The murder, p.22
The Murder, page 22
Tom was whistling when Liz arrived the next day. He’d managed to get two more returns done and get the church hall accounts into some sort of order. He was inputting a spreadsheet with the various costs when she arrived.
“Blimey someone’s happy. I’d better have a look at your… Oh, Tom, he’s going to be beside himself when he sees that. Well done.”
“He was, I sent photos. All thanks to you, couldn’t have done it without you.”
“You would have managed. Looks like Craig Parker did a good job. You still falling on the side of believing him?”
Tom told her he was and explained why. “He’s not stupid, but nor is he bright enough to manipulate a conversation. What you see is what you get. I think he’s had a tough life, but he’s keen to change that. He wants to leave home, although he still has a modicum of loyalty towards his mother. If he didn’t, I think he would say more. I was so keen to know what the row between Karen and Denise had been about, I almost told him to find out. He told Bella he’d buy her a drink if she went to the pub, I told him to behave himself because she’s a nice girl. Not those exact words, but you know.”
“I’ll take your word for it. For now. Do you want me to get on, or shall we talk about going to see old man Amery?”
Tom rolled his eyes. “I thought we’d had that conversation, but the answer to the question is get on, because I’m going nowhere until such time as I’ve got the church hall accounts into some sort of order. I’m on library duty this afternoon, I’m bound to be asked.”
“Hmm. I’ll be about an hour. Going to clean both bathrooms this morning.”
“Wonderful.”
Tom put all thoughts about meeting Amery senior to the back of his mind and lifting the top invoice, typed the description and amount into his spreadsheet. In no time at all, he’d got through half the pile. He was going to finish this before he let Liz talk him into another outing. He picked up the next item, it was two sheets stapled together, and he paused when he saw the detail.
In Kathy Lambert’s distinctive handwriting it was noted that two hundred and thirty-six pounds had been received from the WI and banked. It was signed by Kathy and R Amery. Attached was a banking slip from several days later.
“Perhaps it’s a sign I should go,” he mumbled as he moved it into the receipts pile.
“You’re talking to yourself. I thought we were moving away from weird.” Liz grinned as she appeared with the vacuum.
“Don’t do in here today, I did the rest of downstairs last night. I want to get to the bottom of this pile, and I won’t be able to concentrate with that racket on.”
“Yes, I noticed that. You’re trying to get rid of me. I’ll just put the duster around the sitting room. What were you mumbling about?”
“Signs.”
“Posts or messages from the beyond? Either way, absolutely, definitely weird.”
Tom laughed. “Becky Amery must be a member of the WI, she gave Kathy some money to bank, and I was wondering if seeing the name meant I should go on this waste of time trip of yours.”
“In which case, of course it was a sign. Get on with that, I’m almost done. We’ve got to pop up and see Alana too.”
“I’d rather do that. Although what do you say to someone who’s lost their mother in such circumstances?”
“You talk about them, you, the weather, the state of the economy, anything but that, unless of course they bring it up. In which case you listen and mostly avoid saying much of anything. It worked for me.”
“Do you know, you never cease to amaze me. Go and do your dusting.”
“I’m only a cl… housekeeper for convenience, you know, I’m not thick. Just think if I were working as a high-powered barrister or the like, we wouldn’t be this close to solving Denise’s murder, and you wouldn’t have a nice little bedroom ready for Eddie.” With a flick of her duster, Liz disappeared.
When they’d both finished their respective chores, Liz hurried Tom to the car. “The sooner we get this bit done, the sooner we can get on with something more—”
“Productive?”
“That’s not what I was going to say. Get in the car, it’s only about twenty minutes away.”
When they pulled into the nursing home carpark, Liz pulled a mask from the pocket of the dash and handed it to Tom. “Still required in these places. Same as the hospital.”
Tom put his mask on and followed Liz into reception. She nodded at the young girl manning the desk. “We’re here to see Mr Amery.”
“Oh really, that’s a surprise. He should be in the television room at this time. Not quite lunch-time. You won’t have long.”
