Frozen Minds: A murder mystery set deep in Wales (DI Winter Meadows Book 2)

by Cheryl Rees-Price

  ‘They did appear more relaxed today and if Cillian was involved in any way Jane would have been first to point the finger. Let’s see what happens when she knows we have the book.’

  * * *

  The team gathered around Meadows’ desk. Blackwell stood flanked by Paskin and Valentine, all three eagerly reading the copy of Eddy’s book.

  Blackwell’s eyes skimmed across the pages. ‘Got the bastards,’ he said. ‘Did you believe Cillian and Leah’s story about the car?’ He looked over the top of the page at Meadows.

  ‘I’m not sure. Edris is trying to get hold of Gemma to see if she will corroborate Leah’s story.’

  ‘Let’s hit Jane and Miles with this.’ Blackwell waved the papers.

  ‘It’s getting late, maybe it’s best to let them stew in the cell overnight and talk to them in the morning.’

  ‘I’d rather do it now. They’ve already fucked up my weekend, if we interview them now and charge them we can all have a day off tomorrow.’

  ‘I think you’re being a bit optimistic,’ Meadows said. ‘Besides, I can’t see Jane’s solicitor being too happy about coming in this late.’

  ‘I’ll sort him out,’ Blackwell barked.

  Meadows looked at the rest of the team. They’d worked non-stop since Monday. They could all do with a day off. ‘OK let’s see what they have to say.’ He turned to his computer and updated the case notes. ‘You can go now if you want, Valentine,’ he called over the top of the computer.

  ‘I’ll stay a bit longer, see if Blackwell gets a confession and I get a Sunday morning lie-in,’ Valentine replied.

  The notes were typed up and Meadows was checking through the statements when Folland rang to say that Jane’s solicitor had arrived. Blackwell and Paskin were already interviewing Miles, who was still refusing legal counsel.

  ‘Right, let’s do this,’ Meadows called to Edris.

  Edris yawned loudly as they approached the interview room.

  ‘Just how I feel,’ Meadows said. He pushed open the door and took his seat behind the table.

  The solicitor made a show of looking at his watch, which Meadows ignored. He looked at Jane, whose confidence seemed to have bolted. Mascara was smudged beneath her eyes which were swollen from recent tears.

  ‘I’ll get straight to the point,’ Meadows said. ‘We now have a witness that places you in Bethesda at 10 p.m. last Monday evening.’

  ‘They’ve got it wrong.’ Jane’s voice was small.

  ‘It’s a reliable witness. Miles has been interviewed and made a statement that you asked him to set up Guardian Holdings and that you provided the capital. You’ve had plenty of time to think things over. As I said before, you’re looking at maybe four years for misappropriation of funds. It will be a lot more for murder, so I suggest you start telling us the truth.’

  Jane looked at her solicitor who leaned over and whispered in her ear. She nodded and turned her attention back to Meadows. ‘I didn’t kill Alan,’ she stated.

  ‘You were in Bethesda on Monday evening.’

  Jane nodded.

  ‘Is that a yes? For the record,’ Edris said.

  ‘Yes.’ Jane glared at Edris, then sighed. Her shoulders slumped. ‘It was Miles’ idea that we set up the company, he said he’d done that sort of thing before. I honestly didn’t see anything wrong in it. All that money sat in the accounts, it’s not like they need it and they don’t care about money, it means nothing to them.’

  ‘You were in a position of trust. The money is to make their lives easier. The families of the residents trusted you.’ Meadows made no effort to hide his disgust.

  ‘We only took a little to start with,’ Jane whined.

  ‘So that made it alright?’ Edris said.

  ‘We put it all back, we only kept the profits. It’s not like we stole from them. It was just an investment.’

  ‘From which the residents didn’t receive any benefit,’ Meadows said.

  Jane squirmed in her seat. ‘Miles said we needed to invest more, so I transferred a bit more, we made a profit again, I put the money back and no one noticed, so we just kept increasing the amount each time. Then Alan found out and he wanted a cut, we paid him a monthly sum but he kept wanting more. I told Miles I wanted out. I was worried we’d get found out. Miles agreed but wanted to have one more go, this time we transferred a hundred and fifty thousand. The profit would have seen us alright for a long time. We invested in high risk high yield bonds but the issuer defaulted and we lost the lot.’ Jane ran her hands through her hair and took a sip of water from the plastic cup on the table.

