Lost Innocence

by M A Comley

  “Maybe it was a test to see if a smell emanated from the walls.”

  “Why? What on earth are you getting at?”

  He hitched up a shoulder. “Well, the forensic guys have only just begun their search. What if the person who lived here—that May Childs, for instance—was testing her theory out on animals before she moved on to burying bodies in the walls?”

  “That’s insane. All right, going along with your warped theory, why would this kind lady—that’s how she’s been touted as by the family, after all. Why would she bury a body in the back garden?”

  Jack threw his arms out to the sides. “I don’t bloody profess to know the ins and outs of a serial killer’s deranged mind.”

  “Whoa! Hold your horses, Jack. Who has labelled her a serial killer?”

  Annoyed, he waved a hand in front of him and left the garden.

  Sally trotted after him and yanked his arm. “Don’t walk away from me. It was a genuine question that I’d like an answer to. ”

  “You caught me out. The words escaped my mouth before I engaged my brain.”

  Sally sighed heavily. “You need to squash those kinds of thoughts, Jack, until any evidence comes to light.”

  “All right. I will. I’ve already apologised. What more do you want from me?”

  Sally took a step back and frowned. “Some respect for your senior officer would be nice. What’s eating you?”

  “Nothing. Have you looked in the mirror lately?” He stormed off again and slipped into the passenger seat of the car.

  Sally was in two minds whether to challenge him further or to let things lie. His behaviour was uncalled for and totally unexpected. She exhaled a breath and walked towards the car, her gaze focussed on him. His head was turned to the side as if he was avoiding her.

  She sat down heavily in the driver’s seat and punched him gently in the thigh. “The last thing I want or need right now, Jack, is you and I falling out.”

  He turned to face her. “That’s the last thing I want, but why pounce on me like that?”

  “I’m sorry. I said what I said without thinking. You must admit your assumption came out of the blue.”

  “I thought you were the type of copper who was keen on covering all the angles.”

  Sally tucked a stray hair behind her ear. “I am. You know better than to say that. Okay, let’s forget this ever happened and get back to business, deal?”

  His right shoulder hitched up a notch. “If you want. Just to make things clear, I’ll be keeping my mouth shut in the future.”

  “What? Isn’t that taking things a little too far? Borderline childish behaviour?”

  “It is what it is.”

  She huffed out a breath and started the car. “Punch the first address into the satnav, will you?”

  He glanced at her as if she’d gone mad. “Doh! It’s two doors down. Are you seriously going to drive there?” He laughed, breaking the tension that had developed.

  Sally doubled over with laughter and tore open the car door. “What are you waiting for then?” Once Jack was out of the car, she pressed the key fob to lock the vehicle, and together, they walked around the front of the house .

  The house they intended to call at first appeared to be well maintained by its owner. The windowsills seemed to have been freshly decorated in a red masonry paint. The small garden was exceptionally tidy, considering the recent bad weather. The edges of the lawn were crisp and clean, not a stray blade of grass in sight.

  Jack rang the bell. “Neat garden. The owner obviously has a lot of time on his hands.”

  Sally pointed at him and winked. “Great detective work, DS Blackman.”

  Jack tutted and shook his head. Before he could respond, the door opened to reveal a man of retirement age in a knitted tank top over a long-sleeved striped shirt and a pair of jeans with an ironed crease down the front of each leg.

  “Hello, are you Mr. Donaldson?”

  He frowned and his gaze drifted from Jack to Sally. “I am. Who wants to know?”

  Sally produced her warrant card and introduced herself and Jack. “Would it be convenient if we came in for a quick chat, sir?”

  “Is this about what’s going on next door?”

  “Yes, sir. Would you mind?”

  He pushed the door open wide and gestured for them to come in. “There’s no need to take your shoes off. Come through to the lounge. I was just having a cuppa. Can I get you one?”

  “We’re fine, sir. Not long had breakfast ourselves,” Sally replied, speaking for both of them.

  “Please yourselves. You better take a seat.”

