Faraway Eyes_A fast-paced romantic murder mystery

by Evelyn Harrison

  “I see. I’ve got a record of you Beth making a call an hour ago, about a burglary and a possible car theft, I’m presuming at that time, you hadn’t found Mrs. Hamilton’s body.”

  “Yes, that’s right,” began Beth, nervously rubbing her hands together. “When we walked into the house I could sense something wasn’t right, there were marks all over the floor, Flo said they weren’t there after she’d cleaned and the wire from the phone had been pulled out of the wall. When we went into the kitchen we found the contents of Mrs. Hamilton’s bag were everywhere, and the back doors were open.”

  Alex stood in front of Flo. “Obviously Flo, you know the house very well. It might be an idea for you to have a look round to see if anything obvious has been taken.”

  “Yes, yes, I’ll do that. Of course, the cameras might be of a help.”

  “Cameras?”

  “Yes, the security cameras. Mrs. Hamilton had them installed all over the house and garden a couple of months ago, after hearing about all those burglaries. She always leaves them running. Living here on her own, the thought of someone breaking into her home made her really nervous.”

  “I’m sure my colleagues and I would have noticed them eventually, but Flo, if I wasn’t on duty, I would kiss you,” he said. “Wait here, I’ll be back.” Several minutes later Alex returned. “So a member of the team is going through the camera recordings right now. In the meantime, Flo, I would still like you to have a quick look around the house to see if there is anything missing. Then I’ll drive you both home.”

  “I think Alex, if Flo agrees, it might be an idea for her to come up to the farm and stay with us tonight,” said Beth.

  “Fine with me, if that’s what Flo would like.”

  “Thanks, my dear, I would like that very much.”

  Appearing suddenly in the room, the young policeman walked up to Alex and whispered in his ear.

  “Thank you, constable. Ladies, we have a picture of a male intruder. We want to show it to you in case you recognise him. Are you up for it?”

  If only Stephen had known his movements and words in and around the house had been recorded, there was no doubt he would have destroyed the evidence. Him entering the house and even going to the fridge, yes, it was all there for everyone to hear and see in perfect colour. The scenes out in the garden were not pleasant for anyone to watch, but it was concrete proof of his involvement with his mother’s death that would send him back to prison for a very long time – as long as the police could catch him of course.

  ***

  Ben was anxiously waiting for them outside Farm Cottage.

  “Are you OK?” he cried, taking Beth in his arms. “I’ve been so worried. Chris is up at the farmhouse, Ronny is giving him his tea and getting him ready for bed. I’ve just got off the phone with your mum, she and your dad are on the way over.”

  “Ben, we’re fine, just a bit shocked, let’s go inside. Are you coming in, Alex?”

  “Yes, I’ll stay with you for a while, in case I get any news.”

  “I’m glad it was you on duty mate,” said Ben, shaking Alex’s hand, “thanks for looking after them.”

  “All in a line of duty, I think it helped them seeing a familiar face.”

  Farm Cottage, with its inglenook fireplaces and original beams, was only a stone’s throw from Hill Farm, where Jonathon Oliver and his second wife Ronny lived. Having been extended several years ago, it was now quite a spacious family home. Beth took them straight through into her sitting room.

  “Take a seat. I’m sure we could all do with something to eat; I’ll make a few sandwiches I need to keep busy. Damn, I just remembered I left those cakes in Mrs. Hamilton’s house. Not to worry. You can tell your team they’re welcome to them Alex.”

  “Thanks, I’ll do that, I’m sure they’ll go down well, back at the nick.”

  “Your mum and dad have just pulled up outside, Beth,” cried Ben, peering through the front window.

  The minute Josie stepped into the house, she threw her arms around her daughter.

  “Are you OK? I couldn’t believe it when I heard. There’s police swarming all over the village. Barbara Hamilton, how? I mean, I take it she died of natural causes?”

  “We’re not sure yet,” piped up Alex.

