‘This is that old feud, isn’t it, ma’am?’
‘Let’s just say that I try very hard not to make the same mistake twice. I allowed Carter to do things his way once before, a long time ago, and I regretted it. Someone close to me suffered, and I have never forgotten it.’ Her voice softened. ‘I’ve never spoken about it either, Rowan. I just made it my business to hold Carter back whenever I could. I’ve always thought he was damaged goods and not the kind of man to hold a position of trust.’ She paused, clearly wondering how much to tell him, then she seemed to make her decision.
‘We were working together on a very sensitive case involving some vulnerable youngsters. Carter has always had a number of informants on tap, and using these he worked out who the abuser was. Unfortunately he had no proof, but he took this man down by anonymously leaking information to the press, and they did the job for us. Trouble was, the media blamed our chief superintendent. They slated the way the police handled the investigation and he lost his job. Rowan, he was a dear friend of mine.’
‘Did you know that Carter was the leak?’
‘Oh no, not until the whole affair was over and done with, and even then I couldn’t believe he would do such a thing. It was only later that I realised he would stop at nothing to get criminals behind bars.’
‘Did you confront him?’
‘Not directly. I made suggestions and he flatly denied it. I don’t think he ever meant it to go as far as it did. I certainly don’t think he meant the chief super to get it in the neck, but that’s what happened, and Carter was to blame.’ She shrugged. ‘He’s not a bent copper, he never was, but he is driven to succeed by any means, fair or foul, and that can lead to casualties.’ She sighed and seemed to deflate in front of him. ‘I have never told a soul about what I suspected. Now, I know that what I am about to say sounds hard and hypocritical. I am eternally indebted to him for getting my Leah back in the way that he did, but he cannot be allowed to work this case. End of.’
‘Give me until the end of the week, please, Ruth?’ Jackman looked into her eyes, pleading with her. ‘Three days, that’s all. And if at any point I think he was involved, he’ll be upstairs and inside this office, and his feet won’t touch the ground.’
Ruth stared back, and for a moment Jackman thought she was going to hold fast.
Then she let out a painful sigh. ‘I just pray I don’t regret this. Three days, Rowan. Not a second more.’
*
Back in the CID room, Jackman called Robbie and Max. ‘I want searches made of the three other friends’ homes, and I want Holland Cottage turned upside down. I know it’s a long shot. It was over a year ago, but I want to know if those wigs still exist.’ He looked around. ‘Carter and Marie are out this morning, so do it quick. I don’t want Carter to know about this just yet, understood?’
‘What about warrants, sir?’
‘Ask the relatives nicely. Explain that we believe the premises may contain evidence or material that will be of importance in any subsequent trial. But if all else fails, I’ll find a lenient magistrate.’
Robbie and Max hurried off.
‘Sir?’ Gary Pritchard approached him. ‘Since Marie and Carter are off making a rerun of Pirates of the Caribbean, is there anything I can do to help?’
‘Stick with me, Gary,’ said Jackman. ‘I could do with a sensible head at the moment. My brain is full of plausible theories and utter fantasies, and I’m not sure which is which.’
*
Marie and Carter got to Stone Quay not long before the men from the marina. They found Silas and Klink waiting for them.
Carter introduced them. Klink immediately made a beeline for Marie.
‘Hey! You’re gorgeous!’ Marie ruffled the dog’s ears, and squatted down to make a fuss of him. Klink responded by rolling on his back, legs waving in the air.
Silas’s mouth dropped open. ‘Well, I’ll be damned! Ain’t never seen him do that since he were a pup!’
‘This can’t be the ferocious guard dog you told me about?’ Marie looked up and grinned.
Carter shook his head. ‘He must have eaten something.’
‘Dog always did have a mind of his own, and he certainly knows what he thinks about you, miss.’ He looked at Carter. ‘So. Reckon it’ll float, young’un? Or go straight back where it came from?’
‘Oh, it’ll float, old timer. Just you watch.’
‘Sure’s ’ell will.’ Silas sat down on a block of stone. ‘This day’s been a long time a’coming.’
‘Too right.’ Carter looked at the Eva May. ‘Time to feel the tide beneath your keel again, my friend.’ He gently touched the side of his beloved boat.
Marie felt a lump in her throat. She knew he must be heartbroken that his friends were not here with him.
And indeed, he turned to her and said, ‘This was going to be such a big day. Loads to drink, a barbecue on the quay, a photographer from the local rag, loud music . . . The party would have gone on all night.’
He looked around sadly. Marie wondered if he was looking for his dead friends. ‘It’s still a big day, Carter. It’s a massive achievement, and it’s a wonderful tribute to your friends that you went ahead and finished what you all started.’
He squeezed her arm. ‘Thanks, I appreciate that. And maybe it’s better that it’s just us today. A quiet tribute, huh?’
Marie nodded.
‘Think yer marine mates is ‘ere.’ Silas nodded in the direction of the lane where two big trucks, one with a crane attached, were making their way towards them.
‘Time to shine, Eva May!’
Carter’s eyes were misty, and Marie fought back tears.
Once the crane was safely positioned and levelled, they all watched with bated breath. The procedure didn’t take nearly as long as Marie had thought it would.
Lifting tackle, webbing slings and a four-part chain sling were attached to the crane hook, and the webbing slings passed under the boat. The Eva May was hoisted up.
The crane slewed towards the quayside carrying the old lifeboat out over the river. Once it had cleared the quay, they waited for Carter to give the signal to lower away.
Everyone cheered when she touched the water.
‘What’s happening now?’ asked Marie, trying to hide the catch in her voice.
Two men in hard hats, protective gloves and steel toe-capped boots had stepped aboard.
‘They are the slingers. They release the webbing slings from the chains, then direct the crane driver which way to bring the chains out of the water and round and back onto the quay. Then we’ll secure her by the hand lines.’
Carter was watching closely. He had once told Marie that when he was a kid, his father often left him playing by himself in his boatyard. He was completely at home in this environment.
Soon the crane and all the equipment had been packed up ready to return to the marina. Carter paid the man in charge and handed him a gold box that Marie knew contained a very good malt whisky.