My Caroline

by Roger Rapel

  7

  Jim parked down the street from Romney’s house where he watched and waited for him to arrive. He then saw Romney’s vehicle turn up and park on the drive. Jim waited ten minutes or so; then he and Vicky walked up to the door. Romney had been watching out of the window so he opened the door before Jim could ring the doorbell.

  Romney invited them in making coffee to their previous liking; then he sat down and said ‘how can I help you?’ Jim noticed there wasn’t the same sad face as before, even though it had only been a couple of days, the recovery seemed remarkable.

  Jim sipped his coffee making Romney wait for him; having finished Jim said ‘nice coffee Mr Romney.’ Romney nodded then said ‘is that all you came for a cup of coffee?’ ‘No Mr Romney; now where shall I start, oh yes can you tell me about your relationship with your wife again?’ ‘I’ve already told you.’ ‘Yes quite so, but forgive me, because when we spoke before, I hadn’t read your wife’s diary. I have now and it puts a different complexion on what we discussed before. Perhaps you would like to tell me again about your relationship with Caroline?’

  Romney looked down for a moment and started to well-up then said ‘you know don’t you?’ ‘I know lot’s Mr Romney, so tell me your side, its better coming from you?’ There were genuine tears running down his face now as he tried to drink his coffee, but his hands were shaking so much, as he tried to speak. Jim talked with his calming voice, ‘take your time there’s no rush just drink your coffee first.’ This seemed to relax Romney a bit.

  Jim indicated to Vicky to write, she opened her bag and took out a note pad then timed and dated the heading.

  Romney then looked at Jim and said ‘Look I don’t know what was in her diary, so you have one over on me so to speak, but I expect she has written about our arguments.’

  ‘Carry on?’

  ‘I knew she was seeing someone else, I knew she was; those short skirts and make-up and high-heels those weren’t just for dancing she had to be having an affair.’

  ‘Did you confront about it?’

  ‘Yes on a number of occasions but, she wouldn’t discuss it, just saying I was jealous because she had a life doing something she enjoyed, apart from work.’

  ‘What made you suspect she was having an affair?’

  ‘She had to be she was always dressed up to the nines.’

  ‘Did you go to the classes to see what others were wearing?’

  ‘I waited outside and saw the others arriving, they had long coats on, some wearing tracksuits, nothing like Caroline was wearing.’

  ‘Did you peak inside?’

  ‘No never did, waiting outside was enough.’

  ‘So, she wore that clothing when dancing, what made you think she was having an affair?’

  ‘She had to be, she would go to a pub after wearing next to nothing she had to be.’

  ‘Okay have you ever followed her from the pub?’

  Romney looked down and began crying then said,

  ‘Yes that’s when I saw him and her kissing.’

  ‘Who was she kissing?’

  ‘He was a friend from school he had been to my house, now he was making out with my wife.’

  Jim saw the hatred in his eyes as he looked at him. Then he saw him clenching his fists as he banged the table.

  ‘I gave her everything the house, the car, holidays and jewellery, but it wasn’t enough, she went to that so called friend of mine, I wanted to do him in for cheating with my wife.’

  Then Romney banged the table with his fists again in real anger, his eyes were now on fire with rage.

  Jim calmed him down by lowering his voice as he asked the questions.

  ‘Please Mr Romney tell me the name of your friend and where he lives?’

  ‘Colin Albright he lives in Long Lane Avenue, I don’t know the number. But anyone will tell you, he’s lived there a long time.’

  ‘Right Mr Romney in your wife’s diary she talks about the violence you subjected her to, can you tell me about that please.’

  ‘Where is this leading, I think I have said enough, I think you are going to accuse me of killing my wife, well I didn’t, I think this conversation is over.’

  Romney stood up and said ‘please go.’ Jim looked at him wondering now he had stirred him up should he really set the cat amongst the pigeons.

  ‘Okay Mr Romney we will leave it there for the moment, but I have to ask, were you having an affair with anyone?’

