Christmas Killing

by Chrissie Loveday

  ‘I doubt she is guilty. She’s much too respectable. Anything you need me to do? Cos if not, I’ve got a heap of outdated papers to look at.’

  ‘No, you get on with it. Need to keep up with the papers to keep them upstairs happy.’

  Ray sat back and thought about the case. Ted had put forward his list of people who could be guilty. Himself, he favoured Bert and possibly his brother Dickie. The latter certainly had a grudge against the store that he knew about. Bert, well he did seem an altogether dodgy character. They had suspected him when his own daughter had been put as the replacement elf. Obviously, he was someone they definitely needed to see again. With a brief sigh, he settled down to do some paperwork that had been piling up.

  ‘Okay if I go now?’ asked Ted just after six.

  ‘Sure thing. Tomorrow, we’ll make a start at the shop and see if Bert has come in. I’d like to be on-site anyway. Make sure all goes well with the re-opening of the famous Grotto.’

  *

  The next morning, they drove to the store and parked. A whole load of new signs were hanging around the entrance.

  Grand Re-opening of our Grotto. Santa will be in his Grotto at nine-thirty.

  Inside, there were lots more small signs and arrows pointing the way towards the Grotto. Already, a crowd was gathering, mostly mums and their little ones. Ray saw Geoffrey Foredyce among the crowds, talking to his customers and looking very smiley. Miss Pringle was also hovering around. She had spent a lot of time yesterday overseeing the cleaners and making sure it was all pristine and ready for the little ones to go in and see Santa.

  ‘Ah, Detective Chief Inspector, Sergeant, nice to see you here. I assume you haven’t come to sit on Santa’s knee?’ This was followed by a series of chortles which Ray found most embarrassing and rather out of place from Miss Pringle.

  ‘Just wanted to make sure all was well. I see you managed to find another Santa.’

  ‘He’s one of our other internal staff. Wasn’t all that willing but a few extra pounds and he’ll be fine. Now, is there anything else you need from me?’

  ‘I’ll be up to see you later. Will you be in your office?’

  ‘Oh yes. I have a lot of work to finish. Unless you need anything now?’

  ‘No I don’t think so. As long as all is well here. We’ll go and see if Bert is here at work today. Or perhaps you’ll know?’

  ‘I’m afraid not. I’m not quite sure why but he’s not turned up again. His daughter’s here though. Matti, come here for a minute,’ she called to the elf.

  ‘What d’ya want?’ she asked rudely. ‘Only I’m sticking close by my friend. Don’t wanna leave her on her own.’

  ‘Where’s your Dad?’ Ray asked without preamble.

  ‘Dunno. Ain’t he in? Downstairs is where he usually is.’

  ‘Evidently not. Did you see him this morning?’

  ‘Nah. I was up and out of the ‘ouse early and didn’t even look for him.’

  ‘And where is that house?’

  ‘Look in my Dad’s file. It’s in there. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m needed back there.’ She turned and scuttled back to her friend.

  ‘Very helpful, I’m sure. I’ll leave it to you Miss Pringle. Perhaps you could let me know when you find out their address. Come on Ted. I don’t think there’s much else we can do here.’

  They strolled through the store and went to the handbag department. The Detective looked at the two girls, Daphne and Marie and watched them working or rather, standing around pretending to look busy. Marie nudged her friend when she saw the two officers and they whispered something before they moved towards them.

  ‘Hallo officers. Can I interest you in one of our handbags? A nice present for your wife?’

  ‘I don’t think so, thank you,’ Ray said.

  ‘Any news yet?’

  ‘Not yet. We’re pursuing our inquiries. Have you had any thoughts? Either of you?’ ‘No, nothing at all. We have been thinking about it all. How terrible it’s all been. What with Jimmy getting murdered too. I understand he was stabbed? Is that right?’

  ‘It is, yes.’

  ‘So, two different methods of murders. Carried out by the same person do you think?’

  ‘As I said, we’re pursuing our inquiries.’

  Daphne was looking very upset and near to tears. Perhaps she was the sort of person who did cry a lot. Marie scolded her and told her not to take on so.

