FORGOTTEN VICTIM an absolutely gripping crime mystery with a massive twist (Detective Rachel King Thrillers Book 4)

by HELEN H. DURRANT

  “Get out of my way,” she ordered.

  “Hang on. You should listen. You’ll find what I’ve got to say interesting.”

  She stared at him. His clothing was dark, except for the trainers, which had vivid yellow-and-red stripes down the sides. “Do I know you?”

  He shook his head. “No, but I know you. Your parents were Celia and Richard. Do you know what really happened the night they died?”

  Of course she did, but who was this young man? Rachel didn’t know how to respond. Who the hell was he? Why this about her parents now? She looked closer but still didn’t recognise him.

  “Who are you?”

  “Not important, Rachel. What is important, however, is that you know the truth about what happened that night.”

  “I know what happened, and I don’t need you raking it up. They were both killed in a car crash, a horrendous accident.”

  He smiled. “You’re wrong, Rachel. I think you should know that crash was no accident, it was engineered.”

  Having said his piece, he was gone, running like the wind down Deansgate. Rachel could only stare after him as he turned into a passageway and disappeared.

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Shawcross Street was quiet, the mill a black hulk in the darkness. There were no kids to be seen. The police presence, plus Sherwin being in custody, was working. A chat with Rita Pearce was long overdue, in Jonny’s opinion. She’d attended A & E five times in the past two years with various injuries, all of which she attributed to falls. Why, Jonny wondered, did she not simply tell the truth, that her husband was a vicious bully who abused her? The only answer he could come up with was the money. He’d obtained warrants to look at the Pearces’ bank accounts. Ray Pearce had twenty grand stashed away in a savings account. Given the poor trade at the Spinners Arms, where had that come from?

  Jonny parked up and went into the pub. It was quiet as usual, with only three people in — a trio of old blokes playing dominoes at a table near the door. They didn’t even look up as he walked to the bar.

  Rita Pearce nodded at a table well away from them. “Ray’s at football, but he won’t be long. How’s Andy?”

  Jonny could tell that she’d been crying, her eyes were red and her face pale. “Was it you who alerted the emergency services?”

  “Yes. I was terrified. I’d no idea what had happened to Andy. I’d gone to have a word and found him lying like that on the kitchen floor. He was still conscious and tried to speak to me. He’d been attacked in the sitting room but had dragged himself into the kitchen because his mobile was there. He whispered that I should take it.”

  “Did he ring anyone?”

  “He didn’t have the strength. I did as he wanted and brought the phone home.” She reached behind the bar and picked up a plastic bag containing the mobile. “Andy thought it was important, so it might help you catch whoever attacked him.”

  “And he didn’t say anything about who that might be?”

  “No, he passed out.”

  “You probably saved his life,” Jonny told her. “You know more about Andy than anyone. You’re friends. I need you to speak to me, tell me what made him a target. Who would want to harm him like that?”

  “I don’t know, and that’s the truth. We’re close because he knows what a brute Ray is, and he’s tried to help me over the years, but Andy doesn’t tell me everything.”

  “If Andy knows how Ray treats you, could he have tackled him and come off worst? You said your husband was at the football, but are you sure?”

  “Ray hits me, everyone round here knows that,” she spat. “Yes, Andy wanted to sort Ray once and for all. He hates him. But Ray didn’t see him as a threat, not with his hand being like it is. Since Andy’s accident, I don’t think the two have said a single word to each other.” She turned away. “They used to be friends, always together, but all that ended about three years ago.”

  It wasn’t lost on Jonny that that was round about the time Gavin Wellburn was killed. He had to ask himself if either man could have been involved.

  “Ray has a lot of money in a savings account. D’you know where it came from?”

  “He told me it came from the sale of his parents’ house after they died. I never questioned him about it. I was just pleased we had a nest egg if needed.”

  “And he’s never fancied moving away from here, or even giving the pub a facelift?”

  “Ray reckons doing the place up would be a waste of money. As for moving, I’ve always said no. At least round here I’ve got people I trust and who know the score — my barmaid, for one.”

