A Dark Shadow Falls (8 page)

              James was ten minutes late. Dani got the opportunity to watch him approach along the cobblestones in a tightly fitting dark suit. She herself was dressed smartly, hoping to indulge in some police work whilst she was in the area.

              Irving broke into a smile when he saw her. The brief flutter of relief and happiness which passed across his face as he took in her appearance sent a spasm of unexpected longing through Dani’s body. As a result, she probably looked a little uncomfortable when he finally reached her table.

              ‘This is a lovely place,’ she managed to blurt out.

              ‘Yes, but I was perhaps a bit ambitious with the distance from work. It was a bugger trying to hail a taxi. Sorry I’m late.’

              James ordered them a smoked salmon salad each and a bottle of white wine to share.

              ‘Aren’t we quite close to your parents’ house?’ Dani enquired, remembering his father’s seventieth birthday party which she’d attended the previous year.

              ‘It’s a couple of miles away. I’ve got no clients booked in for this afternoon. I’ll probably drop in on Mum later.’ Irving selected a slice of granary bread from the basket on the table and dipped it in a dark pool of olive oil.

              ‘How is Sally? I should really catch up with her whilst I’m in the city – to see how she got on with the leads Andy and I gave her.’

              James screwed up his face. ‘I actually think that Sally and Grant have gone away somewhere this week. My sister always likes to clear her head before the start of a major trial. They’ve flown to one of Grant’s holiday cottages up on the Moray Firth.’

              Dani suddenly recalled the helicopter trip that Sally had made to Colonsay, picturing the red lettering that she and her dad had discerned across the side of the aircraft as it hovered above them. ‘Does Grant own Bryant Construction?’ She asked bluntly.

              ‘That’s right. He built it up from absolutely nothing, mind you. I’m sure a lot of folk think he inherited the business or something. They specialise in renovating properties in the most picturesque and remote parts of Scotland. That’s why Grant got his pilot’s licence. My brother-in-law is a useful man to know if you’re planning a mini break.’ James flashed a smile.

              The waitress set down their plates. Dani didn’t even glance at the food. She simply lifted her knife and fork and prodded at the salad absent-mindedly.

              ‘Did I say something wrong?’ James enquired.

              Dani shook her head. ‘No, of course not. It’s just this domestic homicide case of Sally’s.’ The detective thought for a moment and then decided it was okay to confide in her friend. ‘Calder and I discovered that Eric Fisher was working cash-in-hand on an estate of new builds over in Dalkeith at the time he murdered his family. Then, this break-in at the house in Dundee crops up, with certain similarities to the Fisher case.’

              ‘I saw it on the news. It was awful.’

              Dani nodded. ‘The husband of the woman who was stabbed by the intruder was an employee of the local council. He’d been campaigning to get more affordable housing constructed on the outskirts of the city. It had earned him some enemies.’

              ‘And I’ve just mentioned that Sally’s husband runs one of the biggest construction firms in the country. You’re wondering if there’s some kind of link.’ James sipped his wine.

              ‘I can’t imagine what it could possibly be.’

              ‘Neither can I. Grant’s firm doesn’t really specialise in building residential estates.’

              Dani decided to change the subject. She didn’t want to drag James into her professional problems.               The lawyer had most of the wine. Dani stuck to her one glass. After finishing a tiny sliver of lemon cheesecake, adorned with a less than generous scoop of ice-cream, Dani glanced at her watch. ‘Would you like a lift somewhere?’

              ‘Actually, if you could drop me at Mum and Dad’s that would be great.’

             
The sun was still shimmering over the Firth of Forth as they left the restaurant. Loosened up by the alcohol, James slipped an arm around Dani’s waist, guiding her towards the car. When they reached the passenger door, Irving pulled Dani closer, taking her hand in his. ‘
Or
, we could go back to my place?’

              The DCI allowed their lips to meet, enjoying his urgent kisses and the feel of his body pressing up against hers. Then she pulled back. ‘I’m not sure it would be such a good idea. What about your girlfriend?’

