Strange Beginnings: The Freeman Files Series: Book 13

by Ted Tayler

  “A wise woman, your mother,” said Gus. “You must miss her.”

  “Mum told me I mustn’t do bad things. I mustn’t hurt women like my Dad did. She always told me people shouldn’t say one thing and do another.”

  Gus knew he was on dangerous ground. His open-ended questions might get a verbal response from Martyn, but if he pressed too hard on details surrounding Marion’s death, Martyn would revert to nods and a shake of the head or shut down altogether.

  “How did you feel after Mum died, Martyn?” he asked, knowing it was a risk.

  “I was angry and sad,” said Martyn, more animated now. “People asked questions about where I worked that day, and I couldn’t remember. Mr Jackson told them I was mowing the grass between the fruit trees that morning. It takes a long time, especially the first time you do it in the spring. Loads of rubbish gathers on the ground over the winter. If you’re not careful, you hit it with the mower. Mum said if you have a problem, it’s up to you to fix it. It takes time to clear the ground before you start mowing.”

  “That it does,” said Arthur Jackson. “Martyn is only one of a team of people we need to work on the fifteen thousand acres we have to handle here. He’s the most conscientious worker I’ve got. Martyn spends as long as it takes to prepare the ground. He was working on the eastern side of the estate for over two days, getting everything ready for the first cut.”

  “Did you go out to see him during the morning to check he was okay?” asked Luke. “Isn’t it more usual to work in pairs for health and safety?”

  “Rubber duck, rubber duck,” said Martyn.

  Arthur grinned. “We keep in touch via walkie-talkie because of the distances involved. All our ground staff carry them. I contact them regularly throughout the day to check their progress or ask them to move to another job if required.”

  “Do you bring a packed lunch to work each day, Martyn?” asked Gus.

  “No,” he replied.

  “I suppose you would have to make it yourself,” said Gus. “But you used to bring a packed lunch to work when you still lived at home, didn’t you? Mum made one for herself every day, didn’t she?”

  “Sometimes I was so busy I forgot to eat it. Mum would tell me off when I took it home again. She said people in Africa were dying of starvation. We mustn’t waste food, she said. I always tried to do what she said.”

  “Do you miss not living in Oakley Road?” asked Luke.

  “It wasn’t the same,” said Martyn. “Mum wasn’t there, and Dad was always sad. Stephanie got drunk every day. Ralph and his friends got me drunk once. I didn’t like how it made me feel. I worried Stephanie felt that way every morning.”

  “You remembered when Stephanie stood up to the bullies, didn’t you, Martyn?” said Luke. “So, you helped Stephanie when she needed someone to make sure she got home safely.”

  “I wanted to help her. Mum said I should treat women with respect, but one time I got into trouble when I got Stephanie home. Dad said I was disgusting. I had done nothing bad. I couldn’t understand what I did wrong. He wanted me to leave. That was when Mr Jackson helped me find my new place.”

  “Do you own a mobile phone, Martyn?” asked Gus.

  “I don’t need one at work,” Martyn replied. “I’ve got my rubber duck.”

  Martyn pointed to the unit attached to his trouser belt.

  “I need the toilet,” he said.

  “Off you go then, Martyn,” said Arthur. “Remember to wash your hands.”

  Martyn moved quickly from the table to the toilets at the back of the room.

  “Right, Mr Jackson,” said Gus. “What was it you wanted to tell us about Ralph Tucker?”

  “Martyn explained, just now,” said Arthur. “Ralph Tucker has worked here for years. He’s a good tree surgeon, but he has a mischievous side. Ralph persuaded Martyn to join him and a few of the lads to go out drinking. That was several years ago now. I got the impression Ralph knew Marion before she married Theo Reeves.”

  Luke nodded at Gus. He’d already added the name to his list of people to contact.

  “Was Tucker working here at the time of Marion’s murder?” asked Gus.

  “We use Ralph’s services most in October, November and February,” said Arthur. “Then he’s back and forth between May and September. I doubt we had any work for him in March and April. There would be plenty of places in the countryside near Salisbury that need his skills. Ralph doesn’t stay idle for long.”

