Chapter twenty nine
Morley was at his desk early the following morning. Some of his colleagues had remarked on his sudden joie de vivre. He had greeted them all with a cheerful “Good morning.” Normally they were lucky if they a grunt. He didn't notice the whisperings going on around him. He was oblivious to the curious glances that were aimed at him. He sat there smiling from time to time as he thought about Anna. He found it hard to concentrate on the mountain of files that had accumulated on his desk. It was almost lunch time before he finished going over the files DCI Carter had given him. He was just considering going for a sandwich when the phone on his desk rang. It was Carter.
“Morley, this is Carter. I've got something I think might interest you. Can you come to London? Couple of bodies turned up this morning. We think they might have something to do with your missing woman.”
“Morley's heart sank. He was dreading telling Anna and the Westhall's the bad news when Jane Turner's body turned up, as he was certain it surely must. “Is it Mrs Turner? Have you found her?” He asked.
“No, definitely not her. A young Asian woman and an Asian man.” Carter informed him.
At the mention of the Asian woman, Morley's antenna spiked. “Have they been identified yet?”
“Not officially but it looks like a Dr. Naizi and his housekeeper slash mistress lived here. A one Simi....”
Morley didn't register her last name. His thoughts went back to last night and his conversation with Anna.
“Morley, you there?” Carter yelled into the phone for the second time.
“Yeah Sorry. You did say a woman named Simi, a young Asian woman?”
“Yeah, why, do you know her?”
“No, no Just thought the name sounded familiar.” He said hoping Carter wouldn't press the matter. She didn't. “How long have they been dead?”
“Best guess at the moment is twenty four to thirty six hours. The pathologist won't say more than that at the moment. You coming. Got something that might impact on your case.”
“What is it? What have you got” Morley asked
“Meet me at the nick.” And she hung up without another word.
It took Morley nearly three hours to get to London another accident on the motorway caused a traffic jam that created gridlock for nearly two hours. When he finally arrived, Carter was just heading out to interview Mrs Naizi.
“There you are Morley, traffic's a bitch today. I'm off to interview the wife, you wanna tag along? Carter looked flustered.
“Can you spare five minutes to fill me in?” Morley asked studying the incident room it was buzzing everyone was either on the phone or going through heaps of files. It was alive with activity.
“Just about. The shit hit the fan first thing this morning. We got a call from Naizi's office reporting him missing, hadn't turned up for work and wasn't answering his phone. A couple of officers were sent over, they located a key holder and entered his apartment. He was hanging from the rafters and the woman was dead in the bedroom.”
“Is this all for him?” Morley asked gesturing around the room at the hive of activity.”
“Yep, got a call from top brass as soon as his identity was known. He was a prominent Harley Street doctor, had a lot of high profile patients on his books.”
“Still doesn't explain all this.” Morley said “What else is going on?”
“It seems our good doctor was also a bad doctor. Treated a lot of high society clients for addictions they wouldn't like made public. It seems he performed illegal abortions, maybe even euthanized some patients.” Carter grimaced. “We found very detailed files on a lot of people.”
“Where does Jane Turner fit in? Was she a patient?” Morley was trying to get his head around the connection.
“We're not sure, there isn't a file on her. Sylvia Cavendish was though. Seems he performed an abortion on her some years ago. From what we could gather from his notes she was almost thirty five weeks pregnant and she was barely out of her teens.”
“Isn't that illegal?”
“Exactly. Unless the mother's health is in danger it is. It seems that her mother brought her. Naizi seems to have botched it and Sylvia was never able to conceive again.” Carter's expression was grim. “The bastard left a suicide note saying that he had murdered her. That's how we knew to check for her file. Killed himself, but not before raping and killing another beautiful young woman.” Carter was seething with rage, barely able to control her anger.
“Where does Jane fit in?” Morley asked.
