by M A Comley
Poor Brandon wasn’t sure what to do. His head swivelled between Lorne and Charlie. Lorne grabbed her daughter’s wrist and pulled her to stand alongside her, draping an arm around her daughter’s waist. “You’ll get used to us soon, Brandon. Charlie hates me winding her up.”
“I keep telling you, Mum, I’m a grown woman now.”
“As you can see, she gives as good as she gets.”
“Leave the youngsters alone, Lorne. Our fish and chips are calling. Are you having any before you shoot off, Charlie?”
“Too bloody right, I am.”
Tony, Charlie, and Brandon along with the two dogs, left the kitchen. Lorne busied herself setting the table for dinner while her mind churned over the mysterious case she’d been working on all day. The most annoying part of her job had to be when she was presented with a John Doe to identify. On this occasion, the John Doe seemed to be a wealthy one.
The ringing phone interrupted her train of thought. She answered it in the lounge and flopped onto the sofa. “Hey, sis, I was going to ring you later.”
“You were? That’d be a first,” Jade snapped back unnecessarily.
Lorne cringed. It had been a while since she’d rung her sister to see how she was coping. Since losing their father over five years ago, Jade had been under the doctor’s care for extreme stress and insomnia issues. Lorne felt the nick of the blade from the guilt knife Jade jabbed at her heart. “How are you?”
“No change. I’m ringing up to say we’re off to Italy for Christmas. I’m calling to see if you want to exchange presents before we go or after if you want to leave it until we get back in January.”
“Damn, I haven’t even thought about Christmas yet.”
“Now there’s a surprise,” Jade mumbled just loud enough for Lorne to hear.
“Don’t start, Jade. You know what my life is like and how hectic it is.”
“Yeah, me, me, and me. That’s all that matters to you, isn’t it, Lorne? Well, what about what I want? I need my sister to take time out for me. To pick up the phone every now and again to ask how I’m doing, but no, you’re always too damn busy.”
“Jade, where’s all this coming from? The last thing I want, or need, is to fall out with you. I know you’re still smarting from losing Dad. I miss him a great deal, too, you know.”
“Do you? Not as much as I do.”
“It’s not a competition, Jade, and I refuse to revisit this conversation every time you lose yet another night’s sleep.”
“You know what, Lorne—why don’t I stop ringing you altogether? No, I’ll go one better... I’ll move to a different country, and then I’ll be out of your hair for good. How’s that?”
“What are you talking about? For goodness’ sake, Jade, I ring when I have the time. I work full time and then come home here and have to help out at the kennels.” The last part was a bit of a fib, and Lorne cringed again when Jade pulled her up on it.
“Liar! Charlie and Tony look after the dogs, not you. I’m going to hang up now before I say something I regret.” And she did just that.
Lorne held the phone away from her ear and shook it angrily. “You mean you haven’t already? Jesus, woman, give me a break, please?”
“That’s the first sign.”
Lorne held a hand over her chest when she heard Tony’s voice at the door of the lounge. “You scared the bloody shit out of me.”
“Who was on the phone?”
Lorne followed him back into the kitchen and removed the warm plates she’d placed in the oven after he’d left. “Jade. I can never do anything right in her eyes. She’s threatening to move to another country.”
“You know she always strikes out when she wants to let off steam, hon. Just ignore her.”
“That’s getting exceedingly hard to do. Why does she always take her foul moods out on me? It hurts so much. We used to be close once upon a time, believe it or not. Since Dad’s death, it’s like she regards me as some kind of enemy.”
“Do you think she blames you?”
“No more than I blame myself. We all thought he was on the road to recovery when he passed away. Hey, it wasn’t my fault that Katy and I got kidnapped that day. I’ll always feel guilty for the stress I caused him. She understands that, doesn’t she? She should do. Anyway, she brought up the ‘C’ word.”
Tony’s eyes bulged. “What? Cancer?”
