by Sally Rigby
Would her brother be there for them, or was he too concerned with his career? If he was, her parents only had themselves to blame, as they were role models to their children.
‘What about when I go overseas, who’s going to take care of your father?’ her mother asked.
‘You thought I was going to come back to look after him to enable you to continue working?’
‘You’re the one with the least prestigious position.’
‘I’m a lecturer at a top university and have an international reputation. I also assist the police. What you’re saying is unfounded. If you’re not prepared to give up your position, Mother, then you will have to employ a carer.’
‘Do what you want, then,’ her father said dismissively.
‘I will. Keep in touch and remember what I’ve said.’
‘You’re not leaving now, are you?’ her mother asked.
‘I’m going to pack and will call a taxi to take me to the station after checking the time of the next train.’
Her mother stared at her. ‘Thank you for coming here, anyway.’
George blinked away her surprise. Thanks were few and far between in their family. ‘I’m always here to advise, but I can’t be here all the time. You understand that.’
‘Yes, I suppose we do.’
George left and went to her room. It was most odd how the tables had suddenly turned. She would be there for them, but at a distance. She’d go back when the court case was on and she’d help when she could, but she wasn’t going to be there when her mother was overseas. They’d have to sort that out for themselves. They could always employ someone to help with her father if he got worse. Her mother earnt more money in a month than most people did in a year.
Chapter 5
Whitney headed straight for the incident room when she arrived at the station, not even stopping for a coffee. Which she might regret.
‘Okay, everyone, eyes towards me. I’ve just got back from the crime scene, and we need to get cracking. It’s—’
‘Guv. You’re needed in the super’s office, pronto. She’s already called down twice, wanting to know where you were,’ DC Doug Baines called out, interrupting her.
‘Why didn’t she phone me direct if it was that important?’
‘I’m only a lowly DC. She’s hardly going to confide in me, is she?’ Doug said.
She gave a frustrated sigh. ‘Okay, I’ll go now. Fingers crossed she won’t keep me too long. I’ll be back as soon as possible, and we’ll get on with the investigation. And, be warned, family life will be at a standstill until this is solved. My gut’s telling me this is a big one, and it’s seldom wrong.’
‘Don’t let Dr Cavendish hear you talking about your gut,’ Frank, the oldest member of the team, called out.
‘She knows me well enough by now.’
Whitney left the office and took the stairs to the floor below where Superintendent Helen Clyde’s office was situated. It wasn’t like the super to be so demanding. She was actually the best super she’d had. Whitney had butted heads non-stop with Tom Jamieson, Clyde’s predecessor. He’d come into the force through the fast-track scheme and had been a pain in the arse from day one. Clyde was different altogether. Although Whitney hadn’t enquired about her rise to the dizzy heights of superintendent. She hadn’t wanted to in case she didn’t like the answer.
Clyde’s office door was closed when she arrived, instead of being in its usual half-open position. Did she have someone with her? Should she go and come back later? Doug had said she had to go straight away, so she’d better knock and find out. She gave a double tap on the frosted glass and waited.
‘Come in,’ Clyde called out.
‘Morning, ma’am,’ Whitney said, as she entered the room and looked across at the super’s desk, which was empty.
Where was she? Her eyes were diverted to a shadow by the window. Crap. Chief Superintendent Grant Douglas stood there. Or Dickhead Douglas as she referred to him. She couldn’t stand the man, and the feeling was mutual. He’d single-handedly tried to derail her career from the moment she’d joined the Lenchester police force when he was a sergeant.
And all because she’d rejected his advances and his pathetic little male ego couldn’t take the embarrassment, or her threats to make him suffer should he ever try again. Which he hadn’t.
He’d only recently returned to Lenchester from the Met, following a promotion. It was like someone was testing her. The good thing was, Clyde knew about their altercations and was a buffer between the two of them. Although Clyde wouldn’t admit it, Whitney sensed that she didn’t have much time for Dickhead, either.
‘Come on in, Whitney. We need to speak to you about these latest deaths,’ said the super, who was standing to the left of Douglas.
‘Yes, ma’am. I’ve just got back from the scene and will allocate tasks to the team once I get back to the incident room. We need to get onto it pronto before the media finds out.’
‘Absolutely. We won’t keep you long.’
What was going on?
‘Yes, ma’am.’
The super gestured for her to sit at the round table used for meetings. It was large enough to seat ten, so it gave Whitney the space to sit as far away from Douglas as possible. And why was he here? There was no need for his involvement.
When he’d returned to Lenchester, she’d contemplated looking for a post with another force, but it wouldn’t have worked. She needed to remain in the city to be close to her mum and brother who lived in residential care homes, and now to be with Tiffany and the baby. Plus, why should she be pushed out of the place she loved working because of a wanker like him?
Whitney had hoped that with the super between them she wouldn’t have to see much of him. So, what was he doing there?
Douglas sat next to the super, his arms folded and his narrowed eyes focused on Whitney. If he thought he was intimidating her, then he had another think coming. He was a pathetic twat.
