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

  Edris’ chatter brought Meadows out of his thoughts.

  ‘For a moment I thought Blackwell was going to make me stay in the office and do some menial task,’ Edris said.

  ‘Nah, he’s too clever for that. If he insisted you stay he would be admitting to needing help. Not his style. Besides I’m confident he can manage the investigation. He may be a miserable sod but he’s a good detective. You need to cut him some slack. Something in his life is making him unhappy and you have a habit of rubbing him up the wrong way.’

  ‘No, I don’t. I only have to breathe to wind him up,’ Edris said with a laugh. ‘Seriously though, he could have let me look a bit more into the doctor’s disappearance.’

  ‘What’s troubling you about the doctor? If he sent a text to his wife then I guess Blackwell’s right, there’s not much we can do. We can’t drag him back to his wife.’

  ‘It’s not that, it’s the way he up and left.’

  ‘He went out on a call and didn’t come back that night. I remember, his wife reported him missing the morning I left for my holiday.’

  ‘Yes, but he didn’t turn up to see the patient, no cover for his morning surgery and he didn’t take anything with him. There was a log of the call late that evening, but the patient, Iris Hawkins, claims she didn’t call the doctor out.’

  ‘If he was having an affair then possibly the woman made the call to get the doctor out of the house.’

  ‘Yeah, I guess, but I don’t see the point of that. He could have gone at any time. He didn’t need the excuse of visiting a patient.’

  ‘Okay, I’ll tell you what, if we have some quiet time you can take a look. Follow it up with his wife, see if she’s heard anything since the text message, but don’t mention it to Blackwell until you have good reason to believe that the doctor didn’t leave of his own accord.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Edris smiled.

  Meadows looked out of the window as they drove past fields and in and out of villages. The Black Mountain range loomed before them as they entered the picturesque village of Gaer Fawr over a humpback bridge. A sign announced it as the winner of the Welsh village of the year award.

  ‘I’m guessing they won’t get nominated for that again,’ Edris said. ‘It’ll be the village where people go missing or get murdered.’

  ‘We don’t know that it’s murder yet,’ Meadows said. ‘Could be an accidental death.’ His gaze fell on a Norman church with a square tower which sat serenely in the centre of the village. Next to the church a yew tree stood proud, its great branches stretching over the headstones that lay beneath.

  ‘Pretty place,’ Meadows said.

  ‘If you like that sort of thing. You could die of boredom here. They probably get up to all sorts of things to keep entertained. Did you know half the married couples in Ynys Melyn are swingers? I bet this place could outdo them,’ Edris said.

  Meadows laughed. ‘Swingers? I didn’t think that was a thing anymore. Well, if that’s all they get up to then good luck to them.’

  Edris pulled into the community centre car park where PC Matt Hanes stood waiting.

  ‘Morning, Hanes,’ Meadows said as he got out of the car. ‘What have you got for us?’

  ‘Body of a teenage girl. I’m fairly certain it’s seventeen-year-old Stacey Evans. She was reported missing this morning by her mother. She said she didn’t come home last night. Description matches and her parents, Anthony and Cloe, showed me a photo when I responded to the call. Her bag and mobile phone were found close by.’

  ‘Suspicious?’ Edris asked.

  ‘Yes,’ Hanes said. ‘Looks like she was attacked.’

  ‘Okay you better show us,’ Meadows said.

  ‘She was working at the shop until half past eight last night.’ Hanes pointed to the convenience store across the road. ‘It was a regular part-time job.’

  The shop window was decorated with garlands of autumn leaves and three carved pumpkins with twinkling eyes. They walked along the pavement then turned off the main road to where an officer stood guarding the gate. Hanes gave the officer a nod and then stepped through the gate and onto a footpath.

  ‘Where does this lead?’ Meadows asked.

  ‘It runs for about half a mile then comes back out onto the main road where you can cross over and pick up the footpath that leads to the Iron Age hill fort. The entrance is a few hundred metres from Penlan farm where Stacey lives. We’ve got both entrances to this path covered.’

  ‘Good,’ Meadows said. ‘Who found her?’

