by L M Krier
Ted was surprised to see that there was already an impressive new computer sitting on her work station. When the Ice Queen promised to do something, she certainly didn't hang around, and she always delivered.
'I'm sure Steve's told you that we should be getting our latest victim's laptop and phone any time now. It will be your main priority to pull off any and every piece of information you can for us from both of them.'
'If it can be done, I'll do it for you. If I can't do it for you, then it can't be done,' she told him. It should have sounded arrogant. Coming from her, it was simply a statement of fact.
Two down, one more to meet. Ted wondered if his luck could hold for his third new team member. He liked what he had seen of the first two. Now he headed to Jim Baker's old office in search of his new DI, who was going to be his right-hand man whenever he was away from the nick with the mobile unit. It was essential that they got on and were singing from the same hymn-sheet. If the new inspector came in with his own ideas of how Ted's team should be run, it could be disastrous.
Ted walked in without knocking. This office too had been rearranged, space made for two people to work at the large desk. The man behind the desk stood up to shake Ted's outstretched hand. He was early forties, not too tall, which Ted was pleased to see. He already had to look up at all his team members, except Jezza Vine, being short himself. DI Rodriguez had a slightly olive complexion and surprisingly light brown eyes. His beard was impeccably trimmed, leaving his cheeks clear.
'So, Jorge, is it?' Ted asked, sitting down in the seat opposite him, the place he'd occupied most days for his talks with the old Big Boss. It felt strange to realise that he was now, effectively, the Big Boss himself.
Rodriguez smiled his appreciation of Ted's efforts at pronunciation but said, 'Jo is fine, boss. If you're not used to it, you can give yourself a sore throat trying to pronounce it like that. I have a Spanish father and an Irish mother but I was born and raised in Bolton, so it quickly became Jo, at school. Jo for the whole team, if that's okay with you? I know the team already call you boss so I'm happy to be Jo.'
Ted nodded. 'Whatever you like, it's a relaxed team. As long as everyone does their job and shows a bit of respect, I don't mind first names. I'm Ted, when it's just the two of us. Boss is fine in front of the team.
'Now, I always like to get this part out of the way early on as it can, just sometimes, cause a few problems. I take it you know I'm gay, and I hope that doesn't bother you?'
'It should do, boss, me being a good Catholic boy. But it won't worry me at all, as long as we're clear on the fact that I'm not and never will be.'
Ted laughed out loud. He had a feeling that he and Jo were going to get on fine, if the early signs were any indication.
'What about you? Married? Family?'
Jo turned round a framed photo, which he'd put on his desk, so that Ted could see it. A family group. Lots of happily smiling faces.
'Good Catholic boy who does what the Pope tells him,' he smiled. 'So I have six kids, three of each.'
'Blimey! I thought having six cats was hard going.'
The ice firmly broken, the two men got down to the serious business of discussing the case so far. The more they talked, the more confident Ted became that Jo would be a good choice to be left at the helm when he had to go away. Unless he had a serious vice which he was good at concealing, he seemed as if he was going to be an excellent fit for the role.
'What are your initial thoughts on a suspect?' Jo asked him.
'I'm really hoping that we're not looking at a woman as the killer,' Ted told him frankly. 'I know I should know better, in this job, but the idea that a woman might be capable of such savagery as that turns my stomach. Luckily the boot size rather suggests a man.
'We'll know more when we get all the forensic results in, but if the blonde hairs in the bed were not his wife, then perhaps he was playing away and we're looking for a jealous husband? It's early days yet, so we don't really have enough information to start speculating. Once the family have ID'd him, or what's left of him, and we have his phone and computer, we should be able to start putting together a clearer picture of how he spent his last hours. That should make it all a bit clearer.
'Get Mike Hallam to give you all the details on this, and on the other ongoing cases we have on our hands.
