by Croft, Adam
The pair took their seats and Wendy switched the tape machine to 'record' before Culverhouse stated the legalities.
“Right. We've just been round to speak to Danielle Levy's step-dad, and he tells me you did know Danielle.”
“Well he's lying, ain't he?”
“Doesn't seem like it. He had quite a detailed story, actually. Said she used to work in one of your pubs and got the sack for nicking stuff. Ring any bells?”
“Not especially. I've got a lot of pubs and a lot of businesses. People get fired every day.”
“Maybe this will ring a bell. For the benefit of the tape, I am showing Mr McCann a photograph of Danielle Levy.”
“Nope. Like I said – I've got loads of girls working for me in my pubs. Don't even meet most of them. Just come and work for a few weeks then they're off again. It ain't exactly a job that demands company loyalty, Inspector.”
“So you're saying that you don't remember employing or terminating the employment of Danielle Levy in the last few weeks?”
“Like I said, Inspector. I've got a lot of girls working for me. I don't know all their names.”
“Surely your payroll system would be able to shed some light on it?”
“Don't have one. Pay them all in cash, don't I?”
“Surely you need a payroll system for National Insurance contributions.”
“Nope. All my bar staff work part time hours. Don't earn enough to pay no National Insurance.”
“Well, aren't you a responsible employer.”
“Nothing illegal about it, Inspector. Anyway, are you questioning me for murder or money laundering?”
“I think it's best to concentrate on them one at a time, don't you? Now, Danielle Levy's step-dad tells us that Danielle made some sort of remark about 'getting you back'. Does that ring any bells?”
“Said what, to me?”
“No, to her step-father.”
“Then how the fuck should I know? I don't have microphones in their fucking house. Look, what is this? Are you going to charge me with this girl's murder or let me go? You're running out of time, Inspector.”
“Oh, I have all the time in the world, McCann. Now, tell me, what could a seventeen-year-old girl possibly have on you which would make you want to see her dead?”
Before Gary McCann could even formulate an answer, the knock on the door broke the uncomfortable silence. Pausing for a few moments and barely breaking eye contact with McCann, Culverhouse commanded the knocker to enter. It was Luke Baxter.
“Guv, we've just had a call from someone. Reckons he might have some information which connects Bob Arthurs and Danielle Levy.”
40
Jack Culverhouse felt more than dishevelled as he knocked on the door of Shaun Jackson's house. It was no time to be called out to interview potential witnesses. Especially not people who'd probably turn out to just be another crank. He swore to himself that he'd have Luke Baxter's knackers in a vice if this one turned out to be a crank as well.
The front door clicked open to reveal a well-built man who appeared to be in his early forties. A tradesman, he presumed. Culverhouse prided himself on being able to tell what sort of person someone was purely based on looks. A copper's instinct, perhaps. Satisfied with his brief summing up, Culverhouse introduced himself and was welcomed into the house, carefully stepping around the St Bernard dog which had barked to signal his arrival.
“Nice dog. What's her name?”
“Holly.”
Culverhouse's bullshit machine was in full swing. He hated dogs. He also hated the noise of games consoles in the background as he tried to speak to witnesses. Fortunately for him, Shaun had picked up on this.
“Aaron, will you pack that in? Go and play upstairs with Hannah or something, will you?”
The blonde-haired teenager grunted as he switched off the X-Box and trundled off upstairs.
“So. You told one of our officers that you had some information for us?”
“Yes, well, I'm not sure if it'll be much use to you, but I think I have something which might connect Danielle Levy and Bob Arthurs.”
Culverhouse's eyes lit up.
“Well, I say a link between Danielle Levy and Bob Arthurs. I mean more of a link between Miriam Levy and Bob Arthurs.”
“Go on ...” Culverhouse's patience was wearing thin.