  “Alex, sorry I didn’t see you sitting there. I’ve just dropped Ana and her friend off at a hotel. Actually, I’m glad you’re here, I was going to come and see you anyway, saves me a journey. Can I have a word with you outside?”

  “Sounds mysterious … Sorry my phones ringing, I’ll have to answer it … Yes excellent, I’m still with Mrs. Oliver and Mrs. Devine, so I’ll inform them and then I’ll get back to the station.” He finished his call and turned to face everyone. “Good news they’ve apprehended Stephen Hamilton at Gatwick Airport. A squad car’s bringing him back to Dunwell station, so I’ve got to go.”

  “That is good news, great police work,” beamed Beth.

  “It helped we knew so quickly who we were looking for, thanks to those security cameras.”

  Josie followed him outside. “Alex, I really need a word and now, it can’t wait …”

  Chapter 21 – Here Comes the Bride

  England, Saturday 27th May

  The bells of St. Jude’s, the Catholic Church in Dunwell, rang out to mark the start of the celebrations of Ana and Alex’s wedding. The pews, decorated in pink carnations and white lilies, were filled with well-turned out guests. The women looked elegant in dresses and colourful hats or fascinators and the men, on the whole, looked uncomfortable in suits and ties. Josie and Max arrived and settled themselves down at the back of the church, waiting.

  The organist had been playing for almost half an hour, the congregation was getting restless and then the whisper went around that the bride’s car had finally arrived. The priest, who up until now had been standing uneasily in front of the altar, suddenly began a brisk walk along the nave towards the entrance of the church, trying his best not to break into a run. Exchanging glances, Max placed his hand gently on Josie’s arm as she rose to her feet and made her way back into the vestibule to await the bridal party.

  Ana looked beautiful, in a lacy cream dress, decorated with the tiniest pearl buttons; in her hand a trailing bouquet of lilies complimented her appearance. Holding up the bride’s short train, Veronicah, in a pale off the shoulder lilac dress, tottered slowly behind. Playing the father’s role was Mr. Wootton, a history teacher from school, who had very reluctantly been persuaded to participate in the proceedings due to the fact the bride’s parents had sadly been unable to attend. Kitted out in a grey morning suit, he completed the picture of bridal perfection.

  The ritual of photos being taken by a professional photographer meant that both the priest and Josie had to wait patiently for the bride to step into the church. When she did, Josie moved in front of the priest before he could utter a word.

  “Josie, you shouldn’t be here, please join the rest of the congregation,” implored Ana.

  “Sorry Ana I have to speak to you. We can either do it here or I understand there’s a little room through that door over there,” Josie said, pointing towards a small blue door in the far wall.

  Scowl lines appeared on Ana’s face.

  “Josie, I’m about to get married, please step out of the way and let me pass. And Father O’Donnell, shouldn’t you be standing at the altar waiting to marry me to my intended?”

  “I’m sorry …” Father O’Donnell stuttered.

  “Father O’Donnell,” began Josie, placing her hand on his shoulder to reassure him that everything was going to be all right. “I’ll deal with it, you go back inside the church and I’ll be in in a minute.”

  “Someone, please tell me what’s going on?” cried Ana.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to go into that little room?”

  “No! I damn well don’t want to go into that poxy little room! What I want to do is get married!”

  “Right, hmm, first I need to tell
you a story.” Josie took a deep breath she’d been relishing this moment. “Growing up, my mother was always a worrier. She worried about me getting a cold in case it turned into pneumonia or when I grazed my knee in case it turned septic and my leg fell off, however, her biggest worry was about the Suez Crisis …”

  “Stop! Stop right now! How is a story of your childhood relevant on my wedding day?” implored Ana, her jaw clenching in agitation.

  “Oh, I’ll get to it, don’t worry, it’ll be worth it, believe me. Of course, the Suez Crisis happened before I was born, but it had obviously affected my mother at the time, she worried about this country being invaded you see, having already lived through the Second World War. So, when I started school and the opportunity arose for me to study Russian … can you see where I’m going with this now?”

  The colour drained from Ana’s face.

