Angels Bleed (Fallen Angels Book 1) (18 page)

2:20 pm

Saul’s black SLK came careering down the overgrown gravel driveway of Featherstone Hall, throwing up stones in every direction, a policeman patrolling the perimeter having to jump out of the path of the oncoming vehicle.  The car skidded sideways to a screeching halt just outside the MIU, a wave of gravel surfing out from the tyres, peppering passers-by and other vehicles.  Shouts of admonishment greeted Saul’s ears as he leap out of the car and rushed to the open door of the MIU. 

DI Munro was in the doorway watching his approach.  ‘Slow down Saul, you can’t…’  he started to say, the sentence ending in a wheezy whisper as Saul’s oncoming fist connected with his stomach, winding him, forcing him to bend double in the doorway.  Saul pushed through the opening to one side of him, stepping over his groaning poleaxed torso.  Munro stuck out an arm as Saul got inside the MIU and grabbed his foot, causing him to lose balance and stumble headlong onto the floor.

‘What the hell is going on here!’ shouted Strange, quickly coming out of the interview room to the right of the MIU entrance, Jessica’s concerned expression fleetingly glimpsed before he pulled the door closed.  He saw Saul spread-eagled, starting to get up and Munro doubled up.  In an instant Strange leant down, grabbed Saul’s left arm and thrust it up his back, suppressing his movement as he sat astride him and secured the other arm in a similar fashion.

‘Jesus John, what the fuck do you think you are doing? It is absolutely unacceptable to strike a fellow officer like that.’  Strange shouted, grappling to control Saul who was trying to wriggle free from underneath him. 

‘I need to talk to you urgently Sir, there are some things I have found out at the Institute.’  Saul retorted in a frustrated, raised voice, still endeavouring to break free.

‘John, calm the fuck down or I will have you thrown into the mobile cell.  Do you want that?  I don’t know what’s wound you up but taking it out on us is going to get you nowhere.’  Strange ordered, his slight form still pinning Saul to the ground, sinews on his bare forearms raised with the effort he was putting into the restraint.  Saul slowly stopped struggling, letting out grunts and sighs as he did so.

‘Okay, alright.  I’m calming.’  Saul replied, his body becoming inert as he said the last words. 

‘Good.  Leigh, could you see to Mick please, see if he needs any treatment.  Buglass, pop in and apologise to Mrs Seymour, offer her a tea and let her know I’ll be back as soon as I can.  Tell her John is alright too.  You are okay, aren’t you John?’  It was a statement, not a question.

‘I’m okay.  I’m sorry.’  Saul replied, frustration still evident in his tone.

‘Well, your tone doesn’t quite marry up with the words at the minute, so here’s what we are going to do.  Buglass is going to put a pair of cuffs on you and then the two of us are going for a refreshing walk around the estate to clear your head of the rage that’s descended on it.  Is that clear!’  Strange stated.

‘Crystal.’  Saul answered as Buglass leant over sheepishly, an apologetic expression on his face as he handcuffed him.

‘Right.’  Strange stated, standing up off Saul’s back, pulling him upward by the handcuffs and grabbing the neck of his jacket tightly to control his movement.  There was a loud rip as the stitching on the collar came away under the force Strange put into the grip.  Strange angled him back around to the entrance of the MIU.  DI Saxon was helping DI Munro back to his feet and supporting him to a seat around the table.  Munro glared angrily up towards Saul and spat through the pain. ‘Bastard!’

Saul looked down at him with disdain as Strange frog marched him down the steps of the MIU and out into the sunny, crisp autumn air of the Northumberland countryside.  He led him out to the left side of Featherstone Hall, away from the main buildings and off to a stable block which lay about five hundred metres away.  At a safe distance from the MIU, he released his grip on Saul’s jacket and came alongside him.

‘So, are you going to tell me what that little tantrum was all about?’  Strange questioned, annoyance resonating in the timbre of his gentle voice.

Saul looked sternly ahead, his furious gaze locked in the distance, its ferocity rebounding of the spectacular flashes of purple heather on the hills behind the Hall.  ‘Ennis is playing me, he is fucking playing me and he is using Jessica as a pawn to exact his warped idea of revenge.  I really need to talk to her.’ he growled through gritted teeth, turning his fiery glare towards Strange.

