Christmas Killing

by Chrissie Loveday

  ‘I can be very patient Matti but it is starting to wear thin. Where is your uncle Dickie?’

  ‘I’ve told you. I don’t know. Don’t you get it? I-do-not-know.’ She spoke very emphatically, stressing the words carefully.

  ‘Where does your mother work?’ He changed his questioning.

  ‘She don’t. She stays at home.’

  ‘There was no-one in when we called at the house this morning.’

  ‘You sure you got the right place?’

  ‘Oh yes. A neighbour confirmed it. So where might she have been this morning?’

  ‘Maybe she was shopping. Not very likely but she might have been.’

  ‘I see. And do you think she might have returned home now?’

  ‘Dunno. Maybe.’

  ‘And your father?’

  ‘Maybe.’

  ‘If he really is sick, why wasn’t he at home today?’

  ‘Look here, I don’t know. Can’t you understand that? I don’t know what my parents or my uncle do with their time. I’m here and I’m supposed to be working. I can’t help you any more.’ She got up and left them sitting behind their table and ran out of the room.

  ‘I said she probably wouldn’t be very helpful,’ Ted remarked.

  ‘Yes, I know. It hasn’t got us any further forward. I suppose we’ll just have to go round to the house in the evening.’

  ‘Sounds like a plan. Who else do you want to see?’

  ‘Marie. I think we need to sort out exactly where she was when the elf was killed.’

  When the girl arrived, she looked somewhat puzzled and seemed very defensive.

  ‘I don’t know what else you think I can tell you. I’ve said all I can.’

  ‘We’re just checking on everyone’s timings. It was Wednesday afternoon when Julie was murdered. At least, that was the time she was last seen. So, that makes it just after four o’clock. Do you know exactly where you were at that time?’

  ‘Not really.’ Her eyes darted round and she didn’t look at either of the detectives. ‘I suppose I was selling in the handbag department.’

  ‘You didn’t leave the department? Say to go to the loo or just have a break?’

  ‘Can’t really remember. Perhaps I did. Ask Daphne. She’d probably know.’

  ‘I’d like you to think carefully and perhaps tell me yourself.’

  ‘How on earth do you think I’d know something like that? Do you know what you were doing? Unless it was something out of the ordinary, the days just merge into each other.’

  ‘All right then. How about Saturday morning? We put the time down to nine-forty five. That was when Santa was stabbed.’

  ‘Same thing applies. I’ve no idea what I was doing. I must have been at my post at that time on a Saturday. It’s always a busy time on Saturdays.’

  ‘I see. Well thank you Marie. I expect we’ll speak to you again.’

  ‘You can’t suspect me? Surely not? I mean to say, we shared a flat. Not with Santa but we did with Julie.’

  ‘We’ll be in touch when we need to see you again. Thank you for your time. Perhaps you can ask Daphne to come and see us?’

  ‘All right. But she couldn’t have done it. Not Daphne. She’s not the type.’

  ‘What makes you say that?’

  ‘Dunno really. She did seem pretty upset by the whole thing.’

  ‘Yes, well some folks are like that aren’t they?’

  ‘I’ll go and send her to you.’ She shut the door quietly behind her and Ted looked at his boss.

  ‘What did you think?’

  ‘I doubt she’s guilty but I’m keeping an open mind. Perhaps Daphne was just stirring things.’

  ‘What about our Miss Pringle? I wonder what she’s hiding. Obviously there’s something she doesn’t want us to know about. Perhaps Geoffrey Foredyce might know something?’

  ‘Seems a bit like going behind her back. It may give something away that might get her the sack. It’s a thought though. See if he’s around. We haven’t actually interviewed him at all. Not that I suspect him in any way. I mean, why should he be involved.’

  Ted left him and went to find the boss of the company. He asked Miss Pringle to see if it was possible to speak to him. She made a phone call and told him that they could go to his office, which they did. They knocked at his door.

  ‘Come,’ he called. ‘Ah, detective inspector. How can I help?’

  ‘Thank you for seeing us. We just wanted to give you a quick update.’

  ‘I see.’

