Wrongful Death (28 page)

‘As expected, Josh Reynolds’ fingerprints are on lots of the notes. On one bundle I found both Josh and Donna’s prints and on others Josh and Marcus Williams’.’

‘Evidence-wise that doesn’t prove anything against Donna,’ Anna remarked.

‘No, but from firearms residue on the cash bag that match the Enfield revolver and fibres that match felt matting in the safe, it’s reasonable to conclude that the bag was in Josh Reynolds’ safe at some point.’

Anna recalled that Marcus Williams had said Josh put the fifty thousand in a cash bag.

‘It just doesn’t make sense that Josh would take the money from his safe and hide it under floorboards at his mother’s,’ Anna reasoned.

‘I agree, but however you look at it, to open the safe you need to know the code. Josh obviously knew it, but do you really believe that Donna, his own wife, wouldn’t know?’ Pete asked, and Anna knew there was sense in what he was saying. Still, something niggled her as she sought to make sense of Donna’s actions.

‘But if she went to Esme’s last Thursday, why not take the money then? We’d been to see her that afternoon and Dewar as good as accused her of murdering Josh.’

‘Unless she had a torch she wouldn’t have seen a thing. The power had been cut off for some time,’ Pete said with a touch of sympathy.

‘She could have gone back in daylight,’ Anna said.

‘Anna, I’m a forensic scientist not a detective, so I can only present you with my results. I’ve got a lot to do, so I need to crack on.’

‘Thanks, Pete, I’ll pass the results on to Mike Lewis.’ Anna sighed, frustrated that she couldn’t put her finger on what was wrong.

There was a knock and Joan came into the office with the news that she had the results of the cell-site analysis for Josh Reynolds’ phone for 5 November, which were very interesting. The constable held out the paperwork but Anna said to leave it on the desk for Dewar and Mike Lewis to look at, as they might want to use it in the interview with Donna.

‘They found a Ferrari in a garage at Esme’s flat, apparently just like the one Dewar thought it would be,’ Joan continued. ‘She wants Donna’s work computer examined as she suspects Donna was stealing money for Josh from the Lynne Foundation charities.’

‘I know you mean well but I really don’t want to hear any more about Dewar and the bloody Reynolds case. As far as I’m concerned, my part in the investigation is over,’ Anna snapped, exasperated with Joan’s continual need to drip-feed her information.

Joan’s lower lip began to tremble as she apologized for being a nuisance. She picked up one of the plastic boxes, saying she would put it in the storeroom and come back for the other.

Anna could have kicked herself – as scatty as Joan could be, she was one of the last people Anna would ever want to offend. She called Joan back and said she was very sorry and she hadn’t meant to be rude.

‘I know you didn’t, ma’am, you’ve a lot on your plate, what with your FBI trip and everything.’

‘When it’s just the two of us, please call me Anna. You are one of the lifelines of this team, Joan: every statement, every enquiry result goes through you to be uploaded. More than anyone your finger is always on the pulse and I respect you for all the hard work you do and especially the little details you so often spot that the rest of us miss,’ Anna said with genuine honesty.

‘Thank you, Anna. Do you mind if I say something else about the Reynolds investigation?’ Joan asked, and Anna told her to speak her mind.

‘I think you’re right about Donna. I have gone over everything and as far as I can see the evidence against her is all circumstantial. Agent Dewar seems to have convinced everyone she’s right and I’m frightened to say anything to the contrary in case they laugh at me.’

‘Never be afraid to speak your mind, Joan; your opinion should be valued as much as anyone else’s,’ Anna insisted.

Joan said that she would miss her while she was away. Anna gave her a friendly hug and told her that if ever she needed someone to speak to then just call, but to check the time difference first. Just as the constable was about to leave, Mike Lewis and Dewar came in. Mike handed Joan the registration number of the Ferrari and asked her to check on the national computer for the current and previous owner. As she hurried off, Joan said it would be a pleasure.

‘She looks like the cat that just got the cream,’ Mike observed.

‘And so she should,’ Anna stressed. ‘She’s one of the hardest workers out there and sometimes it’s good to let her know how much she’s appreciated.’ She paused and straightened up. ‘If it’s okay with you, I’ll head off home now I’ve sorted my desk out, and get everything ready for tomorrow.’

