Past Deception: Featuring Detective Annie Macpherson Read online

  She brushed that thought from her mind, lifting the flap of the tin mailbox in anticipation of her cards. Before flicking though the pile in her hand, she got in the car and started the engine. Her mom’s handwriting was obvious as was that of a couple of her friends. One card was missing. Leaving the engine running, she got out again, opening the mailbox a second time. Nothing was lingering at the back. Where was the card from Andy? She opened her cellphone. No missed calls either.

  During the fifteen minute drive to work, she rehearsed all the reasons for the card not arriving: Andy mailing it late, Andy forgetting – no that didn’t work with joint birthdays, the card getting lost in the mail, the card being delivered to next door by accident. Nothing seemed to make sense, and instead, there was a sick feeling in her stomach.

  As she opened the door to the faculty office, the team secretary greeted her. ‘Morning Laura and happy birthday. Feeling old today?’

  ‘Morning, Jeannine. Not as old as my brother is going to feel if he’s forgotten to send me my card,’ Laura laughed, approaching her mail slot on the far wall of the room. She flicked through the contents quickly.

  Jeannine spotted her frown. ‘Is someone in big trouble?’

  Laura smiled back. ‘He’d better have a damn good excuse.’ In her office, Laura Tremont sifted through all her mail again. This was the first time since they were kids that Andy hadn’t sent her the card. She leaned back in her chair. Something has to be up with him, she thought, grabbing her cellphone. There were no missed messages, and no reply to her morning text. She was about to try his number again when her cellphone rang.

  ‘Happy birthday, dear.’

  ‘Thanks, Mom. I’m feeling old.’

  ‘Don’t say that sweetheart. If you’re old, what does that make me?’

  Laura giggled, ‘Really old, I guess.’

  ‘I’m looking forward to our meal tonight. I wish your father had lived to see this day. He’d be so proud of both of you.’

  ‘We’ll have a drink in his honour tonight. By the way, have you heard from Andy?’

  ‘No, I was about to call him to wish him a happy birthday. You must have had your card.’

  ‘Not yet. When you talk to him, ask him what’s happened to it. Tell him he’d better bring it tonight.’

  Her mother laughed. ‘As always, I have to tell him off for upsetting you. Nothing’s changed from when you two were little.’

  ‘True. Anyway, thanks for your card, Mom. Do you want me to pick you up tonight?’

  ‘It’s out of your way, Laura.’

  ‘It’s the least I can do. Today’s a celebration for you too. Don’t forget to ask Andy what’s happened to my card.’

  ‘I will,’ her mother sighed, ‘but you two can afford to buy new cards, instead of exchanging those old handmade ones after all these years.’

  ‘It’s a tradition, Mom. They’re special. Tell him it should have been in my mailbox this morning.’

  ‘I will, dear. See you about six o’clock?’

  Kate Tremont dialled her son’s number, letting it ring until it went to voicemail.

  Chapter 4

  ‘How are you feeling about New Haven?’ Dave asked as they walked across the police parking lot to his Chevy Trailblazer.

  Annie shrugged her shoulders. ‘Like I said in the squad room, it should be a good learning experience. I’m curious to see how a specialist team like that works and it sounds like I’ll only be there for a day and a half.’

  ‘Maybe to start with, then who knows? You’ll charm them from the moment you walk into that squad, like you did us, and they won’t want to let you go.’

  Annie smacked Dave on the arm. ‘Stop it,’ she commanded while fastening her seatbelt.

  ‘Ouch,’ he replied, rubbing his arm. ‘It’s true. You had me as soon as you walked into the room in July. I never thought I’d ever be jealous of Bronski. Yet I was, on that first day, when he lucked out getting you to supervise.’

  ‘You think it should have been you, do you?’

  ‘Actually, as things have turned out, us getting together would have been more awkward if I’d been your supervisor.’ Ellison concentrated on the traffic for the next few minutes before he turned into the now familiar street.

