Time To Die Read online

  Claire took a sip of her sugarless brew. The ‘World’s Okayest Boss’ mug was a secret Santa present she had received at Christmas, and it never failed to put a smile on her face. She turned to Jennifer, her fingers teasing her mop of hair. A tangle of curls, it suited her quirky personality. ‘I need to discuss your tarot card man. I’ve been hoping to speak to Ethan but he’s been called away to another meeting.’

  Jennifer felt the coffee travel to the pit of her stomach, and relaxed into the worn leather swivel chair. ‘The DI told me to close the case. But I felt it tied in with Christian Bowe’s cousin, so I’m running it as a joint investigation unless I’m told otherwise.’

  Claire nodded. ‘Good. Have you got found him yet?’

  ‘I’ve contacted The Rivers, but they’re running on skeleton staff due to some flu bug, and it’s taking some time to get the information.’

  ‘Then I need you to chase them up. I take it you haven’t seen the news.’

  Jennifer’s grip tightened on the armrests of the chair. ‘No, why?’

  ‘The next time you speak to Christian Bowes you might want to handle him sensitively …’ Claire said, pausing as Jennifer hastily interrupted her.

  ‘I’m not treating him any differently just because he’s a celebrity.’

  The phone emitted a shrill ring. Silencing the call, Claire turned back around. ‘It’s nothing to do with that. It’s his fiancée. She crashed her car yesterday. She’s dead.’

  ‘Oh,’ Jennifer said, suddenly at a loss for words. Her forehead creased in a frown as she tried to comprehend the news. ‘Was it an accident?’

  ‘Forensics are examining the car. But get this. Her friends stated she was read her fortune by an old man when they stopped off for a drink.’

  ‘And you think it’s the same man that prophesied Alan Price’s death?’

  ‘It’s too much of a coincidence not to be. Lexton CID have got a hold of the case and are refusing to relinquish it to us as it’s on their patch …’

  ‘But … No, they can’t …’ Jennifer said, the words tumbling out of her mouth.

  Claire ignored her protest and carried on. ‘We’ve come to a compromise and it’s been agreed you can work together on the case. Obviously if there is any paranormal element you keep that information within our team. It’s very early days, but if Christian Bowe’s cousin is responsible then you need to liaise with them so they can effect an arrest early doors.’

  Jennifer felt like she was twelve years old again, back at school being cheated out of an award by Sydney Jenkins, the headmaster’s son. ‘But it’s my case. I don’t want to hand it over.’

  ‘You have no choice. If this turns out to be a murder, we won’t have the manpower to investigate it by ourselves. Does it matter who does the nicking as long as the case is solved?’

  It did to Jennifer. It mattered a lot. Dark thoughts clambered over each other, bumping shoulders as she figured out her next move. The Raven. The words clicked in her mind, slotting in like a piece of the puzzle with so many more pieces to find. The clipping with the black feather and the dead raven at her door: Christian’s cousin was goading her into action. The afterglow of her coffee dissipated into thin air, and Jennifer licked her lips, keeping a lid on the simmering frustration within. She felt let down by her sergeant, who should have fought harder to keep the case.

  ‘You’re right,’ Jennifer lied. She would attend briefing and do as she was told. But if the Raven wanted her, then he would get her – and nothing would stand in her way.

  * * *

  [#]

  Given the mood she was in, Jennifer preferred to spend her shift with Will than some idiot from Lexton MIT. Her opinions of Lexton’s Murder Investigation Team were forged from rumours and entirely justified in her mind. She abhorred bullying, and up until recently, the sharks in the MIT had made a meal out of anyone who deviated from the norm. Her sergeant was a prime example, and the memory of their treatment was most likely the reason for her backing down on the case. Claire had reported the team for bullying when she worked there as a DC, and being offered the role of sergeant over Operation Moonlight must have seemed like a good way of shutting her up. Her words rang in Jennifer’s ears as she entered the office. We have to integrate well with the other teams if we’ve any hope of surviving. Don’t rock the boat. The words sent a shiver down Jennifer’s spine. Their team was new, she had never considered they could be disbanded. But like every team, they had to produce results to justify their existence.

