by Franklin, JJ
Ben lingered over his coffee and with the temptation growing in him, it was Clive who said he was going to turn in.
‘And, I need to collect the revellers. I sure hope they’ve finished heaving.’
Clive experienced a flash of intense anger that he should be leaving him for those so unworthy. If he chose, he could be here with him forever, like Mother. But Mother was asleep. Hearing her lullaby in his head, he giggled and tried to stop as Ben looked sharply at him. Clive needed Ben awake, so he could be naked in his arms, could love and hold him.
Shutting out the thoughts of their lovemaking, he allowed Ben to kiss him, pulling back before the taste of him set fire to the smouldering within. He would allow him to go, so that he could stand triumphant before him tomorrow. Then he would never leave.
‘Come round tomorrow?’
‘OK. About seven?’
By then, Clive should have added Mrs Turrell and DC Meadows to his trophies, but he might still be engaged in his work with Mika, so it would have to be later. ‘Make it eight.’
‘Sure.’
With that, he was gone. Clive stood at the door and waved as Ben drove off before going in to tell Mother. He took delight in taunting her.
‘Tomorrow, dear Mother, I will bring my Ben in to meet you. Two men together, think of it, Mother. You will die of shame. But, no, you can’t do that can you?’ His laughter rang about her. ‘We will strip each other naked and make you watch, as we arouse each other. Then you will see me happy and loved at last.’ He moved towards the door, turning only to add a final echoing, ‘At last,’ before skipping into the hall.
Aware that he was becoming over excited, Clive decided to take one of Mother’s sleeping pills. She wouldn’t need them anymore, and he needed to rest before battle.
In the morning, wonderfully refreshed and not having to prepare breakfast for Mother, he allowed himself the luxury of bacon and egg. Mother couldn’t tolerate fats, so she hated even the smell. He decided to open the living room door so the aroma could drift in to her. Maybe he should eat his breakfast in front of her. But the sight of her was starting to offend him, so Clive shut the door and enjoyed his breakfast in the kitchen. It would be a long day, and he didn’t know when he would be able to eat again.
Next, he checked the warrant card he had prepared for the evening. He had meant it to be shown outside in the dark, when a quick flash and an arrogant attitude would get him by. During the day, the showing would have to be less and the attitude more.
Gloria said she would pass on his message when he rang to say he was taking Mother out for the day. Next, Clive rang Mrs Sinclair and told her that he was going to spend the day with Mother so she could take a paid day off.
Having chosen the yellow dress for Mika, the deep rose for Eppie, and the blue one for DC Meadows, he laid them carefully in the boot, together with all the accessories he needed. He hoped they appreciated the trouble he was taking to make sure they were dressed in colours that suited them.
Time to say goodbye to Mother. She seemed to have shrunk even further into her chair, and he tried to make her more comfortable. As usual, she was unappreciative and Clive gave up in the end. ‘Goodbye, Mother. I’m going to finish what I started.’ She should be pleased at that, even if she couldn’t show it. Not that she had ever seemed pleased with anything he did. But it didn’t matter. He declined to kiss her forehead. There was no need now to go through the charade that she could ever love him.
Clive could see DC Meadow’s house from the Abbey Fields car park. With the DC’s car gone, Eppie Turrell would be alone just as he thought. Attending to Mrs Turrell was going to be easy. DC Meadows would be harder, but Clive was convinced that once he showed the gods he was worthy, she would be directed towards him.
Everything was on his side, as it was always meant to be. And soon the constable could have a go at solving her own murder. The thought amused him. Maybe after she was dead she would be able to whisper clues in the inspector’s ear. That is, if he wasn’t too devastated by his wife’s death.
Laughter escaped, shocking Clive with its loudness. Something slinking through the undergrowth stopped still, green eyes turned towards him and made him realise he would need to suppress his joy and excitement.
CHAPTER 52
Sam came up to Matt as he locked his car. Matt was suspicious that Sam had been waiting for him.
