‘His wife found him about an hour ago, sir. She’d taken the dog out for a walk and found him when she got back.’
‘Has she said anything else?’
‘I thought I’d wait for you. She’s very upset and I thought it would be better if you heard it first hand, rather than making her go through it twice. Her sister’s here with her.’
‘Were they both out with the dog?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Let’s look at the body first, then.’
Todd led the way to Arthur Connolly’s study. He was seated at his desk with his head hanging back. From the amount of blood and brain matter, and the hole in the top of his head it was obvious he had been shot in the head.
Jack Wainwright was standing over the body.
‘Any thoughts?’ asked Jenkins.
‘It looks like suicide,’ Wainwright replied. ‘There’s a gun in his right hand, and the wound is consistent with being self-inflicted. I shall know more when we get him back to the mortuary, but at the moment I think it’s fairly cut and dried. Oh, and of course, there are these.’
Wainwright pointed to two envelopes propped up on the mantelpiece. Jenkins looked more closely and saw one was addressed to Jenny, and the other to Laura Jessop. He put on his latex gloves and picked them up and left the study.
Jenny Connolly and her sister Jackie were sitting in the kitchen nursing cups of tea. Jenny was obviously distressed, her eyes red and swollen. Jackie was sitting beside her, holding her hand and making soothing noises.
‘Mrs Connolly,’ the inspector began. ‘I’m so sorry for your loss.’
Jenny looked at him blankly, barely comprehending what he was saying.
‘I wonder if you’re up to telling me what happened?’
Jackie squeezed her sister’s hand.
‘She’s had a terrible couple of days, inspector. Can it wait?’ she said.
‘We’ll keep it as brief as possible, but we do need to ask a few questions.’
‘I’m all right,’ said Jenny to her sister although she was plainly not. ‘I’d rather get it over with.’
‘I understand you’d gone out,’ Jenkins began.
‘Yes. Jackie and I took Rex out. Rex is my Labrador.’
‘And what happened when you got back?’
‘I shouted to Arthur, but didn’t get a reply. I wasn’t too concerned as he often gets immersed in things, so I went to his study and there he was.’ Tears streamed down her face as she recollected the sight of her husband.
‘Did your husband own a gun?’ asked Jenkins.
‘He had an old army gun,’ she replied. ‘I thought it was just a souvenir. I didn’t think it could ever be used.’
‘And how was he when he came home last night?’
Jenny looked at the inspector incredulously.
‘How do you think he was?’ she asked with some venom in her voice. ‘You’d accused him of unspeakable things.’
‘Is that what he told you?’ Jenkins asked.
‘Yes, he told me why you took his laptop away.’
It appeared that Arthur Connolly had not told his wife everything.
‘And then what did he do? Did you go to bed?’
‘He said he was too upset, and he needed to think. He went to his study. I tried to sleep but not very successfully. We were all up and about early this morning. Arthur seemed calmer and we had breakfast together. He said he was sorry if I was upset, and that everything would be all right.’ And she sobbed again.
‘But it’ll never be all right again, will it?’ she continued asking the question of no-one in particular.
‘Mrs Connolly,’ the inspector said after a while, ‘Did you notice that your husband had left you a note?’
Jenny looked shocked.
‘No,’ she said. ‘No, I didn’t.’
The inspector had opened the note and placed it in a see-through bag so that it could be read without contaminating any evidence. Although it seemed most likely that Arthur had committed suicide, he couldn’t be 100% sure at this time. He had read the letter.
‘I’m afraid we shall have to keep the letter for the time being as evidence, but you might want to read it,’ he said by way of explanation as he handed over the bag.
He watched as Jenny read her husband’s final apology. It was fairly brief and hoped that she would find it in her heart to forgive him. He loved her and always had in spite of what she might think. By ending it this way he hoped to spare her further pain.
‘Oh Arthur,’ she sobbed. ‘You silly man. We could have faced this together. How could you doubt me?’
***
An hour later and Jenkins was back at the school. Laura listened in horror as the inspector told her what had happened.
‘Oh, no,’ she cried. ‘What a dreadful thing.’
Laura wasn’t sure what emotions were coursing through her mind. She was shocked by the news, but had almost become numb over recent days, as if nothing else could affect her. She was saddened as Arthur had become a friend to both her and to Robert, as well as a stalwart supporter of the school. She had tremendous sympathy for Jenny who didn’t deserve any of this pain. And silly, inconsequential questions flitted back and forth. Who would become the new Chairman? How would they tell people?
Jenkins handed her the letter Arthur had written, again placed in an evidence bag.
‘Mr Connolly left you a note. I shall need to hang onto it, but you might want to read it now,’ he said.
Laura took the bag, and started to read. But her eyes were blurred by tears.
‘Could I just have a couple of minutes, inspector?’ she asked, excusing herself as she left her office. She needed to recover her composure before she read Arthur’s note. She had no idea what it contained, but she knew it was going to have an emotional impact.
Chapter Thirty Two
Five minutes later and Laura returned to her office and settled herself down to read.
