No Hiding Place: An edge of your seat mystery/thriller. (DI Sally Parker thrillers Book 2)

by M A Comley

  “I’ll get my boys to escort him off the premises and warn him of his future conduct. Although I doubt you’ll be able to prevent him showing up at the funeral. Maybe it would be better if you tried to sort things out beforehand.”

  “By that, I take it you think he’s innocent?”

  Sally acquiesced. “I really don’t believe he’s guilty of anything more than falling in love with the wrong person. Sorry if that’s not what you want to hear right now.” She patted the laptop and diary. “Let’s keep thinking that way until we find proof otherwise. I honestly don’t think he’s guilty of killing Gemma. There’s no clear indication of any evidence at the scene suggesting he carried out the attack.”

  “Do you have any evidence linking any suspects to the crime scene, Inspector?” he asked, hope lingering in his tired eyes.

  “No. It’s all rather puzzling at present. We’ll keep digging until we find something. I can assure you of that.”

  “Please keep me informed.”

  “Of course, if you’ll try and stay out of trouble as far as your brother is concerned.”

  “I will.”

  Sally, Joanna, and Mark walked through the house to the kitchen. Yvette was sitting at the kitchen table, feeding her granddaughter triangle sandwiches. Sally’s heart skipped a few beats as she studied the girl sadly. Her eyes drifted up to Yvette’s. The woman smiled tautly at Sally, and she couldn’t tell if it was the grandmother’s way of holding back threatening tears or what. Either way, she smiled and exited the back door with Joanna.

  Outside, Colin Whiting was resting against the back door of his car, with his arms crossed. “Am I in trouble?”

  Sally marched up to him and pointed. “Pull any smartarse stunts like that in the future, and without hesitation, I’ll whisk you off to the police cells and bang you up for the night.”

  “Whoa, what the heck did I do?”

  “It really is pointless talking to you, isn’t it, Mr. Whiting? Everyone else is in the wrong, bar you. I’m right, aren’t I?”

  “All I know, Inspector, is that their marriage was on the rocks, hence her seeking solace in my arms. What more is there to say?”

  “Tell me, are you convinced that Gemma was about to leave Mark for you? Is that it?”

  “Maybe.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

  Sally snorted. “I think I have recently found out something that majorly disputes that, but please, do continue to live in your dream world. You seem to take pleasure in that.”

  “Well, don’t stop there,” he ordered, his eyes bulging like a bullfrog’s.

  “Actually, I think I’ll do just that. Always good for an investigating officer to have something up her sleeve she can whip out when least expected. Enjoy the rest of your day, Colin. I’m sure I’ll be in touch with you again soon.”

  He grumbled and snatched his car door open and jumped in. His tyres squealed when he pulled out of the drive. Amused, Sally sniggered. “I think I’ve pissed him off.”

  Joanna opened her car door and motioned with her head back towards the house. “She seems pretty hacked off, too.”

  Sally looked over her shoulder. Yvette Whiting was standing at the window. Her focus remained on Colin as he drove away until the vehicle was no longer visible. Only then did she turn to look at Sally. The woman seemed flustered by their attention and swiftly bustled away from the window. “Hmm… must be hard on her, trying to referee her sons and keep her granddaughter out of harm’s way at the same time. Then there’s the funeral to arrange. I, for one, wouldn’t swap places with her; that’s for sure.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Sally sat at the spare desk next to Joanna so that it was easier to compare notes as they searched through Gemma’s diary and laptop. She booted up the computer and went directly to Gemma’s ‘sent e-mails’ folder. The last e-mail Gemma had sent was on the day of her murder. It was in response to an e-mail from an accountancy firm in London, which had offered her a full-time job with a very generous salary.

  “Interesting. Joanna, when was the final entry Gemma made in her diary?”

  Joanna flicked through the pages of the small diary and tapped her finger. “The day before her death.”

  “Read it out to me.”

  “Life begins again soon… if all goes well tomorrow. There will be no stopping me… or should I say us.”

