Frozen Minds

by Cheryl Rees-Price

  ‘Thanks, but I’m fine doing the interviews here, honestly. They don’t frighten me. Funnily enough, my uncle thought he was protecting me. In his own little world he thought I was in great danger from some outside force. That’s why he barricaded us in the coal shed. He thought it would be safer there. It was never his intention to harm me.’ Edris sighed. ‘I’m afraid of what I might become. When I see them in there,’ he nodded towards the house, ‘I see my future.’

  ‘So you’re afraid of something that probably won’t happen?’

  ‘You heard what Blackwell said about Steven. He was normal until the hallucinations started.’

  ‘Does anyone else in your family suffer from mental health problems?’

  ‘No, but that doesn’t mean anything. It can run in families.’

  ‘The chances of it happening to you are probably very slim. Worrying about it isn’t going to help or stop it happening. You have to confront your fears. Go and see your GP for reassurance. In the meantime, you know the signs and symptoms and so do your parents. I’ll soon let you know if I think you’re losing the plot.’ Meadows grinned.

  Edris visibly relaxed. ‘I guess you’re right. Thanks.’

  ‘Come on then, we’d better make a start.’ Meadows climbed out of the car. As he walked towards the building he looked up and saw Eddy watching from a window. ‘I bet he saw who was here on Monday evening.’

  ‘Possibly, but is he going to tell us?’ Edris gave a wave and a smile but got no response from Eddy. ‘It doesn’t matter anyway; it’s not as if he would make a reliable witness.’

  ‘He doesn’t have to,’ Meadows said. ‘We just need a lead.’

  They were met at the front door by Jane Pritchard. She wore a cream jumper over black trousers. Her arms were folded across her chest and her eyes moved swiftly over Meadows’ attire.

  ‘I expected you earlier. It’ll be lunchtime for the residents soon and I would be grateful if you didn’t disrupt their routine.’

  I bet you were watching out of the window for us to arrive. ‘We shouldn’t be long and we can break for lunch.’ Meadows smiled.

  ‘Good. Have there been any developments?’

  ‘A few, but unfortunately we can’t share any information with you at this stage.’

  ‘I see. Well, I expect you’ll want to get on with the interviews. I’ll have the staff bring the residents to my office one at a time.’

  So you can listen to what they tell me and then intimidate them? I don’t think so. ‘That won’t be necessary, Ms Pritchard. We will interview the residents in their own rooms with their key workers.’ Meadows gave her a tight smile. ‘I’m sure it will be more comfortable for them. I have asked two of my female detectives to conduct the interviews with Nicole and Vanessa, as I understand they respond better to females.’

  A look of irritation crossed Jane’s face and her thin lips curled into a false smile. ‘Right. I’ll let you get on. You’ll find most of the residents in the sitting room.’ She turned to leave.

  ‘One moment. I’d like to have a word with you first. I think it would be best if we used your office.’

  ‘I don’t see what more I can tell you,’ she bristled.

  ‘It won’t take long.’

  They followed Jane into the office and took their seats. Jane folded her hands together and placed them on her lap, her shoulders pulled back. Meadows waited for Edris to take out his notebook before addressing her.

  ‘You told us yesterday that the last time you saw or spoke to Alan Whitby was Monday evening at 6 p.m.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘You didn’t speak to him after that?’

  ‘No,’ Jane squirmed in her chair. ‘I told you, I saw him before he left work for the evening.’

  ‘I see. According to Alan’s mobile phone records you called him Monday evening at 9 p.m.’ Meadows nodded to Edris.

  Edris flipped through his notebook and read out a phone number. ‘Is that the right number for your mobile?’

  ‘Yes, that’s my number.’ Jane paled.

  ‘So you did speak to Alan late Monday evening?’ Meadows held eye contact.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘And the nature of the call?’

  Jane pursed her lips. She sat straighter in her chair. ‘If you must know, Alan asked me to call him. He needed an excuse to leave the house.’

  ‘Why did he need an excuse?’

  ‘How would I know?’

  ‘So did you arrange to meet him?’

  ‘No.’ She lifted her chin defiantly.

  ‘You didn’t find it odd that he would make such a request? Had you phoned him at home before?’

  ‘On a few occasions.’

