The Fourth Friend (DI Jackman & DS Evans #3)(68)

He squeezed her arm. ‘Thanks, I appreciate that. And maybe it’s better that it’s just us today. A quiet tribute, huh?’

Marie nodded.

‘Think yer marine mates is ‘ere.’ Silas nodded in the direction of the lane where two big trucks, one with a crane attached, were making their way towards them.

‘Time to shine, Eva May!’

Carter’s eyes were misty, and Marie fought back tears.

Once the crane was safely positioned and levelled, they all watched with bated breath. The procedure didn’t take nearly as long as Marie had thought it would.

Lifting tackle, webbing slings and a four-part chain sling were attached to the crane hook, and the webbing slings passed under the boat. The Eva May was hoisted up.

The crane slewed towards the quayside carrying the old lifeboat out over the river. Once it had cleared the quay, they waited for Carter to give the signal to lower away.

Everyone cheered when she touched the water.

‘What’s happening now?’ asked Marie, trying to hide the catch in her voice.

Two men in hard hats, protective gloves and steel toe-capped boots had stepped aboard.

‘They are the slingers. They release the webbing slings from the chains, then direct the crane driver which way to bring the chains out of the water and round and back onto the quay. Then we’ll secure her by the hand lines.’

Carter was watching closely. He had once told Marie that when he was a kid, his father often left him playing by himself in his boatyard. He was completely at home in this environment.

Soon the crane and all the equipment had been packed up ready to return to the marina. Carter paid the man in charge and handed him a gold box that Marie knew contained a very good malt whisky.

Marie looked at Carter. ‘And now?’

‘I will have to test the engine, and possibly make a few adjustments, then she’ll be good to go.’ He smiled. ‘But right now, I’d like to propose a toast.’ He walked to the car and came back carrying a cool box and three folding seats.

He set the box down on the quay and opened it. Inside were three glasses, a bottle of Laurent Perrier champagne and an assortment of expensive snacks and nibbles. ‘We can’t put the old girl in the water without wetting her head, can we?’

So Marie spent the next hour sitting on Stone Quay drinking champagne with a poacher, a detective and a mad dog, surrounded by water, marshland, acres of fields and a sky that went on forever. The whole thing was quite bizarre.

When they had finished, Carter said, ‘I think I’ll stay here for a bit, Marie. I know you need to get back, but would you cover for me?’

‘Sure, no problem.’ Marie knew that Jackman would be quite happy for Carter to be away for a little longer.

‘Just don’t get stopped on the way!’

‘And don’t you drink any more either, Carter McLean. Remember you’ve got to get home too.’

‘Promise.’ He handed the bottle to Silas. ‘Si will give this a good home, don’t worry.’

Marie gave Klink a final cuddle, shook hands with Silas and walked back to her car. ‘Thanks, Carter, for letting me share today!’ she called back.

‘There’s no one I’d rather have shared it with. Drive carefully.’

Marie knew this wasn’t true. He would much rather have shared it with Tom, Matt, Jack and Ray.





CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

After the hush of the quay, the CID room was a buzz of noise and activity when Marie returned.

‘Glad you are back. Where’s Carter?’ Jackman looked behind her.

‘I left him on the boat. I guessed you wouldn’t mind. I think he wanted a bit of time to himself. It was all pretty emotional.’

‘Best thing all round. We’ve had some developments.’ He lowered his voice. ‘Max and Robbie, along with some uniforms, have gutted the Holland Cottage, and they found a box containing five ponytail wigs and a bag of cheap horn-rimmed glasses. We have had further confirmation from Harvey Cash in Spain that Suzanne was indeed abusive, and he’s prepared to swear to it. So it all puts Tom Holland very much in the frame for his wife’s death.’

‘The kind and gentle giant?’ Marie whispered.

‘Looks that way. Even the gentlest people can be pushed too far.’ Jackman scratched his head. ‘Let’s get a coffee. I want to tell you something else.’

They walked along the corridor to the vending machine. For once, the area was quiet.

‘That website demanding we do something to find Suzanne’s killer has reared its ugly head again.’ Jackman gave her an exasperated look. ‘It appears they want our cooperation to, as they say, put our side of things. The super told them that it’s an ongoing investigation so we are not at liberty to join in their bunfight. I don’t think it went down too well.’

‘It’ll go down even better if they find that we are looking at the dear departed and much loved Tom Holland for her killer.’

‘Tell me about it.’ He passed her a coffee. ‘My worry is, if it is Tom, or one of the other friends for that matter, how on earth are we going to find her body when all of them but Carter are dead?’

‘And he certainly won’t help if we tell him we suspect his best mate, Tom. He honestly believes that Tom will haunt him until he finds Suzanne’s killer. This is not good!’