Missing Believed Dead (19 page)

Chapter Thirty-Seven

The fog in Bill’s brain increased as he tried to puzzle out what Emma was up to and what was happening to him. He wanted to ask her but couldn’t get his mouth to work, even his arms and legs no longer seemed to belong to him. She must have slipped something into the tea. But why would she do that?

The effort to think was becoming too great, all he could do was watch her.

He’d first noticed the paralysis creeping over him when she removed the cup from his hand and sat down to study him. She’d had a strange expression on her face that made her look less like Emma. Funny, he hadn’t noticed it when she’d invited him in to the house.

Was it possible this was Jade? She and Emma were identical twins after all.

The syringe wasn’t a surprise, because why else would she have drugged him. It was how she operated. It was her signature.

The injection when it came was merely a pin prick, but when she depressed the plunger he could feel the warmth of the heroin travelling along his veins. Was this what the junkies meant by feeling a rush?

It was pleasurable and soon he floated above himself, lapsing into a drug induced coma where all he wanted to do was sleep.

The sound of a door slamming drifted to him from somewhere far away, but he didn’t even think of rescue, he was in such a pleasurable state. Neither did he notice Jade’s momentary alarm, nor did he see her slipping out the back door.

The sound of feet running up the stairs, so quiet it could have been rain pattering on the leaves of the tree outside, barely impacted on his consciousness.

Sleep came, and gradually the dark enveloped him.

* * * *

A waft of air drifted across the team room. Kate turned, thinking it might be Murphy returning, but groaned under her breath when she saw the imposing figure of Superintendent Logan marching across the room. He was accompanied by a tall, slim, unsmiling blonde woman of indeterminate age.

‘Ah, Detective Inspector Rawlings, Miss Christensen informs me you haven’t yet met.’

‘That’s correct,’ the woman said, holding out her hand for Kate to shake. ‘Astrid Christensen, procurator fiscal. It’s a wonder we haven’t met at the crime scenes.’

Kate detected a note of reproof in the woman’s voice.

Damn! She’d clean forgotten to contact the fiscal’s office about the murders.

It wouldn’t have been so bad if there’d only been one, but now there were two, there was no excuse. She should have remembered it was the fiscal’s job to be present at every crime scene, so she could weigh up the evidence and decide whether a prosecution should go ahead.

Kate realized she’d committed the unforgivable sin of keeping the fiscal out of the loop.

‘I understand you are new to the department.’

Now the woman’s tone was condescending, and Kate watched her exchange a tight-lipped smile with Superintendent Logan.

‘Yes,’ Kate said, trying hard not to sound undermined.

‘If you can update me on the progress of the investigation, that would be helpful.’

‘Of course.’ Kate looked over the room to where Sue was gathering up her belongings in preparation for her task of bringing Diane Carnegie in for questioning. ‘Sue, can you spare a minute,’ she said. ‘The procurator fiscal requires to be updated on our investigation.’

Kate led the way over to the whiteboard. ‘As you can see there are several strands in the investigation, some more obvious than others.

‘Firstly, we have two bodies, both men with no apparent connection to each other, and each one murdered by a drug overdose within the past few days.

‘The first one, John Gregson, a known paedophile from the Manchester area was found on Monday the 12th of March, but had apparently been killed on the Friday before.

‘The second body, that of Paul Carnegie, was found today, which is less than a week since the first murder was committed.

‘On the face of it these seem to be two isolated murders, but the thing tying them together is the jade beads which were pressed into each man’s eyes, and of course, the method of killing, plus the fact we now have reason to believe Paul Carnegie was a paedophile as well.’

The procurator fiscal studied the board intently. ‘What leads do you have?’

‘The whole investigation keeps coming back to the Carnegie family. Paul Carnegie’s ex-wife, Diane Carnegie, her daughter Emma, and son Ryan. There is also the question as to whether their other daughter, Jade, has returned from the dead.’

The fiscal raised her eyebrows but said nothing.

‘Jade was Emma’s twin, and she went missing five years ago when she was thirteen. It was presumed she was dead, but now there is some doubt. Diane, the mother, went through a mental breakdown after Jade’s disappearance, and still has mental health issues. She was also witnessed visiting Paul Carnegie’s flat yesterday evening. We are currently pursuing a plan to bring her in for questioning.’

