by Mary Grand
‘It’s all right, Mum.’
The new officer introduced himself directly to Mira, adding, ‘Now, PC Greggs has explained that you can lipread. Is that correct?’
Mira nodded. ‘Yes, but if we are to talk, I would like my sister Juliet to come.’
‘Of course, and in future we can arrange an interpreter if you wish.’
They went into the lounge, where Juliet sat on the sofa with Mira, and the police officers sat opposite them.
It was clear from the start that DC Adam Smith would be leading this conversation.
‘Firstly, I’d like to offer you my sincere condolences. I know you will all be in a state of shock. A large team will be working to find out what has happened. My role is to act as a liaison between you and that team of people. It might be easier for us to use first names; I am certainly very happy for you to call me Adam.’
Mira glanced at Juliet, who finger-spelled Adam.
Adam sat forward. ‘Now, I need to find out certain details which I know can feel very intrusive, but the more we know as soon as possible, the quicker we can get on with the investigation. Of course, you must also ask me any questions you want.’
He paused, looked first at Mira, and then glanced at Juliet.
‘Is it possible to tell me what happened to my husband? Was he attacked?’ Mira asked.
‘Well, we are only starting to form a picture. At the moment, it would appear a vehicle was involved.’
Mira frowned at Juliet. ‘A vehicle was involved?’ Juliet nodded and Mira looked back at Adam. ‘But that’s not a roadway.’
‘No, but the path leads to a car park and we think the vehicle had been parked up there, and perhaps hit your husband on the way down.’
Juliet could picture it. Coming up the path, you would pass where they’d found Rhys and either go left along the path to the church or branch off right where the rough track led to the small church car park, not visible from the lane.
‘There have been youngsters hanging about there, drinking,’ said Mira.
‘Yes, we found a smashed bottle of vodka in the car park.’
‘So maybe someone was drunk-driving and hit Rhys by accident? But why wouldn’t they stop?’
‘Well, it’s of course possible they stopped their vehicle but didn’t report the incident.’
‘And you have no idea who it was?’
‘No, not yet I’m afraid, but of course it’s very early days. We have secured the area; the forensic team and an investigation team will be working on the case. Now, I know you told PC Greggs a few things, but I wonder if we could go over the whole evening to give me an idea of your husband’s movements, his state of mind.’
‘Of course. Well, we had a family meal here and then Rhys left at about half past ten to go up to the church.’
‘That was very late, would he usually do that?’
‘Yes, he goes every Saturday evening, he feels… he felt, it prepared him for the Sunday. He believed in praying out one day and praying in the next. Usually, he would leave to come home at about one.’
‘And would many people have known about your husband’s habit of going up to the church late at night?’
‘I would think so, after all, he talked about it in his sermons and even encouraged others to join him, but I don’t think anyone ever did…’
‘When was the last time you spoke to him?’
‘When he left here… oh and he sent me a text just before he left the church.’
‘Great, do you have your phone here please?’
Mira nodded and took her phone out of her pocket.
‘Thank you. And this is the last time you heard from your husband?’
Mira nodded again.
‘And when did you realise that he’d not returned to the vicarage.’
‘Not until this morning as I stayed here last night. Rhys wasn’t answering his mobile or the vicarage phone, which was strange.’
‘Was there a reason you were particularly concerned; I assume he gets called out all the time without warning?’
Juliet picked up a subtle change in the police officer’s tone, less sympathetic, more accusatory.
Mira looked at Juliet and shrugged, and Juliet signed what the officer had said.
‘It had been a difficult evening; I was worried about him.’
Adam raised his head in interest. ‘In what way was it difficult?’
Mira gave a glance of appeal at Juliet.
‘It’s only a couple of weeks since we lost my father. I expect you heard about it. He was driving down from the Downs and crashed into a barn. He died after he’d been in hospital for a few days.’
‘Of course, yes, I’m sorry, I’d not made the connection. I am so sorry; you are having such a hard time as a family. So, the meal was difficult. Who was there?’
