The Bullet That Missed (Thursday Murder Club #3)(69)

The case had blown wide open.

So Bethany Waites hadn’t been in the car at all. She had been buried somewhere else by her killer, as an insurance policy. Buried with evidence linking both Heather Garbutt and Jack Mason to her murder.

It was a neat trick. No one was looking for the body; it was assumed that it had been swept out to sea many years ago. But if Jack or Heather ever felt inclined to help the police with their enquiries, the killer would just have to remind them that their future was in his hands. Or her hands. Keep quiet about my involvement, or face the consequences. But there would be a flaw somewhere. A fatal mistake.

As Elizabeth had walked home, she had felt a plan forming. Her eyes had also been alert for the Viking. It would be rather bad timing to be killed now, just when things were getting interesting.

They would get nothing further out of Jack Mason, Elizabeth was sure of that. Viktor’s work with Jack was done. So there were two options left open.

Take another look at the financial documents, knowing there was a partner involved. They had the name ‘Carron Whitehead’ of course, but nothing else to connect her to the murder. Then there was the name Robert Brown Msc. But were there others? Viktor would be back on the case tomorrow morning. He has yet to make much progress.

The second option, just as difficult, but at least something Elizabeth could help with, was to find the grave that Jack Mason has spoken about. The general consensus is that it could be anywhere. But Elizabeth rarely lives her life by the general consensus.

A question that had been troubling her for a while has risen to the surface again. Why had Jack Mason bought Heather Garbutt’s house? The proceeds had gone straight to the government in lieu of the laundered money, so he hadn’t been buying Heather’s silence. He hadn’t lived in it, hadn’t rented it out, hadn’t renovated it and hadn’t sold it at a profit.

So it seemed that Jack Mason must have bought the house simply to stop anyone else from living there. From living there and, let’s say, re-laying the patio or deciding on a whim to dig a pond or two? Elizabeth wonders if it wouldn’t be fruitful to have a little dig in Heather Garbutt’s garden? Bogdan will have a spade to hand somewhere.

But how do you just dig up someone’s garden without permission? Jack Mason certainly won’t be inviting them onto the property if the body is there.

As Elizabeth lies in bed, Stephen’s hand interlaced with hers, she thinks of someone who might be able to help.

And now she really thinks about it, the same person might be able to help with her other problem too. Stopping the Viking. Stephen wakes and takes her in his arms. He says he is off to see his friend Kuldesh tomorrow, will probably take the car if she isn’t using it? Elizabeth agrees that sounds lovely and strokes his hair until he falls asleep again.





56





‘They must have gossiped on the way back?’ Donna says. Her head is in Bogdan’s lap. He wants to watch the International Biathlon on Eurosport, because someone he went to school with is in it. Biathlon is skiing followed by rifle shooting. She is getting into it.

‘They swore me not to tell,’ says Bogdan. He then gestures at the television. ‘Jerzy is having a nightmare here.’

‘But you can tell me,’ says Donna.

‘No police,’ says Bogdan.

‘I’m not police,’ says Donna. ‘I’m your girlfriend.’

‘You never said you were my girlfriend before,’ says Bogdan.

Donna turns her head to look up at him. ‘Well, get ready to hear it a lot.’

‘So I am your boyfriend?’

‘I honestly don’t know why people think you’re some sort of genius,’ says Donna. ‘Yes, you’re my boyfriend.’

Bogdan gives a smile of delight. ‘We are Donna and Bogdan.’

‘We are,’ says Donna, reaching up to touch his face. ‘Or Bogdan and Donna, I don’t mind.’

‘Donna and Bogdan sounds better,’ says Bogdan.

Donna props herself up and kisses him. ‘Donna and Bogdan it is, then. So, tell me what Ron and Viktor found out.’

‘No,’ says Bogdan. He is then distracted by the television again. ‘This Lithuanian guy is a cheat.’

‘Just tell me something,’ says Donna. ‘Throw me a bone.’

‘OK,’ says Bogdan. ‘Ron didn’t go home tonight. He is staying at Pauline’s.’

‘Oooh,’ says Donna. ‘That’s good. You’re forgiven.’

Bogdan is shaking his head at the screen. ‘If Jerzy doesn’t finish in the top four, he doesn’t qualify for the European Shootout in Malm?.’

‘Poor Jerzy,’ says Donna. ‘Pull your finger out, mate. Where does she live?’

‘Huh?’ Bogdan is distracted.

‘Pauline,’ says Donna sleepily. ‘She live round here?’

Bogdan nods. ‘Off Rotherfield Road, that big block. Juniper Court.’

‘Juniper Court?’

‘Yes. You heard of it?’

Donna certainly has heard of it. Pauline lives in the building Bethany Waites visited on the night of her murder.





57





The office is warm oak, and deep-red carpet. Elizabeth’s eye is drawn to the large painting of a dog wearing a Police Bravery Medal. Also, a framed sign saying CRIME DOESN’T PAY. She has learned over the years that this is nonsense. Look at Viktor’s penthouse for example.