Remember Remember (26 page)

“Oh yes it is circumstantial evidence so far, but it all may help in the weeks to come,” he took a sip of water, looked directly into Johnson’s eyes smiled then continued, “may I change the subject for a moment, you see we need as much information as we can gather from the middle east and there may be a chance that you could help provide some of that information for us. We may not then have to delve any further into this murder mystery; if you are seen to be working for our side.”

Alan’s clear blue eyes gazed at Rock, “I am not working for any side, but especially not yours with regard to the middle east, now may I please go. I do believe I have answered your questions to the best of my knowledge and helped as much as I can and I have nothing more to say.”

Rock stood and offered a hand to Johnson and both men joined in the handshake.

“You have been of some help to me Mr Johnson, thank you for your time and patience with me, please feel free to go.”

“And what about Jacky?”

“I will interview her in ten minutes, but she will also be free to go soon.”

“Do you mind if I wait?”

“No, please do so in reception, but it may be some time.”

Alan smiled at the Major then turned to Lawrence, “you’ve been very quiet today, not the same as when you’re in the Brown Cow.”

“I’ve got a job to do, it’s just my job.”

“See you both again soon, goodbye,” declared Johnson.

Lawrence escorted Alan to the reception area and returned to Major Rock.

“Well, what do you think of that?” enquired the Major.

“He’s a very cool customer sir, says just enough, answers all the questions but gives nothing away.”

“Good evaluation Sergeant, now what about his body language with regard to the questions I asked?”

“Very little to say sir, perhaps the video tape will help us, but he seemed as cool as a cucumber to me. The only time I saw a shift in his position was when you mentioned interviewing Jacky next door. But that could have been for many reasons. The guy knows how to be interrogated sir,” he concluded, took a sip of tea then continued, “do you mind if I say something sir.”

“No, go on.”

“Well I don’t think asking him to work for us helped.”

I agree; that was a little naive of me,” replied Rock, “and you’re right about his style, he’s good, very, very good and he knows everything at the moment is circumstantial. Let’s go and see what Jacky has to say. We have been keeping her quite some time so perhaps she will fill in some of the blanks with regard to their two holidays.”

They entered the interview room and explained to Jacky the reasons why they had asked her to attend. They read Jacky her rights and informed her that the interview would be taped.

“Jacky, could you please tell me how many holidays you have been on with Mr Alan Johnson and to which destinations?”

She smiled at Rock, “We have been on two holidays together, one to Turkey and most recently on a cruise in the Mediterranean.”

“Thank you, now the first holiday interests me because a man was murdered in the Olu Deniz area at the time you were there.”

“You’re not suggesting that I killed him are you?” she snapped.

“No, not in the slightest,” smiled Rock.

“Then why bring it up, are you suggesting that Alan did it?”

“I am not suggesting anyone did it, my job is to gather information and that is what I am trying to do with your help.”

His quiet smooth voice seemed to reassure her and he looked at her enquiringly, “OK to go on Jacky.”

“Yes, OK.”

“Please tell me, how many times were you and Alan apart in Turkey?”

“What do you mean, apart?”

“Were there times when Alan went his own way for some hours?”

“Not really, not that I can remember.”

“That’s funny; I went to Olu Deniz myself to work with the Turkish police on this case and they have information that a local Turk had been dating you while you were in Sun City.”

She shifted position and her face reddened, “What’s that got to do with it?”

“If you were in the company of another man it seems to me there will have been quite a few times when you were not in Alan’s company,” he snapped.

She moved position again and sighed. “Alan likes a drink and he spent a great deal of time at the bar, especially as it was free. I spent some time with another man but on my return to the hotel I always found him at the bar or in his bed.”

“So you did not sleep together.”

“That’s none of your business is it. We shared the same room but had separate beds.”

“It seems a strange relationship for two adults to go away together and lead separate lives.”

“Why’s that, I know loads of people who do it. They share the cost of the holiday and go their own way. Not everybody is rich enough to pay single supplements you know,” she declared, raising her voice.

