by M A Comley
“Agreed.” Jotting down the areas in her notebook, Lorne was pleased by their evening’s achievements by the time bedtime came a-calling.
CHAPTER NINE
Feeling brighter than she had on the previous day at first light, Lorne walked into the station, whistling the melody of a hit song in the chart.
“Now that’s more like the Lorne Warner we know and love,” Katy observed when she joined the rest of the team in the incident room.
“I have a reason to be cheerful, sort of.”
“That sounds ominous. Let’s have it?”
Lorne marched over to the whiteboard and began writing down the significant details she’d stumbled across at Carol’s, along with Noelle’s possible whereabouts within their patch. The whole team looked on with a mixture of interest and guarded scepticism when Lorne revealed how she had come up with the information. She held her hands up as she spoke. “I know, I know… it sounds bizarre. Hey, believe me when I say it was one of the weirdest times I’ve ever been forced to experience. Don’t judge just yet, eh? Let’s at least look into the clues Noelle has furnished us with before we discount them out of hand, yes?”
Katy joined Lorne at the board. “You’re deadly serious about this. Aren’t you?”
“Absolutely. I trust Carol implicitly, and after seeing this spirit with my own eyes, I would be foolish to ignore what she has to offer. Let’s face it—what else do we have right now?”
“Well, this morning, first thing, I want us to go back to the hospital to question Dilbert. Other than that, not a lot. I’m still not sold on following this route to solve this case, though, Lorne. What about our reputation? We’re under the spotlight enough with this cold case as it is. Following this crazy idea and using the leadership of the deceased victim to bring the case to a conclusion is only going to make our superiors question our judgements, in more ways than one.”
“I know it’s not ideal, but with nothing else really to grab our attention, we’d be idiots not to pounce on this. We can always say that we refused to give up on any leads. Just give it the morning. What have we got to lose?” Lorne pleaded, her gaze scanning the rest of her colleagues.
Katy turned to the team and shrugged. “What do you think, guys? Is it worth our time going along these lines, or not?”
AJ shrugged. “I’m open to investigating the possibilities. Like Lorne said, there’s little else on the table for us to sink our teeth into at present.”
Katy rubbed her chin between her thumb and forefinger as she pondered. “Just the morning, right?”
Lorne smiled. “Just the morning. If you’re agreeable, the team could split up and investigate each of the locations.”
“Let me think things over while I plough through the post. In the meantime, Lorne, can you make up a possible itinerary for us to tackle ourselves once we’ve finished with Dilbert this morning? That way, the team can remain here and keep working through the backgrounds of the suspects, et cetera, and deal with any extra calls coming in from the TV programme. AJ, I’d like you to keep trawling through the CCTV discs, and, Karen, I want you to keep pestering forensics for the results of Noelle’s car.”
The team agreed, then Katy disappeared into her office. Almost an hour later, she emerged. “How are things going?” she asked Lorne.
“In one word—slowly. We’ve chased up everything you asked us to and come up with major negatives on all fronts.”
“Okay, we should head over to the hospital; see what Dilbert has to say for himself, yes?” Katy said, wafting through the incident room, expecting Lorne to follow her out to the car.
In the hallway, Katy almost ran into Chief Roberts, who was walking towards them. “In a rush, are you, Inspector?”
“Always. Were you on the way to see me?” Katy asked him as Lorne joined them.
“Not really. I wanted a quick word with Lorne, actually, but if there’s somewhere you have to be, then it can wait.”
Katy and Lorne shared a hesitant glance. Lorne was eager to hear what Sean wanted to share with her. However, she knew how tight their schedule was.
Sean raised his hand. “No need to feel awkward, ladies. My news will keep. Go catch yourselves some criminals.”
“Thanks. We’ve got a lot to do today. We’re on our way to the hospital to interview a potential suspect who tried absconding yesterday.” Katy offered him an awkward smile.