‘How reliable is this witness?’

‘Not the most reliable. She’s the mother of a missing schoolgirl, Megan Fraser. She was the one who found Paul Carnegie’s body. She believes he abducted Megan and claims to have seen a photograph of her daughter on the murdered man’s computer.’

‘If that is the case, is it not possible she might have killed Paul Carnegie?’

‘That is a possibility, although I can’t see how it ties in with the previous murder.’

‘The missing child. What is happening there?’

‘A search of the area was instigated when she went missing, plus a door to door, plus press coverage. However, this is a child who has a history of running off and staying with friends or acquaintances, and we had no reason to think differently until Mrs Fraser said she saw her daughter on the victim’s computer.’

‘I see, and what are your plans now?’

‘DC Cartwright is currently examining all the photographs on Paul Carnegie’s computer to see if that gives us any leads to her whereabouts. But we do have another avenue I want to explore, and that’s Paul’s mother. He apparently had close contact with her and there is a possibility he might have a bolt hole on her estate. However, I’d need a search warrant to take that forward, and at the moment there’s insufficient evidence for that because we only have Mrs Fraser’s word there are photographs of her daughter in the computer, and as I said before, she’s not the most reliable witness. That’s why we need to find the photographs of the child first.’

Astrid Christensen turned to the superintendent who was perched on the edge of a desk and swinging his leg. ‘I’ve heard enough for the time being, Nigel, but I trust I’ll be kept informed.’

‘Of course.’ He smiled at her before turning towards Kate. ‘Make sure it happens.’

‘Yes, sir.’ Kate gritted her teeth and hoped it didn’t show through her smile.

‘Oh, by the way. I’d think twice before bringing a woman who has mental issues in for questioning. Particularly as the evidence is thin.’ With that parting remark, Astrid Christensen left the room.

‘Well, you heard her,’ Kate said to Sue. ‘We’d better hang fire on bringing Diane Carnegie in for questioning. We’ll do the softly, softly approach tomorrow, and maybe by that time Murphy will have graced us with his presence.’

* * * *

Megan’s head was fuzzy and she wasn’t thinking straight, maybe this was what dying felt like. The dark was as intense as ever and she was stiff and sore.

She dreamed of being in her mother’s arms, with her face pressed into her mum’s bosom, and it had felt all soft and warm. She relaxed, the past few hours had been a nightmare and she was safe, and she vowed never to take her mother for granted again.

Then she woke, back in the dark nightmare.

The sound of the lock, clattering against the wood of the door, aroused Megan out of her stupor.

He was back!

She tried to think of all the things she’d rehearsed to say to him, but her brain was full of cotton wool, and all she could focus on was the fear.

The dark shape in the doorway stood for a moment before approaching her. A hand reached out. Megan tried to shrink back into the corner, but there was nowhere for her to go.

The hand grasped her arm, and a woman’s voice said, ‘Don’t be afraid. I’ve come to help you.’

Megan relaxed. She felt the cold steel of scissors snipping the rope round her wrists, and then her feet.

‘Can you stand?’

Megan struggled, pushing her arms on the wooden box at her side to give her leverage. ‘I think so,’ she said, but the words wouldn’t come through her parched lips and turned into a moan.

‘Good.’

The woman put an arm round her and helped her stagger to the door.

‘Now you must get as far away from here as you can.’ She released her hold.

Megan turned to where she could see a light shining through the trees.

‘No, not that way,’ the woman said, ‘he’ll find you if you go that way.’

She turned Megan to face the other way, where no light showed.

‘Go quickly,’ she said, ‘and if you hear any sounds following you, hide.’

Megan stumbled off into the darkness of the wood. She had to get as far away as possible. She mustn’t let him find her.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Jade paused. She listened for a moment with her hand on the open back door, expecting to hear footsteps approaching the kitchen. When they clattered upstairs she considered returning inside and finishing the job, but it was too risky. With one final backward glance at the comatose body of Bill, she slipped outside, easing the door shut behind her.

