Chapter Thirty-Three
Ryan’s heart beat faster with each reluctant step he took. He wanted to see Phil again and yet dreaded it, knowing he would finally have to make a decision one way or the other.
Phil had an effect on him like no other he had ever experienced. The man’s eyes and touch made his skin quiver, although he wasn’t sure why.
The bag containing the laptop was heavy and the strap bit into his shoulder, so he was glad of the opportunity to stop midway up the stairs to adjust it. He stood for a moment, gripping the handrail and looking upwards. The stairs seemed endless and the gloom didn’t help. It seemed to gather round him like a poisonous mist, increasing his feeling of unease. He had an urge to turn back, run down the stairs, get in the car and drive home. His hand tightened on the rail. But running away wasn’t an option because Tony was waiting to give him the go ahead to upload the new website, and as soon as that was done he would get paid. With a bit of luck this would be the last time he would have to come to the club.
The door at the top of the stairs opened and a beam of light split the gloom. Ryan’s heart lurched. Silhouetted in the doorway, was Phil. He climbed up to meet him. It would be now or never.
‘You’re late, Tony’s waiting.’ Phil remained where he was until Ryan reached him. ‘And so am I.’ He reached out his hand and stroked Ryan’s cheek with his finger.
Ryan closed his eyes. Phil’s touch was gentle, welcoming and abhorrent at the same time. Ryan fought against the confusion in his mind, unable to determine whether he wanted to embrace Phil or flee from him.
‘I’ll be waiting for you when the meeting’s over.’ Phil stood aside.
Ryan nodded, waiting for Phil to move a bit further because there was insufficient room to pass without coming into contact with him. However, Phil didn’t move, but stood looking at him with an indecipherable expression on his face. Ryan closed his eyes and pushed past, feeling body heat through the finely tailored suit Phil wore. It was enough to send shivers through him.
Kara was waiting for him at the end of the room. ‘Problems with Phil?’ She raised an eyebrow.
‘No, not really,’ Ryan mumbled, still not sure whether Phil was a problem.
‘You want to be careful with that one,’ she said. ‘He can be a nasty piece of work.’
‘I’m fine.’ But he didn’t feel fine. He was too busy trying to come to terms with his warring feelings.
‘If you’re sure,’ she said, emerging from behind the cocktail bar to open the door behind the velvet curtain and lead him up the short flight of stairs to Tony’s office.
Tony turned at their entrance. He had been standing observing the clubroom through the one-way glass-mirrored wall.
‘This is how I keep track of everything going on in the club,’ he said. ‘Not much goes past me.’
Ryan stood beside him and looked through the glass. He could see Phil standing where he’d left him, but he was no longer alone. The man he was talking to looked a younger, less groomed, version of Phil, and as Ryan watched them Phil put his arm round the other man’s shoulder and laughed.
‘They think I don’t know about them,’ Tony said, watching the two men closely.
Curiosity got the better of Ryan. ‘Who is the other man? I haven’t seen him in the club before.’
‘That’s Gus.’ Tony’s voice was so soft Ryan could hardly hear him. ‘He’s been in the hospital, got out today.’ He turned away from the window. ‘I don’t want any trouble between them. You understand me? I like a smooth ship.’
Ryan’s neck grew hot and he wondered whether he was blushing. Did Tony mean what he thought he meant? Or was it his imagination? Surely he couldn’t know Phil was hitting on him. However, Tony had indicated nothing went on in the club he didn’t know about.
‘I brought the final version of the website for your approval,’ he said, in an attempt to mask his reactions.
‘Good, let’s get down to it. Let me see how it looks.’
Ryan turned his back on the glass wall and snapped his laptop open. ‘I’ve done everything you wanted, and I’m hoping you’ll like it.’
It was two hours later before Ryan left Tony’s office. Teasers’ website was now operational, and Tony’s money nestled in his pocket. He’d never carried much money before and hadn’t been sure about accepting cash but Tony had insisted. He patted his pocket as he passed through the door and let the velvet curtain fall in front of it.
‘Ah, there you are.’ Phil rose from the high stool he’d been sitting on in front of the bar. ‘I have something for you. It’s a surprise.’
Kara was behind the bar, engrossed in paperwork, but she looked up and shook her head behind Phil’s back.
‘Can we do this later? I have to collect my mum and take her home.’ Ryan’s heart felt as if it was trying to break out from the confines of his chest.
‘No, no. We need to do it now.’ Phil grasped his arm. ‘It won’t take long.’
