SHADOW OVER THE FENS a gripping crime thriller full of suspense

by Joy Ellis

  ‘Mm, that’s possible,’ said Cat hopefully. ‘And what a perfect time to hassle the sarge. When he’s just returned from sick leave and is still pretty shaky.’

  ‘Sorry . . .’ Nikki rubbed her forehead. ‘Surely you’re missing something. Why would this Pseudo-Sweet kill people? Why not just haunt Joseph, and send him quietly batty?’

  ‘Because,’ said Dave. ‘The real Sweet was a killer. It’s part of the package if he’s to convince Joseph.’

  Nikki considered his point. ‘Okay, I’ll run with that, but where does all this finish? What is his endgame?’

  ‘To ruin the sarge, I’d reckon,’ muttered Dave grimly.

  ‘And it looks like it’s working, wouldn’t you say, ma’am?’ added Cat. ‘He’s already been relegated to knitting socks and watching Loose Women.’

  ‘He’s not quite that bad yet,’ said Nikki ruefully. ‘But I get your point.’

  ‘Let’s just hope it’s not going to go one step further,’ said Dave ominously. ‘And the sarge becomes the final victim.’

  ‘Oh shit,’ whispered Cat. ‘The assassin is clearly being paid very well by someone, so that could be the logical finale for total revenge. Put the frighteners on him, then kill him.’

  At that, the office fell silent, and several things ran through Nikki’s brain simultaneously. If that were the case, then Joseph was not safe out on the fen. He was actually very vulnerable. And something Cat had just said jarred off an even worse scenario. One that she didn’t even dare to voice out loud.

  Cat had mentioned Joseph’s recent trauma. So what if there was no revenge plot? What if there was no Billy Sweet? Real or otherwise. What if the face in the windscreen had just been some brainless yob, one who closely resembled the worst person Joseph had ever met? And it had sent his mind into freefall. Could Joseph be hunting this mythical being down and killing men who were unfortunate enough to look like Sweet?

  Nikki physically shook her head to rid herself of those terrible thoughts. Of course he wasn’t a killer! He was her sergeant and her friend! He was living under her roof, and she cared about him. A lot, actually. The idea that she had just considered belonged to people like Walker, or the gutter press, not to Nikki Galena. ‘Okay, any other thoughts?’ she snapped.

  ‘I think I’m with Dave, ma’am,’ said Cat, ‘But, if you don’t mind me saying, Joseph is only a sergeant. I can understand him being threatened with a damn good thumping, or getting his car vandalised, but surely death threats are more the suited to the higher ranks, the ones who actually head up the investigations. Joseph is a worker, not a big cheese. If some villain got slammed up forever, wouldn’t he or his loved ones, go for someone like you, or the super, maybe?’

  ‘You can still piss someone off, no matter what your rank, Cat. And who’s to say we are dealing with someone sane?’

  ‘That’s right,’ Dave nodded vigorously. ‘If you’re short on your quota of marbles, rational thinking doesn’t apply.’

  ‘So we check his old cases?’ asked Cat.

  Nikki nodded. ‘I’ll ring him and ask him to get us a list of ‘possibles’ together. And until then, you Dave, follow up those enquiries on Sweet, and Cat, keep busy until I’ve made my call, then come with me and we’ll talk to the one that got away.’

  ‘Ah yes, the third lookalike? Will do.’ Cat stood up, and gave a small laugh. ‘Shame they’re not all still alive, we could start a Billy Sweet tribute band.’

  As Cat left, a civilian messenger knocked on the door. ‘Sorry to interrupt, ma’am, but there’s someone to see you downstairs.’

  ‘A name would be helpful.’

  ‘Sorry.’ The woman glanced at a memo held firmly in her hand. ‘Bryony Barton, ma’am.’

  Nikki felt her lips purse together, then she forcibly relaxed them and said, ‘I’ll be right down.’

  ‘Ah,’ said Dave knowingly, and then shut up as she lobbed a few imaginary daggers in his direction.

  ‘Ah nothing.’

  ‘Whatever you say, guv.’ Dave grinned. ‘But I was only going to offer to see her for you, as you’re so busy?’

  ‘Drooling is not gentlemanly, Dave. Please slip a bromide in your tea and get on with your work. I can manage, thank you.’

