Wrongful Death

by Lynda La Plante

  Langton and Anna looked at each other. The reality was they’d both have liked to tell Gloria the deal was off, but they knew their hands were tied.

  Ian Holme added to Gloria’s question: ‘I have of course recorded the conversation on my Dictaphone and the micro-card will be given to Lady Lynne for safekeeping. Both she and I will treat any breach of confidence as a slur on her good character, and sue the Met.’

  There were other questions Anna badly wanted to put to Gloria, but she knew the woman would have the perfect answer. Anna was forced to admit defeat. Langton asked her to take Ian Holme to the custody area and have Aisa released immediately. He himself remained sitting opposite Gloria, who had taken out her powder compact and was carefully checking her appearance, dabbing beneath her eyes with the handkerchief he had given to her. Her mascara had left dark smudges beneath her eyes, and her cheeks showed a faint tear-stained line in her foundation.

  ‘Dear oh dear, I look dreadful,’ she said coyly and then she snapped the gold compact closed.

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  As Anna went down the cells to tell Aisa that she was being released without charge, she was deeply depressed. She’d started the day on such a high, convinced that she could get the truth out of Aisa and use her evidence against Gloria Lynne, but everything had backfired on her. Anna had known Gloria would be the greatest challenge she would ever face in an interview situation, but the truth was she had underestimated Gloria’s guile and cunning, and now not only did Anna feel she’d let herself down, but worse, Langton, Mike Lewis and everyone else on the team, even Dewar.

  She’d had to sit and watch Gloria Lynne’s masterful performance of deception and lies as she never once revealed the slightest chink in her armour. Defeat was never an easy pill to swallow in a murder investigation. Over the last few years, under Langton’s guidance, Anna had learned to accept that being a detective had its ups and downs and to take comfort from the old adage, ‘You win some, you lose some’. This was different: she’d been outwitted and humiliated by a woman she believed to be a serial killer, and Anna hated to feel she had failed.

  After Aisa’s release, Anna decided to walk round the block, get some fresh air and try and make sense of everything that had occurred. It dawned on her she’d never managed to have the office meeting to tell the team about her suspicions and the facts she had uncovered against Gloria Lynne. Most of them knew bits and pieces, but no one apart from Joan had the full story. Anna couldn’t leave them in the dark, and yet what she would be able to say was now restricted by Gloria’s threat to sue if confidentiality was broken. It would be embarrassing for her, but Anna knew that she would just have to swallow her pride and brief the team as best she could.

  Entering the incident room, she could see that the team was gathered together and Langton was addressing them. He stood tall and proud as he addressed the officers, and there was a look of admiration and respect on the faces of everyone in the room, even though he must be suffering from jet lag and exhaustion. Although she had come in midway through his debrief she heard enough to realize that he was taking full responsibility for everything, even claiming that he called her back from Quantico. She knew he was doing it to take the burden of pressure off her shoulders and keep the team’s faith in her. He had promised to take the flak and he was sticking to his word.

  Without revealing anything confidential, Langton acknowledged that they might feel there were many unanswered questions, but sometimes when politics and policing collided, hands were tied and not everyone could be privy to all the information. He reassured the team that they hadn’t been on a pointless journey – lessons had been learned, and each and every one of them should feel immensely proud of their contribution throughout the investigation. Langton ended by making it clear that the reinvestigation into Josh Reynolds’ death was now closed and the Coroner’s verdict of suicide was correct. He emphasized strongly that there was to be no gossip about the case outside the room, and if anyone betrayed his trust there would be severe repercussions. Sternly he asked if anyone had any questions, and although there was a mixture of confused and gloomy faces around the room, not one person said a word.

  Langton’s expression changed as he smiled and shook his head. ‘Cheer up, you miserable lot, you look like you’ve all been to a funeral.’

  ‘There’s always a wake after a funeral, guvnor!’ boomed the inimitable voice of Detective Dan Ross and everyone gave a loud cheer.

  Langton got his wallet out of his pocket and an even louder cheer went up as he pulled out two fifty-pound notes.

