Monday, April 19th
An apartment building between Rosary and St. John, 8:30 pm
Neil arrived with John at the apartment building. He was leaving for the training center when David called him to say that a person had just alerted the police station. Mr. Vaughan had noticed the door open in the apartment on the ground floor. He had looked inside, thinking that maybe someone was sick or they had forgotten to close the door. He had found a man on the floor with his head in a pool of blood. A unit had reached the place in a few seconds and had identified the man as Brian Murray.
Neil parked in front of the building, and an agent came to meet them, as soon as he and John got out of the car. He told them:
“The medical examiner has just arrived. He said that the man must have died between six and ten yesterday evening. He will be more precise after performing the autopsy.”
John asked:
“Cause of death?”
“He was hit on the head with a heavy object that we haven’t been able to find… He died in a few minutes. There was a gun on the floor next to him, which wasn’t used. The gun belongs to Murray.”
“Thanks,” Neil said, while they were walking towards the entrance of the building. The agent led them to a studio apartment on the ground floor. It was just a big dining room that served as a bedroom as well, since there was a sofa bed. At the far end of the room there was a kitchen wall, and next to it a door led to the bathroom. The apartment was scarcely furnished: just a sofa bed, an armchair, a table, four chairs, and a bookcase. In the cabinets and cupboards there were few utensils and plates for the kitchen, and in the bookcase just a few books and magazines. John opened every drawer and inspected every corner of the room, but there were no papers or folders.
Neil crouched down next to the body, and he looked at the wound on the head. The medical examiner was gathering his gear and preparing to leave.
He said;
“Inspector McKinley, I will let you have my report tomorrow, but I think the cause of death is pretty clear.”
Neil stood up and shook hands with the short stocky man. He asked:
“Do you think the blow was struck with violence?”
“Well, the object was certainly heavy. The murderer didn't need to be particularly strong. He or she must have hit him from behind, that is why he didn't have time to use his gun. I don’t think there was premeditation…”
When the medical examiner had left, Neil turned to John:
“What do you think, John?”
“I don’t know. Do you believe Kolinsky is involved? Maybe he came to ask him for the money he owed him, and Murray didn’t have it…. Who else could have killed him? Nobody knew about this place, even Gatti hadn’t found it.”
Neil turned to the agent:
“Are there security cameras around here?”
“In the building or in the parking place there are none. I have seen cameras at the gas station on the corner. Shall I ask the pump assistant if they work?”
“Yes, please.” He turned back to John and said musingly:
“If Kolinsky expected money from Murray, why kill him? Have you seen a mobile phone around here?”
“The agents have found Murray’s mobile phone on the sofa. It was off.” He took the mobile phone that had been wrapped in a plastic bag, and he said: “I will give it to Steve. But I have the impression that he didn’t use it.”
“But how did he communicate? No prepaid phones around? And the other mobile phone, the one in Olivia’s name?”
“There are no other phones here. I will ask Steve if he has checked Olivia’s phone. Maybe it has been turned on…”
Neil dialed a number on his mobile phone, and, while he was waiting for an answer, he told John:
“I am calling Steve now, because I need to know.. Hi, Steve,” he put the phone on speaker.
“Hi, Neil. They have just told me about Murray. Do you need me there?”
“No, Steve. Have you checked Olivia Clancy's second mobile phone?”
“Last Saturday morning it had not been used. Let me check… Oh yes, yesterday morning it was turned on, but the GPS must have been disabled, and then it was turned off almost immediately. The phone is off or out of reach now.”
“Thanks, Steve. We are trying to find security cameras around here. I will send you the video files to check, ok?”
“Ok, tell me if you need anything more…”
The agent came back at that moment, and he told Neil:
“The pump assistant said that the cameras work. Would you like to check the videos now?”
Neil and John nodded, and they followed the agent to the gas station. The pump assistant led them to a small back office, where he had a laptop on a table. He turned it on and connected it to the cameras. In a few moments a video started. The angle was good, and they could see the driver and the license plates quite clearly, provided the car came from St. John and not from Rosary. Neil asked the man to send the file to the email address he gave him. Neil and John left, after alerting Steve that the video file was on its way.
They went to Mr. Vaughan, who was waiting for them in his apartment. He lived on the first floor of the building. Neil judged him to be in his late thirties. When he saw Neil and John, he couldn't hide his impatience.