Ryan shot a panicked look at Kara. ‘I really do have to go.’
‘I won’t take no for an answer. You’ll like this, I promise you.’
When Phil pushed him through the door of the gents’ toilet, Ryan’s fear hit its peak. He knew now what he was afraid of, what he had always avoided, why he had never formed relationships. It was simple, it was the sex act. It didn’t matter whether it involved a man or a woman, he was terrified of the intimacy. It repulsed him.
‘I don’t want this.’ His voice was shrill with terror.
Phil pushed him and he sprawled on the floor, the bag holding his laptop hitting it with a resounding bang.
‘You there, Gus? I promised you a coming home present, and here it is.’
The other man emerged from a cubicle. His hair was longer than Phil’s, blond at the tips, and brown nearer the roots. His complexion wasn’t as smooth, nor was he as pretty as Phil. But he had the same look in his eyes Phil had.
Ryan curled himself into a ball on the floor and covered his face with his arms. His nightmare was about to begin.
* * * *
Sue rammed a notebook into her shoulder bag. ‘The boss wants us to break the news of the vic’s death to his mother. Who’s with me?’ She looked round the team room but everyone seemed to have found something to do, and their eyes remained focused on their work. It wasn’t surprising, because nobody liked having to break the news of a death to a grieving relative.
‘Someone? Anyone?’
‘I’ll come with you.’ Jenny emerged from behind her computer screen. ‘This can wait.’
‘Thanks for the offer, Jenny, but the boss is bringing in the vic’s computer and she wants you to look at it as a matter of urgency. And seeing none of you brave lads intends to volunteer, I’ll take you with me, Blair.’
‘But . . . ’
‘No excuses, you’re coming with me. Grab your jacket and we’ll be off.’
Blair glowered at her but did what he was told. When he got into Sue’s car he hunched his shoulders and turned his face to look out the window. He reminded her of a sulky little boy who hadn’t got his own way. Sometimes men could be childish.
‘We’re here.’ Sue broke the silence when they reached the Carnegie house. ‘Are you going to sit there all day, or are you coming in with me to do your job.’ She got out of the car and waited for Blair to join her before walking to the front door.
‘Detective Sergeant Rogers, and Detective Constable Armstrong.’ Sue held up her warrant card. ‘Can we come in?’
‘It’s about time someone came.’ Patricia Carnegie’s eyes were red, as if she’d been crying. Her hair was a mess and looked as if it hadn’t seen a brush for some considerable time, but her white pants suit was immaculate, sculpted to her body, one a younger woman would have been proud of.
Someone must have broken the news to her already, Sue thought, as she followed Patricia into the lounge. Blair lagged behind. Typical, he was going to leave it all to her.
‘I’m sorry for your loss.’ Sue injected the correct note of sympathy into her voice.
‘Loss? What the hell are you talking about?’
‘You were expecting us, I thought you knew.’
‘Of course I expected you. Paul said he’d report it. I’ve been waiting for you to get in touch since yesterday.’
‘What was he going to report?’ Sue glanced at Blair and caught him smirking. She glared, making a mental note to deal with him later.
‘That damn woman came here and assaulted me. She wouldn’t leave until I gave her Paul’s address. She’s mad. She’s always been mad. Thank goodness Paul left her when he did.’
Sue knew she should tell Patricia Carnegie about her son’s death, but she needed to get the details of the woman’s complaint first because it might have a bearing on the murder.
‘OK, let’s start at the beginning and I’ll note everything down.’ She pulled the notebook from her shoulder bag.
‘Who assaulted you?’
‘Paul’s ex-wife, that’s who. It was a great day when he got rid of her, I’ll tell you.’
‘When did the assault take place?’
‘That would be yesterday, round about 4 o’clock.’
Sue wrote Tuesday 13 March, 4pm, in her notebook. ‘What happened when she arrived.’
‘She assaulted me. I told you.’
‘Why did she assault you?’
‘She wanted Paul’s address and I wouldn’t give it to her.’
‘So what exactly happened? What did she do to assault you?’
‘She forced her way into my house. I asked her to leave but she became aggressive. She shook me and punched me and grabbed my hair.’ Patricia paused for breath. ‘Then she threatened to set light to my hair, so I had to give her the address to get rid of her. I thought she’d give my hair back but she threw it into a tree and I had to get Paul to come and get it back for me.’
Sue looked up from her notebook. ‘Your hair?’
