in a shared moment of understanding.

  ‘I know she said–’

  ‘She may have meant–’

  Robyn indicated for Mrs Penrose to continue.

  ‘Luke, she may have meant it to be secret at the time but it was a long time ago and now it may help the police catch the person who killed her. What did she say?’

  It was hard to make out the words. ‘She said Mum and Dad were going to be surprised because she was bringing someone home for Christmas.’

  ‘Did she say who it was?’ Robyn leant forward to catch the words.

  ‘Her boyfriend. She said I’d like him because he played sport.’ The sobs joined up and became a choking gurgle. He didn’t look in any state to continue.

  Robyn stood up. ‘Once again, Mrs Penrose, I’m sorry. What happened with this case before, will not happen again.’

  Mrs Penrose bowed her head and put her hand on Luke’s shoulder.

  38

  ‘How did she take it?’ Lorraine put her seat belt on.

  ‘About as well as you could hope for. These old ladies are tough and I think she already suspected the worst. Right, let’s go and annoy Mr Mark Rutherford.’ Robyn started the car.

  ‘Anything you want me to focus on, Guv?’

  ‘We need to know the last contact anyone from the office had with Lacey and whether she’d mentioned any plans to go away. Also, find out what people remember about Josh.’

  Lorraine shifted in her seat. ‘Please tell me you’re not suggesting Josh …’

  ‘No. I’m not.’ Robyn turned to Lorraine to make her point, then had to brake as the car in front stopped to turn right. ‘Bugger. I don’t believe Josh is involved. Like Lacey’s mother, he had a strange text and Luke just said Lacey intended to introduce Josh to the family at Christmas which makes it even less likely she’d dump him.’

  ‘Good. Just checking.’ Lorraine relaxed her grip on the door handle.

  A sandwich van was parked across the visitors’ parking spaces at Derby and Rutherford. Workers queued in the sun, chatting. Lorraine pointed. ‘There’s Cathy, the receptionist. Let’s see what she can tell us.’

  ‘Right, you go and talk to her. I’ll park and see who’s in the office.’

  Lorraine leapt out and Robyn reversed into a parking space next to the front door.

  A dark grey Aston Martin surged over the speed ramp at the entrance, stopping a few yards in front of Robyn’s car. The Aston’s headlights flashed, followed by a curt beep on the horn. When Robyn didn’t move, the driver opened his door, striding towards her. Robyn opened her window and watched as recognition dawned on Rutherford, who managed to put his features into neutral within a pace.

  ‘DI Bailley. We didn’t expect you back now Benjamin is safe. You are in my parking space.’ The Aston’s engine was a smooth hum in the background.

  ‘Good morning, Mr Rutherford.’ Robyn gestured towards the sandwich van. ‘As you can see there aren’t any visitor spaces. Something else has come up and I’d like to talk to you. Could I take a moment of your time?’

  ‘What for?’

  ‘I’d like to talk to you about an ex-member of your staff.’

  ‘Please stop playing games, officer.’ Sweat slicked Rutherford’s hair to his forehead.

  There was a grinding noise as the sandwich van started up and drove towards the exit.

  Robyn smiled. ‘Well, if you have time now, perhaps we could discuss this inside?’

  ‘Oh, very well.’ Rutherford turned back to his car.

  Robyn ran the Mondeo the twenty yards to a visitors’ space, letting the man park in his personal spot. She followed him into reception where Lorraine was leaning against the desk with Cathy, who began fussing with something behind the reception counter.

  Rutherford glared at the desk. ‘Cathy, why aren’t there any flowers?’

  Cathy muttered about calling the florist. Robyn was swept into a meeting room with a nautical theme, an anchor propped on the sideboard. She sat down, feeling a chill from the cold leather working through her clothes. ‘Thank you, sir. I’d like to talk to you about Lacey Penrose.’ She pushed the photo of Lacey on the beach across the desk.

  Rutherford ogled the sunlit body before he spoke. ‘Did she work here? No, I don’t believe I remember her.’

