Missing Believed Dead

by Chris Longmuir

  ‘Not guilty, I nudged it with this.’ Bill flapped the paper hankie in front of Colin. ‘Besides, you’ll find May Fraser’s prints all over it, she was watching the screen display when we arrived.’

  Colin raised his eyebrows. ‘May Fraser?’

  ‘Yes, the woman who discovered the body.’

  Colin groaned. ‘Is there anybody who hasn’t been in here before me?’ He stood back. ‘You’ll have to leave now and let me get on with my job.’

  Bill shrugged and glanced at Kate who was out of Colin’s line of vision. She nodded, and with a bemused smile, emerged from behind the door.

  ‘Sorry, ma’am. I didn’t know you were here as well.’

  ‘I’ll need that computer sent to headquarters.’ Her voice was brisk, daring him to argue.

  ‘Sorry, ma’am. Anything we take from here goes for forensic examination.’

  ‘Oh, yes, and in the meantime a child dies while we wait for the lab boys to get their fingers out. I need that computer today. No arguments.’

  Colin looked stunned. ‘But procedure . . . ’

  ‘Procedure be damned. Today. I want it today. And if it’s not at headquarters within the hour I’ll want to know the reason why.’ Kate turned her back on him and stalked out of the flat.

  ‘Phew! She’s a force to be reckoned with, I don’t envy you,’ he whispered to Bill.

  Bill shrugged his shoulders and followed Kate outside. His respect for her had increased enormously following her treatment of Colin.

  The wind gusted along the walkway, and he hurried to catch up with Kate who was leaning against the wall at the top of the stairwell. When he drew nearer she nodded to him, but continued to talk into her iPhone. ‘As soon as possible and take one of the constables with you,’ she said, ‘we need to get there before the press do.’ She lowered the phone and slipped it into her pocket.

  ‘I’ve instructed Sue to inform Mrs Carnegie of her son’s death, and now we’d better speak to Mrs Fraser,’ she said, as he joined her. ‘Find out exactly what she saw on that computer.’

  Kate strode along the walkway, hands buried in her pockets.

  Bill hurried to keep up with her. ‘What about his wife and family? I know they’re separated but they’ll need to know as well.’

  ‘It’s best you do that.’

  ‘Yes, ma’am.’

  ‘But first, there’s Mrs Fraser.’ She stopped at a door and raised her hand to knock.

  ‘It’s the next one, ma’am.’

  ‘Oh!’ She drew her hand back before her knuckles made contact with the wood. Walking further along the walkway she halted outside the next door. ‘You sure this is the right one?’

  ‘Yes, ma’am. I’ve been here before.’

  The door opened before Kate had time to knock.

  ‘I was watching for you,’ May Fraser said. ‘You better come in.’

  The man watching the flat screen television ignored them, concentrating on an episode of Doctors and the can of beer in his hand. The dog on the sofa raised its head and growled. Bill could have sworn its fangs had grown and were even more yellow than the last time he’d been here. He noticed Kate giving it an anxious look.

  ‘D’you mind putting the dog in another room, Mrs Fraser.’

  ‘No need, he’s a big soft lump, he’ll no bother ye.’

  Bill doubted that. He didn’t like the mean look in the dog’s eyes. ‘It’s not that,’ he said, hoping his mistrust of the dog wasn’t affecting his body language. Dogs were good at sensing fear. ‘It’s just that we need to concentrate on anything you have to tell us, and he’s a distraction.’

  The man in the armchair snorted, but didn’t take his eyes off the television screen.

  ‘Aye, OK.’ May grabbed the dog’s collar and heaved him off the sofa.

  The dog snarled.

  ‘Come on, Satan, into the kitchen with ye and get your dinner.’ She pulled him out of the room.

  ‘It would be helpful if you could turn the television off as well,’ Kate said.

  The small man in the chair glared at her. ‘It’s my hoose and I’ll no have some jumped up wee wumman telling me what to do.’

  Kate glared back. ‘If you want us to find your daughter you’ll do as I say.’

  The man was the first to turn his eyes away. He mumbled, ‘Bloody pigs, it’s my hoose.’

  ‘Oh, for fuck’s sake, turn the bloody box off.’ May strode into the room like a Valkyrie prepared for battle.

