My Caroline

by Roger Rapel

  MY CAROLINE

  By

  Roger Rapel

  Copyright © Roger Rapel 2018

  Cover Copyright © Amy Parle

  Published by Black Hawk

  (An Imprint of Ravenswood Publishing)

  Names, characters and incidents depicted in this book are products of the author's imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, locales, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental and beyond the intent of the author or the publisher.

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means whatsoever, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher and/or author.

  Ravenswood Publishing

  1275 Baptist Chapel Rd.

  Autryville, NC 28318

  http://www.ravenswoodpublishing.com

  Email: RavenswoodPublishing@gmail.com

  Paperback orders can be made through Amazon

  http://www.Amazon.com

  Printed in the United States of America

  First Edition

  10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

  ISBN-13: 9781795456142

  1

  Detective Sergeant Jim Broadbent was woken by a phone call; it was only an hour before his alarm was due to sound off, but he had still woken up with a start. He answered the bedside phone ‘hello’ in his half-awake state. ‘Hi Jim, the control room, there’s a body of a woman been found in woodland near the Larches estate by the game keeper.’ Jim wrote down the directions, then showered and dressed, leaving his partner Jackie snoring.

  The morning air was still, with a slight mist hovering over the fields trying to resist the morning sunrise. The sun was tinging the tips of the clouds turning them red and pink making them a photographers dream with shafts of sunlight showing the promise of another bright autumn morning. Crows and rooks were circling over the woodland sounding alarm calls at the unwelcomed intrusion.

  The surrounding fields were already showing signs of new growth after the summers harvest and re-planting.

  Detective Sergeant Jim Broadbent drove along the track towards a wooded area. In the distance he could see the lonely figure of a uniformed officer.

  Jim then cast his mind back to the game keeper Brian; he’d had his fair share of bodies being found on the estate over the years; he laughed as he thought the biggest grave yard in the country.

  Jim made his way towards the officer who was rubbing his hands together and stamping his feet trying to keep warm, his breath instantly condensing as it hit the cold air. Jim shook hands with the young officer as he introduced himself. The officer pointed into the woods where just inside Jim could just about see the half-naked body. Jim said ‘has anyone else been here apart from the gamekeeper and yourself?’ ‘Yes my inspector and sergeant.’ ‘Okay start a log of who has been here please and the times. This is the holding point, no one goes any further than this until SOCO has finished you understand?’ ‘Yes sergeant.’ The young officer was still shivering from the cold. ‘What’s your name son?’ ‘Christopher.’ ‘Right Christopher, here are the keys to my car, go and sit in it and warm yourself for five minutes, the sun should be up by then.’ ‘Oh thank you sergeant’ his teeth were chattering as he took the keys.

  Jim walked the short distance to the body then he stood with his hands in his pockets looking at the scene. The woman was about 40 years old, she had dark brown hair; the top of her red dress was pulled down with her bra pulled over her breasts. The bottom of her dress was pulled up to her waist she had no panties on. She was not dressed to be out in the cold she wore high heels and a short red dress. He couldn’t see any belongings close to the body. He then made notes the best he could of what he had seen so far.

  The young PC got out of Jim’s car, the warmth had brought some colour back to his cheeks he looked a lot brighter than he had done before. The sun was now higher bringing warmth to the cold morning chasing the shadows away. Jim said ‘you look warmer son.’ ‘Oh thank you, yes I am.’

  Jim contacted the control room making sure SOCO, D/Supt Langton and the pathologist had been called, which was confirmed? Jim then requested that DC Vicky Howser was called as well.

  Jim then sat in his car making a few notes when he saw the white SOCO van arriving. He greeted Jeremy as they shook hands exchanging pleasantries. Jim obtained some police cordon tape from Jeremy then requested Christopher to hold one end as he taped-off the scene.

