Damn. We always knew it was a possibility. What do you think they want with you?
Sutton took a deep breath. Theyre going to hang him out to dry, make an example of him. Rumour has it they want me to testify that in the months leading up to his arrest he was secretive and non-communicative. That he received phone calls at odd times and kept on disappearing.
Warren sat back and eyed the detective inspector with concern. He knew how much his predecessorSuttons mentorhad meant to him. Warren had never met the man; rather he had been parachuted in, newly promoted, the previous summer after DCI Sheehy had been arrested and removed from his post.
The arrest had come as a massive shock to the small, close-knit CID unit operating out of Middlesbury police station. Sheehys friend and subordinate Tony Sutton had been arrested also, before being released without charge after a brief investigation. Sutton had felt betrayed and hurt after the man he admired so greatlywho had in fact persuaded him to apply to join CID years beforehad been accused of corruption.
The repercussions from Sheehys arrest cut deep, Warren soon found out after his arrival, threatening the very existence of the unit he had headed.
Middlesbury CID was something of an anomaly. Some years previously, the police forces of Hertfordshire and the adjacent county, Bedfordshire, had decided to pool their resources and formed a new, single Major Crime Unit, operating out of Welwyn Garden City. Faced with the closure of what he believed to be a unique and essential service in the very north of the county, DCI Gavin Sheehy had successfully fought against the closure of the small, but effective CID unit housed at Middlesbury police station. The result had been a highly focused, local team able to respond rapidly to major crimes in Middlesbury and the many little villages that surrounded the area.
With its extensive local knowledge and close ties to the community, the squad proved highly effective in reducing and solving crime. Nevertheless, it was expensive and Sheehys uncompromising style had won him many enemiesenemies who were now circling, using Sheehys recent disgrace as evidence that the team should be disbanded and absorbed into the main major crime unit. The result was that the unit was effectively on probation, having to prove its worth. Detective Superintendent John Grayson was assigned to oversee the unit. If his job was to be impartial about the role of the unit, then he was a good choicenobody could divine if he was in favour or against the continued existence of the team. Many suspected that the survival of the unit was linked directly to Graysons perception of its usefulness to his own career goals.
None of this had been explained to Warren of course, who had been promoted to DCI the previous summer, moving from the West Midlands Police to fill the role vacated by Sheehy. It had been presented as a golden opportunity to gain command experience for the ambitious young officer; he had been ill-prepared for the maelstrom of local politics that awaited him upon his arrival.
Tony Sutton, smarting from the betrayal by Sheehy and the humiliation of his own, brief arrest, had been suspicious of Warren, assuming that he was there to covertly make recommendations about the future of the unit. The two men had butted heads over Warrens management of his first major crime, resulting in an explosive encounter between them. Since then, the two officers had grown to respect and like one another and, to his surprise, Warren had found himself warming to his new command and was starting to regard it as more than just a stepping stone to bigger things.
So the court case starts next month? How do you feel about it?
Sutton sighed. Im torn. The bastard deserves to go downbut I still cant quite believe it.
What do you think theyll ask you about? The investigation cleared you of any involvement.
Yeah, but its still going to look bad for me. I was his friend and his immediate subordinatepeople are going to question why I didnt suspect anything. You know how mud stickspeople will think either I was in on it or Im a fool.
Sutton shook his head. Maybe I was. I didnt spot the signsor rather I chose to ignore them. The sudden phone calls, the unexplained absences He snorted derisively. I thought he was having a bloody affair. He shrugged. I didnt approve, but then who am I to lecture?
Warren nodded in sympathy. Sutton was right. He had a chequered history when it came to extra-marital affairs. His first marriage had imploded after Sutton had indulged in a drunken one-night stand. Years later he was still rebuilding the pieces of that relationship and Warren knew that he felt ashamed and guilty, even as he and his former wife forged new relationships and co-operated to bring up their teenage son.
Well, Tony, you know that you have my support.
Sutton nodded. Thanks, Boss. I guess Ill just have to tell the truth, answer their questions and let the cards fall where they may.
