Fatal Love Read online

  ‘Mrs Bennett,’ he said. ‘I’m really sorry. We did everything we could to save your husband.’ He fell silent for a moment, allowing Julie some time to try to regain her emotions. ‘I understand you would like to see your husband. Is that correct?’

  Julie, now not even able to speak, just nodded.

  ‘Please come this way, then,’ he said. ‘If you don’t mind, my colleague will also be with us.’

  The woman gently took hold of Julie’s hand, and the three of them walked back through the double doors to the operating theatre. After they had disappeared, both men once again sat down.

  ‘I can’t believe I allowed this to happen,’ said Milner. Although his own earlier sobs had now stopped, his face, nonetheless, still conveyed his heightened emotions. ‘I should have realised that Gary might have done something like this.’

  ‘David?’ replied Tom, quietly. ‘We’ve had this conversation. I’ve told you already. You have absolutely nothing to blame yourself for. Gary would have known what he was doing. The best thing we can do now is help find the people who did this. Let’s also remember we’ve got our own murder investigation to resolve. We spoke last night about this. Craig Blackwell’s involvement is a common link in the investigation, so we should start by talking to him.’ He paused. ‘Agreed?’

  Milner could hardly bring himself to look at Tom. Nonetheless, he replied, albeit in a quiet voice, ‘Agreed.’

  Chapter 43

  ‘We can only allow you to speak with Mr Blackwell for a few minutes. His injuries are quite severe, and we are still concerned he might have incurred some internal damage. So, please, keep your questions as brief as possible. If he is to recover quickly then rest is what he needs right now.’

  Tom and Milner were standing outside a side room where Craig Blackwell had been placed. One of the doctors treating him had been called, by a nurse, to speak with them, after they had requested some time with Mr Blackwell.

  ‘We understand,’ answered Tom. ‘We will keep it as brief as possible. What injuries has he sustained?’

  ‘Multiple injuries to his face. He has a broken nose and cheekbone, both of which will require corrective surgery. We are monitoring the sight in one of his eyes. He also sustained some broken ribs. Our main concern, though, is that he might have damaged some of his internal organs. At the moment it’s a bit too early to tell. In the meantime our priority is to stabilise him before he goes back into theatre.’ He finally added, to further underline his concern, ‘Mr Blackwell’s beating was very severe.’

  The doctor nodded to the nurse, who then led Tom and Milner into the room.

  Tom was deeply shocked when he saw Craig Blackwell. He had heard what the doctor had said about his injuries, but it was only when he saw them for himself that he could comprehend their full seriousness. He had expected to see Mr Blackwell attached to a saline drip, as well as the usual monitoring devices. What he hadn’t expected, however, was the severe bruising on his face. There were a couple of medical dressings on other parts of his face, which, Tom realised, probably protected some deep lacerations. One of his eyes was also covered by a bandage. Although he was sitting upright his body looked very stiff and rigid, probably due to the broken ribs.

  There was only one chair in the room, and so both Tom and Milner remained standing.

  ‘Please don’t be long,’ said the nurse, before leaving the room and closing the door behind her.

  ‘How is he?’ asked Mr Blackwell, in such a quiet voice that, initially, Tom had trouble understanding what he had said.

  Tom had assumed – wrongly, as it now obviously transpired – that Mr Blackwell would have known about Gary’s death. But, logically, of course, there was no reason he would already have been told.

  ‘I’m afraid DC Bennett died a short while ago,’ answered Tom.

  Despite his condition, Mr Blackwell seemed to display genuine shock and, if possible, his body became even more rigid. Initially, he didn’t verbally respond, but eventually he said, ‘He saved my life. If he hadn’t suddenly appeared I’m certain I would be dead.’

  ‘Are you able to tell us what happened?’ asked Milner.

  He simply nodded and then, in the same quiet voice, said, ‘I was meeting some people who supplied me.’

  ‘With drugs?’ asked Tom.

  ‘Yes. Cocaine,’ he replied, in a surprisingly matter-of-fact manner.

  ‘Is that why you needed the cash?’

