Devious Intention, page 9
“What? And you call that nothing major? Bri, we can’t back out now. We’ve promised to help solve the case.”
“All right, maybe that came out wrong. Yes, we should continue investigating her claims. What I’m uncomfortable with is the fact that she’s around Cally.”
“Are you crazy? She’s wonderful with Cally. I truly can’t see what your problem is on that front.”
“Maybe that’s because you’re not her mother.” He winced when he uttered the words.
Ellie shook her head. “That was a low shot, Bri, even for you.” She swung her legs out of the bed and buried her head in her hands.
He quickly shuffled up behind her, gripped her shoulders, and rested his head against her back. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean for it to come out that harshly. Forgive me, Ellie? Please, look at it from my point of view. The woman is clearly unstable and missing her own daughter. How do I know she won’t hurt Cally, or even run off with her?”
Ellie turned to face him. “Why now? Why didn’t you voice your concerns at the beginning, Brian?”
He shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe it’s because of what we’re discovering about her husband. He sounds like a twisted bastard.”
“You’re right, he does, but it’s not fair to tar Louise with the same brush. We need to trust her, Brian. I’m aware we don’t really know the woman, but let’s not go overboard and condemn her for all that she’s lost. Look at the facts! Matt’s obviously trying to set out to make her look bad. I keep saying it—we need to find out why he’s intent on doing that.”
Brian sighed. “Okay, I’m sorry. Forget I raised the subject.”
“I love you for being so protective of Cally. I can’t fault you there, hon. However, I love that little girl as if she came out of my womb—that’s what hurt, you telling me that I’m not her mother.”
He kissed her hard on the lips. “No one will regret those words more than me. You’re more of a mother to her than Trish has ever been. Forget I said it, please?”
“It’s forgotten already. Back to the case. We need to decide what we’re going to do next.”
“I recognise that look. You’re not suggesting we go out to Spain, are you?”
Ellie rubbed her chin between her thumb and forefinger. “The thought has definitely crossed my mind.”
“What? How can we? Are you forgetting the reason we came down to Cornwall, love?”
“No, of course not. Maybe we could bring the wedding forward a few days? What do you think?”
Brian stared at her open-mouthed for a moment or two before he found the words to answer her. “Now I know you’re kidding, right?”
She shook her head and winked at him. “It’s a solution to our problem.” She ran her finger around his nipple and pouted. “What’s the matter, Brian? Don’t you want to marry me?”
He burst out laughing. “Jesus, woman, I love it when you mimic Marilyn Monroe like that. You know what it does to me.”
Ellie placed a hand on his chest. “Whoa, hold on a sec, big boy. We need to work out a plan of action before we get down to any action!”
“Supposing we bring the wedding forward, then what?”
“We’ll need to drop Cally back to your mum’s so that she can look after her treasured granddaughter, then we can get a flight out to Spain from Birmingham airport.”
“That’s your plan? You have this all figured out, except one major part.”
“Which is?” Ellie asked, confused.
“What are we going to do with Louise? Or this place, come to that?”
“Ah, well, that’s what we’ve got to work out. Can Louise stay here by herself for the rest of the time we have the cottage booked?”
Brian winced. “Would she want to?”
“Hmm… maybe not such a hot idea. What if we suggest she goes back to Hertfordshire and stay with that friend of hers?”
“Maybe it’s not convenient for her to stay with the woman. Wouldn’t she have suggested it to her already if it were okay?”
“Damn! I’m open to other possible suggestions. Feel free to chime in at any time.”
“Right, you asked for it. Yes, I think we should fly out to Spain.” Ellie reached forward as if to hug him, but Brian pulled back. “Hold on, let me finish before you get all excited about the prospect. But first of all, I think we should all revisit the scene of the accident. Maybe it’ll prompt Louise into recalling something that was said in the car on the journey down here. Perhaps it’ll reinforce to her what a bastard her husband is being by deserting her at a time she needs him the most. I don’t know. That’s for starters.”
