Dying to Meet You

by Patricia Scott

  Farmer watching the ambulances taking away the wounded. ‘Sorry ma-am, I should have mentioned it before. I didn’t realise she was getting so involved.’

  ‘Come on let’s be having it, Nick.’

  He related quickly about Mel’s intended date with the Virgo man that evening.

  ‘So Mel Goring has been trying to step in on our case. I thought you at least would have known better. It should have been one of our women officers,’ she said as they got into the police car. ‘Not a civvy. How could you let her get involved?’

  He shook his head. ‘I couldn’t feel worse than I do about it. She told me something quite different about her arrangements for last evening. That’s why I drove over to Bexhill.’

  ‘How she was going about it? She must have given you a clue about what she was working on.’

  ‘She was thinking along the lines of getting a blind date with the Virgo man - the one Ellie Cooper met, ma-am.’

  She swore. ‘And you don’t know whether they actually met, or where he took her afterwards? Mel Goring struck me as a level headed young woman. She must have known how dangerous it was to meddle with a suspect in a murder case. You’re both equally to blame here.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’

  Why hadn’t Mel confided in him? Even though they had shown how they really felt about each other at last it hadn’t been sufficient for her to trust him.

  Forty-Nine

  Rachel Sherwood sipped her third carton cup of coffee. ‘Sit down, Don, please. It’s not helping.’

  He stopped to lean over the table now looking desperate. ‘Where the hell is she?’

  ‘We’re bound to hear something soon.’

  At that moment Farmer came into the room. He looked worried.

  ‘I’m glad I’ve found you here, Mrs Sherwood. Mr Sherwood. Any news yet of Mel? Is she here?’

  Her parents looked at one another. ‘You’ve not heard from her yet either then, Inspector?’

  ‘No.’ He shook his head. ‘Sorry. Been held up. A call out on police business.’

  Trask came in and smiled when he saw Mel’s parents. ‘Mrs Sherwood - Mr Sherwood. I heard just now that Ms Goring was definitely in the Victoria Park this evening, guv. Bennett saw her there. He doesn’t know where she went afterwards though. Could have gone for a drink perhaps.’

  ‘Not on her own.’ Her mother shook her head. ‘She would never have done that.’

  ‘Who else might have seen her then?’

  ‘Calder, perhaps. He went off somewhere afterwards. How is he? Anybody heard yet?’

  Farmer looked grave and shook his head. ‘Not good. He’s gone into theatre. Peterson is still about - she’ll know something I expect. Freddie Kaufman‘s survived. The devil looks after his own. How is Jack, Mrs Sherwood?’

  She sighed. ‘We don’t know. I hope we acted fast enough. We’re praying it’s not meningitis. He’s such a dear little chap.’

  ‘Must go. Mrs Sherwood, I hope your daughter turns up soon,’ Trask said. ‘Can I drive you home, Nick?’

  Farmer frowned shook his head. ‘Can’t leave yet. We’ve - I’ve - got to find Mel,’ he said his eyes on Rachel Sherwood. ‘She can’t have just vanished after she was in the park. She was doing something pretty risky and I should have tried much harder to stop her.’

  The door opened and a doctor came in. ‘Mrs Sherwood? Mr Sherwood?’

  ‘Yes - how’s Jack? Can we see him please, doctor. He must be so frightened.’

  ‘A few minutes only.’ He smiled and Mrs Sherwood sighed with relief and stood up. ‘He is sleeping now and comfortable. We believe that we have caught the meningitis in time before any brain or organ damage has been done.’

  Fifty

  Leaving the Sherwood’s at the hospital visiting room Farmer returned to his flat. It looked little different since he’d left it the evening before. Squib welcomed him noisily as usual.

  Mel was God only knows where at that moment, she wasn’t answering her phone. She could be dead by now. And it was his fault.

  If anything had happened to her... he knew he would never be able to forgive himself. How could have been so damn naive as to expect Mel to listen to him when he tried to caution her. Why didn’t he read the warning bells he was receiving when she first broached her intentions to him?

