Skeletons (The Blake Harte Mysteries Book 7)

by Robert Innes

  Blake put the red book in his pocket and looked down at her. “You don’t think that blood is David’s?”

  Sharon stood up and shook her head. “No. In fact, I think David was killed downstairs in the mortuary. There’s evidence of some pretty hasty cleaning up, but it certainly wasn’t done by an expert. A quick scan of the ultra violet light and there’s still evidence of blood on the floor, and it looks a lot newer than this patch does to me.”

  Blake’s head was starting to feel like it was being compressed. “What are you saying to me, exactly?”

  “I’m only making a suggestion,” Sharon told him as she dabbed at the older blood stain on the carpet with a swab. “But perhaps this is where Angela was killed? I can get a test done soon enough on the two samples. Give me until the end of the day.”

  “Right,” Blake said, feeling slightly dizzy from the huge amount of information he had discovered in the past few minutes. “Meanwhile, we still have a killer running around. Colin or Patrick, we need to find him before he attacks anybody else.”

  As Sharon went about her work, Patil approached Blake. “Sorry if this isn’t the time, Sir. I took the test.”

  Blake looked up from the paperwork he had been reading. “And?”

  Patil shook her head. “I’m not. Funnily enough, I started feeling better after I took the test.”

  Blake sighed. “Mini, I’m sorry. It’ll happen, I promise.”

  Patil didn’t look convinced but gave Blake a small smile. “Thanks though, Sir. I don’t think I would have had the nerve to take the test if it wasn’t for you.”

  She went about picking up evidence from around the room and placing it into bags for forensics to examine later. As Blake watched her, he knew that before too long he would have to start taking his own advice.

  9

  Harrison opened his eyes sharply. For a few seconds, he wondered why he had been dreaming that he was surrounded by people with drums, banging them incessantly. Then, he realised that the banging he had heard was coming from the front door downstairs.

  Groaning in irritation, he rolled out of bed then picked up the nearest t-shirt from the floor to slip over his head as he walked wearily down the stairs.

  “Shut up, Betty,” he called as the goat banged her head against the back door, glaring at him through the window. She could be as good as any guard dog if she was given half a chance.

  He opened the door and stared at the person who had awoken him in surprise and delight.

  “Sally? It is Sally, isn’t it? What are you doing here?”

  Blake’s best friend smiled warmly at him. “Harrison, hi! It’s so good to see you.” She pulled him in and hugged him tightly. When she released him, she studied his face. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry. I’ve woken you up, haven’t I?”

  “No, no,” Harrison lied, rubbing the remaining blurriness from his eyes. “I’ve been awake for hours.” He could tell from Sally’s expression that she did not quite believe him.

  “Is Blake about?” Sally asked, as she walked in. “He doesn’t know I was coming.”

  “Blake? No, Blake’s at work,” Harrison replied. “He left early this morning. He’s in the middle of a really intense case at the minute. I have no idea what time he’s coming home.”

  “Really?” Sally said, looking thoughtful. “Well, that’s alright. I did want to surprise him. I hope you don’t mind. I’ve got the weekend off work, I thought I’d come and visit him. You don’t mind me stealing the sofa?”

  “No, of course not,” Harrison told her as he flicked the kettle on. “You must be knackered if you’ve travelled all the way from Manchester?”

  “Oh, it’s not been too bad,” Sally replied as she flung herself on the sofa. “I came on the train, then got the bus here from Clackton. Gave me a chance to catch up with my Kindle. So, how are things?”

  “Oh, you know. The usual.”

  “And Blake? How is he?”

  Harrison sighed as he threw two teabags into mugs. “Do you take sugar?”

  “No thanks. So, how’s Blake?”

  Harrison turned to her from the kitchen and then shrugged. “Your guess is as good as mine. He’s been acting really weird lately.”

  “Weird how?” Sally asked, looking concerned.

  “Just really distant,” Harrison replied as he poured the water from the kettle into the mugs. “I can tell there’s something bothering him, and it feels like it’s more than just this case, which admittedly is a weird one. I don’t know if he’s told you anything about it.”