  ‘That was me,’ Hanes said. ‘We did all the usual checks – friends, family, anywhere she may have stayed overnight. One of her friends mentioned that she often used the footpath, so I came down to take a look.’

  ‘Why would she come down here alone at night?’ Edris asked.

  ‘If she was alone. She could have met up with someone after work or’ – Meadows looked around – ‘there are very few lights, easy enough for someone to hide in the shadows, but they would need to know that she took this route.’

  They reached the second kissing gate and took it in turns to step through. To the right of the path was an open field, on the left gorse bushes and trees. Up ahead, both sides of the path had been cordoned off and SOCO could be seen scouring the ground. As they approached, Hanes pointed to the markers on the ground.

  ‘This is where I found her bag and mobile phone.’

  Meadows looked at the area. A large flat-sided rock sat among the markers. The grass around was flattened and clear drag marks could be seen leading back to the path.

  ‘Her earphones were found a few metres away from the phone.’

  ‘Looks like she was sat there with someone,’ Edris commented.

  ‘Could have been,’ Meadows agreed.

  They followed the path laid out by SOCO, through the gorse and trees to a small clearing. Stacey Evans lay on a bed of rotting leaves and mud. She was face down with her blonde hair in a wild tangle. At the nape of her neck a knot secured a gag. Her hands were bound behind her back and she was naked from the waist down. Dirt and scratches covered her lower half, and her legs were tied together at the ankles.

  ‘Her shoes and clothes were found here.’ Hanes pointed to the markers on the ground.

  Meadows heard the catch in Hanes’ voice. ‘Thank you, why don’t you go off and take a break. I’m sure you could do with a cuppa.’

  ‘Thanks, sir.’ Hanes turned away.

  Meadows turned his attention back to the girl. Beside her Daisy Moore, the pathologist, was taking her body temperature. Even in this grim situation Meadows felt a tingle at the sight of her.

  ‘Hi.’ Daisy gave him a smile.

  Meadows returned the smile. ‘What can you tell me?’

  ‘Not a lot, I’ve only just got here myself. From the body temperature and lividity I would say she’s been dead for about twelve to thirteen hours.’

  ‘So between nine and ten last night?’ Meadows asked.

  ‘Yes, that’s my best guess for now.’

  Meadows watched as Daisy carefully examined the body. She moved the girl’s hair and beckoned Meadows to come closer.

  ‘See the marks here on her neck?’

  Meadows crouched down. ‘Strangulation?’

  ‘Looks like it, or considerable pressure was put on her neck. Some sort of cloth has also been pushed in her mouth.’ Daisy pointed. ‘She could have choked. I won’t know for sure until I carry out the post-mortem.’

  Meadows could see the cloth bulging out of the gag and Stacey’s cheeks were puffed out. He could imagine the girl’s panic as her breathing and movement was restricted. ‘Poor kid.’ He stood up. ‘Looks like she was sexually assaulted before she was killed.’

  ‘I’ll get some photos taken then move her if that’s okay with you,’ Daisy said.

  ‘That’s fine.’ He turned to Edris. ‘I think it’s best we go and see the parents. I don’t want them to hear we’ve found a body through village gossip. We won’t be able to move her
without being seen.’

  They returned to the car park and drove to the outskirts of the village where Stacey’s parents’ farm could be seen from the main road. Edris turned the car up the track and parked in the yard to the rear of the house. A sheepdog bounded up to them as they got out of the car and several chickens scattered with indignant squawks. Meadows bent down and patted the dog before stepping through the gate that led to the front of the house. A lawn with neat borders was enclosed by a wall, and a wrought-iron table and chair set sat on a slate patio. Meadows knocked the door and stood back.

  A woman answered the door. She was dressed in jeans and a woollen jumper with her auburn hair pulled back into a ponytail.

  ‘Mrs Cloe Evans?’ Meadows asked.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘I’m Detective Inspector Meadows and this is Detective Constable Edris.’ He showed his ID.

  ‘Have you found her?’ Cloe Evans peered around Meadows as if expecting her daughter to be hidden behind. ‘I’ll ground her until Christmas for going off for the night and not telling us.’

  ‘Shall we go inside,’ Meadows suggested. He could feel his stomach twisting with anxiety. He was about to pierce this woman and her family’s hearts and no words would be able to soften the blow.

