Murder in Room 346 Read online

  ‘So was Aberman.’

  ‘Was he? The man had more than a few interests around here. He had plenty of money.’

  ‘Then why not pay his debts?’

  ‘He didn’t get the money in the first place by giving it away.’

  ‘Aberman’s dead,’ Isaac said. ‘We’ll find out what happened to him. In the interim, I’d suggest you tone down your activities here. Otherwise, there’ll be another raid, and the police won’t be walking out of here empty-handed.’

  ***

  ‘Look at this,’ Isaac said, pushing the opened letter across his desk to Larry. The two had just returned to Challis Street after visiting the Dixey Club.

  ‘Are you surprised?’

  ‘Not even a warning. I’m to present myself in two weeks for a disciplinary hearing.’

  ‘DCS Goddard can’t get you out of this.’

  ‘I should have been more careful with Caddick, but the man’s a bore. He doesn’t know what he’s talking about half the time, and the other half, he’s sucking up to Davies.’

  ‘What will you do?’

  ‘I’ll mount a vigorous defence.’

  ‘It’ll not work, and you know it. You told him what you thought of him, didn’t you?’

  ‘I did, and he’s kept out of the way for a few days. No doubt working overtime on setting up my impending demise.’

  ‘That serious?’

  ‘They have the power to stand me down.’

  ‘They could do that now.’

  ‘Not Caddick. He wants these murders solved. That’s why he’s going for two weeks. He’s hoping we’ll be close by then, and he can step in and take the glory.’

  ‘What about us?’ Larry said.

  ‘Solving these murders is always the best defence.’

  ‘You were shot in the shoulder once before, got a medal,’ Larry said.

  ‘Are you suggesting I do that again?’

  ‘Desperate times demand desperate measures.’

  ‘Okay, Larry, enough of your jokes. What did we reckon of Barry Knox?’

  ‘We should call in Bridget and Wendy.’

  With the four in the office, Isaac took control. ‘Bridget, what do we have on Barry Knox?’

  ‘Minor hooligan. He’s been arrested for pimping, spent six months in prison before getting out on a technicality.’

  ‘Technicality?’

  ‘The arresting officer had falsified some entries in his notes. Apart from that, Barry Knox is clean. He’s managed a few clubs in the area, mostly seedy, and he’s been at Dixey’s since Aberman disappeared.’

  ‘And the women at the club, Wendy?’

  ‘One or two convictions against the oldest two for prostitution, nothing against the other woman.’

  ‘Why’s that?’

  ‘A sign of the times. The young woman is studying for a degree and paying off a mortgage. She needs the money, and casual work in a shop or with a catering company doesn’t pay the bills. She can get up on that stage, makes a few hundred for the night and survive.’

  ‘Escorting?’

  ‘Probably. They were honest about Helen and Daisy, gave some insights about Aberman.’

  ‘Gus, the heavy?’

  ‘According to the women, he’s not too bright, but loyal, polite to the women, never takes advantage, although he’s always peering into the changing room.’

  ‘He’ll see more on the stage, and Knox has a camera on the bed at the rear of the building. Which of your women were using it?’

  ‘They weren’t willing to admit it to me. The oldest one would be the most likely, but I’ve no proof.’

  ‘Don’t worry. We’re after a murderer or murderers, not fallen women. Aberman, any luck finding him, Bridget? And if it was Helen, who was paying for the electricity, the rates, why was the house empty?’

  ‘The rates are paid from an account in London,’ Bridget said. ‘There’s a solicitor’s firm that’s taken responsibility.’

  ‘The address?’

  ‘It’s in your inbox.’

  ‘Larry, let’s go,’ Isaac said.

  ‘Don’t you want to stay and prepare your defence,’ Larry said.

  ‘Defence? Wendy said.

  ‘I’m up before a disciplinary hearing,’ Isaac said. ‘Don’t worry about it. You focus on passing your medical. I can deal with our superintendent. And get Gordon Windsor and his crime scene team primed to check out Aberman’s house.’

  ‘You don’t think…?’

