‘Well-off family?’ added Steve Duke.
‘Yes. The parents of James Jackson are the opposite of this family — educated and secure. Richard Jackson worked as a college director and his wife is a retired doctor. They have two sons — James and his brother, Andrew. Andrew lives in London and works as a programmer. The parents mostly spend time in Spain, they have their own property on the seashore,’ continued Dave Tanner.
‘Clearly, the aristocrats,’ expressed Duke.
‘Yesterday, their close family friends also attended the anniversary party: Lisa and Mark Simpson and their children, Sarah, five years old, and Andy, seven years old. Mark Simpson and James Jackson are friends from university. Mark Simpson is a neurologist and his wife is an operating theatre nurse at the hospital, considered an exemplary family,’ uttered Dave Tanner.
‘It is considered — this does not mean that it is necessarily to be,’ said Chief Inspector Steve Duke, wearily. ‘We need to meet with the friends and colleagues so that we can find a clue. I know only one thing is clear, that there was a lot of hatred in this murder. Such hatred often comes from people close to the victim or from good acquaintances.’
‘If we find out with whom she met or was supposed to meet, then it will be much easier for us,’ commented Dave Tanner.
‘Yes, my friend, it will be easier. And now at 5.20 p.m., it’s time to visit Danielle Jackson’s relatives.’
Acquaintance with the Davidson Family
The Davidson family moved to a small, decaying house next door to Jennifer’s parents’ residence after the birth of their second child, so that the children would always be under the reliable supervision of their grandparents.
When Chief Inspector Duke and Inspector Tanner arrived at the Davidson’s house, Jennifer was in the kitchen with her eldest son, Leo. She was sobbing as she cooked dinner for the whole family, while her son sat quietly at the table and drew in his album, trying with his presence to help the most beloved person in his life. He wanted to hold her tightly and say, ‘Do not cry, my dear mommy, I will always be with you.’
The front door bell brought Jennifer to her senses, she sat down silently on a chair with red tear-stained eyes and waited for her visitors.
As soon as Craig Davidson, together with Chief Inspector Duke and Inspector Tanner, entered the kitchen, Jennifer quietly greeted them and invited the policemen to sit down. When the guests were sitting down, Craig approached his son and said dryly, ‘Leo, get up to your room.’
‘Mrs Davidson, we know how hard it is for you to talk. This is a terrible tragedy, please accept our condolences. However, we need to talk to you and your spouse,’ said Steve Duke, gently.
‘Thank you, I understand you perfectly because this is your job. So, I am ready to answer your questions,’ answered Jennifer, quietly.
‘Thank you, Mrs Davidson,’ said Chief Inspector Steve Duke.
Inspector Dave Tanner took out a large notebook and a ballpoint pen from his briefcase then signaled his readiness to Steve Duke.
‘Mrs Davidson, did your sister have enemies?’ asked Chief Inspector Steve Duke.
Jennifer, sobbing, took a glass of water, swallowed and said, ‘Of course not. She was kind, a little tough. Danielle was a good sister. This is so unfair on the day of her anniversary.’
‘Mrs Davidson, was she a happy wife?’
‘Oh, yes, James loved her very much, he was a good husband.’
‘She was a good wife?’
‘Exactly,’ answered Jennifer, crying.
‘How often did they argue? Why did James Jackson leave home in the middle of yesterday’s party?’ asked Chief Inspector Steve Duke, toughly.
‘I don’t know, we were all in the living room when they were arguing. We just heard James running out of the house in anger, slamming the door,’ answered Jennifer.
‘Yes, that was how it was, but he also shouted, “I will kill you; you are worthy of death!”’ said Craig Davidson, indignantly.
Craig Davidson was of medium height, red-haired, with high cheekbones, straight nose and numerous tattoos. His short hair was neatly styled.
‘I’ll kill you, you deserve to die,’ repeated Steve Duke. ‘Is that so, Mrs Davidson?’
‘Perhaps, I cannot believe it was meant. James is not capable of killing, he is a very kind person,’ said Jennifer, wearily.
‘Mr Davidson, was there anything unusual about Danielle Jackson or James Jackson during the party?’ asked Chief Inspector Steve Duke.
