Soul to Keep

by Clare Revell

  “Yes,” DI Holmes agreed with her. She could hear him talking to the others in the room. “DS Philips and Austin are on their way. What’s the address?”

  “Seven hundred twelve Hydrangea Court. The paramedics are here—walking up fourteen flights of stairs, no doubt. I’ll ride with them, and Zander will follow in the car.”

  He relayed the address to the others. “OK, they’re leaving now. It would make more sense if you drove the car to the hospital.”

  “I can’t drive, sir. And we can’t leave the car here.”

  “What do you mean you don’t drive?”

  “It’s not don’t, sir. It’s more like can’t.”

  “Fair enough. But we’ll discuss you not being able to drive later. Keep me in the loop.”

  “Yes, sir.” Isabel ended the call. That would be a conversation to look forward to. Not. She turned as the paramedics finally entered the room.

  ~*~

  Zander followed the ambulance in the car. He’d wanted to ride with them, but grudgingly admitted Isabel had a point about leaving the car parked outside Gramp’s flats. Once again he wished she could drive. He’d have to insist on her having lessons now. He’d prayed constantly since they’d found Gramps non-responsive and bleeding on the floor. The old man had been severely beaten with what appeared to be a bat of some kind.

  Getting him out of the flat and down to the ground had been a nightmare. He’d suggested calling the fire brigade again and using an aerial platform, but the paramedics assured him they were used to this and carried Gramps down the stairs in a chair.

  The ambulance pulled into the ED and as much as he wanted to park right outside, Zander didn’t. Fortunately he found a space on the ground floor of the car park. He parked, and then ran around to ambulance reception. Not something he normally did, as the medical staff disapproved, but these weren’t normal circumstances.

  Zander headed to the busy nurses’ station. He pulled out his ID. “I’m looking for Francis McNally. He’s just been brought in.”

  “He’s in resus, but you can’t go in there.”

  Zander ignored her and headed down the corridor. He pushed open the swing doors.

  “Zander.”

  A voice behind him made him spin around. “Isabel, where is he?”

  “He’s with the doctor. He came around in the ambulance.”

  “I need to see him. Is he OK?” Worry gnawed a hole in his gut.

  “They’ll let us know. They said we can wait in the staff room for now.”

  Zander shook his head, stomach in knots, heart breaking. “I need to be with him.”

  “And you will be.” She led him down the hallway to a small break room. “Once they have him stable you can go and see him. Right now, they need room to work.”

  “I should never have left him in that flat,” he muttered pacing from one side of the small space to the other. “Not stuck on the seventh floor with a broken lift and those kids annoying him. What if they did this? What if…”

  “Hey!” Isabel took his arm. “This isn’t your fault. The Guv has put DS Philips on the case, so we’re handling this in house. And why don’t you get your grandfather to live with you for a couple of weeks or so once he gets out of here? Give the council time to rehouse him.”

  Zander shook himself free. He considered the idea as he resumed pacing across the room. “I could turn the dining room into a bedroom. I never use it anyway. But he’s a proud man. He won’t consider it.”

  “Tell him it’s a temporary measure. I can help rearrange your furniture if you like. Bring some of his things over.”

  “The room needs painting first.”

  “Love painting. What’s his favourite colour?”

  Zander had to think for a moment. “Green.”

  “Then we’ll do it green.”

  A man in scrubs came into the room. “DC York?”

  Isabel glanced up. “Yes, Dr. Manning. This is DC Zander Ellery—Mr. McNally’s grandson.”

  “How is he?” Zander asked, finally standing still.

  “We’re just about to take Mr. McNally up to CT and X-ray. His leg is broken, and he has lots of cuts and bruises. There’s also a fair amount of internal bleeding. Someone really worked him over. But it’s the head wound we’re most concerned about right now.”

  “Can I see him?” Zander asked. Until he’d seen him, even if it was surrounded by machines, he wouldn’t rest.

  “For a couple of minutes.”

  He turned to Isabel. “Come with me.” They followed Dr. Manning into resus and over to where Gramps lay wired up to monitors. Even to Zander’s untrained eye, the readings were way too low. He grasped the old man’s hand. “Gramps.”

