by K Leitch
‘Why did she go so far away to work, surely she could have got something closer to home?’
‘Well it seemed like the job was a live-in position, meant the family had one less mouth to feed and she sent them money home, the elder sister Hope did the same…only that was some hotel in Scotland. She’s the one that has been giving me all this information actually, she’s done quite well for herself, owns a small hotel in North Berwick, on the east coast of Scotland. Of course she’s getting on a bit now but she’s been really helpful…’
‘What about Jacob, does she know where he is now?’ Frank interrupted.
‘No…last time she heard from him he was inside, um burglary I think.’ She looked at the papers in front of her, ‘Yes burglary, he got 18 months served 10. That was about four years ago, I tried to track him down through the probation services, but they lost touch after a couple of years, so I’m hoping social services might come up trumps.’
‘What does this Hope Gattoré have to say about what happened to Missy?’ Carla asked.
‘Oh she had a lot to say, and none of it good,’ Mandy said with a chuckle. ‘She said that Missy had always been trouble, which is why her mother sent her away and she didn’t believe a word of it…’
‘Had she ever had word from Missy…to say that she was OK, or alive even?’
‘No…but it seems that the sisters weren’t close, so she didn’t expect to hear from her.’
‘Wow,’ whistled Frank, ‘she sounds like one hard cow.’
‘Oh yes,’ Mandy said, ‘she had no time for her brother either, he had always had a soft spot for Missy she said, so she wasn’t surprised that he had believed her lies…but then they were two of a kind, both trouble, they were well rid of them.’
‘What about the rest of the family, have they heard from Jacob?’ Carla asked turning to the white board and writing “Hope Gattoré” in large letters next to her brother’s name.’
‘I found one of the younger sisters, Primrose; she married a butcher Thomas Fletcher and moved to Wales. She wasn’t much help, she barely remembers Missy or Jacob, hasn’t seen either for as long as she can remember.’
‘Okay, well let’s hope we get some luck with social services. Frank, did David Wiseman email you that list of employees?’
Frank shuffled through the papers in front of him and held one aloft. ‘Yep, I’ve been through all the names and there were only a couple that worked at the same time as both Silco and Missy. Mrs Agnes Cray, she was the cook. She’d worked for the Wiseman’s from when the hotel was first opened until it burnt down, so she must have known all of them. The rest as far as I can make out were pretty transient, only on short term contracts or even brought in from agencies to do the odd day here and there, apart from one Harry Standen who was the head porter for several years, I’m trying to track him down.’
‘Ok well let’s try and find this Mrs Cray…if she’s still alive, she might have some idea where Una Flannery ended up,’ Carla said adding Mrs Cray’s name to the list on the white board.
‘How did you get on at the golf club Midge?’ she asked a moment later.
‘According to his friend Harry Turner,’ Midge began, ‘Albie received a call on his mobile at about eight on the night he died. Turner seemed to get the impression that he was pretty annoyed about whatever was being said on the phone and he left the club soon after.’
‘This Turner bloke, did he have any idea who might have phoned him?’ Frank asked.
‘Well, he didn’t at first…said he didn’t want to cause any trouble,’ Midge began with a smile. ‘But I leant on him a bit and he gave me a name…Brenda Marsh. Apparently Ms Marsh and Albie have been having an affair for years, in fact quite a lot of the times when Albie was meant to be abroad on business he was right here or there rather, in Redbank with her.’
‘Oh my God well there’s a motive right there,’ Frank said. ‘Maybe this is what it is all about, nothing to do with Jonas Silco and the Linden Hotel.’
‘Well it’s certainly worth checking out,’ Carla said. ‘I wonder if Imogen is aware of Brenda Marsh’s existence. It would be terribly hard to keep a secret like that for so many years…right Frank you and I will go and have a talk to Ms Marsh. Mandy you carry on trying to track down Gattoré, Midge can you give her a hand and we need to find Agnes Cray as well, you might need to speak to David Wiseman again, see if he had any forwarding addresses for the staff.’
The group broke up and Frank followed Carla into her office, waiting for her whilst she grabbed her coat and bag.
