Mrs. Carter wiped away the last of the tears. “No, don’t embarrass the poor lad. I thought you just got rid of him so we could talk privately? Or did you really want that cup of tea?” Her eyes, still red and moist, twinkled, laughter lines making crow’s feet.
Anna smiled and slowly withdrew her arm from Mrs. Carter’s shoulder. “Both.” The woman was obviously in shock, swinging moods from one extreme to the other. Anna tried to imagine how she would feel in a similar situation, but Mrs. Carter was speaking again.
“David was never totally comfortable about sex, even when we were first married. And of course as the years went by we stopped altogether. I mean, I’m no spring chicken, so perhaps I shouldn’t be too surprised. But sometimes I would catch him looking at pornography on the computer, so obviously he still had desires.” She added wistfully, “Just, not for me. Clearly he preferred them young.”
Anna sat up straight, alarm bells ringing. “Young?”
“Young kids,” Mrs. Carter said shaking her head in disbelief. “And to think, I was married to him. Disgusting!”
Chapter 8.
Anna struggled to remain expressionless. Suddenly she wished Harris was there taking notes. She glanced around the room. “Where is this computer?”
“In the study. The desk faces the window, so his back is to the door. Sometimes I’d quietly open it to see if he was busy, so as not to disturb him. You know, to offer refreshments. I could see right over his shoulder.” Mrs. Carter shuddered. “Quite sickening, some of it. Probably illegal too, I shouldn’t wonder. But perhaps I shouldn’t be saying this.”
Anna stared at Mrs. Carter in disbelief. “Helen, of course it’s illegal. Didn’t it occur to you to report him? I know he was your husband, but even so…”
Mrs. Carter stared back at Anna, bewilderment lining her face. “Report him? For what? Being a man? All men are obsessed with pornography, aren’t they?”
Anna blinked back. “Not child porn. Of course not.”
“Child porn?” Mrs. Carter’s hand flew to her mouth. She pulled herself upright. “Oh my God, David was involved with child porn as well?”
Anna’s jaw fell. “You just told me!”
Mrs. Carter’s face darkened. “I did no such thing.”
“Helen, you just this minute told me you looked over your husband’s shoulder in the study and he was looking at child pornography on his computer. Young kids, hard at it. Those were your exact words.”
Mrs. Carter stared intensely at Anna, then suddenly her face lightened and she laughed loudly. “Young kids, as in twenty-somethings like Tea Boy there, not little children! Besides, David couldn’t abide being anywhere near children. Utterly detested them.”
Anna let out a sigh of relief. “Helen, I do apologise. I completely misconstrued your meaning.” The DS pondered her next words. Finally, “So, is that why you don’t have any kids of your own, Helen?”
“That, and the fact that we hardly ever slept together. That certainly didn’t help. Maybe his loathing of children meant he was terrified of getting me pregnant. Maybe that’s what attracted him to men. Do you think?”
Anna preferred not to speculate, suspecting Mrs. Carter was looking for some justification for her late husband’s behaviour. The opening kitchen door gave Anna the reprieve she needed not to respond. “Ah, here comes the refreshments.”
Harris appeared with a tray and three cups, slopping tea into the tray as he bent down to the coffee table. “Sorry, Mrs. Carter. I’ll get a cloth.”
“Don’t worry about it, Jeremy,” Mrs. Carter said.
Harris shot an accusatory glance at Anna.
“I think Jeremy is such a lovely name,” Mrs. Carter beamed at Harris.
Harris forced a smile, shifting his weight awkwardly from one foot to the other, trying to sup hot tea from the cup in his hand. He looked around for an appropriate place to sit.
“Why don’t you take yours through to the garden, Jez? Get some air?”
Harris shot a glance out of the window. “But it’s raining, Guv.”
Mrs. Carter chuckled at Harris. “Anna wants to talk to me about my sex life with David, Jeremy.”
Harris spluttered tea back into his cup, his cheeks flushing.
