Deadly Secrets (Detective Erika Foster #6)(38)
‘Your wife is your alibi for Christmas Eve, but you sleep in separate bedrooms, and she is often drunk in the evenings,’ said Erika.
‘I didn’t kill Marissa,’ he said, his hands starting to shake.
‘Why weren’t you here for the door-to-door to answer questions on Christmas Day?’
‘We drove over to see Jeanette’s sister on Christmas morning; she lives in Greenwich and she cooked lunch. She can confirm this.’
‘What time did you leave?’
‘Around eight. We wanted to be there for when they opened presents. She’s got kids and grandkids.’
‘Do you have any kids?’
‘No. We tried, but Jeanette couldn’t. She carried two babies to full term, but they didn’t make it… I wish people knew that when they saw her. There’s a reason why she drinks. I suppose you’re going to arrest me?’
‘No. I would like to send an officer round to get all of this in an official statement. I also want you to provide us with a DNA sample. This is of course voluntary, but it will be taken into account if you decline.’
‘Can I think about it?’
Erika and Moss exchanged a glance.
‘You have twenty-four hours. I’d also like to search your house; I will apply for a warrant if needs be.’
‘Search it. I don’t have much dignity left. I’m honest about who I am. I don’t have anything to hide.’
Twenty-Five
‘Jesus, Marissa had guts to tap him for money like that,’ said Moss as they left Don Walpole’s house.
‘The police would have taken her accusation seriously,’ said Erika. ‘I’m also concerned that he doesn’t want to give us a DNA sample.’
‘What are you going to do about it?’
‘We need to look into him a bit more. I don’t see how it would serve anyone to prosecute him for having underage sex with Marissa, now she’s dead, but we could use the threat of it for leverage if he doesn’t agree to give us a DNA sample in connection with our murder enquiry. I also want to check in with Marissa’s mother and see if she knew anything about America.’
Erika put in a quick call to Tania, the family liaison officer. ‘Mandy is still over at the neighbour’s house,’ she said when she came off the phone.
They crossed the road diagonally, and went to Joan’s front door. She answered the door wearing another brushed velvet tracksuit, this time in royal blue. She looked tired and harassed.
‘We’ve come to check in with Mandy,’ said Erika.
Joan made them remove their shoes, then took them through to the living room. Mandy sat in one of the high-backed armchairs, next to Tania, on the sofa. Tania muted the volume on the television, which was showing This Morning. There were cups on the vast polished coffee table, and a half-eaten packet of Mr Kipling’s French Fancies. Mandy looked up at them from craggy eyes with dark circles underneath.
‘Any news?’ she asked hopefully.
‘We’re still working on things,’ said Erika. ‘Can we sit down with you?’
‘Yes,’ she said.
‘Mandy wanted me to ask when she can arrange the funeral?’ asked Tania.
‘I can give you more news about that in the next day or so,’ said Erika, taking the seat by the window. Moss perched on the sofa beside Tania. ‘There are still things we need to do for Marissa.’
‘What things?’
‘We need to make sure we have all the information regarding cause of death – forensics. Your daughter’s remains are being cared for.’
There was a long silence. Joan hovered in the doorway, anxiously.
‘Are you finished with those teacups?’ she said.
‘Yes, thank you,’ said Tania.
Joan started to stack the crockery onto the tray, and noticed a mark on the table. ‘What’s this?’ she said accusingly. They all peered at a tiny drop of tea which had landed on the polished table. She scrubbed at it with her finger and then pulled out a tissue, tutting, ‘It’s a tea stain! This table has only just had a French polish!’
Mandy looked up at Joan.
‘It wasn’t me. I used a coaster!’
‘Sorry, it must have been me,’ said Tania. Joan took the tray and stomped off to the kitchen. Moments later, there was a crashing, as it was loaded up in the dishwasher.
‘I think she’s getting sick of me being here,’ said Mandy in a low voice. ‘But I can’t face going back to the house. I keep seeing her lying out the front on her back. Her eyes wide open.’
‘Tania. Would you go and help Joan out in the kitchen?’ asked Erika, giving her a nod.
‘Of course,’ she said, giving Erika an amused look. She left, closing the door.
Mandy seemed to relax now that the angry sound of Joan crashing about in the kitchen was gone. ‘She’s a nice girl, that Tania,’ said Mandy. She took her phone from the pocket of her hoodie. ‘I keep looking at the pictures I have of Marissa. I’m worried I’ll forget what she looks like.’ She scrolled through and found a picture of Marissa, dressed up in full burlesque gear but standing in the dull confines of the kitchen, in front of the pedal bin and a cupboard door where the carpet sweeper was propped up.