The Dead Husband, page 5
Beth showed them into a room where a sofa and two armchairs filled the space at the front and at the rear stood a dining table where a man sat with a mug and a newspaper, glancing up only briefly.
‘Sorry about the mess, we’re starting decorating when we get the paint.’ The walls looked in need of a lick of paint and the carpet had been taken up in readiness. ‘This is my husband, Dave. Would you like tea or coffee?’
Samantha and Jenny accepted, welcoming the thought of something hot. ‘Perhaps we can have a chat with your husband first?’ Sam watched the man reluctantly stand and move towards them, stumbling slightly as he placed his mug on the dresser. When they were all seated she asked Dave Moorhouse what his relationship with his brother-in-law had been like.
‘We got on okay I suppose – never best mates or anything but our wives are close, so the four of us got together occasionally.’
‘And when did you last see him?’
Dave frowned. ‘Must be three or four weeks ago, I can’t rightly remember. How are asking these questions going to find out what happened to Cal?’
‘Presently we’re gathering information, trying to build up a picture of Mr Cooper which will hopefully help us discover what exactly happened. Do you know why he would have been on that particular stretch of road?’
‘Haven’t a clue, but as I said we weren’t exactly close.’
Beth returned with a tray of tea which she passed around then sat beside her husband. Jenny thanked her before asking, ‘Have you spoken to your sister today, Mrs Moorhouse? How’s she holding up?’
‘I rang this morning. She’s not good as I’m sure you can imagine. I asked if she’d like to come and stay here for a few days for the company, but she declined – Amy’s always been the independent sort – said she’d be okay on her own.’
‘That’s a nasty bruise on your face, Beth. How did it happen?’ Sam’s question took Beth by surprise and she glanced briefly at her husband before replying.
‘Oh, I walked into the bookcase when I came downstairs the other night. I should have put the light on – stupid of me.’ She gave a self-deprecating smile before sipping her tea, then turned her eyes away from the detectives.
Sam asked a few more questions and received little information of value, while Jenny made notes. Finally, she stood to leave. ‘Thank you for your co-operation and the tea. The autopsy is this afternoon and I’ll contact your sister if we learn anything more about what happened to Callum.’
Back in the car Jenny shivered and turned the heating full on. ‘She didn’t like your question about the bruising, did she?’
‘No. I’m not sure I buy her explanation either. Dave Moorhouse seemed rather quiet on the subject, too.’
ELEVEN
FRIDAY 9TH DECEMBER
Samantha and Jenny returned to the station with coffees and a bag of doughnuts from the deli across the road. Sam was unsure she wanted one, it may not stay in her stomach during the autopsy but the others tucked in enthusiastically. The only news to report was from Paul who’d spoken to both owners of the nearby cottages and neither had been in the area in the last few weeks. It was too early in the investigation to assemble alibis, as they hadn’t yet a time frame, so Paul thanked them for their help.
‘How was Amy Cooper yesterday, Layla?’ Layla swallowed a mouthful of doughnut then swivelled her chair to face Sam.
‘Holding up I suppose – she asked about the autopsy and appeared quite interested in the procedure and what information we’d glean from it. I thought maybe she would be one of those people who don’t want their loved one’s body touched which always causes problems, but she accepted what I said without comment. I told her someone would be in touch to let her know the outcome.’
‘Yes, I thought I’d go there straight afterwards.’
At 2.30pm, Samantha pushed open the heavy double doors, entered the morgue and took in the scene. Rick was suited up and ready to begin, his tools arranged neatly on the table beside him. Callum Cooper’s body was covered with a sheet and as Sam and Jenny approached the workstation Rick pulled his mask over his face and nodded at his colleagues. His assistant switched on a tape recorder and pulled the sheet from the cadaver.
