Call to Arms Page 4

  ‘What happened when the coroner’s inquest ruled it as an accident?’ said Carys. ‘What did the army have to say about it?’

  ‘The army accepted the ruling. I get the impression from reading through the original file that they thought Sharp’s insistence that foul play was involved was a bit of a stretch.’

  ‘What do we know about Jamie Ingram?’ said Barnes.

  ‘A model soldier, by the sounds of it. No disciplinary record, no problems when he was off barracks. Apart from a couple of speeding fines, he didn’t cause any trouble as far as I can tell. So, why was he killed?’

  ‘Reasons for motive,’ said Gavin, counting off his fingers. ‘Revenge, money, jealousy—’

  ‘All right, Mister passed-his-exam-last-year,’ said Barnes. ‘Now narrow it down and tell us why.’

  ‘You say Sharp mentioned that Jamie made an appointment with his commanding officer prior to dying,’ said Carys. ‘What if someone had something to hide, found out Jamie was about to blow the whistle about it, and decided to kill him?’

  ‘All right. What?’

  ‘Must’ve been something big, to want to silence him permanently,’ said Barnes.

  ‘Sharp said that Jamie’s father stated that his son received a phone call the night of his death, and seemed shaken by it. He couldn’t hear what was being said, because Jamie took one look at the number and disappeared outside to answer the phone,’ said Kay. She scribbled in her notebook. ‘I’ll ask the parents if Jamie’s mobile phone was returned to them after the inquest.’

  ‘Do you think they’d have kept it all this time?’ said Gavin.

  ‘You’d be surprised at what grieving families hold on to. Especially mobile phones – often the voicemail message on it is the last time they’ll hear that person’s voice.’

  ‘I’ll go through the database and see if anything was retained at headquarters,’ said Debbie.

  ‘Thanks – that’s one thing off my list. Okay, tasks for tomorrow then. Carys, can you track down the original senior investigating officer from Traffic? Harrison wouldn’t have been given that role, but would’ve liaised with that person. Please set up a time for me to meet him or her at the original crash site, as I’d like to see it for myself.’

  ‘Will do.’

  ‘Barnes, I plan to visit Jamie Ingram’s parents tomorrow. I’d like you to come with me, so we’ll introduce ourselves officially and let them know we’re reopening the investigation. You’ll be my deputy on this one, all right?’

  ‘Sounds good.’

  ‘Gavin, can you go through the original statements with Debbie and let me know if we need to go back and clarify anything? I’d also like a list drawn up of people we ought to speak to again, especially his colleagues in the army. Find out where his commanding officer is these days – I want to speak to him this week, if possible.’

  ‘Guv.’ He gave her a lopsided grin as she opened her mouth to correct him. ‘Yeah, yeah – I know.’

  They all laughed.

  Kay rubbed at her right eye. ‘All right, that’s enough for today. All this has to be done after your usual day-to-day tasks. We can’t let our usual commitments slip, is that understood?’

  A murmur of agreement echoed off the walls of the office.

  ‘Okay, see you in the morning. Let’s see if Sharp is onto something.’

  Nine

  ‘I’m presuming by the way you bounced through the front door, that Larch has given you the go-ahead.’

  Kay grinned as she placed her handbag on the kitchen worktop and ruffled the fur between Rufus’s ears.

  ‘You got it.’

  Adam handed her a glass of wine as she eased herself onto one of the barstools and kicked off her shoes. He gestured to her arm.

  ‘Are you going to be okay running that investigation on top of everything else you have to do? After all, you’ve only just finished physiotherapy.’

  ‘I’ll be fine. If the past week is anything to go by, I spent most of my time delegating work to everybody else while I have to sit in meetings at headquarters.’

  ‘Will you still have to go to those?’

  She wrinkled her nose. ‘Probably.’

  ‘It’s a shame you can’t delegate those to someone.’

  She turned her attention to the dog at her side. ‘How has this one been today?’