‘She wouldn’t go for it, Guv. Said we were too busy to go chasing rainbows only not so politely as that.’
‘Jane Doe from the river?’
‘Yep.’
‘Well, maybe she’s right. Although I would at least like to find out who she was.’
‘Want me to go undercover, Guv?’
Matt laughed at Sam’s imagination.
‘You’ve been watching Spooks again. Let’s see if we can persuade her first.’
Jenny gave the briefing a textbook quality. She knew exactly what she wanted and expected, so interrupting the flow was not well received. She was about to wrap up, and Matt was surprised she hadn’t mentioned the drowned woman. He could feel Sam looking at him.
‘Can I just ask if we are following up on the woman in the river? DI Hadden,’ he added for good measure.
‘For what purpose?’
‘That she has similar marks on her neck as our victims.’
‘And drowned, Inspector Turrell. Drowned.’
‘So the killer could have been disturbed.’
‘Or she could have been indulging in some form of sex play. You are a big boy, so you do know the kind of things that go on, don’t you, Inspector?’
Matt was tempted to retort but held back. It was not going to help to lose her cooperation. So, for the moment, he just nodded and smiled.
‘And, Inspector, I need you back here for this stupid meeting with the owners of the spa. Four-thirty sharp.’
After Jenny had given the team their jobs for the day, Matt went over to Sam, trying to avoid Fluff with whom he had been paired for the day. Sam was to go back to the spa with Grant.
‘That was low, Guv.’
‘Don’t worry. I’ve got a mate at Stratford. I’ll give him a call, see if he can tell us anything. I’ll call you later. Oh, and take your car just in case.’
Matt didn’t want to put Fluff in an awkward position, since she would want to be loyal to Jenny. He had already compromised her over the bikes.
As they set out to conduct more interviews, one of them Mrs Mooney, she sighed. ‘What are you up to?’
‘Me?’
‘Don’t pretend, Matt. I saw you and Sam with your heads together.’
‘Oh that.’
‘It’s the suicide isn’t it?’
‘Yes. I think we should follow it up.’
‘I agree,’ Fluff said.
‘You do?’
‘Not much we can do about it, though. Unless you had something in mind?’
‘Not really. Thought I might ring Ned Collier at Stratford, that’s all.’
‘Well, get on with it.’
Matt laughed. He should have known he couldn’t fool Fluff. Ned was on duty and promised to see what he could find out.
Meanwhile, their next stop was Mrs Moony, the masseur, who had been away on Sunday and Monday. It was disappointing that she was unable to give them any new information. She confirmed that Mrs Draper had been with her for about fifteen minutes and that Clive had not stayed with his Mother, adding, rather wistfully, that she wished her own son was as caring.
Their next stop was back at En Jay’s, where Gloria told them that Mr Draper was taking his Mother out for the day and so wouldn’t be in. When pressed as to whether the day off had been booked in advance, she was cagey and said she believed so.
‘He charms them all, doesn’t he? She was lying her socks off.’ Fluff took her frustration out on the lift button.
‘Evading the truth certainly.’
‘How stupid can women be?’
‘They fall for our natural charm of course
.’
Matt dodged the expected blow from Fluff.
It was after they had stopped for a quick sandwich that Ned rang.
‘Your young lady is, or was, Anne Clarke, of 5 Sandhill Close, Shipston. Her documents were pretty soggy but we think that’s right. Mobile phone waterlogged. Uniform have been to that address today but there is no answer, so she could have lived alone. No luck with the neighbours, all working I guess. We’re doing some further checking—see if she lives with anyone.’
‘Thanks, Ned. I owe you.’
‘Well, you could introduce me to that new wife of yours. Never thought you would go legal, not with all the young ladies who throw themselves in your direction.’
‘I’m a changed man, Ned. Wait until you meet her, then you will understand. Let’s meet up for a drink one day soon.’
As he put the phone down, Matt realised he was faced with a dilemma. He should go back to Jenny with this information. But she had been adamant this morning that they would be wasting their time, and he didn’t fancy trying to change her mind.