  The man wilted at the force of her voice. ‘Aye, OK, love. Whatever you say.’

  May turned back to Kate. ‘You said you’d find Megan.’

  ‘Yes, we’re working on that now, but first I need you to tell me how you found Paul Carnegie, and what you saw on his computer.’

  ‘I saw my Megan, that’s what I saw.’

  ‘Yes, but let’s start at the beginning. You found the body. Why did you go to his flat?’

  ‘I thought Megan might be there. He’d been giving her looks. I knew he liked her, and the silly wee besom lapped it up. I got it into my head she might be taking up with him, and I went along the landing to his flat to ask him. Well, when I got there his door was open. I thumped on it but nobody came, but I heard music so I went in. That’s when I found him lying on the floor. I knew he was dead. But I had a look around the flat in case my Megan was hiding, but she wasn’t.’

  ‘What did you do next?’

  ‘Well, I saw the red light on his computer flickering, and I knew if I moved that mouse thing it would come on. So I did that.’ May took a deep breath. ‘That’s when I saw the photos of these girls, one after the other, and then I saw my Megan among them. Some of them didn’t have any clothes on, and some of them were doing awful things. Things no kid should know about, never mind do.’

  ‘Megan.’ Kate prompted. ‘What were her photos like.’

  ‘Shots of her taken in her school clothes, and some when she was all dressed up, but the one that bothered me was where she was tied up in some kind of shed or cellar.’ A tear slipped down May’s cheek. ‘You’ve got to find her. She’s a good girl, she doesn’t deserve this.’

  ‘We’ll find her.’ Kate’s voice was grim. ‘We’re taking the computer in for examination so we can find out where she is.’

  Bill nodded in agreement, although he had doubts about how much they might find out.

  ‘Is there anything else you can tell us?’ Kate placed her hand on May’s shoulder as the woman’s body shook with sobs.

  ‘I did see someone going up to his flat yesterday about teatime, but she didn’t get him in.’

  ‘Can you describe her?’

  ‘She was wearing a hoodie. I didn’t get a clear look.’

  ‘Try to remember, anything would be a help.’

  ‘Couldn’t see the colour of her hair but she was definitely a woman.’

  ‘Young? Old?’

  ‘Maybe about my age, slim, nice looking. That’s about it.’

  Bill glanced at Kate wondering if she’d made the connection. But how could she miss it? A middle-aged woman, looking for Paul Carnegie. It could only have been Diane.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  Ryan’s heart beat faster with each reluctant step he took. He wanted to see Phil again and yet dreaded it, knowing he would finally have to make a decision one way or the other.

  Phil had an effect on him like no other he had ever experienced. The man’s eyes and touch made his skin quiver, although he wasn’t sure why.

  The bag containing the laptop was heavy and the strap bit into his shoulder, so he was glad of the opportunity to stop midway up the stairs to adjust it. He stood for a moment, gripping the handrail and looking upwards. The stairs seemed endless and the gloom didn’t help. It seemed to gather round him like a poisonous mist, increasing his feeling of unease. He had an urge to turn back, run down the stairs, get in the car and drive home. His hand tightened on the rail. But running away wasn’t an option because Tony was waiting to give him the go ahe
ad to upload the new website, and as soon as that was done he would get paid. With a bit of luck this would be the last time he would have to come to the club.

  The door at the top of the stairs opened and a beam of light split the gloom. Ryan’s heart lurched. Silhouetted in the doorway, was Phil. He climbed up to meet him. It would be now or never.

  ‘You’re late, Tony’s waiting.’ Phil remained where he was until Ryan reached him. ‘And so am I.’ He reached out his hand and stroked Ryan’s cheek with his finger.

  Ryan closed his eyes. Phil’s touch was gentle, welcoming and abhorrent at the same time. Ryan fought against the confusion in his mind, unable to determine whether he wanted to embrace Phil or flee from him.

  ‘I’ll be waiting for you when the meeting’s over.’ Phil stood aside.

  Ryan nodded, waiting for Phil to move a bit further because there was insufficient room to pass without coming into contact with him. However, Phil didn’t move, but stood looking at him with an indecipherable expression on his face. Ryan closed his eyes and pushed past, feeling body heat through the finely tailored suit Phil wore. It was enough to send shivers through him.