  “That’s it?” Sally asked. Joanna nodded. “I wonder who the ‘us’ is.”

  Joanna hitched a shoulder. “Could be her daughter or maybe a man friend. Perhaps she had plans to run off with Colin.”

  Sally tutted. “I’m not so sure. I think the relationship was one-sided. I get the impression he was clinging to her. This image of them having an argument at the family barbecue keeps jumping up and down, vying for attention in my mind.”

  “Perhaps the argument was about her dumping him for another man,” Joanna offered.

  “Go back to when the barbecue occurred. See if she highlighted that incident at all. If we can find out what that little set-to was about, maybe, just maybe, we’ll find the break we’ve been searching for.”

  Joanna hurriedly turned the pages. “This is what she wrote on that day: “Colin still won’t take no for an answer. Not sure I can take much more of him constantly hounding me. If he persists, I’ll have to tell Leona.”

  “Tell Leona what, though?” Sally muttered thoughtfully. “That they had an affair, or the fact he wouldn’t stop pestering her?”

  “It is puzzling. Would it do any good bringing him back in for questioning? In light of this evidence?” Joanna asked.

  “That’s just it, what do we have really? Nothing, except proof of a lover’s tiff.”

  “It does highlight that there was an issue between Colin and Gemma though, boss.”

  “Yes, but without solid evidence, no court will entertain such inadequate findings. I’m at a loss to know what to do next. Let’s keep trying to find something significant to wave under Colin’s nose.” Sally’s mobile rang. “Hello, Jack. I’ve been thinking of you all. How’s it going?”

  “Hi, boss. It’s going. The baby is hanging in there, a determined little treasure, like her mother. However, the doctor has just informed us that he thinks we should consider christening her in case her condition deteriorates.”

  “Oh, shit! That doesn’t sound good, Jack. How’s Teresa doing?”

  “She’s walking around in a daze right now, pacing the family waiting area, crying in fits and starts. If I could take away the pain that’s hounding her, I would in a heartbeat.”

  “I know, it must be difficult watching her being torn apart like that. Try and stay positive, love. The little mite has lasted this long when the odds were stacked against her.”

  “Thanks, boss. Just what I needed to hear, as always. How are things going with the investigation?”

  “Nice change of subject there, partner. I get your drift. I think I’m more confused than ever about things. At the moment, Joanna and I are ploughing through Gemma’s diary and laptop to see if that throws up something we can grasp. It’s all getting a little tedious. You know how these things are. Without any evidence as such to latch on to, we’re up shit creek.”

  “What about the other girl who was attacked? Any links there?” Jack asked.

  “No. Her attacker turned out to be black.”

  “So? You’re adamant that the murderer is connected with the family. What if he isn’t?”

  “I’m going with my gut instinct on this one, Jack. Nothing is going to sway me on that, either. This family is full of shitty secrets. Hopefully, one of them will make a major slip-up soon to help us out. Until that transpires, we’ll just keep digging.”

  “Well, good luck. Sounds like you’re going to need it. I better go. Donna’s giving me the evil eye.”

  “Keep in touch. Give everyone a hug from all of us here.”

  Jack hung up.

  Sally squinted to see through her tired, sore eyes as she continued to sift through Gemm
a’s e-mails. To Sally’s amazement, Gemma had never exchanged a single e-mail with Colin. She voiced her concern to Joanna.

  “Maybe they were deleted. Either by Gemma or someone else since her death.”

  Sally nodded. “You could be on to something there. I’ve not found anything of note except about the job proposal, so I think I’ll hand it over to forensics, see what they can find out through the computer’s history.” She picked up the landline and dialled the pathologist’s number. “Hello, Simon. It’s Sally Parker. I’m glad I’ve caught you.”

  “Inspector. What can I do for you?”

  “I was hoping you’d ask that. I have in my possession Gemma Whiting’s laptop. I wondered if I dropped it over, whether your expert would have a spare few minutes to go through the e-mails and see if anything had been deleted recently?”

  “You’re suggesting this might have happened after the victim’s death, as in the murderer covering up his connection to the victim?”