  ‘I don’t think anything at the present moment, but Helen Langdon’s been murdered for a reason, as has James Holden. What if it’s to do with Aberman’s disappearance? Maybe Helen did love James Holden, told him her story. The man wasn’t judgemental, no reason to be, but with Adamant, she was always careful.’

  Chapter 12

  ‘Can I help?’ a polite young woman said from behind her desk. The firm of Slaters and Partners occupied two offices on the fourth floor of an office block in Mayfair.

  ‘Detective Chief Inspector Cook, Detective Inspector Hill. We’d like to talk to one of the senior partners,’ Isaac said.

  ‘Mr Slater is in. I’ll let him know you’re here. You don’t have an appointment, I suppose?’

  ‘We’re here on official business.’

  ‘Please take a seat. I’m sure he won’t be long.’

  The two men settled on a leather sofa in the corner of the reception area. ‘Attractive,’ Larry said.

  ‘I didn’t notice.’

  ‘Come off it. You’re on your own again. It can’t be much fun.’

  ‘I’ve got you and Homicide,’ Isaac said. ‘What more could I want?’

  ‘And Caddick for the argumentative mother-in-law.’

  ‘My life is complete.’ Isaac realised the relationship with his DI had become more cordial in recent months.

  ‘Mr Slater will see you now,’ the lady at reception said.

  Isaac and Larry entered Slater’s office. ‘Always pleased to meet members of our fine police force. What I can do for you.’

  ‘There’s a property in the village of Bray. It’s a two-storey, three- or four-bedroom house. It’s been unoccupied for some years.

  ‘Mr Aberman’s house?’

  ‘That’s it.’

  ‘What do you want to know?’

  ‘We need to contact Mr Aberman.’

  ‘I can’t help you there.’

  ‘You do pay the bills for the place?’

  ‘That’s correct. I have sufficient funds deposited in a trust account to cover the bills.’

  ‘Did Mr Aberman set it up?’

  ‘Yes, just before he went overseas.’

  ‘Have you spoken to him since.’

  ‘There’s been no reason to. The instructions were clear. The house was to be maintained, the rates were to be paid, and a small account set up, with a debit card sent to a nominated address.’

  ‘And you never queried this?’

  ‘I’ve no reason to. London, especially the better areas, is awash with empty houses, absent landlords. My instructions were clear, and I’ve carried them out to the best of my ability.’

  ‘You mentioned a debit card?’

  ‘Yes. The balance of the account is kept at one thousand pounds.’

  ‘Do you have an address for the card?’

  ‘I’ve always sent it to a post office box.’

  ‘Is that unusual?’

  ‘A little strange, I’ll grant you. Some people are reclusive, or they do not want their identities revealed. As long as I conduct my business according to the law, then I have no reason to concern myself.’

  ‘You must be curious,’ Larry said.

  ‘Why? If Mr Aberman wants to act in a certain way, then I don’t interfere.’

  ‘Two people he knew have been murdered. We suspect Aberman has been as well. We need to prove our suspicion. Have you ever met a Helen Langdon or a Helen Mackay?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘You seem certain.’

  ‘I
watch the news. I’m aware that a Helen Langdon was found dead with James Holden. I take it that is the woman you’re referring to.’

  ‘It is.’

  ‘Then I’ve not met her, not even spoken to her.’

  ***

  It took a few days before all the paperwork was in place. The notification had been given to Slater, Aberman’s solicitor, and Ben Aberman’s next-door neighbour had been informed.

  Four vehicles stood in the driveway of Aberman’s house, with a uniform out on the street to deal with the onlookers. ‘Just routine,’ if anyone asked them.

  Gordon Windsor walked around the house with Isaac, Slater having given them a key. ‘It’s musty in here,’ Windsor said.

  ‘What will you find in here?’

  ‘No idea. The garden interests us more. We’ve got a couple of ground penetrating radars. They should pick anything up.’

  ‘How long before you have an answer?’

  ‘One, two days, to cover the grounds. And then we’ll check the house. There’s a cellar. It looks clean, but we don’t know for certain until we check it. Are you sure Aberman’s dead?’

  ‘It’s a strong possibility. If he is, and he’s here, then Helen Langdon’s not looking so good.’

