Storm Force: A chilling Norfolk Broads crime thriller (British Detective Tanner Murder Mystery Series Book 7)

by David Blake

‘Did she actually see her being killed?’

  ‘Not that she said.’

  ‘What did she say, exactly?’

  ‘That she saw her lying on the table, in the cockpit at the back, and that she wasn’t wearing any clothes. Neither were the men standing around her. Then they tied something around her ankles, threw her body over the side, and motored away.’

  ‘Did she see their faces?’

  Chapman shook his head.

  ‘And the boat’s name?’ Tanner demanded, poised with a pen.

  ‘She said it was too far away.’

  ‘Did she at least see what type it was?’

  ‘All she said was that it was white and had a flybridge.’

  ‘She doesn’t know the make?’

  ‘I can ask her; if you like?’

  Tanner thought for a moment before tucking his notebook away. ‘I think it’s probably best if we talk to her directly. Would you be able to bring her into the station?’

  Chapman hesitated.

  ‘If it’s easier, we can come to you?’

  ‘To be honest, I was hoping if it would be possible to keep her out of this. She’s still just a child, and she doesn’t know any more than I’ve already told you.’

  ‘I’m sorry, Mr Chapman, but I’m afraid that won’t be possible. With a matter as important as this, we have no choice but to speak to her directly. But as I said, we’d be happy to do so in your own home, and we’d make sure to bring someone from child services with us, to make sure she’s as comfortable as possible.’

  ‘Would I be able to sit in?’

  ‘Of course.’

  Chapman thought for a moment before eventually capitulating. ‘Well, I suppose it will be OK, but I’m not sure when, though. She’s at school now.’

  ‘Which school is that?’

  ‘St Martins in Stalham. Then she’s got rehearsals for their end of term play, and she’ll still have homework to do when she gets back. Can’t it wait till the weekend?’

  ‘I’m afraid we’ll need to see her as soon as possible, preferably today.’

  ‘Then I’ll have to have a think. Would it be alright if I called you a little later to arrange something suitable?’

  Tanner rose to his feet, levering out one of his last remaining business cards from his wallet to give to the man. ‘OK, but please don’t leave it too long.’

  ‘I won’t,’ Chapman replied, pushing away his chair.

  ‘Then I look forward to hearing back from you soon.’

  CHAPTER FORTY SIX

  LEADING CHAPMAN BACK into the reception area, Tanner thanked him for making the effort to come in before watching him head back out into the storm. With the door swinging closed, he turned to stare about with hesitant indecision. The view of McMillan’s so-called security guards crowding around the coffee machine reminded him that their boss was still waiting for him to re-start the interview, but until he had some actual evidence to challenge him with, he couldn’t see the point. Then there was what Chapman had just told him. He had to let Forrester know. If he didn’t, there was little doubt that he’d be accused of failing to update him once again.

  With the plan to get that out of the way first, he made his way back into the main office to head straight for his door.

  ‘Sorry to bother you,’ he said, knocking to poke his head inside. ‘I just thought I’d better let you know what George Chapman had to say for himself.’

  ‘OK, hold on,’ Forrester began, peeling his eyes from off his monitor to make a point of glancing down at his watch, ‘but be quick. I’ve got a conference call coming up.’

  ‘It was about Miss Taylor.’

  Forrester sent him an uncertain frown. ‘Sorry, who?’

  ‘The girl reported missing last Saturday.’

  ‘Christ, I’d almost forgotten about her.’

  ‘On the night in question, his daughter thought she saw the body of a woman being thrown over the side of a boat from her bedroom window, about half a mile off the coast.’

  ‘But – that was over a week ago!’

  ‘That’s exactly what I said. According to her father, she found the whole experience rather traumatic, which is why she waited so long before telling anyone.’

  ‘Even her father?’

  Tanner shrugged. ‘I admit, it does sound a little odd, but if what she’s saying is true, I can understand why she’d be too scared to speak up.’

  ‘And what was that?’

  ‘That she saw the girl lying naked on a table in the boat’s cockpit, surrounded by a group of men, also without clothes. Her father didn’t mention it, but I think it’s likely she saw them having sex with her, possibly murdering her as well. If that was the case, then I can see why a witness could end up being traumatised, especially when you take into account her age, and the fact that she’s still at school.’

  ‘Yes, well, I suppose. You said this took place at sea?’

  Tanner knew what he was about to ask. ‘The father said she has a telescope in her bedroom, and that watching all the boats going past is a hobby of hers.’

  ‘Strange sort of hobby for a teenage girl to have, don’t you think? Sounds more like something the father would be interested in.’

