by A L Fraine
“Later, at about twelve-thirty am, Portia saw Lizzy. Lizzy said she was heading out for a drive and left. The next thing Portia and Spencer were aware of was when Portia heard a noise inside and it turned out it was Piers wandering around. Later, they went to bed. The next morning, Spencer went to see Harold, saying he’d heard that Lizzy had something to tell Harold, and wanted to know what it was, which seemed to stress Harold out and put him into hospital.”
“I think that fairly obviously points to Spencer, at this point, or someone associated with him,” Rachel said.
“It would need to be an associate because he was with Portia the whole time while Lizzy was being murdered.”
“So, someone else in the house?”
“Piers?” Dion suggested. “He was up and about around the house shortly after Lizzy’s time of death.”
Jon frowned. “Lizzy’s dad? I’m not sure we have a motive for him to do that, though.”
Dion shrugged.
“Okay, speaking of CCTV, Veronica said she’d send over last night's files. Did we get them?”
“We did,” Dion replied. “I have people going through them. I’ll let you know if we find anything.”
“Great. What else do we have?”
“I’ve been coordinating with the MET,” Rachel replied. “We got into Lizzy’s flat and had a look around. There’s not much there, nothing suspicious, anyway. We did get her computer, though, so we have some guys going through that. Again, I’ll let you know if we find anything, but just getting into the system is proving tough. She was very security conscious.”
“Okay, good work. Let me know what you find.”
“I will,” Rachel replied. “I’ll be talking to some of her friends, too.”
“Great. Nathan, what have you got for me?”
“I’ve been looking into Spencer and his criminal record and connections. His record is mainly for drug-related offences. Possession with intent to supply, that kind of thing.”
“Any violence charges?”
“Not really, no. But, we did find out that he’s been working for the same Russian gang that was managing the Vassili and Yana trafficking ring.”
“Oh, really?” Jon said, thinking back to the case with Sydney, Russell, and Blake, the man who’d kidnapped Olivia. He’d not heard from Sydney since that final call with her after the case, and wondered if and when she’d finally show up again to cause him more trouble. Hopefully, not on this case. It was complicated enough as it was. “So, we have an OCG connection here as well.”
“Seems that way,” Nathan replied. “I’ll keep digging, see if there’s anything else there.”
“Good, thanks. Okay, unless there’s anything else, I think I’m going to call it a night there.”
The next hour consisted of Jon going through the various bits of paperwork related to the day's activities before Kate finally invited him to the pub over the road for a drink.
After a day of dealing with the Lockwoods, the idea of a relaxing drink in the local boozer sounded like heaven to him, and he gladly accepted.
“How are you holding up today?” Jon asked as he nursed his pint and nibbled on some salted peanuts and wasabi shells.
“Yeah, I’m okay,” Kate replied. “I’m just always shocked at what some people will do to each other, whether it’s a stranger or a family member.”
“I know. I find myself going through the whole family and weighing up which one of them had the most reason for killing Lizzy. It’s a chilling thought.”
“I dread to think how Harold is feeling. Imagine asking someone to do a favour for you like that, and they end up getting killed over it. The guilt must be all-consuming.”
“He was probably stressed about it before Spencer visited him. It’s probably why he ended up going into hospital.”
“Wouldn’t surprise me,” Kate agreed. “I just feel so sorry for him. He didn’t want this to happen to her, and now he knows that someone in his family, who might inherit his fortune, is a killer.”
“It’s enough to give you nightmares.”
“I hope we can find the killer for him.”
“Me too, but, um, that wasn’t why I was asking how you’re doing.”
“Oh?”
“I meant after the news about Abban.”
“Oh, yes. I forgot, what with the case and all. Yeah, it’s good news. I’m glad he’s finally been convicted of Fiona’s death. That’s a weight off.”
“I bet.”
“He’s in the same prison as Terry Sims and his crew, though, which I suppose isn’t so good.”
