by Leah Hope
“I don’t mean to sound negative’ said Gil, “but it doesn’t really help us much does it? I think we all know he came from the beach and made his escape the same way. But where is he now? He could be anywhere.”
“You’re quite right, but what it does do, coupled with the sightings we have of him after the shooting, is to help us build a picture of this man and his movements that day. We also have several sightings of him immediately after the shooting, when he vaulted back over the seawall. He was seen to pick up his backpack from the beach, put something inside and run off at some speed towards the Maritime Museum end of the Esplanade. He was seen again, this time jumping back over the seawall onto the promenade. That’s where we lost him I’m afraid. It’s unfortunate there are no CCTV cameras in that part of the town.”
“I’m sorry if I keep repeating myself” said Gil scratching his chin. “But I’m struggling to see how any of this helps. We know where he was, but I can’t see how that helps to find where he is now.”
“Contrary to what you may have seen on TV or films, police work is slow, painstaking work, it’s rarely about the big breakthrough that you see portrayed in fiction. Every piece of evidence, however small and insignificant it may seem at the time is a tiny part of the whole picture. Each piece of new evidence adds to that picture, like a jig-saw puzzle. At the moment all we have is the outline, but gradually we’ll fill in the gaps until the image is clear.”
The imagery that Inspector Addison had used to make his point resonated immediately with Bridget. An avid fan of puzzles of all kind, including jig-saws, she could see where he was coming from.
“We do understand Inspector, at the moment we have a lot of sky and sea pieces but what we need is some colour, the piece of red sail on the boat or the yellow deckchair.”
Gil looked at his sister as if she was mad. Amazingly the Inspector seemed to be on the same wavelength.
“That’s it in a nutshell” Inspector Addison replied. “But we will get there, I’ve no doubt about that. Almost every officer in Whytecliffe, and from further afield, is working on this case. I dread to think what the overtime budget will be! Seriously though, I just want to reassure you both that we are throwing all of our available resources into finding this man. But find him we will. You have my word on that.”
“I don’t think we doubt your commitment Inspector” Gil said. “I suppose I’m just impatient. I want this guy behind bars where he can’t do any more harm.”
“Well I’m certainly with you on that one Gil. Although you may think we’re no nearer to catching him, I think it might be useful if I summarize what we do know about him. Firstly, he’s clearly a younger man, we know that from the way he’s been leaping about over the seawall. He also chose to make his getaway on foot. From that we can assume he is fit, very fit and is probably no more than forty, but more than likely, younger. Based on those assumptions, we’re targeting gyms and sports clubs and talking to members. Secondly, his weapon of choice was a firearm, probably a pistol. Where did he get it from? Who taught him how to fire it etc? So, we’re also talking to members of local gun clubs and bearing in mind what you said Bridget about his looking as if he may have been a novice, we’re asking about anyone who’s been having shooting lessons recently. We also have your description, and of several other witnesses. Ok it’s not much to go on, but it does mean we can rule out a large selection of the local male population. Moving on to how he made his getaway. Can we assume that he was acting alone? Maybe, none of our witnesses report a sighting of him with anyone else, so no apparent accomplice. Is that significant? Who knows, it’s too early to tell. So, all in all, we know much more about our suspect than we did this time yesterday.”
“Ok, I can see that you’ve made progress” said Gil “I hope you don’t think I was being critical. But he could be anywhere on the planet by now.”
“You’re right of course. There’s very little we can do to check the ferries or airports without a name. But my instinct tells me this guy is still in the country, but he could be anywhere from here to John O’Groats. Of course we are yet to speak to Mrs Thomas. We’re hoping to be able to do that later today. Now she had a ringside seat of the action unfortunately and we’re hoping that she can give us vital information.”
“Such as what?” Bridget asked.
“Well, there could have been some markings on his clothes; a logo on his hooded top, or on his gloves perhaps. There’s also the possibility that he may have spoken. She was nearer to him than anyone and although it’s unlikely, he may have said something to her, or even to himself before he pulled the trigger. So you can see why we are very keen to speak to Mrs Thomas”, the Inspector said glancing anxiously down at his watch as he did so. “Now what was it you wanted to talk to me about?”
Bridget told Inspector Addison all about their involvement in the murders in St Rémy.
“Of course I remember it well. I was stationed in Nottingham then and I must admit I had forgotten your names so I didn’t put two and two together. I didn’t realize I was in the presence of two heroes!”
“I’d hardly call it that” said Bridget, blushing profusely.
“Well we’ll certainly check with the French authorities that the killer is still behind bars. But if so, I think we can safely rule them out as a suspect.” The Inspector rose to leave but sat back down again. “Oh yes, I nearly forgot, the gun. We’re hoping to get the results from ballistics later today on the bullet we retrieved from the back seat of the car. We’ve made a bit of a mess of the upholstery I’m afraid, but I’m sure you know somewhere you can get it fixed” the Inspector said to Gil with a grin. “Ok, I think that really is it this time. Are you planning on visiting Mrs Thomas today?”