  Heads popped up from computers like meerkats in the gloomy office, and Jennifer scanned the room to see an overweight thirty-something man click his fingers in her direction. The office was half the size of theirs but appeared to have double the amount of officers. Overstuffed bins, dirty cups, and the stale aroma of body odour hung in the room. She was not going to outstay her welcome.

  ‘DC Knight, I take it? Over here,’ he said in a nasally voice.

  What does he think I am? A dog? Jennifer steadied her breathing as she strode to the corner of the room.

  ‘I’m DC Hardwick. I take it you’re here to cast your eyes over my case,’ the man said.

  How precious, Jennifer thought, looking down her nose at the officer, now picking the remnants of his bacon baguette from between his teeth.

  ‘I’m here to liaise with you over the Felicity Baron case, and I’ve been told you’re happy to cooperate.’

  He pulled over a swivel chair, his fingers leaving grease marks in their wake. ‘Why don’t you sit down? I’m always happy to help your little team,’ he said, spitting specks of bread. ‘So how is your sergeant, still as wibble as ever?’

  A sharp intake of breath was heard as fingers froze on keyboards. Jennifer gave the officer a cramped smile. ‘She sends her love, wanted to know if you’re still as obnoxious as ever.’

  Despite Claire’s warning, Jennifer had only been in the office for five minutes and already insulted the one person willing to work with her. But she couldn’t let him get away with calling her sergeant mad. A chorus of laughter ensued.

  ‘You deserved that, Hardwick,’ a middle-aged man said, his sleeves rolled up to the elbow. His loosened grey tie swung around his neck like a noose. ‘This officer has come here to help. It’ll be good to have another pair of eyes on the case.’ He turned to Jennifer with an apologetic smile. ‘If this reprobate gives you any more trouble you just let me know. I’m Sergeant Duncan, by the way.’

  A firm handshake passed between them. Jennifer noted the camaraderie between the pair and decided to behave herself from thereon.

  [#]

  Armed with a copy of the case file, she returned to Haven to continue her investigations. Zoe’s clipped tones echoed through the room as she took a call from a very disgruntled father. Jennifer threw Zoe a sympathetic glance as she tried to deflect the complaint coming her way.

  ‘Mr Lynch, if you would let me speak … yes I know your daughter’s upset … but it’s very difficult for us to charge her partner if she refuses to provide us with a statement … if you would stop swearing at me and listen …’ A bright pink rash spread from Zoe’s pale chest up to her neck, reminding Jennifer of a kettle about to boil over.

  ‘Oh dear,’ Jennifer whispered as she sat beside Will, ‘has she been like that for long?’

  Will shook his head. ‘About five minutes. How was the lion’s den?’

  ‘Full of testosterone. I was the only woman in briefing. Normally I wouldn’t notice, but it was like they were just humouring me, when they eventually let me speak.’

  Will shook his head. ‘Yeah. I heard they were a bunch of dicks.’

  ‘Dicks or not, they’re flavour of the month with the command team,’ Jennifer said. ‘The tarot card reader that spoke to James Price matches the description of the one that forecast Felicity Baron’s death. I’ve given them the clipping and the feather that was sent to me, but they’re determined that Christian’s ex-wife is the suspect.’

  ‘Fill me in, I�
��d like to know a bit more in case I get roped in to help.’

  ‘We believe he uses the name Raven. He’s a person of interest, but their focus is on Christian’s ex-wife. She was unhappy about the divorce settlement apparently.’

  ‘A woman scorned,’ Will said.

  ‘Yeah, I know. As soon as the divorce came through, the younger model was announcing the wedding.’

  ‘That’s a kick in the gut. So what makes you think this Raven bloke has anything to do with it?’

  ‘Felicity’s friends said she lost her keys. They were in her bag in the pub, and after her reading, they were found near the car. They announced in briefing that tests show the car’s been tampered with. Somebody opened the boot, took out the wheel nut thingy, and loosened the tyres. Not enough to notice straight away. Ex-wife has no alibi, and tarot guy has no motivation. But it’s worth having a chat with him, don’t you think?’

  ‘Lug wrench,’ Will said, taking a green file from his in-tray and opening it.

