Silent Scream (25 page)

Joan handed her a beaker of water and she took a few sips before she continued.

‘Lastly, I spoke to Pete Jenkins this afternoon. He thinks it’s possible that we have the time of death wrong. The heating was turned on very high when the officers first entered the house, but apparently it was turned off as the room was stuffy and they were all feeling pretty uncomfortable. If the heating had been turned up high, it would mean decomposition had set in faster and that we could be out by a few hours. She could have died later than we thought. We’ll need to verify this with the pathologist. Last but not least, we need this meeting with her accountant and we also really have to find out who are her beneficiaries.’

Anna turned to Mike Lewis. ‘That’s it.’

Mike nodded, then stood up and clapped his hands for attention.

‘OK, everyone, let’s get moving on Travis’s information and remember, tomorrow is the funeral. Details on the board with a list of who will be required to be present.’

Anna made her way to her office and then froze. DCS Langton was sitting behind her desk, swivelling from side to side.

‘Very impressive, Travis. You’ve been a busy girl.’

‘Yes.’ She placed her briefcase onto her desk.

‘Tell me about this investment banker chap.’

‘You think she does it on purpose?’

‘What?’

Barbara and Joan were packing up for the day.

‘You know, comes on with the X factor all the time and makes everyone else look like dimwits.’

‘Joan!’

‘Well, did you see the blokes’ faces?’ Barbara smirked. ‘Especially Barolli’s – he was so tight-jawed it looked locked!’

They both gave a furtive look at Anna’s office window and could see she was in deep conversation with Langton.

‘Have you heard about them?’

‘Everyone has, Barbara. But you know Langton, he’s got a terrible reputation. He goes through the ranks like a dose of salts, or he used to. Now he’s got two children and the ex-wife back living with him. Went back to her after he finished with Travis.’

‘Wasn’t it because he was almost killed in that case by the bloke and his machete?’

‘I don’t know, I wasn’t on that. This is only the second time I’ve worked with him.’ Joan suddenly dug Barbara in the ribs. ‘Shush, he’s coming.’

‘Evening, sir,’ Barbara said brightly.

Langton gave both women a charming smile as he crossed to the incident board and stood quietly, out of their earshot, staring at it. He turned as Mike joined him.

‘I didn’t know you were here,’ Mike said, surprised.

‘No, I didn’t think you did. There are some good developments and you should thank Travis for that.’ Langton drew out a chair and sat down.

‘Has there been a thorough search of this flat your victim used?’ he went on.

‘Not yet.’

Langton chuckled, repeating under his breath, ‘Not yet.’ Then he turned and glared at Mike.
‘Get your fucking finger out!
I want a result on this case and right now it’s been meandering around like a lost cow! I’ve had the Deputy Assistant Commissioner onto me. You any idea how many cases I’m overseeing? And this one is getting more press than all the others put together.’

‘Jimmy, I’m really covering everything you suggested and more, but we go up one blind alley after another.’

‘From what you’re saying, it’s the blind leading the blind.’

‘No, I’m not saying that and, as you said, Travis has made some interesting connections.’

‘Interesting? She’s bloody giving you motives.’

‘I know that.’

Langton stood up, almost kicking his chair aside. ‘Then get to grips with them and start taking the reins. I’m disappointed, Mike.’ He paused. ‘You know she’s up for promotion?’

‘Yes, I had heard.’

‘You got yours – now prove I was right to back you.’

‘Yes, sir.’

Langton was about to walk out but stopped, saying, ‘I want Travis to do the television crime show and it would be good if you had something tangible to give them. Goodnight.’

Mike remained seated, feeling depressed and annoyed that he had been made to look so useless.

‘Did you know he was here?’ Mike asked Anna when she emerged from her office. He was still sitting in the incident room.

‘No, I didn’t.’

‘He was in your office.’

‘He must have gone in when I was in here.’ She paused and moved closer. ‘Are you all right?’

‘I’m just great. Are you deliberately setting out to make me look like a prick in front of him?’

‘I told you I’d no idea he was in my office.’

‘Really? You hear him ripping into me?’

‘Did you hear him doing the same to me?’

‘What?’

Anna put down her briefcase and sat in the chair Langton had used.

‘I think we’d better straighten things out between us.’

‘What’s there to straighten out?’

She sighed. ‘I didn’t give any feedback on anything as the day progressed because, to be honest, Mike, I wasn’t sure where it was all leading. Langton said that I should have reported back my interview with the publishing company straight away, but I was returning to the station when Joan called me about the two meetings she’d fixed with the theatrical agents. As I was already in the West End, I decided to do them. I didn’t get anything from either of them as to whether or not Amanda was changing agents, but I did get Andrew Smith-Barker identified so I went straight to interview him, as he was only in Knightsbridge.’

‘Why are you telling me this? You already outlined it at the briefing.’

‘I know I did, but I wanted to explain why it might have looked like I hadn’t kept you in the loop, so to speak, and so I apologise.’

Mike stood up and stretched.

‘Langton said I was out of line, so that’s why I’m apologising to you,’ she said quietly.

‘Accepted.’

‘Thank you.’ What Anna did not add was that Langton had also warned her that if he was to discover any further evidence that she hadn’t shared with the team, she would be in trouble.

‘You’re doing the television interview, Anna,’ Mike said suddenly. ‘It’s lined up to be after the funeral. Joan’ll give you details. It’s at the BBC

‘Oh God no, I hate being in front of the camera.’