  ‘I’m sorry. It is awful what happened to both of them. I can’t help but be upset.’

  ‘Excuse me but I think you may have a customer,’ Ted interrupted.

  ‘Oh goodness. Sorry. Yes Madam, can I help you?’ Marie had slipped into selling mode. Daphne stood close to the two men looking very miserable.

  ‘I don’t know how she can do it. Keep going so easily, I mean. I’m not saying she wasn’t upset but I haven’t seen her crying at all. Mind you, I’ve probably cried enough for everyone.’

  ‘Everyone’s different.’

  ‘Can I talk to you? Privately I mean. Sort of off the record.’

  ‘Of course. Is there somewhere we can go to?’

  ‘You could come to the canteen. There’s sure to be somewhere there.’

  ‘Do you have a break due?’ asked Ted. ‘Only we wouldn’t want you to get into trouble.’

  ‘I can go in five minutes. If you go up there first, no-one will know I’m talking to you.’

  ‘Very well.’ Ray and Ted left the department and went to look for the canteen. ‘Rather mysterious isn’t she?’

  ‘I suppose she is a bit. Wonder what she’s worried about?’ They saw a door with a notice staff only and pushed it open. It was the canteen. ‘We’d better wait here for Daphne to come.’

  They stood awkwardly close to the door and nodded at various people coming and going.

  ‘Let’s go in. We can talk to the staff again. There was one woman we spoke to before who’d seen Jimmy before he was murdered. Madge I think her name was.’ They went in and ordered two coffees. ‘Is Madge around?’

  ‘Fraid not. It’s her day off.’

  ‘Can I have one of those bun things please,’ Ray asked. ‘You want something Ted?’

  ‘I’ll have a sausage roll. They look good.’

  ‘Right you are. That’ll be two pounds fifty.’

  ‘Amazing prices here. Two coffees and two cakes. Perhaps we should come and eat here every day.’

  ‘You’d have to get taken on in the company to get these prices.’

  ‘Thanks,’ he said with a laugh. ‘Let’s go and sit over there in the corner.’

  They moved over to wait for Daphne to arrive. At last she came through the door looking flustered. She went over to the two of them and said she was sorry but Marie had stopped her to ask her what was being said.

  ‘It was all a bit awkward. But, I’m here now.’

  ‘Do you want a coffee?’

  ‘No, it’s all right thanks. I can’t be long.’

  ‘So, what did you want to say?’ asked Ray.

  ‘It’s all a bit tricky and believe me, it’s only a suspicion. I realised that Marie was away from the department when Julie was murdered. When we got round to thinking about these what do you call them? Alibis? We’d both said we were in the department but I know Marie wasn’t. I don’t know where she went. I assumed she was up here having a tea break but I don’t know.’

  ‘Thank you for telling us anyway. Do you happen to know where she was on the Saturday morning? When Jimmy was murdered?’

  ‘I don’t know. I think she was in our department then. I can’t be sure though.’

  ‘Was she behaving at all strangely on Wednesday?’

  ‘Not really. But she did seem very bright later in the day. Sorry, that sounds a bit strange. I’m not even sure what I mean about her being brighter. Sort of excited, maybe?’

  ‘And did you say anything to her about this?’

  ‘Not really. When Julie didn’t come home that evening, she did say perhaps
she was staying with Kevin. We neither of us liked him at all. Could never understand what she saw in him. Look, I’d better go or I’ll be missed.’

  ‘Okay. Thanks for your help. We’ll follow up what you’ve told us.’

  Daphne shot back to her department.

  ‘What do you make of that then, Ray?’

  ‘I don’t know. Was it the girl being vicious? Or trying to be helpful? I thought the pair were getting on really well in the flat together. And how do we manage this without letting on what Daphne has told us?’

  ‘I suppose we’d better look at doing interviews again and possibly see her again. Let her fit in with the rest.’

  ‘You did say you were a bit suspicious of her, didn’t you?’

  ‘I suppose at the start of any inquiry, everyone seems to be a bit suspicious.’

  ‘I want to go and check on Goods Reception. See if our illustrious friend has turned up there. Perhaps someone does know where he lives. He’s obviously frightened of something if he keeps it so secret.’

