The Collared Collection (38 page)

‘No, I want to do that face to face.’

‘Yes, I suppose that’s only right – I’m so pleased for you, Callie … new husband, another baby. You’ve made me feel quite broody.’

Callie was still smiling as Susan sat down beside her – in fact, she’d hardly stopped smiling since she found out she was pregnant – even when she was sleeping.

‘Are you feeling strong enough for a bit of shop talk?’ she asked.

‘Of course I am. I’m floating on cloud nine at the moment, though I know that’s temporary.’

‘Half the battle is understanding that, being prepared for and coming to terms with reality when it bites – which it will, when you least expect it.’

‘I know.’ She didn’t want to dwell on that and there were a lot of questions she was dying to ask, so she jumped in. ‘How did you catch on that Mike was Balaclava Man in the first place?’

‘I had a lot of time to think when I was flying a desk. I just kept going over and over the sequence of events, what little evidence there was, and eliminating people who couldn’t possibly have been involved, for one reason or another. Mike played his cards very cleverly – every now and again he’d let slip a morsel of information so that no one suspected he was concealing vital facts. It’s no wonder the police were perceived as hopeless buffoons, given his manipulation of the investigation. He couldn’t have got away with withholding much more, though – everyone knew he had contacts in all the best departments. I suppose it was the Clack, Jones, Symonds thing that really made me suspicious – he should have been able to work that out long before, if he were playing a straight game. Sally Stephens found out, by sheer doggedness.’

She felt a pang of guilt. ‘I know … poor Sally.’

‘I had an outsider’s perspective too, which helped. Mike kept flagging up as a common denominator, someone who didn’t seem 100% kosher – but at the same time, I had niggling doubts about his guilt because he could have been genuine, if he’d been plain unlucky and not asked the right questions of the right people. I do tend not to believe in good or bad luck, though.’

‘Do you know how he was involved in the Ben Ellison murder?’

‘No – I can’t connect him conclusively. He’d have been only six or seven at the time. And I’ve asked his mother if the family ever holidayed on the Isle of Wight – they didn’t, but she thought he might have gone camping there with the Cubs or Scouts. She wasn’t sure.’

‘That’s a bit frustrating. Is he talking?’

‘Not a dickey bird so far. I never realised what an arrogant pile of shit he is.’

‘No one did – I really liked him and Ginny loved him … I think he won most people round with his false charm.’ She shivered when she had a flashback of his brutal attack on her. ‘His mum’s so lovely – and she hasn’t been at all well. I do hope she’s alright … I feel very sorry for her.’

‘She’s standing by him – frankly, I don’t think she knows what’s hit her, yet.’

‘Poor thing. I don’t know if I could come to terms with the knowledge one of my boys was responsible for a spree of violent attacks and murder.’

‘Let’s hope you never find out. I have wondered if Ginny began to suspect him and somehow unwittingly betrayed her doubts – so that’s why he killed her. Anyway, that’s a matter for the police investigation, I’ve done my bit.’

‘You certainly have – and Barney.’

‘Ooh, he asked me to tell you he’s very sorry it took so long to free you from Mike’s clutches. He lost you when he was following you from the Cooked Goose – he had to hang back miles, because Mike couldn’t have failed to spot the headlights of someone tailing him on those deserted roads. Then Barney made a wrong turn somewhere. It took him a while to locate where Mike was keeping you after that.’

‘I’m just grateful he found me at all – he’s a really nice guy.’

‘He is – an excellent operative and dishy with it.’

‘Susan! Do I detect a sniff of romantic interest?’

‘Actually, he has asked me out – I’m not so sure it’s a good idea. The boss would most certainly not approve.’

‘Nonsense, go for it. You have to take the chance of happiness whenever the opportunity arises. I’ve learned that quite recently.’

She giggled, ‘I’ll let you know.’

‘Susan … duh! Will you listen to me! I keep calling you Susan – what is your real name? Or is it still Top Secret?’

‘I don’t suppose it matters now, since my cover is well and truly blown. My parents named me Paige.’

‘Paige …’ She rolled it around her head, ‘That’s a good name – it suits you … I think.’

‘Thanks, but people call me Paigey.’

‘No! That’s awful, what do you want me to call you?’

‘Paigey is fine – I might not answer to Paige, as so few people use it.’

