The Dead Husband, page 8
‘However did they manage without HOLMES?’ Kim asked Paul.
‘Home Office Large Major Enquiry System is probably the best invention in policing history,’ Paul replied. ‘Every detail entered is cross-referenced by the computer in a fraction of the time the manual system took and it’s more reliable too. Peter Sutcliffe killed thirteen women in five years. If we’d had this system in operation then, many of the victims would still be alive today, so you can see why I have such respect for it. Today we use HOLMES 2, the original’s big brother, and presumably, advances will update it even more.’
‘It is brilliant.’
Paul checked his watch and grimaced. ‘I wonder how the boss is getting on with the DCI?’
DCI Aiden Kent called for his visitor to enter. He removed his glasses and sat back in his chair. ‘Samantha. What can I do for you?’
‘Our murder case, sir…’
‘Ah, yes, Callum Cooper. Have you got a result?’
‘Sadly no. I’ve just been to the morgue and it appears the body we thought to be Cooper isn’t. The pathologist received Cooper’s medical records this morning and they strongly suggest it’s not him.’ Kent’s eyebrows shot up, almost meeting his hairline.
‘What? Is he certain – didn’t you get a positive ID from the wife?’
‘Yes on both counts, sir. But Rick is confident the body can’t possibly be Cooper and Amy Cooper must have been mistaken – she was very emotional – it’s a confusing time for anyone. The body did have severe head injuries and had been in the ditch for a couple of days at least.’
DCI Kent drew in a deep breath, his nostrils flaring. ‘So, you’ve wasted a whole week investigating the wrong victim? Bloody hell, Samantha, surely the woman would know her own husband?’
‘Yes, sir, I thought so too. I’m going to see Mrs Cooper now. She needs to know the body isn’t her husband and I need to know why she said it was.’
TWENTY-ONE
THURSDAY 15TH DECEMBER
DI Sam Freeman was fully motivated – it was turning into a busy week, and she now had three major investigations on the go. The fire and subsequent death of Ethan Baxter would prove to be the less complicated case for sure. Rick’s news that their body wasn’t Callum Cooper presented them with an unidentified cadaver in the morgue and Callum Cooper was still missing.
Before visiting Amy, Sam briefly returned to her office to task Layla and Paul with searching the Police National Computer for any misper who might fit the description of their victim. Her request had been anticipated and while Paul was updating HOLMES, Layla and Kim searched for possible matches to their cadaver.
Sam thanked them all. ‘We know there are no local matches so spread the search area nationwide. We’re looking for a forty-something man, five foot six, who suffers from heart problems and breathing difficulties. Ring me if a match turns up, and get any possible names to Rick so he can match dental records if they’re available.’
Jenny was waiting for Sam, both of them eager to find answers. ‘Do you really think Amy thought the body was her husband?’ she asked as they climbed into the car.
‘I don’t know. I keep thinking if it were Ravi, I’d recognise him, but the body was disfigured and had been frozen in a ditch for a couple of days – and viewing was through glass. It could be a case of seeing what you expect to see and I admit I thought it was Cooper from the photo she gave us.’
Pulling up outside the Coopers’ home, Beth’s little white van was again parked at the front. Sam wondered if she’d stayed the night with her sister. ‘This is a first for me – telling someone the body they’d identified isn’t their husband. I’ll be interested to see her reaction; relief maybe?’
‘We’ll soon find out.’ Jenny pressed the doorbell.
Once inside and with the atmosphere decidedly chilly, Sam broke the news they’d come to impart, there was no way to dress it up. ‘We’re now in possession of Callum’s medical records and the toxicology report, and in light of this information, the pathologist is convinced the body you identified as your husband isn’t him.’
‘What! Of course it’s him – we both saw him!’ Beth was the first to react, Amy appeared to shrink back in the chair, wide-eyed and pale. Beth was fired up. ‘You saw the photo – you thought it was Callum too. Why the hell would we say it was him if we didn’t think it was?’
‘I know, and sadly the man did look strikingly like Callum. I’m sorry, Amy, but this at least gives us hope that Callum is still alive.’
‘Yes, it does, doesn’t it?’ Amy’s expression was difficult to read, relief perhaps but Sam thought there was an element of anxiety too. ‘So will you still keep looking for him?’ she asked.
‘Yes, the case will continue but clearly no longer as a murder investigation.’
Beth took over again. ‘What do you think’s happened to Callum if he isn’t dead?’
‘We’ll be re-evaluating our evidence and returning to a missing person case. I don’t want to speculate but if anything new has occurred to either of you which may help, please don’t hold back.’ Sam paused to allow the sisters time to think but as neither spoke she continued. ‘We still have the CCTV from near Blacketts which gives us a last known sighting and our focus will return to trying to trace subsequent sightings. Unfortunately, we also have an unidentified body, so my team’s time will be divided between cases.’
‘Oh yeah! You put us through that ridiculous search last night and now because he’s only missing and not dead, Callum’s not important anymore!’ Beth snapped.
Sam’s reply was immediate and firm. ‘Not at all. There’s a good chance Callum’s still alive – the man in the morgue has a family somewhere who’ll be missing him, and yesterday we also discovered the body of a seventeen-year-old boy whose parents will probably never view Christmas as a celebration again!’