“All right. You’ve side-stepped one of my questions, though.”
Brian tilted his head a little. “I have?”
“The wedding? Could we bring it forward, get it out of the way?” Ellie tutted and shook her head. “I didn’t mean it to sound so brutal, I promise.”
Brian chuckled. “Bloody hell, woman. If you’re that determined to get it over and done with, then I’ll ring the vicar in the morning.”
“Super. I can’t wait to be Mrs. Lynx. Can you ring him first thing? Then we can plan out the rest of the day from there. So excited about this, I promise.”
“Damn, I better ring the family, as well.”
Ellie frowned. “Why?”
“Because we were all hoping to surprise you on the day. They’re all due down here to attend the wedding on Saturday.”
She gasped and covered her mouth. “Seriously? Oh my God, I thought they all said they couldn’t find the time to come down here. Shit! Now I feel really bad about trying to bring the date forward. Do you think our families will mind, given the circumstances?”
“I should think they’ll be livid, but they’ll also be proud of you for forgoing your big day, if it means we track down that bastard Matthew and bring him to justice.”
Ellie considered his statement for a moment. “Crap, I really feel bad about this now. Can you imagine what Colin will say?”
“Sod him, love. It’s us who matter, not the fact that we’ll be putting out your stepfather by moving the dates around.”
She shuddered. “Did you have to call him that? We all know what he’s like. I just hope he doesn’t take his foul mood out on Mum. I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if he laid a finger on her again.”
“Your concerns are noted but unnecessary, I’m sure. He promised us all that he’s a changed man since they got married. He hasn’t shown us any reason not to believe that up until now.”
“I know. Ignore my foolish tongue. It’s better out than in. I hate festering about things of this nature.”
“So, I’ll ring the vicar in the morning, then we’ll head back to the accident site. I want to conduct a thorough search of the area. If I find anything that points to another vehicle being involved, I’m going to swing for that copper. Especially after witnessing how freaked out Louise was when she told us she’d spotted the driver of the other car.”
“You do believe her about that, then?”
“Of course I do. It’s proving it, hon, when all those involved in the investigation are adamant that Louise is mistaken, insisting that she drove into a barrier.”
“It’s still a very puzzling case, I’ll give you that. Then what? We come back here and head north?”
“We need to confirm things with Louise first. She’ll want to check if it’s okay to stay with her friend Georgina before we set off. There’ll be no point in us driving all the way to Hertfordshire if this woman is going to shut the door in our faces,” Brian stated objectively.
“There are still a lot of ifs and maybes to consider before we can sign off on the plans. Let’s grab some sleep and start afresh in the morning.”
He raised his eyebrows at her. “You seem to be forgetting something. Where’s my promise of some action disappeared to?”
Ellie pushed him back on the bed and turned his head to the side. “You’re forgetting we’re not alone.”
Brian groaned, and Ellie chuckled as they looked over at Cally, who was smiling in her sleep.
CHAPTER EIGHT
After bolting down their breakfasts and hurriedly explaining to Louise their intentions for the day ahead, the four of them rushed out of the cottage. Their first stop was the vicarage. Brian thought it would be far more personal to call in to see the vicar in person to ask whether he could alter the day of the wedding.
Brian emerged from the vicarage sporting a huge smile and gave Ellie the thumbs-up. They shared a kiss when he jumped into the driver’s seat beside her.
“That’s a relief. Are you sure he didn’t mind?” she asked.
“No, he said he had nothing else on that day and understood our need to get back home.” He started the car and pulled away from the kerb. “Next stop on our agenda.”
“What a lovely man. That’s a lot off our shoulders. We just need to contact the family now and prepare them.” She wriggled in her seat and looked round at Louise. “Are you all right?”
“Apprehensive, I suppose. Glad that you guys will be at my side.”