Lorne bit her lip. “No, sorry. Christmas. She asked if we wanted to exchange presents before or after the festivities as they’re going to Italy this year.”
“You haven’t even started buying gifts, have you?”
“Nope. I never tend to buy until the very last week. Maybe we can go shopping at the weekend, all being well?”
“Why not?”
Lorne hugged him and kissed him on the lips. “What would I do without you?”
“I ask myself the same thing every day.”
She pushed away from him and narrowed her eyes. “Hmm... you do, do you? That’s pretty magnanimous of you, Mr. Warner.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
“You look rough,” Katy observed as she climbed out of her car.
“And there was me thinking you were a mate,” Lorne complained.
“Oops... a foul mood to boot. I sense someone has had a bout of family trouble since leaving work yesterday.”
“You’re too cute for your own good. You’d be right of course. Just feeling a little sorry for myself after my lovely sister called me selfish.”
“What? Why? You’re anything but. Is she still on those happy pills from the doc?”
In spite of feeling miserable, Lorne found herself laughing at Katy’s question. “Yeah, the doc is still prescribing. The problem is that folks forget how much the body gets used to the drugs after a while and how ineffective they become. I’ve never really been one for popping pills for that very reason.”
“I can understand that. Maybe she should try seeing another shrink. I know her last experience seeking out professional advice along those lines didn’t end well, but not every psychiatrist turns out to be a serial killer.”
“I’ll be sure to add that tagline when I suggest it to her—not.” They walked into the station and made their way upstairs. Lorne noticed that Katy held her stomach once or twice during the journey. “Is there something you need to share with me?”
“Not really. Babies kick periodically, according to my doc. I’ve just got to get used to it. I wish this little guy would give the soccer routine a rest now and then. It would go a long way to making this pregnancy more bearable.”
“Really? Can I have a feel?”
Katy offered Lorne access to her increasing bulge. Just as Lorne held her hand in place, Chief Roberts appeared behind them.
“Haven’t you got work to do, ladies?” he asked sharply.
Lorne yanked her hand away and continued to climb the stairs as she mumbled, “Morning to you too, Mr. Grouchy.”
Ignoring her comment, Sean asked, “Are you busy this morning, Lorne?”
“It depends. You tell me what you want to see me about, and then I’ll decide.”
“Ever the wise arse. I wanted to run through a possible windfall coming the station’s way soon and would like your insight on where you think the funds would be best suited.”
They reached the top of the stairs. “I have a few things I need to check out first thing. I can come and see you around elevenish. How’s that?”
“Perfect. I’ll see you then.”
Katy and Lorne watched him walk towards his office.
“Well, that was weird. Does he usually ask your opinion on such matters?” Katy asked.
“Nope. Very weird indeed. Unless he was using that as an excuse to see me of course.”
“For what reason?”
“I don’t know. I seem to be everyone’s very own agony aunt lately. Let’s leave the assumptions there. We have work to do. I want to press on with the case this morning. Roberts is bound to ask how we’re progressing wi
th it.”
Some of the team, including AJ, were already at their computers.
“Morning, all. Anything of interest develop overnight?”
Karen raised her hand.
Lorne walked across the room to speak to her.
“Morning, boss. I did have one interesting call from a taxi driver.” She searched the desk for her notes. “He saw the bulletin on the news regarding the boat fire and contacted us. He said he was on duty when the fire happened and picked up two women around that time.”
“Intriguing. Did he say where he dropped them off?”
“He couldn’t give any more details than that, except that he was asked to drive them to the car park at the marina.”
“Okay, well that’s something, I suppose. AJ can you check any CCTV footage relating to the area around that time, please?”
“Is it worth paying this driver a visit?” Katy asked.
“Stephen, are you up for taking a statement this morning? Actually, on second thoughts, ring the taxi firm and see when the driver is on shift, will you? Maybe you can call round and see him at home. That’ll be better.”