  ‘No I wasn’t.’

  ‘Did you kill your wife?’

  ‘No I didn’t, now get out I’m calling my solicitor.’

  Jim and Vicky left leaving a seething Romney standing at the door; then he slammed it shut.

  Vicky smiled as she said ‘you have a way with words Jim.’ Jim smiled as they drove off.

  The late afternoon briefing was in full swing as they got back making excuses for their lateness. Each of the team members were giving their updates on the enquiries they had completed. It then came around to Jim and Vicky. Jim then explained the finding of the victim’s car in an out of town car park. Unfortunately there was no CCTV covering the area.

  Jim then expanded on the interviews with Francesca and Romney including the identification of Colin and his address.

  Langton was busy scribing notes for his policy log; he was nodding as he listened to each team, making notes at the same time. Once the briefing had concluded Langton called Jim and Vicky into his office closing the door behind them. He sat at his desk then opened the bottom drawer then poured three glasses of scotch. ‘What do you think Jim, is Romney the killer?’ ‘No idea guv, but it would be too easy for it to be the jealous husband. Perhaps it’s the lover Colin Albright who didn’t want to lose her, he wanted his cake and eat it, he couldn’t let her expose him to his wife as he would lose everything.’ Langton looked at Vicky ‘what do you think Vicky?’ ‘It would be too easy for it to be either of them, but they are the best we have at the moment.’ ‘Quite so, what’s the next move Jim?’ ‘I intend to interview Colin Albright tomorrow and up the ante.’ Langton nodded as he raised his glass.

  The remainder of the team were interviewing their way through the other dance class members, there was nothing exciting; then one of the team interviewed Eileen O’Conner, she was quite a vivacious 30 year old. DC Mick Carter and DC Angela Dean knocked on her door and were shown into the kitchen where they were invited to sit at the table as coffee was made.

  Mick couldn’t help but notice her body; she was certainly dance-fit, dressed in a tracksuit with a loose fitting top. Eileen was absorbing his attention giving him a wry smile. Mick then said ‘Thanks for the coffee Eileen, can you tell us about the salsa dance class you attend?’ ‘Oh it’s fantastic I have lost so much weight and it’s so much fun we have a great time.’ ‘Did you mix with any of the other members when you were there or at any other time?’ ‘I would go for a drink with a few of the members after the class.’ ‘Was Caroline one of those members?’ ‘Yes she was; she used to be so full of fun always laughing.’ ‘Did she ever meet anyone else who wasn’t a class member when you went for a drink?’

  Eileen took a sip of her coffee then said ‘she did sometimes meet a man.’ ‘Did you know him or his name?’ ‘He was a bit older than Caroline I think his name was Mark they seemed quite close, they would sit together and laugh with the rest of us.’ ‘Did you know she was married?’ ‘Yes, but it was none of my business they looked so happy together.’ ‘Have you any idea where Mark lived?’ ‘Just a minute, let me think.’ They sat for a moment, then Eileen said ‘Yes I remember it came up in a conversation, we were all talking about where we used to live and where we lived now, I remember Mark saying he used to live in Honey Lane, but now lived in Sale Gate Avenue; that is a nice area he must be worth a few bob to live there.’

  Angela then said ‘did you ever meet anyone called Colin?’ ‘No it doesn’t ring a bell, although just a minute, I do remember her being picked by someone in a different car than Mark’s,
but I thought perhaps he had more than one car. Sorry one car looks like the same as any other to me, also the lighting isn’t that good outside the pub, but it looked new and it was a big car, dark coloured.’

  A few more questions were asked before the interview ended.

  Once in the car Mick and Angela looked at each other, then Mick said ‘she had more than one on the go. Who is Mark? He must have a few bob as she says; Sale Gate Avenue has some big houses in it.’ Angela smiled as she wound Mick up ‘she had a nice body Mick.’ ‘I didn’t notice.’ ‘Fuck off Mick your eyes were all over her.’ They both laughed as the banter continued.