“Thank you Jacky, we have now established that you and Alan could have spent many hours apart. May we move on to your second holiday, the cruise? Was this holiday any different from the Turkish one with regard to your relationship with Alan?”

“Yes it was, we became quite close.”

“Did you spend much time apart on the cruise?”

“No, I don’t think so, in fact I think we were always together,” she replied.

“Jacky, you may recall that when you leave the ship you have to show your key card which is placed in a machine and the same is done on your return to the ship. This enables the ship to keep a log of the people disembarking plus the time of disembarkation and return.”

“Oh I didn’t realise that,” she replied nervously.

“Do you still remember being always together on the excursions Jacky?”.

“Yes, I think so.”

“The records show something different. They show that when you went ashore in Rhodes you disembarked at the same time but Alan returned considerably later. Can you explain why?”

She frowned and shook her head. “I can’t, I can’t. Perhaps Alan went off for a drink and I returned after shopping, he drank a lot on the cruise and did like to be alone on occasions.”

“Was he alone in Rhodes?”

“I can’t say, I really can’t remember, why don’t you ask him if it’s so important?”

Rock was aware that she was becoming angry, he was not yet sure as to why but he new that anger often helped in revealing something.

“Jacky, we believe Alan met with a group of men in Turkey and also met with a group of men in Rhodes, which is why he returned to the boat much later than you. We are still trying to track down these men to see if they were in both locations on the dates that you and Alan were there. If we find these men were in both locations at the same time as you and Alan, then we will have to interview you both again and I do not wish to think you are holding back valuable information which may help in our enquiries. Because if we find that to be the case then you may be charged with being an accomplice to Alan Johnson,” he declared.

She reddened and snapped back, “Look, all I did was go on holiday with a guy who I knew from the pub and who I quite like. I spent a lot of time with him, but not twenty four seven especially as he liked his drink and sometimes his own company, which suited me very well. That’s all I know,” she paused, drew her breath and looked Rock in the eyes, “now may I go, I have nothing else to tell you.”

The Major sighed and nodded his head, “Thank you Jacky, you are free to go, however we may need to see you again soon, so if you do intend to travel outside Stockport perhaps you could inform Sergeant Lawrence.”

“Why should I do that, either I’m free to go or I’m not, so which one is it?” she snapped.

He rose and made calming hand gestures, “You are free to go Jacky.”

She smiled, rose and turned, “Thank you sir.”

Lawrence closed the door after her. “What do you think of that sir?”

“I think we got her riled a little on more than one occasion but I don’t think she knows very much more than she said. We’ll have to wait and see how they react together now they know we know,” responded Rock.

Lawrence looked quizzically at him and enquired, “You never mentioned about a boyfriend before in Turkey.”

“I know, that was just a hunch, but it paid off I believe, because now we know that Johnson had a lot of opportunity to meet others.”

Alan rose and smiled at Jacky as she entered the reception, they linked arms, strolled out of the Police Station and turned the corner toward the Brown Cow.

“What the hell is going on?” she snarled.

He drew her arm closer, “Nothing love, they think I may have some involvement with that murder in Olu Deniz, that’s all.”

“That’s all! Murder! That’s all,” she exploded.

“Shush love, you don’t want to frighten the neighbours,” he teased.

“It’s not the neighbours who are frightened Alan, it’s me, what the bloody hell have you got me into?”

“I haven’t got you into anything, all you’ve done is come on holiday with me twice, that’s it, so you can tell them all you know can’t you, which is nothing.”

“Then why were they interested in the times we were apart and the times we got on and off the ship?”

“Maybe they are interested in whether or not I met other people.”

“And did you?”

“No, not really, I mean obviously I met other people in bars but that’s all I did when I wasn’t with you, I went drinking, which is what I’m going to do now.”

“You said you had business meetings to go to in Turkey and in Rhodes,” she exclaimed.

