Girls Of The Dark (13 page)

Chapter 33

T
he detached house in Irvine was set back from the road, its sweeping drive climbing upwards on a steep gradient. Sally had to floor the gas in her BMW to reach the top and park.

              The woman who answered the door was slim and nicely dressed, her ash grey hair worn at shoulder length. Sally knew the owner of the property was in her late fifties and thought she looked well on it.

              They walked along a wide corridor into a bright sitting room at the rear. The garden sloped up towards a bank of tall conifers. It appeared to be well tended. Sally accepted the invitation to sit down. Whilst her hostess was busy in the kitchen, the lawyer eyed the photographs on display. The Robertsons gave the impression of being a normal, happy family.

              ‘Here you go Ms Irving-Bryant,’ the woman said kindly, setting their cups down on the coffee table.

              ‘Thank you, Jenny. Please call me Sally.’

              ‘I’m very grateful that you came all this way to see me. I know you didn’t have to. It’s just that nobody has spoken to me about Debbie in as long as I can remember. I really wanted to help you with your efforts.’

              ‘I’m not sure what we can actually achieve. I simply want to prevent Calvin Suter from totally distorting the past and making money out of his crimes.’ Sally sipped her tea.

              Jenny Robertson sighed. ‘I didn’t even know he’d been released. I don’t always follow the news and my husband wouldn’t have told me. He believes we are better off never thinking about what happened to my sister.’

              ‘How old were you when Debbie went missing?’

              ‘I was seventeen. I’d just completed my Highers and was about to go off to College. Of course, that never ended up happening. I had to stay with Mum and Dad.’

              ‘I’m very sorry. Do you remember much about your sister?’

              Jenny glanced up, her blue eyes suddenly bright. ‘Oh yes. Debbie was lovely, really kind and caring. I’m not just saying that because she died young. She had long dark hair, which was quite thick and a pale complexion. She looked a bit like Snow White - do you know what I mean?’

              Sally nodded and smiled.

              ‘Debs never wanted to go to university. She wasn’t the academic type like me. My sister had got an admin job in the centre of town and was thinking about renting a flat by herself. Mum and Dad wanted her to get married before she moved away. They were very different times.’

              ‘Did Debbie have a boyfriend in the summer of 1974?’

              ‘I don’t think so. The police were very interested in that at the time. Debs had gone out with a boy at the High School when she was still a student there. We knew him really well. But when she left school and got the job I think Debs must have ditched him, because we never saw him again.’

              ‘I don’t suppose you remember his name?’

              ‘Oh my goodness, I don’t. It’s such a long time ago, sorry.’

              ‘But your parents told the police about him?’

              ‘Yes, I’m certain they did. We gave the detectives every piece of information we possibly could. We were frantic to get Debs home.’ Jenny blinked wildly, tears pooling in her eyes.

              Sally decided the boy’s name would be in the police reports she’d requested. This was the type of information that Suter’s lawyers would pounce on. They’d want to throw in other potential suspects during any court proceedings, to show that the police were biased to focus purely on Calvin. Sally needed to be one step ahead of them. ‘I’ll be able to get hold of it then, not to worry.’

              Jenny had gulped down some tea and composed herself. ‘I know we were lucky, really.’

              Sally wrinkled her brow. ‘How do you mean?’

              ‘Well, it was only a matter of weeks before Debbie’s body was found. She was the last victim. Those other families had to wait years to bury their little girls. I can’t even imagine what that must have been like for them.’ Jenny broke down. Taking a handkerchief out of her pocket and sobbing into it.               Sally moved across and put her arm around the distraught woman’s shoulders. ‘I’m dreadfully sorry. I probably shouldn’t have come.’

              Jenny shook her head violently. ‘I’ve not cried for Debbie in at least twenty years. We’ve been too busy with children and careers and my parents becoming infirm and then passing away. This is wonderful, actually. I almost feel as if my sister is right here in the room with us. Isn’t that extraordinary?’

              ‘How did you all feel when Suter was convicted?’ Sally wondered if it was wise to ask this question.

              Jenny sat perfectly still, considering her response. ‘It was an incredible release. Of course, it wasn’t going to bring Debs back to us, but it felt like justice had been done for her, and the other ones. My father, particularly, found it a comfort.’ She looked Sally straight in the eye. ‘It’s hardest for the dads you know. They internalize all those awful feelings of anger, inadequacy and grief. The sentence Suter received gave my father some peace. It allowed him to carry on, to have a relationship with his grandchildren and claim back something of a life. They don’t give out those kinds of sentences any longer. It breaks my heart to think of the victims’ families in those cases. To know that Suter was
properly
punished for what he did was so important to us.’

              Sally took the woman’s hand and gave it a squeeze. For the first time in her long career she’d really heard and understood the perspective of one of the victims of crime. Jenny’s speech had affected her profoundly.               

Chapter 34

‘I
t’s really lovely.’ Dani got out of the car and stood at the road side, staring across at the hills and water; a vibrant patchwork of late autumn colours.

