by Joy Kluver
Janet handed a plate with a large slice of cake to Bernie and gave her a fork as well. ‘Sometimes. Traffic wise, it’s mainly us with the tractor because it’s our fields as far as the railway line. Occasionally people drive down it by mistake thinking it’s a short cut and then get stuck by the railway bridge. We tend to get more walkers and cyclists who want to use the footpath through the woods. Horse riders too.’
‘But that would be during the day?’
‘Yes. People don’t really go down there at night.’
‘What about motorbikes?’ Anderson continued.
Janet shrugged her shoulders. ‘I guess someone might. To be honest, I don’t really pay much attention to the traffic noise, especially at night. I’m a sound sleeper.’
‘I noticed there’s a motorbike outside. Who does that belong to?’ asked Anderson.
So that’s what you were doing, thought Bernie.
‘It’s Ryan’s. He’s my youngest, only one still left at home.’
‘So you haven’t heard any other bikes, especially at night, going down the lane?’
Janet shook her head. ‘Can’t say I have but they all sound the same to me.’
‘Pah!’ said Stan. ‘They don’t all sound the same. Ryan’s purrs like a cat when he first starts her up. This is his new one. The one before sounded like a tractor. He started off on a moped which was basically a sewing machine on wheels.’
Anderson laughed. ‘You obviously know a lot about motorbikes, Mr Willis.’
‘Yes, he does,’ said Janet. ‘And you can guess who encouraged Ryan to get one against my wishes.’
Bernie tapped Anderson on the arm. She didn’t want a family row started. He nodded. ‘OK. This is a completely different question but have you been in for the last week, in the evenings?’
‘Mostly,’ said Janet. ‘Although we often go to the pub in Marchant. In fact, we’re going tonight. There’s a pub quiz on Thursday evenings and Ron and I like to go.’
‘What about last Friday and the weekend?’
Janet rubbed her head. ‘We were out then as well. Went to the pub again on Friday and then to friends on Saturday night to celebrate their ruby wedding anniversary and then over to our eldest on Sunday for tea. It was a busy weekend, which is unusual for us.’
‘What about you, Mr Willis?’
‘Well, I get left alone here to fester, most of the time.’ The dog staggered up and put her head on Stan’s knee. ‘Hollie keeps me company.’ He stroked her.
‘Dad. That’s not true. You came with us on Sunday and you didn’t want to go to the pub last Thursday and Friday.’
Bernie felt her phone buzz in her pocket. She took it out and found a text from DCI Worth. Where are you? PM set for 1600 hours. I expect you to be there. Bring DS Anderson with you.
Bernie smiled at Janet.
‘Thank you so much for your time,’ said Bernie. ‘We need to get going, I’m afraid. But you’ve been very helpful. If you remember anything then just give us a call.’
Anderson eyed up the piece of uneaten cake on his plate.
‘I’m sure you’ll be allowed to take that with you,’ Bernie said.
‘Oh, of course. I’ll wrap it up for you, Detective Sergeant.’ Janet whisked the plate away before Anderson could object. He downed his tea before that disappeared too.
‘Do you mind if I use your toilet, please?’ he asked.
‘Not at all. There’s one downstairs. I’ll show you.’
Bernie picked up her mug to finish her tea.
‘Psst, Bernie!’
She looked up to see Stan beckoning her over.
‘What, Stan?’
‘Come closer, I’ve got something to tell you. I couldn’t say with Janet in here.’
Bernie crouched next to the old man.
‘Janet and Ron go to the pub pretty much every Thursday and Friday. Ryan’s been having drag races down the lane while they’re out. People bet on them. I normally go to the pub too on a Friday but Ryan asked me to stay home last week, just in case he needed me.’
‘Why would he need you?’
Stan shook his head. ‘I don’t know for certain. But I think he was scared.’
‘I could come back or if he wants to come into the station…’
‘No, no. It’ll need to be off the record somehow.’
‘What do you suggest then, Stan?’
‘Well, if you’re caught meeting secretly, that would look suspicious. In plain sight might be better. Any good at pub quizzes?’
