“Me and baby Andrew. I was saying you’ll come to see us as soon as you can.”
“Sorry, Mand. Are you in the baby unit?”
“No. He’s in my room. With me.”
Instantaneous tears pricked his eyes and he had to blink them away. “You’re kidding? He’s out of the incubator? Is he alright?”
A woman overtook him on the pavement giving him a strange look.
“Sorry,” he mimed at her.
“He’s been doing great. They took him off the machines last night and brought him to me first thing. I was going to call but wanted to surprise you instead.”
“That’s fantastic news, Mand. I can’t tell you how relieved I am.”
“I know. He’s a little bit jaundiced, but the nurse said that’s to be expected and should come right in a few days. At the moment, he looks as though he’s been to Spain on his jollies.”
“What do you mean?” Adam asked, suddenly concerned again.
“His skin has a yellowy tinge to it, and reminds me of a sun tan.”
“Are you sure it’s normal? I had a mate who had jaundice once, and he had liver cancer.”
Amanda chuckled. “He’s fine. Stop panicking. Most newborns get it, and it should go once he’s drunk enough fluid.”
“So is he feeding normally now?”
“I fed him for the first time this morning. The nurses gave him a bottle in the night, too. And he’s also had his first pooey nappy.”
“That’s my boy. Tell him Daddy’s proud of him.”
“I will do, love. How’s it going at work?”
“I’ve got heaps going on. I’ll fill you in later. I don’t know what time I’ll make it though. I told the kids I’d try to pick them up from school and bring them to see you, but I’ll have to cancel that now.”
“Okay, love. Don’t worry. Just whenever you can is fine. I’ll call Sandra and tell her you can’t make it.”
“Thanks, Mand. Love you.”
He hung up as he reached the bakery and stood in line. The woman in front of him turned and smiled at him and he recognised her as the one who passed him in the street. He smiled back.
“Sorry, I wasn’t being nosy back there, but I couldn’t help overhear—do you have a new baby?”
Slightly taken aback, Adam nodded. “Yeah, that’s right. A little boy, he’s three days old.”
“Congratulations. You must be very proud.”
“Thank you. Yes, I am.” He smiled, a little uncomfortable as other people in the queue turned to look at him.
All of a sudden, it occurred to him how Sally knew where to find the key to his house. She must have overheard him when he left the pub that night. It all made perfect sense now.
He collected the food and raced back to the station.
Chapter 46
The CCTV footage showed a local scally, Austin Fitzpatrick, dropping the envelope off. Julie and Les had gone to search the streets for him, knowing where he often hung out.
No other evidence had come to light by the time Adam left for London. He told the team he would call, with a yay or a nay, as soon as he got out of his meeting.
His phone rang when he was almost in the city. He hit the centre console to accept the call.
“Stanley,” he said.
“Hello, detective. It’s DI Merchants here. I left a message on your home phone yesterday.”
“Ah, yes. Sorry, for not getting back to you but I’m in the middle of a homicide investigation.”
“I appreciate that, but I also have a job to do. Can I arrange to visit you and Mrs Stanley tomorrow morning?”
“That might be a problem. My wife gave birth to our son three days ago. He was six weeks early and they’re still in hospital.”
“I could visit the hospital, if that’s possible. The sooner we do this, the sooner we can put it all to bed.”
The detective’s words assured Adam he wasn’t out to cause trouble and so he decided to accommodate him.
“What time?”
“The journey will take around two and a half hours from Wolverhampton, so shall we say, ten-thirty?”
“Okay. Amanda’s in room three of the maternity annex at Pinevale Hospital.”
“Great, see you then.”
He needed to tell Amanda but would wait to tell her in person. She’d not mentioned the Mary issue since being admitted to hospital, and he guessed she was just burying her head in the sand.
He parked up and trudged across the car park to Police Headquarters.
DCI Williamson came out of the gents, zipping up his trousers. “Ah, Stanley. Bang on time, as usual.” He held out his hand.
Adam shook it, before discreetly wiping his fingers inside his jacket pocket.
Once they were sitting across the desk from each other, Adam pulled out the file.
“Wonderful result, by the way, Stanley. The Chief-Super is impressed.”
“That’s the reason I’m here, sir. I don’t think Muldoon was our killer after all.”
His boss groaned and buried his head in his hands. “Then what was the whole manhunt about? You were certain when I met with you last week.”
“I know, sir. But once we got him, more evidence came to light and I think Muldoon was framed.”
“Who by?” he said, impatiently.
“That’s the thing, sir.” He took a deep breath. “I’m pretty positive our killer is Sally Kemp.”
DCI Williamson snorted. “Old Charlie’s daughter? You’re ‘aving a laugh, aren’t you?”
“Hear me out, will you. The thing is, after the first murder, Sally pointed the finger at Muldoon. She’s a credible witness and, when we couldn’t locate him, we thought she was right. Muldoon’s DNA was found at each murder scene. But no fingerprints or footprints, just faeces and hair.”
“We’ve convicted bigger and better than him for less, Stanley. DNA is DNA when all’s said and done.”
“Not if Muldoon had been abducted and his DNA planted at the scene.”
