The Pharmacist

The four detectives listened again to the tape of the morning’s interview, analysing every word and making notes of anything which stood out.

Claire spoke her mind. ‘I can’t believe this woman. She’s the personification of evil, a real bitch! Can anyone work out what this ‘clue’ is supposed to be?’

‘Try to put yourself in her shoes,’ Jack suggested.

‘I’d rather not!’

‘Metaphorically speaking.’ He smiled. ‘If you hated your father so much, what would you think a suitable punishment would be?’

‘That depends on what she thinks he’s done.’ Owen scratched his head. ‘As far as we know, he didn’t abuse her in any way. On the contrary, she appears to have had all the advantages of a good upbringing, university, financial help from her parents. So what the hell did the man do to make her hate him so much?’

Elaine’s small voice broke into the conversation. ‘I think it all goes back to Jenny.’

‘In what way?’ Claire asked.

‘From everything Mrs Roberts has told us, Rachel idolised Jenny. Yes, there were problems with Rachel before her sister died, but things seemed to escalate after that. I think she blames her parents for Jenny’s death.’ Elaine offered her opinion.

‘I agree. Even Alice has hinted at this, although it’s a bitter pill for her to swallow. But why wait until now to get revenge?’ Jack asked.

‘Could it be the Roberts’ move to Penrith? Rachel probably thought she’d got them out of her life and then they turn up on her doorstep, wanting to see Millie,’ Elaine asked.

‘Yes, all this is valid, but it still doesn’t tell us where Tom Roberts is. Where would you hide a body, Owen?’

‘Are we looking for a body now, sir?’

‘Sadly, I think we are. What did Rachel mean by ‘where he deserves to be’?’

‘Back in Matlock? What about the cemetery, boss? Maybe she was visiting more than those two children, what better place to hide a body than in a cemetery?’ Owen sounded quite animated by his idea.

‘That’s a good shout Owen, but I can’t see the immaculate Rachel Roberts with a shovel in the dead of night. I know I wouldn’t be up to it,’ Claire added.

As they pondered the options, Jack left the room saying he needed to ring Detective Superintendent Kerr, not something to be done lightly on Sunday lunchtime. But before making the call, Jack paid another brief visit to Rachel Roberts in the cells. She seemed surprised to see him so soon.

‘I didn’t know you made house calls, DI Priestly.’ The sly smile mocked him again.

‘I just wanted to thank you for your help and to let you know that we’ll be searching the site of your sister’s accident at Snake Pass tomorrow.’

Rachel’s smile vanished and her eyes flashed with impotent anger. She remained silent – no sardonic quip to taunt him now. Her reaction confirmed to Jack that his guess was probably correct. He left the cells to make his call.

* * *

‘This better be good, Jack. I haven’t had a Sunday off in weeks, which is why you’ve been in charge of this case. I’m at the second hole. Am I going to be able to get to the third?’

Jack knew that George Kerr had been heavily involved in some serious restructuring of the force and bogged down with budget cuts. Jack’s guilt at disturbing the superintendent was assuaged only by the urgency of his request.

‘I need authorisation for a helicopter, sir.’ Jack then explained why such a request should be granted and was surprised at his boss’s minimal argument.

He finished the call with a smile and returned to his team, ready to outline what would happen the following day. Then they could all go home to enjoy the remainder of their weekend.