Blood Loss

by Kerena Swan

  Five Days Later | DI Paton

  Paton wasn’t in the best of frame of mind when his phone rang. He’d just been to see the victim of a stabbing in hospital and had got back to his car to find a parking ticket. Damn. A minor irritation, though, compared to what the boy he’d just visited had suffered. The poor lad had been stabbed in the stomach while innocently walking along the street with his girlfriend. Paton found it difficult to comprehend the human psyche where one person could cause horrific injuries to another and just walk away.

  ‘DI Paton,’ he said abruptly as he answered the call, peeling the plastic envelope off his windscreen.

  ‘It’s Jackie from the Milton Keynes Forensics team. We’ve spoken a couple of times.’

  ‘Hi Jackie.’ Paton’s heart quickened as he gripped his phone tighter and got in his car to shut out the noise of the road. ‘Any news?’

  ‘As you know, any new DNA samples submitted by the police to the National DNA database are automatically searched against unsolved crimes for any matches.’

  Of course he knew that. Come on, what have you got? ‘Has a match been identified?’

  ‘We’ve been advised of a familial DNA match with your Loch Tay killer. There are twenty-three markers and the variable number tandem repeats in the profiles show fifty percent commonality. This person is, most probably, the Loch Tay killer’s sister. Her name’s Lucy Winterbourne.’

  ‘Eureka!’ Paton was so excited he jumped out of the car again and began to pace around the car park. This news was too big to take sitting down. He knew that when a forensics officer said, ‘most probably’ she meant she’d stake her pension on it. He could hear the officer chuckling at his reaction. ‘Is this sister in custody?’ he asked.

  ‘No. She was in a car accident and suspected of dangerous driving, a reportable offence, so we were able to take a DNA sample.’

  ‘Where is she now? Is she okay? Has anyone interviewed her yet?’

  ‘We’ve only just received the result but I believe she’s recuperating at home. I rang you straight away as I know you’ve been calling us weekly for updates. It seems like your tenacity has paid off.’

  ‘I need to call the chief inspector. I want to be there when she’s interviewed. Can you give me her details? We can check the electoral register to find out how many adults live at this address.’

  ‘We’ve already done that. We’ve looked at her current and previous addresses.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘Fiona Winterbourne is most likely her mother, given her age. According to the records there’s also a younger female, Jenna Winterbourne, at the earlier address. It’s highly likely she’s your Loch Tay killer.’

  Paton ended the call and got back into his car. He needed to return to the office immediately. Jenna Winterbourne. At last. After seven months of searching, I’m coming to get you.

  Chapter 69

  Two Days Later | Jenna

  Ellis has kindly dropped Lucy around as she’s still unable to drive. We’re playing Scrabble at a little table next to Mum’s bedside. She hasn’t got the strength to sit up and join in, but she likes listening to us and suggesting the occasional word.

  Lucy’s looking more like her old self now that it’s been a week since her accident. The bruises on her face have faded and her recurring headaches are less intense. We’ve spoken at length about Grace, and both agree she must be behind the attempts on my life. We want to go to the police but we can’t let Mum end her days with the trauma of knowing her newly-found daughter is a would-be killer. We’ve agreed that I need to be extra vigilant until Mum is beyond knowing what’s going on. It’s unlikely to be long now as she’s barely eating or drinking anything.

  Lucy and I have become much closer this past week and we can’t bear to be apart.

  ‘It doesn’t matter that we’re not blood relatives, Jenna,’ she’d said. ‘We’re sisters in every other way that matters and I’ll always love you.’ She reached for my hand. ‘We will stick together, won’t we? We need to look after each other.’

  We both worry that Grace might still try to harm me and Lucy’s been like my bodyguard, not that she could do much with a broken ankle. There’s been no sign of Grace although I did open the front door yesterday to discover a huge bunch of flowers. There was only a simple card with them that said:

  To Mum,

  Always in my thoughts.