  “You could always leave him,” Jonny suggested.

  “He’d find me, he’s always said so. No, it’s better this way. I do know how to handle Ray.”

  “If you need help at any time, Rita, give us a ring. Thanks for the mobile. Our tech people will look at it. Chances are it’ll give us something we can use.”

  * * *

  Rachel’s head was spinning. Jed’s news was bad enough, add to that what the stranger had told her and she was doubly confused. Jed was a problem she could do something about. A word with Alan might solve things, but if not, she’d have to persuade Jed what a bad idea it was. But Rachel couldn’t make sense of what she’d just been told about her parents. They’d died as the result of a tragic car crash, confirmed by the police at the time and later by the coroner at the inquest. It was something Rachel had put behind her for the sake of her sanity. The last thing she needed was their deaths being dragged up and becoming a mystery.

  There was no way Rachel felt able to drive home, so she took a taxi to Elwyn’s. Rachel desperately needed a sympathetic ear and sound advice. Elwyn could be hard at times, dish out what she didn’t want to hear, but he was her friend and she needed to talk.

  It was late. With luck the others would have left by now. She couldn’t share this with the rest of the team. It was far too personal and raw.

  Elwyn’s sister, Ffion, opened the door and ushered her in. “Here I am, playing hostess again for my brother. Just as well I only live up the road. There’s food left,” she said. “Elwyn’s had too much wine, foolish man. It goes straight to his head, always has. So, don’t take too much notice of him.”

  Rachel found the soft lilt of her Welsh accent soothing. Elwyn was lucky. The brother and sister had always been close, and she envied them that. Rachel was an only child and apart from her children and one ex-husband — and not counting Jed — she had no one else in the world.

  “I’m not hungry, Ffion. I just need a word with Elwyn.”

  Rachel went through to the sitting room. All her team had gone, and the only people left were neighbours.

  One of them grinned. “This your young lady?”

  “This is my boss,” Elwyn corrected with a silly grin. “So mind your tongue or she’ll chew me up in the morning.”

  “Can I have a word?” Rachel asked him.

  “Is it the case?”

  “No, it’s personal.” Rachel flopped down on to the nearest chair and kicked off her shoes.

  Elwyn rounded up the neighbours. “Come on, you lot, much as I’ve enjoyed your company, me and the boss still have work to do.”

  “I’ll make a drink,” Ffion offered. “Hot chocolate?”

  Ffion hadn’t offered the usual glass of wine. That meant Elwyn hadn’t been able to resist. Rachel smiled at her. “You know, don’t you?”

  “Elwyn made me promise not to say a word to anyone about the baby, and I haven’t. You know what he’s like, excited as a child about the news. I’ll make your drink and get off home.”

  Once everyone had gone, Elwyn sat on the sofa opposite her. He looked concerned. “You don’t look right, Rachel. Has something happened?”

  “I’ve had a weird night,” she said. “First with Jed and then . . .”

  “You look done in. D’you want to stay here? I’ve got a spare room.”

  “Would you mind? I haven’t the energy to drive home.”

>   Ffion returned with Rachel’s drink. “I’m off home now.” She looked at Elwyn. “I might catch you in the morning before you leave.”

  “Ready to talk now?” Elwyn asked once they were alone.

  “Would you believe that my new neighbour is Jed?” Elwyn’s mouth dropped open. “Alan sold to him. He must have known what he was doing, he’s seen Jed before, and I bet Mia has said stuff that made it sound like a good idea.”

  “In many ways it might be beneficial,” he said. “You’re having his baby — he’ll be on hand to help.”

  “A sort of swap Alan for Jed scenario? I can’t see that working. Jed’s not the hands-on type around babies.”

  “How d’you know? You’ve never seen him in action. From what I know about your past, you’ve never given him the chance. You were with Alan when you had both girls. But if it’s really bothering you, why not have a word with Alan, ask him not to go ahead with the sale to Jed.”