‘Not going to happen.  Not at the minute.  Not until you have calmed down.  Not until we have talked.’  Strange said firmly.  ‘Focus John.  You are angry.  You are angry with Dr Ennis.  He isn’t here.  I am.  What I need to understand are the facts.  What I need to understand is why you think that of him.  What I need to understand is how I can help you.  Being angry with me isn’t going to help us achieve that, is it?’ 

Saul stopped dead, his frame visibly sagging as he did, an enormous sigh escaping his lips, every bit of frustration escaping with it as the adrenalin drained from his body.  He shut his eyes, to stop the escape of frustration turning into tears.

‘I’m sorry Sir.  This has got very personal, very, very quickly.  A few hours ago I was looking for a killer.  All the evidence suggests that killer may be someone I know.  That someone I know is a patient of Dr Ennis.  Rebecca Angus was a patient of Dr Ennis.  I don’t have any evidence at the moment.  Just a theory.’  Saul finished, raising his head to the cobalt blue, cloudless sky and opening his eyes with a sigh.

‘I agree with you John.  A lot has happened in the last few hours.  A lot of evidence has come in.  A lot of leads are coming to fruition.  Probably the most surprising having to do with you.  It’s not just
someone you know
John.  It is your lover.  It is the woman you are having an affair with.  I applaud you for recognising that you are compromised because of that and getting Leigh to take over.  It would have been even better if you had talked to me about it earlier, when I gave you the opportunity.’

‘I didn’t know she was involved earlier.’  Saul replied, looking at Strange quizzically.

Strange looked at Saul and shook his head disconsolately.  ‘Let’s walk.’ he said, heading off towards the stables once again, Saul dutifully doing the same.  ‘This all started with someone wanting you on the case John.  It started with you leaving your wife alone on her wedding anniversary to come here.  It started with us having a conversation about the blurred lines between personal and professional.  They aren’t so much blurred as bled through right now.  I can only help you if you are open and honest with me: and that’s the only way you can help yourself.  Focus.  Someone has got it in for you.  What are they going to try and exploit?  Things in your life that are exploitable.  Such as an affair.  Think John.  Think.  And not just with your dick.’

They walked in silence for a moment, Saul ruminating on what Strange had said, before he responded.  ‘I was going to tell Sarah last night.  I was going to tell her all about Jessica.  I am going to leave her.’ he paused, smiling ruefully as he turned to look at Strange.  ‘And that’s not just my dick talking.  We haven’t been right for a long time, way before Jessica came along.  There is no point in ignoring the obvious.  We started to fall apart the day Jacob was born.’ he fell silent again as they ambled through the unkempt grass.

‘I am sorry to hear you say that John, genuinely.  I can’t even begin to imagine what it is like bringing up a child with an illness such as the one Jacob has.  The strain it must put on everyone involved has to be intense.  Did you ever consider just quitting, jacking the job in and concentrating on the family? I know you don’t need to work.’  Strange asked.

‘Depends what you mean by need.  No, financially, I don’t need to work.  I thought about it long and hard in the first year.  But as the months went on and there was no improvement in Jacob’s condition, I found it harder and harder to cope.  I haven’t drawn or painted anything new for over three years now.  I can’t.  Every time I try the paper ends up black: pitch black.  The emptiness of forever.  It’s what I see every time I look into Jacobs eyes.  So what I need is something to distract me.  What I need is something to fill that emptiness.  What I need is this.’

Strange raised an arm and put it around Saul’s shoulder, pulling him in tight to his side.  ‘My friend, today is a day you definitely do not need this.  We have some things we need to talk about, professionally, but then I think what you need is to talk to Jessica and to talk to Sarah, especially to Sarah.  You do not want her finding out about Jessica from anyone else.’

‘I have tried calling. I popped home quickly before I went to the Institute.  She wasn’t in.  She is pissed with me.  We don’t really have time though.  There is so much to do here.’ 

Strange stopped abruptly and turned to face Saul.  ‘John, stop.  Focus.  Listen to what I have been telling you.  You cannot be involved in this case now.  You know you are a suspect.  You know I need to question you.  Look at what you did earlier.  You are far too involved personally in this to even think about playing a professional part.’

