Playing At Murder (A Butterworth Mystery Book 1)

by Gillian Larkin

  “You do that. Shall we make a start now?” She looked at Sable’s bag. “Have you got a camera in there? We could do with taking photos when we get to Rachel’s house. I suppose we could use our phones. Or is taking photos an invasion of privacy? And what about taking statements from witnesses? Should we record them? Or is that illegal?” Connie wrung her hands together. “I’m beginning to think this is a bad idea.”

  Sable placed her hand on Connie’s arm. “One step at a time. Let’s go to Rachel’s house and take it from there. I’ll get our coats.”

  Connie noticed the mention of ‘we’ again, but didn’t say anything. A feeling of dread settled in her stomach. This was a really bad idea. How could she be a private investigator? At her age? What had she been thinking? She looked at her box sets on the shelf and mumbled, “It’s all your fault.”

  Sable came back into the room. “What’s wrong with your face? Do you need the toilet?”

  “No. I need a shot of confidence.” Connie put her coat on.

  Sable picked up her handbag. There was a hint of excitement in her eyes. “You don’t need confidence; just a sense of adventure. We’re only going to make a few enquiries. What could possibly go wrong?” She waggled her eyebrows at Connie.

  Connie burst out laughing. “Famous last words. Come on; let’s solve the mystery of the missing childminder.”

  Chapter 4

  Rachel Woods lived on a quiet, residential street.

  As they parked outside her semi-detached house, Connie said, “I can’t see many cars in the driveways of the surrounding houses. People must be at work.”

  “There are one or two cars dotted around. We’ll knock on those doors first.”

  They got out of the car and walked along Rachel’s empty driveway. They both studied the tarmacked surface as they went along.

  Connie said, “What are you looking for?”

  “Blood. What are you looking for?”

  “Any signs of a struggle. Any scuff marks from shoes as feet have been dragged along the ground. Rachel could have been kidnapped.” She shot a grin at Sable. “We’re a suspicious pair, aren’t we?”

  Sable’s mouth twitched at the corner. “We’re investigating the area. We have to think of all possibilities.” She looked at the neat garden to her side. “I like all the low-maintenance plants she has. And there’s not one weed in sight.”

  “I’ve noticed it’s a child-friendly garden. Nothing sharp or dangerous in here.”

  Sable said, “Let’s knock on the door. Just in case. Rachel could be inside right now wondering what two old women are doing on her property.” She headed to the front door and rapped on it.

  Connie joined her. They waited for a moment, then Connie stepped to the side and pressed her face against the front window.

  “I can’t see anyone inside,” she reported. “Everything’s neat and tidy in there. It looks like my house with boxes of toys in the corner. I can’t see any signs of a struggle. No overturned furniture. And no dead bodies lying anywhere.”

  Sable tutted and shook her head. “You’re letting your imagination run away with you.”

  Connie said, “You were the one who was looking for blood a minute ago. Let’s have a look round the back.”

  The back garden was enclosed by a tall fence. Sable attempted to open the child-friendly gate but wasn’t successful.

  “Let me,” Connie said. “I’ve got a similar one.” She opened the gate and stepped into the back garden.

  Sable followed her, planted her hands on her hips and said, “Well, I wasn’t expecting this.”

  They looked at the large, muddy area in front of them.

  Sable said, “This isn’t child-friendly at all. What a mess!”

  “I can’t imagine it looks like this all the time, not compared to the rest of the garden. She must be having some work done.”

  Connie walked over to a small sandwich board at the side of the path. It displayed a company name. “She is having something done. This company specialises in soft play surfaces. You know, like that soft one they’ve put in at the park. It’s bouncy underfoot.” She let out a low whistle. “It must be costing Rachel a lot to get this much done. It costs an eye-watering amount to have even a small patch laid. I was thinking of having some in my back garden for the grandkids. Until I saw the price.”