  Jim stood with Jeremy who by now was wearing his white suit as he took photos of the body. Jim then glanced around the area as the sunlight had now risen chasing away any lingering shadows making it easier to see; he took a couple of steps away from the body then found a pair of panties, he also saw a handbag in the undergrowth. Jim called Jeremy who photographed them in situ then measured the distance from the body before retrieving them. Jeremy laid out a piece of plastic sheeting then emptied the contents of the handbag for Jim to look through.

  Jim rummaged through the contents then found a driving licence with the victims photograph on with the name and address of Mrs. Caroline Romney, 43, Long Avenue. The picture was the same as the face of the victim, albeit a few years younger and very pretty; she had bright blue eyes in the photograph, but not now, the eyes were lifeless and cloudy, her face dirty and bruised. In amongst the items he found a plastic red rose. He thought nothing of it, but then thought perhaps it had been a cheap gift from the person she had met?

  Jim contacted the control room to check if a missing person report had been filed and if so when. The control room confirmed that the victim had been reported missing two days ago by her husband.

  The handbag had a purse inside which contained money and credit cards. There was nothing else of interest, or so he thought. He continued to sift through the contents then found a piece of paper with the name Michael 8.30 pm scribbled in pen; that was it, nothing else.

  Jim then saw Langton’s car followed by Vicky’s making their way down the track, so returned to his car to await their arrival.

  Jim greeted Langton with a handshake and a nod then waited for Vicky; then he went through the situation as he knew it so far.

  The Sun had risen higher as the warm ray’s hit the ground causing steam to rise from the overnight frost: in some way it made the whole scene look earie, just like some horror movie. The rooks had by now found another wood to settle in, but they came back now and again to circle above giving squawks of disapproval.

  After his brief run down to Langton and Vicky they walked the short distance to the scene. Jim confirmed with Jeremy if it was okay to approach; he nodded as he continued taking more photos. Jim received a call from the pathologist who stated he was on route estimating lunch time as being his ETA. Vicky then said something which hit a note ‘it looks like she was dressed for dancing, not being out in the cold.’ Jim nodded as he walked from the scene.

  Langton said after viewing the body and making notes for his briefing of the chief ‘you and Vicky get some breakfast, then get back here at midday to meet the pathologist; in the meantime inform the husband of the find to test his reaction, you never know? I will get the incident room organised; just keep me informed of any changes?’

  Langton then walked back to his car, on the way he stopped and spoke with the young officer who had warmed up a bit by then. ‘How long have you been here son?’ ‘From the time the body was found sir, at 4.30 I’m due for a change over soon.’ Langton nodded as he continued on, then he drove off in his car.

  Jim and Vicky found a café then had breakfast. Afterwards they went to deliver the death message to Mr Romney.

  Jim and Vicky arrived at number 43, but as expected it looked empty. Jim wal
ked to the front door and rang the bell, but there was no reply. Jim saw a car in the next door neighbours drive so rang their bell. The door was opened by a middle aged woman. The woman said ‘yes how can I help you?’ ‘From the police my love, no problem I’m just trying to get in touch with Mr Romney from next door, do you know where he works?’ ‘Yes I do, he works in the big communications factory on the Marshalls Road trading estate; he’s the managing director there.’ Jim smiled as he said ‘you’ve been a great help thanks.’

  2

  The communications factory was situated on a big trading estate it was one of those independent companies making main frame systems for financial sector customers. None of which meant a thing to Jim or Vicky.

  As Jim drove into the trading estate he said ‘right Vick we need to see if the company has a Human Resources Department,’ Vicky checked the name plate on the door then she called the number asking for the HR manager, she was put through, discovering his name was Mr Brightwell. Vicky requested to meet him at reception.

  Jim and Vicky met Brightwell in the plush reception area, Jim introduced himself and Vicky; Jim said ‘thanks for meeting us Mr Brightwell, can I confirm you have a Mr Romney working here?’

  ‘Yes I can, Craig is the managing director, why do you ask, is he in trouble?’ ‘No, far from it, is there somewhere private we can talk?’ Mr Brightwell nodded as he led them to a meeting room just off reception.