“Always. No fear about that, Louise. Take your time. If you want to sit in the car for a few moments when we get there, just say. There’s no rush.”
“Thanks, Ellie, and Brian. You guys have gone above and beyond for me, and I’ll never be able to repay your kindness and understanding.”
Ellie waved her hand in front of her. “It’s all in a day’s work for us, no worries. And how are you, princess?” she asked Cally, who was chatting away as usual to her favourite doll.
“When we get out of the car, I’m going to find another dress for Matilda. Can I do that?”
“Of course, we’ll stop at the shop in town on the way back, sweetie. We must make sure Matilda is dressed smartly for the wedding, mustn’t we?”
“Yes, we must. Can she wear a wedding dress?”
The three adults laughed at her question. “Maybe next time, sweetie. Even I’m not wearing a wedding dress, and it’s supposed to be my big day.”
“Why? You should look pwetty on your wedding day.”
“I will, hopefully, but I’ll be wearing that beautiful cream suit I bought in town. Do you remember?”
“Yes, now that is really pwetty! Will this be on Saturday?”
Ellie glanced at Brian. “I forgot to ask, when have you brought it forward to?”
“We’re getting hitched at ten tomorrow morning.”
“Holy cr… sorry,” she started to say before correcting herself for swearing in front of Cally. “Umm… we better get a move on, then. Are you all right, Louise?”
“I’m excited for you about tomorrow but also disappointed that you’ve had to alter your plans because of me.”
Ellie turned in her seat. “Don’t be. We’re fine about it. Aren’t we, gang?” Both Brian and Cally high-fived Ellie. “See? Everyone is thrilled about it.”
Louise smiled. “In that case, you’re all good liars.”
Brian drove away from the vicarage and headed out to the accident site. Every now and again, Ellie heard Louise taking deep breaths in the back of the car, and once, Cally even asked her if she felt carsick, much to Louise’s amusement.
“This place looks familiar. Can we stop here, Brian?”
He cut the engine, and the three adults got out of the car. “Cally will be fine. We’ll be nearby,” he said, dispelling any concerns Ellie and Louise might have had about the child being left alone in the car.
They walked across the road and approached the barrier. Ellie cast her eyes farther than the immediate area to see if the crash site was likely to have been visible from anywhere else, possibly a link road on the other side of the trees. It wasn’t. “Let’s see what we can find just wide of the crash site.”
They spread out a few yards and scrutinised the ground at their feet carefully.
“Shall we root around under the leaves?” Louise asked.
“Yes, try not to disturb them too much. Although I fear it’s too late for that. The high winds over the past few days have probably done that already.”
Brian clicked his fingers to gain their attention. “Hmm… this is interesting.” Ellie and Louise joined Brian about five feet from the barrier. He pointed at an object in the undergrowth, lying close to the edge of the road. He bent down and picked up a three-inch piece of metal. “What does that look like to you, Ellie?”
“Metal. What do you think it belongs to?”
“An old car bumper. Nowadays, they’re mostly covered in the same paint as the body of the car. Louise, can you recall whether the model of the car that hit you was new or old?”
“I wish I could remember, but it’s just not happening. My focus remained on the man’s eyes driving straight at us. That’s why I recognised him yesterday.”
“Do you think he was driving the same car yesterday?” Brian pressed her.
“Bri, she’s just said she wouldn’t be able to recognise the car. Let’s leave it there for now. Let’s keep searching the area for more evidence, of course.”
He held up the piece of metal. “Of course, there’s every chance this might be from another accident entirely.” Brian stated.
Ellie nodded. “I’d like to collect as much as I can and then visit Sergeant Bould and shove it all down his throat. He and the local SOCO should’ve been searching this area for days, trying to find any evidence connected with the accident, bloody imbeciles.”
“Are we talking incompetent policing again?” Louise asked as a sudden breeze swept the area, flicking her hair over her shoulders.