Strange saw the anger flash into Saul’s eyes again and continued on, not giving him a chance to respond.  ‘John, there are things that have come to light while you have been away which involve you.  We need to investigate them.  They implicate you directly with the events on the night that Michael died.’

The anger abated from Saul’s countenance, to be replaced by concern.  ‘What do you mean?  How could there be anything to implicate me? What has come to light?’

‘We found, when checking the CCTV footage of the limousine leaving Edinburgh, some clear images of the occupants.’ said Strange.

‘You have found a definite link between Rebecca and Madame Evangeline?’  Saul asked, surprised.

‘Rebecca, yes.  Madame Evangeline, no.  We have another image.  An image of the driver.  An image of the driver, who looks remarkably like you, John.’

Saul stood there dumbfounded, the slow shaking of his head turning ever more rapid.  ‘No, no. That’s not possible.  I never went near a limousine that night.  I was with Jessica.  I couldn’t….’ he started to ramble.

‘John!’  Strange shouted.  ‘Focus.  You know how this works.  At the moment I am gathering facts and the facts in front of me potentially put you in a limousine with at least one of our key suspects.  I know you will tell me that you were with Jessica when I question you, because that is what she is telling me.  Clear?’ he paused, Saul nodding his head, still obviously bemused.

‘You know what I have to do John.  You would do the same.  What I have to work out now is: are you an alibi or are you an accomplice.’

2:55 pm

Strange entered the Interview Room, smiling over to Jessica as he clipped the door closed.

‘My sincere apologies about the interruption.’ he said as he sat down, adding, ‘It was John.  He is alright now and when we have finished our interview, I think it would be good if the two of you had a chat.’ 

‘Are you sure he is okay, there seemed to be an awful amount of shouting.’ asked Jessica, concern evident in her tone.

‘A lot has happened in the past few hours.  A lot that John needs to get his head around.  Let’s just say emotions are running on nitro at the moment.  He has calmed down now.’ Strange answered reassuringly.  ‘Now, where were we?’ he asked rhetorically, flicking through the papers in front of him.

‘Right.  So I have the timeline for your whereabouts that evening and the people you interacted with.  The only other thing that would be useful are any receipts or bank statements that could confirm the times that you mention having dinner and drinks.  Can you provide them?’  Strange asked, running a finger down his notes as he did.

‘Not a problem Chief Inspector.  If I haven’t got a record, I am sure the hotel will.’  Jessica answered.

‘Good.  Thank you.’ he said, slightly distracted as he mulled the next question over in his head.

‘John has just been to interview Dr Ennis at the Fielding Institute in relation to this case.  Do you know him?’

A visible alertness entered Jessica’s demeanour, her frame stiffening slightly, head tilting to one side and eyes widening.  ‘Yes, I know him.’ she said, her voice inquisitive, without asking a question.

‘How do you know Dr Ennis?’

‘My late husband was a patron of the institute.  We met numerous times at fundraising events and social occasions.  He is a platonic acquaintance.’

Strange looked at her as she answered the question, leaving a silent gap for a few seconds before continuing.  ‘Were you aware that Rebecca Angus was one of his patients?’

‘No.  As I have said, I don’t know who Rebecca Angus is.  I never had cause to discuss any of Dr Ennis’s patients with him.  Any conversation we had at events tended to be polite chit chat.’ she answered. 

Strange could see that her eyes were still filled with unasked questions as he paused again, gathering his thoughts.

‘One thing Dr Ennis mentioned to John was that you are a patient of his?’  Strange stated, not taking his eyes off Jessica’s face.

Her composure wobbled, eyes dilating in surprise, her bottom lip trembling slightly.  She raised her hands from her lap and took a quick sip of water before resting them on the table, digging her thumb nail onto her palm. 

‘I used to be a patient.  That was a few years ago now.  I’m not sure how that would be relevant to your investigation Chief Inspector.’ 

‘It may not be Mrs Seymour.  I am just trying to understand the facts and the dynamics of the relationships that are at play in this case.  If there is anything you are uncomfortable answering, please do say.  At this point,’ he stressed.  ‘You are helping us voluntarily, which I appreciate immensely.’