  Josie was on a role she wasn’t about to let up. “My mother, who had absolute faith in me, thought if I learnt Russian then I could be in the front line to speak and negotiate with any invading armies. Thankfully that didn’t happen, but I did manage to get my A-level, which obviously came in useful when translating the conversation between you and Veronicah.”

  Ana reached behind her and took Veronicah’s hand.

  “Well done Josie, you pulled it off, you’ve managed to humiliate me in front of all my friends and John Wootton here,” she hissed, getting right up into Josie’s face.

  Not being a man of violence, John Wootton took his cue and exited the church at an astonishing speed.

  “You being humiliated is nothing compared to what you were about to do to my friend!” scolded Josie, “You were about to ruin his whole life for your own ends!”

  Ana backed away. “Is Alex actually here? I want to speak to him if he is.”

  “No, neither him or his best man, obviously that was what the priest wanted to tell you. Are you going to be the one to inform everyone there isn’t going to be a wedding, or do you want me to?”

  “There’s no way I’m walking in there now! You can do the deed, I’m guessing you’re dying to.”

  Flinging her bouquet to the ground, she stamped on it and with Veronicah at her side, turned and with the swish of her dress marched swiftly from the church.

  ***

  Sixteen hours earlier

  “So, Josie, what’s so urgent that can’t wait?”

  “Shall we go and sit in your car? I don’t want my family to hear what I have to tell you.”

  “You’re really worrying me now,” said Alex, as he opened his car door and climbed in.

  “It’s about Ana and Veronicah. First though, there’s something you don’t know about me and neither does Ana. I’ve kept it quiet because well, I thought I might hear something interesting and I have.”

  “You’ve got me, I’ve no idea what you’re talking about.”

  Josie shuffled round in her seat so she could face him. “I was taught Russian at school, and when we picked Veronicah up from the airport, I learned about their little secret …” She put her hand over his. “I’m so sorry Alex, there’s no easy way to tell you, but Ana’s played you. She came to this country with the sole intention of finding a husband, and on the back of that, she hoped she would be able to bring Veronicah over here to live with her. They love each other you see, but in Russia, being gay is outlawed, so they felt they had no choice other than to move here if they wanted to be together. That was also the reason her parents refused to come over for the wedding, they were against it too.”

  Alex scrunched up his eyes and shook his head. “Why couldn’t I have seen that? I’m such a bloody idiot!”

  “No, no, you’re not, you were taken in by a beautiful woman, you’re not the first and I’ve no doubt you won’t be the last.”

  He opened his eyes again. “Josie, what about our baby? I can’t let it grow up without me!”

  Josie’s mouth quivered, she knew the next words she was about to utter, would cause him more anguish. “There was never any baby, Alex, it was all a lie to get you to marry her.”

  “Shit! Shit! Shit!” he yelled, thumping the steering wheel. “That bitch! Which hotel is she staying at? I’ve got to see her to have it out with her.”

  “I don’t think you should, not in your state, you might do something you’d regret … I’ve been thinking long and hard about this. Let Ana get ready tomorrow and go to the church as planned and I’ll go there and tell her you won’t be coming and the reason why. Look, you’ve got a couple of weeks off for a honeymoon, when this shift finishes, I suggest you seek out a friend of yours, who decided she couldn’t bear to stay in the country to see you get married …”

  Chapter 22 – A Forced Confinement

  New Zealand, Sunday 28th May

  Revving up the four by four, Sam made a U-turn and headed back towards the main road. They hadn’t travelled far, when their route was blocked by a white pickup truck. Finding she was unable to pass it in the restricted space, Sam tried to reverse, but alarmingly one of the car’s rear wheels wedged itself in a narrow rut. Watching helplessly from their vehicle, the two women saw the door on the driver’s side of the truck fly open and the young man, who had served them at the garage, stepped out, a shot gun firmly in his hand.

  Marching purposely towards them, he yelled, “Get out of your vehicle!”

  They both froze.

  “Get the fuck out of your vehicle!” he repeated.