  Sally sat on the couch next to Jack. “Have you lived here long, Mr. Donaldson?”

  “All my life. This house belonged to my parents before me. Never moved and never had an inclination to live elsewhere. This is a decent area. Bit noisy with the kids now and then, but you switch off from that if you know what’s best for you. Otherwise, they’d drive you nuts.”

  “I see. I’m assuming you’ll remember all your past neighbours, in that case?”

  “Of course. There’s nothing wrong with my mind. I remember everything that’s ever happened on this street. Bloody shocked at what the new arrivals dug up in their garden. Never imagined anything like that would go on around here. Just goes to show what happens behind closed doors, doesn’t it? ”

  “Did you know May Childs well, sir?”

  “Yes and no. We used to speak in the street. In those days, we knew where each other was, but we kept a polite distance until someone needed something. There was none of that mixing at social gatherings like those awful barbecues. Nothing like that. Now and then we used to meet up at the social club down the road. Of course, that’s now gone, boarded up because people grew out of attending the functions. Life goes on for some folks, I guess.”

  “Sad, but true, sir. What about the Rylands? Did you interact with them much when they lived around here?”

  “Again, we nodded hello, and William and I went for the odd pint now and then. Nothing more than that, though. His wife was really nice, doted on those boys of hers. Especially the youngest one. Well…until he ran off, that is.”

  “Is that what you were told had happened to Jeff?”

  He frowned. “That was his name. Yes, why? Are you here to tell me that he didn’t run off?” His eyes widened, and he shook his head slowly. “No! You’re not telling me that what you lot have discovered is that nipper, are you?”

  “We’re unsure at present, sir. It’s true—we have discovered some remains. Right now, all we know is that the remains belong to a child between the ages of eleven and thirteen.”

  His eyes narrowed as he thought. “The lad was around that age when he went missing, I seem to recall.”

  “He was twelve. You’re correct about that. Did you have much to do with Jeff, sir?”

  “Nope. I didn’t get involved with any of the kids. I’m not one for spending time with the younger generation, you see. They piss me off most of the time. Demanding little critters, screaming the place down when they don’t get their own way. When I think back to the way my old man used to clout me round the ear when I shouted to someone in the street. I suppose nowadays parents aren’t allowed to lay a hand on their child, are they?”

  “That’s right, sir. It would be an offence to do so.”

  “Pity. You want to see the behaviour of some of the older kids around here. Smoking and drinking on the street corners. You can’t tell me the bloody parents aren’t aware of what they’re up to. They choose to ignore it, though. Sickening, it is. There’s always been gangs around here, but they’ve never been much trouble.”

  “Are you saying the gangs are becoming worse, sir? ”

  “Either that, or I’m guilty of being less tolerable in my old age.”

  Sally smiled at the old man. “So, is that how the kids in this street have always amused themselves?”

  “Mostly. I suppose there’s been the usual cliques here and there.�
��

  “Do you remember if Jeff and his brothers were in a gang or gangs back then? They differed in ages, which might have caused a problem.”

  “I think so, but don’t quote me on that. I don’t recall them ever being trouble.”

  “Glad to hear it. Is there anything else you can tell us that you can remember about the neighbourhood back then? Perhaps you can think of something that possibly didn’t sit well with you that took place in the area around that time.”

  His head tilted. “I don’t understand what you’re getting at, Inspector. Apart from the lad’s disappearance being odd, you mean?”

  Sally shrugged. “Sorry, I was trying not to put words in your mouth and fear I’ve only ended up confusing you. Obviously, Jeff went missing, but do you recollect anything that seemed odd to you? Such as a stranger hanging around, acting suspicious? Anything along those lines?”

  He nodded and chewed his lip as he thought back. After several moments, he shook his head. “I’m sorry, no. Nothing is coming to mind.”

  “That’s fine. Don’t worry about it. It was a lot to ask of you. I’ll leave you a card in case anything should come to mind once we’ve left.”