  “I’ve heard bits and pieces, yeah,” Sally replied. “Something about bodies not being dead when they should be.”

  “Yeah, and the rest. But even above all that, there’s something that’s been playing on his mind. I know when Blake is worried about something, he smokes that packet of cigarettes that he doesn’t think I know is in his glove compartment.”

  Sally chuckled. “Yeah. That sounds like Blake.” She took the tea from Harrison and smiled kindly at him as he sat down next to her on the sofa. “But he hasn’t spoken to you about anything?”

  “He was about to last night. Then, one of the officers from the station came over about the case and he had to go. By the time he got home, I was asleep, and he’d gone back to work by the time I woke up. Whatever it was though, he seemed really worried about telling me. Scared even. Has he said anything to you? I mean, you are his best mate.”

  Sally opened her mouth to reply, but nothing seemed to come out. Eventually she said, “I’m sure if Blake was about to tell you, then it will have been playing on his mind all day that he hasn’t.”

  “You don’t think he’s having an affair, do you?” Harrison asked, the idea suddenly landing in his head with an unpleasant thud.

  “Blake? Have an affair?” Sally repeated, the cynicism in her voice loud and clear. “You do remember why he came to Harmschapel in the first place, right? I can assure you, after the pain and heartache that Nathan put him through, Blake wouldn’t wish that on his worst enemy.”

  “Then what? What’s wrong with him? Is it something I’ve done? I know he’s not been happy with me hanging around with Tom.”

  “I’m sure it’s nothing you’ve done,” Sally said soothingly. “Who’s Tom?”

  “He’s Jacqueline’s son. He’s moved to the village, and he didn’t seem to know anybody, so I’ve just tried to be a friend to him. We’ve got drunk together a few times since he arrived, but Blake can’t just expect me to go to work and then come home and sit and wait for him until he comes home. I’m allowed a life, aren’t I?”

  “Of course you are,” Sally replied with a smile. “And trust me, Blake’s been wanting you to be able to socialise with people more. You know how perceptive he is. He’s said to me that he feels worried about you feeling lonely while he’s working. Especially considering that his work has been taking up a lot of his time these past few months. Whatever it is, Tom won’t be the issue. What’s he like?”

  “He’s lovely, actually,” Harrison replied. “He’s well-travelled, he’s interesting, he’s funny. If anything, I can sort of see why Blake might feel a bit put out. But, if you ask me, he’s more Blake’s type than mine.”

  Sally raised an eyebrow. “Is he gay?”

  Harrison shrugged. “I haven’t asked him. I have my suspicions, but it hardly matters. I mean, I’m happy with Blake. I just hope he’s happy with me.”

  At that moment, there was a knock on the door, Harrison looked out the living room window and then turned back to Sally. “You can meet him yourself now, he’s here.”

  “Oh, great,” Sally said, though as Harrison went to answer the door, he was sure he could see a look from her that he suspected she had whenever she was about to interview a suspect.

  Tom smiled broadly when Harrison opened the door. “Hey, you! I can’t stop long, I was just on my way to work. I was wondering if you fancied the pub tonight? Mum’s going to bingo in Clackton, so I’ll have the house to myself.”
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  “Yeah, maybe,” Harrison replied. “I’ll have to see what Blake’s doing. Come in, I’ve got someone who wants to meet you.”

  Tom walked into the cottage and Harrison watched as Sally stood up and took in Tom’s appearance. He could tell that she was impressed by his athletic figure.

  “Tom, this is Sally, she’s a friend of Blake’s.”

  “Best friend of Blake,” Sally corrected. “Present company excluded, of course. Tom, it’s so nice to meet you. Harrison’s been telling me all about you. You’re Jacqueline’s son? I’ve met her on a couple of occasions.”

  “Really? Oh, I’m sorry about that,” Tom said, laughing.

  “She’s a character, I’ll give you that,” Sally said, grinning. “Lovely woman though.”