  Nikki hurried down the corridor, and silently cursed the super for interrupting her morning ablutions. Her outfit didn’t even qualify as bag-lady chic. It was more like she had dressed herself entirely from Help the Aged, and now she was to meet Joseph’s stunning new girlfriend. O deep joy!

  Nikki stared at her surreptitiously from the office behind the front desk, and felt her heart sink.

  Joseph had been right. Bryony was beautiful. But not in a glamorous way, she was not fashion magazine, size zero and brainlessly sort of gorgeous, she had more the beauty of the panther. She was one of those incredibly lucky people who seemed to be perfectly proportioned, and knew exactly how to dress to make the best of everything.

  And she looked intelligent, which made Nikki definitely wish she had allowed Dave to take her place.

  A low babble of voices pulled her from her reverie, and she realised that breathing was becoming difficult due to the office rapidly filling up with testosterone. At least ten male officers had magically appeared from nowhere and were collectively staring towards the waiting area.

  ‘For goodness sake! Haven’t you lot got something better to do?’ she exclaimed. The expected chorus of ‘No!’ followed her as she left.

  ‘Bryony?’ She stretched out a hand. ‘Nikki Galena. You wanted to see me?’

  The handshake was surprisingly firm. ‘Thank you. I’m sorry to bother you. I’ll only take a few moments of your time.’

  Nikki glanced across to the sergeant. ‘Is there a free interview room, Jack?’

  ‘Number three, ma’am. All yours.’

  ‘This way.’ Nikki made herself walk confidently, but still felt like one of the ugly sisters escorting Cinderella.

  She held back the door and indicated towards a chair. ‘Sorry it’s not more comfortable, but most of our guests aren’t here for the fine facilities.’ She managed to install a smile for the occasion. ‘What can I do for you, Bryony?’

  The woman looked up at her, her expression concerned and intense. ‘Joseph rang me last night, Inspector. He told me that he’d been suspended. Is that true?’

  ‘Joseph’s not in the habit of lying.’ She kept her own gaze impassive. ‘It’s true.’

  ‘Oh no.’ The woman seemed to visibly crumple. ‘This is my fault, isn’t it?’

  Nikki felt confused, but didn’t show it.

  ‘You suspended him because of what I told you, didn’t you? But the thing is, I don’t think I put it very well, Inspector.’

  Nikki sat down opposite her. ‘First, I did not suspend him, and second, your failing to identify the mystery man had no bearing on why Joseph was asked to rest up for a while.’ She was not known for her tact, but she thought that sounded fairly acceptable.

  ‘But I still let him down.’

  ‘You finally told the truth, and believe me, that’s a far better bet than lying.’ She stared at the fine-boned face and porcelain skin, and said. ‘Have you told Joseph that you didn’t actually see anyone?’

  Bryony shifted around in the uncomfortable chair, and stared at the table in front of her. ‘Not yet. I’ve been going over and over it. Now I honestly don’t know if someone was there or not. It was dark, and I admit, my attention was rather more on Joseph than what was happening on the other side of the road.’ She hung her head. ‘All I know is, Joseph truly thought someone was watching us. His face changed from a smiling, relaxed man, to some kind of awful mask. He was terrified, Inspector. And when I made to run over to the river path, he screamed at me to let the man go.’

  Nikki watched the other woman carefully. Bryony was not finding this easy, and it was obvious to Nikki that she really did care about Joseph, which was not exactly what she wanted to know right now.

  ‘I know that you won’t
be able to tell me where he is, Inspector, but is he all right? I feel dreadful that I can’t see him, but he says it’s too dangerous.’

  ‘He’s only thinking of you, Bryony. And I know you wouldn’t want to add to his present worries, he has a lot to deal with right now,’ she paused, ‘but yes, he’s taken everything very well, all things considered.’

  ‘Well, that’s something. I’ll just have to be satisfied with his calls until this is all over.’ She straightened her skirt, even though it didn’t need it, and looked almost coyly at Nikki. ‘I’ve never met a man like Joseph before. He’s so . . .’

  Special? Different? Caring? Honest? Nikki automatically filled in the gap.

  ‘. . . so selfless, and gentlemanly. And that’s rare in a good-looking man.’

