The murder, p.17
The Murder, page 17
“Why aren’t you allowed to go to the gym? What did you do?” Liz asked. “Don’t get me wrong, I won’t judge, but I was a teenager myself, and there was always a reason for a punishment, to my parents that is. What I thought didn’t come into it. So, I know enough to know there was something.”
“That doesn’t matter. What matters is whether we can help each other.”
Despite her petulance, Abi was a confident, well-spoken young lady. There was a spark about her that Tom liked, he smiled. “Let’s hope we can. You tell us what you think we can do for each other, and we’ll tell you if that’s possible.”
“Dad refused to take a DNA test. Don’t you think that’s suspicious? Because I do. I’m an only child, a miserable, lonely, only child. If I’ve got a half-sister, I want to know about it. Know her. If me and Dad are all she’s got, she should know about it, and so should I. I’d love a sister, half or not. Although it is a relief, it would be Dad’s half not Mum’s.”
“Okay, how do you propose we do that? How old are you?” Tom asked.
“Seventeen. Why do you ask? Because I’m not old enough? There are ways and means you know.”
“Are you suggesting we encourage a minor to break the law? I don’t think that’s going to happen, Abi. We have the full co-operation of the police as things stand. We wouldn’t want to compromise that.”
“You wouldn’t be. Has this Alana had her DNA tested?”
“We don’t know because we haven’t asked yet. She’s been in a serious car accident and—”
“I know, I heard that. How awful must it be to know someone wanted you dead? All the more reason to find whatever family you have. How old is she by the way?”
“Twenty. She’s a nice girl. Seems kind, is pretty, slim, blonde…” Liz let the sentence drift away as Abi repeatedly pointed at herself as Liz uttered each element of the description.
“Does she have blue eyes?” Abi was grinning. “I bet she does. Can I meet her?”
“Whoa! We need to discuss this with her before you start getting carried away, and of course, whatever your opinion, we do have to consider your parents.”
“No, you don’t. If we were ten months down the line, I’d be eighteen and free. I can’t wait. And anyway, it’s too late.”
“What do you mean too late?”
Convinced that she must be adopted, which is why her mother hated her, Abi’s friend, Bella, had agreed to let Abi use her name and date of birth to send off a DNA sample to WhoAreYou?, a family tracing site. The results were due in the next week or so. Abi had also heard Liz tell her father that Alana was coming to live in Little Compton, and she’d decided she would contact Alana as soon as that happened.
“But now I know about Alana, perhaps that’s why my mother hates me. Perhaps I was a revenge child because he already had one. You know something to keep him tied to her, because any sane man would have left her by now. She tries to control him too, you know. I have no idea why he puts up with it. I don’t know, I haven’t thought this through because I’ve only just found out, but the DNA will tell us. You must ask Alana to get her DNA tested.”
Liz and Tom exchanged glances, but it was Tom who spoke. “That’s all very well, Abi, and if you don’t mind me saying, it’s pretty daft. Have you put either of your parent’s DNA on there? If you haven’t, what did you expect to find? I doubt very much your mother knows about Alana, even if you share the same father. The father of Denise’s baby wanted her to terminate her pregnancy. I doubt that was something he would have shared with future partners. He may even have believed that’s what Denise did, because she went away to have the baby. Adult relationships are complicated. You’re assuming that because you have an issue with your mother, your father does too. Have you ever considered he might be perfectly happy? Other than the conflict you seem to have with her of course. I’m guessing the need to play peacekeeper probably upsets him.”
Abi shrugged. “That was patronising. This isn’t teenage angst, you know. The woman is mad, something is wrong with my family, and I intend to find out what, if I’m able. Now I know about Alana, the best result for me would be that she is my sister. If she wanted me to, I could go and live with her. That would solve everyone’s problems.”
