What the hell! Susan resolved to stick to her guns. She’d worry about the niceties later on. She switched her phone to record. In a steady voice, she read out the caution. Meaningless, in the circumstances, but a touch of gravitas might spur Sheena Struthers to part with the truth.
Then: ‘Last time we spoke, you said you didn’t mean it to go this far? Can you explain to me, Sheena, what you meant by that?’
‘I wanted to send a warning.’
‘So, if I’m understanding you correctly, you wanted to give your husband a fright?’
Nods.
‘With a view to what?’
‘To making it stop,’
‘The abuse?’
‘That’s right.’
‘I still don’t understand why you didn’t report it.’
‘I didn’t think anyone would take me seriously. I mean, would the police even consider it abuse, what goes on in the bedroom between two adults?’
Consenting adults. ‘Even so…’ Susan offered. ‘Just because you submitted doesn’t mean you gave your consent. New legislation…’
Sheena cut her short. ‘By the time it began to affect my health, it had gone on for so long: years…decades.’ Her voice carried a bitter note. ‘Who’d have credited a mature woman – solvent, supposedly intelligent – would put up with things that long? How do you think I could explain that to some young police officer?’ She worried the binding of her hospital gown. ‘Someone like you?’
Susan had to admit the woman had a point.
For a few moments, Susan sat, lost in thought.
‘You’re thinking it’s my own fault for putting up with it,’ Sheena broke the silence. ‘But you’re from a different generation. Attitudes have changed in the twenty years I’ve been married. People put up with things then that would be unheard of now.’
‘I suppose,’ Susan said, though she couldn’t imagine such a set-up as Sheena Struthers had described.
‘It was after I started suffering from anxiety that I noticed there was a pattern to it: my husband’s behaviour deteriorates when he has an upset at work. Gordon takes it out on me. It’s a release, I expect. They’ve a lot of responsibility on their shoulders, men.’ Said in a caring voice.
Bastard! Susan mused. And it’s not as if he has money worries. Or kids. ‘And this happens how often?’ she asked.
‘Too often.’ Sheena responded bitterly.
‘So the pills…’ Susan brought herself back to the job in hand.
‘Sleeping pills.’
‘Prescribed by your GP?’
‘That’s right. My state of mind was affecting my sleep. Though I know, now, that I’m probably also menopausal.’
‘And did you take the pills, as prescribed?’
Sheena’s gaze shifted. ‘I did. Except…’
‘Except what?’
‘I took them for several nights. Then I realised they’d only knock me out for a few hours. And Gordon, well, when I came to he’d be wide awake, waiting…’
‘When your cleaner made her call to the emergency services, our officers found you deeply comatose. Can you clarify that for me, Sheena?’
Sharply, she turned away.
Susan took her time. ‘Did your husband know about the pills?’
It was critical she played this right.
‘No.’
‘Are you quite sure?’
Sheena turned back. ‘Positive.’
‘And have you discussed them with him at any time during his visits?’
‘No. But, then, they don’t let him stay long, and there have been other things to discuss.’
‘Such as?’
‘Domestic things, nothing important.’
‘Would it surprise you to hear,’ Susan asked, ‘that he’s been interviewed informally twice already?’
Sheena started. ‘I didn’t know. He hasn’t mentioned it.’
‘And that,’ Susan said, taking a chance, ‘he could be charged with your attempted murder?’
‘No-o!’ Sheena screamed. ‘My husband is devoted to me, make no mistake. He shows his affection in so many little ways. And I love him.’ Her eyes welled. ‘Did love him until…’
Susan couldn’t make up her mind whether Sheena Struthers was a poor soul or a practised liar. Her mind raced. She was already in trouble. She’d ignored the calls from HQ, wilfully overlooked police procedure.
Sod it! She’d better not go back without a result. ‘Okay,’ was all she said.
Aching with tiredness, Susan tried to plan her next move. The only thing she could come up with was to call Sheena’s bluff. If it was a bluff.
‘Let’s take a break.’ She stood and turned, as if to go.
The woman on the bed tugged at her sleeve.
