The Solomon Gray Series Box Set

by Keith Nixon

  Juliette and her children were shown to the forward-most spaces, those kept for family. Matthew and Luke sat either side of Juliette. Gray, as a witness, was in the line behind with Clough and Hamson. Off to his left, Juliette’s lawyer placed his briefcase on the table surface, clicked the catches and removed a folder. He put the case on the floor beside him.

  Vogel, the court usher, hovered near the front, eventually announcing, “All rise”. Everybody within the room stood when the coroner, Marian Lester, entered. Gray was aware, because he’d asked a lawyer years ago, of why the custom of standing occurred. He’d been told it was out of respect for the Queen, rather than the judge or coroner. Gray knew Lester. She was a part-time coroner; the rest of her time spent practising at her own firm, located here in Margate, off nearby Hawley Square.

  She was in her fifties, well respected. Her hair was severely cut into a style shorter than Gray’s. She had a scar on her face, just beside her mouth. Gray had no idea how she’d gained the wound. Lester was typically calm, no-nonsense and, above all, respectful to the families.

  She glanced around the room and said, “By way of a brief explanation of process: we hold an inquest whenever there has been a sudden, unexpected death. These proceedings are not a court nor is anybody on trial. There can be no decision on any civil or criminal liability. Everything said in this room is being recorded. A transcript will be made available shortly after events are completed. This is merely a very limited enquiry into four questions. Who was the deceased? When, where and how did they die?

  “As I am the coroner, I am in charge. I will call witnesses in order. When I do, they will move to the witness box,” she pointed to the cube to her right, Gray’s left, “where the usher will ask them to take the oath. Does anybody have any questions?”

  Lester primarily directed her attention towards Juliette, but neither she nor anybody else responded.

  “Therefore, I formally open the inquest into the death of Jeffrey Carslake.” Gray noticed Juliette link hands with her sons. “I call the first witness, Dr Ben Clough.”

  Clough stood, walked past Juliette and paused before the usher, Vogel. She handed the pathologist a Bible which he held in his right hand. She then passed him a card and said, “Read this aloud, please.”

  “I swear by Almighty God that the evidence I shall give shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.”

  Clough relinquished the Bible and card and took to the witness box. He now faced inwards.

  “Please state your name and position for the court, please,” said Lester.

  “Benjamin Whittaker Clough, Thanet District Pathologist.”

  “Mrs Carslake, do you have the pathologist’s report with you?”

  “We do,” said her lawyer, responding on Juliette’s behalf.

  “You can leave at any time you wish, Mrs Carslake, if the evidence becomes too difficult,” said Lester.

  “I’ll be fine,” said Juliette. “I want to hear everything.”

  “Doctor Clough, can you confirm you carried out the identification and post mortem on the deceased?”

  Clough twisted his head to respond directly to Lester. “I did.”

  “And can you confirm the body to be that of Jeffrey Carslake?”

  “He was formally identified so by his wife, Juliette Carslake.”

  Juliette bowed her head. Gray imagined the process would have been a difficult one, given the way in which Carslake died.

  “What was the conclusion of your post mortem assessment?”

  “DCI Carslake was struck at moderate speed by a large object, which I understood to be a rollercoaster carriage. There were significant and extensive internal and external injuries as a result of what is effectively a blunt force trauma which occurred in the midriff.” Clough pointed to his stomach and chest. “The force of the collision threw him several feet onto the ground where he struck his head, causing multiple fractures of the skull. However, I believe by this point DCI Carslake would already have been deceased as a result of the earlier impact. Death would have been almost instantaneous.”

  “Did anything strike you as unusual about the injuries?”

  “Ordinarily I would have expected to observe damage lower down the body. Given the height of the carriage; at approximately waist height.”

  “What was your conclusion?”

  “That DCI Carslake was falling as he was struck.”

  “Not lying down?”

  “I would think not. Had DCI Carslake been prostrate at the point of collision then the wheels would have passed directly over him.”

  Juliette visibly flinched at Clough’s matter-of-fact statement.

  “Is there anything further you wish to add?”

  “Not beyond what is already detailed in my report.”

  “Mrs Carslake, do you have any questions for Dr Clough?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Then in that case, Dr Clough your testimony is sufficient for this court and you may stand down.”

  Clough returned to his spot beside Gray.

  “The court calls Mrs Juliette Carslake to the stand.”

  Juliette rose to her feet and the swearing-in procedure was repeated. When she was in the witness box Juliette smoothed her dress and turned her attention to Lester, as if this were a discussion between just her and the coroner.

  “Mrs Carslake, in order to ascertain the cause of your husband’s death, the court would like to understand his mental state up to and including his final day. How did he seem to you?”

  “A little quieter than normal,” said Juliette, “but otherwise fine.”

  “What would constitute normal?”

  Juliette shifted around. “Jeff was never a demonstrative man; he wasn’t given to grand gestures and strong emotions. He was considerate and compassionate but he seemed a little more distracted than was typical when he was in the middle of a case.”

  “Investigations he was involved with would play on his mind, you mean?”

  “Yes, how can they not? I’m sure Inspectors Hamson and Gray would say the same.”