‘We have an issue with this case,’ the super said.
Whitney frowned. ‘Already? What issue?’
The case had literally come to light a couple of hours ago. How could there already be a problem? It made no sense. Surely there hadn’t been a leak.
‘What I’m about to tell you must be kept out of the media. It will only muddy the waters, and we don’t want it to be even more of a circus than it’s already destined to be. Five deaths all in the same family, in such bizarre circumstances will have the press camping outside our door 24/7.’
‘Do you understand? Because if it does get out, I’m holding you personally responsible. Make sure every member of your team knows,’ Douglas said.
‘Yes, sir,’ Whitney replied just about managing to refrain from rolling her eyes. ‘But I do need to know what it is we’re dealing with.’
She could do without all the cloak and dagger stuff.
‘The victims are cousins of Chief Superintendent Douglas’s wife,’ the super said, lowering her voice, as if there was someone else in the room.
Whoa. She hadn’t expected that.
‘I’m very sorry to hear that, sir. Please send my condolences to your wife.’
Her mind was a mass of thoughts, not least that until the case was solved, he’d be like a thorn in her side.
‘Thank you, Walker. It’s obviously a very distressing time.’
‘May I ask how your wife already knows, as details of the deaths haven’t yet been released?’
‘I happened to be here at the station when the news came in. As soon as I discovered the address, I realised who it was. I went straight home to break the news to my wife and then returned to work. Obviously, having a connection, I can’t be seen to be involved in the operation, but I do expect to be kept informed throughout.’
Which meant he was going to be on her back the whole time. And how come he was here on a Sunday?
‘I know this is going to be a very difficult time, but I would like to interview your wife to get some backgrou
nd on the family.’
‘I expected that. What do you know so far about their deaths?’
‘The bodies were found seated around the dining table, tied with rope to the chairs. An untouched meal was placed in front of each of them.’
Douglas paled. ‘Do we have causes of death?’
‘I’m waiting for confirmation from the pathologist. We discussed it at the scene, and she suspected it to be drug-related, but wouldn’t commit herself.’
‘Is Dr Dexter still the pathologist?’
‘Yes.’
‘At least we have the best, even if she’s downright rude and infuriating.’
Whitney tensed. She didn’t like anyone else speaking ill of Claire in that way, even if it was true. It was like with family. You can criticise, but just let anyone else have a go.
‘Dr Dexter is one of the best pathologists in the country. We’re lucky to have her.’
‘Did I say otherwise, Walker? No. What’s more important is to find out the cause, and if it was from drugs, who administered them, and why?’
‘Yes, sir. Would it be possible to interview Mrs Douglas this afternoon?’
She sensed he didn’t want his wife involved, but even he would realise that it was impossible for her not to be.
‘I can give you any background information you might need,’ he said, looking at the super and not her.
‘Sorry, sir, but that’s not an option. Mrs Douglas will have useful information for us, especially as time is of the essence, as you yourself pointed out.’
‘I’d rather not bring her to the station. I suggest that we make an appointment for you to interview her at home.’
‘I’d rather she came in to see us. Travelling to your home and back will take unnecessary time from my day.’
Whitney glanced at the super. She’d have to sort this one out because there was no way he’d listen to anything she said.
‘Walker—’
‘Sir, with due respect,’ the super interrupted. ‘DCI Walker is the senior investigating officer on this case, and we should leave these decisions to her,’
Yes. Whitney refrained from punching the air at getting one over on him.
‘Okay, I’ll bring my wife in later. We’ll interview her in here, Helen. I don’t want her sitting in one of the interview rooms, she’s too distraught. I’ll observe.’
Damn, just what she didn’t need. But at least it was better than him giving background information and making decisions regarding what was important, and what wasn’t.
‘Thank you, sir. I think that’s going to be best and will help us with our enquiry. Is that all, ma’am? I need to get back to the team.’
She couldn’t get out of there quick enough. And could just imagine the team’s response when she told them about Dickhead’s wife being involved.
‘Yes, thank you, Whitney. I’ll let you know when Mrs Douglas is here,’ the super said.
Whitney returned to the incident room, went over to the board, picked up a marker pen and wrote Mrs Douglas’s name up there.
‘Attention everyone. I’ve been to the see the super and we have something else added into the mix. The dead family were cousins of Chief Superintendent Douglas’s wife. I don’t know whether it’s the husband or the wife she’s related to, but I’m interviewing her this afternoon and will find out all I can about their relationship.’
‘Bloody hell, what are the odds on that happening? I suppose that means he’ll be sticking his nose in the whole time,’ Frank said.
Whitney glanced over at Brian, who knew Douglas from when they both worked at the Met, and they both now were part of the Lenchester police football team. Was he going to take offence at any comments against the man?
‘We’ll deal with it, Frank. Whatever he does has to be done on the quiet, or it could be construed as a conflict of interest. Let’s hope the super acts as the intermediary. But we do need to be on our toes on this one because every move we make is going to be scrutinised, and questions asked. But we’ve dealt with his interference before, and we can do it again.’
