Bye Bye Baby (29 page)

‘This is so much worse than I thought. You think she’s not just connected but that she’s our killer.’

Kate refused to make eye contact but the set of her mouth told Sarah that she was unrepentant on her stance.

‘You’ve gone mad, Kate. The DCI won’t just reassign you — he’ll burn your arse and it won’t be to Kingston. It will be to the legislations office to provide permits for lorries to carry boats or mobile homes at odd hours! You’ll need a promotion just to do traffic management.’

‘Please, Sarah.’

‘I’ll think about it. Now tell me what our boss wants us to do.’

Kate sourly briefed Sarah, who began calling the most junior members of the team, dragging them away from their weekend.

Kate returned to their previous conversation. ‘I know it sounds ridiculous and as though I’m speaking purely from jealousy, but I think Sophie is a liar.’

‘Whatever, Kate. I’ve called everyone in. Let me know if you want me to get hold of any other staff as the DCI asked. And now I’m getting back to work. I suggest you do the same. You’ve got Fletcher to find.’ Sarah left Kate to her dark thoughts.

Kate’s phone call to John Tandy at his home revealed that it wasn’t beyond the bounds of reality that some emotional trauma could have triggered Anne McEvoy’s repressed memories, bringing them to the forefront of her mind again.

‘What sort of trauma could do that, John?’ she asked.

‘How long is a piece of string?’ he answered
irritatingly. ‘Loss of a loved one, death of a child — I could go on.’

‘No, that’s alright. So long as you can tell me that, in your professional opinion, it is feasible that some shock could motivate someone who is normally harmless into taking this sort of brutal revenge.’

‘Those kinds of wounds never really heal — the victim just learns how to adjust and then cope with daily life around that wound. She’s probably been with someone she loves and trusts for that time. Perhaps something’s happened to that person. Perhaps they had children and she’s lost a child again. That would certainly reopen the wound.’

‘Could it send her on this killing rampage?’

‘DI Carter, that’s a sixty-four-million-dollar question. It may not provoke you or I to go on a killing spree, but it might motivate the next person to do just that. We’re all wired differently. If it is this Anne McEvoy, then you have to look at her life as a whole. I’m presuming she’s been a seriously depressed person for all of her life.’

‘On medication?’

‘Not necessarily. She’s forty-four, you say?’

‘Yes.’

‘Then she was born in an era when antidepressants weren’t prescribed as they are now. Mental health wasn’t quite the same issue it is today,’ he cautioned. ‘No, if she’s been on the edge all her life, then it’s likely been sheer willpower that’s kept her going through her teens. Perhaps medication in her twenties, who knows? It would have helped keep her moods even.’

Kate sighed. ‘It’s all so hypothetical.’

‘It’s what I do, DC Carter. I rarely have the luxury of dealing with all of the facts. I’ll put out some
feelers, see if any of my colleagues know of this Anne McEvoy. She may have been seeing a psychiatrist to cope with the past traumas.’

‘Thanks, John. I’ll let DCI Hawksworth know what you’ve said — and sorry again about interrupting your weekend.’

‘No problem. Anything that helps.’

‘Er, John, there is one more thing. Can I ask: do you think this sort of person could have a split personality?’

‘What do you mean?’

Kate squirmed. ‘Could she be this brutal serial killer while also living a thoroughly normal existence? Could she be in a loving relationship, for instance?’

‘Yes, of course. I postulated from the outset that the killer was never out of control during the murders. She may be emotionally unbalanced in terms of what she’s doing, but in her mind she’s utterly calm and clear thinking. She is obviously highly intelligent. Why?’

‘Oh, just a hunch. Thanks again, John. We’ll let you know what’s happening.’

‘I appreciate that,’ he said, and Kate hung up.

She stared at the phone, wondering whether or not to take the next step. It would certainly seal her fate with DCI Hawksworth. She keyed in some details at her computer and watched the screen. The information she wanted flashed up. Kate hesitated. This was it. What she chose to do next would commit her to a pathway she couldn’t turn back from.

She dialled the number on the screen.

30

There was only one person who could be ringing her on this number. ‘Finally,’ Anne said into her mobile, pulling into a lay-by.

‘Hello again. Yes, I noticed your calls. Sorry, my phone’s been playing up. I’ve actually just had to go out and buy a new one, would you believe?’

She thanked her lucky stars for that. ‘Listen, something’s come up.’

‘Oh, can’t do tonight?’ Billy asked.

‘No, it’s nothing to do with that. Bit of a strange request actually. I know you won’t believe this but I’ve just taken a call from a client in Hastings.’

