Reprobates (15 page)

‘
Did she not say yesterday that she was in the kitchen when she telephoned on the three nines and suggested he went into the hallway but she didn’t follow?’

‘
That’s right boss and she repeated that in this morning’s interview,’ said Andy.

‘
So next we need to be asking her how she explains where the knife was she used to stab him, which as you know was in the hallway when we arrived? The post-mortem also showed that the stab wound to the chest went straight into his heart with great force, according to Stow and it was this that caused his death.’

‘
But you are going to lash out with every bit of strength you have if you’re being throttled like she says she was,’ Vicky said.

‘
But could you manage that much brutality with someone’s hands around your throat? The pathologist reckons the wounds to his back were done by someone knelt above him when he was lying down. Which would explain why the knife was in the hallway wouldn’t it?’

‘
So, she’s not being honest with us then, boss?’ Andy asked.

‘
No, she’s not, and that’s not the only thing that’s she’s not been honest about because the post-mortem shows that there were two knives used to stab Billy Simpson. The one we have recovered is likely to be responsible for the wounds to his back but not for the chest, that actually killed him. That knife, Stow tells us, would be doubled-edged and a lot longer and thinner than the one we seized at the scene. So at present we don’t have a murder weapon.’

‘
Why would she lie, boss?’ asked Andy.

‘
That’s for you two to find out in the next interview.’

‘
The bitch! She’s a bloody good actress. I was thinking what a bloody heroine she was for how she was coping,’ said Vicky.

‘
Now what we’re saying is that she is not simply a killer in self-defence, but a premeditated murderer,’ said Andy.

‘
That’s for us to prove. Let’s get Ned to take our exhibits to the forensic lab as a priority, what time is your next interview scheduled for?’

‘
Half two, boss,’ Vicky said.

‘
Okay, we will look at our interview strategy. Let’s get her to “tie herself up in knots”, before we unleash the post-mortem results on her.’

Jen and Maisy walked through the vets
’ surgery to pick up Max.

‘He
’s made a friend,’ said vet, Sam Gouldthorp.

Max stood by the side of a cage his tail swishing from side to side. Behind the wire was a
basset hound his big, sad brown eyes looked guilty.

‘
That’s Meatloaf,’ she told Maisy. ‘He’s devoured the contents of his owner’s handbag and she’s not confident she can remember everything that was in there, so he’s in for observation. He’s a regular, aren’t you, Meaty?’ she said.

He didn
’t bark but made a strange sort of half howling noise that brought a smile to Maisy’s face.

‘
Max has lost a bit of weight but I’m sure it won’t take him long to put it back on will it, mate,’ she said ruffling his ears. ‘And remember no more chasing rodents!’

‘Don
’t worry, he’ll be on a lead from now on whenever we take him out,’ Jen said.

***

Jack Dylan was sitting in his office, door closed to avoid interruptions. His eyes were glued to the video monitor covering the interview room where Detective Constable Andy Wormald and acting Detective Sergeant Vicky Hardacre were once again sat opposite Jane Simpson. Lin Perfect was the solicitor from Perfect & Best. Lin was the taller of the two women who ran the lucrative legal practice in Harrowfield. He knew well enough that Yvonne and Lin were no fools and neither did they suffer fools gladly.

Introductions of who was who and the caution was over. Vicky commenced the interview.

‘Jane, going back to our last interview. In brief, you told us that you had been drinking whilst watching television, fallen asleep, woken up around about midnight you think, and gone into the kitchen for a drink of water to take to bed, when you were attacked by a masked intruder who grabbed you from behind. In fear of your life, a violent struggle ensued during which you managed to grab a knife from the block on the kitchen worktop and you stabbed him more than once. You saw him stagger into the hallway and that’s the last you saw of him until the police arrived. On arrival they found him dead in the hallway. You didn’t know who your attacker was because of the mask until we showed you a picture of him in interview. Is that right?’