8
Bernie pulled up outside the morgue. She sighed deeply.
‘If it’s any consolation, I don’t like these things either,’ said Anderson.
Bernie gave him a weak smile. ‘No, they’re not much fun. Of course, it will all depend on whether Nick White behaves like a prick or not.’
‘Bernie…’
‘We should go in, DS Anderson. We’re late.’
The post-mortem was already under way. DCI Worth was in the viewing area. Bernie was surprised he wasn’t closer to the action.
‘Here you are, at last.’
‘Sorry, sir. Got stuck in a bit of traffic on the way over,’ said Bernie.
‘Anything to report?’
‘Yes, sir,’ said Anderson. He filled Worth in on what they’d discovered that afternoon; in particular, the other way into the wood.
Bernie’s throat itched as she remembered what Stan had said. Until she met Ryan, though, and spoke to him, she couldn’t be sure the motorbikes were connected to the murder. She coughed.
‘Yes, DI Noel? Do you have anything to add?’
‘Oh, no, sir. Just the smell of this place. It tends to catch in my throat.’
The smell of antiseptic was strong, serving the dual purpose of cleanliness and covering the stench of death. Bernie gritted her teeth and looked at the view before her. The body on the steel table had been cleared of its extra inhabitants.
‘Nice of you to join us,’ said Nick White. ‘Right, carrying on. I’m confirming my initial thoughts for cause of death. Under closer examination, it is clear that the hyoid bone is broken, so COD is asphyxiation due to strangulation of some kind. Initially I wasn’t sure if this was manual or by ligature but there are faint marks spaced along the neck, indicating fingers. A ligature is more likely to cause a consistent line. I’ve yet to find any other wounds but I’ll keep looking.’
‘What about sexual assault?’ asked DCI Worth.
Nick White glanced towards the viewing area. ‘I’ll take swabs, oral as well, but because of the state of the body, my preliminary examination is inconclusive. Even if we do find traces of semen, either on the body or her underwear, we can’t be sure it was rape. It could be consensual; it might not even be the killer.’
‘So, do we have anything?’
Nick nodded. ‘Yes. Firstly, the dress. There’s a label. It’s from Primark so hopefully we can get a picture online.’
‘Actually, that might be tricky. They don’t have an online store in this country as such. They have a website showing their lines but they’ve probably already moved on to their autumn and winter collections. I could be wrong but we may have to go to them direct. I’m sure they’ll oblige, though, given the circumstances,’ said Bernie.
‘Oh, well,’ Nick White said, ‘we still have fingernails. Lovely and long although a couple are broken. There may be trace evidence under them along with the soles of her feet. In fact…’ White lifted up the bagged hands to look. ‘There are quite a few deposits under the nails. Definitely soil but possibly a bit of material there too. If we’re really lucky she might have the DNA of her killer if she scratched him.
‘We have the jewellery too. In terms of identification, we can measure to get height; she obviously has brown hair. But until we have something we can match DNA with, or dental records, we have no idea who she is.’ Nick White looked at Worth. ‘I’m really hoping it won’t get to this point but we may have to consider a forensic artist. Don’t y
ou know someone, DI Noel?’
‘Yes, or rather Matt does. I’ll give him a call now. I’ll do it outside, reception is a bit better out there.’ She glanced at Worth. It was obvious he wasn’t happy about paying for a forensic artist.
Bernie made her way to her car as quickly as possible. She was relieved to smell fresh air again, albeit tinged with car fumes. She leaned against her car and called Matt Taylor.
‘Ma’am?’
‘How’s it going, Matt?’
‘Oh God. I hate going through CCTV. Nothing as yet. Until we have a few more specific details on our victim, it’s hard to pinpoint anyone in particular.’
‘It looks as though the red dress is from Primark so if you can get Alice on to that, please. By the way, have you spotted any motorbikes?’
‘Motorbikes?’
‘Yes. Maybe circling the area. Picking anyone up. That sort of thing.’
‘I don’t think so. But I’ll check with Mick.’