Mike said he would be in touch, they shook hands and he gave her a kiss on the cheek then left the room as Dewar stepped closer to Anna.

‘I know we haven’t always seen eye to eye, but I just wanted to say that it’s been an honour working with you, even though it was for such a short time,’ Dewar said.

Anna was unsure whether the agent was being genuine, but politely she returned the compliment and put her hand out. Dewar took a firm hold as they shook on it.

‘No hard feelings?’ Dewar asked, and Anna replied with the same words, even though she couldn’t help but wonder if Dewar was actually glad to see the back of her.

‘If you need any help or advice on the course, just ring me. It’s not cheating, just mutual assistance between two damn good investigators,’ Dewar said, surprising Anna, who told her she would, but had no intention of doing so.

‘I’ve told Don Blane, your course instructor, all about you. He’s the guy I spoke about, remember?’ Anna recalled her making an inappropriate remark that Don could get a virgin to open up in interview. ‘He’ll look after you, so anything you need just ask him. I might be back at Quantico while you’re still on your course so it would be great to go out and have a few beers together. I’ll take you for a spin in my 67 Mustang and you can stay a weekend at my lakeside condo.’

‘That would be nice,’ Anna said, trying to sound sincere.

As Dewar left the room to join Mike Lewis for Donna’s interview, she couldn’t resist a parting shot: ‘If I’m right about Donna, I’ll let Mike Lewis tell you.’

Anna wondered how Dewar would feel if she was wrong.

Anna put the last of her personal belongings in her briefcase and closed it, but as she lifted it from her desk, she caught sight of the cell-site analysis report for Josh’s phone. All the calls made by Josh on the 5 November were listed, and the positions of the phone masts that the calls were linked to. Curiosity got the better of her and she sat down to check through the calls from the time he was believed to have left the Trojan. At 4.15 p.m., he rang the Savoy Hotel reception and the mobile mast was in Wells Street. The next call, again to the Savoy reception desk, was at 4.30 p.m., and Anna suspected Josh must have been collecting the Ferrari from the NCP or driving it when she saw the mast was on the Marylebone Road. The call lasted for nearly two minutes and passed cell masts on the Harrow Road flyover, Westway on the A40 and finished at Acton. This meant Josh had to be travelling in a vehicle and at a considerable speed. The next call was not made until 6.45 p.m. and originated from a mast in Malden Way on the A3, then thirty seconds later the mast changed to Beverley Way for the remainder of the call. Joan had noted that the £125 petrol purchase shown on Josh’s bank statement was made at Tesco Beverley Way at 6.50 p.m. The last call Josh ever made was to Marcus Williams at 7.10 p.m. and the mast was near Esme’s flat. As Josh’s bike was recovered with the Ferrari he would most probably have walked back to his flat, which Anna estimated would have taken him at least half an hour from the garage. She thought it strange that he had left the bike and wondered if it was because he had been drinking. The cell-site information was helpful in narrowing down the time of death but Anna had no idea why Josh should travel out of London via the A40 and then return on the A3. There was a two-hour period during which his location could not be accounted for. He could have been to see a secret lover, but why when he clearly used Esme’s as a love nest? Who was this mystery woman? More importantly, Anna wondered why she had never revealed herself since Josh’s death.

Anna turned to Donna’s bank statement, concentrating on the month before Josh’s death. None of the withdrawals and payments seemed untoward until on Friday, 2 November, Donna withdrew £1000. Anna suspected this was a cash-over-the-counter transaction and recalled Pete Jenkins saying he had found Josh and Donna’s fingerprints on one of the bundles of money. Knowing that Dewar and Mike had gone downstairs to interview Donna, Anna highlighted the transaction then wrote a note for Dewar:
DID DONNA GIVE JOSH 1K
–
WHY
–
AND WHAT FOR?

Once more, Anna picked up her briefcase and grabbed her handbag and coat and was about to leave her office when Joan came in to say goodbye. She was almost in tears as she shook Anna’s hand.

‘I know you’ve finished with the Reynolds case but would you like me to keep you updated?’ Joan asked.

‘As it happens, yes, I would, but keep it just between you and me, okay?’

‘Mum’s the word,’ Joan said, and touched her nose.

‘I’d like to listen to a copy of Donna’s interview, so I’ll e-mail you a password for my Dropbox account and you can load the file and anything else of interest onto that.’