  “How do you think Martyn’s holding up this afternoon, Mr Jackson?” asked Gus.

  “He’s remained pretty cool. Why? Do you intend grilling him for much longer?”

  Gus smiled as Martyn rejoined them.

  “Just one more question, and then we’ll let you get back to work, Martyn.”

  Martyn sat and leaned forward, waiting for Gus’s question.

  “Did you know Stephanie was having a baby?”

  “With Danny?” asked Martyn.

  “That’s right. Stephanie and Danny live in Downton, by the river. Why don’t you speak to Stephanie, Martyn?”

  “Danny got angry if people bothered Stephanie when she was drunk. He frightened me. I only wanted to help her.”

  “Perhaps Mr Jackson can show you how to call Stephanie on the public phone on the wall over there.”

  Martyn’s chair shot back as he jumped up. Gus had heard of people going from nought to sixty in a matter of seconds, but this was something else. He was glad there was a wide table between them.

  “Calm down, Martyn,” said Arthur Jackson. “Come on, son; you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. Mr Freeman didn’t mean any harm. It was just a suggestion.”

  “I was alone in a strange place,” Martyn shouted. “Nobody came to ask how I was, only Mr Jackson and Serena. They looked after me. Mum said families should stick together. Everybody lied to me, except them.”

  Arthur Jackson had risen from his chair and did his best to stop Martyn from lashing out. Serena Campbell ran across the hall to comfort the well-built young man who towered over her.

  “Now look what you’ve done,” she snapped at Gus and Luke. “You and your questions. How can Martyn help you solve my best friend’s murder? Theo, Stephanie, and Martyn were never suspects after Marion died. How on earth can Martyn help you find who did it now, seven years later?”

  “We didn’t mean to upset him,” said Gus. “We’ve spoken to Theo and Stephanie already. It’s fair to say they’ve added little to the knowledge gathered in the earlier investigation. We hoped to learn more by chatting with Martyn. Once Mr Jackson has taken Martyn back to work, we’ll speak with you, Ms Campbell. Who knows how significant the few scraps we gather from you might be in solving this case?”

  “I need to tell my supervisor,” said Serena, “can you let me have fifteen minutes?”

  “We’ll find something to occupy our time,” said Gus. “I’ve heard that coffee and cake is a popular afternoon pastime here. Join us as soon as you’re free.”

  Arthur Jackson had led Martyn Street to the nearest exit. Martyn was confused and upset that the café’s customers seemed to stop talking, and stare, as he passed their table.

  “I didn’t expect that to happen,” said Gus. “What did you make of it, Luke?”

  “I can understand how tough it must have been for Martyn in the months after his father essentially threw him out,” said Luke. “He turned to the two people who still believed in him, Arthur and Serena.”

  “Martyn had lost his mother in tragic circumstances, then his sister went off the rails,” said Gus. “It was interesting how often Martyn referred to ‘rules to live by’ his mother instilled in him. Stephanie told us Marion took Martyn into his bedroom to lay down the law on how to treat Stephanie as she was maturing. Theo’s reaction only months after Marion died flew in the face of how Martyn understood the family unit, as did Theo’s outburst when Martyn carried his sister home late at night. Martyn believed he was doing what his mother would have
wanted him to do. No wonder he got confused.”

  “What was behind the packed lunch question, guv?” asked Luke.

  “I was only getting independent confirmation of Marion taking a packed lunch to work. Stephanie is the only person to have mentioned it. Theo told us he parked in the centre of Wilton, bought a newspaper and grabbed a sandwich as he walked to the office on the morning of the murder. I think we can assume that was what he did on days when he wasn’t wining and dining clients. Stephanie either had school dinners or, like most teenage girls, starved herself during the day.”

  “The frequent communication between Arthur Jackson and his team puts more than Martyn Street in the clear, guv,” said Luke. “Not that we know whether any of the ground staff knew Marion Reeves. But, even if they did, then none of them left the estate long enough to get to Churchfields to kill Marion and then get back again.”

