‘Did you go to speak to Mrs Delaney?’

  ‘I don’t remember.’

  ‘We have a statement from Mrs Delaney saying that she saw the arrests from her window. She claims that you came to her front door to tell her that Rodney could not help her husband carry the bins to the pavement, and that they were due for collection early the following morning.’

  ‘Oh right, yes, he told me to do that. Sorry, I forgot.’

  Jack looked over his notes. This was the time when the bins were not collected due to a strike. It must have freaked Rodney out as he obviously expected they would have been collected as usual.

  ‘What else were you told to do?’

  She gave a long sigh and shrugged. ‘Clean up the kitchen and the bathroom.’

  ‘What about the shower?’

  ‘Well, yes, as it’s in the bathroom.’

  ‘So, after his arrests you remained at the flat until the following morning, waiting until one of the tenants helped to carry the bins to the pavement.’

  ‘I wasn’t waiting just for that. I had to get my head round being on my own.’

  ‘Then what did you do?’

  ‘Well, the bins wasn’t picked up. I told him and he went funny, got really angry. But they was only out a couple of extra days before they were collected.’

  ‘That would mean you stayed at the flat longer than you previously claimed.’

  ‘Yeah, suppose so. I just forgot.’

  ‘So what was the next thing you were instructed to do?’

  ‘I used the hose pipe to clean out the bins after they’d been emptied; that was Rodney’s job, he always did that.’

  ‘So, he told you to do it for him?’

  ‘Yes, and I hosed down the courtyard as well.’

  ‘That was quite a big task, and you just complied with his wishes?’

  ‘Yes, I did, because sometimes the bins smelt bad. I had helped him before, using bleach.’

  Jack glanced at DCI Clarke, then back at Amanda.

  ‘After the other girls left, was it usual that the bins were very heavy and often had a bad smell?’

  Bukhari interrupted again, accusing Jack of trying to bully his client into admitting that she was involved in the disposal of bodies. Jack cut him off.

  ‘I am simply asking her to describe the contents of the bins. She has admitted to cleaning them with a hose pipe. Bodies decompose quickly, and there would have been residue in the bins. We believe the bodies were dismembered in the coal hole, and the remains possibly washed in the basement flat’s shower, before being deposited in the bins. The reason I’m pressing for Miss Dunn to answer my questions is the fact we know that on this specific date, contrary to expectations, the bins weren’t collected in that area due to a strike. This delay would have resulted in quite a stench.’

  Jack glanced at DCI Clarke and tapped the table with his pencil.

  ‘Have you anything further to say, Miss Dunn, regarding my previous question?’

  ‘No, I don’t. And for your information, he never told me to leave. I just did that on my own.’

  ‘When did you last speak to Mr Middleton?’

  ‘I’m not going to answer that because I don’t want to get anyone in trouble.’

  Jack knew she must have been in contact with him recently, probably via one of the carers at the safe house where she had been held after leaving the hospital.

  Jack looked at DCI Clarke again, who nodded.

  ‘Miss Dunn, I believe you haven’t answered all my questions honestly. You will, therefore, be charged as an accessory to the murders of Jamail Brown, Trudie Hudson and Nadine O’Reilly.’

  Amanda gave a loud screech and hurled the empty bottle of water at Jack.

  *

  There was a short delay whilst Amanda Dunn was given her arrest details and told that she would be held in a secure place for protective custody until she was re-questioned prior to her trial. She appeared confused, believing that after the interview she was going to be walking out, then started sobbing loudly.

  Jack made his escape and left it to DCI Clarke and Bukhari to explain the proceedings to her. Jack was exhausted. His head throbbed as he hurried to the incident room to collect his briefcase. Anik was also getting ready to leave and looked over at Jack.

  ‘Well done, very impressive. You made the first big crack in her defences when you brought up that story about you falling over your kid’s toy and the curtain cord. What was that all about?’

  ‘Oh that, I just made it up. I hope you’re feeling better?’

  ‘Yeah, a bit. Stomach’s still churning, though, so I might take the day off tomorrow.’

  ‘Well, you started the ball rolling for me. Good work.’