  Adam shrugged. ‘Grumbling a bit. I’m keeping an eye on him. Like people when they’re ill, he has his good days and bad. Don’t worry – he’s only been on the low dose of painkillers so far, and I’ve increased those a little. He’s still eating, and he loves going out in the garden during the day.’

  Kay sipped her wine and rubbed the back of her neck. A satisfying click reached her ears as a muscle eased loose, and she closed her eyes.

  ‘I heard that,’ said Adam. ‘You’re too tense.’

  She opened her eyes and smiled. ‘I was too tense sitting around doing nothing. It’s much better having something to focus on, and best of all the others are all interested in helping, too.’

  ‘How is that going to work?’

  ‘Well, Larch has made it quite clear I have to manage this on my own time. Gavin caught me looking through the old files, and before I knew it they all wanted in on the investigation. They’re doing a lot of the legwork for me in between their other work commitments, and we can have a briefing every evening to keep track of progress. We all miss Sharp, Adam. We want him back.’

  Adam’s response was interrupted by the doorbell.

  ‘I’ll get it – it’ll be Deepak with the food.’

  Kay waited while Adam padded out to the front door and chatted with the elderly man whose family ran their favourite Indian takeaway.

  The man left his nephews to manage the business, preferring to run the delivery side of it instead and catch up with regular customers such as Kay and Adam who relied on the local takeout service when they were too busy – or too tired – to cook for themselves.

  She could hear Adam joking with him now as he handed over the cash for the meal before the front door closed, and the sound of Adam’s footsteps reached her ears.

  She glanced up as he re-entered the kitchen, and then raised an eyebrow. ‘Three portions?’

  He managed to look a little contrite. ‘I got Rufus a chicken biryani.’

  ‘Is that wise?’

  Adam’s eyes fell to the Alsatian who had raised his head from the duvet in the corner. ‘It’s okay, I asked them to avoid onions or anything that dogs shouldn’t eat and it’s not very spicy. I figured he deserves it. He’s on borrowed time, after all. He might as well enjoy himself.’

  Kay smiled as Adam placed the carry bag on the worktop beside her, fetched plates from the cupboard above the microwave and then dished up their food before taking half of the contents from the third container and shovelling it into Rufus’s bowl.

  He ruffled the dog’s ears as he placed the bowl next to the folded duvet, then grinned as Rufus buried his snout in the rice.

  ‘I think he’s inhaling that,’ said Kay, and topped up their wine glasses.

  ‘Told you he’d like it.’

  They fell silent for a while, each savouring the spices and flavours of their favourite dishes before Kay put down her fork and took a sip of her wine.

  ‘God, that’s delicious. I hope they never sell the business.’

  ‘I know.’ Adam pushed away his empty plate and eased back onto his bar stool, a look of contentment on his face. ‘What are the next steps with your investigation?’

  ‘Barnes and I are going to head out to the Ingrams’ farm tomorrow lunchtime to speak with Jamie’s parents. We need to let them know the case is being reopened as a courtesy anyway, plus I want to review their statements with them from ten years ago and see if I can uncover anything that Harrison didn’t consider.’

  ‘Larch is okay with you doing this?’

  ‘Yes – in fact, he seemed quite supportive. I think I convinced him that the risk of reopening a case that had b
een previously closed by Harrison in a rush might serve him well if we can prove Sharp’s theory.’

  ‘By making Larch look good, you mean?’

  ‘Yeah.’

  Adam picked up his wine glass and tilted it against hers. He winked. ‘Becoming quite the politician, Hunter.’

  Kay jutted out her chin and set her glass down. ‘Don’t you start. That’s what he said.’

  Adam laughed. ‘Don’t take it the wrong way. It’s good – it means you’re learning to use their ambitions to suit your own needs. You get Sharp back if this all goes to plan, right?’

  She smiled, and then sighed. ‘Yeah, you’re right. I miss having him around.’

  He grew serious. ‘You really don’t like the promotion, do you?’