“And did you tell the Major that,” he enquired.

“No I didn’t, I don’t really like him.”

“Thanks love, it would be nice if we could keep that our little secret,” he whispered.

She looked at him but kept her council as they walked around the corner into Hillgate and now could see the Brown Cow.

“Do you want to come in love?”

“No, not really, I see enough of the bloody place when I’m working.”

“Just come in for one and I’ll ring for a taxi for you.”

“OK,” she acquiesced, “but just one, I know you, you’ll be pissed again in a couple of hours.”

“I never get pissed, just mellow, you never know what you’re saying when you’re pissed,” he replied.

He stopped at the top of the steps and looked around then at her, “I suggest we change the subject now love, we don’t want the gang in the snug knowing our business do we?”

“I wish I knew our business,” she moaned.

December 20
th
, 73 Sandiway, Bramhall.

The secure land line telephone rang which was picked up by Sergeant Lawrence who listened intently while making notes. He put the phone down and turned to Major Rock.

“Good news Sir, we have proof that one gentleman flew into Rhodes on November 29
th
and flew out again on November 30
th
. His name was Shan Binal Shid, the same gentleman, or at least name, who was in Olu Deniz when Johnson was there.”

“That is good news; get onto Inspector Farouk in Turkey and see if he can help with this name, I’ll get onto my boss.”

He dialled SBCT11 headquarters and passed on the news to the Commander about the name and it was agreed that Rock could stay on the case and be allowed the resource he requested for the time being. However he was ordered to headquarters in January, for a further debrief.

A voice called out from one of the observers, “Sir, he’s on the move, he’s just walked out of the front door and turned toward Broadway, should we follow?”

Alan Johnson had woken early on the 20
th
and decided to test out his theory that he was being watched. He placed small pieces of paper exactly one foot from the bottom of each door between the door and the frame knowing they would drop to the floor if the door was opened and even if replaced, the odds of them being replaced at exactly one foot would be remote. He then garaged his car and placed two strips of paper on top of the door exactly two feet from either edge of the frame, closed the door between the kitchen and the garage, again inserting one piece of paper, walked through the hall and closed the front door behind him.

He turned left out of the drive toward Broadway which is a long wide road boasting many of the finest houses in Bramhall. Broadway was nearly one mile in length and he knew it would be difficult to be followed on foot without being seen. He walked to the top of Broadway turning once or twice to observe who may be following him and entered a small ginell which came out onto a pedestrian walk way above Bramhall valley. He turned left, walked across fields on one side with the valley on the other which again would make it difficult for anyone trying to shadow him not to be observed.

He bought a Times newspaper from the local shop and walked back the way he had come, the whole journey taking 45 minutes. He was quite sure he had been followed but the person had been very discreet, however on entry to the house he could see immediately a small piece of paper inserted into the kitchen door but not exactly one foot from the bottom. They had observed him leaving and had access to his house. His entry into the garage proved they had been in there and he assumed that once again his car would be fitted with at least one if not more trackers. He thought this time it would be even more difficult to find them so new a different method of avoidance was needed.

It was now 11.45 and he decided he would do nothing with regard to the car and that lunch and a few pints at the Brown Cow were in order. He drove the car to the Brown Cow and parked it at the rear knowing he could leave it there and taxi home if he so wished.

The beer was, as ever, very good, the rare beef sandwich also good and the banter with John and Dave made for a pleasant few hours. Discussions ranged from how better they could run the country to the price of beer and the war in Iraq. Christmas was mentioned and Alan’s thoughts turned to that very lonely time of year. He watched Jacky at the beer pumps thinking again what beautiful legs and backside she had as her muscles tightened whenever she pulled the handles to cream the beer into the glasses. Three more pints were ordered and he asked her what she was doing for Christmas.

“It’s all about family you know, mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, it gets really busy.”

He smiled at her, “So, what are you really doing?”

“Don’t know,” she smiled back, “anything for a bloody change, what are you offering?”