  He glanced at the time: five a.m. He must try to think sensibly. Where could she have gone after leaving the park? Had she been alone, or with someone? Would she have gone for a drink with her blind date?

  He ate a quick breakfast and took off to the park. He would do his own reconstruction working from there. It wouldn’t be open yet, but at least it would be a start.

  He thought about the local pub close by to Victoria Park. Ideal if she wanted to be seen by plenty of people. The Hole In The Wall wasn’t a bad place. It sold good beer, and decent food. He’d been in there several times when he’d explored the town on first arrival.

  He drove down the Park road and stopped outside. It wasn’t usual to find anyone stirring so early but he spotted a man outside the pub clearing the cigarette butts out of a sand filled pot by the tables outside. He got out of his car. The man looked up. ‘Sorry, sir. We’re not open yet. Can I help you?’

  ‘Police,’ Farmer said showing his card. ‘DI Farmer. Are you the landlord? I’d be glad of your assistance.’

  ‘Yep, I’m Nat Matthews, the landlord. What can I do for you?’

  Farmer showed the chap a photo he had on him that he had taken with Mel on the pier the other day. ‘This is Ms Goring, a friend of mine. A journalist from the local Observer newspaper.’ He cleared his throat. ‘She’s missing. Could you recall her coming in here last night after the Firework display? You must have got quite a crowd.’

  Matthews nodded. ‘We did - that’s usual. We’re the nearest drinking place. And we put on a good ploughman’s too.’ The landlord studied the face of the pretty young woman that Farmer showed him. ‘Yeah, I’ve seen her recently.’

  ‘You have? When was this?’

  ‘Last evening, I think. She came in with another of your officers. A young chap.’ He scratched his head. ‘Let me see now. Yeah - his dad comes in here sometimes. Calder’s his name.’

  Nick looked startled. ‘Calder you say. What did they have to drink? Do you remember? How long did they stay?’

  ‘Let me think now. He bought a glass of wine for her and lager for himself. She was very attractive. He looked as if he was enjoying her company.’

  Farmer chose to ignore this. ‘Did they stay long? Can you remember? It’s most important.’

  Matthews shrugged. ‘Half an hour or so. They seemed pretty friendly. After their first drinks they had a couple of fruit juices. Didn’t stay too long after that. Why are you asking all this?’

  Farmer insisted, ‘How come you remember them especially?’

  ‘Can’t usually as a rule but it’s the wife, you see. Irene noticed the young woman looking a bit shaky - a bit unsteady on her feet and said to me afterwards she didn’t think she was feeling especially well. It worried us a bit afterwards. But she was in good company. So we thought she’d be okay.’

  ‘Not feeling well? Why do you think that was?’

  ‘She could have had a gippy tummy. Those hot dog stalls have a lot to answer for - it’s a bit dodgy some of their food in this hot weather we’ve been having.’

  ‘She didn’t say what was wrong with her?’

  ‘No. My wife said she seemed a bit wobbly on her pins in the ladies when she went in there. She only had one glass of wine in here. Unless she was making a night of it of course. Didn’t seem the type though.’

  ‘You don’t happen to know what time they left?’

  ‘Nearly closing time. He was helping her out, looking after her like a gentleman. I think she’ll be feeling rough this morning. Heard him say he’d give her a lift home in his car. The best thing I thought at the time. Her car’s still here in the car park. I saw it just now. It’s the only one left.’


  ‘She hasn’t been in touch with you yet this morning?’

  ‘No. Sorry, can’t tell you anymore.’

  ‘Thanks, Mr Matthews. I might want to speak to you again later.’

  So Calder it seemed was the last one who had been in contact with her. He hadn’t mentioned Mel or said he’d given her a lift home. He made the excuse that his car had broken down, delaying his arrival almost to the last minute last night. So exactly when and where had his car broken down? Because if he meant to take Mel home why hadn’t she arrived there?

  Fifty-One

  ‘How’s Calder now, Trask?’

  ‘Pretty dicey. He’s in Intensive Care. Still unconscious. They’ve called his father in.’

  ‘Good. I’d like to see his old man. He might be able to fill me in on some things.’