              ‘Have you not been to Tighnabruaich before?’ Andy asked, coming to join her. ‘We had a holiday here once – my Ma, Da and Kathy, I mean. Not Carol and Amy. We took the steamer out to the Kyles of Bute. I loved that.’

              ‘No, I’ve never been.’ The DCI dragged her vision away from the view. ‘Now, where does this guy work?’

              ‘Matt Tulloch’s business operates out of the marina just beyond the pier. It must be out of season right now. Let’s hope we find him there.’

              The Tulloch Luxury Cruising offices looked like an upmarket yacht club. Leather sofas lined the reception area. A bank of glass windows revealed the boats themselves, moored along a wooden pontoon.

              An attractive young woman smiled broadly as they approached her desk. ‘Good afternoon. How can I help you?’

              Andy held up his card. ‘We’d like to speak with Mr Matthew Tulloch.’

              She fluttered her implausibly long lashes. ‘Mr Tulloch is on The Princess Louise with a client. I’ll just give him a call and inform him you’re here.’

              Five minutes later, the detectives watched the man stroll along the jetty towards the office. Dani examined his appearance closely.

              Matt Tulloch was tall and solidly built. He wore chinos and an open-necked shirt under a cable-knit sweater – posh sailing gear. The man looked older than his twenty eight years, probably because his dark hair was already receding badly.

              Dani took a step towards him. ‘I’m DCI Bevan from the serious crime unit in Glasgow. Perhaps we could speak in your office?’

              A vein under Tulloch’s eye flickered ever so slightly. ‘Of course, it’s this way.’

              Dani didn’t feel this room afforded them any more privacy. It too was banked with glass.

              Tulloch directed them towards a cream leather three-piece suite facing the view. ‘Now, what brings you all the way out to Argyll?’

              Dani allowed her DC to take the lead.

              ‘There was a traffic incident, sir. It involved your mother, Glenda Tulloch. Her car jumped a red-light on The Great Western Road a week ago.’

              Tulloch gave a tight smile. ‘That’s very unfortunate, but I don’t see what it’s got to do with me.’

              ‘We believe the same car struck and killed a sixty six year old widow, leaving her for dead at the side of the road. Now, your mother claims to have been driving her car that day, so –’

              Tulloch raised his hand. ‘Hold on, Detective. You’re saying that Mum has admitted to a hit and run on an old lady?’

              ‘Well, she’s admitted to the driving offence and we have sworn testimony that the same vehicle committed the hit and run just moments before, so effectively yes, that’s what she’s done.’

              The man shook his head vigorously. ‘You must know that Mum would never do such a thing?

              ‘We don’t know your mother at all, Mr Tulloch.’ Dani shuffled forward in her seat. ‘We can only rely upon the evidence, all of which points towards your mother being guilty of causing death by dangerous driving. Now, that’s up to fourteen years in prison with an automatic ban. Then there are the points already on her licence. It doesn’t bode well. In addition to this, we suspect that the victim was deliberately targeted. In which case, we’re looking at a murder charge.’

              Beads of sweat had broken out on his brow. ‘She’s lying. Mum couldn’t have been driving that car.’

              ‘How can you be so sure?’

              Matt Tulloch sighed deeply and stared up at the ceiling. ‘There’s another person who drives Mum’s car from time to time.’

              Andy casually flicked back through his notebook. ‘Ms Sara White, you mean?’

              Tulloch whipped his head down. ‘You already know that?’

              Dani directed her steeliest gaze at the man. ‘Her name is on the bloody insurance. Who do you think you’re dealing with here? A bunch of provincial plod numpties?’

              Tulloch went very pale. ‘What else do you know?’

              ‘One of our team found out this morning that your family employed an au pair by the name of Sara White from 2000 – 2003. She looked after you and your sister, Francesca. This girl must have become very close to the family to end up being given access to one of your cars, over a
decade
later?’

              He nodded. ‘We were close, yes. Sara came on holiday with us a few times. She helped Mum out with the house and dinner parties for Dad’s clients and politician friends. Our lives were very busy back then. Sara was a Godsend.’

              ‘
So close
that your mother would be prepared to lie for her and risk spending fourteen years in jail?’ Dani subjected him to her most incredulous look.

              Tulloch wrung his hands. ‘I don’t know why Mum is lying like this. It doesn’t make sense.’

              ‘How old were you when Sara White lived and worked at your house?’

              ‘Erm, about thirteen or fourteen? Fran would have been nine or ten. It was her that Sara was really looking after. My sister probably knew her best out of all of us.’

              ‘What about your dad? How well did
he
know Sara White?’

              Tulloch’s face contorted with disbelief. ‘You can’t think that my father had a relationship with the girl. She was only a teenager herself!’

              ‘Sara was nineteen years old when she left your home. She was a fully grown woman. Are you aware that Sara White now calls herself Lisa Abbot? She makes her living by extorting money and favours from people. Sometimes, she will have an affair with one of her victims, later hinting that she’ll inform the man’s family if he doesn’t give her money. But in this case, it’s your
mother
who is providing the woman with what she wants. That’s why we are confused.’