‘
Yes. But, now I know the man to be my ex-husband Billy Simpson. I had no idea it was him at the time. I haven’t had contact with him for ages.’

‘
What I’m thinking is that if you haven’t had contact with Billy for such a long time why would he break into your house and try and strangle you? I presume he wouldn’t have a key?’

Jane Simpson shook her head.
‘No.’

‘
Can you think of anything that has happened recently to make him so mad that he’d want to do this to you?’

‘Don
’t you think I’ve been asking myself the same question? I can’t believe he’d do such a thing.’

‘
When the intruder, Billy, went into the hallway obviously wounded why didn’t you escape and raise the alarm?’

‘
I don’t know... I guess I just froze ... I don’t know. I thought he may have left.’

‘
But wouldn’t your front door be locked?’

‘
Yes, but I guess he would remember I always left the key in the front door so that’s why he headed in that direction.’

‘
Did you hear the door open and close?’

‘
No... I don’t remember,’ she said shaking her head in short, sharp, jerky movements.

Andy had remained silent throughout, letting Vicky ask the questions but couldn
’t restrain himself any longer.

‘
What I want to know is, why would you lie to us, Jane?’

Jane Simpson sat bolt upright in her chair. Her whole demeanour suddenly changed.
‘I most certainly am not lying. How could you think that? You saw him with your own eyes, in that horrible mask.’

‘
Let us not forget, what we saw at the scene was a dead man, a man that we have established you were responsible for killing,’ said Andy.

‘
But, I didn’t mean to kill him. I thought he was going to kill me. Look at the bruising on my neck,’ she said. Jane turned her head, revealing clearly the bruising she said he had inflicted on her.

Andy produced the clear plastic tube that contained the knife that had been recovered from the house. For the purpose of the tape he identified the exhibit using it
’s unique reference number. ‘Is this the knife you used to stab Billy Simpson? For your information this was found at the side of his body.’

‘
It is one of my knives. They were a wedding present.’

Dylan was pleased that Vicky was allowing Andy to continue to question Jane Simpson. She clearly didn
’t like his questions and he was seeing different reactions from their prisoner.

‘
And you can confirm to me that that’s the only weapon that you used?’

‘
Lord, I was just lucky it was in arm’s reach. I had to stop him somehow...’

‘
You say you just lashed out at him? You don’t really know how many times you stabbed him do you?’

‘
I just hit out. It was frantic. He was trying to strangle me for god’s sake. I didn’t count the blows.’

She was becoming agitated and Dylan was waiting for her reaction when they told her about what the pathologist had said.

‘Frantic you say? Mmm...’

Jane immediately nodded in response.

‘I know you’re still lying to us,’ said Andy.

Lin Perfect looked puzzled. Her eyes shifted to look up at the camera. She knew Dylan would be observing.

‘What would you say if I told you from Billy Simpson’s post-mortem examination we know that two knives were used to stab him.’

Jane Simpson’
s jaw dropped.

‘
Two different knives. And we only have one weapon. You’re not telling us the truth are you, Jane?’

Unblinking her eyes seemed to stare right through the detective and fix on the wall behind him once more.

Vicky took over the interview. ‘What went on, Jane? Tell me, what really happened that night? The pathologist tells us that he believes the wounds to Billy’s back, because of the angle they were inflicted mean that he was lying face down on the floor when the attack on him took place. Is he right?’

Ms Simpson’
s eyes rolled to look sideways at her solicitor but her head remained perfectly still.

‘
I think because of the recent disclosure, I need to consult with my client before we proceed. Therefore could the interview be suspended, please,’ said Lin Perfect.

The request was granted and arrangements were made for a further interview in two hours.

Andy rose from his chair, that was bolted to the floor, as was the table, and he reached out to stop the tape.

***

The corridor was empty as Andy and Vicky strolled back to Dylan’s office. ‘I thought she had had a lucky escape and now it appears she’s seen her ex off,’ said Andy.