‘I heard Rosie did amazingly well in rehearsals the other day,’ he said propping himself against the doorframe.
‘Oh I know…James said he was so proud,’ Carla said absently, as she rummaged through her bag.
‘Hmm… it seems like James is getting into his role as well from what I hear,’ Frank said with a sly smile. ‘Julie Finch, who is playing Mrs Page, was saying that she never realised he could be so passionate, quite took her breath away she told Linda…ow!’ he stopped as a hardboiled egg came whizzing past his ear.
‘You can just stop trying to wind me up Frank,’ laughed Carla as Frank tried to rescue his lunch from the cactus plant that it had landed in. ‘James told me all about his passionate kiss with Mrs Page, so I’m not at all bothered about it ok. Now are we going to find this Brenda woman or what?’ she finished walking out of the office.
‘Hmm not bothered at all,’ smirked Frank as he followed her to the car.
Brenda Marsh was a pretty, slightly plump, middle aged woman, with faded blond hair and limpid blue eyes. She lived in a Georgian town house in a rather affluent area, known to the locals as St Marks because of its proximity to the beautiful 13th century church of the same name. Situated right on the edge of Redbank it was as far removed from other side of the town, with it infamous Buttercup estate, as it was possible to be.
Brenda had heard the news of her lover’s death on the evening news and she was still obviously coming to terms with it.
Her lovely eyes were red rimmed and she seemed very unfocused and distracted.
‘Please excuse the mess,’ she said to Carla and Frank as she ushered them into the living room. From the state of the room Brenda had obviously been sleeping and eating in here. There was a duvet and pillows on one of the settees and the coffee table was covered with plates and old coffee cups.
‘I haven’t felt like doing anything,’ Brenda said by way of an explanation. ‘I know I’ll have to pull myself together soon but…’ her eyes began welling up, and she hunted round for a tissue.
Frank handed her one from his pocket, she smiled gratefully at him and asked them both to sit down.
Carla took stock of her surroundings; the room was charming despite the clutter. On the mantelpiece were a couple of silver framed photographs, one of Brenda and Albie together both smiling at the camera and one of a handsome boy of about 18 or 19 standing beside a car holding up some keys.
‘Ms Marsh… Brenda,’ Carla began, ‘how long have you known Mr Wiseman?’
‘Oh about twenty years or so,’ Brenda said smiling sadly, ‘I was his PA at first, it wasn’t until about a year later that we started…well, being more intimate.’ She took a deep breath. ‘I know people will say that I was only with him for the money because he was so much older than me but that wasn’t what it was like. Albie was such a lovely man, so kind and funny…and no matter what everyone will think, we loved each other,’ she finished defiantly.
‘Oh please Brenda,’ Carla said reassuringly, ‘we are not here to judge you or your relationship; we are just trying to get a picture of the events of the night that your… that Albie… was killed. Did you speak to him that evening or see him?’
Brenda shook her head, ‘No…I did speak to him but only briefly, he was going to the golf club to meet with Harry…that’s Harry Turner, they were great friends and whenever Albie was in the country they would have an evening together. Anyway he called me to say that he was
meeting Harry and he would see me the next night…but of course he never did…’ her voice broke again and Carla let her have a couple of moments.
‘And you didn’t call him at all that evening?’ Frank asked.
‘No…but he did phone me a bit later, he was in a rage. Apparently someone had phoned him trying to blackmail him…saying that they had some filth that they were going to the papers with. He phoned me to see if anyone had been in touch with me or if I’d spoken to anyone about him. Well of course I hadn’t, and I said to him that if whoever it was going to expose us, all well and good. I’d had enough of sneaking around anyway. Well he got a bit upset about that I’m afraid and we had a bit of a row…oh God if only I could have said sorry…told him what he meant to me…to us.’
Carla’s ears pricked up at this and she stood and went over and picked up the photo of the young man.
‘Is this your son Brenda?’ she asked.
Brenda looked up and nodded, ‘Yes that’s Gavin, he’s away at university at the moment, and before you ask, yes he’s Albie’s, I expect you’ve guessed that already.’
