Departures (part 2 of 7)

Part 2 - Monday

Parents returning from the school run clogged the streets every weekday morning with their town run-arounds and 4x4's but it still seemed a short time before sirens were heard by PCSO Charlton, much to his relief. He remained by the front gate of 103 Orchard Way as Gloria continued to sob out her shock under his watchful eye. Luckily it was a warm morning so he didn't think she needed a blanket and his gran had always maintained that a good cry helped no end, so he was sure that the old lady would be ok.

Two uniformed officers arrived first, having the advantage of knowing all the backstreets and alleys the drug dealers used. PCSo Charlton was relieved to see the tallest was his mate, Dave, and greeted him with a tense smile. "Whatcha got?" Dave asked. PCSO Charlton explained quietly what he had been told by Gloria to them both. "Did you check yourself?" asked the smaller officer standing with Dave. "Er, no." PCSO Charlton replied hesitantly. Dave and his partner exchanged a look. "Better go see for ourselves then." PCSO Charlton watched them enter the house, feeling a little foolish. Had he messed up? He didn't think he should have gone in alone and left the old lady but on the other hand...he wanted to join the force properly one day; perhaps he should've. He sat down again on the wall and gnawed at a hangnail, looking like a woebegone child with his snub nose and light scattering of freckles.

An ambulance pulled up smartly and two paramedics jumped out. PCSO Charlton directed them into the house. Inside, Dave and his partner Nidge were climbing the stairs. Dave turned his head towards Nidge who was just behind him. "Smell that?" he asked as the same scent Gloria had noticed reached them. "Yeah, can't wait for the door to door!" Nidge grinned. They became silent as they reached the attics and stood on the threshold of the room where Olivia lay. Dave stepped in carefully and put his hand on her neck. No doubt about it; no pulse and she was cooling already. He stepped out. "Your turn to stay with the body," he told Nidge as he headed off the paramedics. Nidge grumbled goodnaturedly as he took up position in the corridor.

Outside, Dave called in over his radio and then put a friendly hand on PCSO Charlton's shoulder. "You did ok Lee. You alright?" Lee Charlton heaved a sigh of relief. "I thought I'd messed up. This wasn't really covered in training, except to call for backup." Dave grinned. "Wasn't wasted then, the training?" He turned his attention to Gloria. One of the paramedics was squatting in front of her as she sat on the wall, holding her wrist and talking softly. He looked up at Dave's approach. "She's ok, just a little shocked. Needs a cup of tea." He nodded to Dave, picked up his medical kit and headed back to the ambulance as his partner shouted that they had another call. There was no need for them to stay, their job was with the living. The ambulance left towards the main street as Kelly turned the corner. The sight of the police car hurried her steps and as she spotted Gloria she ran the last few metres. "Gloria! Are you alright? Did you have an accident?" Dave turned. "Do you know this lady?" he asked Kelly. She nodded yes. "And you are...?" he continued. "I'm Kelly Simpson. I live here." She quickly explained the set up of the house and that she lived in the basement. Dave told her that there had been an incident inside and that no one would be going in or out until further notice. "But my flat has a separate entrance," she pointed to the side of the front path where a set of stone steps turned back on itself out of sight, "and besides, I've two kids that will need their tea after school." Dave thought for a moment. "Do you have another entrance into the main house inside?" he asked. "No, it was bricked up ages ago. Is Gloria in trouble? What's going on?!" At that moment an unmarked car slid to a stop. DS Sawyer stepped out followed closely by DC Bryan. Dave moved to meet them, telling Kelly to "wait there, please." Kelly sat next to Gloria and put an arm around her shaking shoulders. There was a brief conversation and then both men moved inside while DC Bryan introduced herself to Kelly and Gloria. She directed Lee Charlton to to stand by the front door until another unit arrived and then invited Kelly to take both Gloria and herself to the basement flat for a cup of tea and a chat.