‘OK, but I’ll probably forget and keep on calling you Susan anyway.’

‘That’s fine too – like I said before, I enjoyed my life as Susan. And – what is it they say? A rose by any other name …’

‘Talking about names reminds me, any joy with Mimi Hammerton?’

‘Not as far as I know, but everything I meddled with has been handed back to David’s team now.’

‘I’ve been wondering if she could be Mike’s accomplice in some way – Ginny must have known her to add her to the will.’

‘That had crossed my mind too, but he seems to have been a one man band – at least, that’s what the police think and my department’s involvement was strictly unofficial. Barney joined your watchdogs on his time off, by the way.’

‘You’re kidding! See, I told you he’s a good guy.’

‘Callie, you’re as subtle as a wallet full of condoms.’

She shifted her position because she was sore. ‘Do you reckon Mike will plead guilty to the rape charge? I don’t much fancy giving evidence.’

‘He’d be mad not to – we did, after all, catch him in the act. Then there’s the Rohypnol and irrefutable evidence of your physical injuries … while he’s languishing in jail for that lot, the police will have all the time in the world to build their case against Balaclava Man.’

‘Cops inside don’t have a very pleasant time, I imagine?’

‘Damn right. If I were him, I’d head straight for solitary confinement and stay there for the duration.’

Chapter Sixty-four

Callie and David were married late afternoon on the third Saturday in October, which marked the beginning of the boys’ half-term holiday. They were pronounced man and wife in a relaxed civil ceremony, performed in a five star hotel close to where the foundations for their new house had been laid.

Her floaty, floor-length Monsoon number in cream didn’t draw attention to her slight bump, and she carried a single yellow rose, in memory of Ginny. David, Alex, and Sam all looked sartorially elegant in their penguin suits, with yellow rose buttonholes to match their satin waistcoats. Their family and friends came to wish them well – Megan, Kyle, and the children flew in from LA to be there, along with St John, the entire crew from Montague’s, and all their old neighbours, including the loathsome Robert Wyatt. Well, she could hardly invite Bernard and Eloise without him, and even his creepy presence couldn’t prevent it being a wonderful wedding day, perfect in every way.

The boys joined the newlyweds for their first week in the Seychelles and then flew back to the UK in time for the start of school – despite Sam’s pleading to be allowed to stay on to enjoy more scuba diving, snorkelling and water sports.

On their second Monday afternoon in tropical paradise, Callie sat on the sea-facing terrace of their A-frame wooden chalet, pinching herself once more to make sure she really was there, on exotic La Digue Island.

She asked her shiny new husband, ‘Can you imagine anywhere more heavenly, David?’

He reached from his neighbouring lounger to hold her hand. ‘This would be hard to beat – I don’t think I’d ever tire of powdery white sand, the deep blue ocean and palm trees. Are you feeling OK now? Can I get you anything?’

‘No, I’m much better, thanks. Your baby just wanted to make sure I hadn’t forgotten she’s here too.’

‘David Junior, you mean?’

‘Whatever sex this child is, it’s decided to leave me in peace for a while.’

David put down the paperback he was reading, got up and knelt beside her to kiss her tanned belly. ‘Quiet in there – some of us are trying to enjoy our honeymoon.’

She laughed, ‘Big Daddy speaks.’

He stretched. ‘Would you mind if I take a boat out for an hour or so? I’m assuming after this morning’s bout of sickness you don’t fancy joining me?’

‘No, I won’t thanks – but you go ahead. I may go for a gentle stroll or have a dip in the pool. I’ll see how the mood takes me.’

‘You’re sure? I’d really like to explore that bay we spotted with the pink granite rocks.’

‘Honestly – I’ll be fine, just being lazy. We don’t want to get bored with each other’s company, after all.’

‘Fat chance! Come here, Mrs Ashton-Bennett.’

They made love gently under the mosquito nets. Therapy had taught Callie to file the acts of rape and love in separate compartments in her mind, and she was able to give herself to David freely again without fear of his face morphing into Mike’s, forcing her to relive the assault. While her physical injuries healed quickly, the mental scars required ongoing treatment. Being raped was not something she was ever going to forget, but she understood now how to relate to what had happened to her. She was able to retain the memory as just that – something bad that happened to her in the past, something she could deal with, given the help she needed.