She’d taken a chance with Bill, although she hadn’t expected to be disturbed so early. But it had been satisfying to dupe him into thinking she was Emma. It had all been going well until the front door opened. Now, sliding along the rear wall of the house, she couldn’t resist one final look through the kitchen window, to enjoy a fleeting moment of exhilaration because the policeman had succumbed. The drugs had done their work, there would be no coming back from the dark place he had lapsed into. Pity about the jade beads though, she would have liked to include the final touch, her message she’d been there. Still, it couldn’t be helped, and now she’d done her job, her mother would be safe from his vile intentions.

Men, they were all the same, preying on women and girls for their own needs. They needed to be punished.

She stepped onto the grassy area where her mother hung the washing to dry. She was in the open here, and she glanced around to ensure no prying eyes peered out of any of the windows. The ankle length grass was wet from the earlier rainfall and by the time she reached the bushes her feet were soaked. Pushing aside the wet branches to reach the fence, the smell of wet foliage and loamy earth increased. Beyond the bushes was the boundary fence and more back gardens. It wasn’t the easiest of routes but it was safer than being recognized leaving the house.

It was time for her to go into hiding again. It wasn’t yet time to reveal herself.

* * * *

Diane huddled into a seat at the rear of the bus. She had been on the point of ending it all when she’d looked up from the water and saw, over to her right, a children’s playground. It had brought back pleasant memories of an earlier time when she’d taken all three children for a day’s outing to this place which she now realized was Broughty Ferry. Why she hadn’t recognized the place earlier, was beyond her. Maybe it was because she’d been so tied into her misery it obliterated everything else.

Now she knew where she was, she walked to the beach beyond the castle and remembered the happier times. Running on the sand, throwing sticks for the dog, and Jade whooping with delight. Even Emma had seemed to enjoy herself.

It was then she knew she owed it to Jade to be there for her when she was ready to come home. And she wouldn’t let her down.

She walked back to the main street to catch the bus home, not noticing the rain, nor how wet she was.

The bus was empty but she continued down the aisle to a seat at the back. She sat down, scrunching herself into the corner, ignoring the dampness round her legs where the edges of the coat touched, and pushing her hair back, over her collar to prevent drips rolling down her neck. Most people chose the front seats so she hoped she’d be left in peace. It would give her time to reflect on her life and what was happening to her, and why she’d nearly ended it all. Of course it was all tied up with Jade’s reappearance, she knew that. But finding Jade had become such an obsession with her, and now when Jade seemed so near, she couldn’t understand why she was unreachable.

Maybe Jade’s reappearance was only in her mind, a figment of her imagination fuelled by her obsession. Maybe the family were right. Maybe it was time to consult the doctor again.

It seemed no time before the bus arrived in Caird Avenue, pulling up behind another one. Diane got off, almost colliding with Emma who must have been on the bus in front.

‘Mum!’ Emma frowned at her. ‘You’re sopping wet. Where’s the car?’

‘I wasn’t in the mood for working, and I left it for Ryan.’ Diane felt a slight irritation at Emma’s concern. It felt as if her daughter were keeping tabs on her.

‘But you wouldn’t have got as wet as that just coming home in the bus.’

‘No!’ Diane’s irritation increased. ‘I guess not. But I needed time to think.’

‘Where have you been?’

‘Broughty Ferry. I used to take you all there when you were little.’ Diane looked at Emma and sighed. Why did Emma always have this effect on her. After all, Emma was her daughter as well, and she was so like Jade, yet could never take her place. Emma didn’t have that extra spark of life Jade had. But that didn’t excuse her rejection of her daughter. The only daughter she had left, unless of course, Jade really had returned.

‘In this weather?’ Emma frowned, and seemed about to say something else, but instead compressed her lips and shook her head.

‘Let’s go home, Emma.’ Diane forced an unnatural warmth into her voice, and she smiled at her daughter. She had the feeling they’d been on the point of an argument and didn’t feel up to it.

* * * *

As soon as he reached his bedroom, Ryan tore his clothes off and heaved them into the corner. He turned his face away from them unable to bear looking at what had once been his favourite shirt, jacket and trousers. It had taken him a long time, saving every spare pound he had, before he was able to afford to buy them at Harvey Nick’s in Edinburgh. But now, after what had happened he would never wear them again and would get rid of them at the first opportunity.