My dear Laura
I really don’t know what to say to you. You must be so disappointed in me. Let me assure you that I never involved the school or the girls in anything. Until now that is and I hope that you will find a way to forgive me.
When we appointed you all those years ago, I knew that you were going to be good for the Mary Montgomery. Jenny adores the school and is so grateful for the education she received. It allowed her to be a free-thinking woman and to have the strength to turn her back on the family business and pursue the career she wanted. And the school has continued to do that for countless other young girls. I have really enjoyed working with you as we brought the school into the 21st century. You should be so proud of it.
When Jenny agreed to be my wife I was the happiest man alive. I know people often say that, but I really was. I truly loved her and I hoped she would be my salvation. I had started to fear that I was not quite normal, and I so wanted to be normal. Perhaps had we had children things would have been different. But perhaps it is just as well. Who knows what terrible things I might have done.
I was so worried when Richard Hart spoke to me a few weeks ago. It was the day I came into school to collect my laptop. If you recall I had left it behind after the Governors’ meeting. He came up to me as I was getting into my car and said he ‘knew my little secret’. He told me to drive round to the pavilion entrance as he wanted to talk to me. As he walked away, I felt as though my whole world had fallen apart. I knew things could never be the same again.
I drove to the pavilion and he met me there. There was no-one else around. He made it clear to me that he had seen my pictures. I know it was wrong of me to have them. At first, I saw it as a way of controlling my urges. As time went on, I needed more and more of them. I have told the police everything I know so that they can deal with the other people involved. It is my earnest wish that it goes some way to repair the damage I have done.
Richard told
me he would keep my secret, but that I would have to pay him for his silence. He asked for £5,000. I couldn’t do anything other than pay him. It was a lot of money, but we are well off and I was able to draw it from my savings account without Jenny knowing about it. I was naïve enough to believe that would be the end of it. But, of course it wasn’t. A week later and he asked me for another £5,000. I knew I would never be free from him, and I couldn’t bear the thought of Jenny finding out.
I don’t know what came over me, but the third time he asked for another instalment I decided I was going to call his bluff and tell him that would be the last payment. I went through all sorts of scenarios in my head. I decided to offer him one final payment of £20,000. I didn’t think he would tell anyone what he had found, because he would have to admit how he had come by the information. I know now that was a vain hope.
When we met last Friday night at the pavilion he thought I was just delivering my payment. I told him I was prepared to make the one final payment, but I couldn’t afford to keep giving him £5,000 every week. He just laughed at me, and said he knew what I was worth, and if I didn’t pay, perhaps my wife would.
I don’t know what came over me. I saw the sports store was open and just inside the door was a tub of rounders bats. Richard had walked away towards the tree, and I picked up a bat and followed him. I was so angry I couldn’t control myself. I just lashed out. I don’t think I intended to kill him, but I can’t be sure. Anyway, it doesn’t matter now. He is dead and I am responsible.
When you told me the police thought his death was not connected with the school I thought I had been given another chance; that I could pick up the pieces and get on with my life again. But then the police came last night, and I knew everything would come out eventually even though they did not ask me about Richard’s murder.
I am so sorry that you are the one to whom I make my confession. As far as the police are concerned I have admitted to the pornography- what a terrible word that is. I suppose I still hoped I might get away with the murder.
But when I got home earlier I saw the hurt in Jenny’s eyes. I knew what I had to do. And I hope that by putting an end to it, the school will be better able to deal with the consequences of my actions. At least I will spare you all the anguish of the trial, both in court and the trial the media would put us all through.
I am so very sorry.
Kind regards
Arthur
Jenkins sat quietly and watched Laura’s expression as she read Arthur’s letter. He knew the contents already and was kicking himself for being so blinkered about the case. If Laura hadn’t uncovered the blackmail, and then pursued it, he might never have really solved Hart’s murder. He would have just assumed it was one of Logan’s crimes. He had a lot to be grateful to Laura for, but he would never openly admit it to her.
As she read, Laura’s face showed her growing disbelief. She gasped when she read that Arthur had killed Richard. And when she finally finished she sat without speaking, unsure of what words she could possibly use.
‘I’m sorry,’ said Jenkins. He couldn’t think of anything else to say either.
Chapter Thirty Three
A few weeks later and the end of term loomed. In spite of all the trauma of the past few weeks the normal business of school had continued. Those who had completed their A levels faced an anxious few weeks until their results were known; results that would either confirm or deny a place at university. There had been tears as the upper sixth took their leave, hardly believing that their schooldays were finally over.
Three of the staff were also leaving, two promotions and one retirement. As their colleagues gathered in the staffroom on the last day to wish them well, thoughts inevitably turned to recent events. Everyone would remember for ever what had happened. And for most, the new school year was only a few weeks away. Things would never be quite the same again.
Laura usually enjoyed being in school during the holidays. It was such a different place without the hubbub of noisy activity. And the summer holidays were the time when classrooms were re-decorated and building works were completed. Thankfully, not much was planned for this year apart from decorating and the decorators were not due in for another week.
