Blood Money (18 page)

‘Widowed?’ She helped him out. ‘Long enough to have got used to saying it out loud. Four years and three months, not that I’m counting. How about you?’

‘I’ve been separated a couple of years.’

‘Occupational hazard I suppose, if all the TV cop shows are to be believed.’

‘Something like that.’ Probably a bit too soon to tell her about his serial infidelity. Knox sat back, replete. ‘That was fantastic,’ he said, truthfully.

She took the plate from him as he stifled a massive yawn. ‘And now you must go and get some rest.’

Knox pushed his chair back from the table. ‘And let you get back to your marking.’

‘Sadly, yes.’

‘Thanks again.’

‘You’re very welcome. Did you want to take Nelson with you, or shall we keep him here tonight? Michael can bring him back in the morning and let you have a lie in.’

‘Who are you really?’ Knox asked with mock suspicion. ‘Mother Teresa? The morning would be great, thanks.’

 

In the normal course of things, after an investigation with the intensity of baby Jessica’s abduction, it would have taken at least two or three days for Mariner to adjust to being back in the real world again, and to make up for the sleep deprivation. The prospect of being sociable with a bunch of strangers was the last thing that he needed. But at the same time, he recognised how important this trip was to Anna. Something about their conversation yesterday unsettled him. So often these days he seemed to disappoint her. Becky and Mark were her best friends. They’d been brilliantly supportive after the miscarriage, when Anna had spent time at their house recuperating. He should make the effort. So on Wednesday morning Mariner roused himself from what felt like another drug-induced slumber and by ten thirty he was driving south on the M5, the Malverns looming ahead of him on the skyline.

He’d been unable to get in touch with Anna, but left messages on her phone and Becky and Mark’s answer machine to let them know his ETA. It was a crystal clear autumn day, but he didn’t even have the energy to appreciate the bright sunshine highlighting the colours of the turning trees.

Mariner had never been to the village of Upper Burwell before, so Anna had left him detailed instructions on how to find Becky and Mark’s house, and as he got nearer he couldn’t help but soak up some of her enthusiasm for the area. Initially, he’d been against the whole idea of this move to the countryside, but maybe it would be good after all. Perhaps a change of location was exactly what they needed. Making good time, he was there a little after twelve but when he bumped along the track to the house, even though Anna’s car was parked on the driveway next to Becky’s, there was no one at home. Mariner got out of his car and strolled around the sprawling garden, which, in the warm sunshine, was rampant with bird life. It was in a lovely spot, with no background noise except the chirping of the birds, and he found it surprisingly easy to picture himself living here.

Having explored every inch of the property and with still no sign of anyone returning Mariner recalled the village pub he’d driven past and decided to walk back the half mile or so for a pint. This was the kind of picturesque village that American tourists would go nuts for, and the Farmers Arms was a black and white half-timbered building straight from the guide books. He walked into the bar, the prospect of a quiet pint suddenly hugely inviting. It wasn’t to be. The half-empty car park was a foil, and the bar was packed with people and loud with conversation. As he stood at the bar waiting to be served he scanned the room seeking a quiet seat tucked away somewhere, and that was when, in the far corner, at the centre of the group that seemed to be making all the noise, he saw Anna. She was surrounded by about half a dozen people, none of whom Mariner recognised. And she looked happier than she had done in months. Abandoning his place in the queue, Mariner steered a path through the crowd to where she sat.

‘Tom! You made it!’ She greeted him heartily, though more like a long-lost friend than as her partner, allowing him just a peck on the cheek, and more concerned with her empty glass. ‘And just in time to get in a round. What are you drinking, folks?’ Her eyes gleamed and there was a flush to her cheeks that left Mariner wondering how long she’d been in here.

Once he was back from the bar, bearing what to him seemed like an extortionately priced round, Anna made introductions, though in the noise Mariner could barely hear the names, let alone commit them to memory.

‘Didn’t you get my message?’ he asked her, raising his voice above the din.

‘Yes, but I knew you’d find us in here.’

‘Where are Becky and Mark?’ he asked.

‘Oh, they had to go into Hereford to buy Megan’s christening outfit. I didn’t feel like going.’

‘Well, it doesn’t look as if you’re stuck for company.’