‘Boss wants it.’ Mike looked at her. ‘Are you still seeing him?’ he asked after a moment.

‘No, I am not. I hadn’t seen him for months until this case. I sort of resent you even asking. Even if I was, it would be none of your business.’

‘Still bruised, are we?’

Anna straightened up and kept her temper.

‘I never was – all right? Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going home.’

A
nna was in the shower the following morning when she remembered something. Amanda had used a driver when she first met with Josh Lyons from Golden Arrow. It might not be important but, on the other hand, whoever drove her to the lunch at Le Caprice might also have been privy to who she was meeting. And that would mean that there was someone else who knew her intentions to write her story.

The team were instructed to make their own way to the funeral, to make sure they integrated with the mourners. They were to keep their eyes and ears open. Anna set out early. The funeral was taking place at midday in the centre of Covent Garden at St Paul’s church, known as ‘the Actor’s Church’ due to the number of famous thespians buried in its small churchyard. A red carpet had been laid down from the entrance of the chapel to the gates. A choir was singing
‘Ave Maria
as the mourners entered. In pride of place was a six-foot-tall photograph of Amanda, wearing what looked like a bridal gown and on her head a rosebud crown. One could not fail to be taken by her stunning beauty, the sweet vacant smile on her lips. As the congregation entered and took their places, four ushers wearing tailcoats handed out the service sheets, each adorned with another picture of Amanda.

The first six pews were reserved while the back pews were for fans and visitors wanting to be part of the service. As the church began to fill, there was a hubbub of voices and the constant flashing of cameras as the press lined up outside along the red carpet. Anna had seen Mike Lewis, Barolli and two other officers, but she didn’t recognise anyone else. She was startled when Langton moved along the pew to squeeze in beside her. She inched up as far as she could to enable him to sit in comfort. He opened the thick manila Order of Service and read through it. Then he looked, as did everyone gathered, at the photograph of Amanda at the front of the church.

‘So beautiful,’ he murmured softly.

A Mercedes with dark tinted windows drew up outside the church gates. Colin O’Dell, wearing a denim jacket, jeans and a T-shirt with a silk scarf wrapped around his neck, hurried from the car, his French girlfriend rushing to catch him up as he kept his head down to pass the waiting photographers. He was quickly followed by Andrea Lesser and Andrew Smith-Barker, who held her elbow tightly as they made their way inside. Next came Scott Myers in a tailored dark suit and dark glasses, accompanied by his wife Fiona.

The photographers surged forwards, but were held back by the ushers who were on hand to guide in the latecomers. Then came Rupert Mitchell, and Felicity and Jeannie from Amanda’s flat. Anna recognised them from photos at the Yard. Unlike the star turns, Jeannie was keen to pose for photographers, but now there was a crush of mourners standing shoulder-to-shoulder in the small entrance.

The sound of a light bell began to ring as the coffin arrived and was carried towards the altar. It was unusual, like a woven wicker basket, the top laden with white lilies; it seemed so tiny and light. The bell continued to ring as the Archdeacon in full robes moved down the centre aisle to step onto the raised rostrum beside the choir. He looked surprisingly young, with a ruddy complexion, and as he spoke his voice rang round the church.

When he asked the congregation to stand to sing the first hymn, Anna caught her first glimpse of Amanda’s parents in the front pew. Her mother was wearing a wide-brimmed black straw hat and black suit. Her father, in a charcoal-grey suit, held onto her arm, his face drawn.

Anna, sitting so close to Langton, found his nearness uncomfortable, and as they stood to sing side-by-side, she wished the service would end as quickly as possible. None of it felt real; the body in the wicker-basket coffin had been murdered – and yet the entire service was more fitting for a wedding. There were prayers and eulogies from various actors and then it was Jeannie Bale’s turn. Dressed in a low-cut cream chiffon dress, her arms bare, she walked up to the front.

‘I am going to read for Amanda her favourite poem. It is by Meredith Kinmont.’ Jeannie’s voice wavered as she paused and opened a typed sheet of paper, as if she were auditioning.

Langton leaned close to Anna. ‘How long is this going on for?’

She gave him a stern glance and he sighed.

During the reading, Anna took a covert look around. Both Amanda’s parents bowed their heads. Colin O’Dell hung his head low, as if trying to hide his face from view. Scott Myers was openly crying, and Andrea Lesser held a tissue to her eyes. Right at the back was one of the unit drivers Simon had interviewed. She watched closely as he stood poker-faced, but with tears trickling down his cheeks.

Jeannie finished reading in her soft sweet voice and it was as if she expected applause but none came, just silence and the odd sound of muffled weeping. The Archdeacon came to stand in front of the coffin.

‘Amanda Mary Delany,’ he said, and turned to the large photograph and raised his hand. ‘We must celebrate her short life and feel compassion for her family and friends gathered here today. She was a star, a rare beauty cut down in the prime of her life. As success and stardom made Amanda known to many, loved by many and admired by all who knew her, we must also pray that she rests in peace. To have been taken from us, so brutally, is cause for us all to feel untold sorrow and anguish that we should lose such a treasured young woman.’

On cue, Colin O’Dell moved from his pew to stand on the rostrum. He seemed nervous, mumbling his words and barely looking up. Afterwards he returned to his seat and knelt in prayer, holding his face in his hands.