  ‘The Chief Detective Inspector,’ said Ted, emphasising his role, ‘also wanted to ask you a few questions regarding your staff.’

  ‘How involved are you with your staff?’ asked Ray.

  ‘Oh very. Well, I suppose not exactly very involved. I know when we have new people in senior roles but I leave most hiring and firing to our head of HR. Human Resources.’

  ‘Ah yes. Miss Pringle. Has she been with you for long?’

  ‘About ten years I suppose.’

  ‘And her background?’

  ‘Graduate from ... oh somewhere. Not sure where. She’ll tell you.’

  ‘She did seem a bit reluctant to tell us very much.’

  ‘Really? I’ve never had a problem with her.’

  They chatted on for a while and he asked various questions about staff members.

  ‘I understand you had a Dickie Pryce working here? You had to fire him.’

  ‘I’m sorry, but I know nothing about him.’

  ‘His brother works here too. Bert Pryce. Works down in goods reception. Seems to have been absent for a couple of days.’

  ‘Speak to our Miss Pringle. She’ll help you, I’m sure. Now, if there’s nothing else, I do have a meeting.’

  ‘Very well. Thank you sir. We’ll go and talk to Miss Pringle.’

  ‘Not at all. Only too pleased to help.’

  They left his rather grand office and went back to see Miss Pringle. She seemed somewhat flustered and looked very perturbed as they both sat down in her office.

  ‘I understand you are the authority on just about everyone. What made you suspect Dickie Pryce? Why did you sack him.’

  ‘He was consistently thieving things from the store. Terrible man, as I said before. We suspected his brother might have been associated with him but it turned out he was innocent. Not that I can really believe that. But your lot couldn’t find anything against him so he’s still here.’

  ‘And what about you Miss Pringle?’ She started.

  ‘What on earth do you mean? What about you Miss Pringle?’

  ‘How long have you been here?’

  ‘About ten years. I came here after I graduated. I took a degree rather late. A mature student.’

  ‘Really. Why was that?’ asked Ted.

  ‘I chose to do it. Why do you want to know about that?’

  ‘Why did you do a degree later in your life?’

  ‘It suited me, that’s why.’

  ‘And what did you do before your degree? Between school and going to university.’

  ‘I don’t know why you’re asking me all this. What does it have to do with your investigation?’

  ‘Background Miss Pringle. Background information.’

  ‘There were some family problems. I was kept busy with them. Now, please may I get on with my work? I have a lot to do before I can go home.’

  ‘Live alone do you?’

  ‘I have a cat. A lovely Persian. But no people. I do live alone apart from my cat.’

  ‘May I ask what your family problems were?’ asked Ray, as politely as possible.

  ‘I don’t see why that is relevant.’

  ‘As I said before. Background.’

  ‘My mother. She had a sort of breakdown.’

  ‘I’m sorry to hear that. Did she get over it?’

  The woman looked away. She did look rather tearful and for a moment, Ray thought she was about to cry.

  ‘She went away. That was it. I never saw her agai
n. I went to university and then came here.’

  ‘And you father?’

  ‘I never knew him. Now, I really must get on with my work.’

  ‘Thank you very much for your time, Miss Pringle. And I’m sorry if we upset you.’ They left her office and decided to return to the police headquarters. As they were leaving, they heard the tannoy telling customers the store would be closing in ten minutes.

  ‘The end of another glorious day at Foredyce’s,’ Ted remarked.

  ‘Not the end of the day for us, though. We still have to go to the Pryce household, once I’ve done some research at the office.’

  ‘What sort of research?’

  ‘I want to look into Miss Pringle’s past. There’s something she’s not telling us.’

  An hour later, the Detective Chief Inspector stretched and yawned. He had found nothing. He puzzled over the database and typed in Pringle but nothing came up. He made a mental note to ask Sam Smythe in archives the next day. If anyone knew anything, it would be him. If he didn’t know it already, he would know where to search. Meantime, it was Bert who was next on his list.

  He’d sent Ted home to his family a while back, thinking he’d make this visit on his own. He drove to South Street and stopped outside number seventy-three. There were lights on in the house so he felt encouraged. He knocked at the door and Matti answered.

