What Lies Hidden

by Fran McDonnell

  “Oh no, he’s gone by twenty past or half eight at the latest and usually he’s not back until five or six in the evening.”

  Isobel smiled to herself. There was a lot to be said for Neighbourhood Watch.

  “Grace, I’d like to bring a friend.”

  “Of course, of course, Isobel.”

  “He has a dog – would that be a problem for you?” Isobel asked, wanting to be fair to Grace.

  “That’s fine with me.”

  Isobel was really impressed with this septuagenarian.

  “Tomorrow, in person, I can explain a bit better,” she offered.

  Grace laughed. “Leave it until tomorrow.”

  Jason was making finger drawings in the air: nine.

  “We’ll be there at around nine o’clock,” Isobel said.

  “Great, see you then, love. Goodnight.”

  Jason went out of the room. Isobel waited. She felt guilty that she’d betrayed Simon but what could she do? Finding Anne was her priority. In the final analysis she felt that Anne needed her help more than anyone.

  Jason returned ten minutes later. “OK, I’ve contacted Malcolm and arranged things for tomorrow morning. I’ll get the address from you now and text it on to Malcolm. We’ll both park a few streets away and walk to Grace’s.”

  “What about Simon? I don’t want to create a problem between you.”

  Jason paused. “Isobel, Simon is a police officer. He made a judgment call to do a DNA test for you, as a favour, on minimal evidence. That’s experience. I’ve just done the same. Simon is right about being careful not to mess up the case but I can feel that we need to see if Anne might, and I emphasise, might, be dead and buried in the garden. I think that’s vital to know. I’ve listened to the facts, I see the fraud, but I feel there’s a strong possibility of murder here and I’m going to do what I can about that. Having Malcolm and his dog Bella do the sweep is the best solution. Grace sounded clued in and is obviously supportive. I want to do this. Simon and I will be fine. We’ve known each other a long time.” He looked at her speculatively. “You and Simon will probably be fine too. He knows you care, that’s why you’re doing what you’re doing. Despite what you think, he cares too. He’ll get it.”

  “Thank you. See you tomorrow morning.”

  Isobel sat on the train. The sound and action of it was soothing, rhythmic almost hypnotic. It seemed to help her brain make connections and something was surfacing in her mind. Thomas Banks was a mystery man – they knew very little about him. Having reached the level of violence he had with Anne, it was unlikely that this was the first time. Maybe it was time to do some digging into his past.

  She called Patricia and arranged to meet her and Peter.

  Chapter 25

  They met again in Peter’s flat which Isobel was beginning to think of as headquarters. The first order of business was tea and coffee. Patricia went to the kitchen to prepare the drinks while Peter tidied the living room.

  Isobel followed Patricia and whispered, “Well, how are things going with Peter?”

  Patricia smiled happily. “Very good. We had dinner earlier and a lovely chat. Peter is really upset about Anne Banks and we just talked a little bit about that and then we chatted about normal things.”

  Isobel smiled at this. “And?”

  “And, mostly I’m mad about him because he cares and is such a great man.”

  Isobel laughed. “And very attractive.”

  Now Patricia laughed. “That too.”

  “I’m glad things are going well with you.”

  “Me too.”

  “You too, what?” asked Peter coming into the kitchen.

  Patricia blushed.

  Isobel said, “Shocked about what we’re finding out.”

  Peter leant against the kitchen units, folding his arms. “I can hardly believe it. The things that Julia revealed are very distressing. I know I started all of this, but I didn’t expect this . . .” His voice trailed off.

  Patricia took his hand and led him back to the living room. Isobel followed, bringing their cups on a tray. Patricia sat beside Peter on the sofa, her hand on his arm.

  After some minutes of silence Peter said, “What now? Just wait to see what Simon suggests?”

  Isobel nodded. “Yes, but I think we have to find out more about Thomas Banks. I feel that based on how he’s been with Anne there has to be more. He has to have done something violent before.”

