‘Where did you hear that?’
‘She just told the copper.’
‘Did she now, sneaky little bitch. Maybe she has other plans. She could try and take Alan’s place. Who are the police talking to now?’ Jane asked.
‘Harry and Eddy. I can’t see any worries there.’
Miles perched himself on the edge of the desk.
‘Except his bloody book. Fuck knows what he’s written in there.’ She clenched her fists and felt her nails dig into the palms of her hands.
‘Yeah well, it’s not like he is going to give it to them,’ Miles said as he picked up a pile of documents and started to flick through them.
‘No, it’s unlikely but if they suspect there is something in the book then they could demand to see it. Get a warrant or whatever they do.’
‘Will you listen to yourself?’ Miles slammed the documents down on the desk. ‘You’re starting to lose the plot. Why the hell would they think there was something of interest in the book?’
‘It doesn’t matter what they think. You’re going to have to get the book. Do it tonight when he’s sleeping.’
‘That bloody policeman is lurking around all night.’
‘You’re on night duty. You are supposed to go into the clients’ rooms to check on them.’
‘And I’ll be the first person they’ll blame.’
‘Just put the book in my desk drawer and I’ll get rid of it with the file.’
‘You’ve still got it!’ A vein pulsed in Miles’ forehead. He leaned forward until he was inches from Jane’s face. ‘You stupid cow.’
‘Don’t you dare speak to me like that!’ Jane hissed, pulling her shoulders back. ‘What do you expect me to do? Have a bonfire on the front lawn?’
‘I don’t care what you do, just get rid of it,’ Miles snarled as he stood up. ‘I told you before, I’m not going down because of your stupidity.’
He turned on his heels and left the office, slamming the door.
Chapter Fifteen
Meadows sat at the table in the sitting room, helping Kevin with his jigsaw while he waited for Gemma to return with Harry. He could see Edris fidgeting in a chair opposite. He placed a piece of the puzzle and Kevin clapped. From his position he could see into the kitchen. A man with cropped brown hair stood at the cooker; Meadows guessed this was Cillian. Besides him the younger female resident, Nicole, was stirring something in a saucepan.
Miles entered the sitting room, his eyes darting around. He saw Meadows, nodded and walked into the kitchen, where he picked up the kettle and carried it to the sink. Meadows noted that he didn’t acknowledge Cillian.
Gemma entered the room followed by another young woman. She had short red spiky hair and wore a lime jumper with a turtle printed on the front. They approached Meadows, both smiling.
‘This is Harry,’ Gemma said. ‘Harry, this is Detective Inspector Winter Meadows.’
Meadows stood and shook her hand.
‘I bet you were expecting a man.’ Harry smiled.
She had sparkling sapphire eyes and full lips.
‘Harry is short for Harriet,’ she explained.
‘I have a lot more problems with my name.’ Meadows smiled.
‘I can imagine.’
Meadows noticed that Edris had appeared at his side. ‘This is DC Tristan Edris.’
‘Nice to meet you.’ Edris held out his hand and a flirtatious smile played on his lips.
Well, that’s cheered him up. Meadows watched with amusement.
Harry turned her attention to Meadows. ‘I’ll take you to see Eddy. He’s in his room. I’m not sure how he will react to your visit. He can be very unsociable when he chooses.’
‘I understand, we’ve had the chance to read his file so are fully aware of his condition.’
They followed Harry up the stairs. Meadows noticed Edris’ eyes travel up her long slender legs and resisted the urge to nudge him. They arrived at Eddy’s room and Harry knocked the door before they entered.
Eddy stood gazing out of the window. He wore a purple shirt tucked into black trousers which were belted high on the waist. He kept his back turned to the visitors.
‘Take a seat,’ Harry said.
Meadows glanced around the room. Its design was similar to Kevin’s room, but the furnishing was sparse. There were no pictures on the walls. A shelf held neatly stacked books ordered by the colour of their spines. He took a seat on the sofa and Edris sat down heavily next to him.
Harry walked over to the window. ‘Eddy, you have visitors, remember we talked about it yesterday. I did tell you they were coming.’
