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A Perfect Likeness

Page 18

by Roger Gumbrell


  ‘Right, Guv.’

  *

  ‘Good morning, Mrs Becketts. You will be pleased to hear your husband is not the double murderer he claimed to have been,’ said Deckman as soon as she entered his office.

  The news was too much for Mrs Becketts; she swayed, needing assistance from the WPC to stop her falling. Again the tears. She wiped her eyes with the handkerchief she was already holding, knowing it would be needed for one reason or the other. ‘I’m sorry, Inspector, the past twenty hours have been an absolute nightmare. It was terrible telling the children. My daughter stayed with me, but had to get her children off to school, otherwise she would have come here today.’

  ‘Mrs Becketts, your husband has committed a very serious offence by claiming he carried out these murders and deserves to be punished for wasting our time. I accept, however, he has not coped at all well with the loss of his job, but he is not alone in that unfortunate situation. In view of his problem and the effect any publicity would have on your family, I have decided not to have your husband charged. There are conditions attached though. First of all, he is going to have to agree to receive medical help to get him over his difficulties. And secondly, before he is allowed to leave the station, he will write a full apology to The Argus , and the people of Draycliffe. I will see that his identity is not made public. He is also going to need the full support of his entire family. This, I am sure, is not going to be easy for you to organise under the circumstances, but it is very necessary.’

  ‘Thank you, Inspector. Thank you very much. I will speak with the family and, despite everything, I am sure they will support my husband.’

  ‘Good. Your husband is now waiting to see you in the outer office. I want you to explain what I have said and, if he agrees, he will be allowed to go free.’ He looked towards Fraser. ‘Give them ten minutes and then bring them back in.’

  Deckman checked his watch and phoned home. ‘Hi, Jens, what’s the chance of a bite to eat at lunchtime? Just need to get out of here for a while and couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be. I’ll go straight to Nunhouse prison from home.’

  ‘It’s always a pleasure to be of service, my Lord and Master. I’ll get something out of the freezer.’

  ‘Thanks. 12. 30, bye.’

  Mr and Mrs Becketts were ushered back into Deckman’s office and sat holding hands, while he read the hurriedly written apology.

  ‘That’s fine,’ said Deckman, having deleted his own name and inserted ‘the police’ on two occasions. ‘DC Kensit will get this typed and arrange for your release. As I told your wife, there will be no names mentioned, Mr Becketts. You are being released without charge for the sake of your family, not for you. I suggest you make good use of this experience by trying to assist others in a similar position to yourself and get to work on reuniting your family.’

  ‘I don’t know what to say, Inspector.’

  ‘Don’t say anything, Sir, just get on with your life and allow us to get on with catching the real culprits of these crimes.’

  Fraser shut the door before speaking. ‘Guv, have you got time to see Miss Salter before you go, she seems to be getting herself into a bit of a state. Won’t talk with me about it?’

  ‘Yes, of course, show her in.’

  ‘Sorry to bother you Inspector, I need to talk with you.’

  ‘Hello, Jackie, it’s good to see you again. Come and sit down. You’re looking a bit harassed, what’s the problem?’

  ‘It’s me, Inspector, being stupid as usual, but I don’t know what to do for the best. I’ve had another letter from Michael, pleading with me to go and see him. He suggested it might be a good idea if I went with you the next time you go, but I am still not totally convinced of his innocence.’

  ‘I am.’

  Jackie was stunned. ‘Oh my God… oh my God. I’m going to cry.’ She scrabbled around in her handbag for a tissue.

  ‘Here, Jackie, use one of these.’ He gave her the small packet he had ready for Mrs Becketts.

  ‘Thanks. Sorry. Just what I wanted to hear, but never thought I would. Now I think I can go and I would like to go with you if that is alright?’

  ‘I don’t see why not. Are you free this afternoon?’

  ‘Oh, so soon. Well, yes, I have been on the early shift this morning and got away a bit early.’

  ‘Have you got your car with you, Jackie?’

