‘We’re particularly interested in Tara’s pregnancies,’ Meadows said. ‘We believe she had a child in 1988 or 1989 and another sometime later.’
Dr Reynolds swivelled the computer screen and scrolled through the information. ‘Yes, November 10th 1988. Tara gave birth to a boy in Cardiff University Hospital.’
‘By caesarean section?’
‘No, normal delivery.’
‘Tara has a scar from a caesarean, so she must have had a child at a later date,’ Meadows said.
The doctor continued to scrutinise the notes, his face creased in concentration.
‘There doesn’t appear to be any mention of a second birth.’ He checked back through the notes. ‘Ah, there is a note of an initial consultation following a positive pregnancy test. No notes of a follow-up appointment.’ The doctor turned away from the screen.
‘Is it possible that she had the baby with no record?’ Edris asked.
‘It’s possible. Tara moved around using several practices before she settled here about ten years ago. All the medical records were transferred to computer and it has been known for some information to go missing. I’m not saying that is the case here.’
‘What about if she didn’t receive any medical attention?’ Meadows said. ‘Would someone have followed it up?’
‘No, one would expect the mother to keep up regular checks. It’s a risk to both mother and child not to monitor the pregnancy but given Tara’s past history with alcohol it’s conceivable that she waited until the birth to seek medical attention.’
‘Perhaps she was afraid social services would intervene,’ Meadows said.
‘I guess that may be the case; as it is I can’t help you, so if there is nothing else.’ Dr Reynolds stood, indicating that the meeting was over.
‘Yes, thank you for your time.’
* * *
‘Well at least you got a date of birth,’ Edris commented as they left building.
‘We’ll check it against the residents’ files as soon as we get back. We should be able to narrow it down now.’
‘Yeah, I guess, but there’s no evidence that there is a second child other than the caesarean scar, and if she didn’t get any medical attention it may have been too late and the child could have died,’ Edris said. ‘Then we’re back to Blackwell’s theory that it’s all about money and that Jane and Miles have an accomplice who killed Tara.’
Meadows shook his head as he pulled out onto the main road.
‘No, I don’t think so. We keep looking and with a bit of luck Martin Hughes will come up with some information.’
As they walked across the police station car park Meadows heard someone shout his name. He turned and saw Martin hurrying towards them with a file clutched in his hand.
‘I was hoping to catch you, I have some information that may help you,’ he said.
‘Great! So far we haven’t had much luck,’ Edris replied.
Meadows led the way into an interview room and dragged three chairs around the table.
‘Sorry it’s taken me so long to get back to you. Some of the information was difficult to get hold of, particularly with regards to Liam, his case was initially dealt with in another county.’ He opened the file. ‘I looked into Kevin’s background. His mother, Janet Ellis, left the family when he was seven years old. She divorced her husband shortly after and moved to Devon. She remarried and had a further two children. I spoke with her this morning, so I think you can rule her out.’
‘So that leaves Liam.’ Meadows battled with his patience, he wanted to take hold of the file and devour the information.
‘Yes, Liam is the son of Tara Lane.’
‘You were right,’ Edris said. ‘Tara does have a son in Bethesda. When was Liam born?’
Martin consulted the notes. ‘February 3rd 1992.’
‘Then we are looking for his brother,’ Meadows said.
‘Brother?’ Martin looked confused. ‘No, Liam has a sister. I had the files sent over. Tara gave birth to twins, a boy and a girl. Delivered two months early.’
‘By caesarean section?’ Meadows asked.
‘Yes. As you already know, Tara was a heavy drinker and the twins were born with foetal alcohol syndrome. They spent the first few months of their lives in hospital. Liam had complex medical needs, impaired immune system, epilepsy and an atrial septal defect.’
‘A what?’ Edris asked.
‘A hole in the heart,’ Martin explained. ‘As you know, he later developed learning difficulties.’
‘And the girl?’ Meadows asked.
‘Much the same. Complex medical needs. She was born with only one functioning kidney.’
