Layers of Deceit, page 5
‘OK. So, what are you thinking?’ said Craig.
‘Well, we’ve talked about the alarm, and the fact that it’s odd Hanson was negligent. There’s just something else I’ve been wondering about. Perhaps someone took advantage of the chaos?’ said Katy.
‘So, you think that someone took advantage of the fact that security wouldn’t be bothered with checking up on people working late, and this person decided to argue with Hanson?’ said Craig, looking as unconvinced as me.
‘I don’t know whether it’s feasible, though.’ Katy paused. ‘The only marks on Hanson are consistent with him falling. We think that he caught his leg on the metal base of a stool as he went over. Nothing else other than the odd scratches and bruises you get in day to day life.’
‘Was Hanson married or living with someone?’ I asked. ‘Because I’m wondering whether anyone tried to contact him when he didn’t come home.’
‘Ah, yes, I forgot to mention that,’ said Katy. ‘He’s got a girlfriend, Mia. They’ve been together for about nine months, but they don’t live together. She was out with friends that evening and knew Hanson was working late, so she didn’t start to worry until the morning when she phoned his mobile. Then mid-morning, after we had found out about Mia from colleagues and next of kin etc. from HR, started to inform people. His parents aren’t local, so the police up in Bedfordshire visited them.’
‘Did Mia tell you much about Hanson and his work colleagues?’ I said.
‘No, Mia only met a couple of them briefly. Hanson talked about work quite a lot, and she said he was very keen and doing well in the company. Very committed to his work, that sort of thing. I pressed Mia on whether anyone didn’t get on with Hanson, and she said not really.’
‘So, does “not really” mean there probably was someone?’ I said.
Katy shrugged. ‘She was very vague, and didn’t have any names. She reckoned it might be a case of Hanson doing well and people being jealous of him.’
I sighed. ‘What does DI Bignell think?’
‘He thinks it was a tragic event. On the evidence, he’s right. We can’t afford to waste time chasing supposition without due reason.’
‘I sense a but?’ I said.
‘Well, yes, I feel there is a “but,”’ said Katy, indicating inverted commas with her fingers. ‘The question is, what if anything can I do about it?’
Chapter 9
We went through the scenario once more. There was little concrete evidence to suggest that it was anything other than a freak accident. However, there were some suspicions that things were not adding up as they should. Whatever the circumstances, a life had been tragically cut short during a promising career.
Three months ago, I had been in a similar situation with a gut feeling that something wasn’t quite right around the circumstances of my husband’s suicide. Katy had taken my concerns seriously and had initiated some subtle investigations. Events proved that someone had possessed an ulterior motive. Was there a similar situation here? Had someone borne a grudge and had seized an opportunity to enact their plan? Or had it been a spur of the moment argument which had tragically resulted in a fatality?
Katy glanced at her watch. ‘My goodness! It’s after ten! I’d better leave you.’
‘Don’t worry, it’s nice to have been able to chat it through,’ I replied.
‘I just wanted to take advantage of your experience in the field,’ said Katy. ‘I’ve never been inside a research laboratory before.’
‘I spent too long in one!’ I said.
‘I must say, safety seemed really good, and it was very clean and tidy. It was fortunate he didn’t fall whilst he was carrying anything hazardous.’
‘That’s right. There could have been a serious fire,’ I added. ‘Or he could have got chemical burns.’
‘Well, the HSE will produce their full report soon, but we’ve had a verbal report. Their main recommendation is that the company updates the lone-working policy, and invests in more modern alarms.’
‘Will QexChem be liable for negligence?’ I asked.
‘I doubt it. The storm was particularly violent that night and caused a few problems, and Hanson didn’t put his alarm in his pocket, so the blame lies with him.’
‘I still sense you aren’t happy,’ I said.
Katy shrugged. ‘I’m OK. Ninety percent happy, maybe?’
‘I wish we could help,’ I replied.
‘You have helped by letting me talk it through with you. I’ll just phone for a taxi, so I can get out of your hair.’ Katy went into the hall to make her call.