“I was waiting for you. They asked me to wait until a policeman came to talk to me, but I have to go to work, and I am late.”
“Just a few questions,” Neil said, letting himself into the apartment. He turned to the man who was still standing by the door, and he asked:
“Did you know Mr. Murray? Did you see him frequently?”
“To tell you the truth, I saw him once with an estate agent almost a year ago, then I didn’t see him any more, until … Let me see … Until last week, when he arrived. He didn’t go out, and I thought he had left, because I haven’t seen him around in the last few days. That's why I checked when I saw his door open. I thought he had been robbed.”
John asked:
“And did you see anyone going to visit him?”
“I have already told you, I thought he had left, because nobody came in or out of that apartment .”
“Who else lives in this building?”
“I have been living here for two years now, the apartment next to mine is empty now, and a young couple live in the other flat on the ground floor, but she is a flight attendant, and she is almost never at home, and he is a captain on a cruise ship. They have been away for months now…”
Neil asked:
“Were you at home yesterday afternoon?”
“No, I spent Easter with my mum and my brother in Fredericton. I came back last night, but it was very late, and I just went upstairs to my apartment, I didn't notice if the door was open. This morning I was going to take my car to go to work, and I saw it.”
“Thanks for your patience, Mr. Vaughan, an agent will come to you tonight, when you finish work, to make you sign your statement.”
The man merely nodded, he locked the door to his apartment, and he left.
Neil sighed and said:
“Now comes the hardest part. We have to tell Daisy, and then Rachel and her family…”
John nodded, and the two policemen left.
***
Rosary, Anna's Trattoria, 10 am
When Neil parked in the parking lot of the Trattoria, he noticed that the door to the restaurant was closed. John told him:
“Anna will probably be in her apartment.”
They went to the corner of the building and they rang the bell. They were both thinking of the best way to break the news to Daisy.
A kind voice in the intercom asked:
“Who is it?”
John answered:
“John and Neil, Anna. Is Daisy with you?”
“Yes, come in…”
The two policemen went to the first floor, and they entered the cozy apartment of the Italian woman, where she had lived since she had arrived from Italy. She invited them to sit in the living room, and she called Daisy, who was in the kitchen.
Daisy came into the room, and, the moment she saw the serious countenance of Neil and John, she knew that something was wrong. Louise was sitting on the sofa, and she stood up to greet the two officers. John led Daisy to the sofa, and she sat down next to her grandmother.
Anna could see the same uneasiness in the two men she had seen when they had told her that her son had been murdered. She reflected that it must be really difficult for a policeman to bring bad news, to know that what they have to tell will change the life of the person in front of them completely. She knew that something bad had happened, and she sat down next to her friend. She took her hand to let her feel her presence.
Neil exchanged a look with John, and turned to Daisy:
“You can't imagine how I wished I wouldn't have to tell you this, Daisy, and there is no gentle way to break the news.” Daisy was slowly shaking her head in denial of what Neil would say next.
A moan escaped her lips, and she buried her face in her hands. Louise was squeezing Anna’s hand, and they could read incredulity on her face.
“No, no, no…” Daisy looked imploringly at Neil. “Tell me it is not true. Tell me he is in hospital, that he will be ok. No, Neil, no!”
Neil bowed his head for a few moments, because he knew he couldn't do what Daisy was imploring him to do. He gently raised Daisy's face to look at him, and he told her, as kindly as he could:
“Daisy, your father was found this morning in a studio apartment that belonged to him, not far from Rosary.”
“No, he didn't have another home, he lived with ME! No, no!” She couldn't go on, because she started to sob desperately. Louise embraced her, and drew her close to her. She let her cry for a few moments until she started to calm down. Nobody said anything, they all watched the desperate girl, feeling helpless.
Neil’s mobile phone vibrated in his pocket. He stood up and went to a corner of the room.
“Hi, Billy... Yes, I am here… It's not easy, as you can imagine … Okay, thanks for calling me… Can you go back to the building tonight and show the photo to the neighbor? … Good idea, Billy, but don’t tell them the whole story, ok? … Thanks, see you…”
He turned back to the three women. John had gone to the kitchen to take some water, and now Daisy seemed to have recovered a little.
She asked tentatively:
“What happened? I need to know! Was it an accident?”
“No. Daisy,” Neil bent forward, rested his elbows on his knees and took the girl’s hands in his, “someone killed him…”
“But who? Yes, he was not a good person, but … who wanted to kill him?”
