The Appeal
Page 32
Mr Greenwood: It wasn’t.
Sgt Cooper: You worked for Médecins Sans Frontières, didn’t you? Why did you come back?
Mr Greenwood: We’d seen too much.
Sgt Crowe: Violence?
Mr Greenwood: We saw monsters conspire to protect each other. You don’t get over that. Sam couldn’t. But she couldn’t let it go, either. She came here to watch her. To see who she was. Who would do something like that. There must be something else rotten in their life. Sure enough, there was. But when I sent her a card, she said it was spiteful and vindictive. I said we’re helpless. Spite is all we have left. Then the neighbours complained.
Sgt Cooper: When was this?
Mr Greenwood: Weeks ago.
Sgt Cooper: On Wednesday night, where did you go?
Mr Greenwood: The Travellers’ Inn. Claudia. Her husband knew. He’d known for days, but didn’t let on. He arranged air tickets to Portugal for him and the kids. Changed the locks, texted her from the airport when she was at work. Said the house is on the market and they aren’t coming back.
Sgt Cooper: Claudia is your girlfriend, who earlier that day attacked your wife at her place of work? For the benefit of the transcript, Mr Greenwood is nodding.
Mr Greenwood: Sam emailed Claudia’s husband and told him about us. Spiteful and vindictive, huh? She doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut. Sorry. But if she hadn’t said anything, she’d be alive now. You don’t have to speak, do you? You can leave things be. Even if they’re wrong. Even if they stink the place out. It’s not your problem, or your business, or your place to put them right.
Sgt Crowe: Take a tissue . . .
Mr Greenwood: I told her: let it go. I said people don’t always want to know the truth. It’s too complicated or painful or whatever . . . It was my last shot at saving us. I can’t go through it again. When you take a stand like that, no one else will stand with you, believe me. I told her: if she said anything, she’d never see me again. But it wasn’t enough. She had to go and say it.
Sgt Crowe: Say what? What did Sam say that she shouldn’t have?
Mr Greenwood: All that about the appeal.
Sgt Cooper: So she was wrong?
Mr Greenwood: Wrong? No! They’re rinsing that kid’s cancer for all it’s worth. God only knows how much they’ve made, but . . . so what? So what. If people want to throw money at the Haywards, let them.
Sgt Crowe: So . . . correct me if I’m wrong. You told Samantha that night that if she spoke her mind about the appeal, you would leave the relationship. She did. So when you both arrived back at your block of flats that night, you dropped her off and drove away to be with Claudia instead.
Sgt Cooper: Mr Greenwood is nodding.
Mr Greenwood: If I’d gone in with her, she wouldn’t have done it.
Sgt Crowe: Kel, can I ask how you injured your foot?
Mr Greenwood: Claudia needed clothes. Her keys didn’t work. We had to break in through an upstairs window. Lost my footing. Fell off the garage roof. Woke the neighbours. Didn’t get back to the motel till gone two.
Sgt Cooper: And the following day. Thursday. What did you do?
Mr Greenwood: Went to a solicitor.
Sgt Cooper: To see about a divorce?
Mr Greenwood: No. With Claudia. To find out how she could get the kids back if Michael stayed in Portugal.
Sgt Cooper: You appeared in the play for all three nights, I believe?
Mr Greenwood: Yes. For what that was worth.
Sgt Cooper: In the circumstances, if you’d felt unable to continue, they would have found someone else. Why did you go through with it?
Mr Greenwood: Didn’t want to let them down. They’ve all worked hard. And it raises money for the kid.
County Police Interview Report
Extract from police interview with Nicolas Walford:
Sgt Cooper: Thanks for coming in, Mr Walford. You know why you’re here?
Mr Walford: Yep.
Sgt Cooper: A woman was found dead across the green from your address and, under those circumstances, we speak to anyone in the vicinity with convictions for comparable crimes, just to eliminate them.
Mr Walford: I never killed anyone.
Sgt Crowe: We know . . .
Sgt Cooper: We know. But you have a conviction dating back to 2007 for ABH against your then-girlfriend . . .
Sgt Crowe: And you were acquainted with the deceased.
Mr Walford: She was in the drama group. I didn’t know her.