‘That’s exactly it!’ She beamed, the irony in his words lost on her. ‘Everyone’s so friendly here. Great, isn’t it?’

‘Yes.’ Mariner smiled, his hopes for a peaceful afternoon in just Anna’s company shattered, but she was having such a good time he couldn’t ruin it for her the minute he arrived. ‘How was Jamie?’

‘He’s on great form.’ The only thing going right for them at the moment was Jamie, Anna’s severely autistic younger brother, who had settled well into his new home, a rural farm community just a few miles down the road. ‘We went for a walk and had a drink at the teashop in the village. He was out in the garden when I got there, with a girl called Julie, or “Dooley” as he calls her. They’ve got quite close so the staff said.’

‘A girlfriend? That’s a turn up.’

‘Isn’t it?’ Aged thirty-four, Jamie who had severe autism had never had a friendship in his life.

‘How close are they?’

‘Oh, the staff are keeping a watchful eye on things. Julie likes to look after Jamie, which mostly involves bossing him around, but Jamie seems to like being looked after. Simple as that. There’s such a difference in him, you wouldn’t believe. He’s thriving on the outdoor life. He looks so fit and strong, and he actually smiled when he saw me. We did the right thing.’

Yes, for Jamie at least, they did.

‘We had a nice time. I wish I could do it more often,’ Anna said.

Mariner knew what she was thinking. It was part of the rationale behind moving to this area and they’d been over it before, many times. ‘Jamie doesn’t mind,’ he said.

‘We don’t know that. He can’t tell us.’

They stayed in the pub until the middle of the afternoon, when Mariner was finally able to tear Anna away. Mostly he had sat back and let the conversation wash over him, especially as for much of the time he had no idea about the people or places being talked about. But the Marston’s was slipping down nicely and after a while he began to relax.

Walking back along the lane, Mariner slipped a hand into Anna’s, but she pulled it out again to find a tissue to blow her nose. ‘So what do you think of this place?’ she asked.

‘It’s very nice. I can see what you mean.’

Back at the house, Becky, Mark and Megan had returned from their shopping trip. Becky and Mark greeted Mariner warmly, but within seconds the focus was on toddler Megan, clearly used to being the centre of attention. The Indian summer made it balmy enough for them to sit outside on the terrace and, for some reason, Megan took a shine to Mariner, delivering toys to him every few minutes and saying ‘Ta,’ to which Mariner was obliged to reciprocate each time. Perhaps if he hadn’t been so tired he wouldn’t have found it so wearing.

‘Thanks so much for coming down,’ said Becky.

‘It must seem crazy to be having her christened at this late stage,’ said Mark. ‘But we always meant to. We never quite got round to it, but now there’s a bit more urgency.’ He looked across at Becky and smiled knowingly. ‘We wanted to wait until you were both here before telling you. We’re having another.’

Anna didn’t miss a beat, although the news must have crushed her. ‘Isn’t it fantastic, Tom?’ She leaned across and put a protective arm around Becky, but she was avoiding Mariner’s gaze.

‘You’re pregnant?’ Mariner said, with surprise. It hadn’t escaped him that Becky had already poured herself a generous glass of Chablis.

‘Not exactly.’ Becky was enigmatic. ‘We’ve decided that we’ve already done our bit to add to the world population, so we’re adopting a baby from China, giving a home to a little girl who doesn’t have one. There are thousands abandoned there every year. We’re going through the adoption process at the moment, though it’s taking for ever.’

‘Well, that’s very er, commendable,’ said Mariner, unable to think of anything more appropriate.

‘And it gives you some catching up to do,’ Becky said throwing him a meaningful glance.

‘We’re doing our best,’ said Mariner, neutrally, but he wasn’t close enough to Anna to reach out to her. There was a cry from across the patio as, emerging from the house with yet another offering for Mariner, Megan stumbled over the sill, and went down on her hands and knees. The howling built to a crescendo.

‘Right,’ said Becky. ‘I think a young lady needs to have her bath now. I want to get her settled before supper. We’ve invited a couple of local friends round, Tom, so that you can start getting to know people.’

Mariner groaned inwardly, his social skills already stretched to their limits.

Becky and Anna went to bathe Megan, leaving Mariner and Mark alone out in the garden.