  ‘What?’

  ‘The thing for loosening wheel nuts, it’s called a lug wrench. An obvious question but have they checked for fingerprints?’

  Jennifer stifled a yawn with the back of her hand. ‘Yeah, they’ve been wiped clean. No forensics.’

  Will shook his head as he flicked through the paperwork before him. ‘Y’know, I don’t get this filing system. Don’t you think it would be better if green meant important, yellow meant non-priority, and brown meant …’

  ‘I can guess what brown means, and I can’t see the DI going for it,’ Jennifer said.

  ‘All the same, I think it might be worthy of another entry into the suggestion box,’ Will grinned. ‘Is there any previous police history on Raven?’

  Jennifer shrugged. ‘I can’t tell you that because we don’t know who he is. Raven could be his name or just a calling card. But if I’m proved right and Raven is Bertram Bishop, there’s nothing on the system apart from a life in and out of mental institutions.’

  Will frowned as he speed-read the contents of his file, closed it, then swapped it for a different one. ‘At least you’ve got a quality job to get your teeth into. What’s your next plan of action?’

  ‘I’ve spoken to The Rivers mental health unit where Bert’s been an in-patient. They’ve reported him as missing because he’s no longer at the hostel. I’m not sure he ever stayed there. There’s a psychic fair on in the town hall tomorrow. I’m driving over there for a look.’

  Will groaned. He had two bail backs and a statement to take that day. ‘I don’t like you going single-crewed, what if you bump into this guy?’

  ‘That’s the whole point, isn’t it?’ Jennifer laughed. ‘Don’t look so worried. What’s he going to do, batter me with his crystal ball?’

  Will squeezed her hand, his brown eyes searching hers. ‘Don’t underestimate him. This sort of work is different than normal police work, nothing is what it seems.’

  The warmth in his eyes followed by the sudden contact took Jennifer by surprise, and her face flushed in response.

  ‘Fancy coming around to mine some night for a meal?’ Will said. ‘It gets a bit boring, going home to an empty flat every night.’

  ‘I’m not sure if I’m brave enough. For the meal that is, I’ve seen your kitchen,’ Jennifer said. As soon as the words were out she wanted to kick herself.

  Will harrumphed. ‘I’ve redecorated the flat, but if it’s not good enough for you …’

  ‘I’m joking. Why don’t I bring over a takeaway, save you having to cook. You can show me around.’

  Will opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted by Ethan, as he walked into the office.

  ‘That’s what I like to see, a happy workforce,’ Ethan said.

  Jennifer admired his new Hugo Boss suit, which was complemented by his steel grey tie. He oozed professionalism, from his polished leather shoes, to the clean lines of his haircut.

  ‘You’re looking very smart, boss, going somewhere?’

  Ethan beamed a smile. ‘I have a meeting with the command team, to justify our existence. A government representative is attending, and we intend on putting them in their place.’

  ‘I’d like to be a fly on the wall for that,’ Jennifer said.

  ‘It should be interesting,’ Ethan said, a hint of a smile tugging his lips. ‘I hear you’ve been doing some good work with MIT on the Raven case.’

  Jennifer made a face, which suggested that wasn’t strictly true. ‘It’s going OK, I’ve come away with some taskings from briefing.’

  Ethan’s phone buzzed in his pocket and he glanced at the screen. ‘Sorry, I have to take this. I’ll catch up with you soon.’ He turned on his heel and left.

  Will locked the screen on his computer and rose to leave.

  ‘Where are you going?’ she asked, looking at her watch.

  ‘The toilet. Now why don’t you put the kettle on while I shake hands with the old chap?’

  Jennifer grimaced. ‘Too much information, Will, too much information.’

  ‘Is that the kettle going on?’ Zoe said. ‘You couldn’t make me a herbal tea, could you? I haven’t stopped this morning … talk about hitting the ground running.’ Easing her feet out of her kitten heels, she walked barefoot to Jennifer’s desk.

  Jennifer found the box of teabags and plonked them beside the kettle. ‘Sure, although I think you’ll get more mileage out of coffee than nettle and mint.’

