Death on Account (The Lakeland Murders) (26 page)

‘Money?’

‘Possibly, but according to what Tony Sheridan says that’s not especially likely. I think his summary of her lifestyle was ‘typical boring accountant’. She wasn’t in debt, didn’t live the high life.’

‘So what about this Pat Murphy character? Did he coerce her?’

‘That seems to be the most likely explanation, yes, but I wonder what leverage he had? Why didn’t she just go straight to the boys down in Merseyside if she’d been intimidated?’

‘Too frightened? Maybe he threatened her family. Maybe Murphy told her that he had friends on the force. Could be anything.’

‘Yes, but I doubt she even knew that Murphy was a villain to begin with. As far as Merseyside can tell that business is 100% straight, and she’d only been there for eighteen months. She went there as a temp originally, then stayed on.’

‘Well look, let’s hope we don’t have to try to track her down the hard way.  All being well we’ll find her today.’

‘Or she might give herself up.’

‘You think that’s a possibility?’

‘Yes, even if she gets away from us for now, and has a source of ready cash. She’ll know we’re watching her home, her family, everything. She can’t tell them she’s safe, where she is, nothing. If she had kids I bet we’d have her within the next day or two, tops, to be honest.’

‘You’re a romantic, Andy.’

‘How do you mean?’

‘Just that perhaps you over-estimate the maternal instinct. We certainly see enough terrible mothers in here.’

‘Maybe, but it’s just biology isn’t it?’

‘Some might argue that there’s another explanation to explain why people do the right thing in their lives.’

It took Hall a moment to realise that Robinson was talking about God. He hadn’t thought of that, so he changed the subject.

‘Have you been contacted by internal affairs about Alison’s recruitment as a Special?’

‘I have. Why do you ask? My understanding was that they were keeping you abreast of relevant developments.’

‘That’s the plan, but I’ve heard nothing from them as yet. It may well be that there’s nothing relevant to this investigation.’

‘I’m not part of this conspiracy’ said Robinson firmly, catching Hall by surprise. “I’m as shocked about this as you are.’

‘Of course, sir. You think we’d be having this discussion if I had the slightest concern in that regard? Absolutely not. And the Chief would have made sure you were kept out of the way if anyone had any worries about anything like that.’

Robinson shook his head. ‘They’re talking about possible suspension if you must know’ said Robinson glumly. ‘At the very least it’s disciplinary charges. I’ve never had so much as a black mark against me before, not one. But how could I have predicted that a Special could get hold of that file?’

‘That’s the bit I’m really interested in, to be honest. Do we know how it happened?’

‘Not for certain, but I invited her in for a coffee at the end of a shift, a week before Williams was killed. I got called away for five minutes, no more than that.’

‘And was your safe open?’

‘It might have been.’

‘You’re not sure?’

‘No. Satisfied, Inspector?’

‘Sorry sir, I didn’t mean to interrogate you. I’m sorry that she’s landed you in trouble like this. I just wanted to be quite sure that Alison Thornton is the source of the information.’

‘I’m afraid so, absolutely no question about it. They’re going to hang me out to dry over this, you wait and see. I’m just a scapegoat here, Andy.’

The phrase ‘as ye sow, so shall ye reap’ popped, unbidden, into Hall’s head. He made quite sure that it stayed there. ‘It’s the way of the world now, isn’t it, sir? But I’ll do what I can to help, obviously.’

‘Thanks Andy, your loyalty is appreciated. And, speaking of which, I have got news on Ian Mann. Have you got a minute?’

‘Of course, especially if it’s good news.’

‘I think you’ll see it that way. The DPP is definitely not pressing charges, and by co-incidence he’s contacted personnel, asking when he’ll be returned to duty.’

‘And what’s the answer going to be?’

‘I’m going to recommend that he undergo a psychological evaluation, just to check that we’re not dealing with PTSD here, but if he’s OK then I think you’ll have him back in a week or two.’

Hall was delighted, and unusually for him it showed.

‘Could I have him back sooner, pending the evaluation? We could all use him, that’s for sure.’

‘Yes, under the circumstances you can. But tell me something, Andy’ said Robinson, as he got up. ‘Would you have gone all the way in support of Ian Mann?’

‘Of course. The man’s a hero, he saved my life, or at least he saved me from serious injury. Plus he’s a good copper, and he’s a great friend.’