“We don't know yet, but we will discover who did it, ok? Daisy,” he added, “If you or your grandmother need anything, we are here. You must be strong now. I am really sorry, Daisy. We tried hard to find him, but nobody knew about his apartment, and … He had got mixed up with dangerous people, he owed money to gangsters, Daisy!”
Daisy locked eyes with the handsome inspector, and she said:
“I know it's not your fault. I should have told you about the kidnapping,” she looked at her grandmother, and she added: “I should have told you about their discussion when my mum died, but I refused to believe that he was not the father I had always been sure he was.” She turned back to Neil: “ I should have trusted you, and you could have helped him before it was too late. Maybe you would have put him in prison, but he would be safe… Oh, Neil, it’s my fault, it’s my fault!” Neil dragged her to him, and embraced that poor girl, who had carried a heavy burden of lies for too many years.
He said softly:
“Daisy, look at me!” The girl raised her watery eyes, and Neil told her: “You must NEVER think you did something wrong, Daisy. You asked him many times to let you tell the truth, and you did what he told you, because you loved him and believed that everything he ordered you to do was for your sake. You couldn't imagine, you couldn't conceive of the kind of life he was leading, Daisy, nobody could.”
Daisy was still shaking her head, and Neil insisted:
“Daisy, it is NOT your fault, ok? Promise me you will never blame yourself. Promise me, Daisy, because you are only hurting yourself, and there is only one person to blame. Your father!”
Daisy nodded, and Neil stood up.
“I am sorry, but we have to tell the same thing to the other family.” He sighed, and he added, turning to John: “This is the hardest part of our job, and this time it is even more difficult, because two families are involved.” John nodded, and, after embracing Louise and Anna, the two men left.
When they were in the car, Neil turned to John and said;
“Billy called me to say that one of the cars who have been caught on camera in the time lapse that is interesting for us is Phil Randy, the sidekick of Kolinsky. He was driving his car, but that doesn't prove anything. Tonight Billy will show the photo to Mr. Vaughan. Maybe he has seen him in the last days…”
***
Rosary Hospital, 11:30 am
Neil and John walked along the corridor, and they knocked on the door of Rachel’s room. They found Rachel lying in bed and talking to her mother, who was sitting on a chair and holding her hand. After a moment, Vincent Clancy came into the room with his mobile phone in his hand, and he stopped when he saw the two policemen.
Neil approached the bed, and he said:
“Hello, Rachel. How are you doing?”
Rachel smiled, and she answered:
“I am much better, thanks. Have you got news about my dad?”
Neil sighed, and he turned to Olivia.
“I am afraid we have very bad news.”
Rachel looked instinctively at her mum, who was avoiding her daughter's gaze. Vincent Clancy seemed on the verge of feeling sick, and John went to stand next to him.
“I am really sorry, but this morning your father was found in an apartment that belonged to him.”
While he was talking, Neil was watching Olivia and trying to read her reaction. She gasped when she heard the news, and she embraced her daughter with affection. She caressed her hair, and she let her cry, but no tears rolled down her cheeks. Neil knew that every person reacted to the death of a dear one in a different way, but Olivia’s demeanor was really difficult to understand.
Rachel slowly calmed down, and John asked solicitously:
“Are you alright, Rachel? Shall I call a doctor?”
The girl shook her head, and she asked:
“But did he…?”
Neil understood what Rachel wanted to say, and he replied immediately:
“No, Rachel, it was not a suicide. He was killed.”
“But who could do such a thing?”
Olivia turned to Neil, and she said sharply:
“Maybe you should ask the other family, the other daughter he had.” Rachel looked at her astounded, and Vincent stepped near his daughter, and he said:
“Olivia, you mustn't say this. The other family has been deceived as much as you and Rachel.”
“Who has told you this?”
“I have told him and you, Mrs. Clancy, ” Neil intervened, “more than once. His daughter didn’t know anything about you and about his father’s life. Remember that she was kidnapped instead of your daughter…”
“But she was released, because she was NOT my daughter!”
“Now stop it!” Vincent said firmly.
Rachel added:
“Mum, please, you are frightening me…”
Olivia turned towards the window, and Neil told her:
“Mrs. Clancy, can you leave the room for a minute? I have to ask you a question.”