‘
There is one thing for sure, there’s a lot more she can tell us, but the thing is will she?’

‘She
’ll spill the beans,’ he said, ‘I know it.’

‘
Assume nothing,’ she said to him and smiled as she pushed open the double doors. ‘What’s funny, Sarge?’ asked Andy.

‘
What’s funny? Did I just say never assume?’

‘Yes.
’

‘
Seriously. It’s official, I’m turning into bloody Dylan!’

Both the interior and exterior of the Simpson murder scene was subject to a PolSA search with a qualified police search advisor. The murder weapon was to all intents and purposes remaining elusive to them.

Dylan delivered his orders over the phone. ‘Seize any likely knife or knives from the address.’ Dylan told the search team headed by Police Sergeant Simon Clegg. ‘Can you seize any items of clothing in the laundry basket, or washing machine for examination with regard to us obtaining DNA? With a bit of luck this might provide us with the evidence to put someone else at the house.’

‘
Send the mask off to Forensic, Ned. It doesn’t look new to me. Who knows what we might find from it?’

***

Vicky and Andy were sitting opposite the DI in his office. There was a storm brewing outside. The windows rattled with the strength of the wind and in minutes it was as dark as night.

‘
If only we had the results from Forensic right now at our fingertips,’ Dylan said. ‘Imagine how that next interview might go?’ He sat twirling his pen through his fingers as he deliberated. ‘Ah... Efficiency, that’s what I like to see,’ he said, as Lisa walked in with warm drinks on a tray and biscuits on a plate.

‘It
’s all about being prepared, knowing what your first question would be...’ said Vicky. ‘Like where’s the coffee in Dylan’s case,’ she chuckled.

‘
Ever thought about joining up?’ Dylan said turning to Lisa.

She shook her head.
‘Not on your Nelly,’ she said. ‘I’ve got a life.’

‘
Yeah, there is that,’ he said morosely, briefly wondering if Jen had picked Max up from the vet.

Vicky stood. ‘
Hold on, I just remembered,’ she said following Lisa out of the office. ‘I packed sandwiches this morning. Sustain me a lot better than a poxy Rich Tea,’ she said heading for the door.

Dylan stood and looked out of the window with his cup in his hand. He looked thoughtful.
‘Blow, winds, and crack your cheeks! Rage! Blow! This storm has no pity for wise men or fools,’ he said. He turned to Andy.

‘
King Lear,’ said Andy.

Dylan nodded.
‘Mmm… impressed.’

***

A flash of lightning was followed shortly by a crack of thunder, and a hail of frozen rain splattered the windowpane. The second strike of lightning came and the thunder roared causing them both to jump.

‘I
’ll bloody kill him!’ Vicky stormed back into the office.

‘
Who?’

‘
Ned, he’s only gone and eaten my sandwiches, again.’

Dylan shook his head.

‘I swear I’ll have him,’ she said.

‘
Double, double toil and trouble. Fire burn and cauldron bubble,’ Andy said to Dylan.

‘
What you on about?’ asked Vicky.

‘
Nothing.’ Dylan laughed.

Whilst the storm did its damnedest, the three officers sat around Dylan
’s desk. They discussed the next interview which would prove just as turbulent as the weather and one of Shakespeare’s plays, with any luck.

The evidence so far was showing the detectives that all was not as it first seemed, and it was growing more apparent with each interview that Jane Simpson wasn
’t telling them what really happened that night. But if she had nothing to hide why not?

‘
Was there someone else at the house that night?’ Dylan said.

‘
Had the ex disturbed them?’ asked Vicky.

‘
Or had she planned it all along?’ asked Andy.

‘
She doesn’t look the murdering type,’ Vicky said screwing up her nose.

‘
What type’s that, Vicky? What do murderers look like? If only we knew...’

