A Perfect Likeness (37 page)

‘Not on your life, Inspector, I’m retired and my son is more particular. I’m buying some flowers on the way home for my wife and I am taking her out to the finest restaurant in town. We’ve a lot to celebrate. Goodbye, Inspector, and thank you for being so unkind to me. Just what I deserved.’

Deckman nodded and smiled.

‘Goodbye, Sergeant Fraser,’ said Clunes as they met in the outer office. ‘Have a nice day, what’s left of it. I certainly am.’

‘Er… bye, Sir. Thanks. You too.’

‘I’ll be with the Chief for a while,’ Deckman informed a bewildered Fraser.

‘Right, Guv, but what on earth have you done to
him
?’ Fraser pointed a finger at the door through which Clunes had departed. ‘Slipped him a Mickey?’

‘You’ll find out about it soon enough, but I can assure you it is going to be of benefit to our fight against crime.’

*

‘Go straight in, Sir,’ said CI White’s secretary. ‘She is expecting you.’

‘Thanks, Stella. How is your son, bye the way? Understand he came off his motorbike.’

‘Swerved to avoid a stray cow. Much better now, thank you. Coming home tomorrow.’

Deckman knocked the door as he entered. CI Joan White was on the phone and waved him to sit down.

‘He’s just this minute walked in, Sir. Would you like to speak with him?’ She handed over the receiver, mouthpiece covered. ‘The Chief Constable.’

‘Hello, Sir.’

‘Congratulations, Terry, to you all. Sorry to hear about the injuries, hope they are all improving?’

‘Thank you, Sir. The two men are coming along fine. The WPC is rather more complicated. And, Miss Lister is resting at home after being released this morning. Thought it was an excellent team effort, but I must say I’m disappointed about Rawston’s death and the injuries to our officers.’

‘In a day or two, when things quieten down, will you take me to the hospital. I would like to see them.’

‘Thank you, Sir, I appreciate that and I’m sure
they
will.’

Deckman replaced the receiver. Joan White reached over and straightened the phone so it sat, where she liked it, in the right-hand corner of the desk. She needed a lengthy stretch each time she used it, but enjoyed uniformity. The two-tiered ‘in-out’ tray was in the middle and in the left corner sat a digital clock. A blotter and a pencil were the only other items on her desk, the paper of the blotter being changed daily to feed her habit of doodling whilst on the phone.

‘Right, Terry, the good news,’ announced CI White. ‘I have been trying to do my bit and, you’ll be pleased to hear, Michael Campbell is to receive a total pardon and will be released at two-thirty tomorrow. He’s been informed by the Governor who has also advised him of his right to compensation. Michael has stated he would like you, Miss Salter and Trish Lister to be there. I hope Trish is fit enough to make it. Definitely no press. I’m sure you are happy to go along with that and would you like to inform his family?’

‘Delighted, of course. The icing on the cake. I’m sure Trish will make it even though she must be in considerable pain.’

*

Jackie Salter thought she was early, but found Deckman already seated and flipping through the latest edition of the
Draycliffe Argus
that someone had left on the table. Not the most pleasant of cafés, but it was convenient, being just around the corner from the police station. Deckman had noticed Jackie enter and indicated her arrival to the waitress.

‘I’ll bring the order across straight away,’ said the waitress having been instructed to await Jackie’s arrival.

‘Hello, Inspector, what’s all this about?’ She almost threw her copy of the
Argus
on to the table. ‘Exploding boat in Draycliffe Marina, man killed and no further information available. All a bit secretive, to me. And then you call, asking me to meet you. It’s all a little …’

‘All these questions,’ he interrupted. ‘Just sit down and listen. Sorry, Jackie, I assumed Trish would have explained everything to you when you were with her at the hospital. Anyway, how is she now she’s at home?’

‘A lot happier, but still in a lot of pain. She did tell me about her being taken hostage, but not about the final outcome of it all after the explosion. Is it what this meeting is all about, an update?’

‘Sort of. Where is Trish, your place or hers?’