'Right, today being Wednesday, it's my day for sloping away early, with the full knowledge and approval of the Super. My partner and I run a self-defence club for schoolchildren, and it's usually my night for some judo practice myself, though I'm not up to much at the moment,' Ted added, getting to his feet, and holding up his bandaged hand.
He didn't add that the other reason he left early was for a counselling session, before his martial arts. Few people knew about that, and he wanted to keep it that way. He was doing much better lately, but he still kept up the sessions, when time allowed.
'I'll see you in the morning. In the meantime, Mr Sulu, you have the conn.'
Jo went up even further in his estimation when he replied, 'Aye, Captain.' A lot of Ted's vintage film and TV quotes went over many people's heads.
Jo grinned as his new boss left the office. He'd heard he was easy to work with and he was encouraged by what he'd seen so far.
Ted and Trev always liked to walk to the gym which housed the dojo they attended. It took them about half an hour and was a good means of warming up gently. It wasn't always possible, with Ted's job, but he had timed his counselling sessions to allow for the walk, when he was free.
As they walked, he told Trev about the new team members and how optimistic he felt that the team might go from strength to strength. Trev was pleased to see his partner so upbeat once more. He'd been to some dark places with recent investigations. It was nice to see glimpses of the old Ted.
When Ted had finished talking, Trev told him, 'Willow and Rupert have invited me to a party this weekend. It's on Saturday night, with some friends of theirs. The thing is…'
Ted chuckled. 'Let me guess. The thing is, the presence of a copper might just severely cramp the style of the beautiful people at such a party?'
Willow and Rupert were friends of them both, who worked as models. Their social circle was a bit above where Ted felt comfortable, but he knew that Trev would love such an event.
'Would you mind if I went? I won't do any stupid stuff, you know that. Perhaps a glass or two more wine than usual and maybe just a bit of blow. But I promise you it won't be any more than that. Rupe's the designated driver, and he's very sensible so you don't need to worry on that score. The friends live in…'
Ted cut him short. 'No, don't tell me, it's best if I don't know. I know you'd love to go so that's fine. Just please promise me you really won't do anything stupid? No snorting, no pills, nothing like that.'
Trev hugged him and said sincerely. 'I don't. I won't. Promise. Swear down.'
Ted laughed. 'All right, no need to go overboard. I believe you. Go. Have fun. I'll be fine.'
'Why not ask Annie round for supper? I could cook something to leave for you, if you're busy. She'd love to hear all about how clever her son is to make DCI. I'll have a much better time if I know you've got some company while I'm out partying.'
Chapter Six
Ted's first job of the morning, after the team briefing, was to go to the hospital to meet Duncan Waters' family when they arrived to identify the body. Without wishing to add to their grief and distress, he was keen to ask them some questions while they were in the area. He preferred to do it himself, rather than rely on officers he didn't know, from the force local to the family, and Southampton was a long way to go to do so.
He decided to take the new DC, Megan Jennings, with him. It would give him chance to get to know her a little better and see how she operated. He also thought she might be useful in helping the victim's widow through a distressing time. Ted always worried he would say the wrong thing in such circumstances, although all who knew him said how good he was with people.
After the formal identification, Bizzie would lend him her small office to talk to the family, rather than him having to ask them to go with him to the police station. He didn't envy the widow the task in hand. He was glad that she at least had her sons with her for mutual support, although it was clearly going to be as difficult for them as it was for her. He knew Bizzie's team would have done everything in their power to make the body presentable for the identification, but he imagined it would not have been easy, given what they had to work with.
Ted had arranged to meet the family in the hospital's main reception area and escort them himself down to the mortuary where they would make their identification. He felt that it was the least he could do, as Senior Investigating Officer on the case.
As soon as he saw the widow, it confirmed the suspicions he already harboured that the blonde hairs in the dead man's bed where not those of his wife. Mrs Waters' hair was short and dark, probably no longer naturally so. He introduced himself and DC Jennings to her and to the two tall, older teenage boys with her, who identified themselves as her sons, Jason and Ben.