  “You do that. I’m sorry I can’t be more helpful to you. Will you be speaking to anyone else while you’re here?”

  “We’re hoping to talk to Daisy and Frank. Our research tells us that they were also living in their properties around that time, is that correct?”

  “I was just about to suggest the same. Plus, you’ll be pleased to know their memories are just as sharp as mine. I think Daisy will be the best one to help you with your enquiries. I don’t mean this disrespectfully, but women tend to know more about what’s going on in their neighbourhood rather than us men, right?”

  Jack coughed, suppressing a laugh, and muttered, “What you’re trying to say in a roundabout way is that they’re nosy.”

  Sally shook her head but found it hard not to smile. “Charming! ”

  Mr Donaldson sniggered. “The lad’s right, you know. The fairer sex has always been…how shall I put this? Ah yes, inquisitive.”

  Sally smiled at the old man. “Hey, don’t you start ganging up on me. I have enough problems with my partner on that score.”

  They all chuckled.

  “Hey, but you get the last laugh and the final word, I bet, what with you being his superior officer, eh, duck?”

  “I do indeed. Well, if there’s nothing else you can think of, we’d better see what Daisy has to say.”

  “You better make it snappy. She tends to go into town on the bus around eleven every morning. Hates to be cooped up in the house for long hours during the day, that one.”

  “Ah, and you’d know she goes out daily, how? By seeing her go out when you’re nosing out the window, by any chance?” Sally smirked.

  Mr. Donaldson tapped the side of his head with his fist. “Touché, Inspector. I walked right into that one, didn’t I?” He faced Jack and leaned forward to whisper, “She’s sharp, ain’t she?”

  Sally chuckled inside and struck an imaginary finger in the air.

  “Yep, so sharp she cuts herself at times,” Jack admitted with a grudging smile.

  Sally rose to her feet and motioned for Jack to do the same. “Okay, thank you for seeing us, Mr. Donaldson. It’s been a pleasure.”

  The man struggled out of his chair and walked them back to the front door. “The pleasure was all mine. I can tell you’re a determined woman, Inspector. I hope that determination solves this case quickly. We’re all eager to find out what the heck has been going on under our very noses. If you get what I mean?”

  “I do. Thank you for the compliment. My team and I will strive to do our best, the same as we always do. Enjoy the rest of your day.”

  “I will. Thank you.”

  Chapter 10

  They left and walked next door to the house that belonged to Daisy Meadows. Jack did the honours of ringing her doorbell. The garden at the front of the property was pretty, with a vast array of rose shrubs that were in bud, about to make an appearance once the sun had worked its magic on them.

  A lady with a friendly chubby face and a warm smile opened the door. “Hello there. I take it you’re the police, come to question me about what’s going on at May’s old house. Am I right?”

  Sally smiled as she thought over the conversation they had just had with Mr. Donaldson regarding the woman’s inquisitive nature. “You’re right, Mrs. Meadows.”

  She held her right arm up and wagged her finger. “That’ll be Miss Meadows. Never married, dear. Never felt the necessity as I’ve always been self-sufficient. Had a good job when I was working. PA to a top solicitor in my day.”

  “Were you? Good for you. Would it be all right if we come in for a quick chat? I’m aware time is marching on and that you go out every day at eleven.”

  The woman rolled her eyes, a faint smile forcing her ruby-red lips apart. “He’s a card, that one. He has the audacity to call me bloody nosy. I suppose he doesn’t look in the mirror that often. Cheeky devil, he is. Sorry, come in. I’ve just popped the kettle on if you’re interested in a cuppa, or aren’t you allowed to accept if you’re on duty?”

  “A coffee would be great, if you’re making one,” Sally replied, stepping into the house.

  “Come through to the kitchen. I think it’s tidy enough for visitors. If it isn’t, I apologise in advance. I tend to do my housework in the evening. Can’t stand watching all the drab programmes on the TV nowadays. Soap after bloody soap, and when they’re not on, the screen is full of talent shows. Who wants to listen to screaming kids singing? It’s beyond me at times. Set in my ways, that’s my trouble. Let me flick the switch and prepare the cups. Fire away with your questions if you want.”