The memory of what Phil and Gus had done to him, flooded back. He shuddered. The smell of puke, urine and shit, mixed in with disinfectant, would never leave him. It was stamped on his body for all time and he was sure it would be obvious to anyone who looked at him.

He listened for a moment in case his mother was coming upstairs to check on him, but when he heard no sound he bolted for the bathroom, locked himself in and set the shower to hot. Standing under the shower head, he let the water stream over his head and body. Then, grabbing a coarse, exfoliating sponge, he rubbed and scrubbed at every area of his flesh.

Ryan wasn’t sure how long he was under the shower, scrubbing himself, before he heard the front door open and someone come in. But still he didn’t get out from under the hot water. He wasn’t clean yet.

It was the scream reverberating through the house that finally made him screw off the water, jump out of the shower, grab a towel, and hurry downstairs.

* * * *

Emma’s thoughts were in turmoil as she walked up the street with her mother. She wanted to say so much but choked it back. It wouldn’t help, and she feared her mother was on the point of a breakdown.

She didn’t believe for one moment Jade had returned. There were too many unexplained factors. Like where Jade had been for five years. A thirteen year old couldn’t vanish and live another life somewhere else. Someone would have noticed. It would have been different if Jade had been an adult, then it might have been feasible, but not a thirteen year old, it simply wasn’t possible.

Emma glanced at her mother, but Diane’s face gave nothing away, and she seemed intent on reaching the house.

They turned the corner from Caird Avenue into Johnstone Avenue. Home was within sight, and she could see a light on in Ryan’s room. Good, she would talk to Ryan about her concerns. Maybe if they presented a unified front to Diane they would be able to persuade her to go for treatment.

‘I’ll use my key,’ she said, ‘it’ll save you hunting for yours.’ But when she placed her key in the lock the door swung open. That wasn’t like Ryan. He was usually fastidious about locking the front door.

She hesitated on the doorstep. There had been a lot of burglaries in the surrounding area over the past few months. If it was a burglar he might be violent, and her mother was in no state to handle a confrontation, but neither was she. However, someone had to investigate and she was younger and fitter than Diane.

‘You wait here,’ she said to Diane. ‘I want to have a look around first.’

‘Why?’ Diane shrugged her coat off.

‘The door is open, that’s why. We don’t know who might be here.’

‘I don’t know why you’re fussing. It’ll only be Ryan.’

‘Ryan would have locked the door after he came in.’ Emma struggled to hide her exasperation. ‘Wait here and I’ll have a look around. Better safe than sorry.’

The stair light was on, as well as the kitchen light. She stood for a moment considering her options. If she investigated upstairs first that would leave Diane vulnerable if the burglar was downstairs, but the same applied to a downstairs search. Making her mind up she tiptoed up the hall passage towards the kitchen light. She pushed the door with the tips of her fingers, slowly opening it.

The kitchen was empty, except for the body of a man slumped over the kitchen table.

Emma didn’t know what she’d expected, but certainly not this. She stood looking at him and was vaguely aware of Diane padding along the hall to join her. Her mother’s scream jolted her into action, and she walked over to the table to examine the body.

Footsteps thudded down the stairs.

‘What’s up?’ Ryan stood in the kitchen doorway. He was barefoot and had a bath towel tied round his middle.

‘What does it look like,’ Emma snapped.

‘Shit, he’s not dead, is he?’

‘He’s lying here with a dirty big syringe stuck in his arm, and he’s not moving. What do you think?’

‘Who is it?’

‘You tell me, you were in the house with him.’

‘I went straight upstairs when I came in. I thought Mum was in the kitchen.’

Diane walked over to Emma. ‘Who is it?’

Emma tried to block her view. ‘It’s that copper. The one you said was helping you find Jade.’

Diane pushed past her. ‘Oh, no! It can’t be.’

‘What’s he doing here?’ Ryan adjusted the towel round his middle.

‘I don’t know, but we’ve got to do something. Phone the police, I suppose, they’ll have to be informed.’

Diane reached out and removed the syringe from Bill’s arm. ‘We have to help him. He might not be dead.’

‘I’ll call an ambulance, although it’s probably a waste of time.’ Emma walked back to the hall to get the phone. ‘Then I’ll call the police.’