A Deadly Imperfection: Calladine & Bayliss 3 (12 page)

‘God I’ve had enough of today,’ Calladine said leaning forward in his chair and rubbing the back of his neck.  ‘Imogen got nowhere with Jayden North.  He still won’t tell us what he knows, stupid lad,’ he told Ruth wearily.  ‘I’m supposed to be going round to see Amy, Amaris,’ he explained to Ruth.  ‘But I can’t face that either.  I’m pooped – all I want is a warm fire, some food and a large scotch.’

‘Then you’ll fall asleep no doubt,’ she shook her head.  ‘Dare I ask about Lydia?’

‘Please don’t, that was a disaster – we ended up rowing and I walked away.  I’ve let it slip about my mother too, and in front of Zoe and Jo as well.’

‘It had to come out sooner or later, Tom.’

‘But not like that.  I’m a bloody fool and no mistake.  I reacted to Lydia’s goading.  She was going on and on about Fallon, and me having influence because he’s my cousin.  So out it came,’ he grimaced.  ‘Not what I intended, but like you say, it’s out there now.’

‘Go home, get some rest, then tomorrow we can look at all this afresh,’ she said waving her arm at the board in the adjoining office. 

‘I promised to have a drink with the Doc,’ he checked his watch.  ‘He’ll be waiting for me in the ‘Weavers’ – don’t fancy coming to, do you?’

It would do no harm – Jake had parent’s evening at school so the house would be empty.  ‘Half an hour then, but when I order orange juice I don’t want to hear any smart remarks from you.  Remember, this is a still a secret,’ she reminded him rubbing a hand over her belly.

The ‘Weaver’s Arms’ was busy for a Thursday.  There were dozens of people milling around the bar and every table was full.

‘Quiz night,’ Ruth remarked.  ‘Popular too, wonder what they offer by way of prizes?’

‘Not much, it’s all about the kudos for your team,’ Sebastian Hoyle said as he walked the length of the bar to join them.  ‘Good to see you Ruth, you’re looking well,’ he noted, waving at the barman. 

‘Thanks Doc, a girl has to try,’ she smiled back.

‘Still seeing that chap of yours, teacher isn’t he?’

Ruth nodded and gave Calladine a warning glance.  She really wasn’t ready for the world to know her news just yet.  ‘Have you told your friend you won’t be coming,’ she asked him?

No he hadn’t.  Calladine swore under his breath and took himself outside where it was quieter to give Amy a ring.

‘New friend?’ the Doc asked with a smirk?  ‘Is that the one he’s dumping the lovely Lydia for?’

Ruth nodded.

The Doc ordered two pints of bitter for him and the Inspector then looked at Ruth.

‘Orange juice, please.  I’ve got to go out later and I’ll be driving,’ she excused.

‘There’s a table over there just come free, the one under the window,’ she pointed.

Ruth dashed over and grabbed seats for the three of them.  With a bit of luck the Doc would let the orange juice thing go.

‘Sorted,’ Calladine said as he returned.  ‘I’ve rearranged for tomorrow – with any luck I’ll have got my head straight by then.’

He was feeling better.  Amy had seemed fine about it, and the relaxed atmosphere of the pub was calming him down.  A couple of pints, a chat with the Doc, and he could home and chill properly.

‘Case, Tom?’  The Doc asked sipping on his pint.

‘It’s becoming a nightmare.  We can’t get any further forward.  So far we’ve had two murders, both very different, but both by the same killer.  We have a theory that’s it’s about revenge, but that isn’t getting us anywhere either.’

‘The bucket list of victims we were talking about,’ the Doc added.

‘You’ve both discussed this,’ Ruth asked?

‘A little,’ the Doc confirmed.  ‘It strikes me that Tom could be right.  Someone out there has a list, and is out for revenge.  So the method of killing is significant.’

‘Albert North’s nephew has information but he won’t talk.’

‘Information about what, Tom,’ the Doc asked.

‘As you know Albert was burned, apparently he was involved in something similar years ago but he got off – no proper evidence.  A kid was left for dead and set alight but we don’t know when and the case notes are in the archive.  You know what that means,’ he said pulling a face?