  “I will ask,” said Lester, “when their time comes. Did your husband ever discuss his cases with you?”

  “Never.” Juliette shook her head to emphasise the point. “Jeff tried his best not to bring his work home. He said he’d seen too many other marriages crumble because of it.”

  “But, despite his best efforts, the job would sometimes seep into your lives?”

  “Not often.”

  “Was this one of those times?”

  Juliette waited a moment before she said, “Yes.”

  “What case was he working on?”

  “I don’t know. As I said, he didn’t mention specifics.”

  “What was his behaviour?”

  “A little aloof, snappy, easy to anger.”

  “Did his conduct bother you?”

  “Slightly, but we’d been married many years and gone through a lot. I thought it was a phase he’d eventually come out of when whatever he was focusing on was over.”

  “What was your reaction when you were informed your husband had died?”

  Juliette paused, as if revisiting the memory. “Utter shock. Unbelievable really. It still is.”

  “You wouldn’t expect your husband to be the kind of person who’d take their own life?”

  “Absolutely not. He was a fighter.”

  “And since his passing have you become aware of anything which may have affected his state of mind?”

  “It remains a complete mystery to me and my children.”

  “Do you have anything else you’d like to add, Mrs Carslake?” Juliette shook her head. “Then you may stand down. Thank you.”

  Juliette moved slowly, as if the weight of her ordeal rested heavily on her shoulders. Not meeting Gray’s eye, she rejoined her sons, gripping their hands once more.

  “The next witness is Yvonne Hamson,” said the usher.

  When Hamson was settled and pro
cedure satisfied Lester asked, “You were present at the time of DCI Carslake’s accident?”

  “I arrived during the immediate aftermath.”

  “What did you observe?”

  “Not much at first. I could see Detective Sergeant Gray, as he was at the time, near the rollercoaster ride. There were people screaming; others running away.”

  “How was DS Gray?”

  “Calm. He was standing there.”

  “Did you find that odd?”

  “I assumed he was in shock. He’d just witnessed the death of his oldest friend, after all.”

  Lester flicked at the notes in front of her. “In your statement you said there was a barrier restricting access to the ride and that DS Gray was outside the fence?”

  “That’s correct.”

  “And you found DCI Carslake’s corpse beside the track?”

  “We did.”

  “The other side of the barrier to DS Gray?”

  “That’s correct.”

  “How far away was DS Gray from the body?”

  “Fifteen feet or so.”

  “Have you any reason to believe that DCI Carslake intended to take his own life?”

  “I don’t know what else could have happened. DS Gray was too far away to have influenced DCI Carslake’s decision.”

  “He couldn’t have stopped him?”

  “As I’ve already stated, ma’am, I wasn’t present at the actual moment of DCI Carslake’s death but I struggle to see how DS Gray could have moved so far away by the time I arrived.”

  “You made mention that there might have been another person present.”

  “It’s hard to say. There were lots of people running around at the time. I thought I saw somebody, a man by the look of it, near the track. But equally I could have been mistaken.”

  “When you say near the track, do you mean within the barrier?”

  “Yes.”

  “Mrs Carslake, do you have any questions for DCI Hamson?”

  “No, ma’am. I’m keeping my powder dry for one person.”

  Lester released Hamson then said, “Solomon Gray.”

  Gray stood, buttoned his jacket and made his way to judgement.

  He took the oath to a God he didn’t believe in, rendering the promise he had no intention of keeping.

  To tell nothing but the truth.

  Twenty One

  Now

  Juliette offered Gray a blank stare. Even with make-up her skin appeared pallid and wan, but her expression was one of grim determination.

  “Please state your name and position for the court,” said Lester.

  “Solomon Gray, Acting Detective Inspector, Kent County Constabulary.”

  “DI Gray, you’ve been called because you were with DCI Carslake when he died. Please explain to the court the sequence of events which occurred leading up to DCI Carslake’s death.”

  “I received a call from DCI Carslake. He asked me to come over to the amusement park as there was something he wanted to discuss. He sounded confused. I drove there as fast as I could, parked outside and entered. I found DCI Carslake by the foot of the rollercoaster. He was alone. We spoke briefly before, without warning, he moved in front of an oncoming carriage.”

  “What did your discussion concern?”

  “He said he couldn’t live with himself anymore.”

  “Why?”

  “It’s a question which has been on my mind ever since and I’ve still no idea what he meant. In fact I asked him what he was talking about. But he just smiled and the next thing…” Gray’s voice trailed off.

  “I’ve read your testimony, given shortly after the incident. You maintain DCI Carslake voluntarily stepped onto the track?”

  “That’s right.”

  Juliette shook her head vigorously.

  “Yet Dr Clough’s earlier testimony outlined that DCI Carslake was unlikely to have been upright at the moment of impact.”

  “He stumbled immediately prior to the carriage striking him.”

  “The court also has testimony from Sylvia Barrett, DCI Carslake’s administrator. She said you burst into her office, looking for DCI Carslake.”

  “I did.”

  “She stated you were in a rage.”

  “That isn’t true. Investigator Smits was present.”