  ‘And why do you think he needed an excuse to leave his home? You must have some idea?’

  ‘I would assume to meet a woman.’

  ‘What woman?’

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘You must have some idea.’ Meadows leaned forward.

  ‘I wouldn’t like to speculate.’

  ‘Someone from work?’

  Jane shrugged her shoulders. ‘I really don’t know. Alan was very flirtatious. It could be anyone, or maybe he just wanted to go to the pub.’

  ‘Why didn’t you tell us about this yesterday?’

  ‘The man had just died. I thought I could save his wife the embarrassment.’

  ‘That’s kind of you. Is there anything else you decided not to tell us?’

  ‘No,’ Jane scowled.

  ‘What about the abuse allegations four years ago? I understand two members of staff were struck off.’

  ‘That was before I took the post of manager here.’

  ‘You must have been informed of the situation? At the very least there would have been rumours.’

  ‘I really don’t take any notice of gossip. I prefer facts. I was only given brief details; the company wanted a fresh start. So I really can’t help you.’

  ‘I think that will be all for now. In the meantime, if you think of anything else, no matter how embarrassing or inconsequential it seems, I would appreciate it if you would inform me or one of my officers,’ Meadows stood.

  ‘How long are you going to keep that policeman standing guard at the door? I would like to get back to normal.’

  ‘The officer is there for the safety of both the residents and the staff. I would’ve thought that would take priority over putting on a show of normality. We will see ourselves to the sitting room.’ He nodded to Edris who closed his notebook and stood.

  ‘Well, you put her in her place,’ Edris laughed when they were at a safe distance from the office.

  ‘Good. There’s something dislikeable about that woman, she has a sneaky face.’

  ‘A sneaky face?’ Edris grinned. ‘That’s a new one. I don’t think it’s an arrestable offence, though.’

  ‘Well, she’s definitely keeping something from us.’

  ‘You think she is lying about why Alan asked her to phone?’

  ‘Yes, she either knows who he was meeting, or –’

  ‘She was the one having an affair with him,’ Edris finished.

  They entered the sitting room where some of the residents sat with members of staff doing various activities. Meadows scanned the room until he saw Kevin. He was sitting at a table next to Gemma. A half-completed jigsaw lay on the table and Kevin fumbled with a piece trying to fit it into place, his faced creased in concentration. He lifted his head for a moment and his eyes met with Meadows. A grin spread across his face.

  ‘The Winter Man is here!’ He leapt from his seat, knocking several pieces of jigsaw to the floor.

  ‘Winter Man!’ he stumbled towards Meadows, flung his arms around his waist and lifted him off his feet.

  ‘Hi, Kevin, it’s good to see you.’ Meadows could feel his ribs crushing beneath the hug.

  ‘OK Kevin, you better put him down. You don’t want to break him.’ Gemma laughed.

  Kevin released Meadows who resisted the urge to rub his
ribs. He could hear Edris sniggering beside him.

  ‘Do you want to do my jigsaw with me?’ Kevin hopped from foot to foot.

  ‘Maybe another time,’ Meadows smiled. ‘I thought we could go to your room and talk. I have something to give you.’

  ‘A present?’ Kevin’s eyes lit up.

  ‘Yes, a present. Come on, lead the way.’ He nodded to Gemma to follow.

  They walked down the corridor with Kevin humming a tune as he ambled along, his large feet dragging across the floor.

  ‘How long have you worked at Bethesda?’ Meadows asked.

  ‘Six years,’ Gemma smiled.

  ‘And you enjoy your work?’

  ‘Yes. I guess we all have bad days but most of the time it’s a good place to work.’

  ‘And do you get along with the other staff?’

  ‘Yes, they’re all friendly.’

  ‘What about Alan?’

  Gemma hesitated. ‘He was OK. I guess as supervisor you’re not meant to be too friendly with the staff.’

  You didn’t like him very much. ‘How long have you been Kevin’s key worker?’

  ‘Nearly six years. Just after I finished my training. We hit it off straight away, didn’t we, Kev?’

  ‘Hit it off,’ Kevin grinned and stopped outside the room. ‘My room,’ he said and pushed open the door.

  The plush snowman they had seen yesterday was now propped on a table strewn with paper and pens.