  She turned and led them to the kitchen at the back of the house. There a man stood next to an Aga cooker. He was dressed in jeans and wore a green wax jacket with only socks on his feet. He looked like he had just come inside the house. At the kitchen table a girl sat, Meadows guessed her to be about fourteen years old. She had a phone in her hand but looked up as they entered the room.

  ‘Anthony Evans?’ Meadows asked.

  Anthony nodded.

  ‘The police, love,’ Cloe said.

  ‘Perhaps it would be better if you sat down,’ Meadows said.

  ‘Oh God, no.’ Cloe sank to the nearest chair.

  ‘What is it?’ Anthony asked. ‘Just tell us.’

  ‘I’m very sorry to have to tell you that we found the body of a teenage girl on the public footpath this morning. We believe that it’s Stacey.’

  ‘What do you mean, found?’ Anthony’s voice rose. ‘You mean… you mean dead?’

  ‘I’m afraid so.’

  A howl erupted from Cloe that seemed to fill the kitchen and echo around the house. The raw sound of a mother whose child has been cruelly snatched away.

  Anthony stepped forward and put his hand on his wife’s shoulder. ‘It can’t be Stacey; she’s probably stayed overnight with a friend and knows she’s in trouble so is hiding out,’ Anthony said. He appeared to be trying to convince himself.

  Meadows noticed that the girl had not said a word. She sat wide-eyed, her phone forgotten.

  ‘We found Stacey’s handbag and mobile phone. At this stage we are fairly certain that it’s her. I’m so sorry.’

  ‘No.’ Anthony shook his head and sank down on his knees wrapping his arms around Cloe.

  ‘Perhaps you can help Edris make a cup of tea for your Mum and Dad,’ Meadows said to the girl.

  The girl nodded and stood, moving silently around the kitchen collecting mugs.

  Meadows took a seat and waited until the tea was placed on the table and Anthony and Cloe had composed themselves.

  ‘I appreciate how difficult this is for you all, but I’m going to have to ask you a few questions,’ Meadows said. ‘I’ll try and keep it brief.’

  ‘Oh, Becca, love,’ Cloe held her hand out to her daughter. ‘Come here.’

  Becca took a seat next to her mother and held her hand.

  ‘What happened?’ Anthony asked. ‘Was it an accident?’

  ‘All I can tell you at the moment is that we’re treating Stacey’s death as suspicious.’

  Anthony put his fist to his mouth to try and stifle a sob.

  Edris took a seat next to Meadows and took out his notebook.

  ‘When was the last time you saw Stacey?’ Meadows asked.

  ‘After school yesterday.’ Cloe picked up a mug of tea, the liquid spilt over the rim as her hand shook. ‘She got home at half past three, had something to eat then went out again to work. She works in the shop every Tuesday and Thursday.’

  ‘You didn’t report her missing until this morning. Was it usual for Stacey to stay out overnight?’

  ‘No, she’s not that type of girl,’ Cloe said.

  ‘She sometimes stays over at one of her friends’ houses but usually only on a weekend unless one of them has a birthday,’ Becca said.

  ‘Can you tell us the name of her friends?’ Edris asked.

  ‘Shannon Dugan and Alisha Morgan.’

  ‘Thank you.’ Edris wrote down the names.

  ‘What time did you expect Stacey home last night?’ Meadows asked.

  ‘She usually gets home about nine. She’s always quiet when she comes in as we’re in bed.’

  ‘It’s a working farm, we’re up by four each morning,’ Anthony added.

  ‘Are you usually up when your sister comes home, Becca?’ Meadows asked.

  ‘I stay in my room out of her way,’ Becca said.

  ‘You didn’t get on with your sister?’

  ‘Of course she did,’ Cloe said. ‘They argue sometimes, like all sisters.’

  ‘Did Stacey have a boyfriend?’

  ‘No,’ Cloe said.

  ‘I’m going out for some fresh air.’ Becca stood up.

  Cloe tried to grab her hand, but she moved away.

  ‘Leave her go,’ Anthony said.