  ‘Yes,’ he simply replied. ‘After Glyn’s death I had decided to try and stop. I was meeting to tell them, but they said I still owed them money and had to pay it. I knew I didn’t, but they tried to blackmail me. They said they knew where I lived and could afford to pay. They made threats against my family.’

  ‘Physical threats?’ asked Milner.

  ‘Not directly. Just that I should take special care of them. That type of thing.’

  ‘Then what happened?’

  Suddenly he appeared to find renewed energy. ‘That’s when they attacked me. I’d tried to get back in my car, but one of them pulled me back and started kicking and hitting me. The other one had a knife at my throat. That’s when DC Bennett suddenly appeared. He just ran out from the bushes at the side of the road and tried to get the knife off the man.’ He paused briefly, as he tried to recover from his exertions. ‘I’ve got no idea why he was there, but if he hadn’t appeared just then I’m sure they would have killed me,’ he said, repeating what he had told them a short while earlier. ‘When they saw him, they, briefly, left me alone and ran straight for him. I got up and tried to help him, but I didn’t have the strength to do much. The side of my body was very painful, and I was struggling to breathe. I don’t exactly know what happened next. All I could see was he’d fallen to the ground. They then started on me again, and it was at that moment that someone else appeared and started shouting. I think it was the owner of one of the houses on the road. Anyway, it was just enough to distract them, and they got into their car and drove away. A short while later an ambulance arrived, and then the police.’

  ‘Do you know who the two men were?’

  ‘Yes,’ he answered, before quickly adding, ‘Well, I know what they called themselves and I have their mobile number.’

  Once again, no one spoke for some time, before he resumed. ‘I wish I had told you the truth,’ he said, ‘but I am now.’

  Before anyone could say anything else, the door opened, and the same nurse reappeared. ‘I think you need to leave now,’ she said firmly. ‘As the doctor told you, it’s important Mr Blackwell gets some rest.’

  ‘Just one last thing,’ said Tom. ‘You mentioned a mobile number for the men who attacked you. Do you have it on your phone?’

  ‘Yes. It’s in my phone contacts under Sugar,’ he replied.‘I think the phone is in the drawer by the side of the bed.’

  Milner opened the drawer, took out Mr Blackwell’s phone and scrolled through the contacts section until he came across the details he was looking for. He wrote down the number in his notebook and put the phone back in the drawer.

  As they were leaving the room, Mr Blackwell suddenly said, ‘I’m so sorry.’

  Chapter 44

  Although it was still early morning, they had headed straight back to the station after leaving the hospital.

  ‘What do you want to do next, sir?’ asked Milner, still clearly deflated.

  ‘See that there?’ Tom asked, looking at the chart showing all the main suspects in the Burton murder investigation. ‘We are going to get it resolved, and then we can all grieve for Gary. First, though, I need to make a call.’

  He checked the contact numbers in his phone, found the one he was looking for and pressed the call button. Due to the early time of day, he expected it to go to voicemail. After just a couple of rings, however, it was answered.

  ‘Tom,’ said DCI Jack Chapman. ‘I was somehow expecting you to call.’

  DCI Chapman was part of the North London force and was the SIO who, as it had happened
in his area of responsibility, would be investigating DC Bennett’s murder. A few years ago, Tom had been assigned to North London, reporting directly to DCI Chapman, to help with an investigation into a series of murders: the high-profile case that had dramatically resurrected both Tom’s career and his personal enthusiasm as a DCI.

  DCI Chapman’s tone became more sombre. ‘I’m sorry to hear about the death of DC Bennett. It must have been a real shock for you all.’

  ‘It was,’ replied Tom. ‘Gary and I went back a long way. He was one of the best.’

  ‘I understand, from our officers, there were witnesses.’

  ‘Yes, fortunately there are. Two, to be precise. We have just returned from the hospital, where we also spoke with the other person who was assaulted. He was able to provide us with some information on their attackers.’

  ‘That’s good. Did he provide you with descriptions?’

  ‘Better than that. He gave us a contact number.’

  ‘How did he have that?’ asked DCI Chapman, clearly slightly puzzled.