“She thinks you might find it embarrassing,” Mrs. Carter continued. “And I can see she has a point. The conservatory’s just through there.” She gestured to the far door. “Just switch the heater on if you find it too cold.”
Harris needed no further encouragement. He dribbled a trail of tea across the carpet as he went, face pointedly fixed away from his host.
Mrs. Carter watched after him, amused eyes twinkling. She turned to Anna as Harris pulled the door closed. “Now, where were we?”
“Your husband’s interest in pornography? Adult pornography?”
“Ah yes. You see, it was always hunky young men with girls. Never girls on their own. That’s what first got me wondering. I mean, why would you want to watch another man doing it to a girl? Especially these. Honestly, they may have been young, but they were enormous.”
Anna choked on her tea. “You mean…”
“That’s exactly what I mean. I’m no expert on these matters, of course. There was only one man in my life before I met David, but I know what’s natural and what’s not. And these boys – sorry, young men – were not natural. No way.” A smile spread across her face as she recalled the images. She shook herself out of her reverie. Anna was trying to hide a smile of her own.
“Sorry, dear. It’s just… Well, why would David want to look at something like that? Maybe it gave him an inferiority complex. He was barely –”
“Too much information, Helen,” Anna protested, palm forward. She wondered how she would explain this back at the station. She asked, “But I don’t understand. Why did this lead you to believe your husband was bi-sexual?”
“This was just an indication,” Mrs. Carter explained. “I never, ever saw David looking at images of women on their own, or just women together. You know, lesbian pornography. But I know men get turned on by two women together. Well, normal men. And then there were his magazines.”
Anna leaned forward. Maybe they were getting somewhere. “Magazines?”
“Men’s magazines. Or rather, magazines for men. Not those smutty things you see on the top shelf. I mean those fashionable magazines for men. GQ, is it? And FM, or something?”
“FHM.”, Anna corrected. “But they’re not gay magazines. I still don’t follow.”
“I think, with hindsight, David was struggling with his sexuality. Those magazines are full of images of men. And he always seemed more at ease in the company of young men than mixed company, if you ask me. What with David working away constantly, staying in hotels, I always knew he might be tempted to go with someone else. I could live with that.” Mrs. Carter’s face darkened again. She shook her head in disbelief. “But not hanging about in dirty toilets…”
“So that was a total surprise for you?”
“Completely. Okay, so if I’m honest I knew he was leaning both ways – is that the right expression? But even if he was an out and out homosexual there must be escort agencies for gay men as well? Surely he didn’t need to go to a filthy public lavatory for it?”
Anna tried to look sympathetic. “I think when men do that sort of thing it’s more for the excitement, the thrill, than for the sex. Just look at George Michael.Hardly the sort of person who would be short of willing partners. But…” Anna looked up at Mrs. Carter. “You said, as well, Helen? There must be escort agencies for gay men as well? As well as what?”
“As well as escort agencies for women, of course.”
Anna kept her voice low. “Is there something else we should know about?”
Helen nodded, colour rising in her cheeks. She chewed on her lip, trying to select the right words.
“Take your time.”
“I’ve found some things.”
Anna nodded. “What sort of things?”
“I know I shouldn’t have. But I couldn’t help it. I went through his study. Through his desk drawers, and his briefcase.”
“What did you find?” Anna asked gently.
Helen Carter gave a feeble but grateful smile, her hands clasped to her chest, the hurt and anger evident in her eyes; eyes that darted around the room like she was looking for some visible answer to his betrayal.
She dug a trembling hand into the pocket of her cardigan, throwing the contents onto the black, marble coffee table. An array of business cards fanned out like a clumsy card-sharks hand.
Anna picked one up. “Are they all like this?”
“There are emails too, from agencies and websites. I don’t know much about computers, but enough to open his email folder”
“I’m sorry, Helen. This must be hurtful for you.”
“I was shocked last night, I can tell you. Hurt.” Mrs. Carter’s countenance changed as she relived the moment. Then calm returned to her features.
She said, “But after I gave it some thought I realised it was at least better than him going with some back-street prostitute, who might be carrying God only knows what diseases. And in a strange way I felt happy for him.”