Olivia stared at him, but she followed him outside. Vincent Clancy was completely stunned, and he went to sit on the edge of the bed next to his granddaughter.
Neil closed the door and asked Olivia:
“Where were you yesterday between six and ten?”
Olivia looked at him with coldness, and she answered haughtily:
“I was here with my daughter all day. Ask my father, if you want…”
Neil looked at her with penetrating eyes, and he said:
“Be careful, Mrs. Clancy, because hate can make us do things we will regret for the rest of our lives.”
“I don’t understand what you mean, Inspector!”
She opened the door and went back to her daughter. Neil didn't need to call Vincent Clancy, because he came out immediately. He was pale, and it was clear he was worried. He said in a trembling voice, so unnatural in a person used to managing and ordering.
“Have you arrested someone for the death of my son-in-law?”
“Not yet. Was your daughter here all afternoon yesterday?”
“Do you suspect her? No, gentlemen, she is nervous and disillusioned, but she is not a killer. She was here all afternoon with me and Rachel.”
Neil and John exchanged a glance because they had both detected uneasiness in the man’s voice. Was he protecting his daughter? Neil decided not to insist, and the policemen left.
When they were in the car, Neil said:
“I am worried, John, because, when love turns to hate, you never know what a person can do. And I don’t like Olivia's attitude towards Daisy.”
John nodded, and they didn't say a word while they were driving back to the police station. They were both absorbed in their thoughts and concerns.
***
Rosary orphanage, 4:30 pm
Sixteen boys and girls were gathered in the orphanage kitchen, and they were listening to the explanation which normally preceded their work.
Anna told them:
“Yesterday was Easter. In Italy Easter Monday is a holiday, called Monday of the Angel, lunedì dell’angelo. After the Easter celebration, Monday is usually reserved for a picnic in nature, when the weather is fine or for family time. There are recipes for Easter time in every region, and today we have chosen a traditional dish of a very beautiful region, Sardinia. Sardinia is a big island in the Mediterranean sea.” She indicated the region on the map of Italy that was always ready for the cooking lessons. “Unfortunately I have never visited this region, which is famous for the marvelous beaches and the crystalline sea. We are going to cook Pardulas, little cupcakes made with ricotta cheese. Jennifer and Silvia have already prepared the dough, and now let’s see the ingredients.”
The children approached the table, and Anna indicated the ingredients in the glass bowls. One large bowl contained the dough, then there were little containers for ricotta, sugar, flour, eggs, baking soda, and lemon and orange zest. The little cooks got to work. Anna was happy because she saw that the children liked working in pairs, and Amy evidently enjoyed cooking with Giulia.
Anna went to the orphanage canteen to say hello to the parents and relatives, and, when the children came with their little cakes, she went to sit with Mark, John and Neil.
Neil asked her immediately:
“How are Louise and Daisy?”
Anna sighed before answering:
“They are trying to comfort each other. They would like to go to visit Rachel. Do you think it is a good idea?”
Neil and John exchanged a glance, and Neil answered cautiously:
“I think Rachel is a sweet girl, and she would like to meet Daisy. The person who is having an angry reaction is Rachel’s mother. I think she doesn't accept being cheated by her husband, and I can't blame her, but …” he reflected for a few moments, and he added: “Maybe seeing Daisy and Louise will help her. At least I hope so…”
Mario asked Neil:
“Since you speak a little Italian, can you tell the name of these cupcakes? I think it is a really difficult word…”
Neil looked at Anna, and he said:
“I have no idea what the name is. Where does this cake come from?”
Anna answered:
“From Sardinia, and they are called Pardulas. ”
“Oh, I have never seen Sardinia and that name is really difficult for me, Mario!”
It was pleasant to enjoy this cozy atmosphere in the middle of a difficult investigation, that would only bring suffering to the people involved.
***
Rosary Police Station, 6 pm
Neil and John were in the inspector’s office. Neil had decided to call the real estate agent who had sold Brian Murray that apartment.
After a few rings, a female voice answered;
“Jamieson Estate Agency. Can I help you?”
Neil introduced himself and the Lieutenant and went straight to the point:
“I am sorry to disturb you but they have told me that you sold a studio apartment, more or less one year ago, to a certain Brian Murray…” He gave her the address of the building, and he heard her tapping on the keys of her computer. After a few minutes, she said:
“I am sorry, but we have no customers with that name!”