  “Yet Investigator Smits and Miss Barrett declare opposing opinions. Why?”

  “I’ve no idea, but Miss Barrett has never liked me.”

  “You and DCI Carslake were friends for many years?”

  “That’s correct.”

  “So you knew him well?”

  “I thought so.”

  “What was DCI Carslake’s state of mind immediately prior to the incident?”

  “He was unhappy.”

  “Why?”

  “I’m not sure. We’d drifted apart and didn’t speak as much as we used to.”

  “For what reason?”

  “He got tired of looking out for me. I’m not an easy person to manage.”

  “Would you say you’re not a very well-liked man, DI Gray?”

  “I’ve never seen my job as a popularity contest, ma’am.”

  “Do you believe he went to Dreamland, accompanying his grandchildren I might add, with the specific intent of killing himself?”

  “I really don’t know. I explained everything I was aware of at the time to my colleagues in my statement.”

  “You heard DCI Hamson comment that there may have been another person present near the track. Did you see anybody?”

  “No, ma’am.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “As much as I can be. DCI Hamson also stated there was mass confusion in the immediate aftermath, a view I concur with. And I was in a state of shock after seeing my friend die.”

  “You continue to believe that DCI Carslake committed suicide?”

  “I do.”

  Lester nodded before turning to Juliette. “Mrs Carslake, do you have any questions for the witness?”

  “Many, ma’am.” Juliette gathered herself for a moment. This was the part Gray had expected and been dreading. He liked Juliette; she was one of the few people he’d got on with. He hated lying to her, but it was necessary. Gray was desperate to tell everyone what Carslake had really been. It was unlikely the full extent of his ex-friend’s transgressions would ever come to light.

  Carslake was dead and had caused massive damage while he was alive, damage Gray had to repair. And if that meant breaking the law to do so, he would. And if another outcome was sullying Carslake’s name, so be it too. The man had done far worse than seemingly commit suicide. Outwardly, Gray had to show remorse, even though inwardly he loathed the man for letting him suffer all these years.

  “Solomon,” started Juliette. Gray forced his eyes onto hers. She paused, blinking back tears. “Solomon, we’ve known each other for a long time.”

  “Yes.”

  “Then for the sake of our friendship, and for yours with Jeff, I ask you to tell me one thing.”

  “If I can,” said Gray and he meant it.

  “What I want is the truth.”

  “We all do, Juliette.”

  “I just can’t believe that Jeff would have killed himself. It would mean everything I knew about him would be wrong.”

  “I understand.”

  “Do you?”

  “Completely.” It was as if there was no one else present now, just Juliette and Gray, speaking with each other on a different level. “He was my closest friend.”

  “He was my husband, father to my children, confidante, my everything.”

  “I can’t compete with that, Juliette.”

  “I’m not asking you to, Sol. I never have. But you saw a side to Jeff I never did. You were with him at work. Would you say he changed in the lead-up to his… to his death?”

  Gray shifted in his seat. “He was different.”

  “How?”

  Gray struggled for the words, even though he’d practised this in h
is mind many times. What to say, how to say it, to implicate Carslake and leave himself free. “It’s difficult to express. He was… increasingly distant. Like he had something on his mind. Do you know what I mean?”

  Juliette nodded, leaning forward onto her elbows. “Were you aware of his intentions?”

  “No, and that’s haunted me ever since. Could I have worked it out? Could I have stopped him?”

  Juliette nodded again, tears running down her cheeks now. “And you’re convinced he took his own life?” The words caught in her throat.

  “I’m sorry, Juliette, I am.”

  She put her head in her hands and sobbed, comforted by her sons.

  “Thank you, DI Gray,” said Lester. “You may step down. The court will take a brief recess.”

  Lester rose, Gray not far behind her. He felt drained, hollowed out. As he passed by Juliette she dropped her hands, stood up and embraced Gray. She wept into his shoulder.

  ***

  Gray took a walk along the seafront, hoping the fresh air would clear his head. It didn’t.

  He went into a café, sank two cups of tasteless coffee, then his phone rang. It was Hamson.

  “How’s it going?” asked Gray.

  “We’ve taken another break. When Lester returns she’s making her closing statement. I thought you’d want to know.”

  “I’m on my way.”

  Gray left cash on the table for the drinks. He walked quickly back to the court house and entered Court Seven just as the usher was pulling the door to. Hamson glanced over her shoulder. Gray nodded as he took a place in the public section to the rear.

  Lester entered. When settled she said, “Based on the witness testimony it is the court’s opinion that Detective Chief Inspector Jeffrey Carslake took his own life. It is also the court’s opinion that he was under significant strain in the period leading up to his death and this contributed to his state of mind and led directly to his actions which he undertook solely at his own discretion.”

  Juliette Carslake sagged against one of her sons, her worst fears publicly confirmed. Everything she’d believed about her husband was wrong. Gray had no sympathy for Carslake, his legacy sullied now, but he felt sorry for Juliette and her sons. They had to live with the unanswered questions. Why had a husband and father taken his own life? Gray wasn’t going to tell them it had been murder. One he could have stopped but didn’t.