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Maureen was already breakfasting in the kitchen when she heard the lounge door open. She looked up from her phone as Ron walked slowly across the hallway to join her.
‘Morning, darling. Sleep well?’ she asked.
‘What the hell was I doing asleep on the sofa?’
‘Well, sleeping,’ smiled Maureen. ‘You looked so peaceful when I went to bed I didn’t want to disturb you.’
‘I never drift off like that. I feel dreadful this morning, completely hung over. How much did I drink?’
‘A small amount of brandy, not that much.’
‘I feel so groggy. God, what’s happening to me?’
‘Ron, I don’t want to sound pessimistic but you aren’t well. The sooner you have this operation the better. Perhaps it was because you took your tablets at the wrong time and got out of sequence.’
‘Yes, that’s probably it. I need to make sure I don’t get distracted again. You were kind enough to get me that pill mate, the least I can do is use it properly.’
‘Tea or coffee? Sit down and I’ll put the kettle on.’
‘Coffee, please. Perhaps it will wake me up a bit. Pills, where’s that box?’
‘I’ve put them out for you on a saucer,’ said Maureen, ‘here you are.’
‘Thanks, nurse,’ smiled Ron.
He checked his phone whilst Maureen made him a cafetière of coffee.
‘Toast, cereal, fruit?’
‘Er, just toast, thanks,’ he said without looking up.
‘There’s plenty in the fridge for lunch but you’ll have to fend for yourself today. I’ll cook dinner of course.’
‘Why? What are you up to?’
‘I’ve got to spend the morning at Welch Properties, Laura needs me to go through some things with her. Then a friend has asked me to have lunch with her, one of my old neighbours. We’ll go to a cafe in town so I won’t be back until late afternoon after I’ve been to Waitrose.’
‘We can go out to dinner if you’d like, as you’ve got a busy day?’
‘No, I want to eat here. Besides I don’t want you having a funny turn in the restaurant.’
‘I’ll make it up to you when I’ve had this operation. Sorry, I’m a bit useless at the moment.’
‘Don’t be silly. Hopefully, the extra tablets will help you until you have your bypass operation. Dr Young should be contacting us soon about that.’
‘I realise now I need to have it,’ said Ron. ‘I can’t pretend any longer.’
‘Good. It’s nice to hear you say that. I don’t like to keep arguing with you and forcing you to accept medical help. It’s wearing me down.’
Ron reached over and held Maureen’s hand. ‘I think I’ll go and take a shower now. It might make me feel better. Then I’m going to wander down to my office. I’ve got some things to catch up on.’
Maureen’s own heart missed a beat at the mention of his office but she had been careful not to leave any signs of her late-night visit, or of her visitor. ‘Right, well, I think I’ll make an early start. I’ll phone you later, or text you. OK?’
‘Sure.’
‘You will keep your spray with you all the time, won’t you?’
‘I’ll be good, nurse,’ he smiled. ‘See you later.’
Maureen cleared up the breakfast things and loaded the dishwasher, thinking to herself that she was becoming as accomplished a liar as Ron. Today, she was indeed going out but not to Welch Properties nor to have lunch with a friend. Exactly where she was going she wasn’t sure but she had to get away from Brensford Manor. There was a country park nearby, set around a reservoir, where she could stroll and think. She planned to text Laura that she had used Welch Properties as an excuse to get out of the house as she was preparing a surprise for Ron. Collecting her car keys, she headed out into the chill of the morning.
**
Mike Harris and Andy Walters arrived at the secure unit where Alfie Crouch was currently being held for his own protection. They showed their identification and were asked to wait whilst the manager went to find Alfie.
‘You can speak to him in here,’ said Janine, the manager. ‘He’ll be down in a minute, his key worker, Beverley will bring him along. I’d like her to sit in on the interview, is that OK?’
‘Yes, of course, no problem,’ said Mike.
After about five minutes Alfie was brought in by Beverley and the two men stood and introduced themselves. Alfie looked nervous and waited to be told to sit down. Beverley sat towards the side of the room, away from the detectives.
‘Mr Crouch, can we call you Alfie?’
‘Yes, that’s me,’ he replied. He started to fidget with his clothes, pulling at his sweatshirt top. Then his leg began to jiggle up and down.
