by Alex Clare
‘Great, thanks, Ravi. Bye.’ She put the phone into her bag. ‘All good stuff, Guv. They have finished the detailed search of the burglar’s place and found a pile of cash and a black cycling outfit.’ She was grinning.
Robyn grinned back. ‘Great, got him.’
‘Ah, you’ve got lipstick on your teeth, Guv.’
Robyn’s pleasure at having got Rutherford where she wanted him faded. He could be laughing at her now. She counted to ten. Lorraine had been trying to help. She should say thank you. They got into the car.
‘Did you get anything useful, Guv?’ Lorraine sounded like someone who wanted to change the subject.
Trying not to make a performance out of it, Robyn wiped her teeth with a tissue then started the engine. ‘Only Lacey’s personnel file. Everything Rutherford said was bluster. Anything more from Cathy?’
Lorraine started flicking through the file. ‘Seeing Rutherford made her clam up. She did tell me the firm’s in a spot of bother though. There aren’t any flowers because the florist hasn’t been paid. Perhaps hard times have made Rutherford less fussy about clients?’
‘Possibly. Could Cathy remember Lacey?’
‘Vaguely. Don’t forget, she’s seen a lot of girls come and go. The picture jogged her memory – brunettes seem quite unusual. She couldn’t remember much about Lacey apart from how she left. The first Cathy knew, Lacey didn’t turn up one Monday morning and her resignation arrived in the post. Then, the company discovered Lacey had committed some sort of fraud meaning she would have been fired anyway.’
‘Rutherford mentioned something. What did she do?’
Lorraine flicked through the file. ‘There are a load of petty disciplinary things: God, they even confiscated her phone at one point. Sounds like school. Here we go. They found Lacey used the company’s credit card to book things for herself, a train ticket and a hotel room in Manchester.’
‘Interesting. When were they booked?’
Lorraine turned over another page. ‘There’s the disciplinary report – ah, here’s the bill. The bookings were made on Thursday, the twenty-ninth of November.’
‘Had Lacey said anything about resigning?’
‘Apparently not, Guv, although she moaned lots to Cathy about the job. It seems receptionists are expected to do everything, like picking up partners’ dry-cleaning, even babysitting their kids if needed. Then, on what turned out to be her last day, which was …’ Lorraine turned sheets in the file, ‘… the thirtieth of November, Cathy remembers Lacey was told to deliver some papers to one of the partner’s homes and she threw a tantrum because it was late on a Friday afternoon and she was supposed to be going out.’
Robyn gripped the steering wheel a little tighter. ‘Could she remember which partner Lacey had to visit?’
‘No – they all act like queens, apparently. There are only four of them so it shouldn’t take too long to find out.’ Lorraine turned over another piece of paper. ‘And here’s Lacey’s resignation letter. One line, printed, squiggle for a signature, dated November thirtieth, stamped as received on December third.’
‘What about the relationship with Josh?’
Lorraine glanced up from the file. ‘Cathy says everyone knew about it. It’s even noted here, under “personal notes”. Cathy didn’t remember too much about Josh, just he was a nice lad.’
‘Does she think Lacey was faithful to Josh when he was at university?’
Lorraine shrugged. ‘She couldn’t remember and I believe her.’
‘Shame. Still, we’re narrowing the dates.’ They drove into the police station.
Walking into the incident room, the first thing in her eyeline were two photos of Lacey pinned side by side: a happy girl on a beach, next to a dry skeleton lying in dust. Robyn stood at the board and called the team’s attention.
‘So, the last days of Lacey Penrose. On the twenty-ninth of November, she takes her brother to the cinema. On Friday the thirtieth, she goes to work as usual. She left Derby and Rutherford’s office in the business park around five pm to deliver papers to a partner’s home, then resigns, apparently typing and posting a letter to confirm, that evening. Her handbag is found on a train to Manchester on the Monday but the rest of her stuff is still in Meresbourne. What else do we know?’
Chloe actually put her hand up. ‘She took out twenty pounds from a cash-point in the bus station at seven forty-five on Friday morning, the last time her bank card was used. In December, only the regular direct debits went out and the account went overdrawn in January as there was no salary paid in. The bank sent Lacey letters, none answered.’