Beth looked suitably rebuked and as the detectives stood to leave, she at least had the grace to whisper ‘Sorry’ before opening the door for them.
Sam’s parting words were addressed to her sister. ‘We’ll keep in touch, Amy.’
Jenny fastened her seat belt. ‘Not what I was expecting.’ She waited for her boss’s comments which came after a moment’s deliberation.
‘Even though I didn’t have expectations, I know what you mean. If it had been me, I’d have been delighted at the possibility that my husband could still be alive, but Amy barely raised a smile.’
‘Could be shock. She’s just got used to her husband being dead and now he’s back to missing, it’s still a traumatic situation.’
‘Hmm, but there’s something off with Amy. She’s a bundle of nerves and seems unsure how to react, what questions to ask, you know? Almost as if she’s trying to get it right – say the right things. And Beth’s a bit full in your face for my liking.’ Sam was silent for a moment, mentally rerunning the sisters’ reactions. ‘The alternative is that Amy lied to us and knew it wasn’t her husband – which opens up a whole new area of possibilities – why the hell would she lie?’
‘The search for a lead will be even harder now we don’t have a body. Perhaps Callum just left of his own accord or he’s gone off on a bender. Let’s hope he turns up soon, safe and well – that would be a good outcome for Christmas, eh, boss?’
‘Don’t remind me about Christmas! I haven’t started any shopping. Ravi keeps hinting he’s looking forward to a traditional Christmas lunch, which will have to be in the evening as I’m working, but the thought terrifies me. As a kid, I remember Mum getting stressed trying to make everything perfect. She even counted the sprouts – six per person – no one dared to take more. I vowed never to be put under such pressure. What are you planning, Jen?’
‘I’m off Christmas Eve and Christmas Day – it’ll be the whole family thing with my brother and his wife and kids all cooped up at Mum and Dad’s. I’m dreading the hints that it’s time I settle down and provide more grandchildren for them to spoil. I was thinking of offering to work on Christmas Day.’
‘Oh no you don’t! I’ll be in on Christmas Day; you can cover from Boxing Day through to New Year when I’ll be away. Ravi’s been moaning about us never having time off together and as I worked last year, I’m due the holiday. Whatever happens, we’ll have a better time than the Coopers or the Baxters.’ Jen and Samantha lapsed into silence for the rest of the journey.
TWENTY-TWO
THURSDAY 15TH DECEMBER
Tim Dennison and his mother arrived at the station after lunch to make a formal statement which Samantha and Layla took, while Jenny and Paul interviewed a more reluctant Tyler Green, accompanied by his rather solemn mother.
Layla switched on the tape recorder and recited the names of all those present. Mrs Dennison had been advised to secure the service of a solicitor but had declined, confident Tim wouldn’t be charged with any offence.
‘Tim, I know you told us about the fire on Tuesday, but we need to go over the details again now you’ve had time to think about the incident and get over the shock. Have you spoken to Tyler since the fire?’
‘No. Mum said I wasn’t to, but I don’t want to see him anyway.’ The boy hung his head. Sam hoped his regret was genuine and this incident would change the course of his life – that he might become a more responsible adult rather than throwing his life away for a few passing thrills.
‘I think that’s very sensible of you. Now, we need you to go over exactly what happened on Tuesday – this is being taped so we’ll have a record of everything you say.’
‘Am I going to be in trouble?’
‘I can’t say for certain until we’ve finished our investigations. It’s likely we’ll refer your case to the Youth Offending Team and if some form of punishment is deemed necessary, it will be up to them to decide what it will be. They’re not police officers and offer what we call early intervention to try and prevent youngsters moving on into criminal activities. Now back to Tuesday.’ Samantha smiled encouragingly at the boy who started the sorry tale of exactly what had happened – his account much the same as the one he’d given after the event.
When Tim finished, he looked exhausted and Layla asked, ‘Do you want a break now, Tim? I could get you and your mum a drink if you like?’ The boy nodded so Layla switched off the recorder and left the room to arrange the drinks. Samantha followed, giving the two time to consider their situation – there were more difficult questions to come.
Twenty minutes later, Sam and Layla returned to the interview room. Tim and his mother pushed their empty coffee cups away and shuffled to get comfortable. When the recorder was running again, Sam continued.
‘Tim, you’ve been really helpful so far and I can see how upsetting this is for you but I want to take you back to Wednesday 7th December. It’s just over a week ago when we spoke to you, Tyler and Ethan about the fire at the warehouse, remember?’
Tim whispered, ‘Yes,’ and dropped his gaze to study the scratches on the table.
‘You refused to answer questions then, which was your right, but I’d like to ask you about the incident again. Did you, Tyler and Ethan start the fire?’
Tim’s mother gave him a nudge. Perhaps she’d been expecting the question and even discussed it beforehand with her son. Tim sat up. ‘I was there with Ethan and Tyler but it was Ethan who started the fire, honest – I’m not just saying it was him ’cause he’s dead and can’t defend himself – both me and Tyler tried to stop him but he wouldn’t listen. When we ran away, he said not to grass as we were as guilty as him.’ The boy’s eyes brimmed with tears and Sam nodded.
