Death and Deception

by B. A. Steadman

  ‘But they didn’t think to tell anyone?’

  ‘Well, you don’t do that if you’re a kid, do you, sir? They all idolised Carly by the sounds of it. Thought she would end up on the telly. No way they’d tell an adult and risk getting her into trouble. Until now, of course.’

  ‘Of course. Now that it’s all over the news. Right, Adam. Stay there until the other Forensic bloke arrives to do the main rooms and I’ll see you back here by 5.00 pm. We’ll need you and your oppo, Pete Salter for tonight, we’ve got a job on.’

  From the corner of the road, Miles Westlake could see the activity around his house. A man in a blue plastic suit was doing something to his car, and there was another one talking to his horrible neighbour and a pile of nosy kids. Looking for evidence of Carly, thought Miles. Well, let them look.

  He turned and entered the garden of the neighbouring old people’s flats keeping close to the wall. All the back gardens on the row were connected with old privet hedges and he thought he would be able to push through them and get to his own back door unseen. Taking care to make no noise, he pulled the old shrubs apart and slipped through into the next-door garden, glad that she was out bending the ear of the Policeman at the front of the house. He pushed through her hedge into his own garden, scratching his arms and face on a bramble and coming to a stop in the farthest corner behind the shed. A workman in overalls was whistling through his teeth as he finished puttying the kitchen window in place.

  It wasn’t the workman who caused him to catch his breath, however. There behind the new window, was Sophie, washing dishes. He knew that meant she would have Emily with her. Probably she would be in the baby car seat on the table behind where Sophie stood, laughing at something the workman said. Miles felt the ground lurch under him. She had come back. After all he had done, she had come back. He took a step forward. He wanted desperately to see his daughter one more time.

  He froze and thought again. The thoughts were so slow to come. Maybe she had come back because she thought he was going to die and she wanted the house back. That was a more likely reason. They’d parted on very bad terms. She’d accused him outright of sleeping with Carly and he’d admitted it. It would have been impossible to deny since she had caught him in bed with Carly. She’d moved out that day back to her mum’s, and he’d only seen Emily twice since then.

  He was going to leave her anyway. He’d been waiting for Carly to leave school, so they could be together. Properly together. He felt a deep howl growing at the back of his throat, but held onto it. Only a little more time, and they would be together.

  He turned away from his house, his wife, his child, his life, and weaved back the way he had come. He would have to finish his task in whatever way he could. There was nothing left for him here.

  Chapter 35

  Date: Wednesday 25th April Time: 16:18 Exeter Road Police Station

  It was unlikely that the Incident room had ever contained so many people. Dan had rounded up three patrol cars with two officers for each one plus members of his team to be shared between them. They would be strike teams 1, 2 and 3. There were two Armed Response vehicles and two vans ready for arrests. Child Protection had their own vehicle. All relevant officers were in attendance, except for Sally Ellis, who was still in the Interview room with Jamie May.

  DCS Julie Oliver stood at the front of the room flanked by Dan Hellier and DCI Tom Garrett from Armed Response. The enlarged map of Jed Abram’s family property had been tacked to the wall behind her. ‘As you can see, the Abrams family lives in an old farmhouse on a quiet lane, about a mile from the main Cullompton road. Their neighbours to the right are the Farmers- they really are farmers called Farmer - and they have kindly agreed to allow us to set up a base in their farmhouse and park our vehicles in their yard.

  ‘There is no access or egress from the rear of the house. The drive goes up the right side of the house into a yard at the rear and to get out you have to go back the same way. There are fields behind and to the left.’

  She indicated the areas that would need cover.

  ‘When we get there, you are to take up position as quietly as possible and await instructions. There will be armed officers at each location. Pelakais will drive back as if nothing has happened in a black Mercedes van. He will leave the van at the rear of the house with the keys in for us. If we are to make the conviction of Jed Abrams stick, it’s very important that we retrieve everything in the van.

  ‘The attack plan is for Team 1 to go through the back door, which Pelakais will leave open, and go straight for the main bedroom where we can take them unawares.’

  She numbered the named teams and showed them their positions.

