A Perfect Likeness (23 page)

They talked about everything and nothing. Deckman had moved to the sofa, much to the disapproval of Purrington. Jenny lay her head on her husband’s shoulder and they held hands. They hadn’t relaxed like this for a long time.

Jenny glanced at the clock above the fireplace. ‘Do you know what the time is, darling?’

‘It’s 10. 45.’

‘Oh, I see, you’re clock watching are you. I must be boring you.’

‘Don’t be silly, I’ve not felt so good for a long time.’

‘I’d like to make you feel even better, how would you like an early night?’

‘I would like that very much, Jens, very much indeed.’

Chapter 18

Deckman did not normally buy the mid-week editions of
The Argus
, but today he was keen to view the headlines:

POLICE HOLD MAN FOR DRAYCLIFFE MURDERS

Yesterday, a local man walked into the offices of this paper and confessed to the killing of two women in Draycliffe…

He placed the paper on the passenger seat after satisfying himself his warning had been heeded. No photographs or names, but with just the slightest hint the police were less than a little convinced the confession was genuine. Deckman had held monthly meetings with the editor of
The Argus
for close on three years to discuss police matters relating to Draycliffe, and had gained a great respect from staff and readers alike. He trusted the paper and the paper trusted him.

*

Deckman needed Becketts out of his hair and had him taken to an interview room as soon as he reached the station. ‘Good morning, Mr Becketts,’ said Deckman. ‘I said all I needed to say yesterday, now it is your turn to speak to me.’ He sat back in his chair, folded his arms and waited.

Becketts said nothing. ‘Come on, Sir, the floor is all yours,’ added Deckman. ‘And please remember, I know the truth, but I need to hear it from you.’

A few more seconds passed before Becketts raised his head. He was crying; his eyes were red and puffy. Unshaven, his suit creased and without tie, belt and laces. He was not the confident man of the day before.

‘Inspector, I don’t know what to say. I have not slept at all thinking about it. I know I have been a first class idiot, in every way and to everybody, including my family. Especially my family. What on earth did I hope to achieve by it all? When can I see my wife, Sir? That’s if she will ever agree to see me after this. I couldn’t blame her if she decided she’d had enough.’

‘When we have finished with you, Mr Becketts, you can see your wife. Please continue. Would a cigarette help you?’

‘No, sir, I don’t smoke. That was yesterday, all bravado. I was Mr Big. Today, well, I guess I feel as low as you can get. For two years I have been struggling with losing my job and I finally flipped. I saw an opportunity to become a household name and I went for it. It was all make believe.’

‘Mr Becketts, did you kill one, or both, of the women you claim to have murdered?’

‘No, Sir, I did not. I did not murder anyone. I could not do such a thing. I’ve just wasted everyone’s time and I must accept my punishment for being so stupid. And those poor people from
The Argus
, did they print my confession?’

‘Yes they did, but you can count yourself lucky they did not print names or photographs.’

‘That was also down to you, Sir. I heard you tell the editor to be careful. You’ve known all along, haven’t you?’

‘Yes, we have. Sergeant, get Bob to fetch Mrs Becketts please. I wish to speak with her before she sees her husband. Mr Becketts, you can return to your cell for a while longer.’

‘Inspector, I am so sorry and ashamed for what I have done, but I suppose there is nothing I can say that will help my situation?’

‘No, Mr Becketts,’ said Deckman shaking his head, ‘nothing at all. Take him away, Sergeant.’

The telephone gave it’s usual pre-ring click but Deckman made no rush to answer it. He was enjoying the knowledge that he was back on track with Michael Campbell’s release. The caller was determined and Deckman gave in, but immediately wished he hadn’t. It was Sergeant Rexton.

‘I thought you must be in, Sir, but I wanted to check first before I came over as I’m rather busy at the moment. There has been a communication from the Spanish police for you, Sir, may I bring it up to your office now?’

