by M A Comley
Mimicking Rodin’s The Thinker, Lorne said, “Okay, you’ve convinced me—we need to dig deep into how these building firms acquire these prime pieces of land in the first place before we can speculate further. Can you do that while Katy and I are out this morning, Graham?”
He nodded. “Sure. It was just a thought, boss.”
“A good one at that. The only doubt I would have is, why are the murders happening at this late stage in the build and not at the beginning to disrupt the build from getting on schedule in the first place? Did that even make sense?” Lorne glanced at Katy for support.
“It did. I’m inclined to agree with you in that respect.”
“Hmm… it’s certainly raised a few doubts in my mind, Graham, so well done on that score.”
“I try. I just hope I haven’t muddied the waters even more. I’ll call a few people I know and ring the planning department to see how these things work. Hopefully, I can supply you with a suitable answer later on this morning.”
“We’ll leave all this in your capable hands,” Lorne replied. She dipped into her office to retrieve her coat.
Katy and Lorne set off, back across London for what seemed like the hundredth time in the past ten days or so. Still, they were no further forward than they had been on their very first trip to the warehouse.
“Crap, this case is really hanging around our necks, isn’t it?” Katy asked when Lorne drew up at a red light.
“I know most cases have their frustrating spells during the course of the investigation, but this one has to be up there with the worst, right?”
“You’re not wrong. Has Patti mentioned if any form of DNA was found at either of the scenes?”
“Nope, nothing. It would definitely make life easier if she had found some. Does that mean we’re dealing with a professional killer here?” Lorne turned to face Katy before the lights changed and the car behind beeped impatiently.
“Professional killer as in a hitman?”
Lorne threw her hands up in the air and quickly grasped the steering wheel again when the car veered off to the left. “Your guess is as good as mine. Thinking logically about this, what Graham said could have some legs. These sites, especially in the Canary Wharf area, must be worth billions, not just millions. Where there’s that kind of money involved, it’s not unheard of to have a few shady dealings going on. Whether that’s in the form of backhanders for council planners or the like.”
“Wow, when you get an idea in your head, you really do run with it, don’t you?” Katy laughed.
“You know me by now. Once a seed is planted that has legs, then it’s going to take a lot for me to discount that idea. Other than that, what else do we have to go on? Nothing, nada, absolutely zilch—that’s what.”
Katy fell silent for a few miles before she sighed and said, “All right, going along with Graham’s idea and what you’ve said so far, why is someone killing off the tradesmen, with the exception of Sutherland? Why not target all the site managers if their plan is to jeopardise the builds?”
“Hmm… yet another dilemma for us to ponder. All we seem to be doing at present is adding to our own confusion rather than figuring the case out. To be honest with you, it’s driving me potty.”
“What’s driving you potty is the length of time it’s taking to solve the case. You’re used to getting the case one day and solving it within a week, tops—nine times out of ten anyway.”
Lorne chuckled. “There is that. Surely you feel the same way?”
“Not really. I’m more your laid-back kind of copper.”
Lorne shook her head. “Yep, you could say that. I’ll put that down to lack of responsibility then, shall I?” She sniggered.
“If you said that trying to wind me up, I can tell you that your attempt was futile. It was my decision to take demotion, a decision I’ve yet to regret in the three or four years since that occurred.”
“The way things are going for me right now, I’d say that was a pretty intelligent decision you made.” Lorne pulled into Ford Road and leaned over the steering wheel to search the numbers. “Fourteen… ah, here we are. Looks like it’s been made into flats. Let’s hope someone is at home.”
They exited the car and opened the wooden gate. The small front garden was mainly laid to lawn and neatly mown. Lorne rang both bells to the premises. The intercom sprang to life.
“Hello, can I help?” A young woman’s voice emerged from the grill.
“Hi, we’re looking for a Mandy Shaw. Would that be you?”
“You’ve found her. Really, I haven’t got time to deal with people just showing up on my doorstep. Can you ring me and make an appointment?”
“I’m sorry, but I only need a few moments of your time. I’m DI Lorne Warner of the Met police. I wouldn’t be bothering you if it wasn’t important, Miss Shaw.”
“Very well. I’m on my way down.”
They waited another few minutes before the front door opened. Mandy Shaw was no older than twenty-five at first glance. Her blonde hair was tied back from her face, and she wore very heavy makeup. She was wearing what appeared to be a white uniform. “Hi, what’s this all about? I have to be at work by eleven. Otherwise, the salon owner will give me the sack.”
“For being a few minutes late? Can she do that?”
Her mouth twisted from side to side. “She reckons she can because I have a bad record for tardiness. Her word not mine, just in case it’s wrong.”
Lorne chuckled inside. The comment seemed to be exactly what someone would expect to come out of a blonde’s mouth. “I see. Okay, we’ll try not to keep you too long. Would you mind if we came in?”
The woman’s brow creased, but she stepped back to allow Lorne and Katy access. They followed her up a flight of stairs to a reasonably large living room that looked as if it had just received a makeover. Black-and-white furnishings dominated the room with an accent colour of fluorescent pink in the form of cushions and a bunch of knick-knacks. Lorne cringed. It wasn’t to her taste at all. Each to their own.