  ‘She worked here as a receptionist three years ago.’

  ‘Officer, you can hardly expect me to remember every receptionist. What about her?’

  ‘She was murdered.’

  ‘Murdered?’ He swallowed. ‘This can have nothing to do with Derby and Rutherford.’

  ‘She worked for you and her body was found in a warehouse sold through your firm. You can understand why we’re curious.’

  After a deep breath, Rutherford reached for the phone on the table. ‘Ursula, I’m in Marine room. I need all the paperwork we have on a Lucy Penrose. She worked for us some years ago …’ He frowned as Robyn signalled.

  ‘It’s Lacey Penrose.’

  ‘Did you hear, Ursula? The police are here, quick as you can.’ One of his feet began tapping under the table.

  Knowing she’d already irritated him, Robyn wanted to push it a bit further. She smiled. ‘Perhaps while we wait for Ursula, you could tell me what you know about warehouse B at the Docks, the one Melissa Chivers is dealing with?’

  The rhythm under the table speeded up. ‘What is this about?’

  ‘We’re interested in the warehouse because it appears to be a hub for illegal activity. Lacey’s body was found there and we also believe it was used to store drugs. We’re searching for a murderer and a smuggler and wondered whether you can help us?’

  Rutherford shifted in his seat, then rose and fiddled with the controller for the air-conditioning. He sat down again, face impassive. ‘We are not aware of any illegal activity at the site and if anything came to our notice, we would report it to the proper authorities.’ The cold air had a bitter scent of sweat.

  There was a tentative tap on the glass before a short woman in a twin-set opened the door.

  ‘Mark? I have the file you asked for.’

  ‘Thank you, Ursula.’

  The woman advanced a few more paces into the room. She held the cardboard folder by one corner, dropping it on the edge of the table. She took a step back, then stopped.

  ‘Yes, thank you.’ He watched the woman until she had closed the door and was no longer visible in the corridor, then began leafing through the file.

  ‘Right, Lacey Penrose. Started in January three years ago. With us until, let’s see, November of the same year. Work just about satisfactory, took a lot of sick leave … oh.’ Rutherford stopped.

  Robyn thought he’d relaxed now they’d stopped talking about the warehouse. She wanted t
o keep him on edge. ‘What is it?’

  ‘We were on the point of dismissing her.’ He ran his finger along a line of text. ‘She’d had two warnings about the amount of sick leave she’d taken, though she provided a doctor’s certificate explaining these were complications linked to an abortion. We gave her a chance and extended her probation for a further six months, only for there to be ongoing complaints of poor work.’ He turned over the sheet. ‘Ah, now I do remember this. She left without giving notice and we then discovered she’d committed fraud.’

  ‘Did you contact the police?’

  ‘No. The sum was trivial and we doubted the police would take it seriously.’ Rutherford sounded sarcastic.

  This was presumably his way of trying to regain control of the interview. Robyn smiled. ‘All the details are in here, are they? Thank you. I’ll take this with me, giving you a receipt, of course. Now, perhaps you could tell me about the warehouse?’

  ‘I’m afraid Melissa manages everything for the client.’ He closed the file. ‘Derby and Rutherford operates within all rules, regulations and legislation and is audited regularly.’

  ‘Could you give me a list of all companies with an interest in the warehouse? Was one of them run by anyone called Dearman?’ Robyn pulled Lacey’s file towards her.

  ‘No.’ Rutherford pushed his chair back hard, where it teetered and fell. ‘I believe we’ve already provided you with client lists and I don’t understand the reason for this fresh enquiry. I repeat, the firm is run to the highest professional standards.’

  Robyn decided to let him stew. She picked up the file and got to her feet. ‘You’ve been a great help, sir. Thank you. I know the way out.’

  39

  Robyn pushed through the double doors into reception expecting to find Lorraine. Cathy, on the phone, pointed into the car park. As Robyn opened the outer door, she heard Cathy telling someone Mark Rutherford wasn’t in the building or expected back. Lorraine was leaning on the Mondeo finishing a call.