Never Return

by Stephen Barnes

  “Well there it is,” Peter said as Carol found a parking space. “I’ve seen it hundreds of times and had no idea what it was. It seems obvious now.”

  “Let’s take a closer look,” Carol said.

  They left the car and approached the bin store. The arched brickwork had been in place for more than a century and a half but was well maintained and seemingly ideal for its current purpose. The structure was at least ten feet tall at its highest point and provided a storage area for the large refuse bins awaiting the weekly recycling.

  “Concrete floor,” Peter observed after a brief look inside. “They must have built a retaining wall at the bottom of the stairway before in-filling. No easy way through that.”

  “Would the subway have been dead straight?” Carol asked.

  “I’d say so,” Peter replied. “There was a station approach which disappeared when the lane was widened. The other end of the subway must be inside the industrial estate. I can’t imagine there’d be a way in and even if there was, restoration would certainly be difficult.”

  “But not necessarily impossible. We should still take a look.”

  Carol and Peter began to track the course of the subway. There was a grass verge about twenty meters wide between the back of the bin store and the fence which marked the end of the campus. The widened road and the pavements on Alfred’s lane accounted for approximately thirty meters.

  “There’s no possibility of accessing the subway up to this point,” Peter said when they reached the other side of Alfred’s Lane. “And we’re more than half way to the station site.”

  “Let’s see if we can find the other end,” Carol said, still hopeful as they headed down the short access road to the industrial estate. There were a dozen small units on either side. Peter led the way towards the units on the left which faced away from the university.

  “It’s only a best guess,” Peter said. “But I reckon the westbound platform would have been in front of the units on this side. The station wasn’t in a cutting so the track would have been at the same level as the lane.”

  “Which means Lord Thorbury’s waiting room was almost exactly there.” Carol pointed to the unit which occupied the plot directly in line with the bin store.

  Peter nodded. “That looks about right to me. The steps leading up from the subway would probably have led directly into the waiting room.”

  “There’s no company signage,” Carol observed as they approached the unit in question.

  “Looks like it’s vacant,” Peter said. “If we can find the owners, we might be able to take a look inside.”

  “There’s no ‘to let’ sign either. I’ve worked on leases for this location. The estate was only completed last year and it’s been difficult to find tenants. The developers and landlords are Grant and Barker. I’ve had dealings with them before. Their office is in Palace House, the same building as Thorbury Recruitment.”

  “Do you think we could get access?”

  “Possibly. I’ll call Alan Grant in the morning.”

  Chapter 25

  After briefing Curtis and Turnbull, Marsh had gone through the CCTV recordings with the newly accredited detective constables. A few minutes was all they’d needed to find a perfect image of Maxine and arrangements had been put in place for the matching process to be carried out the following morning.

  On hearing the good news, Evans had abandoned his report and headed home to his family, optimistic that his hunch would be proved right.

  “Another one!” Jennifer said after hearing the gruesome news about Sarah. She was standing in the lounge doorway, looking down at her husband who was sprawled on the sofa in front of the television.

  “Yes. Michael Gilbert’s girlfriend. Fuller and Garton found her. Shot while she was sitting in an armchair. We think she knew her killer.”

  “Are you alright?” Jennifer asked.

  “I’m just tired. After fifteen years, even murder becomes routine.”

  Jennifer walked into the room. She lowered herself gently onto her husband’s lap and placed her arm around him.

  “You’re more than tired Colin. Last night you were inches away from a fatal shooting. That must have had an impact.”

  “These things happen. It’s the job.”

  “Nothing like that has ever happened to you before. You shouldn’t shrug it off like it’s a normal thing. You should get counselling.”

  “There’s no need to worry about me. I’m alright. I’m more concerned about Chris Hinton.”

  “Why?”

  “Because Michael said there were police officers on the payroll and when I spoke to Hinton this morning I got the feeling he might be on the wrong side.”

  “Come on Colin, you can’t suspect Chris Hinton. I worked with him before spending the best years of my life nurturing our offspring. It may have been over sixteen years ago but he can’t have changed that much.” Jennifer had served in the City Police for five years before the birth of their first son.

  “We’ve both known officers who were on the take. It’s always a surprise to someone.”

  “Well it would certainly be a surprise to me if Chris Hinton was involved in anything like that. He wouldn’t have risen so far if there’d been any doubts about him. You need to chill out Colin. The pressure’s getting to you.”

  “Perhaps. Anyway, what are the two tearaways up to?”

  “They’re at rehearsals for the school play. I have to pick them up at seven.” Jennifer headed for the door.

  “I didn’t know they were into that sort of thing.”

  “They’re more interested in the leading lady,” Jennifer said, turning back.

  “That makes sense. What’s the play?”

  “Macbeth. They’re doing the teacher’s version. It’s shorter than the original and not quite so violent.”

  “Who’s the leading lady?”

  “Becky Ross. She’s in David’s class. The perfect Lady Macbeth by all accounts.”

  David was their eldest son, an impressionable sixteen year old.

  “What makes her perfect for the part?”