“And you think that’s what happened? You think young Sally is capable of that?”
“Sally isn’t the young girl you remember, sir. She’s grown into a dangerous and wily young woman. I agree, on first impressions, she comes across as the innocent victim, but you’ve got to look beyond all that.”
“So what evidence is there?” He glanced at his watch.
Adam passed the folder to him. “A lot of it is circumstantial, I admit. But I’m working on that.” He watched as his boss read the bullet points on the top page.
The DCI paused, his pen pointing half-way down the page. “So Felix reported he thought Muldoon had been held against his will?”
“Yes, sir. Everything’s in there.”
He continued reading. “Okay, I think there may be a case, but you need something more concrete.”
Adam released his breath in a whoosh.
The DCI continued. “But only Felix’s report will have any credibility in court. The rest, as you said, is circumstantial. The fact Muldoon’s blood was found underneath his socks is also a bonus, but a good lawyer would easily argue that it could have been cross contamination.”
Adam nodded. “I know, sir.”
“Where are you up to with Sally? Has she been charged with Muldoon’s death yet?”
“Not yet. I was going to arrange to get her in for questioning tomorrow. I’ve warned her what to expect, so she won’t think anything of it.”
“And are forensics finished with the crime scene?”
“I’m not sure, but I wanted to search Sally’s apartment as well as Charlie Kemp’s house anyway. So I’ll need a warrant—if that’s okay, boss?”
DCI Williamson got to his feet. “Leave it with me. I have another meeting to get to, and then I’ll go through all the evidence. Can I call you in an hour or so?”
Adam felt dejected as he left the building. He’d been certain at one point that the DCI was on board, but when he backed off at the last minute, Adam wanted to kick s
omething.
He called the station and Cal answered almost immediately.
“How’d it go, boss?”
“Pretty good. He accepted it was a possibility, which I didn’t think he was going to at first. He too remembers Charlie Kemp’s gorgeous little girl. He wants to go through the file before he agrees to the warrant.”
“Oh, well. He took it better than you expected, I guess.”
“Yeah, definitely. I’m going to arrange for Sally to come in for an interview tomorrow. She’s expecting it, but thinks it’s just a formality for us to charge her with Muldoon’s death.”
“Good idea.”
“The DCI also reminded me that forensics might not have released Charlie Kemp’s house yet. If that’s the case, we can search it without a warrant.”
“I’ll get onto them now.”
“Cheers, Cal. I’ll call you back once I hear from the DCI. Hopefully then, we can organise a warrant for both properties.”
The motorway on-ramp was more or less at a standstill. It took over half-an-hour to travel a few hundred metres. He took the first available exit and headed straight to the hospital via the back roads.
His phone rang, and the caller display flashed DCI Williamson. Clearing his throat, he hit the console.
“Stanley,” he said.
“Looking at this lot, I agree we need to take it further. You have my backing to do what you must, but I’m sure you don’t need me to tell you to proceed with caution. From the looks of things, she’s not behind the door and will do you over like a kipper, given half a chance.”
Adam punched the air. “Great. And yes, I will do.”
“Keep me updated every step of the way. I won’t inform the Chief Super yet. I’ll wait until there’s more to go on.”
“Okay, and thanks again, sir.”
Adam rang Cal back right away. “Can you make an application for a warrant for both addresses? The DCI’s on board.”
“That’s a relief.”
“Yes. I’m going to call Sally now and arrange for her to come in tomorrow afternoon, around one. Could you sort out two search teams? I don’t want her spooked before then. The crafty bitch thinks she’s got away with this, and that’s the way I want it to stay.”
“Consider it done. Shall I let the rest of the team know?”
“If you don’t mind, thanks. I’m on my way to the hospital to hold my baby for the first time. He’s finally out of the special care unit and in with Amanda.”
“That’s great news, boss. Tell Amanda I said hi.”
“Will do. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
As he pulled into the hospital car park, he called Sally. It rang a number of times, and he resigned himself to leaving a message when she finally answered. “Hello.” She sounded wary.
“Sally? It’s DI Stanley. How are you today?”
“I’m good. Still a little down, but I guess that’s normal, considering.”
“I’m sure it is. Listen, I’m sure it’s the last thing you feel like doing, but can you come into the station tomorrow to finalise the case?”
“Are you going to charge me?”
“I warned you a charge would be necessary. A jury will need to decide your fate, I’m sorry. We’ve just got to present the facts.”
“Okay. What time shall I come in?”
“Can you meet me there at one? You might want to bring your solicitor.”
“What for?”
“Bearing in mind you’re likely to be charged with murder or at the least manslaughter, your solicitor will want to be present.”
“I’ll be there.” She hung up without another word.
“You have a good night too, Miss Kemp,” he said to nobody, shaking his head.
Chapter 47
Amanda’s room was full to bursting. Mary sat on the armchair beside the bed cuddling the baby who was dressed in a lime green and white outfit. Amanda and Sandra were on the bed, and Emma and Jacob lay on the floor on either side of the room wheeling a car to each other.
“Hello, you lot.”
“Adam!” Emma jumped to her feet and ran to him.
He lifted her up onto his hip and kissed her head.