‘Hers. We thought about it, but didn’t want her bombarded with questions. I told my parents she’d had a bit of an accident and hurt her arm. Trish wanted to come with me today, but felt a bit sick. She said it would be better to have a day at home to get over the anaesthetic. She’s sorting out her office filing system,’ she hesitated momentarily as the waitress placed the ‘order’ on the table. ‘Cream buns again. What for? I can’t eat those, you know I’m on a diet.’

‘Not today you’re not and you always eat them anyway. Michael is being released tomorrow.’ He waited a few seconds for it to register.

‘Michael is being released tomorrow, excellent,’ she repeated picking up the bun with the most cream. Then it hit her. She screamed, dropped the bun on the plate and punched the air. ‘Yes, yes, yes.’ Another punch of the air followed by a dance round the tables. Customers looked and laughed.

‘Perhaps he’s just asked her to marry him,’ said an elderly woman to her husband.

‘Bet she won’t be as happy about it in fifty years time,’ he responded cautiously and leant away from the big lady. But it wasn’t far enough; he still got the anticipated elbow in the ribs.

Terry Deckman sipped his coffee and laughed aloud. He was as happy as Jackie.

Jackie sat down, but got up again and threw her arms around Deckman’s neck, kissing him on both cheeks. ‘I’m so excited. Thank you, thank you. I can’t believe it.’

‘Definitely asked her to marry him,’ said the old lady.

Her husband made no comment, still nursing his bruised ribs.

‘Michael only wants Trish, you and I to meet him. Can you both make it?’

‘Try and stop me and I know Trish will be there despite her plastered arm. I’m not telling Mum and Dad though, or Mr and Mrs Campbell because I want him out first before I really believe it. Tell you what, let’s make it a surprise for them. I’ll tell them you need to speak to us all and are coming round to the house.’

*

At 2. 30pm Michael Campbell walked out through the prison gates accompanied by Dr Ingles. He was free, and he was innocent. As he had pleaded, so many times during his imprisonment. And he was met by the police officer who had put him there, but who had also been responsible for, ultimately, proving his innocence.

Michael was crying as he grasped the Inspector’s outstretched hand, and then hugged him. ‘I’ll always be in your debt,’ he said.

‘Just putting right a terrible wrong, Michael.’

‘Don’t say that, Inspector,’ said Michael, laughing through his tears. I do understand how it must have looked.’

‘Today is one of the more rewarding moments of my career as a copper, Michael, and it’s all down to Trish for getting us kick started.’

Michael looked at Trish in amazement. ‘What on earth have you been up to? Fallen down the stairs or something?’

‘No, Michael, not quite, tell you about it later.’

‘I owe you everything, Trish. What you’ve done for me is nothing short of a miracle as far as I’m concerned.’ He looked at her plastered arm. ‘I’d love to give you a hug, do you reckon we could manage it?’

‘You better believe it, come on let’s give it a go.’ She raised her good arm and they embraced as best they could.

‘I need a tissue,’ said Michael.

‘Hey, come on, Michael, this is not a time for tears,’ said Trish, ‘you are a free man and that is my reward.’

‘I’m so happy, Michael,’ said Jackie as they held each other tight. ‘Victoria will be so pleased it’s all turned out right. She’ll be able to relax now. I’m sure she has been watching over us all.’

‘Fancy a celebratory round of golf Sunday week?’ asked Jim Ingles as he and Deckman waited at a polite distance.

‘Good idea. Prefer an early tee off. Will check with Jens and call you.’

‘Do you know what I fancy doing, folks?’ said Michael, already beginning to reap benefit from the fresher air outside of the prison walls.

‘It’s your day,’ said Deckman.

‘A visit to a café for a decent coffee and sticky bun. Sorry, Doc, you must admit the food could be better on the inside. Then you can tell me everything that’s happened since we last met, Inspector. Can you make it, Doc?’

‘Sorry, but I’ve got a meeting with the Governor and I’m already late. We’ll keep in touch. Good luck, Michael, and remember what I have told you. It’s going to be difficult over the next few weeks, or months. Just take it stage by stage and you’ll be fine. You are one of the lucky ones because you have family and friends around you to help. If, however, you feel I can advise in any way then don’t hesitate to call me.’