Anna stared mystified at Helen Carter.
“Okay, so for whatever reason I didn’t meet his needs in bed.” Mrs. Carter gestured around the room with her hand. “But in every other way he was a wonderful husband. I never wanted for any material goods. I mean, this is all paid for, and we have a second home in the Cotswolds, and a villa in the Italian Riviera. He was never abusive or violent. He…” Mrs. Carter’s voice trailed as tears flooded back.
Anna reached out a comforting hand again. “Do you mind if I take these?”
Through tissues and sobs Mrs. Carter nodded her assent. “David won’t be needing them now, that’s for sure. But why would you need them?”
“We need to know as much as possible about your husband’s movements before he… That is, before the incident. And we’d like to examine any diaries or personal logs he might have had. And his computers, mobile phones, etcetera. With your permission, of course. If we can trace everyone who was in contact with him recently we may just be able to catch the person responsible.”
Mrs. Carter stared into the distance. “That won’t bring David back, though, will it, dear.”
Anna said quietly, “No. I’m sorry.”
Chapter 9.
The slate-grey exterior of The Stag loomed before them as they dodged in and out of the traffic to cross Fleet Road.
Terri whistled appreciatively as they approached the entrance. “Wow, this place is really something, right?”
Red looked doubtful. She flicked her eyes up to the top of the old building. “I guess so. Don’t they have pubs like this where you’re from?”
“Pubs?” Terry grinned. “I love that term. You are just so English.”
Red felt her cheeks warm. She tipped her head in the direction of the main door. “Come on, let’s see what the boys are up to.”
Red open newly painted doors and stepped into the sweeping bar area, scanning the sea of bodies. “We may have to send out a search party for them.”
“Maybe they’re with the manager already?”
Red edged jovial Sunday afternoon revellers out of her path as she fought her way to the bar, reaching inside her coat for her badge. Standing on tip-toes, she attempted to attract the attention of one of the bar staff.
“Guv?”
Red turned to see Terri pointing over a mass of heads to a far corner, where a quiz machine flashed in the semi-darkness, illuminating the animated faces of Taylor and Mackenzie, pints in hand.
Red glared at Terri, lips a thin line. “Let’s go.”
Terri followed in Red’s wake. Mouthing apologies to displaced drinkers.
“Busy afternoon?” Red yelled over the din.
Two pairs of eyes, like startled rabbits in headlights, swung in her direction. “Guv?”
Red held up a palm. “I thought you’d have more sense, Jim.”
“Last stop, Guv. Honest. Been at it all day. This is our first.”
“Yeah, right. And I’m the Queen of Sheba.”
Taylor and Mackenzie looked suitably sheepish.
Red sighed. “Well? Did you come up with anything?”
Taylor dug an elbow at Mackenzie. “Yes, Guv. It’s not much, but it could be a lead.” He scrambled in his pockets for change. “Let me get you both a drink and I’ll tell you about it.”
“What kind of example would that set to the others?” Red glared at Taylor. “Does this lead need acting on today?”
“Nothing that can’t wait, Guv,” Mackenzie said.
“Good. The I’ll see you both in the morning.” She turned to Taylor, gesturing to the pint in his hand. “And by the way, Barry, today’s over-time binge finished fifteen minutes ago. Wouldn’t want you to get caught drinking while on duty, would we.”
Chapter 10.
Monday mornings. Red silenced the rumble of conversation with a raised hand as she entered the briefing room, scanning the team. Two new faces.
“Pete. Lee. Good to see you here. I assume you’ve all been introduced?”
“Mac’s done the honours, Guv.”
Red looked around the room a second time.“No Jez?”
There was a uniform shrug of shoulders. All eyes turned to Anna.
“Maybe having to work with DS Hargreaves has scared him off, Guv,” Barry Taylor suggested, deadpan.
“Fifteen, love,” said Mackenzie.
“More likely Nikki Two-Kays has him tied to a four poster bed somewhere and he’s making hay while the sun shines,” Anna said. “Not something you’d know much about these days, right, Barry?”