“That’s fine. I doubt he’ll know us. Just felt we should show our faces, or not.” Liz pulled at her mask.
“Why is it a surprise?” Tom asked.
“He doesn’t get many visitors, I doubt even one a month. Not that he knows that. But it’s sad.” Realising she might just have criticised the family, the girl wagged her finger. “I mean it’s sad that he doesn’t realise… um.” She lifted a book and opened it. “Sign in please.”
“It’s okay, I know what you mean.” Tom smiled although she couldn’t see that, and watched Liz pick up the pen.
“Shall I just do both of us or do you need individual names?”
“Doesn’t matter, whichever suits, I don’t think we use it unless there’s a fire drill.”
Writing quickly and signing with a flourish, Liz closed the book and handed it back. “Which way is the television room?”
“I’ll call someone to come and get you. Can’t have strangers wandering around.”
Call made, a short, stout woman with a European accent came to collect them. “I am Maria. He’s having a good day. He’s happy today.” She said without the use of any h’s. She led them into a comfortable communal living room. The television was on mute, and most of the handful of residents were asleep. “He’s in the window. He likes to look out.”
Liz and Tom approached William Amery and took a seat on either side of him. He looked from one to the other.
“Afternoon, I don’t know you two. Shouldn’t you be doing something?”
Liz took his hand and clasped it between her own. “I’m Liz and this is Tom, we’ve come to see you.”
“Have you indeed, well I’m going out in a minute, so keep it short.”
“Where are you going?” Tom asked.
“Work of course. I’m never late.”
“What do you do?”
“I’m an architect. I won the silver guild award in eighty-three. Is that why you’re here? Please tell me you don’t want an extension.”
“Not at the moment, but my family is growing so who knows.” Tom noticed Liz had kept hold of the old man’s hand. “We’re here to speak to you about Jim.”
“Jim? Why? He’s at school I should think. Scratch that, he will be, he’s never broken a rule in his life. I know he’s our boy, but he can be quite boring.”
“Oh, I see. He won’t be with Denise Mills then? Only we heard—” Liz gasped as William Amery slapped her before jumping to his feet. “Don’t mention her name. We do not speak about her. Everyone knows that.” Now in a panic, Amery looked around. “Did she hear?”
Tom checked Liz was okay and helped Amery back into his seat. “Who? Did who hear?”
“The wife, of course, she’ll be lethal if she did.” Amery’s hands were shaking, and his eyes still scanned the room. “I think we’re safe, but you’d better go before she gets back. I don’t suppose I could trouble you for a lift, could I?”
“Sorry, we didn’t bring the car. Why can’t you—” Tom was interrupted by the return of Maria. “Mr and Mrs Smith, I must ask you to come back to reception. Say goodbye.”
“But we—”
“Now. His daughter is here.”
Liz and Tom looked at each other. Tom’s heart sank, but Liz’s eyes twinkled.
“We’re in trouble,” he hissed as they followed Maria back along the corridors. “You seem to be amused.”
“Last time I looked there were no rules against visiting anyone, anywhere. Unless it was a prison, I suppose. This should be interesting.”
“Not what I’d call it, that must be her. Look at her face. Those eyes are evil. Oh God, she’s with Abi.”
As they entered the reception area, Becky Amery marched over to them. A tall, broad-shouldered woman, she was immaculately presented. Liz knew her makeup would be too, if not obscured by the mask. “Mr and Mrs Smith, I presume?”
“Mrs Amery. How are you?” Liz’s manner was pleasant, and although her face was still hidden by the mask she smiled. She shot a glance at Abi who was standing several feet away behind her mother. Abi gave her a thumbs up.
“How I am has nothing to do with you. Why are you visiting my father-in-law?”
“I’m not sure that’s any of your business, but the short answer is because he doesn’t get visitors from one month to the next. I’m surprised to see you here.”
“My daughter wanted to see her grandfather. Not that it’s any of your business.” Behind her, Abi shook her head.