  Patricia was nodding. “How can we find out?”

  Isobel shrugged. “Well, I think we need to find someone else he’s been in a relationship with, someone he worked with or maybe someone from his school. If he’s this violent now, I’m sure he’s been violent before.”

  Peter jumped up and collected a file from the dining-room table.

  “You brought a file from work,” Patricia said.

  He grinned. “Correction, I brought a copied file from work,” and he waggled his eyebrows at her. She laughed.

  Isobel said, “Focus, people, focus!”

  Patricia and Peter smiled at her.

  “What do we know about him?” she said.

  Peter riffled through the file. “Well, we have his father’s name and profession, so we could research his father.”

  “He’s dead, isn’t he?” Isobel asked.

  “Yes, both Thomas’s parents are dead.”

  “If we knew where he grew up that would be a help.”

  “Remember I found that old work photo from ten years ago?” Patricia said.

  “Perhaps we need Simon’s help with this or should leave it to him,” Peter suggested. “He can probably get lots of information very easily.”

  Isobel tapped her finger against her lip. “Simon is going to go do all the things policemen do but our talking to people is what uncovered the truth here, so I think that we should keep doing what we’re doing. And,” she continued, nodding now, “people find it easier to talk to ordinary people than to policemen.”

  “True,” Patricia said, getting up and opening Peter’s laptop. “OK. Let’s find out what we can and see what it tells us.”

  Patricia’s fingers danced across the computer keys as she searched, read and searched again.

  Isobel, knowing that an expert was at work, went to make more tea. Peter followed her into the kitchen.

  “God, Isobel, I can hardly believe that things are so bad.”

  Isobel looked at Peter. “I know. We couldn’t have guessed how this was going to escalate but thank God you did realise there was something wrong, otherwise no one would know.”

  “Things seem to be spiralling out and getting bigger and bigger.”

  “I know. I can hardly believe that I flew in last Monday and a week later here we are facing God knows what.”

  “You suspect the worst, don’t you?”

  Isobel looked Peter in the eye for a few seconds before answering. “Yes, I think Thomas has killed Anne. I hope not, but to be honest, given what Julia has told us, it seems to me the most likely event.”

  Peter paled. “As bad as that?”

  “Yes. I’m very worried and I’m afraid that we’re running out of time. I want to get more information because it took a lot to persuade Simon to help us and if we want him to stay involved we need evidence. Maybe we can find some.”

  Peter nodded.

  “Hang in there, Peter – finding out the truth has to be the most important thing.”

  Peter grimaced. “For Tommy, what sort of truths is he going to have to face? That his father is an abuser, a fraudster and maybe a murderer?”

  Isobel could feel tears again not far away. “Maybe, but the truth is also that his mother loved him and was going to take him away. We’re maybe not in time for her but we can still make sure that he’s safe. Thomas is dangerous. I don’t think Tommy is safe with him. As Anne’s solicitor you need to start thinking about where Tommy will go, where he can live.”

  Peter rubbed his forehead. “I know.”

  “Like
Claire, his aunt, maybe with her he could make a home.”

  There was a silence.

  “Think about this, Peter, because it may all happen in the next few days. Anne Banks, your client, would have wanted you to make sure her son was OK. Please think about how to ensure his future because his dad can’t look after him – he’s violent, and he may be a murderer.”

  Peter nodded.

  Suddenly there was a shout from the other room. They hurried in.

  “What? What have you found?” Peter asked.

  Patricia took a deep breath. “The only information that we have from the marriage certificate is Thomas’s father’s name and occupation.” She grinned at them. “I googled how to search for people online and it has given me some interesting avenues to explore. I put in that photo of Thomas from the formal occasion and did a reverse images search. It worked. While Thomas has very little internet presence and no recent photos, I did find his last place of employment. There are some old photos of some of their nights out on the website of a man called Edward Small. When I checked his site it turns out that he’s still with the same company. Maybe tomorrow we could visit him and talk to him.”