  ‘They were his dealers,’ replied Tom. ‘They’d supplied him with drugs previously. He says he arranged to meet to inform them he wanted to stop. It was then that they got nasty. They demanded money and, when he refused, they attacked him.’

  ‘Do you believe him?’

  ‘Well, he has lied to us previously, but this time I believe, yes, he’s telling the truth.’

  DCI Chapman then asked the most obvious question. ‘So, why was DC Bennett there? It’s quite a way from your patch. I assume you know it’s normal procedure to inform the other force if any cross-area operations are taking place.’

  So Tom told him. He told him about Glyn Burton’s murder and his business and personal relationship with Craig Blackwell. He told him how Gary had been convinced that it was Craig Blackwell who had murdered his business partner. And finally, he told him how Gary, of his own volition, must have followed Mr Blackwell to the meeting point, seen the attack, and then tried to protect him.

  DCI Chapman didn’t immediately respond. After a while, though, he said, ‘That would explain the video.’

  ‘What video is that?’ asked a surprised Tom.

  ‘An officer found what turned out to be DC Bennett’s phone near to where the attack took place. He must have started recording the meeting before he went to Craig Blackwell’s defence. You can just about make out the assailants, but it’s not very clear. Certainly not clear enough, by itself, to get a conviction. That’s why the contact number will be very useful.’

  ‘I’ll text you it straight away. Hopefully, your tech boys should be able to put a name to the number.’

  ‘Thanks, Tom. Rest assured if we can get a name we will pick him up immediately.’ He paused. ‘As a police officer was murdered there’s bound to be a lot of media interest in this. You probably haven’t had time to give this any thought yet, but, at some stage, we should decide who should front any press conferences.’

  ‘You’re right. I hadn’t even considered that. I think the main priority, though, is to get the two people who carried out the attack into custody as quickly as possible. At least, if we can do that, it will provide Julie – Gary’s wife – with a bit of comfort, knowing that whoever did this is now off the streets.’

  ‘I agree,’ said DCI Chapman. ‘If you can text me that number I’ll get on to it immediately. I’ll also make sure I keep you posted on developments. One other question. Did you know DC Bennett was following Craig Blackwell?’

  ‘I didn’t, no,’ answered Tom, in a now very subdued tone. ‘As I said, it seems as though he took it upon himself to do it. Nonetheless, I should have considered it as a possibility. In retrospect, there were a number of clues which suggested something like this might happen. But, unfortunately, I didn’t spot them. It’s something I’ll have to live with for the rest of my life.’

  Chapter 45

  ‘Are you sure about this, sir?’ asked Milner. It was later that same morning and, as the gates were closed, they were parked on the road, a short walk from Mrs Burton’s house in Richmond.

  After Tom’s conversation with DCI Chapman, they had refocussed their attention on their own murder investigation. Before they had left, Tom had asked Milner to set up the CCTV footage relating to the time when Mr Burton had left his house on the Sunday afternoon, the day he had disappeared. As they had reviewed it, Milner had seen DCI Stone paying particular attention to the footage showing Mr Burton driving away from the house.

  ‘Are you looking for anything in particular, sir?’ Milner had asked.

  ‘Sort of, but I just wanted to double-check something,’ he had replied. ‘As I told you last night, I’m sure about who didn’t do it, and I’m almost sure now about how and where Mr Burton was killed. What I still don’t know, though, is exactly why he was killed. But that’s something, hopefully, we will find out soon. In the meantime, I think it’s important we keep Mrs Burton updated on developments. After all, it’s some time since we last spoke with her.’

  ‘And what about who killed him?’ Milner had asked, not unreasonably. ‘Do you have a theory on that as well?’

  ‘I do, yes, but that’s all it is at the moment.’

  ‘And are you going to share it with me?’ Milner had asked, the tone of his voice betraying his growing annoyance.

  ‘Not just yet,’ Tom had answered. ‘But rest assured I will when I’m certain.’

  Now the two of them got out of their car, walked towards the gates of Mrs Burton’s house and then pressed the button by the side. Almost immediately they could hear Mrs Burton’s voice. ‘Hello. Who is this?’