Looking at the address, Matt could see that Sam was the nearest. He would be able to get there from the spa in five minutes, and Matt knew he would be up for it. Fluff made up his mind.
‘Oh get on with it. You know he’s dying to do something naughty.’
Matt laughed and dialled Sam but was disappointed to get put through to voice mail. He was wondering what to do next, when the phone rang.
‘Hi, Guv. Grant was right beside me, so I thought it best to lose him. Do we have lift-off?’
‘Not unless you are Biggles. We do have a name and address for the young lady, though. Uniform went there earlier, no answer. As it is close to you, thought you could give it a try.’
‘Great. I’ll think up a cover story for sour chops.’
‘We’ll text you the details.’
‘Get back to you as soon as I can, Guv.’
‘Good.’
The afternoon dragged on. No useful information was gained from the next two people interviewed. Matt looked at his watch; it was time to start heading back to CID for the meeting. He wasn’t looking forward to being in a position where his opinion wouldn’t pull any weight. That was down to Jenny now.
Why hadn’t Sam called? Matt turned the car to go back to base, when his phone trilled. He stopped and put it on speaker for Fluff to hear.
‘Guv. This is too much of a coincidence. She worked at En Jay’s.’
‘Good God.’
‘I couldn’t believe it either. She’ll have to listen now.’
‘I hope so, Sam. Bloody good work.’
‘Grant thinks I’ve got the trots. Had to go back twice. Then her housemate came home from work. So bingo.’
‘Must go, Sam. Well done again.’
Matt looked at Fluff.
‘You will have to tell her, Matt.’
‘I know. I’m just composing my argument.’
‘Good luck.’
At least she didn’t demand to know where he had got the information but she remained resolute that they didn’t have enough information to pick up Clive Draper.
‘It’s all circumstantial. He was on the scene of both murders, yes. He also works at the same place as a suicide victim. We have no DNA or witness statements to link him to the crimes. What do you want me to do, Inspector, put out an APB? Suppose he is on a day out with his elderly Mother, and we surround him with cop cars and drag him off. We might just give her a heart attack? Have you thought of that?’
Matt was trying to stay calm. ‘With respect, we risk him committing another murder, Ma’am.’
‘I’ll take that risk. Yes, we will question him again in the proper manner, even invite him to come down to the station. Right now, I need you here for this meeting. Understood?’
‘Ma’am.’
Fluff patted his hand. ‘She’s doing what she thinks is right.’
‘Doesn’t make it any easier though. He could be out there now watching his next victim.’
‘We’ve just got time to try Clive’s house again.’
Matt was surprised. ‘You sure you are up for it?’
‘Yes, come on let’s go.’
The journey was frustratingly slow, as the build up to rush hour had started. Then they arrived at Clive Draper’s house to find that no one was home, so the whole exercise was disappointing.
Already late for the meeting, Matt drove back to CID knowing he would have to face Jenny’s wrath.
Deciding to keep Fluff out of the line of fire, he gave her twenty pounds and suggested she pick up a book or two for Eppie on her way home.
CHAPTER 53
Once Eppie had dressed and showered, she let the sun flood in, pulling the curtains exactly as Jane had shown her. She couldn’t resist a brief glance across the fields. Most of the leaves had fallen now, and the trees all had a deep ring of golden brown at their base. Eppie wished she could go out for a walk, since autumn was her favourite season. She loved the leafy, earthy smell that took her straight back to childhood. At this time of year, the excitement of Bonfire night would be looming, and she and Mike would be collecting wood and making a Guy.
With a sigh, she began the hunt for breakfast. The fare was slim, narrowing by the day, but at least Fluff had asked her to write a grocery list, so there might be hope of replenishment soon.
The morning dragged on, so declining to be seduced into watching daytime TV, Eppie wrote down the most needed grocery items. So much was needed, but she didn’t want to make it too expensive for Fluff—Jane, she reminded herself—since she wasn’t sure what happened in these cases. Would Jane get expenses for having her here? She decided to keep to the basics.