On their way downstairs he explained, picking his words carefully, that because of extensive injuries, her late husband's head and face would be heavily bandaged when she saw him. He saw the family safely installed in the viewing gallery. Then when Mrs Waters nodded in response to his question if she was ready, Ted signalled for the curtains to be opened to give a view into the post-mortem suite. Duncan Waters' body was lying on the steel table nearest to the window.
Ted was heartily relieved to see what a good job had been done of the body. The judiciously placed heavy padding and bandaging gave no hint of the devastation which lay underneath. The intact area around one eye and part of the cheek below were about all which was readily visible, together with a hand, wearing the wedding ring which had been replaced to help with identification, on top of the sheet which covered the corpse.
Mrs Waters staggered at the sight and her sons protectively took hold of an arm each to support her. Tears sprang to her eyes and she nodded several times, struggling to speak. In the end, the older boy had to speak for her.
'That's him. That's my father, Duncan Waters.'
'Thank you. I'm sorry we had to put you through this, but it was essential to get a formal identification, to help with our enquiries. Would you mind just coming with me for a few moments, while I ask you some questions?'
Ted ushered the stunned family out of the gallery and along the corridor to Bizzie's office. There was not much room, and not enough chairs for everyone. Ted made sure that the woman was sitting down and as comfortable as possible, offering her a glass of water, before he began. He was pleased when, without a word, DC Jennings slipped quietly into a seat next to the woman. As if reassured by her presence, Mrs Waters placed her hand into the officer's and squeezed it hard for comfort. It was clearly what she needed.
'First of all, Mrs Waters, please accept my sincere condolences for the loss of your husband, and let me assure you that we are doing everything in our power to find out who did this to him,' Ted began. 'We've recovered his car and that is being subjected to forensic testing so we can't, unfortunately, release it to you yet. We will inform you when you can collect it.'
'I can't drive,' the woman said anxiously. 'And Jason's only recently passed his test, he doesn't even have his own car yet. It would be a long drive for him…'
'It's all right, mum,' the older son interrupted soothingly, putting a hand on her shoulder while she clung even harder on to DC Jennings' hand. 'That's not important now, we can sort it out. Uncle Laurie will come and get the car, I'm sure.'
'Mrs Waters, what I need to know for now is, can you tell me anything about your husband's trip up here? When did he come? How long was he planning on staying? Do you know anything about who he was meeting?' Ted asked, as gently as he could. He always hated to intrude, but any information she could give them could be vital.
She looked desperately from one to another. DC Jennings let her keep clinging frantically on to her hand. With her own spare hand, she fished out a packet of paper tissues which she held out to her. Ted was liking what he saw of how his new team member behaved towards a bereaved woman. She was smiling encouragingly at her now.
'Er, he drove up on Sunday night,' Mrs Waters began hesitantly, taking a tissue, which she first dabbed against her eyes and nose, then squeezed into a damp and shapeless mess. 'He had clients to see in the area. He phoned me when he arrived, like he always did. He planned to stay three nights in Stockport, he said. Then he was going on to Birmingham, spending two nights there. He told me he would be home on Friday afternoon.'
Her voice broke as she realised that her husband would not be coming home on Friday. He would never be coming home again.
Her words confirmed the information they already had from the hotel records, about the length of the booking. What Ted needed now was something more, anything she could tell them to point them in the right direction.
'Thank you, that's very helpful. Now, I'm sorry to have to ask this, but did your husband have any enemies? Had he had trouble with anyone recently? Did he tell you of any difficulties with anyone?'
She looked puzzled now, turning her gaze from one to the other of them, as if seeking some sort of reassurance.
'You really think someone killed him, then? Deliberately, I mean?' she asked imploringly, wanting him to say it was all a mistake, it had simply been some dreadful accident. 'I can't think of anyone who would want to harm Duncan.'
