by M A Comley
“I got down here at about ten, I suppose. Took the boat out into the middle of the lake, to get away from the ones who were learning to sail, and that’s when I saw him, floating in the water, face down. I thought it was a piece of rag to begin with; you can imagine my bloody surprise when I drew up next to him. Shocking, I never expected to see that, not in a million years. Was it intentional? Did he commit suicide or do you suspect foul play?”
“That’s impossible for us to say at present. It depends what the pathologist’s findings are. A post-mortem will reveal the true extent of his injuries and we’ll go from there. Do you come down here regularly?”
“About two, maybe three times a week. It really depends on my workload during the week. Like I said, I had half a day off today. If my client hadn’t cancelled, then I probably wouldn’t have come down here.”
“I see. So, there’s no point in me asking you if you visited the area yesterday.”
“No. It’s been a couple of days since I went out in the boat.”
She jotted the information down. “And while you were here, did you see anyone hanging around?”
He shrugged and motioned to the crowd behind the tape. “Like them?”
Sam rolled her eyes. “Point taken. This is a popular beauty spot which, I’m guessing, attracts a lot of visitors.”
“And some. It depends what time of year it is. The locals tend to stay away during the height of the season, they’ll resume their own leisure activities once the holidaymakers have stopped coming. That’s the only downside to living in a beautiful area like this, having to put up with the hoards descending upon us.”
“Yes, I agree, it’s not pleasant at holiday times, but it balances out by the amount they spend in the area, which keeps the businesses running throughout the winter months.”
“Yeah, I’ve heard all the arguments for and against on that one over the years. It’s nice to get our treasured idyllic spots back once they leave.”
“Indeed. Is there anyone else down here who is local?” She thumbed behind her at the crowd.
His gaze shifted. “The woman with her hair tied back, Sonia, she runs the café over there. Might be worth you having a quick word with her.”
“I’ll do that. I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to ask you to do a statement for me, if you don’t mind?”
“Of course. Now?”
“No, I’ll send a uniformed officer around to see you shortly, within the next day or so. Can I have your address?”
“Of course.”
He gave her his details and then she dismissed him and went in search of Sonia. “Hi, is it, Sonia?” The young woman seemed horrified to be singled out of the crowd.
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Phil suggested I have a word with you, is that all right?”
Sam held the tape up and Sonia ducked underneath it, following Sam back to the picnic bench where she introduced herself. “I won’t keep you long. I know this is going to seem a daft question in light of those around us, but have you seen any strangers hanging around, I mean acting suspiciously, in the last day or two?”
Sonia tucked a few stray hairs behind her left ear and pondered the question for a few long moments; eventually, she sighed and whispered, “I don’t think so. The café might be facing the lake, but I’m generally out the back in either the kitchen or the prep areas. The only time I’m out front is when I’m serving the customers, and even then, the till is on an angle to the lake. Isn’t it dreadful? This type of thing—finding a dead body here—could tarnish the lake’s reputation and have a massive impact on my business. Just what I could do without, after going through lockdown the last eighteen months or so.”
She couldn’t believe her ears. All the woman seemed concerned about was the fact her trade would be affected. Sam had trouble restraining herself when she spoke again. “I can imagine. Although, saying that, I bet the family is going to be mega-distraught after finding out a loved one has died, or worse still, been murdered.”
The young woman gasped and slapped her hand over her mouth for a second. “Hush my big mouth. I’m so sorry. I truly didn’t mean to be so insensitive. Whatever must you think of me?”
Sam smiled, not willing to express the truth; instead, she glanced along the shoreline. Ahead was a small kiosk, a boat hire place. She pointed. “Do you know who runs the boat hire business?”
“Yes, of course, that would be Kirk Withenstall.” Sonia peered over her shoulder. “He’s back there. He was ordered to lock up and join the rest of us, away from the crime scene. Want me to go and get him for you? There’s really nothing more I can tell you.”
“Okay, yes, if you could.”