“I’ll get on it first thing, boss.”
“At the moment, it’s all we have to go on until the chassis number comes our way from SOCO. I’ll be in my office.” Lorne grabbed a coffee at the machine and settled behind her desk to do battle with her endless mind-numbing paperwork.
At around ten thirty, the phone broke her momentum of tearing through and signing numerous forms. “DI Lorne Warner.”
“Lorne, it’s Patti. I have the next piece of the puzzle for you.”
“The chassis number?” Lorne’s slouch was a thing of the past as her interest piqued. “That’s brilliant news. Hopefully, it is. Don’t tell me that you’ve only got half the number?”
“Ah, you know me so well.”
“Damn!”
“I’m teasing you. No, it’s intact and very legible.”
“Excellent news. Fire away.”
Patti reeled off the number, and Lorne jotted it down in her notebook. “You’re amazing. Thanks for rushing it through for me. Let’s hope it’ll help us identify the victim.”
“Let me know if and when you get a name, and I can do the necessary to match any dental records et cetera to make a formal ID.”
“Of course. Thanks, Patti. Speak soon.” Lorne bolted out of her office and rushed over to AJ’s desk. “I have the chassis number, AJ. Want me to pass it on to someone else while you continue with the CCTV observations?”
“No. I can do both, boss. Give me half an hour.”
“Okay.” She spun round and told Katy, “I might as well see what Roberts wants now. I’ll be on tenterhooks around here otherwise.”
Katy nodded. “Good luck.”
Lorne knocked on Roberts’s door after his PA gave her the all-clear.
“Enter,” his voice boomed.
Lorne walked in and sat opposite Sean. “You wanted to see me, sir?”
“It was a ruse.”
“A ruse?” Lorne frowned.
“I really wanted to know how you think Katy is coping. I was a little perplexed observing the pair of you this morning. I don’t have to remind you that you’re both supposed to be professional career women.”
“The baby kicked. I’m disappointed in you, Sean. How can you say either Katy or myself never take our jobs seriously?”
He reclined in his chair, eyes sparkling with something Lorne found hard to fathom. “You’re putting words into my mouth, Lorne. Not once did I say you never take your jobs seriously. I’m concerned. Forgive me for caring. Not many chiefs would.”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have bitten your head off. Anyway, Katy is still one hundred percent capable of carrying out her normal duties. I’ll let you know when I think she isn’t. How’s that? I’d hate for you to be holed up in this office, contemplating if she was fit for the role or not.”
“There you go again, trying to twist my concerns into a problem. Okay, now that’s sorted, don’t let me hold you up.”
“Thanks. I need to get on, as the pathologist has rung to give me something important regarding our latest case.”
“What’s that?”
“The one piece of information that we’re hoping will help us ID the victim.”
“You better get back to it in that case. Keep me informed, on both counts, all right?”
“I’ll do that.”
Lorne left the office to return to the incident room, which was buzzing with excitement. “You’ve come up with the goods, I take it?” She approached AJ, who was triumphantly waving a piece of paper at her.
“Ryan Timcott. The boat was based in Horning, Norfolk.”
“Excellent news. Let’s see what facts we can dig up about Mr. Timcott before we make contact with any relatives. Usual details. We need to tread carefully if he turns out to have a wife, bearing in mind the fact that witnesses have told us that two women were aboard his boat.”
“Maybe one of them was his wife,” Katy said with a shrug.
“Perhaps you’re right. I can’t see it myself, Katy.”
Lorne pulled up a chair next to AJ. He was the whizz with computers, and he managed to find the most significant piece of information they needed to take the case forward.
“I have his address, or should I say addresses. One here in Fulham and the other in Horning, Norfolk. According to the electoral role, he’s married to a Lucy Timcott and registered at both addresses.”
“Excellent news. Fancy taking a trip out to Fulham, Katy?”
“Why not?”
The residence they arrived at was huge.
