by Carole Pitt
He seemed surprised to see her. 'I didn't expect you to come.' Then he turned to Anita. 'Hello stranger.'
'I'm a busy woman these days. No time to socialise,' Anita said.
'Give the computer a rest and come down here more often,' Dean said.
Anita kept a straight face and spoke seriously. 'I'm acting as Elizabeth's chaperone as you didn't waste any time pouncing on her.'
'A chance meeting,' Dean replied. 'You know the Casablanca movie. "Of all the bars etc she had to come into mine."
'Elizabeth looks nothing like Ingrid Bergman.'
'She's far more beautiful. Why don't you ladies find a table and I'll bring you a bottle of wine.'
Anita chose one close to the stage. The band hadn't finished setting up their equipment but a quiet expectation permeated the room. As Elizabeth sipped her drink, she began to relax. Just before the band started up, Anita got up to leave. She handed Elizabeth a key.
'Come back when you like and don't worry about waking me. I sleep like the dead.'
'Stay a bit longer,' Elizabeth pleaded.
'Having me as a chaperone is alright for half an hour. Any longer is a bad move. You'll be fine, so try and enjoy yourself.'
More people had turned up and surprisingly she felt comfortable sat on her own. Dean served a handful of customers then came and sat beside her. At first he didn't say much and she knew instinctively he wouldn't pressure her. As the evening wore on Elizabeth was glad she'd made the effort to come.
The band finished the first set and everyone made for the bar. Dean apologised and went back behind the bar promising he'd only be five minutes. Elizabeth sat watching the activity and didn't notice a tall slim woman approach. 'Excuse me,' she said. I was just wondering if Anita's all right. I saw you coming out of her house earlier today.'
Elizabeth had the distinct feeling she'd met the woman before, or seen her somewhere. 'Are you a neighbour?'
'I live further down the street, towards the farm.'
Elizabeth wondered why the woman hadn't just knocked on Anita's door. 'She's fine. Why do you need to know?'
'I thought you were her doctor but didn't want to disturb her. Anyway I'll leave it tonight and call in tomorrow and say hello.'
The woman's tale seemed plausible enough but Elizabeth was suspicious. Any close neighbour would have recognised Anita's GP. He worked at the village surgery and had frequently visited Anita at home. Something about the woman's mannerisms bothered her.
Elizabeth switched to interrogation mode. 'I don't understand. Why would you assume I was her doctor?'
'I've been away on holiday. I only got back last night and that's why I was worried when I saw you. I just thought her usual doctor wasn't on duty and the surgery had sent a locum.'
The band was about to start up again and Elizabeth wished the woman would go. She caught Dean's eye and he came straight over. As soon as the woman saw him approaching she made a hasty exit without saying goodbye.
'Who's that?' he asked.
'One of Anita's extremely nosy neighbours wondering what I was doing in her house. She thought I was the doctor. She knew she'd been ill, but I guess most people did.'
'You can't keep anything secret in this place. Anita still has her place in Oxford, but spends more and more time here. To answer your question, yes, people knew she was poorly and offered to help. Hang on a minute, what did you just say about that woman? That she was a neighbour.'
'She said she was Anita's neighbour.'
Dean frowned. 'I've never seen her before; believe me I know everyone living in this village.'
Elizabeth’s senses were giving her odd signals. Something was wrong. She could tell Dean was positive the woman had lied about knowing Anita. So why would she do that?
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
It was well after midnight when Elizabeth decided to head back to Anita's house. Thanks to Dean securing a late license, the last few customers were leaving. Elizabeth was physically tired yet strangely energised from her conversation with Dean. Her earlier inhibitions had vanished, thanks to the wine. The mood between them had changed and Elizabeth wondered whether she'd regret encouraging him. If tomorrow's hangover would bring doubts.
Elizabeth rubbed her temples. 'I better go otherwise I'll never get up in the morning.'
'Come on, I'll walk you home,' he said.