‘What if you’d lost your job as a result?’

‘I can’t see how it would come to that, but honestly, it’s not the worst thing in life that can happen.’

‘You’re only saying that because your job’s not at risk.’

Hall looked up at him. It was unusual for Robinson to say anything that truly engaged Hall’s interest. He’d always thought of him as a bit of an empty uniform, but now he reconsidered that view. He thought for a few seconds before he replied.

‘I agree that genuine empathy is pretty much absent in many of us, and that selfishness is at the centre of who we all are. If it was the other way round this place would be empty, wouldn’t it? There’d be precious little need for coppers. But no, I’m trying to be objective in my answer.’

‘So you could live with losing your job?’ asked Robinson from the doorway, his hand poised on the handle.

‘I think so, yes. But I’m just going through a divorce, as you know, and it’s actually much more painful than I could have imagined, so maybe you’re right. Perhaps I would be bereft if I lost my job, I really don’t know. Maybe we’re all much too defined by what we do. We probably are. But look Eric, you’re not like me, you’ve got friends in high places, or at least in HQ. You’ve cultivated them for years, haven’t you? So maybe start working your network, call in a few favours, and make the internal affairs lot go away. I bet you can do it.’

Robinson nodded, drew himself up tall, and opened Hall’s office door.

‘I’m not dead yet’ he said.

Unlike Neil Williams, thought Hall rather unkindly, as Robinson closed the door behind him.

By one o’clock Hall had a bad feeling. There hadn’t been a single new sighting of Alison reported all morning. He grabbed his coat, and walked out to Jane’s desk.

‘Jane, I’m taking a quick ride out to Grange. Is there anything you can’t leave for an hour?’

‘No. But we can’t get there and back in an hour. You drive like an old woman.’

Hall smiled. It was true, his driving had become more cautious in the last few years. ‘Don’t worry, we’re getting a lift with Joe Crawford. He’s got to take a couple of lads to take out for shift change, and he’s promised me a lift if I’m out at the front in five. He says he’ll put the blues and twos on.’

‘You’re such a child, boss.’

‘Maybe, but let’s see if we can find something out there to get this investigation moving forward again. If we lose her leaving Grange then we’re in big trouble.’

Inspector Joe Crawford didn’t bother with the blues and twos, just flashed the lights on the marked Volvo whenever he needed to. But he was, reputedly, the best driver in the whole Constabulary, and other drivers seemed to sense it, and the traffic melted away in front of him. Hall glanced at the speedo, then back at the road. He felt completely relaxed, despite the three figure speed. Joe looked as if he was out for an afternoon drive. He was talking about Terry Walker.

‘I hear he’s out of hospital.’

‘Is he?’ said Hall. ‘I wish he was in there for months, keep him out of harm’s way.’

‘Natives restless, are they?’

‘A couple of the local hard men are encouraging him to leave, shall we say.’

‘I’d heard that.’

‘Of course you had, Joe. Anyway, it doesn’t look like we’ll be able to charge the bastard with anything, worse luck.’

Crawford drove in silence for minute or two.

‘You know he likes to drive while disqualified, don’t you?’

‘I saw he had a fair few driving offences, yes.’

‘We may only be traffic, but we like to help out where we can.’

‘Are you saying that you’d be willing to keep a special eye out for Mr. Walker?’

‘I think that could be arranged.’

‘But within the rules?’

‘Oh aye, Andy, don’t you worry about that. But I can’t help it if my lads happen to go past the pubs he frequents just after closing time, or park up for their break nearby. And if we got lucky he’d get two years this time, given all his previous, more if he was pissed up as well.’

‘You’d be doing the world a favour.’

‘It’s Eleanor Barrow and that poor daughter of hers I’d be thinking about, Andy. My lads and lasses spend their whole lives being patronised by middle class arseholes in BMWs, no offence mate, or talking to the parents of teenage RTA deaths. So having something to really brighten up their day, like nicking Terry Walker, would be most welcome all round. It’s a shame you can’t charge him though. Aren’t we talking about a hate crime here?’

‘We are, and I agree with you. Terry Walker is a vicious, nasty bastard and his kids are every bit as savage. But if it did go to court you know what would happen. The defence would turn on Eleanor, and all that would happen is that her name, her medical history and everything else would just get dragged in to it. We’d all spend months on the case, and Walker wouldn’t be convicted anyway. So I’d cheerfully take a year or two for driving while disqualified.’