“Well, it's probably none of my business to say, but I've been a friend of Sylvia Arthurs for quite some time now. She used to work for my kitchen fitting business. Miriam Levy is a very perceptive woman, but she's also a very loyal woman. The fact of the matter is that Sylvia had known for some time that Bob was … playing around, let's say. She had found text messages and overheard phone calls. The woman he was seeing was Miriam Levy.”
“So you're saying that Bob Arthurs was killed by his wife?”
“I don't imagine so, Inspector, no. The funny thing is, Sylvia mentioned to me not long before Bob's death that her solicitor had been in contact regarding the amendment to his Will. Sylvia knew nothing about it, other than that Bob had obviously made some changes. That leaves you with four real suspects. Sylvia Arthurs, Miriam Levy, Darren Parker and Danielle Levy.”
“Danielle Levy? So you're saying her death was some sort of revenge, or what?”
“I'm just telling you what I know. The rest is up to you, Inspector.”
Having said his goodbyes to Shaun Jackson, Culverhouse went over the list again.
Sylvia Arthurs. Had found out that her husband had been having an affair with a younger woman and bumped him off.
Miriam Levy. As the lover, it was quite possible that Bob Arthurs had changed his Will to include her as a beneficiary to his estate. Did she kill him to get his money?
Darren Parker. As the long-term partner of Miriam Levy, did he kill Bob Arthurs in a fit of rage?
Danielle Levy. Other than the threat to her mother and step-father's relationship, she had no reason to want Bob Arthurs dead. And, for some reason, she was now dead too.
41
The house at 101 Heathcote Road appeared to be reverting to some sort of sense of normality as DCI Culverhouse inspected the photographs on the mantelpiece for the umpteenth time that week.
“Mrs Levy, I know you're going through a lot with your daughter, but I need to ask you a question about a case which may be linked. Did you know a Bob Arthurs?”
Miriam Levy's eyes darted to the side, her chest visibly shuddering at the sudden intake of breath.
“Mrs Levy? Did you know Bob Arthurs?”
“I … Yes. I did.”
“I need to ask this question, I'm afraid. Were you having an affair with Bob Arthurs?”
Miriam's eyes shot towards Darren Parker, who nodded at her, only just perceptibly. She turned her head back and lowered her chin towards her chest.
“Yes. Yes, I was.”
“Thank you, Mrs Levy. Do you know of anyone who would want to see Bob Arthurs dead?”
“No. I mean … Well, no.”
“Mr Parker, you knew about the affair?”
“Yes. Well, only since he died. Miriam told me everything.”
“And you had no reason to want Bob Arthurs dead?”
“Of course! I had every bloody reason. Ony problem is, he was already dead by the time I knew it.”
“I see. This is an awkward question, Mr Parker. Mrs Levy. But do you know of any reason why Danielle would want to kill Bob Arthurs?”
“Heavens, no!” Darren Parker bellowed. “My step-daughter is lying in a cold, shallow grave and all you can do I accuse her of murder?”
“I'm not accusing anyone of anything, Mr Parker. I'm trying to find out who killed Bob Arthurs and who killed Danielle Levy.”
“Well you'll not get any closer to the truth by hunting around here,” Miriam Levy said quietly, as if trying to tell Culverhouse something.
Nodding gently, Culverhouse made his excuses and left the house.
42
Sylvia Arthurs sat, disconsolate, sob
bing into a handful of tissues as Culverhouse began to broach the important subject.
“Mrs Arthurs, I realise this must be hard for you, but I need to ask you some awkward questions.”
Silence.
“Were you aware of your husband engaging in extra-marital affairs?”
Still silence.
“Mrs Arthurs. Had Bob been having an affair with Miriam Levy?”
Sylvia Arthurs began sobbing again.
“I had always known. It had been going on for months, if not years. I just didn't know what to do.”
“Were you aware that Bob had changed his Will?”
“Yes.” Quietly.” I received a call from the solicitor who wanted me to pass on a message about it being witnessed. I … I didn't know what to say.”