  ‘Any luck with Mel Goring? She must have had you worried. Peterson’s been asking about you. Where have you been?’

  ‘Trying to fix Mel’s movements for yesterday evening.’

  ‘I guessed that. Oh, word’s out that Erik Kaufman has skipped the country. I reckon he was the one who informed on Freddie. No brotherly love lost between that pair.’

  ‘Right, make an excuse to Peterson if she wants me. I’ve gotta check up on Calder’s movements yesterday evening.’

  ‘Calder! What are you working on?’

  Farmer tapped his nose with his forefinger. ‘The less you know the better for the time being. Just make some excuse to Peterson for me. Okay?’

  ‘Okay. Will do.’

  Farmer went to work immediately on finding where Calder had left his car. Calder had got a taxi to report into the station and Farmer phoned the two main cab offices in the town and asked who had picked up and brought a police officer in to the station at about eleven thirty. He struck lucky with the second office in the town centre.

  ‘Inspector Farmer here. Can you tell me please where DC Calder was picked up by one of your taxis last night? His car had broken down and he had to report immediately to the station on police business? It’s important,’ he said in the taxi office.

  ‘Is this a police matter, sir?’

  ‘It is. He’s had an accident since then. He’s in hospital and we need to pick up his car. Have you got it on your books or can I speak to the taxi driver personally?’

  ‘He’s at home right now, sir.’

  ‘This is a serious police matter. Can you phone him now or can I go round and speak to him?’

  Farmer was directed to the cab driver’s house in Priory Street down the old town.

  ‘That’s right, he was one of your boys. A nice lad. Said he needed a cab urgently for police business, he told me. Seemed quite anxious. Met me on the sea front near the swimming baths. Said his car had broken down after an evening out. And couldn’t wait for the AA to help him. Had to get to the police station immediately. Thought it was strange at the time that he didn’t call out them out. But he was in a hurry. Said it was urgent. Is there anything wrong, Inspector?’

  ‘So where was his car? Did you see it?’

  ‘He said it was near the lido.’

  ‘So it’s probably still there. Thanks. Sorry if I’ve put you out in any way.’

  ‘No worries, mate. My boss told me you were coming. Glad to be of help. Is he okay now, your officer? I heard he’s had an accident.’

  ‘Yes, he’s in hospital and unable to tell me where he left his vehicle. We need to bring it in. I’d be grateful if you’d keep this to yourself for the moment.’

  ‘Course no problem. Glad to have been of help.’

  Farmer drove his car fast along the sea front, ignoring phone calls on his mobile, to the lido where he found an early traffic warden officiously writing down and placing a ticket on Calder’s blue vehicle.

  ‘Good morning, sir. Is this your car?’

  ‘No, it belongs to a colleague of mine. He’s a police officer. DC Calder. I was told where it was parked. He’s injured and is presently recovering in hospital.’

  ‘And you are, sir?’

  ‘DI Farmer. I came here to check up on his car. I haven’t got his keys with me so I must have it picked up and taken to the station. No better still I’ll send a vehicle to bring it in.’ He showed his identity card to the traffic warden. ‘Apparently it broke down last night.’

  ‘Righto, Inspector.’

  Farmer got on the phone immediately and gave the order for transport to pick up Calder’s car.

  He found what was he was looking for immediately. There it was - a large tiled square of open aqua blue water with the morning sun sparkling on it. He sprinted round it quickly searching the length of it with his eyes. It was empty. She wasn’t there. Mel wasn’t there. ‘Thank God!’ he said.

  He couldn’t think of anyone or anything else at that moment. He was going crazy at the thought of finding Mel lying in the water. He felt shell shocked. He nearly choked with relief he’d been breathing so hard.

  Calder could not possibly be the cold blooded killer who had killed Linda, Jude Van Hoet and Ellie Cooper. Could he? It didn’t make any sense.

  *

  Farmer walked slowly into Intensive Care. Calder was the only patient occupying it that morning. He was still unconscious. Trask put his head round the door as Farmer sat down in a chair beside the bed.

  ‘You’re here then. I managed to put Peterson off. Any news of Mel Goring yet?’