              Irving’s expression became serious. ‘I couldn’t carry things on with Rachel after I’d seen you again. It wasn’t fair.’

              Dani rested her hands on his chest, feeling the toned shape of his torso through the thin cotton of his shirt. ‘I’ve only recently come out of this relationship with Sam. I don’t trust my judgement right now.’ She sighed. ‘To be honest with you, I’m worried that it would ruin our friendship if we jumped into bed together. I don’t want you to immediately lose interest in me. I’d actually like you to stay in my life.’

              James looked as if he’d been slapped in the face. He took a step backwards, keeping hold of her hands. ‘God. I’m really sorry, Dani. I have a few glasses of wine and then completely throw myself at you. What an idiot. Look, if you’re still okay with having me in your car, why don’t we drive to my parents’ house liked we planned. If Mum’s in, how about you stay for a coffee?’

             
Bevan nodded cheerfully, unlocking the car doors and striding round to take the driver’s seat. ‘Great idea. Just show me the way.’

*

When Dani had last seen the Irvings’ house, it was decorated for James’ father’s 70
^th
birthday celebrations. Even without the glitz, their square, stone-built property was still impressive. Linda Irving led them through the wide hallway into the large kitchen-diner where a vaulted, glass panelled ceiling was letting in the afternoon light. They took a seat at the central island.

              The petit lady, who sported a neat bob of ash-blond hair, leant in to give her son a kiss on the cheek. ‘Oh, James, you reek of alcohol. I hope you’ve not been into the office like that?’

              The man laughed. ‘We just had a bottle of wine with lunch. I’ve been nowhere near my new boss, don’t worry.’

              ‘As DCI Bevan was driving, I’ll assume you had the lion’s share. I’d best make a pot of coffee then.’ Linda moved across to the cupboard opposite and began bringing out a set of small espresso cups.

              Bevan got up to help. ‘Please call me Dani,’ she said cheerfully.

              Linda gave her a sheepish look. ‘I’m sorry about the last time we met. I told you some things I really shouldn’t have. James was very cross with me when he found out.’

              Dani smiled kindly. ‘You should never have to apologise for being honest, Mrs Irving. It was good that I got to know everything about James’ relationship with Jo. It helped us to solve the case in the end.’

              Linda let out a heavy sigh, appearing mightily relieved. ‘I’m pleased to hear you say that. It had preyed on my mind for a while.’

              ‘In a murder investigation, people’s first instinct is to protect their loved ones, it’s only natural. But if you’ve nothing to hide then telling the truth is always the best option.’ Dani perched back up on the stool next to James.

              He turned towards her and replied, ‘it doesn’t always work out that way though does it? Dad and Sally have been involved in dozens of murder cases. The advice they always give their clients is to reveal as little as possible.’

              ‘That’s because many of those men are guilty, darling,’ his mother pointed out.

              ‘Not all of them, Mum.’ James looked indignant.

              ‘I’m not claiming the system is perfect. But if the police have all the evidence available to them, they usually catch the right man.’

              ‘Do you think that this Fisher chap is the right man?’ Linda asked unexpectedly. ‘Jim and I have followed the case on the news. Sally isn’t allowed to provide us with any of the details, but I know my daughter doesn’t like him. I can tell.’ She sat down opposite her guests, pushing the freshly filled cups towards them.

              ‘From my point of view,’ Dani explained, ‘I don’t believe the police and prosecution have enough evidence yet to make a judgement one way or the other. Hopefully, there’ll be a stronger case before the trial starts. Otherwise, the process won’t be in the public interest.’

              ‘I’m on Sally’s side in everything, of course,’ Linda stated with feeling. ‘But the thought of that poor family, slaughtered in their own home, especially those two little girls -’ Linda’s voice wavered. ‘Well, I’m just saying that if the man
is
guilty then I’d quite happily see my daughter lose at the High Court next week.’

              Dani nodded silently, lifting the tiny cup to her lips, thinking that she whole-heartedly agreed.

