Body by the Docks: detectives investigate a baffling mystery Page 7

  The thought of Mam brought a lump to her throat, but she swallowed hard. She had to get away. Their Eddie had said so and he’d sounded so scary. She looked at the baby fast asleep in his pram. The main thing was to keep Jakey safe. She didn’t understand what was going on but for now she’d just do as she was told and wait for Eddie to call.

  Outside Lime Street there were a couple of girls wrapped in grubby quilts; one of them was pregnant. They looked at her with dead eyes and though they didn’t speak, one of them held out a hand. She fished in her purse and brought out a couple of pound coins. She was scared and cold now but at least she knew she had a home to go to. Didn’t she?

  Eddie had said don’t go back but he didn’t mean not ever. He couldn’t have done. She thought of her room with the cot in the corner. The warm living room and the kitchen where there was always something to eat in the fridge, and beer, and wine. She knew she was lucky. They’d always done okay. She had a job for a while, just a shop assistant in the local chemist but he’d suggested she do some more study, told her about jobs in pharmacies and she’d been interested. She could go and work in a hospital, he’d told her. Then she’d fallen pregnant and it wasn’t going to happen. She’d had high blood pressure and they’d made her give up working. Then she’d had trouble coping when Jakey arrived and Mam had told her not to worry about it. There was Jobseeker’s Allowance and other benefits, but Mam had seen her right. She just gave her money when she needed it and Molly had never really thought about where it came from. It was there and she took it.

  Looking at the scruffy women sitting on the pavement outside the station she thanked her lucky stars. But it made her wonder. They weren’t rich. Dada hadn’t been a doctor or a teacher or anything. He’d worked at the container base in Bootle when she was small and then he’d stopped and she wasn’t sure what he did really afterwards. There’d always been plenty of money, though, she had never questioned it. Not until now when she was questioning everything.

  She went to the hole in the wall in the station. She put her card in the machine and was shocked when she asked for her balance. Eddie had said he’d put some money in there but there was over five thousand pounds. She’d had a couple of hundred already, but this made her stomach flip. Where had he got that sort of money and how come he could afford to just give it to her? Maybe he didn’t expect her to have it all. Maybe he just wanted her to look after it for him until he got to Liverpool. She glanced at her watch. It was just after eight and he said she had to ring him at ten. She’d find out then just what he wanted her to do with all this money.

  In the meantime, she’d find somewhere to stay. Just for tonight and then she was going home tomorrow. The homeless girls had frightened her, not because they’d been threatening but because they’d been so lifeless, no spark to them, just dull acceptance. She needed to go home. She needed her family.

  The train to Southport was already at the platform and it was warm inside. She was glad of the sit-down. Even though he was still asleep, she lifted little Jakey out of the buggy and hugged him to her with the soft blue blanket tucked around him. The flickery movement of his chest as he breathed and the warm baby smell of him was a comfort. She put her head back on the seat and closed her eyes and when the train left with a little jerk, she let the hum of the motor and the low murmur of the other passengers lull her into a daydream. It would all be okay.

  It had to be.

  Chapter 20

  “So.” DCI Richard Cross leaned back in his chair. A huge mug of tea steamed on the blotter. Next to it a greasy bag gave off the smell of sausages and tomato sauce. Jordan had been in the office since five thirty and still had not had breakfast. His stomach growled. He coughed to cover the sound.

  “This is not what I wanted to be doing this morning, DI Carr,” Cross said. He leaned forward and pulled the bacon roll from the bag.

  Jordan waited, watching him chew and wash down the sandwich with a swallow of tea and then wipe red sauce from his lips with a tiny paper napkin.

  “No, I was planning on a morning in the garden. A round of golf later, and then a couple of drinks with friends. Am I there, enjoying my Sunday?” He waited, Jordan wasn’t sure whether or not he was expected to respond. He decided silence was the best reaction but gave a small nod to show he was listening.