  “Great,” Isobel said. “That’s one avenue – anything else?”

  “Yes. I found a search engine called Pipl that is great for finding people.” She rolled her eyes. “I put in ‘Thomas Banks, London’ and some names did come up. I narrowed the search by looking for a train driver and streamlined it further by putting reasonable parameters on his father’s age. I couldn’t find one around the right age who had died and who had a son of Thomas’s age.”

  “Oh, well,” Peter said with a shrug.

  “What I did find was a man who seemed the right age for Thomas’s father who is alive – but his son is dead. It seems this man’s son would have been the same age as Thomas but he died . . .” Patricia’s voice tapered off.

  Isobel looked at her shrewdly. “So the name is right, the occupation is right, there was a son Thomas’s age but he’s dead. What are you saying?”

  “I think it’s worth having a talk with this father.” Patricia lifted her chin “It seems too much of a coincidence to me. Thomas Banks might not be a stranger to identity theft. If he found someone to impersonate his wife, maybe he thought of that because he’s impersonating someone himself.”

  Isobel said, “It’s a bit of a long shot. Thomas Banks is not that unusual a name.”

  Patricia looked crestfallen. “I still would like to check it out.”

  Isobel nodded. “We checked out my crazy idea so why not yours? It can’t hurt. Who’s going to talk to him?”

  Patricia looked at Isobel. “I thought that you and I could go. It’s a delicate situation.”

  “Have you an address for this Thomas Banks Senior?”

  “Of course.”

  “Let’s go and visit tomorrow then. I’ve something to do in the morning but I could meet up with you at around twelve at the Tube station nearest his house and we can visit together.”

  Patricia raised an eyebrow but said nothing.

  Peter said, “I guess this tooth is still causing you trouble.”

  Patricia laughed. “I guess so, an infection. I just hope there’s no karma.”

  Shortly afterwards they said goodnight and the girls headed back to Patricia’s flat.

  “Where are you off to tomorrow?”

  “I knew you were going to ask.”

  “You’re following another lead, aren’t you? Why won’t you tell me?”

  “I’m sorry. What I’m doing is a long shot and Peter may not like it. I don’t want to put you in a difficult position and at least now you can say you had no idea what I was up to. I promise when we meet at twelve I’ll tell you everything.”

  “Immediately we meet I want to hear.”

  “Scout’s honour.”

  Isobel slept badly. Her dreams were full of images of soil with fingers pushing through trying to dig their way out. Finally she woke from a nightmare where she could feel soil landing on her face. After that she lay awake resting and wondering if they would find Anne Banks tomorrow.

  Chapter 26

  Tuesday 29th May

  Isobel was weary in the morning from lack of sleep but relieved that today might provide an answer to this dreadful suspicion that possessed her mind. She desperately hoped that her hunch would be proved wrong while at the same time she remained deeply convinced it would be proved right.

  It was a beautiful morning, bright, sunny and warm. Isobel had a hasty breakfast with Patricia and then took the Tube again to Wimbledon. As she walked towards Grace’s house she saw Jason standing and beside him an equally tall black man with white hair. On a lead at his side was a beautiful German Shepherd, Bella she presumed, whose coat was shiny and lush.

  Isobel smiled as she arrived and reached out her hand to pet Bella.

  Malcolm intercepted her hand. “No. Bella is working so it’s best not to touch her.”

  “Sorry.”

  Jason laughed. “Everyone makes that mistake. Let me introduce you to Malcolm, the man who taught me everything I know.”

  “And that was a hard job, I can tell you,” Malcolm said, grinning at Jason. He reached out for her hand. “Jason filled me in on the case last night and I’m glad to help. Bella and I are looking forward to doing some real work today.”

  Isobel shook his hand, knowing already that she liked and trusted this man.

  Jason said, “Right, I’ll leave you to it. Let me know how things go. If you do find something I’ll want to be involved.”

  Isobel caught her breath and shivered. “We’ll let you know.”