“How did that make you feel?”
“It ripped the heart out of me. I once had a loving husband, and now I had a cheating, lying, failure of an ex-businessman.”
“Mrs Arthurs, did you kill your husband?”
“No. Not directly.”
“Not directly?”
Sylvia Arthurs sighed heavily. “You will find out the truth one day, Inspector. I … I paid to have him … removed.”
“You paid? A hit-man?”
“A friend.”
“Which friend?”
“I can't say. Please, Inspector, just arrest me.”
“How much did you pay him, Mrs Arthurs.”
Sylvia waited a few moments before speaking. “Ten thousand pounds.”
A bell rang in Culverhouse's brain. He glanced at the doorway, before pointing in its general direction.
“You mean ...”
“The ten thousand pounds in the bag, yes. He gave it back to me. He said that I didn't deserve to be brought into it and that he wanted to see me do all right for myself afterwards.”
“Mrs Arthurs. Did you pay Gary McCann to kill your husband?”
“Who? Heavens, no. Like I say, it was a friend.”
“Mrs Arthurs, it's not just your husband who is dead. A seventeen-year-old girl is lying six feet under as well. Tell me who you paid.”
43
Culverhouse smiled cockily as the door to 101 Heatchote Road swung open. He entered without being invited.
“Ah, Mrs Levy. Good to see you're both in. If you don't mind, DS Knight and I have a few things we'd like to broach with you.”
Culverhouse noticed the suitcases propped against the far wall.
“Going somewhere, are we?”
“To Cuba. For a holiday. We need it.”
Darren Parker took a seat.
“I'm not too sure you'll be going anywhere just yet. We've just been speaking to Sylvia Arthurs, Mr Parker. She has just signed a statement saying that she paid you ten thousand pounds to see that Bob Arthurs was killed.”
“Nonsense! What utter rubbish.”
“Of course, nothing can be proven because you returned it to her, didn't you? And you thought you'd throw us off the scent and in the direction of Gary McCann, the man who had sacked your step-daughter only days before.”
“Inspector Culverhouse, if that's the best you can do, I'm afraid you're going to have to ...”
“Oh, there's more, don't you worry. I also know about your role in the death of Danielle Levy.”
“I beg your pardon! I most certainly did not kill my step-daughter.”
“Oh, no. I quite agree.” Culverhouse rose and walked over the mantelpiece, picking up a photograph and smiling. “You know, I really don't know how I didn't realise earlier. Your wife had Danielle very young, didn't she, Mr Parker?”
“Yes. She was just fifteen.”
“Mmm. So that puts her where, Thirty-two?”
“Yes.”
“Would you say Danielle was mature in her looks, Mr Parker?”
“I don't know. I suppose so.”
Culverhouse laughed. “I knew it all along, but it only made itself clear when we were speaking to Sylvia Arthurs. It was the mention of a younger woman that did it for me. Mr Parker, you didn't kill Danielle Levy, did you? You killed your wife, Miriam Levy.”
The woman afore-named as Miriam began to sob uncontrollably.
“And Danielle Levy isn't six feet underground at all, is she? She's sat right here with us. Isn't that right, Danielle?”
She continued to sob.
“Mr Parker, I think you had better tell us everything.”
44
Statement made by Darren Parker at Mildenheath Police Station, witnessed by DCI Jack Culverhouse and DS Wendy Knight.
Ever since I first met Miriam, I had been attracted to Danielle. She was only thirteen when I first met her, I admit. There was a spark. An inexplicable attraction. What does age matter, anyway? I'm not a paedophile. Danielle was sixteen before we had sexual contact of any kind. After the first time, it became regular. Very regular. We had always tried so hard to keep it a secret. I used to come home from work early or we'd meet in secret locations. It was far from ideal, but it's all we had. Through it all, I loved Miriam. You must believe that.