  They looked at each other but couldn’t move. Next thing, the young man lifted his shotgun to his shoulder, turned to his left and fired into the trees. Sprays of little pellets catapulted through the air, causing panic for the birds and wild life in the surrounding vegetation.

  “Yes, my gun is loaded, next time I’ll aim it at you! Now, get out of your fucking vehicle!”

  Without looking at her, Sam whispered under her breath, “I’ll do the talking Kate, keep strong.”

  Climbing carefully down from their car, they raised their arms in the air.

  “Please, lower your gun,” pleaded Sam. “We weren’t doing any harm, we were only interested in seeing some of your town’s history.”

  Throwing his weapon over his shoulder, he peered at them from beneath a black baseball cap.

  “I’ve seen you before, you were at the garage yesterday asking about Big Jim.”

  “Yes, that’s right, how good of you to remember.”

  “Are you making fun of me, bitch?” he bellowed, directing his shotgun at them again. “Cause I don’t like people making fun of me!”

  Sam noticed his finger was hovering on the trigger – unintentionally, she had agitated him even more.

  “No, no, of course not,” she said, trying to keep him calm, “I simply meant you obviously notice people, which is a good trait.”

  “Yes, yes I do notice people.” He lowered the barrel and his finger returned to the butt. “Didn’t you see the signs on the road which said ‘trespassers keep out’!”

  “Yes, but we thought they were meant for people who were looking for somewhere to camp. As I said, we’re simply interested in your town’s history.”

  He shook his head. “I can’t let this go. You’ll have to come with me. Big Jim’s back tomorrow and he’ll want a word with you. He hates trespassers on his land. In the past if he caught anyone out here, they would have spent a night in the slammer.”

  “You’re putting us in a police cell?” cried Kate.

  “No, not this time, but I am taking you to Big Jim’s house, you can wait there till he gets back. I’ll leave it up to him to decide what he wants to do with you. You, bitch,” he barked, indicating to Kate he meant her, “will come with me in the pickup. That leaves your friend to drive your car, if you can get the thing moving. Before we get going, hand me your phones, I don’t want you bitches making any unwanted calls. Come on, hand them over!”

  Withdrawing their phones from their pockets, they held them out and he snatched them from their grasp. Sam watched helplessly
as he forced a terrified Kate into the passenger seat of the truck – under the circumstances, there wasn’t anything she could do to help her without making matters worse. Managing to get their car moving forward, Sam followed closely on behind. She was all too aware of the danger she would put Kate in if she did anything silly, like making a dash for it, so she had no other choice but to obey the young man’s orders. After all, he was the one carrying the firearm.

  Arriving at the entrance to Oaklands, they had to wait in their convoy for the electric gates to open. Driving slowly down the side of the building, the truck came to a halt. Two huge, bearded men, dressed from head to toe in black, were waiting to greet them. Bustling them out of their vehicles, they were told to stand against the wall and to raise their arms, whereupon they were frisked, before being marched into the house and along a wide corridor taking them to the back of the building. A door was opened and much against their better judgement, they were compelled to enter.

  “You’ll stay here until Big Jim gets back,” growled one of their jailers. “The windows are locked and barred in this room, so don’t even think of trying to escape. Perhaps next time you’ll think twice about ignoring the signs, bitches.”

  “You can’t keep us here against our will!” cried Kate, “we know our rights!”

  “In this town, Big Jim’s the law. You have no rights!”

  The minute he slammed the door behind him, they could hear a key being turned in the lock. Kate rushed forward and tried to open it, before twisting round to face Sam.

  “What do you think they’re going to do with us?”

  “Nothing, this is just to frighten us, that’s all,” she said looking around. “I wonder why there are bars on the windows? Hmm. On the positive side, this beats the room we have at the bed and breakfast. The queen-sized bed looks comfortable and we even have an en-suite with a bath.”

  “How can you be so calm? Those men who were waiting for us look like thugs!”

  Switching on the television, Sam removed her waterproof jacket and started examining the sleeve.