  ‘I didn’t know what to do, Alan still wanted his share of the money and the residents would need spending money for the holiday; it was only a matter of time before someone would notice. Miles said he would go up to London to see if he could get a loan from his parents. I went to the bank to see if I could increase the mortgage but I needed Huw’s signature. If we could’ve just got enough money together to try again, we would have made the money back.’ Jane’s voice cracked.

  ‘Go on.’ Meadows felt no sympathy for her.

  ‘Alan still wanted his money so I told him he had to wait for Miles to get back from London. I arranged to meet him in Bethesda car park. Miles thought we could persuade Alan to put up some money. I got to Bethesda at about ten, then Alan arrived and we waited for Miles. Alan went mad when Miles turned up without the money. He said he was going to grass us up. Miles said to go ahead as he was blackmailing us and was up to his neck in it. Things got out of hand then.’

  Jane rubbed her hands over her face before she continued.

  ‘There were a lot of accusations. Alan pushed Miles against the car. I thought Miles was going to hit Alan but he just laughed and said there wasn’t anything Alan could do about it, he got in the car and drove off. He left me there. Alan turned on me. I didn’t hang around. I got in the car, locked the doors and drove home. That was the last time I saw Alan until Leah found him in the freezer.’

  Meadows sighed. ‘You have continually lied, why should we believe you?’

  ‘I’m telling the truth.’

  ‘So how do you think Alan got into the freezer?’

  ‘Miles. He must have gone back. When Alan was found Miles told me I had to keep my mouth shut. I was frightened. I thought I would end up the same way.’ A tear trickled down her cheek.

  ‘I think when you were left alone with Alan you persuaded him to go into the house and have a drink. You drugged him and called for someone to help, or maybe you called Miles back.’

  ‘No, I drove home. I never went into the house.’

  Meadows leaned forward. ‘You knew Gemma and Leah would be asleep, you made sure of it.’

  ‘What? I don’t know what you are talking about.’ Jane’s face creased with confusion.

  ‘You had access to the drug cabinet, you know the different types of medication and the effects. What did you do, mix up the cocoa powder with the meds or dissolve it in the kettle?’

  Jane shook her head. ‘I really don’t know what you are talking about. Why would I put drugs in the kettle?’

  Meadows sat back and folded his arms across his chest.

  ‘Who else was with you that night?’

  ‘No one, just Miles, Alan and myself. Alan was alive when I left him. Why would I kill him?’

  ‘To keep him quiet about the money,’ Edris said.

  ‘It wouldn’t have mattered, he couldn’t have told anyone without getting himself in trouble, and besides we were going to get found out anyway. We had no way of getting that sort of money.’

  ‘You could’ve been buying yourself some time. Did you plan on running away?’ Meadows asked.

  ‘No, where would I go?’

  The solicitor made a show of looking at his watch again.

  ‘My client has explained why her car was at Bethesda House, so if there is nothing else I think we should call an end to the interview, given the late hour.’

  ‘I’ve told yo
u everything,’ Jane added.

  ‘I doubt that,’ Meadows said. ‘Perhaps you will have a clearer mind in the morning.’ He nodded to Edris who called an end to the interview.

  Jane was led back to the cell and Meadows and Edris returned to the office where the team were waiting.

  ‘So, did you get a confession?’ Paskin asked.

  ‘No, not to the murder. She admits to being involved in the misappropriation of the residents’ funds. She claims she met with Alan in the car park on Monday night, left him there alive and drove home. She did seem genuinely confused about the drugs. What about Miles?’

  ‘Same story,’ Blackwell said. ‘Well rehearsed.’

  ‘I don’t know,’ Meadows said. ‘Something isn’t right.’

  ‘So are you going to charge them with murder?’ Valentine asked.

  ‘I’ll sleep on it. Let’s call it a night, it’s been a long day.’ He looked around at the team. ‘No point in coming in tomorrow, you all deserve a break and those two aren’t going anywhere. Good job, thanks.’