‘I’ll see what I can do. And you in the back, you didn’t hear anything we said then, right?’

When Joe had dropped off the two PCs he told the two he was due to collect to go and get a brew, and that he’d pick them up in half an hour.

‘Where to, squire?’ he asked Hall.

‘Let’s just have a drive around, Joe. Can we start at the hotel she stayed in?’

They’d been up and down half a dozen streets when Jane noticed the used car lot. It looked closed.

‘What about that, Andy? Buy a cheap car and just drive out of town? If I had the cash I might be tempted.’

‘Drop us off here would you, Joe? And then maybe have a ride round for ten minutes, see if anything catches your eye as well?’

Simon Winner saw the Police car from his office window, and groaned out loud when it stopped. He wondered if he had time to lock the door and get down, out of sight, but he hesitated for a few seconds, and by then the man and woman, both in plain clothes, were walking towards the office. He didn’t think that the cops gave lifts to Trading Standards or Tax Inspectors, and he doubted he’d done anything to interest CID. So he got up from behind his large desk, fixed his smile, and opened the plastic door to his prefabricated office.

‘How can I help you, officers?’

‘We’re looking for the manager, or owner’ said Hall.

‘I’m the proprietor, Simon Winner. As in ‘every one’s a Winner’.’

Hall looked blank.

‘It’s on a sign on top of the office, look.’

Hall took a few steps back. ‘No, there’s nothing on top that I can see.’

‘Bugger, it must have blown over again. What can we do for you anyway?’

‘We? You have colleagues?’

‘Well, strictly speaking it’s just me. In this part of the business. I like to give a personal service to my clients.’

Hall smiled. ‘I’m sure you do. Could we come in for a moment?’

‘Certainly. Can I offer you a coffee, or a tea?’

‘No, thanks.’ Hall had to stand up so he could push the photo of Alison Thornton across the desk, it was so big. He reckoned it covered at least a third of the whole floor area. ‘Have you seen this woman in the last day or two? Her hair might have been shorter than in this photo, and blonde as well.’

Winner hesitated. It would only take him a minute to enter the details of the transaction in his cash book, retrospectively like. They couldn’t touch him for it, he was sure of that. He nodded. ‘But I didn’t recognise her, honest I didn’t. Like you say, she looked different.’

‘That’s OK, Mr. Winner, don’t worry. Did this woman buy a car from you?’

‘Yes, yesterday morning, a nice clean little Clio. Only 85,000 on it, and...’

‘Registration number please.’

‘I’ve got it here somewhere, hang on a minute.’

Thirty seconds later Jane was outside, phoning in the registration number and passing on Hall’s instructions to get everyone focussed on finding the car. Then she went back and joined Hall.

‘Did you get the impression that this woman, Alison Thornton, was with anyone?’

‘No, I think she was on her own.’

‘Did she say where she was going?’

‘No, she just said her car was off the road, and she needed something temporary like.’

‘And how did she pay?’

‘Cash.’

‘Do you still have the money?’

Winner hesitated.

‘It’s all right, Mr. Winner. Your dealings with HMRC are your business, and so long as you’re as helpful as you can possibly be in the next five minutes I promise that we won’t put in a call and ask your local Inspector to take a close look at your little business empire. Now, have you still got the cash?’

‘Yes, some of it.’

‘Can we see it please?’

‘You won’t have to take it will you? It’s what we call working capital in the trade.’

‘I understand, and no, it’s not evidence. We just want to know if it came from a bank, maybe an ATM, or whether she’d been carrying it for ages.’

‘Oh no, it was all from a machine. You can always tell. It’s lovely and crisp. Look, here’s the £500 I’ve got left. I mean with me, the £500 I’ve got with me. All the heads on the same side, but not tied up with a band, see.’

‘Thanks, Mr. Winner. Now, when the woman drove away, which way did she go?’

‘Back towards the centre of town.’

‘And how much fuel was in the car, do you remember? An establishment like this, I expect you like every customer to drive away with a full tank of petrol?’

Winner knew better than to assume that this detective was having a joke at his expense. And he didn’t care if he was, so long as they were away quickly. He had his suit jacket on, and the cabin was starting to get hot. He could feel sweat trickling between his shoulder blades.

‘In an ideal world I’d love to give them all a full tank, but margins are tight, and fuel prices being what they are...’