  She shook her head. ‘No, I tend to walk or use the bus these days.’

  ‘Right, I’ll give you a lift home and then pick you up at two.’

  *

  ‘I’m nervous,’ said Jackie as they approached the prison meeting room.

  ‘Understandable, but there’s no need to be.’

  ‘Morning, Sir, Madam,’ said the warder outside the meeting room door, ‘the Doctor and Mr Campbell are waiting for you.’

  ‘Ready, Jackie?’

  ‘As I’ll ever be.’

  Michael stood up as they entered. He hadn’t expected to see Jackie. His expressions dancing wildly between happiness, fear and sadness. He tried to speak but nothing came out. He coughed, cleared his throat and made a second attempt.

  ‘I… I… I’m …’ he stuttered but couldn’t manage any more. He stood, arms by his side, staring at the floor. He was unable to speak and unable to move.

  Jackie had similar emotions, but was more in control. She walked over to him and took hold of his hands. ‘Hello, Michael, it’s been a long time. You’re looking quite well, but I have to say you’ve lost a bit of weight and you do look a bit on the pale side. Not surprising I suppose under the circumstances.’

  He raised his head and gave a quick, half smile. ‘I… I didn’t do it Jackie. I didn’t kill Victoria.’

  ‘It’s alright, Michael,’ Jackie said quietly and with a softness that helped Michael relax. ‘I know you didn’t. That’s why I’m here. Come on, it’s been over two years since we’ve seen each other. How about a proper welcome?’

  They hugged and both cried. Deckman and Ingles could not help but be moved by the reunion.

  Jackie and Michael sat together at the table. He would not let go of her hand and Jackie was happy that he didn’t.

  ‘Thank you for coming to see me,’ Campbell said to Jackie, ‘and for making it so easy for me. I haven’t slept much since sending you the letter. I have been so worried about it I almost wished I hadn’t sent it. I’m so looking forward to getting out of here and starting …’

  ‘Michael,’ interrupted Deckman. ‘You’re jumping the gun, it is too soon to be talking like that. We are still investigating and whilst we have a great deal against this lady and her colleagues, I would like to get something concrete to associate her with the murders. I want you to be released because you were innocent and not because your conviction is considered unsafe. As I said last time I came, you are going to have to be patient. I only came here today to let you know that we are still gathering information and to reassure you that you are not forgotten.’

  ‘Oh, don’t you worry about that, Inspector, I know you will get the evidence you need. I know you will.’ He squeezed Jackie’s hand a little tighter.

  ‘Michael has become much improved since Miss Lister came to see him,’ said Ingles. ‘In fact, he should not be classified as an ‘at risk’ prisoner now. I understand Michael’s reluctance to mix with other inmates, but he should be moved back to his original prison.’

  ‘It is important that Michael is kept out of contact with other prisoners,’ said Deckman. ‘We are at a critical stage of the investigation into this group and you never know who has contact with whom. I need another three weeks, Jim, maximum. Can it be arranged?’

  ‘I’m sure the Governor will agree, leave it with me.’

  ‘Inspector, I have a question,’ said Campbell, ‘your suspect, I take it you have now seen her? Is she much like Victoria?’

  ‘Yes, Michael, I have now seen her and yes she is so much like Victoria. It is an inc
redible likeness, isn’t it Jackie?’

  ‘Yes, it is.’

  ‘But believe me,’ continued Deckman, ‘that is where the similarity ends. This lady is very, very dangerous.’

  ‘How did she know I was not at home at the time? Was she watching us?’

  ‘She may have been watching, but I suspect she would have called anyway and instead of just Victoria’s death there would also have been yours. Michael, I do believe you are a very fortunate man.’

  Michael trembled and shook his head. ‘I don’t consider myself lucky, Sir, not without my Victoria.’

  ‘I understand. Have you managed to recall any other fragments of information that might help. Anything at all?’

  ‘No, Sir, I wish I had.’

  *

  Deckman hadn’t spoken since leaving Nunhouse. Jackie kept glancing sideways willing him to say something to break the silence, but he didn’t.

