‘Sorry, sir. The car had a flat tire and we did follow it up by going to Mrs. Hastings’ flat the next morning. I don’t see what else we could have done at the time,’ Jane said.
Moran shook his head in disbelief. ‘You should have had the car checked out thoroughly before going off duty.’
‘I disagree,’ Gibbs said, much to Moran’s obvious annoyance. ‘There were many cars parked in Copeland Road. We had no reasonable suspicion or power to force entry and search any cars without the owners’ permission, or a warrant, which I doubt a magistrate would have granted under the circumstances.’
‘But you didn’t bother asking a magistrate, did you, DI Gibbs?’
‘Both victims were women but there was a big age gap. One was strangled and the other stabbed to death. Mrs. Hastings and the unknown alleyway victim could have been killed by different people and the proximity of their bodies was coincidental,’ Gibbs said in his defense.
Moran was not impressed. ‘Coincidence! Are you seriously saying the proximity of the bodies is mere coincidence?’
‘The first victim’s murder could have occurred in premises in Copeland Road, or nearby, and the body carried the short distance to the alleyway to be dumped, as opposed to driven there,’ Jane said.
Moran banged his hand on the table. ‘Stop trying to defend each other. You both screwed up. Once the press gets hold of it, they’ll have a field day saying we’re incompetent. Our first victim’s fingerprints weren’t on file, so she’s got no criminal record. We don’t know if she’s connected to Sybil Hastings, so we need more from her son. What did the hospital say about his condition, Tennison?’
‘He didn’t have a heart attack, but is suffering from severe shock. He’s under sedation and they’re keeping him in for observation. I asked him if he wanted us to inform his wife, but he said she was out and he’d contact her himself later to tell her what had happened.’
Gibbs shook his head. ‘There’s something strange about Andrew Hastings’ attitude. Although he’s stuck up and arrogant, he didn’t seem that concerned about his mother’s whereabouts. He was more pissed off about missing his golf game. And he was aggressive towards the housekeeper when he thought she’d reported Mrs. Hastings missing to police without consulting him first.’
‘Do you agree?’ Moran snapped at Jane.
Jane nodded. ‘He’s certainly arrogant and was aggressive towards Agnes, the housekeeper, who seemed scared of him. Come to think of it, he hadn’t thought about reporting his mother missing until DI Gibbs suggested it. Also, Agnes did say she thought Mrs. Hastings might have gone to see Andrew on Friday afternoon at his house in Kingston.’
‘Are you two suggesting he could be responsible for his mother’s murder? Because if you are, that means he may also be responsible for our unknown victim’s death.’
Gibbs was quick to reply. ‘Mrs. Hastings is a widower and clearly very wealthy.’
‘Any other siblings?’ Moran asked.
‘The housekeeper said Andrew was an only child, so he will inherit it all now.’
‘What did you make of his reaction to finding his mother’s body?’ Moran asked Jane.
‘Hard to say, really, as neither of us were expecting it.’
‘He could be a good actor, but the fact is we need to know more about him and his movements on Friday and Saturday,’ Gibbs said.
Moran nodded. ‘And we need to find out more about his relationship with his mother. Gibbs, I want you to go to Andrew Hastings’ house, see if the wife is there and ask if she knows anything about her mother-in-law’s movements — but be discreet.’
‘And if she’s not there or there’s anything untoward?’ Gibbs asked.
‘Speak with the neighbors first; if none of them have seen her since Friday, ring me and I’ll consider a different plan of action. Tennison, you go back and speak with the housekeeper, inform her of Mrs. Hastings’ murder and see what she has to say when Andrew isn’t there. Take DS Lawrence with you, get him to check over the house in case, God forbid, she was murdered there. Also check for a will and any letters or paperwork that might help us.’
Jane hesitated. ‘The unknown victim’s age is believed to be late twenties to early thirties. I’d say Andrew Hastings was mid-thirties, so his wife would probably be about the same age.’
‘You’re thinking the body in the alley might be his wife?’ Moran remarked with surprise.
Jane nodded. ‘I know the woman in the alleyway wasn’t wearing expensive clothes, but it’s possible. Agnes never spoke with Andrew’s wife about Mrs. Hastings’ whereabouts.’
Gibbs interjected. ‘Jesus, maybe he killed them both, so that everything would be his, and then dumped the bodies in Peckham.’
‘Until we make further enquiries, this is all conjecture and guesswork. Andrew Hastings may even have a firm alibi for his movements on Friday and Saturday.’ Moran replied.
‘Yeah, but he could have hired someone to kill them,’ Gibbs added, looking serious.
Jane knew it was a valid point, but wondered if Gibbs’ instant dislike of Andrew Hastings was beginning to cloud his judgment.
‘Although Andrew Hastings’ reactions may seem strange, it doesn’t mean he’s a murderer. The quicker he can be removed from the inquiry, the faster we can move on in the investigation. Get out there and find me something positive, but be—’ Moran’s phone rang and he picked it up.
Moran was addressing the caller as ‘sir,’ so they knew it must be a senior officer. His apologetic tone and the mention of ‘Mr. Hastings’ indicated that he was talking about the discovery of Sybil Hastings’ body.
Moran continued, ‘Yes, sir, I understand... I wasn’t aware of that... DI Gibbs and DS Tennison are with me just now, sir... I’m short-staffed as it is... Thank you for bringing it to my attention... I can assure you it won’t happen again.’ Moran put the phone down and glared at Gibbs.
‘That was Chief Superintendent Michael Blake.’
Jane exclaimed, ‘Oh, I forgot to tell you: Andrew Hastings mentioned to me that he’s friends with Blake. They play golf together, and have dinner.’
‘That’s all I needed to hear,’ Gibbs hissed to Jane. ‘What did WHAT want?’ he asked Moran.
‘Your bloody heads on a plate. And cut out the crap with calling him WHAT,’ Moran barked. ‘Blake has been told to oversee the investigation and we’re to deal with both murders. It seems Andrew Hastings is a good friend and phoned Blake from the hospital. Hastings complained about your attitude, Gibbs. Blake was considering taking you both off the investigation until I mentioned I was short-staffed.’
Gibbs was irritated. ‘Blake and Hastings are probably in the same Masonic lodge. Well, he’s obviously not that unwell if he can call Blake. I’d like to go to the hospital and interview him.’
‘No way. I don’t want you two anywhere near him. It could do more harm than good. I’ll interview Hastings personally, with Blake’s approval, once he’s released from the hospital. If he complains to Blake that we spoke with his wife, I’ll argue that we needed to know as much about his mother as possible to move the investigation forward. Now, the pair of you — get out there and start digging. Keep me updated.’
Jane went to the Met forensic labs at Lambeth to speak to DS Lawrence, who was in the vehicle examination bay inspecting Sybil Hastings’ Allegro. The car had been taken from the scene on a transporter, with the body still in the boot so they could remove it, and examine the car, away from the public and in weather-proof surroundings. A SOCO helped Lawrence lift the heavily bloodstained body from the boot and place it on a white plastic sheet.