“We’re hoping to yes, we’ve asked Heather to give us a ring after the doctor’s been to see if she can receive visitors” Bridget replied.
“It looks as if she’s going to have a busy day then. As I said, we are hoping to speak to her later too. I’m hopeful that when we’ve done so, we’ll be one step nearer to finding out who this maniac is.”
“Well that’s not much of a comfort” said Bridget after Inspector Addison had left.
“What do you mean?” Gil asked.
“Well to hear him described as a maniac for one thing. I was the target don’t forget, not you. The thought of some mad gunman out there somewhere who apparently wants me dead doesn’t exactly fill me with joy.”
“No of course not Bridge, I can understand that. “I just wish I could understand what this is all about. I know it doesn’t make any sense that Maggie was the intended target, but what if there is something in her past that’s behind all this? I mean, we hardly know her, do we, not really. We’ve known of her for years as Heather’s mum but we only actually met her just over a week ago.”
“I know what you mean Gil, but Maggie is a lovely, gentle woman. I just can’t see her as someone who’s got skeletons in her cupboard, well not this kind anyway.”
“You’re probably right, I’m just clutching at straws. But if that’s the case, then where does it leave us? It means you or both of us are back in the frame.”
Just as Bridget was contemplating the significance of Gil’s last remark, the phone rang.” I’ll get it.”
“That was Heather” Bridget said after a brief conversation. “The doctor has just been and we can pop in and see Maggie this afternoon. He was quite pleased with her progress but her blood pressure it still on the low side so they’re keeping her in, for another night at least. Poor Heather said she didn’t have a very good night, far too many noises, but she’s feeling much better now that her mum is out of danger. Oh she asked if we could take in a couple of magazines, either cookery ones or one of those on homes and gardens.”
“Ok, makes a change from grapes I suppose. We can call in to the hospital shop on our way to the ward.”
Chapter Nine
After a light lunch, Gil and Bridget set off for the hospital just after two. As they ma
de their way to Maggie’s room, they bumped, quite literally, into Inspector Addison who was rounding a corner from the opposite direction.
“Hello again, I’m pleased to say we’ve been able to interview Mrs Thomas. I’d like to have a brief word with you both before you leave, if that’s convenient.”
“Yes of course” Gil replied, “we don’t plan on staying too long, Heather said that her mum tires very quickly.”
“Yes I soon found that out. I didn’t get through all my questions so I’ve arranged to speak to her again this evening. I haven’t had my lunch yet so what if you make your way to the cafeteria when you’ve finished? It’s on the ground floor.”
“Ok, see you then. I wonder what he wants to speak to us about?” Bridget said when the inspector was out of earshot.
“Hmm, I don’t think we’d better say anything to Maggie or Heather unless they bring it up of course.”
Not knowing what to expect when they saw Maggie, Gil and Bridget were pleasantly surprised to find her sitting up in bed tucking into a huge box of chocolates.
“This is the first time in my life I’ve been able to stuff my face with chocolate without feeling guilty!” Maggie said with a weak smile. “My son Owen and his wife brought them, you’ve just missed them. They couldn’t stay long as they had to get back for the girls. Still it was lovely to see them.”
“Well you’re certainly looking better than when we saw you last” said Bridget as she gently hugged Maggie and then Heather. Maggie was still very pale, Bridget thought, but that’s probably down to the amount of blood she’s lost, and the surgery of course.
“It’s so good to see you both” said Heather as she stood up to give Gil a hug. “Well what do you make of all this? I couldn’t believe it when the police rang me, I thought it was some sort of a joke. It’s only now sinking in that my mum has actually been shot. The police seem to have ruled out it being a random shooting, which I could sort of understand, but to think this maniac deliberately set out to kill her, well I can’t get my head around it.”
“It must have been a terrible shock for you and Tony. We’re at a total loss too” said Gil. “None of it makes any sense at all. I could almost understand it too if this was one of those, what do they call it, a “drive by” shooting, but the police seem to think that Bridget was the intended target, not your mum.”
“I know, that inspector told us that too. Not that it makes us feel any better, Mum is still lying injured in a hospital bed. It’s only by sheer luck that she’s not in the mortuary.” Heather paused momentarily to reflect on what she had just said. “It’s like something you see on TV, it’s not something you ever expect to happen to you” she said as she grabbed hold of her mother’s hand.
Out of nowhere, Bridget suddenly burst into tears. Heather rushed to comfort her. “Don’t forget you’ve had a terrible shock too, it’s only natural you’re going to be emotional for a while.”
“Yes I suppose so” said Bridget through the tears. “It’s not just that, it’s seeing your mum lying there with that huge dressing on, white as a sheet, I feel so responsible. If only we hadn’t suggest she came with us, none of this would have happened.”
“Shush, shush, that’s just silly” said Heather as she held Bridget close. “You were doing Mum a favour, no-one could have foreseen this happening, no-one, do you hear?”
‘That’s right Bridget” said Maggie. “Don’t even think about blaming yourselves, or I won’t save you any chocolates!”
