Imposture (DI Gardener 6)

Gardener was about to answer when he heard an ambulance siren in the distance. He had no idea where it was but hoped to God it was the one they wanted. He stood up. “Sean, see if you can find something out from him; see if he’ll talk. I’m going to speak to the shop assistant.”

“Good luck with that one, she looks like she’s in a trance.”

Gardener walked over to the fencing, by which time another woman had joined the first one. Gardener stepped through the small gate.

“Elaine Kirk?”

The lady nodded but it was the other assistant who spoke. “She is.”

“And you are?”

“Jean Lawford.”

“Is she able to talk, do you think?” asked Gardener. He’d seen people in shock before.

“I’m okay,” said Elaine Kirk. She was young, thin, late twenties, blonde hair, brown eyes, large nose, and wore round, wire-rimmed glasses. She had a North East accent. Jean Lawford was the opposite: twice Kirk’s age, black hair tied up, plump, thirty years her senior, and spoke deep Yorkshire; not Leeds, maybe Sheffield.

“What time did you find him?” Gardener asked.

Kirk glanced at her watch and threw the unfinished cigarette on the ground. “About eight thirty.”

“What made you come out at that time?”

“We hadn’t been here long, got here about eight-fifteen. I’d had no breakfast so I decided to come through the back and put the kettle on before Jean got here, make us a cup of tea.”

“What time did you arrive, Mrs Lawson?” Gardener guessed her marital status because of the wedding ring.

“Five minutes after. I’d brought a couple of bacon sandwiches in with me from Greggs. Can’t say I’ve got the stomach for one now.”

“Did you hear anything before you came outside?”

“No,” replied Elaine Kirk. “Is he dead, like?”

“Surprisingly, no. So you only came out for a cigarette, no other reason?”

“No. Crafty fag while the kettle boiled. I’ve been trying to give them up but I don’t think I’ll bother after seeing him.”

Elaine Kirk suddenly started shaking. In an effort to try and control it she immediately reached into her jacket and pulled out the cigarettes. “Oh, Jesus, I can’t believe the state of him. What’s happened?”

“Come on, Elaine,” said Jean Lawford. “Let’s get you inside.”

“If you can bear with me, please, Mrs Lawford, I do have one or two more questions.”

“Can’t you see how traumatised she is?”

“It’s okay, Jean,” said Elaine Kirk. “I prefer to be outside. It’s colder here. With the heat in the shop I’ll faint, or throw up, and old misery guts won’t want that.”

Gardener continued while the going was good, aware that the emergency vehicle siren was much louder now. “Did you see anyone around, walking or driving?”

“No, nothing like that. Place was quiet as the grave…” Elaine Kirk stopped herself, realising what she’d said.

“And this was where he was; he hasn’t moved at all?”

“What do you think? He hasn’t got the strength to fart, never mind move.”

“Has he said anything?”

“Not to me.”