  ‘Go on then, get some nibbles as well. Spiced rum okay for you, DI Barolli?’ he asked to more laughter.

  Barolli, playing up to his colleagues, took a theatrical bow. ‘As long as it’s atropine-free, sir, or I’ll be tripping out and dancing on the ceiling again.’

  When everyone else had turned back to their desks Langton took Anna into her office to tell her that he had spoken privately with Joan and instructed her that everything she knew about the case was strictly between her, Anna and himself. He had also told her to close down the investigation on the HOLMES murder inquiry computer and ensure the files were only accessible by a security code that was then to be given solely to him.

  ‘Don’t you trust me?’ Anna asked.

  ‘I know how much you’re hurting right now, I’ve been there myself, but I don’t want you dwelling on the past, going over and over the case files.’

  ‘I just feel that there was more we could have put to her – the atropine, money in the freezer—’

  Langton wanted to draw a line under the discussion. ‘Listen, she’d secured Aisa’s silence and Walters had revealed your hand. I’m sorry to be blunt, but with all your main witnesses dead only Gloria knows the truth. We were just fishing for evidence in a pool of questionable circumstances.’

  Anna knew that he was right and arguing with him was pointless.

  ‘I feel like you did about Fitzpatrick.’

  ‘You’ll just have to learn to accept that Gloria Lynne is your one that got away. You win—’

  ‘Some, you lose some. I know that, but at least you got closure.’

  ‘It wasn’t pretty though, Anna. When I saw the look on his son’s face as he clutched his dead father, I asked myself if it was all worthwhile.’

  ‘Was it?’

  ‘The end result was out of my control, but the anger that raged inside me wasn’t. Like a fool I let it eat away at me and it nearly cost me my job, certainly my promotion, but worst of all it destroyed my marriage to Laura.’

  Anna was shocked. ‘Are you separated?’

  ‘Yes, going to the States to get Fitzpatrick was the final straw. I’ve been a poor husband and father. I put my needs and the Met before my family. I’ve learned the hard way and I beg you, don’t go down the same road as me, because you will regret it in the long run.’

  ‘You will try and save your marriage, won’t you?’

  ‘Yes, and there’s only one way to do that. I—’

  The office door suddenly flew open and Deputy Commissioner Walters walked in, slamming the door behind him, making Anna jump. ‘What the fuck do you two think you’re playing at?’ he bellowed, his face crimson-red and body shaking with anger.

  Langton didn’t bat an eyelid. ‘Now let me think about this. Only one of two people could have called you. I doubt it was Lady Lynne as you served your purpose and would no longer be of any use to her. Ian Holme QC is of course in the same Freemasons Lodge as you so—’

  Walters cut Langton off and exploded in fury: ‘You’ve both lied and given me the ammunition to destroy your careers and, believe me, that’s just what I’m going to do!’

  Anna had never seen a senior officer lose his temper to this extent.

  Langton remained calm. ‘DCI Travis acted on my orders. I was in charge of this case so if you’re pissed off then direct your anger at me.’

  Walters ignored Langton and came face to face with Anna, prodding
her on the shoulder.

  ‘You, Travis, have done nothing short of instigating a vendetta against Lady Lynne and her daughters!’

  Langton took hold of Anna’s arm and gently ushered her to one side. She couldn’t believe it when Langton suddenly grabbed Walters by the scruff of his jacket and forced him up against the wall with a thud.

  ‘You speak to her like that again, or raise your voice once more, and I won’t be responsible for my actions,’ Langton said through gritted teeth.

  ‘Take your hands of me, Langton, or you’ll regret it.’

  Langton squeezed Walters’ lapels tighter and lifted him onto his tiptoes. ‘You can threaten me all you like, but first YOU WILL apologize to DCI Travis. Do I make myself clear?’

  A shaking Walters nodded and complied, though his apology was insincere as he muttered, ‘Sorry.’

  ‘Not good enough,’ Langton whispered to Walters, ‘try again with more feeling.’

  ‘I am very sorry for my overbearing conduct and rudeness.’

  Langton loosened his grip, stepped away and a flustered Walters straightened his uniform.

