Death Marks (The Symbolist) (24 page)

'They must've been out of their minds.' Dove looked towards the tent. 'I just can't bear to think
—'

'They wouldn't have known much about it Felicity.' Tess interrupted, 'Forensic tests show the former victims consumed huge quantities of Salvia Divinorum in a cocktail of other chemical agents.'

'The body count is mounting, Gemma Rodenbury is still missing, now this. We need some leads otherwise Tits and Seaton are taking over.'

Jack put his arm lightly on Dove's shoulders. 'There's been a lot of evil meted out in the name of religion.'

Dove bristled, as his finger stroked her neck. What the hell did he think he was doing, getting up close and personal?

Tess said, '
It's definitely driven by religion - the druids. Each crime scene is either on an ancient burial site or place of pagan worship like Kingley Vale. I just wonder where they will pick next.'

Redd frowned. 'Have you heard anymore from Lugh?'

'Yes - he contacted most of the other neo-druid groves, but so far there's no hint of this particular group.'

'What about the pagan groups, the Wicca?'

'Again nothing. The different groups do keep pretty much to themselves except for the major festivals. But, Lugh said he would get in touch immediately he had any news.'

Jack smiled. 'Professor Edmonson at the University gave zilch, he was to up his own arse to give anything concrete. I'm heading back; can I give you a lift?'

Dove hesitated, to her annoyance, Redd answered for her, 'Good idea. I have to get—'

As he spoke, the phone vibrated in his pocket. Taking it out, he could see it was Bessie Owen. 'Hi ... I see ... So you threatened them with perverting the course of justice ... a warrant ... I see. Okay. Call terminated.'

Pocketing the cell, he turned to the group. 'Now that's strange.' DC Owen searched for the donor of the Mystery Tour for the Research Labs. It seems it he or she paid in cash. They refused to give the name or address, even when threatened with a warrant.' Redd raked the hair from his forehead. 'I'll get onto Bill Maddeley. He'll have more power to his elbow than us.' Looking to Dove he said, 'Would you arrange a visit to both victims' parents - take the family liaison officer with you.'

She nodded. 'Yes boss, can't say I'm looking forward to it.'

'Don't go into details until after they've identified the bodies.'

Dove bit her lip, how did you tell parents their child was the victim of sadistic killers, especially as the gruesome news of the other victims was now all over the media?

Redd gave a sympathetic smile. 'I'll have to pay a visit to the Medbury Estate, have a chat with the dowager. We might be able to wheedle more information out of her.' Turning to Jack, he said, 'I was thinking; it would be a good idea if we had a plan of the estate, possibly the plans of the Mansion. D'you think you could do that?

Jack replied, 'I'll see what I can do. They're lodged with solicitors. I have a few favours I can call in.'

Squeezing Tess's hand he said, 'Look, keep this between us. I've been thinking about that painting, maybe the ACC passed it over to Maddeley, when he realized it could appear suspicious, especially with the mounting crimes. I'm even more suspicious that both the Earl and ACC Mainwaring could be involved. I'm wondering if the ACC had a hand in this mystery tour. But, why? I mean, over twenty people could be involved?'

Tess interjected, '
They would fill the Wicker man with humans and animals.'

Redd took the car keys from his pocket. 'It's obvious the unsubs are sacrificing people involved in research.'

Tess's eyes narrowed. 'They've revived an ancient religion to stop science tearing apart the ancient beliefs - insulting the gods.'

Dove piped up, '
Yeah I agree -science is a threat to them, and their belief in the power of nature.'

'Exactly - nature - animals - humans are to be revered not dissected and cloned - changed.'

Dove said, 'There are many people who object to cloning, and they're not alone in this. The only thing is they don't murder them for it.'

Jack paused at his car. 'They could be arranging for the research workers to witness the sacrifice of Gemma Rodenbury, the Head of Research, to their ancient Gods as a form of punishment.'

Tess nodded. 'That's confusing the point, if they're drugged and don't know a thing about it.'

