A Knot of Sparrows: a murder mystery set in the heart of the valleys Read online

  A KNOT OF SPARROWS

  A murder mystery set in the heart of the valleys

  CHERYL REES-PRICE

  Published by

  THE BOOK FOLKS

  London, 2021

  © Cheryl Rees-Price

  Polite note to the reader

  This book is written in British English except where fidelity to other languages or accents is appropriate.

  You are invited to visit www.thebookfolks.com and sign up to our mailing list to hear about new releases, free book promotions and other special offers.

  We hope you enjoy the book.

  Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  Chapter Thirty-two

  Chapter Thirty-three

  Chapter Thirty-four

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Chapter Thirty-six

  List of Characters

  Other books in this series

  Other titles of interest

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  Chapter One

  He stood behind the wall of the community centre car park, his eyes fixed to the door of the shop opposite. It was nearly time, any minute she would come out. He’d rehearsed this moment, timed it down to the last second, but this time it was different. This time he would carry out his plan. It would no longer be his imaginings; it would be reality. Every nerve ending tingled, making it difficult to stay still.

  A young couple moved along the pavement. He stepped back under the cloak of darkness, he couldn’t let himself be seen. Not that people took much notice of him. Most of the time he felt invisible. The couple entered the shop door and the tinkling bell echoed around the deserted car park. He checked the time again. She would be delayed now. How long would it take her to serve the last customers? The first niggles of doubt crept through his mind. Maybe this was a sign that he shouldn’t go through with it. Up to now it had been all fantasy, he could walk away, and no one would know what he had been planning. But why should he? He wanted to see the fear in her eyes, the humiliation. She deserved it. These thoughts brought a tightness to his groin and quickened his breath.

  He watched the couple leave the shop and a moment later she stepped outside, turning to wave before the door shut. She zipped up her coat and fanned out her long blonde hair. It was a gesture he had seen her do so many times. He hated the way she flicked her hair; it wasn’t even real, dyed with extensions, false, like her nails and smile. Always flirting, always wanting to be the centre of attention. She was about to find out the consequences. He watched her plug in her earphones then walk away.

  He waited until he saw the outline of the shopkeeper locking up for the night and when he was sure he couldn’t be seen, he left the car park. He didn’t have to hurry to catch up to her, he knew which way she would go. He pulled his hood up over his baseball cap, adjusted the rucksack on his back and followed, careful to keep a distance.

  He heard the clink of the kissing gate as she entered the footpath. He smiled to himself, it was a sign that he was supposed to follow. This was the route she took after work unless someone met her. There was no one tonight. The path led away from the main road, cut across the village and came out near to the entrance of the farm where she lived. He knew exactly how long it took her to get home, knew the path so well he could walk it with his eyes shut. He was confident that no one else would be walking the path tonight.

  He entered the gate and closed it gently. The lamp posts were sparse and most of the lights no longer worked. He moved silently in and out of the shadows as he went over his plan in his mind. He thought of the items in the rucksack, he was sure he had packed everything he needed. Gloves? He stopped for a moment. Yes, he had packed them.

  She was halfway along the path now and through the second kissing gate where horses grazed in a field that led down to the river. He watched as she stepped off the path and perched on a large stone, resting her handbag on the floor. He crept closer as she bent over to retrieve a small tin from her bag. Opening the tin, she plucked out a joint, lit the end and inhaled. He’d seen her do this most nights. Sometimes she would walk with a group of friends and they would stop at the same place each time. The joint would be passed around and laughter would fill the silent fields. He would make sure there was no more laughter from her lips. Why should she be happy after what she did?

  He checked his watch, there wasn’t much time left, he had to do it now. He took off his rucksack and pulled out his gloves and put them on before taking out two lengths of twine. He’d already tied the ends to make a slip knot. He placed them in his back pocket. Next he took out a mask, it had been easy to get one as the shops had a variety ready for Halloween. He placed the mask over his face before taking out a gag he’d made from an old sheet and putting it in his other pocket. He was ready.

  Sweat gathered under the plastic mask as he approached. She still had her earphones in so would have no warning of what was coming. He was so close now he could smell the marijuana as she blew out a plume of smoke into the night air. This was his last chance to turn back. The doubts started again. This time he was alone. It had been different last time, he’d just watched. She was the reason he’d gone along with it. He understood why the others had to suffer, known the pain they had caused but it wasn’t the same, he hadn’t needed to see them pay the price for their sins. What he had witnessed still made him feel sick. The visions came to him in the night, invading his dreams until he awoke screaming. If he didn’t go through with this it would be for nothing.

  He looked at her sitting there, carefree, and thought of what she had done, how many people she had hurt. He felt the anger bubbling in his chest. The sight of her brought it all back. He launched himself at her, knocking her off the stone.