  They sat down as Jim cleared his throat then said ‘we have some really bad news to give to Craig about his wife Caroline.’ ‘Oh no what’s happened?’ ‘Were you aware she was missing?’ ‘Craig mentioned that he had reported her missing to the police.’ Then the realisation of the situation hit Mr Brightwell. ‘Oh no, not Caroline oh please no, this will devastate him.’

  ‘I’m sorry to say we have found a body of a woman in woodland we also found a handbag with Caroline’s driving licence inside with her picture on, so we are confident it’s Caroline’s body; we need to inform Craig and commence an investigation. Can you call him, but please don’t mention anything just say he has visitors.’ Brightwell nodded as he picked up the handset of an internal phone and dialled a number ‘Hi Craig you have visitors they’re in the reception meeting room.’ Brightwell looked at Jim and Vicky then said. ‘Do you want me to stay?’ ‘No just be close by as Craig will need some support after we tell him.’ Brightwell nodded as he left.

  A few minutes later Craig Romney opened the door and walked in. ‘Yes, how may I help you, did you make an appointment, as I have nothing in my diary regarding visitors today?’ Jim said ‘Sorry Mr Romney I am Detective Sergeant Broadbent and my colleague DC Howser, we need to talk with you for a couple of minutes.’

  Craig Romney sat down, as he did so the penny dropped, his face went from flushed at the annoyance of having visitors with no appointment, to white as a sheet, all the colour just drained out of him. He sat looking at Jim as his hands went to his face. Jim then said ‘I am sorry Mr Romney, but we have found the body of a woman in woodland and close by was a handbag with your wife’s driving licence in, and from the picture on the licence there is no doubt the body is Caroline’s.’ Mr Romney’s hands went to his mouth to cover his quivering lips as the tears rolled down his cheeks; then he broke down and sobbed uncontrollably taking deep breaths as the long sobs took his breath away.

  Jim nodded to Vicky who stood up as she left the room and found Brightwell. Brightwell had called his secretary to accompany him. They both entered the room as Jim stood up and handed his card to Brightwell asking him to inform Mr Romney that he’d call to see him the next day to commence the investigation. Brightwell nodded as Jim and Vicky left the office.

  Once outside Vicky took in a big gulp of air. Vicky was already welling up as Jim said ‘I’ll be smacking you’re bum again.’ ‘Bugger off Jim they don’t get any easier, do they?’ ‘No they don’t, I hate delivering death messages.’ Jim cocked his wrist to look at his watch, then said ‘bloody hell, look at the time, the pathologist must be close by now.’

  Jim gunned the car arriving some fifteen minutes later, once at the entrance to the woodland he negotiated down the unmade track full of potholes to the scene; he saw a car near the woodland parked next to the SOCO van; he said to Vicky ‘that has to be the pathologist’ Vicky nodded, in agreement. After negotiating the track he parked his car. Jim introduced himself and Vicky to the pathologist who was changing his shoes to boots then they walked to the body giving their names to the officer. The pathologist Raymond Partridge was middle aged with a serious face, but to Jim’s surprise he had a good sense of humour.

  ‘Okay lady and gents let’s get started.’ A SOC tent had by now been erected over the body to protect it from the elements and long lenses of the press. With his voice recorder switched on Partridge talked as he began a cursory examination of the body. He gently moved the body onto its side; he confirmed there was nothing to indicate any physical injury. The body was then returned to its original position as he ran his hands through the hair feeling the scalp for lumps and bumps, but he could find no obvious sign of any injury.

  Talking all the time into his voice recorder as he was working his way over the body ‘okay there are no physical signs of injury to the body, but there is slight reddening around the neck and bruising to the face, there is also signs of petechial in the eyes and cheeks, therefore at this moment in time, I suspect that strangulation could have been the cause of death.

