Tim took one look at Andy and told him to go home.
‘I thought you needed me here?’ said Andy, perversely aggrieved now that he was no longer wanted.
‘You didn’t tell me you’d been beaten up. And I seem to remember that I told you not to get into any trouble.’
‘Well, what would you have done, boss? The guy was out to kill Fovargue.’
‘Point taken. Superintendent Thornton would have been annoyed if you’d let that happen,’ said Tim sardonically. ‘You and Ricky are a right pair, though. How have you both managed to be done over in the same week?’
‘Probably because we both tangled with the same guy.’
‘I think you’re right – and Fovargue is the common denominator.’
Andy looked blank for a second.
‘You mean he was there both times?’
‘Not only that, but he really seems to get up this bloke’s nose. I wonder what the connection is between the attacker and Fovargue.’
‘Fovargue says he doesn’t know the guy and he can’t say whether it’s the same person who socked him one on Monday.’
‘Who does he think he’s trying to kid? He’s supposed to be a local blue-eyed boy, pillar of the community, interested in conservation and preserving the environment for future generations. Why would someone like that get beaten up at all, let alone twice in the same week? And if the two incidents are unconnected, why does he have so many enemies? Anyway, you need to go home. Get some sleep.’
‘Thanks. I could do with it. I’ll be in bright and early tomorrow.’
‘If you feel up to working tomorrow, I’d like you to go back to Lincoln.’
‘And watch Fovargue again, you mean? But he knows who I am now.’
‘That’ll make it easier, then, won’t it? You’ve got a legitimate reason for watching him: it’s in case the biker comes back.’
‘Not exactly a DC’s job…’
‘No, but he doesn’t know that.’
‘What time should I get there?’
‘Whenever the show starts. 9 o’clock, probably. You can check it out online. In fact, if you’re awake early enough, you could go back to that farmhouse, watch Fovargue and his wife leave. You can speak to him if you like. No need to be hole-in-the-corner about it.’
‘All right,’ said Andy. He calculated that he’d have to have to be on his way by 6.30 at the latest the following morning if he was going to catch the Fovargues eating their breakfast. So much for a good night’s sleep.
Juliet’s call came shortly afterwards.
‘Tim? I’m still with Katrin. We think we’ve made a breakthrough.’
‘Great if you have, because we’re making absolutely no progress here. Except that Fovargue’s been beaten up again, if you call that progress. But you know about that.’
‘Did they catch the motorcyclist? And is Andy all right?’
‘No, and yes, I think so. Tell me about your breakthrough. If I may say so, you don’t sound very convinced.’
‘Oh, we’re convinced enough – it’s just that we’ve come to this by a roundabout route. It might be hard for us to convince other people.’
‘Try me.’
‘Could you come back here? It’s difficult to explain on the phone.’
Tim glanced across at Ricky, who was busy taking routine report-backs from the uniforms searching for Martha Johnson.
‘Can I leave you to it for a while? Juliet thinks she’s found something.’
While Tim was on his way, Juliet took yet another call.
‘You’re absolutely sure?’ she said.
Katrin was curious. She’d heard Juliet use this tone of voice before: vehement, yet almost unable to believe her luck.
‘Wow!’ Juliet put down her mobile.
‘Well, tell me what it was about. The suspense is killing me!’
‘It’s the motorbike – the bike that Fovargue’s attacker was riding. Its registered owner is Mr T R Pack.’
‘The Mr T R Pack?’
‘The same. It’s one of the vehicles that was stolen from him earlier this year.’
‘Great, but I don’t understand why you’re so pleased about it. The biker got away, didn’t he? So you’re no closer to restoring Mr Pack’s property to him.’
‘True, but, don’t you see, there’s a pattern emerging here? You know I teased you earlier when I said perhaps you hoped we could neatly tie all these crimes together. The way things are looking, we might be able to do just that.’
‘You’re several steps ahead of me. Let’s wait until Tim comes, then you can explain. But solving the vehicle thefts surely isn’t as important as finding Martha Johnson?’
‘I’m thinking she’s connected to them.’
‘And the serial killings – if they are serial killings? You’re not suggesting that Martha Johnson is a serial killer?’
‘I think she was probably on to a serial killer. That’s why she disappeared.’
‘You think she’s dead, then?’
‘Yes. Don’t you?’