  Gramps bruised and battered face managed a lopsided smile. “Yup. Still Gramps and still here.”

  Zander’s heart ached. Same response no matter how bad the old man felt. “What happened? Did you see who did this? Was it the kids again?”

  “No. Tall fella. Got a glimpse. Baseball bat…”

  “Someone will come and take a statement as soon as they can.”

  “We need to take him now,” Dr Manning said. “We’ll take him straight to surgery after the CT.”

  “How long will it all take?”

  “Depends what we find. Probably several hours. If you give me your number, they’ll call you when he’s up on the ward.”

  Zander pulled a card from his pocket. “That’s my direct line at work and my mobile number.”

  Dr. Manning took the card and smiled. “Try not to worry. He’s in safe hands.”

  Zander loosed Gramps hand reluctantly as they wheeled the bed away. “I love you.” Salt burned his eyes. He couldn’t lose him, not now, not like this. It wasn’t fair.

  Isabel stood in front of him, pressing a tissue into his hand. “We should go.”

  “Go where?” He shoved the tissue into his trouser pocket, and then pinched the bridge of his nose tightly. “I want to stay here.”

  “You need to call your parents. Let them know what’s happened. Then we need to head back to the office and do something constructive.”

  Zander shook his head. “I can’t.”

  She held out a hand. “Then I will. Give me your phone.”

  He scowled. “Bossy.”

  Isabel touched his arm. “Look, Zander. You were there for me when Gran died. Now it’s my turn to be here for you.”

  “Gramps isn’t dead,” he snapped. Then he sucked in a deep breath. “Sorry. I shouldn’t snap I’m just…”

  “I know. And that’s a good thing.” She hugged him. “You’re just worried, sad, angry, and a dozen more emotions that men don’t get or if they did, they won’t admit to.”

  His lips twitched as he fought a smile. She was doing to him exactly what he did to cheer her up.

  “So, will you call your parents, or shall I?”

  “I’ll do it. But let’s go find somewhere outside.” He rubbed his eyes, determined not to cry in front of her.

  She elbowed him. “Hey, you’ve seen me in a much worse state than crying. And I have it on good authority that real men cry.” She raised an eyebrow. “Jesus did, so there’s no shame in you crying either.”

  Zander nodded. He headed into the corridor and out through the main ED entrance. The air was warm and humid, and it felt as though a storm was brewing. Grey clouds filled the horizon and the hairs on the back of his neck rose.

  Slowly he reached into his pocket and tugged out his phone. He scrolled through his list of contacts until he came to the one marked home. Trembling fingers hit the screen and he raised the handset to his ear. It rang three times.

  “Home Farm. Edgar Ellery speaking.”

  Zander froze. “Dad…” The line went dead and Zander groaned in frustration. “He hung up on me.”

  Isabel took the phone from him and redialled. “What’s your mum’s name?”

  “Jocelyn.”

  She tilted her head and listened. “This is DC Isabel York with
Thames Valley Police. Could I speak to Mrs. Jocelyn Ellery, please? It’s about her father.” She held out the phone. “He’s gone to get her.”

  Zander took the phone. “Thanks, Is.” He paced back and forth.

  “Hello, Jocelyn Ellery speaking.”

  “Mum, it’s Zander. There’s been an accident.”

  20

  The bus was late the following morning. Isabel hadn’t realised how much she depended on Zander and his lifts to make the briefings on time. Arriving late, she hadn’t even bothered to go into the meeting room. Instead she sat at her desk and found something to do instead. The photos of the necklaces had arrived, and she’d cross referenced them with the files before putting them up on the incident board. There were also copies in a file on her desk for easy reference.

  Steve and Harry had revised the New Wine/Keswick list further, amalgamating the two lists into one combined one. This contained one hundred and fifty names from the local Headley Cross area. She highlighted the names of the victims so far. Then she printed off another copy and using a ruler, crossed off the names of the deceased.

  DI Holmes crossed the room. “Morning. You’re late.”

  “Yeah, sorry, Guv. The bus was a no show again.”

