They convened in a pub in Highford, the Craven Heifer.
It had been Nick’s request, his need for a drink taking over everything else, although Dan had chosen the pub. It relied on the lunchtime trade, with two-for-one meal deals, burgers and pies. No one chose it for a night out, so he knew it would be quiet. Nick had been all over the local paper since the case started, and the website was showing the verdict as breaking news, and Dan thought Nick deserved the privacy. In the Craven Heifer, they’d be ignored, no one caring who was in there, provided it gave a boost to the pre-weekend takings.
Dan needed the drink, too. He had waited with Jayne outside the side door at the court as Nick’s freedom was processed, until he emerged with his meagre belongings in a clear plastic bag tied up by a red tag. He left holding it high, the media taking pictures, Nick punching the air and grinning in bewilderment. For the first time in his life, things had gone right for him.
Dan realised how much he had been waiting for the trial to end, before everything came crashing down. He had been running on adrenaline, his anger about the attack and the arson keeping him going. Now that the trial had ended, and gone his way, his relief made him sag. He wanted to put his head back and fall asleep for a long time.
Barbara had travelled ahead, to pack her things and check out of her hotel. She didn’t want to stay in Highford any longer than she had to. Dan understood that. The town was where her son was murdered. He could hardly take offence. She was going to call in though, just to say goodbye before she headed for the motorway.
Jayne brought more drinks to the table, Nick grinning, enjoying his first taste of freedom, looking round constantly. Dan’s tie and collar were undone. He had lots of tough decisions ahead, his office, his firm, but for tonight he was going to enjoy the moment.
Jayne put another beer in front of Dan. ‘You did it.’
‘No, we did it, together.’ He held out his bottle to clink against hers. ‘Nick, how are you feeling?’
He grinned. ‘Just magic, man, like I thought I was done for.’
‘What’s next for you?’
His grin faltered. ‘Probably start somewhere new.’
‘A new beginning?’
‘Where no one knows me.’
‘You’ve been found not guilty. You can start again here.’
‘I don’t think so. My life will be just as shite somewhere new, but at least no one will think I’m a killer who got away with it.’
Dan laughed at that. ‘I suppose that’s a fresh perspective.’
‘See, that’s what I mean. I’ll leave the changed lives to those who’ve got all the fancy words and education.’
‘Where are you spending tonight?’
‘I’ll find somewhere. I always did.’
Barbara appeared in the doorway, looking around for them, and then waving as she saw them.
Dan raised his bottle as she bustled over. ‘You sure you’re not staying for one, Barbara? Or is this just goodbye?’
‘No, I’m heading off, all packed up, but thank you. I’m here to ask a question of Nick. A request, really.’ She sat down opposite him and took his hands in hers. She softened her voice and said, ‘Will you come with me, to the park?’
Nick looked wary, cocked his head as he considered her for a moment. ‘Why?’
‘Because it changed our lives. It was where I lost my son. It was where you lost your liberty, and almost your own life. I’m leaving Highford now, probably never to return, and I want just a few moments of reflection. I helped save you, Nick, and that means a lot to me.’
‘She’s right,’ Dan said. ‘Without Barbara, you’d be starting a life sentence tonight, not enjoying a drink.’
‘Please,’ Barbara said. ‘It’s my way of saying goodbye to Mark, and I’d like you to join me. We can both reflect and be better for it.’
Dan raised his bottle. ‘You owe her, Nick.’
‘Okay,’ he said, reluctantly. ‘But will you drop me here afterwards? I’m enjoying the beer too much.’
‘Of course, and thank you,’ she said, and sighed as she turned to Dan. ‘It’s goodbye, Mr Grant, and to you, Jayne. You believed in me. I’ll never forget.’
Dan stood to give her a hug, Jayne too, before they watched her leave, Nick shuffling behind her. An unlikely friendship.
Jayne was grinning. ‘I wasn’t expecting a happy ending.’
‘No, me neither,’ Dan said, laughing. ‘You don’t get many happy endings in my job.’
They sat and drank their beers together, Jayne leaning against him, her head against his shoulder.
‘What now?’ she said. ‘Me and you, I mean.’
‘Lover-boy not joining us?’
She lifted her head. ‘Chris, you mean?’
He raised his hands in apology. ‘I’m sorry, ignore me. It shouldn’t matter to me what you did in your life before this week.’
‘But it does?’
He laughed and patted his heart. ‘In here, yes.’
‘As long as you feel something, because I do. I have for a long time.’
He smiled. ‘Yeah, me too.’
She slapped him on the arm, laughing. ‘You kept that covered up well.’
Dan thought about that, before answering, ‘I had my reasons, but let’s just enjoy each other and see where it goes.’
‘I can live with that.’
Two men in suits rushed into the pub, looking around, agitated.
Dan and Jayne exchanged glances. He recognised one of them immediately. Graham Hogg, the Senior Investigating Officer.
‘What does he want?’ Dan said, before they saw him and marched over.
Hogg’s anger was evident from the flush to his cheeks and the tension in his stride.
‘DCI Hogg, what can I do for you?’
‘Do you know what you’ve done?’
Dan’s temper flared. ‘My job. What’s your point, because if you’ve come to bleat about losing a case you shouldn’t have run, save it. I’m not interested.’
‘You arrogant piece of shit.’
Dan put his drink down. ‘Just hold on, because you’re way out of line.’
‘Leoni Walker. Or Revell, as she is now. Did you ask your client about her?’
‘I’m not telling you what Nick said. Client confidentiality, you know that.’
‘Did Nick mention that he knew her?’
Dan was about to answer, but he faltered. Goosebumps popped onto his arms. ‘What are you talking about?’
Hogg leaned forward on the table and rested on his knuckles. Spittle flew as he said, ‘We keep intelligence on these people, however petty their offending is, because they all take drugs, and where there are junkies, there are dealers. Where do you think Nick Connor spent most of his time during the winter?’
Dan knew what was coming, but he asked anyway, his mouth dry. ‘Go on, where?’
‘Her house. We ran her name after the verdict came in, and there she was, listed alongside innocent little Nick as one of his associates. There were rumours that she was selling his stolen stuff for him, but she’s cute. Never been caught with anything, but we knew who she was.’
‘Hang on. Are you saying that Nick Connor was a friend of Leoni Walker? Or Revell, or whoever?’
‘What do you think I’m saying?’
‘But why didn’t you mention it during the trial? You’d have ruined my defence. You blew it.’
Hogg slammed his fist on the table. ‘Because you sprung it as a last-minute surprise. How were we supposed to know?’
Dan knew he was right, but what did this mean? His mind was whirring fast but nothing was making sense. Nick hadn’t given anything away.
He looked back to Hogg. ‘Why are you telling me?’
‘Because we heard you were in here, celebrating your win, and you don’t deserve the peace of mind. When you go to sleep, just know that you freed a murderer, because look at the coincidence now. The wrong-place wrong-time man turns out to be close to the woman you say was responsible for the murder. Join the dots, Dan Grant, and sleep well.’
And with that, they both turned and left.
Dan and Jayne sat in stunned silence, until they both realised the same thing at the same time. If Nick really was the killer, there was another danger.
‘Barbara,’ Jayne said.
They left their drinks and ran for the door.