Show Me the Sky - Nicholas Hogg [103]
Much speculation was made of such a gesture after years of no contact with his family. Criminologist on the case, Anna Monroe, noted that many suicides are preceded by a closure, or last farewell. An outcome that police have seriously considered.
Asked about the importance of this last sighting, Inspector James Dent had replied, ‘What does make the sighting worthy of note is the corroboration of Miss Fulton’s statement and the forensic evidence recovered from the vehicle.’
From the discovery of dead skin cells on the accelerator, clutch, and brake pedal of the Lotus, Dent had contended that the last time Billy K drove the car he was barefoot. An observation also recorded by his mother from the evaporating wet trail on the paving stones. Unfortunately, heavy rains and maintenance of the back lawn had hampered attempts to cast a footprint, but detectives had assumed it unlikely that Miss Fulton could have invented such a corroborating detail if it were not fact.
On the negative side of this revelation was the question of how far a man without shoes was, if at all, planning to journey?
Though lead detective on the Billy K case, James Dent, was not available for questioning, police insist they are vigorously pursuing all avenues in the hunt for the missing mother and son.
Epilogue
Jim and Gemma Dent sit down on a picnic blanket. Together they unpack sandwiches and crisps, bottles of fizzy drinks. The car is parked out of view in the hedged lane. And because there is nothing else in the grassy field, not even a cow or grazing sheep, it is as though they have arrived by magic carpet.
Nestled between the rolling hills, a glittering stream and trees tinged with the first green of spring, they can see a large stone house. It is tangled with ivy and an overgrown garden. From the top of the field, with a powerful pair of binoculars, it is possible to make out the faces of the owners.
‘What can you see?’
‘Just clouds, Daddy. Lots and lots of clouds.’
‘Here, I need to focus for you.’
‘Let me do it.’ She tugs on the binoculars.
‘Gemma! Let me put the house in focus for you.’ She lets him take them. He levels the binoculars to his eyes and adjusts the wheel with his index finger. From nearly a mile away the cottage sharpens into view. He can see a woman relaxing on a wooden bench, holding a cup of tea and reading a magazine. The lenses are not that powerful to make out the title, but it does not matter. It is her, Marina Fulton, tracked down from a letter to her sister, no address but a postmark. And Jim Dent, the pardoned detective, can also see a man sitting on the steps of the back door. A man with a guitar but no shoes.
‘Now try.’ He passes back the binoculars, once again holds them to his daughter’s eyes.
‘I can do it.’ She pushes away his hand.
‘Can you see the house this time?’
‘I can see the trees.’
‘Down a bit, slowly.’
‘I can see the chimney!’
‘Down a bit more.’
‘And a lady, reading.’
‘Can you see the man?’
‘Not in the garden.’
‘Are you sure? Can I see?’
‘No. It’s my turn!’
‘Well, there should be a man.’
‘There he is! I can see him. He’s sitting on the back step smoking a cigarette.’
‘Well done, sweetie.’
‘He’s looking at the clouds.’
‘Can I have a look now?’
‘Oh!’
‘You can look again in a moment.’ He takes the binoculars from his daughter and focuses.
‘I want to look again, Daddy.’ Gemma climbs over her father, pulls at the binoculars.
‘Wait, Gemma!’
She lets out a little scream. ‘My turn!’ She gets hold of the dangling strap and yanks the binoculars from his hands.
‘Gemma!’
‘I want to look!’
‘Give them here!’
She throws them into the box of sandwiches. She is about to cry. ‘I want mummy. You’re angry.’
‘I’m not angry, sweetie. I just need to look through the