‘Good. I was actually ringing to ask you to email the details for your forensic artist friend to Dr White. Hopefully we won’t need them but good to have them as back-up.’
‘Sure. I’ll email now.’
‘Thanks. I’m not sure how late we’ll need to work tonight. It’ll depend on DCI Worth. But if we’re out by eight this evening, do you fancy going to a pub quiz at my local?’
‘A quiz? Tonight? Why?’
‘Because you’re the only one on the team who’s been to uni so I’m hoping to put your brain to good use. Plus you love a good quiz. Tell Kerry as well.’
‘No, I meant why do you want to do a pub quiz this evening?’
Bernie paused. ‘Because it’s been a totally shit day and it’s not going to get much better in the next few days. I thought we could all do with a break. A pub quiz would be fun.’
‘A quiz?’ said a Scottish voice behind her.
Bernie spun round to see Anderson.
He smiled. ‘I’m definitely up for that.’
9
‘You want to do what?’ asked DCI Worth.
Bernie resisted the urge to look down at her feet and forced herself to keep eye contact with her senior officer as he sat behind the desk. He had commandeered DCS Wilson’s office.
‘I want to take the team to the pub. It’s been a hell of a day. And it would be good for the new officers too; get to know them better.’
DCI Worth shook his head. ‘We have just begun a murder investigation. It may be good for team morale but it won’t look good to the public. I’m planning on recording a short piece for the news. Jane’s sorting it out as we speak.’
Bernie bit the corner of her lip. She knew she would have to come clean. ‘OK, sir, I’m going to level with you. I need to meet a possible new informant at my local pub tonight. It’s quiz night. If it looks as though we’ve turned up to join in, then I have a reason to be there. And if there are any problems, I have back-up.’
Worth tapped a pen against his lips.
‘What kind of information are we talking about?’
‘Illegal motorbike racing and gambling. It’s possible they were racing the night of the murder. They may have seen something.’
‘They were nearby?’
‘Yes. On the road that leads to the woods.’
‘Then you must be careful. Nick White has come back to me. The material he spotted under the victim’s fingernails looks as though it may be leather. Your informant may have been involved.’
Bernie thought back to what Stan had said about his grandson, Ryan, that he was scared.
‘I don’t think he’s involved but I’m guessing he may have seen something. He’s worried. Hence this has to be off the record.’
Worth grimaced. ‘That’s not my preferred method but we need all the help we can get at the moment. I can’t make it appear that I’ve sanctioned you going to the pub though. I’ll let you all go at seven thirty. There isn’t much more we can do at the moment anyway. What you do after that and who you ask to go with you is your decision. But I want you to report back to me. Is that clear?’
Bernie smiled. ‘Of course, sir.’
The Marchant Arms was bustling. Bernie had been before on quiz nights and she knew almost the whole village turned out for it, as well as others from further afield. She hadn’t had to worry about taking the two new officers with her – DC Alice Hart and DC Mick Parris. As soon as they were told they could go, they were out of the door.
‘They’ve both got kids,’ explained Kerry. ‘In fact, Alice has only been back from maternity leave for a couple of months. She was rather desperate to get home.’
Bernie had hoped Anderson would change his mind about coming but he was now at the bar with Matt, getting the drinks in and ordering chips.
‘So how was your day with Mr Grumpy Pants? Did it improve after I spoke to you?’ asked Kerry.
Bernie tapped her fingers on the table. ‘No, not really. He insisted on talking to the Willis family. Said it would be a conflict of interest if I did.’
‘To be fair, he’s probably right about that. Is Alex coming tonight?’
Bernie’s tapping got faster. ‘No. I think I managed to put him off. Told him not to worry about coming over.’
‘Is he ever going to move in properly with you? He’s got a fair amount of stuff at yours.’
Bernie shook her head. ‘I know. The place is getting a bit messy. I don’t remember asking him either. It’s just kind of happened. Not sure I’m ready for him to be there all the time though. Don’t think his mother is either. She really doesn’t like me. Besides, I have another reason for him not coming over tonight. I have to keep him and Anderson apart.’