She was ambivalent in the knowledge her attacker had eventually confessed to that particular crime – initially, he’d tried the old consensual sex routine. Mike was currently awaiting a sentencing hearing, and she hoped the judge would send him down for at least a hundred years’ hard labour.

She realised she’d briefly dozed off. David was up, pulling on his shorts and gazing out the window. ‘There must be someone new moving into Sam and Alex’s chalet,’ he said. ‘Their luggage is being taken inside. I suppose that means you’ll have to stop screaming obscenities at the top of your voice during multiple orgasms …’

She threw an espadrille – the first thing she could lay her hands on – and hit him squarely on the back. ‘Go and rent your wretched boat – but don’t prang it on the coral reef. I’ll see you later.’

He licked his lips and smirked, ‘I could come back to bed, if you prefer …’

‘Go!’

She made the effort to go out, boarding one of the quaint, horse-drawn ox carts that pass for public transport, just for the novel experience of riding one. They trundled past old plantation houses, a vanilla plantation, and a copra factory – it was altogether another, very beautiful, world. She headed back to relax, read, and sunbathe some more while she waited for David.

Those plans evaporated the second she opened their chalet door and found the place had been ransacked.

Chapter Sixty-five

Callie flopped down heavily on the sandy terrace and wept.

She knew who’d done this – and it wasn’t the random act of an opportunist thief. Over the past few weeks, her mind had frequently insisted on disturbing a well-worn theory, to poke it about afresh. She’d had a suspicion that nagged and now she had been proved right. She’d been half-right for a very long time, in fact.

Each time she rehashed the catalogue of Mike’s Balaclava Man crimes, she became further convinced that he had to have been working with an accomplice, though the police didn’t agree. But Callie was sure it had to be so … Dee’s killer was left-handed, Mike was not. David had tried to persuade her that, as a policeman, Mike was very forensically aware and had therefore inflicted Dee’s cuts with his left hand, in an attempt to throw everyone off his scent. She didn’t believe that for a moment, and was convinced it was the partner in crime who had murdered Dee.

They’d also just ruined her honeymoon.

And – relying heavily on Sherlock Holmes’ no-matter-how-unlikely premise – she’d worked out their identity. She looked up to see a figure emerge from the chalet next door – behold the accomplice. It came as no surprise; she even felt slightly smug that her instinct was spot on. Without any means of contacting David, she stayed seated, while they approached.

She tried to play it cool. ‘My, my … small world, isn’t it?’

‘What’s the matter, Callie?’

‘Oh, nothing much – someone’s just turned over all our belongings, that’s all.’

‘What a drag – have you told the manager?’

‘Not yet.’

‘Do you know if anything’s been taken?’

‘I haven’t been inside to check – I thought I’d wait until David gets back. Why are you here, Susan?’

‘I’ve come to warn you. Mimi Hammerton’s online bank account has seen some transactions over the last few days. It could be a significant development and I thought you should know.’

‘Couldn’t you have telephoned?’

She looked uncomfortable. ‘I could, yes, but it was a good opportunity to check this place out.’

Callie could recognise a load of crap when she heard it. ‘And your boss, who didn’t seem to have much of a sense of humour when I last spoke to him, he sanctioned the expense, did he?’

Eyes down, she twiddled her toes in the hot sand. ‘OK, to be perfectly truthful, I paid for my own flight.’

‘Truth – that’s an interesting concept for a spook.’

‘Is something wrong, Callie? I mean apart from the break-in, obviously – you’re acting very, well … prickly, I suppose. I thought you’d be delighted to learn that it looks like your accomplice theory may be correct, after all.’

‘I believe I already knew that.’

‘Are you cross because I’m staying next door? I can easily move to a different hotel.’

‘Please yourself.’

‘Where is David?’

She told a bare-faced lie. ‘Taking a dip in the pool, he’ll be back any minute.’

‘Then why don’t we take a walk over there? We can inform the manager and kill two birds with one stone.’

‘No …’

In a fluid movement she produced a small gun from behind her back. She held it in her left hand and waved the barrel at Callie, twitching it in the direction of the main building. ‘Let’s go – now.’

Strangely, she didn’t panic and just stared at Susan, rooted to the spot. A welcome breeze blew, fluttering her shirt – she caught a familiar scent, but couldn’t immediately place it.