'I need Anita's key but I can't find my bag. Maybe I left it behind the bar.'
Dean searched for a few minutes and came back. 'Sorry, not there. I didn't see you with one when you first got here.'
Elizabeth suddenly remembered. 'Damn, I left it in the car and forgot to lock up.'
'Don't worry. Not much crime around here.'
'Knowing my luck there will be tonight,' Elizabeth said.
Dean looked at his watch. 'If Anita's gone to bed you can stay here.'
Her phone was also in the bag. She put her head in her hands and groaned. 'I never leave my phone behind.'
Dean sounded slightly annoyed. 'Surely you're entitled to an occasional night off.'
Elizabeth was surprised he'd referred to her work hours. She hadn't expected it so soon and her immediate reaction was disappointment. Her expression must have worried him, he turned away. 'I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that.'
Her career had already ruined her love affair with David. Calbrain, who she'd unexpectedly fallen for had intervened in a police investigation with disastrous results. From the day she'd first worn her police uniform most of her relationships had ended because of her job. She knew plenty of married female officers with children. Most seemed to cope well, juggling their family life with a tough profession. The last couple of years she'd started blaming herself, wondering which one of her characteristics had prevented her from forming a steady partnership.
Elizabeth knew her reaction to what Dean had said was petty. He'd made a passing comment and she'd taken offence. Grow up, she thought, this is a nice guy and I'm about to ruin my chances.
'Of course I go off duty, but you work unsociable hours as well. I was trying to figure out how we'd get to see each other.'
Dean poured another glass of wine. 'I'm the boss. I can see you whenever I want. All you have to do is call me.'
'Let's drink to that,' Elizabeth said.
Five minutes later Dean opened up the main doors and Elizabeth stepped out into the cool night air. The street was deadly quiet until the sound of someone running alerted her. She couldn't believe her eyes when she saw Anita dashing towards the entrance. She hurried towards her, already assuming something was wrong. 'What's happened? Why are you running?'
Anita was panting from exertion. 'Patterson just rang my home number. He's been trying to get hold of you for the last couple of hours. He said you weren't answering.'
Elizabeth steadied her friend. 'I'm so sorry. I'm a bloody idiot. I left it in the car.'
Anita looked pale and she was shivering. Dean took her other elbow. 'Let's go inside and you can tell Elizabeth what's happened.'
The two women sat down while Dean poured brandy into three glasses.
Anita took a sip. 'Patterson said to phone him as soon as you get back. He didn't say why but from his tone I'd say he has a problem.'
'Elizabeth couldn't understand why Anita was in such a bad state. She was certain the phone call from Patterson wasn't the reason. 'You seem scared. Did someone frighten you on your way down here? Is that why you were running?'
Anita downed the brandy and held out the glass. Dean refilled it.
'I'm not used to physical exercise, that's all. Stop worrying about me and phone your sergeant.'
'I'm walking back with both of you,' Dean said.
On the way up the slight incline, Elizabeth stayed alert wondering what had spooked her friend. The road was deserted, all the houses in darkness. By the time they r
eached the cottage, Anita was exhausted. Elizabeth retrieved her bag and locked up the Saab before saying goodnight to Dean. He kissed her on the cheek and said he'd be in touch. Anita went straight to bed without waiting to hear the outcome of her call to Patterson, which was unusual. Elizabeth put her disinterest down to tiredness, but she knew there was more to Anita's sudden panic. Although she didn't need another drink, Elizabeth helped herself to a brandy, lay on the sofa and phoned Patterson.
He sounded agitated. 'Not good news I'm afraid. Jade Harper's dead.'
Elizabeth's heart sank and she took a large gulp from the glass. 'Murdered?'
'Dr Oakley's positive she was strangled.'
'Who found her?'
A taxi driver needed a pee and stopped in Hart Lane, which runs parallel to the playing fields. A new wall is under construction and the builders erected a temporary six-foot, welded mesh fence to stop anyone getting in. He stood right up against it and spotted her.'