Neil and John exchanged a glance, and Neil asked:
“Can you check the name Luke Brown?”
A few moments of tapping on the keys, and the voice said:
“Yes, Luke Brown bought a studio apartment last year … Let me see … Last May 16th. I remember now because he asked a lot of questions about the neighbors, and I thought he was a person who worked from home and wanted a quiet environment. And I remember that he paid cash!”
Neil thanked the woman and closed the phone call.
He said musingly:
“As a matter of fact, when Mr. Vaughan gave us information about the situation of the other apartments, I thought that that place was surely chosen on purpose. One apartment is empty, in another there is a couple, but they are away most of the time… A perfect place to hide…”
Neil’s mobile phone vibrated on the desk. He picked it up and answered:
“Hi, Billy!”
He put the phone on speaker.
“Hi, Neil. Mr. Vaughan signed his statement, and he recognized Phil Randy and his car. He said that he saw the car a few times in the parking lot in front of the building last week, but he didn't know he was connected to Murray. Once he saw Randy get out of the car and read the names on the bells. Vaughan thought that he was looking for a flat, because the apartment on the first floor has been empty for a few years.”
“Ok, Billy. Thanks. See you tonight.”
Neil called David, and he said:
“Please, summon Kolinsky and Randy for tomorrow morning. Summon them separately…” David nodded and Neil added: “Thanks, David.”
***
Rosary Hospital, 6:30 pm
Louise and Daisy knocked tentatively at the door of the room, where Rachel was. They waited for a few moments, and then they opened the door cautiously, in case Rachel was sleeping.
Louise was taken aback by the resemblance of Rachel to Daisy. They were really half-sisters. An elderly man was sitting next to the bed and talking to the girl.
Louise said timidly:
“We don’t want to disturb, but we just wanted to see how Rachel is.”
Rachel was watching Daisy intently, evidently startled by the fact that she was so similar to her. Vincent Clancy stood up immediately from the chair, and approached the two women.
“Hello, my name is Vincent Clancy and I am Rachel’s grandfather. I think you are …” he didn't know how to define the second family of his son-in-law.
Daisy approached the bed, and extended her hand to Rachel.
“My name is Daisy, and this is my grandmother Louise. We have never met, and I don't know if you want to get to know me, but I simply wanted to see how you are doing. I never knew my father had another daughter!”
Rachel smiled and took the other girl’s hand.
“Of course I want to get to know you, Daisy.”
Louise shook hands with the elderly man, who was smiling kindly. She wondered why he kept on looking towards the door nervously. After a few moments she realized what made him so anxious.
She heard a harsh voice behind her, that said unkindly:
“Who are these?”
Louise turned, and she saw a beautiful woman who was looking at her and Daisy questioningly.
Vincent answered kindly but with a firm and authoritative voice:
“Olivia, this lady is Louise, and this is Daisy Brown.”
The woman went to the bed, she sat down next to her daughter and put a protective arm around the girl’s shoulders. Daisy instinctively withdrew towards the door, conscious that Olivia resented her presence.
She mumbled, looking at her grandmother:
“I am sorry. We just wanted to see how Rachel is.”
Olivia glared at Daisy and Louise, and she almost shouted angrily:
“She is in a hospital bed, so she certainly is not well. I ask you to leave now. You have nothing to do with us.” She turned to Daisy, and she said accusingly:
“You have taken away my husband from me and my daughter. You should be ashamed of yourself. I was his wife, and WE were his family, is it clear? He would never have deceived me, if you hadn’t convinced him, you and your mother.”
Daisy reacted, when she heard the woman mention her mother:
“I understand that you are upset, Madam, but this doesn’t justify your behavior, and don’t dare mention my mum, who died two years ago.”
Vincent Clancy had listened to the exchange with dread visible on his face, and now he went to his daughter, and he said:
“Now you have really overstepped the mark, Olivia.” He turned to the two women who were standing by the door. Olivia tried to take Rachel's hand, but the girl withdrew it, and she looked astonished at her mother.
Vincent said kindly to Daisy and Louise:
“I am sorry, and I apologize for my daughter’s behaviour. The events of the last weeks have affected her deeply, and I hope she will see things more serenely in the next few days. Thanks for your visit. I will get in touch with you shortly.”
Louise and Daisy simply nodded and left, disturbed by the woman’s reaction and by her accusations.
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