‘The subject is male, early forties with…’ As Rick’s voice described what he saw, Samantha stepped back. She hated this moment and wished the forensic pathologist would speed things up, although she appreciated Rick for being thorough and methodical. No matter how many autopsies she attended, it was still an ordeal and Sam tried to concentrate on the facts rather than the sight of the body and the smell of death. Eventually she was distracted from the inevitable nausea she felt by the details that interested her.
‘Cause of death is a blow to the head – either of two blows although the deeper one is probably the last and fatal wound, inflicted by a heavy and smooth rounded instrument. The other injuries, sustained when he was mowed down by the car, were all post mortem, several hours after death I should think.’ Rick lifted his eyes to ensure he had everyone’s attention and continued to answer questions before the detectives could ask them. ‘The pattern of livor mortis is apparent about an hour after death and well formed after three or four. In this case, livor mortis was fixed before our victim was moved which indicates he died at another location where he remained for six to eight hours and only then was taken to the ditch where he was found. The timing can be variable but the fixation of lividity certainly occurred before he was moved.’
Jenny was studying the cadaver closely and asked, ‘So the blows to the head couldn’t have been a result of being hit by a car?’
‘No. As I said whatever he was struck with was smooth and rounded, which rules out hitting his head on a rock as he tumbled into the ditch. I would have expected to find particles in the wound if that were the case but he was definitely dead by then anyway.’ Jenny scribbled down a few notes although she knew Rick’s report would be detailed.
‘When do you think our victim died?’ Samantha asked the all-important question.
‘I think we’re looking at Tuesday or early Wednesday of this week. I’ve considered the weather conditions – frozen snow isn’t a pathologist’s best friend – but I don’t think I’m far out.’
‘And what about toxicology? Was he drugged or drunk at all?’
‘No obvious signs, Samantha, but you know I can’t tell you much more until the reports come back from the lab which will be sometime next week. I’ve also requested medical records from his GP but again they’ll take time and the weekend always slows things down.’
Samantha turned away from the table as the pathologist began to make the Y-incision, unable to watch the removal of organs. Finally, Rick neared the end of his examination. ‘Our victim wasn’t in the best of health. Hardening of the arteries around the heart suggests he was a candidate for a heart attack, and his lungs are badly damaged from years of heavy smoking. However, neither of these conditions appear to have contributed to his death and I’m satisfied the sole cause was the blow to the head. Thank you for attending and I’ll have my preliminary report on your desk as soon as possible.’ Rick stepped away from the table leaving his assistant to replace the organs and sew up the cadaver.
Samantha was first out the door and headed for the exit, grateful for the blast of cold fresh air. Jenny followed close behind trying to catch her boss’s words. ‘Well, it looks like we can rule manslaughter out. It wasn’t a hit-and-run but someone went to the trouble to make it appear to be. Ring Paul and tell him we’re now investigating a murder, then you and I will go to see Amy Cooper.’
TWELVE
FRIDAY 9TH DECEMBER
It was dusk as Sam and Jenny set off to visit Amy Cooper and the first day without fresh snow, but the roads were still packed with ice and the gritting lorries already rumbled through the town.
Amy opened the door and stood aside to allow them in. Sam noticed her pale skin and the dark circles beneath her eyes. Declining coffee, she waited until they were all seated before sharing the autopsy results with Callum’s widow.
‘I’m sorry to have to tell you but the pathologist’s examination has revealed that your husband wasn’t the victim of a hit-and-run – he was killed by a blow to his head and was already dead when he was left in the ditch.’
Amy’s hand flew to her mouth and tears welled in her eyes. After a moment’s hesitation she asked, ‘How can you know all this?’
‘Forensic science is very exact these days. The pathologist is confident your husband was killed in another location where he lay for several hours before being moved. Patterns of lividity can tell us much and the other injuries, from the car, were all inflicted post mortem.’
‘But he was struck by a car?’