“I’m not sure what harm you thought we were doing, Mrs Amery, but I can assure you our motives are innocent. You seem to think the opposite. Why did you think we were here?”
Becky Amery deflated, her shoulders dropped, and she puffed out a sigh. “I’m sorry, I was shocked. I suppose those without families do get visitors, much like prisoners. I’d thank you if you could let us know next time you intend coming. Just looking after my father-in-law.” Turning to Abi, she jerked her head. “Goodbye, and apologies once again. Maria, you may show us in.”
Maria rolled her eyes and pushed the door open again. “This way.”
Becky Amery marched through the door, Abi walked more slowly. “Any news?” she asked in a whisper.
Liz shook her head, and with a wave to the receptionist took Tom’s arm and headed for the car. As they climbed in, they didn’t know it, but they were being watched by the Amerys. “What did those people want, William?” Becky asked.
William’s smile was wicked. “An extension. Growing family. What do you want?”
“This is Abi, do you remember her? She wanted to come and see you.”
“Why? Does she want an extension too?”
In the car, Liz pulled off her mask and turned to Tom, her expression triumphant. “I told you it was worth it. We now know Denise’s name was banned when Jim was at school. Before you say it, I know we don’t know why, but a pound says they knew she was pregnant, and if they knew, Jim must have. Don’t you think?”
“Never say never, and what have you. But yes, generally I agree with that. But Smith? You couldn’t do better than Smith? Why did you put that anyway, if she makes a complaint, we’ll be questioned about that. Lying makes it look like we had something to hide. It’s lucky we have Patrick on our side.
“No one would have been any the wiser if they hadn’t shown up, she won’t say anything, not after I shamed her. That didn’t take long, let’s see Alana before I do my next client. I’ll text her to let her know we’re on our way.”
Alana let them in with a smile. “I was going to tell you on the phone, but I thought I’d wait. In here, I need to keep my leg up.” Still not competent with the crutches, Alana’s journey was slow. Once she was sitting on the couch her leg stretched along its length, she told them her news. “Patrick called, no one tried to kill me. It was mistaken identity, and not even with me, but with my car. Something to do with a stolen girlfriend. Scary, but now I can relax.”
“Well that is good news. Once you’re more used to your crutches, we’ll have to get you down to… to the house so you can see if you want anything done. You’ll need the back door sorted, and some blinds at the back. I’ll give it the once over first, and if you want, I’ll get rid of anything you don’t want to see.”
“Like what?”
“Like dirty washing, and… well that’s it really. I’ve already done the fridge and the bin.”
“Thanks, but I don’t want anything changed not yet. I liked it as it was. It was Denise. Weird you know, everyone keeps calling her my mum, and she wasn’t, not yet. My mum died a while ago. It didn’t mean I didn’t love Denise, and we might have got to that point where I called her mum, but it’s awkward. It’s like my dad. If he’s still alive, I might give him a call, I might not, but he’s still my dad. I was hoping Denise would tell me who my biological father was, but I did my DNA thing anyway. Not to catch her out, but just in case. That should have come back by now. I’ll check online again later.”
“I do. How are you getting on with Sally?”
“Really well, she’s nice. I think she apologised six times about having to go to work today, but it was nice just to be still, and quiet. In hospital they seem to be in and out every ten minutes. I’m going to start on these when you’ve gone.” Alana tapped a pile of books.
“What are you studying?” Tom asked.
“Law. Which brings me to the question I’ve been dying to ask, how are you doing with your investigation? Patrick tells me it’s going slowly because they can’t find anyone who bore a grudge against her.”
“It’s moving along. I’m not going to worry you with the details, but it just got easier because we’re not trying to find out who would want you both dead.” Tom shook his finger. “I can see what you’re going to say but I’m not going to change my mind. Are we, Liz?”
“No. I agree. Oh, are you expecting someone? I’ll go.” Liz got to her feet at the sound of the doorbell.
“That will be Carly I expect. She’s bringing me some of my stuff.”