‘Please sit down,’ she wept. ‘I’ll tell you everything.’
The Clock’s Ticking
‘Where’s Strachan?’ the inspector demanded.
‘No idea.’ George Duffy garbled the words as he swallowed the last of his morning piece.
‘Didn’t catch that?’ Chisolm threw him a hard look.
‘I’ve made repeated attempts to contact her,’ Douglas Dunn piped up. ‘But she’s failed to respond.’
‘She’s likely still at the hospital, sir.’ Brian Burnett tried to deflect Chisolm’s ire.
‘Well, I need her present,’ Chisolm insisted. ‘This is important. And time is of the essence, as you’re all aware.’
‘I’m sure she’ll be along any minute,’ Brian added, still acting peacemaker. He was rewarded with a foul look.
‘Any news on Struthers?’ Duffy moved to make the peace. ‘Did we manage to blow holes in his loan application story?’
Chisolm sat down. ‘Sadly, not. We have corroboration from the godson. However, there has been some progress.’ He waved a folder. ‘It transpires that Dunn, here,’ he cocked his head towards Douglas, ‘has some talent, after all.’
There were titters around the table.
‘Talent he’s been hiding from us. When all the time we thought he was a useless twat.’
Douglas looked down at his shoes.
‘Don’t be coy, Constable.’ Chisolm was enjoying his bit of fun.
Theatrically, he waved an arm. ‘DC Dunn, you have the floor.’
‘Well, I…’ Douglas began. He drew breath. ‘Before it went back, I had a shufti at Gordon Struthers’ computer.’
‘Christ!’ Dave Wood exclaimed. ‘Get you!’
‘Quite,’ Chisolm concurred, his face a mask.
‘I’ve uncovered evidence,’ Douglas said, holding the floor, ‘that Gordon Struthers used a search engine to identify date rape drugs.’
Wood craned his neck. ‘Is that right?’
Douglas smirked. ‘Struthers has been using his search engine to check out drugs. Untraceable drugs, namely Rohypnol and GHB.’
Bingo! George Duffy raised a fist.
‘Not quite. As Inspector Chisolm pointed out,’ he looked to his senior officer for approbation. ‘A search isn’t proof.’
‘Too right.’ Wood again. ‘And how can you prove it was Struthers? Could have been any bugger running that search.’
‘Conceded.’ Douglas came back. ‘However…’ He let the word hang in the air.
Arse-licker! Wood scowled. If Douglas had cracked the Struthers case, there would be no living with him.
‘I knew we needed more: a firm order.’
‘And,’ Duffy jumped in, ‘did you get it?’
‘No,’ his mouth turned down. ‘There was no order.’
Around the table, shoulders slumped back into seats.
‘But,’ Douglas added with a camp look, ‘I did find something.’
The detectives sat forward again.
‘It was a race against time.�
� He puffed out his chest. ‘But I managed to retrieve a follow-up he’d deleted from his spam folder.’
There were puzzled faces.
Chisolm spoke. ‘Better explain.’
‘When you place an order, companies often send a follow-up email tempting you to buy more. Sometimes a deluge of emails.’
Brian twigged. ‘That’s why they end up in the spam folder.’
‘Precisely.’
‘But,’ Brian argued, ‘how did you…’ He paused. ‘I thought you said it had been deleted.’
‘Yes.’ Smug look. ‘But not double-deleted. He deleted it from his spam folder but not from his trash. Likely reckoned he’d covered his tracks.’
‘Right,’ Brian nodded, ‘I get you. And that’s why he was happy enough to surrender his laptop.’
‘So,’ Duffy stroked his chin, ‘Gordon Struthers tried to top the wife right enough?’
Douglas smirked. ‘Looks like it.’
‘And he almost got away with it.’
‘Except,’ Brian qualified, ‘he made a schoolboy error: not double-deleting that email.’
‘Might have been in a hurry,’ Duffy mused.
‘Whatever,’ Chisolm came back in. ‘We’re still in the realms of speculation here. Gordon Struthers may or may not have proceeded to order these substances, which he may or may not have used in an attempt on his wife’s life.’