Liz blew a breath through pursed lips. “Let me speak to Alana and see what she wants to do. Even if she’s not related to you, she might like you as a friend. That’s not patronising you, but a statement of fact. In the meantime, go home and keep your head down. Your father could be telling the truth, and your mother might not know about his relationship with Denise. After all, it was before they met. But you saying anything could make matters worse. From what you tell me things don’t need to be made worse. Will you do that for me?”
“When are you going to speak to Alana?”
“I’m going to see her later if I can’t get her by phone. I’ve already tried once, she didn’t pick up, but she could have been otherwise engaged.”
“Will you tell her about me? Please. Just let her know that I’m here for her whatever.”
Liz nodded and convinced Abi she should go back to her father and keep her thoughts to herself until they knew more. Abi agreed and smiled for the first time since she’d arrived. Tom saw her out and found Liz was already speaking to Alana when he returned. Alana readily agreed to staying with Sally and confirmed she had already sent her DNA off to WhoAreYou? She’d decided to do that and see what turned up when Denise had told her it didn’t matter who her biological father was.
“Wow.” Tom raised his eyebrows as Liz relayed the conversation. “So, we’ll know soon if the two girls are related.”
“We will indeed. I still want to do that walk and was trying to avoid doing it in the dark but needs must. Will you come with me this evening?”
“As long as I’m in by ten. I should be here for Emily’s call. We didn’t speak yesterday.”
“Oh dear, was that our fault for dragging you to the quiz night? I really enjoyed it, I’d like to do it again.”
“I did too. No, it wasn’t the quiz, she got tied up and texted to say she wouldn’t call.”
“I should have her number you know. Just in case.”
“In case of what?”
“In case anything happens to you. In fact, anyone’s number would do.”
“Nothing is going to happen to me. But if it makes you happy, her number is in the phone book.”
“Fabulous. If only I knew where that was.”
“Top drawer in the sideboard. I’d better get on with some work. I’ll update the murder log. If you change your mind about creeping around a graveyard at night, just call.”
“That’s me dismissed. See you later.”
Liz didn’t return until seven thirty, by which time Tom had done another two self-assessments and sorted the paperwork Kathy had dropped off into some sort of order. They started at the gate where Denise had bumped into Kathy, walked past the entrance to the church, and through the gap in the stone wall that led into the churchyard. They walked along the path at the side of the church, then up through the gravestones along the cobbled path which led to the lane beyond. Tom shone his torch back and forth and although they thought they’d found the location of Denise’s murder, any blood which had been there had been cleaned away. Wherever the wheelbarrow had been, it was now absent from the scene. They entered the lane. Liz led the way, walking slowly, her yellow wellies squelching on the leaves underfoot. At the top of the lane, she stopped.
“You wouldn’t know this if you haven’t been here, but if you go along this way, it comes out where you would have joined the path along the stream. It’s an unofficial route, quicker if you’re trying to get back to Lower High Street. But this way, and this is the way I think they would have come, leads to… it’s easier to show you. Come on.”
They walked side by side, the going underfoot became very claggy in patches. Liz maintained the pace she thought the murderer would have been able to travel with a body in a wheelbarrow. Tom’s torch revealed little other than footprints from boots like their own, and dog prints. After a few minutes, the path narrowed, and falling in behind Liz, Tom handed her the torch. She swung it back and forth too quickly for his liking, but he kept that to himself. Until something caught his eye on a bend in the path.
“Stop. Back up a minute. Give me the torch.”
Now in control of the light, Tom shone it along the bank on the right-hand side of the path. The earth had been scored by something a foot or so above ground level.
“You see that?” He followed the line in the bank again. “This is the way they came. I reckon that’s where the wheelbarrow listed to the right as they tried to guide it around the bend. How much further now?”
“Not far. Keep walking.”
With Tom now leading the way, they walked another hundred yards or so. The path widened up to a clearing Tom was familiar with. On the other side of it the stream emerged from the rear of the village. He walked to the centre of the clearing and then followed the narrow path that ran alongside the stream. At this stage you couldn’t see the stream, only hear its progress as it flowed towards the river and the estuary beyond. Immediately the bank lowered, and the dark stream came into sight, he slowed, and shone his torch towards the water.