‘No,’ Billy said and laughed. ‘What sort of client?’

‘Well, apparently they’ve got a friend in London whose pied-à-terre I refurbished last year. They love it, want to try and achieve a similar feel for their mansion apartment at St Leonards,’ she lied.

‘Great. Are you taking the job?’

‘That’s just it. He wants me to supervise the whole project if I do. And that means I’m going to have to be on site for a while — certainly a couple of months or
so — as I gather he wants to do some structural work as well.’

‘And?’

‘Well, I’m going to need somewhere to live during that time if I do accept the job. I don’t want to use a hotel room — I’m not very good at living out of a suitcase and eating in commercial dining rooms.’

‘Okay, I get it. You’re thinking one of my B&Bs?’

‘Exactly. Have you got anything that you’ll rent out on a longer term?’

‘Sure, several, in fact. Mainly in the old town but they’re all lovely.’

‘Sounds fine. I like being able to walk to restaurants, coffee shops and so on. A view isn’t so important.’

‘I can do all of that. In fact, I think I know which place will suit you best — there’s a fabulous little two-bedroom cottage overlooking Alexandra Park but with fantastic views over the Channel, and it’s in a really private close with just a couple of neighbours.’

‘Sounds perfect. What sort of money?’

‘We’ll come to some arrangement, Anne, it won’t break the bank.’

‘Can I see it?’

‘Of course. When?’

She laughed. ‘Now.’

‘What? You’re kidding, right?’

Anne sighed. ‘I’m not, unfortunately. This guy wants me to give a decision this week. I’ve extended further so that I can see his place tomorrow, but I want to have this accommodation sorted in my mind before I say yes. If I’m going to relocate for a couple of months and commute to London from Hastings, then I want to know what my temporary home is like.’

‘I understand. Um ... well, perhaps I can get someone —’

‘No, please. I won’t need long. Just tell me where and I’ll meet you there. I’ll make up my mind on the spot and give you a cheque up front. It’s how I work.’

He hesitated. ‘Okay, look . . . I’ve got a couple of things to do, and I was meeting someone in about half an hour so that will need rearranging. Um ...’

She pushed. ‘Listen, I’m already on the outskirts of Hastings.’ She laughed. ‘I can be there in under fifteen minutes.’

‘Alright.’ He gave Anne the address. ‘Just wait for me there — take a walk around the garden, enjoy the view. I might be a few minutes after that.’

‘Thanks for this. I really appreciate it. See you soon.’

Anne felt the relief course through her. She couldn’t deal with Billy Fletcher in Hastings. That would be too much of a risk. He was obviously going to let others know what he was doing, and the police were closing in on him. She had to hope he remained ignorant of them and vice versa for just another half-hour. And then she would need nimble fingers.

Jack had decided not to go to Hastings. His presence would likely irritate the local boys, especially in the mood he was in. Best he get back to the Yard and take command of the case from there, particularly with Kate spiralling off on a tangent he didn’t understand or care for.

He left Brodie the pool car and grabbed a fast train from Hove. The train was pulling out of Haywards Heath when his phone vibrated.

‘Hi, Sarah.’

‘Sir. We can’t find Fletcher on all the usual contacts, but we’ve had a break — we’ve found Fletcher’s girlfriend. Her name is Lucy Baines.’

‘Excellent. Does she know where he is?’

‘Yes and no. Apparently Fletcher was supposed to be meeting her for a late lunch today. She was bringing it to his office. Lucy says he’s been a bit odd the last two days.’

‘What does she mean?’

‘She couldn’t really explain. Anyway, he rang her about twenty minutes ago and cancelled their get-together because he had to meet a client.’

‘What does he do?’

‘He runs a chain of bed and breakfast properties. She’s totally pissed off and says this woman called him out of the blue and he couldn’t ignore good business.’

‘Woman?’

‘Yes, sir.’ He heard his own suspicions echoed in Sarah’s voice. ‘There’s more.’

‘Go on.’

‘Well, Lucy said that yesterday morning Fletcher had gone to see his father at a nursing home in Hove. In her words, she and Edward had been talking on the phone, making arrangements for this evening, when she heard a woman say, “Billy Fletcher?”.’

‘Oh, god.’

‘Sir, apparently he rang off from Lucy almost immediately. He called back later to cancel their meal out this evening and arranged this late lunch instead. Now that’s gone bye-bye too.’

‘It’s her,’ Jack breathed, his chest feeling tight.

‘We can’t be sure, sir.’

‘I think we can. Did you get his phone number?’

‘Yes. I figured you’d want to make that call, sir.’