  ‘Assaulting a senior officer is a serious offence and one for which—’

  Anna was quick to interrupt. ‘What assault, sir?’ she said, stone-faced.

  Langton smiled at her and glared at the flummoxed Walters.

  ‘You witnessed it, Travis, you saw what Langton did and it’s in your best interest to back me,’ Walters said, confident Anna would bear witness against Langton for the sake of her own career.

  ‘I saw nothing untoward, sir, and I can’t believe you’d expect me to lie,’ Anna replied and folded her arms defiantly.

  Walters seemed lost for words but Langton wasn’t done with him yet:

  ‘Your sycophantic manner with Lady Lynne has ruined the investigation. She used you to find out what was going on and get to her daughter Aisa. You revealed evidence, which let them both walk away scot-free. Jeopardizing a criminal investigation is a serious disciplinary offence.’

  ‘Not to mention misconduct in a public office,’ Anna added and smiled at Langton.

  ‘You have no proof and the outcome is still one of suicide. I know your little chat with Lady Lynne was off the record, no tape, no notes, nothing. As for Travis, well she came running to my door over the Fitzpatrick case. She couldn’t wait to drop you in the shit to further her own career,’ Walters sneered.

  ‘You little prick. I know you fooled her and used it to shaft my promotion to Commander with the Mayor’s office.’

  ‘Well you’ve shafted yourself now. I’m suspending you both from duty whilst you are both investigated for misconduct in a public office. Your warrant cards . . . NOW!’

  ‘I told you I made all the decisions on the Reynolds case, so you only need to suspend me,’ Langton said.

  Anna decided this was the ideal time to speak up. ‘I don’t think you want to suspend anyone, sir, it’s really not in your best interest.’

  ‘Just shut your mouth, Travis, and hand over that card,’ growled Walters.

  ‘Have you forgotten our little conversation yesterday?’ Anna asked.

  Walters gave a cynical laugh. ‘How could I ever forget it, Travis? You shot yourself in the foot by lying to me. Like Josh Reynolds, you put the gun to your own head. Now give me your bloody warrant card.’

  Langton looked despairingly at Anna, as if to ask what on earth she was playing at. He was beyond caring what Walters did to him, but Anna, he felt, was playing into the man’s hands and throwing away her career unnecessarily.

  ‘It’s okay, James, I can handle Deputy Commissioner Walters. Yesterday evening, he admitted how he duped me over the Fitzpatrick case to ruin your promotion. He called you disrespectful and belligerent and said he was going to use the budget cuts to “cull” you.’

  ‘She’s lying. I never said anything of the sort,’ Walters said adamantly.

  ‘Well let me refresh your memory.’ Anna calmly walked over to her handbag, retrieved her Dictaphone and held it up so they could all see.

  Anna pressed play and took great delight, as did Langton, in watching Walters squirm as he listened to his voice say everything he had just so steadfastly denied.

  Langton and Anna smiled at each other, and in unison turned to Walters to hear what had to say for himself. He just stood there his mouth gawping wide as it sank in that the tables had been turned and his career was in their hands.

  ‘Well that’s the most powerful piece of evidence I’ve heard all day,’ Langton said, rubbing it in.

  Anna joined in. ‘I take it the suspension is rescinded and our sins are forgiven, sir?’

  ‘The case is closed as a suicide; make sure there’s a report on my desk by the end of next week please,’ Walters muttered and turned to walk out of the door.

  ‘Not so fast, Walters,’ Langton said, causing him to stop.

  He turned as Langton walked up to him and grabbed hold of his hand. He winced in trepidation as Langton pressed his warrant card into his palm. ‘I’ve had enough of all this crap, so take this as my official retirement.’

  Walters was relieved yet surprised. ‘Well if you insist that’s what you want . . .’

  Langton held his hand up, indicating he had more to say.

  ‘I don’t ask for anything more than I deserve after a long and distinguished career in the Met. I’ve solved more bloody crimes, and put criminals behind bars, than you’ve had hot dinners, so you will recommend me for the Queen’s Police Medal.