  ‘There is that,’ Annie said, reviving the conversation. ‘Supervisor or not Dave, you and I are colleagues and we have to keep our work and private lives separate.’

  ‘Sure. However, I think we should make the most of tonight, don’t you? You’ll be away tomorrow night and I don’t want you to succumb to Baxter’s charms.’

  ‘As if he’d be remotely interested,’ Annie commented, as they pulled up in front of the bakery.

  Ellison watched as Annie turned in her seat to open the door and her long blonde curls flowed down her back. You’re beautiful Annie Macpherson, he thought. Any man would be lucky to have you.

  Bronski was finishing a phone call when they returned to the squad room laden with sandwich bags. Ellison started to lay them out in the kitchen while Annie checked her messages. A moment later the three detectives sat down.

  ‘That was our final victim’s father. He hasn’t had permission yet from his doctor to travel down for the identification. Too bad he’s the only surviving relative and lives in Canada. If he can’t make arrangements soon, we’ll have to find another way of confirming the identification. I take it the ham and cheese is mine,’ Bronski said, looking at the sandwiches.

  As they finished their lunch, Bronski’s phone started ringing. ‘Yeah, I’ll be there.’

  Annie and Ellison were back at their desks.

  ‘That was the Medical Examiner’s secretary. Dr Fogarty wants to do the autopsy this afternoon. How do you feel about coming with me, Macpherson?’

  ‘Is that appropriate?’ Ellison asked before Annie could answer. ‘Macpherson was a witness to the death.’

  ‘As were you, Detective,’ Bronski replied. ‘I’ve already checked this with the captain. Internal Affairs has cleared you both. There’s no conflict as far as he’s concerned. It’s up to you, Detective.’

  ‘I’m fine with it. When do we need to leave?’

  ‘We’ve got another half hour.’

  ‘You sure, you’re all right with this?’ Bronski asked as they got into his car.

  ‘It’s part of the job, Sir. I’ve been to the other autopsies, so might as well make it a complete set. Besides seeing him on the autopsy table can’t be as bad as having witnessed his death. I continue to have flashbacks about that.’

  ‘Macpherson, it’s only been two weeks, give yourself time. Once this final report is filed, the whole investigation can be drawn together.’

  The journey to the hospital took about twenty minutes, as the traffic was fairly heavy for the early afternoon. Bronski managed to park near the entrance to the Forensic Autopsy Suite. After they suited up, the technician took them through to the autopsy room.

  ‘Detectives, you’re making a habit of sending me bodies,’ Dr Fogarty, the Medical Examiner remarked, before he proceeded.

  As she had done previously, Annie distracted herself time and again looking at the various glass cases in the room and the instruments, while Fogarty weighed and measured each of the man’s organs in turn and the technician made up microscope slides under Fogarty’s instruction.

  An hour later, it was all over. ‘It was the bullet through his chest which caused his death. Seeing the path of it through his heart, I’m amazed he even made it to the ER. I guess that’s what you need for now. I’ll get my report to you within the week, unless of course, you send me any more bodies.’

  ‘We’ll try not to, Doctor,’ Bronski answered, as the technician opened the door for them.

  ‘Where to Detective?’ her supervisor asked when they were back in the car.

  Annie glanced at her watch. ‘Are you going back to the station?’

  ‘No, I think we’ve done enough for one day. The reports will wait until tomorrow. Do you want me to drop you home
?’

  ‘Thanks. I need to sort some things out, with being away tomorrow night.’

  ‘The regional team should be interesting. Make sure you don’t let Baxter take advantage of you. They have loads of resources. Not sure why they have to make use of ours.’

  Annie didn’t expect that comment from Bronski. He usually kept opinions to himself. Over the months, she had come to respect her supervisor, yet had never been able to get close to him or feel any emotional connection, despite all they had been through. Maybe he was softening. She thought again of the contrast with Dave, whom she had worked with more on the last investigation. His repartee always kept her on her toes, whereas conversation with Bronski was always more of an effort. She wondered now whether he was partly jealous of Detective Baxter, especially as Franconi and Baxter went back a long way and the captain spoke so highly of him. Annie had observed Franconi and Bronski’s relationship at close range over the months. Bronski always wanted to please his boss and never be wrong-footed. Whereas for Dave, pleasing the boss was secondary to getting on with the job and he picked himself right back up from mistakes. Annie’s way of working had more of an affinity with Dave’s.