“And how did he manage to be admitted to hospital? Which one of you is to blame for that?” Sean asked, giving each of them a wink.
“No one. It was an unfortunate accident. I was trailing him, and he decided to jump a fence. Ended up busting his ankle. We’re hoping they’ve operated on him by now,” Lorne explained, her cheeks heating up as she spoke.
“And you say he’s a suspect in the Chesterfield case?”
“Yep. One of three or four we’re looking into at the moment. I’ve promised her parents that we’ll wrap the case up by the end of the week,” Katy informed the chief.
“You’re that confident?”
“Yes and no.”
“Meaning what exactly?” Sean leaned against the wall and folded his arms.
Katy glanced at Lorne again and raised an eyebrow as if asking for her permission to tell him about Carol’s intervention.
“I’ll let Lorne fill you in.”
Lorne’s eyes widened, and she blustered, “Gee, thanks. All right. I know you’re going to find this incredibly hard to believe, but Carol, my psychic friend, is being an indispensable help to us. When I paid her a visit last night, I was greeted by Noelle Chesterfield’s spirit.”
He launched himself off the wall and began pacing the width of the narrow hallway. “Is that what it has come down to? Your detective skills relying heavily on a spirit?”
“I said you’d find it incredulous. I did at first, I can assure you. To be honest, I was scared shitless when the spirit first appeared. We’re going to be up against it today, time-wise. After we finish at the hospital, we’ll turn our hand to searching this afternoon, following the clues she’s given us. She’s determined to help us discover her body. To be fair, we’ve accomplished far more in the last few days than Travers and Campbell did in a few months. Katy and I decided not to divulge ‘our secret source,’ knowing the kind of backlash you and possibly the super would give us. If Carol and Noelle fulfil their ambition by leading us to Noelle’s body, perhaps you and the super will start regarding psychics and their abilities to help advise the police more in future cases.”
“I know you’ve dealt with this woman over the years and benefited from her abilities. However, I have to reiterate the need to be able to back up anything she says with evidence of the concrete and irrefutable variety. Is that in your remit?” Sean frowned, his gaze shifting between Lorne and Katy.
Katy answered first. “Let’s just say that we’re doing our best. I’d also like to point out that I’m the biggest sceptic around here, regarding Carol’s weird capabilities. So far, I can’t deny that she has come up with the goods. We’ll know more by the end of the day, I’m sure. Right now, I’m willing to trust what she is relaying to us. That’s between the three of us, though. I have no intention of admitting to that publicly, which is why Lorne and I will be darting here, there, and everywhere today.”
Sean nodded. “Very well. I’m glad to hear it. I’ll let you get on then. Lorne, I’ll catch up with you another time. It’s nothing major. Good luck on your hunt today, ladies.”
“Wonder what that was all about?” Katy asked Lorne once they were inside the car, en route to the hospital.
“Not sure. I’m chomping at the bit to find out. Damn, why did we have such a tight schedule to deal with today?” Lorne complained, her mind running through the scenarios she knew were high up on Sean’s agenda.
“Will you promise to tell me as soon as he lets you know?”
Lorne cringed. “Umm… only if he doesn’t order me not to say anything.”
“That’s fair enough. Wha
t’s your gut instinct telling you? Is he staying or going, do you think?”
“You know Sean—he’s hard to read at the best of times. Did you see that twinkle in his eye? Really, it could go either way. He’s always been a bit of a tease.”
“Nothing worse than your immediate superior officer being bloody difficult to read. It can be a great source of frustration.”
“I assure you that’s intentional on his part. He’s always loved winding people up.”
CHAPTER TEN
Lorne and Katy trotted through the hospital after the receptionist informed them where to find Chris Dilbert. They flashed their IDs at the uniformed officer guarding the suspect’s private room.
“How is he?” Katy asked, peeping through the portal window.
“Put it this way—he complains more than my missus, and I think she holds the world record for that.”
