by A L Fraine
“And what did you find?” Kate pressed. Jon watched him with interest.
“It was Piers, walking around the house. Said he was going to get some water, I think. I left him to it.”
“Water?”
“That’s what he said.”
Jon narrowed his eyes. Piers hadn’t mentioned his little midnight jaunt during their talk and he wondered why.
“Did you tell Portia what you saw?” Jon asked.
“I think so. I can’t remember. I was stoned, remember?”
“You’ve got a criminal record, Mr Lockwood. We’re looking into it now, but it sounds like you were arrested on drug-related offences,” Kate said.
He shrugged. “I’ve been busted for dealing a few times, so what?”
“Who do you deal for?”
He smiled at her. “I don’t deal for anyone anymore. I’ve gone straight.”
“So, who did you used to deal for?”
“Oh, no one much.”
“Why bother replying like that? We will find out. You can rest assured of that, and withholding information just makes you look more suspicious.”
“And it makes me wonder,” Jon added. “You see, you said you thought Lizzy was being nosey, right? Sticking her beak into your business, into places it wasn’t wanted? Why would that be?”
“I’m sure I have no idea,” he replied, looking away.
“Well, allow me to enlighten you. You see, criminals, drug dealers, and the like, don’t like people finding out what they’re up to. I’m thinking that maybe your associates found out that Lizzy was looking into their stuff and wanted to deal with her. So maybe it wasn’t you that killed her, but maybe you know who did.”
Spencer shook his head. “You have one hell of an imagination, Detective, that’s for sure. Because no one that I wor… used to work with wants her dead.”
“I see,” Jon replied with a smile, noticing the slight slip up. “Well, I’ll take that under advisement for the time being, because I just don’t buy it. But, we’ll have a chat with Portia and see what she has to say about this, shall we?”
“Wonderful, you do that. Are we done?”
Jon nodded. “We’re done, for now.”
7
“Well, he was a little shit,” Kate stated as she walked back into the room.
Jon stood at the window looking out over the porch and the grounds at the rear of the house. “You’re not kidding, and if Portia backs him up, and the CCTV comes through, then he’s got a cast-iron alibi, too.”
“It’s awfully convenient that he sat in full view of a security camera when Lizzy was getting killed, given how much he seems to dislike her.”
“True,” Jon replied, seeing where she was going with this. “If his criminal associates were the killers, then this would be a way of him keeping out of the spotlight.”
“You think he was involved then? Either directly or not?”
Jon sighed. “I don’t know. It’s an awfully convenient conclusion to come to, given that we’ve only spoken to a couple of people. No, it’s too early to tell, really. He might be a dick, but a killer? That’s something else entirely.”
“I agree. I know plenty of idiots who wouldn’t hurt a fly. We need to talk to a few more people and keep an open mind.”
“Mmm,” Jon replied as he heard someone approach the room. Moments later, a teenage girl walked in, looking nervous, followed by an older woman.
“Err, hi,” the girl said.
“Portia Lockwood?” Jon asked.
The girl nodded, but the woman interjected. “Portia Lockwood-Burton, actually.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Jon replied looking at the woman, who smiled at him and stepped forward.
“Hello. I’m Vivian, Portia’s mother. I just got back.”
“Oh, of course. From the hospital. How is Harold?”
“He’s fine. Weak, but I think he’ll be okay. So, did I hear it right, that Lizzy was found murdered?”
Jon nodded. “Yes, I’m sorry to say, which is why we’re here.”
“Absolutely. Anything we can do to help, isn’t that right, Portia?”
The girl nodded, still looking like a deer caught in headlights.
“Come and sit over here,” Kate said in that empathetic way that seemed to come naturally to her. “Don’t worry, you’re not in any trouble. We just want to talk to you about Lizzy and the events of last night, okay?”
Portia nodded. “Okay, sure,” she replied as she took a seat.
Jon did likewise, sitting opposite, and smiled before turning to Vivian. “You’re here as Portia’s appropriate adult,” Jon said.
