by M A Comley
Nuttall shook his head and sat forward to perch on the edge of his seat. “That’s utter bollocks, and you can’t prove a damn thing. Why the fuck would I accept a deal like that? I’m not a bloody murderer. What would be my motive?”
“Ex-cons notoriously struggle in the outside world when they come out. You saw the opportunity and grasped it with both hands to make some real cash.”
He continually shook his head as his cheeks grew redder with every word she said. “Utter bullshit. What do you take me for? I ain’t killed no one in my life before. Have you even checked my record to see what I was banged up for?”
“We have. Stealing cars. But that doesn’t prove a thing. Prisoners talk amongst themselves, hatch plans all the time, seeking opportunities in which to possibly line their pockets more. Is that how it went down, Bob? You got greedy and bumped your landlord off and disposed of his body?”
He banged his clenched fist on the desk, making everyone in the room jump. “That’s fucking crap! I’m telling you the truth. I had no idea that Potts was even dead. I liked the man… well, maybe ‘liked’ is a bit over the top. I had no problems with him.”
“And yet you were heard arguing with Paul Potts on Saturday. Are you denying that?”
“No. I admit we had a falling out. I just didn’t have rent money. That doesn’t mean I killed the fecker! Jesus, okay, if it’s going to clear my name, you want to know what the money is all about?”
“Enlighten me,” Kayli replied sarcastically.
“Cars. I’ve stolen two cars to order recently, and that’s the payoff I got. The only thing is I have to pay a majority of that money to Roger Stills on the inside when he comes out. He put me in touch with a bunch of people. You can check with him. He’ll probably say I’m telling a pack of lies, but I swear it’s the truth.”
Something in the man’s eyes told Kayli that he was being honest. “We’ll check out your story and get back to you. Until then, you’ll remain in custody.”
“You can’t do that. I’ve done nothing wrong.”
Kayli laughed then said to Belinda, “You might want to have a word with your client. He’s under the misapprehension that stealing cars to order is a legitimate business.”
“I’ll do that, Inspector. Are we finished here?”
“We are.” Kayli gestured for Dave to end the interview and motioned for the constable to return Nuttall to his cell. “We’ll be in touch soon, Mr. Nuttall, once we’ve corroborated your story.”
“What? Can they keep me here like this?” he asked his solicitor, mortified.
“I’m afraid they can, within reason. I’m sure the inspector will make contact with Mr. Stills at the earliest opportunity and get things cleared up quickly.”
“I will. You have my word on that.”
The constable tapped Nuttall on his shoulder then escorted him from the room.
Kayli walked the solicitor to the reception area and shook her hand. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I hear anything. What’s your take on his story?”
Belinda hitched up her right shoulder. “He seemed pretty genuine to me, but who knows nowadays?”
“Exactly. I can’t take the risk of taking what he says at face value. Thanks for coming in.”
She watched the solicitor leave the station then followed Dave up the stairs. “What did you think of all that?”
“I hate to say this, but he seemed pretty convincing to me, and his story had a ring of truth to it. It’ll be interesting to see when this Roger Stills is due to be released.”
“I’m going to get Donna on it right away. One step forward and two steps back. So bloody annoying.”
“Yep. If it turns out he’s telling the truth, then what are we left with?”
Kayli nodded. “Absolutely bugger all—that’s what.”
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Donna got to work straight away and delivered the results within half an hour. She knocked on Kayli’s office door and walked into the room.
“Take a seat, Donna. What have you discovered?”
“Roger Stills is in Parkhurst Prison. He was indeed Bob Nuttall’s cellmate for a few months before his release.”
“Damn! Parkhurst? I don’t have the time to visit the Isle of Wight just to ask a few questions.”
“Can we get either the local force or the governor to question him for us?”
“We can certainly try. Can you get me the number of the prison?”
The ever-efficient constable smiled and slid a piece of paper across the table. “Governor Smythe’s number. He’s expecting your call,” Donna said with a glint in her eye.