‘No, nothing special,’ answered Craig Davidson.
‘And what do you think, Mrs Davidson?’ repeated Chief Inspector Duke.
‘Yesterday she was a little wound up and, surprisingly, didn’t tangle with Craig,’ Jennifer Davidson said, crying. ‘They always argued with each other; it became commonplace.’
‘Nervous?’ asked Chief Inspector Steve Duke.
‘I did not notice, yesterday she laughed a lot,’ said Craig Davidson.
‘Mrs Davidson, do you know the reasons for her nervousness?’ asked Chief Inspector Steve Duke.
‘Yes, she was pregnant,’ answered Jennifer, sobbing. ‘She and James have been waiting for this baby. It was to be a surprise for James, she did not have time to tell him.’
‘How do you know that she did not have time to report the news?’ asked Steve Duke.
‘He would not have left home if he’d known,’ said Jennifer, quietly.
‘Mrs Davidson, did she tell you anything about an evening meeting or date?’ asked Steve Duke.
‘No, she didn’t tell us anything,’ she whispered.
Steve Duke, noticing Craig’s nervousness, looked him straight in the eye and asked, ‘Mr Davidson, do you know what Danielle Jackson planned to do during her evening walk?’
‘I don’t know anything,’ said Craig Davidson, irritably.
‘Mr Davidson, what time did you leave the Jackson house? asked Chief Inspector Steve Duke.
‘About… ten p.m.?’
‘Did you leave with your whole family?’
Craig Davidson, with some nervous movements took a pack of cigarettes from his pocket and said, ‘No… Jennifer left first with the children and her parents in my Ford Kuga, then I left twenty minutes later.’
‘Mr Davidson, did you go straight home?’ Steve Duke asked, insistently.
‘No, I went to The Criterion pub to drink a couple of beers.’
‘When did you get home, Mr Davidson?’
‘I don’t remember, maybe around one in the morning, everyone was sleeping.’
‘Mrs Davidson, is it true that you left earlier?’ asked Steve Duke. ‘What time did you leave?’
‘Yes, we left earlier, at around nine thirty. I dropped my parents off first, they live not far from us, about three hundred meters away, then we came home. The children took a shower and went to bed around ten p.m. in the evening, then I went to bed half an hour later.’
‘Mrs Davidson, when did your husband return home?’
‘I cannot say, I was sleeping when he got back. Yesterday I had a hard day, so instantly fell asleep when I laid my head on the pillow.’
‘It is probably time today to finish our conversation, but tomorrow, my secretary will call you to agree a time for you and your parents to come in to identify the body,’ said Chief Inspector Steve Duke. ‘Thank you for taking the time to talk to us. See you tomorrow.’
Unity of Friends
Having taken a shower, Kristin tiptoed down the wooden stairs to the kitchen in order not to wake her sleeping husband. She opened the blinds, letting in the sun and opened the window. A light breeze flowed so smoothly through the room with the spicy aroma of fallen leaves that Kristin inhaled with delight the freshness of the autumn morning.
Then she poured herself a glass of cold tap water, closed her eyes and slowly, in small sips, drank it saying, ‘Yes, life is astonishing! A wonderful life begins only with delightful thoughts! Already, if everything begins with thoughts, then we must create happine
ss in our head so that it becomes a reality.’
Looking at the wall clock in the kitchen-dining room, Kristin noted that it was five to seven, it was time for her to go for a run. She grabbed her little black Furla backpack, glanced at herself in the mirror, smiled at her reflection as always and said, in a self-satisfied voice, ‘Now I am ready to go!’
The morning journey to the seafront caused mixed and conflicting emotions in Kristin, such as admiration and pacification. The medieval town is sleeping at this time, only the workmen are around to silently sweep the pavements and greet you with a smile. As soon as you enter the park, you unwittingly realize that you are in an amazing world. In the old park, the foliage in the trees rustle with the breeze, birds chirp noisily and squirrels and rabbits run briskly. Multi-colored trees, paths and stairs covered with fallen leaves, wet asphalt, cold benches, and twilight rays of the sun create an atmosphere of comfort and light sadness. Then there’s the North Sea, which is amazing with its greatness and rebelliousness. During her first few months in St Andrews, Kristin spent a lot of time on the seafront. She just walked, sat on a bench by a cliff and admired the cold sea. The noise of the sea, the waves and the cry of the seagulls forced her to get out of her head all the swarming, negative thoughts, only leaving calm and a flowing feeling of happiness.
