Jane wrapped herself in a large white towelling robe of Eddie’s. Lying on his low, futon-style bed, she jotted down notes to remind herself that when she arrived in Australia she needed to check the births and marriages records there.
By the time Eddie got into bed beside her, it was after midnight.
Jane was woken by Eddie’s alarm clock at half past five — his usual wake-up time as he needed to sort out the day’s itinerary for his team. Jane drove him back to her house so that he could collect his van, and she got ready for work.
Arriving exceedingly early at the station, she grabbed some breakfast in the canteen before checking through the messages in her office. There was a lengthy memo from DC Tim Taylor regarding their travel plans, flight times and hotel bookings, and explaining that they would not be allocated a patrol car in Australia as it would be easier to get to Beatrice Thorpe’s property in Mosman by ferry. In addition, their visas should be ready for collection later that afternoon.
Jane almost missed the scrawled message from Sergeant Hunt, saying that Arnold Hadley had called the station twice asking to speak to her. She was suddenly reminded that she still hadn’t spoken to him.
It was half past eight and she hoped she would now be able to catch Arnold Hadley at home. The phone rang for only a moment before it was picked up.
‘Arnold Hadley speaking...’
‘Mr Hadley, it’s Jane Tennison. I believe you’ve been trying to contact me?’
‘Thank goodness you’ve called. Yes, I have.’ He took a moment to catch his breath. ‘I received a call at eleven yesterday morning from Miss Thompson, asking me to go to the care home. Helena Lanark died earlier that morning.’
Jane was shocked, but let him continue without saying anything.
‘I eventually got to the care home in the early afternoon. Her body had been laid out, and it was very distressing because her face was badly bruised, appallingly so. When I asked how the injuries had occurred, I was told that the young carer who had taken in her breakfast had found her face down on the floor.’
‘Did a doctor attend to examine her body and certify death?’ Jane asked.
‘Yes. Apparently, he said the injuries were consistent with a fall from her bed, hitting her face hard on the floor.’
‘Do you think something else happened?’ Jane asked, gently.
‘I don’t know... I’m just repeating what I was told. But I would appreciate it if you could come to the care home this morning. Her body is due to be taken to the mortuary.’
Jane hesitated for a moment. ‘Mr Hadley, can I ask if you reported this to any officers you spoke with when trying to contact me?’
‘No... no, I didn’t. I only wanted to talk to you, as you’re the one who’s been involved in the Stockwell property case.’
Jane glanced at her watch. ‘I can be at the care home by ten.’
‘Thank you so much, Detective Tennison. I greatly appreciate it.’
Jane quickly picked up her briefcase and coat and left her office. She walked over to Sergeant Hunt’s desk where he was nursing a large cup of coffee.
‘I just have some business to deal with in connection to Helena Lanark.’
He swivelled around in his chair. ‘Was that Arnold Hadley you were talking to? What was it that was so urgent?’
‘I’ll tell you later,’ she said, walking briskly out.
Jane was certain that if DCI Carter found out about Helena Lanark, he would instantly cancel her trip to Australia.
It was just after ten when Jane pulled into the care home car park. Miss Thompson was sitting at the reception desk with a suitably grief-stricken expression.
‘Detective Inspector Tennison,’ Jane said.
‘Yes, yes... I remember you.’
‘Mr Hadley informed me that Miss Lanark has died.’
Miss Thompson instantly went on the defensive. ‘The doctor who attended confirmed her death was due to a fall but I assure you that no blame can be attached to any of our carers. We are very short of staff at the moment, so the routine of dressing our residents before breakfast did not take place. Instead, it was eight o’clock when one of the kitchen staff took in Miss Lanark’s breakfast.’
Jane noticed that she was wringing her hands as she continued.
‘She was, as always, checked after she went to bed, and that would have been at about half past ten. We’ve never had any problems with Miss Lanark being restless or attempting to get out of bed without assistance—’
Jane interrupted. ‘Thank you, Miss Thompson. I would like to see her, please.’
Miss Thompson pursed her lips. ‘Mr Hadley is in her suite waiting for the undertakers. I can order you a cup of coffee if you want?’
‘Thank you. I’ll make my own way there.’ Jane went through the glass doors into the corridor that eventually led to Helena Lanark’s suite.
She knocked once on the door and waited. Hadley opened it.
‘Thank you so much for coming, Detective Tennison.’
As Jane walked through the door, she turned back to see Miss Thompson watching from the far end of the corridor. Hadley closed the door quietly behind her.
‘Mr Hadley, I was told that they didn’t find her until her breakfast was brought in?’
‘Yes, that’s what they told me. They also said that usually she would have been washed and dressed before breakfast. She often ate out here, in the dining area.’
‘Have you spoken to the carer who found her?’
‘No, I haven’t. I was just told that she was one of the young carers because they’re short staffed at the moment.’ He gestured for Jane to sit in a chair by the desk. ‘I may be being slightly paranoid, but when you see her, I think you will understand my concerns.’
Jane noticed the photograph album lying on the desk. ‘I don’t understand why this is here. Jason Thorpe was adamant that it had to be taken to his mother in Australia. He even came to my home address to collect it. So what’s it doing here?’
Hadley shrugged his shoulders. ‘He must have brought it back to her.’
Jane frowned. ‘He collected it from me on Friday evening and said that he was catching a flight home that night. I suppose he must have changed his plans.’
There was a knock on the door and Miss Thompson appeared with a small tray. ‘I brought your coffee,’ she said with an ingratiating smile.
‘That’s so kind of you,’ Hadley said, taking the tray and placing it on a small side table.
‘Miss Thompson, do you mind if I ask you a few questions?’ Jane said as she turned to go. ‘Could you tell me what time Miss Lanark’s nephew, Mr Thorpe, last came to see her?’
Miss Thompson turned, looking slightly startled. ‘Yes. He came here on Monday evening. I’ve made a note of it in the visitors’ book. He also brought—’ she gestured towards a small vase, ‘those flowers.’
‘And this?’ Jane asked, tapping the photograph album.
‘Oh, I don’t recall seeing that. He arrived at about six, but only stayed a short while because he had a plane to catch to Australia.’
‘And Miss Lanark was alive and well after he left?’
‘Yes, of course, she was checked in the evening by our carers.’
‘Thank you, Miss Thompson.’
‘As I said, I made a note in the visitors’ book of the time he arrived and the time he left.’
She turned to leave, then stopped to say that Miss Summers would be available if either of them wanted to talk to her. Jane thanked her, impatient for her to leave the room.