  ‘Oh, it’s you. Me dad’s gone out.’

  ‘May I come inside?’

  ‘I don’t think so. Mum’s not well and she’s sitting down.’

  ‘Please. I won’t be here for long. Just a few questions.’

  ‘I’ll go and ask her. Wait there.’ She shut the door, leaving him shivering on the step. After a few minutes, she came back and told him it wasn’t convenient. ‘Sorry and all that.’

  ‘Tell her and your father I’ll be back tomorrow and I can always get a warrant, if necessary.’

  ‘Right you are. I’ll tell her that.’

  ‘And tell her that I desperately need to see your father. If he’s still off work, I assume he’ll be at home tomorrow morning. I’ll call round then.’

  She shut the door and with a shiver he got back into his car. As he drove back to his flat, his mind was racing round in circles. He was suddenly struck by an idea. Suppose Miss Pringle had changed her name. It would make sense. If her mother was indeed some sort of problem, it would be highly likely that she might want to forget all about her. The trouble was, he had to find out what her name had been and without any co-operation, it would be damned near impossible. There was nothing more he could do this evening and so he went home and looked for something to heat up for his supper. What a total disaster this case was turning out to be. A whole team were working on it and no-one had found out anything useful yet. He had a load of suspects and none of them seemed likely to have committed both crimes. He went in and hauled out a fish pie from his freezer and stuck it in the microwave. With a deep sigh, he slumped down with a large single malt, his favourite tipple. The microwave bleeped and he went to collect his food, his mind still whirring. How could he find out what her name had been, this Miss Pringle? He’d have to challenge her directly. He made his plans for the following day. First thing he’d go round to South Street again and then to Foredyce’s. Somehow, he must get Miss Pringle to say why she had changed her name and then find out what it had been.

  *

  It was just before eight-thirty the next morning, when the Chief Inspector drew up outside number seventy-three South Street. He knocked at the door and waited and then knocked again. At last and slightly sleepy looking Matti opened it and spoke.

  ‘What on earth are you doing here at this time?’

  ‘Good morning. I wanted to be sure to catch someone in so thought I’d get here before you all leave for work.’

  ‘Me mum’s still in bed.’

  ‘And your father?’

  ‘Dunno.’

  ‘Is he here or not?’

  ‘How am supposed to know?’

  ‘Oh good heavens. Obviously you know. Is he still in bed too?’

  ‘Haven’t been in to look. They like to be private or don’t you understand that?’

  ‘Perhaps you could give them a call and ask them to come down. I’ll wait inside if you don’t mind. It’s perishing cold out here.’

  Unwillingly, she opened the door a little to let him in. He went inside the hall and opened a door into what he assumed was their living quarters. A large arm chair took up one side of the room, facing a massive television. There was a small table to one side and a sofa against the other wall.

  ‘That’s me mum’s chair. She’s disabled and sits there all day watching tele. I usually make her some sarnies for her dinner when I have to work.’

  ‘I see. Must be hard for you both. Now, can you please give them a call and say I’m here?’

  ‘I’ll try. I overslept this morning. Watched a good film last night. Did you see it?’

  ‘Afraid not. Give them a call please.’

  She left the room and went upstairs. Seconds later, she came down again.

  ‘Me dad’s not there. Mum said he hadn’t been home last night. So, I’m afraid you’ve had a wasted journey. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to get mum downstairs and leave her for the day. I’m gonna be late enough for work as it is.’

  ‘Where do you think your dad might be?’

  ‘God knows. With his other woman I ‘spect.’

  ‘His other woman? Where does she live?’

  ‘Somewhere at the other side of town. I don’t know where. Sorry.’

  ‘Okay. I’ll see you later then. I’m sorry you have such a tough life.’ He meant what he said.

  ‘’S’all right. I’m used to it. I don’t work all that much so it’s only during my elf period she has to be left so long.’