  She yelped as she hit the ground and struggled to throw him off. She was stronger than he thought she would be. He fought to turn her onto her stomach. She lashed out and her screams seemed to magnify around them. Her hands scrabbled with his mask and as he fought to keep them away his sleeve rose, and he felt her nails dig into his flesh. He drew back his fist and punched her hard in the face. He felt the pain from the impact travel from his knuckles through the back of his hand to his wrist. She was momentarily stunned so he took advantage and rolled her over before securing her hands and legs with the twine. He turned her onto her back and stuffed the rag in her mouth and secured it with a strip of cloth. He was breathing hard now as he looked down at her and felt satisfaction seeing the terror in her eyes.

  He stood for a moment to catch his breath and to enjoy the power he had over her. Then he dragged her back to the path and into the overgrowth. In all his
excitement he didn’t notice that he was being watched.

  Chapter Two

  Detective Inspector Winter Meadows stood looking over the outlines of the yurts and caravans that dotted the fields in Peace Valley. Cold air snaked around his body and the dying embers of the bonfire gave off a weak glow. The smell of charred wood lingered on the air and his clothes. He inhaled deeply, the smell reminding him of his childhood and the times he had sat around the fire listening to the singing and laughing of the grown-ups. In his hands he cradled a mug of ginger tea, he blew on the surface before taking a sip. He felt the hot liquid run down his throat and bring warmth to his chest.

  ‘You’re off then?’

  Meadows turned and saw the commune elder, Jerome, standing behind him. ‘Yeah, I thought I’d make an early start. I’ll need to go home and scrub up. Can’t go to work smelling of bonfire and weed and looking like this.’ He rubbed his hand over his beard.

  ‘I don’t know,’ Jerome said. ‘I think it suits you, but I expect clean shaven with a shirt and tie is your armour. Hides your past.’

  ‘I’m not ashamed of where I come from; well, maybe I was as a teenager. Even then I would have been happier staying here than being forced to live another life. Anyway, it was what was best at the time and I guess my life would have been different now.’

  ‘You are what you were meant to be,’ Jerome said. ‘It’s been good to see you. I hope it helped.’ Jerome patted him on the shoulder.

  ‘I’m not sure it has, but it’s been good to have a break and think things over.’

  ‘It wasn’t your fault. You need to let it go.’

  ‘I know, but I could have done things differently and that little girl could still be alive.’ Meadows sighed.

  ‘You would have risked your career. You know we are all very proud of you. You’re out there making a difference.’

  ‘It doesn’t feel like that sometimes. Ryan Phillips walked away. We all know that he was responsible for Ella’s death.’

  ‘You know as well as I do that karma has a way of righting the world. If not in this life, then the next. You need to be at peace with yourself.’

  ‘Yeah, I know, and the break has done me good.’ Meadows looked at the smoke curling out of a nearby yurt.

  ‘You could stay. At least until the end of the week.’

  ‘No, I best get back.’ Meadows drank down the remainder of his tea. ‘I left Blackwell in charge.’

  ‘From what you’ve told me about him, he’ll be enjoying himself.’

  ‘That’s what I’m afraid of. The team won’t be happy.’ Meadows laughed.

  ‘I’ll let you go.’ Jerome held out a small wooden box. ‘Something to keep you going.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Meadows pocketed the box. ‘It’s been great to see you. I’ll be back up in a few weeks to pick up Mum. Coming here has been a tonic for her. If it weren’t for her arthritis I’m sure she would move back permanently.’

  ‘It was her home for so long I expect she misses the life we have here. Don’t worry, we’ll take good care of her. See you then.’ Jerome gave Meadows another pat on the shoulder and walked back to his caravan.

  * * *

  After a shower and shave, and with the box Jerome had given him safely hidden in his cottage, Meadows drove to Bryn Mawr police station. He was pleased to see only a few cars were parked in the car park as he wanted some time to catch up before the team came in. He felt a flutter in his stomach as he pushed open the door. It was always the same when he had been away from work, he never knew what he would face when he returned. For the past three weeks DS Stefan Blackwell had taken on the responsibility, made the crucial decisions, and probably felt the elation of solving a case or the anguish when things went wrong. Every single case Meadows had worked on had left a mark in some way. He couldn’t help the compassion he felt for those who found themselves the victim of a crime. Sometimes that compassion stretched to those who had been driven, fuelled by grief and anger, to commit the crime. Jerome was right, he thought, what he did made a difference to people’s lives.

  ‘Good to see you back,’ Sergeant Dyfan Folland said as the door closed behind Meadows. ‘Edris will be pleased. He’s been complaining about Blackwell since you left.’

  ‘Can’t leave those two alone for five minutes without a chaperone.’ Meadows laughed as he leaned against the desk. ‘Did I miss much?’

  ‘Not really. A call came in this morning, missing teenage girl from Gaer Fawr, she didn’t come home last night. We’ll probably find her with some boy.’

  ‘Let’s hope so.’

  ‘And…’ Folland shuffled some papers on the desk.

  ‘Why do I get the feeling I’m not going to like this?’ Meadows asked.

  ‘Fire in Bryn Coed two nights ago. Jean Phillips’ house.’

  ‘Was Ryan Phillips there?’

