Their Lost Daughters (DI Jackman & DS Evans #2)(84)

*

Max was using his own laptop for his unauthorised excursion into restricted territory. A constant stream of numbers, codes and letters flashed up and disappeared on his screen.

Every now and again he looked over to where Rosie sat working. He wished this horrible case was over, because the more he saw of Rosie McElderry, the more he understood where his feelings were heading. But right now, he had serious work to do.

Rosie called across to Marie. ‘That was forensics, Sarge. The hanged man is Toby Tanner. The fingerprints are an exact match. They’ve done DNA testing too, and there’s no doubt. And that’s not all. As soon as they ran the prints, they hit another match, lifted from the nasty party in Fendyke Chapel.’ Her voice dropped to a whisper. ‘Respected gentleman farmer Toby Tanner has been slumming it with Cade and his pervy friends.’

Max punched the air and grinned at Rosie. ‘So we were right! He was connected to the parties.’

Rosie grinned back. ‘That’s probably why he topped himself.’

‘Did Asher Leyton’s prints show up too?’ asked Marie.

‘No. Just Tanner’s, so maybe Asher didn’t go to the chapel that night.’

Marie was just about to reply, when Max looked at his screen. ‘Sarge! I’ve done it! Look!’ He waved a printout at her. ‘You are so not going to believe this!’

Marie took the sheet from him and, passing over the “restricted” header, read down the list of names and dates. ‘What? Jesus! The boss needs to see this! Come on, you two.’

*

Marie’s voice crackled with excitement. ‘The Mulberry children were called — wait for it — Benedict, Tobias, Micah, Philip, Elizabeth and Asher!’ She handed Jackman the report. ‘They were all given new families and new lives but for some reason, they all came back here.’

‘Because they had to,’ the psychologist said softly. ‘Those poor fledglings had to return to the nest, to find somewhere where they could be together again. They had no choice. Despite the good intentions of the social workers and the courts, they had to find each other again, like moths drawn to a flame.’

Jackman exhaled. ‘We need to talk to Benedict. No wonder he was so worried about Elizabeth! She’s his sister.’

‘And Asher!’ Rosie looked aghast. ‘It was his brother that he found hanging in the old mill! That explains why he is in such a state.’

‘And of course he had a key to the farmhouse,’ added Marie, ‘because his two brothers lived there. I’m betting he went there to see if there was anything in Toby’s home that might link them to the Mulberry family.’

‘Siblings, all of them,’ whispered Jackman. He looked at the psychologist. ‘Just how damaged could this family be? I mean, looking at Benedict and Philip, they seem to have integrated perfectly into society. One is in finance, and the other is a respected veterinary surgeon.’

The professor shrugged. ‘Irrelevant. They will all be damaged by what happened to them. Some more than others, but I guarantee that not one of them is normal. I would be willing to stake a large amount of money on the fact that every single one of Simeon Mulberry’s children has been traumatised and affected in some manner.’ He leant back in his chair. ‘You know that the abused can become the abuser. In your job you’ve seen it a thousand times.’

Jackman had. ‘One of them, Asher, has a strong sexual compulsion. Is that the sort of thing you mean?’

‘Absolutely. And depending on his mind-set, the opportunities open to him, and the extent of the original damage, that sort of thing can escalate over time.’

‘To rape?’

‘Usually to sexual harassment, then rape, and finally even to murder.’

Jackman rubbed his eyes. ‘Hearing that makes me wonder if the Children’s Ward is some kind of twisted family business.’ He looked around. ‘Where is Max?’

Marie looked out the door. ‘He’s still on his computer.’ She called across to him. ‘Max? Is there more?’

‘Give me one minute, Sarge.’

Everyone was silent. Henry O’Byrne picked up Marie’s graffiti-covered sheet of paper and waved it. ‘Tangled webs and deception. It was all here.’

‘Except for Fleur.’ Rosie’s voice was sombre.

‘Maybe not, flower.’ Max walked in and handed Jackman another document.

‘A birth certificate?’

‘Wasn’t easy, because there was an error in her birth date, but I’ve located the only girl in this area registered with the name of Fleur, and guess who Mummy and Daddy are?’

Jackman read out the names. ‘Simeon and Charlotte Mulberry, of Alderfield House, Hurn Point. My God! She’s their sister! There were seven Mulberry children!’ He looked at Max. ‘Would you check for a death certificate?’

‘I’m ahead of you there, boss, but there’s nothing. There is no official record of her death.’

Jackman stood up. ‘Okay, Max, you’ve done some totally brilliant work today. Well done.’ He beckoned to Marie. ‘Prepare yourself, Sergeant. It’s time to pay a visit to Mr Benedict Mulberry.’





CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

‘Sir, we know about you and your family’s tragic past. Your real family, that is. I have no problem with the fact that you chose not to tell us. You all have new lives with new identities. But now, I’m afraid, the circumstances have changed. Your family history is an integral part of this murder enquiry.’ Jackman paused. ‘Are you Benedict Mulberry, eldest son of the late Simeon and Charlotte Mulberry of Alderfield House, Hurn Point, Harlan Marsh?’