Sam shuffled her feet, sorting through the larger pebbles until a man in his mid-thirties plonked himself on the seat beside her.
“Hi, I’m Kirk.” He nodded at the kiosk off to their right. “That’s my gaff. Any idea how long all this is going to take? Some of us are trying to make a living, as you’ll appreciate the last year’s takings were shite and we’re all playing catch-up, or trying to.”
Jesus! What the fuck is wrong with people? Their main priority caring for their business, not giving two hoots that there is a dead body lying not twenty feet away. Why? Because the victim is old? Would they be thinking differently if the victim had been someone more around their age or younger?
Sam bit back the venomous retort on the tip of her tongue. “It’ll take however long the pathologist deems necessary. In my experience, that can be anything from one hour to ten.”
“What the fuc…? Sorry, excuse the language.” He leaned over and lowered his voice. “Can’t you have a word with him? Hurry him along a bit? Look at this crowd, I’ve got dozens of prospective customers milling around and my bloody hands are tied because someone chose to die here.”
The anger bubbled inside. Sam was no longer prepared to hold back. “Kirk, I see you don’t have a compassionate bone in your body, I’m wondering if you know more about this incident than you’re letting on, do you?”
His face was an absolute picture. “What? Are you for real? You think I have something to do with this?” he blustered, appearing offended by her insinuation.
Sam shrugged, not willing to bow out just yet. “You have the means to get out to the centre of the lake, you know, where the victim was found.”
“Bloody hell. I can’t believe what you’re saying. I’m not the only mug with boats for hire around here, you know. Anyway, loads of people haul their own boats down here on the back of a trailer, so don’t go pointing the finger at me unless you have more to go on than just assumption. It ain’t gonna wash with me, lady.”
“Everything all right here?” Bob arrived and stood behind Sam.
“Yes, I think so, DS Jones. Kirk and I were just having a discussion about whether one of his boats might have been used in the crime, that’s all.”
“Ah, right. It’s a possibility, then?”
Kirk swept a hand through his blond spiky hair. “No, it friggin’ ain’t a possibility. I’ve heard about coppers like you, stitching up innocent people like me when clues are thin on the ground during an investigation. Do you want me to get a solicitor? Because I will if I have to, and you know what? My guess is they’d wipe the floor with you.”
Sam smiled weakly. “That won’t be necessary. As you can appreciate, we need to question all these people who are based in the area. Now, if you’ve calmed down, perhaps you can tell me if you’ve hired a boat out to anyone suspicious lately?”
“Blimey, you really think someone would hire out a boat and dump a body at the same place? Is that what they teach you at police college, is it?”
Sam ground her teeth, annoyed that he had a snide mouth on him.
“You’ve got a smart mouth, Kirk. The inspector asked a simple question, why don’t you have the civility to answer her without showing how rude you can be?” Bob chastised him.
Kirk flung an arm in the air and let it drop again. “Sorry. I guess I’m s
till antsy about the money I lost last year during the pandemic. Just when I was getting back on my feet, you know, having money coming in for a change, this happens. Yes, I’m sorry for the victim, but bloody hell, if I don’t start paying off the huge loan I took out to see me through, I ain’t gonna have a business left.”
“Sorry to hear that,” Sam was quick to respond before Bob laid into the bloke for being selfish. “None of us like dealing with a dead body at the best of times, but we’re here to investigate a crime; all we want in return is for the members of the public to help us with our enquiries, if they can.”
“I understand that.” He rose to his feet. “I can’t help, therefore I’m going to go now. I know my rights.” He walked away from them before either of them could prevent him.
“Ignorant fucking shit! Want me to slap some cuffs on him and make a show of him by putting him in the back of the car to cool down for a while?”
“Nope, I’d love to bring him down a peg or two, but he just isn’t worth it, Bob. Blame it on the pandemic. It’s left most business owners I know angry, which I suppose is understandable.”
“Rudeness shouldn’t need to be tolerated, not by us. Our job is tough enough as it is, without dicks like that pissing us off. What now?”