  She turned to walk towards Grace’s house and Malcolm and Bella fell into step beside her. The flowers in front looked bright and cheerful. Obviously Grace tended them well.

  They had barely progressed through the gate when the front door opened. Grace’s eyes took in Isobel with a smile and then Malcolm and his powerful dog. Her smile didn’t waver as she welcomed them in.

  She led them through to the kitchen. Isobel imagined that she would be bursting with questions, but Grace surprised her.

  “I know that you’ve found out some things and I’m glad. When all of this is over I want you to come and tell me everything. But, even though I can guess some of it, I don’t want you to tell me anything now. You’re just friends visiting, that’s what you said, that’s the story I will tell and if I don’t know anything more then I can’t say anything.” Grace sounded clearheaded and very determined.

  Malcolm said, “I think that’s very wise. Isobel, please introduce me to this lovely lady.”

  Isobel duly made the introductions.

  Grace then fussed, making a pot of tea for herself and Isobel and a cafetière of coffee for Malcolm.

  “Why don’t we have this in the garden?” Isobel said.

  Grace nodded and, having placed everything on a tray, she opened the back door. Gesturing for Malcolm to carry the tray she led the way outside.

  Despite the seriousness of what they were about to do, Isobel’s love of plants took over and she found herself wondering at this beautiful garden. There were many herbs, lavender both French and English, rosemary and thyme and so plenty of bees buzzing from flower to flower.

  Grace led the way to a central paved area where a table and four chairs were.

  Isobel said, “I love your garden.”

  Grace smiled. “My haven.”

  Isobel looked to the right towards the Banks property and saw that there was a wall between four and five feet high separating the properties. She looked at Malcolm questioningly and he discreetly shook his head in dismissal – no problem, Isobel assumed. They seated themselves at the table and chit-chatted, laying the groundwork.

  After about ten minutes Malcolm asked, “Grace, could I have a bowl of water for Bella, please?”

  “Oh, Malcolm, I’m so sorry, you must think me a terrible hostess – and when you’ve been so kind as to bring your lov
ely dog to visit an old lady.”

  Malcolm smiled. “Of course not, Grace. Unless you’re used to dogs you wouldn’t know how thirsty they get, especially in this warm weather.”

  Grace hurried back to the house to comply.

  When she emerged, Malcolm took the bowl. “I’m just going to move Bella over here and give her some room. She’s not always the daintiest drinker.”

  He took the lead off Bella and carried the bowl of water towards the right-hand boundary, the dog trotting beside him. Malcolm crouched down and fussed with the bowl and Bella. Isobel knew he must be talking quietly to his dog because the next moment Bella ran, leapt up and scrambled over the wall into the next garden.

  It all happened so fast that Isobel didn’t have to act surprised – she was.

  “Oh Grace, I’m so sorry about that!” Malcolm said. “I shouldn’t have let her off the lead. She’s usually so good and I wanted to give her a bit of freedom. Never for a moment did I think she would do that.”

  Grace, following his cue, said, “It’s all right, Malcolm, you couldn’t have known.”

  “Who are your neighbours? Will they be annoyed? I can go and ask to go in and get Bella and apologise for her escaping.”

  “Oh, the Banks live next door. But there’ll be no one there. Thomas will be at work and Tommy at school. I’m sure they won’t mind you fetching her. Can you not just nip over the wall?”

  “Of course. And I’ll check the whole lawn and make sure that Bella hasn’t done her business there, especially if there’s a child who might play in the garden. I always have poo bags in my pocket.” Malcolm pulled a bag out of his pocket like a rabbit out of a hat.

  He brought one of the garden chairs over to the wall and stood on it. It was no problem for him to get over the barricade and Isobel then took his place on the chair so that she could watch everything unfolding on the other side.

  Bella sat waiting, not too far from the wall.

  Malcolm crouched down and spoke into Bella’s ear. She listened, alert, and then she got up and started moving around the garden with him at her side.