“A good piece of Turkey,” interrupted John.

“Bugger off John,” she snarled.

“What about the Belfry on Christmas Day, just you and me and we could even stay the night.”

“Careful Alan, I don’t want rumours spreading about our relationship, do I?”

“I think they already have,” teased Dave, “we’re all waiting for the wedding invite, but we don’t think you should wear white Jacky.”

“You cheeky sod,” she hissed, “you have no idea what goes on between us and just because we’ve been on holiday together a couple of times doesn’t mean we intend to marry or are having it off, so mind your own bloody business.”

“Sorry,” said Dave holding up his hands.

“I am serious,” replied Alan, “I have nowhere to go on Christmas Day so why don’t you share it with me and you can taxi home any time you like.”

“I’ll think about it,” she replied and looking at all three said, “now who’s paying for the beers?”

Alan proffered a ten pound note and she returned with the change, placed it in his hand, winked at him and said, “You’re on.”

A genuine smile appeared on his face as he replied, “Great love I’ll get a cab to pick you up about ten o’clock, see you then, if not before.”

She smiled back then moved away to serve others.

“Lucky bastard,” ribbed both Dave and John.

“It’s Christmas, a time of giving and receiving,” smiled Alan.

December 25
th
, The Belfry Hotel.

Jacky replaced her glass onto the table and watched Alan devour the last of his cheese and biscuits. It had been a superb meal. She was a little apprehensive at the beginning, thinking hotel food on Christmas Day would be average at the best, but she was pleasantly surprised. The fish starter was cooked to perfection and the turkey had been succulent and tasty. The vegetables were crisp and the roast potatoes were to die for. All washed down by good white and red wine followed by pudding then a cheese course. She sighed, a contented, satiated sigh and took his hand in hers.

“Thanks for a wonderful meal, It’s the first time I’ve been out on Christmas Day and I had no idea what to expect, but it has been fabulous.”

He squeezed her hand, smiled back and looked around the room. All the other tables were occupied and people were busy eating and drinking, laughing and chatting while being served by courteous and timely staff. The atmosphere was warm, jovial and a little noisy but that gave anonymity to each group and he felt relaxed and full.

“Shall we have a brandy with our coffee and petit fours love?”

She smiled back, still squeezing his hand, “are you trying to get me tipsy?”

“I don’t think I’d be much use to you today, even if you were very tipsy, I don’t think I could rise to the occasion after all the food and booze. I could give you a good snoring though if you wish.”

“A good snoring on Christmas afternoon, well I never,” she teased, “that’s never happened before.”

He beckoned to a waiter and ordered the brandies and coffees then teased her saying, “I suppose with your background you couldn’t afford lots of food and drink at Christmas, so you wouldn’t fall asleep in the afternoon would you?”

She pulled her hand away but was still smiling, “I’ll have you know we had the best corned beef and pickles a woman could ask for, all washed down with a pint of mild.”

“Wow, you knew how to live!”

The discussion was ended by the arrival of their brandies, coffees and petit fours. He swirled his brandy around the large bowl of the glass, “Can I change the subject love?”

“Of course you can,” she replied as she took her brandy and copied his movements.

“Would you be prepared to go away with me again if I asked you?”

She took a sip of her brandy and pleaded, “Please don’t spoil this moment for me, I don’t want to be used by you for another one of your business trips.”

“I haven’t used you.”

“Please, stop the bullshit,” she whispered, then leaned forward and continued, “I don’t know what you’re up to, but the police would not be interviewing us as they did, if they weren’t suspicious about what you’ve been doing. So please, no more crap.”

He nodded, “OK, no more crap; I may have to go away again next year. I may not come back because I want to emigrate and thought you might at least join me for a holiday.”

“Alan, what are we doing as a couple; all we seem to do is go on holiday, bonk each other, then go back home and carry on as normal.”

“I thought you were OK with that.”

“I am OK with it, but it’s not my idea of a long term relationship and now you’re asking me to do it again and even emigrate with you.”