Mira nodded to Juliet to take over. ‘Well, there was me and my three sisters, Cassie, Mira and Rosalind. Also, my mum, Rhys, and his sister Anwen, who was cooking the meal for us. She’s a chef.’
‘I see. And were there arguments? Disagreements? It was a very emotional time for your family after all.’
‘No big rows, no.’ Juliet scratched the back of her hand, how much should she be saying? That wasn’t actually a lie.
‘So, you had the meal, and then what?’
‘Rhys said he was going to the church to pray, as Mira said.’
‘I see. So, did everyone leave at about the same time as Rhys?’
‘Oh no, we were all staying here except Rhys.’
‘So, you were all here. Did anyone go out that night at all?
Juliet chewed on her thumb. ‘Um, I went to meet someone for an hour or so, but I was back here by about half past eleven.’
‘Did anyone else go out?’
Juliet hesitated. Should she mention the banging gate, the light in the workshop? She glanced at Mira, deadly white, in shock; no, she didn’t need to string this interview out, none of those things probably mattered.
‘No one has told me they did.’
‘I see. Well, I think that is enough for now.’ He turned to Mira. ‘I will be back in touch with you very soon.’
‘Oh, one thing I meant to mention is that we noticed Rhys’s crucifix was missing,’ interrupted Juliet. ‘We are sure he was wearing it when he left the meal last night. He always wore it. Mira gave it to him, but it wasn’t on him when we found him.’
Adam jotted this down. ‘I will ask about that, thank you.’ From his bag, he took a large booklet. ‘This is full of information about procedures, people involved, and the like. You won’t be wanting to look at it now, but it might come in useful. This is my card with my mobile number and email. Do you have any questions?’
‘When can I see my husband?’ asked Mira.
‘I’m afraid it won’t be possible today, but I’ll organise it as soon as I can. Now, are there any other family members we should be in contact with?’
‘Rhys’s sister Anwen is here, I can tell her what you told me.’
‘Of course, and I’ll go and see her myself in a minute.’
‘You will find who did this, won’t you?’ pleaded Mira.
‘Mira, I can promise you we will do everything we can. It may take some time though as there has been a lot of traffic coming and going since early this morning – all the car and passenger ferries have been packed since first thing. Then there was the motorbike rally and vintage car show yesterday, we also have the big cycle race today, as well as some kind of moped show, so the island is pretty chaotic.’ He ran his hand through his hair. ‘Of course, everything will be on CCTV, so if someone has tried to leave the island, they should be on there, and we will look through everything. And if the people who did this are still on the island, we will be going around the holiday accommodation as well as to talking to residents.’
‘Goodness, that’s a huge job,’ said Juliet, feeling overwhelmed on their behalf.
‘It is, but as I said we will of course be taking this ver
y seriously, and we have every confidence of catching whoever is responsible.’
They sat in silence for a minute and then, as the conversation seemed to have reached its natural conclusion, Adam and PC Greggs stood up.
‘Thank you for all your help, and again, please accept my condolences. I will be back tomorrow. Now, could I see Anwen?’
They left the room and Juliet went to find Anwen, who then went into the living room with the officers.
Juliet had a horrible feeling that even though the police seemed confident, far from being over, their nightmare had only just begun.
13
While the police spoke to Anwen, Juliet and Mira went into the kitchen to talk to Cassie, Rosalind, and their mother.
Cassie looked over at Mira. ‘I’m so sorry,’ she signed and then reached out and touched her hand tenderly.
Juliet watched her sisters and saw the invisible bond as their eyes met. If you hadn’t known they were related by looking at their faces, their two hands that were so similar would have given them away. Both of them had long, slender fingers that moved gracefully, and they seemed to use their hands to sign in the same way. It was something Juliet had never noticed before.
They heard the front door shut, and then a tearful-looking Anwen joined them in the kitchen.