  “Ralph Tucker wasn’t working on the estate that day,” said Gus. “I wonder whether he drives a pick-up truck. As soon as we get back to the office, you need to get hold of him and arrange a meeting.”

  “Yes, guv,” said Luke. “Shall I get our coffee and cake now?”

  “I thought you’d never ask,” said Gus. “Anything but a lemon drizzle cake.”

  CHAPTER 9

  Serena Campbell joined the pair after three o’clock. Gus had enjoyed his slice of fruit cake and was finishing his cup of coffee.

  “I’m sorry if we got off on the wrong foot, Ms Campbell,” said Gus. “My name is Freeman, and my colleague is Detective Sergeant Sherman. Wiltshire Police asked my team to take a fresh look into Marion Reeves’s murder. Her daughter, Stephanie, gave us your name this morning. It explained something her father told me yesterday. Theo said Marion came here on the Sunday afternoon before she died to buy bedding plants. When she returned home later than expected at four o’clock, Marion explained she’d visited the café for coffee and cake. When Stephanie told us how close you and Marion were, it seemed obvious it was with you she shared afternoon tea.”

  “We met here from time to time,” said Serena. “I doubt Marion mentioned me to Theo. Marion would have said she sat alone.”

  “Why was that Ms Campbell?” said Gus. “Stephanie said much the same thing. She thought Marion kept your friendship a secret from Theo.”

  “I met Marion a few months after she moved to Salisbury to live, Mr Freeman. We were both fifteen years old and attended different schools. My parents paid an exorbitant amount each term for my schooling, while Marion went to the local comprehensive. Yet, within weeks we found we were kindred spirits with a rebellious nature.”

  “You both started smoking and drinking,” said Gus. “You skipped school and mixed with people who get young girls into trouble.”

  “A rather old-fashioned attitude, Mr Freeman,” said Serena with a mocking smile.

  “When did you meet Graham Street?” asked Gus.

  “Graham spotted us drinking in pubs where we had no right to be,” said Serena. “He spent time and money on us, and it flattered us.”

  “Street groomed you, is that right?” asked Luke.

  “We were having fun,” said Serena. “Graham knew so many people. Some older than him, but they had one thing in common. They had plenty of money. It was obvious from the moment we met him that Graham fancied Marion, even though he knew we were both under sixteen. I felt left out, but Graham was so keen to get Marion alone he introduced me to Dave Francis when we were in a nightclub. Dave was an antique dealer and auctioneer. After that night, we went around in a foursome.”

  “Did you have sex with this man Francis before you reached sixteen?” asked Gus.

  “What do you think?” replied Serena. “Marion and Graham were at it too. We were having fun, mixing with a group of grown-ups. Several drinks gave us a pleasant buzz every night, without ever having to pay for them. We thought it would last forever.”

  “Marion married Graham Street,” said Luke. “What happened with you?”

  “Campbell is my maiden name,” said Serena. “I married Dave Francis. Marion was eighteen when she and Graham got married. Dave had proposed to me on my seventeenth birthday. We married in a registry office two months later.”

  “So, Marion and Graham married in 1984,” said Gus. “They had Martyn four years later. Yet, by 1990, Marion had left her husband and taken Martyn to live with you. Have I got that right? Martyn mentioned your name earlier this afternoon when I asked if he remembered the house he lived in when he was a young child.”

  “I had split from Dave the year before,” said Serena. “I reverted to my maiden name as soon as possible. I didn’t want to be associated with that man any longer than necessary.”

  “Things turned sour,” said Luke.

  “Things couldn’t have been hunky-dory, Luke,” said Gus. “Can you explain something to me, Ms Campbell? Do you believe Graham Street and Dave Francis married for love?”

  “I don’t think either man knew the meaning of the word, Mr Freeman,” said Serena. “Marion and I were naïve and gullible from the outset. Two stupid young girls besotted with older, wealthy lovers. You continue to see that lethal combination around the world today. Nothing changes. The men have the money and power; the women are playthings to be enjoyed on a whim and cast aside when a prettier face with a younger body arrives on the scene. Graham and Derek had a slight variation on that routine. They married us to give them an extra element of control. We didn’t realise it at first because we were so pleased someone, so well-connected, wanted to make us their wife.”