She hoped. She had to put a positive spin on it because the team looked to her for a response.
‘Can I book annual leave?’ Frank said.
‘He won’t be bothering you,’ Doug said. ‘I doubt he even knows who you are.’
‘He knows me, all right. Remember, I’ve been here a long time and was around before he even made sergeant. He was a twat then, too.’
‘Frank.’ Whitney glared at him. She didn’t want any of this getting back to Dickhead.
‘Sorry, guv. He was a lovely man before, and also now.’ Frank gave a cheesy grin, and everyone laughed, Brian included.
She should learn to trust Brian more. He’d already proved himself several times. It was just he liked Dickhead, and she couldn’t understand anyone who did.
‘Right. Fun time over. We need to focus. I spoke to the mother of the teenager, Dylan Fletcher, who found the family. The husband was out at golf and couldn’t be contacted. The family needs investigating. They claim to have an alibi, but it needs checking out. Frank, you can deal with this, I’ll text their details. Also find out which officers did a house-to-house this morning to see if any statements need following up. Collate all the information and let me have it later.’
‘Yes, guv.’
‘Ellie, I want you to look into the Barker family finances. You know the drill. See if there’s anything suspicious.’
‘Yes, guv.’
‘Meena, I want you to check the social media presence of all the children and find out who their friends were. Brian, find out if Mr and Mrs Fletcher worked, and where. We’ll need to speak to their colleagues. Doug, you can investigate the couple’s family, friends, and their social media presence. I’m going to be interviewing Mrs Douglas this afternoon in the super’s office. Oh, and FYI, the chief super has warned that there’ll be trouble if it leaks that his wife is related to the victims.’
‘He can’t hold us responsible for that,’ Meena said, an incredulous tone to her voice.
‘You don’t know Dick … I mean, Douglas,’ Frank said.
‘I’m beginning to get an idea,’ Meena said.
‘Don’t worry, it will be me who’s in trouble,’ Whitney said, giving a wry smile. ‘But I can’t be held responsible for anyone outside of this team and I’m sure the super will stick up for me if it does get out. Assuming that it isn’t one of you lot.’
‘You know us better than that, guv,’ Doug said.
‘I do. And you should know me well enough to know that I was joking. Right, let’s get on with it. If we can solve this case within the week not only will the drinks be on me, but I’ll treat us all to a meal.’
And she wasn’t being altruistic. This was one case she wanted rid of as soon as possible.
Chapter 6
Whitney pulled a brush through her tangled curls, which she’d forgotten to put up when she’d left unexpectedly for work and was now regretting, and smeared on some lip gloss, before returning to the super’s office to interview Mrs Douglas.
She’d never met the woman but had often wondered who’d want to be married to someone like him. Unless he had a different side to him when out of work that no one in the force ever saw. But she seriously doubted it. Leopards and spots and all that.
Were they married when he’d come onto her all those years ago? She wouldn’t be at all surprised.
When she arrived at the office she knocked on the door.
‘Come in,’ Douglas called.
Great. Did him answering mean the super wasn’t taking part? She sucked in a breath and entered the room. The super was there. Thank goodness. It must have been Douglas showing off to his wife that he’s in charge. Typical.
The three of them were seated at the table. Douglas, with the usual pompous expression on his face, was facing her, and to his right was the super. To his left was, who Whitney assumed, Mrs Douglas, a petite, elegant, well-dressed woman who looked to be i
n her early fifties with short sleek silver hair tucked behind her ears. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying.
If Whitney had conjured up a picture in her mind of what Dickhead’s wife looked like, it certainly wasn’t this. Without even hearing her speak, it was obvious she was way too classy for him.
‘Sir. Ma’am,’ she said, looking first at Douglas and then the super. She then turned to the other woman. ‘Hello, Mrs Douglas.’
‘Call me Belinda,’ the woman said, giving a warm, genuine smile, which took Whitney by surprise. She’d expected a cold reception, especially if Dickhead had warned his wife about her.
‘Sit down, Walker, and we’ll get started,’ Douglas said.
‘Are we all going to be in here?’ she asked.
Hadn’t they already discussed that he couldn’t be openly involved? Or did he think this didn’t count?
‘We’ll stay in the background while you speak to Mrs Douglas,’ the super said.
Whitney forced back a scowl. How was she meant to probe and ask difficult questions in this company? Or were they paying lip service to the interview?
She dragged her chair until she was facing Mrs Douglas, keeping the other two out of her eyesight, as much as possible.
‘Thank you for coming in to see me, Belinda, at such a difficult time. I’m very sorry for your loss. It must have been a huge shock to learn what had happened to the family.’
‘Yes.’ Tears filled the woman’s eyes, and she blinked them away. ‘Who would do something like that to such a lovely family? Grant can’t understand either, can you?’
Grant? Oh … Douglas.
‘No,’ he said, giving a sharp shake of his head.
‘Who was your cousin, the chief super didn’t say?’ she asked, quick to move away from including him in the interview.
Knowing Douglas, he was waiting for the chance to take part. Well, he wouldn’t get it from her.