A Perfect Likeness (14 page)

Deckman didn’t, outwardly, react to her continued attempts to provoke. Joan White was a very attractive woman with many admirers, but Deckman didn’t believe he was one of them. Whilst he respected her ability as a police officer he was uncomfortable with her continuous flirtations. He’d often wondered why he felt so ill at ease in her company and hoped it didn’t mean he
had
non-professional ideas about her.

‘I would like your permission to have another look at Victoria Campbell’s murder. In my view it is possible the wrong person has been convicted.’

‘Let’s not question verdicts at this stage, but yes, go ahead and have another look. We won’t consider the case reopened until you are one hundred percent sure.’

‘I am certain that had I managed to get this evidence during my original investigation, the outcome would have been different. Thanks, Joan, I’ll keep you informed.’

‘Terry,’ she said as he reached the door. ‘I know exactly how you are feeling. It happened to me once and I suffered, just like you are suffering now. In my case another officer carried out the second investigation, but I’ll see to it that you will be able to get to the bottom of this one.’ She smiled. ‘It might help your conscience if there has been an injustice.’

Deckman had got his permission, his main point of the meeting, but he was also relieved his Chief had not goaded him too much. Detective Sergeant Fraser was at his desk when Deckman entered the outer office of Serious Crimes.

‘Colin, I can see you’re not busy at the moment. In my office, please.’

‘How can you tell I’m not busy, Guv?’

‘Because you are staring into space thinking of nothing more than your next intake of food. Office, now.’

Fraser rose from his chair. ‘Bob, it seems our governor is also a mind reader along with everything else. Tread carefully, son.’

Detective Constable Bob Kensit had been with the team for eight months and the, sometimes, frivolous banter between his two senior officers was something he had not yet got used to.

Fraser closed the door and sat. ‘What’s the problem, Guv? By the look on your face it’s a big one.’

‘Could be. Remember the Victoria Campbell murder two years ago?’

Fraser nodded. ‘Yes, a clear case of ‘husband did it’, I recall.’

‘That’s what we all thought, but now there is a pretty strong chance that he didn’t do it.’

‘Bloody hell, poor sod. What’s crept out of the woodwork to make this likely?’

Deckman picked up the phone and dialled. ‘Let me get Rexton to bring up the case file and I’ll explain while we wait. Hello, Sergeant Rexton, it’s DI Deckman, will you bring up the file on Victoria Campbell please. 2008, conviction.’

‘Yes, of course, Sir, will tomorrow morning be alright? Got a lot of work on at the moment.’

‘No, Sergeant Rexton, it will not be alright, I need it now. If
you
cannot do it I’ll have to send down DC Kensit and you can give him the keys. Perhaps we can then see about relieving you of archives responsibility if it is all too much for you.’

‘No, no Sir, that won’t be necessary. I’m sure I can make time.’

‘Thank you, Sergeant, I’m waiting.’

‘Doesn’t change, Guv, does he? Acts like he runs the place.’

‘What is it between you and Rexton, the whole station knows you can’t abide each other?’

‘Look at his shoes when he comes in, Guv, must spend hours making mirrors of the toecaps. And those creases in his trousers, could cut the Sunday joint with ‘em. Can tell he was military, full of bullshit and nothing else.’

Deckman laughed, although unable to acknowledge his agreement. He briefed Fraser, but stopped immediately when the door opened.

It was Rexton. ‘Hello, Sir,’ he said ignoring Fraser and almost dropping the box on his desk, ‘Your case file.’

‘Next time, Sergeant, please knock before you enter, you never know who I have in here.’

‘Sorry, Sir, but I thought it was urgent.’

‘It is, Sergeant, but that doesn’t stop you knocking.’

‘Very well, Sir, I’ll remember that in future. Can I be of any further help, Sir?’

Fraser coughed and squirmed in his chair.

‘No, Sergeant Rexton, I’m sure Colin and I can manage.’

‘Fine, Sir, you know where I am should you need something.’ He turned, military style, and marched the short distance to the door which he left ajar.