  “When did events take a turn for the worse for you?” asked Gus.

  “Before the wedding,” said Serena, “I know how stupid it sounds, but I loved Dave and would do anything for him. Marion felt the same way about Graham. We lived in flats they owned in the same building in the city centre. They picked us up one night, and we drove into the country to a quiet village pub. Graham bought a round of drinks and introduced us to a group of his friends. After the pub shut, we went to a party in a big house outside the village, miles from anywhere. There were four men and four women in their late thirties, early forties. The person who owned the house kept topping up our wine glasses. I saw Dave on the other side of the room dancing with a woman. She was touching him. I saw Graham leave the room with another woman. Marion wanted to go after him, but Dave grabbed her arm and told her to behave. Dave said it was just fun, and it meant nothing. We should go with the flow and enjoy something different.”

  “That was the first party of many, I presume?” asked Gus.

  “Every weekend, there was a party somewhere in or near Salisbury those two organised. When I told Dave I wasn’t happy going with yet another man, he told me not to be so parochial. That was just three weeks after we'd got married. He thought my upbringing should have let me know what to expect. Why worry, he said, you’ve got me to yourself Monday to Friday, and all I’m asking is that you’re good to my friends at the weekend. A few men I slept with were gentle, but others were gross. I complained to Dave once more, and he suggested that if the husband turned me off, why not sleep with the wife?”

  “Did Marion complain to Graham about what was happening as well?” asked Gus.

  “Marion soon learned to hold her tongue,” said Serena. “Dave Francis was a swine, but he never struck me. I saw the bruises Graham left on Marion’s face and body. He was a sadistic devil, but Marion forgave him every time. She knew she should leave, but where could she go? She was trapped, the same as me. Everything I had; Dave had given me. We used to go to one another’s flat, cry our hearts out, and wonder how to escape.”

  “Then Marion got pregnant,” said Gus.

  “And got another beating,” said Serena. “Graham wanted her to get rid of the baby. How could she go to parties if she was expecting? His reputation relied on delivering an attractive young woman to wherever his group of friends held the next party. By this time, I had had enough of Dave. I discovered he saw other women during the week and shar
ed my body around at the weekend. I rang my mother for the first time in six years, and my father drove to Salisbury within the hour to collect me. They didn’t judge. They dropped everything and took me in without question. Dad helped when I said I wanted to divorce Dave. After the nightmare was over, Dad found me a cottage near Bemerton Heath. I still live there to this day, and after several jobs working with horses and flowers, I came to work here. It took many years to be comfortable among people again. Marion had told me Martyn worked on the ground staff. He remembered me from the old days. Martyn’s slow on the uptake, Mr Freeman, but he’s got a heart of gold.”

  “How did Marion escape Graham Street’s clutches?” asked Luke.

  “Oh, it wasn’t as difficult after I’d left Dave as we believed,” said Serena, “Graham was ready to move on from Marion too by the time Martyn was two years old. Graham didn’t want his friends knowing he’d fathered a less-than-perfect child.”

  “We heard there were other children by different women, is that correct?” asked Gus.

  “I don’t know exactly how many,” said Serena. “Three, maybe four. I could make a guess at which women gave birth to one of Graham Street’s children, but don’t hold me to it.”

  “What proved the final straw?” asked Gus.

  “Marion refused to take part in an extreme sex game Dave had dreamt up one Sunday night, and Graham punched Marion so hard and so often she had to go to the hospital. She called me while she waited for the ambulance, and I looked after Martyn at my place until Marion took him back.”

  “We saw no mention of your name in the original investigation,” said Gus. “If you were one of Marion’s best friends, how did the police not interview you?”

  “You look an intelligent man, Mr Freeman,” said Serena. “How can you ask such a dumb question?”

  “Are you saying a senior police officer was a member of the group of people that Graham Street and Dave Francis called friends?”

  “Swingers come from every level of society, Mr Freeman,” said Serena. “The higher you climb, the further you have to fall. There’s no limit to what they might do to prevent that happening.”