‘I’m sorry Chief Inspector.  If I am coming across as being evasive, I don’t mean too.  I am just surprised.  Something happened a few years ago which I would rather not talk about.  As a consequence, I needed some support, some counselling.  Dr Ennis provided that.  It was a number of consultations, just talking through what had happened, helping me make sense of it.  There was no treatment, medication or incarceration involved.  If my husband hadn’t had a professional relationship with Dr Ennis, I would probably have just gone to a normal psychiatrist to be honest.’ 

‘Thank you for your candour Mrs Seymour.  Were you aware that John was involved in an investigation into events at the Fielding Institute?’

‘I was aware, yes.  However, John doesn’t talk about the cases he is working on.  He is very particular about that.’  

‘Since your husband’s death, has your company maintained any kind of relationship with the Institute?’

‘The company never had a relationship.  It was Henry who had the relationship.  He bequeathed an amount of money and various paintings to them in his will, but other than that the company had no involvement with the Institute.’

‘What about yourself.  When was the last time you saw Dr Ennis?’

‘It’s been over three years since I have had any contact with him.’

‘Do you know if Dr Ennis was aware of the relationship you have with John?’

‘I doubt it.  I wasn’t involved with John when I was seeing Dr Ennis for counselling, and I haven’t seen him since, so he wouldn’t have known that from any conversation with me.’ 

‘One last question for the moment.  What was your opinion of Dr Ennis?’

‘In my dealings with him, he seemed to be a competent psychiatrist.  He certainly helped me come to terms with the things I was having problems with.  I do know he is a very volatile character and both from observation and from anecdotal conversations, he can be brutish in his treatment of other people. I have to say that was never exacted upon me.  Personally, I don’t particularly like him.  I find him arrogant, manipulative and malicious.’ 

‘Thank you Mrs Seymour for coming in to answer these questions.  As you have seen, things are developing quickly and there may be more questions we need to ask.  Are you in a position to stay fairly local just in case?  I fully understand if you are unable to.’

‘It’s quite alright Chief Inspector.  I would like to stay close.  My company seems to be intrinsically involved in this.  I seem to be implicated.  More importantly, John appears to be at the heart of it and I want to be around to support him.  I am aware you are under a deadline as well so whatever help I can offer, even if that is just making the coffee, please allow me to assist.’

‘I appreciate the offer Mrs Seymour.  Unfortunately I can’t let you stay on the command deck here during the investigation.  We do have a Visitor Unit out the back that has refreshment facilities in it, or if you want a bit more comfort, there are Café’s and Bar’s in Wooler, which is about fifteen minutes down the road.’

‘Thank you Chief Inspector.  Is it possible for me to have a chat with John now?’ she asked politely, the last vestige of nervousness vacating her bearing as she sat with elegant poise once again.

Strange nodded in acknowledgement.  ‘Of course Mrs Seymour.  I will just go and get him.  Please bear in mind we are in an active investigation and I still have some questions that I need to ask John about the evidence we have found, so I will have to insist on standing just outside the door and I will be listening, is that alright with you?’

‘Certainly Chief Inspector, I have nothing to hide.  I just want to see how he is.’ 

‘Good.’  Strange said, standing and leaving the room, returning a few seconds later with Saul in his wake.  ‘Please talk about anything you feel you need to:  anything!’  Strange said sympathetically as he walked out of the room and pulled the door to, leaving the tiniest of gaps.

Saul was dishevelled.  His tuxedo was ripped in multiple places, dust and dirt dotted over the jacket, especially visible on the once white shirt which was now grubby and torn.  His hair was unkempt, bits sticking up everywhere from where he had been agitatedly pulling it.  His complexion was pallid and drawn, that and the dirt on his face making his designer stubble look neglected and tramp-like.  His posture was withdrawn, shoulders hunched, head drooping, back arched: browbeaten.

Jessica stood immediately Strange left the room and rounded the table, throwing her arms around Saul’s neck and cuddling him in tight to her body.  For a second he didn’t respond, but then slowly raised his arms and snuggled her into him in the same way. 

‘John, you look absolutely terrible, my darling.  I can see this is draining you.’ she whispered into his ear, her head resting on his shoulder, ever so slightly looking up to his face.