  ‘Team 2 will go in through the front door and stop anybody leaving that way. Team 3 will take up position at the rear of the property and prevent any suspects leaving through the fields.

  ‘Our sharpshooters,’ she nodded at two young, serious-faced officers leaning against the rear wall, ‘will be ready to cover any other eventualities. One of you will be on the roof of the barn.’ She pointed to a rectangular building which butted up against the hedge directly overlooking the front drive to the farmhouse, ‘if it holds your weight.’ She raised her eyebrows at the snigger. ‘The second officer will be positioned on top of the milking parlour here at the farm to cover the rear of the property.’

  ‘Sergeant Lake will lead Team 1. DI Hellier, I want you in that team. No shooting until you have the order either from myself or DCI Garrett. Please follow protocol. No heroics. Allow armed officers to lead when you enter the property, and do not go further until they have cleared the way.’

  She eyed her team. ‘I don’t want to lose anybody. Got it?’ They nodded.

  Dan, from his position at the front of the room, saw feet tapping and heard throats clearing. He felt his own adrenaline rush as a wobbling of the knees and a swift fluidity in his gut.

  ‘DCI Garrett will take over running the operation as soon as I say go. Is that clear?’

  There were murmurs of assent round the room. Dan had heard that Garrett was the best they had. He’d make sure they were OK.

  ‘DCI Garrett and I will remain in the farmhouse and direct ops from there. The CP team and two patrol cars will be positioned near the gate to the farm, so they can go in to get the children out as quickly as possible.

  ‘I have released Grigor Pelakais to return to the house.’

  She glared at any who might dare to question her decision, even by shuffling or the clearing of a throat, but there were no takers.

  ‘He has to go back and behave as normal because if he alerts Irina Akis, or the punters, sorry, paedophiles, who enjoy destroying young children’s lives, we’ll lose the lot.

  ‘Yes,’ she said, in answer to concerned looks around the room, ‘there will be several young children at the house when we arrive, hence the need to for caution. After what happened to DCI Gould last night, I want this op to be quick and clean.’

  Garrett took over. ‘Most important is the safety of the children.’ He included a nod towards the CP team. ‘We intend to get there and be in place by 5.40 p.m., well before it kicks off at 7.00 pm and we plan to go in about 30 minutes after that. Pelakais says that the children will be there by 6.00 p.m. He expects there to be an older child who recruits the younger ones, bringing them, he’s assuming, by bus or taxi. Usually, Jed Abrams picks the children up and drops them off, but obviously he can’t do that today. The filming is over quite quickly, no second takes. DS Yelland?’

  ‘Yes sir. We will wait until you have secured the building and then bring the children out. We’ll wait in the farmhouse yard until you give the all clear.’

  Sally Ellis slipped into the room and beckoned to Dan. He moved across and she whispered in his ear. A brief frown flittered across his face before he spoke.

  ‘Ma’am, you may have to start without me and Sally – Jamie May is talking and he wants to tell me what happened to Carly Braithwaite.
I think we’re getting somewhere.’

  Oliver could see that he was desperate to be at the farmhouse where the action would be happening, but this was his case and he had to be here.

  ‘Join us later if you can.’ She gave a wry smile. ‘I think we can just about manage without you. Getting a confession for Carly Braithwaite’s murder is still top of our list.’

  The Flowerpot Men, who had been silent until that point, stood up.

  ‘Ma’am,’ said Bennett, ‘can we take DI Hellier and Sergeant Ellis’s places?’

  Oliver didn’t answer straightaway.

  Larcombe spoke, ‘DCI Gould was our friend and colleague. We want to do this. We want to be part of the attack team.’ Oliver stared at the floor. She had already lost one close colleague, and these two were like her uncles.

  ‘I know how you feel,’ she said, ‘we all want to avenge Ian’s death, but it could be dangerous and I don’t know if…’

  Dan came to her rescue.

  ‘I think it would be a great idea if we had an extra body in two of the patrol cars, ready to give chase if the targets run. Still got your Advanced Driving certs up to date, lads?’

  Oliver nodded in relief. That would do. They would be there, part of the action, but safe. With a bit of luck, the gang wouldn’t be running anywhere.

  ‘Ok, sort out which patrol cars you’re going in and position yourselves near the farm entrance.’