‘Yes.’ Patricia patted it. ‘I wear a wig you see, and now she’s ruined it.’ Tears streamed down her face. ‘I want her punished. She can’t do things like that and get away with it.’
‘I see.’ Sue closed her notebook and placed it in her bag. ‘That wasn’t why we came to see you, but I’m glad you’ve told us about this assault, and I’ll certainly look into it for you.’
Patricia scrubbed her wet cheeks with the back of her hand. ‘What did you come to see me about?’
‘I’m afraid it’s bad news,’ Sue said, hesitating before she continued, ‘and I’m afraid there’s no easy way to say it, but your son’s body was found today, and I’m afraid he’s dead.’
‘I knew that mad bitch was up to something,’ Patricia Carnegie screamed. ‘She’s murdered my son, my lovely Paul.’
‘We’re sorry for your loss,’ Sue said, but Mrs Carnegie was too busy screaming to listen.
‘Is there anyone we can ask to come and be with you?’
‘No! Get out and leave me be.’
Chapter Thirty-Four
Bill followed Kate out of the flat. They’d got as much information as they could out of May Fraser before they left with a promise the search for Megan would take priority.
Kate turned to him as soon as the door slammed shut. ‘Looks as if Diane Carnegie has some explaining to do.’ She fastened her top button before thrusting her hands into her pockets.
‘Seems like it.’
‘Is that all you’re going to say? I’d like to know what you’re thinking. Is Diane Carnegie our killer?’
‘It certainly looks as if things are pointing that way, but somehow I can’t quite see it.’
‘You said she was mentally unstable.’
Bill shrugged. ‘Yes, but it’s more in the nature of a fragility rather than a full blown mental condition.’
‘Whatever, we still need to bring her in for an interview.’ Kate strode off down the walkway until she reached the blue police tape.
‘I’m sorry, ma’am, but I have instructions not to let anyone pass.’ The young constable shuffled his feet, his uncertainty showing in his posture.
‘You know who I am?’ Kate snapped.
‘Yes, ma’am, but I have instructions . . . ’
‘Rubbish,’ she said. ‘Give me a pair of those bootee things so I can go inside.’ She grabbed them from him, lifted the tape and ducked under it, then vanished out of sight into Paul Carnegie’s flat.
Bill stared after her. He felt sorry for the guy, but the constable had been no match for Kate. She was a strong, determined woman and Bill wasn’t even sure he was a match for her. However, he was starting to respect her, because of the competent way she handled things. He just wished she wasn’t so black and white in her outlook.
She seemed convinced Diane was responsible for the murder but, despite his earlier suspicions, Bill wasn’t sure. He thought about how Diane had presented, and all he saw was a vulnerable woman grieving so much for her missing daughter it had affected her mental state. What he couldn’t see was Diane lifting her hands to hurt anyone. She was more of a victim than a perpetrator. Taking her in for questioning would only increase her anxiety levels and might flip her over the edge into a deeper depression. He would have preferred the questioning to take place sympathetically and in a place where Diane would feel safe. Or at the very least prepare her for the ordeal ahead. But he doubted Kate would agree to that course of action.
Kate rejoined him after a few minutes. ‘Nothing for us to do here until the SOCOs are finished.’ She peeled the bootees off her feet and handed them to the constable.
‘What about the computer? We promised Mrs Fraser the search for Megan would be our top priority.’
‘It’s taken care of. Colin sent it to Headquarters as soon as he’d taken his photos and dusted it for prints.’
Bill noted Kate’s use of the chief crime investigator’s first name with interest. It hadn’t taken Kate long to build that bridge. He wondered if she’d ever get round to using his first name, or whether he was fated to be Murphy forever.
‘I’ve alerted Jenny to start looking for Megan among the girls in his photo collection, and to pinpoint where the photos might have been taken. After that we can look at the other photos in his file and see if we can identify any of them.’ Kate headed for the stairwell. ‘Come on, we need to get back.’
* * * *
Sue hesitated with her hand on the car door handle and turned to look back at the house. ‘Well, that was interesting,’ she said.
‘She’s weird.’ Blair walked round the bonnet of the car, opened the door and subsided into the passenger seat.
‘Oh, I see you’ve found your tongue. I’d begun to think I’d brought along a puppet.’
‘No need to be sarky,’ Blair muttered, fastening his seat belt. ‘You were doing so well, I didn’t want to butt in and maybe shut her up.’
‘OK, what did you think?’
‘Weird. I wouldn’t want her for my mother.’
