Линда Ла Плант - Unholy Murder

‘Let’s hope it does, then. When is the post-mortem?’

‘Half past ten at Queen Mary’s. Will you be attending?’

‘Unfortunately, I’ve got a meeting at the Yard. I’ll leave it in your capable hands, DI Stanley.’

Stanley suspected Salmon was just squeamish.

‘Is everyone ready for the meeting?’

‘Yes, sir.’

‘Good, then let’s go. I don’t expect the commissioner’s decision will go down well.’

‘That’s an understatement,’ Stanley mumbled.

‘Sorry, what did you say?’ Salmon asked.

‘That I’m sure the team will respect the commissioner’s decision,’ Stanley said.

Salmon walked into a silent room of dour-looking detectives. The discovery of Becky’s body had saddened them all, and they suspected the investigation into Melissa Bailey’s murder would now be shelved after Bishop Meade’s suicide.

‘I’m sure you are all aware of the discovery of Becky Rogers’ body. Her death is a tragic loss to her family and everyone who knew her. Lee Holland was arrested for her murder this morning. Although he claims her death was an accident, I’m sure we all hope justice will prevail and a jury will come to the right decision. The commissioner has asked me to thank you all for your dedication and hard work investigating the death of Sister Mary.’

There were snorts of derision and a shaking of heads round the room.

‘It’s Sister Melissa... sir,’ Boon said, unable to keep the disgust out of his voice.

Salmon looked flustered. ‘Yes, sorry, slip of the tongue. Where was I?’

‘You were about to tell us the commissioner is shutting the investigation down,’ Stanley said.

‘Unfortunately, yes. The commissioner had our solicitors look at the evidence. They concluded that there is at present no reasonable prospect of convicting anyone for the murder of Sister Melissa. However, the investigation will be classified as a cold case and remain open, pending the discovery of any new evidence.’

‘There’s a stack of evidence against Bishop Meade. Not to mention the cover-up by Archbishop Malone... for which the commissioner is also culpable,’ Boon said.

Salmon looked sternly at him. ‘I think solicitors have a better understanding of legal intricacies than you or me, officer. Let me assure you, this is not a cover-up. The commissioner agrees with the views of our solicitors. As from now, you can all return to your respective stations. DI Stanley, DS Tennison and DC Boon will complete the necessary reports and deal with Lee Holland.’ Salmon walked quickly out the room before anyone else could challenge him.

‘Looks like our hands are tied,’ Jane said to Stanley.

‘We may not be able to do anything about it, but I know someone who can, now he’s handed in his warrant card,’ Stanley said.

‘Are you going tell Barnes what’s happened?’ Jane asked.

‘Too right I am. He can tell the press what he likes without fear of repercussions.’

Jane found it hard to watch as Sam Pullen examined Becky’s body. She’d been to many post-mortems, but this was the first one where she’d known the victim. She thought about PC Rogers. As a coroner’s officer he would have attended hundreds of post-mortems, but the thought of his daughter lying on a cold slab being dissected would be a nightmare he had never imagined.

Only a few days had passed since Jane had watched Becky stand her ground amongst seasoned journalists at the press conference. She’d been laughed at and ridiculed but didn’t let it bother her. Jane fondly remembered Becky irritating Barnes with her naïve questions. He did his best to ignore her, but she would not give in. And in the end she’d shown him up.

No one spoke during the three-hour post-mortem. When it was over, Sam Pullen, Jane and Stanley went to the mortuary office to discuss her findings.

Pullen referred to her notes and drawings. ‘There are multiple bruises and cuts to Becky’s body which are consistent with a fall down a stone staircase. I can’t say if she was pushed. There is also a fracture on the back of her head. This probably occurred when she landed at the bottom of the stairs and her head impacted with the floor. The impact caused an acute subdural hematoma.’

‘Remind me what that is,’ Stanley said.

‘A subdural hematoma occurs when a blood vessel in the space between the skull and the brain is damaged. Blood escapes from the vessels, leading to the formation of a blood clot that places pressure on the brain and damages it. Head injuries that cause a subdural hematoma are often severe, such as those from a fall or violent assault. An acute subdural hematoma is among the deadliest of all head injuries. Blood fills the brain area rapidly and compresses the brain tissue, which can result in unconsciousness, a coma and subsequently death.’

‘So, Becky died because of the fall,’ Stanley concluded.

‘No. The head injury may well have rendered her unconscious or in a coma, but the cause of death was drowning.’

Jane was stunned. ‘She was still alive when Holland put her car in the lake?’

‘Yes. I found white froth in her nose and airways, as well as water in her stomach, which is consistent with death by drowning.’

‘Would Holland have known she was alive after she fell down the stairs?’ Jane asked.

Sam shrugged. ‘It’s possible she was in a coma and he thought she was dead. If he’d checked for a pulse, she’d still have had one.’

‘He said he didn’t,’ Jane said.

‘The sad thing is, if he had — or had even bothered to call an ambulance — Becky might have survived, though she might have suffered brain damage.’

‘Then technically he’s guilty of gross negligence manslaughter by failing to render any form of first aid or call an ambulance,’ Jane suggested.

Before they left the mortuary, Stanley made a quick call to the office then spoke with Jane.

‘I just spoke to the duty sergeant. Thomas Durham is still unconscious. The doctor said he’s in a vegetative state and may have permanent brain damage. It’s too early to tell if he’ll recover or not. Nick is with him.’

‘I’d better go and see him. I’ll ask where his father was on Tuesday afternoon.’

‘I had Boon speak to him while we were at Becky’s post-mortem. I thought it would make things easier for you.’

‘Thanks. Was Thomas with Nick on Tuesday?’

‘Yes. He was in his office most of the afternoon. The receptionist confirmed it as well. Thomas left Nick’s house at about nine o’clock. He’s in the clear over Becky’s murder.’

‘What about the arson?’

‘Lee Holland will obviously be charged. If Thomas Durham makes a recovery he’ll be interviewed and charged as well,’ Stanley replied.

‘What about Malone?’

‘He told the commissioner he was shocked to discover she had been murdered.’

‘But he falsely signed a letter of dispensation when Melissa supposedly ran away.’

‘It’s not a criminal offence. Even if we told the Pope, nothing would happen to him. Besides, we won’t be allowed anywhere near Malone without the commissioner’s approval and that’s never going to happen. Are you going to tell Nick about Holland’s confessions?’

‘Not just now. He’s got enough to worry about as it is.’

‘Do you want me to wait for you?’ Stanley asked.

‘No, it’s OK. I’ll get a cab back to the office or see if a patrol car is free.’

‘Sorry it’s all ended up in such a mess for you,’ Stanley said.

‘So am I... but life goes on.’

‘That’s the Jane I know best,’ Stanley smiled.

Thomas Durham was still in intensive care. Jane didn’t want to go onto the ward in case there was a scene with Nick. She showed one of the nurses her warrant card and asked her just to tell Nick there was a detective outside who’d like to speak to him.