Redd grimaced. 'They're still witnesses, and afterwards, they would know they witnessed the sacrifice of their leader.'

'Big message for the world.'

Dove said, '
But surely they must know the risk of being found out?'

Tess took a step towards Redd's car. 'Deranged psychopaths do not acknowledge failure. They live in the fantasy that they are cleverer than anyone else is; hence the taunting, leaving poor Jeanette and Neil for us to find. The only thing is, the Earl did not count on his mother - that anyone would listen to her ravings.'

Taking the remote control out of his pocket, Jack said, 'It's a wonder, he didn't kill her when she described the dismemberments.'

Tess
said, 'I know, but to him, unconsciously, she is the Goddess, the one to whom he looks for validation, always has. I think you'll find that he is an unloved child - still is.'

Dove raised eyebrows. 'All I know is, the bones were on his land, his mother screaming dead bodies and druids and then there's this Gothic painting. There's more than enough to pay him a visit.'

Redd said, 'All circumstantial - not enough hard evidence yet.'

Tess looked up to Redd, 'I think it's a good thing you're seeing the dowager again. The Consultant Psychiatrist claims she can be quite coherent - fit enough to carry on a conversation, so she may be able to give that evidence or clues. She may well corroborate what she was saying - accusing the
earl of cutting up her granddaughter.'

As they neared the cottage, Tess said, '
Surely if the psychiatrist says she's partly coherent; you have sufficient evidence to get a warrant?'

'Legally no, she has dementia but that doesn't mean to say I won't act on her accusations. But, really, all we have are assumptions. I still need her or the
earl's consent to let the sniffer dogs loose, let them have the run of the grounds, as well as the cellars.'

'Why not use Sweetpea?'

Surprised, Redd raised his eyebrows. 'Err - that's kind of you Tess, but I'm not sure....' He paused, 'I assume Sweetpea's trained to track?'

'Not by a professional, but I've spent a lot of time training him. Actually, I trained him to pick up tiny spots of my blood, as well as my clothes.'

Startled, Redd steered the car through the gates. 'I've heard of dogs picking up minute traces of blood, even if it's been washed off. Good work Tess. We could give it a try.'

'Okay fine -now what about a meal? I could rustle up an omelette, or maybe, you'd like lamb or pork chops? It will have to be simple as I'm not a good cook.'

Putting a brake on, Redd beamed, 'Good idea - like the sound of pork chops and apple sauce.'

Tess laughed. 'You're on.'

As he opened the car door, he could hear Sweetpea howling.

Tess grinned, 'He knows the sound of your engine already - incredible isn't it?'

He nodded agreeing; he had to; she was besotted with the hound. Following her to the front door, he readied himself for the impact. As the door opened, Sweetpea was scratching at the latch, the slobbering tongue ready. However, Tess grabbed the leather-studded collar of the great neck, as the dog reared up on his hind legs, almost to Redd's height.

Tess panted. 'Now be a good boy Sweetpea, you might have a lovely treat. Uncle Dan thinks you could be a tracker dog. How about that?'

Redd grimaced inwardly. He wished he hadn't agreed so readily, but to his consternation, he realized he was grabbing at any opportunity to please her, to be with her. Now he was caught; he wilted at the thought of tracking with this demented hound.

Following Tess into the kitchen, he watched her go to the fridge freezer, bringing out a pair of succulent chops.

Tess murmured, 'Take a chair Dan, whilst I cook. Or would you like to sit in the lounge and watch TV or the news?'

'Nope. I'll sit here and chat.' Already he was salivating, as he smelt the chops sizzling in the frying pan. Walking over to the fridge freezer again, she took out a packet of frozen mashed potatoes and veg. She looked at him, her voice apologetic. 'I don't like spending a lot of time over fancy recipes.'

Redd relaxed back. 'I must say you're a better cook than me, at least you don't resort to takeaways.'

Tess laughed, 'You kidding? I have about three a week, then there's the Chinese. I'm not fond of Indian food though'

'I love a Tikka Masala or a Madras - hot but delicious.'