‘I hate the burnt ones,’ the Doc shuddered.  ‘I know I’m a pathologist but they’re the only ones that make me queasy.  You know, when his body came in and I started the PM, I recalled everyone I’ve ever done,’ the Doc said thoughtfully.  ‘I can’t recall the detail, but my first was a youth, years ago, and he was in a dreadful mess.  Someone had done a right job on him.  If I remember it right we couldn’t get much in the way of forensics.  The Senior Investigating Office at the time had a right go – I remember that alright,’ he said with a sniff.  ‘There was a court case but whoever they had in the frame walked.  It was a long time ago, and there haven’t been that many since - could that have been Albert North?’

‘Worth a look at – can you remember the year or even better, the name?’

‘No, but I know I worked on the case,’ the Doc agreed.  ‘It was way back when I was just starting out.  I’d done five years in general practice and was bored to tears.  That was one of the first cases I was part of.  I do recall being scared to death.’

‘What about your records, are they any easier to put your hands on than ours?’

‘Sorry Tom, but no.  Like yours they’re archived away and on paper.’

Ruth nudged Tom with her foot under the table.  ‘Look who’s just come in,’ she told them both.

It was Imogen and Julian Batho.  They hadn’t seen them sitting there and made for the bar, the forensic scientist had his arm around the blonde DC’s waist.

‘That pair look very friendly,’ the Doc noted with a smirk.   ‘Anything I should know?’

Calladine watched the young couple for a few seconds.  They were obviously enjoying each others company then as Julian bent to kiss Imogen’s cheek he noticed the three of them staring.

‘We’re busted,’ he whispered to Imogen holding his hands in the air then walking towards them.

‘You lot never come in here,’ he announced to the group with a decidedly miffed edge to his voice.  ‘Too close to work you always said, Ruth.’

‘It was a last minute thing for me,’ she smiled.  ‘It’s these two who fancied a session and the closer the better so this one can walk home.’

‘So, you two,’ Calladine smiled.  ‘Anything we should know?’

‘None of yours, Inspector,’ Julian replied, putting his arm back around Imogen’s waist.

The Detective Constable looked a little embarrassed.  Imogen didn’t like being the subject of gossip.  She’d wanted to see how things panned out between them before she told the team anything. 

‘It’s early days,’ she told them.  ‘We all know what you lot are like so you can’t blame me for keeping Julian to myself for a bit.’

‘Oh we don’t,’ Ruth nodded.  ‘I’ll lay odds we’re all keeping a little something back,’ she agreed. 

‘I’m not,’ Calladine piped up.

‘Only because you’re such a blabbermouth and you can’t keep anything quiet,’ Ruth giggled.  ‘Look at today for example,’ she gave him one of her knowing looks.

‘Okay, point taken,’ he agreed.

‘You should know Guv, DI Greco from Oldston been trying to find you,’ Imogen told Calladine.  ‘He said it was in the nature of keeping you informed and that he’s got something on the missing girls.’

Calladine reached in his pocket for his phone.  Greco wouldn’t contact his office unless it was important.  He tapped in his number and waited.  Julian went back to the bar to get a round of drinks in and Imogen pulled up another chair and sat down.

‘So what’re you keeping back, Ruth,’ Imogen asked with a grin.  ‘What little secret have you got lurking in the shadows of your life?’

Ruth laughed,
why had she said that
?  Now she had to try and make light of the remark.  The last thing she wanted to discuss right now was her pregnancy, so she shook her head.  ‘Nothing, wish I had, it’d make life all the more interesting.  What about you, Doc?’

‘Open book me.  I work, I don’t play much – these days I don’t have the energy.’

Calladine was stood apart from the group and listening intently to what Stephen Greco was telling him.  His face was pulled into a grim frown – he definitely wasn’t happy about something, Ruth realised.

‘They’ve had a tip off,’ he told them once the conversation finished.  ‘An anonymous call about a mobile phone left at the Supermarket off the by-pass.  They reckon it’s got photos of the missing girls on it.’

‘Found in Leesdon – shouldn’t it be ours in that case,’ Ruth asked?

‘Apparently not - Greco was only letting me know because he was observing protocol.  Bloody good, isn’t it?’

The news had flattened his mood.  He picked up the beer Julian had bought for him and downed it fast.

