Their Lost Daughters (DI Jackman & DS Evans #2)(78)

Asher sank lower into the chair and stared at his hands, clasped tightly together in his lap. ‘I’ve nothing to say.’

As Jackman tried to coax him into talking, Marie checked Tanner’s belongings again. There was nothing at all to indicate that he’d gone abroad. She carefully replaced everything in its original position, ready for the SOCOs to bag and tag it, then picked up the gold signet ring. It looked well-worn, so why leave it behind if you were going away? In fact, why take it off at all?’

‘Marie?’

‘Sorry, sir,’ she muttered, placing the ring back on the desk.

Jackman beckoned to two uniformed constables who were waiting by the door. ‘Take Mr Leyton to the station, please.’ He shot Asher a cold stare. ‘He might feel more like talking when he sees the accommodation we have on offer. Not exactly Granary Court.’ Jackman turned to Bill Hickey.

‘We’ll be closing this room up, and I’ll need you to call at the station to make a statement, sir.’

Hickey nodded and accompanied the two policemen and Asher Leyton down the stairs.

Jackman frowned at Marie, then down at the passport. ‘Tanner never went abroad, did he?’

‘No. And he disappeared just around the time we made the discovery at Windrush. I think Mr Toby Tanner and Micah Lee were in this together.’

Jackman looked at her. ‘But what on earth has our little curb-crawler got to do with it?’

Marie suddenly blinked. ‘Hey! What if they are all members of the drinking club?’

‘They could be, couldn’t they?’ Jackman’s eyes widened. ‘And one of the prostitutes down at Dock Street confirmed that Leyton was a regular. Maybe life with his beautiful young WAG isn’t fulfilling enough for our Mr Leyton?’

‘So he gets his jollies with old toms and at illegal sex parties.’ Marie smiled, then winced as her split lip opened up again. She dabbed at the bleeding but couldn’t stop the smile.

‘And Tanner?’ Jackman looked down at the signet ring, his eyes narrowing in thought. ‘I wonder . . .’ He looked at Marie and the light dawned. ‘The dead man. That hanged man was dressed in tough, outdoor clothing, strong boots, had no ID on him and no jewellery. But I did see a pale line around his little finger.’ He pointed to the signet ring. ‘A pinkie ring, maybe?’

Marie exhaled. ‘Tanner didn’t go to Germany, he bloody killed himself! Either because he couldn’t live with the shame, or . . .’

‘Or because he knew what was hidden under Windrush!’ Jackman exclaimed. ‘Time to get back to the station, my friend, but before we go . . .’ He walked to the bedside table, picked up a small alarm clock and dropped it into an evidence bag. ‘I’ll get Rory to cross-check the prints on this with those of the hanged man.’ He looked at Marie. ‘If we get a match, then I’m willing to bet that Tanner contacted his little friend, Asher Leyton, and let it slip that he was planning on topping himself. God knows how Asher knew he’d be at the mill, but I’m sure he’ll tell us in the fullness of time.’

Marie took one last look around the room. ‘Asher took Tanner’s ID to slow down the identification process. Naming a John Doe can take forever, so I kind of understand that, but why bring them back here?’

Jackman shrugged. ‘Are we sure he was bringing them back? He might have been looking for something else, and planned on taking everything with him when he left.’ He followed Marie to the door.

‘We’ll have this place taken apart if we have to.’





CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The CID room was emptying out as more officers went home. But Rosie, Max, Charlie and Gary worked on.

Rosie hung up the phone. ‘The boss’s on his way back. I’ll order the pizzas now, shall I?’

‘May as well,’ said Max. ‘Extra cheese and no anchovies for me, please.’ He turned to Gary, ‘How about you, Gazza?’

‘Er, yes, whatever you’re having is fine.’

‘You’re quiet tonight, Gary. Wishing you were back at Harlan Marsh?’ Max smiled at him.

Gary leaned back in his chair and stretched out his arms in front of him. ‘No bloody fear! But I am missing something, lad, and it’s driving me nuts.’ He looked around the office. ‘Why would you dig up a body and move it somewhere else?’

‘Because I didn’t want her found,’ said Max immediately.

‘But that girl Fleur died of malnutrition.’

Rosie replaced the handset. ‘So he starved her to death. That’s murder too.’

Gary drew in a deep breath. ‘Mmm, I suppose so.’

‘Or . . .’ said Charlie, scrolling up and down on his computer, ‘He had to dig her up.’

Gary blinked. ‘For what reason?’

Charlie looked thoughtful. ‘I was thinking of my mate’s dog, actually. He’d buried the dog’s ashes in the garden, and then his mum and dad decided to move. He was gutted about leaving the dog behind, so he dug the casket up and took it with him.’

Rosie chewed on a thumbnail. ‘That’s quite possible. He could have dug her up because something was going to happen to the place where she was buried.’

Gary stood up and paced around the office, stopping at the evidence boards. ‘Yes. That is a very good point indeed.’