Bridget managed a weak smile. 2I’m so sorry, the whole thing’s been a nightmare, I don’t know how you manage to put such a brave face on it Maggie.”
“We Welsh are made of strong stuff, it takes more than a bullet to stop us! Besides, I think I’ve been incredibly lucky.”
“How do you make that out? Gil asked. “Shot at, almost killed, not my idea of a lucky break.”
“The doctors think that from the trajectory of the bullet, I had turned to my right just before the shot was fired. I seem to recall I was looking for my sunglasses in that little storage compartment between the front seats. Anyway, if I had been facing the front, the bullet would probably have gone straight through my heart. So if you don’t call that luck, then I don’t know what is.”
“Well, when you put it like that, still it’s very brave of you to look on the positive side. I’m not sure I could do the same if I were in your shoes” said Gil.
Bridget glanced down at her watch. “Come on Gil, I think we should be going, we’ve stayed long enough. We don’t want to tire Maggie out.”
“I am feeling a little weary, but I think that’s more to do with the barrage of questions from Inspector Addison. And he’s coming back this evening with some more. I don’t know why, I don’t think I was able to add anything to what you two have probably already told him.”
“I’ll give you a call in the morning, after we’ve spoken to the doctor” Heather said, getting up out of her chair. “He said that if Mum’s blood pressure was back to normal, they might consider discharging her tomorrow but we’ll have to wait and see.”
“Well if there’s anything we can do in the meantime Heather, just give us a call. Are you staying here tonight again?”
“Yes, they seem quite happy for me to stay. I think it’s as much for Mum’s benefit as mine though. I know she’s putting on a brave front, but this has shaken her up badly.”
“I can hear you, you know” said Maggie. I’ve been shot in the shoulder, it hasn’t affected my hearing, or my brain!”
“I never thought it had Mum!” said Heather with a laugh.
“We really must be off this time” said. Bridget. “I hope you both have a better night.”
*
Gil and Bridget found Inspector Addison in a quiet corner of the cafeteria polishing off a portion of bread and butter pudding. He stood up and waved when he spotted them.
“I don’t know if Mrs Thomas and her daughter mentioned our interview, but unfortunately she wasn’t able to add anything to what we already know.”
“Yes, that’s what Maggie told us” said Gil. “From what she said, she wasn’t even facing forward when the shot was fired so she may have seen even less of what happened than us. It probably saved her life though by all accounts.”
Before he could respond, the Inspector pulled out his mobile phone in response to a text alert. “Hmm” he said, after reading the message. “The ballistics report is in. I’ll have to cut this short I’m afraid.”
“Do you want to leave this for another time? Gil asked.
“No, I can spare a few more minutes. I really wanted to speak to you both about information provided by your neighbour, Mrs Dora Williamson. Excuse me for a moment, I need to refer to my notes.” Inspector Addison paused as he reached into his inside jacket pocket for his notebook and flipped it open.
“Mrs Williamson has reported speaking to a man who called at your home on two separate occasions while you were on holiday in France. She says she mentioned this to you immediately on your return. Is that correct? It’s just that neither of you mentioned it to me or in your statements.”
“That’s my fault I’m afraid Inspector, not to have mentioned it I mean” Bridget replied sheepishly. “Dora Williamson spoke to us over the garden wall as we pulled up in the drive. To tell the truth I didn’t take too much notice as we’d had a long journey and just wanted to get inside. I wish I had paid more attention now.”
“This is the first I’ve heard about this? Why didn’t you tell me?” Gil enquired.
“I’m sorry Gil, and you too Inspector, it just slipped my mind. If you recall, you and Maggie dashed into the house. She, um, needed the bathroom urgently Inspector. Anyway, Mrs Williamson told me that a man had been asking for us ten days previously and again the day before we got back, which would have made it the Friday. As I said, I didn’t take too much notice as I assumed he would call again if it was important. I thought it might be something to do with the garage and I meant to mentio
n it to you Gil. But then you recall you went for a lie down, Maggie went out to the off-licence…..”
“Excuse me Bridget” the Inspector interrupted. “Could you repeat that bit again. You say that Mrs Thomas left your house for a time on the Saturday evening shortly after your return home from France?”
“Yes, like I said, Gil was very tired and aching from the long drive so went for a quick nap. Now let me see, yes I said to Maggie that I was going to make up a bed for her, she asked if she could help. When I said no thanks, she offered to go to the off-licence just down the road. We’d just discovered that we’d forgotten to pack the crate of wine we’d bought to bring home with us.”
“But how did Mrs Thomas know about the off-licence when she’d just arrived in Whytecliffe?”
“Well actually, I think she first suggested wanting to get some sea air and as she thought she’d spotted an off-licence when we drove by, she offered to buy some wine and beer as a thank you to us for giving her a lift. That was very kind of her don’t you think Inspector?”
“Is this significant?’ Gil asked.
“I don’t know, maybe or maybe not. How long was she away from the house Bridget?”
“Not very long, no more than half an hour I think. I had just finished the bed and had made a start on unpacking when I heard her open the front door.”