‘I’m getting off, sorry Doc,’ he apologised.  ‘That bit of news has really pissed me off.  I’d be very poor company if I stayed.’

He’d had enough - the day wasn’t getting any better.  He’d be better off alone, sitting in front of his fire at home.  But he wasn’t going to get the chance.

‘So this is where you’re hiding,’ a husky voice trilled in his ear.

The voice surprised him; almost making him jump it was so unexpected.

‘Amy, I …I’m sorry,’ he was floundering.  Not half an hour ago he’d told her he was tired and off home.  Now she’d found him in here boozing with his mates.  He felt like a naughty school kid again.  Whatever excuse he made it would appear lame and inadequate.  ‘I was going home honest, but they dragged me here instead.’  Yep, a feeble excuse, and he could tell Amy wasn’t convinced by the look she gave him.  But then again she didn’t look annoyed either – more slightly amused really.

‘These are some of my colleagues,’ he said hurriedly, hoping introductions would mask his embarrassment.  ‘Ruth, you’ve met, and this is Imogen and Julian.  The sad character with his face in his beer pot is the Doc,’ he smiled.

‘I’ve not seen you in a while, Jules.  Your mum alright is she?’  Amy said first nodding to the others then addressing Julian directly.

Julian Batho gave her a broad smile and nodded.  So they knew each other and Calladine was surprised again.  They were a most unlikely pair – Amy the seer and Julian the logical scientist – how did that work he wondered.

‘Jules is my nephew,’ Amy explained.  ‘His mum is my sister, Avril.’

‘
Jules
,’ Calladine parodied.  ‘Well, you should have said,’ Calladine teased.  ‘Now I know how you knew all that stuff about the cards.  Why not just come clean, you could have told us.  We wouldn’t have ribbed you about it.’

Amy laughed unbuttoning her coat and sitting down.  ‘No you wouldn’t or you’d have had me to answer to.  But it’s not important.  So, come on, what are you doing here when you are supposed to be seeing me?’  She asked tugging at his arm and pulling up another chair.  ‘I’ll have a gin and tonic please, Jules,’ she told her nephew.

‘I was just off when you caught me,’ he admitted.  ‘It’s been one of those days and now I’ve just had some news that’s crowned it good and proper.’

‘It is their case, Guv,’ Ruth reminded him.  ‘Oldston have the resources, the manpower – don’t you think we’ve got our hands full as it is?’

Calladine knew Ruth was right but it really galled him.  Isla Prideau was taken from his patch so it should be down to him to find her.

‘I’m terrible company right now, Amy,’ he apologised.  ‘I won’t stay long but you can, if you want to catch up with Julian.’

But Julian Batho was on his mobile by the door deep in conversation with someone.

‘I came here to find you,’ Amy nudged him.  ‘But if you really want to go then I could come with you,’ she decided.  ‘We can go to yours or mine, I don’t mind.’

‘I wouldn’t be much fun, Amy.  I’m done in.’

‘Is that really how it is, or have you had enough of me before we even get going,’ she practically whispered in his ear.

‘I’m not spinning you a yarn.  I need to sleep,’ he yawned.  ‘I didn’t get home last night, remember.’ 

‘Okay, I understand.  We’ll get together over the weekend – I’ll cook,’ she whispered again.  ‘But if you cry wolf again, Tom Calladine, I’ll have to get heavy,’ she winked.  ‘You are not getting away from me that easily.’

‘Will you be okay if I go?’

‘Of course, I’m not a baby, anyway I want to get to know Julian’s new girl a little better.  She’s one of yours, isn’t she?’

‘Yep, and Imogen’s a bloody good cop so don’t go putting the wind up her with all that other stuff.’

‘Get out of here,’ she grinned.  ‘I can see you’re going to be something of a project, but I’ll make a believer out of you yet.’

A quick peck to Amy’s cheek, a wave to Doc and the others and he was gone.  Calladine had to admit he was relieved to get away so cleanly.  Like Amy as he did, he was in no mood to spend the night with her.  Perhaps he was getting old after all.  He signed - it was dark and cold, a night to spend in front of a warm fire.  It took him only minutes to walk to his cottage and as he went in the front door he heard his phone ringing.