Robyn nodded. ‘Anyone got any activity later than the thirtieth?’
‘She used her phone.’ Ravi smoothed a sheet of paper in front of him. ‘We were lucky: the phone company had the records on an old system. The last call was made at seventeen fifteen on the thirtieth of November. The last texts were sent the following morning, Saturday, between eight forty and eight fifty-two: one to her mother: one to Josh and one to the number she called on the Friday. Another thing: I charged up the phone but there’s nothing in the memory. It looks like it’s been factory reset.’
‘What does that mean?’ Having to ask made Robyn feel old.
Ravi held up his phone. ‘If my phone is locked and I forget the code, I can only use it again by resetting it, wiping everything on the memory. It takes it back to how it came out of the factory.’
‘So Lacey forgot the code to her phone? How much did she use it?’
Ravi fanned out four sheets. ‘A lot. This is the week up to the thirtieth, including lots of calls and texts to Josh.’ In his other hand, was a single sheet. ‘This is everything since then – three texts.’
There were a couple of seconds while they all stared at the papers then everyone spoke at once.
‘She died on the thirtieth’; ‘Why did she go to the warehouse?’; ‘Who sent the text messages?’
Robyn let the buzz die down. ‘OK, our premise is something happened to Lacey on the evening of the thirtieth, even if she wasn’t killed then. Ravi, find out who got the third text. Chloe, track Lacey’s movements on CCTV from when she left the office and see what you can get from around the Docks area for Friday evening.’
Robyn paused for breath. Lorraine’s lips were set in a hard line. ‘I’ve got the lists from Derby and Rutherford, Guv. I’ll work out which partner Lacey went to see.’
Robyn turned on the television for the one o’clock news. Four Britons had died in a holiday coach crash in France which had pushed everything else aside. The local news was dominated by the story of a child attacked by a dog in Barton. Janice wasn’t mentioned.
When Robyn switched the television off, Lance was sitting at Janice’s desk. She wondered how long he’d been there, unnoticed. ‘Hello, I didn’t realise you’d be coming back.’ She hadn’t meant it to sound like an accusation.
‘A couple of loose ends. I need to talk to you.’ He stood up. ‘Now. It seems I was not given all pertinent information. Why didn’t you tell me Ben Chivers was about to be taken out of the country?’
Breathe, Robyn thought, easy in and out.
‘Guv.’ Ravi waved. ‘The last person Lacey called was a girl named Gemma. I’ve left her a message.’
Lance was waiting, hand on the door. Robyn steeled herself: Lance could still reopen the enquiry.
‘Guv!’ Chloe was grinning. ‘I’ve got something.’ She pointed to her screen. ‘There’s no CCTV that old so I wondered what else I could find and look at this. You know the speed camera on Dock Drag? It was installed in October, three years ago. A month later, on November thirtieth, look who got caught, speeding out of the Docks.’
Over the team’s comments, Robyn heard her phone ring. ‘DI Bailley. Yes. What?’ She had to cover her ear, there was so much chatter. ‘When did this happen? OK, I’m on my way.’
Robyn clapped her hands for quiet. ‘Right everyone. We’ve got a situation. Josh has gone to Melissa Chivers’ house and sh
e’s called 999. I’m going up there – Graham, with me. The rest of you, keep following these leads and give me an update when you’ve got anything.’ Robyn turned towards the door to find Graham already there, his back to Lance.
Robyn grabbed her bag. At the door, she stopped. ‘I’m sorry, DI Farnham. I’ve got to go.’ There was no acknowledgement. She could worry about him later.
As they reached the bottom of the steps, Graham was already jiggling his car keys. He turned left. Robyn turned right, not bothering to look back until she had reached the pool car and opened the door. ‘I’m driving.’ Graham, still at the bottom of the steps, was trying to put his jacket on, snagging his arm in the sleeve. Robyn edged the car forward. Graham gave up with his jacket and got in.
As they pulled onto the roundabout, Robyn switched on the siren. ‘I was worried something like this might happen. Josh has had since Friday to think. The question is whether he just wants to see Ben or have it out with Ms Chivers for lying to him.’
Graham braced himself as Robyn accelerated. ‘Who’s up there?’