Afterwards, she returned to her notebook and the list of suspects. Even if the professionals were not interested, at least she felt that she was doing something.
It took a while to reach Clive Draper, who was near the bottom of the list, one above Mr Squires as the most unlikely of suspects. She tried to remember everything about him from whenever he had come to the desk.
He had been pleasant and chatty, seemed interested in why she had taken the job. Then he said something about not wanting to do the same job as his father and mentioned square bashing. Something soldiers did.
Soldiers.
The little model soldier had attacked them in their own flat. It was a slim link but it was a start. She shut her eyes and began to visualize every detail of Clive’s visits.
On Friday, he had asked her about arranging a massage for his mother. She had been unable to help him; so, while waiting for Sandi, they had chatted briefly, although Eppie was ready to turn away. Looking back, it was as if he wanted to keep her talking.
When Sandi was free, she suggested that Eppie should stay to learn how to answer such a query. So Eppie had relaxed and watched as Sandi took a blue book from one of the pigeonholes behind her. At the thought of Sandi, Eppie felt her eyes filling up. She was such a lovely person to have in the world.
‘Do you think your mother would prefer a male or a female therapist, Mr Draper?’ Sandi asked.
‘I‘m sure she would be more comfortable with a lady.’
As Sandi ran down the list, Clive had leaned right over the counter following her as she suggested different therapists. Was there anyone he had given special attention to?
There were a couple of new therapists and, thinking about it, he had seemed quite interested in them. But when Sandi had said that one of them was a man, his attention had switched to the other. She had a funny name; Eppie tried but couldn’t recall it, although she was sure it began with an M. All that Eppie could remember was that she worked from Friday to Tuesday evenings from six to nine.
Clive had made sure he read all M’s details for himself including when she worked and the hours. Then he changed his mind and decided that his Mother would prefer an older woman and had settled on Mrs Mooney. Now, looking back, his behaviour seemed suspicious.
Bursting to discuss her
ideas with someone else, she wondered if she should call Matt. Deciding against disturbing him and not wanting to appear silly, she took out the little card the Sergeant had given her, but there again, was this important information, or would she be wasting his time? She decided to wait until Fluff came home and put her notebook with the grocery list on the kitchen table, anchored down by the biscuit tin. Clive Draper was now marked with a red star.
Lunch was a glass of milk and a biscuit. Afterwards, feeling restless, she tried one of Fluff’s exercise CDs before resorting to daytime television. It was only when the buzzer rang that she realised she had nodded off.
Under strict orders not to answer, she couldn’t resist peeking through a tiny space at the edge of the curtain. A white delivery van was outside and, as she watched, the driver was walking back towards it. He had no parcel in his hands so someone, probably Mrs Williams, must have taken it in.
Eppie was longing to get out of the flat if only for a few moments. Surely, it couldn’t hurt to go down and collect the parcel? Going to the front door, she listened. All was quiet, so she opened the door an inch; then, feeling a bit silly at being so cautious, she opened it farther and went out to the top of the stairs. Halfway down she stopped as Mrs Williams’ door opened.
‘Oh, there you are, Dear. Jane said she has a visitor. I was just going to bring this up. Would you like to take it?’
Mrs Williams was carrying a square box. Eppie hesitated, thoughts of bombs or poison running through her head. But the box looked light and innocent. Mrs Williams carried it with ease as she came up the stairs towards her. There was nothing Eppie could do but reach out and grasp it.
‘Thank you for taking it in.’
‘No trouble at all, Dear.’
The parcel was a box wrapped in brown paper. The printed label said Mrs E. Turrell at this address. It must be from Matt. Maybe he had sent her something to read. Bless him. Amidst all the things he was worrying about he had thought of her. She couldn’t wait to see what his tastes would be. Tearing aside the wrapping, Eppie took the lid off the box inside.