Laura had asked Bob Hinchcliffe and John Grainger to meet her down at Mary’s Oak. The police had finally gone, and there was no evidence of the terrible tragedy of a few short weeks ago. None of the girls had been allowed down since Richard’s murder, and Laura wanted to make some changes so that memories could be dulled.
‘Hello, Bob,’ she said, and nodded towards John. ‘Good morning.’
They returned her greeting.
‘What’s in your mind?’ Bob asked.
‘Well, I would like the girls to feel able to come down here again, but I don’t want to be insensitive. I wondered about planting a small tree or a garden somewhere nearby so that we can perhaps shift the focus slightly. And maybe re-paint the pavilion and brighten it up. What do you think?’
‘Yes, that wouldn’t be a problem,’ replied John. ‘But are you really sure you want to plant a tree in Richard’s memory? He did some terrible things.’
‘He did,’ agreed Laura. ‘And he hurt a lot of people. But he didn’t deserve to die the way he did. And we can make it low key. It’s just an acknowledgement and a way of moving on. The tree symbolises a new beginning.’
‘What about adding some more seating in front of the pavilion?’ asked John.
‘That’s a great idea,’ said Laura. She noticed Bob’s expression. ‘You look as though you’ve had a thought.’
‘Well, it might be a bit more than you were intending, but what about updating the interior as well?’ said Bob.
The pavilion had originally been built as changing rooms, and consisted of two areas for Home and Away teams separated by a wall with a central large fireplace. The rooms were now no longer used for changing. Later renovations had provided a new toilet block at the rear, and a new heating system.
‘It wouldn’t take too much to knock down the central wall and remove the chimney,’ he said. ‘Then you’d have a much more useful space for entertaining.’
‘Mmm, I like that idea,’ said Laura. ‘I’ll leave the two of you to work out some ideas and prices and get back to me.’
As she walked back towards the school Laura reflected on what had happened since Arthur’s death. Amazingly the scandal had almost died down. At first there had been disbelief and then anger followed by fear, the fear that the environment that had been so carefully chosen for their daughters had become unsafe.
But the inspector had been true to his word. He had attended an open meeting for parents with Laura and together they had reassured the parents that they had nothing to worry about. The inspector told the parents that Laura had been instrumental in solving the case, and that they should be proud to have her as the headmistress of the school. Even Mr Walsh stood up and gave Laura his public support.
In the event, only three parents had taken their daughters out of the school. And the television and news reporters were distracted by the developing news about Andy Logan. Yes, they had covered the story, but once Arthur was dead there was little more to say.
The police were still making their enquiries about the paedophile ring, of course, but that would take many months to complete as more and more links were found. By the time it reached court, Arthur’s involvement would be a distant memory. What he had done was terrible, of course, and Laura would never understand why he had this fascination with young girls. But she took some comfort from the fact that he had managed to avoid involving the school, and that, at the end, he had thought of the school and how best to help it.
Even Josh had been spared. Because Richard Hart and Arthur Connolly were both dead, Jenkins decided not to pursue the matter of the blackmail. He said it would serve no purpose to bring the whole issue into the open and it would cause unnecess
ary suffering to the victims. Laura was beginning to see a new side to the inspector. He was capable of compassion.
And Detective Inspector Jenkins was a hero. He was credited with taking the most dangerous criminal in the area off the streets. Working with Interpol he had helped to uncover a massive diamond smuggling operation that included the smuggling of blood diamonds. Andy Logan’s link to the murder of Jason Burton was firm, even without the personal testimony of Tony Banks who had disappeared into thin air. Harry Westbury had started to uncover shady practices at The Crazy Lady Casino; a fact discovered when a notebook surfaced at his office. It seemed that Andy had come to the rescue of his sister Eileen, removing the problem for her. It was still not clear who had actually killed Harry, but his blood was on the baseball bat found in Andy’s club, and in the boot of Andy Logan’s car in which he had been transported the short distance to the Lisle Street Underground Car Park.
In a few days Laura and Robert were flying to St Lucia. It was a favourite destination for them. The weather was usually very good, the people were incredibly friendly and it was the perfect way to unwind. She was really looking forward to getting away from it all and relaxing in the sun. And Robert would be in his element painting. He loved the island, and the contrasts; the mountains and the sea; the lush green of the rainforests and the barrenness of the heights. They would have a great time. And when the holiday was over she would start to think about the next school year. It was one of the great things about working in a school. A new year was a fresh start when the mistakes and problems of the previous year could be forgotten. That was never more important than this year.
Personal message from Tanya Carlysle
Hi! I hope you have enjoyed reading this book. If you did, I would appreciate it if you could find the time to add a review for me on the retailer’s website, and rate this book. Many thanks!
This is the first book in the Laura Jessop series, and I enjoyed developing her character alongside that of her husband, Robert, and the detective Inspector, Dave Jenkins. So much so, that I’ve already written two more books in the series with plans for at least one more.