  ‘You’re very quiet, Inspector, thinking about things or concentrating on the road?’ asked Jackie, hoping he would not take any anger out on her.

  ‘Both. Jackie, I have a terrible hatred of visiting prisons and mixing with criminals who have committed evil towards their fellow beings. I also have the greatest admiration for the prison officers who staff these places. They are as much caged in as those locked up. I feel I have a personal responsibility to visit Michael and keep him aware of what is happening because it is as a result of my failure, as Michael clearly indicated at an earlier meeting, that he has spent two years of his life locked up for something he did not do. The system, especially me, has failed a decent citizen and it hurts.’ Deckman’s knuckles turned white as he increased his grip on the steering wheel. The guilt he felt was immense and the only way to overcome this remorse was to get Michael out of prison. Even then he knew the self-reproach would linger throughout the remainder of his career. He resolved that it would never happen again. Every investigation would be carried out with the name of Michael Campbell implanted firmly in his mind.

  *

  ‘Mummy, Mummy, Daddy’s home,’ shouted Richard as he heard his father’s car reversing into the drive. ‘And we’ve eaten all the tea. He’s going to be cross.’

  ‘Don’t worry, dear, I’m sure we can rustle up something for him,’ comforted Jenny Deckman.

  ‘Not our fault, Mum, we didn’t know he was coming home so early.’

  ‘No, son, we didn’t. Don’t worry, I said I’d sort it out.’

  ‘Hi, gang. What’s for tea, Jens, I’m starving?’ Deckman asked as he kissed his wife and ruffled the hair of his younger son. Elder son, Christopher, just managing to lean far enough away to keep his hair away from a searching hand.

  ‘Sorry, darling, no tea tonight. The boys have eaten it all.’

  ‘Mum,’ complained Christopher, ‘you said you would sort it out, not put the blame on us.’

  ‘Okay you guys,’ said Deckman putting on an angry look, ‘you’ve done it now. You’re both grounded this weekend.’

  ‘Mum, is Dad serious?’ asked Christopher, ‘he looks real mad and I’ve got football on Sunday, it’s the final.’

  ‘No, of course not, he’s just teasing. Upstairs, boys, and get your bedroom tidied up and then you can have half an hour with your dad before bed.’

  ‘Is that right, Dad?’ asked Richard.

  ‘Of course it is. Now up those stairs and no playing around until the job is done. Properly, okay, because I shall carry out a full inspection.’

  ‘I knew he was joking,’ said Christopher pushing his younger brother out into the hall.

  ‘Well you are two years older than me, you should know these things.’

  Deckman smiled.

  Jenny handed her husband a tumbler of whiskey. ‘Had a good day dear?’

  ‘Thanks, darling. Could have been worse, but I believe the tide is turning and we are just about getting the upper hand. Michael was looking much better this afternoon and very confident about his release, even though I could not give him the news he’s desperate to hear. I wish I felt as positive as he is.’ He raised his tumbler. ‘Do you think it’s a good idea for me to have one, or more, of these every day? If it gets out people might think I’m addicted to the stuff.’

  Jenny Deckman perched herself on the arm of the chair. ‘True, darling, but let’s just consider it a temporary medication for the duration of this investigation. Also, think of your two grandmothers, both ninety something and going strong and both take a daily tipple.’

  ‘Very true. Maybe, if I stick at two a day, I’ll get to 100.’

  ‘No more lunchtime drinks for you, Inspector Deckman. You are unbearable now, just think what you would be like if you did reach 100.’

  Deckman placed the whisky on the side table and slid his wife on to his lap. ‘Am I really that bad, Jens? I love you so much and it’s only you who can keep me calm when all around me seems to be in total confusion. I know I’ve not been a good husband and father lately, I just hope the kids haven’t been too observant.’