“You’re a star. Thanks, Donna.”
After Donna left the office, Kayli placed the call to the governor. “Hello, Governor Smythe. This is DI Kayli Bright of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary. Thank you for accepting my call.”
“You’re welcome, Inspector. I’m happy to help if I can.”
Kayli gave him a brief rundown of the nature of her call. “You can see why it’s so urgent that we find out if Nuttall is telling us the truth or not.”
“I can. Do you want to leave it with me? I promise to get back to you this afternoon once I’ve questioned Stills.”
“That would be wonderful. What’s the likelihood of him opening up to you?”
“Well, he’s due to be released in a few weeks, if he behaves himself, if you get my drift.”
Kayli chuckled. “I do. Thanks for your cooperation on this matter, Governor Smythe.”
“No problem. I’ll ring you sometime after lunch.”
Kayli ended the call and stared out the window, reflecting on which direction the investigation should go next. The media appeal had led them to Nuttall, but that link had become tenuous at best. She sighed and began to tackle the pile of paperwork sitting on her desk.
Donna fetched her in a coffee around an hour later. “Any luck, boss?”
“Sorry, I should have updated you all. The governor is going to question Stills and get back to me this afternoon. How are things going out there?”
“Umm… I think Graeme has something he’d like to share with you, if you have the time.”
“Always have the time if it’s to do with an ongoing investigation, Donna.” She rose from her seat and walked out of the office, towards Graeme’s desk. “Donna says you might have something for us to go on, Graeme. I have my fingers crossed, because we haven’t got much as it is.”
“I know how frustrated we all are with regard to Nuttall, so I thought I’d look back on the ANPR footage, and I discovered this.” He pointed at a couple of vehicles on the screen.
Confused, Kayli asked, “What am I supposed to be looking at?”
“When I was trying to find Paul Potts’s car, I was focused on which route it took, but on second viewing, I noticed that he, or whoever was driving his car, was being followed.”
“You’re saying there’s a second car?”
“Yes, not directly behind Potts’s car, but here.” He pointed at the screen again, specifically indicating a small blue Fiat.
“This is excellent news and could be the getaway car the murderer made his escape in. It also indicates that two people were in on the murder if Paul was already in the boot at that time.”
Graeme smiled and nodded. “My sentiments exactly.”
“Tell me you’ve managed to locate the registration number on that vehicle.”
Graeme tutted and shook his head. “Sorry, no. It was travelling too close to the car in front and the angle on the back wasn’t good either.”
“As if they knew we’d be on the lookout for them—is that what you’re saying?”
“That’s my take on it.”
Kayli sighed and chewed her lip. “What about the driver? Can you enhance the picture to get a close-up of the driver, perhaps?”
“I’ve tried, and it’s impossible.”
“Have you got anything at all? Are we looking at a male or female driver?”
“Agai
n, it’s difficult, near impossible, to tell. The pictures are hazy and only take in the upper torso and not the head or face. Frustrating, I know. All I can do is keep trawling over the footage and see if I can catch a break somewhere along the line.”
“I’ll leave it with you. Damn, that’s my phone ringing.” Kayli ran into her office and picked up the phone before it rang off. “Hello. DI Bright. How can I help?”
“Ah… you’re there. Sorry, this is Samuel Potts, Inspector.” The man sounded distant and confused.
“Hello there, Mr. Potts. Is everything okay?”
“Not really. I didn’t know who to ring. Of course, I rang for an ambulance right away, then my mind went blank until I put my hand in my pocket and found your card.”
The man was rambling, and Kayli was concerned when he mentioned he’d called an ambulance. “Nice and slowly, Samuel. Why have you called an ambulance?”
“It’s Anita. I found her at the house, barely breathing.”
“What? Is she okay? Did she try to take her own life?”
“It looks that way.” His voice caught in his throat. “They’re dealing with her now.”