  It hadn’t occurred to Tanner, but Forrester was right. Staring at boats through a telescope did sound far more like what a middle aged man would do rather than a teenage schoolgirl. ‘I’ll make a note to ask them about that. First we need to speak to the girl, and to be honest, the father doesn’t seem keen for us to do so.’

  ‘I take it she didn’t come in with him?’

  Tanner shook his head. ‘She’s at school.’

  ‘So, what have you arranged?’

  ‘For him to call me with a convenient time, preferably this evening.’

  ‘OK, keep me posted. How about McMillan? Any news?’

  ‘Sorry, but I’ve still not had a chance to sit down with him.’

  ‘What about the blood found on the hacksaw?’

  ‘Vicky’s supposed to be chasing it up,’ Tanner replied, just as her head popped around the door. ‘Speak of the devil.’

  ‘Sorry to butt in,’ she began, glancing around at the two men, ‘but I thought you’d better know that another body’s been found.’

  ‘You must be joking!’ Forrester stated, his voice strained with incredulity.

  ‘Unfortunately not, although it does sound more likely to be an accident than anything else. The person who found it said they saw the victim trip over a mooring line and fall into the river, over at Ludham.’

  A look of relief brightened Forrester’s face. ‘Thank God for that!’

  Vicky gave him a reproachful scowl.

  ‘You know what I mean.’

  ‘Anyway, I was just wondering if you wanted me to pop down and take a look?’

  Forrester hesitated. ‘Tanner says you’ve been chasing forensics about that hacksaw.’

  ‘They said they should be able to get back to us by two o’clock - for the hammer as well.’

  ‘Do we have any other leads we need to be chasing?’

  Vicky deflected the question over to Tanner.

  ‘All we’re waiting on are the tools found in the stationery cupboard.’

  ‘OK, then you may as well both head down to take a quick look, but make sure you’re back here by two. Understood?’

  ‘Two o’clock,’ Tanner repeated, nodding at Vicky for her to lead the way out.

  CHAPTER FORTY SEVEN

  HALF AN HOUR later, Tanner was driving Vicky cautiously through the village of Ludham, its high street devoid of people as sheets of rain swept over shimmering cars and glistening pitch black tarmac. Turning right onto Horsefen Road they continued along, both peering out through the windscreen as a flurry of leaves flickered down through the rain like falling snow, the branches above being twisted and bent by what appeared to be a still-building breeze.

  Avoiding a large broken branch at the side of the road, they emerged out from underneath the canopy
of trees to turn right again, into a carpark overlooked by a small red bricked gift shop nestled neatly behind an eclectic mix of tenders and dinghies, all jostling for position along a short narrow dyke.

  With Tanner’s Jag left parked beside an ambulance they stepped out to follow the directions given by a police constable towards a row of hire boats, each lashed to a purpose built hardstanding marking the edge of the river beyond. As the boats tugged restlessly against their mooring lines, as if fighting to be set free, they hurried over to where they could see Dr Johnston, his shoulders hunched over as he stared down the line of boats.

  ‘We really must stop meeting like this,’ Tanner called out, lifting his voice above the noise of the howling wind as they came to a gradual halt behind him.

  ‘I’m not sure what other circumstances we could meet,’ Johnstone commented, glancing around to take in both DIs through rain splattered glasses, ‘unless, of course, it was your body we’d found floating upside down in the river.’

  A series of raised voices near the water’s edge had them all peering over to see a half-submerged frogman hauling the body of what appeared to be yet another young woman up into the awaiting hands of two police forensics officers.

  With her body laid out on the grass, the three of them shuffled forward to find themselves staring down into the open blue eyes of yet another beautiful young woman, her sun-bronzed skin the colour of freshly moulded clay.

  Watching Johnstone crouch down to begin his preliminary examination, Tanner stood by with impatient expectation. ‘Did she drown?’ he eventually asked, unable to wait any longer.

  ‘From what I can see, I’d say that was the most likely cause. The colouring of her lips together with the skin around her mouth is certainly consistent with someone who had. However, as always, I’ll have a more accurate idea when I get her back to the lab.’

  With a relieved nod, Tanner glanced first at Vicky, then behind them at the seemingly deserted shop they’d passed on the way in. ‘Does anyone know where the person is who called it in?’

  ‘I think it was the lady who owns the shop,’ commented one of the forensic officers. ‘But the body itself was found by a Broads Ranger. That’s her patrol boat, moored up in the dyke.’

