‘My drinking problem was three years ago, Jane, and you haven’t worked with me since. I spent time in the police nursing home drying out. I do still drink, but just to be social. And I don’t touch spirits anymore. I had a glass of wine with my girlfriend last night and she got a bit frisky, hence me looking a bit tired this morning.’
Jane felt that Gibbs was being honest with her. Since she had worked with him previously, he certainly seemed more confident and at ease with himself, so she decided not to press him about the drinking.
Gibbs continued. ‘Moran had a go at me because I bad-mouthed DCS Blake, even though I felt I had every reason to.’
Jane nodded. ‘Moran had a go at me because I said Blake might not be completely impartial, due to his friendship with Andrew Hastings—’
Gibbs interrupted. ‘There’s a lot more to distrust about Blake than that, Jane. It wouldn’t surprise me if he’s telling Hastings everything about the investigation as we speak. Pull up a chair — I’ll tell you about my enlightening day. But first, fill me in on what you’ve been up to.’
‘There’s not much to tell, really.’ Jane recounted her return visit to Sybil Hastings’ flat with Lawrence, but that they didn’t find anything suspicious. She told Gibbs about her chat with Agnes and her visit to the Samaritans, asking if he thought they should get a court order for the call logs at the Samaritans, in case one of the people Sybil had spoken to or seen may be responsible for her death.
‘I’d put that on hold for now. My guess is that Andrew Hastings is responsible for his mother’s and the unknown victim’s murder. In fact, I suspect the girl in the alley might be his mistress.’
Jane wasn’t convinced. ‘From her calloused hands and the way she was dressed, she doesn’t seem the type Andrew Hastings would mix with.’
‘She could have been on the game. Hastings may have paid her for sex and she threatened to tell his wife,’ Gibbs said with conviction, then proceeded to tell Jane everything he had told Moran about Andrew Hastings and DCS Blake.
Jane was shocked that Blake would lie for a murder suspect, but could see why Gibbs suspected Andrew Hastings may be involved in his mother’s death.
‘I don’t know where Hastings killed them, or why, but my gut tells me he did and I’ll find the evidence to prove it. I just hope Moran has the balls to challenge Blake about what he said to the golf club secretary, and why he lied to Jo Hastings about his “mate” Andrew being with him at the dinner.’
‘What if Moran doesn’t have the balls?’
‘Then I bloody well will. I’m not scared of that tosser Blake. If he lies to us about Hastings, then he’s really up shit creek.’
Jane nodded. ‘Paul Lawrence found Sybil Hastings’ will in a filing cabinet at her flat. She’s left everything to Andrew.’
Gibbs shook his head. ‘I suspected as much. According to his wife, Andrew was his mother’s blue-eyed boy.’
Moran was in his office, mulling over what Gibbs had said and how best to confront Blake, when the phone rang.
‘Nick... Mike Blake here. Just to let you know, I’ve spoken with the hospital and they’ll be releasing Andrew Hastings tomorrow, at about midday. I’ll take him for a spot of lunch and bring him to the station for about half one. We can speak to him together before one of your officers takes his statement. It can’t be Gibbs or Tennison, as I don’t want Andrew being unnecessarily upset. He’s suffered enough as it is.’
‘Have you had a chance to chat to Mr. Hastings about his mother’s death?’
‘No. I saw him at the hospital briefly, but he was still a bit groggy from the sedatives he’d been given. I just offered my condolences and said I’d see him tomorrow, then left.’
Moran knew that if Jo Hastings had told Gibbs the truth about Blake’s visit to the hospital, he was lying yet again. He wanted to ask Blake if he knew what Andrew Hastings was doing on the Friday evening, but Blake ended the call. Moran sat back in his chair, annoyed at his indecision. He knew he’d have to tread delicately where Blake was concerned, as there could be a valid explanation behind his actions. He also knew any unfounded accusation against Blake could be the end of his career as a detective and would scupper any future chance of achieving further promotion. What concerned Moran most was how close Blake was to Andrew Hastings. He wondered if Hastings had some sort of control over Blake, and if he did, that suggested Blake might be a corrupt officer.
Moran felt tired and confused. He desperately needed to work out a strategy about how to deal with Andrew Hastings and ultimately confront DCS Blake about his lies. But he needed to get home to help Fiona. She didn’t seem to be getting over the baby blues and he was worried about her behavior. He wondered whether he should call Fiona’s mother in Norfolk and ask if she would come and stay for a bit. He didn’t particularly relish the idea of his mother-in-law staying, but he really didn’t know what else to do.
Chapter Seven
After a restless night, Jane left for work early to finish typing up her reports. It was 8 a.m. and she was the only one in the office. She was glad of the peace and quiet so she could concentrate. She’d just been to the canteen to get a coffee, and some toast and marmalade, when the office phone rang. She answered it via the link to her own desk phone.
‘Peckham CID, can I help you?’ Jane said politely.
‘Yes, I was trying to get hold of Detective Inspector Gibbs. Is he there?’ It was a well-spoken woman with a soft voice.
‘DI Gibbs is not in yet, but he should be here shortly. Can I take a message, or a number he can ring you back on?’
‘I’m Tamara, his girlfriend. He called me last night at about six p.m. to say he’d be working late. I haven’t seen or heard from him since. I’ve tried ringing his flat, but there’s no answer. I’m rather worried about him, especially as I know he’s working on a murder investigation.’
Tamara was clearly very anxious, but Jane didn’t have a clue where Gibbs was and wasn’t sure what to say. She felt slightly annoyed that she was having to make excuses to Gibbs’ girlfriend about his whereabouts.
‘Spencer was very busy yesterday, and was still in the office when I left last night,’ Jane said, wondering if he had lied to her about his drinking and was actually crashed out somewhere after a night in the pub. ‘Can you just hold on a second, Tamara?’
Jane dashed across the room to Gibbs’ office, opened the door and looked inside. He wasn’t at his desk, or on the floor asleep, as she’d hoped. She hurried back to the phone.
‘Sorry, I got distracted by someone asking me a question. Spencer didn’t have his car, as it was in the garage, so if it was really late when he finished work he may have stayed at the local police section house overnight.’
‘But why didn’t he phone me? They must have phones at the section house, don’t they? Oh God! What if something happened to him on his way there?’
‘If anything had happened to him I think we’d know, Tamara, so try not to worry. I’ll see if I can find out where he is and get him to ring you as soon as possible.’
Just then a beaming Gibbs walked into the office, carrying a cup of coffee and a dripping bacon bap in his hands.
‘Morning, Jane. How are you this fine day?’ he asked, taking a big bite of the bap and causing the red sauce to dribble over the sides of his mouth.
Jane put her hand over the mouthpiece. ‘It’s Tamara. She’s got herself all worked up, wondering where you’ve been all night!’
‘Shitttt...’ he muttered, grabbing the receiver from Jane.
Jane was pointing to the side of her mouth, hoping Gibbs would realize his was covered in sauce before he wiped it all over the phone. It was too late.