“At the house? Is that where you are?”
“No. We’re at the hospital. I didn’t know who to turn to. I can’t lose her, as well. Please God, don’t let this happen.”
“Okay, stay calm. Are you at A&E?”
“Yes. Please tell me what I should do, Inspector.”
“Stay where you are. I’m on my way.”
“Thank you. I’ll see you soon.”
Kayli slammed the phone back into its docking station, grabbed her handbag and rushed into the incident room. “Damn, looks like Anita Potts has tried to end her life. I’m going to A&E. No need for you to come, Dave. Will you man my phone in case Governor Smythe rings back?”
“Sure. Leave everything to me and just go. Hope she’s okay when you get there,” Dave replied, looking shocked.
“So do I.”
Kayli used her siren to get to the hospital. She tore through the doors to the entrance of the Accident and Emergency Department at Bristol Royal Infirmary, flashed her ID at the young redhead on reception and asked where she could find Anita Potts.
“They’re treating her now. Her uncle is waiting in the family room.”
“Which is where?”
“First door on the right.”
“Thank you.” She trotted along the hallway and into the room, where she found a distraught Samuel, his head bowed, staring at the floor. He looked up as she entered the room, and a brief smile touched his lips.
Kayli sat down in the chair next to him. “Hello, Samuel. Any news on how Anita is?”
“Not yet. They’ve just left me here to think all sorts. What if I lose her? I’ll never forgive myself for not taking care of her in her hour of need. Paul would be looking down on me in shame.”
Kayli gathered his shaking hands in her own. “That’s nonsense. No one could have predicted she would be driven to do something like this. You can’t blame yourself. I won’t allow you to,” she added, smiling.
“That’s kind of you to say so, Inspector, but the guilt still remains. I should have done more.”
“Let me go and find a doctor, see what’s going on. I’ll be right back.”
She heard him mutter a thank you before she left the room. She made her way down the corridor to the cubicles and lingered there for several minutes before a doctor appeared.
“Hello, Doctor.” She held up her warrant card as he came out of one of the cubicles. “I’m sorry to trouble you. I wanted to know what was happening with Anita Potts. Suspected attempted suicide.”
He smiled tautly. “One moment please.” The doctor slipped through the swinging doors at the end of the corridor and emerged a few minutes later. “She’s okay. They’re about to pump her stomach, then they’ll transfer her up to the women’s ward. The doctor dealing with her will come and apprise you of the situation soon. Can you wait in the family room until then?”
“Of course. I appreciate your help. Sorry to inconvenience you.”
“Not at all.”
Kayli turned and made her way back to the family room. Samuel looked up at her as soon as she entered. Kayli raised a hand in front of her. “She’s fine. They’re going to pump her stomach then move her to a ward. We should be able to see her soon.”
He buried his head in his hands and sobbed.
Kayli sat down beside him and ran a hand over his back to comfort him. “She’ll get through this. We’ll get her the help she needs to aid her recovery. Don’t worry, Samuel.”
He withdrew a cotton handkerchief from his pocket and blew his nose. “Thank you. I’m not sure I would have coped if I’d lost her, not so soon after losing Paul.”
They sat there in silence for a few more minutes, until a young Asian doctor walked into the room. “Anita Potts’s family?”
“This is her uncle Samuel, and I’m DI Kayli Bright. I’m working with the family regarding another matter. What news do you have for us, Doctor?”
“Pleased to meet you. Well, let me say that your niece is a very lucky girl that you arrived at the house when you did. Another five minutes, and I would have been signing her death certificate.”
“Really? She’s very fortunate, then. Is she awake, Doctor? Can we see her?”
“She came to for a little bit. We’ve pumped her stomach to rid it of its damaging contents, then I gave her a sedative to knock her out for a little while to allow her body to recover without her feeling anxious about anything.”
“Okay. Did she take pills, Doctor?”