“That was his enforcer, right?”
“Terry? Yeah. He was a piece of work. I’m glad he’s been put away. I’d rather not have to deal with any of that lot again.”
Jon nodded and popped another wasabi shell into his mouth, enjoying the spiciness of it.
“I can’t eat those. They’re way too spicy.”
“Southern Nancy,” Jon quipped with a smile.
“Piss off, you big gorilla.”
“Touché.”
“If you think I’m kissing you after eating those, you’ve got another thing coming.”
“I’ll wash them down with my beer. You’ll never taste them.”
“I’ll be the judge of that,” she answered, raising her eyebrow. “So, how have you found staying at Rachel’s?”
“It’s fine. She’s looking after me so, it’s good. Eric’s nice too.”
“Yeah, he is. It won’t be for much longer, though, hopefully.”
“Fingers crossed. I’m just waiting for the exchange and final moving date, and then I’ll finally have my own place.”
“Are you looking forward to it?”
“You bet. I can’t wait.”
12
“I backed you up today,” Spencer said, looking down at Portia as he pulled on the spliff, sucking in the cannabis smoke and enjoying the rush it gave him.
“Oh yeah?” Portia replied, laying back on the sun lounger, her eyes closed.
“We were both out here when Lizzy was killed,” he replied and watched the troubled look that passed over Portia’s face. She didn’t look too happy and had barely said two words to him since they’d stepped out here.
“I know,” Portia finally replied, her voice quiet. She glanced up at him and then looked away. “I confirmed that too.”
“Good,” Spencer replied, taking another pull on the joint, watching the embers glow orange at the end of the roll-up.
He hissed as he held the smoke in his lungs before letting it go. He passed the joint back to Portia, having had enough for the time being as his phone started to buzz in his pocket. Pulling the device out, he recognised the contact and frowned.
With the fog of the high dulling his senses and reactions, it took him a moment to realise that he needed to move away from Portia and answer the call. But it soon clicked.
“Be right back,” he said and strode away from the house out over the grass, into the darkness of the grounds.
“Yeah?” he finally said, answering the call when he was far enough away.
“What’s going on?” the woman yelled down the phone in a mild Russian accent. “I’ve got police sniffing around my men, meaning they can’t do jack shit, and it all seems to be to do with the mess up at your family’s place. Are you trying to get us arrested?”
The rant snapped Spencer out of his high and landed him firmly in the here and now. “I’m sorry,” he said.
“You said you’d handle this. Are you going to fucking handle this, Spencer? Or do we have to step in?”
“I’ll sort it, I will.”
“You’d better fucking do,” the woman replied and hung up.
Spencer pulled the phone away from his ear and stared at the screen for a moment.
“Shit.”
13
“Thanks for the lift again,” Nathan said as they climbed out of Jon’s car at the station the next morning.
“No problem,” Jon
replied, locking the vehicle behind him. “When will you have your motor back?”
“Dunno. Today or tomorrow, I think.”
“Alright. Well, let me know if you need a lift home later. Happy to oblige.”
“Thanks, man.”
“No worries. Happy to help.”
“I saw Stingray chewing you out yesterday.”
Jon shrugged. “He’s just doing the job he was put in place to do, really, you know? I don’t blame him. Plus, I suppose he has a point. We do have powers beyond the norm, and we need to be held to a higher standard.”
“True,” Nathan agreed. “But, he doesn’t need to be a dick about it.”
“No, he does not. Kate suggested I play ball for a while, get him on-side, you know?”
“That’s probably wise,” Nathan replied. “She’s got her head screwed on, that one.”
“She has.”
“How’re things between you two? Going alright?”
“Yeah.” Jon nodded, feeling a little uncomfortable and unwilling to go into details with him. “Good, thanks.”
“Excellent. Sorry, didn’t mean to pry. I’m pleased for you both, honestly. I’m glad you found each other.”