‘It’s all wrong, a hit-and-run, up there of all places. It’s crazy. He’d only gone to pray,’ Anwen stammered.
‘It seems unbelievable, I agree,’ said Juliet.
‘They think it must have happened at about one in the morning,’ said Anwen, ‘but you didn’t find him until, what, about ten? Whoever did this could be miles away already.’
‘Maybe, but it’s not that easy to get off the island, certainly in the early hours.’
‘I hope you’re right, but they could lay low and then leave any time,’ insisted Anwen.
‘But the car would be spotted, wouldn’t it? I wonder if it would be damaged.’
‘The police didn’t say much about the car, did they, so I don’t know if they had any clues about it. It’ll be the best chance of catching the bastard, find the car and you should have the driver.’
Cassie went over to Anwen. ‘I think you should stay here with us for a few days.’ She glanced over at their mother. ‘That’s alright with you Mum isn’t it?’
‘Of course, yes, you must stay here Anwen.’ Their mother nodded and then wandered over to the patio doors, reached up to the empty hook. ‘It’s still not here,’ she said quietly and then looked around. ‘Which one of you has the patio door key?’
The question seemed so petty and out of the blue that they all looked a bit taken aback.
‘Mum why are you fussing about the patio door key?’ asked Cassie impatiently.
‘Because Juliet said it was missing when she went out this morning at half past six, but I know it was there at about half past eleven when I locked up. Someone has been out in the night, and I’d like the door key back.’ She looked anxiously around.
Everyone looked blank.
‘Why on earth would anyone be going out in the middle of the night?’ asked Cassie.
‘I don’t know, and I don’t particularly care, but we only have one key, and I will need it to lock up tonight.’
Juliet could hear a rising hysteria in her mother’s voice.
‘Okay, Mum needs the door key, so let’s help her find it,’ she said to the others. ‘Think, someone must have it. Anwen, are you sure you didn’t go out last night?’
‘No, of course not.’
‘But I saw someone leave at about half past twelve. Oh, and the light was on in the workshop. So come on guys, who went out and where is the door key?’
Juliet’s eyes travelled from face to face. Cassie and Anwen looked at her blankly as if she’d gone mad, Mira was hugging herself, in her own bubble of grief, not following anything that was said. For a moment, her eyes rested on Rosalind. It was the first time she’d looked at her properly that morning and she was shocked by what she saw. Rosalind’s appearance was always perfect – immaculate make-up, styled hair – but this morning, her hair had been scrunched back roughly and, although she wore make-up, it had been applied quickly. There were smudges of mascara, and her eyebrows, normally thickly painted on, were uneven. She was pulling on the scruffy ponytail in a distracted way, with one hand, while she scrolled aimlessly through her phone with the other.
Juliet returned to her question. ‘So, who went out? I’m not imagining things. Someone definitely went out,’ she repeated and then she turned to Anwen. ‘Are you sure you didn’t come home and go back out again? You looked like you’d been out most of the night when I saw you this morning.’
Anwen glared at her, but Cassie interrupted, ‘Anwen was in all night as I told Mum. Leave her alone, Juliet.’
Juliet was sure Cassie was lying. She knew the defiant stance, the locked jaw, but she had no idea why she was protecting Anwen.
Cassie tutted. ‘Mum, the patio door key will turn up, don’t panic. After all that’s happened, it’s not important, is it.’
Her mother frowned. ‘I need to find it. I don’t like the thought we were all in bed with the house unlocked. I shan’t be able to sleep tonight with it like this.’ She sounded desperate.
‘Look, Mum, I know it’s Sunday,’ Juliet said, ‘but I can ring the people who put the doors in. I assume they are on the island?’
‘Oh yes, it was a friend of your dads in Sandown.’
‘Right, well give me his name and I’ll ring him. I can drive over and get a spare patio door key today hopefully.’
‘Oh, thank you, that would certainly put my mind at rest.’ Her mother sat picking at the quicks of her nails distractedly.
The kitchen was silent. They all seemed at a loss as to what to say or do.