  They all filtered out of the office leaving Meadows alone at his desk. He updated the notes on the computer before grabbing his jacket and heading out the door. A feeling of foreboding followed him.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Tara Lane sat at the bar of The Crown Inn gazing at her reflection in the mirror behind the rows of glasses. A melancholy cloud settled over her as she thought of all the times she had sat in bars and attracted male attention. She used her fingertips to push up the skin at the corner of her eyes. The effect was comical. It straightened the wrinkles but did nothing to the bags under her eyes or lines around her cracked lips.

  ‘You OK there, Tara?’ The barman drew her attention.

  ‘Yeah.’ She pushed the empty glass towards him. ‘Same again.’

  The barman frowned. ‘Are you sure? You don’t want to go falling on the way home.’ He chuckled.

  ‘I’m not pissed,’ Tara retorted.

  ‘OK, but this is your last one, I’m calling time in five.’

  ‘Better make it a double then.’

  The barman shook his head as he picked up the glass and turned to the optic.

  Tara returned her gaze to the mirror. She could see a group of young men playing pool behind her. She pulled her top down to reveal a little more cleavage as the barman placed the drink in front of her. She paid for the drink then turned on the stool, wobbled and cursed as the contents of the glass spilt over her hand.

  One of the men looked over and laughed. Tara licked the alcohol from her hand, running her tongue seductively along her finger.

  ‘I think you’re in there, Bryd.’ The young man was nudged playfully by his mate.

  ‘Ugh, fuck off! I wouldn’t touch that munter with your dick, let alone my own.’

  The words stung and Tara felt her cheeks burn. She knocked back her drink. An arm snaked around her waist and hot breath tickled her neck.

  ‘Hello, darling.’

  Tara turned her head and saw Joe grinning at her, a regular at the Crown. ‘Get off,’ she shouted out as she wriggled free.

  ‘Oh don’t be like that, I’ll buy you a drink.’ He stood next to her and leaned against the bar.

  Tara could see his stomach hanging over his jeans and wrinkled her nose. ‘And what do you want in return?’

  ‘Just a bit of company.’ Joe signalled the barman. ‘Another pint, and stick a double in for Tara.’

  ‘I think Tara’s had enough,’ the barman said.

  ‘Go on, I’ll walk her home, make sure she gets in safely.’

  ‘Like hell you will,’ Tara protested, ‘but I’ll have the drink.’

  ‘So, what do you think of this business at Bethesda?’ Joe took out his wallet and handed a note to the barman. ‘Bloody loonies, next thing they’ll be breaking into our houses, killing us in our beds.’

  ‘Shut up, you don’t know what you’re talking about!’ Tara said.

  ‘They shouldn’t be allowed in the community,’ the barman commented.

  ‘Yeah, there’s places for people like them, I’ve heard they aren’t even locked in, free to wander around,’ Joe said.

  Tara tried to block out the conversation but it was too late. Guilt gnawed at her stomach and she felt bile rise in her throat. She slid off the stool and landed unsteadily on her feet. She reached out her hands to steady herself on the bar, letting out a loud belch.

  ‘You alright there? Don’t go puking in here.’ The barman barely hid his disgust.

  ‘I need a piss,’ Tara said. She made her way to the bathroom, using the wall as a prop. She reached the bathroom in time to vomit in the sink. She stood clutching the side of the basin as she waited for the spasm in her stomach to subside. A few minutes passed before she was able to look up at her reflection in the mirror. Mascara had run down her face, washing away a track of foundation. She took a tissue from her bag and rubbed at her face but it only served to smear the dark marks. Fresh tears leaked from her eyes, she wiped them away and staggered out of the bathroom.

  Joe was still propping up the bar, talking to the barman. He turned and grinned when he noticed Tara. ‘There you are, we thought you’d fallen asleep.’ He walked towards her and grabbed her arm. ‘Come on I’ll take you home.’

  ‘Get off.’ Tara pulled her arm free. ‘I can walk myself home. I don’t want company.’