Feeling a little more at ease, Jon nodded. “Thanks. Yeah, it’s been nice, and… I think I needed to find someone like her.”
“I think we need someone at some point or another.”
“You don’t have anyone, do you?”
“Not anymore,” Nathan replied a note of sadness in his voice. “I was married once. A long time ago, it seems, but this job, it’s not great for relationships. I’m sure you’ve realised that by now.”
“I have,” Jon confirmed, having seen far too many colleagues have their marriages break down due to the demands of the job. And then there was the risk element, and a vision of Charlotte flashed in his mind's eye, along with a feeling of guilt.
“Mmm,” Nathan agreed. “I’ve not seen her in years now, and I don’t suppose she’d want to see me, either. Not now. I suppose it’s why so many of us end up shacking up with someone on the force. We know about the demands of the job.”
“I know. I wasn’t expecting to find someone, especially not so quickly,” Jon replied, finding himself opening up a little easier than he thought he might.
“You hold on to her, mate. She’s a good one.”
“I will,” Jon replied, smiling. “Come on, let’s get inside. I need to swing by the Super’s office.”
“Sure thing,” Nathan replied, leading the way into the building, up the back stairs, to find the Superintendent already in his office, bent over his computer.
Dumping his stuff, he walked around and knocked until the DSupt finally let him in. “Jon, good to see you. Feeling bright-eyed and bushy-tailed, I hope?”
“Ready to solve this case,” Jon said.
The DSupt nodded. “Good. I think we got off to a bad start on this one yesterday, so let’s try to make up for it today, yeah? I don’t want to do any reorganising around here, but I will if I have to.”
“Sir,” Jon replied.
“Good. Get to it then. Good luck.”
Jon left the office behind, pleased with himself that he hadn’t called the insufferable man a dick to his face as he logged in on his computer and started to sort his files out.
“Team meeting?” Kate asked, appearing at his office door with a smile.
He looked up and smiled. “Sounds good, can you get the team ready?”
“Sure thing,” she replied.
“Thanks.”
“Any time. What did the Super have to say?”
Jon sighed. “Just the usual. You know?”
“Yeah,” she confirmed. “Just do as I said. Play by his rules, keep him involved, and you’ll do fine. I’ll help.”
“Thanks, I appreciate that. Did you have a good night?”
“Yeah, thanks,” she smiled. “You know, you could have come back to mine. I didn’t mind. It would have given Rachel the night off.”
“I don’t want to intrude, and we’re taking it slow, right?”
“Right. But I’m not asking you to move in with me. Just, you know. Codename: Coffee.” She winked.
Jon smiled. “Do you make that with the milk first as well?”
She smiled back but frowned in mild confusion too. “Oh, har-di-har, you know what I mean.”
“Miss O’Connell, I’m an innocent man. I’m quite sure I don’t know what on earth you’re talking about.”
“Well, maybe I should educate you,” she replied, with a wicked smile.
“Oh, Mrs Robinson, how could I refuse an offer like that?”
“I don’t know? I mean, if you keep refusing, I might start to think something’s up…”
“It sounds like you want something to come up, missy.”
Kate put her hand to her chest, her expression scandalised. “I’m quite sure I haven’t the foggiest idea what you’re talking about.”
“Really? Because we’re not going to get very far if you don’t. I could teach you about the birds and the bees if you like?”
“Ha! Yeah, I’m sure that would go swimmingly,” she replied and rolled her eyes at him. “I’ll get the team together.”
With that, she was gone, and Jon finished preparing himself for the day ahead, amused by their conversation. Their relationship was still very much in its early days, and he was being careful to take it slowly and not push her in any way. Although, he wasn’t sure he could push her, as he had his own hang-ups about getting close to another woman after Charlotte.
It was something he occasionally struggled with, rearing its head randomly from time to time and making him feel guilty, like he was cheating on someone, even though he knew that was crazy.
But this was his cross to bear, and he would need to get over it.