  He nodded. “How’s Mr. McNally?”

  “Zander is coming in via the hospital. When we left last night, he was stable following surgery. And Will also seemed a bit better. Zander’s checking on him as well.”

  “Good. DS Philips and I will be handling Mr. McNally’s case personally. Can you get ahold of his home help, what was her name?”

  “Lexi Eke. She cleaned for Gran as well.”

  “OK. Please tell her not to touch anything in the flat for now as it’s still an active crime scene. I’d like for her to come in and see me as soon as she possibly can.”

  Isabel nodded. “Sure.” She picked up her mobile and quickly found Lexi’s name in the contact list.

  Mr. Mac in hospital after nasty assault and break in. His flat is a crime scene so pls don't touch anything. DI Holmes needs to speak with you asap. Pls come to Manor Road police station as soon as you can. Thanks.

  She hit send and put the phone down.

  No sooner than she’d picked up the pen, her phone beeped to indicate an incoming text. That was a swift response if it was Lexi. Normally it took an hour or so for the girl to check her phone, never mind reply. It wasn’t Lexi.

  Gramps doing better. Will is awake this morning. He wants grapes so will bring some in this afternoon when we both go visit him and Gramps. Will be there in half hour or so.

  Bring coffee. Mine isn't drinkable. Oh and bacon.

  She typed quickly.

  What did your last slave die of?

  Itchy foot and bacon withdrawal symptoms. You’re my slave now zander. Mwahahaha.

  She added a few evil grin emojis for good measure and put the phone away.

  Isabel ran her finger down the page, wishing the names were in alphabetical order once more. She didn’t like to ask the blokes to redo it and was loathe to do it herself, as they’d spent a whole day working on it.

  Busy crosschecking data, she didn’t hear Zander come in. Only when a cup and bag appeared under her nose did she look up. “Thank you. How is he?”

  He sat down and sipped his own coffee. “He’s doing all right, considering. Dr. Steel said if we hadn’t found him when we did, he wouldn’t have got this far.”

  “But we did find him,” Isabel said.

  Zander nodded. “Grace and Mum are coming over this morning. Mum will be staying at mine for a couple of days, but Grace is needed at home.” He sucked in a deep breath and then huffed it out. “So, where are we?”

  Isabel took a huge bite of the bacon roll, savouring the crisp, salty meat and the spicy tomato relish. “At my desk having breakfast,” she said with her mouth full.

  DI Holmes rolled his eyes as he came over to them, suit jacket slung over his shoulder. “Did your mother never tell you not to talk with food in your mouth, Isabel?”

  Isabel shook her head. Her mother never told her much of anything she could remember, but that wasn’t something she was willing to talk about. Ever. She chewed and then swallowed. She pointed to the papers on her desk. “One hundred and fifty names to go through.” Her heart lurched. “Well, a hundred and forty-five I guess.”

  “Steve and Harry had an uneventful night at the church,” DI Holmes continues. “Tony and Frank have the task today. I’d like you and Isabel there tonight with DS Philips and myself at the prayer meeting.”

  Isabel glanced up, bacon roll frozen half way to her mouth. “Prayer meeting?”

  Zander nodded. “Couple of hymns, short Bible study then the floor is opened for half hour, forty minutes or so to anyone who wants to pray.” He slanted his head. “You’ve never been to one before?”

  She shook her head. “No. Sounds good though.”

  “You seriously need to find yourself a decent church,” Zander told her firmly. “You enjoyed the couple of Sunday services at ours, didn’t you?”

  She nodded, mouth full of bacon, not daring to reply verbally.

  “Then you may as well keep coming. We’re a pretty friendly bunch. We don’t bite, we share our hymn books when the screen breaks, and we make pretty decent coffee after the evening service.”

  “Good. That sounds like a nice place to be.”

  DI Holmes cleared his throat. “Anyway, to get this back on topic. DS Philips and Austin have the night shift. Tomorrow uniform are watching during the day, and I want you and Isabel there tomorrow night.”

  Zander frowned. “Tomorrow’s Saturday and normally a day off. I was really hoping to go and see Gramps tonight and spend time with Mum before she goes home on Sunday.”

