Catherine

by A J Hollingsworth

  'What do you make of this?' he asked before a flash of light from the camera dazzled her view.

  She examined the missing area of the fingerprints. 'Wiped?'

  'I would assume so you can see where the cloth was swiped across, almost clearing all of them. Have you noticed two sets?'

  'Yes, male and female?'

  'Educated guess at the moment, but one appears to match the size of a female, most likely to be Catherine's and the others are considerably larger, typical of a man's. I'll know more when we run them through the police database. You fancy doing a little forensics work, grab a pair of gloves!'

  Rachel took a set of blue latex gloves out of Tyrad's case and slid her hands inside.

  He pulled back the duvet on the bed, 'you ready to look for fluids?'

  'I never thought I would be so flattered by an offer like that!'

  'It's not every woman I make that offer to.'

  They both chuckled.

  Tyrad handed Rachel a Handscope LED Ultra Violet torch used for detecting any body fluids that maybe otherwise naked to the human eye, as he strolled across to the curtains that hung from the top of the window to the floor and pulled them closed. He then turned to face Rachel and asked her to fully shut the bedroom door and turn off the light, leaving the room in almost darkness. Rachel turned on the UV torch and was instantly baffled by its setting options.

  'You Brits and technology, you joined the party too late,' he chuckled as he took the torch from Rachel and programmed in the correct settings. 'You start with that dresser and I will give the bed a once over.'

  Rachel moved across to the dresser, a simple modern white unit with thick chrome plated legs and two drawers evenly space and then top by a thick white top and built in a large non-adjustable mirror. The dim light offered through the curtains allowed just enough for her to be able to negotiate herself around the room without knocking everything flying. She began scanning the torch over the mirror and wasn't long before the green glow of something appeared on the mirror.

  'Found something,' she exclaimed to Tyrad, who had begun the same process on the duvet cover, he had stripped it off the bed reversing it so that the underside of the duvet was now on top. Rachel was having fun, barely holding the excitement inside, she was fidgeting from one foot to the other. He looked at her, only briefly, but he couldn't help smile at the glow in her eyes.

  'You ever thought of a change of career and joining ourselves on the forensics team?'

  'You can't poach me that quickly.'

  'I guess not,' he chuckled. 'Worth a try though.'

  Tyrad pulled out a couple of cotton swabs from his bag and handed them over to Rachel, she took them from him and returning to the dresser, she began taking samples from the mirror. Tyrad continued with the bed, lifting and swapping over the duvet and covers until he had several samples.

  'Do we have something?' asked Rachel.

  'Yes we have a few samples. I'll get them tested as quick as I can.'

  'Thanks Tyrad, you are a star.'

  'Anything for my favourite detective.'

  Stepping into the room was one of Tyrad's subordinate with a top of the line Nikon camera. Tyrad instructed for him to begin photographing around the bed.

  Chapter 16

  Evidence is what they needed while Daisy's lawyer was busy working out a deal with the superintendent. Rachel's first case and she did not want to bring him into it. It should have been her time to shine, not fail and at this precise moment that's exactly how it felt. Daisy would be released and all because she rushed in with both feet. She should have known better.

  The sound of the radio broke her concentration. Logan sitting in the passenger seat of her car, had clicked on the power button after becoming restless of the silence.

  'Do we have to listen to this?' Rachel asked after he switched the station over to classical.

  'I find it soothing,' he responded.

  'Soothing? I find it irritating,' she responded with her fingertip pushing the off button. Neither talked along the last five minutes of the journey with the exception of Rachel confirming they were at the address Daisy had provided.

  This time it wasn't a dorm room in the middle of an halls of residence, but a semi-detached family home in a leafy suburb. An ex-council owned, built in the early seventies and was now owned by Dexter Collins' parents.

  They were average by definition, whatever that means, married for twenty-three years and Dexter were their only child. His father was an electrician and his mother was a receptionist at an opticians. They earned an average wage for the area, they drove an average car, they went on average holidays and they enjoyed doing average things.