Fraser got up and slammed it shut. ‘What a bloody moron that man is, his skin is thicker than a rhino’s arse. Come to think of it, he looks rather like one as well. Did you see his shoes and trousers, Guv? Just like I said weren’t they. And the hair from his nostrils, if it gets much longer he’ll need it perming. He got a quick promotion through his military red cap service and hasn’t seen the street since. Just as well, he wouldn’t know where to go if he found it.’

Deckman laughed again as he slid the statements provided by Trish Lister across the desk top. ‘Calm down, Colin, he’s not worth getting worked up about. Can you and Bob get these statements verified although, knowing how Miss Lister used to operate, I am sure they are spot on. Then Bob can get on his computer and conjure up as much information as possible on Star Boats and its directors.’

‘Right, Guv, straight away. Alright for me to take the case notes, no doubt you’ve decided to pop home for lunch today?’

‘Now who’s the mind reader?’ Deckman phoned home. ‘Hi, Jens, is there enough in the oven for an extra plate? Great, home in ten minutes.’

*

Jenny Deckman knew her husband must have had a difficult morning; the only time he ever went home for lunch. She prepared a snack and poured a measure of his favourite Scotch over two cubes of ice.

‘Hi, darling,’ she said planting a firm kiss on his lips, ‘this is a pleasant surprise, I can’t think of the last time I had the pleasure of your company for lunch. Do you want to talk about it before or after we eat?’

‘Sorry, Jens, am I that predictable?’

‘Yes, darling, but it doesn’t matter. I don’t think I want you to change. There’s a glass on the table and I’ll be with you in a minute.’ She checked how the quiche was progressing, returned to the living room and sat on the arm of the chair. ‘What’s gone wrong, darling?’ She ruffled his hair and kissed the top of his head.

‘Remember a couple of years ago there was the murder of the young housewife, Victoria Campbell, and her husband received a life sentence?’

Jens nodded.

‘Well, I had a meeting with Jackie Salter, Victoria’s sister, two or three weeks ago and I read a letter she had received from Michael Campbell, the jailed husband, pleading his innocence. This letter was special, Jens, and the moment I read it I knew then there had to be a good chance of it being true. I didn’t want to believe it and sent her away for more evidence, not believing for one moment that she would get it. I’ve been stewing on this ever since, I cannot get it off my mind.’

‘Thank goodness for that, at least now I know what has been wrong with you lately. I was beginning to think you’d had enough of us. Even the boys noticed.’

‘Sorry, Jens, I tried to hide it, but obviously I didn’t make a very good job of doing so. Well, this morning, Miss Salter returned with a private investigator, Trish Lister.’

‘I remember you talking of a Trish Grant, but not Lister.’

‘Same person, changed her name after her husband ran off.’

‘Thought she’d become an alcoholic. That’s the story I’d heard anyway.’

‘She had, but it seems, with the help of Jackie, she is back on form. She has come up with new information regarding the case and it could mean Michael was not the murderer. Trish has even provided me with a new suspect. We are checking out what she’s given us before we proceed further. Jens, this is something I’ve been dreading all my career. I cannot believe I allowed myself to make such a mistake. I failed to do what I have always insisted my officers do. No matter how obvious things might seem, always check for the not so obvious. I didn’t on this occasion.’

‘It wasn’t just you, darling, there were others involved.’

‘I was the investigating officer.’

‘Have you spoken to Joan White?’

‘Yes, she’s fine. Told me to tread carefully until I’m happy we are on the right track. She also told me she’d been involved in a similar situation. Helped a bit, but poor Michael
if
he
is
innocent.’

‘If he is innocent then I’m sure you are going to be the one to get him out. Come on, let’s have some lunch and, Terry, don’t bottle things up in future. You know I’m a good listener and we don’t want the boys upset.’

Chapter 11

It wasn’t the sound of the music that woke Jackie, but the female voice singing along with it. It was not a voice she recognised. Jackie shivered as her feet touched the cold, uncarpeted, floor in search of her slippers. She put her dressing-gown over her shoulders and went downstairs to investigate. The office door was open and Trish was dancing and dusting whilst accompanying the Beatles performing one of their major hits.