‘Yes, Sergeant Rexton, please do, but make it now as I am expecting visitors within the next few minutes.’ Deckman replaced the receiver without waiting for a reply.

Two minutes later the office door was being opened without a knock. Rexton hesitated and closed the door before knocking.

‘Come in, Sergeant Rexton, glad you are learning.’

‘I have taken the liberty of acknowledging the communication on your behalf, I hope that was alright with you, Sir. I have also got my wife to translate it for you, Sir. She is Spanish you know. Er… you don’t speak Spanish, do you, Sir?’

Deckman shook his head and clenched his fist under the table, understanding just how his sergeant felt about this man.

‘I didn’t think you could.’

‘There is no reason for you to think I could or I couldn’t, Sergeant Rexton. Next time please bring it directly to me so
I
can decide who translates because it may not be for non-police eyes.’

‘It didn’t have a restriction on it, but I understand, Sir. I was just trying to be helpful.’

‘You have been, Sergeant, and where is the original?’

Rexton took it from the file and handed it to Deckman.

‘Thank you, Sergeant, that will be all.’

‘Fine, Sir, but should you require any help in solving this one you know where I am.’

‘I’ll bear it in mind, Sergeant, but I do appreciate you are a very busy man. On the way out will you tell Sergeant Fraser to come in and I’ll pass on your offer of help.’

Fraser showed his usual contempt for Rexton. ‘Over my dead body, Guv. He couldn’t solve a five year olds crossword puzzle. Mind you, don’t reckon I could either. What surprise has he brought up this time?’

‘Surprise is the perfect word. The Guardia Civil in Galicia, that’s in north west Spain if you didn’t know…’

‘Of course I didn’t know, Guv, I’m not one of these scholarly coppers you know.’

‘They have disbanded one of the many gangs operating along that coastline and came across some information they thought might be of interest to us. It seems a Victoria Campbell had a meeting with the gang leader to discuss an alternative or additional drug route and whilst there she purchased six South American women to use as prostitutes in England. It gives a lot of incidental information, but goes on to say the women were picked up from the sea port of Ribadeo on the north coast. The Spanish police have confirmed there was only one British registered boat there on the date given and that was out of Draycliffe Marina. And, if you haven’t already guessed, it was Red Star. All the port paperwork was completed by our friend, Edward Page.’

‘Call me stupid if you like, Guv, but I reckon this goes a long way to putting a few more years on their sentence.’

‘Take it away and read it through, and just check that the dates of Red Star’s visit agree with the movement log received from Trish Lister and the date of Victoria Campbell’s trip to Spain agrees with the ticket information. I want Mrs Becketts in here as soon as she arrives. I need to get her husband out of here right now.’

‘Right, Guv.’

*

‘Good morning, Mrs Becketts. You will be pleased to hear your husband is not the double murderer he claimed to have been,’ said Deckman as soon as she entered his office.

The news was too much for Mrs Becketts; she swayed, needing assistance from the WPC to stop her falling. Again the tears. She wiped her eyes with the handkerchief she was already holding, knowing it would be needed for one reason or the other. ‘I’m sorry, Inspector, the past twenty hours have been an absolute nightmare. It was terrible telling the children. My daughter stayed with me, but had to get her children off to school, otherwise she would have come here today.’

‘Mrs Becketts, your husband has committed a very serious offence by claiming he carried out these murders and deserves to be punished for wasting our time. I accept, however, he has not coped at all well with the loss of his job, but he is not alone in that unfortunate situation. In view of his problem and the effect any publicity would have on your family, I have decided not to have your husband charged. There are conditions attached though. First of all, he is going to have to agree to receive medical help to get him over his difficulties. And secondly, before he is allowed to leave the station, he will write a full apology to
The Argus
, and the people of Draycliffe. I will see that his identity is not made public. He is also going to need the full support of his entire family. This, I am sure, is not going to be easy for you to organise under the circumstances, but it is very necessary.’

‘Thank you, Inspector. Thank you very much. I will speak with the family and, despite everything, I am sure they will support my husband.’