‘
Point taken,’ she sighed. ‘When we checked the house we noticed that the toilet seat was up. I think that suggests a man had been there.’

‘Her ex maybe?
’ asked Andy raising his hand to his brow. The thunder clapped ever harder and the forked lightning looked like it had sliced the sky in two.

‘
Bloody hell,’ exclaimed Vicky, covering her ears.

‘
Better make sure it wasn’t one of our lot that used it. When I was a CID aide, I remember going to a domestic murder scene with my boss. The officers who were supposed to be guarding it thought they’d make themselves useful by putting all the furniture back. They had “a bit of a tidy round”, and were sitting watching telly with their feet up and having a cuppa when we got there. I can still hear the boss screaming at them.’ Dylan chuckled.

‘
Nah, bloody hell, nothing like that happened here. I’m more than confident none of ours would use the loo at a crime scene,’ said Andy. ‘Vicky does have a point though.’

‘Okay,
’ said Dylan. ‘Put your theory to Jane Simpson in interview and see if we get a reaction. Although, I have a feeling you might get the silent treatment from now on.’

‘
But we have enough to charge her with, boss, don’t we? She might’ve lied about the circumstances but she’s confessed to the stabbing.’

‘It
’d be nice if she talked. We’re going to have to wait for Forensics to confirm our theories but it does appear that Billy Simpson was intentionally stabbed to death. Was it her who did it?’ Dylan pondered. ‘She was certainly there, and party to what took place. I’ll have a word with the Crown Prosecution Service. You never know which way they’re going to go... a bit like that weather.’

The sun
’s rays were now strong and warm on Dylan’s back. So she could see Dylan’s face across the desk Vicky put her hand up to her brow. ‘My feelings are if she doesn’t talk we charge her. Sergeant Clegg’s team and the house-to-house operation should be well under way now. We’ll see if they turn anything up. If not, you’re just going to have to go in to interview and do your best with what you’ve got to throw at her at the moment and see if she’ll talk. That’s all we can do.’

Dylan
’s phone rang and he picked it up. ‘Sergeant Murphy from Keighley, what can I do for you?’ Dylan said, indicating to the pair that they had finished the meeting, Vicky closed the door after her. Andy walked ahead of her to his desk.

‘
We have the remains of a naked body in the River Worth, Coney Lane near the Worth Valley Railway. Do you know it?’ Sergeant Murphy asked.

‘
Yes, I know the Worth Valley Railway. Go on,’ said Dylan biting the end of his pen. He shifted to the edge of his chair and his heart quickened a beat.

‘
The underwater search unit are on route. Their ETA is thirty minutes. There’s no way to get to the body without them unfortunately. Visually the corpse appears very bloated and decomposed.’

‘
Is it a man or woman?’

‘We can
’t tell but I read a bulletin about your missing corpse, hence the phone call.’

‘
Any missing persons in your area?’

‘
The usual Mispers but nothing new on the system. Just thought we aren’t that far away from you; about eleven miles as the crow flies. Maybe it’s worth a look?’

‘
If we set off now we should be with you about the same time as the search team.’

‘
Thank you,’ said Sergeant Murphy.

‘
No, thank you for not hesitating to ring me.’

Dylan sprang to his feet and opened his office door.
‘Paul,’ he shouted, ‘get your coat on we’re going for a ride.’

‘
Will you be back in time for Jane Simpson’s next interview, boss,’ said Vicky.

‘Don
’t know, they’ve found a body in the river near the Worth Valley Railway. It is possible it’s Kirsty Gallagher.’

Detective Sergeant Paul Robinson was on the phone but Dylan saw him stand, pick up his coat and seek the sleeve of his suit jacket.

Off to a body in the river at Keighley
, Dylan typed in his text to Jen.
Will be in touch as soon as I know what’s what x

Jen pulled her bleeping mobile out of her bag and read the message from Dylan. She threw it back. Donna scowled at her from across the office. Her phone immediately bleeped again. This time when she looked she saw it was from Penny Sanderson.
What’s going down?
read the text.