“There. That’s where they left her.”
Liz shivered and grabbed the sleeve of his coat. “Are you sure?”
“Of course I am. Look over there. No grass left, worn smooth from all the emergency service chaps doing their job.”
Liz checked the time. “Twenty minutes. Although I think possibly half an hour. I don’t think they would have been able to travel that quickly with the wheelbarrow. Come on. Let’s get home. It’s almost eight. See how long it took you.”
Tom turned away, and walked at a brisk pace, shining the torch back and forth as he had done his phone. Past the clearing, through the gap in the hedges, and they were at the end of Lower High Street. Tom stopped walking.
“It’s seconds down to my place now. How long was that?”
“Two minutes, tops.”
“As I thought. Now take me from here back to the lane and explain why they wouldn’t have come that way. It seems to me it would have been quicker.”
“Don’t need to. There are two sets of steps. Only two steps a piece, but would you try to get a wheelbarrow with a body up them? And look how bright it is here. Think the steps are lit too.”
“Show me.”
Tom decided Liz was correct in her assumptions. Although the route was probably half the distance they’d travelled to the stream, and cobbled underfoot, most of the path was encased by walls, and at the two sets of steps there were wall lights to illuminate the steps.
“You were correct, I believe, Liz. Even if they didn’t allow for the steps, over half of that journey left them exposed to being seen. If someone had chanced upon them, there was nowhere to hide. Going the other way, although it might have been difficult, what with the body, they would have had a chance to leave the path. Whoever moved her knew this. Interesting.”
“Not really. Most people who live here will know about it. If we think about our main suspects, Andy, Jim, and Karen, they would have all known. In the summer when the fair is on, following this path along to the other end is the easiest route. But I’m exhausted, it’s been a long day, I’m not showing you now.”
“Nor would I want you to. Come on.”
As they approached Pendry’s, Patrick Connor pulled up outside Sally’s, and Sally jumped out of the car.
“Hello. Glad we bumped into you two. We’ve just been to see Alana. Thought I’d better meet her. You were right, she is a lovely girl. It’s such a sad situation. Looks like she can come home on Sunday, so I’ve roped Patrick into getting her room ready with me tomorrow. If you fancy popping up and lending a hand, feel free. Where have you been?”
“Just for a walk. I’ll pop up after swimming. Tom might be earlier. Have a nice evening.”
Connor opened the boot and lifted out a tin of paint. “As long as you didn’t find any more bodies. Apparently, I’ll get the first coat on tonight. I don’t need to be called out. And before you ask, nothing new, yet. See you tomorrow.” Connor ushered Sally up the path to avoid further conversation.
“You didn’t want to chat then.” Tom grinned as he pushed open his gate.
“Not tonight. Don’t want to take advantage. See you tomorrow. ’Night.”
“Goodnight, Liz.”
As suggested by Liz, Tom made a few notes on the printout of the murder log and got ready for bed. He’d recorded the new series of Vera, and decided he’d watch that until Emily called.
“Hi, Dad, sorry about yesterday. Unavoidable. How are you? You look well. You’ve got rosy cheeks.”
“That’s because I had a bracing walk, and the heating is on. It’s miserable here. Had a busy couple of days. You’ll never guess what I did last night. How are you by the way? You look a bit worried.”
“Not worried, not really. What did you do? I’m intrigued.”
“A pub quiz. We came second. Won a round of drinks, we’re going next week to cash in. What does ‘not really’ mean?”
“Dad, that’s fabulous. Who’s we? Liz I’m guessing, I can’t wait to meet her.”
“You will if you come over at Christmas. But back to you, what’s happening with the job, and what does ‘not really’ mean?”
“Would you say you are in a good mood?”
“I was. Now I’m getting nervous. Why?”