‘You must be delighted with the way things have worked out,’ Mark said, conversationally.

‘Sorry?’

‘The safe return of baby Jessica. You’re quite a hero.’

‘We were just fortunate,’ Mariner said. ‘It could have gone either way.’

‘Did you find out who was behind it?’

‘We have some ideas about that, but we’re still following them up. At the moment the main suspects are animal rights activists. We think they were probably trying to give the father, Peter Klinnemann, a scare.’

‘And no doubt succeeded. He works for Hamilton Sciences, doesn’t he?’

‘I’m not sure for how much longer. His partner seems to have finally persuaded him to quit his job.’

‘I can understand that reaction of course, but that’s a crying shame. If we didn’t have companies like Hamilton, I’d be stuffed as a GP. Still, I can’t say I blame him.’ He shuddered. ‘Throughout that whole episode I kept trying to imagine how I’d feel if anything like that happened to Meg. Thank God we’ve never had to resort to leaving her in a place like that.’

‘It wasn’t the nursery’s fault,’ Mariner said, sounding more defensive than he’d intended. ‘It could have happened anywhere.’ But even as he said it he wasn’t so sure.

‘And how are you?’ Mark asked, changing the subject, and his tone implying that the enquiry was more professional than personal.

‘I’m fine,’ said Mariner.

‘You’re still seeing a counsellor?’

‘Yes.’ Mariner was astonished that Mark should be aware of that arrangement and he felt uncomfortable discussing it with a man he hardly knew. He certainly wasn’t about to admit that after the first couple of appointments he’d found a convenient reason to cancel all those since.

‘I know from what Becky says that Anna’s been very concerned about you.’

‘Yes.’ Mariner didn’t know what else to say.

‘She still seems a bit low,’ Mark went on.

‘Well, things are not exactly going to plan.’ Mariner wondered how much Mark knew. He probably thought Mariner was referring to the miscarriage, but it was more than that. Fortunately he was saved from further explanation by the distant ringing of front door bell, signalling the arrival of the first of the guests.

Gareth, also a GP, was one of Mark’s partners in the medical practice and was already known to Mariner. He’d been instrumental in getting Jamie into his new home, and when she came down again Anna greeted him warmly, their embrace lasting, in Mariner’s opinion, just a few seconds too long.

‘Jamie’s doing fantastically well,’ Anna enthused. ‘We’re so indebted to Gareth, aren’t we, Tom?’

‘Yes.’ Mariner shook Gareth’s hand.

‘Hello again, Tom. How are you?’ And Mariner was disturbed to see the same look in his eyes as he’d seen earlier in Mark’s. Christ, they didn’t even live here yet but everyone knew all about them. How much had Anna told him about what he’d gone through? Mariner didn’t like the thought of that.

Completing the party were near neighbours Jolyon, who was ‘in business’, and his wife Lavinia, ‘call me Vinnie’. There was lots of air-kissing and faux hugging before they settled around the vast dining table in the conservatory overlooking the garden.

‘We’re so looking forward to having you guys down here, especially you, Tom,’ Jolyon said. ‘The local plods are a complete waste of space. Had my workshop broken into a few months back and apart from a visit to find out what happened, we haven’t heard a whisper from them.’

‘I’m sure they’re doing a good job.’ Mariner felt himself bristling slightly. ‘They’ll be in touch when they have something.’

‘And it’s hardly the crime of the century, darling, is it?’ Vinnie added tactfully.

‘Well, you should try and get down here in time for Christmas,’ said Jolyon. ‘There’s so much going on. Do you hunt?’

Anna giggled. ‘Tom’s more of a dominoes man.’ That prompted amusement all round.

‘I don’t suppose Birmingham’s much of a hunting sort of place,’ said Gareth. ‘But that will all change down here. What do you think about the job?’ There was an awkward pause.

Anna reached over for some bread. ‘He’s only just got here, I haven’t had the chance to tell him about it yet.’

‘What job is that?’ Mariner asked, making an effort to stay casual.

‘Our practice receptionist is due to retire,’ said Mark. ‘Gareth and I have been trying to persuade Anna that it would be perfect for her.’

‘But you haven’t got any medical experience,’ Mariner pointed out.