“Not sure if she even does yet, but it makes sense, she finds out about Doctor Death here and confronts him. He abducts her and possibly kills her. We're nor certain yet. One thing though we did find a box with some jewellery and other bits hidden in the back of his wardrobe. We are under a lot of pressure with this one. They want it put to bed as quickly as possible.”
“You said he left a note, what exactly did it say?”
“Ask Jimmy over there to show you a copy, forensics have the original. Nazir's secretary says it’s his writing but we need to double check. Jimmy will look after you, I already told him to give you any help you need. I should be back in a couple of hours. Let me know what you think. Carter headed out barking at a young PC, who followed hurriedly.
“Jimmy?” Morley asked approaching the man that Carter had pointed to. “I'm DI Morley from Canterbury. DCI Carter said you might show me what you've got so far.”
“Yes Guv. What do you want first?” He was a nervous looking young man. His tie was loosened and there were sweat stains under his arm pits. He looked like he was new to CID and anxious to make a good impression.
“May I see a copy of the suicide note first? Then I’d like to see the contents of the box DCI Carter mentioned.”
“I don't have it. Forensics took it.” Jimmy stammered. “I have photos of everything, if that's any good.” He asked hopefully.
“That'll do for now. Can you get them for me?” He felt sorry for the young man. Ordinarily someone as inexperienced as he so obviously was, wouldn't have been given so much responsibility. He smiled at him. “How long have you been in CID?”
“Just since yesterday. It’s all a bit chaotic. But I'm getting the hang of it.” He said anxious to reassure Morley that he wasn't an idiot.
“Nothing like being thrown in at the deep end to get you settled.” Morley told him. “Don't look so worried, Carter doesn't look like she'd have anyone on her team that wasn't up to the mark.”
“Thank you sir. It is a bit nerve racking. But I love it.” He returned and handed Morley a copy of the suicide note.
Morley read it. Frowned, reread it. No doubt about it, it was a suicide note. A confession to Sylvia's murder. In it he apologised for all the wrong he had done. He said he could no longer live with the guilt. He even hinted at other crimes. Yet there was something about it that bothered Morley.
It just seemed too neat. He couldn't understand how someone like Dr Naizi could go through life as he had, and done the things he had, then suddenly grow a conscience and kill himself. It just seemed wrong, everything was too pat. Too gift wrapped, with a little bow holding it all together. He wondered if he was letting his conversation with Anna cloud his judgement. He reflected on the things she had said to him. Simi… how could Anna have known about her? There was only one explanation. Simi had really come to Anna after she was murdered and told her those things.
Jimmy returned with a memory stick and handed it to Morley. “I made a copy of the file, it's got all the crime scene photos on it and photos of the box and its contents that were found at the scene.”
“Thanks Jimmy. Is there a computer I can use?”
“Mine's free.” Morley followed him to a desk heaped with files and paper work. He logged in and left the inspector to view the photos saying.” Sorry about the mess Guv, everyone keeps putting everything on it. I haven't had time to sort through it yet. If you need anything else just let me know.”
Morley inserted
the memory stick into the USB port and opened the file. He studied each photo carefully. Next he came to the images of Simi, She looked peaceful as though she had just fallen asleep. He noted how carefully she was laid out under the duvet, her hair perfectly framed her small face. Her arms were outside the duvet straight down by her sides. She had been beautiful, Morley mused as he looked at the images of her. She looked so young, he would never have guessed that she was in her early twenties if he hadn't known her age. She looked no more than twelve or thirteen years old. Next he came to the photos of Dr Naizi. They were not easy to look at. His face was dark purple and his eyes were wide open and bulging. In death he looked the exact opposite of Simi. Ugly.