'She was found inside the Academy grounds? What time was this?'
'The taxi driver was specific, ten forty-five.'
'You'll have to send a car for me.'
'Liz, it's late. I've spoken to Jessica and she's positive on cause of death and wants to move the body quickly. She believes the killer threw dragged her to that position. There's CCTV on Grasmere Road, none in Hart Lane. I'm going over there right now then I'll start organising the troops.'
'Do her parents know yet?'
'I sent Eldridge and Gardiner.'
Katie Gardiner was new to CID. Elizabeth wondered how she'd cope. 'We need to know when and where she was last seen. Phone Katie, hopefully we'll get a precise time and place. What about my lift?'
'If you trust me Liz then go to bed and get some sleep. There's not a lot you can do and it's stupid both of us staying up all night. You can relieve me in the morning then I'll shoot off home for a couple of hours.'
Elizabeth was beginning to feel woozy and wished she hadn't drunk the brandy. She'd never stay awake and even if by a miracle she did, her brain wouldn't function properly.
'You're sure you can handle everything until tomorrow morning? I'll be there at seven.'
'What should I do about Morven?'
'I hope to God he has a decent alibi. Because if he hasn't we'll have no choice but to bring him in.'
'I've just checked with the custody officer and Morven checked in a week ago. When he was asked about any change in his circumstances, he admitted John McAllister had rented a car. Apparently, staying indoors all the time was getting to them. Morven said they also needed a car to do grocery shopping. I've got the registration to check against any camera footage picking up the number near to the murder scene.'
Elizabeth concentrated on Morven. What were the odds he was responsible. She knew the statistics but somehow the idea didn't ring true. 'As soon as Jessica releases the body and you're sorted, go and check on him. How soon can you get there?'
'At this time of night, about forty minutes.'
'What about Jade's boyfriend, Duncan Mortimer?'
'Uniforms are out trying to find him. He's not at home so hopefully he's out clubbing. Sorry Liz but I better get moving.'
'Any major problems wake me up. Otherwise I'll see you in a few hours.'
Elizabeth switched off the lights and crept upstairs in the dark. The small guest room was at the end of the landing. She closed the door and lay on the bed thinking about Jade Harper and her boyfriend Duncan Mortimer. Jackie Kilmartin had hinted some of her pupils dabbled in sex games. After the Faraday case, her mind didn't want to go there, but she had to cover all possibilities. With any luck, Jessica would start the post mortem early tomorrow and have some answers. She closed her eyes hoping sleep would overcome her. After five minutes she resorted to her childhood game of drawing the alphabet in her mind’s eye. A method she'd used for years to empty her mind and drift off peacefully.
She could only have been asleep for a few minutes when a noise disturbed her. Dragging herself off the bed she went to the window, pulled back the curtains and stared across the back garden towards the fields. As she turned away she caught a movement under a solitary streetlight. It was difficult to make out without her distance glasses but she was sure someone was in the back lane behind the garden. She waited until she was sure whoever it was had gone, then she got back into bed and drifted into a troubled sleep.
People came towards her wearing masks, but the masks didn't hide their identity. She knew who everyone was. Jade Harper appeared and spoke to her but Elizabeth couldn't hear what she was saying.
Then Daly walked by and beckoned her to follow him. She ran after him but as soon as she thought she'd caught up with him, he disappeared into an ominous dark cloud.
At that moment she woke. The room was too dark and Elizabeth felt disorientated. She slid out of bed, pulled back the curtains and focused on the lane again. No one was there.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
Tuesday May 28th 12.50 am
Patterson took the A40 to Northleach and half an hour later turned off onto the Bibury Road. He'd visited Bibury a few times over the years, usually with his mates and as he drove through, he saw the river Coln flowing parallel to the main street. The Coln, a tributary of the Thames was the main reason tourists came to Bibury, to see the famous trout farm stocked with the native brown fish. Patterson remembered reading about William Morris at school and that he'd once said Bibury was the most beautiful village in England.