“Yes, Zopiclone. Were you aware that she was taking sleeping medication, Mr. Potts?”
Samuel’s brow furrowed. “No, I had no idea.”
The doctor plucked a small tub from his pocket and studied it.
Kayli noticed him frowning. “What’s wrong, Doctor?”
“It’s the name. I hadn’t noticed it before.” He showed the pot to Kayli.
Kayli studied the pot then asked, “Mabel Wilson. Samuel, do you know of anyone by that name?”
He shook his head. “Not off the top of my head.”
“Anita has never mentioned a friend with that name whom she visits?” Kayli prompted.
He ran a hand through his grey hair as he thought. “No. But then my mind is all over the place, Inspector.”
“Never mind. Can I take this, Doctor?”
“Of course. The pot was empty when the paramedic handed it to me. He told me it was lying on the floor next to Anita.”
“One last question before I let you get on, Doctor. Did Anita say why she did it? Or did she speak at all?”
“She whispered something. I bent down to hear what she was saying, and it sounded like Sharon.”
“That makes sense. Sharon is her stepsister. I’ll get in touch with her, tell her that Anita is here. Thank you for caring for her.”
“That’s what we’re here for. She will need to have a psych evaluation before she’s discharged. It’s nothing to worry about. She can talk over any anxieties she has at present.”
“Her father was murdered a few days ago. I had to break the news to Samuel and Anita that I had discovered his body only yesterday.”
“Ah… I see. I suppose her actions are understandable, given the circumstances.” The doctor shook their hands and left the room.
“Are you all right, Samuel?” Kayli asked, rubbing his upper arm.
“I’m still coming to terms with things. Why would a twenty-four-year-old young woman choose to end her own life?”
“I’ll never understand the emotional turmoil and angst people must be feeling to do such a thing. Most people think it’s the coward’s way out, but I don’t believe that. It takes a lot of guts to even contemplate doing something so dreadful.”
“I suppose. I never realised Anita had such feelings. When her mother died last year, she was the one who held that family together.”
“Maybe s
he was still suffering the loss of her mother, and losing her father in such a vile manner was probably the element that tipped her over the edge.”
“I suppose. I never thought to ring either Sharon or Dylan. I should have.”
“Any reason why you didn’t?”
“Not really, except that we’re not all that close, not like Anita and I are. Do you want me to ring them?”
“I’ll do it. No problem. You take a seat and rest for a little while. I’m sure the staff will come and fetch us soon once Anita has been transferred.”
He sank into the chair again, and Kayli rang the station. “Donna, can you find me Sharon Potts’s home phone number please?”
After a short delay, Donna relayed the number, and Kayli jotted it down in her notebook.
She ended the call and dialled the number. The answerphone picked it up. Kayli refused to leave such a personal message on the machine. Once Anita was settled on the ward and she was happy to leave her and Samuel, Kayli would drop by the care home where Sharon worked and break the news to her.
~ ~ ~
Twenty-five minutes later, a nurse took Samuel and Kayli upstairs to the women’s ward. Samuel insisted that Kayli leave the hospital and try to find Sharon.
After receiving Samuel’s blessing, Kayli jumped in the car and drove to the Nightingale Care Home. It was a crescent-shaped red-brick building consisting of four floors. The gardens at the front had colourful shrubs still in bloom despite the time of year.
Kayli walked through the main doors and approached an elderly woman wearing spectacles sitting behind the reception desk.
“Hello there. Can I help you?”
“I was hoping to speak to Sharon Potts, who works here.”
The woman gasped. “The staff aren’t supposed to have personal visits during working hours.”
“I’m sorry. I would regard this as an emergency. I’m DI Kayli Bright. Maybe I should speak to the manager.”
“Oh, okay. Well, that throws a different light on things. Let me get Mrs. Addison for you.”
Kayli walked away from the desk and over towards the noticeboard. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw a figure, one that she felt was watching her. She turned swiftly, but the person had gone. That’s strange!