‘Thank you, Tim. We’ll be talking to Tyler about this incident too and I appreciate you telling me what happened.’
Mrs Dennison spoke up for her son. ‘I’m not one to speak ill of the dead but Ethan was a bad influence on Tim and Tyler…’
‘Thank you, but as I said we’ll speak to Tyler for his account. You’ve done the right thing by admitting to being there, Tim; it can only help.’
After a few more questions, Samantha allowed Tim and his mother to go home, knowing Tyler Green was in the station so the boys would be unable to speak and decide on their stories. When Jenny and Paul finished their interview, they reported that the boy’s account of Ethan’s death matched Tim’s. He admitted harassing the rough sleepers but denied physically attacking them and claimed only Ethan kicked them. They were satisfied he was telling the truth.
Sam and Layla entered the room to confront Tyler. If anything, Tyler Green looked even more nervous than Tim Dennison had. Having known he was to be formally interviewed about the nightclub fire in which Ethan Baxter had died, Sam hoped he didn’t expect her to ask about the previous fire.
‘Last week, Tyler, we interviewed you and your friends about a fire at a warehouse. I assume you remember?’
Tyler nodded then said, ‘Yes,’ when Layla pointed to the microphone.
‘You refused to answer our questions on that occasion but I’d like to ask you again if you were there and had any part in starting the fire.’ Sam’s gaze remained on Tyler’s face. The boy reddened. ‘I was there but it was Ethan who started the fire. Tim and I told him not to, but he was stoned – thought it would be a laugh. Afterwards he told us to say no comment to any questions so you wouldn’t know we were there. I’m sorry but I didn’t want to be a grass, Ethan was my friend…’ Tyler tried to blink back the tears which filled his eyes. Samantha thought he suddenly looked very young.
Before leaving for the day, Samantha gathered her team for a briefing, first addressing Kim and Tom, the two newest DCs on her team. ‘Any luck with a match for our body?’
‘Only two possibles and neither are local.’ DC Kim Thatcher spoke up. ‘One is from Dorset, the other Bristol but both are in the general age range and the time frame could fit.’
‘Good work, Kim. Can you call the families and ask for more details – and if there’s the slightest chance ask if we can have something with their DNA on to test or the name of a dentist to check their records? Then request local officers to collect it ASAP.’
Kim nodded eagerly; her eyes wide. It was a responsibility Sam felt she could handle with the necessary sensitivity. After going over a few more points, they dispersed to finish their tasks for the day. Although it was getting late, Kim offered to make the calls before she left in the hope they’d have new leads to chase up the following day.
TWENTY-THREE
THURSDAY 15TH DECEMBER
Ravi was preparing dinner when Sam arrived home. Frequently, she thanked her lucky stars for having a partner who enjoyed cooking – a task she hated and never found the time nor the inclination to attempt.
‘Tandoori chicken, okay?’ Ravi bent down to kiss the top of Sam’s head, pepper mill in his hand.
‘Mmm, smells delicious.’ Sam realised just how hungry she was.
Ten minutes later the couple were seated in their lounge, eating Ravi’s amazing tandoori chicken. With his mouth full, Ravi asked, ‘So did you arrest the black widow today then?’
‘Ah, no. The plot twists yet again. Rick informed me that the body in the morgue is not Callum Cooper.’
Ravi swallowed and wiped his lips. ‘But you got a positive ID from the wife, didn’t you?’
‘We did and even I thought it was him after comparing the body to the photograph, but unless he’d shrunk a few inches and developed several health problems, it isn’t our man.’ Sam stuffed another forkful of tandoori into her mouth. ‘This is really good!’
‘So, you now have a misper and an unidentified body – two families who’ll have a bloody rotten Christmas.’
‘More than two if you count the Baxters and his mates. We interviewed them today and it’s looking almost certain that Ethan Baxter was the ringleader. I think the others were afraid of him but didn’t want to lose face. Peer pressure’s a pig.’
‘So, any ideas who your cadaver is?’
‘Nope – not one. I left Kim making phone calls to a couple of families who’ve reported missing men of a similar age. Wretched job, having to tell them we have a body which may or may not be their loved one – and by the way, can you let me have his toothbrush or a comb?’
‘Yeah, if it is their relative it’ll be devastating, if not then they go through the agony of waiting to see if he’s dead or still missing.’
‘Both mispers are from a distance, making it unlikely to be our man. Who would be travelling to New Middridge in this awful weather?’
‘I can’t say I envy you all these bodies. Let’s hope you find out who your John Doe is before Christmas so we can have some time together. You have booked New Year off, haven’t you?’ Ravi squinted at Sam, clearly not trusting her.
‘I can’t see anything stopping me from taking it. Surely there won’t be any more major incidents before Christmas.’
‘Good, so how would you feel about a few days at my parents’ house?’
Sam dropped her fork. ‘What? Are you serious?’
‘Absolutely. It’s time you got to know them a little better and they’ve invited us – my brother and his family will be there too. It’s a good chance to meet the clan.’