‘So are you saying the girl is also in care?’
‘No. Social services filed a court order to have the twins removed from their mother’s care. The girl was adopted by a Mr and Mrs Johnson, they called her Annabel.’
‘Anna.’ Meadows looked at Edris.
‘So she does exist.’ Edris leaned over to take a closer look at the file.
‘What about the older brother, was he taken into care?’
‘There is no mention of an older brother in any of the files. From what I have read Tara didn’t have any other children.’
‘Maybe he died,’ Edris said.
‘I’ll look into it,’ Martin offered.
‘Do you have a name for the twins’ father?’
‘Yes, Dean Casey. He had no involvement with the twins, he would’ve been informed of the care order and the adoption if they had been able to track him down.’
‘Do you have an address for the Johnsons?’
‘Yes.’ Martin moved the file in front of Meadows.
Meadows scanned the contents of the file before copying down the address. ‘Thank you. You’ve been a great help.’ He shook Martin’s hand before leaving the interview room and hurrying up to the office.
‘There is an Anna,’ Meadows announced. ‘She is Liam’s twin sister.’
‘So she does exist.’ Paskin looked at Blackwell.
‘Where is she?’ Blackwell grunted.
‘That’s what we have to find out, I’m heading off to Newport with Edris to see Anna’s adoptive parents. Hopefully they will tell us where we can find her.’
‘So you think that she’s the one responsible for the murders?’ Valentine asked.
‘I think she has something to do with it.’
‘But who’s helping her?’ Paskin asked. ‘You said there was more than one person involved in Alan’s murder.’
‘I would guess her older brother.’
‘There’s another one?’ Blackwell looked up from his desk.
‘Yes, but social services have no record of an older child. We need to track down the father, Dean Casey, and find Tara’s children before someone else dies.’
‘You think they have another victim lined up?’ Blackwell asked.
‘I think this is far from over,’ Meadows said before leaving the office.
Chapter Thirty-one
‘I feel like I’ve been on that motorway all day,’ Edris said as he climbed out of the car and stretched.
‘Well, let’s hope they don’t find Dean Casey in London.’ Meadows grinned as he zipped up his coat. He could feel the evening chill penetrating his clothes and biting at his skin. ‘Looks like the Johnsons are in.’
He looked towards the house which was set back off the road. Light leaked through the blinds casting a soft glow in the darkness.
‘Nice place,’ Edris commented. ‘Two new cars, nice neighbourhood, bit of a contrast to Tara’s place.’
‘Yes, I guess, but what about the people inside the house?’ Meadows looked at the neat flowerbeds and kidney-shaped lawn and imagined a mature garden to the rear, with decking and a swinging seat where the Johnsons sipped wine on a summer evening. ‘Daniel Johnson is a bank manager and his wife Cordelia a school secretary. Annabel is their only child. We can’t assume she had a happy childhood.’
‘I doub
t she wanted for anything. The alternative would have been an alcoholic mother.’
‘But was she loved? If Tara had kept her children would she have cleaned up her act? Is Annabel angry enough to be involved in the murder of her mother? If so, why? Because Tara left her son in care to become a victim of abuse or is it more than that?’
‘That’s a lot of questions.’ Edris laughed.
‘Come on, let’s see if the Johnsons have some of the answers.’
The front door was answered by a slender man dressed in a charcoal suit, crisp white shirt and paisley tie.
‘Daniel Johnson?’ Meadows asked.
‘Yes?’ He looked suspiciously at the visitors.
Meadows quickly introduced himself and Edris as he showed his identification. ‘There’s nothing to worry about,’ he added, noting the concern that flited across Daniel’s face.
‘Who is it?’ A woman appeared next to Daniel, chestnut hair cut into a sleek bob, her face carefully made up. She wore a pale pink jumper and black skirt.
‘It’s the police. Nothing to concern yourself about.’ He shooed her off and turned back to Meadows, his expression stern. ‘I’m afraid it’s an inconvenient time for you to call, we are just about to eat.’