  Your loving daughter

  I looked about the garden in alarm. I knew the flowers weren’t from Lucy because she’d have signed her name. I’d had to fight with my conscience not to dump the flowers straight in the dustbin. I stare at them now – delicate cream roses, pink alstroemeria and blue lisianthus – and still have to stop myself from ripping them out of the vase and stamping on them. Mum loves them and she cried when she read the card. She’d assumed they were from Lucy or me, but when we denied it she cried even harder.

  ‘Can’t you do more to find Grace? I really need to see her again,’ she’d asked.

  ‘We have no idea where she lives or who with,’ we told her. ‘The cleaning company only has her old address and she moved out of there months ago.’

  ‘Your turn,’ Lucy says now. I bring my thoughts back to the game but we’re interrupted by a loud rapping on the door.

  ‘I’ll go,’ I say.

  Lucy gives me a warning look that I interpret to mean ‘don’t take any chances,’ and I nod to confirm that I won’t. I head downstairs and ensure the security chain is in place before I open the front door a fraction. I’m surprised to see two men standing there. One is a uniformed police officer and the other is a middle-aged man with thinning hair in black trousers and a grey jacket. He shows me his ID badge and introduces himself as DI Paton.

  ‘Jenna Winterbourne?’ he asks.

  ‘Yes.’ I’m puzzled that he knows my name.

  ‘May we come in?’

  I unlatch the chain, open the door wider and show them through to the lounge. Is this about Grace?

  The DI clears his throat then says, ‘Jenna Winterbourne, I’m arresting you on suspicion of murdering Robert Nash on February 16th 2019 in Loch Tay.’

  What? I take a step backwards, my head reeling in confusion and shock. ‘I don’t know anyone called Robert Nash,’ I say, ‘and I’ve never been to Loch… wherever it was.’

  ‘Loch Tay.’

  I look wildly from one policeman to the other, my voice rising with barely concealed hysteria. ‘Where even is that?’

  The policemen exchange glances and the one in uniform takes out a set of handcuffs. ‘You do not have to say anything, but—’

  ‘Wait!’ Lucy is hobbling towards the doorway. She must have come down the stairs on her bottom.

  ‘Are you Lucy Winterbourne?’ The detective asks her, looking at her plastered ankle.

  ‘Yes.’ She leans on the doorframe.

  ‘And is this your sister, Jenna Winterbourne?’

  ‘Yes,’ she says again.

  The policeman steps forward and begins to read me my rights again.

  ‘But she’s not my biological sister. That’s Grace.’

  The policemen look confused. ‘Not your biological sister? But you’re both on the electoral roll as having lived here, and we’ve examined your birth certificates.’

  ‘Let me sit down and I’ll explain everything. Jenna, why don’t you put the kettle on?’

  I move towards the kitchen but the policeman blocks the doorway. ‘I’m not going to run away,’ I tell him. ‘We need you to hear this. Come with me, if you must.’

  ‘We don’t need tea,’ the inspector says. ‘Just sit down and tell us who and where Grace is.’

  ‘Jenna? Lucy?’ Mum’s tremulous voice drifts down the stairs. ‘Who is it?’

  ‘I’ll be up in a minute, Mum,’ I call back. ‘Our mother is seriously ill in bed,’ I explain in a low voice. ‘She’ll be distraught if she finds out you’re here to arrest me.’

  ‘We found out last week that Jenna and Grace were swap
ped at birth,’ Lucy says, then, seeing the sceptical look on the older policeman’s face, adds, ‘Mum will verify it, if you need her to, but we really don’t want her upset.’

  The policemen look shocked. I don’t suppose they hear stories like this very often.

  DI Paton turns to me and his face softens. ‘You must be devastated.’

  I feel tears well in my eyes at his kind words.

  ‘You need to find Grace. We think she’s dangerous,’ Lucy adds. ‘There have been attempts on Jenna’s life.’

  ‘Why didn’t you report it?’