  ‘Take a seat,’ Gemma said.

  Edris took the armchair and Gemma the sofa. Kevin stood facing Meadows, his body wiggling from side to side.

  Meadows put his hand in his pocket and took out a snow globe. He shook it and watched Kevin’s eyes widen in delight as flakes of snow swirled around a house.

  ‘It’s for you.’ Meadows held out the globe.

  ‘For me!’ Kevin took the globe and cradled it gently in his hands. ‘A present for me,’ he beamed. He shook the globe then held it out for Gemma to see.’

  ‘That’s lovely, Kevin,’ Gemma smiled.

  ‘Yes, lovely,’ Kevin agreed. ‘Thank you, Winter Man.’

  ‘You’re welcome,’ Meadows smiled. ‘Shall we sit down?’

  Kevin plonked himself on the sofa next to Gemma so Meadows pulled up a chair from the table.

  ‘Kevin, I would like to talk to you about Alan. Do you know what happened to Alan?’

  Kevin nodded and grinned. ‘Frozen, frozen like ice cream,’ he chuckled. ‘Now he will have to melt.’

  ‘Do you know who put him in the freezer?’

  ‘No. It wasn’t me. I didn’t do it,’ he hunched his shoulders and looked at Gemma.

  ‘It’s OK, Kevin,’ Gemma reassured him.

  ‘Don’t worry, Kevin, you’re not in any trouble. I just need you to help me again.’ Meadows smiled. ‘Is Alan a nice man?’

  ‘No,’ Kevin shook his head several times. ‘Shouts at me.’

  ‘Why does he shout at you?’

  ‘Eating ice cream. I sneak into the kitchen,’ Kevin giggled.

  Meadows looked at Gemma who shrugged her shoulders.

  ‘Was it dark when you sneaked into the kitchen?’

  ‘No, the lights are on.’

  ‘Was it dark outside?’

  ‘Yes, night time.’

  ‘You were in your pyjamas?’

  ‘Yes.’ Kevin shook the snow globe again.

  ‘It could have been any night,’ Gemma said.

  ‘Did Alan come in often during the night shift?’

  ‘No, he usually left at six.’

  ‘So it was probably Monday night that Kevin saw Alan, we know he was here.’ He turned his attention back to Kevin. ‘Do you like ice cream?’

  ‘Yes, lots and lots of ice cream.’

  ‘So do I,’ Meadows sat forward in the chair. ‘Who else did you see when you were eating ice cream?’

  Kevin shrugged his shoulders and shook the snow globe, his eyes fixed on the dancing flakes.

  ‘Did you see Gemma?’

  Meadows noticed Gemma stiffen, she looked like she was about to say something when Kevin looked up and grinned. ‘Gemma didn’t see me.’

  ‘I was probably in the laundry room. The residents’ clothes are washed and dried each evening.’ Colour rose in her cheeks.

  ‘What did Alan say to you, Kevin?’

  ‘Shouting.’

  ‘About the ice cream?’

  ‘Go to your room!’ Kevin face screwed up. ‘You, you ... words I’m not allowed to say.’

  ‘Bad words?’

  ‘Yes,’ Kevin nodded.

  ‘Did you go to your room?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Did you see Alan again?’

  Kevin looked blankly at Meadows.

  ‘Did you stay in your room and go to sleep?’

  ‘Peeked out.’

  Meadows gave an encouraging smile. ‘What did you see?’

  ‘Liam out of bed. Alan called him bad words.’

  ‘What did Liam do?’

  Kevin shrugged.

  ‘Did you see Jane?’

  ‘No boss lady.’

  ‘Thank you, Kevin. You have been a big help. You’re a star.’

  ‘A star.’ Kevin beamed. He turned to look at Edris who was sat with his pen poised over his notebook. ‘What are you drawing?’

  ‘I’m writing.’ Edris smiled.

  ‘Why?’

  ‘It’s his job,’ Meadows explained. ‘He writes things down so we don’t forget what people say.’

  ‘Can I help you with your job?’

  ‘Erm, yeah, OK,’ Edris looked around then stood and grabbed a piece of paper and pen from the table. He handed it to Kevin and sat down.