  “It’s not just the Jed problem — and that has the potential to be a biggie, make no mistake. Something odd happened when I left the restaurant, and in many respects, it shook me up even more than Jed’s news. A young man approached me outside the restaurant and started to talk about my parents. He said that the car crash in which they were killed wasn’t an accident. I don’t know what to make of it. It really spooked me, Elwyn.”

  “It’ll have been a mistake,” he said. “Has to be. Perhaps he thought you were someone else.”

  “No, he knew my name and my parents’ names.” She looked at him. “You don’t think there could be anything in it? I saw nothing untoward in the police and forensics reports when I read them.”

  “Then forget it. He’s probably some crank who read something in the paper and fancies making trouble.”

  Somehow Rachel didn’t think so. He’d been telling the truth. She’d seen it in his eyes.

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Saturday

  “Thank you all for giving up your precious weekend break to be here. I know we’ve all got better things to do, but it can’t be helped. We’ve got a lot to get through if we’re to wrap this case up,” Rachel said.

  Rachel owed them. It was early on a Saturday morning and the whole team had turned up, even Stella. Both Amy and Jonny were supposed to have had this weekend off, and no doubt Elwyn could do with the time to sort out his new house.

  “Andy Siddall is still in a coma. His doctors have said that they may try to bring him round today. But his evidence is crucial, we need to know who attacked him and why, so let’s hope he pulls through.” She looked at Jonny. “I’ve read your report on last night. Rita Pearce — speak to her again. The woman is still holding back. If we’re to find out who assaulted Siddall, we need her to talk to us. I’m certain that there is some secret about that mill and what went on there that no one will talk about. And I don’t just mean the murder of Gavin Wellburn.” She looked at the latest notes on the incident board. “Looking at the paperwork from the bank, we see that both Ray Pearce and Andy Siddall had amounts of money deposited in their accounts, but it’s not much.”

  “Do you think it’s significant?” Amy asked.

  “Until we know different, everything is significant, Amy.”

  “I’m having Siddall’s mobile processed,” Jonny said. “He told Rita it was important.”

  “Elwyn had been flicking through some papers. He looked up and caught Rachel’s eye. “Sherwin’s list, ma’am. I haven’t had time to sort through it yet, it’s been lying in my to-do pile. But I think we might have a problem.”

  “How so?”

  “He’s given us a number of alibis for the dates Healey reckons he was dealing. And in most instances the alibi is the same person, including for the night Jonny saw him in the mill yard with Jasmine Pearce, dishing out drugs to those youngsters.”

  Rachel folded her arms. What alibi could he possibly have that would contradict what Jonny had seen with his own eyes?

  Elwyn looked around at the team. “Believe it not, his alibi is Millie Shawcross.”

  “He has to be joking! How can Millie Shawcross possibly know a loser like Sherwin?” Jonny exclaimed. “And I know what I saw. It was him, alright.”

  “We’re not doubting you, Jonny,” Rachel said. “But it will have to be checked out. Elwyn, you and me will speak to Millie. Stella, dig out her contact details, will you?” She looked at Amy. “Carry on going through Sherwin’s list. Where the alibi isn’t Millie, discount any that we suspect are in his pocket and arrange to see the rest.”

  While Rachel had been speaking to the team Stella had been busy on the phone. Once the team had been briefed, she called to Rachel, “Dr Fox would like a word when you’re free.”

  Rachel went into her office to ring him back straight away. It was Saturday, so he’d be doing overtime for them. “Jason, what’ve you got for us?”

  “We’ve taken a closer look at that tunnel and it is even more interesting than we thought. We’ve found a number of objects you should see.”

  “Want to give me a clue?”

  “Can I suggest that you come down? Then I can show you.”

  “Okay, on our way.”

  “Elwyn!” she called. “We’ll take a detour via Shawcross Mill. Jason’s found something.”

  * * *

  As he drove them out, Elwyn asked, “How are you this morning?”