‘Oh dear, Bernie, does this mean that you’ve not had the past lovers talk?’
Bernie suddenly stopped tapping and started clenching and releasing her fist. ‘Yes and no.’
‘And what exactly does that mean?’
‘It means he’s told me about his two previous girlfriends and I’ve been very selective about my past. And Anderson wasn’t a lover, after all. He wasn’t anything really.’
‘But he would have been if his ex-wife hadn’t rung you.’ Kerry smirked.
‘Thank God she did.’
‘Bernie, has it ever occurred to you—’
‘Here you go, ladies. One orange juice for Kerry, who’s driving, and one large red wine for you, ma’am, who only has to stagger across the road.’ Matt smiled.
‘Thanks, Matt,’ said Bernie. ‘And how many times do I have to tell you, call me Bernie when we’re off duty.’
‘Sorry, ma’am… I mean, Bernie.’
Anderson brought two more drinks over. ‘I’ve registered the team. We’re “The Boys in Blue”.’
Kerry glared at him.
‘What? They all know who we are.’
‘It’s not that. Half the team is female. Honestly.’ Kerry rolled her eyes.
Anderson gave a smug grin. ‘I can change it to “Lads and Lasses in Blue” if you like.’
‘No,’ said Bernie. ‘Just leave it.’
She took a large mouthful of wine and started scanning the pub for the Willis family. She’d only seen Ryan a couple of times. He was a skinny lad with dark hair and acne scars, very different from his older and burlier brothers. She’d heard them teasing him about being the runt of the family. They had seemed good-natured but Ryan had not appeared impressed.
The pub was busy so it wasn’t easy to see from where she was sitting but she didn’t want to draw attention to herself by standing. A few people moved away from the bar and she saw Stan at a table on the other side of the pub. Janet was next to him. She looked around trying to find Ron and spotted him by the bar. Permanent red cheeks and a large nose that she knew was due more to rosacea than weather and drinking. He was a big man, like his two older sons. Bernie wondered if jokes were made about Ryan’s paternity but then she remembered one of the photos she had seen earlier at the farm. Ron and Janet’s wedding photograph with, she assumed,
their siblings. A rake-thin man was standing next to Janet. Her brother perhaps. So maybe Ryan took after his uncle.
And now she saw him, a little further down the bar, leaning over, trying to chat up the young barmaid. She saw him tapping a packet of cigarettes on the bar. Good, she thought, he’ll have a reason to go out.
Sue, the landlady, appeared with four large bowls of chips on a tray.
‘Now, I didn’t know what you wanted in terms of condiments, so I’ve brought salt, vinegar, ketchup, brown sauce and mayonnaise,’ she said. ‘Quiz is starting in five minutes.’
‘Thanks, Sue,’ said Bernie. ‘You make the best chips.’
Anderson reached for the ramekin dish with the brown sauce. ‘Glad she brought this. But who wants mayonnaise with their chips?’
‘Actually, me,’ said Bernie, as she stuck a chip into the creamy white sauce and blew on it before putting it in her mouth. It was crunchy on the outside but beautifully soft on the inside.
‘And I thought I knew you,’ said Anderson.
Bernie decided to ignore the look in his eyes.
She had eaten almost half her chips by the time the quiz started. The quiz master was Paul Bentley, the local vicar and a good friend of hers. He smiled broadly at her.
The first round was Sport and she left Anderson and Matt to argue over who was right while she kept an eye on Ryan. He was still sitting at the bar, cigarette packet in his hand. His left leg was twitching, as though he was getting ready to go.
‘OK, everyone, that’s the end of Sport. Swap your sheets with the team to your left and I’ll give you the answers.’
The noise level in the room increased as papers were passed around. Ryan got up and left. He was heading for the beer garden. Bernie counted to thirty in her head and then picked up her bag.
‘I’m just popping to the loo,’ she said quietly to Kerry. She’d already told her DS the real reason for attending the pub quiz.
‘Don’t be too long. Music is up next and you’re good at that.’
Bernie nodded. ‘If I’m not back in ten, you might want to check I’m OK.’