29
Their new guv’nor, Detective Superintendent Ron Naylor, ordered them to sit. He was angry. Not quite as much as Gormley, but angry nevertheless. And who could blame him? It wasn’t even coffee time and Daniels had briefed him on yet another suspicious death, the circumstances of which were unimaginable. And that was only the half of it. There were numerous suspects but no bloody crime scene. If there was one thing they didn’t need right now it was another public relations nightmare.
‘Let me get this straight.’ He was almost yelling. ‘There was little evidence recovered at the scene of the crash and – because it wasn’t a murder from the outset – we’re left scratching around in the dark for any tangible leads as to the identification of the person or persons responsible for Ivy Kerr’s death.’
Daniels nodded. ‘That’s about the size of it.’
‘Was she DOA at the hospital or declared dead at the scene?’ he asked.
‘A paramedic pronounced her dead at the scene at four-fifty a.m. I’m seeing him later this morning.’ Daniels looked down at sketchy notes she’d cobbled together thus far, so little intelligence she’d managed to scribble it all on half of an A4 sheet. ‘It might be an idea to have someone from the accident investigation team attached to the squad during the enquiry, don’t you think, guv?’
Naylor answered with a nod. ‘I’ll sort that for you.’
‘I’ve instigated enquiries with all of the emergency services. There’s quite a bit of friction because of the implied suggestion that one of them is a vicious murderer. And lots of speculation I’d like to nip in the bud. The cause of the accident was a lorry losing control. At this stage there doesn’t appear to be a link between the RTA and the murder of Ivy Kerr. It was entirely opportunistic, I’m sure of it. A case of wrong time, wrong place.’
Naylor placed his elbows on his desk and cradled his hands. ‘What day is pension day?’
‘Wasn’t that obvious, guv,’ Daniels said. ‘Ivy’s bag was recovered at the scene: pension book, credit cards and over three hundred pounds in cash that it would appear she’d recently withdrawn from a hole in the wall near her home. I understand that the receipt was still in her bag.’
‘That doesn’t make sense! If theft wasn’t the motive, what the hell was? She wasn’t alone, you say—’
‘No, guv. But her husband didn’t make it—’
‘You sure his injuries were caused by the crash?’
Daniels nodded. ‘He had massive internal damage, according to Tim.’
‘What were they doing out at that time of night?’ Gormley said to no one in particular. ‘I mean, they were a bit old to be tripping the light fantastic until dawn weren’t they?’
‘I was wondering the same thing.’ Daniels wafted a fly away from her face and watched it drift out of the window. ‘I assume they were either headed somewhere special or returning from holiday. My guess would be the former.’
Naylor looked at her. ‘What makes you say that?’
‘Their house is north of the accident and they were travelling on the southbound carriageway. But, hey, we both saw the road, guv. It was impossible to tell which way was up, wasn’t it, Hank?’
Gormley nodded soberly. He rose to his feet, itching to get going. ‘Mind if I start the ball rolling, guv? I’d like to speak to Ivy’s neighbours, her family, see if I can get a starter for ten. Unless either of you want me for anything else?’
Naylor and Daniels both shook their heads.
Gormley made for the door, stopping short when Daniels called him back.
‘You don’t have to do this, Hank,’ she said. ‘Why don’t I send—’
‘No, I need to do this. Someone must know where they were heading, what they were doing out at that time of night.’ He hesitated, his hand on the door, his focus on Naylor. ‘Guv, you need to reassure the public that we’re working round the clock to sort this one. When it gets out that Kate and I were actually there, we’re going to be in for a lot of stick.’
‘It wasn’t our fault, Hank,’ said Daniels. ‘Stop blaming yourself.’
‘Yeah, well, you never looked into her eyes, did you?’
As the door closed behind him, Naylor sighed. ‘Anything I should know about?’
‘No, guv. He’s fine. You want me to update you on Ralph Street?’
‘If you must. But stick to Ron when it’s me and you, OK?’
Daniels nodded, an idea popping into her head. Since Naylor’s transfer from Durham Constabulary he’d been complaining about being chained to his desk. Same job. Different force. But infinitely bigger area geographically, which meant more time spent in the office, a situation he wasn’t entirely happy with.
‘You want to get out of here for an hour, guv?’
‘Depends.’
‘On?’
‘Whatever it is you’re cooking up in that head of yours.’
‘Your management style is similar to mine, guv.’ She grinned. ‘I thought it was time you got your hands dirty for a change.’
His face lit up. ‘What did you have in mind?’
‘If you could drag yourself away from that desk, I’d appreciate your input at the crime scene – I can update you on the way.’