Over the course of their run, Martina managed to tell Barbara in detail about yesterday’s incident during her walk with Kristin. Within the chief inspector’s family, conversations related to his work are not allowed in order to preserve domestic harmony. However, last night, Steve Duke hinted to his wife that he had met her friends while investigating the Danielle Jackson murder case.
‘Girls, what kind of shock have you experienced? I’m afraid to even think about the trauma you must have suffered. When Steve told me that you found a woman’s body, I could not believe it was true for a long time,’ Barbara said, worriedly. ‘I calmed down a bit after your messages.’
‘Barbara, we ourselves could not believe that this happened to us,’ said the smiling Martina and Kristin at the same time.
‘You know, my husband rarely gives compliments, that is, he practically never does. Yesterday, he said that I was lucky my friends are not boring,’ Barbara said, smiling.
‘Barbara, then pass on to your spouse our thanks for the highly esteemed compliment. So, the world is changing before our eyes,’ noted Martina, smiling.
‘Girls, I have to inform you of something, of course, if you are ready to listen to me,’ Kristin uttered, intriguingly.
‘Something to tell us?’ asked her friends, looking around.
‘Yeah. I decided to write an article about this murder. Yesterday I even visited the house of Danielle Jackson, and met her husband,’ said Kristin.
‘Barbara, did she say she visited Danielle Jackson’s house?’ asked Martina.
‘Yes, Martina, she said so,’ confirmed Barbara.
‘Yes, I decided to pursue journalism and now my first article will be devoted to this murder. Yesterday, I visited the house of Danielle Jackson, met her husband, mother-in-law and father-in-law,’ reported Kristin.
‘Oh God, we have to save her. This is madness,’ said Martina.
‘Oh yes, I agree. I don’t want to imagine what Steve will say if he finds out about it,’ Barbara added.
Clicking her fingers, Kristin indignantly announced, ‘Stop it, girls. This is a storm in a teacup? If you remember, I told you about my decision. I feel the need to write about the murder.’
‘Can you imagine what difficulties you will face?’ said Barbara. ‘I hope that Steve doesn’t find out about this before you publish, because he could make things very difficult!’
‘Honestly, Kristin, I do not like it. But you can always count on my help,’ said Martina.
‘And also, my help,’ said Barbara, smiling.
‘Barbara, your detective won’t forgive you,’ said Kristin, mockingly.
‘What is he going to do!’ said Barbara, confidently.
‘Oh, Barbara!’ the friends, looking at each other, uttered mischievously. ‘What an angelic voice? What are your words? Your Steve will not forgive us, we have spoiled you completely.’
‘Yeah, that’s so amazing. From the most delicate rose petal, we have turned you into a cactus philosophized,’ Kristin thoughtfully replied.
‘Yes, I am surprised myself,’ Barbara said, jokingly.
‘Girls, I have to be in the gallery at ten. Come drink coffee,’ reminded Martina.
‘In our coffee house, the calm music will be playing quietly as always while the smell of delicious croissants and the aroma of fresh coffee will tempt every visitor,’ noted Barbara.
Kristin took a croissant and broke it in half, inhaled, enjoying the aroma of this baked treat and then smeared it with jam and said, ‘Girls, it seems to me that here are the most delicious croissants in the city.’
‘And here it is very comfortable, one can say without fear of contradiction,’ added Barbara.
‘Kristin, what are your plans to investigate this crime, if they are not a secret?’ asked Martina.
‘I don’t have any secrets from you, and the investigation is too high profile. Today, I am going to chat with Danielle Jackson’s colleagues. My article needs at least some information,’ Kristin said.
‘Girls, my husband told me yesterday that Danielle Jackson was pregnant,’ said Barbara, calmly.
‘What?’ pronounced Martina and Kristin simultaneously.
‘Girls, killing an unborn child is such a terrible sin,’ Kristin said in horror.