“I know,” Vivian said.
“Good. So please try to let Portia answer the questions unless we address you. You’re here to make sure Portia understands the questions and watch proceedings, okay?”
“Of course,” Vivian answered and sat back, crossing her arms with a superior looking smile on her face.
Jon nodded, disliking her attitude already. He’d seen her type before and felt sure she’d interrupt at some point. But there was nothing for it, he needed to talk to Portia to find out what she knew. Looking over at the young woman, he smiled. “So, tell me about yesterday, how was it?”
“Good. It was fun. It was nice to see everyone together again, what with Great Grandpa being so ill.”
“Good. And did you spend any time with Lizzy?”
Portia looked a little sheepish. “Yeah. We hung out a bit.”
“That’s good,” Kate replied. “You’re doing well.”
“So, tell me about the evening,” Jon continued. “What did you do?”
“I hung out for a bit, but it was boring listening to the olds talk, so I went out on the porch with Chester.”
Jon frowned, unsure who he was.
“Cece’s son, he’s the same age as Portia. Sixteen,” Vivian added, apparently noticing his confusion.
“I see,” Jon replied, and looking back at Portia. “Do you get on well with him?”
“He’s alright, I guess.” She didn’t sound enthused.
“They’ve had their differences,” Vivian said. “I think they’re quite different, really.”
“He’s alright,” Portia insisted.
“Portia, you won’t get into trouble for saying you don’t like someone,” Vivian said. “They’re not here for that. They just need the truth.”
Kate nodded. “Your mother’s right. It’s okay to say you don’t get along with someone. For instance, I barely tolerate grumpy here,” Kate said, pointing at Jon.
Jon pulled a face at Kate, who smiled while Portia laughed.
Returning his attention to the teenager, Jon smiled. “Well, now that I know where I stand, how about you tell me what you think of Chester?”
Portia nodded and seemed to be deep in thought for a moment. “Chester’s alright, but he can be a… Well, I don’t agree with some of what he does or says. But I prefer hanging out with him, than listening to the olds talking.”
“I understand,” Jon replied. “Do you remember what time you both went onto the porch?”
“About nine o’clock, I think?”
“Okay, and then what?”
“We chatted, and the next thing, Lizzy stopped by to say goodnight with Gramps. Then Chester went for a walk. He came back after about ten, maybe fifteen minutes, I think. Then Spencer appeared. Came to join us, but Chester left. They really don’t get on, at all.”
“Okay, so that was, when?”
“Ten-thirty, or so?”
“So, you weren’t in the room when Spencer talked about Lizzy?”
“Err, no,” Portia replied, looking a little confused. Jon noticed Vivian stiffen beside her. “Why, what was said?”
“We don’t know exactly, but it seems like Spencer had some harsh words to say about her.”
Portia grunted. “Yeah, I’m not surprised. He never did like her much. In fact, Lizzy said something about that to me yesterday. Said she thought Spe
ncer was acting weird, staring at her, barging past her, that kind of thing. Just being an idiot, as usual.”
“Oh?” Jon asked.
“You didn’t tell me that,” Vivian added.
“I don’t tell you everything, Mum,” Portia replied.
“Oh, well, screw me, I guess,” Vivian said, offended.
“Don’t be like that, Mum.”
“Did he say anything to Lizzy during the day?” Jon pressed.
“No, not really. Not as far as I know, anyway, and Lizzy didn’t say he said anything. I didn’t know he spoke out later, though.”
“It was just after Lizzy took Harold up to his bed, apparently.”
Portia nodded and then looked over at her mother. “You were in there, though, weren’t you?”
Vivian sighed. “I was, yes. And yeah, he did say a few nasty things about her. Called her a few choice names. Said she was looking into his business, but I think he was just being paranoid. We’ve all heard the rumours of what Spencer gets up to, so I guess he wouldn’t want someone like Lizzy poking around his stuff.”