  “I’m not sure. Perhaps she has a talent for manipulation.”

  “Who does Lady Macbeth manipulate?”

  “Her husband. It doesn’t do her any good though.”

  “How come?”

  “Because she goes mad and kills herself.”

  “Sounds like a great play for teenagers. Who’s Becky’s leading man?”

  “Jimmy Morrison.”

  “That’s not a name I’ve heard.”

  “He’s in the year above David and Becky. He was in last year’s play. He’s one of the teacher’s favourites.”

  “Then who are the boys playing?”

  “They’ve got walk-on parts as murderers. They thought you’d enjoy the irony.”

  “Who do they murder?”

  “After Macbeth kills the king and claims the Scottish throne, he arranges for one or two others to be done away with.”

  “You mean our sons are hired killers?”

  “That’s right.”

  “Why does Macbeth kill the king?”

  “His wife talks him into it after three witches encourage him to create his own fate.”

  “What was his fate?”

  “Well, to cut the story even shorter, he gets killed at the end of the play.”

  “He has my sympathy. A manipulative wife and three witches. The poor guy never stood a chance. When’s the first night?”

  “Just before half term. It’s the first and only performance. You’ll have to be there.”

  “Try keeping me away.”

  “I’ve got to go,” Jennifer said. “See you later.”

  Shortly after Jennifer’s departure, Evans closed his eyes and found himself back in his office. The telephone on his desk was ringing. He picked it up and heard Chris Hinton summoning him. He trod the well travelled path to the Superintendent’s office and knocked on the heavy wooden door. “Come in Colin,” s
aid a voice from within before the door opened, revealing the morning room of a Victorian country house. The large windows provided a panoramic view of the extensive grounds.

  At the front of the room, someone was seated in an armchair. A book entitled ‘Thorbury Hall and its Family’ covered the face of the chair’s occupant and when it moved away, Evans could see Chris Hinton. The Superintendent was dressed in a green tail coat with wide shoulders like the pictures in the book. He removed his beaver hat and rose from the chair displaying the tight white breeches and boots with spurs which rounded off the riding costume of a Victorian gentleman.

  There was another man in the room. He was more soberly dressed in a black frock coat and top hat. Evans recognised him as the recently appointed Chief Constable. He too removed his hat and placed it on a small table near one of the windows. “We’re pleased you could join us Colin,” he said. “We’ve had our eye on you. You could be very useful to us.”

  As Evans listened, his attention was drawn towards the body of Michael Gilbert which was lying on the carpet close to Chris Hinton’s armchair.

  “He left us no choice,” the Chief Constable said. “He’d become a liability. But it’s the money that matters. There’s money in opium Colin. Big money.”

  “Big money,” Hinton repeated. There was a smile on his face. The Chief Constable was smiling too. Evans was unable to suppress a similar expression. He felt joyous as the family finance formula dissolved before his eyes. And then a voice said, “the murderers are back,” and the room disappeared.

  Chapter 26

  Carol arrived at the office at seven thirty on Wednesday morning and looked up the number of Grant and Barker. She knew that Alan Grant was an early bird and was likely to be at his desk. Her call was answered on the second ring. “Morning Alan, it’s Carol Jones,” she announced. “I’ve got a client who’s interested in one of the units on the Lord Alfred Estate. It’s unit twelve. There isn’t a ‘to let’ sign but it looks as if it’s vacant.”

  “Strictly speaking, it isn’t vacant until Friday this week. We let it for six months to a guy who needed emergency storage space but I think he may have moved out early. Who’s your client?”

  “Someone looking for a good deal. Can I borrow the keys for a quick look round?”

  “You’re client won’t have seen the lease.”

  “I realise it’s a bit early in the process for me but this would be a favour for a long standing customer,” Carol replied with suitable vagueness.

  “I can let you have the spare keys but we’re both pretty busy. No time for the guided tour.”

  “That’s fine. Business is booming then?”

  “It’s picking up. We’re in the process of setting up a limited company. Could be moving out of here soon.”

  “Sounds good. I could collect the keys now if that’s alright with you.”

  “Sure. See you later.”

  Carol’s call to Peter’s mobile interrupted his breakfast. “I’ve arranged to pick up the keys. Are you free to take a look?” she asked.

  “I’ve got a lecture at ten but I’m okay until then.”

  “Good. I’ll meet you there at nine o’clock.”

  When Carol arrived just before nine, Peter was already waiting on the forecourt. She parked outside the unit and jangled the keys as she approached him. “I’m not sure exactly what we’re looking for but here’s our chance to check it out,” she said.

  “I found an old map which shows the exact location of the station,” Peter revealed. “The subway definitely ran under unit twelve. No doubt about it.”

  “Let’s go then,” Carol said as she unlocked the door. She had the alarm code and was surprised not to hear the bleep which would have prompted her to enter it.

  The small lobby had a reception counter opposite the entrance. Peter led the way into the office area. Carol followed him into the empty space. “Whoever was using the place did a good job of clearing it out,” she said. “There’s usually something left behind. Rubbish if nothing else.”

  “What would be through there?” Peter asked indicating another door at the back of the room.