He pulled up outside the tourist information centre hoping to find a map. The cheap sat nav he'd bought at Christmas had played up for a couple of weeks and foolishly, he'd messed about with it. First thing on Saturday morning, he intended buying a more up to date model.
The glass covered notice board held plenty of information including a brief history of the village and directions to important architecture and local beauty spots. Many Cotswold villages had associations with the wool trade and Bibury was no exception. Their main industry was supplying cloth to a nearby mill. The premises where the weavers hung wool to dry was a place called "Rack Isle". Sounds like a title of a film, Patterson thought as he read through carefully. He realised he was nervous and wasting a few minutes might help calm him down. He looked at the map and judged he was about five minutes away from the address.
Black clouds scudded across the sky obscuring the full moon. At times Patterson struggled to follow the directions to Arlington Mill. The narrow lanes were like a warren and he almost got lost. When he eventually found where he was going, he turned down a pebbled drive and parked the car in front of a stone cottage.
One of Morven's bail conditions was a permanent UK address. He'd insisted he needed somewhere reasonably secure and private. Bearing in mind John McAllister's academic status they had decided to move closer to Oxford.
He parked, walked up to the door and knocked. He couldn't see any lights on anywhere and wondered whether to ring their number. The cottage was one of the honey coloured Cotswold stone almshouses that had once been a monastic wool store. He was surprised they had chosen this location as it was one of the most photographed Cotswold scenes in the area. Less than ten minutes ago he'd seen a postcard of this very house pinned inside a tourist information board. Strange, he thought. Had someone deliberately compromised Morven's privacy? Surely if Morven had seen it he would have asked whoever was in charge to remove it. Leaving it there was like a beacon for anyone hoping to find him.
Patterson banged on the door again and a light went on. McAllister opened it; he was dressed in a thick plaid dressing gown even though it was close to fifteen degrees outside. His Canadian drawl was slightly slurred and Patterson suspected he'd been drinking. He'd only met him once before when he'd accompanied Morven to Park Road.
'Come in,' McAllister said. 'I'll get Jacob.'
McAllister disappeared and Patterson heard muffled voices comi
ng from the room directly above him. He waited, wondering what they were discussing until Morven walked through the door. Considering his predicament the man appeared calm and unruffled.
'I'm not due to come to your police station for two days. It would have been courteous to ring first,' he said.
Patterson felt out of his depth. He wished he could go home and crawl into bed but Liz had trusted him and he couldn't let her down. He tried his authoritative voice. 'I haven't turned up on a whim. I'm here because we have another victim.'
Both men looked up, alarmed. McAllister went to an antique table and poured himself a drink. 'Can I get you one,' he asked.
Patterson shook his head and Morven didn't take up the offer either.
'Jade Harper, one of the students at Grasmere Academy was found murdered approximately two hours ago.'
Patterson could tell by Morven's eyes he knew what was coming next.
'I have to ask you to voluntarily return to Park Road. Before we go I need you to change into other clothes and hand over any other garments you have worn earlier. A forensic team will arrive shortly. I also have a warrant to search these premises.'
'For Christ's sake,' McAllister shouted, 'you can't believe Jacob had anything to do with this.'
Morven moved towards the professor and placed an arm around his shoulders. 'It's okay John, leave this to me.'
'Have you left the house today?' Patterson asked.
McAllister appeared flustered, his breathing became laboured and he slumped onto a sofa.
Morven answered 'We hardly ever go out and when we do we keep to ourselves. So far, only a handful of people in the village know who we are. My lawyers chose this location for a good reason; we had a better chance of remaining anonymous.'
'I asked if you went out today and did you use the hire car?' Patterson asked.
'We drove to Oxford to do grocery shopping. We went this evening,' Morven said.