“Maybe. I want to tackle Bould some more before I make any judgements along that line. Jim seems to think he’s an okay copper, but who knows?”
“Right, I’ve found a slight piece of orange plastic here, in the same area.” Brian held the object out to Ellie. “Looks like part of an indicator light.”
She nodded. “Yep, I’m inclined to agree with you. Damn, it pisses me off when we have to do another force’s policing for them. It certainly screams incompetence to me.”
They continued the search for almost half an hour and managed to locate seven pieces that Ellie intended to shove in front of Bould’s face.
“Okay, I say we call it a day here.”
Brian agreed as they walked across the road and got back in the car. “Want me to drive over to the station now?”
“Yep. I want to see this guy try and worm his way out of this one. Is that all right with you, Louise? It’s quite a distance back to the cottage from here,” Ellie said, cautious of Brian’s concerns about leaving Louise alone with Cally.
“Of course, I’ll stay in the car with Cally. Not sure I could face that horrible man again so soon.”
Brian laughed. “I can understand that.” Ten minutes later, Brian parked the car outside Falmouth police station.
“Damn, I forgot this place isn’t open to the public. Just shows how backward they are. Let me call him, see if he can come down and meet us.” Ellie fished the sergeant’s card out of her purse and rang his direct line. “Hello, Sergeant Bould, this is Ellen Brazil. I’m outside in the car park. I have something interesting to give you concerning Louise Gillespie’s case if you’d care to come and join me.”
The man seemed surprised to hear from her and hesitated for a few moments before he replied, “I’m busy right now. Can you call back tomorrow, perhaps?”
“Ah, that’s a little difficult. We’ll be indisposed, I’m afraid.”
“Oh? Surely if it is that important to see me, you’d postpone anything else you have planned on your holiday to come and see me.”
“Ordinarily I would. However, my fiancé and I are getting married. We’ve brought our wedding forward so that we can head north and…”
“And?”
“Well, that’s as much as I’m prepared to tell you about our plans.”
“I see. Give me twenty minutes, and I’ll squeeze in a five-minute chat with you.”
“That’s very decent of you. I appreciate it. I’ll sit in the car and twiddle my thumbs until you arrive.”
Without responding, Bould disconnected the call.
“Idiot,” Ellie mumbled and threw her mobile in her lap. “He’s going to grace us with his presence in twenty minutes or so.”
“That’s kind of him,” Brian grumbled. He folded his arms and rested his head against the window.
Ellie shook his arm. “Don’t you dare go to sleep on me. We have to figure out how we’re going to tackle the little squirt.”
He sat up and swivelled in his chair to face her. “Okay, I’m listening.”
Grinning, she shook her head and turned in her seat to see Louise playing a game of snap with Cally in the backseat. “I was thinking more along the lines of a discussion between us instead of me being the one to tell you how we are going to go about this.”
“Okay, here’s how I see it. I wouldn’t necessarily lay all my cards on the table for him. Tell him from the outset that we visited the scene of the accident but not about the evidence we found there. To be honest, until we get the parts inspected by specialists, they could belong to any car that’s just had an accident in the area. At least that’s what he’s likely to say if you showed him the evidence.”
Ellie rubbed her chin between her thumb and forefinger. “See, now I’d be inclined to hit him with the evidence we gathered right away, but then I love to witness worms wriggling when they’ve been trapped. I’m not sure how to handle things now.”
Brian shrugged. “It’s up to you. Bear in mind we don’t know which cars the parts belong to before you make a fool of yourself, okay?”
She tutted. “You’re right. Okay, let’s see what kind of mood he turns up in and go from there.”
“Can’t wait to see what he has to say.”
“Neither can I, but I have a feeling Sergeant Bould will treat me a little differently if there’s a male present.”
“Interesting deduction.”
Ellie leaned over and kissed his cheek. “Not every man in this wonderful country of ours knows how to treat a woman with respect, darling. I’m sure glad you do.”