It was, and happy Alana had everything she needed, they left the two girls to catch up. Tom was surprised when Liz turned to go into his house.
“I thought you had a client?”
“I have, but we weren’t as long as expected on either of our visits. It’s two weeks tomorrow, Tom. The longer it takes the less likelihood there is of catching the killer. Now we know Alana wasn’t targeted, Jim Amery is right back in the frame. I knew it was possible he could have tampered with Alana’s brakes, but I couldn’t see a father, however remote, doing that.”
“Put the kettle on. You have half an hour. I need to eat, and I must get some work done before the library.”
They shared a tin of soup, and Liz drew squares on a piece of paper. In one she wrote Andy, and in the other Jim. She then listed what facts they had about each man and their connections to Denise.
“The thing is,” Liz pointed her spoon at Tom “we don’t know what alibi either of them gave to the police for the time Denise was killed, or when her body was moved, or how thoroughly the police checked them. Or come to that the burglary. I know everyone thinks it isn’t connected but it might well be.”
“I think we need to speak to Patrick on that. We’re not, and I mean this, Liz, we are not going to ask them. Shall I message him now? Don’t answer that, I’m doing it.”
Tom sent the message, and the response came within minutes. Both had airtight alibis.
“Don’t believe it. Ask him how airtight.”
“No. Leave it until we see him tomorrow. Are we still going tomorrow?”
“I think so, I’ll message Sally.”
Sally said she’d like to go and would check with Patrick. They arranged to meet at the pub at quarter to eight. With that sorted, Tom insisted on Liz going about her own business so he could get on with his own.
The afternoon passed quickly, and Tom was glad he’d set an alarm to remind him to go to the library. He’d done well with the accounts, but there were certainly bits missing, but he’d be able to take it up with Kathy.
When he got there, a man he’d never seen before was sitting at the desk. Ruddy faced, with a shine on his bald head, Tom guessed he was in his seventies. He waved to Tom.
“Are you Tom, or are you after something?”
“I’m Tom. I don’t think we’ve met.” Tom walked to the desk and shook his hand.
“You’re right, we haven’t. I’m Dave I usually do a couple of morning shifts, but the vicar’s wife can be very persuasive.”
“That is very true. I was hoping to see her, I’ve also got roped into doing the accounts. I need a few more bits and pieces.”
“Oh, you’re that Tom.”
“What Tom?”
“The one that’s chasing around trying to find out what happened to Denise.”
“Well, I’d like to say I’m helping the police out, but tell me, why does me doing the accounts for the church hall, tell you I’m that Tom. What have you heard?”
“I was talking to Alice in the shop yesterday, you did her posters for her. I need something run off for our skittles team, and I said I’d might ask you. She said you were probably too busy because you had your own work, the church accounts, the library, and were doing some sleuthing on Denise with Liz.”
“Blimey does she know everything? How she knows I’m doing the accounts is anyone’s guess.”
“Nosey, and only talks to people she likes. Someone she likes would have told her. So will you do it?”
“Do what?”
“My skittles fixtures list. I only need a couple of copies. I’ll pay if you’re strapped for cash.”
“Um. Yes. Let me know what you need. I’ll take my coat off and put the kettle on.”
“Good plan, white, two sugars, then you can tell me all about your sleuthing. I like a good mystery, and I liked Denise. I used to work with her dad way back when. He was taken too soon too.”
Tom walked to the coat hooks trying to work out how to avoid that conversation, after all, how many people did he want knowing what they were up to? It was becoming an open secret and might put him and Liz in danger. He was saved initially by Mrs Bairstow. She’d brought her books back and was talking to Dave when he returned with the tea.
“Hello, Mrs Bairstow, you’re usually a Thursday girl.” Tom handed Dave his tea.
“Will you listen to this charmer, Dave? Girl. I’ve not been called a girl for twenty years or more.”
Dave spluttered on his tea. “Make that fifty and I might believe you.” Mopping up the splatters of tea with his hanky, he stamped the books back in.