“Why don’t we all sit down?” Lorne suggested.
Mandy sat on the edge of the sofa and crossed her long slim legs. “Can we make this quick, please?”
“Sure. I have to ask if you know a James Gordon.”
She laughed and studied her bright-red nails on her right hand. “What a daft question! Of course I know him. Oh my God, is he in trouble with you lot?”
“No. I’m sorry to have to inform you that his body was discovered last week, and we’ve only just identified him.”
“Is this some kind of joke? Wait a minute… Is it April Fool’s Day?”
“No joke, I’m afraid. His mother was told yesterday in Manchester, and she informed us that James had recently moved in with you.”
“Four months ago, to be precise.” Although there were no tears, Mandy did seem stunned by the news.
“May I ask when you saw him last?”
“About three months ago.”
Lorne and Katy glanced at each other, puzzled by her reply. “Haven’t you wondered where he’s been or why he hasn’t come home?”
“No. I thought he was working away. He rang me to let me know he wouldn’t be back for around six months.” She shrugged. “What could I say? I’m not his keeper. He needs to go where the work takes him.”
“When he rang, did he sound harassed at all?”
“Harassed? Why would he?”
Lorne inhaled a large breath. “If you believed he was going away to work, then we have to assume that he made that call under duress.”
“Oh my. I never thought about that. I had no reason to think that there was anything strange about the call. He’d already told me that when another site is short of a plumber, sometimes he has to step up and fill in.”
“Okay, but surely he would have rung you periodically to tell you how he was getting on or even come home at the weekend?”
“I don’t know. I didn’t think. I have my own life to lead. He shared m
y home, but he was free to come and go as he pleased. Is that against the law? It’s not like we were married or anything. He was a free spirit, the same as me.”
“So, you’re saying you really didn’t know him that well?” Lorne prompted with a smile.
“Well enough.”
“When he rang you, did he say where he was going?”
She shrugged her slim shoulders and looked down at the carpet. “No. He only told me that he had a rush job on at another site that had a huge bonus attached to it. Told me that when he got back, he was going to take me on holiday to Corfu.”
“And that was the last you heard of him?”
“That’s right. I thought he’d get in touch when he was able to. You know what men are like—when they’re away with other men, they like to make the most of their freedom and go down the pub every night. That’s genuinely what I thought was going on. My stubbornness kicked in then, and I didn’t want to come across as needy to him, so left him alone. I wish I’d rung him now.” She swiped away a tear that had dripped onto her cheek. “I’m sorry. I didn’t sense anything was wrong, and… now he’s dead!”
“It is what it is. Did James ever mention that someone had threatened him at all?”
“No, not that I can think of. Was his death intentional?”
“Yes. I’m afraid that his body was found buried in the back garden of a newbuild home.”
“On the site where he was working?” she asked, looking confused.
“No. On a site in Canary Wharf.”
“I don’t understand. He worked at Canary Wharf before he told me he was going away. Is that where he was found?”
“No. It was on another development site. Run by Sutherland Homes.”
“I see… I think.”
“We’ve been informed by his mother that he worked for Tyler Homes. Was that correct?”
“Gosh, I think that was the name. What must you think of me? I know nothing really, because he’d only moved in a month before.”
“That’s fine. Please, don’t upset yourself about that. I hate to ask this, and I know you’re in a rush, but I really need to look at his things. Maybe we’ll find some kind of note, a possible threat. Something that could help with the investigation and bring the person who killed him to justice.”
She nodded slowly. “Of course. I’ll give my boss a ring. Hopefully, she’ll understand once I tell her what’s going on. I’m allowed to do that, aren’t I?”
“I wouldn’t necessarily go into detail. Perhaps tell her that James has died and we’re here to explain why and to interview you.”
Mandy walked across the room and picked up her small handbag from the floor. She withdrew her phone and slipped into the hallway to make the call.
“Do you seriously think we’re going to find anything amongst his things?” Katy whispered.
“It’s possible. It won’t hurt to take a look, will it?” Lorne stood up and paced the room until Mandy entered the room again. “Everything all right?”
“Yes. I guess she’s not such an ogre after all. She’s given me the rest of the day off.” Without warning, Mandy burst into tears. Her lashes were void of mascara within seconds, at least that’s how it looked by the amount cascading down her face.
Lorne placed an arm around her shoulder and eased her onto the sofa. “Can I get you a drink?”
“No. I’ll be fine in a moment. I’m sorry for breaking down. It’s all rather a shock. Maybe it’s the guilt kicking in. Damn, why didn’t I ring him? Stupid pride—that’s why! I hate all this dating lark. You have to be so careful these days. I’ve been very unlucky with the fellas I’ve chosen in the past, been accused of being a jealous bitch and swore that this time would be different. I really liked James, and I suppose I was that determined for our relationship to work that I went too much the other way, and now… look what’s happened. I can’t believe that I’ll never see him again.”
“It’s very sad. I’m sorry that you’re going through this. Would you mind if we started going through his stuff now?”