  ‘Yeah, he and his mother died. Neighbours managed to get out.’

  Meadows felt the familiar ache in his chest that came when he thought of the case and the little girl who would never grow up. He thought of the conversation he had had with Jerome only hours earlier. Karma? He was fairly certain that Ryan had been there when Ella Beynon died, and that his mother had lied for him.

  ‘Deliberate?’ Meadows asked.

  ‘Looks like it,’ Dyfan said.

  Revenge, probably one of Ella’s family, Meadows thought. ‘I heard there had been some trouble there.’

  ‘Yeah, graffiti on the walls, threatening notes put through the door. It would have been better if they’d left the area.’

  ‘Easier said. I doubt they had the means to leave. I better get upstairs before the others come in. See you later.’

  Meadows made himself a cup of tea and carried it through to the office where he stood looking at the incident board. There were pictures of the house taken from different angles. The front windows had been blown out and smoke had blackened the paint. He could just make out some of the words that had been painted on the house. ‘Child Killer’ and ‘Murderer’ were among them. There were pictures of Jean and Ryan Phillips, and on the opposite side a picture of Ella Beynon. The smiling child brought a wave of sadness over him. Ryan had been Ella’s mother’s boyfriend. Social services had an order against him having contact with Ella. Whilst there had been no proof of his involvement in her death, it hadn’t stopped the judgement within the small community.

  ‘Yay, you’re back. I was worried you would decide to stay.’

  Meadows turned and saw DC Tristan Edris walking towards him with a smile on his face. The young officer had sandy blond hair, mischievous blue eyes, and a quirky sense of humour.

  ‘Another day of Blackwell, and I would have stuck my head in the oven,’ Edris said.

  ‘He’s not that bad,’ Meadows said with a laugh.

  ‘He’s had me doing all the shit jobs. I’ve been stuck in the office for two weeks. He treats me like his PA.’

  ‘Bitching already?’ DS Paskin entered the office, followed by DC Valentine. Paskin, a petite brunette, had a flare of finding information on suspects. ‘Give the man a chance to finish his cup of tea.’ Paskin took a seat at her desk.

  ‘Good holiday?’ Valentine asked. She smiled, showing a set of perfect white teeth. She was the newest to the team and was upbeat and full of energy.

  ‘Yes, thank you.’ Meadows felt his mood lift as the usual office banter surrounded him.

  Blackwell was the last to enter. Built like a bulldog, he rarely smiled and had a quick temper. ‘You’ve seen that slimy little bastard copped it then.’ Blackwell nodded at the incident board.

  ‘Yes and that his mother also died in the fire,’ Meadows said. He noticed that Valentine and Edris had scooted to their desks.

  ‘Everyone knows that she lied to give her son an alibi. He supplied the drugs left lying around for the child to take and I’m betting he was there when Ella died. Just because the CPS had insufficient evidence to tie him to Ella’s death doesn’t mean that he’s not responsible
, and his mother was as guilty as him,’ Blackwell said.

  ‘It still doesn’t make what happened to them right,’ Meadows said. ‘They deserve the same level of investigation as anyone else.’

  ‘I’m giving it my full attention,’ Blackwell snapped. ‘I’ll catch the person responsible and shake their hand before I arrest them. Unless you’re planning on taking over.’

  ‘Wouldn’t dream of it,’ Meadows said with a smile. ‘Have you got any suspects?’

  ‘Loads. But no one is talking. All got alibis. No one saw or heard anything,’ Blackwell said. ‘If they did, they are not going to tell us.’

  ‘Okay, I’ll leave you to it. By the way, did the missing doctor turn up?’

  ‘No, why?’

  ‘Folland says there’s a report of a teenage girl that didn’t come home last night; Gaer Fawr, same as the doctor.’

  ‘She probably stayed out with her boyfriend. As for the doctor, he’s run off with his bit on the side. He sent a text to his wife,’ Blackwell said.

  ‘I still think it’s odd.’ Edris stood up. ‘He left with no cover for the surgery.’

  Blackwell whipped his head around and glared at Edris. ‘Are you questioning my judgement?’

  Sergeant Folland entered the office with a grim expression on his face before Edris had a chance to answer.

  ‘A body has been found in Gaer Fawr, sounds like it’s the missing teenage girl,’ Folland said. ‘Hanes called it in, he says he’ll meet you in the community centre car park.’

  ‘Okay, thanks Folland. Edris, get your coat.’ Meadows turned to Blackwell. ‘Unless you need him.’

  Blackwell looked from Meadows to Edris, seemingly conflicted. Then he huffed. ‘He’s all yours.’

  Chapter Three

  Meadows sat in the passenger seat and watched the shoppers milling around Bryn Mawr town centre as Edris drove. After staying in the commune for three weeks the place seemed alien to him, too many people. It was only a small market town with charity and bargain shops, but the scurrying from shop to shop and the cars driving through the centre felt fast-paced in comparison to the calm existence of what he left behind that morning. He wondered now how he had survived London for over ten years.