  The Sergeants smiled and nodded their thanks at Dan.

  ‘Dan and Sally, off you go. If you do come along later, let me know and follow protocol. OK?’

  They left in a rush, heads down to hide their disappointment.

  ‘Right, ladies and gentlemen, body and head protection is ready. Sort yourselves out, we’re leaving in one hour. And remember, no noise, no flashing blue lights, and no heroics. We’ve got DCI Garrett’s team for that kind of back up if we need it. Good luck. See you back here afterwards for a de-brief.’

  The little Interview Room was stuffy and warm. The only sound as Dan and Sally entered was the quiet snuffling of Sandra May and the shuffling of the solicitor’s papers.

  ‘Sergeant Ellis told me that you would now like to tell us how Carly Braithwaite died, Jamie,’ said Dan. ‘Why don’t you begin with the party on Saturday night?’

  Jamie’s voice shook in time with the rhythm his hands were beating on his knees.

  ‘When Carly won the competition it was great, we were all dead excited, because she said that we would still be her band and everything, even if she got famous. She made Mr Westlake let us have a party at his house, because his wife’s left him.’ He glanced up at Sally. ‘It’s really hard to say no to Carly when she wants something. She just goes ahead and does it anyway, doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. So me and the band and Carly and a few of her mates went over on Saturday night.’ He hesitated.

  ‘Go on, Jamie, you’re doing fine,’ said Sally.

  ‘You’re gonna think this is really stupid, but I … I bought her a ring. To show, well, to show she was my girl, but … but she laughed at me.’ He screwed his eyes shut to stop tears escaping. ‘She said I was just a friend. A fucking friend.’ He scrubbed his arm across his face and wiped the tears onto his hoody sleeve. ‘I knew that wasn’t right, we’d been more than friends since way before Christmas.’ He shook his head from side to side, as if trying to shake out the feelings of betrayal that had found him again. ‘I walked off round the back garden. I was really mad. It was a right kick-back.’ He turned to his mother. ‘I loved her, Mum.’ Sandra May took his hand and squeezed it.

  Dan held his breath. Please let the kid keep on talking he prayed, to any god that might be listening. Don’t let him stop now.

  ‘Go on, Jamie,’ murmured Sally. ‘You’re doing really well. Tell us what happened then.’

  He stared at the wall, not blinking, lost in the memory.

  ‘Then I saw her with Sir, Mr Westlake, through the kitchen window. It was obvious, then. She was hanging round his neck and kissing him, and he was kissing her, too. It was disgusting. He’s a teacher!’

  Eyes closed and face screwed up in pain he said, ‘I think I was the last one to know.’

  Dan allowed a moment’s quiet while Jamie’s breathing calmed.

  ‘What did you do next, Jamie? Did you argue, or fight with Carly? Did you do anything to show them how upset you were?’

  Dan aimed to match the quiet, restrained tone of the other adults in the room as it seemed to calm the boy, and his previous technique had been a spectacular failure.

  ‘Do anything? No, I didn’t do anything.’ The boy’s voice rose in frustration. ‘How can I compete with a teacher, a grown man? Who’d have believed me anyway? I’m just a kid with a bad attitude, aren’t I? A trouble causer.’ His hands balled into fists, which he banged down hard on the table. ‘Who’d believe me against a fucking teacher?’ He stared around the room, daring them to disagree with him. The lack of response took the bite from his voice.

  ‘No, I just got pissed and slept in the baby’s room. I went home on Sunday morning. But the more I thought about it, the more angry I got. He’s married, he’s got a kid and he’s messing about with my girl.’

  ‘So, what did you do on Sunday?’ Sally asked.

  ‘I was supposed to be at Carly’s house for four o’clock to help her get ready and have a quick practice before we went into town for the recording session. I said I’d be there because she wanted to have a word with Jenna about something before we went out. But I was really pissed at her, so I didn’t go.’

  ‘Where did you go?’ Dan tried for eye contact but the boy’s eyes swerved around him to look at the floor.

  ‘I went to the graveyard for a walk round. I like it there. Mum was on shift, so I went home and got something to eat. And I suppose I calmed down a bit. Then I thought like, I was letting her down, on her big day, so I went to her house later.’