‘What you need is Miss Marple here to go undercover at QexChem,’ said Craig as Katy returned to the lounge. ‘She’s ever so nosy!’
‘Ha! Well that’s an idea! I think it’s just one of those unfortunate events. We’ve no idea whether he had something on his mind, and that made him forgetful?’ Katy shrugged.
‘Well, if anything comes to light on the UnravelChem blog, I’ll let you know,’ I said.
‘Thanks. Oh, that’s my taxi,’ said Katy as a horn beeped. ‘Thanks for the wine! I’ll be around again. I’ll collect my car tomorrow.’
‘Anytime. You know where we are.’
I noticed Katy holding carefully onto the door jamb as she put her shoes on, and she walked carefully down the driveway, calling out,‘Take care!’
‘Well, that was interesting,’ said Craig as the taxi pulled away. ‘What do you think?’
We wandered back to the lounge, and I flopped down on the sofa. ‘I’m not sure. I mean, there are some, what shall we say, anomalies, but whether they are significant, I don’t know.’
‘I feel the same, but it’s obvious that Katy has her suspicions,’ Craig mused.
‘It’s possible that the police missed something. Or maybe someone covered up some evidence?’ I said.
‘Like what?’ replied Craig.
‘I don’t know, but at the same time, I don’t know what Katy can do about it. Any ideas?’
Craig shrugged. ‘It’s a pity you can’t go in there and get people talking, it might help Katy. You know you have a knack for that sort of thing.’
‘I do not!’
‘You do. People find you easy to confide in. You’re a good listener.’
‘Well, maybe I am, but it’s for the police to decide what to do about it. Besides, there might not be anything to uncover.’
Craig yawned. ‘Well, it was nice to see Katy. I like her.’
‘Yes, it was good to see her more relaxed. I saw a different side of her.’
‘Want to watch TV or go to bed?’ asked Craig.
‘We can watch the news a bit, and I might just check my blog before I turn in.’
‘Ah, it’s your blog now. I knew you’d take to it!’ said Craig.
Chapter 10
For the next couple of days, we focused on work. Craig began to plan the chapters for his new book, and I got to grips with managing the UnravelChem blog. I finalised a short article about a new class of cancer drugs, and after some slight modifications by Craig, posted it on the blog. After my initial apprehension that it would be too much for me, I found that I was really enjoying my new venture.
Katy thanked me for our hospitality and suggested that next time we went around to her house for a drink. She didn’t mention the incident at QexChem, so I assumed that it was no longer of concern to her. I found myself thinking through the facts as Katy had presented them, but nothing significant came to mind. Nor did anyone post any relevant information on the blog. However, the tragic accident had brought my old company into focus, and I was finding it hard to shift it from my consciousness. I’d noticed that for the last two nights, my familiar dream had returned. I was back there, in the laboratory on a short-term contract, unable to find anyone to tell me when it would end.
I was getting a few things ready for lunch when the doorbell rang, and I saw Cyril’s familiar shape silhouetted through the frosted glass.
‘Hello, Cyril!’ I said before remembering he preferred formal titles. However, he hadn’t objected to me using his first name when he brought Nathan around recently.
‘Oh, sorry to bother you, Mrs Needham. Did I lend you my cutters? I mean the long-handled ones. Loppers, that’s what I mean. ‘I just can’t understand it,’ continued Cyril. ‘I’ve looked everywhere for them. Perhaps I left them at the front, and someone took them? You know what it’s like now. People will take anything.’
Cyril finally stopped talking, and I managed to reply. ‘You are welcome to borrow mine. Do you want to come around to the shed and I’ll get the loppers? The side gate is open.’
‘So, how’s Nathan getting on?’ I asked as I handed over my cutters.
‘He seems to be working hard,’ said Cyril. ‘Well, he sits at his computer most of the time. I’ve told him that he should take some exercise during the day as well as going for a jog in the evening.’
‘That’s good advice,’ I said. ‘It’s not good to stare at a screen for too long.’