  “Much better. Ffion made me breakfast and stood over me while I ate it. I slept well, too. Thanks for putting me up. Last night was a strange one. My brain was busting with what Jed told me, and then there was the other thing.”

  “Do you intend to do anything about that?” Elwyn asked.

  “No, it’s history. Like you say, just some nutcase chancing his arm.”

  “Dare I ask what you intend to do about Jed?” Elwyn gave her a quick glance.

  Rachel leaned back and closed her eyes. What to do about Jed, a perennial problem. It all looked so easy to those on the outside — Elwyn, for example. But how could she take up with Jed again? They weren’t kids any more and they’d never been able to spend more than a few hours together without arguing.

  Rachel wanted to shelve all thoughts of Jed, but Elwyn had asked, and he was right to do so. She couldn’t ignore Jed or the baby for much longer, and it was doing her head in. “I’ve no idea what I’ll do or when. These last weeks, I’ve banished all thoughts of the problem to some obscure corner of my mind. That can’t continue — I’ve got a scan next week. But one thing I’m sure of, I’m not moving. That cottage is our home. The girls love it and have friends there, Mia’s school, and a settled life.”

  “In that case, you’ll have to accept that he’s your new neighbour.”

  “Or I could persuade Alan not to sell.”

  “Rachel, you’re not thinking about this logically. When the baby comes, Jed will be a help. It’s his child too, or have you forgotten that?”

  “Of course not, but it won’t be that simple. Jed will want into my life. All of it. He’ll want us to be a couple, and that’s a huge commitment.”

  “It could be what you need. Jed isn’t the pariah he once was. I mean,

  even Kenton has accepted him.”

  “The problem is with me, not Jed. I’m not sure I want him around on a full-time basis. I did once, but I’m not the same person now. I value my independence — well, such as it is, given the kids. Jed has no idea about my life, the job, the hours or the stress. It drove Alan crazy when we were together.”

  “You don’t have much choice, Rachel. Tell Jed and sort your life out.”

  Elwyn was right. She had to face this head on before it drove her mad. “Okay, I promise I’ll sort it. I’ll ask Jed round to the house and tell him.”

  “When?”

  “I’m not sure. Soon.”

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  At Shawcross Mill, access to the space below the cellar had been made easier by the installation of a set of temporary stairs with a handrail. But Rachel still had
to tackle them with care. One slip could put paid to her pregnancy and, to her surprise, she found she didn’t want that.

  Rachel had been feeling ambivalent about the baby. Did she want it, or did she not? There was still plenty of time to decide. But now, apparently, she did want it, and very much so. The realisation made her smile. It lifted her spirits and gave her something exciting to look forward to. She’d been a fool to think otherwise. There were plenty of women who’d give their eyeteeth to be in her position.

  When she got to the bottom of the steps, Rachel saw just how much work had been done to excavate the tunnel. It couldn’t have been easy. Whoever had left Wellburn here had planned carefully, obviously never expecting him to be found.

  “A little digging, clearing out the brick and earth that had fallen in and it’s useable again,” Jason told them. “Not that I’ve explored the entire length of the thing, it could lead anywhere. But according to the map on the wall up there, and the trajectory, it does go towards the Victorian brickyard like we discussed. The brickyard itself isn’t there any more. Once the mill was built, the land was cleared and the Shawcross incumbent at the time built terraced houses on the site.”

  Rachel peered into blackness. “Any light?”

  “Sorry, yes.” Jason flicked a switch and the first few metres of the tunnel materialised in a bluish glow. “We found one or two things — this, for example.” He held up a jewellery box. “It’s plush velvet inside, shaped to take a ring. The name inside the lid is ‘Tiffany,’ but there’s nothing in it.” He grinned. “What’s the betting that whatever it contained was expensive?”

  Rachel looked at Elwyn. “I wonder what that means? Who would bring a box like that down here?”

  “That’s anybody’s guess,” Elwyn said.

  “While you’re puzzling that one out, try puzzling this one, too. Two supermarket trolleys. That’s about it.” Jason smiled.