Buried Secrets: The Freeman Files Series: Book 11 by Ted Tayler (highly recommended books txt) 📗

“I don’t think Alan was interested in football, guv,” said Lydia. “No, the Saturday cycle ride was their only point of contact.”

“So, they didn’t meet as a foursome regularly?”

“That wasn’t something either couple tried to pursue as far as I can tell, guv,” said Lydia. “When Anna had the baby, it allowed Maddy to see her friend more often again. Alan and Maddy were her first choice as godparents. Wayne wasn’t worried whether or not they had Joshua christened. He doesn’t follow any religion. Maddy was happy to get asked. Because it wasn’t likely to get arranged in a hurry nobody appears to have asked Alan how he felt.”

“I know I’m labouring the point, Lydia,” said Gus, “but although these four connected through work, rest, and play, there was a distinct dividing line. Alan knew Maddy and Wayne, Maddy knew Anna and Alan.”

“What does that mean, though, guv?” asked Lydia.

“It adds weight to the argument that Alan and Maddy didn’t include many fresh faces in their life.”

“The fewer contacts they had, the lower the risk their secrets came out,” said Lydia. “It’s something to consider.”

“Did you run through the events leading up to the murder with Anna?” asked Gus.

“Anna told me Maddy visited her while Wayne and Alan went cycling the Saturday before Alan died. They chatted about Joseph, and how things were going at the call centre; nothing relating to Alan. Oh, Maddy mentioned Alan tripping up the stairs after he got home from his Wednesday night run. She thought it was funny. After Wayne got home from the cycle ride on Saturday evening, he mentioned the incident at the pond in Biddestone. Anna told me she tuned his comments out because she didn’t know the village well enough to know what Wayne was talking about.”

“If I’m right, then Anna and Alan weren’t bosom buddies, so she wasn’t interested.”

“Right, guv,” said Lydia. “The next Wednesday evening went as per the murder file. Maddy called at half-past nine. She wanted to ask Wayne if Alan had mentioned which route he was taking. Wayne offered to help in the search. The couple went to bed, hearing nothing further. The police called on the couple on Thursday evening. Anna told me they were both shocked to hear of Alan’s death. She still considers Maddy as her best friend to this day. Wayne lost a good cycling partner, and that hurt him.”

“Maddy hadn’t called Anna before then?” asked Gus.

“Anna said a DI Banks and a DS Tallentire called on them to make a statement. When she spoke to Maddy later that evening to send her condolences, she learned that the same detectives had been with Maddy and Alan’s parents throughout the day.”

“Final thoughts, Lydia?” asked Gus.

“Anna Phillips knows nothing of Maddy’s past, guv. She had nothing to do with the murder, and neither did her husband. I can’t see any point returning to Woodpecker Mews anytime soon.”

“I agree,” said Gus. “I could have saved you the cost of a new pair of shoes.”

“Don’t remind me. Do you want Alex to update you on Wayne Phillips now, guv?”

“Might as well get it out of the way.”

Lydia returned to her desk, tapping Alex on the head as she passed.

“Lucky you,” she grinned. “I reckon you’ll get away with just the headlines.”

Alex joined Gus and ran through his conversation with Wayne Phillips.

Gus listened intently but didn’t hear a single word that felt out of place or improved his opinion on who murdered Alan Duncan.

“Can we cross those two off our list now, guv?” asked Alex.

“Someone needs to go back to Woodpecker Mews first,” said Gus.

“The latest photographs,” said Alex, “of course. Wayne might recognise one submariner as the mystery man by the pond in Biddestone.”

“We need to take the same set of photographs to the Crown at Giddeahall,” said Gus. “Maddy told Anna that Alan tripped as he was running upstairs when he got home on Wednesday before he died. Perhaps that was the first occasion when the mystery man showed his face. Maybe something spooked him. It’s a stretch, but we’ve got to try anything at this stage,”

“Lydia and I could make those visits this evening if it helps, guv,” said Alex.

“Good idea. Leave early,” said Gus. “Visit the pub first, and then you’ll reach Chippenham in time to catch Wayne before he goes to five-a-side football. That is if he’s still fit enough to run around. Did you ask whether he found a new cycling companion?”

“Wayne’s a member of the local cycling club these days, guv,” said Alex.

Gus glanced at the clock. There was no rush for him to get home tonight. Suzie was visiting her parents in Worton. Behind him, he heard the lift descend to the ground floor. Luke and Neil must be back.

It had already been a long day. Gus decided everyone deserved an early night.

“Welcome back, lads,” said Gus. “How long to update your files?”

“We won’t get it done before five, guv,” said Neil. “Not that we think we’ve brought back anything earth-shattering.”

“Alex and Lydia are off to Chippenham in fifteen minutes. Blessing, you can gather the things that you need for the morning in the Hub. We’ll call it a day when Alex and Lydia leave. Tomorrow we’ll start hunting those submariners and let’s hope one of them can put a name to the only unnamed man in that batch of photographs.”

There were no complaints from the team. By a few minutes after half-past four, the office was empty.

  CHAPTER 8

“I don’t think I’ve ever used this road before, Alex,” said Lydia.

“It takes us to Corsham,” said Alex. “I came this way with Gus when we did the tour of the village of Biddestone. I thought we could use the same roads and lanes that