‘He’s a handsome boy,’ Carla said putting the photo back and sitting down again. ‘What time did Albie phone you the second time?’ she asked.
Brenda thought for a moment, ‘It must have been about eight thirty something like that…actually it was almost exactly eight thirty, I remember because Corrie had just started and I had to turn the volume down…Albie didn’t like me watching soaps, he said they rot the brain, but I never miss an episode of Corrie if I can help it.’
Carla smiled, ‘Did Albie’s family have any idea about his relationship with you Brenda?’ she asked.
Brenda sighed, ‘I think the boys knew, or at least one of them, Albie said something once about getting into a row with David and blurting it out in a rage. But I’m pretty sure Imogen doesn’t know…I expect it will all come out now though, especially if someone was about to blow the story…’
‘Do you have any idea who that could have been…did Albie mention any names?’
Brenda shook her head again, ‘No I’m sorry…but whoever was trying to blackmail him had asked him to meet them that night, that’s where he was going when he phoned me…’
‘Did he say where he was going?’ Frank asked.
‘No, only that he’d had a call at the club and that some son of a bitch was trying to extort money from him. He was really fuming, he said he didn’t know how they’d got hold of the story but they’d soon learn not to mess with him…he’d dealt with worse over the years he said. Stupid, stupid man, why didn’t he just let them tell Imogen…then at least he’d still be alive today,’ Brenda finished tearfully.
‘Did he actually say that it was about you…the secret that they’d got hold of?’ Carla asked.
‘Well no…but what else could it be about? I think he was more worried that the family would find out about Gavin…he didn’t want to hurt any of them.’
Carla and Frank got up to leave then but as they got to the door Carla turned, ‘Um just one more thing Brenda, do you happen to know if Albie had made any provision for you and Gavin…in his will I mean?’
Brenda looked shocked at the question, ‘I hadn’t thought,’ she said defensively, ‘I can assure you detective I hadn’t given it a thought,’ she said again shaking her head.
‘Well it wouldn’t be unusual would it? I mean Gavin was his son, so he might have left him something…’
‘Actually I know he hasn’t,’ Brenda said bristling. ‘Albie has always been very protective of his family and he made it quite clear to me several times over the years, that should anything happen to him, there would be nothing coming to me. He had a separate insurance policy that covered me and Gavin you see, which the family are unaware of, or at least I assume they are unaware of it. Anyway I’ve never needed Albie’s money thank you very much and I don’t need it now. And if you are trying to suggest that I had anything to do with his death so that I could get my hands…’
Carla held up her hands, ‘No of course not Brenda, I’m sorry if I gave that impression, I just have to have all the facts so that I can build up a clear picture…that’s all I promise.’
Somewhat mollified Brenda shook hands with them both and retreated back into her house.
‘Phew,’ said Frank rolling his eyes, ‘I wouldn’t like to be in the room when Imogen finds out about her…and her son!’
Carla pulled a face, ‘Well I’m not at all convinced that Imogen doesn’t already know all about her. Anyway now at least we know why Albie was lurking around the boathouse, but we need to find out who made that call.’
‘If he actually got a call, remember we never found the phone. What if it was Brenda who lured him there, after all we only have her word for it that they were ‘in lurve’ don’t we? What if he was about to bin her and she decided she wasn’t about to let that happen…or what if she did know that he was going to leave her a fortune and she thought she’d get her hands on it sooner than expected?’
Carla shook her head, ‘Nah…I don’t think she’s our killer. Once again it’s down to the way he was killed. I can’t see Ms Marsh slitting his throat after shoving a kitchen knife up his bum can you? No it’s got to mean something…relate to something in the killer’s head, but what? That’s the million dollar question my dear Frank…what.’
Brenda Marsh watched as Carla and Frank drove away from the house, once she was sure they’d gone she keyed a number into her phone.
‘I thought you might want to know I’ve just had the police here,’ she said a moment later. ‘No of course I didn’t tell them anything, they just wanted to know if I’d seen Albie on the night of his death…well that’s up to you isn’t it…NO you listen to me, you’ve got three days…three days left or I tell them everything…yes well what you don’t realise is that I don’t care if it all comes out…I just want what I’m owed…so you better make sure I get it.’ And with a nasty smile she disconnected the call.