Jackie smiled. For the first time since they had met it looked as though Trish was truly happy and, hopefully, now she was over the worst. Perhaps that night in the cells had done the trick, she thought. She hoped.

‘Morning, Trish.’

A startled Trish almost fell across an office chair as she was half way through receiving her applause at the end of her rendition of ‘Can’t Buy Me Love’. ‘Jackie, you seem to have the most unfortunate knack of turning up when I least expect you. Good morning to you too. Just doing a bit of cleaning.’

‘Looks more like you’re in concert with the Beatles.’

‘And you look as though you are waiting for your next customer, leaning on the doorpost like that dressed only in your nightclothes.’

‘I love you too. Shall I prepare breakfast while you wait for your fans to finish clapping?’

‘Ha, ha. Yes please for the breakfast, I’m quite peckish. Office cleaning used to be a weekly task of mine before I decided to let go of my life.’

Trish downed her duster at the first smell of coffee. ‘Couldn’t wait any longer,’ she said pouring out two cups and inhaling deeply. ‘Mmmm, that is delicious, first of the day.’

‘I wonder how many you’ll get through this morning? Not too many, I trust,’ warned Jackie.

‘Now you sound like my mother, God bless her.’

‘She was right, but I suppose it’s better than the alternative. Trish, you know my parents come home this evening. I’m not sure of the time as they are collecting Scottie, our dog, from Mum’s sister on the way from the airport. It wasn’t fair to keep him at home while they were away, what with me working and him not liking to be left alone. He loves going to the farm; he’s got a brother there and they get on so well together. I need to go and do a bit of tidying up, not that the house is really bad as I’ve been here most of the time.’

‘Can I help?’ Trish was desperate for Jackie to accept her offer. She had been dreading the return of Mr and Mrs Salter and it would happen to be today. Why not a week later, or two days even; any day except today for she knew tomorrow was going to be very difficult for her to cope with. Jackie would be preoccupied for the next day or so and she would have to rely on Mack to get her over the problem she was anticipating. Tomorrow was a day when Trish should not be left alone.

‘No , I’ll be fine and I’m sure you’ve got enough to do here. Don’t look so worried, you are going to be okay you know. Mack and I are so proud of you, Trish, the way you are now getting back to normal.’

‘I hope you’re right. It’s down to you, and dear old Mack of course. I suppose I am a little nervous at being on my own now. We will talk won’t we?’

‘Of course we will, whenever you want to. What are you going to do for the rest of the day?’

Well, knowing your folks were returning I volunteered to do a bit more at the marina this afternoon to see if I can catch a few more part-time sailors. It will keep me occupied.’

‘A good idea, but please be careful with Star Boats, Trish.’

‘I will, don’t worry, and later I shall prepare myself for tomorrows meeting with Inspector Deckman so I have plenty to keep me occupied.’

‘Excellent. I’d like to go to the meeting with you, but I’m back to work and can’t ask for more time off. Anyway it’s you he wants to speak with. Any idea what it could be about?’

‘Not sure, but I imagine he will ask me to stay on at the marina and keep an eye on the Star Boats outfit, without getting involved with them. It would certainly be more sensible than arranging for an undercover officer to be located. Another new face turning up might just be a bit hard for the Page’s to accept.’

Jackie frowned and shook her head. ‘I don’t like the sound of that, Trish, could be a bit risky.’

‘Don’t worry, I promise I’ll be a good girl and will call you as soon as I can after the meeting, okay?’

‘Thanks. What are you doing about eating?’

‘Mack has asked me out this evening. He’s picking me up at eight.’

‘Oh, Trish, I’m so pleased. You kept that quiet didn’t you? Where are you going, anywhere nice?’

‘You won’t believe this, but across the road to The Study. I’m sure he thinks I might get lost if he leaves me to find it myself. Men! Poor chap couldn’t get a relief manager at short notice so he’s going to be up and down all evening. He wanted to take me to that new Thai restaurant on the front.’