  Jack watched Anik walk out. He was still irritating, but at least he’d made the effort to thank him. He picked up his briefcase as DCI Clarke opened his office door.

  ‘Jack, a moment. That was impressive, if at times a bit unethical. I have made the decision that you’ll lead the interview with Rodney Middleton on Monday. We all need a break, you more than anyone. It will give us the time to assess Amanda Dunn’s statements and see how we can use them. So, I’m holding back until Monday, which will give you two days off. We can reconvene on Sunday to discuss the Middleton interview. It will also give you the time you need to be ready for him and the formidable Georgina Bamford. You made mincemeat of her prodigy, Mr Bukhari, but she’s far tougher.’

  ‘Thank you, sir.’

  Clarke shook his head. I’ve got to say, Amanda Dunn even had me for a while, believing she was an unwitting pawn in the murders.’

  ‘Almost had me too, sir. But I always had a gut feeling she was a devious liar.’

  ‘Well, you get some rest and get ready for Monday. Good work, very impressive.’

  Jack walked out and once he was alone in the corridor, all the tension of the last twenty-four hours was suddenly released. He pumped a fist in the air and let out a muted ‘Yes!’

  Tired as he was, he couldn’t wait for Monday.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  That Friday evening, Maggie prepared a dinner for Penny and Marius, laying the table in the dining room, not the kitchen.

  Jack had spent most of the day in his office checking through files and making notes in preparation for the Monday interview, but after the elation of the Amanda Dunn interview, he had crashed back down to earth and now felt utterly exhausted. Maggie had to nudge him at the table a couple of times when he nodded off, but at least when he was conscious, and he seemed to enjoy the evening, amused to see his mother being so flirtatious and happy. He also found it a relief not to talk about, or even think about, the case. Maggie made him rinse his nose well with salt water before finally sending him to bed with an ice-pack mask on. Despite feeling a bit uncomfortable, he dropped into a deep, dreamless sleep almost immediately.

  Saturday was a lovely crisp, sunny day and Maggie and Jack decided to take Hannah out to Richmond Park. She was so excited at seeing the ducks that she almost fell into the big pond. Penny cooked a roast lamb for lunch, with all the trimmings, and it was only after she had served the sticky toffee pudding that Maggie asked Jack where the car was.

  ‘Oh, yes, been meaning to tell you,’ he said. ‘Had a big engine fault, so I’m waiting to see about exchanging it for something else, perhaps in a less conspicuous colour than pea green.’

  If he’d thought Maggie would be pleased, he was wrong. ‘We paid a decent price for it. Maybe I should go back to the man we bought it from and complain,’ she suggested.

  ‘I wouldn’t bother,’ he said. ‘The insurance will cover the difference.’

  ‘What do you mean? Did you have a prang or something?’

  He shrugged. ‘Kind of, don’t worry, I’m sorting it.’

  Maggie decided not to push it, but she was very suspicious. Penny changed the subject by saying that Marius had suggested that she take driving lessons. Jack and Maggie were open mouthed.

  ‘Driving lessons?’

  ‘Yes, I could then do a lot more for us, like taking trips out with Hannah. I’ve got to get a provisional licence first, but I want to try. I don’t like the thought of getting stuck in a tedious routine; you only live once, don’t you?’

  After their initial surprise, Maggie and Jack nodded enthusiastically. Since she had met Marius, Penny had definitely become more outgoing, and they put her forgetfulness down to her anxiety about how Jack would react to her having a ‘gentleman friend’.

  When Penny had left them alone in the kitchen, they instantly looked at each other. Maggie burst out laughing.

  ‘Your face, Jack, when she said she wanted to have driving lessons!’

  ‘You looked gobsmacked too,’ Jack protested. ‘I mean, you’re the one who’s been thinking she had dementia, not me. And now, on the contrary, it turns out she’s got a new lease of life.’

  ‘Yeah, I know. And thanks to Marius we’ll have the hall redecorated and a new coat cupboard, too.’

  She leaned in close to him and whispered.

  ‘Talking of a new lease of life, what would you think about taking me upstairs and ravishing me?’