  Meadows turned his attention to Gemma. ‘Did you see or hear Alan on Monday night?’

  ‘No.’ She shifted in her seat. ‘I wouldn’t have heard anything. The washing machine and tumble dryer go for a good few hours. I stayed in the laundry room to iron and fold the clothes.’

  ‘So how do you know if a resident is up and needing attention?’

  ‘I check all the rooms regularly throughout the night and I carry a monitor for Steven and Eddy. They are prone to fits.’

  ‘You didn’t hear anything on the monitors?’

  ‘No, besides, Steven and Eddy sleep on the first floor.’

  ‘What do you know about the abuse that took place here four years ago?’

  Gemma looked uncomfortable. ‘I don’t think it is a good idea to discuss that now,’ she looked pointedly at Kevin.

  ‘I see, so I take it our friend was somehow involved,’ he looked at Kevin who was scribbling away on his piece of paper mimicking Edris’ pauses. He felt sick at the thought that someone could abuse Kevin or any of the other defenceless residents.

  ‘Yes, and Liam mainly. Will it all have to be dragged up again?’

  ‘If it has any bearing on what happened here Monday then, yes, I’m afraid we will have to look into it and those that were involved.’

  ‘Then you should know that I was the whistle-blower. I would appreciate it if that piece of information didn’t come out. It would make working here very difficult for me.’

  ‘I can understand that. Who else knows about this?’

  Gemma shrugged. ‘No one here is supposed to know. I made my statement confidentially.’

  ‘OK. There is no reason why your name should come into it but I would like to discuss it further with you at another time. Kevin, I’ll let you get back to your jigsaw now.’

  ‘Would you like to help?’

  ‘I have to talk to Leah and Liam now but I will come and take a look later.’

  ‘OK.’

  Kevin handed the sheet of paper to Meadows. He looked at the illegible scrawls on the paper. ‘Great job, Kevin, you would make a good policeman.’

  ‘Ha ha,’ Kevin chuckled.

  ‘Leah isn’t in today, she isn’t very well,’ Gemma said.

  That’s interesting. ‘OK, we’ll talk to Harry an
d Eddy then.’

  ‘I’ll find Harry for you. You can wait in the sitting room if you like.’

  As they left Kevin’s room Meadows caught sight of a figure scurrying down the corridor and disappearing into Jane’s office.

  ‘Who’s that going into Jane’s office,’ Meadows asked Gemma.

  ‘Miles, I think.’

  So what’s he got to tell Jane that’s so urgent?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Jane sat at her desk, anxiety gnawing at her stomach making her feel nauseous. I should’ve put one of the monitors into Kevin’s room. I could’ve heard what they were saying.

  The door was flung open and Miles scuttled into the office, closing the door behind him.

  ‘What the hell are you doing?’ Jane demanded.

  ‘Hush,’ Miles hissed. He put his ear up against the door. Waited a few moments then turned to face Jane. ‘They’ve gone into the sitting room.’

  ‘Yeah, and they probably saw you coming in here, you bloody idiot.’

  ‘Do you want to hear what was said or not?’ Miles glared.

  ‘Well hurry up and tell me then and get back into the sitting room before you raise their suspicions.’

  ‘You’re being paranoid.’ Miles smirked. ‘I told you we have to act normal. Staff are always coming into your office.’

  Jane felt irritation grate her already frayed nerves. ‘You’re the only one that comes in here all the time.’

  ‘Yeah, well, we’ve got bigger problems than that. Kevin saw Alan on Monday night.’

  Jane laughed. ‘Like anyone is going to believe that big oaf. Anyway, we would’ve seen him if he was lurking around the cellar. It’s not as if he can play hide and seek.’ Give me strength, he has less sense than the residents. I should never have got involved with him.

  ‘He wasn’t in the cellar, you stupid cow, he was in the kitchen,’ Miles hissed.

  ‘Who? Alan?’

  ‘Yes, he caught Kevin eating ice cream.’

  ‘But Alan was waiting in the car park when I arrived.’

  ‘So? He could’ve been in the house before you arrived, he could have told someone what he was doing here. Security. Kevin said Leah saw him.’

  ‘And that little bitch is off today.’ Jane felt the anxiety coil around her chest and constrict her breathing.