I bet he’s used to getting his own way.
Meadows forced a smile. ‘I’m sorry to trouble you but it is important we speak with you and your wife.’
‘Can’t it wait?’
‘I’m afraid not.’
‘I suppose you’d better come in.’ Daniel led them to a formal sitting room where Cordelia hovered by the door.
Meadows’ eyes roamed around the room. It was immaculate, with a deep pile cream carpet and brown leather suite. Modern art decorated the walls. There were no family photographs or ornaments; it looked like the room was never used.
‘Take a seat,’ Daniel said before sitting down in the armchair and leaning back, crossing his legs and folding his hands on his stomach. Cordelia perched on the other armchair, legs crossed at the ankles and perfectly manicured hands resting on her knee.
Meadows and Edris took the sofa which was spacious enough to fit four people.
‘What can we do for you?’ Daniel asked.
‘You may have heard on the news about the recent murder of Alan Whitby in Ynys Melyn,’ Meadows began.
‘I read something about it in the paper. It was in the residential home, was it not?’
‘Yes.’
Be careful, we need to find Anna and if they believe she is involved they will protect her, if only to avoid scandal.
‘We’re interviewing everyone that has a connection with Bethesda House.’
‘Well I don’t see what that has to with us,’ Cordelia said.
‘We believe your daughter, Annabel, may be connected.’
Daniel frowned. ‘I don’t think Anna would know anyone in that area, let alone a residential house.’
‘Your daughter was adopted,’ Edris said.
‘Yes?’ Daniel replied. He glared at Edris as if he had made a criticism.
‘Were you aware that Annabel has a brother?’ Meadows asked.
‘Yes.’ Cordelia’s voice was barely a whisper. ‘It wasn’t an easy decision to make.’
‘You mean to split the twins and just take one?’ Edris said.
‘Don’t make judgements when you don’t know the circumstances,’ Daniel snapped.
‘The twins were in poor health.’ Meadows looked at Cordelia. ‘I imagine they would’ve required a lot of care and attention.’
‘Yes, we felt that it would be better for Anna and the boy to go to separate loving families where they would receive undivided attention.’ Cordelia looked down and smoothed the edge of her skirt.
Meadows sat forward. ‘What about the older brother?’
‘What older brother?’ Cordelia looked genuinely confused.
‘There were only the twins as far as we knew. We weren’t informed of any other children,’ Daniel said.
‘Anna’s twin brother, Liam, was not adopted. He has spent his life in care and is currently a resident of Bethesda House.’ Meadows watched Cordelia closely for a reaction and saw pity in her eyes.
‘I’m sorry to hear that,’ Cordelia said. ‘We weren’t given any information on Anna’s brother after the adoption.’
‘Does Anna know that she’s adopted?’ Edris asked.
‘Yes.’ Daniel stiffened.
‘And that she has a twin brother?’ Meadows asked.
‘No, we didn’t tell her.’
Meadows noticed a look pass between husband and wife and wondered what they were omitting. ‘Did she try and find her biological parents?’
‘No, I don’t think so.’ Daniel moved back in his seat.
‘Perhaps it would be better if we talked to Anna,’ Edris suggested. ‘Could you give us her home address?’
Cordelia fiddled with her necklace. ‘We don’t have an address for Anna.’
‘Telephone number?’ Edris poised his pen over his notebook.
‘No, she changed her mobile number.’
‘What about a work address? Does Anna have a job?’ Edris looked at Daniel.
‘She was working for Barnes and Evans accountants in Cardiff. She got the job when she left university but from what I understand she left a few years ago. I can’t understand why. It was a good job with future prospects, she would have done well there.’
‘When was the last time you saw Anna?’ Meadows asked.
‘She came to visit last night.’ Concern flitted across Cordelia’s face. ‘Is Anna in some kind of trouble?’
Meadows looked from Cordelia to Daniel, wondering how much to tell them.