  ‘You’d be surprised what herbs can do,’ Zoe winked, tugging open the top button of her shirt. ‘The DI is looking very smart today, does he always dress like he’s going to the Academy Awards?’

  Jennifer spooned out the coffee, warming to Zoe’s sense of humour. ‘He’s got a meeting with the command team, very secret squirrel.’

  ‘Well he’s outside, deep in conversation with Will, maybe he’s letting him in on the secret.’

  ‘Maybe,’ Jennifer said. She was going to say that Will was in the toilet, but stopped herself, not wanting to look a fool in front of the new starter. She squeezed out the teabag and walked over to the bin near the door, opening it enough so she could peep through the glass double doors in the hall, which led to the rear yard. She poked her head out to see Ethan and Will crossing the yard out of sight. There was something about it that made her uneasy. The last thing she wanted was to fall into the throes of paranoia, but Will was hiding something from her, and she couldn’t bring herself to ask what it was. She handed the cup over to Zoe, who had taken off her ill-fitting jacket and rested it on a chair.

  ‘Zoe,’ Jennifer said, sidling up to her. ‘Do you remember when we were introduced, you said that you could see I’d been possessed before? What did you mean by that?’

  Zoe clicked her mouse, suddenly becoming very interested in her emails. ‘Really? I don’t remember.’

  ‘Well it’s kinda bothered me. I had some encounters before Christmas with an entity, but it didn’t go that far. The thing is, I can’t remember very much about what happened. Can you take a look, see if you pick up anything?’

  Zoe’s eyes flickered to Jennifer before returning her gaze to the computer screen. ‘Sorry, babe, I can’t. I’m not allowed to use my skills on colleagues, only suspects.’

  ‘Really? Oh sorry, I must have misunderstood,’ Jennifer said, not believing a word.

  Chapter Eight

  Will straightened his jacket as he walked out into the sunshine, relieved to see Ethan still talking on his phone. He caught a glimpse of him and ended the call.

  ‘Sorry … er, guv, but have you got a minute?’ Will said, squinting against the sudden glare of the sun.

  Ethan cracked a smile. ‘You don’t want to call me guv any more than I want to hear it. I’ve told you before. First name terms are fine. Now what can I do for you?’

  ‘It’s about Jennifer. I didn’t want to say anything in the office in case she might hear.’

  Ethan nodded. ‘Sure. Walk with me.’

  They crossed the rear yard as Will m
easured his words. ‘I’m a bit worried about this investigation Jennifer’s following. There’s a suspicion this guy could be dangerous, and after what happened the last time …’

  Ethan clamped a hand on Will’s shoulder; making him wish he had more of the tall gene. ‘I understand your concerns but, as I said before, Jennifer’s a capable woman, we can’t mollycoddle her.’

  Will balled his hands in his pockets. ‘I know that, but aren’t you worried it’s a bit soon?’

  ‘Frankly no, and you should give her more credit. I’ve been working with people like Jennifer for years. She’s a strong woman and I want to explore every inch of her potential.’

  I bet you do, you cheesy bastard, Will thought, as he politely bade his inspector goodbye. Will had played down the importance of the letter to Jennifer, not wanting to worry her. The raven feather was enough for him to link the sender to the recent deaths of Alan Price and Felicity Baron. The fact it was addressed directly to Jennifer brought his protectiveness galloping in. He decided to make his own enquiries. It was not difficult to view the CCTV and see young Charlie Sutton, Haven’s most petty criminal, dropping in the envelope to front counter. Will knew exactly where he lived. The once splendorous Victorian homes in Florence Road had now been sold off to the housing authorities for the welfare families too large to accommodate elsewhere. Now decorated with outdoor sofas and rubbish bins, the overgrown gardens did little to showcase the dilapidated houses, neglected by the listless tenants within.

  From an early age, Charlie Sutton’s parents were hoisting him into buildings and through cat flaps to assist with their burglaries. But his career as a cat burglar was short-lived as he hit his teens and grew into a sturdy block of a boy. Luckily for Charlie, there were several younger brothers willing to step into the role. Will rapped on the frosted glass door of the two-storey home, and the family’s Stafford Bull Terriers clawed against the inside of the glass, smudging it with an array of brown paw prints.