Rosalind had started pacing up and down, still looking at her phone.
‘Rosalind, did you have appointments today, do you need to go to work?’
Rosalind looked up, but she stared blankly at her mother. ‘What?’
‘I asked if you needed to go to work.’
‘Ha, how can I do that?’ She gave a strange, hard laugh. ‘Nothing makes sense any more.’
Her mother went over to her. ‘It’s been a shock, hasn’t it?’
Rosalind nodded, and then in a calmer voice said, ‘Maybe I should go in. Maybe you’re right.’ She looked over at Mira and signed, ‘I’m sorry, do you mind, I need to get out of here.’
‘It’s all right,’ Mira replied.
‘No, it’s not all right. She should stay,’ said Juliet. She remembered how Rosalind had gone to work so soon after her father died, and felt it was time she stayed and played her part in supporting the family.
However, Mira shook her head. ‘No, it’s really okay. There’s nothing to be done.’ Her eyes filled with tears, and she sobbed quietly, as if her heart was breaking.
‘I’ve got my phone,’ Rosalind signed, ‘text me if there is any news.’ She picked up her bags and slipped out of the house.
Juliet watched her go; how could Rosalind leave at a moment like this?
Her mother was preoccupied with Mira and had her arms around her. ‘I can make some calls for you, don’t worry about any of that, you stay there.’
Mira nodded, and their mother quietly left the kitchen. Cassie and Juliet stayed behind with Anwen. Juliet’s mother had given her the card of the man who’d fitted the patio doors, so she called the mobile number, and it was answered immediately. Juliet explained who she was, and the man offered her condolences for the loss of her father. She told him about the key, and she was relieved when he was instantly helpful.
‘I tell you what, I have to come over that way later anyway, I’ll pick up the spares from the office and drop them in, shall I?’
Juliet thanked him.
Later in the afternoon, Juliet asked Mira if she needed anything from the vicarage.
‘Oh, um, I don’t know.’ Mira’s eyes were full of panic as they
had been at lunchtime when Juliet had asked her if she wanted ham or cheese in her sandwich. Mira’s mind had closed down to the simplest choices and her signs had become just wisps of movement.
‘Don’t worry, just give me the key to the vicarage and I’ll pick you up a few things. You stay here with Mum,’ said Juliet more decisively.
But Mira stood up slowly. ‘No, I want to come.’
‘Okay, then I tell you what, I’ll take the car and we can pick up as much as you need. Then we don’t have to go back again too soon.’
Juliet went to find her bag, opened it, but despite rummaging couldn’t find her set of car keys.
‘Has anyone used my car, Mum?’
‘Why would anyone do that? Everyone has their own.’
‘I know, but my set of car keys are gone. I had them yesterday, I know I did. I showed them to someone because of the key ring,’ she felt herself blush, ‘and I haven’t driven anywhere since. They were zipped in here, I’m sure of it.’ A picture of Gabriel, ‘my heart is safe’, she had shown him the heart and she was sure she hadn’t dropped them…
‘Actually Juliet, I’d rather walk. I’d like to see what’s happening at the church, and a walk will help clear my mind too, I think,’ Mira said suddenly. ‘We could take Lola with us.’
‘Of course, if you think it would help… I could check the car park at the same time. I may have dropped my set of car keys there.’
‘But can we go to the vicarage first?’
Juliet could see this was something Mira was steeling herself for and needed to get over and done with.
As they walked through the village, Juliet saw a curtain twitch in an upstairs window. She usually liked that people watched through leaded windows, listened behind hedges pretending to garden, but today it felt unsettling. Last night there had been a murder here, a few weeks ago her father had been so desperate that he’d drunk heavily, had a fatal accident.
As they approached the entrance to the church, they could see police cars parked. Mira insisted they stop at the bottom of the path. There seemed to be police and people in overalls everywhere, the area was sealed off with a tent-like structure. Juliet wondered if Rhys’s body was still there.