Killer Plan (16 page)

41

The following morning, Ed
wanted to go in the garden to play football. Taking him out of the house was risky. Someone might spot them. Not only that, Ed might see his own face in a newspaper, or on a television news channel. Since the police had been round, snooping, he must have been reported missing. It had always only been a matter of time. He hadn’t watched the news but the story of Ed’s abduction must have hit the headlines by now. All the same, Brian realised he would struggle to keep the boy cooped up in the house forever. Although he had kept him occupied tolerably well so far, watching cartoons and playing games on the computer, he was becoming twitchy, asking to go to the park to play football, nagging to go home.

It was only four days since Ed had moved in with him, and Brian was already running out of ways to entertain him. They would have to move away soon, leave London altogether. If he could think of a way to get him out of the country, he would take him to France, or America. He would have to figure out how to get hold of a false passport for him if they were to go abroad. It was possible. People did it all the time, only Brian didn’t know how. Wherever they went, it would be best to act quickly, but first he had to gain the boy’s trust. Without that, the plan would come to nothing. Keeping him well fed was part of Brian’s campaign to win his affection. He had given him sausages and waffles for supper. He served the same for breakfast.

Luckily the wet weather had offered an excuse to stay indoors for a couple of days. That wouldn’t last. When the sun came out he would have to find another reason for him to stay inside. He couldn’t keep that up forever. It might be as well to meet the problem head on and take him out, drive away from London to some remote destination where he could run around and let off steam.

‘I thought we might go to the seaside. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?’

Ed’s eyes lit up. He bounced on his chair with excitement.

‘When can we go? Can we go today? Can we take a football?’

Brian was gratified by his enthusiasm. ‘Yes. We’ll get a football, if that’s what you want. We’ll take a picnic and eat it on the beach.’

‘And paddle in the sea!’

‘And run on the sand.’

Their eyes met in mutual understanding, and Brian felt a rush of joy at this unexpected connection with his new friend. As he cleared away the breakfast plates, he considered the options. He could suggest they go out in disguise, but that might alert the boy to the need for secrecy. He didn’t want him to start asking awkward questions. They couldn’t travel by train for fear of being recognised. If they got in the car quickly, right outside the house, the chances of anyone seeing them were negligible. It had to be worth that slight risk. A deserted beach would be an ideal place to take him. It was impossible to be absolutely certain they wouldn’t be caught on CCTV but that was unlikely. They were going to have a glorious day out, one they would both remember for the rest of their lives. What was more important was that the outing would cement their relationship. They would settle down together, and Ed would stop harping on about his mother and his brother.

‘We’re going to the seaside. And we can have lots more fun outings together after that. You like it here, don’t you? If there’s anything you want, you only have to say.’

‘I want my mum.’

‘But if you go home, you’ll have to go straight back to school, and we want to have some fun first, don’t we?’ he insisted. ‘You like it here, don’t you?’

‘I don’t like it here. It’s boring. And I haven’t got a toothbrush.’

‘You’re bored because we’ve been stuck indoors for so long. But look, it’s a lovely sunny day out there, perfect for going to the seaside. Let’s go today! And on the way we can stop off and get you a new toothbrush and some new clothes if you like. Anything you want.’

Ed screwed up his eyes and squinted up at Brian. ‘Why are you being so nice to me?’

‘I promised your mother I’d take good care of you, and that’s what I’m going to do. And besides that, I like you. You’re a very special boy. You know that, don’t you?’

‘What do you mean?’ He was still wary, but he was curious now as well. ‘What’s so special about me?’

Brian hesitated, wondering how much praise he could dish out without making Ed even more suspicious of him. With a flash of inspiration, he remembered that Ed was a twin. He was probably fed up of being lumped together with his brother all the time.

‘You have an independent spirit,’ he hazarded, taking care not to mention Matthew. ‘You’re an individual.’ From the way Ed’s shoulders relaxed, it was clear he liked that idea. ‘And you’re clever and funny. I don’t have much time for most people I meet, but I like you. I thought we were friends. Of course, we don’t have to go to the seaside today, if you’d rather go back to school.’

Ed shook his head, mumbling that he wanted to go to the seaside.

‘Good. Let’s get ready then. I’ve got some old shorts you can wear on the beach.’

‘I can’t wear your old shorts!’

Brian laughed at his outrage. ‘Then we’ll stop off and get you some new ones on the way. And you can help me choose the picnic.’