  Isaac walked out of the front door of the house and walked around to the next-door neighbour. ‘Mrs Hawthorne, you’ve been informed?’

  ‘Is Mr Aberman buried there?’

  ‘We’ve not been able to find him. The woman who used to come here, we believe her name was Helen Langdon.’

  ‘Is she dead?’

  ‘If it’s confirmed she was the woman you spoke to, then yes?’

  ‘Such a lovely woman. She gave me a vase for my house once. She said it came from her house.’

  ‘Do you still have it?’

  ‘It was too nice to use. It’s still in the paper she wrapped it in.’

  ‘Can we check it?’

  ‘If you like.’

  Isaac made a phone call. Grant Meston, Windsor’s deputy, came over.

  ‘Mrs Hawthorne has a vase in her house. The lady who used to check on Aberman’s house gave it to her. There may be fingerprints.’

  ‘I’ll check it out now. It shouldn’t take long.’

  Isaac left Meston with the old lady and returned to the back of Aberman’s house. A grid pattern had been laid out in the garden, and the two machines were going up and down at a slow pace. ‘We can’t hurry this,’ Windsor said. ‘It’s been a few years, the ground’s bound to have compacted.’

  ‘Are you certain with the machines?’

  ‘If there’s a body, we’ll find it. Grant said you may have a lead next door.’

  ‘Fingerprints on a vase. If they’re Helen Langdon’s, then it’s a further tie-in to the Dixey Club and Barry Knox.’

  ‘Nasty piece of work, is he?’

  ‘He’s not someone you’d want to invite around your house. Denied everything, of course.’

  ‘Don’t they always.’

  ‘The man’s gone from pimping to running a strip club, so he’s suspect to start with, and his bodyguard, he’s the violent type. The sort of person who could kill Aberman.’

  From the far end of the garden, one of the CSIs raised his hand. ‘Over here,’ he shouted.

  ‘A result?’ Isaac said.

  ‘Don’t get too excited. It could be a cat or a dog buried there. Whatever it is, it’ll take most of the day to confirm.’

  Grant Meston reappeared. ‘Perfect prints,’ he said.

  ‘Whose?’

  ‘Helen Langdon.’

  Isaac phoned Larry and Wendy. ‘It’s confirmed. Helen Langdon was the mysterious woman at Aberman’s house.’

  ‘What next?’ Wendy asked.

  ‘We’ll meet later tonight. The CSIs have found something in the garden.’

  ‘Aberman?’

  ‘Unknown. They’re erecting a crime scene tent. From here on in, it’s down to being on the ground and slowly sifting through the soil.’

  A voice came from another part of the garden. ‘Over here.’

  ‘It’s going to be a busy day,’ Windsor said.

  ‘Okay, call me when you have something,’ Isaac said.

  ***

  Isaac could see no advantage in staying around Aberman’s house, and with a disciplinary hearing pending, he had to prepare his defence. Helen Langdon seemed the reason for the double killing at the hotel in Bayswater, but the waters were becoming muddied. It was now known that she had been involved in a relationship with Ben Aberman, the previous owner of the Dixey Club.

  Larry was checking on the Adamants, trying to understand why and how Helen had married the father, whether the man’s death had been as a result of his madness or whether he had been murdered.

  Larry found the youngest child, Howard, at his place of work, the family home. ‘How much money can you make doing this?’ Larry asked, as Adamant sat in front of his monitor.

  ‘It depends. Some weeks, a few thousand, others as much as fifty or sixty.’

  ‘Serious money.’

  ‘Hard work, long hours.’

  ‘That’s what I’ve got,’ Larry said.

  The man opposite continued working, although he was communicative. ‘I’ve got to finish this today,’ he said. ‘Have you found out who killed Helen?’

  ‘Not yet. She seems to have led a varied life.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘Before she met your father, she was performing in a club.’

  ‘We know that. Dixey’s. It’s a dive.’

  ‘You’ve been there?’

  ‘Once or twice with some friends.’

  ‘When Helen was performing?’

  ‘Not then. They still had her picture outside, although I can understand why.’

  ‘Why’s that?’