Sgt Cooper: Amateur drama a strange hobby, isn’t it?
Mr Walford: Not really.
Sgt Cooper: What I mean is, you don’t strike me as a thespian, Nicolas.
Mr Walford: We do it for Mum. She says it keeps us out of trouble.
Sgt Cooper: When did you last see Samantha Greenwood?
Mr Walford: At the dress rehearsal.
Sgt Cooper: Anything unusual about her behaviour?
Mr Walford: No.
Sgt Crowe: Apparently she had a verbal altercation with Martin Hayward. Did you see that?
Mr Walford: No.
Sgt Cooper: The rehearsal was abandoned as a result. You didn’t know why?
Mr Walford: Just glad of the early night.
Sgt Cooper: What did you do when you left the church hall?
Mr Walford: Went back home. Logged on for work at midnight. Was called out just before two.
Sgt Cooper: That’s right, you were at the Travellers’ Inn. Why was that?
Mr Walford: Gas escape. Leak at boiler. I was there an hour. It’s all on my works system.
Sgt Crowe: Your mother, Joyce, told us you saw Kel Greenwood there with a woman not his wife – the deceased – and that they looked distressed.
Mr Walford: Nah. It might have been him. I couldn’t swear to it. Mum puts two and two together and makes ten.
Sgt Cooper: Did Kel see you?
Mr Walford: If it was him. I don’t know.
Sgt Cooper: Did this person who may have been Kel say anything to you, or you to him?
Mr Walford: No.
Sgt Crowe: That’ll be all for now. Thank you for your help.
Mr Walford: Pleasure.
County Police Interview Report
Extract from police interview with Arnold Ballancore:
Sgt Crowe: That’s a fat lip you’re rocking there, Arnie. How did you get that?
Mr Ballancore: When the police came. Must’ve fallen or something.
Sgt Crowe: That’s a shame.
Sgt Cooper: We won’t keep you long. You can go back to Fowey clink in a bit.
Mr Ballancore: Thanks.
Sgt Cooper: When did you last see Samantha Greenwood?
Mr Ballancore: Can’t remember. Why?
Sgt Cooper: It’s very important. When did you last see Samantha Greenwood?
Mr Ballancore: Probably . . . last week. I been smoking, so . . . why?
Sgt Crowe: Sam died on Wednesday night. She fell from the balcony of her flat.
Sgt Cooper: Ah. Ok.
Sgt Crowe: [to duty officer] Can we have a bucket, please?
– Interview suspended –
Sgt Cooper: All right? Happy to continue?
Mr Ballancore: Uh-huh.
Sgt Cooper: You didn’t know? Mr Ballancore is shaking his head.
Mr Ballancore: Kel?
Sgt Cooper: Kel is very upset, as you can imagine.
Mr Ballancore: That man. He didn’t know what he had.
Sgt Crowe: When were you last at Sam’s flat, Arnie?
Mr Ballancore: Walked back, took a wrong turn somewhere, but got in . . . dunno when.
Sgt Cooper: You were released from here at just after midnight on Thursday 5 July. Are you saying you walked seven miles back to the flat?
Mr Ballancore: Yeah.
Sgt Crowe: You’ve got your own key? Mr Ballancore is nodding.
Sgt Cooper: What time did you get there?
Mr Ballancore: Late. Where was Kel? Sam. Oh no. She didn’
t . . . to herself?
Sgt Cooper: Was Sam in the flat when you got there? Not again. Take a tissue. Arnie, concentrate and you’ll help us find out what happened to her.
Mr Ballancore: Place was empty. I thought, ‘They’re on nights.’ I lay down a while. Got my things together. Left when it was light.
Sgt Crowe: Was the flat messy when you arrived? No.
Sgt Cooper: Did you notice anything – anything out of the ordinary? No.
Sgt Crowe: Did you see anyone around, maybe in the car park or on the green? No.
Sgt Cooper: Were the balcony doors open or closed?
Mr Ballancore: Closed. Didn’t touch ’em. Not my place. Just lay on the couch.
Sgt Cooper: And when it was light you left, even though you were on bail and had a pending court appearance for aggravated burglary? Mr Ballancore is nodding.
Mr Ballancore: Sorry.