Taylor glowered at Anna.
“Fifteen all,” Mackenzie declared.
Red permitted a sly smile. “Alright, that’s enough, you guys. We’ve got plenty on our plates without the internecine warfare.” Red paced the floor. “I know everyone put the hours in over the weekend,” she began, her eyes lingering on Taylor and Mackenzie as she spoke, “and it’s all hands to the pump on the Heath murder. But I need two of you to get down to Islington this morning. We’ve had another arson attack in a high rise.”
“Same MO, Guv?” Pete Metcalf asked.
“Exactly the same as the two previous. Litter set fire to in the lift, building evacuated, no casualties, just some smoke damage, etcetera. You fancy taking young Lee with you and checking it out? I could use an experienced head on this one.”
Pete Metcalf nodded reluctantly. “Okay by me, Guv. But not sure what my guv’nor will say. We were seconded here for the murder inquiry, not petty arson.”
Red smiled ruefully. “Any of these arsons could have ended up a murder inquiry if they hadn’t been dealt with quickly, Pete. Setting fire to an empty car is petty arson. Setting fire to a building with people in it rather raises the stakes.”
Red scanned the room daring anyone to challenge the assertion. “And to be honest I wasn’t expecting you guys until mid-week. That’s when I told the Super we’d need extra hands.”
“Not that I’m not delighted to have you here today,” Red addled, fiddling with the digital wand. “It’s just that at this precise moment we don’t have the leads to follow up to justify you, and what little we do have my guys are on. It wouldn’t make sense to send them off on the arson case just so you two can take over what they’re already doing. I’ll square up with your DCI, don’t worry. And I promise you some real action in a few days.”
“No worries, Guv,” Metcalf said. “We’ll get going, then.”
“Stick around for the summary on this case first,” Red urged. “Both Barry and Jim, and Anna and Jez – well, Anna, anyway – have some interesting notes. Anna, you first.”
Anna Hargreaves took to the floor, notebook in hand, relating the reaction of David Carter’s widow and the little secrets she’d uncovered. She passed the escort agency cards around in a transparent plas
tic evidence bag as she explained.
“This joint is pretty close to the fire, Guv.” Metcalf pointed to a card through the plastic. “Me and Lee can call in on the way back through and ask a few questions.”
“Good thinking,” Red agreed. “That will justify your being at the arson scene, too. Nice one.”
“Do you think I could get an escort on expenses, Guv?” Roberts joked. “For investigative purposes?”
“Don’t go giving Barry ideas, Lee,” Red said. “He’s dumb enough to actually try it.”
Taylor glared at Red. “Har, har, bloody har.”
Red smiled back. “Okay, your turn, guys.”
Mackenzie slapped Taylor on the shoulder. “You or me, Bazza?”
Taylor still had the sulky face on. “Bollocks to them. You can do it.”
Mackenzie shrugged, moving to the front, fiddling a pen top between his fingers as he spoke.
“Well, Barry and I did the rounds yesterday, as you know. We made a start on the bars close to the Heath, asking if anyone had noticed anything out of the ordinary, any faces they didn’t recognize. You know, the usual stuff. Anyway, we drew a blank in most of them, but there was something that didn’t sit right with the manager of The Bull & Last down Highgate. Reckons he knows pretty much most of the crowd in there. And those he doesn’t know are usually there for the food, just passing trade. But Friday night just gone, he remembers a youth hanging around until late that he’d not seen before.”
“Did the victim, David Carter, use this pub on the night?” Anna asked.
There was a hushed silence around the briefing room as Mackenzie said, “There’s the rub. No. We showed the vic’s photo and the manager was quite categorical he’s never seen Carter on his premises, that night or any night.”
“So what is… Am I missing something here?” Anna asked.
“If you’d shut it long enough for Mac to get a word in edgeways,” Taylor muttered.
“That’s enough, Barry,” Red intervened. “Go on, Jim.”
Saffina Desforges' ROSE RED Crime Thriller Boxed Set Page 31