  ‘Not if it’s going to be like it has been for the past week, no. I don’t want to be stuck in an office sending everyone else out to do the interesting stuff. I’m used to rolling up my sleeves and getting stuck in.’

  ‘How will they take it if you resign the role and go back to being a detective sergeant, do you think?’

  She shrugged. ‘I doubt they’ll ask me again.’

  ‘Do you mind that?’

  ‘I don’t know.’

  ‘Well,’ he said, gathering their plates and taking them over to the sink. ‘Perhaps get this case out of the way and see how you feel. Don’t act too hastily though, okay? I wouldn’t want you to regret anything.’

  Ten

  Kay scrolled through another batch of newly arrived emails on her phone as Barnes navigated the pool car along winding narrow bends towards the Ingrams’ farm.

  She sighed before tossing the phone back into her bag at her feet, then turned her attention to the passing countryside as the windscreen wipers drummed an intermittent beat.

  High hedgerows on each side of the lane hid fields from view but, every once in a while, the car passed a gap caused by a gate, and a glimpse of barren land flashed past in an instant, the skeletal remains of trees stark against the grey sky.

  ‘At least it’s not raining hard,’ said Barnes. ‘I don’t fancy walking across a bloody farmyard in this weather as it is.’

  Kay turned away from the window and peered at his foot on the accelerator.

  ‘Blimey, I’m not surprised, wearing those shoes.’

  His mouth thinned. ‘Emma insisted I buy them. Says they’re more fitting for a detective than my usual pair. She’s become rather opinionated since starting university.’

  ‘Is that so?’

  ‘She bought them for my birthday last month, so I couldn’t say “no”, could I?’

  ‘And what do you think of them?’

  ‘My feet are killing me.’

  Kay laughed, then pointed to a signpost they were approaching.

  ‘This is the place. The farm should be a mile or so up here.’

  ‘I read the statement Harrison took from Jamie’s father ten years ago,’ said Barnes, flicking on the indicator and braking before turning left. ‘I didn’t realise Sharp served with him in the army.’

  ‘Yeah – joined up at the same time, apparently. Michael Ingram was demobbed after three years when his father died suddenly, and he took over the running of the family farm instead.’

  Barnes slowed as a low barn structure came into view over the top of a hedge. ‘How do you want to do this?’

  ‘I’ve been thinking about that. I’d like to start off by explaining that the investigation into Jamie’s death has been reopened, and then let them tell us what happened at the time, rather than reviewing the old statements they gave.’

  ‘You think the past ten years might’ve uncovered some more information?’

  ‘Perhaps. I’m sure they’ve gone over and over in their minds what happened.’

  ‘I didn’t get the impression from their original statements that they thought foul play was involved.’

  ‘No, but I think Sharp and Jamie’s father kept that theory to themselves and may have discussed it after the coroner’s verdict – I expect they didn’t want to upset Jamie’s mother, especially if their suspicions turned out to be unwarranted.’

  ‘Fair point.’

  The wind caught Kay’s hair as she climbed from the passenger seat, and she hooked a wayward strand behind her ear before closing the car door.

  The sweet stink of manure wafted from a pile that had been stacked next to the barn, and Kay was reminded of horse-riding lessons on holiday as a child. A blue plastic tarpaulin flapped in the breeze, exposing the potent mix of straw and dung.

  A machinery shed stretched along the right-hand side of the open space, its wide double doors exposing a gap through which she could see a large green coloured tractor and assorted equipment. The roof looked as if it had been recently repaired in places, with the new corrugated iron a pale contrast to the original.

  Somewhere in the distance, she could hear another tractor out in the orchards; a reminder that work on a farm was constant, no matter the season.

  She suppressed a smile as Barnes wove his way between waterlogged potholes in the farmyard surface, then turned her attention to the square-shaped Georgian style farmhouse.

  She imagined that in the spring it would be an idyllic place, bursting to life as the farm workers strove to make the most of the warmer weather.

  Now though, the surrounding land was unwelcoming, a cold chill gripping the countryside.