  As soon as she got into her apartment, Annie dialled Dave’s number.

  ‘I wondered whether you’d be coming back to the station.’

  ‘Bronski offered to drop me home and I want to get ready for tomorrow.’

  ‘How about you get your bag packed and do whatever else you need to do and I’ll pick you up in an hour. We can get something to eat, and staying at mine means I can drop you to the train station tomorrow. Sound too good to refuse?’

  ‘You took the words right out of my mouth,’ Annie laughed. ‘Not too much wine though, I need to be ready for Baxter in the morning.’

  ‘Sure, as long as you’re ready for me tonight.’

  When Annie finished the call, she did a quick calculation of the time in Scotland and decided she might be lucky and catch her mother. It took a couple of minutes to get through.

  As always her mother was pleased to hear from her and wanted to update Annie about her brother’s progress. ‘Today was Andrew’s first full day back at the day centre. It’s gone well, but he was very tired when we got home. When I dropped him off this morning, the staff seemed pleased to see him. They said they’d missed him and I’m sure they did. It must have been quiet without him. Probably gave them a chance to recharge their batteries.’

  ‘I hope you used the time today to start recharging yours, Mum. He does take a lot out of you, that brother of mine.’

  ‘That’s for sure. I don’t mind, you know that, Annie. I’m happy to do it.’

  Annie loved her older brother. Yet she worried about the toll that caring for a man with Down’s syndrome, severe learning disability and epilepsy took on her mother. Over the last few weeks, Andrew had been hospitalised after a severe epileptic seizure and the doctors had spent weeks trying to get his medication right. ‘I know you are. Please don’t forget, you have to take care of yourself as well.’

  Margaret Macpherson changed the subject quickly. ‘Anyway, how’s the placement going?’

  ‘Had my mid-placement review today,’ Annie began, knowing her mother would be more comfortable with this subject.

  Chapter 5

  The restaurant was already crowded when Laura and her mother arrived. They were shown to the circular table, in the far corner of the room. Laura’s childhood friend, Ellen Tedeshi was already seated and had ordered a bottle of wine to start the evening off. All three women hugged, before she poured them each a glass.

  ‘I thought Andy would be coming with you,’ Ellen remarked, after her first sip of wine.

  ‘Can’t wait to see him, huh?’ Laura teased.

  Ellen flushed. ‘Stop it, Laura. Unfortunately your brother, your son, Mrs Tremont, sees me as your friend, nothing else.’

  Mrs Tremont smiled. ‘Maybe we can make him see you differently. It’s about time both of my children found a partner.’

  ‘We thought Laura had, didn’t we, Mrs Tremont?’ Ellen commented, before looking directly at Laura. ‘You had the perfect man. I’ve never understood why you didn’t marry him.’

  ‘Not that again,’ Laura sighed. ‘Don’t make me keep dragging up the past. Anyway, the others should be arriving soon. Let’s talk about something else.’

  Within minutes, Andy’s best friend and his new wife joined them at the table. After Ellen was introduced to them, Laura poured them each a drink.

  ‘A little something for you,’ Brett said, as he leaned across and kissed Laura on the cheek.

  Laura smiled and opened her present, a bottle of her favourite perfume. ‘I won’t ask how you knew this is my favourite,’ Laura said, ‘but thank you both.’

  ‘Where’s the errant twin?’ Brett asked. ‘We have his present as well. He’s been hinting long enough about what he wanted. He’s usually the first to arrive.’

  Mrs Tremont and Laura exchanged glances. ‘We’ve been texting and calling him all day and no reply. We thought maybe he’d had a day out with you.’