“Maybe the docs will sedate him again once we’ve questioned him.”
“Here’s hoping,” the officer said with a nod.
Dilbert eyed them with contempt when they entered his room.
A petite blonde nurse was in the process of checking his blood pressure. She looked up and smiled at them. “Are you family?”
Katy displayed her warrant card a second time. “Inspector Foster from the Met police. We’re here to question the suspect. Is he up to that?”
“Yes, Mr. Dilbert is recovering well,” the nurse replied.
Dilbert shot her an evil laugh, and her cheeks coloured up.
“I’ll leave you to it. Press the buzzer if you need any assistance, Chris,” she told the patient before packing up her equipment and moving towards the door.
Chris Dilbert watched the nurse intently, and just before she reached the door, he lifted the buzzer and pressed it.
The nurse paused. “Yes, Chris?”
“I need you to get rid of these women. I need rest.”
Lorne opened the door for the nurse. “And we need to question the suspect about the disappearance and possible murder of an innocent woman. He’s safe in our hands, nurse.”
The nurse momentarily glared at Dilbert then hurried out of the room.
“Nice try, Dilbert. Look, the quicker you answer our questions, the sooner you can get on with your recuperation. If you’re innocent, you’ve got nothing to worry about.”
“I am innocent.”
“Well, our records show that you’re not averse to stalking or attacking women, so excuse us for putting you in the limelight as our prime suspect.”
“What’s this about?”
“An incident that you were involved in a few months back—six months ago, to be precise,” Katy said, taking a step closer to the bed.
The man shuffled backwards to the edge of his bed and snarled. “What the hell are you talking about? I can’t even remember what I had for effing breakfast on Friday last week. How are you expecting me to remember something which I’m supposed to have done six months ago?”
“Oh, you were definitely at the scene and tangled up in the incident. We have proof of that from more than one witness.”
He sat forward in his bed. “What am I supposed to have done?”
“Do you frequent the Tickle Club?”
“Yep! What’s that got to do with anything?”
Katy sighed. “A lot.”
“You dissed me to that nurse. Said something about a murder. I ain’t done nothing like that.”
“Like I said, we have proof to the contrary. Let me refresh your memory of the incident. The night Noelle Chesterfield was dancing on her final shift at the club.”
The suspect’s frown deepened.
Katy continued, “Do you remember the girl in question, Mr. Dilbert?”
“Yeah, I remember her.”
“Good, that makes our job easier. That night you and two other men confronted Noelle on the stage. Do you remember doing that?”
“Yeah. What’s wrong with that?”
“Apart from being against the club’s rules, you mean?”
Dilbert averted his gaze and grunted. “‘Rules are there to be broken,’ my pa always told me.”
“Looks like listening to your pa’s advice has dropped you in a pile of shit then, doesn’t it?” Katy snapped back.
“I ain’t done nothin’ other than getting on that stage to get a close-up of the girl shaking her bits,” Dilbert objected passionately.
Lorne snorted. “A case of bad eyesight, eh?”
“If you like. Jesus, ladies, give a man a break, will ya? If a girl wiggles her butt in my face, giving me the come-on, what am I going to do? Ignore it?”
“You’re pathetic! The girl was doing her job, not giving you the come-on.” Katy let out an extended sigh.
“You didn’t see her. That night, she was definitely giving me the come-on. I swear, it’s the truth.”
“Had you seen Noelle dance on other nights at the club?”
Dilbert nodded. “Yeah, loads of times. That night, she was definitely acting differently.”
Lorne and Katy glanced at each other with raised eyebrows.
“How many times have you seen Noelle dance at the club?” Katy asked.
“Dozens of times. Hey, I wasn’t the only one who ran onto the stage that night, remember? The other guys must have picked up something strange about her performance that night, too, yes?”
“Maybe, maybe not. When we questioned the other two men, they didn’t mention anything about Noelle acting differently. Are you sure her come-on wasn’t in your twisted mind?” Katy prodded her finger in his temple.