  Partridge opened his bag and removed a medical instrument cloth roll which he opened as he laid it on the ground. He selected a stainless steel scalpel which glistened in the defused sunlight as he removed it from the cloth roll. Then he made an incision in the neck, Jeremy was taking photos clicking ten to the dozen. Once the throat was exposed Partridge confirmed the hyoid bone had been fractured. ‘Okay lady and gents from my initial examination it would appear that the cause of death was probably due to strangulation, but I will fully confirm my suspicions after the post mortem. I will let you know the time, but I will try for tomorrow morning. Time of death, I would say was between 30 and 48 hours ago’ as he withdrew and examined the rectal thermometer, comparing the reading to a plastic card chart, then said ‘I will hopefully be able to get a closer reading at the PM.’

  Jim called Langton informing him of the preliminary investigation by Partridge and the probability of the PM the following day.

  3

  Jim received the call from Jeremy confirming the PM was at 9am the following morning. He informed Vicky and Langton. Vicky still hadn’t hardened fully yet and was again turning ashen as she thought of the once lovely woman now lying on the slab waiting to be cut open. Jim looked at her as he smiled rubbing his hands together. Vicky looked at him as she said ‘don’t you dare Jim.’ Jim smiled back as he said ‘lovely bum though.’

  Jim then said ‘come with me whilst I interview Brian the game keeper.’ Vicky nodded as Jim confirmed with Brian’s wife on the phone that he was on the estate.

  Jim wended his way down the rough drive to the keeper’s cottage, as he explained to Vicky that it was a shooting estate. He pointed out pheasants and some fleeting deer whilst he slowly drove over speed humps trying to avoid the many pot holes.

  In the distance he could see the trail of white smoke spiralling out of the cottage chimney, with no wind the smoke was drifting straight up; the sun had by now melted the frost from the roof, but in the shade of the trees some parts were still glistening white.

  Vicky was in awe of the view, as she said ‘what a lovely location,’ then said ‘they don’t really shoot those lovely deer do they?’ ‘Yes they do, it’s all part of the management of the estate.’ Vicky shook her head in disbelief.

  They arrived at the cottage as the keeper’s wife Julie opened the door wiping her hands on her apron. She smiled and waved at Jim.

  Jim introduced Vicky to Julie as she shook hands with them both. Then Julie invited them in asking if they wanted coffee. They both accepted as Julie lifted t
he kettle from the Aga and poured hot water into the mugs on the kitchen work top.

  Julie said ‘my god Jim, how many more bodies will they find in the woods, I’m petrified every time the phone rings that another one has been found?’ Jim smiled as he said ‘you have certainly had your fair share over the years; how is Brian holding up?’ She laughed as she said ‘he’s getting used to it now.’ Then she looked out of the window, ‘oh here he comes now.’

  Vicky said ‘what a lovely home you have in this setting.’ ‘It looks nice; it’s not the best paid job, although Brian loves it.’

  Brian arrived as Jim shook hands and introduced Vicky; then Jim asked how he had found the body. Brian explained he had been doing an early morning tour of the estate looking for poachers that’s when he found her; he knew the location was used by courting couples so never really went there much till after midnight. Jim nodded then said ‘when was the last time you visited the area?’ ‘Oh goodness, I knew you would ask me that, it must have been a couple of weeks ago as I’ve been trying to cull a few deer as the herds are growing too big now.’

  Jim said ‘I must try to get over and go out with you sometime.’ ‘Please do, it would be good.’

  Jim then said ‘were you lucky with the cull.’ Yeah I got a couple the other day, they are ready for the game dealer in the cold store.’ ‘Can we have a look?’ ‘Of course you can.’ ‘Come on Vick let me show you.’ ‘Do I have too?’ Jim smiled as he said ‘It will help you.’

  They went to the cold store as Brian opened the door, there were 5 fallow deer carcasses hanging up having been prepared, although one still with its head intact. Vicky looked at the scene in front of her. She put her hand to her face. Jim then said ‘this is the same as the mortuary, just a piece of meat, don’t think of the body as anything else, its callous I know, but that is the mechanism you have to get into your mind; whatever made them what they were in life, has now gone. Keep thinking of what they were in life, will only drag you down, you have to distance yourself from the emotion, as hard as that maybe, just a piece of meat, it will make it easier to cope with.’