“Why am I not surprised to find out he’s this wealthy?”
“I guess the boat was a giveaway,” Katy offered.
Lorne rang the bell located in the centre of the large oak door, and it echoed around the inside of the house. “Damn. Looks like there’s nobody at home. No cars on the drive, nothing.”
“Wouldn’t a place this size need some kind of staff, be it a housekeeper or someone along those lines?”
“Maybe she’s out on a shopping trip. I don’t know. Perhaps this is the holiday home and the main residence is the house in Norfolk.”
“Maybe. I know that look. Don’t tell me you’re intending on going up there to find out.”
Lorne sniggered. “Nope. Too far for us to travel and out of our jurisdiction.”
“We need a contact in the Norfolk Constabulary. Any suggestions?”
A lightbulb went off in Lorne’s head. “Actually, I do. Back to the station.”
“Well, don’t leave me in suspense. Who?”
“My old friend Sally Parker. She’s a detective inspector. We went through our inspector training together at Hendon. I’ve been meaning to catch up with her. Not spoken to her for a few months, might even be years. You know how time flies.” Lorne poked a card through the letterbox of the house instructing Mrs. Timcott to contact her ASAP. Then they returned to the station.
Lorne flicked open her address book and dialled Sally’s mobile number.
“Hello, DI Sally Parker.”
“Sally? Guess who this is?”
There was silence on the other end of the line for a moment or two. Lorne sensed the cogs turning in Sally’s mind and heard her old friend tut. “Is that you, Lorne?”
“Bingo. How the devil are you? It’s been ages since we chatted.”
“It has. Up and down, you know how it is? To what do I owe the pleasure?”
“Sorry to be blunt—it is about work, I’m ashamed to say. It’s been on my mind to call you for months, but...”
“No need to apologise. I’m in the same line of business, remember? I completely understand. What can I do for you?”
“We’re investigating a murder enquiry. We thought it was a mere accident to begin with, but it soon escalated into more.”
“Sounds intriguing. How does this concern me?”
“The murder victim is re
gistered to two addresses: one down here in London, the other up there on your patch. The investigation is still in its infancy, so we don’t have much to go on at present. However, we’re aware of at least two other people who we’re interested in chatting to, shall we say?”
“Do you want to give me the victim’s name?”
“Ryan Timcott. Does it ring any bells?” Lorne asked, more out of hope than expectation.
“Nope, nothing is coming to mind. Why don’t you fill me in on what you have so far?”
Lorne brought her up to date on what they had gleaned so far. “That’s it really.”
“And you have no idea who these two women are?”
“Not at this point, no.”
“So, we’ll need to tread very carefully where the wife is concerned. Is that what you’re saying?”
“Exactly, Sally. Hey, one of the women might have been her for all we know.”
“Do you want me to go to the address to break the news in person?”
“I’m not sure. As the case seems to be quite complex, I’d like to do that myself if possible.”
“You mean that you’re as much a control freak as me and you’d rather not relinquish your hold on the case.”
Lorne laughed. “I see your memory is still A1. I seem to recall we had the same trait in that respect, during our training. Both stubborn and neither of us willing to be easily put off the scent by criminals.”
“That’s still the case with me.”
Lorne’s mind went into overdrive as a plan began to form. Dare I ask? To even suggest such a thing without running it past the chief first? Bugger it, I’m going to do it.
“Are you still there, Lorne?”
“Sorry. Yes, I’m still here. You know me of old, so I’m going to come straight to the point.”
“Would it be better for me to sit down for this?”
“That’s up to you. What about if I drove up there and we visited Lucy Timcott together? Would you be up for that?”
“Christ, you don’t do anything by half, do you?”
“Tell me if you think it’s an absurd idea. The last thing I want to do is step on your toes. You know me; I tend to go on gut instinct, and there’s just something about this case that’s prodding me to go the extra mile. Not only that, it would be great to see you after all these years.”