  Nikki nodded. Yes, that was two pretty good adjectives, but at this point in time Joseph’s love life was not what she wanted to be talking about. ‘I’m sorry, I have to get on. I hope I’ve put your mind at rest?’ She stood up.

  ‘You have, and thank you for your time.’ Bryony said, picking up her handbag. ‘And, Inspector, if you see him or speak to him, please don’t tell him I was here, or what I said to you. I think it’s down to me to explain to him, don’t you?’

  ‘I think you should explain things.’

  ‘I will. I promise. And maybe I should come clean about a few other things as well.’

  Nikki tensed. ‘Like what?’

  Bryony gave a small conspiratorial laugh. ‘It’s okay. It’s nothing serious, and nothing to do with what is going on, but I’ve liked him for ages. I saw him months ago at Greenborough Hospital, and I tried to find out about him.’ She halted as she approached the door. ‘I thought a gorgeous man like that would be bound to have either a wife or a significant other, so I kind of engineered an ‘accidental’ meeting.’

  ‘The fitness club?’ asked Nikki, trying to keep the surprise out of her voice.

  ‘Mm. I do swim and I do exercise, but I’m a strong swimmer, so I’ve always used the big pool out at Carness. I was dropping off a friend at the Greenborough club one day, and couldn’t believe that he was there, in the pool! I immediately bought a membership, and the rest is history.’

  ‘And the meeting in the Hammer?’

  ‘Oh God! You make me sound like a stalker. No, that was for real. My boss truly was organising a charity scavenger hunt.’

  ‘You really like him, don’t you?’ said Nikki almost sadly.

  Bryony looked at her for a minute, apparently weighing something up, then said, ‘I’ve had some seriously shitty experiences in the past, Inspector. My opinion regarding men is not high, but Joseph is different. Very different.’

  ‘Then I strongly urge you to tell him everything. Policemen don’t like being lied to, Bryony, no matter how well-meaning your intentions. We get lies every day from the bad guys, so we don’t expect it from the good ones.’

  ‘I’ve been a complete fool, haven’t I?’ Bryony drew in a breath. ‘But I do hear what you say, and thanks.’

  Nikki escorted her back to the foyer, and as she turned to leave, Bryony said. ‘Take care of him for me, Inspector. I think he’s very lucky to have you for a friend.’

  Nikki moved closer to her and spoke in a soft but urgent voice. ‘I’ll do my best. Just don’t be tempted to see him, Bryony. Considering how you feel, it could be very dangerous, for both of you, understand?’

  Bryony nodded slowly, then moved towards the automatic doors. ‘I understand.’

  Nikki listened to the whoosh of the doors, and made her way thoughtfully back to her office.

  * * *

  As Bryony Barton crossed the street, and walked down the narrow side road to where her car was parked, a man watched her with great interest.

  He did not attract attention to himself. He realised a long while ago that Good Ordinary People preferred to avert their eyes from his kind. And he had a lot of things about him that those Good Ordinary People would rather not associate with. He was dirty for one thing. His clothes told of neglect and abuse, ergo, he would smell. GOP’s didn’t like bad smells at all. He had strange eyes, which probably meant drugs, and oh my! How GOP’s hated drugs! And he was pretty big, which meant don’t pick on him. A fight would definitely see a GOP coming second. Oh yes, and he was begging. Which was the only risky thing in his beautifully practised repertoire for blending in perfectly with the pavements, the trodden-in chewing gum and the dog shit. The paper cup with Please Give scribbled on it could be the weak link, because some of the GOPs were actually Do-Gooders, and DGs looked upon beggars as a large part of their insurance to travel on the road to heaven. Beggars were to be fed, nurtured and cosseted, at arm’s length of course, but that could be dangerous.

  Today however he was having an invisible day, which suited him perfectly.

  That meant that no one saw him stand up, slip catlike across the road, and as Bryony opened her car-door, he was behind her. Breathing in her perfume.

  Escada. Magnetism.

  My God, the woman had good taste.

  But sadly there wasn’t time right now to extol her virtues, because there was work to be done and an exacting schedule to keep to.

  In less than a minute, the car had pulled away, and the side road was once again empty, with no trace of either Bryony Barton, or her invisible follower.

