“Thanks. You’ve been very helpful,” Calladine said. “Can I ask that you try to keep Jade restricted to the premises until we’ve completed our investigations? No more trips to Leesdon library for a while.”
“I’ll do my best.”
* * *
“What d’you think?” Ruth asked. “Is Jade our killer?”
“She could be, but we really need to know where she was when her mother was murdered. A clearer idea of what went on up at Gorse House would help, too.” Calladine frowned. “What’s bothering me is the timescale. If Jade did kill the Reed girl, why wait all these years to strike again?”
“Something set it off. Someone’s said or done something. Jade is unpredictable, so who knows?” Ruth said.
“And why kill her mother? Becca O’Brien wasn’t even involved in the original case.”
“We don’t know that,” Ruth said. “She might have taken it on herself to go up there and give the Reeds a piece of her mind. Anyway, according to you, there wasn’t even a case. You went up there and found nothing. The girls you spoke to had nowt to say. We might find something to link her to Becca’s murder but we’re woefully short of evidence for her killing Millie.”
“Someone killed the poor girl, and I tend to go with your theory that it wasn’t the granny. We’re unlikely to get much forensically from anything that was found back then, so let’s hope Julian finds something helpful at Becca’s flat.”
“What about the bones?” Ruth said. “Julian could get DNA from them.”
“He could but we’ve nothing to match it to, and then there’s the budget,” Calladine said.
“But should we find something?”
“Then we’ll think again.”
“Want to visit the library on the way back?” Ruth asked.
“CCTV. What d’you think?” he said.
“I’ve never noticed, but they might have. They might remember her, too.”
“We should find Johnno Higgs, bring him in,” Calladine said.
His mobile rang. An unknown number and a woman he didn’t recognize.
“My name is Debra Weller. I’m from the firm of solicitors currently working for Marilyn Fallon. Can we meet up? There’s something I’d like to discuss with you.”
Marilyn was his cousin Ray’s wife and was doing time for murdering him. Calladine was curious — what did she need a solicitor for? “Is there a problem?”
“No, but I’d appreciate a chat.”
“When did you have in mind?” he said.
“This evening if possible, I’m staying at the Leesdon Arms Hotel for a few days. Meet me in the reception area at 7 p.m.”
Calladine finished the call and turned to Ruth. “That was a weird one. Some solicitor wants to meet me, to talk about Marilyn.”
“What’s to talk about? The woman’s locked up for killing Ray.” She smiled. “As much as that might please you, it’s against the law.”
“Well, a quick chat can’t do any harm. I’m meeting her tonight.”
Ruth’s grin broadened. “Her, eh? Two new women in one week. A record even for you, Calladine.”
Chapter Thirteen
Leesdon library didn’t have CCTV but they did know Jade O’Brien. The woman on the counter pulled a face at the mention of her name.
“There’s always a performance when she comes in. She upsets people, sits talking to herself when she’s reading. She makes frequent phone calls disturbing everyone else. No matter how many times I tell her, nothing changes.”
“When did you last see her?” Ruth asked.
“Monday afternoon. I remember because she argued with Bert Thompson, a regular of ours. She had a right go at him over there,” she nodded at a table. “I had to intervene because of the noise. Jade didn’t like that, had a strop at me then left.”
“D’you recall what time that was?” Ruth asked.
“Yes, about 4 p.m. The kids were starting to come in after school.”
“Thank you, that’s been a great help,” Ruth said.
“You know what that means,” she said once they were outside. “If she left here at four and didn’t get back to Angel Court until eight thirty, that’s four and a half hours unaccounted for.”
“It gives her opportunity,” Calladine agreed. “But the neighbour heard Becca arguing with a man.”
“So, perhaps Jade was there too, and the man shouted at both of them. We can’t rule her out, Tom.”
“But what’s her motive? Why would she kill her own mother?”
“Jade isn’t right, is she?” Ruth said. “She has mental health issues.”