  ‘I haven’t seen him for a couple of weeks and I’ve been at work all day. Want me to try him again?’

  ‘Sure,’ Laura answered, her stomach feeling queasy.

  They waited another twenty minutes and finally had to order. Laura tried to keep the mood light, as the meal was served, for the sake of her guests. Yet, throughout the evening, all heads turned each time the restaurant door opened.

  ‘Want to go on somewhere else for another drink?’ Brett asked, as they finished their meals. ‘I could text Andy.’

  ‘Actually, I think mom and I will go around to his apartment and see if he’s there. We should have checked on the way here. We assumed he’d meet us as planned.’

  ‘Do you want us to come?’ Brett offered.

  ‘No, it’s a work night. You get home. I’ll get Andy to call you to apologise for tonight.’

  Brett hugged Laura and Mrs Tremont before setting off with his wife in the opposite direction.

  ‘Are you all right to drive, dear?’ her mother commented as they got into Laura’s car.

  ‘I only had the one glass of wine before the meal. Besides I think my nerves have already eliminated any of the effects of the wine. Where is he, Mom? Something must have happened to him.’

  ‘Please, concentrate on your driving, sweetheart. You know Andy’s not the most reliable person.’

  ‘Reliable or not, he wouldn’t miss our birthday celebrations, unless something was wrong.’

  ‘Let’s not speculate. Now, let me see if I have his apartment key.’

  The two women buzzed Andy’s apartment from the foyer, in case he was in. Mrs Tremont voiced her concern. ‘I didn’t like to say in the restaurant, but do you think Andy could be in bed with a hangover? I’ve noticed he does drink too much at times.’

  ‘I know he does, Mom. It can’t be that bad though. I mean he’s never missed work or anything because of drinking.’

  ‘That we know of, dear,’ Mrs Tremont replied, pulling her shawl around her shoulders, shivering in the cool October air. ‘I think we should go up. If he’s awake, he would have buzzed back by now.’

  When the elevator door opened, another resident Laura recognised stepped back to let the two women in. He was carrying his folded laundry. She smiled at him. ‘Now you need to get all that ironed.’

  The man laughed. ‘Not my strong point. You offering?’

  Laura shook her head and smiled.

  ‘I guess not, huh?’ he joked before alighting on the third floor. Laura pressed the button for floor five.

  ‘I wonder if Andy knows him and could introduce you two properly,’ Kate Tremont commented.

  ‘Mom, I don’t need to be fixed up. I’m quite happy as I am,’ Laura sighed as the elevator stopped. She strode ahead and knocked twice on the apartment door before they used the key.

  The apartment certainly looked as if Andy was in. Both the hall and kitch
en lights were on and the kitchen radio. Laura and her mom looked at one another. They checked the living room. No sign of Andy. Finally they opened the bedroom door. The bed was made and his briefcase was on top, as if he were ready to leave for work. The light was on in the bathroom adjoining the room. Laura’s heart started pounding in her chest as she pulled back the shower curtain. ‘Thank God, he’s not lying dead in the bath,’ she said, turning back into the bedroom.

  ‘Laura, stop being so dramatic.’

  ‘Sorry, Mom. It looks like he got up, made the bed, got ready to go, and then never picked up his briefcase. That doesn’t make sense.’

  Her mother was scanning the room. Her eyes focussed on the side table. Her daughter’s eyes followed. Propped up by the alarm clock was a battered envelope. The recognition was instant.

  ‘My birthday card,’ Laura gasped, a lump forming in her throat.

  Chapter 6

  Andy Tremont heard a noise, the sound of a door opening. It let some light into the room, affording him a quick look around and the realisation that his iron cage was not the only one in the room. A second cage was right next to it. More light shone into the room as the door was opened fully. Then he heard footsteps. His body started to shiver, with cold and fear.

  Before he saw her, he heard her voice. She was singing a song. ‘Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Jamie, happy birthday to you.’ The woman approached the cage, carrying a tray. On it he could see a small birthday cake with one candle and what looked like two microwave dinners.