‘Kristin, what time are you going to go to the place of work?’ asked Martina.
‘It is now five to nine in the morning, in fifteen minutes I will go home, see my husband off to work. I will then be ready to go to the pharmacy at about ten thirty,’ said Kristin.
‘Can you go at eleven instead? I will be free at eleven and we could go together,’ Martina asked, uneasily.
‘Martina, I’m not a little girl,’ added Kristin.
‘Who says that you are a little girl? Just together it will be fun and I’m dying of curiosity,’ said Martina.
‘Girls, you are crazy, you just scare me. This is not a joke at all. This is very dangerous, moreover, the killer may be somewhere nearby,’ said Barbara.
‘Barbara, you spoke like a detective’s wife. We are not little girls,’ Martina said, trying to calm down her friend. ‘And I’ll keep everything under control. Everything will be fine.’
Reflections
Chief Inspector Steve Duke was reading the conclusion in Ben Robertson’s report about the cause of Danielle Jackson’s death when Dave Tanner entered his office and said, ‘Boss, James Jackson has just arrived bleary eyed.’
‘Well, wait for another five minutes then invite him into Ben Robertson’s office. I’ll come and join you soon.’
James Jackson was sitting in the corridor of the police station with a look of complete alienation on his face. He had been unable to close his eyes all night and the pounding headache from the previous day was still troubling him. He could not understand why this tragedy had happened to him. He is thirty-eight years old, but for some reason his life felt wasted. Everything that he believed in and hoped for turned out to be a mirage and now the love of his life was dead.
‘Mr Jackson, are you ready to come with us?’ asked Inspector Dave Tanner, calmly.
‘Yes, I am ready,’ said James Jackson in a shaky voice.
James Jackson suddenly realized that some kind of weakness was passing through his whole body, he was trying to get up, but he could not.
‘Mr Jackson, are you all right?’ asked Dave Tanner.
‘Yes, thanks, I’ll be right there,’ James answered dryly, getting up from the bench.
When they entered the cold room with white walls, James fully realized for the first time that his wife was no longer in his life and he was alone, like an abandoned child. He wanted to run away from here, to run as fast as possible and
as far as possible, but his legs treacherously refused to obey him, as if they were chained to the place by some dark shackles.
‘Mr Jackson… Mr Jackson, can you hear me?’ asked Chief Inspector Steve Duke.
‘Yes, I’m listening to you!’
‘Is that your wife, Mr Jackson?’
He looked at the body for a lingering moment and in a restrained voice pronounced, ‘Yes, this is Danielle.’
‘Mr Jackson, look, please, at this jewellery that was discovered on the body of the deceased — two rings, one of them is an engagement ring,’ Chief Inspector Duke asked in a cold tone.
‘They belonged to your spouse?’
‘Yes,’ answered James, quietly.
‘Mr Jackson, look carefully and tell me, was your wife wearing these jewels on the evening of the party?’ continued Duke.
‘I think there were these rings… and a chain with a pendant. For some reason I can’t remember clearly,’ responded James Jackson, thoughtfully. ‘Yes, she was wearing them that night. She treasured the chain and pendant as a talisman. She always wore it, as did Jennifer who has an identical one.’
‘Mr Jackson, describe this pendant?’ said Chief Inspector Duke.
‘As I recall, Mr Henderson gave them to both his daughters. Danielle loved her father very much. The chain was attached to a pigeon pendant, the pigeon overlaid with a red heart. The pendant was in white gold, with a garnet stone as the heart,’ said James Jackson.
‘Mr Jackson, take a close look at this umbrella. Did it belong to your wife?’ enquires Duke, pointing to a broken umbrella soiled with a bloodstain.
‘Maybe,’ Jackson responds with a cold tone.
‘So, it belonged to your wife?’ repeats Chief Inspector Duke, irritably.
‘Yes, my wife had such an umbrella,’ answered Jackson, dryly.
Chief Inspector Duke looked closely at James Jackson’s eyes and asked, ‘Mr Jackson, did you know about your wife’s pregnancy?’
This completely unexpected question made him flinch. After a pause of a few seconds, as if reluctantly, he answered, ‘No, I did not know.’
Trap for a Goose Page 5