“No, of course not. I’ll show you where the bedroom is. All his things are still in the same place they were when he moved in. I feel guilty now for being annoyed about that. I’m such a tidy freak, and it’s hard when someone moves their belongings into your personal space and disrespects that.”
“I can imagine. Don’t worry, we’ll be sure not to add to the mess.”
Mandy showed them into the bedroom and pointed out a number of black bags sitting in the far corner of the room. “I haven’t had the time to sort out some space in my wardrobe or my drawers. I’m giving you such a bad impression. I’m not really a heartless bitch, just super busy at the salon. Sometimes I don’t get home until ten. By the time I’ve fixed myself something to eat, all I want to do is jump into bed… umm… to sleep, I mean.”
Lorne smiled. The shock was obviously having an effect on Mandy, who was talking quickly, as if she were worried she might run out of breath any time soon. “Do you want to leave us to it? We shouldn’t be too long.”
With her shoulders slumped, Mandy reluctantly left the room.
Half an hour later, with the search complete, Lorne sat back on her heels and heaved out a frustrated sigh. “Absolutely nothing.”
Katy shook her head. “I didn’t really expect there to be. It was worth a shot, though. What now?”
“We should head over to the site where he last worked, if we can find it. We haven’t visited Tyler Homes yet, and I don’t recall passing it on either of our trips over that way, do you?”
“Can’t say I remember the name. I’ll look it up on the net, see if I can find the postcode.”
“You do that while I make sure Mandy is all right before we set off. She might seem it on the outside, however, experience is urging me to be cautious.”
“I agree. I’ll have to go outside to pick up a good signal. I’ll leave you to it.” Katy left the flat.
Lorne entered the lounge to find Mandy sitting on the sofa, staring out the window. Lorne coughed slightly to gain the young woman’s attention. “Hi, Mandy, sorry to interrupt. Katy and I have been through all of James’s things, and nothing has jumped out at us. We’re going to visit the Tyler Homes site now, see if they know anything about this other job he was supposed to be going to. Thanks for all your help. Again, I’m sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you, Inspector. Will you ring me, let me know what you find out perhaps?”
“If we find anything significant, I’ll definitely do that. If you don’t hear from me, you’ll know it was a wasted trip.”
“Okay. Then what happens? With James’s body, I mean?”
“I doubt if you were registered as being his next of kin, but we’ll check Tyler’s records for that. My guess is his mother will be down as that. The pathologist will get in touch with her regarding the transfer of James’s body to a funeral home. Are you in contact with his mother?”
“I’ve never spoken to her. This is so damn awkward. What if she wants nothing to do with me, blames me in some way for her son’s death?”
“I’m sure her emotions will be very raw at present, but I’m also sure she won’t be callous in the way she treats you. I’ll ring her later and pass on your details. It’ll be up to her if she wants to get in touch. Personally, I think she’ll ring you as soon as her grief has subsided a little.”
“Thank you. Not sure what I’m going to do if she blanks me. What about all his possessions? Do I send them to her? God, this is such a mess. Sorry to drop it on your doorstep. You have enough to do as it is.”
“No problem. I’ll do what I can to help. I’ll raise your concerns with her when I ring. Take care of yourself. Try and get some rest and not beat yourself up too much.”
“I’ll try. It’s going to be hard, but I’ll try. Goodbye.”
When Lorne jumped in the car, Katy had already entered the coordinates into the satnav. “Was she all right?”
Lorne switched on the igniti
on and hooked her seatbelt into place. “She’s pretty cut up. I’m sure she’ll be fine in a few hours. It must be hard for her to comprehend the extent of what has happened. I can understand her guilt. I’d feel that way too if I were in her shoes. She gives you the impression of being a hard cow, but scratch beneath the surface, and she’s anything but. Right, let’s go see what his employers have to say.”
Chapter 12
The Tyler Homes development was much smaller than the other sites Lorne and Katy had visited in the past few weeks.
“Well, this is different,” Lorne said. “Half the number of homes being built here than the smallest site we’ve come across already. Let’s go see if the boss knows anything about the call.”
They left the car and walked to the farthest point on-site that was open to the general public. A man in his mid-thirties saw them and walked towards them. “Hello, there. I’m afraid you can’t come into this area without wearing the normal safety equipment.”
“That’s okay. We’re looking for the site manager. Is that you?” Lorne produced her warrant card to show the man.
“Police? Yes, I’m the manager. Adrian French. What can I do for you, ladies?”
“For a start, you can tell me how you got that black eye,” Lorne said, raising an inquisitive eyebrow.
“If it’s part of your enquiries, then I’ll be willing to share it with you.”
Lorne smiled. “It is.”
“You better come into my office in that case.”
They followed him a few feet to a portakabin that had several dents on one side. To Lorne’s expert eye, the damage appeared to be years old as there was evidence of rust, nothing too sinister as far as she could tell.
He brushed off a couple of plastic chairs and gestured for Lorne and Katy to sit down. “Can I ask why you’re here first?”
“You first. How did you get your black eye? Did it happen on-site?”
“No. I left work at the end of last week, on Friday night to be exact. I’d just locked up the gates for the weekend, turned round to find two masked men behind me.”