  “Yeah, I’m a bit of a mummy’s boy,” Tom admitted, putting his hands in his pockets sheepishly. “She’s been good to me while I’ve been travelling around.”

  Harrison had been dying to use the toilet since he had woken up. “Do you two mind entertaining yourselves while I nip to the loo?”

  “No, sure. Go ahead,” Sally said, patting the sofa next to her. “Me and Tom can talk about you while you’re gone.”

  Harrison glanced at Tom suspiciously as he turned and ran up the stairs. When he reached the top, he heard Sally say, “He’s such a nice guy, isn’t he?”

  “Harrison? Yeah, he’s lovely. So kind and thoughtful. I mean, like I said, I love my mum to bits, but it’s nice to be able to get out of the house sometimes and Harrison is so easy to talk to.”

  Despite his bladder feeling fit to burst, Harrison could not resist listening to the two of them showering him in compliments in his absence.

  “He is, isn’t he?” Sally said. “Mind you, before Blake came along, he wasn’t in the best of places. I mean, obviously it’s not my place to gossip about him, but since meeting Blake that guy has come on so much. He’s more confident, he’s so much happier, and Blake’s the same. He’d been having a bit of a rough time before coming to Harmschapel to say the least, and Harrison gave him something he thought he’d missed his chance at. I’m actually struggling to think of two people who are better matched.”

  Harrison smiled to himself. Despite everything that had been going on, he could not deny that Sally was absolutely right.

  “Yeah, I know,” Tom replied. There was a small pause. “Blake’s been a bit off with him lately though. I don’t know what’s been going on with him, but Harrison’s been worried. He’s told me all about it, I can tell he’s been unhappy. I guess all relationships go through a rough patch though.”

  Harrison frowned as he listened more closely.

  “Absolutely,” Sally replied. “I think it’s fair to say though that most rough patches can be smoothed out. I know Blake inside out, he’s just extremely busy at work at the minute. I know what you mean, of course I do. You’re Harrison’s friend, you know him better than I do, but I think they can work through it. And they’ve got me and you on their side to bang their heads together, haven’t they? I mean, I don’t know about you, but I’ve been so glad to see Blake so happy this past year, and anything or anyone coming between that would have me to answer to. Just ask his ex.” She laughed cheerfully but Harrison knew exactly what she was doing. He chuckled to himself and shook his head in disbelief, then finally went to the bathroom.

  When he came back down, Tom had put his coat back on. “Ah, there you are,” he said as Harrison walked back into the living room. “I better get to work. Let me know about tonight.”

  “Yeah, of course I will,” Harrison said, smiling.

  Tom turned to Sally. “Nice meeting you,” he said, though his expression was just that little bit less friendly than it had been when they had first met.

  Sally seemed completely unconcerned. “And you Tom, lovely to have met you. I’d love to hear more about your travels while I’m here if you’re free.”

  “Sure,” Tom said stiffly. “Bye Harrison.”

  Harrison bid Tom goodbye and then closed the door behind him. Arms folded, he walked back into the living room and grinned at Sally. “I heard you when I was up there, Missus. Subtle, I’ll give you that.”

  Sally looked up at him. “I don’t know what you mean,” she said innocently.

  10

  When they arrived back at the station, Blake gathered the officers into the meeting room so they could put together all the evidence they had accumulated so far and try and make some sense of what they had discovered. The theory that it was Colin Coopland that had been killed in the car crash certainly helped, but it had brought them no closer to how Angela had been found in the coffin of her husband after it had been buried. As Blake stared at the whiteboard, he tried to put himself in the mind of someone like Patrick Coopland. He could just about see Patrick killing David Penn for the discovery of the affair if he had somehow been listening to the conversation David had had with Blake on the night of his death, but other than that, Blake was at a loss.

  As he waited for the officers to settle themselves behind him, his phone started vibrating on the desk. Nathan’s name flashed incessantly back at him. With everything that had gone on so far that day, Blake had almost forgotten everything that had been going on in his personal life, and at this moment, he wanted it to stay that way. He turned his phone over and then addressed the room.