Robyn overtook a bus, before speeding around a traffic island the wrong way. ‘Uniform. Josh must be on his own, as Janice and Martin can’t approach Ms Chivers. At least I hope they’re not there.’ It would mean everything she’d done would be for nothing. She focused on driving because these were residential streets, packed with families. A mother pulled her child back from the road and the toddler watched them pass, hands over his ears.
A group of gawpers drifted out of the way as Robyn pulled up behind a police car outside Melissa Chivers’ house. Clyde paced by the front door.
Graham strode up to him. ‘What’s happened?’
‘A bit of a domestic, Graham, ma’am.’ Clyde looked around at the crowds of people. ‘A man’s keeping two women and a baby inside.’
Robyn kept her voice low. ‘Are you saying this is a hostage situation?’
‘I don’t know, ma’am. When I first got here, I heard some shouting. It’s been quiet for about ten minutes.’
‘How long has the man been in there, do you know?’ ‘Look!’ Graham pointed to an upstairs window, where Ben could be seen peeking under the corner of a blind. The crowd saw him too and there was a ripple forward.
Robyn’s phone rang. ‘Make it quick, Ravi.’
‘OK, Guv. I’ve just spoken to Gemma, Lacey’s five-fifteen call. They were due to meet at six-thirty but Lacey sent a message saying she might be late because of someone called “Queen Bitch”. Lacey never turned up and didn’t answer calls. All Gemma got was a text from Lacey on Saturday morning saying sorry, gone away. Then, no messages, social media, nothing.’
‘Thanks, Ravi, keep going.’ Robyn squared her shoulders. ‘Right, Clyde. Whistle up some help and get this street cleared. Graham, get Janice on the phone. We might need her to talk some sense into Josh, even if she’s not allowed to be here.’ Robyn waited for nods from Graham and Clyde then opened the gate. Ben’s face had gone from the window.
Robyn kept her finger on the doorbell. After ten seconds, she opened the letterbox. ‘Josh, it’s DI Bailley. I’d like you to let me in so we can talk.’ She waited. Behind her, she could hear Clyde shouting directions.
‘Josh. Open the door, please.’
Graham approached, phone held to his ear. ‘I’ve got Janice on the line. Yes, the Guv’s trying to talk to Josh now.’
Robyn leant to the door again. ‘Josh, I’ve got your mother on the phone. She wants to talk to you.’
Graham nudged Robyn. Gillian was standing at the front window. Robyn mimed pushing up the sash. Gillian disappeared, then the blind was pulled up and the window opened.
‘Are you OK, Mrs Green? What’s going on?’
Gillian’s hair had escaped the pins. ‘They’re in the kitchen. He just turned up. I didn’t know what to do and I let him in. He’s only a boy himself …’ She became aware of the crowd, gasped and stepped back.
‘Mrs Green, Gillian.’ Robyn turned. ‘We need to get everyone back. Graham, help Clyde.’
With the crowd further back, Robyn called again. ‘Gillian. Gillian?’
It seemed like a long time before Gillian reappeared. Robyn smiled, willing Gillian to ignore the people staring. ‘What did Josh do when he arrived?’
Gillian murmured something ‘… said he was Benjamin’s father.’
‘Did he threaten you in any way?’
‘Oh no, no. He just wanted to talk. I’d taken Benjamin upstairs first because it would be a shock for him, then we talked in the lounge. He was nice.’
‘So you didn’t do anything wrong. Now let me in, Mrs Green.’
Gillian blinked. ‘I don’t know …’
‘Mrs Green. Open the door, now.’ Robyn was losing patience. She hadn’t heard any other sounds from inside the house but anything could be happening.
The window closed. Robyn beckoned Graham. ‘When we go in, you take Ms Chivers – if she’s upset, there’s no telling how she might react if I get close to her. I’ll take Josh.’
Face neutral, Graham nodded.
Many, slow seconds later, a shape became visible through the panes of the front door. As the door opened, Gillian jumped back as Graham rushed past her, stopping at the doorway to the kitchen. Robyn hurried to his side, remembering the full knife block on the counter.
Melissa Chivers was perched on the furthest bar stool, black suit standing out against the white leather. On the floor, Josh sat with his back to a cupboard, arms wrapped around his knees.