  “I know, but this is the best lead we have. There will be plenty of time off when we nail this bloke. I need you focused. If you can’t do that, then…” DI Holmes let the phrase hang.

  “No,” Zander said. “I can.”

  “Good.” DI Holmes slid into his jacket. “OK, DS Philips and I are out this morning. We have interviews to do. Zander, you’re in charge.”

  “Me?” Surprise shone in his eyes.

  “Is there an echo in here?” DI Holmes stared at him. “Yes, you. Now play nice.”

  “There’s no fun in that.”

  DI Holmes smirked. “In that case, don’t do anything I wouldn’t do. That gives you plenty of scope.”

  Zander waited until the DI was almost out of the room, before thudding his feet onto the desk and shoving his hands behind his head. He grinned at Isabel. “Make me more coffee, wench.”

  Isabel snorted. “Do you want to die quickly or slowly?”

  DI Holmes spun around and glared at the two of them.

  Zander shot him a wink. “Teasing, sir.”

  Isabel decided to play along. She rose and curtseyed in front of Zander. “One spoon of arsenic or two with your coffee, master?” She flicked the kettle on. “Tell you one thing I don’t understand about the Slayer.”

  Zander swung his feet down as DI Holmes left the office and angled the chair so he could see his partner. “What’s that?”

  “How he gets them to change into those robes and lacy underwear. Also, what he does with their clothes? If they are alive when he gets them to the park or wherever he’s killing them, then he can’t be dressing them himself.”

  “He still could be.”

  She frowned. “Maybe, but I’d be putting up one heck of a fight. What’s he holding over these women to make them submit in the first place?”

  Jason came across the room. “Ummm, I don’t want to interrupt,” he began.

  Isabel dumped the coffee cup on Zander’s desk. “You’re not. What’s up?”

  “There was another call to the tip line about the necklaces last night. The caller used a voice changer, so I’ve asked the tech guys to take a look at the tape.”

  “What did he say?” she asked.

  “The caller asked if we�
�d missed a silver and diamond circle on an eighteen-inch silver chain.”

  Isabel frowned and opened the file on her desk. She flipped through the photos. “Haven’t had one like that. But it sounds familiar.” She sat and drummed her fingers on the folder.

  “Anyway,” Jason said. He held out a printout. “I did a quick search online and found these. They are all pretty similar. Not a cheap piece by any means.”

  Isabel took them and looked at the paper. “Good work, and thank you. Leave it with us. Let me know when the lab gets back to you.” She closed her eyes. In her brain, she could see the chain around a woman’s neck, but whose?

  Zander kicked her. “Wake up. No sleeping on my watch.”

  “Not sleeping. I’m thinking.” She looked at him. “When will you see your grandfather?”

  “This afternoon. Mum’s meeting me here, and we’ll go over together, and then I’ll come back. We can go to the prayer meeting tonight together if you like. Save you catching the bus. Then tomorrow night, we can eat before the stake out and then crash when someone relieves us at stupid o’clock.”

  “You’re planning on crashing the service car now as well as your own? The insurance company won’t like you. They’ll take you off their Christmas card list.” She turned back to the list of names on her desk.

  “No one sends those anymore. It’s all e-cards or texts nowadays. So, what’s the plan of action for this morning?”

  “Check this list off against—” Isabel broke off, her heart thudding in her throat. She blinked hard. She had to be seeing things. But when she looked again, the name was still there. “Zander…”

  “What is it?”

  “What’s the Guv’s wife’s name?”

  “Umm, Adeline I think. Why?”

  “She’s on the list.” Isabel looked at him in horror. Her stomach pitted. “Assuming they live at Fifteen Hunters Green.” She rose and ran across to DI Holmes office. She shoved open the door, grateful it wasn’t locked, and she didn’t have to break the glass to get in.

  “What are you doing?” Zander demanded.

  Isabel grabbed the photo from the desk. Her heart pounded faster, bile rising in her throat. She’d wanted to be wrong. Oh, how she’d wanted to be wrong. “Zander, look.”