“I see,” Jon replied. “You mean, his criminality?”
“Yes. He’s been picked up by you guys a few times, that kind of thing.”
“Okay,” Jon continued, returning his attention to Portia. “So Spencer came out and joined you on the porch at around ten-thirty. How long was he with you?”
“A while. Several hours. I don’t think I got to bed until after two.”
“What were you doing out there?”
Portia sighed. “You want the truth, right?”
“Preferably,” Jon remarked.
“Alright, well, we were smoking some marijuana. Spencer had some Black on him, and rolled up a few joints.”
“Is this the first time you’ve used it?” Jon asked, glancing at Vivian, who didn’t seem too fussed about her using the drug.
“No, not really. I use it from time to time. It helps me sleep. I struggle with insomnia a bit, and a bit of ganja often helps. That and sleeping pills.”
“You take sleeping pills?” Kate asked.
“Sometimes,” Portia replied. “Spencer’s stolen some from his dad for me a few times too.”
“Alright,” Jon replied. “So, you went to the porch at around nine pm. Chester joined you, then Lizzy said goodnight at about ten, and Chester walked off.”
“Yeah,” Portia replied. “Lizzy’s relationship with Chester was worse than mine. She hated him, and I think the feeling was mutual, so he walked off when Lizzy came to say goodnight.”
“I see. Alright, Lizzy said goodnight, then Chester returns until Spencer turns up, and then Chester leaves. Do you know where he went?”
“Yeah,” Portia replied. “His mother came to get him and took him to bed. He was always a bit of a mummy’s boy. He’s a wimp, really.”
“Portia!” Vivian warned.
“What? I’m being honest. You said to be honest.”
Vivian grimaced but said no more.
“After Chester left,” Jon continued, “you stayed with Spencer until the early hours, right? Did anything else happen in that time?”
“Yeah, Lizzy popped by at about half-past midnight. She looked a little harassed, maybe. Stressed, perhaps? Anyway, she said she didn’t want to talk about it and was going for a drive.”
“And Spencer was there for that?”
Portia nodded. “Yeah, he was there. He saw Lizzy too.”
“Anything else?”
“Um, oh, yeah. I heard something a little later, after one in the morning, maybe ten past, quarter past? Something like that, anyway. I heard movement in the house and thought it might be Lizzy, but I just wasn’t in the mood to move, so I asked Spencer to go and have a look. I think he said it was Piers walking around, getting a drink. I don’t know. Things get a little hazy there. I remember heading to bed later, at about half-past two, I think.”
“And you didn’t see Lizzy at all after she left to go on a drive?”
“No, nothing. I wish I’d gone with her, though. I should have, really. Maybe this wouldn’t have happened if I’d been there.”
“Or maybe you’d be dead too,” Vivian spoke up.
Portia frowned. “She didn’t deserve to die, not so young. It’s not fair. It really isn’t.”
“It never is,” Kate agreed.
“No, it’s not. Shit. I liked Lizzy. I really did. She was a friend.”
“No she wasn’t,” Vivian replied.
“Yeah, she was. I liked her, I really did. Why would you say I didn’t? I’m speaking the truth, and the truth is that I connected with her, found some common ground.”
“Now look here,” Vivian said, cutting in, “I don’t want to talk ill of the dead, but Lizzy has caused a lot of pain and embarrassment to this family over the years. She’s never liked us, not really. Not apart from Grandpa. So how can you say you liked her?”
“Because it’s the truth,” Portia answered. “You know, that concept that you might have heard of?”
“What?”
“Ladies, please. That’s enough,” Jon said, raising his voice. “This doesn’t solve anything. Portia, you were saying you connected with Lizzy.”
“I did. But Gramps was closest to her. I think you should talk to him.”
“We will. You said Harold’s awake, right?” Jon replied, looking at Vivian.
“I did. I guess you can try the hospital, see if they’ll let you see him,” she replied.
“We’ll do that. In the meantime, is there anything else you want to tell us, maybe? Anything that you think might be relevant to this case?”