“Okay, she’s a suspect, but we’ll keep an open mind.”
When they returned to the station, Alice was busy working at her computer. Rocco was out.
“He’s gone after Johnno Higgs,” Alice said.
“Good, we need a word with him.”
Ruth phoned Julian from her desk. “Would you do something for me?” she asked. “The Reed case — some bones found two years back up at the ruins of Gorse House. A large panel of wood covered the hole where the remains were found. There was writing on one side of it. Would you compare it with the writing you found in Becca O’Brien’s flat?”
“You’ve got a theory?”
“Yes, Julian. I’ve got a nasty feeling the same person killed both Millie and Becca.”
“The writing on the board was done in paint, untidily as I recall — just like the writing in the flat. Given we now have the heart-shaped image at both scenes, you could be right. The Reed girl was killed some twenty-odd years ago. Have you considered why there’s such a gap of time between them?”
“That’s still a work in progress. I’ll wait and see what you come up with first.” Ruth finished her call.
“Uniform have been on the Hobfield all morning looking for Higgs with Rocco,” Alice said. “A PC’s just rung in to say they’ve found him in the Pheasant, and he’s been drinking heavily.”
“Just what we need. A drunk dealer.”
* * *
Calladine was in his office going through Long’s file on the Reed case. He could barely recall the investigation, but the file, together with his notes from the time, helped bring the memories back. Sarah Hammond who’d told him about the incident hadn’t really said much at all. He had tried to press her but didn’t get far. He’d been a young, inexperienced detective back then. He knew better now. Sarah and her group were all from the Hobfield and trained from birth not to talk to the police. Sarah did admit to knowing Millie and said her friends liked her. Calladine had asked about her report of the alleged fight at Gorse House and the injuries sustained by two of the girls, one of them Jade, but he’d drawn a blank. Sarah said she’d been mistaken, and they hadn’t been up there but had met Jade running away from the place. Given Jade’s injuries she’d presumed that something had happened at Millie’s. She’s apologized and said she’d lied for a dare. The file noted that Sarah Hammond was nervous, a girl with a slight stammer who had flushed at the very mention of the house. Calladine noted that he had intended to speak to her again, find out the truth of the matter but other work came up and he never did. Twenty-five years later, he would dearly like to have another go. That girl had been afraid of something, and he knew that the Calladine of today could persuade her to talk.
“Sarah Hammond,” he called to Alice. “How’s that going?”
“Not well. There is no marriage certificate, no death recorded either, so I presume she’s alive somewhere. I’m still looking, got a few more things to try.”
“She used to live on the Hobfield, so she might still be local. I need a chat with her about the Reed case,” he said. “It’s important. She could be the only person left who knows what really happened up there that day.”
Chapter Fourteen
Two uniformed officers brought Johnno Higgs into the station. He was put in an interview room and given a mug of strong coffee to sober him up.
Calladine and Ruth watched him fo
r a while through the two-way window. Ruth shook her head. “You’ll be lucky to get any sense out of him. Bet he doesn’t know what day it is, never mind what he was doing several nights ago.”
“We can but try.” Calladine sighed. “Right now, he’s the best we’ve got.”
“We’d better give him a while, a bucket too from the look of him. The cleaners won’t be happy if he throws up all over the floor.”
Ruth was right. Calladine nodded to the uniform who was watching with them. “We’ll let Higgs stew for an hour or so before we speak to him.”
He was about to return to his own office when Greco called to him from the corridor. “Tom, a word. Come in and close the door.”
What did he want? Calladine was tempted to pretend he hadn’t heard him but changed his mind. It might be something to do with Lazarov.
It was. Greco passed him a printout of an email he’d received that afternoon from Huddersfield CID. They had information that Lazarov was now living in Manchester. No address, just confirmation that he’d been seen several times in and around the Fallowfield area of the city.