  Jack grinned. He scooped her up in his arms and carried her out of the kitchen but had to put her back down on her feet to go up the stairs. They walked up arm in arm and as they reached their landing they heard the high-pitched voice of the character from the Frozen movie singing, ‘Let it go’ Hannah was trying to join in. Jack stopped in his tracks, listening.

  Maggie frowned. ‘What is it? Don’t you try and back out of ravishing me. I’m all geared up now and . . .’

  ‘That song is from the film Frozen, isn’t it?’ Jack said, remembering Amanda telling them about the way Nadine had kept singing it.

  ‘Yes, it’s Hannah’s favourite. We got the DVD for her last Christmas, remember. She loves it. There’s now a sequel we need to buy her, actually. And when she’s a bit older we could maybe take her to see the musical.’ Maggie put her arms around him. ‘What is it, Jack?’

  ‘Nothing, nothing,’ he said, his thoughtful expression replaced by a lascivious grin as he pushed open the bedroom door. ‘Now, just be careful you don’t bash my nose . . .’

  *

  They were woken by the sound of the doorbell. Maggie sat up quickly, looked at the bedside clock, then flopped back onto the pillow. She dug Jack in the ribs and he leaned up on his elbow.

  ‘What time is it?’ he asked blearily.

  ‘Seven thirty on a Saturday evening! I thought it was an emergency call for me or something. Maybe Penny’s expecting the boyfriend.’

  The doorbell rang again, and Jack got out of the bed and put on his boxer shorts. Maggie snuggled down and pulled the duvet closer. ‘I’m not getting up, whoever it is.’

  Jack dragged on his dressing gown and hurried down the stairs, stopping midway as he could see through one of the stained-glass windows in the front door. It was Ridley.

  Opening the door, Jack took a step back as he was presented with a large bouquet of red roses.

  ‘For Maggie,’ Ridley said with a broad smile. ‘My apologies for calling unannounced but I wanted to get a few things sorted before my departure.’

  ‘Where are you going?’ Jack asked.

  ‘The Caribbean for three weeks, leaving first thing Monday. Are you going to invite me in?’

  Jack opened the door wider for Ridley, then closed it behind him. He started up the stairs. ‘Give me a moment to put some clothes on.’

  Halfway up the stairs he paused.

  ‘Actually, why don’t you follow me up and go into my office. I’ll be right with you. Maggie’s sleeping.’

  Ridley left the bouquet of roses on the hall table and followed Jack up the stairs. He moved slowly, stopping once to take a deep breath before he continued. Maggie sat up when Jack entered the bedroom.

  ‘Who was it?’

  ‘Ridley,’ Jack whispered. ‘He bought you a huge bouquet of roses. I told him you were sleeping. He’s in my office so that we won’t disturb Penny if she goes into the kitchen for a cuppa.’

  ‘Bit odd, isn’t it? What does he want?’

  Jack shrugged as he pulled on a pair of jeans.

  ‘He’s going on holiday for three weeks in the effing Caribbean. I dunno what he wants, but I’ll get rid of him as soon as I can.’

  Maggie sat up, watching him search for a t-shirt, and then almost losing his balance as he tried to put on a trainer.

  ‘Do you want me to go and make coffee?’

  ‘No. Listen, if you make an appearance, which I don’t think you should, you didn’t know anything about the situation he was in, right?’

  ‘Right, “I know nuffink, guv – I’m just ’is wife, he never tells me nuffink.”’

  Jack laughed. ‘You just stay put and I’ll get rid of him as soon as I can.’

  ‘How’s your nose? You only yelped once when you were kissing me.’

  Jack tapped his nose. ‘I think I can go another round with you later tonight, so don’t move.’

  She grinned. ‘I’ll be waiting.’

  Jack went down to the kitchen to fetch a bottle of whisky, some glasses and the ice tray, then hurried back up the stairs to his office. Ridley still wearing his coat and woollen hat was sitting in Jack’s swivel chair, looking at the stacks of files and notebooks on his desk. He stood up as Jack came in.

  ‘What have you done to your face, Jack?’ Ridley asked.

  ‘Oh, had a run-in with the banister, almost broke my nose. It’s a lot better than it was . . .’