‘Good. Your husband is now waiting to see you in the outer office. I want you to explain what I have said and, if he agrees, he will be allowed to go free.’ He looked towards Fraser. ‘Give them ten minutes and then bring them back in.’

Deckman checked his watch and phoned home. ‘Hi, Jens, what’s the chance of a bite to eat at lunchtime? Just need to get out of here for a while and couldn’t think of anywhere else I’d rather be. I’ll go straight to Nunhouse prison from home.’

‘It’s always a pleasure to be of service, my Lord and Master. I’ll get something out of the freezer.’

‘Thanks. 12. 30, bye.’

Mr and Mrs Becketts were ushered back into Deckman’s office and sat holding hands, while he read the hurriedly written apology.

‘That’s fine,’ said Deckman, having deleted his own name and inserted ‘the police’ on two occasions. ‘DC Kensit will get this typed and arrange for your release. As I told your wife, there will be no names mentioned, Mr Becketts. You are being released without charge for the sake of your family, not for you. I suggest you make good use of this experience by trying to assist others in a similar position to yourself and get to work on reuniting your family.’

‘I don’t know what to say, Inspector.’

‘Don’t say anything, Sir, just get on with your life and allow us to get on with catching the real culprits of these crimes.’

Fraser shut the door before speaking. ‘Guv, have you got time to see Miss Salter before you go, she seems to be getting herself into a bit of a state. Won’t talk with me about it?’

‘Yes, of course, show her in.’

‘Sorry to bother you Inspector, I need to talk with you.’

‘Hello, Jackie, it’s good to see you again. Come and sit down. You’re looking a bit harassed, what’s the problem?’

‘It’s me, Inspector, being stupid as usual, but I don’t know what to do for the best. I’ve had another letter from Michael, pleading with me to go and see him. He suggested it might be a good idea if I went with you the next time you go, but I am still not totally convinced of his innocence.’

‘I am.’

Jackie was stunned. ‘Oh my God… oh my God. I’m going to cry.’ She scrabbled around in her handbag for a tissue.

‘Here, Jackie, use one of these.’ He gave her the small packet he had ready for Mrs Becketts.

‘Thanks. Sorry. Just what I wanted to hear, but never thought I would.
Now
I think I can go and I would like to go with you if that is alright?’

‘I don’t see why not. Are you free this afternoon?’

‘Oh, so soon. Well, yes, I have been on the early shift this morning and got away a bit early.’

‘Have you got your car with you, Jackie?’

She shook her head. ‘No, I tend to walk or use the bus these days.’

‘Right, I’ll give you a lift home and then pick you up at two.’

*

‘I’m nervous,’ said Jackie as they approached the prison meeting room.

‘Understandable, but there’s no need to be.’

‘Morning, Sir, Madam,’ said the warder outside the meeting room door, ‘the Doctor and Mr Campbell are waiting for you.’

‘Ready, Jackie?’

‘As I’ll ever be.’

Michael stood up as they entered. He hadn’t expected to see Jackie. His expressions dancing wildly between happiness, fear and sadness. He tried to speak but nothing came out. He coughed, cleared his throat and made a second attempt.

‘I… I… I’m …’ he stuttered but couldn’t manage any more. He stood, arms by his side, staring at the floor. He was unable to speak and unable to move.

Jackie had similar emotions, but was more in control. She walked over to him and took hold of his hands. ‘Hello, Michael, it’s been a long time. You’re looking quite well, but I have to say you’ve lost a bit of weight and you do look a bit on the pale side. Not surprising I suppose under the circumstances.’

He raised his head and gave a quick, half smile. ‘I… I didn’t do it Jackie. I didn’t kill Victoria.’

‘It’s alright, Michael,’ Jackie said quietly and with a softness that helped Michael relax. ‘I know you didn’t. That’s why I’m here. Come on, it’s been over two years since we’ve seen each other. How about a proper welcome?’