Eddy turned around to face Meadows and Edris, his face expressionless. The first thing Meadows noticed was Eddy’s lack of hair. His head had recently been shaved, leaving a shining pate; his face was clean of stubble and his eyebrows had been removed.
‘Hello, Eddy, I’m DI Winter Meadows and this is DC Tristan Edris,’ Meadows said.
Eddy walked towards the sofa his book clutched to his chest.
‘Not a scheduled visit, infiltrators, cretins.’ He opened his book and started scribbling notes.
‘They are the police,’ Harry explained. ‘They just want to have a chat with you.’
Eddy swivelled his head towards Harry then back again to Meadows. His sharp eyes roamed the inspector’s face, making Meadows feel a little uncomfortable.
‘Black wavy hair,’ Eddy said and wrote in his book before returning his gaze to Meadows. ‘Green eyes’ – he took a step closer – ‘yes, definitely green eyes, six foot.’
‘Six one,’ Meadows said.
‘Late thirties.’ Eddy scrutinized Meadows’ boots, then turned his attention to his jumper. ‘Gipsy,’ he announced.
‘Close,’ Meadows said.
Edris giggled. ‘That’s very clever.’
Eddy snapped his eyes towards Edris. ‘Dark blond hair, too long. Too long for a man. Five foot nine.’ He scribbled again in the book.
‘Five ten,’ Edris corrected.
‘Blue eyes,’ Eddy continued. He stepped closer, inspected Edris’ shoes and clothes. ‘Pretty boy, homosexual.’
‘No, I’m straight,’ Edris protested.
Eddy ignored him and wrote the details in the book. Meadows couldn’t help the smile that came to his lips.
‘He’s very accurate with his assessments,’ Harry said with a grin.
‘Well, not this time,’ Edris bristled.
‘Do you write down all visitors in your book, Eddy?’ Meadows asked.
‘Unscheduled visitors.’ Eddy started to pace the room.
Meadows sat back in his chair hoping that it would make Eddy feel more at ease. ‘Eddy, do you know what happened to Alan?’
‘Unscheduled termination.’
‘Am I supposed to write that down?’ Edris grinned.
Meadows nodded. ‘Do you know who, um, terminated Alan?’
‘Classified information.’ Eddy clutched the book to his chest.
‘Does that mean he knows something about what happened to Alan?’ Meadows turned to Harry.
‘Not necessarily. He could mean he doesn’t have that information or it could mean he doesn’t want to share that information with you.’
‘May I see your book?’ Meadows held out his hand and gave an encouraging smile.
Eddy recoiled, clutching the book tighter as he rocked back and forth.
‘It’s OK, you don’t have to show me. Can you tell me what you’ve written in the book?’
Eddy continued to rock back and forth. Meadows fought back his frustration.
The whole case could be solved by what is in that book, or maybe there’s nothing to be seen.
He stood, walked to the window and peered outside. Behind him Eddy let out a low guttural noise. Meadows turned to see him rocking harder as the noise grew louder and into a repetitive pattern.
‘You’re standing in his place,’ Harry explained.
‘I’m sorry, Eddy.’ Meadows moved away.<
br />
Eddy took up his position by the window, after a few moments he ceased making a noise but continued to sway.
Meadows moved a little closer. ‘What do you see when you look out of the window, Eddy?’
‘Silver car, red car, black car, too many cars. Not in time slot.’ Eddy kept his gaze fixed on Meadows’ car. ‘Unscheduled visitor, and unscheduled car.’
Meadows turned back to Harry. ‘Does Eddy watch the staff arrive and leave every day?
‘Yes, it’s part of his routine.’
‘So if there was a car parked outside that isn’t usually parked there at that time it would upset his routine?’
‘Yes, he knows all of the staff members’ cars. So if someone changes vehicles it causes him anxiety.’
‘And he would write it in his book?’
‘Yes.’
‘Have you ever read through the book?’
‘No, and I’m Eddy’s support worker, I’m with him most days.’
‘Was Eddy unsettled on Monday?’ Meadows asked.
‘Not that I recall.’