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  Joseph looked up from the computer screen and rubbed his eyes. He could hardly believe that it was after one o’clock and somehow he had finally calmed down enough to concentrate on Martin Durham.

  Nikki had called earlier and told him that Sweet had attempted to kill again. The news had almost sent him to the wire, but somehow he’d managed to drag himself back. Deep down he knew that the only way he was going to come through this with his sanity intact was to throw his whole self into working. Which sounded great, but without his warrant card he was stuffed! Even with the Durham case, he had taken his search about as far as it could go without using official channels. He needed Nikki to get him some more information, but with the world going crazy at Greenborough nick, he didn’t have the heart to bother her. Then on the other hand, perhaps he should, because there were things about those two odd deaths, Amelia Reed and Paul Cousins, that were starting to bug him.

  He pushed his chair back and stretched his cramped legs. On the desk in front of him was a rough list of known villains who might carry a grudge against him. Nikki had wanted him to think about old cases, but although there were a lot of them, and some where vague threats had been made, no one stood out as being flaky enough to want to destroy him. He pushed the list to one side. It was a total waste of time. No crook he had ever banged up would organise a vendetta like this. And right now he needed a break. He wanted to think objectively about Reed and Cousins and everything else was getting in the way. Maybe he should go out for a while. Go get some food in. Some proper food, not makeshift junk. Something he could use as therapy to help him think.

  He stretched again, stood up and tried to remember what was the most labour intensive dish he had ever cooked. And what would Nikki like? Frankly, she seemed to enjoy anything that was put in front of her. He smiled. It was nice to cook for someone else. And that made him think about Bryony, and he couldn’t wait to prepare a meal for her. He was sure she’d appreciate it. Not that Nikki didn’t, but it would be different cooking for a . . .

  He stopped himself. A what? What would Bry become? A lover? A partner? He wasn’t sure, and dreaded to let himself get too far ahead. And where exactly did he intend to do this fancy cooking? His digs had very limited facilities and certainly didn’t include a Master Chef kitchen.

  Again his mind wandered. He had said he’d sit on the money from his Fenchester home after he’d sold it, but maybe he should be looking for somewhere in or around Greenborough.

  And maybe he should damn well keep his mind firmly on his work. He had no right to make plans for anything or anybody until Billy Sweet had been caught. Even thinking of t
hat name made him angry. Sweet had no right to walk back into his life and bring his whole world crashing down around his feet.

  With a muttered curse, Joseph picked up the phone, dialled Nikki’s landline and asked her if there was any new developments.

  ‘Nothing yet, Joseph.’

  The boss sounded preoccupied, and why shouldn’t she? ‘I was wondering if you’d heard from Elizabeth Durham?’ he asked.

  ‘She rang earlier, but with all of this going on, I can’t get out to see her.’

  ‘Could I go, ma’am? I’m well and truly stuck here. There are things I need to know about Martin and I’m sure she could help.’

  There had been a long wait, then in a low voice, she said, ‘I’d rather you didn’t, Joseph. I don’t want the chief on my back. But then again, it has nothing to do with the main murder enquiry and I’m not your jailer, so if you did take upon yourself to go out for an afternoon ride, I would know nothing about it, would I? Just don’t breathe a word about your suspension to anyone. We could both finish up down the Job Centre.’

  ‘I have to go out anyway, unless you want us to starve. I thought I’d try the big supermarket on the Old Bolingbroke Road?’

  ‘How convenient. But Joseph?’

  ‘Yes, ma’am?’

  ‘Take care, won’t you? We haven’t caught this killer yet, and I’m really not sure that it’s wise for you to be trailing round the countryside alone.’

  * * *

  He had rung Elizabeth before he set out, and she had seemed pleased that he was able to see her. When he arrived, the door was opened by Janna.

  ‘I’m surprised that you could spare the time, with these awful murders to investigate.’ Her comment was not sarcastic, just a genuine observation, then she led him through to the garden room and flopped into one of the deep comfortable chairs. ‘Have a seat, Sergeant.’

  ‘Thanks. It’s true we’re busy, but the boss doesn’t want you to feel that we are doing nothing about Martin’s death.’

  ‘Elizabeth will be grateful for that. She’s starting to get very jumpy about everything, especially the break-in.’