  “No, I’m not. I’m here waiting for you to come up with some sort of progress report with this murder. I don’t appreciate having to come in at the weekend. I had years of weekends and nights. I did my time. I don’t appreciate a call on a Saturday afternoon from the Assistant Chief Constable wanting to know what I have to tell him and having to admit there has been no real action. Am I making myself clear, DI Carr?”

  Now Jordan nodded more vigorously. “We are working on it, sir. The team are all in and going through reports.”

  “Reports of what?”

  “Well. We have been viewing images taken at the site. The local paper were there and we’ve been reviewing those pictures. We’ve been to see the family of the deceased. Actually, sir, that’s been the main thrust of our efforts.”

  “How so?” Cross had finished his bacon roll and now screwed the debris together and dropped it into the waste bin. He loosened the button on his jacket and swivelled in the desk chair to peer out of the window.

  Jordan carried on despite the pantomime. “We’ve been trying to find the girl. We picked her up on CCTV boarding a bus to the city centre yesterday evening. I would like to requisition the footage from the bus company and have a look at the town centre cameras. I’ve had the younger son in for an informal interview. We’ve had SOCO go through the house. They’ve found nothing of any help, but they have taken away Molly’s computer. I would like to requisition Gary’s as well but it’s not in the house, it’s at his flat so we would need a warrant.”

  DCI Cross heaved a sigh as he turned back to look at Jordan. “Carr, stop arsing about, your first priority is to find me a murderer, do whatever you have to, but don’t lose track of the main issue here. I have been given a preview of the lead in the Echo tomorrow – we do not come out of it well, DI Carr. ‘Local police baffled. No justice for Mary.’ Oh yes and one local blog has started talking about ‘witch burning’. We need something before all the loonies come out of the woodwork. It’s not good enough. Get this sorted, man. Oh, and don’t even think about putting in overtime for your lot for last night. You can go.”

  * * *

  Terry and Ros took one look at Jordan’s face when he stomped back into the incident room and threw himself into his chair and both found things to do that entailed keeping their heads down and their eyes on their screens.

  He gave himself time to calm down. Okay, the meeting had been a horrible experience. But much as it pained him to admit it, the DCI did have a point. They had got practically nowhere with the murder and they had now lost Molly.

  “I’m going back to talk to Gary McCardle. Terry, you’re with me. The family home first and then his flat if he’s not there. In the meantime, Ros, go through the cards from the flowers that were left at the site. Look at the one from the bunch of posh roses and see if you can find out who bought it. The address of the flower shop might well be on there. If they paid with a bank card, we need a name and address.”

  “What about Molly, sir?” Rosalind Searle asked.

  “Get on to central, ask to view footage of the bus terminal and let’s see if we can find out where she went. Ros…”

  “Sir?”

  “I’m sorry to put this on you, but can you do that on the QT?”

  “No probs, boss.”

  Chapter 21

  Terry rang the doorbell and he and Jordan stepped back to peer at the windows of the McCardles’ house. The net curtains in the living room were lifted and Gary glared out at them.

  When he eventually opened the door, he didn’t speak but neither did he move aside to let them in.

  “Mr McCardle,” Jordan said, “have you heard from your sister?”

 
; “No.” Although the answer was short and belligerent, there was a flicker of worry in his eyes. “What did you want now? You people have torn the place apart, gone through all my mother’s belongings and taken away Molly’s computer. You’ve no respect. We’re in mourning here.”

  “I am sorry about that. But I want to find out who killed your mother. I want to help to find your sister and this is the only way we can do it. If you know anything, anything at all that might help, please just tell us. Help us to sort this out, Gary.” As he spoke Jordan stepped forward and, with a sigh, Gary McCardle allowed him into the narrow hallway.

  “I’ve nothing to tell you.”

  “Have you tried ringing your sister again?”

  “Of course, I have. I’ve been up all night trying to contact her. Nothing.”

  “Could she be with Jakey’s dad?”

  Gary paused for a minute, glanced out into the street and then closed the door. “I don’t think so.”

  “Have you spoken to him?” Jordan asked.