  Kara was waiting for him at the end of the room. ‘Problems with Phil?’ She raised an eyebrow.

  ‘No, not really,’ Ryan mumbled, still not sure whether Phil was a problem.

  ‘You want to be careful with that one,’ she said. ‘He can be a nasty piece of work.’

  ‘I’m fine.’ But he didn’t feel fine. He was too busy trying to come to terms with his warring feelings.

  ‘If you’re sure,’ she said, emerging from behind the cocktail bar to open the door behind the velvet curtain and lead him up the short flight of stairs to Tony’s office.

  Tony turned at their entrance. He had been standing observing the clubroom through the one-way glass-mirrored wall.

  ‘This is how I keep track of everything going on in the club,’ he said. ‘Not much goes past me.’

  Ryan stood beside him and looked through the glass. He could see Phil standing where he’d left him, but he was no longer alone. The man he was talking to looked a younger, less groomed, version of Phil, and as Ryan watched them Phil put his arm round the other man’s shoulder and laughed.

  ‘They think I don’t know about them,’ Tony said, watching the two men closely.

  Curiosity got the better of Ryan. ‘Who is the other man? I haven’t seen him in the club before.’

  ‘That’s Gus.’ Tony’s voice was so soft Ryan could hardly hear him. ‘He’s been in the hospital, got out today.’ He turned away from the window. ‘I don’t want any trouble between them. You understand me? I like a smooth ship.’

  Ryan’s neck grew hot and he wondered whether he was blushing. Did Tony mean what he thought he meant? Or was it his imagination? Surely he couldn’t know Phil was hitting on him. However, Tony had indicated nothing went on in the club he didn’t know about.

  ‘I brought the final version of the website for your approval,’ he said, in an attempt to mask his reactions.

  ‘Good, let’s get down to it. Let me see how it looks.’

  Ryan turned his back on the glass wall and snapped his laptop open. ‘I’ve done everything you wanted, and I’m hoping you’ll like it.’

  It was two hours later before Ryan left Tony’s office. Teasers’ website was now operational, and Tony’s money nestled in his pocket. He’d never carried much money before and hadn’t been sure about accepting cash but Tony had insisted. He patted his pocket as he passed through the door and let the velvet curtain fall in front of it.

  ‘Ah, there you are.’ Phil rose from the high stool he’d been sitting on in front of the bar. ‘I have something for you. It’s a surprise.’

  Kara was behind the bar, engrossed in paperwork, but she looked up and shook her head behind Phil’s back.

  ‘Can we do this later? I have to collect my mum and take her home.’ Ryan’s heart felt as if it was trying to break out from the confines of his chest.

  ‘No, no. We need to do it now.’ Phil grasped his arm. ‘It won’t take long.’

  Ryan shot a panicked look at Kara. ‘I really do have to go.’

  ‘I won’t take no for an answer. You’ll like this, I promise you.’

  When Phil pushed him through the door of the gents’ toilet, Ryan’s fear hit its peak. He knew now what he was afraid of, what he had always avoided, why he had never formed relationships. It was simple, it was the sex act. It didn’t matter whether it involved a man or a woman, he was terrified of the intimacy. It repulsed him.

  ‘I don’t want this.’ His voice was shrill with terror.

  Phil pushed him and he sprawled on the floor, the bag holding his laptop hitting it with a resounding bang.

  ‘You there, Gus? I promised you a coming home present, and here it is.’

  The other man emerged from a cubicle. His hair was longer than Phil’s, blond at the tips, and brown nearer the roots. His complexion wasn’t as smooth, nor was he as pretty as Phil. But he had the same look in his eyes Phil had.

  Ryan curled himself into a ball on the floor and covered his face with his arms. His nightmare was about to begin.

  * * * *

  Sue rammed a notebook into her shoulder bag. ‘The boss wants us to break the news of the vic’s death to his mother. Who’s with me?’ She looked round the team room but everyone seemed to have found something to do, and their eyes remained focused on their work. It wasn’t surprising, because nobody liked having to break the news of a death to a grieving relative.

  ‘Someone? Anyone?’

  ‘I’ll come with you.’ Jenny emerged from behind her computer screen. ‘This can wait.’