‘We need a football.’

‘Yes, we’ll get one on the way.’

Beach ball, football, Brian didn’t care. They were going to have a fantastic time at the seaside, just the two of them. They didn’t need anyone else. It was frustrating that Ed was taking so long to grasp that. They couldn’t afford to wait much longer. Soon they would need to start making plans to leave England for good.

42

Seconds after Brian slammed
the front door they were inside the car and accelerating away from the house. He glanced at Ed, sitting beside him on the front passenger seat. His face partly concealed behind the sunglasses Brian had given him, he was grinning and chattering excitedly about what he wanted to buy for their trip. No one who saw him would recognise him behind the large lenses, and no one could possibly suspect he wasn’t with his father. They drove out of London, finally stopping at a massive out-of-town shopping centre on the way to the coast. Stepping out of the lift, Brian noticed there weren’t many children around. They would all be at school. Nervously, he took Ed’s hand.

‘You don’t want to get lost here.’

‘I won’t get lost,’ he answered with the cheerful optimism of childhood.

He was excited about their adventure, but Brian had grown fearful in case they were recognised. Having just gained Ed’s trust, he wasn’t prepared to give him up now.

‘Come on, we can get everything we need in one department store.’

Ed agreed they didn’t want to waste time shopping when they could be outside playing on a beach. They started off buying him some summer clothes and sandals for the beach. In the food hall, no one challenged them as Brian pushed a trolley round the aisles while Ed filled it with whatever he fancied: biscuits, chocolate bars, fizzy drinks, crisps and cakes. There was nothing healthy in his selection. Brian would have to educate him in how to eat properly. For now, all he wanted to do was finish the shopping and get out of there.

‘Not at school today?’ the cashier asked Ed as she rang up the items.

‘He’s got the day off,’ Brian answered quickly. ‘He’s recovering from a virus.’

‘He looks well enough to me,’ the woman replied, smiling at him while speaking to Brian. ‘You’re obviously taking good care of him.’

‘What’s a virus?’ Ed asked as they drove out of the car park. ‘You said I had a virus. What’s a virus?’

Brian smiled. ‘It’s nothing.’

‘But you said I had a virus. I heard you. What’s a virus?’

‘It’s a little illness, like a cold.’

‘I’m not ill!’

‘No, I know you’re not.’

‘Why did you say I was then? You lied.’

‘Just a little.’

‘Why did you lie?’

‘You don’t want to go back to school yet, do you?’

Ed shook his head vigorously.

‘So when she asked why you weren’t at school, I had to say something.’

‘Why didn’t you tell her the truth that we’re going to the seaside?’

‘Yes, I could have said that, but some people might not think that’s a very good reason for staying away from school.’

‘But you lied.’

Brian sighed. This was becoming irritating.

‘You shouldn’t ever lie,’ Ed said solemnly.

‘I won’t lie again, all right?’

His companion shrugged and they drove in silence. After a while Ed began to grow impatient.

‘When will we be there?’

‘Soon.’

‘How soon?’

‘Not long now.’

‘I need to pee.’

‘Can’t you wait a bit longer?’

‘No. I need to go now.’

They pulled off the main road and drew up in a quiet country lane. No one would see him urinating there. Once out of the car, he changed his mind. The stop gave Brian an opportunity to fetch some snacks from the boot before they drove off. For the rest of the journey Ed crunched his way happily through two packets of crisps and a sticky bar of chocolate. Brian hoped he wouldn’t be sick. Ed told him he had eaten far more than that before on car journeys.

‘I once ate a whole bagful of sweets, I mean a really big bag, bigger than a carrier bag, full of sweets, all by myself, and I didn’t feel the littlest bit sick,’ he assured him earnestly.

At last they drove over the crest of a hill and saw the grey-blue vastness of the ocean stretched out beneath them. Ed cried out with excitement as they descended a long incline that led them straight down to the sea. Leaving the main road they followed a winding lane to a deserted stretch of coast. It wasn’t exactly a beautiful smooth sandy beach, but Ed was happy clambering around rock pools, poking them with a stick. Every time he found a tiny creature in the water, or prised a crustacean from a rock, he shrieked with joy. He brandished his discoveries on the end of the stick while Brian made suitably admiring noises. After eating a whole tub of ice cream, he washed out the empty container with sea water so he could use it to store his treasures: a tiny crab, a spiral shell, together with an assortment of bits of stick and gritty pebbles.