  Rachel lingered for a second, just looking at the slightly overgrown lawn and the mixture of closed and opened blinds in the windows. The overhead grey and glummer clouds had forced a light to be switched on in the living room and the shadow of one occupant was noticeably moving around inside.

  'Somebody is home,' she commented to Logan before taking her car key out of the ignition and opening her door. She walked up to the wooden gate, that lent towards one side hanging barely onto the rusty hinge, delicately pushing it open as it creaked and bent. The concrete path in front of them led to three small steps nestled at the bottom of a wooden porch-way that was in need of a fresh coat of paint. Beneath the door was a well-worn welcome mat. Rachel pushed the doorbell at the side of the door and waited.

  The door opened after a few seconds by a young handsome man.

  'Dexter Collins?' Rachel asked.

  'Yes and you are?' he replied bluntly.

  'My apologies. I'm DCI Rachel Lambert and my colleague, DC Logan Langley. We need to ask you some questions about last night.'

  'What about last night?'

  'Where were you Dexter? Catherine Holmes was murdered.'

  'Yeah. I heard about that. Do you want to come in,' his manner softening as he moved to one side allowing Rachel and Logan to enter.

  The layout was what Rachel had expected, after growing up in a similar house. In front of them was the hallway, non-spectacular with floral wallpaper and a plain grey carpet wrapping its way up the stairs and out of sight. A variety of mens and ladies shoes placed neatly along the wall to Rachel's left with the staircase rising opposite.

  At the end of the hallway was a door leading to the kitchen and another door before where Dexter lead Rachel and Logan. He asked them if they would like to sit. There was a three piece beige leather sofa against the wall to their left with an array of green and brown patterned scatter cushions and a couple of television remotes lazily placed on one of the arm rests.

  Rachel opted for the left side nearest the window and Logan claimed he had a bad leg and wouldn't be able to stand back up if he sat down. He stood near the door instead.

  'She was a nice lass, Catherine. Shame what happened,' commented Dexter as he sat in the armchair across from Rachel.

  'How well did you know her?' asked Logan.

  'Hardly at all. We have one lecture together. Had together now I suppose. Only really had one conversation with her after she asked to borrow a pen from me. She sat next to me for the rest of the lecture. She was really nice to chat with.'

  'You weren't friends with her then?'

  'No, not at all. Acquaintances at best.'

  Dexter offered them a drink while rising to his feet. They both declined. Dexter took his seat once again.

  'We're here to ask you about Daisy Reynolds.'

  Dexter snickered, 'little firecracker that one and no strings attached.' He winked at Logan who remained stone faced.

  'Whether that is true or not Dexter,' Rachel stated clearly disapproving of his last remark. 'We are not here to hear all the sordid little things you and Daisy have done together. We just want to know your whereabouts last night.'

  Dexter shrugged his shoulders looking at Logan for support that was no where to be seen. 'Very well,' he said flippantly. 'Daisy would flirt with me around campus. She was yes
terday when she invited me back to hers. We...well...it was consensual you know.'

  'What time did you leave?' asked Logan.

  'Around nine, I think.'

  'Nine?' checked Rachel.

  'Yes, maybe just before. A friend of mine had invited me to a party at another friends house. I wanted to go.'

  'Did Daisy?'

  'No. She wasn't in the mood. I asked her to come along but she refused. I think I must have tired her out, if you know what I mean.'

  'Yes. We understand perfectly well what you mean Mr Collins,' said Logan now equally irritated by Dexter's comments.

  'Do you have your friends name and address. We will need to check your whereabouts. Just to rule you out of our investigation,' stated Rachel.

  'Am I a suspect?' asked Dexter confused.

  'Everyone is a suspect Mr Collins,' said Rachel bitterly.

  'I had nothing to do with Catherine's murder, but, sure I'll get that address for you. Just give me a minute.'

  Dexter disappeared through the living room door and turned left towards the kitchen.