‘How are you feeling?’
‘Tired. They give me pills to help me sleep. I keep having nightmares.’
‘We’re very sorry about what happened at your house. We don’t want to remind you of what you found, we are more interested in what happened in the days beforehand. Can you tell us how the men came to be staying with you?’
‘Well, Captain was new to the area and was setting up a building firm, that’s what he told me. I’d no idea they were such horrible people. They kept coming and going at all times of the day and night. I couldn’t sleep!’ Alfie started to cry at the memory and covered his face with his hands.
‘Take your time, sir,’ said Andy, quietly looking over towards Beverley.
Alfie wiped his face on his sleeve and nodded.
‘These are the two men who stayed at your house?’ asked Mike, showing him police file pictures.’
‘Yes, that’s Captain,’ said Alfie.
‘His other name is Tyler Cummings, did you ever hear that name mentioned?’
Alfie shook his head. ‘No, wait, a girl called him Ty. Is that short for Tyler?’
‘It could be,’ said Andy. ‘What girl?’
‘She was there one morning. I told her to keep away. She was only young.’
‘What did she say?’
‘She told me to mind my fucking business.’
‘Charming,’ said Mike.
‘I was trying to help her.’
‘I’m sure you were. Now, the other man was Preston Marsh. Do you recognise him?’
‘I never knew his name but that’s his photo.’ A look of panic gripped Alfie, ‘I didn’t kill them! I won’t get into trouble will I?’ Alfie was becoming more agitated.
Beverley went over to sit next to Alfie on the sofa. ‘Take some deep breaths, Alfie. You don’t have to continue with this if it’s upsetting you.’
Alfie closed his eyes and did as instructed. ‘I’m OK,’ he said.
‘You mustn’t think it wasn’t your fault. We know you didn’t kill them,’ said Andy, hoping that Alfie would believe him and keep calm.
‘I thought Bazza was going to ask them to leave. I don’t understand what happened. Have you spoken to him?’
‘Bazza?’ asked Mike.
‘Yes, he met me and became my friend. He was kind to me. I’ve never had a friend like that. I hope he’s OK?’ His voice began to tremble again at this point.
‘Can you describe this Bazza?’
‘He’s quite tall, slim, hair shaved off I think. He was wearing a hat.’
‘Anything else?’
‘No, he gave me money for drinks.’
‘Is this the man you know as Bazza?’ asked Andy, showing him a picture of Jed.
‘He’s got hair. Bazza doesn’t.’
‘Try to look at the face. Is it him?’
‘I don’t know. I’m a bit confused. He had a limp, walked a bit strange. He gave me his number, it’s in my phone, under Bazza.’
The detectives knew this was probably a PAYG phone and would lead nowhere but the fact that the man limped pointed to it being Jed.
Suddenly Alfie started to shout. ‘Oh, oh I can see the dead men, I don’t feel well!’
Mike Harris realised the interview was over. Beverley spoke to Alfie, reassuring him that he was safe and he would be looked after. She indicated with her head that the detectives should leave. She continued to offer comforting words to Alfie as his shouts of anxiety became racking sobs. He lay down clutching the pillow as Beverley watched over him.
The detectives made their way back to the station where soon they would be able to speak to Wayne who would hopefully shine some light on the recent violent murders.
**
Matt, Brett and Nick were meeting to discuss the future of PersCure and their own consultancy business.
‘Well, it’s all a bit uncertain but I think the situation is largely positive,’ said Brett.
‘True, but I’m just a bit worried about our contract, as consultants I mean. There’s no guarantee that Ron Radford will keep us on as advisors. He may have others in mind to take over the management.’
‘He’s going to have to take on someone with a scientific background though,’ added Brett, ‘he’s not a scientist. I doubt he’s any qualifications at all.’
‘Apart from building considerable personal wealth, running several businesses and saving ClinTry from insolvency,’ replied Matt.
‘You know what I mean,’ replied Brett, looking displeased at his old friend.
‘I know exactly what you mean which is why we need to make ourselves seem invaluable to him. So, I’ve been thinking, now that the patent is finished and the large-scale batches are ticking over I think it would be good if you investigated options for new premises for PersCure,’ he said to Nick.