  “That’s exactly what I’m suggesting. Any chance you can rush it through for me?”

  Simon groaned. “If you drop it over this evening, I’ll get one of the lads on it first thing. How’s that?”

  “You’re an absolute star. I don’t care what others say about you.” Sally chuckled.

  “Now I know you’re winding me up. Mr. Obliging, that’s me, within reason of course.”

  “Don’t ever change, Simon, you’re a treasure for sure.”

  “Yeah, that should be buried. Go on, say it! Twist the knife—you usually do.”

  “Simon! Really, you have such a low opinion of me.”

  “I’d say I have a pretty accurate opinion of you, Inspector.”

  “Seriously, I’ll drop by and see you in an hour or so, once I’ve finished here,” Sally said cheerily.

  “See you then.”

  She hung up. “Joanna, can I have a look through the diary?” She held out her hand, and the constable placed the closed book in her palm.

  “My pleasure, boss. I don’t think you’ll find much in there, but be my guest.”

  After half an hour of trying to decipher a few cryptic clues written by Gemma’s hand, Sally was inclined to agree with the constable.

  “Okay, let’s call it a day and start afresh tomorrow, people. Bright and early, all right?”

  Sally dropped the laptop off at the lab then drove to her parents’ home. The first thing she did when she arrived at the house was grab Dex’s lead and take him for a long walk to clear her tired mind. What am I missing? What is someone deliberately hiding from me to deter me from picking up the scent? “Oh well, Dex, I’m sure all will be revealed soon enough, boy. Here, go fetch the Frisbee.” She threw the fluorescent-pink ring, and the excited dog barked at the toy as it skimmed through the air then floated to the ground about fifty feet away, along the river bank.

  The frustrations of the day were replaced by apprehensive thoughts of her impending trial against Darryl. She hoped the photographic evidence she had supplied of the last beating he’d dealt her would be enough to convince the judge to come down on her side. Nevertheless, there was always a lingering nugget of doubt, burrowing deep beneath the surface, that was willing to remind her that he had ‘respected and honourable’ friends in high places, whom he could rely on to give him a stunning character witness should the need arise.

  I’ll find out soon enough. There’s no point dwelling on things now.

  She returned home and spent a fun-filled evening with her parents, playing the card game Sevens for a low stake of a pile of pennies. Of course, her father won, just as he always did. In reality, Sally was feeling generous enough to let him win.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  March 2016 – six months later.

  Sally tapped her partner on the shoulder as she walked through the incident room. “Come on, my treat. Let’s grab a coffee and a doughnut in the canteen.”

  Jack was out of his chair quicker than he would have been if a lion had zeroed in on his scent. “Who am I to turn down such generosity?”

  Once they were halfway through their doughnuts, Sally raised the subject of Jack’s granddaughter, Mary Rose. “You haven’t said how Mary Rose is getting on lately. Is she doing okay?”

  His eyes glistened with love. “Yes. She’s growing stronger every day. Still under the doctor’s care, of course, but they’re monitoring her from a distance now.”

  “That’s wonderful news, Jack. You guys deserve a break. She’s been to hell and back—you all have this year.”

  “She’s definitely a fighter. How are you bearing up? Any sign of that shithead lately? I bet he’s kept his distance now you’re back home.”

  “Nope, as far as I know, he’s still doing his debt to society, picking up litter in his spare time.” Sally looked down at her cup of coffee and pushed her doughnut away.

  “Can you believe that piece of dog turd got one hundred hours of community service? I know I frigging can’t. It’s bloody outrageous, if you ask me.”

  “I suppose he must’ve stashed away more of ‘our’ money than I gave him credit for because the barrister he employed probably cost a small fortune.”

  “The system is screwed up when bastards like that get away with…”

  Sally reached over and patted his hand. “You can say it, beating the crap out of a woman.”

  “Yeah, well, it’s true. Christ, if ever there was a circumstance where vigilante justice could or should be justified, it’s with your ex. I’d love to track him down and string him up by the balls.”