“We get uniform to take down some statements while we head off.”
He cringed. “Meaning we have to break the news to Brenda, right?”
“Sadly, yes. I want to have another quick word with Des before we leave. See if he has anything else for us to go on.”
“Yeah, I wouldn’t hold my breath on that one, if I were you.”
They walked back to the shoreline. Des was at his equipment case, behind the temporary screen the SOCO technicians had erected to shield the scene from the crowd.
“Hi, is there any point in me asking if you have anything else for us?” Sam asked.
“Nope. I’m still carrying out the regular tests I conduct at the crime scene, only got a few more and then we’ll be out of here. Can your guys make sure we’ve got a free path back to the vehicle? I’d bring it down here, but the terrain is too rough, my vehicle is likely to get stuck.”
“Leave it with me, I’ll get that sorted for you. We’re going to make a move. We have to inform the next of kin before it winds up on the news.”
“Go for it. Good luck. I’ll be doing the PM this afternoon, I’ll get him cleaned up. Tell the wife she can visit him in a couple of days.”
“I’ll text you her details later.”
“Thanks, and I’ll have my report to you ASAP.”
“Appreciate that, Des. Speak soon.”
Sam and Bob stripped off their protective suits and deposited them in the black bag at the edge of the crime scene. Sam let Bob deal with the uniforms on site, ensuring that they paved the way for Des and his team to gain access to their vehicles without any major issues.
Sam went back to the car and rang the station. She spoke to Claire and brought her up to date on what was going on. “Anything happened there yet, Claire?”
“No, nothing worth mentioning, boss. All going rather slowly on this one, which is uber frustrating for all of us.”
“You’re not wrong there. Okay, we’ve got a long trek back to see Brenda, we’ll break the news, then head back to base.”
“Good luck. You’ve got a tough job ahead of you.”
Sam exhaled a long, slow breath. “Yep, I have no idea how I’m going to tell the poor woman her husband won’t be coming home again.”
She ended the call.
Bob joined her a few seconds later and they got on the road. It wasn’t long before they passed over the newly opened Pooley Bridge which had collapsed back in 2015 during Storm Desmond.
“I’m not looking forward to this,” Bob declared, halfway through the journey.
“Hey, it’s all right for you, the onus usually sits heavily on my bloody shoulders, in case you hadn’t noticed, partner.”
He groaned. “Yeah, I noticed. I was speaking up for you, if you must know. She’s going to be distraught.”
“You reckon?”
“Your sarcasm can be a pain in the arse at times, just saying.”
“Sorry. I was mentally preparing myself for the onerous task ahead, now that’s all gone to pot.”
“Why? Because of me opening my mouth?”
“Yep!”
“Charming. As far as I can recall, being a mind reader isn’t in my job description.”
Sam pulled a face at him. “Shut up and let me think.”
Bob did just that, well, after he’d grumbled something indecipherable first. Then he added, “Hey, at least it gets us out of attending the PM.”
“I suppose so.”
After what seemed like an eternity, Sam indicated into the farm and nudged the car out of gear so it coasted to a standstill outside the farmhouse. A twitch of the curtain caught her eye. “She’s aware we’re here.”
Bob turned to look at the lounge window. “I can see her reflection in the mirror at the back of the room, she’s going into the hallway.”
“Okay, let’s get out. I hope your tea-making skills are up to scratch?”
“They are. Be gentle with her.”
Sam’s eyes widened and she glared at him.
The front door opened and a worried-looking Brenda appeared on the doorstep. Sam stepped out of the car and reluctantly approached the farmhouse on heavy, unwilling legs. “Hello, Brenda. Can we go inside?”
The car door slammed behind Sam, making her heart skip a beat. Bob eased into position beside her.
“Why are you back so soon? Have you found him?”
“It would be better if we went inside, Brenda,” Sam insisted.
Brenda stumbled, and Bob hurriedly rushed forward to break her fall as she slammed into the wall. “He’s gone, hasn’t he?”