  ‘None. Bloody nothing. Traced what she’d been doing last thing though. She was with him, Calder, in the Hole In The Wall - the landlord said she’d been a bit shaky when she left there...wobbly on her feet.’

  ‘In the Hole In The Wall pub?’

  ‘Yep - apparently Calder said he would give her a lift home. Her car’s still in the pub car park.’

  Trask stood by the bed looking down at Calder. There was a look on his face now that told Farmer he was slowly digesting what he’d heard so far and didn’t like it one bit.

  He said slowly, ‘Calder was with Mel Goring yesterday evening...before he joined us.’

  ‘He was the last person known to be in her company. What bells does that ring for you?’

  ‘Christ! I hope you don’t mean what I think you do?’

  Farmer nodded. ‘Mel was with him - no one else, Geoff.’

  ‘So where is she? Why did he leave his car by the lido?’

  ‘He said it broke down. Didn’t say how. It should have been brought into the station by now.’

  ‘What are you going to say to Peterson? She’s not happy. You turned off your mobile.’

  ‘I’ll be in touch soon.’

  They gazed at the unconscious Calder. ‘You’ll be out looking for Mel?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  The door opened and Ray Calder came in slowly with a cup of tea in his hand. He nodded and smiled nervously when he saw the two police officers by his son’s bedside. ‘Good morning, officers.’

  ‘Good morning, Mr Calder.’

  ‘I hope we’ll have some good news soon, DI Farmer.’

  ‘We hope so too. We must be going, Mr Calder.’

  They left Ralph Calder sitting down beside his son’s bedside. A nurse came in and adjusted the breathing tubes quietly and stayed to talk to Ray Calder.

  Fifty-Two

  Mel came to feeling like she was choking and couldn’t breathe. Her head was aching fit to burst. She couldn’t see. Couldn’t open her eyes. They were covered with a tight band of something. Somebody had done a pretty good job on her. She tried to cough and spit out whatever was gagging her mouth and couldn’t. It was sealed up with some kind of sticking plaster. Bile came up into her mouth and she was forced to swallow it.

  Her hands and feet were also tied up by something; she was like a trussed chicken ready for the oven. Was she dreaming all this? Was it a nightmare? Would she wake up in a minute or so in her bed with a hangover? She had a strong urge to use the toilet and there was a wreaking smell of oil and petrol coming from somewhere. She could hear voices and noise coming from
close by. Could she be being held in a garage?

  Whoever had done this to her had been pretty resourceful. The knots were tightly tied. If Nick could only see her now he’d be splitting his sides. No, he wouldn’t be laughing. Damn him. She could visualise his frowning face. And wished she could feel his arms reassuringly wrap around her holding her safe. She could imagine him saying, ‘I told you so.’

  She had gone along with this like a lamb to the slaughter; she had asked for and deserved this. She attempted to think back on the night before. She had gone to the park. Watched the fireworks. Had lingered and waited in vain for the date she’d arranged. Taken off her rose buttonhole. Then watched the fireworks and not seen her parents or Jack.

  After that everything had gone wrong. Her date hadn’t turned up. Or had he? He might have been suspicious when he discovered it was her. If he recognised her that is. It could be somebody who knew her then. Then what had happened next?

  Oh yes, Brian Calder had approached her suggested a drink which she had agreed to. Calder! Now this was making her think. The case he’d been on with Linda. Geraldine Temple’s suicide again came to mind. Why had it troubled her so much since she’d met and spoken to her sister in law?

  It had also troubled Calder. She remembered she had mentioned it to him while they were in the pub. Questioned him about it. And now it was coming back to her what Linda had said. Calder had been upset by it more she’d expected he would be at the time. But she had put it down to him losing his mother. Like he’d said - he had gone to his mother’s funeral only days before and was feeling especially low.

  Surely it couldn’t be him. He’d always appeared to be a pleasant young man. A good police officer. Appearances were deceiving of course. If he’d killed Linda, she must be his next victim. So why was she still here? Still alive? Was he keeping her as a hostage perhaps? Perhaps he was going to negotiate something or other for her?