A Perfect Likeness (5 page)

‘He looks good, although a little pale. To be expected. His mental condition is not good. Dr Ingles reckons he could go over the top at any time. He broke down at one point. Before you ask, yes it was genuine. I had warned him that any false statements would result in the investigation being dropped. It was ‘getting to know each other time’ and not a lot more. Told him I’d go back next week and asked him to try and remember anything odd that Victoria may have said or done in the months prior to her death. Something did spring to his mind during the conversation but he couldn’t latch on to it. One interesting comment was that when he ran out of the flat after the argument he had to go down the stairs because the lift was in use. He thought it had stopped at his floor.’

‘What’s the significance?’

‘Not sure if there is any, but if Michael
is
innocent then it would be very interesting to know who was in the lift and where the occupant, or occupants, were going.’

‘I see. No chance of finding out, I suppose?’

‘We’ll knock on a few doors when you take me to the flat; it’s surprising what people can remember, even after this amount of time. Question, Jackie. What made you agree to look after the flat?’

‘I did it for both sets of parents; they asked me to and I couldn’t refuse. It was very difficult at the start, but now I enjoy it. I feel that much closer to Victoria when I’m there. I cry every time I go. It’s so hard, Trish, even after two years. I expect I shall be crying in ten years time. I miss her so much.’

‘It’s normal.’

‘I know it’s normal, but being normal doesn’t make it any easier. What’s your next move?’

‘Back to the office and do a bit of tidying up. Then continue reading through the statements and trial documentation you’ve given me in the hope I can find something interesting.’

‘What else did you say you would do today?’

Trish took another sip and hesitated a few moments before speaking. ‘Phone
them
up and make an appointment.’

‘Who’s ‘
them’
, Trish?’

‘Don’t be so hard on me. You know who it is, Alcoholics Anonymous, and I promise I will phone. Honest, Jackie, I
will
call them.’

Chapter 3

Jackie was not her usual self during her morning shift as receptionist at the Beach Front hotel in Draycliffe. She had to apologise to several colleagues for her brusqueness and a handful of visitors were less than happy with her attitude. Her thoughts centred on one thing and it was not the requirements of the near 250 guests staying at the hotel for the duration of a major business conference. She couldn’t understand why Trish had not phoned. It wasn’t agreed, but it was expected. Jackie was jumpy, on tenterhooks and needing to speak with her, but held back from calling the office. She did not want Trish to feel there was any lack of confidence in her. But there was and it was total. Trish
was
in trouble and Jackie knew it.

Her relief arrived early. The handover was rapid and Jackie was almost sprinting to her car, parked at the far end of the main parking area, when her mobile rang. She relaxed, but her joy was short-lived as the screen showed a number she didn’t recognise.

‘Fish, fish, fish. For goodness sake, woman, where are you?’ she said, aiming her frustration towards the inconsiderate Trish. She slid open her phone and pressed the green button. ‘Who’s speaking?’ she asked curtly.

‘Hello, Miss Salter, it’s DI Deckman, Draycliffe CID. I’m glad I managed to get you, but I sense it’s not a good time. I happened to have your number in my directory from when we investigated the death… er, sorry, from two years ago.’

‘It’s alright, Inspector, I’m okay now. Still get weepy, but I can talk about it. This is a surprise, I was hoping it was somebody else. Nothing personal I assure you. What can I do for you, Inspector?’

‘It isn’t for me. I have had a call from Dr Ingles at Nunhouse prison. He’s a bit concerned that Trish Lister, as I understand she’s now called, is not responding to anything. Telephone, fax or e-mail. He says he sent some important information to her from Michael and would like confirmation she has received it. I’m afraid I don’t have her number any more. Do you know if everything is alright
with
her?’

‘I thought it was. I persuaded her to take on the job, but she’s not in the best of states at the moment. I’m on my way to her office to see what the problem is. Thanks, Inspector.’

*

Jackie found the front door ajar. She stood for a moment wondering what to do. She started shaking, her neck and forehead felt cool and damp. She shivered.