“Oh, no. You don’t need to be nervous. Shit. I’ll just say it.”
But she didn’t. Tom gave her a moment before prompting.
“Go on then. Say it. It can’t be that bad.”
Emily blew out a breath. “Here goes. I’m coming home.”
“Yes, you said… Oh… Do you mean coming home? Home to live?”
“I do.”
“That’s bloody marvellous. When? Oh, hang on there’s a catch. When you say home, you do mean near me, don’t you? Not Scotland or somewhere else miles away?”
“Near, as with you… initially anyway. Would that be okay?”
“This is getting better and better. Of course, you daft girl. That’s perfect. When?”
“By Christmas, next few weeks. That job I told you about, it wasn’t here. It’s in Bristol. I’m renting my place out here, can’t bring myself to sell it yet. I can’t find any properties I like. Or if I do, they are as far as you are from where I’ll be working. I thought if I could come and live with you while I look for something suitable?”
“Which sounds imminently more sensible than going for something you’ve not seen. Estate agents are very good at taking misleading photographs. For instance, I hope you don’t expect the sitting room here to be huge. It’s not. No point in rushing into anything. You are welcome to stay here as long as you want. You never know, you might decide Bristol is too pricey. Because it is, you know. When do you start? Oh, I haven’t got a car yet, how will you get back and forth, public transport is awful I’m told.”
“I get a car with the job, and I start on the fourth of January.”
“This all sounds splendid. If I had anything in the house, I’d raise a glass in celebration. The best news. Just the best.” Tom’s smile faded as he saw Emily didn’t share his enthusiasm. “What? I can see there’s something else. Is there a but?” He watched Emily draw in a breath and crossed his fingers and curled his toes as his heart rate increased. “Spit it out, Em, there’s not much you can tell me that will take the edge of this.”
“I think there might be. It’s all my fault, I kept waiting and waiting. You know, for the right time, and it just never… then it seemed… you know.”
“No. No idea.” He watched her chest expand again, and she closed her eyes.
Without opening them she said. “I won’t be coming alone.” Opening one eye she grimaced.
“You’re back with Jason. I’m sure—”
“No not Jason. Eddie.”
“Who’s Eddie, a new boyfr… Not… but why?” Tom frowned and pulled the phone closer to watch Emily’s changing expressions.
“Eddie who you spoke to the other night. He’s your grandson.” Emily blinked and her eyes welled with unshed tears.
“But how? I mean I know how, but why don’t I know about… Oh, I see. You’ve adopted him. For one moment there…” Tom watched his daughter’s face crumple and her shoulders bounce. “You’re his mother? His proper birth mother? He’s how old? Four? Five?”
“Four in January. He’s quite big for—”
“I’ll tell you what he’s quite big for. He’s quite big for me only to be finding out about him when he is so big. I can’t speak to you.” Tom’s shaking finger managed to disconnect the call on the third jab.
Emily tried to call back four times. Tom ignored her calls. He was pacing up and down cursing his stupidity at having thrown away his alcohol. He didn’t go to bed, there was no point. He simply could not comprehend why she hadn’t told him. Had he known all along, how might that have changed things? He didn’t know, but now, despite having his immediate family double in size, he felt as alone as he had the day Amy died. He couldn’t sit and relax, nor would his body function properly. His attempts at making a sandwich at three am lay scattered on the breakfast bar. He didn’t even read the end of the text Emily sent him.
Dad, I know sorry isn’t good enough. But when I fell pregnant, you were in a really bad place. I was so excited and so thrilled, that I couldn’t tell you. I didn’t want you to bring me down. To take that excitement and joy away from me. It had been a long time since I felt that good. Eddie was born two days after Aunt Jane had to have you taken to the hospital. We didn’t speak for a week if you remember. That wasn’t because I was avoiding you, it was because I was in hospital too. The birth hadn’t been straight forward. When you were allowed home, I didn’t know how to tell you what you’d missed. Then you seemed to get better, and I thought…