‘Yes, presumably to make his death appear to be an accident. I’m afraid this is now a murder enquiry. I’m sorry, Amy, I know it must be a shock and over the next few days we’ll be digging into Callum’s life – interviewing friends and relations to try to find out who did this. The investigation may seem intrusive at times and I apologise in advance but it is necessary. Jenny here will be your family liaison officer and she’ll keep in touch daily and spend time here with you.’ Sam was unsure if Amy was taking anything in – she appeared stunned, her eyes almost glazed. ‘Would you like me to ring your sister for you? Maybe you’d feel better with someone here.’
‘Er, yes, maybe… sorry, I just don’t know what to say.’
‘Can I make you some tea?’ Jenny asked.
‘Please.’
While Jen went to make tea, Sam phoned Beth who agreed to drive straight over. She asked about the autopsy findings and Sam said they’d discuss it when she arrived.
Fifteen minutes later a breathless Beth rang the doorbell then entered her sister’s home. ‘So what’s happened?’ Her question was addressed to the detectives.
‘We attended the autopsy this afternoon and it appears Callum was killed several hours before his body was left in the ditch. The investigation is now a murder enquiry and I’ve been explaining to Amy what will happen next.’ Beth wrinkled her brow and sniffed and Sam decided not to distress Amy further by going over the details again. Assuming the women would need some time alone, she made an excuse about the time being late and said they’d be in touch the following morning. Amy could fill her sister in on whatever she wanted her to know.
Back in the car, Jenny turned to her boss. ‘I checked out the bruising on Beth’s face. It’s still there but she appears to have covered it with more make-up since we saw her earlier.’
‘Yes, I noticed. I wonder if Dave’s a bit too handy with his fists or if she really did walk into a bookcase. Anyway, it’s hardly relevant to our murder case. You okay for a bit of overtime tomorrow?’
Jenny nodded her agreement. ‘Yes, now we know what we’re up against we need to get moving. Do you want me at Amy’s house first thing or at the station?’
‘We’ll meet at the station and go to Amy’s together. I have a feeling she won’t like what we need to do.’
‘Can’t say I blame her – it’s an intrusion at the worst possible time for a family, but it’s best to get it over with, see what we find.’
They drove back to the station to pick up their own cars and leave for the day. It was 6pm and they would return at 8am the following morning.
THIRTEEN
SATURDAY 10TH DECEMBER
Ravi Patel lay in bed with his arms behind his head, watching Sam dress. ‘I thought you said we’d have the weekend off together. It’s ages since our rest days have coincided.’
‘I know, sorry, but you know how important the first few days of a murder investigation are. We lost time waiting for the autopsy before we knew exactly what we were dealing with, so I want to crack on today. I’ll make it up to you, promise.’ Sam climbed onto the bed and kissed Ravi lingeringly on the lips.
‘I hope you have more than a kiss in mind.’ He grinned as they parted. ‘I’m not even sure if there’s football on the telly – with this weather half the matches are postponed.’
‘You can’t blame me for the weather and if you’re bored you can always do that pile of ironing.’
Ravi pulled the covers over his head as Sam shouted goodbye.
By 8am Samantha and Jenny were once again knocking on the door of Amy Cooper’s home. A very pale, weary-looking Amy answered and invited the detectives inside out of the cold. Still in her dressing gown, it appeared she’d had very little sleep. Sam noticed the lines on her face, more prominent than ever. Amy’s mouth turned down at the corners with deep grooves running down her chin, rather like a ventriloquist’s dummy.
‘Would you like a coffee?’
‘That would be very welcome, thank you.’
‘Come through to the kitchen.’ Amy led the way and began the mechanics of coffee making. Sam and Jenny sat at the kitchen table but as Amy appeared to be in a trance and almost dropped the jar of coffee, Jen offered to take over. ‘Perhaps you’d like to get dressed while I see to the coffee?’
Amy turned silently and left the kitchen. Jenny shook her head. ‘She looks terrible, poor thing. I suppose it’s a shock to lose your husband but then to find out he was murdered is something else.’