‘Perhaps you can tell him too. He doesn’t seem to take any notice of me. Your garden is looking very nice,’ said Cyril, glancing over my shoulder at my flowerbeds. ‘Those pink dahlias are looking splendid.’
‘Oh, yes, they have been flowering for ages. They are doing well this year.’
‘Right. I’ll take these, and thank you very much. Bye for now,’ Cyril said suddenly.
I walked around to the front with him. ‘It must be strange having someone else in the house with you. I hope you are enjoying having company?’
Cyril sighed. ‘Yes, it’s OK. Well, I can cope for a short time. I didn’t expect Nathan to bring quite as much stuff with him, though. The house is looking rather untidy.’
‘Oh, dear,’ I smiled. ‘Well, make sure Nathan does his fair share of the housework.’
‘Oh, I will, don’t worry,’ Cyril replied, stifling a yawn. ‘Sorry. I’m feeling tired today.’
‘That’s not like you,’ I said. ‘You put me to shame with all the gardening you do!’
‘Perhaps it’s the weather,’ said Cyril. ‘I can’t understand it. Anyway, bye for now.’
I went back inside to find Craig looking in the fridge. ‘Oh, there you are!’ he said, ‘I thought you had run off and left me.’
I explained what I had been doing and updated Craig with news of our neighbours. Then we got a selection of deli things out of the fridge for lunch. We sat down to eat, and I placed my mobile on the worktop nearest the kitchen table. I knew that might prompt some comments from Craig as I wasn’t usually concerned about having my phone nearby.
‘Are you expecting an important call?’ said Craig.
‘Oh, I just wondered if Katy might get back to us about the incident at QexChem.’ This was partly true, but I was expecting another call, and I didn’t want to tell Craig about it until I’d had confirmation.
Perhaps Craig could detect my evasiveness, as he replied, ‘Are you sure that’s all it is?’
‘Yes, why are you worried about me?’ I said, smiling.
‘I’m just naturally curious,’ said Craig. ‘Perhaps you are two-timing me?’
‘Oh, well, it’s good that you are jealous,’ I said. ‘Maybe I’ve got a secret admirer?’
‘As long as it’s not Nathan,’ joked Craig.
**
‘Yes!’ I said to myself, punching the air after finishing my phone call. I went upstairs to share my news with Craig.
‘Hi, have you got a couple of minutes?’ I asked him.
‘Always, for you, my darling!’ he replied.
‘Are you feeling OK?’ I said, feeling his forehead, which prompted Craig to grab me around the waist and hug me. ‘Right, so, I can reveal all!’
‘Oh, I didn’t know that’s why you had come upstairs,’ said Craig grinning.
‘I’ve had a call from QexChem!’
Craig raised his eyebrows. ‘You got the job, then. Congratulations!’
‘So, you know that I’m organising this careers evening at the school? I thought it would be interesting to find out more about the part-time degree which you can do whilst working in industry.’
‘Oh, yes. It takes five years, doesn’t it?’
‘Yes, that’s right. So, I’m going to chat to someone in HR about it, and we are going to see whether anyone would be willing to talk about their experience at the careers evening.’
‘Excellent! Not everyone wants to go away to university. What with the cost of it nowadays, I’m sure a lot of people will be interested in it.’
‘That’s what I thought. Also, I thought I’d like to see the old place again.’
‘Well, good on you. I’m not at all suspicious,’ said Craig.
‘Suspicious? How do you mean?’ I replied.
‘Oh, I think you know what I’m getting at,’ said Craig, winking theatrically.
Chapter 11
Margate Police Station
Katy had just received the final report from the HSE about the accident at QexChem. As she had predicted, the recommendations were that the company should review its lone-working safety procedures and put in place a contingency in case security was otherwise engaged in an emergency incident. Thus, ensuring that anyone working late could have regular checks whatever the situation on-site.
Katy read through her final report on Joshua Hanson’s death. Once she had attached the statements from the QexChem employees, it would be ready to be sent to her superior officer, DI Aaron Bignell. Katy sat back in her chair and asked herself once more whether she had missed anything. Craig and Sarah hadn’t suggested anything was amiss, so why did she have this feeling gnawing away at her? Was she trying to create intrigue where there was none?