  They finished their coffee and went to that part of the store. It was at the rear and on the ground floor. If he were to describe it as chaos unlimited, that would be to be kind. It was an area filled to the ceiling with boxes and plastic wrapped things with weird shapes. The one young man, who desperately trying to get it sorted, looked as if he was on the verge of a breakdown. He was pale and lanky and looked as if he hadn’t eaten for days.

  ‘I can’t talk now. Which department are you with? I’m sure whatever it is you’re waiting for, well it’s here somewhere.’

  ‘Detective Chief Inspector Jones and Detective Sergeant Wilkes. I know you’re very busy but can you answer a couple of questions for us?’

  ‘Oh yes. Sorry. I may be able to after Christmas. Now, it’s not possible.’

  ‘I’m sorry sir, but I must insist. Do they know how pressed you are down here?’ he asked.

  ‘I said it was impossible down here but nobody seems bothered. I’ve been on my own for the last two days. Everything’s coming in and somehow, I’m supposed to sort it and send it to the right place. Damn. That’s for ladies fashions and I’ve labelled it for children’s wear.’

  ‘Do you know where Bert is?’

  ‘I was told he’s not well.’

  ‘Do you know where he lives? We need to see him urgently.’

  ‘He lives in South Street somewhere. Seventy something.’

  ‘You’re sure?’

  ‘Course I’m sure. He’s next door but one to me. Yes of course. He must be at seventy-three.’

  ‘Thanks very much. I’ll mention your predicament to Miss Pringle. I’m sure she can send someone down to help you.’

  ‘Thanks Gov. I’d appreciate it.’

  The two detectives went back upstairs and knocked at the door of the HR department.

  ‘Thought you’d like to know, the poor young man down in goods inwards is practically buried under boxes of stuff coming in. He’s simply not managing at all. Haven’t you got someone else who could help him?’

  Miss Pringle put down her pen. She was sitting in a peaceful environment, so different from the rest of the store.

  ‘I suppose I’d better see who is available,’ she sighed. ‘When will I ever finish the job I started first thing this morning?’

  ‘Sorry to disturb your peace. But I thought you should know. We’re off to find Bert now. He lives at seventy-three South Street by the way. Perhaps you could correct his entry in your files.’

  ‘Right. I’ll do it immediately.’

  ‘Miss Pringle. What were you going to say yesterday? You started off with Besides, Pringle and then refused to say any more. Call it my copper’s nose but you’re hiding something.’

  The woman looked away from him, refusing to meet his gaze. She looked somewhat upset and almost burst into tears. He really was interested now.

  ‘I don’t want to talk about it. In fact, I refuse to talk about it. Now, if you’ll excuse me ...’

  ‘Very well. But believe me, I shall be back. I need to know everyone’s secrets and misdeeds. Everything. You understand?’

  She nodded and looked even more unhappy.

  They swept out of her office and went out of the building, leaving her to sort her problems.

  ‘What do you think she’s hiding?

  Outside they discovered it was snowing again. It was now beginning to get quite thick and they had to clear it from their car before they set off.

  ‘Bloody awful weather,’ Ray moaned.

  ‘It is nearly Christmas. What do you expect?’

  ‘I suppose you’re right. Let’s go round to see if our friend’s at home.’ He settled into the driving seat and started his car. Its wheel spun on the ground and they made no progress whatsoever. ‘Come on, blast you,’ he yelled, bouncing up and down to make it grip.

  ‘There’s some salt or something over there,’ Ted told him. ‘I’ll go and stick some in front of the wheels.’

  ‘Thanks. There’s a mac in the back. Put it over yourself.’ Soon, the car had managed to move forwards and Ted got back inside.

  ‘You’re right. Bloody awful weather, Christmas or not.’

  They drove round to South Street again and stopped outside number seventy-three. They knocked at the door and it seemed there was no-one in. Ray thumped even louder and actually yelled out but nobody came to open the door.

  ‘Let’s go round the back. There must be someone around. If Bert isn’t at work, where is he?’

  ‘I think there’s an alleyway a couple of doors along.’

  ‘Okay. Go for it.’