Portia looked a little uncomfortable and appeared to be on the verge of telling them something, but for whatever reason, she seemed reluctant. Jon noticed her glance up at her mother and then look away.
“No, there’s nothing else,” Portia replied.
“Well, if you think of something, you can come and find us anytime, okay?”
“Sure,” Portia replied. “I’ll think about it.”
8
Jon watched Portia and Vivian walk out of the room. Portia looked back once and smiled. Not for the first time today, Jon got the feeling that Portia wanted to say something more, but for some reason, held back.
If he had to guess, he’d say that reason was walking beside her, ushering her out of the room.
Once they were gone, Jon looked over at Kate and opened his mouth to speak.
Kate raised a finger. “She had more to say, didn’t she? That’s what you were going to say, wasn’t it, that she had more to tell us, right?”
“Um yeah, it was.”
“Thought so,” she replied, before licking her finger and marking a notch on an invisible score sheet. Jon rolled his eyes as she grinned at him. “Well, maybe she’ll come to us.”
Jon nodded. “One can only hope.”
“This is one complicated family,” Kate remarked.
“You’re not kidding. Everyone seems to hate someone, and Lizzy seems to be getting the brunt of it.”
“You still think the killer is under this roof?”
“For now,” Jon remarked. “Although, I’ve not ruled out Spencer’s criminal friends yet, either.”
“So what’s next?”
“Like the girl said, we need to talk to Harold. I think out of everyone, he’ll be the one to shed the most light on all of this.”
“One can only hope,” Kate replied, mimicking Jon’s earlier reply with a smile. “Alright, we should get to it. It’ll be good to get out of here, anyway. Tell me I’m not the only one feeling a little claustrophobic.”
“Agreed, and no, you’re not,” Jon replied, crossing the room. As he approached the door, Veronica appeared, striding in.
“Detectives, there you are. I hope your interview was fruitful?”
“Very,” Jon replied, keeping things vague.
“Good, good. I think there’s someone here to see you. A Detective Halliwell?”
“Aaah
,” Jon replied. “Excellent. Yes, please, show him in.”
Veronica turned and called across the entrance hall. “Let them in, Howard.”
“Thank you,” Jon replied and made to walk across the hall, only for Veronica to reach out and gently take his arm.
“Detective, Howard and I have been talking, and we were wondering if we might take a moment of your time?”
“Oh, okay. Sure. How can I help?”
“Well, we’d like to chat, maybe in the morning room?”
“Yes, of course. Would you like to head in there now? I just want to speak to Detective Halliwell first, okay?”
“Absolutely,” Veronica replied. With a smile she made her way towards the room, beckoning Howard to follow. Jon watched her go, before approaching Nathan just inside the door. Around him, a team of three forensics officers walked in and set their gear down in the hall.
“Fox,” Jon said in greeting. “You made it then?”
“Of course. Faith’s here too,” he said, turning. She walked in and smiled at them.
“Wow, lovely place,” Faith commented.
“It is,” Jon replied to her. “Are you up to speed on events?”
“I’m here to liaise with the grieving parents, right? They’ve just lost their daughter, Elizabeth.”
“Lizzy,” Jon corrected. and turned to see Portia still close by at the bottom of the steps, watching. “Portia, can I ask you a favour?”
“Yeah?” she replied, approaching.
“Can you show Faith here where she can find Piers and Ingrid?”
“No problem,” Portia replied brightly. “This way.”
Faith nodded. “Thank you. Catch you guys later.”
Jon nodded and turned to Nathan. “You good?”
“We are. I’m here to help these guys,” Nathan replied, pointing his thumb to the forensics officers.
“Okay, well, tell me if you need anything.”
“Will do,” he replied and stepped in a little closer, lowering his voice. “How’s it going?”
“I think everyone here hates each other,” Jon replied under his breath, raising an eyebrow. “Every time I speak to someone, I gain a new suspect.”