Restless Dead (Harry Grimm Book 5) by David Gatward (english reading book TXT) 📗

‘Tea would be grand,’ Jen said. ‘But don’t go putting yourself out.’

Entering the house, Liz was immediately greeted by the smell of burning wood. The day was cold, so she could understand why a fire was lit, but the smell itself seemed to be part of the fabric of the house, an aroma not just of today but of numerous yesterdays and numerous fires all set against the cold.

‘We’ll go to my study this time, I think,’ Mr Fletcher said, marching on down a high-ceilinged hall, and along past a large staircase. ‘It was outside last time, you see, when I saw her, that is. That’s why I took those other two officers out there, to my shed. But this time, I was in my study when I saw her. So I can show you better from in there I think. It’s comfy, too.’

‘Is there anyone else here with you?’ Jen asked. ‘In the house I mean?’

James said, ‘It was lovely when the girls were children, and to be honest it is a little too big now, just for me and Helen.’

‘We were so sorry to hear about your wife,’ Liz said. ‘Really terrible. You have our sympathies.’

‘That’s very kind,’ James said.

‘So, you’re alone here, now,’ Jen said, getting back to what she had just asked because James’ answer hadn’t really been one at all.

‘Yes and no,’ James said. ‘I’ve got Ruthy, my youngest, she’s in the little house next door, with Anthony.’

‘Husband?’

‘God, no!’ James said. ‘That man will never set foot here ever again, of that you can be assured!’

‘Oh, I’m sorry,’ Jen said.

‘Don’t be,’ James replied. ‘He was an utter bastard. And he’s never given a penny towards his son. But to be honest, Ruthy wouldn’t want it anyway. Anthony is their son. He’s turned into a lovely young man. Suffers from headaches though. He’s home today, I believe. Can hardly believe that he’s sixteen! Where does the time go? And there’s Patricia, my eldest, she’s come up to stay with her husband. She’s the one who called you for me. Though she wasn’t exactly happy about it.’

‘That’s kind,’ Liz said.

‘They’re going to be here for a whole month! It’s the longest I’ll have seen her for years, since she left for university, actually.’

James Fletcher led Liz and Jen into the study and Liz was surprised to find that it wasn’t as grand as she had initially expected it to be. There was a simple desk facing a window, which gave a view out of the rear of the house to the fields and fells beyond, a few well-stocked bookshelves, and a couple of armchairs flanking a burning fire. What Liz noticed most of all, however, was the number of photographs of a dark-haired woman, not just on the walls, but on the mantlepiece, the desk, and a small coffee table. It was more than clear that this was Helen.

‘She was out there,’ James said, standing around the other side of the desk and pointing out through the window. ‘Just over there, do you see? Under that tree. The large oak.’

‘Do you mind if we take a few details first, please?’ Liz said, taking out her personal notebook.

‘I gave those other police officers my details,’ James said.

‘I know,’ said Liz, ‘but if I can just confirm a few details and then we can go through what happened?’

Jen turned back to the door. ‘Tell you what, Mr Fletcher, if you stay here and have a chat with PCSO Coates, I’ll go and have a walk around, have a check on the place. How does that sound?’

‘Yes, I think that would be a very good idea,’ he said, then looked over to Liz. ‘Don’t you?’

‘Very much so,’ Liz said, her smile wide and bright, hoping in some small way to reassure James that they were doing, and would do, everything that they could to help.

‘Anyway, like I said, she was out there,’ James said, as Jen made to leave, pointing once again out through the window, this time with his stick. ‘That tree over there, you see it, yes? Beautiful, isn’t it? So have a look there, as it’s probably the best place to start.’

Jen nodded and made to leave the study, but as she stepped through the door, she turned and said, ‘There’s a public right of way across the grounds, isn’t there? I remember Detective Sergeant Dinsdale mentioning it.’

‘There is, yes,’ James replied.

‘And have you ever before seen anyone end up on your property from that path at all? Perhaps they’ve decided to take a short cut, or maybe knocked on your door to use the toilet or something?’

‘No, never, at least not that I can recall,’ James said.

‘Well, I’ll go and have a look around, then,’ Jen said. ‘I’ll take a look over by the footpath as well, just to see if I notice anything.’ And then she was gone.

Chapter Thirteen

‘Perhaps we should take a seat?’ Liz said, gesturing to the two chairs by the fire.

James hesitated and Liz saw his eyes darting across to the tree. One minute he seemed to be calm, the next jumpy. He was clearly under a lot of strain, she thought, but that was no surprise really, after what had happened.

‘Please,’ Liz said. ‘If you can just go through what happened, I think that would be really helpful.’

James turned from the window and came over to sit down on one of the chairs by the fire. Liz did the same, the heat from the flames resting on her like a warm, toasty blanket. Give me a blanket, she thought, and I could stay right here for hours.

To break the awkwardness that was in the room with them, Liz said, ‘The photos, this is your wife, Helen, yes?’

‘They are,’ Mr Fletcher said, and Liz saw a crack in the military front the man wore like armour. ‘Beautiful, isn’t she? I still can’t believe she’s gone. I keep expecting to hear her voice or see her