  Staring through the rain to see none other than Christine’s boat, Tanner kicked himself. With so much going on, he’d completely forgotten about her call. He hadn’t even had a chance to listen to her message, let alone have the decency to call her back.

  ‘I don’t suppose you know where the Broads Ranger is?’ he asked, staring about.

  ‘No idea. If she had any sense, she’d be inside the shop.’

  ‘OK, thanks,’ Tanner replied, wondering if he should make the effort to listen to her voicemail before heading over to find her. At least that way he’d know what she’d said. Deciding that it was probably better if he didn’t know, he glanced back over at Vicky. ‘Shall we wander over to see if we can find them?’

  ‘After you,’ she replied, gesturing for him to lead the way.

  CHAPTER FORTY EIGHT

  HEAVING THE SHOP’S door open against the savagely gusting wind, Tanner ushered Vicky in for them to be met by an eerie silence, the only sound being the rain rattling against the outside of its pretty white-framed windows. The shop itself appeared to be deserted.

  ‘Hello!’ he called. ‘Is anyone here?’

  The muffled clatter of cutlery echoing out from somewhere towards the back was soon followed by the cheerful sound of a woman’s voice. ‘Sorry about that,’ they heard her say, the voice soon followed by the pleasant face of an elderly woman emerging out from one of the aisles. ‘I wasn’t expecting any customers. Not in this dreadful weather.’

  ‘I’m afraid we’re not either,’ Tanner responded, taking an apologetic tone. ‘Detective Inspectors Tanner and Gilbert, Norfolk Police.’

  Digging out his ID, he held it up for the shopkeeper to see, just as another far more familiar face appeared out from the same aisle, one hand wrapped around a steaming mug, the other hooked through the arm of a faded red lifejacket.

  ‘Oh, hi Christine!’ Tanner exclaimed, in a surprised but friendly tone. ‘Someone said you might be here.’

  ‘Small world,’ came her somewhat curt response, the smile that followed perhaps a little forced.

  ‘I’m sorry for not having returned your call,’ he continued, now realising it had been a mistake not to have listened to her message, ‘it’s just been one of those mornings.’

  ‘Don’t worry,’ she replied. ‘I haven’t exactly been waiting by the phone.’

  ‘No, of course,’ Tanner replied, wondering if he should ask her what she’d said, or move the subject along to make a mental note that he had to listen to it later. Deciding on the latter, he cleared his throat. ‘I – er – heard you found the body?’

  ‘Only because Mrs Chapwick here called to tell us that she’d seen someone fall into the river.’

  Tanner’s attention turned to the shopkeeper. ‘You actually saw her go in?’

  ‘Well, yes and no.’

  ‘Doesn’t it have to be one or the other?’

  ‘Sorry, that probably wasn’t very helpful. I was behind the counter, staring out at the weather, when I saw her running through the rain. I remember shaking my head thinking that she could easily trip over one of the mooring lines and fall in. The next thing I knew, she’d done exactly that.’

  ‘So, you did see her go in?’

  ‘Well, as I said, not exactly. Perhaps unsurprisingly, we haven’t been particularly busy this morning, so I was making the most of my time by catching up with the accounts. I must have glanced down at the books for a moment; the next thing I knew, she’d fallen in. But I didn’t see her trip, or anything. One minute she was there, the next minute she wasn’t.’ The shopkeeper took a quiet moment to gaze wistfully out of the window. ‘Poor girl. I simply can’t imagine what she was doing out in such horrific weather.’

  ‘But you must have seen something to have known she’d fallen in. Otherwise, wouldn’t you have assumed that she’d have simply hopped onboard one of the boats?’

  The shopkeeper’s eyes glazed over in thought. ‘I – I think something must have caught my eye,’ she eventually replied, ‘like a branch falling, close to where I’d seen her. I’m not sure. To be honest, I couldn’t see much of anything, not with all the rain.’

  ‘But you saw enough to know that it was a girl?’

  ‘Well, yes. She had a skirt on that was far too short and was only wearing a flimsy-looking raincoat. I think she was wearing high heels as well. Either way, she should never have been running like that, not in the storm, and certainly not so close to all the boats.’

  Tanner’s mind harked back to one of her earlier comments. ‘Do you think it was possible she was hit by a falling branch?’

  ‘Well, as I said, I think I may have seen something.’

  ‘Could it have been someone else – a man, perhaps?’

  The woman hesitated, her grey sunken cheeks flickering with colour. ‘I’m – I’m not sure,’ she began, her thin lips tightening with anxious uncertainty. ‘As I said, it was difficult to see much of anything.’