‘And what time did you leave work that day?’
‘Eight in the evening, Eddy was in his room. He wouldn’t usually leave his room after that. He reads or watches the television depending on the day. Night shift come in at around ten to tell him it’s time to sleep. Although he can be quite restless so will pace his room, sometimes until the early hours of the morning.’
‘So how was he Tuesday morning?’
Harry thought for a few moments.
‘He was very elevated on Tuesday morning, ranting about cars. Then again, yesterday morning he was very unsettled with all the comings and goings.’
Meadows looked at Eddy, who was still gazing out of the window.
‘I don’t think we should distress him any further but it is important that we see his book,’ Meadows said, keeping his voice low.
‘I’m not sure that will be possible. I’ll work with him over the next few days, see if I can persuade him to let me see it. I can’t promise you.’
‘If you can try, that would be great,’ Edris added.
Meadows noticed the twinkle in the young man’s eyes.
He just can’t help himself.
‘How did you get on with Alan?’
‘OK, I guess. He liked things done his way. Liked to be in control.’
‘In what way?’
Harry fidgeted in her seat. ‘Sometimes he would change the residents’ routine, said it was for their own benefit. He always had some justification, saying it was for their own good.’
‘And you didn’t agree with his ways?’
‘Not always but it was difficult to argue against him. He was responsible for staff appraisals and could make things difficult if he wanted.’
‘Was there tension between Alan and any of the other staff? Like Jane?’
‘He spent a lot of time in Jane’s office but I can’t imagine he would’ve had any influence over her. As for the rest of the staff I didn’t witness any tension apart from Gemma. I got the sense he didn’t like Gemma. He always seemed to be picking on her for some reason or another. There were no major arguments so please don’t read too much into it. I’ve probably said too much.’
Meadows smiled. ‘I appreciate your honesty.’ He stood and Edris put away his notebook.
‘Thank you for talking to us, Eddy.’
Eddy kept his back turned and showed no sign that he had heard.
‘We’ll need to speak with Liam, I understand that Leah isn’t in today.’
‘I’ll get Cillian for you. He also works with Liam. See you later, Eddy,’ Harry called as they left the room.
They followed Harry downstairs and into the hallway where they waited while she went into the sitting room to find Cillian.
‘I don’t think we are any the wiser,’ Edris said. ‘I don’t think we can learn anything here.’
‘Oh, I don’t know. You’d be surprised by what we have learned. You have to read between the lines. Think about it. Eddy talked about cars. He didn’t mention unscheduled visitors. Whoever he saw Monday night was known to him.’
‘Yeah like that narrows it down.’ Edris shook his head.
‘We really need to get hold of his book.’
Cillian appeared in the doorway.
‘Hi, I’m Cillian, I understand you want to have a chat with Liam.’
Meadows shook his hand and looked into his pale blue eyes, and noted the younger man didn’t hold eye contact for long. ‘Yes, it shouldn’t take long.’
Cillian was short, at a guess no more than five foot seven but muscular arms showed beneath his long-sleeved T-shirt. His brown hair was cropped short and one ear was pierced.
‘Right I’ll take you to see Liam. I’m afraid he isn’t having a very good day. He’s refusing to come out of his room,’ Cillian informed them as they walked down the corridor.
‘That’s understandable, it must have been a shock for him finding Alan’s body – and for Leah too,’ Meadows said.
‘Yes it was.’ Cillian stopped outside the room and knocked the door before opening it. ‘Hi, buddy, there are two gentlemen who want to have a chat with you.’
‘No! I don’t want to,’ Liam shouted, his face screwed up in rage.
Meadows stepped into the room. ‘It’s OK.’ He held up his hands. ‘There’s nothing to worry about, we just want to have a little chat with you.’
‘Fuck off.’
‘Now, Liam, that’s enough.’ Cillian’s voice was stern. ‘Calm down.’
Meadows glanced around the room hoping to find something of interest that he could use to distract Liam. His eyes fell on a blue-painted wooden hutch. Above the round entrance were the words Hard Hat.
‘Is that a rabbit you have there?’ Meadows approached the hutch.