‘Apart from that. What did you think about her assault complaint?’
‘She didn’t appear to have any bruises, seemed more concerned about her wig. But it does indicate that the victim’s ex-wife was looking for him. I suppose we should be looking to see if she had a motive to kill him.’
Sue started the engine, made a three point turn, and drove down the drive. ‘Better get back to the office, and start looking for that motive.’
She screeched out of the drive onto the main road, grinning when she noticed Blair bracing himself and clutching the edge of his seat.
* * * *
Jenny was already hard at work studying the photo files on Paul’s computer when Bill and Kate got back to the office. ‘Nothing yet,’ she said without looking up.
‘D’you know what you’re looking for?’ Bill placed his hands on her desk and leaned over to see the screen.
‘I got a photo of Megan from the file.’
‘I’ll get you a photo of Jade Carnegie as well, in case she’s on there.’
‘Is she the one from the old case you’ve been looking at?’ Jenny continued to concentrate on the screen.
‘Yes, Jade’s been missing for a long time, but I have a feeling it links to our murder case.’ Bill cast a final look at the monitor before straightening and crossing the room to his own desk. He rummaged in the top drawer for the filing cabinet key, unlocked it and pulled out the Carnegie file. Removing the photograph of Jade he took it to Jenny and placed it on her desk beside the photo of Megan.
Kate joined them, she was in her shirt sleeves, and looked as fresh as she had first thing in the morning. She studied the two photographs. ‘You really think there’s a connection to Jade Carnegie?’
‘I think the whole case hangs on her,’ Bill replied. ‘If we get the answer to Jade’s disappearance, I think we can crack both murders.’
‘All right, but we’ll need to assess where we’re at, and make a plan of action,’ Kate said. ‘Do we know when DS Rogers will be back?’
DC Sid Nolan looked up from the file he’d been studying. ‘She phoned in, they’re on their way.’
‘Keep searching the computer, Jenny. Murphy you can get started on a report of the interview with Mrs Fraser, while we’re waiting for the others to arrive, then we’ll see where we’re at and draw up a plan of action.’
‘Yes, ma’am,’ Bill said. He walked over to his desk, but as soon as Kate vanished into her office, he grabbed his jacket.
‘Going somewhere?’ Jenny kept her eyes on the computer screen.
‘I’ve got something to do. I won’t be long.’ Bill thrust his arms into his jacket and left the office.
* * * *
It was dark again, and cramp gripped one of her legs in a painful spasm. Megan shifted her position, trying to ease it, but that made it worse. She’d lost track of time and how long it had been since she’d woken here. It seemed like an eternity.
There had been that moment when he’d returned, and she’d thought he would set her free.
‘Please,’ she’d said, her voice no more than a croak, but he’d ignored her. It was as if he hadn’t heard. ‘Please,’ she’d said again, raising her voice, but it had no effect, although he seemed to hesitate for a moment and she’d felt, rather than saw his eyes looking at her.
He left. There was the rasping sound of a key, the thump of a lock hitting the wooden door, and she was alone again. Alone in the dark with spiders and insects for company.
So much time had passed since then, and she’d waited for him to come back. She rehearsed in her mind what she would say and what she would do. She would beg him to let her go, tell him she would keep his secret, that she wouldn’t go to the police. Who would believe her anyway? He’d want something in return, of course, and she’d decided whatever he asked for she would give him, provided he untied her and allowed her to go home afterwards.
A tear dribbled down her cheeks onto her neck, wetting the collar of her blouse which was already damp and cold.
But time passed and he didn’t come back. Maybe he wasn’t going to return. Maybe he was going to leave her here to die, in the dark and the cold. She closed her eyes and willed sleep to come. If she could sleep she wouldn’t have to think about the spiders and creepy-crawlies sharing her prison.
When she opened her eyes again there seemed to be a sliver of light in the area where she guessed the door to be. She watched it, willing the door to open, but it remained closed, and the only sounds breaking the silence, were the swishing of wind and the patter of rain. She would give anything to be outside to feel the rain on her face and the wind blowing through her hair.
She’d heard it said your life flashes in front of your eyes when you’re dying, and now she couldn’t get the image of her mother out of her mind. She wasn’t the best mother in the world, and it had been a long time since she’d given her any thought, thinking she didn’t need her now she was growing up. But she was her mother, the only one she had, and she desperately needed her now.
The sliver of light had vanished and she thought she must have dozed, because she was back in the dark, and the cramp in her leg was excruciating.