Next he came to photos of the box. It was a small red metal cash box, the kind used in offices for securing petty cash. In the next frame the lid was open and an assortment of items were stored inside. He clicked on each frame in turn studying each item briefly, until he came to one that jarred a memory. It was a gold ring with a square ruby stone in the centre, surrounded by twelve diamonds. This could be Jane Turners ring. He remembered her sister describing it to him. She has told him that her sister never took it off. His heart sank, He had been dreading finding proof that something bad had happened to her. Now he would have to go to her sister or her husband and have them identify this ring. He finished looking at the images and sat back with his arms behind his head, thinking. He was going over what Anna had said to him last night. She had told him about the beautiful young Asian woman who had appeared to her. She even knew her name. Yet nothing pointed to Dr Naizi having been murdered. He had left a note, this box of tricks which he had just finished looking at, looked like souvenirs from other victims. Carter hadn't mentioned having any doubt, she seemed to be of the opinion that it was a murder/ suicide. He sighed heavily. He had faith in Anna, he had seen proof of what she could do only last night. He would have to bring it up with Carter, if this wasn't murder / suicide as everyone was saying then he would have to let them know. He wasn't looking forward to broaching the subject with Carter. He couldn't very well tell her a psychic had told him. She would laugh him out of the building. Why did life have to be so complicated, a month ago he would have jeered at anyone that took all the hocus pocus seriously. Now here he was lapping it up. He gathered himself together and told Jimmy to tell Carter that he had a lead that he had to follow and that he would talk to her as soon as he had more to tell.
He rang Ian Turner and asked him to meet him at the Westhall's. They agreed on seven-thirty. Morley headed out of London, grabbed a quick bite to eat and was being buzzed in the gates of the Westhall's estate at exactly seven-thirty.
“Inspector, do you have news for us?” Eva asked, sensing that this was more than just a curtsey update.
Morley looked around at the questioning faces opposite. Ian Turner was doing his best to appear calm. Anna was sitting next to Eva looking pale and anxious. Mr Westhall was sitting at the other side of his wife, holding her hand. Morley cleared his throat.
“What is it man, what's happened?” Ian Turner said, unable to keep his cool any longer.
“Is this your wife's ring.” Morley asked, handing an enlarged photo of the ruby ring to him.
“Yes.” Ian said barely able to control his emotions, he recognised it instantly. “Where did you find it?” The photograph shook in his hand.
“Are you certain?” Morley asked.
He nodded. “I had it designed for her. It was our engagement ring. She never took it off....even after we separated she always wore it. The date on the inside is the date we got engaged.” He was having a hard time staying in control. Eva took the photo from him and from the look on her face there could be no doubt but that it was her sister's ring. She turned and sobbed quietly in her husband’s arms.
“Where did you find it?” Ian asked again, this time his tone insisted on an answer.
“It was found at a crime scene in London, along with some other items.” He handed Ian more photos of the contents of the red box. “Do you recognise anything else?”
“Ian looked at each one in turn and shook his head. “None of these belong to my wife.” He handed them to Eva. She looked at them and shook her head. “I've never seen Jane wearing any of these. Where did you find her ring?”
“It was found in an apartment in London. Unfortunately both occupants are dead.”
“Oh god, what happened? Are they connected to Jane?” Eva was shocked.
“Have any of you ever heard of Dr. Naizi?” Morley inquired
“No, who is he?” Ian asked while Eva and her husband both shook their heads.
“He was found dead in his apartment along with his housekeeper. The police in London aren't looking for anybody else in connection to the incident at the moment.”
“I don't understand.” Ian said. “Where did he get my wife's ring? How is he connected to Jane?” He looked bewildered.
“He left a note.” Morley answered carefully picking his words. “He mentioned in it Sylvia Cavendish’s name. That's why I was called in. Everyone thinks her death is connected to your wife's disappearance.” There was a shocked silence for a few moments as everyone present took in what Morley had just told them. Then they began bombarding him with questions. Morley answered all their questions as best he could but since he couldn't yet prove a connection between the doctor and Jane Turner, other than the ring, he was at a loss to enlighten them further. As he got up to leave, he promised to keep them informed as soon as any new information came to light.
