Dead Lucky (13 page)

‘Take a load off, Constable. Where are we with Mrs Dempsey?’

‘She’s not in a great way, as you can imagine. They keep sedating her. Every time she comes round, she freaks out, pulls at the drip and has to be held down. It’s not pretty.’

‘It can’t happen again. I need to speak to her. Who’s in charge?’

‘Sister Reece administered the shot last time. Dr Hughes is in overall charge. I believe she’s left for the day.’

‘Already?’

‘She had to consult at another hospital. Sister Reece’s office is down the hallway.’

He found Reece sitting behind a counter with two nurses. They were reading through a number of medical files and from the snippets Lambert overheard, were working out the timetable for the next day. None of them paid Lambert any heed.

Lambert withdrew his warrant card and laid it on the counter. ‘Sister Reece?’

The nurse finished her conversation before looking up at Lambert. ‘Yes,’ she said, speaking with the confidence of someone who knew her own importance.

‘DCI Lambert. May I speak to you about Laura Dempsey?’

Reece sighed. She had a round face framed by a straight black fringe. Her small, narrow eyes were set deep into her face. ‘We are having a meeting,’ she said.

‘And I’m trying to conduct a murder investigation.’

She shook her head as if he was being unreasonable. ‘Sally, take over please. Follow me,’ she said to Lambert, walking to the back office. ‘Close the door behind you and take a seat.’

‘Laura Dempsey,’ said Lambert.

‘Yes.’

‘What can you tell me about her current situation?’ Lambert was struggling to keep his temper in check. He couldn’t understand what the woman was trying to achieve by being so obtuse.

‘You’ll need to speak to Dr Hughes, I’m afraid.’

Lambert had been around hospitals long enough to know just how important the nurses were to the successful running of the wards. How at times they wielded as much power, and knowledge, as some of their more qualified colleagues. ‘She’s under sedation?’

‘That’s correct.’

‘Do you have any idea when she is likely to come round?’

‘When we take her off the meds,’ said Reece, as if she was talking to a simpleton.

‘It is imperative that I speak to Mrs Dempsey today,’ said Lambert, ignoring the jibe.

‘Not going to happen today.’

Lambert involuntarily clenched his fingers. It would happen today, he thought, even if he had to take the drip out of Dempsey himself. ‘It needs to happen today. There have been some developments.’

The woman relented. ‘Look, I understand the situation but you’ll have to speak to Dr Hughes. I don’t have the authority, and I can’t risk Mrs Dempsey’s health. I’m afraid Dr Hughes won’t be back until tomorrow.’

Over the years, Lambert had normally found the medical profession to be helpful. They always had their own agenda, which he could respect, but generally they would assist as far as they were able. ‘You know why she is under guard?’

‘None of my business.’

‘I’ll take that as yes. What you didn’t know is that we have just found Mrs Dempsey’s parents. They were also murdered, in the same way as Mrs Dempsey’s husband and children. There is a very real danger that this killer will strike again and Laura may have information that would prove vital to apprehending this killer. Now, are you happy living with the fact that another murder might be down to your unwillingness to let Mrs Dempsey help us? Are you happy being complicit in the murder of another family, of more children?’ It was excessive, but Lambert had reached breaking point.

Reece rubbed her face. ‘I’ll need to get it signed off.’

‘I’ll be waiting outside her room.’

Dr Hughes had clearly attended a different public relations class to Sister Reece. Twenty years the nurse’s junior, she welcomed Lambert with a smile. It was over an hour later. ‘I understand the situation, DCI Lambert, but I must stress that Mrs Dempsey is not in a fit state to deal with these questions.’ Hughes had a soft voice, lilted with an almost melodic Geordie accent.

‘I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t necessary. People’s lives are at risk, and Mrs Dempsey may help us prevent further deaths. I’m sure she wouldn’t want this to happen to anyone else.’

‘Let me check on her, and I’ll let you know.’

Lambert peered through the door, surprised to see Laura Dempsey sitting up in her bed.

Hughes returned ten minutes later. ‘I’ve spoken to Mrs Dempsey. The rest has done her some good but she is groggy. I can give you a few minutes.’

‘Can I tell her about her parents?’