“I’m so sorry. This isn’t easy for us to tell you. Are you all right?”
Bob helped Brenda to her feet, but her legs gave way a second time. “I can’t do this. I want to die, leave me alone. I just want to curl up and die. Life won’t be worth living, not without David around.”
Acid burnt Sam’s throat and her heart lay heavy against her ribs. “Come on, let’s get you up.”
Brenda wrenched her arm free from Bob. “I don’t want any help. All I want is David back. Bring him home safe and well, why can’t you do that?”
The woman’s confusion was written across her face. Sam and Bob both took an arm and hauled Brenda to her feet. Sam slipped Brenda’s arm around her neck and gripped her around the waist, holding her upright. “Easy does it. We’ll soon get you settled. Can Bob make you a cup of tea?”
“Yes, that would be nice,” Brenda whispered.
Bob went in one direction and Sam steered Brenda through to the lounge. She helped Brenda into the easy chair by the gas fire, knelt down on the floor beside her and grasped her hands in her own. “I know this wasn’t the news you were hoping for, Brenda. Is there someone you’d like me to call?”
Tears bulged and dropped onto her cheeks. “My daughter. I don’t think I have it in me to ring her myself. My heart hurts as well as my head. I can’t imagine a life without him. To think he died all alone.”
“Do you have her details?”
“Yes, there’s an address book sitting on the side over there, I had it out the other day and forgot to put it away again. Look under M for Michelle.”
“Will do.” Sam patted Brenda’s hand and got to her feet. She collected the book and flipped through it. Finding the number, she withdrew her phone from her pocket and dialled it.
A woman answered the call on the first ring. “Hello, Michelle speaking.”
“Hello, Michelle. I’m DI Sam Cobbs. I’m at the farmhouse with your mother.”
“Oh gosh! Is Mum okay?”
“Yes, your mother is fine. Umm… she could do with you being with her at present. Is that possible?”
“I’m a couple of hours away, I live in Manche
ster. Please, tell me what’s going on. Are you the police officer dealing with my father’s disappearance?”
“I am. I didn’t really want to tell you this over the phone, but your father’s body has been found.”
Brenda screamed behind her. Startled, Sam nearly dropped the phone. She heard the clattering of china and saw Bob had entered the room, cursing the fact he’d spilt the tea in the saucer.
“Mum, is mum okay?” Michelle shouted tearfully down the line.
“We’re here with her. Can you come?”
“Yes, oh God. I’m in such a tizz. Dad, poor Dad, I can’t believe he’s gone. Are you sure it’s him?”
“Yes, I’m so sorry for your loss. Please, if you’re going to drive up here, drive safely.”
“I will. I’ll throw a few things in a bag and set off shortly. I work from home, so it’s not a problem. Give mum a hug from me. Tell her I love her.”
“I will. See you soon. We’ll stay with your mother until you arrive.”
“You’d do that for us? I can’t thank you enough. That will be a load off my mind. Thank you.”
“Don’t mention it. Take care.”
Sam hit the End Call button and returned to Brenda’s side. “Michelle is just packing a bag and then she’ll start her journey. We’ll be here for you until she arrives. Is there anything I can get you, Brenda?”
“No. Just the cup of tea.” She leaned forward and picked up her cup, shaking her head while she sipped at the hot drink. “Why? How?” she finally asked after replacing her cup and saucer on the tray.
“He was found in the middle of Ullswater Lake.”
“But… that’s miles away from here. How did he get there?”
“The person who abducted him must have taken him there.”
“But why? I can’t get my head around this. David is gone, murdered for what? Why would anyone choose to kidnap him and then ki… take his life? None of this makes any sense to me. What the hell am I going to do now, without him? Who is going to run the farm? I can’t do it, not alone, not at my time of life. I’ve been tired for years now. The burden on me is going to be immense. I won’t be able to cope.” She broke down again.
Sam knelt beside her once more and gathered Brenda’s hands in her own. “Won’t your family be able to help?”