  ‘Sorry to disappoint you, darling, but Christopher asked what was the matter with you earlier this evening. He said that on the odd times you do play with them you seem to be somewhere else. He asked if you still loved us all and whether you were going to leave us. It seems there are a lot of kids in his class whose mum and dad don’t live together and he’s got it into his head that we are heading in that direction. You are really going to have to work extra hard on the kids when this is over.’

  Chapter 19

  Deckman’s face remained expressionless as he read The Argus headline:

  I APOLOGISE, DRAYCLIFFE, I AM NOT THE MURDERER.

  The man arrested in the offices of The Argus, after confessing to murdering two women has been released after retracting his confession. His full apology is printed below…

  He read no further, he knew what it said. Not only that, it wasn’t important. Nothing was important, not even Michael Campbell’s release. Nothing mattered except what Christopher had said to his mother. It was that which had given Deckman an almost sleepless night. How could he have neglected his family so much as to create that impression in young Christopher’s mind. He had to make sure he corrected his mistake.

  The main entrance to the police station was crowded, he chose to use the internal fire escape up to his office, avoiding the admin section and the unwanted familiarities from a number of female staff.

  ‘Morning, Bob, Colin not about? I expect he’s thinking about his stomach again?’

  Kensit jumped to attention. ‘No, Sir. I mean yes, Sir, but he’s gone straight out. To the General Hospital. Surveillance had a problem last night with one of the main suspects who failed to stop at a routine police check-point. Bit of a cock-up, Sir, and the suspect crashed his car. He was on the main dual-carriageway out of Draycliffe when he was waved down by a Traffic team checking for drink-driving. He accelerated, knocking one of the cops off his motorbike in the process and sped off. Our man wasn’t injured and was back on his bike before the surveillance crew arrived on scene. They kept their distance, but the suspect increased his speed until, after only a few minutes, he lost control on a bend, flew over the barrier and down the bank. He came to rest, upside down, against a large oak that had refused to budge.’

  ‘Did they find anything in the car?’

  ‘Yes, Sir.’ Kensit lifted a leaf of paper from his desk. ‘A search of the car revealed why it was so important for the driver to avoid the police. They recovered around £40,000 in cash and a packet of cocaine that was still secured under the front passenger seat. By luck Traffic had caught themselves a dealer. By sheer misfortune he was ours.’

  ‘And Colin?’

  ‘He’s at the hospital and will give you a call when he gets more information, Sir,’

  ‘Thanks, Bob, not the best of starts to the day.’

  ‘No, Sir. I’ll get some coffee on the go.’

  ‘With arsenic,’ muttered Deckman entering his of
fice and not expecting DC Kensit to hear.

  ‘Sorry, Sir, didn’t quite get the last bit?’

  ‘It’s alright, Bob, forget it, I had a bad night.’

  Deckman sat with his hands wrapped tightly around his mug, tilting it towards him just enough for him to catch sight of the dark stain for ever creeping higher up the inside. I must have another go at Bob , he thought. He was thinking of his family when his mobile phone jerked him away from the castigation he was piling upon himself.

  ‘Yes, Colin, Bob has briefed me. What good news have you got for me?’

  ‘Nothing is good about it, Guv. It is Alan Grimes, one of the Star Boats team. He’s now out of surgery but has been given little chance of survival. Had it not been for the head injury he could have walked away from the accident. A broken shoulder and a few cuts were the only other injuries. If he should manage to pull through he would have no quality of life as the brain has been too badly damaged. He is now under police guard in an individual intensive care room. His wife and her sister are with him. We have not interviewed her, but I have placed a police presence outside their house in Stawley Park. I’m going to have a word with her in a few moments and then we’ll look over the house. I’ll phone back later, Guv.’

  *

  Patricia Grimes, accompanied by her sister, were lead into the small meeting room where Fraser and WPC Chalmers were waiting. Fraser introduced himself and apologised for having to talk with her at such a difficult time.

  ‘It’s alright, Sergeant, a doctor has told me Alan will not be free of the effects of the anaesthetic for a long time yet. I knew you would want to speak with me sooner or later. It might as well be now and I expect you will need to check the house as well?’

 

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