  “Not many questions as such, more an enquiry into what you remember from thirty-three years ago. Oh, I’m DI Sally Parker, by the way, and this is my partner, DS Jack Blackman.”

  “Oh damn! Now you’re going to slap me on the wrist and tell me off for not asking to see some form of ID before I let you in, aren’t you?”

  Sally smiled and shook her head. “It’s so easy to become distracted. You’re safe with us. I can show you our IDs if you want to see them. However, I would urge you to be more cautious in the future.”

  “Easy mistake to make. Not that anything bad ever happens around here…hmm…in light of why you lot are around here at the moment and the forensic team, maybe that was the wrong thing to say. I’m not doing too well today so far. Shall we start over?”

  Sally and Jack both laughed with the woman.

  “Why don’t we do that? How is your memory, Daisy?”

  She filled the cups with hot water, stirred the drinks then handed a china cup and saucer to each of them. She invited Sally and Jack to take a seat at the small pine kitchen table. The kitchen hadn’t been updated in years, but it was spotlessly clean. “My memory is perfect. What do you need to know?”

  “It would be good if you could tell me a little about what life was like back in eighty-five.”

  She pulled out a chair and sat. “Help yourselves to sugar.” She pointed at the sugar cubes in the bowl on the table. “Now, how shall I describe it? I suppose I would say it was a lot friendlier back then. Now you’re going to pull me apart and say even though a skeleton has been dug up in someone’s garden, aren’t you?”

  Sally shrugged. “It seems the most logical question to ask next. Did you know your neighbours well back then?”

  “I wouldn’t say that well. Being a spinster, I tended to be out at work all day during the week, and at the weekend…well, I spent most of my time catching up on the chores. You know, the boring stuff, like cleaning and ironing et cetera. The weekends had a tendency to fly by compared to the working week. Why is that? ”

  “Nothing has changed in that respect, I can assure you. Did you ever get the chance to play catch-up with your neighbours over the weekend?”

  “Sort of. Those I wanted to mingle wi
th were really nice. There was the odd idiot living around here back then who I steered clear of.”

  Sally motioned with her head for Jack to take notes. He withdrew his notebook and flipped it open to a clean page.

  “Can you remember their names?”

  She rubbed at her chin for a few seconds. “There was a builder living across the road from me. One day, he would smile at me. The next, his eyes used to dart daggers in my direction. What was his name now? He died a few years back. Oh wait…yes, Bill Drake.”

  Sally inclined her head. “The same builder who erected May Childs’s shed?”

  Miss Meadows shrugged. “I wouldn’t know what he got up to while I was at work during the day. Funny bugger. Borderline arrogant, I’d class him at times. Not sure why he would look down his nose at some of us. His house was always in a state. The worst bloody one on the street. I’ll point it out to you when I show you out. Like I’ve said already, he’s dead now, so someone else owns the house who treats their property with more respect than he ever did. Funny that. You’d think he would’ve had the sense to maintain his own property well to attract business.”

  “I’m with you on that one. Do you think May had used this man before?”

  “I really wouldn’t like to say. I’d hate to lead your investigation up the garden path, Inspector.”

  “I appreciate that. We’ll delve into Mr. Drake’s background when we get back to the station, just to make sure. Note that down for me please, Jack.”

  “Will do.”

  “Can you tell me what it was generally like in the evenings around here, Miss Meadows?”

  “Please, call me Daisy. It was a mixture, really. Sometimes, it was peaceful, and other times it could be noisy.”

  “Noisy? Any specific reason for the noise?”

  “Mainly because of the exuberance of the gangs messing around. ”

  “Ah yes, we’ve heard about the gangs. Did you ever have any bother with them?”

  Daisy’s mouth turned down at the sides. “Can’t say I did. I remember telling one of them to get out of my garden when one of their balls came over the hedge once. Apart from that, nothing as such. Has someone told you differently?”