Sgt Cooper: Someone grassed you up for that. Do you know who it was? Mr Ballancore shrugs in reply to that question.
Sgt Crowe: Arnie, did you kill Samantha Greenwood?
Mr Ballancore: What? Oh, the fuck? No! So that’s where it’s going. I’m not saying any more. I want the duty solicitor. Kel . . .
Sgt Crowe: [to the duty officer] Can you call Ms Anand, please.
Sgt Cooper: Kel? What about Kel?
Mr Ballancore: No comment.
County Police Interview Report
Extract from police interview with Isabel Beck:
Sgt Cooper: After Sam falls over the balcony, what do you do then?
Ms Beck: No comment.
Sgt Cooper: Do you look over to see where she’s landed, whether she’s ok or not?
Ms Beck: No comment.
Sgt Cooper: Call an ambulance?
Ms Beck: No comment.
Sgt Cooper: You do in fact call an ambulance, but almost twenty-four hours later. The following evening, 5 July, Joel and Celia Halliday drive you to Sam’s flat. You want to go there you say, because you ‘have something for Kel’. They tell you he’s not home, but you insist. What is it you want to give Kel?
Ms Beck: No comment.
Sgt Cooper: Or is that a lie?
Ms Beck: No comment.
Sgt Crowe: You don’t have anything to give Kel, but you want to be the one to find Sam. You deserve your little moment in the spotlight, after all that planning and execution.
Ms Anand: Sergeant . . .
Ms Beck: No comment.
Charlotte
The police interview Nick Walford, but not Glen Reswick or the MacDonalds?
Femi
Notice Kel and Issy mention Sam returning to Africa on her own. It must be one of the things she told people before she died. It means Kel and Claudia have no motivation for Sam’s murder. They’re ‘free’ now anyway.
Charlotte
The bag Sam gives Issy at the ball comes out of the blue here. If Issy really does go to the flat to return it – and I think she does – then Sam must have said something earth-shattering to her after the rehearsal.
Femi
Exactly my thoughts. ‘You emailed Michael D’Souza, said you were me. I don’t like you, never did. Going to Africa without you. Don’t want to speak to you again’ – Issy says earlier the bag reminds her of Sam, so once Sam rejects her, she wants it out of her life. So what stops her handing it over?
Charlotte
We know now why Claudia attacks Sam. And why Sam describes it as ‘understandable’. During the attack they exchange accusations. Claudia: ‘You told Michael when I asked you not to . . .’ Sam: ‘It wasn’t me.’ Claudia doesn’t believe her, and nor does Kel. It must influence his final ultimatum.
Femi
Kel sent the condolence card to Tish, telling her Dan is dead. Yet Sam is angry with him for it. Despite all Tish is guilty of, she won’t do that to her. It explains why she’s so angry with Issy for telling Michael about Claudia and Kel.
Charlotte
She really is ‘a lady of principle’.
Femi
Tanner thinks Issy didn’t enter Sam’s flat that night. It could still be an attention-seeking confession.
Charlotte
Her fingerprints are found, but she sleeps there the previous Saturday night, when we know she snoops around the lounge.
Femi
And does she really run five miles home? Both Martin and Kel have credible statements, if not cast-iron alibis. Nick Walford doesn’t give the police anything. But that doesn’t mean he did it.
Charlotte
Arnie? He must take at least two hours to walk seven miles – and take at least one wrong turn. By the time he arrives, Sam is dead and the murderer has closed the balcony doors, locked them and gone. That places Isabel, who arrives at 10.30 p.m. or a little later, in the right place at the right time.
Femi
Sam arrives home to Andy’s message. Do we think she responds to it immediately, even though her husband has just ended their relationship and driven away? We need a timeline. Give me a minute.
Charlotte
Isabel travels to Sam’s flat, but doesn’t go in. Confused. Distressed. She hangs around outside. Out of sight. Sends emails about everything being ok in the morning. Waits. Watches. Rides out her dark night of the soul. That’s where she meets the murderer.
The murder of Samantha Greenwood
Timeline of events
In the absence of exact times, I’ve approximated. All based on statements and correspondence.
Wednesday 4 July 2018
Before 6 a.m.