‘
Someone’s annoyingly popular,’ Donna mumbled.

‘
Ignore her,’ said Rita. ‘Some of us do have friends Donna.’

Such as?
Jen texted back.

Such as, I
’ve just seen Dylan rushing out of the yard.
Jen smiled. Penny it appeared was taking the welfare of her new ‘police family’ very seriously.

A body found in a neighbouring Division, nothing for you to worry about.
Jen texted back.

***

Once given directions for a crime scene it wasn’t hard to pinpoint the exact location. If it wasn’t the wail of the emergency vehicles, or the copious amount of crime scene tape it was the flashing blue lights that illuminated the sky that got the public’s attention.

‘
DI Jack Dylan and Detective Sergeant Paul Robinson,’ Dylan said to the uniformed officer guarding the scene, when he stopped them in their tracks. The two men flashed their warrant cards at him. He lifted the blue and white tape and allowed them access.

‘
Sergeant Murphy is expecting you, sir,’ he said pointing a gloved hand to the source of the shouting. There was a man-made path that ran beside the river. With a shepherding arm he hurried the detectives towards all the activity.

‘
The divers are just bringing the body to the water’s edge now, sir,’ he said.

The three men made their way down a ramp, slipping in the process.
‘May be how the deceased lost their footing?’ asked Detective Sergeant Robinson. They surveyed the scene. ‘That might be badly decomposed, but that’s never a woman, sir.’

The underwater search team officers rallied around the corpse. Some were still in the water and debris floated around them. Others were attempting to pull the body to the safety of the banking.

Dylan’s heart sank.

‘
Sorry mate; it looks like you’ve had a wasted trip,’ Sergeant Murphy said. ‘We don’t know who is he but it definitely isn’t your lass from the mortuary.’

‘
Can I leave it with you, as they say, unless something suspicious is discovered,’ Dylan said.

Sergeant Murphy nodded.

Dylan looked at his watch. ‘If we’re lucky, Paul, I might just make the interview,’ he said to his colleague as they turned to leave.

Sitting in his car with a calmness of confident haste,
Dylan drove back to the station. Once reinstated behind his desk his thoughts were again full of orderly rapidity that blew steadily across his consciousness, like the clouds moved by the increasing wind that battered his window.

***

The interview with Jane Simpson hadn’t started but the introductions had been made and the questioning he knew would start in earnest. He saw four people sat round the interview table on his monitor. The detectives sat opposite the defendant Jane Simpson and her solicitor.

Dylan took off his jacket and threw it over his desk. He took his pad and pen out of his nearside drawer and considering the detail of the case he began to jot down his thoughts.

‘We finished the last interview asking you why you were lying about the death of Billy Simpson in your home,’ Vicky said to Jane Simpson. ‘You have consulted with your solicitor and you have had time to think about your situation. Is there anything more you want to add to your statement?’

‘No.
’

‘No?
’

‘Yes.
’

Vicky cocked her head but remained silent in anticipation. Her eyebrows were raised in expectation and Detective Constable Andy Wormald
’s head was bent over paperwork on the desk, his pen poised.

‘
I just want to say that what I have told you is the truth. I was scared no... I was bloody terrified. I didn’t intend to kill anyone and I certainly didn’t know that it was my ex-husband until you showed me the photo.’

‘
Jane, all we need you to do is tell us the truth. We can prove that what you are saying is only part of what really happened that night. What we can’t understand is why you are not telling us the rest?’ asked Vicky.

‘
Are you protecting someone?’ asked Andy.

‘I
’ve told you the truth. How many more times! That’s what happened,’ she said through gritted teeth.

The detectives continued to ask her questions. They allowed her the opportunity to answer and explain the things that didn
’t ‘add up’ to them. But she chose not to answer. ‘No reply’ became her mantra.