* * *
His conversation with Tony Sutton had left Warren feeling downbeat. As much to clear his head and stretch his legs as to fulfil his caffeine and sugar needs, Warren decided to treat himself to a decent coffee and Danish pastry from the canteen, rather than simply adding another fifty-pence piece to the honesty jar next to the communal coffee urn. At last count, there had been twelve pounds fifty in the jarall of it Warrens.
There was a copy of the Middlesbury edition of the Cambridge News lying on a table. Reggie Williamsons picturethe one with Smiths naturallytook up over half of the front page, along with a suitably lurid headline. The story was continued on page three, where another picturethis one a long-lens shot of white-suited CSIs working the scene up on the commondominated.
The story was essentially a report of the press conference, along with a few tributes from various drinkers in the Merchants Arms.
The shrill ringing of Warrens mobile phone made him jump.
Its Tony, Boss. Where are you? The DIs voice was excited, with no hint of the depression he had been exhibiting barely minutes ago.
Downstairs in the canteen. Warren felt a thrill go through him; he hadnt been away from his desk for five minutes. Sutton wouldnt have called him on his mobile unless it was extremely urgent.
It looks like we were too hasty releasing Mateo Menendez yesterday.
* * *
Mateo Menendez was extremely unhappy about being picked up for a second time. This time he refused to come voluntarily and Warren was given no choice but to serve the arrest warrant that Grayson had signed. He immediately requested a lawyer.
By the time a police solicitor had been arranged, a search of the flat that Menendez shared with his partner and their two young children was well underway and the life and background of the Spanish national was under the spotlight, with records requested from Spanish sources as well as UK authorities. His girlfriend was currently being questioned and specialist officers were assessing whether the older of the two children, three-and-a-half-year-old Tyson, would be any use as a witness.
The paper-suited man in front of Warren and Sutton was a lot less confident now. His clothes had been collected for evidence and his mobile phone, which had been so helpful up to this point, had now been formally confiscated and was undergoing rigorous forensic examination at the computer crime division in Welwyn Garden City. Twenty-four hours previously, the young man had been unpleasantly arrogant, even trying to flirt with Karen Hardwick. Now he just looked scared.
Before we start, I would like to know why my client has been called in again. In his last interviewwhich he gave without counsel present, I might addit was established that Mr Menendez was at home at the time of the attack on the unfortunate Mr Williamson.
Warren ignored the implied rebuke concerning the previous interview. The recording on the PACE tape recorder would clearly show that Warren had advised Menendez of his rights; furthermore, he had not been under arrest at the time.
Mr Menendez, I would be grateful if you could describe again your movements on the night of Thursday the twenty-second.
Menendez licked his lips nervously. No comment.
Are you sure about that, Mateo? We have you on tape already. I just want to clarify a few details.
He glanced over at his solicitor, who nodded almost imperceptibly.
Its like I said, I took the kids to McDonalds then to the park up on the common. Then when it got dark, I took the kids back to Candys and put them to bed.
And are there any witnesses who can corroborate this? It was the first thing that Tony Sutton had said after identifying himself for the tape.
Menendez hissed in frustration. Weve already been through this. The kids are too young, but Candy saw me when she came in about half nine.
Warren watched the man closely. On the face of it, his reaction was appropriate, but it seemed forced. As if he knew what reaction was expected of him and didnt want to disappoint.
He decided to give the man a bit more rope to hang himself with. Just to be clear; the sun goes down about quarter past six this time of the year. Are you saying that you left Middlesbury Common and returned to your partners flat, number 27b Eastcotes Terrace, at that time? Its not very far; did you go home directly?
The mans eye twitched slightly. Yes, straight home.
So you would have been in from about what, six-thirtyish until your partner returned from Zumba a bit after nine-thirty? Sutton again.
About that.
Did you stay in for the rest of the night?
Yes, we watched a bit of telly and then went to bed.
And again, can your partner corroborate this.
Absolutely. The mans voice was confident again.
Warren nodded and scribbled on the notepad in front of him.
OK, youve been very helpful, Mr Menendez.
The man blinked in surprise.
Am I free to go?