“Anna.” He said quietly. “I wonder if you would mind walking me to my car.”
“Sure.” She followed him outside, leaving the others discussing the new turn of events.
“What's up?” Anna asked
“Do you recognise this woman?” Morley asked, showing her a photo of Simi.
“That's her. That's Simi. Oh my god was she the other person in the apartment?”
Afraid so. It wasn't until I heard her name that I remembered what you said last night.”
“She looks so peaceful. Why didn't you say anything inside?” Anna asked.
“Like you said, it looks like he... Dr Naizi murdered her, then killed himself. He even left a note.”
“But you know that's not true, Simi told me so. She said he would be blamed but he didn't kill her.”
“Are you sure? Are you sure it wasn't just a dream....or, I don’t know maybe somehow you got it wrong....What she told you I mean.”
“No I'm sure. She was as real as you are right now. And she was adamant that you all would suspect the wrong person, he didn't kill her.” Anna answered confidently.
“How did he do it so? Everyone is convinced that it is cut and dried and believe me DCI Carter is nobody s fool. There wasn't any sign of a struggle, there are no bruises on Dr. Nazir's body. Nobody is going to willingly let himself be hanged without some sort of a struggle”
“Could he have been drugged? Chloroformed like I was?”
“Possibly. But that doesn’t explain the note. His secretary says it’s his handwriting.”
“Maybe he wrote it at gun point, under duress.” Anna suggested.
“Maybe, that sounds more logical. But I'm going to have to find proof if I want Carter to change her mind. I'm going to talk to the pathologist first thing and see what he says. I'll let you know if I get anywhere. Don't tell the Westhall's about your visit from Simi just yet. I don't want to worry them unduly.”
“Fine. “I'm off to London myself in the morning. I’ve got a meeting with a couple more friends of Jane's.” Anna said.
“Who?”
“A Richard Kingston and one Hamish McGregor. Apparently they both had a thing for Jane...According to her friends they were both crazy about her.”
“Watch out for Kingston, I've met him. A bit of a weirdo. Haven't met McGregor. How about we meet up for lunch tomorrow. I'll be in London all day.”
“Sure, great. I'll ring you, I’ve McGregor in the morning and Kings
ton isn't until after two O clock. I might just fit you in.” Anna said with a smile.
Chapter thirty
Hamish McGregor was a big man, standing at least six foot six in his stocking feet. He had a red ruddy complexion, either from too much Scotch or he spent a great deal of time outdoors in the wilds of Scotland. Anna guessed it was probably the latter. His arms even under his plain blue shirt, resembled tree trunks. He was an older than she had expected, maybe sixty years old. He put her in mind of the incredible hulk, but not in a bad way. He was a typical Scot, with short red hair, barely any grey in it, and when he shook her hand it was like shaking hands with a bear. His grip was firm. She was glad when he released it. He didn't seem to realise the power of those enormous hands.
“Miss Cotter, how can I help you?” He asked. His voice when he spoke had the barest Scottish accent still in it. Anna who had been apprehensive at the sight of him relaxed at the sound of his voice. He lost a lot of his initial fierceness when he spoke. She hadn't realised how much his physical appearance had made her tense up until then,
“It's good of you to see me Mr McGregor.” Anna said.
Och call me Hamish, everyone else does. I'm only Mr McGregor to my bank manager. Don't want him to get too friendly. I find its best to keep a bit of manners on them.”
Anna smiled at him. “I'm looking for Jane Turner. She is still missing and her family, her sister, her daughters and her husband are very worried for her. I heard your name mentioned a couple of times in connection with her. Do you have any idea where she is? Anna had decided that being direct with him would be the best way to approach the subject.
“Still missing? I'm sorry to hear that. A fine woman. That husband of hers should be locked up letting a woman like that go to chase some skirt. I only wish I knew where she was. I fear she didn't get there of her own free will.”
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