‘Trish. Trish, are you in there. It’s Jackie, are you okay?’

Jackie’s tongue wetted her dry lips. She pushed the door to enter but changed her mind.

‘What if… ? Oh, my God no. Please no,’ she exclaimed.

She turned towards The Study and Mr Bloody Owner, ran across the road and entered the pub without giving it a second thought.

‘Hello, Miss, what’s the matter? You look a bit harassed. Trish been playing up again?’

Jackie was angry at his unintentional mockery. ‘Look, I can’t keep calling you Mr Bloody Owner, what is you name?’

‘Mackintosh Lord, but please use Mack. Come on, Miss, what’s happened. Tell me.’ He now appreciated the alarm in Jackie’s voice.

‘I’m Jackie. Look, it’s Trish. I expected her to call this morning, but she didn’t. She’s not responded to calls from Dr Ingles at the prison and now I find the front door is open. She didn’t answer when I shouted and… I… I can’t go in by myself. Please come with me.’

‘Okay, love. Calm down, I’m sure she’s alright. Paula,’ he shouted to a middle-aged lady sitting at one of the tables, ‘just popping over the road, look after things ’til I get back please.’

Mack Lord entered first. Both doors off the hall, one to the office and one to the living room, were shut. Jackie thought she heard voices and grabbed hold of his arm.

‘Listen, there’s someone in there,’ she said.

‘It’s the radio, I’ve got the same programme on in the pub.’

Jackie released her grip and followed closely as they entered the office. She saw Trish first and screamed. She was lying on the floor, her legs tangled beneath an overturned chair.

‘Shhhh, Jackie, let me check her.’ He found what he wanted. ‘Her pulse is strong.’ He bent over her head and jerked back sharply. ‘And so is the smell of gin. She’s as drunk as anyone can get.’

‘Stupid woman,’ Jackie spat out in anger. ‘How could she do this to me? She promised she wouldn’t touch a drop while alone. How can I ever trust her?’

‘Don’t know much about alcoholics do you, Jackie? Here, help me get her on to the couch in the living room. She’ll be alright once she’s slept it off. Haven’t seen her as bad as this for a few weeks now. I reckon she had a hard time at the prison. How did it go?’

‘She did great. But why this?’

‘It was probably the hardest days work she’s ever done. You don’t go from being an alcoholic one day to the complete investigator the next. She paid a price.’ He picked up an empty gin bottle and righted the chair. ‘Are you able to stay with her?’

‘Yes. Yes, of course I will. How long will she be sleeping?’

‘No idea, depends on what she’s had and how long she’s been out for. She will be alright, but if you have any problems I’ll come straight over.’ He bent down beside Trish and kissed her cheek. ‘Come on, Trish, fight it. I’m here for you, always will be,’ he whispered in her ear.

‘You are very fond of Trish, aren’t you, Mack?’

‘Fond is not the word I would choose to use. I’m glad you’re stopping with her, but what she doesn’t need when she wakes up is a dressing down. She’ll hate herself enough without you adding to it. Please be gentle with her.’

‘I understand and I’m sorry I blew. You’re right, I don’t know much about alcoholism, but don’t worry, I’ll take good care of her.’

‘Thanks, I know you will and it’s you she needs more than anyone just now.’ He took hold of her hands and kissed her on the cheek. ‘And I prefer to use the word ‘love’ when describing my feelings for Trish. My first marriage ended before I was thirty and since then there has only been Trish. But what do you do when the one you love is happily married? I did tell her once that I loved her, but she took it as a joke. And now, when she needs that shoulder, I’m helpless. She won’t listen to anything I say. I have to try and control her intake the best way I can. If I refuse to serve her, and I’ve threatened to so many times, she’ll only go somewhere else. This way at least I see her and I can keep on trying. It’s not easy I can tell you.’ He turned away to hide his tears. ‘Call me if you need me,’ he said as he left the room.