His solicitor, an experienced-looking middle-aged woman narrowed her eyes slightly, but said nothing.
Just one more thing, Sutton spoke up. Do you carry your mobile phone with you at all times?
Before his solicitor could interject, the man nodded his head.
Yeah, course. Who doesnt?
And you had it with you on Thursday evening?
May I ask where this is going, DCI Jones? Menendezs solicitor was looking decidedly anxious now and was directing her question to the senior officer in the room. She had clearly worked out what was happening, even if her client hadnt.
Just clarifying something, responded Sutton. Warren said nothing.
Like I said, yeah I carry it everywhere. I definitely had it Thursday.
Now it was Warrens turn to speak up. Given everything that youve told us, could you explain why cell-tower triangulation places your smartphone at Middlesbury Common from ten past five until almost twenty past nine and why your partner thinks that you lied about bathing the children that evening?
Thursday 29th March
Chapter 7
Warren and Suttons elation lasted barely twelve hours. Nine a.m. the following morning found them perched between piles of unironed clothes on the edge of a suspiciously grubby sofa. Every surface in the flat, the two detectives included, was covered by hairs from the numerous cats wandering around the dwelling. The smell of cats pee and old food was poorly masked by cheap air freshener and cigarette smoke.
Exactly what Mateo Menendez saw in Nicky Goven, was something of a mystery to Warren and Sutton. Perhaps it was her phlegmy cough, the hard-to-discern tattoo that covered pretty much her entire right calf or maybe he just liked the smell of incontinent domestic pets. At least four of the animals had wandered through in the few minutes that the two police officers had been there.
Her apartment on the edge of the common shared the same cell tower and this, Menendez claimed, was the reason why his smartphone was registered as at or near the commonrather than at home as hed first claimedfor the hours either side of Reggie Williamsons murder.
When did you last see Mr Menendez?
Nicky Goven squinted at Warren from behind a peroxide-blonde fringe.
Thursday evening. He always comes around then. He has Thursday evenings off work.
Warren glanced at Sutton.
Where does Mr Menendez work?
He works in a call centre for the emergency services. There was a palpable pride in her voice. He helps give advice for people whilst they wait for an ambulance.
Warren said nothing; there were no operational control centres within fifty miles of Middlesbury. It looked as though Menendezs habit of lying to women was not limited to Tabitha Williamson.
What time was Mr Menendez around here?
The young woman paused for a moment. He turned up a bit after five, I guess, and stayed for a few hours.
Could you be a bit more precise? When exactly did he leave you?
For the first time since they arrived, Nicky Goven looked worried.
Why? Whats he done? Is he in trouble? Is this anything to do with that bloke who was killed on the common last week? I already spoke to a policewoman who knocked on the door Monday night.
Its just part of a routine inquiry, soothed Warren.
She shrugged. A bit after nine I guess. She thought for a moment. Yeah thats right. There was a film starting and he said hed like to stay and watch it but he had to leave because he was working the early shift.
The times certainly added up. However, Warren wouldnt be entirely satisfied until he got another independent confirmation. It was always possible that the fragrant Ms Goven was helping Menendez.
Was there anyone around who may have seen Mr Menendez arrive or leave your flat?
She thought for a moment, before scowling. That old bitchscuse my Frenchwho lives in the flat next along is always complaining that we make too much noise, cause the walls are so thin. She grinned wickedly. I hadnt seen him all week. We gave her plenty to moan about.
Assuming the neighbour was in, and confirmed Nicky Govens storyand by extension Mateo Menendezs new, more seedy alibithen Menendez was no longer a suspect.
However, before he left Warren had a bit more business. Strictly speaking, it was nothing to do with him, but Warren felt sorry for the young womanyet another victim of Middlesburys self-styled Cassanova.
Do you work, Ms Goven?
She shrugged. Yeah, Im a hairdresser. I do a few shifts each week down the Clip Joint, on the High Street.
And have you ever used any of those payday loan companies?
If she thought the question strange, she didnt let it bother her. Sure, once or twice. She smiled. Actually, I let Mateo sort that out for me. Im not very good with numbers.