Hanson’s body would soon be released to his parents so that they could make the necessary funeral arrangements. She checked Facebook once again and saw that there were even more tributes to the scientist. Sighing, she scrolled through the document on her screen and was about to file it when DI Bignell approached. He pulled over an empty chair and slumped down, causing a faint squeak of protest from the frame.
‘Everything OK?’ he asked Katy.
‘Yes, sir. I’m just about to send you my final report on Joshua Hanson.’
DI Bignell stared at her and didn’t respond. He was clutching his familiar accessory, a bottle of water, and he took a deep swig then wiped his mouth on the back of his hand. Katy looked at her superior officer with concern. He didn’t look well at all, but she felt nervous about mentioning it to him. DI Bignell could be irascible and at times downright rude, so she needed to tread carefully.
‘Handley, no Hanson was the name,’ he murmured. ‘The chemist?’
‘Yes, sir. The accident at QexChem.’
DI Bignell nodded, then rubbed his eyes as if he was having difficulty focusing. Katy could detect an unusual smell emanating from her boss. It wasn’t sweat or body odour, she just couldn’t pinpoint what it was.
‘I wondered whether you were going to enlist your friend to investigate,’ he said flatly.
‘Sorry, sir?’ said Katy. She had been dreading this insinuation and hoped her response sounded innocent enough. Her mind whirled through her possible answers.
‘Come on, Katy, don’t take me for a fool. I wondered whether you had discussed it with Sarah Needham?’
This was it. Should she answer truthfully, or lie which may have far-reaching consequences?
‘Sir. Well, we have discussed the incident, only in passing, though. She got rather anxious about the inquest into Joe Fisher’s death.’
‘And?’
‘How do you mean, sir?’
‘Oh, Katy. Cut the crap. Just tell me what she said. I’m feeling too tired to play games. I don’t have a problem enlisting expert help as long as you don’t breach confidentiality.’
‘The thing is, sir, I don’t have any experience of working in a laboratory, so I just thought Sarah, I mean, Mrs Needham, might be able to help me with some information about safety procedures and so on. As a sort of independent voice rather than the company spokesperson being defensive and so on. I mean,’ Katy paused, conscious that she was gabbling a bit, but she felt under pressure. ‘Anyway, I didn’t learn anything in addition to the HSE, nor from visiting the site. So, I guess the matter is closed.’ Katy could feel her armpits pricking with sweat. DI Bignell’s blank expression stared back at her.
‘Good. I think that was very sensible. So, that’s another case we can draw a line under. Send your report to me today.’
‘Thank you, sir.’
‘What’s happening about the stabbing in Margate?’
‘We’ve charged a young man, a foreign national from, er, Poland. Yes, that’s right. There was an argument over loud music from the flat below. The forensic evidence checks out, and we’ve got a witness to him disposing of the knife down a drain.’
‘My word. We are racing through the cases now,’ said DI Bignell. ‘Right, I’ll get back to my admin.’ He raised himself from the chair slowly, then stumbled against the desk.
‘Sorry,’ he mumbled. He took a moment to steady himself, turned around and crumpled at the knees. As he went down, he clutched at the arms of the chair, but couldn’t prevent himself from falling.
‘Sir, sir? Are you alright?’ shouted Katy. She crouched down beside him, feeling for his tie to loosen it.
‘Get a first aider!’ she shouted to her colleague.
Katy felt for a pulse in DI Bignell’s neck. He was breathing but looked pale and was sweating profusely. The odour she had noticed before was now more intense.
‘I think we need an ambulance,’ she shouted to her colleagues. ‘Someone phone now!’
‘Can you hear me, Aaron?’ she asked, crouching down next to him.
‘Right, let’s get him in the recovery position,’ said DC Greg Fanshaw, who had just rushed over from the other side of the office. ‘Move that desk and chair.’
‘The ambulance is on its way. Ten minutes,’ shouted another colleague.