Neither of them wanted to leave, but at last it grew dark. It was difficult to find their way among the rock pools without tripping over as they made their way back to the car.

‘I don’t want to go,’ Ed whined.

Brian didn’t want to leave either, but it could be dangerous to stay after dark. Someone might see them and call the police.

‘Come on, you can sleep in the car.’

‘I don’t want to go to sleep.’

Like a cold shiver down his back, Brian heard him asking to go home.

‘That’s where we’re going,’ he replied softly.

‘I want to see my mum.’ He began to cry. ‘I want to go home.’

‘We’re going home,’ he whispered.

‘I feel sick. I want to go back to mum.’

Wordlessly Brian led him back to the car. He put one arm round the boy’s shoulders, glad that the darkness hid his expression.

‘Come on, I’m taking you home,’ he repeated softly as he opened the door.

Before long Ed was fast asleep on the passenger seat.

‘I’m taking you home with me,’ Brian whispered. ‘You’ll be safe there. I won’t let anyone take you away from me, not ever. I’ll take you to the seaside again whenever you want and we’ll have fun, won’t we? You and me. We don’t need anyone else.’

At his side the sleeping boy didn’t stir.

43

After forcing down a
miserable breakfast, Geraldine felt surprisingly clear headed as she drove along busy streets. She was almost cheerful at the prospect of getting stuck into work. Dave’s case was as good as wrapped up. There was only the paperwork to go, and the legal checks. Reg was confident they had enough evidence to convince the Crime Prosecution Service to proceed. After her initial gut feeling to the contrary, Geraldine had to accept that Greg was guilty. There was no longer much room for doubt.

‘It’s all over bar the shouting,’ Reg had assured the team.

Apart from Geraldine, the entire team had been convinced all along that Greg was guilty. She had already stuck her neck out over it and disagreed with everyone else on the team. Reg was difficult enough to get on with at the best of times, and he was an experienced investigating officer. If he was happy with the outcome of the investigation, she was in no position to challenge him. It was time to put that investigation behind them and focus on finding Nick’s killer.

By the time she reached her office, the list of duties was already being discussed. Reg looked up as she entered the incident room and announced that he intended talking to Eve again himself. Geraldine took a deep breath and waited to hear if Nick’s colleagues were to be questioned as a matter of routine. Lowering her eyes, she saw that her hands were trembling. She glanced around but no one else was paying her any attention. Not only were they all shocked at the loss of a colleague, Nick’s murder raised the possibility of an aggrieved ex-con out to be avenged on the force that had put him away. They might all be at risk. Her hands probably weren’t the only ones to be shaking that morning.

‘We need to focus our resources on those outside the police force,’ Reg said. ‘There’s no point in wasting valuable time questioning each other. If anyone knows anything that might be relevant, you know we’re all relying on you to come forward. You know how serious it is to withhold information, and we’re all concerned to reach a speedy conclusion.’

He seemed to be staring directly at Geraldine as he spoke. Until that moment, she hadn’t appreciated quite how stressed she was feeling. Deciding against coming forward to volunteer information was very different to telling an outright lie. She didn’t think she could have avoided admitting the truth if she had been questioned. That would have provoked questions about why she hadn’t spoken out two days earlier, when they had first heard the news of Nick’s death. To be fair, she had tried to tell Reg about Nick’s suspicion he was being stalked, but she hadn’t tried very hard. She deeply regretted her reticence now. But there was no going back. In any event, Nick had admitted he had probably imagined he was being stalked. With a sigh, she tried to dismiss the uncomfortable memory and concentrate on her day’s tasks.

Before she went home, she at first intended looking into Caroline’s false claim that one of her sons had been kidnapped. Something about the episode made her uneasy. On reflection she realised that Caroline’s false claim had been nothing more than a desperate cry for help. Caroline had virtually admitted as much when she talked about her struggle to cope without Dave. One of her sons coming home late had thrown her into a panic. She had been afraid that he had been taken from her as well. It was an irrational reaction, but understandable. In any case, Geraldine found it almost impossible to worry about Caroline now. She could hardly focus on anything, apart from getting through the day without breaking down in tears.

As she was about to find Max and set off to interview Nick’s neighbours, Reg summoned her.

‘Enter. Ah, Geraldine. Come in and close the door.’