‘No,’ Liam screeched. ‘Leave him alone, he’s sleeping.’
‘He just wants to meet him,’ Cillian coaxed. ‘Why don’t you show the visitors your tortoise?’
‘Hard Hat’s sleeping, he doesn’t want to wake up,’ Liam scowled.
‘That’s a great name for a tortoise.’ Meadows smiled. ‘I wish I could sleep through the winter.’
Liam eyed him warily.
‘Does he go out into the garden in the summer?’
‘Yes, when it doesn’t rain.’
‘Does he hide from you when he’s out in the garden?’
‘Yes, he’s good at hide and seek.’ Liam gave a small smile.
‘Do you like to play games?’
‘Not good at games.’ Liam frowned.
‘I bet you’re good at hide and seek.’
Liam nodded. ‘But not as good as Hard Hat.’
‘Tortoises are very clever. Does Alan play hide and seek? Did you see him hiding in the house at night-time?’
‘Mustn’t talk about Alan.’ Liam backed away from Meadows.
‘Who says you mustn’t talk about Alan?’
‘Not telling, mustn’t say.’ Liam shook his head violently and drove his fist into his forehead.
‘I think that’s enough questions’ – Cillian stepped forward – ‘he’s getting distressed.’
‘It’s OK, Liam, you don’t have to get upset. You’re not going to get into trouble,’ Meadows continued.
‘Get out! Get out!’ Liam picked up a chair and hurled it towards Edris, who sidestepped it. It crashed into the wall. Cillian quickly ushered them out of the room and closed the door.
‘It’s best to leave him alone when he’s like this. He’ll calm down soon enough.’
‘Do you think he might have seen something Monday night and that’s why he is so upset by the mention of Alan’s name?’
‘I doubt it,’ Cillian said. ‘Liam can be unpredictable at times and like you said earlier, finding Alan’s body has been an upsetting experience for him.’
‘He seemed calm enough when we saw him yesterday,’ Edris commented.
‘Leah has a very calming effect on hi
m. Perhaps it would be better to talk to Liam when she returns to work.’
‘I understand that you and Leah are a couple,’ Meadows said.
‘Yes. There is no law to say that a couple can’t work in the same place.’ Cillian clenched his jaw.
A little defensive.
‘We’ll need to speak with her.’
‘She isn’t well at the moment.’
‘I appreciate that, but it’s important that we speak with her today.’
‘Why?’
‘We are interviewing all the staff and Leah was on duty Monday evening. She may have seen or heard something.’
‘She didn’t, she would’ve told me.’
Meadows could feel his patience slipping. ‘That may be the case, but we still need to speak to her.’
‘In that case I would prefer that you waited until I finished my shift. I would rather she wasn’t alone when questioned. As I said, she isn’t very well and had a terrible shock yesterday.’
‘What time does your shift finish?’
‘Six.’
‘OK, it can wait until then. Can you tell me where you were Monday evening and the early hours of Tuesday morning?’
‘At home, why?’
‘We have to ask all the members of staff, it’s routine at this stage. Were you alone?’
‘Yes.’
‘Did you leave the house at any time during the night?’
They had reached the entrance hall and Meadows stopped and faced Cillian.
‘No, I finished my shift at eight, got home, made some beans on toast then watched a movie before bed.’
Meadows noticed Cillian stood still while he spoke. His hands were clenched by his side. He let the silence stretch until Cillian broke eye contact and looked towards the sitting room.
‘Well, if there’s nothing else I’d better get back to work.’
‘OK, we’ll see you later.’
Edris gave a heavy sigh as they left the building.
‘Glad to be out?’ Meadows asked.
‘It wasn’t too bad, apart from getting a chair chucked at me.’
As they approached the car park Paskin and Valentine pulled up. Edris’ face lit up as Valentine exited the car.
‘The residents are about to eat,’ Meadows said. ‘Perhaps it’s best you wait in the office with Jane Pritchard. You can tell me what you make of her. I’m sure you can think of some leading questions.’
Frozen Minds: A murder mystery set deep in Wales (DI Winter Meadows Book 2) Page 8