‘Thanks, Doc, for everything and I mean everything. Even the telling-off now and again, I know I deserved them.’

*

‘I never realised a good, old fashioned doughnut could taste so delicious.’ Michael licked the stickiness off his fingers. ‘I’m really sorry about your colleagues, Inspector. They will be alright, won’t they?’

‘I did tell the girls to drop the ‘Inspector’ title when we are informal. It’s Terry. And, yes, they will all be returning to work although Gabby was within a millimetre of losing her life. The surgeon is now confident she has not lost her voice, but she’s not allowed to speak for another week. God help her husband once she gets started. She’s a great talker and she’ll have a lot of catching up to do.’

‘And Trish,’ said Michael, ‘you must have been petrified, I know I would have been. I’m so sorry you’ve had to suffer so much on my behalf. You are brave beyond belief.’

‘I’ll second that,’ said Deckman.

*

‘Hi, everyone,’ said Jackie entering the living room with Trish. ‘I’ve just spoken with Inspector Deckman and he should be here any minute now.’

Mr Salter got straight up. ‘Trish, wonderful to see you. Jackie told us you’d had a bit of a fall, but it looks more serious than that. How are you feeling? Come and sit over here.’

‘I’m fine now, Mr Salter, thank you.’

Mrs Salter introduced Trish to Michael’s parents as a friend of Jackie.

‘What do you think he wants us all here for?’ asked Michael’s mother. ‘We haven’t spoken since the appeal. Do you think Michael’s condition is getting worse? I wish he would let us go and see him.’

‘Let’s not jump to conclusions, love,’ comforted her husband. ‘I would suggest he just wants to give us an update.’

The door bell rang.

‘I’ll go,’ said Jackie, jumping up and bubbling inside. ‘Must be him.’

‘Hello, Inspector,’ she said loud enough for the family to hear. ‘Good to see you again. Come in please. I hope it’s not bad news you’ve got for us.’

They were all standing as he entered, including Scottie who tended to hide behind the curtain until he saw who was coming in. ‘You all remember Inspector Deckman, don’t you?’ Sit down, Inspector, please. Would you like a coffee?’

‘No. No thank you. I need to cut back on my coffee intake. Right, let’s begin,’ he said moving to the edge of his seat and noting the anxious expressions on the faces around him. Except Jackie who had her hand covering a wide smile. She was enjoying the moment. Trish managed to look serious.

‘I haven’t spoken with you for a long time and a great deal has been happening over the last few weeks, especially over the last day or so. It’s only right I should bring you all up to date. But, how do I begin?’ He got to his feet and walked casually across the room rubbing his chin.

‘It is quite a story I have to tell you and I don’t know where to begin. What I will say is that Trish has done so much to get us where we are today. In fact, you could say that the final outcome is all down to Trish. This is really difficult,’ he continued as he opened the door to the hall, ‘but I happen to have a person with me who should be able to explain things a lot better than I.’

‘Hi, folks, missed me?’ asked a beaming Michael Campbell as he entered the room.

*

‘Mum’s been fussing around me like I was royalty,’ said Michael, leading Jackie into the living room of his parents house. They had arranged for her to visit after completing her early shift at the hotel. ‘Thank goodness Dad has taken her shopping.’

‘Let her fuss, Michael. It’s been very difficult for her, and your father, especially at the beginning.’

‘Must have been. Still, you know what she’s like. And Trish, Mum doesn’t stop talking about her and even Dad manages to get a word in now and again. She is the queen of queens in their eyes and they are desperate to meet her again. They didn’t realise what she had done and been through to get my release. Got a favour to ask you, Jackie. I know the Inspector wants me to keep a low profile until all the arrests are complete, but I have to go to the flat. Will you take me? Now, please. I’ve already written a note saying I’ve gone out with you.’

‘How can I refuse you,’ she said, planting a kiss on his cheek.