  8

  Jim checked the voters list and found Colin Albright’s address, 25, Long Lane Avenue. He then checked the phone directory obtaining his number. He called and made an appointment to meet him at Central Police Station.

  Albright attended as requested. Jim had set up an interview room then invited him in; Vicky was already waiting. Jim looked at him as he thought your world is about to come crashing down around your ears my old son. Jim opened up with a statement.

  ‘I arranged to meet you here Mr Albright, as I have a delicate matter to talk to you about, and I expect you know what that is?’

  Albright nodded as he said ‘yes.’

  ‘Okay tell me Mr Albright how long had you been seeing Caroline Romney?’

  ‘Oh god, I feel awful, I was a school friend of Craig’s I’ve even been to his house for dinner.’

  ‘Tell me when did the affair start?’

  ‘It wasn’t supposed to happen, I went for a drink in the Crown one night, and saw Caroline there, she looked gorgeous, she had just come from her dance class, she saw me and we started talking, then one thing led to another and before we knew it we were involved.’

  ‘You make it sound so matter of fact, I think you went to the Crown on purpose to look for her didn’t you?’

  ‘Well, yes I did, Craig had mentioned how she used to dress up for dancing and went to the Crown after the class for a drink. She was a cracking looking woman, or was, oh god I miss her so much.’

  ‘You married?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I take it your wife doesn’t know of your affair?’

  ‘Oh my god no, does she have to know?’

  ‘Just think about it, you were having an affair with Caroline; she recorded it in her diary, so there is no doubt your wife will get to know about it from the inquest or someone will gossip.’

  Albright put his head in his hands

  ‘What a mess, this will be the end of my marriage when she finds out.’

  ‘You have to decide the road you take; tell your wife or not, but the confirmation of your affair cannot be kept secret; so how you tell your wife is not my concern.’

  Albright was now tearful.

  ‘Tell me Colin, when was the last time you saw Caroline?’

  ‘Oh I don’t know some time before she went missing.’

  ‘I don’t think so, I have read her diary she was meeting you the night she went missing, why was that?’

  ‘No I didn’t, she wanted too, but I said no.’

  ‘She found out you were married didn’t she?’

  ‘Well she knew I was, or I thought she did, as I never made any secret about it.’

  ‘She wanted you to leave your wife for her didn’t she?’

  ‘Yes she did, but I couldn’t do that, we had a great time it was fun, a fling, but that’s where it ended as far as I was concerned, that’s all, it was a fling.’

  ‘Now think very carefully Mr Albright, samples have been taken from the body of Caroline as it looked like she had been raped. When the tests are completed any samples will be examined for DNA, once we have those we will be taking samples from all the male persons who knew her, so are you sure you never met her that night?’

  ‘Oh god, I’m sorry, yes I did meet her and we had sex, it was a bit rough, but when we parted she was happy about it.’

  ‘Where did you meet her?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘Simple question, where did you meet her?’

  ‘In a pub.’

  ‘Go on then which pub?’

  ‘The Lamb and Wolf.’

  ‘Have you met there before?’

  ‘Once or twice.’

  ‘Then what happened?’

  ‘We had a drink and went in my car for drive and had sex in the back of the car.’

  ‘Whereabouts did it take place?’

  ‘In a lay-by.’

  ‘Come on man where?’

  ‘Off the main road we used it quite often it’s hidden behind some trees, it’s quite popular with courting couples.’

  ‘Okay you can show me on a map later. Then what happened?’

  ‘I took her back to her car at the Lamb then went home.’

  ‘You say the lay-by is popular with courting couples, were there any others there at the time?’

  ‘It was dark, there may have been, but if there were I didn’t take any notice.’

  ‘What was discussed between you?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘In her diary she had written about giving you an ultimatum regarding you leaving your wife.’

  ‘She never mentioned it; we were wrapped in love making.’

  ‘Okay we will leave it there for the moment.’