‘So the tank would have been almost empty?’

‘Usually, yes, but I’d been running round in the Clio myself. My Jag’s off the road at the minute see. I remember I did wonder if I could charge an extra £20 because there was plenty of fuel left in the car.’

‘So how far could she have got before she’d have needed to stop for fuel?’

‘A hundred miles, probably more. Like I say, there was plenty in it, quarter full at least.’

There was a real buzz in the office before the team meeting that evening. Hall called for everyone to settle down. ‘You all know that Alison Thornton left Grange in this red Clio, at a little before 10am. What you might not know is that we only have it twice on the ANPR database, and that’s on the A6 coming in to Penrith at a little before noon. So what happened then? Did she dump the car in Penrith? If so, where? Has she left by another means; bus, train, another car? She’s bought herself a decent time window, got well ahead of us, and she’s left herself lots of options here, so let’s split in to two groups. Ten officers in five cars will drive every street in Penrith, starting in the centre and working outwards. Every car park, every side street, all the supermarkets. We need to look everywhere. Just find that Clio if it’s there. Everyone else, get on the CCTV, and lots of it. We need all the station CCTV from noon until now, and we need officers in plain clothes at the station and the bus station with photos. Anyone got anything to add?’

‘What about an accomplice?’ asked Ray Dixon. ‘Is that still a possibility?’

‘Possibility yes, probability no. If she had help there were loads of easy ways out, and I think she’d be long gone by now. So let’s work on the assumption that she’s traveling alone. Anything else? No? OK, get to it everyone.’

Thursday, 16th May

Terry Walker was glad to be home. Kylie came and checked on him every ten minutes or so, and his lads had made the right noises about giving Alan Frostick and his boys a proper hiding, just as soon as they got the chance. Terry knew better than to expect anything to happen, but at least the lads were on his side. And Kylie had told him that some plain clothes Inspector, who they’d not seen on the estate before, had been round and had a quiet word with Alan. So he reckoned that the worst he could expect was the silent treatment for a while, and he could live with that. He’d heard everything that his mates had to say anyway.

He really fancied a curry, but the take-away at the end of the street wouldn’t be open for hours. He could still smell the one that the rest of them had eaten the night before.

‘You could have kept a bit for me’ he said, when Kylie brought him a sandwich.

‘I never thought’ she said, ‘sorry.’

For a moment she was tense, that was just the sort of thing that could set him off, but something told her that she had nothing to worry about.

‘Story of my bloody life’ he said. ‘Nobody ever thinks about what I want.’

‘I’ve just seen to my Deputy Chief’ said Tony Sheridan. Hall had put him on the speakerphone so that Jane and Ray could hear what he said.

‘I imagine he was very happy that we had the leak, not you.’

‘You could say that. I think he said the shit that was about to fall on Cumbria Constabulary should be called the Turdtanic, it’s that big.’

‘Colourful turn of phrase, your Chief.’

‘You could say that and all. Am I on speaker-phone, Andy?”

‘Yes, DC Dixon and Jane Francis are with me.’

‘Shame. I was going to tell you what he said about your Val Gorham. It had something to do with lemons anyway, and it didn’t sound anatomically possible.’

‘So what is friend Murphy saying about Alison Thornton?’

‘What you’d expect. Admits he knows her, says he didn’t know that she was a Special up with you, and says he knows nothing about the information about Williams. We can say what we like, we could charge him with conspiracy if we had enough, and he wouldn’t say a word more.’

‘Any chance of finding any evidence to connect them?’

‘Like what?’

‘I don’t know, maybe something from the mobile phone traffic?’

‘No, Andy, not a chance. Pay-as-you-go phones both ends it’ll be, dumped straight after the call was made. No way could we connect to either of them. Our best bet is if you can catch Alison and she decides to talk. So how’s that going?’

‘In a word Tony, to shit. We’ve got everyone we can muster on it, but we can’t find that bloody Clio, and we haven’t got her in the railway station either.’

‘Buses?’

‘Still looking, and at the town centre CCTV. Nothing so far. You wouldn’t believe how much footage there is. Even if I can keep half a dozen folk on it I reckon it will take us a week to get through all the CCTV from shops and stuff.’

‘So what do you reckon has happened? Could she have driven on, and avoided all our ANPR kit? You said she’s wise to it? She knows it’s real-time data?’