He swiped her hand away as if she were an annoying wasp buzzing around his head before it struck. “Back off, lady. You lay another finger on me, and I’ll sue you for assault. Got that?”
“You think that sort of language is what a totally innocent man should be using?”
“Whatever. I get the impression because of what’s gone on in my past, that no matter how much I say I’m innocent, you ain’t gonna believe me. Hey…” He pointed at Katy. “You told the nurse the girl was murdered. Is she dead?”
“As far as we know, yes, but you already know that. Don’t you, Chris? Come on, be honest with us.”
“Like shit I do. This is all news to me. I’ve visited the club several times since that night. If I had done anything to that bitch, do ya think I’d go back there?”
“Don’t call her a bitch—not in my presence. Got that?” Katy shouted at him. “Respect the dead. All right?”
“All right, no need for you to get your knickers all twisted up. I repeat, I’m innocent. That night I did nothing but run on the stage. The security guys threw me out not long after.”
“And you hung around outside, waiting for Noelle to finish her shift, yes?”
“No! I left the club and went straight home.”
“And you have witnesses who can corroborate your alibi, of course?”
His eyes widened in fear. “No, of course I ain’t.”
“Then we have a problem, a very large problem that is leading us to think of you as our main suspect in Ms. Chesterfield’s disappearance.”
“No way! No effing way am I taking the rap for something I ain’t done. No way!” he shouted. His clenched fists thumped the bed on either side of him.
Katy continued to grind the suspect, or try to, for the next twenty minutes, but after his petulant display, Dilbert refused to say anything further without a solicitor present. In the end, Katy said, “Okay, I can see we’re wasting our time now. We’ll leave you a few days to recover from your injury. An officer will remain outside your room at all times, just in case you get any ideas about taking off again. Once you’re fit and well enough, we’ll question you more at the station. You can have a solicitor present, and we’ll take a DNA sample from you then, too. It will also give you a few days to reflect whether you should help us or not, Mr. Dilbert. Because one way or another, we’re going to find out what happened to this young lady.”
“Whatev
er,” Dilbert said for the final time.
Lorne and Katy left the room.
“I want a twenty-four-hour watch on this man, no excuses, okay?” Katy said to the constable on guard.
“Yes, ma’am. Will you contact the station and inform them?”
“Right away. Don’t let me down,” Katy warned the police constable.
“You have my word.”
With disappointment lingering in every step they took, they left the hospital and got back in the car in silence.
“What the heck are we going to do now?” Katy slipped the key into the ignition and hit the steering wheel with the palm of her hand.
“I hate to say it, but we need to focus on the information Noelle has fed us through Carol. Don’t get despondent about Dilbert—he isn’t going anywhere in the next few days. We can revisit and question him then. In the meantime, we have other leads to follow up. Keep positive and open to the unknown.”
“At this stage, what other options are there left open to us? Right, give me a location to aim for.”
Lorne opened her notebook and picked out one of the locations within an easy drive of their current position. “Okay, let’s try this.” She punched the address into Katy’s sat nav.
Katy headed out of the car park and followed the woman’s voice on the three-mile journey, dodging a traffic jam by dipping down a side street. Finally, the car drew up at one of the sites Tony and Lorne had pinpointed on the map the previous evening. Katy and Lorne got out of the car in the empty car park.
Lorne shuddered.
“What’s wrong?”
She cast an eye over the area and shuddered again. “I’m not sure if it’s the weather or something far more sinister at play right now. Maybe some of Carol’s psychic powers have rubbed off on me during the haunting experience last night.”
“Don’t be so silly. It takes years to tune into a spirit’s vibe.”
Lorne tilted her head. “You seem to know an awful lot about a subject that doesn’t hold any interest for you.”
“I remember reading something like that in a magazine once, that’s all.”
“What, Spooks magazine?”