Jackie picked up the fax from Dr Ingles. She became emotional, having recognised Michael Campbell’s writing straight away. It was so different from any other she had seen and so beautiful. She recalled the times he had tried to teach her and what a mess she had always made of it. She read the content without taking it in and dialled the number on the fax header hoping it wasn’t in permanent fax mode. She was in luck.

‘Hello, Doctor Ingles, it’s Jackie Salter, the sister-in-law of Michael Campbell. I’m calling to let you know Trish has received your fax although she has not read it yet. Sorry you’ve had a problem getting hold of her, but she is a little under the weather at the moment and is confined to bed on my instructions.’

‘I did wonder whether she was alright, as the officer in the Gatehouse told me she didn’t appear too well as she was leaving.’

‘How is Michael, Dr Ingles?’

‘Well, I must say he seems to have got a little better since Miss Lister came to see him and I hope she will be well enough to see him next week as promised. I am convinced he has placed all his faith in this young lady getting a result, but if she fails then I believe Michael will struggle to find any purpose and then we will have a pretty significant problem on our hands.’

‘I want Trish to find what he’s after, Dr Ingles, but until she does he’s still guilty in my eyes. I’m sure she’ll be back to work in a day or two. Doctor, while I’ve got you, may I ask what your opinion is on Michael’s claim that he did not kill my sister? Do you think he could be telling the truth?’

‘Miss Salter, I’m sure you appreciate I cannot give you an answer although I do have an opinion. All I’m prepared to say is that I do believe you are correct in not ignoring the letter and maybe, just maybe, it may lead you to the truth. But whether it will be the truth you, and Michael, are hoping for is another matter.’

Jackie heard a movement from the settee as Trish stirred. ‘Must go, Dr Ingles, my patient is calling. Many thanks for your comment, bye.’

Trish had turned on to her side with her right arm outstretched. Her eyes were closed. Jackie moved a stool close to the settee, sat down beside her and took hold of her hand.

‘Trish, it’s Jackie, can you hear me?’ Jackie spoke softly, so softly she was unsure whether it had been loud enough for Trish to hear.

Trish didn’t open her eyes. ‘I heard you on the phone. Why are you here? Would have thought you’d have kicked me into the gutter where I belong.’ She tightened her grip on Jackie’s hand, not wanting her to let go.

‘Why should I do that? As I’ve said before, we need each other and I’m going to make sure we get you sorted out. I have to admit to being cross when we found you, but I expected too much too soon.’

‘You said, ‘we’. Who else was with you?’

‘I was frightened to come in by myself when I found the front door open so I asked Mack…’

‘
What
, Mr Bloody Owner knows I’ve blown it straight away? I expect he had a lot to say?’

‘No he didn’t. He was very kind and gentle and he told me off for being angry with you. He’s very fond of you, Trish.’

‘I know he is. A couple of years ago he told me that he loved me and always would. He never made any improper advances, always the perfect gentleman. I’ve been a right bitch and treated him pretty badly over the last six months. Mack
is
a great man and deserves a lot better than the likes of me.’

‘Don’t talk like that and stop feeling sorry for yourself.’ Jackie bit her lip for having another go at her, remembering what Mack had said earlier.

Trish did not respond. She eased herself up and slid her legs around into a seating position before opening her eyes. She brushed away a tear as it rolled down her cheek. ‘You’ve tidied the living-room.’

‘Yes, and the office as well. You had one hell of a party last night. Wish you had invited me along.’

Trish flung her arms around Jackie’s neck. ‘I’m sorry… I’m sorry. I hate myself for what I am.’

‘And what is that, Trish?’

‘I… I’m…’

‘Come on, Trish, you’re almost there and it’s better you admit to being what you have become.’

‘I’m a bloody drunk.’ Trish cried and threw herself face down on the settee.

Jackie placed an arm across her shoulders. ‘Wow, that’s a bit strong. Wasn’t quite what I was expecting you to say. Shall we try giving it a different name. You’ve become an alcoholic, like thousands of other people. It’s an illness, an addiction like drugs, like chocolate can be and smoking. It’s not the end of the world, Trish, and you are going to get yourself sorted out. Because that’s what you want, isn’t it?’