A Genuine Mistake by Ted Tayler (miss read books txt) 📗

“Everyone’s here, and it isn’t nine o’clock,” said Gus. “That’s what I like to see. You know what you’ve got to do, Alex. Neil’s going back to Bradford-on-Avon later, and you two girls are scanning old news items. Luke and I will catch up on your progress when we return.”

“We should get to Trowle Common bang on half-past nine, guv,” said Luke as he and Gus headed for the lift.

“I don’t mind making Ms Cummins wait,” said Gus. “I’m more worried about this lift. It’s up and down more than an assistant referee’s flag.”

Luke hesitated when they reached the car park.

“What’s up?” asked Gus.

“I didn’t want to presume that we were using my car, guv,” said Luke.

“Jump in the Focus, then. What’s life without the occasional risk?”

“Neil said his role in Barrett’s office yesterday morning was to listen, make notes, and inwardly digest. Is that the same for me today?”

“If a reply from Rachel triggers a fresh line of questioning, don’t hesitate. Go for the jugular. By the way, is Ms Cummins single?”

“I believe so, guv,” said Luke.

“I guess we’ll find out when we get there,” said Gus.

Gus drove them through Trowbridge and onward to Trowle Common. They arrived outside the Cummins and Hogan property without mishap one minute before the appointed time.

“I couldn’t have judged it better, guv,” said Luke.

“Five sets of lights against us out of six, Luke. Judgement had nothing to do with it. I blame the Wiltshire Highways Department.”

“It’s an impressive property, guv,” said Luke. “I wonder whether they’ve made further improvements since Gerry’s death.”

“Apart from a new driveway, d’you mean?” said Gus.

Luke studied the clean gravel at the front of the house. He would have moved if it were him. Every time he opened the front door, he’d see the body and the blood.

“Why did we leave the car back there on the road, guv? It’s a fair walk to the house.”

“Ms Cummins is a fitness instructor, Luke. I wanted to get off on the right foot. Anyway, there’s a method in my madness. I want to see whether she can see our car from the front doorstep.”

Gus stood on the doorstep and turned around.

“The trees and bushes screening the property from the road will have matured in the past six years. The road was more visible back then. There were very few places for that chap to park that obscured any motorcycle from view.”

Luke rang the bell.

“I wonder if that’s the same ring,” said Gus. “A pint on Friday night says she bought a new one.”

“No contest, guv,” said Luke. “Do you think Rachel will open the door in her lycra outfit?”

“Odd place to have a door, Luke,” said Gus.

Luke groaned.

“I’ve waited years to say that again,” said Gus.

Rachel Cummins opened the front door wearing a fitted white blouse, high-waisted black trousers, and flat patent leather shoes. There wasn’t a pair of trainers in sight, let alone lycra.

“You must be the police officers I’m expecting. Do come in. I’ve got coffee on the go in the kitchen. If you go straight through, you’ll find the sunroom. It’s lovely there in the mornings. I’ll be with you in a minute.”

Gus and Luke did as instructed. The sunroom furniture was top-of-the-range, as expected. Everything about the property oozed quality. Gus wondered why Rachel Cummins didn’t sell up and move into a smaller place in Bath. Something must make her want to stay out here in the sticks.

A door opened to their left, and Rachel Cummins reappeared with a tray.

“What does everybody want?” she asked.

Luke answered for both him and Gus. Rachel smiled.

“You know who I am,” she said, “so, which of you is Detective Sergeant Sherman?”

“I’m DS Sherman, and this is Gus Freeman, a consultant with Wiltshire Police.”

“How can I help?” asked Rachel.

“As Luke will have explained when he phoned you, Ms Cummins,” said Gus. “We’re taking a fresh look into the murder of your partner, Gerry Hogan. It might be six years, and the original investigation didn’t reach any firm conclusions, but no murder file is ever closed. We hope to find Gerry’s killer this time around.”

“It made little sense,” said Rachel. “Gerry didn’t have an enemy in the world. It had to be random. The police went over this ground six years ago. I can’t see how it will be any different.”

“If we ask the same questions, we’ll get the same answers, Ms Cummins,” said Gus. “My team has had a fair bit of success in the past few months by listening to what people say and then asking a different question. Perhaps one that that person didn’t expect. Their answers can be revealing.”

“If I were guilty of any crime, that comment would put me on my guard, Mr Freeman,” said Rachel, “but no matter what questions you ask, you will only ever get the truth. I had nothing to hide six years ago. Nothing’s changed.”

“You were born in Surrey in 1982, I believe,” said Gus.

“My parents lived in Haslemere. Dad worked on the buses, and Mum worked part time in a flower shop before I started school.”

“Their marriage ended when you were eighteen months old,” said Gus. “What do you remember of that time?”

“Not much,” said Rachel.

“Did they argue? Can you remember them shouting? Was your father violent towards your mother? Did nothing register?”

“I remember Mum crying,” said Rachel. “I didn’t understand why. I still don’t. She hasn’t spoken to me about it. After Dad left, it was just the two of us. I never saw or heard from him again. You need to ask Mum. Not that it’s got anything to do with Gerry’s murder. It was hardly front-page news; lots of marriages break down.”

“Your mother didn’t look for another man?” asked Gus.

“No, it