‘Let’s hope we find something today to give us a lead.’
Amy returned within five minutes, dressed but still rather dishevelled, and accepted the coffee Jenny handed her. Sitting at the table she asked, ‘So what happens next?’ almost flinching in anticipation of the answer.
‘We’re still at the evidence-gathering stage. Because it’s now a murder enquiry we’ll have more resources and more officers to assist. One of the reasons we’re here today is to ask if you’ll allow us to search Callum’s things – his papers, laptop and mobile phone.’
‘But why? Shouldn’t you be out there looking for who did this?’
Samantha encountered this attitude often; it could be difficult to understand why the investigation commenced with the victim. ‘If we find a motive, it may help us discover who killed Callum. Can you think of anyone who held a grudge or perhaps was angry with Callum for some reason?’
‘No, he was well-liked by everyone. Surely it was just a random attack?’
‘We won’t know until we learn more, such as where Callum was killed. The route he took home from work will be key to this, so you’ve already been a big help, and we have colleagues checking CCTV for sightings of Callum on Tuesday after he left work.’
‘I still don’t see how searching the house will help.’ Amy sniffed and wiped her eyes with her sleeve.
‘It’s routine, Amy. We start with Callum and the people he knew. His phone and laptop will help, and any bank statements. Had he borrowed any money recently?’
‘No! We have a mortgage but we don’t buy stuff on HP. We live quite simply, especially since I lost my job. Look, you’d better just get on with it. I haven’t got his phone; Cal would have had it with him but his laptop’s in the little back bedroom he used as a study. Bank statements, bills and everything should be there too.’ Amy blew her nose and stood. ‘I’m going to ring Beth now, okay?’
‘Of course, we’ll try not to disturb anything and be as quick as we can.’ Sam and Jenny climbed upstairs and entered the study, a small boxy room furnished simply with an MDF desk, a tall shelving unit holding box files and a few paperback novels. Callum’s laptop was on the desk.
‘Bag that, Jen, and then start with the shelves – I’ll take the desk. There wasn’t a mobile with the body but the bank statements should give us the provider so we can still get a record of calls.’
Jenny lifted down a pile of box files and began sifting through them. It appeared Callum Cooper was very organised in running the couple’s finances – utility bills were in one box, old bank statements in another, nothing out of the ordinary. The third file was more interesting. Jen found a life insurance policy for Callum and one for Amy. Her eyes widened and would probably have popped out of her head if the policies had been taken out recently, but no. They were both dated 2009, standard policies which many couples would have. She would bag them with the bank statements to examine more closely back at the station.
Samantha closed the drawer in the desk. ‘Not much to go on – the most recent bank statement shows a balance of less than £100 and credit card receipts which are paid off as soon as they arrive – very commendable. Amy was right, they don’t seem the type to get into debt although they’re almost living on the breadline.’
A little over an hour later, Samantha and Jenny left the Coopers’ home to take their finds back to the station, promising to keep Amy up to date with any developments. They would sift through the paperwork and Jen would visit again later in the day.
FOURTEEN
MONDAY 12TH DECEMBER
Weekends were always difficult in a murder investigation, slowing down toxicology reports, having to wait for GP’s notes to be sent over and many other things Sam would like to set in motion, like visiting Callum Cooper’s place of work to interview his colleagues. The DI had spent the remainder of Saturday and Sunday at the station keen to progress the case, and satisfied herself by going over the paperwork they’d taken from the Coopers’ home, trying to build a picture of the couple’s life. But there was nothing of real interest, no leads to give an insight into who the murderer could be.
Further scrutiny of the life insurance policies proved them to be pretty standard. Suspicion might have rested on Amy Cooper if the policies were recent, but it was unlikely she’d wait over ten years to bump off her husband simply for the insurance money. The payout was in the region of £7,000, hardly sufficient to take the risk.