It was only recently that Miriam found out what had been going on. That Friday lunchtime, I was home already. I was in the garden when Danielle came home. We were so stupid. It was just one of those things. We were having sex in the living room and Miriam came home early. We heard the door unlock and both scrambled to get dressed and look innocent like a bad scene from a film. It was too late, though. She had worked out what was going on. That's when all hell broke loose.
There was a scuffle and Miriam ended up tripping over. I can still hear the crack her skull made as it hit the marble mantelpiece. There was no blood; that's the funniest thing. It was as if someone had just flipped the switch. I don't know why, but my first instinct was to make sure she was dead. We dragged her out into the garage and I laid her body on some polythene sheeting and slit her throat with a razor blade. It was as if I hadn't done anything. The blood barely trickled. Even so, I needed to ... I needed to make sure she was dead. We didn't know what to do, but I knew we had to get rid of the body.
It was Danielle's idea for her to take on Miriam's identity. They both looked incredibly alike, but Miriam's hair was shorter. Once she wore her make-up and clothes, you could barely tell the difference. We even managed to fool our new neighbours, although they'd only met her a handful of times. We didn't think the body would be found, but we left Danielle's belongings nearby just in case.
It was when the family said they'd come down for the funeral that we started to panic. That's when we decided we would go abroad. We planned to start a new life together.
I had known for a few weeks about Miriam and Bob Arthurs. If the truth be told, the bug had bitten. Death is addictive. It was me who killed Bob Arthurs and poured the acid on his body. I used the same razor blade on him as I had on Miriam, only this time it made a lot more mess. He was still alive when I began to pour the acid. It was only then that I had the idea of doing the same to Miriam's body, just in case it could still be identified. We dissolved the limbs and head first. They took an absolute age. It was like watching her dying all over again. When the body was identified as Danielle's, we thought we were home and dry. I covered my tracks by making it seems as though Gary McCann was responsible for both murders. I wanted that bastard to hang for what he did to Danielle. Everyone knows he killed his wife. A criminal is a criminal, and he deserved to go down for murder, not me.
It was me who planted Danielle's hairs in Gary McCann's house and car. I had been fitting a carpet in his dining room and living room and had the perfect opportunity. I couldn't believe it when he called me and asked me to do the job. I guess he didn't know who I was. I knew who he was, though. Stupid bastard even left his car keys hanging by the front door. It was easy. Too easy.
45
As the cell door slammed shut and the viewing window slid across into the closed position, Darren Parker laid back and closed his eyes.
The cell felt strangely like home. It was cold,
dark and hard. Like so many things. Like life itself. He had come to terms with the fact that he would never see Danielle again.
He was a man who regretted very little. What was the point in regret? The past could never be changed. What didn't kill you only made you stronger. Some simple things took an incredible amount of strength.
Calmly, he raised his knee and ran his finger around the back of the sole of his shoe. The blade slipped out easily and he began to run it between his fingers. With one last breath he raised his head and brought the blade across his throat.
*
The pleasant swirling and deep comfort gave way to the rotten stench of real life as the sound of the doorbell woke Culverhouse from his slumber.
As though opening them underwater, he blinked and batted his eyes in an attempt to focus through the slumberous fluid which coated his eyeballs. Groaning half in mock-annoyance, he pushed himself up from the sofa and arched his back before rising to answer the door.
He glanced at his watch. 12:05. Five past midnight. Considering some choice pleasantries with which to furnish his unwelcome late-night visitor, Culverhouse swept aside the chain and pulled open the door.
“Hello, Jack.”
About the author:
Adam is a professional author and ghost-writer. This novel, Guilty as Sin, is the second in the Knight & Culverhouse series. Adam lives in the Bedfordshire countryside and enjoys reading, travelling and meeting new people.
You can connect with Adam online:
Twitter: http://twitter.com/adamcroft
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/adamcroft
Adam's blog: http://adamcroft.net/