  Sable said, “I wonder if this is why she’s gone away? She couldn’t have children here if this work is going on.” She frowned. “I hate to say this, but what if Tina is wrong about this whole thing? What if Rachel had told her she was going away because she was having the garden done? And what if Tina simply forgot?”

  “That is a possibility. Shall we question the neighbours anyway?”

  “We might as well. Seeing as we’re here.”

  They turned around and walked away from the messy garden. Connie made sure she closed the gate on the way out.

  They tried the houses on either side of Rachel’s, but there was no reply. They got lucky on their third house and a young man opened his door to them. Connie put him in his late twenties or early thirties. His pale complexion, and the way he squinted as he opened the door suggested he didn’t get outside often.

  Connie began, “We’re so sorry for disturbing you. We’re trying to find Rachel Woods and wondered if you’d seen her recently. She lives two doors down.”

  The man said, “I know who she is. Why are you looking for her?”

  Sable went into a smooth lie. “We want to employ her as a childminder for our grandchildren. We’ve heard glowing reports about her. How well do you know her?”

  “Only to say hello to. I don’t know where she is. Sorry.” He started to close the door.

  Connie looked through the gap and into his house. She saw two large computer screens on a table. She pointed to them and said, “Excuse me for being nosey, but what do you do for a job?”

  “I run an online marketing business. Amongst other things.”

  “Really?” Connie clasped her hands together. “You might be just the man we’re looking for.”

  The door closed a fraction more.

  Connie said, “My friend and I are setting up a business, and we don’t know where to begin with websites and all that palaver.”

  The door opened again. The young man said, “It’s quite easy to do. Have you thought about email marketing? And about growing a social platform?”

  Connie shook her head. “You might as well be talking Italian to me. I’ve no idea what you’re going on about. I don’t suppose you have a business card, do you?”

  The man’s face lit up. “I do. I carry them with me.” He reached into his pocket and took out a small card. He handed it to Connie. “I’m Adrian Higgins. I’d be happy to help you with your business. I have a lot of contacts who could help you too. Internet marketing is a fascinating business.”

  “How long have you been doing it?” Sable asked.

  Adrian said, “About ten years. The best thing about it is that I can work from home.”

  “I see,” Sable said. “Does that mean Rachel’s business affects yours? I imagine hearing children playing outside would put you off your work.”

  Adrian tapped his ears. “I wear noise-cancelling headphones. Anyway, she only looks after two children now. A little boy and an older girl. I see them arriving and leaving sometimes. Their mum drops them off and picks them up. Mostly.”

  “Mostly? What do you mean by that?” Sable asked.

  Adrian moved a bit closer. “I don’t know if I should be saying this. But when the mum picks the kids up, she stays for a few minutes and then leaves. But when the dad picks them up, he stays for a good ten minutes or more before leaving.” He held his hands up. “I’m not saying there’s anything going on. But it shouldn’t take that long to get your kids from the childminder, should it?”

  “No, it shouldn’t.” Connie waved the card at him. “Thank you for this. I’ll be in touch.”

  Connie and Sable didn’t say a word as
they returned to the car.

  As soon as they were in the car, Connie said, “Tina never mentioned her husband.”

  “To be fair, we never asked her,” Sable pointed out. “That’s completely my fault. It should have been one of my questions.”

  They looked towards Rachel’s house.

  Connie said, “Theory number one is that the husband was having an affair with the childminder. And the affair is linked to her disappearance.”

  “Possible. What’s theory number two?”

  “I haven’t got one yet.” Connie started up the car. “But I know what our next step is. We’re going to talk to Tina’s husband.”

  Chapter 5

  Connie phoned Tina as soon as they got home and confirmed they’d been to Rachel’s house. She didn’t mention the information Adrian Higgins had given them about Tina’s husband.

  Connie said, “We never asked if you were married earlier. And you didn’t mention a husband. Are you married?”

  Tina replied, “Didn’t I tell you? Oh, I thought I had. Yes, I am married.”

  “Does your husband know Rachel’s missing? And does he know you’ve been in contact with us?”

