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

Maddy burst into tears.

“How could it have happened? He was as fit as a fiddle. Was it a heart attack?”

“We need to wait for the autopsy, Miss,” said Sam Hulbert.

“Was it a hit and run? Boy racers often use the lanes during the summer months.”

“The body bore no significant physical injuries, Miss.”

“How long have you known one another?” asked Clare Townsend.

“Four years,” said Maddy. “We met at a party. Alan came along with my best friend’s husband. That’s Wayne and Anna Phillips. They live in Chippenham. Wayne and Alan go cycling together every weekend.”

“What did your partner do before you met him, do you know?” asked Sam.

“He joined the Royal Navy straight from school. When he’d seen enough of the world, he came home.”

“Biddestone was his family home?” asked Clare.

“No, his parents live in Corsham. His father works at the same factory as Alan.”

“Perhaps we could have those contact details, Miss. You’re certain Alan wasn’t depressed or had money concerns?”

“I don’t know why you keep asking me that. Alan’s the last person to feel depressed. He’s quiet and conscientious. Nothing ever fazes him.”

Maddy jotted the addresses and phone numbers on a scrap of paper and handed them to the female police officer.

“What happens now?” Maddy asked. “Can I see him?”

“Someone will be in touch in the morning about making an identification, Miss. We found Alan’s mobile phone next to the body. There’s no doubt, I’m afraid. You shouldn’t be alone tonight. Do you want to call someone?”

“I can’t call his parents,” said Maddy, “This will crucify them. Alan’s an only child.”

“They need to know tonight,” said Sam Hulbert. “We’ll drive to Corsham from here.”

“What about your friend?” asked Clare.

“Anna has a six-month-old baby. I can’t ask her to leave him to keep me company. I promised I’d call back once I’d found where Alan was hiding. We thought he might have gone to the pub.”

“You rang your friends earlier?” asked Clare.

“At half-past nine. I wondered whether Wayne knew where Alan was planning to run tonight.”

“Did he?” asked Sam.

“Not a clue. Wayne offered to drive over to help me search. He reminded me of the phone. I hadn’t thought to call Alan’s mobile before. Alan always carried it with him when he went for his run.”

“Was a pub somewhere he visited often? Which one was his local?” asked Sam.

“He didn’t have a local. He rarely went into a pub without me. He was quiet. Alan was a friendly person but preferred small groups. He didn’t enjoy going into crowded bars much.”

“Will you be okay if we leave you now, Miss Mills?” asked Clare.

“I won’t sleep, but it’s only right that you tell Bob and Elizabeth tonight. If only we knew what happened.”

“We’ll know more by tomorrow, Miss,” said Sam. “We’re sorry for your loss.”

Maddy saw the two police officers to the door and locked it behind them.

“What do you reckon, Sam?” asked Clare.

“My first thought was suicide, Clare,” replied Sam Hulbert. “Now, I’m not so sure.”

“You were right about one thing, Sam,” said Clare Townsend. “We’ll know more tomorrow.”

  CHAPTER 2

Monday, 30th July 2018

Gus studied the heads of the team as they put the finishing touches to yet another case. What a start to a week. There was little in the email he’d received from Gareth Francis that surprised him. For days Gus had prayed he was wrong. He hadn’t even shared his thoughts with Suzie.

That a mother could be a party to the cold-blooded murder of her daughter was something he couldn’t comprehend. Even after a lifetime of investigating crime, Gus felt sure he must have misinterpreted the evidence. Yet, last night on the banks of the canal, he’d come face-to-face with pure evil.

Debbie Read had shown no sign of regret, no protestation of innocence. Her partner-in-crime, Rod Maidment, had looked in her direction just once. That was enough for Gus to understand what lay ahead for the detectives at Gablecross. The couple’s defence would be a wall of silence.

Blessing Umeh was first to finish her contribution to the Freeman Files. She looked up to see Gus looking towards the whiteboards.

“Would you like me to remove the Read case material, guv?” she asked.

Gus nodded.

Blessing could tell their boss was still reeling from the events of last night. After Gus spoke to them from the nature reserve, she had waited for Luke Sherman to call Mary Bennett. Lucy’s grandmother had been going upstairs to bed. Luke told her to stay where she was; they would bring Lucy to Penhill to spend the night. Mary asked why, but Luke had told her not to worry, he would explain when they arrived.

Blessing had then got out of the car and rung the bell of Debbie Read’s home in Gorse Hill. She rang and knocked without reply. Lucy didn’t come to the door until Blessing had called to her through the letter-box.

Lucy had watched her mother leave. When she heard Blessing’s voice, she answered the door. Lucy was confused. What had happened? Had her Mum had an accident? Did someone knock her off her bicycle? Blessing said it was nothing like that, which calmed the young girl, and Blessing told Lucy to gather her things, and they would explain once they reached her grandmother’s house.

Luke had done the talking when they reached Penhill. Mary Bennett sat with her arms around her granddaughter. Blessing wasn’t sure how much Mary took in of what Luke said. At that stage, and in front of Lucy, Luke couldn’t give her the full story.

Mary asked whether this was because they had left her granddaughter alone in the house.

“Since Stacey died,” said Lucy, “Mum has slipped out of the house on her bicycle for an hour most Sunday evenings.