  ‘You know I can’t do that.’

  ‘I don’t believe in the word can’t and neither should you, unless you want me to go straight down the Mayor’s office, followed by a solicitor’s, to let them listen to DCI Travis’s enlightening recording.’

  ‘There’s no need for that – I’ll see what I can do.’

  ‘You just make sure it happens, and while you’re at it, I want you to recommend DCI Travis’s promotion to Detective Superintendent on the next boards.’

  Walters knew he had no choice but to comply. He nodded and walked out of the room.

  Langton punched the air with joy. ‘God, that felt good, that was a bloody masterstroke you pulled. Did you see the look on his face when you played the recording?’ He laughed in delight as he slumped down into an armchair.

  ‘If you’d asked to be made Commander, he’d have had no choice – you didn’t need to give him your resignation,’ Anna said, hoping that he would reconsider his position.

  ‘I was just about to tell you I was retiring when Walters walked in. I’ll miss the job, the thrill of the chase and the wonderful and dedicated people I’ve worked with, none more so than you, Anna. For once my decision isn’t about me though, it’s for Laura and the children. I want to save my marriage and see my kids grow up.’

  Anna was immensely sad. They’d been through so much together, even right up to the end with Gloria Lynne, and the prospect of losing her mentor scared her more than she wanted to imagine. No matter how much they had argued he had always been there for her, making sense out of confusion and supporting her through the turmoils of being a murder squad detective. She knew that but for Langton she would never have achieved so much and become a DCI in such a short space of time. He’d now even secured her promotion to Superintendent, albeit through a bit of skulduggery. She wanted to beg him to stay but knew that would be selfish and it was clear his mind was made up.

  ‘You will keep in touch, won’t you?’ she asked quietly.

  Langton could see the sadness in her eyes; he got up, stood in front of her and gently placed his hands on her shoulders.

  ‘Of course I bloody will, but I won’t be talking shop any more and I’m expecting to be guest of honour at the team’s Christmas lunch,’ Langton said, trying to make light of what for him was also a very emotional moment.

  He drew her close, put his arms around her, gave her a long loving hug, and whispered softly in her ear, ‘I’m the one who owes you a big thank-you for putting u
p with me for so long. Working with you has been a pleasure and a privilege that I will always cherish.’ He kissed her lightly on the cheek and stepped back. ‘Right, let’s have a drink with the rest of the motley crew.’

  ‘I don’t really feel up to it right now, not after Gloria Lynne,’ she said, trying to conceal the fact that Langton walking away hurt her more than losing to Gloria.

  ‘It sometimes does you good to drown your sorrows,’ he said with a smile of encouragement, ‘but more importantly you owe it to your team. They stuck by you because they admire and respect you for who you are and your leadership. For them to be strong, you have to be strong. If you just walk out the door you’ll damage that respect.’

  As Anna and Langton joined the rest of the team in the main office, Barolli was recounting the effects of atropine and Dan Ross was having fun barracking him. As the merriment continued and Anna chatted to Joan, Langton looked over at her, smiled and raised his glass. As she raised her glass in return she knew it was a private moment between two people, a toast to both their futures.

  Langton stayed on for about an hour and, not long after, most of the team drifted over to the pub. Anna was in her office tidying up her desk and getting her things together to go home when Jessie Dewar walked in. She asked Anna if she was okay.

  ‘I’m fine, Jessie.’ Anna sighed. ‘Other than being completely exhausted, that is.’

  Dewar apologized for not being able to provide her and Langton with a detailed psychological profile of Gloria Lynne, but Anna reassured her she wasn’t to know that Gloria wouldn’t allow the interview to be recorded.

  ‘Well, I don’t expect it’s of any use to you now but it may be of interest anyway,’ Dewar said, and she handed Anna a document she had drafted while Langton and Anna were interviewing Gloria. Dewar explained that she had thought Gloria might be arrested, so she had prepared a strategy for a further interview with her.

  ‘It’s just some advice and tactics on how to deal with and counter someone who’s a sociopath,’ Dewar said.

  Anna thanked her and promised she would read it.