  ‘It’s DS Milner and DCI Stone,’ answered Milner. ‘I spoke with you earlier.’

  ‘Just a minute. I’ll open the gates.’

  The gates slowly began to open, and Tom and Milner walked towards the front door. Just as they were about to ring the bell, the door was opened by Mrs Burton.

  ‘Thank you for seeing us at such short notice,’ said Tom.

  ‘Why don’t you come through?’ she replied, before leading them into the main living area. ‘Why do you want to see me?’ she asked. ‘Have you found something?’

  ‘We are making progress, although, if you are asking if we have found out who killed your husband, then I’m afraid the answer is no.’ Tom paused. ‘Would you mind if we sat down?’

  ‘Sorry,’ she answered. ‘Please do.’

  ‘I’m returning this to you,’ said Tom, holding out the photograph of her husband and the three other golfers. ‘Thank you for letting us keep it for a while.’

  She took the photograph from Tom, and placed in on the small table in front of her. ‘If you don’t yet know who did it, why are you here?’ she asked.

  ‘Last night, your husband’s business partner, Craig Blackwell, was attacked. He sustained serious injuries and is currently in hospital. I wanted to make sure you heard this directly from us, rather than hear or read about it via the media.’

  ‘Oh my God,’ she said, with genuine shock. ‘You said serious injuries. Just how serious are they?’

  ‘They are very serious but, thankfully, not life-threatening. The doctors say, with rest and time, he is likely to make a full recovery.’

  ‘Poor Susie,’ she said. ‘I must call her to see if there’s anything I can do.’ She went straight on, although now with a different level of concern in her voice. ‘Why was he attacked? Is this anything to do with Glyn’s death?’

  ‘That’s what we are currently trying to find out,’ answered Tom. ‘The attack only happened last night and so it’s still very early in the investigation. But,’ he added, ‘it is a bit of a coincidence.’ He paused momentarily before continuing. ‘How are you, Mrs Burton?’

  She looked at him quite suspiciously. ‘How do you think I am? My life has been turned upside down. I’m a nervous wreck. I can’t sleep at night and keep thinking he will still walk through the door.’

  ‘I’m sorry,’ he said. ‘If there is anythi
ng I can do to help, you only have to ask.’

  ‘What can you possibly do? I just want to somehow be able to turn back the clock and live my life again. At the moment I feel as though I’m in some sort of permanent limbo. So, unless you can do that for me, there’s nothing you can do.’

  Tom stood up, quickly followed by Milner. ‘Thank you again for seeing us. We will let you know if there are any further developments.’

  Instead of walking towards the door leading out of the living room, Tom walked towards the cabinet where the photographs of their children were. ‘How are your children coping? It must be very difficult for them,’ he said, picking up one of the photos.

  ‘It has been, yes,’ she answered. ‘Especially for William. He seems to be the one who is struggling most to cope. I hope, though, that eventually they will both come through this.’ As she finished saying this she suddenly began to cry.

  ‘I’m sorry,’ said Tom. ‘I didn’t mean to upset you.’

  ‘It’s just that,’ she said, before stopping. ‘It’s just that I don’t know if I’ll ever recover from this.’

  Just as they reached the front door, Tom suddenly said, ‘There was one other thing. Would you mind showing us where your husband kept his golf clubs?’

  ‘His golf clubs? Why?’ she asked, her face betraying her puzzlement.

  ‘We were expecting to find them in the boot of his car, or somewhere close, but didn’t. We just need to check where they are, that’s all,’ he answered.

  ‘They are in the garage,’ she simply replied. ‘You can get in this way.’

  She led them through the kitchen and towards a large utility room, which housed a washing machine, drier and large freezer. On the outside wall was a door which accessed the garage. She opened the door and switched on the interior light. It was a sizeable garage, although without any cars in it. Mr Burton’s car was still with forensics, whilst Mrs Burton’s was parked on the drive.

  In one corner, Tom could see two sets of golf clubs, alongside which was a substantial powered golf trolley. ‘Would you mind if we took a photo?’ he asked.