Chapter 14

A
nnie Carmichael drove a sporty BMW. Not for the first time, the DCI marvelled at how other officers of the same rank as her seemed to possess so much more disposable income. Either she was being seriously underpaid or they were shouldering an enormous amount of debt. Dani suspected the latter.

              As they drove through the downmarket estate where the Fishers lived, Dani wished they were in a less conspicuous vehicle. She could already sense net curtains being twitched in a kind of Mexican wave along the street as they crawled past.

              ‘This is it,’ Annie declared. ‘Number 7.’

              Carmichael’s team had managed to track down a possible candidate for Eric Fisher’s young work mate. It turned out that Fisher’s cousin lived a few streets away from the family and had a son by the name of Craig. He was sixteen years old.

              Annie ignored the bell and hammered on the front door. It was opened by an overweight woman in her forties who appeared extremely harassed. ‘Can I help you?’

              Carmichael held up her warrant card. ‘We’re looking for Craig O’Connor.’

              ‘He’s upstairs.’ The woman stood back.

              The corridor was narrow and the police officers were forced to squeeze against her bulky form. The smell of sweat coming from the woman made Dani wrinkle up her nose. The unpleasant odours only got worse as they climbed the stairs and reached the doorway of what they assumed to be Craig’s room.

              The lad had on a pair of huge headphones and was resting his feet up against the wall. He nearly jumped out of his skin when he noticed them standing there. The boy swiftly removed the ridiculous headgear. ‘What’s going on?’

              ‘Are you Craig O’Connor?’

              He nodded, swinging his long legs around to rest on the grubby carpet. ‘Aye.’

              ‘We’re here to question you in connection with the murders of Peggy, Callum, Kyla and Skye Fisher. We can either do it here or at the police station.’

              His narrow eyes darted back and forth. ‘Can we do it here?’

              Cartwright suggested they talk in the kitchen. There was a small circular table in there. Val O’Connor grudgingly put the kettle on.

              ‘Do you know why we’re here?’ The DCI began menacingly.

              Craig examined his dirty fingernails. ‘Because I was doing some work for Eric before he was arrested.’ He lifted his gaze. ‘My da’ says I don’t need to pay no tax on the money. I didn’t earn enough.’

              Dani never ceased to be amazed by how clued up people could be about the Inland Revenue System when the rules worked in their favour.

              ‘I’m not interested in your flaming personal tax allowance,’ Annie spat out irritably. ‘I want to know why you omitted to tell the authorities what Eric Fisher had been up to in the weeks before his wife and children were viciously murdered.’

              ‘I didn’t think it’d be relevant.’ Craig turned down the corners of his mouth sulkily. ‘We were fitting out those new houses up at the River View Estate. I helped him to get the materials from the wholesaler. Eric did all the skilled work – the carpentry and stuff. I did the lifting and carrying. He was paid by the boss and I got a few twenties at the end of each week.’

              ‘What was Eric’s mood like in those months you were working alongside him? You probably saw more of the man than anyone else during that period,’ Dani asked.

              ‘I dunno. He was just normal.’

              ‘Was Eric good to work for, did you have a joke together?’ Dani was determined to persist with this line of questioning.

              ‘Eric used to get annoyed with Craig sometimes,’ Val chipped in, ‘if he was still in bed when he arrived to pick him up, for instance.’

              Dani thought this sounded entirely justified.

              Craig shook his head. ‘No, Mum’s wrong, Eric was a decent boss. He used to show me how to do stuff. He said I should try and get an apprenticeship and learn a proper skill.’

              ‘Did you know Callum Fisher well?’ DCI Cartwright asked this question.

              The boy shrugged his shoulders. ‘Yeah, a bit. We played on the Xbox together if there was a family party. He was younger than me, though. We didn’t hang out in town or anything.’

              ‘What about Peggy Fisher?’ Dani leant in closer. ‘What did you think of her?’

              Craig blushed.

              Dani immediately wondered why.

              ‘I liked Mrs Fisher. If I stopped by their house after work she’d make us a cup of tea and always offered me a biscuit. Sometimes she and the girls had baked cupcakes. She was nice.’