“Our colleagues at Manchester Central will pass on any information they get. But as Huddersfield say, he has to have moved for a reason. Let’s hope it doesn’t involve you,” Greco said.
“He’s back to settle old scores, it’s that simple. Lazarov doesn’t usually operate on our side of the Pennines. Something’s brought him here, and that makes me doubly nervous.”
“Your family is safe. We’ve put measures in place, and you’ve warned your daughter.”
Calladine nodded, but realistically what use was one female FLO against the likes of Lazarov?
“If I get anything else, you’ll be the first to know,” Greco said. “How’s the new case doing? Got anything to work with yet?”
“We’re interviewing people who knew the victim. Got one in the cells as we speak, we’re just giving him time to sober up.”
“Good, the sooner we nail this one the better. That estate is bad enough without an unsolved murder stirring things up.”
Calladine said nothing. The man had only been here two minutes, he couldn’t possibly know what made the Hobfield tick, or much about the people who lived there. Calladine could count on the fingers of one hand the number of times Greco had visited the place. Becca O’Brien was a virtual recluse and an addict. Sad as it was, it was unlikely she would be missed, and few would mourn her passing. As for the Hobfield, the folk who lived there would carry on as they always had, turning a blind eye and saying nothing. Understanding the way the estate worked took a lifetime of being among the folk who lived there.
Calladine stuffed the piece of paper in his pocket and made his way back to the incident room.
“Ruth’s gone to get a sandwich before the interview,” Alice said.
“Hope she gets one for me. Missed my lunch.”
* * *
Ruth had just paid for a couple of sandwich packs when she spotted Greco looking at the menu board. “Not much choice,” she said. “You might be better leaving it until later.”
“Can’t, I’m actually leaving early. Thought I’d grab something to eat on the way. I’ve a feeling tea might be late tonight.”
“Going anywhere nice?” she asked.
“First I’m off for a chat with Superintendent Quaid and Ronan Sinclair, the curator at the museum in Lowermill.”
“Trouble?”
“I hope not, in view of what’s happening. We’re getting the Leesworth Hoard back for a month or so.”
“About time,” Ruth said. “Most folk around here have never seen it. It was found not two miles away, buried up on the hills. The British Museum took the lot and that was that. Want to have a look and it means a trip to London.”
“Well they’ll get the chance soon,” he said.
“Mind you, someone will have to lay on security,” Ruth said. “All that Celtic gold and jewellery, very tempting.”
“That’s why we’re having the meeting. Sinclair is jittery and Quaid is keen to put his mind at rest,” Greco said.
“Fair enough, but I hope the super doesn’t think we’ve got time to babysit it.”
“No, but he has asked if someone from the local police will appraise the building, point out the weak spots, you know the sort of thing,” Greco said. “A private security company will look after it while it’s here. Can’t be too careful though, the Hoard is worth an absolute fortune. After that, the little one’s got his six-month check-up. Grace will take him, so I’m charged with looking after the two girls.”
Ruth nodded. “I know what that’s like. You do right to make the time. You can get so wrapped up in the job that everything else takes a back seat.” She gave him a puzzled look. “Six months, you said. I thought he was older than that. He’s getting on for a year by now, surely.”
“No, Ruth, you’re making the assumption everyone else does,” Greco said wearily. “You’ll have heard the gossip and know that Grace got pregnant in Brighton. We were set to make a go of it then, but she lost that baby. The poor soul didn’t make it to the first scan, no heartbeat.”
Ruth was shocked, she’d had no idea, and she doubted anyone else had either. “I’m sorry, Stephen. That must have been hard on you both.”
“To be brutally honest, Ruth, I felt nothing but relief at the time. It was my way out. Me and Grace talked it through and decided a clean break was best.”
“That didn’t happen though. You got married.”
“A week or so after we split, I realized I’d made a mistake, and that I was truly fond of Grace and didn’t want to lose her. We agreed to try again, were married within the month and shortly after that she was pregnant again. Little Stephen is the outcome.”