  “No. Look, we don’t know who he is. She never told us, refused to even tell Mam. She said he was unimportant, and he wasn’t on the scene anymore. In the end, Mam said we had to let it go. She said it was her choice. So, no I haven’t bloody spoken to him. I want you to go now. I want you to get your nose out of our business. Just go.”

  Though he knew they really should leave, Jordan spoke again his voice low and calm. “Mr McCardle, who is there who would want to hurt your family? Can you not think of anything to help us here? Has there been trouble with neighbours, anything in the past with your extended family?”

  “What? Are you asking me if some cousin over in Ireland came and killed Mam over a broken jug years ago? Is that the best you can do?”

  “Of course not. But anything you can tell us, even if it seems unimportant to you, might just give us what we need to move this along.”

  “Well, the answer is still no.”

  “And your brother Eddie. Where is he now?”

  “I’ve told you. He lives in Spain.”

  “But is he not coming over to support you?” Terry asked.

  “I haven’t had a chance to speak to him yet.”

  “Is that unusual?” Jordan had flipped open his notebook. “We’ve got a mobile number for him, is there a landline?”

  “I’ve tried his home, and his bar. He’s not there just now. He’s probably gone on holiday. He does that sometimes. It’s about to move into his busy season so maybe he’s taking a break first. He doesn’t get much chance once it’s summer. Anyway, I’ve sent him texts and I’ve messaged him. He’ll be in touch when he can.”

  “Mr McCardle, two members of your family missing, your mother dead. Don’t you think it’s time to try and help us find out what’s going on?”

  “I’ve told you. I don’t know anything.”

  “Okay. Has your sister gone home? Sandra, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, she’s got kids to look after, they have a business to run. We’re in touch.”

  “Okay. We’ll leave you to it. Are you going back to your own flat?”

  “No. I’m staying here until our Molly and Jakey come back. I don’t want her walking into an empty house.”

  Jordan and Terry headed for the building site. The little display of flowers and cards was sad and grubby-looking after the overnight rain and a woman with a toddler was removing some of the dead blooms and pushing them into a black plastic bag.

  Jordan introduced himself and flashed his warrant card. “That’s a messy job for you. It’s kind of you.”

  “Well, I liked Mary. She was always nice to me. I went to school with their Eddie and we were close for a while. It’s terrible what happened.”

  “Do you mind telling us your name?” Jordan asked.

  “Laura, Laura Clark and this is Jennifer.” She smiled at the little girl.

  “Did you know Molly?”

  “Yeah. Not so much because she’s quite a bit younger but she was always around, in the house and so on. Spoiled brat she was, to be honest. Her daddy’s favourite. I couldn’t understand it. Their Sandra was cleverer and prettier I thought, but there we are. He was so grumpy most of the time – the old man. Very strict. Between you and me, he wasn’t beyond giving them a walloping now and then. Still, mustn’t speak ill of the dead and he doted on his little girl.”

  “Are you still in touch with Eddie?”

  The woman straightened and gathered her things together, hoisting the child onto her hip. “No. Not anymore. He’s not the same and anyway he lives away, doesn’t he? Nice to see him back though, for his Mam.”

  “How do you mean?” Terry asked.

  “Well, him being back to help the family. I suppose there’s a lot to arrange. All hands on deck, times like this, isn’t it?”

  “When did you see him?”

  “Day before yesterday. Only from a distance, like. I didn’t let on. As I say, we’re ancient history and I wouldn’t have anything to say to him. I hope you find out who did this to Mary. She didn’t deserve it. Poor old biddy. After all she put up with through the years.”

  Chapter 22

  It had been a long night. Molly barely had a chance to lie on the double bed. Now, she sat propped against the pillow sipping at a cup of instant coffee as she watched the light grow in the gaps around the flowered curtains. Jakey was beside her, chewing his fist and drooling. She slid from the bed to go and open the drapes. It was cloudy but at least there was no rain.

