Murder Club - Mark Pearson [65]
‘You think the brother might be the John Doe?’
‘It’s possible. But I also think he might know what happened to the John Doe. Could be he had a reason for disappearing.’
‘A reason like murder, you mean.’
‘Someone put a hole in the man’s head and tried to make sure the body was never discovered.’
‘If those workmen hadn’t been digging that trench, it probably never would have been,’ said Diane Campbell.
‘Exactly. I get the sense that there was something the retired vicar wasn’t telling us.’
‘You think he knows where his brother is?’
‘Maybe.’
‘Can you not lean on him?’
‘He’s in hospital, ma’am,’ answered Sally Cartwright.
Diane looked over at Delaney. ‘Jesus, Jack! Don’t tell me—’
‘Of course not,’ Delaney said. ‘He’s an old man. He’s sick. He just collapsed is all.’
‘I’ve seen your bad-cop routine, Jack.’
Delaney held up his hands. ‘I swear. Just asked him a couple of questions is all. I’ll go and see him later when he’s fit to question.’
‘Where is he?’
‘The South Hampstead.’
‘Talking of which, what’s the update on Bible Steve, Slimline?’
Dave Matthews shrugged his broad shoulders. ‘He’s still there. Out of intensive care now, but not in good shape.’
‘What about his mental state?’
‘In some senses worse. He doesn’t even recognise the name Bible Steve any more and has no memory of being on the streets.’
Diane nodded. ‘Paddington Green are not treating the Chinese woman’s death as suspicious. The coroner said she died from a heart attack. She had a long history of heart problems, apparently. It could have been triggered by finding Bible. Or it could have happened any time, according to the coroner. The cold didn’t help.’
‘Looks like the poor old sod was attacked, though, guv.’
‘Go on?’
Laura answered for him. ‘The X-rays show he was hit with something. Something long and round-shaped.’
‘A baseball bat?’
‘Could be.’
‘But it was definitely a deliberate attack. He’s lucky to be alive,’ added the sergeant.
‘Random?’
‘We’ve spoken to the homeless unit. No other reports of recent tramp bashing.’
‘We prefer the term “homeless”, Slimline.’
‘But there’s another problem.’
‘Go on.’
‘Bible Steve tells us he saw a murder the other night. A young woman. Early twenties. Blonde. Blood everywhere.’
‘Where?’
‘He doesn’t remember.’
‘And can he describe the attacker?’
‘Perfectly.’
Dr Laura Chilvers uncrossed her arms. ‘We think he is suffering from some kind of psychotic episode. The blows to the head, his earlier fall. Some kind of fugue, delusional fantasies.’
‘What’s the neurologist say?’
‘They’re running tests.’
‘There’s been no report of any young woman being murdered?’
‘No, boss,’ said Sergeant Matthews.
‘Doesn’t mean it hasn’t happened.’
‘It’s a possibility.’
‘Highly unlikely!’ added Laura.
‘So he can give us a good description of who this possible murderer is.’
‘He said he did it himself, ma’am. He claims he killed the young woman.’
‘You’re not telling me you’re taking him seriously?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘This is Bible Steve we’re talking about.’
‘He says he killed someone. Maybe he didn’t. Maybe he saw something, though.’
‘Maybe.’
‘He does seem different as well,’ said the sergeant. ‘Not like his old self at all. A different person somehow. Not just the amnesia. In a funny way he seemed more together.’
‘He was just more sober,’ said Laura. ‘It won’t last.’
‘Best get a wriggle on then. Because he might have imagined or dreamed or hallucinated something last night. But someone beating him up with a baseball bat isn’t a delusional fantasy, is it?’
‘No.’
‘Then we had better look into it.’
‘Ma’am.’
Diane nodded at Dr Chilvers. ‘And I don’t need to remind you that if Bible Steve left here last night with a serious head injury, and you allowed his discharge without picking up on it, there could be serious consequences.’
‘I’m pretty sure …’
Diane held a hand up to interrupt her and turned to Delaney. ‘This is one for CID,’ she said. ‘The other case has been waiting for twenty years. I want you to get back on this, Jack. You’re going to the hospital anyway.’
‘Sure.’
‘As Laura says, it sounds