“Do you want a long term relationship?”

“Of course I do.”

“With me love,” he asked as he took her hand and gazed into her face.

She shook her head but smiled, “I don’t know, I don’t know, there’s so much about you I don’t know and this police thing, it scares the hell out of me. There’s something in your past and maybe your future which seems very dark. I’m a barmaid, I get along OK, but you frighten me a little.”

He smiled back, “You don’t have to be frightened of me love.”

“No, it’s just what you do.”

He pulled his hand away, “Let’s change the subject love, this is getting too deep for Christmas Day. What do you say we go to our room for a quick snooze?”

She laughed out loud, “we must be a couple now, before you’d have taken me for a quick something else, now it’s just a snooze, what’s a girl to do?”

He laughed back, “Just wait until after the snooze and see what might come up.”

They both rose together and coupled arms. She laid her head on his shoulder and whispered, “come on then lover boy, give me a damn good snoring.”

She sat up in bed and snuggled up to him. They had slept, woken at five pm and made love. It was as good as ever and seemed to be stronger than just sex. Maybe she was falling for him but she still had so much doubt about what he was doing.

“What do you actually do for a living?” she whispered.

He pulled her into him and stretched his arm around her to caress her naked right breast, “I’ve told you this before, I’m retired love. I was in the army and worked in the Middle East for some years. I made enough money there which combined with my army pension gives me a good standard of living.”

“But you’re too young to be retired.”

“Thanks love.”

“Well, you are too young and too fit. You see it doesn’t make sense to me. All the intrigue in Turkey and then that fight on the cruise. There really is a dark side to you which you won’t talk about and that’s what stops me wanting to get closer to you.”

He squeezed her nipple, “This seems close enough to me love.”

She pulled his hand away and moved to the edge of the bed, “I’m being serious, if you want a closer relationship you have to tell people what you do. They need to know what they’re getting involved in, I need to know.”

“I see your point love but I can’t tell you at this moment, all I can do is ask you to trust me.”

She rose and padded toward the bathroom, “Meanwhile P.C. Plod and Corporal Clott keep asking me questions.”

He watched her, gazing at her legs and petite backside, “All the better that you don’t know then love, that way you can’t get into any bother.”

She turned at the bathroom door, “But that’s the whole point love, if you had nothing to hide you could tell me couldn’t you?”

“I could also tell you lies, couldn’t I,” he added.

“I suppose so, I just think that when most normal couples get close they tell each other about what they do, what they think and how they feel,” she replied.

He jumped out of bed and ran toward her, “Are you telling me you’re getting close to me, he said as he made a play at grabbing her body. She pushed him away and opened the bathroom door.

“Oh sod off, can’t you take anything seriously,” she closed and bolted the door and shouted through it, “I’ll be quite some time so why don’t you sod off to the bar and start your evening ritual?”

“Wow,” he thought, “I’ve touched a nerve,” but he did smile at the thought of a close relationship, something he had avoided for a very long time.

She joined him in the hotel lounge at seven. She looked radiant in a classic little black dress, stockings and high heels, with just sufficient make up and her usual jewellery. He ordered her a glass of champagne and they sat together in a quiet corner of the lounge. She sipped her champagne, looked down at the table and asked, “What’s going to happen to us Alan, I mean, do we have a future as a couple or is it just a sex thing for you?”

He took both her hands and looked into her eyes then replied, “I’m an ex-soldier, I’ve seen so many comrades killed, my family have died and a past girl friend has died tragically too. To me nothing seems forever and long term relationships have been doomed. I also have a short term problem which may change everything in the coming months. I can’t talk about it and don’t want to either. I’d like us to be close but I don’t want you to get hurt. So I suppose for now the answer to your questions are that I don’t know what’s going to happen in the future, but for now it’s more than a sex thing. I find myself happy to be with you and feel we are closer than we were in Turkey or on the cruise. Does that make sense?”