  This was a nice room, clean, warm, and pretty, and the man who had checked her into the small hotel had been kind. He made sure she had everything she needed for the baby. He made her a sandwich even though the kitchen had been closed for over an hour and then offered her a T-shirt to sleep in. “They’re just advertising things we had made a while ago for our dining room staff to wear. This one is new, still in the bag,” he said.

  Molly accepted it gratefully. She could tell by his face he didn’t believe her story about losing her luggage on the train. He probably thought she was a battered wife, running away, or just a woman leaving for any of the dozens of reasons women left home. He didn’t pry, he was just kind.

  Jakey had cried and cried. He was obviously picking up on her mood and even though he was still only tiny, she believed he knew he wasn’t in his own cot. She didn’t have the little blue teddy that always lay alongside him. Mam had said he was too young to appreciate the cuddly toy but maybe Mam was wrong. She had rocked him, fed him, and walked the floor with him. All the time she had worried someone would complain about the noise.

  At ten o’clock she had called Eddie, but he hadn’t reassured her. He had barely spoken but simply taken the address of the hotel in one of the side streets in Southport and then told her, again, to get a new phone the next day and send him a message so he’d have her number.

  “Don’t worry. Try and enjoy yourself. You always liked Southport; God knows why but have a break, pretend it’s a holiday. I really wanted you to go further away but it might be okay.”

  He had no idea. No idea what it was like to be stuck in a strange room on your own with a fractious baby and nobody to help.

  “What do you want me to do with that money, Ed? I don’t know what to do with all that much.”

  “I don’t want you to do anything with it. Just use it, that’s all. Don’t go short of anything, Molly, not for you or the baby.”

  She washed her hands and face. She’d washed her knickers and dried them on the radiator. They were still a bit damp, but it wouldn’t have to matter. She dressed, put Jakey into his buggy, and jiggled it back and forth until he dozed. Once he was asleep, she pushed him into the clanky old lift and went down to the dining room.

  She was only halfway through the bacon, eggs, beans and toast and gulping down a second cup of coffee when he woke and started to grizzle. She hoisted him onto her knee and tried to lean around to continue eating.

  “Here, let me take him for you.” There was a tall, dark-haired man
standing beside her. He smiled and held out his arms.

  “No, it’s fine. I’m fine, thanks though.”

  The bloke leaned closer. “Honestly, it’s okay. I know babies. I have three nephews. Here. Let me have him. My name is Patrick. It’s nice to meet you. He’ll be good with me.”

  He took hold of Jakey and swung him up out of Molly’s hold. She didn’t want him to take her son but there were other people in the dining room. She didn’t want to cause a fuss. There was an older couple at a table in the window who had shaken their heads and tutted as she had wheeled the pram into the room. Their disapproval made her want to sink into the ground. She dredged up a smile. “Oh well, okay. But please, sit here with him.”

  “Of course.” He hooked a foot around the leg of one of the other chairs and pulled it away from the table. As he sat, he rocked Jakey and the baby had quieted. Maybe her mood was affecting him more than she realised or perhaps he was simply intrigued by this new presence.

  Molly finished her breakfast. She was on edge and uncomfortable with her child in this strange man’s arms and in just a few minutes she pushed the plate away and stood from the table. She held out her arms. “Thanks. That was kind of you. I’ll take him now.”

  The man stood and bent towards the buggy. “I’ll just put him in here. Why don’t you go and get your coat and we’ll take him out for a little walk? It’s not too cold and the fresh air will be good for him.”

  “No, I have to go. I need to pack. I’m leaving today.”

  With one hand on the handle of the pram and the other stuffed into the pocket of his jeans, the stranger shook his head. “No, I don’t think you are, Molly. Tell you what. I’ll meet you outside.” He snatched up the brown leather jacket that had hung on the back of the chair at the adjacent table. He draped it over the hood of the buggy and then swung the thing around in the narrow space. He grasped Molly by the arm and propelled her from the dining room. “Off you go now. Just get your coat and meet me outside. I expect you have a bag with the baby’s things in. Best bring it, and your handbag. Oh yes and before you go, just give me your phone.”