This was it. He had discovered that Nick had spent the night with her. Soon everyone at the station would know. After years of slog and dedication, her reputation would be in shreds. If she could engage in a clandestine affair with a fellow officer, there would always be a question mark over whether she was trustworthy. A promiscuous officer might allow herself to be influenced by a witness, or a suspect. She felt lightheaded. Reg’s next words seemed to reach her through a haze.

‘So on balance I think it’s best you come with me.’

‘Where?’

‘To the interview.’ He frowned. ‘Are you listening? We’re going to question Eve Williams properly. Find out what she can tell us, if anything. You’re coming with me. A woman’s touch and all that.’

For once, Geraldine wasn’t bothered by his patronising tone.

‘I thought about taking another female officer with me, but they all knew Nick for longer than you, and we need to keep a sense of detachment. You’re not to go off at a tangent, pursuing your own line of questioning. We need to keep this strictly routine.’

Geraldine took a deep breath. ‘I think Nick was worried about something.’

‘We’ve talked about this before, Geraldine. I saw Nick the day he died. We went for a drink after work and then he went home and that’s when it happened. I can assure you, he was in good spirits when he left the pub. Never better. He wasn’t a worried man. I like to think I would have known, even if he hadn’t said anything. Now, let’s hear no more about it. Come on, his widow’s waiting for us in an interview room. She might be more inclined to talk here.’

It was typical of Reg to try and intimidate a witness by questioning her at the police station, but Geraldine didn’t say anything. Perhaps he was right. With luck Nick would have confided his fears to his wife. She followed Reg’s large square figure along the corridor, trying not to think about Nick and his wife. They had lived in a three-bedroomed semi-detached house. It was possible they had been estranged, as he had claimed. But it was equally possible that Nick had lied about his relationship with Eve. It wasn’t a subject she would be able to raise during the course of the questioning. Her whole working life was a striving to discover the truth. Not being able to pursue it was maddening.

Reg paused to have a word with a sergeant on the way to the interview room.

‘Nothing,’ he muttered as Geraldine joined him. ‘They haven’t found a murder weapon.’ The way he spoke made it sound like an accusation.

Eve looked ghastly. Her skin seemed to be stretched tightly across her face, accentuating her high cheek bones. She stared vacantly at them across the table, as though she didn’t recognise them. Reg greeted her gently and Geraldine followed him inside. Every so often Eve’s eyes would flick to Geraldine as Reg questioned her.

‘Did you notice anything unusual?’ he asked.

She shook her head.

‘Did anything happen the day before he died? Anything out of the ordinary?’

Geraldine held her breath. She was about to hear Eve tell Reg that Nick hadn’t been home the night before he was killed. Reg would look surprised.

‘Do you know where he went?’ he would ask.

Eve would turn to Geraldine, her eyes burning with hatred.

‘He went to her!’ she would shriek, leaping to her feet and pointing to Geraldine. ‘He was in her bed and then he was killed!’

Geraldine bit her lip. Eve couldn’t possibly know that. Nick would never have told her. Eve saying she didn’t know where Nick had been would only postpone the mortifying discovery. Reg would reassure Eve that they would find out where Nick had spent the night by tracking his car on CCTV through the streets of London. He might even put Geraldine in charge of the operation. Finally she would have to confess the truth. When Reg demanded to know why she hadn’t come forward earlier, she could only mutter feebly that she had tried to tell him but he wouldn’t listen. That would go down well.

‘Nothing unusual happened,’ Eve replied softly.

Geraldine choked back a gasp of relief. Oblivious to her reaction, Reg sat forward, his gaze fixed on Eve.

‘Where were you on Monday evening?’

‘Me?’ she repeated.

‘Yes, you.’

She smiled sadly. ‘Nick used to say, “Never commit a crime unless you can prove you weren’t there.” You don’t think I could have done it?’

‘This is just routine, but we have to ask,’ Reg said apologetically. ‘Where were you on Monday evening, between eight and nine o’clock?’

She frowned. ‘I was out visiting my aunt.’

‘Would anyone be able to confirm that?’

‘My aunt was with me all evening. I visited her at her home. It’s about half an hour’s drive away. I got there about seven, after they’d had their dinner, and stayed with her until she went to bed at nine. She’s not all there, but she enjoys an occasional visit. I thought Nick would be out anyway...’

Her voice petered out and she dropped her head in her hands.

‘That’s all right,’ Reg said gently. ‘We’ll leave you in peace now.’

He nodded at the female constable who had been keeping Eve company.

‘I’ll take you home,’ she said.