A Fatal Verdict by Tim Vicary Read Free Book Online Page B

the two women came away from the bed. ‘I’m a police officer. I hate to intrude at a time like this, but there are a few basic details we need to know. If you think you can manage it, that is.’
    The nurse shook her head but Kathryn Walters turned to her almost with relief. ‘About how that monster killed my daughter, you mean?’
    ‘Well, yes, about their relationship and ... if we could sit down here? It won’t take long.’
    ‘He killed her, that’s what you need to know.’ Kathryn looked at Tracy, almost beseeching her as though she was a saviour. ‘Please, tell me you’ll make him pay! You will, won’t you?’
    ‘If a crime has been committed, Mrs Walters, of course ...’
    To her consternation the woman began to laugh. Not a healthy laugh but a weird ironic laugh on the verge of hysteria. Or perhaps over the verge. ‘ If ...’ she said. ‘Oh, that’s wonderful, isn’t it, if a crime has been committed! Look in there, what do you think has happened? Isn’t it obvious? He murdered her!’
    The tears came then and Jane Miller tried to take control. ‘This really isn’t the right time. I’m sorry, officer, but ...’ She beckoned the doctor, who was hovering nearby.
    ‘Yes, I understand.’ Tracy sat back, shutting her notebook. ‘Maybe tomorrow.’
    ‘How will that make things any better?’ Kathryn was still focussed on Tracy, ignoring her friend’s ministrations. ‘It’ll never be better now, will it - ever? He stole our daughter away from us and now he’s killed her - that’s what he’s done!’ She put her hand on Tracy’s knee, gripping it so tightly that it hurt. ‘You’ve got to punish him, please - for Shelley’s sake, for all of us! He’s a monster, that man - he’ll do it again if you don’t! Promise me!’
    ‘Mrs Walters, I think ...’ The young doctor was with them now, frowning firmly at Tracy. ‘She’s in no fit state ...’
    ‘I want him punished! I want you to lock him up and throw away the key! He killed her, I tell you! She was fine only a few days ago - she came home, she was happy, she was going to leave him, she told me! That’s why he did it, don’t you see? He couldn’t let her get away. She would never have hurt herself, she had so much to live for!’
    ‘I understand, Mrs Walters.’ Tracy put her own hand on Kathryn’s and squeezed it, trying to comfort but also, tactfully, to release the grip on her leg. It was as though the woman was drowning and her knee was a floating branch that might save her. ‘I’ll talk to you later, I promise, when you’re feeling a little calmer. Does her father know what’s happened yet?’
    Kathryn shook her head bitterly. ‘No. Oh God, not yet, no. I’ll have to tell him, won’t I?’
    ‘I can do that for you if you like, Mrs Walters,’ said Tracy grimly. ‘If you’d just give me a few details, so that I can find him ...’

 
     
    7. Interviews
     
     
    At the station Nick Newbolt took David Kidd into an interview room, and Terry rang Trude’s mobile.    
    ‘Hi, it’s me. Have you got the children?’
    ‘Yes, they’re both fine. Tired out and finishing up Mrs Newby’s picnic.’ The reassuring words from the young Norwegian nanny went through him like a soothing draught. His own daughters, at least, were safe.
    ‘Is Esther okay?’ The memory of the tear-stained, ice-cream covered face came into his mind.
    ‘She’s fine, do you want to talk to her? Here, Esther, it’s your Dad.’
    ‘Hi, Daddy. Did you catch the burglars? Mrs Newby says you’re the best catcher.’
    ‘Does she? Well, she’s the best lawyer too - you tell her that. I’ve got a burglar here now so I’ll be late home, pet. Be a good girl for Trude now, won’t you?’
    ‘All right, Daddy - hey, Jess, give it here, that’s my sandwich!’ He heard a scuffle, then Jessica came on.
    ‘Dad? We went for a walk by the river and saw some ducks and a kingfisher.’
    ‘A kingfisher? Lucky you.’
    ‘It was blue and very fast