The Fourth Friend (DI Jackman & DS Evans #3)(60)

‘By listening to a drunk.’ Robbie sighed. ‘And I’m surprised to say that I’ve become rather fond of him.’

‘Suzanne’s first husband?’

‘Suzanne’s first victim.’





CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Marie and Jackman went upstairs to report to Superintendent Ruth Crooke. Carter had opted out, saying, “The girl is safe now. I know it, okay? Just tell the super that, would you? I want to get to work on Suzanne.”

‘I feel relieved of course,’ Ruth said, ‘but it’s been such an unsettling time that I can’t bring myself to believe it’s over.’

‘We have no real proof, ma’am,’ Marie said apologetically. ‘But I’m pretty sure the old boy was telling the truth. He and Carter go back a long way, and Carter said that Sidney’s info has always been reliable.’

‘And you, Marie? What’s your impression? You said there was a bad feeling on the streets the other day. Is it something I should be concerned about?’

‘The beat bobbies think the unrest is caused by the Cannons’ relatives and friends, ma’am. There are two camps. Half are convinced that they will get off, like they usually do, and the others are cautiously expecting them to go down. They are divided, and they are taking it out on us.’

‘And me in particular, I guess.’ Ruth sounded exhausted. ‘After all, I was the officer in charge of that investigation.’

‘It’s par for the course, ma’am,’ Jackman added. ‘It happens every time we nail a local villain.’

‘Marie? You didn’t answer my question.’ Ruth was looking at her.

‘I believe that Leah is good to go. And Carter does too.’

Ruth exhaled. ‘In which case we’ll just keep an eye on her for a while, but I think I can relax a little, don’t you?’

‘You mean, give up the Monopoly?’

Ruth gave a weak smile. ‘Thank heavens! That get-out-of-jail-free card was giving me the heebie-jeebies.’

Marie left Jackman talking with the super and walked slowly down to the office. Something was bothering her. Something about the morning had hoisted a red flag. The problem was that Marie had no idea who or what was waving it.

‘I know that look.’ Gary Pritchard came and stood beside her.

‘Mmm. It’s that one that renders me totally useless for hours while I try to fathom out what is bothering me.’

Gary pulled over a chair and sat down. ‘Is it a recent something, or an historical one?’

‘Oh recent. Today, in fact. I’m sure of it.’

‘Then retrace your footsteps. Think about every place and conversa—’

‘Got it! You’re a star!’ Her smile faded instantly. Now she had to work out why breakfast with Sidney should have registered a warning.

‘Any time.’ Gary stood up. ‘Wish all my queries were answered so easily.’

‘Hang on, Gary.’ She pointed to the chair, and Gary sat back down. ‘I know you haven’t been stationed here for very long, but you are local. What do you know about a snout of Carter’s called Sidney?’

‘Ah, Sidney.’ Gary absentmindedly played with his signet ring. ‘What do you want to know about him?’

She shrugged. ‘Anything at all really.’

Gary said nothing for a while. Marie sensed he was uncomfortable.

‘Sidney Leyton-Crowe. One-time head teacher of a public school for boys. Was at the centre of a scandal, found innocent and completely exonerated, but the impact on him was profound. He had a breakdown, Marie. Very sad, very sad indeed.’

Marie knew that many street people had heartbreaking back stories. She should have realised that Sidney was one of them. She recalled his intelligent shrewdness. ‘Of course,’ she murmured. ‘So what was with all the “rozzers” and “silly buggers” talk?’

‘When in Rome. He’d not last long out there if he acted like a “snob.”’ Gary made air quotes.

‘How did he come to be one of Carter’s snouts?’

Gary took a quick look around. There was no one within earshot. ‘He was Carter’s headmaster. If Carter hadn’t stood up and testified on his behalf, he wouldn’t have had a chance. He’d been fitted up, but everyone was too scared to take his side.’

‘Except Carter.’

‘Exactly. He had a strong sense of right and wrong even in his schooldays. No wonder he became a copper.’

‘Thanks, Gary, and don’t worry, my lips are sealed.’

He nodded and stood up. This time she let him go.

She glanced around. Apart from Charlie Button and a couple of younger pool detectives, the room was empty. ‘Charlie? Has something happened that I don’t know about?’ She indicated the empty chairs.

‘Max and Rosie have gone back to have another talk with Mr Ponytail Doolan, and Robbie practically did a rugby tackle on Carter the moment he set foot in the room. I haven’t seen them since.’

‘Has he found something?’

‘I would think so, from the look on his face. He’d been chatting to his Spanish drinking partner.’

‘Really?’

‘Sounded like he was talking to a little child, or a complete idiot.’