Jon grabbed his things and made for the incident room.
“Alright, team, what do we have? Any updates for me on the Lockwood case?” Jon stood at the end of the table with his team assembled around it, all of them focused and ready for the day ahead.
“Sir,” Dion spoke up. “We’ve pulled some info from Lizzy’s phone. Again, she’s very conscientious about cybersecurity, so it took the guys a while, but they did pull some info from it. It looks like she used her phone shortly before midnight to take some photos of the lake at Silent Pool. She took a couple by the bench and then another from the corner, where we found the blood trail.”
“She was taking photos right at the moment of her death?” Jon replied and thought about it. “That makes sense, I suppose. Maybe she was distracted and didn’t notice the attacker until it was too late? What do you think?”
“I can understand that,” Kate spoke up. “If she was in any way keen on photography, it makes sense for her to get a little engrossed in what she was doing.”
“Okay, good work, Dion.”
“Thanks, sir. We also have some interesting images from the CCTV at the Lockwood estate. The coverage isn’t great, though. There are massive blind spots you could drive a truck through, and you’d never know, but we do see Lizzy leave the house and her car exiting the property by the main driveway.”
“Okay,” Jon replied. “That’s good.”
“However,” Dion added. “There’s another side exit that has terrible security coverage. But, it can be seen in the background of one of the camera angles, and shortly after Lizzy leaves, you can clearly make out lights moving out and away from the house along the side driveway. They then reappear about half an hour later, driving back in the same way they went out.”
“And you never see this person on the security footage?” Jon asked, feeling sure he already knew the answer.
“No,” Dion replied. “They clearly knew the coverage of the cameras, and avoided them.”
“Of course. Remind me, how far away is Silent Pool from the estate?”
“A five minute drive?” Kate suggested.
“Plenty of time then,” Jon said, mainly to
himself. “Okay, thank you Dion, that’s great. Double-check that footage though, I want to be sure we don’t see anyone else leave that property. Also, try and see what cars were there, and which ones left. Might give us a clue.”
“I will.”
“Excellent. Okay, so yesterday we were talking about motive, and while I think the motive for killing Lizzy will be what she knew about her family, the overall motive for all of this rubbish is money. The Lockwood fortune. They no-doubt all want a piece of it, and didn’t want anything to jeopardise that, right?”
“True,” Nathan replied. “I was looking into Harold a little bit. Turns out he made his money through electrical appliances. He founded the Lockwood Electrical brand in the post-war era, when consumer appliances were becoming popular and capitalised on that boom.”
“Oh, I’ve heard of them. I didn’t realise it was the same Lockwoods,” Jon replied. Several others muttered in agreement.
“It’s a nationwide brand, and still going strong. It made Harold a millionaire,” Nathan continued. “Harold married his first wife, Maude, in nineteen fifty-two, when he was eighteen, and they had their son Howard that same year. But Maude died in nineteen sixty at age twenty-eight. Harold was twenty-six. He stayed single for a while until he finally married again in nineteen seventy-nine. This time he married Kathlyn Gainsborough. Harold was forty-five, but Kathlyn was only twenty-eight.”
“Quite the age difference,” Rachel said. “I wonder what she saw in him.”
“I think that’s obvious,” Dion replied.
“Actually, no, it’s not,” Nathan replied. “Kathlyn was rich in her own right. She was an aristocratic heiress of the Gainsborough fortune. She didn’t need Harold for that. Also, he was new money, whereas she was old money. That would have carried a stigma in certain circles, so I think they loved each other, for a time at least.”
“What happened?” Jon asked.
“She died. Committed suicide by shooting herself with a shotgun.”
“What? Suicide?” Jon asked, unsure.
“There was a lot of controversy at the time, from what I could find out. Apparently, their relationship was on the rocks, and there was already talk of divorce. Harold had a lot to lose in a divorce and a lot to gain from her death, so you can imagine the controversy.”