  Meadows watched Becca leave then turned his attention back to Anthony and Cloe. ‘How did Stacey seem recently, any problems?’

  ‘No, she was studying for her A-levels and we’ve been visiting universities. She was really looking forward to going.’ Cloe put her hand to her chest as tears spilt from her eyes.

  ‘So nothing out of the ordinary? Did she mention arguing with anyone, or someone bothering her?’

  ‘No, nothing like that,’ Anthony said.

  ‘Okay, what about the farm? Have you noticed anyone hanging around, taking an interest?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Do you have anyone come to help out?’

  ‘Yes, but the same people have worked here for years, seen the girls grow up,’ Anthony said.

  ‘Can you think of anyone who would want to harm Stacey or your family?’

  ‘No, I’ve lived here all my life,’ Anthony said. ‘This was my parents’ farm. I know most of the people that live in the village. Yes, there are a couple of odd characters but no one that would…’ Anthony shook his head. ‘No, there’s no one.’

  ‘What do you mean by odd characters?’ Edris asked.

  ‘There’s Wayne Weed.’

  ‘I take it “weed” isn’t his surname,’ Edris said.

  ‘No, it’s Lyle. He reckons he was abducted by aliens. I think he probably smokes a bit too much. He just talks a bit of nonsense and spends his evening watching the sky with a telescope. He lives on Rhos farm with his parents. Then there’s Bible Bill.’

  ‘Bible Bill?’ Edris asked.

  ‘William James. He lives on the farm next door.’ Anthony pointed to his left. ‘It’s a bit run down. He doesn’t work the land. Just keeps a few chickens. He sold me the top field a few years ago. He’s not quite right, but there’s no harm in him.’

  ‘You don’t know that,’ Cloe said. ‘What if he–’

  ‘When you say he’s not right, what do you mean?’ Meadows asked.

  ‘He’s always talking about conspiracy theories and quoting the Bible. He mostly keeps to himself. All the kids around here tease him a bit, call him names, that sort of thing. You know what kids are like. They just want to get a rise out of him.’

  ‘Is he violent?’ Edris asked.

  ‘No, he shouts at the kids and they run away laughing. I really don’t think he would hurt anyone.’

  ‘Anyone else?’

  ‘No,’ Anthony said.

  ‘It would be really helpful if we could take a loo
k at Stacey’s room,’ Meadows said.

  Cloe shook her head. ‘She wouldn’t like you going in there. She always cleaned her own room, so I didn’t have to go in. She liked her private space as all teenagers do. I don’t want you going through her things.’

  ‘We will treat all of Stacey’s things with respect,’ Meadows said as he stood. ‘I do understand your concerns, but it is necessary. It would really help us.’

  ‘Let them do their job,’ Anthony said. ‘What does it matter now?’

  Cloe nodded but remained seated.

  ‘Thank you,’ Edris said as he closed his notebook and stood.

  ‘I’ll show you,’ Anthony said.

  Meadows and Edris followed Anthony upstairs. It felt cold after the warmth of the kitchen. Stacey’s room was the first door on the right and Anthony paused outside with his hand on the handle.

  ‘Perhaps it would be better if we went in alone,’ Meadows said. ‘We won’t take anything with us but it’s likely an officer will come to remove Stacey’s computer, if she has one, and anything that may be relevant.’

  Anthony nodded and let his hand fall away from the handle. ‘I’ll go back to Cloe then.’

  Meadows opened the door and stepped inside. The room was decorated in different shades of grey with purple curtains. A double bed was positioned with the headboard against the wall. The duvet lay crumpled at the bottom of the bed with her nightclothes. A faint smell of perfume lingered in the air. It felt as though Stacey had only just left the room.

  Meadows pulled on latex gloves and opened the top drawer in the bedside cabinet. There were packets of condoms and a box of Azithromycin tablets. He picked them up and read the back. ‘Treatment for chlamydia.’ He handed the box to Edris.

  ‘Dated last week. Looks like she did have a boyfriend.’ Edris handed the tablets back.

  ‘Maybe not a regular boyfriend.’ Meadows replaced the tablets. ‘Or she could have done, and he cheated on her or she cheated on him. One of them passed an STD to the other. That would cause an argument.’