‘Give it to me.’ Sarah rattled off a mobile number that Jack scribbled on the back of a leaflet he found on the seat next to him. ‘Call Hastings Police. Did Lucy say where he was meeting this woman?’

‘Yes. It’s called the Dovecote.’

‘Get them over there now. Tell them what they’re dealing with. Detain her. I’m stuck on a train to Victoria — about thirty-five minutes. I’ll call you when I get there. I have to make that call.’

‘Okay, chief. Don’t worry, I’ve already made the call to Hastings Police. Talk to you soon.’

Jack dialled the number on the leaflet, heard it ring once, twice, and then lost the signal when the train shot into a tunnel. He swore angrily under his breath, not caring that the person opposite glared at him. He sat out the interruption of the tunnel and furiously dialled again. This time he hit Fletcher’s voicemail and knew he was too late.

Anne waved at Billy as he drew up in the driveway. She grinned through the window, her eyes flicking to the passenger seat where his mobile sat. ‘Sorry again for all this,’ she said as he got out.

‘Don’t be. This is a great spot, you’ll love it.’

‘I already do.’

‘Good. Let me open it up for you.’

‘You go ahead. I just have to pick up my voicemail. I think it was the same client ringing a moment ago.’

‘How did you get here?’ he asked, walking to the door of the cottage. ‘No car?’

‘Train and taxi today,’ she lied. The van was parked at the local shopping centre car park where it blended
in unnoticed. She pretended to dial up her voicemail and put the phone to her ear. ‘Be with you in a sec,’ she said.

As soon as Billy opened up the cottage and walked inside, Anne opened the passenger door of his car and grabbed his phone. It shocked her when it rang once but she hurriedly switched it off, looking up alarmed to check that Billy hadn’t heard. She slipped his phone into her pocket and skipped quickly away from his car towards the cottage.

‘Was it him?’ he asked, meeting her on the porch.

‘Yes,’ she said with a sigh. ‘He’s pushing for an answer. That’s what money does to you. You expect everything instantly.’

Billy grinned. ‘Well, come in and have a look.’

She spoke as she followed him in. ‘Er, listen, I hope I haven’t put you to any inconvenience with this?’

He looked sheepish. ‘Nothing I couldn’t handle. I did have a meeting, as I said, but I’ve told them I couldn’t pass up on business. So this is the kitchen and sitting room, living area.’

She smiled. ‘Sounds personal.’

‘Sort of. No problem though.’

‘It’s lovely. And you said two bedrooms?’

‘Yes.’

‘I don’t need to see any more. This is perfect.’

He looked at her quizzically. ‘Are you sure?’

‘Absolutely. I knew from the outside it was ideal.’

He shook his head. ‘Wish all women were as decisive as you, Anne.’

She laughed. ‘I told you it wouldn’t take long. Let’s go sort out the details.’

‘Don’t want to do it here?’

Anne had already figured that if the police were closing in fast enough then they could find them here. ‘No, let’s get you going; you’ve been really good to do this for me. If you don’t mind running me back to the station, I can write you out a cheque on the way.’

Fletcher nodded. ‘Fine. Let’s go.’

Jack had now dialled Fletcher’s number four times — he could swear it rang the first time and then went dead. Each time since he’d hit the man’s voicemail. Fresh dread claimed him. He rang the operations room and fortunately got Sarah immediately.

His voice was bleak. ‘He’s not answering.’

Sarah swore under her breath at his news. ‘Hastings Police should be at the Dovecote any moment. What do you want me to do, sir? Er, may I put you on speaker so the team can hear your instructions?’

Jack hissed a breath, his mind racing. ‘It’s as though she knows our next step.’

‘If she knows we’re on to her, she’ll go to ground,’ Swamp said.

‘It’s too late for going into hiding,’ Jack replied. ‘She’s found her quarry. She’ll want to deal with him in the same way. She can’t stop now.’

‘We can’t wait for a corpse, sir.’ It was Kate.

‘I’m not suggesting we do,’ Jack snapped. ‘I should hit London Victoria in just over quarter of an hour. Get Hastings Police to throw a cordon around the town as best they can and to hunt down any white transit van. It’s the only clue we have to go on at present. I’ll see you all shortly. In the meantime, Sarah, keep trying Fletcher’s number.’

Jack rang off, feeling helpless. The train filled at East Croydon and then became more crowded at Battersea, at which point he left the carriage and impatiently waited in the corridor at the doors, eager to be gone from this prison. The train had barely sighed to its stop at the Victoria terminus when Jack burst from its belly and ran down the platform. He immediately picked out a familiar face waiting for him and his gut twisted. He wasn’t in the mood for this now.