  ‘No need to be like that.’ Joe’s eyes narrowed. ‘Just looking out for you.’

  Tara ignored him and grabbed her coat. Her head was spinning and she suddenly felt tired. All she wanted to do was climb into bed and block out the world. It was freezing outside with frost already glistening on the windscreens of parked cars. Tara didn’t bother putting on her coat. She wanted to feel the cold bite at her skin and freeze out the guilt she felt.

  At her front door she rummaged in her bag looking for her keys. Her fingers were numb with cold and she dropped the key twice before managing to insert it into the lock. As she pushed the handle down, she felt a hand clamp over her mouth. The alcohol had dulled her thoughts and reactions. She felt no fear. She tried to talk but the leathered fingers pushed her lips against her teeth.

  She tried to claw at the hand that covered her mouth but her captor grabbed her by the wrist and twisted her hand behind her back. Pain shot through her arm, sharpening her senses. Joe. I’ll kill the fucker when we get inside, she thought as she was shoved through the doorway.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Meadows arrived at the station early on Monday, had a quick chat with Folland then grabbed a cup of tea before heading for his desk. He had spent all day Sunday going over the case notes and reading through the statements and had finally made his decision on charging Miles and Jane for murder. The team hadn’t arrived yet so he used the time to gather his thoughts and think of the best way to address them.

  He stood and walked over to the incident board.

  What are we missing?

  ‘Morning.’

  Meadows turned to see Edris plonk himself down at his desk.

  ‘Good day off?’ he asked.

  ‘Boring.’

  ‘So I take it you didn’t have company.’

  ‘I don’t have a black book full of girls to call up, despite what everyone thinks. It would be handy though!’

  Blackwell was next to saunter into the office. ‘So, are we closing the case?’ He leaned against the desk with his arms folded across his chest.

  ‘And good morning to you,’ Edris said.

  Blackwell shot him a dirty look then turned expectantly to Meadows.

  Meadows was about to speak when Paskin and Valentine walked in, chatting together as they removed their coats. He waited for them to settle then called the team to gather around the board.

  ‘I have been over the case notes and statements and I’ve also received a preliminary report from forensics on the car. As it stands, we don’t have enough evidence to charge Miles and Jane with murder.’

  There was a
general murmur of discontent.

  ‘The iron found in the car has been matched to the weapon that caused the injuries to the back of Alan’s head. Forensics have been unable to get any prints. Bloodstained clothing was found in the vehicle, the blood is a match to Alan’s. The items were badly burned, and they are still working on identifying them. The material appears to flannelette, common to pyjamas.’ Meadows paused and looked around the group.

  ‘The residents would have been wearing pyjamas,’ Edris said.

  ‘So, what, are you now saying that one of the residents killed Alan and the staff covered it up?’ Blackwell frowned.

  ‘Not necessarily, but one of them could have been present, witnessed the attack, which would have made things complicated,’ Meadows said.

  ‘Still puts Jane and Miles in the frame. They were there, had motive and opportunity. I think there’s enough circumstantial evidence to charge them,’ Blackwell said.

  ‘There are still some inconsistencies. We know that Miles was in London until Monday evening so he wouldn’t have had the opportunity to drug Leah and Gemma. Jane left the office at six and her husband said she had dinner with him that evening so she wouldn’t have had time to go back to Bethesda House. Although we know her husband is an unreliable witness, we still don’t have a sighting of her in Bethesda after six. It would be a big risk to drug the girls that early, there would be no one to settle the residents. The girls drank something between six and nine-thirty, so the drugs must have been added later than six.’

  ‘Maybe she drugged the lot of them,’ Valentine said. ‘Then she would be sure that no one was awake.’

  ‘There aren’t enough drugs unaccounted for to have drugged all the residents and staff. We know that Kevin, Liam and Eddy were awake. Jane appeared puzzled when I mentioned the drugs. I’m inclined to believe her.’

  ‘She’s lied all the way along,’ Blackwell huffed. ‘So she slipped back into the house before Alan arrived. What does it matter?’

  ‘We’re not going to get a conviction unless we have a stronger case. We still haven’t found Anna, the so-called relative that was asking questions.’