Page 22 of Worse Than Murder (DCI Matilda Darke Thriller #13)

Sheffield, South Yorkshire

D etective Sergeant Sian Robinson had taken a few days off work.

The demands of the job, as well as searching for Matilda Darke, had started to take their toll on her, so her interim boss, acting DCI Christian Brady, forced her into taking a few days annual leave to relax, put her feet up, and forget about work.

That was easier said than done. They had a serial killer who had gone eerily quiet, a depleted workforce, and three new cases, one of which involved the murder of a six-year-old boy which Sian was finding particularly distressing.

However, she hadn’t argued with Christian when he told her to stay home for a few days.

Her sleeping patterns were a mess, she hadn’t had a decent meal in a week, and she was neglecting her children.

She spent the first day off in bed and loved every minute of it.

When she was awake, she was watching endless quiz shows on television and being brought tea and sandwiches by her remaining two children living at home, Daniel and Gregory.

The second day, she resumed her search into locating Matilda and found she’d sought sanctuary in the Lake District at Nature’s Diner with Philip and Sally Meagan.

She had no idea Matilda was still in contact with them.

Philip had told her that Matilda was fine, damaged, but functioning, and that he’d speak to her and get her to give her a ring.

The fact Sian’s phone had remained silent told her more than words ever could.

Matilda was hurting, and she wanted to forget everything for a while.

She could perfectly understand that, but experience told Sian that Matilda needed someone with her right now.

* * *

‘Mum, you’ve got a Zoom call,’ Daniel shouts from the living room.

Sian’s in the kitchen chopping up fish to make a pie.

There are potatoes boiling in a large saucepan.

She’s in the mood for comfort food. She and the boys are planning a movie marathon.

Gregory has chosen Rush and Le Mans ’66 , while Daniel has opted for Seven and Copycat .

Sian doubts there are going to be many laughs tonight, but it’s quality time with her boys, and that’s all that matters.

At the table in the living room, Sian’s laptop is open. She sees who’s calling and her heart lifts. The relief on her face is evident. She sits down and accepts the call.

Dr Adele Kean is Matilda’s best friend. As a Home Office pathologist, she has worked with Matilda for many years and, following the death of her son Chris, she moved in with Matilda.

Earlier this year, Adele’s boyfriend had been unmasked as a killer.

That, on top of still grieving for Chris, was too much and she decided she needed a clean break.

She joined Doctors Without Borders and headed for Sierra Leone to help give medical aid when and where it was needed.

Sian is surprised by the change in Adele. She looks brighter and healthier than she’s ever seen her. Her face is tanned, her hair is lighter and longer, she’s thinner, and she has a glow of happiness about her.

‘Adele,’ Sian says. ‘You look amazing.’

‘Thank you. It’s lovely to see you, Sian. Just to warn you, the internet isn’t great out here, so if I disappear don’t think I’ve hung up on you.’

‘I won’t.’

‘Now, what’s going on? I arrived back to the camp this morning and was told I’ve had about a dozen messages from you.’

‘Where’ve you been?’

‘There’s a village in the middle of the Gola Rainforest National Park.

It’s completely cut off from civilisation and there are about a hundred people living there.

It took us over a week on foot to get there.

My goodness, Sian, you should have seen them.

They have only the basic things in the world to survive on, but they’re so…

content. I helped deliver two babies. One was a girl, and the mother is calling her Adele.

Honestly, I cried, Sian. I was crying buckets. ’

As she talks, Adele’s whole face lights up. She’s doing good work and making a difference.

Sian tries to emulate Adele’s happiness. She wants to share in her experience, but the lump in her throat won’t allow it. All she feels at the moment is sadness.

Adele’s face drops when she looks back at the screen and sees Sian’s pained expression.

‘Something’s happened, hasn’t it? Is it Matilda? Has she been killed?’

‘No. Nothing like that. Matilda’s… well, I’ve been told she’s fine.’

‘What do you mean you’ve been told? Where is she?’

‘Adele, Penny’s been killed,’ Sian says, referring to Matilda’s mother. ‘Joseph and Nathan, her nephews, they’re dead, too. And Harriet won’t have anything to do with her.’

The colour drains from Adele’s face. She slaps a hand to her mouth to hold in her emotion. ‘What happened?’ she eventually asks.

Sian fills Adele in on the work of the serial killer who has been emailing Matilda, claiming to have committed the perfect murders. He was taunting his victims’ families by sending them mock sympathy cards.

Adele is speechless. She doesn’t move and Sian wonders if the internet connection has frozen.

‘Where’s Matilda, Sian?’

‘It’s taken me weeks to track her down. She didn’t tell anyone she was going anywhere. It seems she went back to her house, packed a bag and disappeared. She didn’t want anyone to trace her.’

‘Have you tried the Meagans?’

Sian sighs. ‘I did eventually. I didn’t realise she was still in contact with them. That’s where she is. I spoke to Philip. He said she’s struggling. She goes out running every day, really putting her body through hell. She’s punishing herself.’

‘Jesus,’ Adele utters.

‘I told Philip to tell Matilda to give me a call, but she hasn’t done. I’m guessing she doesn’t want to speak to anyone. I can understand that, but she really shouldn’t be on her own right now.’

‘I should come back.’

‘That’s not why I called you. I thought you should know.’

‘We’ve got a plane coming in tomorrow to take out a couple of people who need medical attention. I’ll see if I can get on board. I’ll go straight to the house, get my car, then go to the Lake District.’

‘Matilda’s got your car.’

‘Cheeky cow. Sian, is there anything else I should know?’

‘She’s dating your replacement, Odell, but she’s ignoring him, too.’

‘This killer, who is he?’

‘We don’t know. He’s gone quiet. We’ve nothing. DCI John Campbell, you know, Pat’s son, he’s been drafted in from Manchester to lead the investigation, but there’s no evidence, no witnesses… It’s like… well, we were wondering if he’s gone quiet because Matilda’s left.’

‘Have you checked out Steve Harrison?’

‘We have. It’s not him this time. He’s still licking his wounds after being scalded.’

‘I’m coming home, Sian. I’ll go straight to the Lake—’ She freezes on the screen.

Sian guesses the connection has broken. She closes her laptop.

‘Are you all right?’ Daniel asks from the sofa.

She turns and looks at him. She didn’t realise he was there.

‘Have you been there the whole time?’

‘You didn’t say it was private.’

‘No. Well, it wasn’t. Adele’s coming back home. She’s going to go straight to the Lake District where Matilda’s hiding.’

‘Is she hiding?’

‘Well, maybe not hiding, just… taking some time out.’

‘Will Adele be able to convince her to come back to Sheffield?’

‘I’m not sure. I hope so.’

‘Me too. I really like Matilda,’ Daniel says with a smile.