  “Yes to the first question, and no to the second. Does he need to know?”

  Connie said, “He might have some valuable information for us. We won’t know until we talk to him. Could we call round to see you both this evening?”

  There was a pause before Tina spoke, “Yes, that would be all right. Come round at seven. That will give me time to tell him about you.”

  Connie ended the call and then told Sable what Tina had said.

  Sable nodded. “Seems that Mr and Mrs Dawson are keeping secrets from each other.” She looked at her watch. “I’ll have to leave you for now. I’ve got an appointment with the doctor. I’ll do the driving tonight. I’ll pick you up later.”

  “You still want to help me with this investigation then?” Connie gave her a satisfied smile. “I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist a mystery.”

  Sable lifted her chin. “It doesn’t mean anything. I may be a little curious as to what Mr Dawson is going to say, but that’s all. I shall see you later.”

  She left the house leaving Connie smiling like the Cheshire Cat.

  Sable picked Connie up promptly later that evening, and they made their way over to Tina’s house.

  A harassed-looking Tina opened the door to them. “Hello, again. Do come in. Excuse the mess.”

  As soon as Sable stepped into the kitchen, Tom toddled over to her and wrapped his arms around her leg.

  Sable smiled down at him. “Hello there, Tom. How are you this evening?”

  In reply, Tom rested his head against her leg.

  Tina shook her head in disbelief. “He really likes you. If we can’t find Rachel, would you consider looking after him?”

  Sable reached down and picked Tom up. “I’m afraid I’d never give him back.”

  A young girl danced into the kitchen wearing an Iron Man costume. “Mum! I can fly! Watch!” She jumped on to a nearby chair and flung herself off.

  Tina caught her just in time. “Katie! How many times have I told you to be careful?”

  “But I can fly. Just like Iron Man. Watch.” She wriggled free from her mum’s arms and leapt on to the chair again.

  Sable stepped forward. “Young lady, don’t you know that Iron Man never flies inside a house?”

  Katie held her arms out. “He doesn’t?”

  “No. It’s far too dangerous. Every superhero knows that.”

  Katie lowered her arms. “Yeah. I knew that.” She got off the chair. “Mum, can I have my bath now? With the bubbles? The purple bubbles? And the soft towels? And the strawberry shampoo?”

  Tina said, “Soon. We’ve got visitors.”

  “Don’t worry about us,” Connie said. “We’re here to talk to your husband anyway. You go and see to Katie’s bath.” She smiled at the little girl. “I have purple bubbles in my bath too.”

  Tina said, “Thanks. Let me take Tom from you.”

  Katie wailed, “No! I don’t want Tom in the bath!”

  “I’ll look after the little one,” Sable said. “We’ll be fine. Where’s Mr Dawson?”

  “In the living room. It’s through this door. I’ve told him about you.” She lowered her voice. “He wasn’t happy about it.”

  Katie tugged on her mum’s shirt. “Mum! Please can I have a bath now? Please!”

  Tina took her daughter’s hand and led her out of the kitchen.

  Connie knocked softly on the living room door before entering.

  They found Mr Dawson slumped in a chair with a can of beer in his hand.

  He looked them over before saying, “Are you the detectives Tina’s hired? You don’t look like detectives.” He waved his can in the direction of Tom. “What’s he doing here? He should be in bed.”

  Connie saw a hard glint come into Sable’s eyes. She’d never been on the receiving end of that look, but she’d known many unfortunate people who had.

  Connie decided she’d better take control. “Yes, we are the investigators. Would you mind if we asked you a few questions about Rachel Woods?”

  “You can ask. I don’t know if I’ll answer.” He took a swig from his can.

  “When did you last see Rachel?” Connie asked.

  “Last Thursday when I picked the kids up.”

  “Did you know her well?”

  Mr Dawson’s eyes turned into slits. “What do you mean by that?”

  Connie said, “What was your relationship with her like? Were you on friendly terms or was it just business?”

  “What are you getting at?”