  ‘Our mother is at the end of her life. These last days are precious to us.’

  DI Paton slowly shakes his head then looks at Lucy. ‘I understand,’ he says. Perhaps we could do a DNA test on Jenna and maybe a hair from your mother’s brush to avoid troubling her, unless you have other proof?’

  ‘Grace talked about old letters that my mother had written to her mother but she took them with her.’

  ‘We’ll need to take a full statement from you both, but right now can you tell us her full name and where she lives?’

  ‘We don’t know where she lives,’ Lucy explains. ‘She was going by the name of Cavendish but I overheard her talking to Mum and showing her a new passport in the name of Grace Winterbourne.’

  ‘When did you last see her? What car does she drive?’

  ‘A week ago, but she left a bouquet of flowers on the doorstep yesterday. She drives a black Fiat Panda but I don’t recall the number plate. Do you know it, Jenna?’

  I shake my head.

  ‘Have you still got the flower wrappings?’ DI Paton asks.

  ‘They’ll be in the dustbin,’ I say.

  Paton turns to the PC. ‘Go and have a look,’ he says. ‘If they’re from a supermarket they may have CCTV of her buying them. We might be able to see what car she gets into then track it on the ANPR cameras. I’ll rush through the DNA maternity test and put out an alert for Grace Winterbourne at the airports and ferry terminals.’

  Chapter 70

  The Next Day | Grace

  ‘All set?’ Mark asks as he puts our overnight bags in the boot of his Audi Q7 and closes it.

  It’s lucky he’s got a decent sized car because most of his belongings are packed in it ready for our two-year stay along with all my clothes, shoes and toiletries. I’ve given my little car back to Derek in exchange for £200 and my new birth certificate.

  I’ve checked the Dover Travelodge room for stray belongings and I’ve got my handbag. This is it. I’m finally escaping my past and beginning a new life with a good man by my side. It’s been an emotional wrench leaving Mum behind so soon after finding her, but at least we had a loving reunion before it was too late.

  I couldn’t leave without letting her know I loved her one more time and I’m glad I asked Mark to stop at Waitrose to buy her a bunch of flowers. Placing them on the doorstep late at night so no one would see me was hard, knowing Mum was inside. I desperately wanted to bang on the door and run in for one last hug. Instead, I have to console myself with the thought that at least Mum said she wants me to have what is rightfully mine. I’ll wait until I’ve been in France a while before I arrange for a solicitor to make a claim for my share of the inheritance. No doubt I’ll be unable to stop Jenna stealing part of the pot because Mum made it clear it would be split three ways. Still, a third is better than nothing.

  ‘All set.’ I say, and kiss Mark on the lips. I may have lost my family but I’ve found a good man at last, and maybe the start of a new family one day. I’m sure I’ll grow to love him, but in the meantime, it’s enough that I like him and he clearly loves me.

  ‘Ten minutes to the port,’ he says. ‘By teatime we’ll be eating snails and frogs’ legs.’ He laughs and hugs me.

  ‘You might be. I think I’ll stick to a bowl of French onion soup.’

  The queues at the ferry terminal are daunting and I wonder how all the cars are going to fit on the boat. We crawl forward at a sloth’s pace but I feel quite chilled. Much as I despise her, I’m glad I didn’t go after Jenna again. It would have been foolish to give the police another reason to pursue me and I might have left vital clues to my whereabouts. As it is, I feel safe. The police still have no way of linking me to Robert’s death.

  We finally bump over the ramps and drive into the belly of the ship where lines of cars are parked nose to tail. We get out, our shoes squeaking on the heavily painted floor, and make our way up the metal stairs.

  ‘Fancy a coffee?’ Mark asks. ‘Or shall we stand on deck and watch the coastline disappear?’

  ‘Let’s stand on deck.’

  We lean against cold railings, watching the docks as the last of the vehicles are loaded and we wait for the doors to close. The combined smells of exhaust fumes and engine oil mingle heavily with the salty air. The main doors eventually close but foot passengers are still boarding using the walkway. An old lady hobbles with a stick, making painfully slow progress. Come on! I’m desperate to get going now.