  ‘Thanks for the offer, Jenny, but the boss is bringing in the vic’s computer and she wants you to look at it as a matter of urgency. And seeing none of you brave lads intends to volunteer, I’ll take you with me, Blair.’

  ‘But . . . ’

  ‘No excuses, you’re coming with me. Grab your jacket and we’ll be off.’

  Blair glowered at her but did what he was told. When he got into Sue’s car he hunched his shoulders and turned his face to look out the window. He reminded her of a sulky little boy who hadn’t got his own way. Sometimes men could be childish.

  ‘We’re here.’ Sue broke the silence when they reached the Carnegie house. ‘Are you going to sit there all day, or are you coming in with me to do your job.’ She got out of the car and waited for Blair to join her before walking to the front door.

  ‘Detective Sergeant Rogers, and Detective Constable Armstrong.’ Sue held up her warrant card. ‘Can we come in?’

  ‘It’s about time someone came.’ Patricia Carnegie’s eyes were red, as if she’d been crying. Her hair was a mess and looked as if it hadn’t seen a brush for some considerable time, but her white pants suit was immaculate, sculpted to her body, one a younger woman would have been proud of.

  Someone must have broken the news to her already, Sue thought, as she followed Patricia into the lounge. Blair lagged behind. Typical, he was going to leave it all to her.

  ‘I’m sorry for your loss.’ Sue injected the correct note of sympathy into her voice.

  ‘Loss? What the hell are you talking about?’

  ‘You were expecting us, I thought you knew.’

  ‘Of course I expected you. Paul said he’d report it. I’ve been waiting for you to get in touch since yesterday.’

  ‘What was he going to report?’ Sue glanced at Blair and caught him smirking. She glared, making a mental note to deal with him later.

  ‘That damn woman came here and assaulted me. She wouldn’t leave until I gave her Paul’s address. She’s mad. She’s always been mad. Thank goodness Paul left her when he did.’

  Sue knew she should tell Patricia Carnegie about her son’s death, but she needed to get the details of the woman’s complaint first because it might have a bearing on the murder.

  ‘OK, let’s start at the beginning and I’ll note everyt
hing down.’ She pulled the notebook from her shoulder bag.

  ‘Who assaulted you?’

  ‘Paul’s ex-wife, that’s who. It was a great day when he got rid of her, I’ll tell you.’

  ‘When did the assault take place?’

  ‘That would be yesterday, round about 4 o’clock.’

  Sue wrote Tuesday 13 March, 4pm, in her notebook. ‘What happened when she arrived.’

  ‘She assaulted me. I told you.’

  ‘Why did she assault you?’

  ‘She wanted Paul’s address and I wouldn’t give it to her.’

  ‘So what exactly happened? What did she do to assault you?’

  ‘She forced her way into my house. I asked her to leave but she became aggressive. She shook me and punched me and grabbed my hair.’ Patricia paused for breath. ‘Then she threatened to set light to my hair, so I had to give her the address to get rid of her. I thought she’d give my hair back but she threw it into a tree and I had to get Paul to come and get it back for me.’

  Sue looked up from her notebook. ‘Your hair?’

  ‘Yes.’ Patricia patted it. ‘I wear a wig you see, and now she’s ruined it.’ Tears streamed down her face. ‘I want her punished. She can’t do things like that and get away with it.’

  ‘I see.’ Sue closed her notebook and placed it in her bag. ‘That wasn’t why we came to see you, but I’m glad you’ve told us about this assault, and I’ll certainly look into it for you.’

  Patricia scrubbed her wet cheeks with the back of her hand. ‘What did you come to see me about?’

  ‘I’m afraid it’s bad news,’ Sue said, hesitating before she continued, ‘and I’m afraid there’s no easy way to say it, but your son’s body was found today, and I’m afraid he’s dead.’

  ‘I knew that mad bitch was up to something,’ Patricia Carnegie screamed. ‘She’s murdered my son, my lovely Paul.’

  ‘We’re sorry for your loss,’ Sue said, but Mrs Carnegie was too busy screaming to listen.

  ‘Is there anyone we can ask to come and be with you?’

  ‘No! Get out and leave me be.’

  Chapter Thirty-Four