  Sable said coolly, “Did you speak to her on a personal level? Did she mention she’d be going away this week?”

  Mr Dawson took another swig of his beer. “She didn’t say anything like that to me. Her arrangement is with my missus, not me. I tried not to have anything to do with her.”

  “Why?” Sable asked. Tom leant his head against her chest and studied his dad.

  “She talked non-stop. About everything and nothing. I had to stand there politely and listen to her. I don’t know why Tina’s bothered about her not being at home. I’m glad to see the back of her.”

  Mr Dawson didn’t strike Connie as the type of man who’d listen to anyone politely.

  “Was there anything else?” Mr Dawson asked. He picked up a remote control and pointed it at the TV. “I’ve got stuff to do.”

  Connie shared a look with Sable. They left the living room and returned to the kitchen.

  Sable moved Tom to her other side and whispered, “What an obnoxious man. He’s obviously lying about something.”

  “I agree,” Connie whispered back. “But I don’t think we’ll get anything else out of him.”

  Sable said, “I’ll take this one upstairs and let Tina know we’re going.” She directed a hard look at the living room door as she passed it.

  Once they’d returned to Connie’s home, Sable said, “I think we could do with a cup of tea and something to eat. Shall I whip us up a cheese omelette?”

  “Yes, please. I love your omelettes. I can never make them as good as you. I’ll check my emails. I’m expecting a refund on that toaster that blew up on me last week.”

  Connie went into the conservatory, and Sable went into the kitchen.

  Sable came into the conservatory ten minutes later with a tray. She stopped in her tracks when she saw Connie’s expression.

  Sable put the tray on the table and said, “Whatever’s the matter? Have they refused to give you a refund?”

  Connie’s cheeks were flushed as she jabbed her finger at the screen. “It’s not the toaster. I’ve got a refund for that. It’s Mr Dawson. He’s sent me an email. He must have got my address from Tina.”

  Sable sat next to Connie. “What’s he written?”

  Connie looked at Sable. “He wants to cancel our services. He says it’s a waste of time and money, and he wo
n’t allow Tina to continue with this stupid idea. His words, not mine. The nerve of him!”

  Sable pulled the computer towards her. “Let me see that!” She read through the email. “He’s not allowing Tina to continue? Who does he think he is? I’ll send him a reply.” She started to tap on the keyboard.

  “What are you writing?”

  “I’m advising him that our contract is with Tina, not him. And, as such, only Tina can cancel it. I’ll use plenty of long words to bamboozle him. He’ll need a dictionary to work out my meaning.” Sable paused and looked at Connie. “There’s something fishy going on here. But we’re going to find Rachel Woods, mark my words.”

  Chapter 6

  Sable returned to Connie’s house bright and early the next morning. They had a cup of coffee and a croissant, and talked about Rachel Woods.

  Sable pulled out a couple of printed sheets from her handbag. “I had a good think about that layabout we spoke to last night.”

  Connie smiled. “I take it you mean Mr Dawson?”

  “Yes. A couple of possibilities have come to mind. The first one, and most obvious, is that he was lying to us. I think he was the one who kept Rachel chatting when he picked the children up. Perhaps he took a shine to her and wanted to take things further. She refused which sent him into a rage. He then decided to take his revenge by murdering her. He put her body in the boot of her car, and then disposed of both the car and body. Perhaps he pushed the car off a cliff.”

  “And you said I had an overactive imagination.” Connie looked at Sable’s notes. “You’ve drawn images to go with that theory. I like the one of Mr Dawson behind bars. Not sure about the one of him hanging from the gallows. You know that doesn’t happen anymore.”

  “That was just for my pleasure.” Sable moved the top sheet to the bottom. “The other theory is that the layabout could be right about Rachel being the chatty one. It could have been Rachel who was the besotted one. Goodness knows why. She could have wanted to move things along. And when he said no, she found the thought of looking after his children unbearable, and so had to leave her home and her business. She had to do that without telling anyone.”