  The two men went along and looked at the backs of the houses. They worked out which one they wanted and banged on the back door.

  ‘Ere, what you doin’?’ asked an irate neighbour.

  ‘Is this Bert Pryce’s house?’

  ‘So what if it is?’

  ‘Do you know where he is?

  ‘At work I suppose.’

  ‘He isn’t. We thought he might be here.’

  ‘I don’t know. They keeps themselves to themselves. I’m going in now. Letting all the cold in, I am.’ She disappeared and slammed the door.

  ‘Typical,’ moaned Ted. ‘At least she might have asked us in and made a cuppa for us.’

  ‘You should be so lucky. Come on then. He’s obviously not here.’

  ‘So where to now?’

  ‘Don’t know about you but I’m ready for something to eat. I suppose it’s the canteen next stop.’

  After they had both eaten, they went back to the office. Ray settled down with his various folders and Ted looked back through the interviews. He frowned and turned the pages rather rapidly.

  ‘We really do need to interview Bert again. In his earlier interview, he said absolutely nothing of any value. I suppose we were a bit lax in pressing him. Now I know a bit more about him, there are many unanswered questions. Especially knowing he has a brother who’s a bad lot.’

  ‘If we can actually find him. He must have a wife too. I wonder where she is?’

  ‘I suppose we could ask the daughter. Matti isn’t it?’

  ‘Yep. I somehow don’t think she’ll be particularly helpful though, do you?’

  ‘Probably not. She does seem to be a cheeky little thing. Maybe we should get her over here. Interview her more formally.’

  ‘Can’t really do that if they’re working as a pair. Don’t want to take any risks now do we?’

  ‘I’m sure they’ll be fine. With our officer wandering round the department, no-one could commit any more murders.’

  ‘And we also need to see Marie again. Bearing in mind that Daphne might just be having an off day.’

  ‘This case does not get any easier does it?’

  Chapter Eleven

  The two detectives decided to go to the store in the end. They went to see Miss Pringle and to organise another room for interviews.

  ‘Oh dear me, whenever will all this upset end?’ she moaned.
<
br />   ‘When we find the guilty person who committed these dreadful murders.’

  ‘Oh yes of course. I know that but it is most inconvenient.’

  ‘You’re telling us,’ Ray commented. ‘Now, which room can we use? Otherwise, we’ll have to conduct the interviews down at the station when they become much more formal and more upsetting for the people.’

  ‘Yes, of course. Informality. That must be less scary for everyone.’ Miss Pringle was looking slightly green. ‘I’ll see where is free, right away.’

  ‘Thank you.’

  She bustled off in a great hurry and returned a moment later.

  ‘You can go into the room next door. It isn’t needed for a while. I assume you won’t be there all day.’

  ‘Possibly for the rest of today. Is that all right?’ It was almost half-past three.

  ‘I suppose so. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have things to do.’

  They went into the next door room and Ray settled down at the table.

  ‘Can you fetch Matti up here now? I’ll make a start with her and see if I can find out anything about her father.’ Ted left him and went to fetch Matti. She came back with him, protesting strongly that he hadn’t given her chance to change and she was leaving her friend alone and they’d promised she’d be working with her as a pair.

  ‘Yeah, yeah. I know all that. But please, just shut up and answer our questions.’

  ‘As long as you’ve noted my objections.’

  ‘Your objections are noted, Miss Pryce,’ Ray said formally.

  ‘So what’s this about? I haven’t done anything. Why am I here?’

  ‘We need some answers about your father. Where is he?’

  ‘I dunno. If he ain’t here, he must be at home.’

  ‘He’s not at home nor is he here. I believe you have an uncle? Dickie isn’t it?’

  ‘Uncle Dickie? What do you want with him?’

  ‘He’s now out of jail isn’t he?’

  ‘I s’pose.’

  ‘So where does he live?’

  ‘How am I s’posed to know?’

  ‘Does he share your house?’ A flicker of something crossed her face.

  ‘No. Me Mum won’t have him near her. Why do you want him? He’s a real bad lot.’

  ‘So I understand. Where can I get in touch with him?’ She shrugged and looked away.