Graham muttered into his phone. ‘It’s OK, I’ll call you back.’
‘Josh, it’s DI Bailley. Are you OK?’ Squatting down beside Josh, Robyn smelled a child-like cleanliness, mixed with a harsh note of bleach from the floor. She couldn’t get any closer without touching his shaking shoulders. Behind her, Graham’s questions and Melissa’s complaints were blending together with the hum of the fridge. Robyn put her arm around Josh and pulled him to her. After an initial resistance, his weight rested against her chest, one shoulder squashing the padding in her bra. He shook in her arms as she rubbed his back, waiting for him to quieten. As his ragged breathing slowed, Robyn felt Josh tense and a quick breath on her face before his body jerked backwards away from her, his head hitting the edge of the kitchen counter with a thud. Robyn stood up, feeling her knees protest.
There were three quick steps behind her. She turned to see Melissa Chivers, face set, lips pressed together.
‘You should have protected me from this. I will file a complaint.’
‘Ms Chivers–’
Melissa cut Graham off. ‘Your colleague has been trying to persuade me this is just youthful high spirits when I have been threatened in my own home.’
Josh rubbed the back of his head, before he leaned forward again, hiding his face.
For the first time since she’d had the emergency call, Robyn felt in control of the situation. She turned to face Ms Chivers so they stood almost chest to chest: Melissa held firm, just a slight rock back on her heels hinting at discomfort. ‘I quite understand, Ms Chivers. It must have been extremely distressing for you.’ She smiled to emphasise the point. ‘I suggest the best thing now would be for you to accompany me to the station so I can take your complaint immediately.’
Graham stared at her. ‘Guv, what about–’
Robyn held up a hand. ‘Thank you, sergeant. Could you get a statement from Mrs Green? I’ll take Ms Chivers’ statement at the station where we can give her complaint appropriate consideration.’
‘Yes, ma’am.’ Graham’s voice was clipped.
Robyn followed Melissa into the hallway. Gillian loitered on the stairs, shrinking back when Melissa glared up at her.
‘I am going to the police station to make a complaint. Prepare the evening meal, then we will be discussing your continued employment. I will not have you admitting lunatics to my house.’
Robyn opened the front door and took a step out onto the path, holding the door open so Melissa could s
weep through. Clyde waited for Robyn’s nod and began rolling up the blue-and-white tape. People approached to see what was going on, then fell back as there was no drama.
The woman next door was peering from her front window. Robyn gave her a cheerful wave which was not returned. ‘Right, Ms Chivers. I’m presuming you’d prefer to drive yourself? Can you get out with my colleague’s car parked there?’
Melissa stalked to her Lexus. Robyn dashed to her own car, slotted the phone into the cradle and began to dial.
‘Graham, I know this looks a bit weird but I’ve got an idea. Here’s what I need you to do …’
40
Robyn made a point of smiling at regular intervals while she took down Melissa Chivers’ statement.
‘So did Josh threaten you at any point?’
‘Haven’t you been listening? He said he was going to tell everyone he is Benjamin’s father.’
‘I meant physically, Ms Chivers. Did he make any threats to harm you, Benjamin or Mrs Green?’
‘Threats to my reputation are more damaging than physical ones.’
Robyn put down the pen. ‘Ms Chivers, from your statement so far, Josh hasn’t committed any crime.’
Melissa was silent.
Robyn sighed. ‘Everything points to Josh Warrener being Ben’s father. Unless you can prove otherwise, I don’t think there’s a case against him.’
Melissa reached into her bag and retrieved a packet of tissues.
‘But while you’re here, Ms Chivers, I’d like to ask you about Lacey Penrose.’
There was a pause, Melissa with the tissue half-extracted in her lap. She blinked once, bringing her hands together, crumpling the paper and plastic. ‘Who?’
Robyn composed a look: sympathy and understanding. Having Ms Chivers under her control was close to being enjoyable. ‘Please take your time. We’re investigating the murder of Lacey Penrose. She worked as a receptionist at Derby and Rutherford about ten months before Benjamin was born.’
Melissa shuddered as Robyn pulled her own handbag onto the table, marvelling how much these little demonstrations of femininity seemed to upset Melissa. She placed the photo of Lacey and Josh on the desk.