  ‘You’ve been?’

  ‘Twice.’

  ‘They’re not much, the ones up on that stage. Helen, she must have been the star performer.’

  ‘She was.’

  ‘I can’t imagine her with the men, the same as the others.’

  ‘She wasn’t, although she played along.’

  ‘How do you know?’

  ‘Some of my friends, they’d seen her there, but I never did.’

  ‘You fancied her?’ Larry said.

  ‘Who wouldn’t? She was more my age than my father’s, but he had the money.’

  ‘Apparently, the money wasn’t that important to her.’

  ‘What do you reckon? You’re the policeman.’

  ‘Money’s always important, so’s love. Helen seemed to prefer older men, no doubt they treated her better.’

  ‘More likely to forgive and forget, and she flattered their egos. I would have taken her in an instant, but she’d seen through me.’

  ‘What do you mean?’

  ‘I was in my early twenties. I was into anything in a skirt.’

  ‘It wouldn’t have been serious with you, just another woman.’

  ‘Maybe, maybe not, but I wasn’t into settling down. Helen, if she wanted security and a decent man, that wasn’t me, not back then.’

  ‘And now?’

  ‘I’ve grown up, money in the bank. Sometimes the stress of my work gets to me, and the idea of hitting the clubs, chatting up a woman doesn’t appeal anymore. It’s a shame about Helen. If she was in that room with James Holden, there was a reason; maybe it was love, but whatever it was, she’s blameless.’

  ‘Why so much devotion to the woman from everyone we’ve met? And we’ve been to Dixey’s, we’ve spoken to your family, to Holden’s family. What is it?’

  ‘I don’t know. Are you suspicious?’

  ‘Nobody’s that good. Everyone’s got something they’d rather hide, skeletons best left hidden.’

  ‘But you know her skeletons. She performed in that club, danced naked, took money from depraved onlookers.’

  ‘Depraved?’

  ‘You’ve been. What do you think?’

  ‘You�
��re right, I suppose.’

  ‘It’s the permissive society. If you want some titillation, to get laid, you just need to go out of a Saturday night, any pub, and there are plenty of females waiting for a man.’

  ‘Is that what you do?’

  ‘I’ve one or two women I can phone up. I’m doing alright for myself,’ Howard Adamant said.

  Larry could only agree with the man as he left the house. Outside, a Porsche, and the chance of a few women at the weekend. He remembered back to when he had been Adamant’s age, a lowly police constable, a fifteen-year-old car. His chances had not been so good, but he had managed. His wife had been a Saturday night pickup, and they were still together after many years.

  He envied the young man his good fortune but did not want it for himself. If he could just make it to detective chief inspector, he’d be satisfied.

  Chapter 13

  ‘You’d better get back to Aberman’s house,’ Gordon Windsor said on the phone.

  ‘What is it?’ Isaac said.

  ‘We’ve found human remains.’

  ‘Aberman?’

  ‘It needs Forensics and Pathology to confirm. I’d say it was male judging by the clothes, but apart from that, I’d only be guessing.’

  ‘I’ll take your guess.’

  ‘It’s been here for five to ten years, maybe longer. There’s no chance of facial recognition. Does the man have a relative we can use for DNA?’

  ‘We’ve not looked.’

  Isaac ended the call and phoned Larry. ‘I’ve got Bridget and Wendy in the office. I need you out at Aberman’s as soon as possible. Wendy and I will meet you there.’

  ‘What’s up?’

  ‘A body. We’re assuming Aberman’s. Bridget, check if Ben Aberman has a close relative. Also, dental records.’

  Larry was at Aberman’s house within forty minutes, Wendy and Isaac not far behind. In the driveway was the next-door neighbour. ‘Is it Mr Aberman? she asked.

  ‘We’ve no idea yet. We’ll come and talk to you later.’

  ‘Such a nice man. Whatever next?’

  ‘You didn’t know of the man’s history?’

  ‘I told you before. He was in the entertainment business. He used to have all these attractive people down for the weekend.’

  Isaac didn’t feel it necessary to tell the woman that the attractive people were probably criminals and ladies of the night.