Jacob, a little slower than his sister, did the same.
Adam picked him up too and hugged him tight. “Well, that was a nice welcome.” He walked around the bed and carefully bent to kiss his wife on the lips.
Amanda laughed and reached up to meet him. “Put them down, or you’ll do yourself an injury.”
He pretended his back had broken and made as if to drop the kids onto the floor to the sound of raucous laughter. After a few minutes, the children went back to playing with the toy car.
“Hi, Sandra. Sorry about today.” He hugged his mother-in-law.
“It’s not a problem, Adam. You know I like to feel needed.”
“You’ll always be needed, especially now there’s another little terror to add to the mix.” He approached Mary. “And how are you, squirt?”
“I’m okay. Do you want to hold him?”
“You’re alright. I can wait.” He crouched beside her and gazed at his son who’d already changed so much in just a few hours. “What do you think of him?”
Mary smiled. “He’s so cute. I could cuddle him forever.”
“Maybe we’ll remind you of that when he’s screaming in the middle of the night.”
She giggled, shaking her head. “No. You can cuddle him at night.”
Adam shook his head in mock disgust.
“Right, time to go.” Sandra got to her feet and grabbed the pile of coats off the end of the bed. “We can pick up fish and chips on the way home if you like?”
“Yes!” they all said together.
Amanda got off the bed. “Are you going to give him a kiss goodbye, love?”
Mary nodded and gently kissed the baby’s cheek before Amanda took the tiny tot from her.
The two youngest couldn’t wait to get out of the place once food was mentioned, but Sandra called them back to say goodbye to their mother and the baby.
Moments later, they’d gone.
“Phew! Thank goodness for that. I’d forgotten how noisy they can be.” Amanda’s eyes twinkled. “Sit down.” She nodded towards the chair.
He did as he was told, and she promptly placed his son in his arms.
“Oh heck. I’ve never held such a tiny baby before.” He felt self-conscious and clumsy, all of a sudden.
“Don’t worry. You’ll be throwing him around in no time.” She smiled, stroking the baby’s cheek.
The baby opened his mouth and turned his face towards her finger.
They both laughed.
“He’s hungry again.” She shook her head, amazed. “I only fed him an hour ago.”
“He’s making up for lost time.” Adam, suddenly emotional, couldn’t describe the immense love that came over him when he gazed into his son’s face. “How’s he been?”
“Absolutely perfect. The nurses are astounded by how well he’s doing. They think he’s been here before.”
“And there’s nothing else to worry about? You know, with him being so early?”
She shook her head. “No. They said the medication they gave him when he was first born would have helped to strengthen his lungs, which was the main reason he had to go into the unit in the first place. But other than being slightly jaundiced, he’s fine.”
“That’s amazing.”
She nodded. “They also said if he’d gone full term, he would’ve been huge.”
“But he’s dinky!”
“He is to us, but I met another mum yesterday whose baby was due around the same time and I couldn’t believe how tiny her little girl was—less than two pounds.”
“Wow! He’s double that,” Adam said.
“I know. We’re so lucky.”
The baby began to stir and squeak.
Adam gasped, amazed. “Is that his cry?”
“Yes. He’s quiet, but I’m sure he won’t stay
that way for long.”
“Do you want to take him? I haven’t a clue what to do.”
Amanda plucked the baby out of Adam’s arms, and he felt able to breathe again.
“That was so scary,” he said.
“He’s a little baby! How can he possibly be scary?”
“I’ve dealt with mass murderers that are less scary. He’s too little for me. I feel as though I might hurt him without meaning to.”
She climbed back onto the bed and placed the baby on her lap while she unfastened the top two buttons of her nightie.
“Shall I leave?”
“No.” She laughed, shaking her head. “I’ve never seen you so out of your comfort zone.”
“I’m sorry. It’s all new to me. Can I do anything to help?”
“You can pour me a glass of water, if you don’t mind.”
Within a minute or two, baby was feeding away happily and Adam was back in his seat.
“Is it okay to talk to you while you’re doing that?” he asked, nodding at her boob.
She giggled again. “It’s fine. Imagine I had a bottle in his mouth. Would you talk to me then?”
“Of course.”
“This is no different. What do you want to talk about?”
“Mary.”
Amanda’s face dropped. “What about her?”
The other morning, I had a visit from two social workers. They wanted to talk to you but I told them you’d just had the baby. Anyway, we had a little chat, and I told them we think it’s a load of old rubbish, but even if it wasn’t Mary is in her rightful place with us.”
Amanda nodded as she stared at the baby.
“They said they were happy to leave her with us while they conducted their investigation. I also told them I was concerned what this could do to Mary if it got out, and they agreed not to say anything for now.”
“Well, we both know what they’ll find, don’t we?”
“Yes, but I wanted to buy some time while you were in here. We’ve not even had a chance to talk to Mary ourselves.”
“I know. And, of course, you’re right.”
“There’s more.”
Her head jerked up, and she frowned at him. “What now?”
“A Detective Merchants is meeting us here at ten-thirty tomorrow. He’s coming from Wolverhampton, which must have been the district Mary was snatched from.”
Prima Facie Page 22