Ted's warm hazel eyes sought hers and held contact as he said quietly, 'Mrs Waters, I'm sorry but there is no possible doubt that your husband was killed deliberately. I'm very sorry. Thank you for all your help, and let me assure you once more that we will do everything we possibly can to bring his killer to justice.'
He stood up and everyone else did the same. As the woman turned to leave, the older son, Jason, said quietly to Ted, 'Can I have a quick word with you, please? In private?'
'Yes, of course. DC Jennings,' Ted said, taking out his wallet and extracting a note. 'Please would you be kind enough to take Mrs Waters and Ben up to the canteen and get them a drink of something, and one for yourself. Jason and I will come up and find you shortly.'
As the others left the room, Ted indicated to the boy to take a seat and sat down himself, facing him.
'Now, what can I do for you?'
'My father was a piece of shit,' the boy spat, his face contorting with surprising vehemence. 'My mum thinks Ben and I didn't know, but we're not children. We knew exactly what he was like. He was always chasing after other women, wherever he went, especially when he was on the road, like he was a lot of the time.
'Mum just pretended everything was all right. She's very nervy, totally dependent on him. Like you heard, she never even learnt to drive. She must have known, though. Dad even picked up an STD one time, so she must have known. Even she isn't that naïve.
'He used to leave his phone and his laptop lying around. Mum's useless with anything like that, but me and Ben saw stuff. That's how we knew all about what he was like. If someone's killed him, it could be because of all these other women.'
'Thank you for being so frank with me, Jason,' Ted told him. 'It could be very useful to the enquiry. We will, of course, be looking closely at his laptop and phone, but what you've said gives me a useful line of enquiry to start pursuing.'
'He was on lots of dating sites online. He was always going on there, boasting about how hot he was. He also had one of those phone apps. You know, for casual sex, no strings attached.'
Ted certainly didn't know, although he'd heard of such things. He'd been in a monogamous relationship for more than eleven years. He definitely wasn't shopping for anyone else, not even window-shopping.
'Thank you for this, J
ason, it really has been very helpful.'
The boy jutted out his chin defiantly. Ted guessed he didn't yet need to shave daily. Despite having passed his driving test, he still looked too young to be taking on the responsibilities of supporting his widowed mother.
'I'm not sorry he's dead,' he said, and it made him sound suddenly childish. 'I'm just sorry for my mother and what she's going through. But Ben and I will look after her. And then perhaps she might finally find someone who treats her like she deserves to be treated.'
On the drive back to the station, Ted filled Megan Jennings in on what the older son had told him. As was his way, he was also keen to give feedback on how she'd handled the situation.
'I like the way you dealt with Mrs Waters. I'm not very good at knowing the right thing to say and, on her own admission, Jezza is not exactly the tea and sympathy sort. She does have other excellent qualities, though.'
'No worries, boss. I'm a single mum. I have a boy of eight, Felix, who's mad about Minecraft. I can be quite motherly, when necessary. Here's your change, before I forget.' She fished coins out of her pocket and at Ted's request, dropped them into the side pocket of his field jacket. 'I wondered what was going on with the family dynamics. I could tell that Ben was seething about something. The vibes coming off him were like Felix when he's on restricted Minecraft access. Or when it's not sausages for tea.'
Ted smiled to himself at the mental images that came into his head at her words. It sounded cosy and domestic, a far cry from what they were dealing with on this case.
'So do you think our man's death was related to his playing the field, boss?' she asked.
'I never like to speculate too soon, but it's certainly a strong possibility. We'll feed it back to the team and see what else anyone can throw into the mix.'
Not all the team members were in the office when they got back, but Ted assembled those who were. He prised Steve off his computer and away from Océane. She told Ted in passing that she now had Duncan Waters' phone and laptop and was working on those. Her eyes never left the screen, nor did her quick fingers quit the keyboard while she spoke.