Hughes pinched her nose. ‘I think we should leave it for now. I’m taking her off the tranquilisers. Let’s see if she rests, and then we can tell her. She’s had no visitors. Is there anyone you can contact for her?’

That was the whole point, thought Lambert. ‘We will speak to her friends. We’ve had to keep this very low key.’

Hughes nodded. ‘Five minutes.’

Lambert signalled to Shah to accompany him. Dempsey was still sat up in bed, her vacant eyes staring at the wall. The room was claustrophobic, a low ceiling with a small rectangular window covered by a beige set of blinds, the whistle of air conditioning the only sound in the confined room.

‘Mrs Dempsey. My name is DCI Michael Lambert. This is DC Shah. I am very sorry for your loss. Please rest assured that we are doing everything possible to catch the person who did this.’

Laura’s head moved an inch, a rush of air escaping from her nose.

‘I’m so sorry to have to ask you this, but please could you tell me what happened.’ Even as he said it, he realised how absurd the words sounded. He was asking a mother, and a wife, to describe the slaughter of her family.

Laura visibly recoiled at his words, as if the memory of that evening was being replayed in her mind. ‘He killed them all. One by one,’ she said, her voice a dry rasp. ‘He made me watch.’

‘Did you see his face?’ asked Lambert, remembering his training, trying to rid the situation of emotion.

‘Mask.’

‘I know this is a dreadful question, but can you think of why someone would do this to your family?’

She recoiled again, her body starting to tremble. Shah moved over to the woman and held her arm. Laura looked at her as if she was a mirage. ‘No,’ said Dempsey.

Lambert could only imagine how excruciating his questions were for her but knew he had to continue. ‘May I ask, has your husband had any trouble recently? From customers perhaps, or business contacts?’

‘Everyone loves Sam.’

‘And you? Would anyone have a grudge against you, Mrs Dempsey?’

Laura turned her head an inch, her eyes darting upwards then at Lambert. She didn’t answer. Lambert was desperate to know what she was thinking. Her eyes started to water, and he imagined the idea that she was to blame may never have occurred to her.

‘Do you know someone called Moira Sackville?’ he asked.

She shook her head, her eyes filling with tears.

‘How about Eustace Sackville?’

A less experienced observer would have missed it, but Lambert saw a flicker of recognition before she shook her head again. He was about to ask again when Dr Hughes returned. ‘Right, that’s enough,’ she said, in her Geordie lilt.

Chapter 20

Walker didn’t have to say anything but she was reminded every second of the journey that she was in his car. She could barely breathe without him looking at her. The interior was spotlessly clean, as if it had just come out of the showroom. Walker ignored the directions from the satnav as if showing off his superior road knowledge.

Matilda didn’t want to complain about being partnered with him but she wasn’t sure how long she could last. Just looking at him made her skin crawl. He had a permanent smug look on his face, as if he knew something she didn’t. She thought back to the conversation at the canteen at headquarters and wished she’d somehow taped it or that someone had overheard. She knew that sooner or later he would slip up again and this time she would be ready.

They drove for another thirty minutes in painful silence, Walker breaking the monotony every now and again by smiling to himself at some internal quip.

The hospital where Laura Dempsey worked had been informed of her family’s murder but had yet to be informed about the death of Laura’s parents.

A nurse was waiting for them in the hospital reception. Walker perked up on seeing her. Although she was fifteen years his senior, she was a typical male fantasy – tall, slim, blonde hair, blue-eyes She introduced herself as Lucy Marshall. She beamed at Walker but barely made eye contact with Matilda.

‘It’s unbelievable news,’ she said, her face impassive. ‘I haven’t been able to speak to Laura. How is she?’

‘She’s physically unhurt,’ said Matilda. ‘We have her under guard at the moment. We’ll let you know as soon as she’s able to speak.’

‘Under guard? Why? Is she in danger?’

‘It’s just precautions. Shall we get a coffee and we can talk in more detail.’

It was the end of lunchtime and the coffee shop within the hospital was nearly empty. They took a seat near the rear and Walker went to order the drinks.

‘How long have you known Laura?’ asked Matilda.

‘We’ve worked here together for the last fifteen years.’

Walker returned with the coffees, Marshall’s face lighting up.

‘So Laura’s worked here for some time?’ confirmed Matilda.