Sam leaves her flat to start the early shift. Isabel is also on the early shift. Kel is off work this week, so he’s home.
After 6 a.m.
Arnie is arrested by the police at the Greenwoods’ flat and taken away.
At some point during the morning, Michael texts Claudia to say he’s on his way to Portugal with their kids.
1.44 p.m.
Claudia attacks Sam in the ward. Issy calls the police.
2.20 p.m.
Police arrive at the Reswicks to take photographs of the Healing Doll.
Kel picks Sam up from the hospital and takes her home.
6 p.m.
The Fairway Players arrive for dress rehearsal.
Between 6 and 9 p.m.
A message is left on Sam’s answering service from Andy, telling her that if she can verify something, they will have to tell someone about it.
9 p.m.
Sam confronts Martin and Helen in front of the whole drama group. The rehearsal is abandoned. Sam leaves, followed by Issy, but Sam confronts Issy in the car park. Issy returns to the hall, devastated.
9.15 p.m.
Sam and Kel leave the hall by car and drive to their flat.
Issy leaves the hall and catches the bus to Sam’s flat.
Kevin MacDonald takes Harley home and goes to bed with a cold.
9.30 p.m.
Sarah-Jane visits Emma to discuss Sam’s accusations; she arrives home so late she sleeps on the sofa.
Martin and Helen arrive home; Helen is distraught and goes to bed.
Martin spends the next two hours sending emails and messages to Sam, Tish, Sarah-Jane and Paige; he claims then to play online poker for ‘much of the night’.
9.45 p.m.
Sam and Kel arrive at the flat. Kel drives away without going in. Sam enters and picks up Andy’s message.
Olivia is taken to surgery.
10 p.m.
Issy claims to arrive at Sam’s flat, where she argues with Sam and accidentally pushes her off the balcony. Then Issy claims to run – or at least walk – five miles home.
10.30 p.m.
James and Olivia’s twins are born.
Thursday 5 July 2018
12 a.m.
James announces his babies’ births. Arnie is released from police custody on bail; he walks back to the Greenwoods’ flat, taking at least one wrong turn. We have no confirmation of the exact time, but we are confident it is well af
ter the event.
Issy sends emails assuring everyone Sam will be fine, didn’t mean what she said and will be in the play the following night.
2 a.m.
Nick sees Kel and Claudia arrive at the Travellers’ Inn. They have been at Claudia’s house trying to break in to collect her belongings.
4 a.m.
Glen wakes Paige to tell her about her part in the play.
5 a.m.
Joyce sees Arnie leave the Greenwoods’ flat.
6 a.m.
Issy arrives for her early shift.
Kel spends the day with Claudia, consulting a solicitor.
Helen takes Poppy to the zoo, then helps Martin and Glen prepare Paige to take on Sam’s role in the play.
4.30 p.m.
The Haywards arrive at the hall to rehearse.
6 p.m.
The other Fairway Players arrive at the hall. Kel turns up late, limping, and is not himself.
8 p.m.
Curtain up.
11.30 p.m.
Celia and Joel drive Issy to the Greenwoods’ flat.
Friday 6 July 2018
12 a.m.
Issy calls 999 to say she’s found Sam’s body and that it’s been there a whole day.
Roderick Tanner, QC
Thank you for the timeline. If you consider it alongside the final masquerade, you will, I hope, reach the same conclusion I did.
Femi
We don’t have an alibi for Glen, except he’s home by 4 a.m. to tell his wife she’s in the play. How does he know that? Nothing points to him not being involved in the murder.
Charlotte
Sam dies between 11 p.m. and 4 a.m. Isabel and Arnie claim to be in the flat between those hours. Yet Arnie must arrive later, after the murderer has gone. This narrows the murder to earlier: 11 p.m.–1 a.m.
Femi
The twins are born at 10.30 p.m. That’s early. Earlier than I realised. Mr Tanner, is the final person who pretends to be someone else Olivia?
Charlotte
Olivia? We haven’t even heard from her. She’s having a baby – two babies – by Caesarean. She’s out cold.
Femi
She’s probably had an epidural. By midnight she posts – as James – to announce the births. Describes herself as ‘fast asleep’. James has left his phone with her at the hospital. He’s at Sam’s.