  She shivered as Barnes joined her on the doorstep.

  ‘Ready?’

  ‘Go for it.’

  She reached out and pressed the doorbell set into the right-hand side of the frame, straining her ears to hear its dulcet tones sounding within the inner sanctum of the house.

  After what seemed an age, she heard footsteps approaching before the door was wrenched open and a man peered out.

  His face softened when he saw her, and he extended his hand.

  ‘You must be Detective Inspector Kay Hunter.’

  Surprised, she shook his hand before she realised her jaw had dropped. ‘Sharp…?’

  ‘Phoned me last night,’ he said, and shrugged. ‘Probably not protocol, but—’

  ‘You’ve known each other a long time.’

  ‘Exactly.’

  Kay gestured to Barnes and introduced him.

  ‘Come on in – and please, call me Michael.’ The farmer stood to one side to let them pass. ‘Don’t worry about your shoes. We have two Springer spaniels, so you’ve got nothing to worry about. Let’s go through to the kitchen – Bridget has the kettle on.’

  Kay followed, Barnes at her heels as Michael Ingram led them along a flagstone hallway.

  He wore a battered pair of denim jeans with a worn green jumper, the neck of which exposed a creased shirt collar, and he walked with the gait of a man who didn’t like to hang about.

  She picked up her pace to keep up with him.

  A woman rose from a chair at a six-seater pine dining table as they entered an enormous kitchen that took up the length of two-thirds of the farmhouse.

  ‘This is my wife, Bridget.’

  ‘Thanks for seeing us this morning,’ said Kay, shaking hands with the woman.

  ‘Not at all,’ said Bridget. ‘Please, sit down. You’ll have tea?’

  ‘Wonderful,’ said Barnes, positioning himself closest to the large Aga stove that abutted the kitchen cabinets.

  The two dogs raised their heads from their beds as he sat down, but quickly lost interest once they realised they weren’t getting any treats.

  Kay waited while the Ingrams fussed around making the drinks, and once they were all settled around the table, she turned her attention to the couple in front of her.

  ‘I’m not sure how much DI Sharp was able to tell you, but I can confirm that on the basis of new information, and in light of other factors, I have been tasked with reopening the investigation into your son Jamie’s death.’

  Bridget raised a shaking hand to her mouth.

  Her husband reached over and wound his fing
ers around her other hand before turning his focus to Kay.

  ‘Sharp said that we could count on you.’

  ‘You can.’ She swallowed as Michael squeezed his wife’s hand, and fought to bury her own memories that threatened to surface. She caught Barnes staring at her, but shook her head.

  Now wasn’t the time.

  ‘All right then, what new information have you received?’

  Eleven

  ‘I can’t give specific details, because it involves an ongoing internal investigation into other matters. What I can tell you is that my review of the events at the time and this current case review have the full support of my detective chief inspector.’

  ‘So, we could go through all this, and you still might not be able to overturn the coroner’s verdict?’

  ‘I’m sorry, yes. That’s right. However, I promise you that I’ll work diligently with my team, reinterview everyone who knew Jamie at the time, and investigate every angle.’

  ‘Good,’ said Bridget. ‘I remember the man we spoke to from the police ten years ago. He seemed to have already made his mind up it was an accident, despite what Michael told him at the time.’

  She raised her coffee mug to her lips, and appraised Kay over the rim.

  Kay relaxed, realising that Jamie’s mother had accepted her. She leaned back in her chair, cradling her own mug of tea in her lap. After making sure Barnes was ready to take notes, she began.

  ‘It would be a great help if I could have some background about you, such as where you met and how you adjusted from army life to being on a farm.’

  Michael reached out for his wife’s hand, and smiled. ‘Well, you probably already picked up on Bridget’s accent even though she’s lived here for the past thirty-five years. I was posted in Germany when I met her. That was back in the eighties. I was based at Rheindahlen for six months, and when my unit returned to England, Bridget came with me. We were married a year later.’