  'Daisy was lying then?' asked Logan.

  'We need to clarify where Dexter was, but yeah it seems like she did.'

  'That ought to shut up that lawyer of hers!'

  Rachel smiled, she was happy at the thought of being able to put Richard in his place. A moment later, Dexter returned into the room holding a scrap piece of paper with his friends details written on it. He passed it over to Logan, feeling the tension expressed in Rachel's deminour as she was now standing.

  'That's all for now Mr Collins, but don't go anywhere as we may need to talk to you again,' stated Rachel.

  Dexter escorted them both to the door.

  Chapter 17

  'We will have to tread lightly,' Rachel reminded Logan.

  Daisy's father was on the war path after her previous arrest and his lawyer, Richard, had worked his charm to have her released with no charge either. But now she knew Daisy had lied and now a million unanswered questions began cumulating inside her head.

  Rachel and Logan was close to Daisy's dorm, the stipulation that Daisy had to remain in York made to her lawyer by Rachel had to be upheld. Daisy's father had protested, wishing to take his daughter back home but Richard had explained it would be the best way to help clear Daisy's name. They knocked on Daisy's room door and after a minute her father answered.

  'If you are here to harass my daughter again then you are wasting your time.'

  Daisy's father attempted to shut the door before either of them could respond, however, before he managed to Logan had slid his foot forward in between the door and the frame.

  'I wouldn't do that if I was you,' threatened Daisy's father.

  'We just wish to ask Daisy a few questions,' Rachel delicately stated before the bull at the side of her went charging in.

  'You asked her all the questions you needed to at the police station and she answered them all for you. She has nothing more to add.'

  'We have some new evidence we need to talk over with Daisy,' Rachel stated.

  'Like I said, she has answered all of your questions. So, unless you have a warrant for her arrest, will you leave her alone.'

  'Your friend left you alone at nine...' Rachel began shouting through the door, before Daisy's father had slammed the door shut.

  Logan lifted his hand in a closed fist ready to knock on the door.

  'Is that what he told you?' Daisy asked as she opened the door in a soft non-deviant tone.

  'Yes Daisy. He was very adamant he was telling the truth. Even promised to testify to it, if he needed to,' Rachel responded.

  'I think it's time to be honest with us Daisy.' Logan added.

  Daisy invited the pair of them in, a feeling of deja vu swept over all three of them with Logan staring at Daisy's father. It doesn't matter how much money or power you think you have, if you break the law it will catch up with you. Logan believed that as much today as he did when he first started on the force.

  'Would you like a cuppa? My father will make it.'

  'Will I?' protested her father.

  'Yes Dad, please.'

  Daisy's father did as his little girl had asked, albeit banging about with the mugs and coffee jar in the process, before sitting a mug down in front of Rachel and offering her sugar. She graciously accepted two spoonfuls.

  'What did Dexter tell you?' asked Daisy.

  'Are we OK to discuss this in front of your father?' Rachel checked first.

  'Yes. My big-mouth lawyer told my father about my alibi.'

  'I see. Well, Dexter confirmed he spent some of the night with you-'

  '-but that he left before midnight?'

  'Yes Daisy. He reckoned it was around nine when he left to go to a friends party. He asked you to go along but you declined the invitation.'

  'That would be more accurate than what I told you,' Daisy said tailing off towards the end of her sentence whilst her eyes gazed down to the floor.

  'DAISY,' exclaimed her father with his voice slightly raised in disbelief. 'Lying to the police?'

  Daisy was sat on the edge of her bed still looking at the floor, attempting to hide the small pearl like droplets that were building up in the corner of her eyes.

  'Daisy I asked you a question and I expect an answer.'

  Daisy looked up at her father,' the tears were now rolling freely. 'I'm sorry Dad.'

  Rachel sat back in the desk chair she had been provided. Was this a confession? Had it all been straightforward? Broken heart ex-girlfriend seeking revenge? The headlines were already written for the morning papers.

  'I lied-'

  '-Daisy darling, why?'