Gloria felt better after a cuppa; at least she'd managed to stop crying and didn't feel so sick. Kelly was a lovely girl even though her hair was dyed pink and the piercing through her lower lip made Gloria wince inwardly every time she saw it. The lady police officer was much easier to look at; smooth chestnut hair, neat suit and at the moment, a friendly smile. Gloria's hands were still a bit shaky so she was rather glad that Kelly hadn't filled her tea mug completely. 'Tide's gone out' was what her Nan used to say gloomily when her cup hadn't been filled to the brim. Briefly Gloria escaped the moment and was sitting at her Nan's tea table, with short legs clad in white socks swinging back and forth as she decided between jam tarts and chocolate sponge. "Mmmm? Sorry dear, did you say something?" she asked DC Bryan. The officer smiled again. "I asked if you were up to telling me what happened today?" Distress flooded through her. "Oh dear. I suppose I must but I'd rather not. Kelly dear, would you call Ben for me? Ben's my son," she confided to DC Bryan, "I want him to come and take me home. I can go home, can't I?" she asked. DC Bryan patted her hand. "Of course, after you've told me what happened." Kelly interrupted with her mobile in her hand. "I need Ben's number Gloria." Gloria turned to her, mind struggling and coming up blank. "I can't....it's written down.....my handbag's still upstairs..." Kelly saw her eyes filling with tears again and couldn't bear it. "It's ok, just tell me where he works and I'll find him." Gloria stared dumbly at her for a moment and then her face cleared. "Haygarth and Stanton's, the surveyors." she said triumphantly. "I know it. On the new business park, I'll find it. Ben Mason, yeah?" Kelly headed for the living room. DC Bryan had her notebook ready. Gloria setted down to tell her story.

Outside the street was rapidly filling with vehicles. More police had arrived and were busily taping off access to the area, a forensics team were waiting in their van and a dark transit waited patiently to collect the body. Neighbours were standing around in curious little groups speculating and getting to know each other for the first time. Even though some had lived on the street for twenty years they often only had a basic aquaintance, established as they put the bins out or cleared snow from paths. Now some were bringing out mugs of tea and coffee to others, and wild rumours and speculation were passed around with the biscuits.

Inside the house, DS Sawyer had seen all he needed and he summoned Dave. "Knock on all doors, see who's in and if anyone heard anything. Usual drill. Take your partner." Dave nodded, used to the detective's verbal shorthand. DS Sawyer turned towards Mrs Bradley's flat and then turned back. "Oh and don't make too big a deal of the next flat down unless you have to," he advised, well aware of the smell permeating the landing.He didn't want to compromise any information by alienating the occupants.

He walked into the silent flat as Dave and Nidge clumped down the stairs. His keen eye noted the state of the bedroom, the handbag left on the kitchen worktop, the tray of tea in the living room; little notes of activity in the spotless and ordered house. There was no obvious clue as to why an elderly lady would go climbing around an attic in the middle of the night. Or why anyone would want to murder her. He moved over to the polished bureau and opened it, his slender hands gently moving through ordered piles of bills and circulars. No death threats delivered by mail then, not even a poison pen letter composed of cut out newspaper letters to make it more interesting. DS Sawyer smiled wryly to himself. Police work was 99.99% dull routine but he knew tv made it look much more exciting and easy. He also knew local interest would be whipped up by the media by the next day and he would be expected to produce the killer like a rabbit out of a top hat. He had a feeling though that this would be a routine case unless the old lady was sitting on a fortune of millions and had a greedy family tired of waiting. He collected various papers and straightened his already neat tie. A quick check of his immaculate jacket, a shake of his perfectly creased trousers and he was ready to go outside and let forensics in.

Moving swiftly he descended the stairs, holding his breath as he passed the now open door of the flat one flight below. The smell was strong enough to get anyone high now, he thought . "Right, all yours," he called out as he left the building. The white suited team ascended the stairs.