  Sally chuckled as the image inspired by her partner’s cruelty ran through her mind. “In all honesty, Jack, the cretin isn’t worth it.”

  “I know. If ever he bothers you again, though, tell me, won’t you? I won’t hesitate to knock some sense into that twisted, warped brain of his. How did the move go at the weekend? All settled back into your folks’ home now?”

  “Yep, it took a while to sort out the mortgage arrangements, but we finally got there. Everyone, including Dex, seems far happier. Mum and Dad have even started having a sneaky cuddle again. They used to be under so much stress, it took a toll on their ability to show affection towards each other.”

  “That’s great to hear. Hate the thought of couples coming up to retirement age being snowed under with bills they can’t meet. It just ain’t right, is it? You all right?”

  Sally was distracted, leaning sideways, listening to a conversation going on between a couple of uniformed officers at the next table. She raised her hand and placed a finger to her lips to silence her partner. After hearing a certain person’s name a few more times, she finally had to say something. “Sorry, I don’t wish to appear rude, but would you mind telling me why you’ve just mentioned Mark Whiting’s name?”

  The young female constable shrugged. “I had to sit with him at the hospital while his wife died.”

  Sally’s brow creased sharply, and she looked over at her partner, who appeared to be equally confused. She turned back to the constable. “Wife? When did this happen?”

  “Last night, ma’am.”

  “What? We are talking about Mark Whiting of Chapel Grove in Easton, aren’t we?”

  “That’s the one, ma’am. Do you know him? I’m sorry if you thought I was being disrespectful talking about the incident.”

  Sally waved away the apology. “Nonsense. So you’re telling me his wife had some kind of accident and died of her injuries. Is that correct?”

  “Yes, ma’am. At her home. He came home and found her lying in a pool of blood yesterday about six. An ambulance was called, and they rushed her to hospital, but it was far too late. The blows Kathy received to her head crushed her skull. She never stood a chance.”

  “Why hasn’t this case come through to us?” Sally asked Jack.

  “No idea. This is incomprehensible. We need to get over there ASAP.”

  Sally scraped her chair back and smiled at the constable. “Thanks for the information.”

 
Jack ran after her as she blazed an infuriated trail through the station back to her office. “We should have been informed, Jack.”

  “I agree. Anything to do with that family should be flagged.”

  Sally asked Joanna to pull up the incident report on her computer screen as Sally brought the team up to speed on what had just transpired.

  “Whoa, yep, here it is. It must have slipped through the net, boss. The initial report has it down as a burglary gone wrong.”

  “I want the investigating officer’s name, Joanna. Get him on the phone immediately.”

  Joanna looked up the details and dialled the number. She handed the phone over to Sally once she’d been connected to the detective constable in charge of the case.

  “Dave Jarvis, I’m DI Sally Parker. Do you have a minute to come and see me? Sorry, that came out wrong. This is not a request—it’s an order. My office, immediately!”

  Five minutes later, Sally’s irritation had grown exponentially while she waited for Constable Jarvis to put in an appearance.

  Eventually, a wide-eyed young man barged through the door, wearing a troubled frown. “Ma’am? You wanted to see me?”

  “My office, now. Jack, join us, will you?” Sally tried her hardest to keep her anger under control, but she could feel it bubbling beneath the surface. She took a couple of deep breaths and threw herself into the chair behind her desk. “Take a seat, Jarvis.”

  “Have I done something wrong, ma’am? You seem pretty hacked off about something.”

  “That’s putting it mildly. I’m not going to take a glitch in the system out on you, Jarvis. It’s true; I’m more than a little pissed off right now. Tell me about the incident you attended last night.”

  “The burglary, ma’am?”

  “No, the fatality. See, that’s what I’m having trouble getting my head around. Why on earth haven’t you reported this incident to this department? Correct me if I’m wrong, but I thought we were the Murder Investigation Team for this station.”

  “I’m sorry, ma’am. I was going to do it when I came on shift. I only came on at two, came in to a pile of stuff to attend to on my desk, and to be honest, contacting you slipped my mind.”