“Ended well then,” Ruth said. “But like you say, people are still gossiping about you and Grace.” Greco shrugged. “Like me, they have no idea what really happened. The tale of you, Grace and Brighton followed you from Oldston. People make assumptions and I’m afraid gossip and rumour follows.” Ruth paused, wondering how Greco was taking this. She couldn’t tell from the look on his face. “Can I make a suggestion? Don’t take this the wrong way, but you shouldn’t bottle things up. Let people in. You’ll be surprised what a help this lot can be when things get rough. Look at me and Tom.” She grinned. “I’ve got some past, believe me. Look at the huge mistake I made over Rob Harris — the man was a serial killer for heaven’s sake. But I didn’t hide it, or why. It was a reaction to Jake walking out on me, and people understood that. As for Tom, he’s a disaster zone where women are concerned. I think the best way to deal with the tittle-tattle is to be upfront. That way no one has anything to whisper about.”
He didn’t look convinced. “I’m not given to discussing my feelings or problems outside close family.”
“My advice, for what it’s worth, is to try and change, Stephen. That way you’ll make more friends and find people understand and want to help.” Greco looked unsure. “D’you want me to put the team right about you and Grace? It would put a stop to the whispers.”
“If you can do that without making an issue of it, I’d be grateful, Ruth.” He smiled at her.
Chapter Fifteen
Johnno Higgs had a record. Calladine looked at the file in front of him and saw that he was forty-five years old. A few years older than Jade, but a good dozen years younger than Becca.
“You’ve been a friend of Becca O’Brien’s and her daughter for years now,” Calladine began. “You must be upset about Becca’s death.”
Johnno Higgs took a long slug from the water on the table and swallowed hard. He looked grey and tired after his hard night’s drinking. “I heard about what happened. I know her because we live in the same block.”
“I think your relationship with that pair goes further back than that, Johnno,” Calladine said.
“Tell us about Jade,” Ruth said.
“What about her?” Higgs shrugged.
“D’you know what happened
to make her the way she is?”
“Yeah, course I do. She got belted round th’ead by the girl what used to live at Gorse House. Jade were never the same after that.” He tapped his head. “Not right upstairs.”
“Have you seen her since that time?”
“Now and again.”
“Does she ever talk about it?” Ruth asked.
“She doesn’t remember much but I do.” He nodded. “The day it happened, Jade and some of her pals went up there after school, invited like. It were a big mistake. That kid, Millie, lost it and clobbered two of them.”
Not the tale Sarah Hammond had told him. Calladine waited while Higgs downed another glass of water. “So, two girls were attacked. What’s the name of the other one?”
“It were Jade’s best mate. Kaz something, I think.”
“Is she still local?” Calladine asked.
“No. Becca told me she got a job on the coast somewhere, near Whitby. She never came back, don’t blame her either. Her mother was every bit as bad as Becca. That day they were both off their heads and ended up in hospital. I presume the kid saw her chance and buggered off.”
“D’you have a full name for her?” Calladine asked.
“No, just Kaz.”
“Why didn’t you come forward at the time? We could have done something about the assault,” Calladine said.
“Like what?” he scoffed. “That girl Millie wasn’t like the ones from the Hobfield, too well spoken and all neat and tidy like. Anyway, her granny would have twisted anything Jade said. She was a right piece of work she was.”
Calladine was surprised. He’d been unable to discover much at all about Agnes Reed. “Why d’you say that, Johnno?”
“She’d not listen to a word said against the girl, always turned a blind eye. But the kid was a bad ’un, take my word for it. She went for Jade and her friend, and look how it left Jade,” Higgs said.
“They shouldn’t have bullied the kid like they did. They were older, bigger. Jade and her friends probably thought they could sort her no bother, and pushed her to the brink,” Ruth said.
DEAD SORRY a totally addictive crime thriller with a huge twist (Calladine & Bayliss Mystery Book 11) Page 6