Her eyes narrowed. Teasingly, she said, '
Oh so you like hot?'

As he nodded, licking his lips, she countered, '
They're far too hot to me, the only Indian food I like is a Korma. At least, that's quite mild.'

Grinning,
he said, 'I wouldn't have thought you went for mild?' At that point, Sweetpea slunk in and lay across Redd's feet.

Tess stared, eyes wide open in surprise. 'Oh my goodness he likes you - really likes you. Now that's wonderful.'

Redd was not so excited, but nevertheless, his calf muscles relaxed. He found the meal quite gratifying; plain as she warned, but filling. He didn't think he'd ever relaxed quite so much around a woman. At the thought, his eyes clouded, except of course for Esther - Esther. Her sweet face drifted before him, long hair glinting gold, swirling, as she lifted Harry, his baby son's plump little hand reaching out. Had he, stopped thinking of her - of Harry? Guilt swept through him. How could he - how could she ever be replaced? He glanced at Tess, just for those few moments; she'd filled the emptiness, lightened the darkness of his soul.

Tess caught her breath; he had that look again. She felt a chill. For a few seconds he'd left her, the kitchen, his gaze turned inwards. She saw the tightening of his lips the knot appearing in his jaw. Lightly, she said, '
How about a dessert. I have a lovely trifle in the fridge. I was going to treat myself. Shall we share?'

The knot relaxed a little, as he visibly fought to be pleasant; he looked up a little surprised. 'Err - yes - yes. That would be great.'

Tess breathed a quiet sigh of relief; he was back. He could not hide the hurt in those incredible blue eyes, the thin scar tightening his cheek. She hoped he would someday share with her.

Straightening his back, he said, '
Have you got the photo I sent you of the painting in Maddeley's office?'

'Oh yes, I have it in my handbag, won't be a sec.'

As she left the room, Sweetpea gently licked his socks, then sitting on his haunches looked adoringly at him.

Tess returned and laughed. 'Well it seems you're one of the pack. He loves you.' Leaning over him, Tess held a magnifying glass over the photo. 'The figures on the grave are quite faint Dan; I don't know that I can get much from this. They appear to be wearing robes. Pausing to study the photo again, she shook her head. 'No - sorry - I can't make anything out of it. However, the painting is symbolic, only a Druid would understand the messages.'

'I thought so. Well at least we know now the Earl is mixed up in this somewhere. One way or another, we have to search those grounds - it's only four days to the Summer Solstice. He's the only lead we've got. I 'm going to have to bring Bill Maddeley into this. We've got to start watching the Earl, Mainwaring and Titmouse. I'm sure that bugger is in on it.'

'Well he did have the tattoos. But is that enough?'

'Not really. All we have is a painting and tattoos to link Mainwaring and Titmouse to the Earl. I can't ignore them it.'

'What about Seaton?'

'Nah - too weak. I mean look, he vomited when he saw the remains.'

***

Redd sighed, Bill was hesitant to have the Earl and Mainwaring tailed. 'Bill I know we stepping on glass here, I'll keep it under wraps. It will only be a close team will know anything about it. I really think we should watch the mansion, I suspect Mainwaring and Titmouse are involved here. I have two detectives who are very reliable - sharp too ... Yes they'll do a good job ... So I have the go ahead then? ... Right .... Of course I'll keep it under wraps.'

Pressing the intercom, he asked Michelle to show Owen and McConnell in. At least he had Bill's approval, but he'd have gone ahead with the surveillance anyway, and damn the consequences. They only had the slightest thread of a clue and they had to go with that. Once the officers were seated, he said, '
Okay now listen carefully, this is strictly undercover work. I want both of you to tail the Earl of Medbury, ACC Mainwaring and Chief Superintendent Titmouse. You're not to speak to anyone about this. Heads will roll, yours as well as mine.'

Bessie gulped, this was sizzling hot. She looked over to McConnell who stared fixedly at Redd. 'Boss - we'll do our bloody best. When do you want us to start?'

'Straightaway. I want you to watch the mansion. I want to know who goes in and out.