Marshall nodded, her eyes focused solely on Walker. ‘I think she worked somewhere before here. A care home or something. Decided she’d had enough and wanted to study for her professional qualifications. She’s a bit older than me,’ she said dragging her hand through her long hair.

‘What can you tell us about Laura?’ asked Walker.

Matilda was amazed her colleague’s acting ability, the look of care and concern in his eyes as he spoke to the nurse.

‘Laura’s great. As I’ve said we’ve been friends since we started here. She’s a wonderful woman, very hard working. Conscientious. She’s a great laugh as well, or at least she used to be.’

‘Used to be?’ asked Matilda. The woman frowned and took a drink from her coffee.

‘Don’t get me wrong, she’s still fun but, well, things changed a bit when she got married, as you’d expect.’

‘In what way?’

‘Well obviously she stopped coming out so much and she was soon pregnant. She used to be wild back in the day. Not for me this settling down business,’ she said, looking coyly at Walker.

‘How wild was she before?’ asked Walker, fiddling with his beard, flirting with the nurse who was technically old enough to be his mother.

‘Let’s just say she was a popular girl,’ said Marshall.

‘And what about now? Did she have any enemies? Any male interest?’

‘Enemies? No. Obviously there’s the normal politics bullshit we all have to endure. And the patients.’ The nurse stopped and looked around the coffee shop, checking no one could overhear. ‘The patients are what make this job a nightmare. She’s had a few complaints against her, we all have, but no disciplinary issues as far as I’m aware.’

‘And men?’ asked Walker.

Marshall smiled, sipping her coffee. ‘She’s a happily married… Oh,’ The woman’s face paled, as she remembered the reason they were there – the brutal slaughter of Laura’s family. ‘God I’m sorry, I forgot.’

‘No, that’s fine,’ said Walker, placing his hand on the nurse’s arm.

It was all Matilda could do not to snatch it away. ‘Did she have any male interest?’ asked Matilda, desperate now for the interview to be finished.

Marshall smiled and looked at Matilda, her focus on her for the first time since they’d met. Walker’s hand was still on her arm.

‘Well Laura is a bit of a looker and you know how these places are. She wasn’t short of offers, but there was nothing going on if that’s what you’re getting at.’ The woman held her gaze as if she was somehow challenging her.

Matilda stood up, ending the meeting. ‘Thank you for your time. Please let me know if you can think of anything else which could help us, and Laura.’

‘Did you get her number?’ asked Matilda, when they were back in the car.

‘Don’t be like that, Kennedy. Jealousy is such a terrible affliction.’

‘The only terrible affliction is your propensity for bullshit and you were way too familiar with that nurse.’

‘I was just comforting her. Her best friend has just suffered a traumatic experience. I wouldn’t have had to if you hadn’t been so cold.’

‘If you’re that interested you can check up on Laura when we get back to the office. You can also run a search using her maiden name.’

Walker glared at her through the rear-view mirror. She could see it was eating away at him taking an order from her. They sat in silence until it became too much for Walker.

‘Okay, boss,’ he said eventually, throwing his arms up in the air in mock outrage. ‘I’ll get straight on it.’

Chapter 21

He found Kennedy in the coffee shop two streets down from the station, staring into space.

‘Where’s Walker?’ asked Lambert.

‘In the office. I’ve got him searching The System.’

Lambert sat opposite her, Kennedy’s back straightening in response. ‘How are things working out with Walker?’

‘It’s only been a day.’

‘I know, but you’ve dealt with him before.’

Kennedy lowered her eyelids as a blast of sunshine filtered in through the window. ‘You could say that. How long is he going to be on the team?’

It was clear she was not ready to discuss her true feelings about her colleague. ‘For this case at least. Or as long as Tillman wants him.’

‘Tillman?’ The word came out as a squeak, and Lambert noticed a subtle change in her body positioning.

His phone rang, an unknown number.

Lambert gripped the phone, and looked outside the window. Across the street, a man wearing a t-shirt and high-vis jacket held a phone to his ear. He stared through the glass at Lambert, and began to talk. A group of students walked by. Two of them, young girls wearing summer dresses and Doc Martens, held phones to their ears. Kennedy shot him a puzzled look as the phone continued to ring.

‘Speak later,’ he said, leaving the table. He pressed the green button on his phone’s screen as he left the coffee shop. ‘Lambert.’