  ‘You’ve certainly got a lovely shiner there!’

  ‘Yeah, I’m keeping an ice pack on it whenever I can . . . I’ve got a big day coming up.’

  Ridley drew up a hard-backed chair, leaving Jack to sit at his desk. He had folded his overcoat neatly placing it on the floor.

  ‘Here, let me get the ice out while you pour – and not too much for me.’

  Ridley expertly squeezed the ice out, plopping a couple of cubes into each glass and Jack poured a double measure. They clinked them together but neither of them said ‘cheers’. They sat in silence for a moment as they drank. Ridley still looked very drawn; he had obviously lost a considerable amount of weight.

  ‘It’s over with the investigation, Jack . . . well, my part, anyway. The rest will be ongoing for some time, years probably; it’s a hell of a fraud they’re uncovering, quite apart from the murders. But for me, it’s “Take a holiday and keep your mouth shut.”’ He sipped at his drink.

  Jack noticed that Ridley’s hand was shaking slightly. Sounding more affable than he felt, he asked, ‘So, after your sunshine break, do you know what’s going to happen?’

  ‘Not yet. I’ll be given details on my return, apparently. But I wanted you to know that your part in it did not go unnoticed. I’m obviously personally grateful – that goes without saying – but you won’t regret assisting with the investigation. Your involvement can never be made public, but, as I just said, it has been noted and not just by me.’

  Jack shrugged. ‘I didn’t do it for that; I just wanted to help. It’s already forgotten, and you or whoever they are should have no concerns about me discussing it with anyone, if you’re worried about that. That said, personally, I do have a few questions I’d like answered, because the whole thing still doesn’t make sense to me. You put me at risk and, God help you, my wife, my daughter and my mother. Then you turn up with a bunch of roses and tell me you’re off on holiday and everything’s back to normal. But it isn’t, especially not between you and me because I don’t think I can trust you anymore.’

  Ridley took another swallow of the whisky, before he carefully placed the glass back on the desk. ‘Firstly, I want you to know that when I found out the dangerous situation I had inadvertently drawn you into, my priority was the immediate protection of you and your family. Your safety was the investigation’s top priority, even before you traced Sandra’s – I mean Lorna’s – identity.’

  Jack looked unimpressed. ‘So at what point did you put a tracker on my car?’

  Ridley sighed. ‘OK, almost day one. I also lied about the ankle bracelet; that was also for my safety, so they always knew exactly where I was. Look, I apologise for the lies. I was not staying at the house because of the murder enquiry; it was really for medical reasons. I have been very sick. I needed treatment round the clock. The truth is, I still do.’

  Jack could hardly believe it. He drained his glass and poured another one straight away, stopping himself from lashing out at Ridley. There was a long pause before Ridley continued his story.

  ‘The night Lorna had arranged dinner with me, she said that it was time she told me the truth, that she had used me from day one as a form of protection. But, she said that she was meeting someone important before our dinner, someone who could provide a crucial piece of evidence. I didn’t know evidence of what and she wouldn’t tell me. I believe now that her obsession with finding Anton’s killers turned into something else as she began to uncover evidence of fraud and money-laundering on a global scale. But she couldn’t stop, even though she knew the more she uncovered, the more her life was at risk.’

  ‘Well, she got that right,’ Jack said brutally, ‘seeing as she ended up dead in the boot of your car.’

  ‘Yes, yes she did,’ Ridley said.

  ‘Did you find out where she was murdered?’ Jack asked.

  ‘No, but whoever she was meeting had to be the killer, or killers. From what you found in the Pimlico flat, it was obvious that she was careful not to take any of the evidence she had gathered with her, or any personal items: handbag, passport etc. As soon as you identified her, we checked the CCTV footage in the area of the flat, but it was spotty. There’s footage of Lorna leaving the building and heading towards the main road. She was wearing a camel-hair coat, a headscarf and dark glasses but carried no briefcase, purse or anything. That was the last sighting of her alive.’

  ‘So, all that bullshit you fed me, about being suspected of her murder was . . . what? More lies?’

  ‘No, not to begin with; it was what else they eventually found inside my car that changed things.’