CHAPTER 45 - 1972 Exerts from the diary of Una Flannery
…It’s like a thousand knives stabbing at my belly, I am soaked through with sweat and yet I can’t stop this violent shivering, my throat is raw from retching over and over.
This is God’s punishment for trying to get rid of it...I know it…oh I know it. And It hasn’t worked anyway, despite the pain and the vomiting it’s still there inside me, I can feel it kicking…fighting me, fighting for life.
I walked the seven miles to Gurney village; Lorna said there was a woman there that could make it go away for a few pounds. She gave me some foul stuff to drink and forced her fingers right up inside me making me scream out in pain…I don’t know how I managed to walk back home again…but now…now it’s agony.
I can’t tell Mammy and Daddy…they will fecking kill me, or at least Daddy will. He has already taken the strap to me for losing my job and just goes on and on about how fecking useless I am and how the hell are they going to manage to feed another mouth.
I just want to shout that he should get himself off his fecking great arse and get some work, but I don’t…I’m not that stupid.
So I have to get rid of it…that is the only way, that or running away…and I have to do it soon, I’m already showing far too much. Mammy will notice for sure if it’s there much longer.
This isn’t how it was supposed to be…
CHAPTER 46
Andy saw her waiting by the fence again as soon as he ran out of his classroom with Robert and Asher. As the day was so fine the children had once again been allowed to spend their lunch break on the large playing field that was attached to the school.
Robert had brought a football with him and he started kicking it to Andy, whilst Asher amused herself by collecting daisies for a daisy chain. Andy absently kicked the ball back to Robert a few times, he wasn’t sure what to do, the last time he had seen his mum she had left him in the middle of town…why was she here again?
She had obviously spotted him by
this time and was waving over, he’d have to go and talk to her.
‘I’ve just seen my mum’s friend again,’ he said to Robert. ‘I’d better see what she wants, won’t be long.’ With that he ran over to the fence hoping that Miss Hawker, who was in charge of dinner play, wouldn’t spot him.
‘What bloody kept you?’ Mum said crossly as he approached. ‘You must have seen me standing ‘ere, I ain’t ‘ere for me ‘ealth you know.’
‘Hi Mum,’ Andy began nervously, ‘how are you?’
‘Ow the bloody ‘ell do you think I am,’ she snapped back, ‘where the fuck did you disappear to when we was out the other day. One minute we was all together, then you just fucking disappear into fucking fin air…’
Andy swallowed. ‘I went to get some chips Mum, remember?’ he stammered, ‘when I came out I couldn’t find you…I did wait, but then I went home.’
‘Oh yeh alright for some ain’t it,’ Kathy snarled meanly, ‘wish I ‘ad some fucking big ‘ouse to go ‘ome to. You know where I’ve been sleeping?’ she asked staring hard at him. ‘I‘ve been sleeping in the fucking park…on a fucking park bench…’
‘But I thought you were staying at a hostel,’ Andy interrupted.
‘Pah!’ Kathy spat at him, ‘I ain’t staying one of those dumps…friend of mine got beaten up and robbed at one of them ‘ostels…all ‘er stuff they took, didn’t leave ‘er with a bleeding fing. And you want me to stay in one of those places…want me to get beaten up do you?’
‘No…no Mum I don’t I promise,’ Andy said getting upset, ‘I just thought that’s what you’d said that’s all.’
‘Yeh right, you don’t change,’ she carried on as if he hadn’t spoken. ‘You always was a selfish little bastard…’
‘I’m not Mum…I do care,’ Andy exclaimed tearfully.
‘Well if you care so much why are you going ‘ome every night and sleeping in the lap of luxury while I’m stuck outside in the fucking park eh? You tell me that Andy boy,’ Kathy said poking her finger through the fence at Andy. ‘You’re living the good life wiv them two old dykes, who’s probably showering you wiv stuff, anything your little heart wants and what do I get eh? Fuck all that’s what I get isn’t it boy?’