  Dan watched Jamie’s eyes jump from him to Sally. Was that a calculating glance, or a frightened one?

  ‘What time later?’

  ‘I dunno. Maybe five o’clock? Does it matter? I could hear a real screaming row coming from upstairs. Carly and Jenna were shouting and chucking things - I could hear it from outside on the street.’

  ‘What were they arguing about, Jamie?’ Dan asked.

  Jamie flushed a deep, punishing crimson and stared down at the gnarled table-top. ‘I can’t…’ He cast a desperate look at Sally. ‘I can’t say. Not in front of my mum. It’s totally embarrassing. Can I just talk to you? Please?’

  Sally hesitated and looked to Dan.

  ‘Jamie, I can ask your mum to step outside but you are in a formal interview, so both of us and your solicitor have to stay.’

  ‘It’ll be alright, Jamie,’ said Sandra May, squeezing his hand. ‘I’d rather hear it from your mouth, and I won’t be embarrassed, I promise. Just tell us what happened, love.’

  ‘And I promise you I have heard it all before, Jamie,’ sighed Vanessa Redmond. ‘There are very few things that surprise me anymore.’

  Jamie shrugged then, and sagged back into the chair.

  ‘I knocked on the door but they couldn’t hear me so I went in. I didn’t think their dad would be there or he’d have stopped them fighting. I could hear what they were arguing about as I went in.’ He glanced at his mother. ‘Jenna’s been doing porn.’

  His mother barked out a laugh. ‘Porn? Young Jenna? Are you sure, love?’

  Jamie pulled his hand away from her grasp. ‘I’m not stupid, Mum. Of course I’m sure. D’you want to hear this or not?’

  ‘Go on,’ urged Dan. ‘Tell us what happened. Take your time.’

  Jamie grunted his assent. ‘The arguing stopped, just like that. So I ran upstairs to Carly’s room first, but they weren’t in there. They were in Jenna’s room and when I got through the door she was kneeling on top of Carly. Carly was on the bed, flat out. She wasn’t fighting back or a
nything.’

  ‘What did you do, then?’

  ‘I was shouting at Jenna to let go. Jenna had her arms round Carly’s neck and was strangling her. Carly was going purple. I had to drag Jenna off her. She was like a mad bitch - screaming and crying and laughing. It was horrible.’

  The self-control he had been working hard to maintain was lost. Jamie sobbed like a small boy.

  ‘I was too late. Too late. Carly was just lying there. All still.’ He took a gulping sob of air. ‘If I’d got there earlier, I could have saved her. I could have saved her.’ He dropped his head onto his arms, and they watched his shoulders shake as he released the pain.

  Sandra May sobbed once with relief and rubbed her son’s shoulders. ‘I knew he didn’t do it. That girl has got everybody feeling sorry for her but look, look what she did. I’ll be able to take my boy home now, won’t I?’

  ‘Let’s not be hasty, Mrs May,’ said Dan. ‘We still have many questions for Jamie.’

  Sally could control her disbelief no longer.

  ‘Jenna? You’re saying that Jenna killed her sister?’ She shook her head. ‘Are you telling us the truth, Jamie? Because if you’re lying to cover up for whoever did kill her…’

  ‘Don’t threaten my client, Sergeant Ellis.’ Vanessa Redmond interrupted and glared at Sally over her glasses.

  Sally glared back. ‘Just trying to get to the truth. It’s what we’re here for.’ She turned and stared at the boy. ‘Well, Jamie?’

  Jamie flinched under her attack, but held her gaze.

  ‘I’m not lying. It really did happen like that. It was horrible.’

  ‘Are you sure it wasn’t her dad, making her cover it up for him?’ asked Sally, still unwilling to accept the boy’s version.

  Jamie looked confused. ‘No. He wasn’t even in the house.’

  ‘So what happened then, Jamie?’

  Dan stayed calm, flashing a warning glance at his Sergeant to back off and let the boy tell it.

  ‘I had to scream at Jenna to shut her up. Then she realised what she’d done. We tried to give Carly mouth-to-mouth but she didn’t breathe. We were both panicking.’