‘Ennis told me that you were a patient of his.  I don’t need to know the why’s of that right now, I just need to know if he ever hurt you.’  Saul asked, kissing the top of her head.

‘No John, he never hurt me.  I don’t like him, but he never hurt me.  I’m sorry if you think I have been keeping things from you.  That was never my intention.  I saw him after the abortion, when I was struggling to cope.’ she said, nuzzling into his neck.     

‘There is no need to apologise.  I’m sure there are hundreds of things we still don’t know about each other.  What I do know is that I am so, so sorry that you have been drawn into this.  I think Dr Ennis is at the heart of it and I think he is using any means and method at his disposal to exact his own type of warped revenge upon me.  He doesn’t care about the collateral damage his is causing along the way.  How are you coping?’ he asked, relaxing his embrace and leading her to sit down at the table.  Saul grabbed the chair from the opposite side of the table and the two of them sat down facing each other, Saul’s legs either side of hers.  He leant over and ran a hand through her short hair, letting his thumb trace a tender caress down her cheek.

Jessica smiled sadly, and leant into the caress.  ‘I am flabbergasted John.  There’s no other word to describe it.  It is all just so incredible.  Two hours ago I was worrying about what Sarah was going to say when you told her about us.  I was worrying that you wouldn’t be able to do it and would want to break up with me.  I was worrying what would happen to Jacob in all of that.  I thought the angst I was feeling because of that was bad enough.  But this.  I am trying to keep calm and composed but honestly, my mind is screaming at me.  It doesn’t know what on earth is happening.  I am implicated in this, my company is implicated in this, you are implicated in this and these are people I have never even met!’  Jessica said, her tone tingling with the terror that was washing over her wide, panic stricken eyes.

Saul’s hand circled behind her neck and started to gently massage the tension he could feel there.  He leant even further into her, pulling her head forward delicately, kissing her quivering lips softly first, then kissing the tip of her nose tenderly before leaving his lips impressed upon her forehead for a moment.  He pulled his head back a few centimetres, bringing his gaze level with her startled, sparkling emerald eyes.

‘This has nothing to do with you.  I know where you were on the night that all of this happened.  I know where I was.  That’s what matters, that is what you have to keep reminding yourself.  I know that is not easy, but please, try.’ he said quietly, warmth emanating from his tired, bloodshot eyes. 

‘Et Tu, my darling, Et Tu.’ she whispered, leaning forward and kissing him hard, lips lingering.

Their lips parted, the kiss bequeathing each a smile.  ‘I am trying, and it is hard.  Poor Munro is feeling the worst of how hard I am finding it.’  Saul said.  ‘I also need to go and talk to Sarah.  She still doesn’t know about the two of us or about any of this and I don’t want her finding out from anyone else.  After I have been interviewed I am going home to see her.’ 

‘You need to.  You have a lot to talk about.’  Jessica replied, her eyes turning away from Saul as she spoke.

He saw the concern in her gaze before she broke contact.  He moved his hand from the back of her neck and placed it under her chin, lifting her head back in line with his.  ‘I will be telling her that I am leaving.  I will be telling her that I have met someone else.  I will be telling her that I love you.  You,’ he said, intently staring at her concerned expression, ‘have nothing to worry about on that count.’    

She smiled.  ‘When you have, I will be waiting.  I’m not sure where.’ she said, in her low sultry tone.  ‘But I will be waiting.’

‘I’m might be off the case but once I have seen Sarah, I will be coming back here.  I have no doubt they will need to interview me further.’

‘I will be waiting here then.’ she finished, leaning over and giving him a huge, encompassing hug which ended in a gentle kiss on his lips.  She then stood up, straightening her dress down, picking up her Cartier Handbag, her Vivien Westwood coat and left the room, letting her arm trail up Saul’s chest and over his shoulder as she went.  He held onto her arm, letting it slip through his grip, all the way until the tips of their fingers parted.

As she left, Strange smiled towards her.  ‘Leigh, could you assist Mrs Seymour please.’ he asked as he came into the interview room, closing the door and leaning up against the back of it.  Saul had his back towards him, sitting hunched over in the chair.