‘What’s he saying to it?’ Duffy again.
‘Denies all knowledge.’
Dave Wood’s mouth turned down. ‘Don’t they all?’
‘So we don’t have authority to charge?’ Brian queried.
‘Not at this point.’ Chisolm responded. ‘Bottom line is we have some evidence, but insufficient to meet the threshold. And without a full examination of that computer…’ He broke off. ‘It’s bad luck our timing was out on that one. If the techies hadn’t been quite so pushed, and…’
‘If you’ll allow me,’ Douglas interrupted.
Chisolm bristled. ‘Did you hear what I said a minute ago?’
‘I did, sir. Only…’
‘As I was saying,’ Chisolm looked at his watch. ‘The clock’s ticking. And without that order we have to let Gordon Struthers go.’
‘But, sir…’
All eyes were on Dunn.
‘Couldn’t we ask for an extension?’
Chisolm fixed him with a thunderous look. ‘On what basis?’
‘I cloned the hard drive, sir.’ Douglas said smugly. ‘Give me a few hours more and I’ll find you that order.’
No Way Back
Ros faced her parents across the dining-room table. ‘I’ve decided to leave Nic,’ she announced in a steady voice. ‘But before I break the news to him, I’ll need to work out a strategy. That’s why I asked you both to sit down with me tonight.’
‘Oh, Ros.’ Cath Munro clutched a hand to her throat. ‘I knew you were unhappy, but I never thought it would come to this.’
‘Are you sure?’ Ros’s father added.
‘Quite sure,’ Ros answered, her chin set. ‘Now I’ve put space between us, caught up on my sleep, I can be more objective. And looking at things from this distance, well…’ She sighed. ‘Doesn’t look like there’s any way back.’
‘But,’ her mother protested, ‘what about Max?’
Ros pulled a face. ‘I know.’ She pictured her son lying asleep upstairs, not a care in the world. ‘It’s a dreadful thing to do: take a child away from its father. And Nic does love that wee boy, I know. But…’ She broke off, her voice faltering. ‘When I look back over our marriage, there’s a pattern to it: the constant criticism, cutting me off from my family, my friends, wearing me down to such an extent that I’d do anything to appease him. Then, when I think I can’t take any more, turning on the charm.’ She put her head in her hands. ‘It’s a cycle that I should have recognised.’ She raised her face to her parents. ‘Would have recognised, if I hadn’t been blinded by love. Not even love…’ Her mouth twisted. ‘He was so different, Nic, from all the men I’d ever known. I let myself get carried away. Infatuated, if you like. If I’m brutally honest with myself, I think I panicked when I hit thirty, decided I wanted to get hitched, do the whole mummy thing.’
‘I did wonder,’ Phil Munro said.
Ros raised a small smile. ‘I know you never took to him, Dad.’
‘Well…’
‘Oh, come on, you’ve never seen eye to eye.’
He held up his hands. ‘I’ve had my doubts, I must admit. But that’s mainly because of the way I’ve seen him treat you, pet. Nobody should have to put up with that.’
‘I know. At least, I can see that now. But the way it was at home – in Aberdeen that is – seemed like it was me that was always at fault.’
‘The guy’s a control freak. Not only that…’
‘Enough,’ his wife cut in. ‘We’re not here to sit in judgement. The man’s not here to defend himself, and who knows what goes on behind closed doors.’
‘Are you defending him?’ Phil demanded angrily.
‘Not a bit. But there’s no point indulging in character assassination. What’s needed, as Ros says, is a plan of action.’
‘You’re right, Cath.’ He reached to pat her hand. ‘Practical as ever.’
With a look of forbearance, Cath Munro shook him off.
‘First thing should be talk to a solicitor,’ he went on. ‘I can give ours a ring in the morning, if you’re agreed, though he’ll suggest a specialist divorce lawyer, no doubt.’
‘And the first thing any divorce lawyer worth their salt will propose,’ his wife added, ‘is mediation.’ She turned to Ros. ‘Before you take such a drastic step, have you and Nic considered counselling?’
‘I’ve brought up the subject more than once,’ Ros answered wearily. ‘But he won’t hear of it.’