              Tulloch rose to his feet. ‘I want to know the name of your superior officer. My father will be outraged to know that you are slandering his reputation in this way. He is a very influential man, with lots of friends in the police force.’ Realisation appeared to dawn on him. ‘That’s why you’re talking to
me
, isn’t it? Your bosses would never sanction you approaching my father with these crazy theories so you’re trying your luck here. Hoping I might be idiot enough to let a nugget of information slip. Well, your little plan didn’t quite pay off, did it? I’m going to get straight on the phone to the DCC to report this. Then I’ll get Dad’s lawyers fully briefed. I cannot believe it’s possible to prove my mother was in the car when that lady was knocked down. But I bet you know that too, eh?’

              The detectives showed themselves out. Dani breathed in the fresh sea air before turning to her companion. ‘Oh God,’ she said. ‘I think we’re really in the shit this time.’

Chapter 35

D
ani was desperately wishing that they were back in the days when DCS Douglas showed no emotion whatsoever. Right at this moment, he was clearly furious.

              ‘You realise that I cannot now sanction the interviewing of any member of the Tulloch household? The DCC is bloody livid. Brian Tulloch is a personal friend of his - Godfather to his daughter, for Christ’s sake.
You
two
accused the man of knocking off his teenage au pair and taking part in the cover up of the murder of a little old lady.’

              ‘With respect sir, it wasn’t quite as blatant as that,’ Dani muttered.

              Douglas held up his hand. ‘I don’t want to hear it. This is a cock-up, pure and simple. Certain diplomatic niceties have to be observed alongside the detection in this job. I thought you knew that, DCI Bevan?’

              ‘I do.’ To her surprise, hot tears had formed in her eyes. Dani felt the way she did if her father told her off in his wood panelled office at the Colonsay Primary School all those years ago. It was like you’d let someone down twice, as a pupil
and
a daughter.

              Douglas’s tone softened slightly. ‘You can return to the department now DC Calder. Stick to that arson case from now on and liaise closely with Phil this time.’

              Dani felt Andy gently nudge her arm as he left. Like a co-conspirator showing their solidarity. It almost made her smile.

              ‘Take a seat Danielle.’

              The DCI did as she was told.

              ‘I had a long conversation with the DCC this morning. It didn’t all involve him tearing a strip off me.’

              Dani raised her head warily. Douglas appeared to be avoiding eye contact.

              ‘I’m afraid that they’ve decided to remove your name from the shortlist for superintendent.’

              ‘
What
? Because I interviewed a legitimate suspect in a murder inquiry?’

              He sighed. ‘I want you to know that I did my very best. Once you’ve moved into the higher ranks, politics becomes as important as policing. You are a wonderful investigator, Danielle. But the DCC doesn’t think you are ready to take up a superintendent position just yet.’

              Dani got shakily to her feet. ‘Thank you for letting me know. May I be dismissed, sir?’

              ‘Of course. Look, take another couple of days off. I don’t believe you gave yourself enough time after the assault. Reflect on things and don’t be too disheartened. You are young and highly capable. Your opportunity will come again.’

              All the DCI could manage was a perfunctory nod of the head before she turned and walked out the door.

*

‘I’m so sorry darling.’ James placed a glass of wine on the table. He slipped onto the sofa beside her, nuzzling his face into her neck.

              ‘Did I sabotage this thing myself?’ She leaned forward and necked the ice cold Sauvignon Blanc.

              ‘Of course not. It sounds like you were really making progress on this case. It’s obvious to me that you were getting close to something.’

              Dani shifted round. ‘And that’s why our investigation got shut down and I lost my promotion?’

              ‘To an impartial observer, I’d say that’s how it comes across. Maybe Brian Tulloch makes a habit of bedding young girls. His cronies ensure it doesn’t reach the press. It wouldn’t be the first time these high-flying types have covered for each other.’

              ‘True. But Lisa Abbot isn’t your typical naïve victim. Brian Tulloch must have met his match in her.’

              James shifted up. ‘This all happened the best part of fifteen years ago, right? Abbot has kept some kind of link with the family ever since. There must be more involved than just the occasional use of Glenda’s car. If the woman’s got something over the Tullochs then money must also have changed hands.’

              ‘I’ve got no hope of retrieving their bank records now. Alice was able to find out about Sara White being their au pair because of the electoral register. White gave the Tulloch’s Maryhill address when she registered to vote in the 2001 election. She’d just turned 18. That information was of public record.’

              ‘Then you’ll have to keep focussing on this Sara/Lisa woman instead. Nobody’s sworn you off digging into
her
past, have they? Her path must have crossed again with the Tullochs since 2003. You just need to find out where and for what reason.’

              ‘Well, I’ll leave that up to Alice. Andy can’t afford to go anywhere near it.’ She snuggled into James’s shoulder. ‘And I’m going to take a holiday.’

              James chuckled. ‘I’ll believe it when I see it.’ He sighed. ‘Is this new boss of yours really in your corner? Couldn’t he have put your case more strongly?’

              ‘Actually, I think he tried his best. I get the feeling that nobody could have changed the DCC’s mind. My chances of ever getting ahead at Pitt Street have suddenly become very remote.’