  “Right, everyone – let’s try and make this brief, shall we? We need to find Patrick Coopland as soon as we can, and we currently don’t have any idea of where to start looking for him.”

  “We might not at the moment, Sir,” Patil said, clicking madly at the computer on her desk, “but I’ve just received some CCTV that we requested on the day of the car crash. I think you’ll find it very interesting.”

  “Alright, put it up,” Blake told her. He switched the lights off and Patil clicked the footage through the projector hanging from the ceiling. A picture of a petrol station forecourt appeared on the wall in front of them. They watched as a familiar silver jaguar appeared and rolled towards the pumps.

  “Okay, this is taken about half an hour before the crash,” Patil announced. “As you can see, the car stops at pump number four, then Coopland climbs out of the driver’s seat and fills the car up. Now, for a start, the interesting thing here is how long he actually does this for.”

  They all watched as Patrick pulled the fuel pump out of the holder and then held it under his arm for a few moments. Blake could see him still arguing with Angela, who was just visible through the windscreen. Patrick finally placed the fuel pump into the side of his car, but after a few seconds, released it and placed it back into its holder.

  “What the hell was the point in that?” Mattison asked. “He can’t have put any more than about five pounds worth in, if that.”

  “Wait and see,” Patil said, grinning.

  “Look at his face,” Blake murmured as they watched Patrick gesture angrily at the window before he stormed across the forecourt. “He’s such an angry looking man. No wonder Angela was a wreck when I saw her beforehand.”

  “What exactly are we watching here?” Gardiner asked, looking confused. “Just the last moments of someone’s life, where he pays for some petrol? Hardly a worthwhile epitaph.”

  “Not quite,” Patil said. “The petrol station sent us footage of everything they had of Coopland’s movements while he was there. And now he’s finished at the pumps, it gets to the really interesting bit.”

  The footage changed to the door of the petrol station. As Patrick came into view, he glanced behind them, then slipped around the side of the wall, disappearing from view as he went around the back of the building. A few seconds later, Blake’s mouth fell open in amazement.

  The view changed to the back of the station where they saw a man with his back to the camera. As Patrick appeared into view, the man turned around to reveal an exact duplicate of the man in front of him.

  “Ladies and gentlemen, Colin Coopland!” Blake said, grinning.

&nbs
p; They watched as the twins began arguing angrily about something.

  “Brotherly squabble?” suggested Mattison.

  “If the red book I found in the desk is anything to go by,” said Blake thoughtfully, “I would guess that Patrick is telling his brother all about the argument he’s having with Angela. Because, for whatever reason, he needs to continue it so that Angela doesn’t suspect that a completely different person has climbed back into the car with her.”

  They all murmured in amazement as the two men, already wearing identical clothes, swapped jackets. Patrick passed his brother the keys to his car, his wallet and then set off quickly in the opposite direction while Colin ran around the back of the station and back onto the forecourt, where he ran inside to pay for the petrol.

  “Unbelievable,” Mattison said. “So, they’ve been doing this for how long?”

  “Who knows?” Blake asked, as they watched Colin paying for the fuel then returning to his car. “But it’s certainly been for a significant amount of time. The red book details anything that’s happened during the day that the other one needs to be aware of, and from the tone of the different writers in it, Colin was the kinder side that Angela was still in love with.” They stared at the footage as Colin climbed into the car and the jaguar drove away to meet the fate that would ultimately become it. “Judging by the argument that the brothers had, I would guess that Colin was getting a bit tired of both the subterfuge and Patrick’s attitude towards Angela.” He crossed the room to Patil’s computer and clicked back on the footage to where the two men had exchanged jackets and Patrick hurried away. “I think if we’re to have any chance in solving this, we need to find where he wanders off to. Okay, so I think we’re going to need any footage from anywhere that tells us where the other half of this double life would take Patrick Coopland in the meantime.”

  “On it, Sir,” Patil replied, immediately picking up the phone from her desk.