‘Why not?’
‘He doesn’t see that there is a problem, that’s why. I’ve tried everything, believe me. And…’ Her voice faltered. ‘It’s no use.’
‘Well, if that’s the case, the best thing for now is to seek impartial advice,’ her father grasped Ros by the hand. ‘And the sooner the better.’
‘And you don’t have to worry about Max,’ her mother chipped in. ‘He’ll be happy with us.’
‘Thanks,’ Ros murmured, close to tears. ‘It’s such a relief just to be here with you, I can’t tell you.’
Good to Go
‘Sir?’ Brian stuck his head around Chisolm’s door. ‘Are we good to go?’ He advanced into the room.
Frowning, Chisolm looked up from the mass of papers on his desk. ‘Not yet, I’m afraid.’
‘But, I thought…’ Brian ventured.
‘Dunn had come up with the goods?’ Chisolm interrupted. Your intel on that count is correct, Burnett. But given who we’re dealing with, I deemed it prudent to get the nod from upstairs.’
‘Oh.’ Brian’s eager expression morphed into one of dejection. ‘It’s just, the team’s getting a bit jumpy, and…’
‘I know,’ Chisolm cut him short. ‘Upstairs are taking it to the wire.’
‘You’d think those pharms searches would be damning enough. But now, with that order…’
‘That’s how it is,’ Chisolm snapped. ‘The review officer needs time to consider.’
Brian shuffled his feet. ‘Sir.’
‘To complicate matters further,’ Chisolm continued, ‘Strachan’s out of radio contact and we still don’t have a statement from Sheena Struthers. Without an admission of guilt from the husband, ideally backed up by incriminating evidence from Mrs Struthers, this whole question of date rape drugs was, and remains, a complete hypothesis.’
‘But, sir, the porn. We’ll surely find something to charge Gordon Struthers with. Guy’s a total sleazebag.’
‘I wish I shared
your confidence, Sergeant Burnett. Added to which, Struthers’ solicitor is already screaming blue murder. As I understand it, he’s taken against DC Dunn. Doesn’t like his attitude. Alleges he deliberately humiliated his client. I’ll need you to keep a tight rein on him. If the solicitor were to file a complaint…’ Chisolm could envisage the ensuing lawsuit. ‘Wrongful arrest would be the least of our worries.’
Brian dropped his eyes to the carpet. ‘I understand.’ After a decent interval he looked up again. ‘How long have we got, sir?’
Chisolm glanced at his watch. ‘Ten minutes.’
Brian’s shoulders slumped. It wouldn’t be the first time a suspect had got off the hook because someone hadn’t got their finger out. All that time and effort wasted for bugger all.
On Chisolm’s desk, a telephone shrilled.
‘DI Chisolm,’ he answered. ‘Yes.’ Long pause. ‘Understood.’
Chisolm replaced the handset. ‘Seems you’re set to go.’ He fixed Brian with a level look. ‘Be sure and make it good.’
A Telephone Call
Maggie was in the back garden hanging out Col’s rugby kit when her mobile rang.
She dropped the pegs she was holding and ran inside. ‘Hello?’ she said expectantly, hoping it would be Kirsty.
Maggie’s flying visit to Dundee had ended on a less than satisfactory note. On the long bus trip back north she’d felt weary and deflated. She’d told herself she should be relieved that Kirsty’s pregnancy scare had been a false alarm. More, that Maggie’s instincts hadn’t failed her – as they had with Sheena Struthers – and that the boyfriend Shaz, whom she hadn’t taken to, was a thing of the past. Instead, Maggie had felt a deep sense of loss: that her only daughter – whom she wanted nothing more than to hug close and protect – had grown away from her.
‘Maggie?’ A familiar voice broke her train of thought.
‘Ros?’ Maggie’s mood lifted. ‘Is that you?’
‘The very same.’
‘I thought you were in Edinburgh.’
For a few moments there was silence. Then Ros spoke: ‘I am.’
‘I’m so glad.’ There was real warmth in Maggie’s voice. ‘You need a break. You’re with your parents, I take it?’
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