  The last person walks on and we wait for the engines to start but they’re silent. Why are they taking so long?

  ‘Looks like someone’s in trouble,’ Mark laughs, and points to a group of police and customs officers making their way to the passenger bridge.

  My guts twist and I have to stop myself from doubling over. ‘I need the toilet. I feel a bit queasy. I’ll be back soon.’ I kiss Mark quickly on the cheek then slip away.

  ‘Already? We haven’t even started sailing yet.’ His voice fades as I scurry towards the ladies’ toilets.

  I sit in a toilet cubicle for what seems like hours. Women and children come and go, muttering and moaning about the delays. Maybe the police and customs officers have come for someone else. The door opens again and there’s a rap on my toilet door.

  ‘Come out, please. This is the police.’

  I have no choice and nowhere to run. I can’t believe they’ve found me after all these months. I open the door and see a middle-aged man introducing himself as DI Paton and waving his ID badge.

  ‘Grace Winterbourne.’ He can’t keep the smile from his face. ‘I’m arresting you on suspicion of murder.’

  Chapter 71

  Fairview School

  Oakbank Crescent

  Perth

  PH1 1DS

  18th February 2020

  Dear Mr Paton,

  The children, teachers and I would like to express our thanks for your inspiring and fascinating talk at our assembly last week. We were particularly intrigued by the use of footwear as evidence in your recent successful arrest of the Tay Killer. Who would have thought that the wear on the soles of a person’s shoes could be matched to footprints at the crime scene and then used as evidence in court? We’d never heard of the National Footwear Reference Collection before. We couldn’t believe the killer had kept them.

  The use of the DNA Database was an incredible eye-opener and we are pleased to hear that so many criminals are now being caught because their relative’s DNA shows the same patterns as theirs. No doubt the woman you were pursuing didn’t expect that.

  Are you aware of how proud your son Tommy is of you? He tells everyone what a great detective you are, and claims they’ll be making a television drama about you one day.

  The tour of the police car was an added excitement to the day and we all enjoyed the lights and siren. Your idea of an earlier spelling competition to win a ride in the police car was a great incentive and many a pupil got higher scores than usual.

  Your clever gift of Wanted mugs decorated with the children’s portraits as awards for hard work has inspired even the most recalcitrant students to apply themselves to learning and for this the teachers are most grateful.

  Again, thank you very much for all your support with our Public Services project. The children are still talking about it and many an “arrest” has been made in the playground.

  Yours sincerely,

  Mrs. Highgate

  Head Teach
er

  Chapter 72

  Elephant Retirement Park

  Thalang

  Phuket

  Thailand

  4th February 2020

  Dear Lucy,

  As requested, I’m writing you a proper letter, though God knows why I can’t just send you a WhatsApp! (laughing face emoji). You’d better keep this for years like you promised.

  Thailand is even more beautiful than in the travel brochures, and I know this is a cliché but I really do wish you were here with me. Still, I doubt they’d let you on the plane being seven months pregnant (wide-eyed emoji!).

  Nisha and I arrived at the elephant camp this morning and we’ve already been assigned an elephant each to look after. We got drenched giving them a bath but I can honestly say I’ve never felt happier. Well, apart from when we were all together as a family, of course. We’re staying in Phuket for two weeks as we also want to spend a few days volunteering at the Gibbon Sanctuary then we’re moving on to Cambodia. I’ve decided to come home sooner than planned because I want to be there with you when my niece or nephew is born. I really miss you and want us to spend time together as proper sisters.

  Nisha’s great company and I’m so pleased she decided to come with me. I love her “life’s too short to miss experiences’’ philosophy. She isn’t sure what she’s going to do when I return to England. She says she might keep travelling so that when she gets back to the UK she’ll have loads of experiences to share as a travel agent.