  “A warehouse or workshop facility. That’s how the other units are laid out. They must have been hard to let given the economic climate. If there’s a possibility of accessing the subway, you could probably get a good deal on the rent if the university authorities want to pursue the project.”

  Peter, preoccupied by his search, ignored Carol’s suggestion. “Give or take a foot or two, I’d say I’m standing at the subway entrance to Lord Alfred’s private waiting room,” he declared.

  “At the same level?”

  “Almost certainly. Which means the steps leading up from the subway would have been directly beneath my feet. We’d have to do a bit of digging to confirm it.”

  Carol smiled. “If the university rents the unit to access the subway, they’ll need a good solicitor to work on the lease.”

  “There might be an easier point of access elsewhere. The front of the unit would have been roughly in line with the station platform and the subway would have run back towards the hall in this direction.” Peter pointed to the door which Carol had said would lead to the warehouse area. “Let’s take a look in here.”

  The second space they entered appeared to be equally bereft of any sign of occupation until something in the far corner caught Carol’s attention. “There’s a ladder over there by the wall,” she said. “And what’s that next to it?”

  Peter walked across towards the mystery object. “Looks like a demolition hammer,” he said and a spade on the floor behind it. “I think we’ve been beaten to the digging but there doesn’t appear to be a hole.”

  There was another door close to where the ladder was leaning. Carol opened it to reveal a cupboard. She reached down and removed a piece of loose carpet which covered a hole in the floor. “There we are. A hole big enough for a ladder and someone reasonably lean,” she said.

  The two researchers peered into the hole but there was nothing to illuminate the void.

  “I’ve got a torch in the car. I’ll be right back,” Carol said and hurried away. Less than a minute later, she was back with the torch which she handed to Peter who was on his knees, leaning into the hole. She watched as he directed the beam into the dark space below.

  “I can’t see much. The hole’s quite deep. There’s a pile of earth and broken concrete on the floor below and bricks which must have fallen from the roof lining when the hole was dug.”

  “But why would anyone apart from nutters like us want to dig through to the subway?”

  “Good question. And how did they know it was here?”

  “Another good question. Let me see,” Carol demanded.

  Peter handed her the torch. She knelt and illuminated the hole. It’s depth prevented anything but a limited view of the space below.

  “Well we’ve found what we were looking for,” Carol said. “But let’s not get too exited.”

  “Why, what’s wrong?” Peter asked. “I’ll get the ladder. We can take a closer look.”

  “It may be best to wait,” Carol advised. “I doubt if the hole was dug by historical researchers and Paul said the police were interested in finding a hiding place close to the hall. This could be relevant to the murder investigation. We may have to put the project on hold.”

  Chapter 27

  The optimism felt by Colin Evans on his drive to work had disappeared. His grave expression was mirrored by Chris Hinton who was sitting at his desk staring at the two pictures.

  “You must admit, they are very similar,” Evans said.

  Hinton looked up at the Inspector. “Yes, but we know Maxine and Charlotte are different people. It’s been confirmed,” he said.

  A call from Paul Cahill to the Inspector’s mobile broke the mood of despair.

  “Carol and Peter have found a way into the subway from inside unit twelve on the Lord Alfred Trading Estate,” Paul told Evans. “If you want to check it
out, you’ll need torches. Carol said she’ll wait there for you.”

  Evans took back Tom’s photograph and excused himself from Hinton’s office. He found Marsh at his desk. “Round up Curtis and Turnbull and find a couple of torches,” he demanded.

  When they arrived at the trading estate, Carol was waiting outside the unit. She introduced herself to Evans. “Paul told me you were looking for a potential hiding place in the vicinity of Thorbury Hall,” she said. “There’s something in here you might like to take a look at. I found it earlier this morning with Peter Greening, Paul’s colleague from the university. We were doing some research as part of the campaign to save the hall.”

  “Paul told me about the research. He said you’d found a way into the subway.”

  “That’s right. It’s underneath this unit. There’s a hole in the floor.” Carol pointed towards unit twelve.

  “How did you get access?” Evans asked.

  “I’m a solicitor specialising in property leases. Peter worked out that the subway ran under here. I know the landlords so I borrowed the keys to see if there might be a way into it. It was a fanciful idea but we got wrapped up in the research.”

  “Who are the landlords?”

  “Grant and Barker. Their office is in Palace House on City Square. Alan Grant gave me the keys.”

  “That’s a name I’ve heard before. Our paths crossed a while ago. He was very helpful to us.”

  “Well if you need to speak to him, I’d appreciate it if you didn’t mention the research. I told him I had a potential tenant for the unit. Shall we go in?”

  Carol led the way with Evans and Marsh behind her followed by Curtis and Turnbull.

  “It’s through here,” Carol said. They entered the office area and she led them to the empty warehouse.

  “The hole is in the floor of the cupboard over there in the corner. There’s a ladder if you want to take a look.”

  Carol opened the cupboard and the DCs picked up the ladder which the cupboard roof was just high enough to accommodate. Curtis extended the ladder into the hole.