Joan looked terribly depressed.

‘Cheer up, I’m not going for good,’ Anna told her. ‘I’ll be back before you know it and whatever case I am allocated I’ll ask for you to come on board.’

Joan was becoming more tearful, which only made Anna more eager to leave, sadly reflecting that as often happens with the Joans of this world, they just step that bit too close for comfort.

Donna Reynolds looked composed and quite glamorous, in a Chanel suit, large pearl earrings and matching necklace – not at all like someone who had just finished a long consultation with her lawyer. Ian Holme QC, who had come straight from court to represent her, was in his late fifties, had piercing blue eyes and a large head with a wave of swept-back grey hair. He was tall and thickset with big broad shoulders and large hands, and, in his black court jacket, matching waistcoat and grey pinstripe trousers, created a tremendously imposing impression.

Donna nervously looked at her wristwatch as Mike Lewis and Dewar entered the room and sat down opposite her and Mr Holme. Mike noticed Donna’s watch was a diamond-encrusted Rolex and thought it was probably worth more than his family estate car. He introduced himself and Special Agent Dewar, explaining that she was on work experience with the Met. Mr Holme looked over the rim of his half-moon glasses and remarked that Lady Lynne had made him more than aware of exactly who Agent Dewar was and he hoped her conduct would be more professional this time round. Dewar had been warned by Mike about the lawyer’s fierce reputation and thought it best not to respond.

Mike switched on the DVD recorder and recited the caution to Donna, who listened intently, clenching her hands together on her lap. Mike said that he would firstly like to go over the statement she made to DI Simms back in November 2012. Holme confirmed that he had discussed the statement with Donna during their consultation.

‘So you were at the Lynne Foundation Charity Ball all night on the fifth?’ Mike asked her.

‘Yes, and I stayed in the hotel overnight.’

‘You never left it?’

‘No, except to go to the ladies’ room and eventually bed,’ Donna said, confused by Mike’s insinuation.

‘This was also verified by Lady Gloria and Aisa Lynne,’ Mr Holme interjected.

‘That’s not true, is it, Donna?’ Mike looked Donna in the eye.

‘Are you suggesting that Lady Lynne and Aisa are lying?’ Holme asked.

‘No, Mr Holme, I’m suggesting Donna is, and they were totally unaware she left the hotel.’ Mike opened the case folder and got out a CCTV picture of Donna’s Mini leaving the hotel car park. It had been edited to remove the date and time stamp. He placed the photograph on the table and turned it round for Donna to see, pointing to the vehicle’s number plate.

‘Is that your car?’

‘Yes,’ Donna said nervously.

‘Do you know where and when this picture was taken?’ Mike continued. Donna stared at the picture and shook her head.

Mike took out a duplicate photograph with the time and date stamp on and placed it on the table for Donna and Holme to see.

‘Ten o-five p.m. on the fifth of November 2012 leaving the Savoy underground car park,’ Mike said and then placed another picture on the table, again pointing to the time and date stamp. ‘Eleven fifty p.m., your car returning to the same car park.’ Mike was expecting Mr Holme to object that he had not had access to the pictures before the interview, but he didn’t.

Donna looked startled as she turned to Holme. ‘I swear it wasn’t me driving.’ Holme raised his hand for her to stop and explained that the police were not obliged to disclose all their evidence prior to the interview.

‘My client has said it was not her and I notice that the driver is not visible in any of your pictures. Do you have any CCTV footage that clearly shows Donna Reynolds driving the vehicle in and out of the car park?’ Holme said in a calm and precise manner.

Donna began to shake and was close to tears. Mike pressed her, asking if it wasn’t her driving then who was it, to which Donna replied she didn’t know. Holme leaned over and whispered to his client, who nodded to him repeatedly during their hushed conversation.

Holme tapped the table with his pen. ‘I was at the Charity Ball that night and as I recall the hotel had a valet parking service. Are you aware of that fact?’

Mike looked at Dewar. She shrugged her shoulders and shook her head.

Holme continued: ‘I’ll take that as, no, shall I? My client used the valet service and her car keys were not back in her possession until she left the hotel on the morning of the sixth.’ He smiled smugly.

‘You got the car keys from reception, drove to the Bayswater flat, murdered Josh and then returned to the hotel, didn’t you, Donna?’ Mike quickly countered, staring her in the eye.