  'Please let her finish Mr Reynolds.'

  'Not without Richard here. Don't say another word,' her father said frantically, having made the same conclusion that Rachel had.

  'Dad, I don't need him here.'

  'What? I think you when you are about to confess to murder I think having a lawyer present may help.'

  'I'm not confessing to murder.'

  'You're not,' said her father and Rachel in unison.

  'No, I didn't kill Catherine. I don't know how many time I have to say that, for someone to believe me.'

  'What is it you're not telling us Daisy?' asked Rachel.

  She took another glance at her father before looking back at Rachel.

  'I have been liberal with the truth, but only because I didn't think anyone would believe me otherwise.'

  'Where were you Daisy?'

  'Dexter left about nine, like he said. Went to some dumb party. I didn't want to go, but I told him to if he wanted. After he got dressed and left, I laid in bed still watching television. Before I knew it, it was two in morning and I was woken by the sound of the television playing to itself. I switched it off, rolled over and went back to sleep. I promise,' she added looking at her father.

  Rachel was unsure how to take the news. She had lied before and what's to say she is not again. Rachel looked up towards Logan, who had remained quiet throughout, raised his eyebrows and gave a look of knowing.

  'Daisy, you say you promise but you said you wasn't lying before also,' said Rachel in a motherly way. Was Daisy just scared? The softly softly approach, thought Rachel would be the best way to approach Daisy.

  'Honest. I'm not lying. You believe me Daddy?' Daisy said longing for her father's approval.

  Her father hesitated, desperately wanting to believe his little princess but couldn't shake the feeling deep within that no longer trusted her. 'I don't know darling.'

  Daisy began crying, with each sob she looked at her father. Unsure of what to say and full of disappointment, he sat on her bed with his back towards her and looked down at the floor. He continued to ignore her when she repeated his name.

  'Daisy, look at me,' ordered Rachel as she did, Rachel knelt in front of her. 'Why did you lie at the police station?'

  Daisy composed herself before speaking.

  'Who would have b
elieved me? I mean, after I sent those letters. You've read them and assumed I did it. I can't prove where I was when it happened. I was bound to be the one who had done it, when you think about it. No alibi and a grudge to bare against Catherine, which I was vocal about. I didn't kill her. I really didn't do it.'

  The tears rolled uncontrollably from Daisy's eyes as she was perched on the edge of her bed with her father's back still facing her. Rachel looked towards both Daisy and her father, two people who were growing further apart by each passing second. She sighed before standing up and walked over towards Logan who was holding a bemused look upon his face. She tilted her head towards the door of the room. Logan knew what see was thinking and instantly turned, grabbed the door handle and opened it for Rachel.

  'Is she telling the truth?' asked Logan the moment he closed the door behind them.

  'I think she is,' replied Rachel.

  Logan then did the last thing she had expected him to do and agreed with him.

  'Where does that leave us now?' asked Rachel.

  'Back at square one, if Daisy didn't do it then we look at Mark.'

  Chapter 18

  Daisy had been her usual delightful self and Rachel's disdain for her was forever increasing. With Logan also chirping away in her ear over all of her decisions, she was losing patience with the day. She could easily slip into a nice warm bubble bath with the lavender scented candles and a good book. She had planned it all out her head this morning, before she was woken by her breakfast and, of course, Nathan. The fantasy of plans never stay true to the reality.

  Logan was busy updating his little notepad, constantly making notes and referencing everything from time of day, who said what and what happened where. Rachel didn't have the patience, but at the same time was ever so grateful that Logan did. When he was around, she could leave him to it and at the same time he preferred it that way. He could do a better job anyway, or so he believed.

  Rachel walked across the university campus filled with her own thoughts and not aware of her own walking pace was almost as quick as Logan's running pace. 'Slow down,' he said loudly behind her. She didn't respond. 'DS Lambert!' he called out again. This time, he had startled her and she turned around. Over thirty feet apart, she halted and waited for him to catch up.