  Vicky showed him out of the interview room then out of the police station

  Jim and Vicky sat talking later. Jim said ‘I’m not sure now, it could have been either of them, we will have to wait for the DNA and the forensics to come back before we start nicking anyone; my bet is on the husband.’ ‘I’m not sure Jim, why was her car parked in a car park with the keys in it? She had left it in the Lamb and wolf car park before going off with Albright, did she meet someone else? Or did Albright drive it there and get a cab after parking it?’ ‘Don’t know there are so many questions with no answers at the moment.’ Jim then drove back to HQ’s where he wrote up the log.

  The days de-brief began with the normal around the room findings from the teams, some had nothing to add of anything significance. Then Mick and Angela gave their account of the interview with Eileen O’Conner and the name of Mark from Sale Gate Avenue, he would appear to have been a boyfriend or lover of the victim as well.

  Jim thought fuck me not another suspect, she was a busy woman to have three on the go.

  The intelligence section ran the name of Mark through their voters section and came up with 2 addresses in Sale Gate Avenue, Mark Cuthbert at number 16 and Mark Caruthers at 26. Mick and Angela were given the action of tracking down the most likely Mark for interviewing.

  Mick and Angela checked out number 16 the next morning; all they had to go on was a dark coloured car. There were two cars parked in the drive of 16, a red Ford Mondeo and a green Fiat.

  Mick walked down to 26, there was a dark blue BMW 320 parked in the drive. He walked back to his car then said ‘I think 26 is the one as there is dark blue BMW on the drive. Mick drove and re-settled looking at the entrance to the drive about 100 yards or so away. Then they waited. After about an hour, the BMW emerged, then drove by them, Mick had a good look at the driver as he thought he had to be the one as he looked about the right age.

  Mick followed for a while then saw him park his car in a small industrial unit. The suspect alighted from the car then put on a suit jacket as he entered the unit. Angela then walked by the unit to obtain the name. She saw on the outside the name plate Caruthers electronics Ltd. She wrote down the phone number then returned to the car where she discussed with Mick the next course of action. ‘Okay Angela can you ring him and ask him to attend central as there is an important matter you need to discuss with him, say it shouldn’t take long.’

  Caruthers agreed to the interview and attended an hour later where he was greeted by Angela who shook hands as she thanked him for attending then invited him into a side interview room where DC Mick Carter was waiting. The formalities were made then the interview commenced.
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br />   DC Carter

  ‘Thanks for coming to see us at such short notice.’

  ‘No problem, how can I help you?’

  ‘We are investigating the murder of Caroline Romney I expect you have been reading about it in the press.’

  ‘Yes I have, but what has that to do with me?’

  ‘Well Mr Caruthers we have been interviewing many people during the investigation and like most investigations the more people you talk to the more you glean. Can you tell me did you know Caroline Romney?’

  ‘I don’t think so.’

  ‘Just remember what I said about talking to many people, just think before you speak.’

  ‘I didn’t know her.’

  ‘Do you know about the salsa dance class in the town?’

  Caruthers looked down as he nodded.

  ‘Okay do you know the Crown and Thistle public house, do you know where that is?’

  ‘Yes I do.’

  ‘Okay let me ask you again, did you know Caroline Romney?’

  ‘Yes I did, look I’m married with kids.’

  ‘Yes we do know that is why we asked you to come here rather than doing this at your home.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  ‘How did you know Caroline?’

  ‘We met one day at the accountants where she worked, I was bringing some books to them and we talked. Then some while later we met for a drink then one thing led to another and we were soon having an affair.’

  ‘Okay thanks for that. How often were you meeting Caroline?’

  ‘Probably a couple of times a month.’

  ‘Where would you meet?’

  ‘After her dance class, or sometimes when she finished work.’

  ‘Where did you go?’

  ‘What?’

  ‘You were having an affair where did you go?’

  ‘Anywhere quiet.’

  ‘Okay did you meet her on the night she went missing?’