‘Sure, I’ll get on to it. Any idea of timescales?’
‘Well, the University isn’t going to evict PersCure but if we can present an attractive option for the future it will also look good for us. Remember, it needs to be cost-effective. Ron Radford is driven by securing a good deal,’ continued Matt.
‘OK,’ agreed, Nick.
‘Also, I’ve had some enquiries from other businesses asking about what advice we provide. I need to make sure that we have some more contracts coming through, should our PerzSolve involvement cease here. So I’ll keep you posted.’
‘Well, I’m tied up with sorting out all this equity business. You know I’m still not entirely convinced that Ron Radford will buy the whole stake, that’s why I’m contacting other possible business angels and investors. I want to have a fall-back position.’
‘Yes, we need to have our options covered. So, what’s the state of play regarding the Radford purchase?’ asked Matt.
‘His accountant, Failsworth, has been in touch. He did say that they are going to have to borrow a portion of the finance.’
‘Jeez, I can’t imagine what the repayments would be on a couple of million business loan, can you?’ mused Nick.
‘Large,’ replied Brett. ‘I don’t think it’s something I’d be doing at his age.’
‘I wouldn’t be doing it at any age,’ replied Matt. ‘It’s a huge risk. I wouldn’t be able to sleep at night.’
‘Nor me,’ added Nick. ‘We are going to have to be careful when Polly takes maternity leave but this is in a completely different league.’
‘Perhaps your stepfather, will be up for a further investment?’ smiled Matt.
‘I won’t even rise to that,’ replied Brett. ‘He already got in a panic when Jake Marsfield sold his stake. Phoned me up claiming that the business was going down the toilet. He doesn’t trust me, that’s the problem. Goodness knows what tales my mother has been telling him.’
‘God, I hope she’s not been telling him the truth about you!’ joked Matt, ‘or we are fucked!’
‘Ha, bloody, ha,’ said Brett. ‘He only phones me so he can call me “son” in his patronising way. Then he starts on his usual spiel, I know all about life, running businesses. He’s so boring and predictable. God knows what my mother sees in him?’
‘Perhaps it’s his animal passions which attract her,’ said Matt, teasing his old friend.
‘I don’t even want to think about that,’ said Brett. ‘Do you know, my father was only sixty-five when he died. It’s such a pity Rex is in such good health. Each time my mother phones, I keep hoping he’s had some nasty diagnosis but he just goes from strength to strength. He recovered so well from his stroke. It’s a shame I couldn’t have bribed the hospital to give him an overdose of morphine.’
‘Brett, you are dreadful,’ said Matt. ‘He can’t be that bad.’
‘You can have him if you want. A sort of surrogate stepfather. I could rent him out to you, see how long you could put up with him.’
Nick laughed. It was good to hear Brett’s comments like this. It lifted the tension from some of the worries about their consultancy and PersCure.
‘Right, so getting back to business, anything else we need to discuss,’ said Matt.
His colleagues shook their heads.
‘Have good weekends, guys,’ said Nick. ‘Bye.’
‘You know I’d love to wangle a meeting with Ron Radford at his place, Brensford Manor, it’s called. I looked at it on Google Earth and its a huge place. Large gardens, a woodland, outbuildings. I’d love to see inside.’
Matt shrugged. ‘I can’t say I’m that bothered. I never really warmed to the guy.’
‘You’ve said that before. What is it about him?’
‘I can’t explain, he just seems, I don’t know, dodgy.’
‘Dodgy? What does that mean?’
‘I don’t know. It’s just a feeling I have.’
‘He’s just different to you. Not educated I guess. Perhaps it’s that.’
‘I’m not a snob, don’t accuse me of that, there’s just something not right about that guy and it concerns me.’
‘Well, as long as he stumps up the cash, that’s the main thing. His money is as good as the next man’s. That’s all we can ask for.’
The duo left the room and Brett pondered Matt’s recent concerns. He hadn’t picked up on anything, Matt had tended to be a bit of a worrier in the past. His mobile vibrated.
‘Hi, darling, everything OK?’
All thoughts of Ron Radford were dispelled as they discussed the weekend ahead.
