The Fourth Friend (DI Jackman & DS Evans #3)(15)

For thirty minutes they searched the boat, but they found nothing.

Carter rubbed a sweaty forearm across his brow. ‘Damn! I was so sure it was here.’

‘I thought so too,’ said Marie. ‘I hate to say this, but it’s getting dark.’

Carter nodded. ‘Back to the bloody drawing board.’

He stared back up at the old vessel.

Marie had a feeling he would come back after he’d dropped her off, and dark or not, he’d tear the Eva May apart if he had to.

Carter picked up a stone and flung it far out into the river. They watched the rings spread out from where it had struck the water.

‘Let’s sleep on it,’ said Marie softly. ‘I think we are on the right track, don’t you?’

‘I guess.’

*

Carter took a deep breath and set off after Marie. She was leaning on the side of his car. Suddenly he stopped and sniffed the air. Oh no! Not here. Not with Marie just a few steps away.

‘Not now,’ he hissed. ‘Go away!’

‘Carter?’ Marie was moving towards him. ‘What’s wrong?’

‘No, no,’ he mumbled, looking around him.

‘Carter, you’re scaring me.’ She, too, looked around. Then she stopped. He saw her look up and wrinkle her nose.

My God! She could smell it too!

Carter froze. Did that mean she would see them as well?

‘Get into the car, Carter. I’ll drive. Just get in, close the windows and take some deep breaths.’ Marie held out her hand for the keys.

You won’t keep them out by shutting the windows, he thought, almost giggling at the notion.

‘The car, Carter! Bloody get in!’

He did as he was told and they set off, hurtling down the lane and over the fields. Suddenly she braked and pulled over.

‘Look.’

She pointed. Across a vast field he saw a bright orange glow spreading across the old corn stooks.

‘The farmer is burning off his field, getting rid of the old stubble. It’s supposed to be illegal, but they still do it. That’s all it is. Just a farmer at work. Okay?’

Carter closed his eyes and sank down in the seat. How could he be so stupid?

‘It’s okay, honestly. You’re safe. The smoke was a trigger, that’s all. It caused a flashback, a panic attack.’ She smiled at him gently.

‘Yes, I suppose it did.’ He bit his lip. Let her believe that. It was certainly better than the truth. He remembered her reaction when he first mentioned seeing the guys. How could Marie be expected to understand, when he certainly did not?

‘I’ll get you back home and we’ll have a cup of strong coffee, yeah?’

He put on a weak smile and nodded.

This couldn’t go on. He had to find that damn money, sort out whatever Jack and Tom needed, and kiss them goodbye. Otherwise he would go mad.





CHAPTER FIVE

The following morning, Marie arrived at the station early. The CID office was empty, which allowed for a private call to Laura Archer. The psychologist wouldn’t be at work yet, but she could leave a short message on her answerphone asking for an appointment.

She didn’t feel that she was being disloyal to Carter. In the early days, she had accompanied him on so many of his visits that, in the absence of a next of kin, it had been agreed that she would speak for him if things got difficult. It meant she had his blessing to consult with Laura if she felt the need.

She left a message and switched on her computer.

‘Is McLean in yet, Marie?’

Marie jumped. She hadn’t noticed Superintendent Crooke come into the office. She hurriedly stood up. ‘I haven’t seen him, ma’am.’ She noticed the deep, worried creases in the super’s forehead, and the dark shadows beneath her eyes. Marie suspected that Carter was not the only one suffering from lack of sleep. ‘Nothing’s happened, has it, ma’am? With your niece, I mean.’

‘Nothing she is aware of, Marie, but I was up at three in the morning chasing round the garden like a madwoman. I’m certain someone was out there, watching the house. Well, watching Leah’s bedroom window to be precise.’

‘Who was on duty, ma’am? They did show, didn’t they?’ She had heard Carter put in the request to uniform to keep an eye on the place while on patrol.

‘Oh yes, I saw your crew on several occasions. I’m not complaining about that. Whoever it was just seemed to pick the time when there was no one here. If I hadn’t got up for a call of nature, I’d never have seen him.’

Marie wondered how he knew which window was the girl’s. Or even know that she was there, and not in her own flat? ‘Want me to check out the garden, ma’am? See if the intruder left any traces?’

Ruth Crooke shook her head. ‘Did it myself, at first light. Fine tooth-comb and all that. There’s nothing.’ She massaged her temples for a moment. ‘I’m not even a hundred per cent sure there really was someone. I may be a police officer, but I was half asleep, had a bursting bladder and was deeply worried about Leah.’ She shrugged. ‘Doesn’t make me the most reliable witness, does it?’

Marie shook her head. It was weird. Crooke loathed Carter and vice versa, but the super didn’t seem to have it in for her or anyone else. She positively liked Jackman, and he in turn was quite happy to let Ruth Crooke call him by his first name. No one else did that.