  He said his goodbyes and left her to sort out her mum. Poor kid, he was thinking. Her father had another woman and possibly another family. He drove to Foredyce’s and arrived in the car park at the same time as one or two of the staff. Everything seemed to be in full swing inside the store as it was by now, after the nine o’clock opening time. Ray went upstairs to Miss Pringle’s office and knocked at the door. There was no reply. He tried to open the door but it was locked. Perhaps she wasn’t in yet. He went down to good inwards and asked if Bert had put in an appearance.

  ‘No he ain’t,’ said the rather bad tempered man working there. ‘He’s left us at one of our busiest times. Still, we’re over the worst now. Most stuff has been put away in the various stock rooms round the store.’

  ‘Can you give me a call if he does show up at any time?’ He gave him a card with his mobile number on it.

  ‘Okay mate. I’ll do that.’

  ‘Thanks. Best of luck with the rest of your sales goods.’

  He turned and went back up to Miss Pringle’s office. She still wasn’t in. Cursing mildly, he went along to Geoffrey’s office to ask where she was.

  ‘Sorry old boy, I’ve no idea. Not like her to miss out any day. She usually comes in even if she has to crawl.’

  ‘Seems many folk are giving up this year,’ Ray said. ‘Thanks anyway. Sorry to have bothered you.’

  He went downstairs again and decided to leave the store. No point hanging round if everyone he needed to speak to was absent. Interesting that Miss P came in whatever. He hoped to goodness nothing had happened to her. He stopped. Someone must know her home address. Perhaps he needed to call round to make sure she was all right. He went back and went to see Geoffrey again.

  ‘Do you know where she lives?’ he asked. ‘Only I feel I should call round and make sure she’s all right.’

  Chapter Twelve

  The Detective Chief Inspector called his colleague and asked him to manage the daily briefing session.

  ‘I’m going round to Miss Pringle’s house to make sure she’s all right. Evidently she’s hardly ever off work. They’ve rung her home number and there’s no reply.’

 
‘We wondered where you were. Right, I’ll see what everyone’s got to say,’ Ted replied. ‘Will you be in later?’

  ‘Of course I will. Not having a good morning so far. Everyone I need to speak to seems to have disappeared. Right. Let me know the gist of the meeting.’ He switched off his phone and set out to the address he’d been given. It was slightly out of town, in an area he didn’t know very well. He parked outside the small cottage and went to knock at the door. There was inevitably, no reply. He walked round to the back and peered in through the window. He jumped as he saw a movement but it turned out to be her cat. He went round to the front again and hammered on the door. He called out her name but there was no response. He rang her number which he’d made a note of. He could hear the phone ringing inside the house but no-one answered it. Feeling distinctly edgy by now, he wondered whether to summon the team over here to break the door down. The trouble was, it was pretty damaging and if she had simply gone somewhere other than the office, she could possibly even sue them. No, he needed to wait a while before he took that sort of action. He drove back to headquarters and his office.

  Ted came in with his notes from the briefing.

  ‘Nothing really worthwhile. Most of them have gone onto other things. Nobody in the store seems to have anything to hide and the delightful Kevin also seems in the clear. How’ve you got on?’

  ‘I’ve learned that Bert has a second family on the other side of town and Miss Pringle has gone awol. You’ll be pleased to know that good inward has got over the worst of the new stuff coming in, without Bert’s help.’

  ‘No sign of Miss Pringle then?’

  ‘None at all. Unless she’s lying dead in her bedroom, she seems not to be at home.’

  ‘Good lord. You can’t possibly think that? Didn’t you try to break in?’

  ‘Thought I’d better wait a while. If she doesn’t turn up by lunch time, we’ll go over to her house again. I don’t know. Someone’s guilty of these murders. If only we could get a clue.’

  He sat down at his computer and started to look through various police sites of name changes. He typed in Pringle and waited for a while. There were lots of Pringles came up and he looked down the lists. She said she had been at the store for ten years and went to university for say three years or so before that. He looked at the lists for fifteen years from this time. No-one came up. Fourteen years and three people came up. What on earth was her first name? He remembered seeing a J written on her door. Janet? Jane? He clicked through and found Jennifer Pringle. Name changed from Pearson. Now he was getting somewhere. He moved onto police records and typed in Pearson, fifteen years ago. It was hopeless. He’d go and see his friend Sam Smythe down in archives.