‘Anna’s biological mother, Tara Lane, was found dead in her home yesterday morning. We are treating it as murder. Please, Mr and Mrs Johnson, if you have any information that could help with our inquiries please tell us. It’s very important that we talk to Anna. Do you know where she is or if she’s had any contact with her biological parents or brother?’
‘I need a drink.’ Daniel rose from the chair and crossed the room to the drinks cabinet where he took a glass and poured a large whisky.
‘Our relationship with Anna has been a bit strained over the last couple of years,’ Cordelia said timidly.
‘Strained? It’s been non-existent, then she turns up yesterday full of apologies and asking our forgiveness,’ Daniel fumed. ‘We couldn’t have treated her any better than we would’ve our own flesh and blood.’
‘Please, Daniel.’ Cordelia put her hand to her temple. ‘You saw what she was like last night.’
The anger slipped from Daniel’s face and Meadows saw a glimpse of sadness in his eyes as he moved back to the chair.
‘When we brought Anna home from the hospital our lives changed. We became a family. It was something we’d only dreamt about.’ Cordelia looked at Daniel and gave him a sad smile. ‘After a while we put the adoption behind us and she became our child, we never thought of her any other way. As the years went by the adoption became a distant memory, as if it never happened.’
‘You never told her about the adoption?’ Meadows asked.
‘It was never the right time.’ Daniel took a gulp of his whisky. ‘We initially discussed the issue and decided to wait until she was old enough to understand, but that time never came. Her grandfather died, which she took badly, then she was sitting her exams and off to university. It didn’t seem fair to unsettle her when she was doing so well. Then she left university, got a job, a boyfriend and moved out. She seemed really happy and had a bright future ahead. Then she became ill.’ Daniel drank down the remnants of the whisky and stood to refill his glass.
Meadows imagined their perfect daughter going off the rails, quitting her job, maybe turning to drink and drugs like her birth mother.
‘Did Anna have a breakdown?’
‘No.’ Cordelia looked shocked at the suggestion. ‘Anna was born with only one functioning kidney, she was a very poorly chil
d. In time she got better and had no health problems for the rest of her childhood. She was just like any other teenager, going to university, then settling down into a job. She started to complain about feeling tired and lost a lot of weight. We took her to a specialist who diagnosed the early stages of renal failure. She had treatment and seemed to be managing, then the condition worsened.’ Tears glistened in Cordelia’s eyes and she looked away.
Daniel moved behind his wife and laid a hand on her shoulder. ‘The doctors told us that Anna would continue to deteriorate and would eventually end up on dialysis. The best hope for Anna was a kidney transplant. Both Cordelia and I were tested, but obviously we weren’t a match.’
‘So you had to tell her about the adoption,’ Meadows said.
‘Yes.’ Cordelia seemed to have composed herself and sat stiffly in the chair. ‘Naturally she was upset at first but we promised to do everything we could to help her find her biological parents. She wanted to do it alone so we respected her wishes. She became curious and, I suppose, a little excited. She would come over in the evenings bursting with excitement as she told us of her progress.’ Cordelia let out a slow breath. ‘Then one day she turned up yelling how we had ruined her life, she was furious, crying and screaming. She took off and we never saw her again until last night. We tried to track her down but she’d left her flat and job, there was no trace of her.’
‘Do you know what upset her so much? Did she mention that she had found her biological parents or her brother?’
‘No, like I said, she was screaming and crying. It was like her world had crashed down and it was our fault.’
‘And last night you said she had come to make amends.’
‘Yes, it seemed like that. She said she knew we didn’t intentionally keep the truth from her and that we were only protecting her, then she said she wanted to thank us for all that we had done for her. It was if she…’ Cordelia voice cracked.
‘As if she what?’ Meadows leaned forward.
‘As if she was coming to say goodbye for good.’ Cordelia wrapped her arms around her body.
‘She didn’t say that,’ Daniel said.
Frozen Minds: A murder mystery set deep in Wales (DI Winter Meadows Book 2) Page 21
