Read Online A Murderer's Heart by Julie Elizabeth Powell - Free Book Online
Authors: Julie Elizabeth Powell
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office and organised the next day’s schedule.
Anne came through, carrying her belongings saying, “Ready?”
She walked over to the outer door.
“You go down; I won’t be long, just a couple of calls to make,” Sam said, smiling.
“Okay, see you in a minute.”
As Anne left the office, Sam made sure she had gone before making the calls.
******
The visit to Peter Armstrong was as they expected. He was very distraught about his mother’s death.
“I couldn’t believe it when I found her in the morning. I was so full of hope for both of us. I knew she would find help at Tadmore, and for the first time I thought my life might mean something.”
He broke down and Anne reached out to pat his hand.
Sam had come in with her this time and sat across from Anne and Peter, who were sitting on the sofa.
“Have you anyone with whom you could stay?” asked Anne, knowing the answer.
If there’d been anyone, perhaps he would have found help sooner.
“No, but, I’m going away. I’m leaving this house and all its terrible memories. A fresh start, that’s what I need.”
Peter looked at Anne; she could see genuine sorrow in his brown eyes. Would Meakin want this? Would he try to stop him?
“Did Inspector Meakin want to speak to you again, Peter?” she asked.
“He told me I could leave as long he was informed where it would be. I’m not stupid...I know I’m a suspect. Anyway, I’m not leaving my firm, only where I live. This place will be sold – it’s too big for me. I’m going tonight. I’m staying at a small guesthouse until I can find a flat or something. I have been offered counselling, which is starting tomorrow. I didn’t think it was a good idea to see you – I don’t know why exactly.”
He looked sheepish as he told her this.
“Don’t worry, Peter, I think it’s a good idea – both moving away and talking things out. It’s no problem about seeing someone other than me. That will give you the clean break you need. But if you ever want to talk to me, please do so, you have my number. I’m so sorry about what’s happened. If there’s anything I can do, please call.”
Anne stood; there was nothing more to be said. She hoped Peter would find a good life – he deserved it after all he’d been through.
Holding out her hand, she shook Peter’s and with a smile, she and Sam left his house.
They stood beside her car talking.
“Listen,” said Anne, “I’m going home. I need to think things through. I want to see Jenny later and hear what Meakin told her. We have to discuss this stalker problem and what the consequences might be. She has to be protected – that’s if there is a connection with the other cases. I’m seeing Barbara at the gym about six o’clock – talking it through with her will help, as will the exercise.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me with you?” said Sam. “How about if I come round tonight? I’ll bring supper!”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll be tired by the time I’ve finished at the gym. And anyway, Barbara deserves some of my time, I’ve neglected her lately. Don’t fuss, Sam, I’ll be okay. I’ll see you in the morning. Could you make sure all the notes are ready for my hospital patients? Thanks, Sam.”
She smiled as she unlocked her car and started the motor.
Unwinding the window, she popped her head back at Sam as she said, “Will you please take that terrible look from your face, stop worrying, I’ll be fine. See you tomorrow.”
She drove away before Sam could reply and left him staring.
{15}
Anne parked the Mercedes in the gym’s car park and walked into the large foyer.
Future Fitness was a favourite of the staff that worked at Tadmore. It was great for them to unwind after the stresses of a busy day in a psychiatric hospital. Aware of what harm stress could do, they didn’t want to become patients in their own hospital.
Making her way into the changing rooms, Anne noticed that the place wasn’t
Anne came through, carrying her belongings saying, “Ready?”
She walked over to the outer door.
“You go down; I won’t be long, just a couple of calls to make,” Sam said, smiling.
“Okay, see you in a minute.”
As Anne left the office, Sam made sure she had gone before making the calls.
******
The visit to Peter Armstrong was as they expected. He was very distraught about his mother’s death.
“I couldn’t believe it when I found her in the morning. I was so full of hope for both of us. I knew she would find help at Tadmore, and for the first time I thought my life might mean something.”
He broke down and Anne reached out to pat his hand.
Sam had come in with her this time and sat across from Anne and Peter, who were sitting on the sofa.
“Have you anyone with whom you could stay?” asked Anne, knowing the answer.
If there’d been anyone, perhaps he would have found help sooner.
“No, but, I’m going away. I’m leaving this house and all its terrible memories. A fresh start, that’s what I need.”
Peter looked at Anne; she could see genuine sorrow in his brown eyes. Would Meakin want this? Would he try to stop him?
“Did Inspector Meakin want to speak to you again, Peter?” she asked.
“He told me I could leave as long he was informed where it would be. I’m not stupid...I know I’m a suspect. Anyway, I’m not leaving my firm, only where I live. This place will be sold – it’s too big for me. I’m going tonight. I’m staying at a small guesthouse until I can find a flat or something. I have been offered counselling, which is starting tomorrow. I didn’t think it was a good idea to see you – I don’t know why exactly.”
He looked sheepish as he told her this.
“Don’t worry, Peter, I think it’s a good idea – both moving away and talking things out. It’s no problem about seeing someone other than me. That will give you the clean break you need. But if you ever want to talk to me, please do so, you have my number. I’m so sorry about what’s happened. If there’s anything I can do, please call.”
Anne stood; there was nothing more to be said. She hoped Peter would find a good life – he deserved it after all he’d been through.
Holding out her hand, she shook Peter’s and with a smile, she and Sam left his house.
They stood beside her car talking.
“Listen,” said Anne, “I’m going home. I need to think things through. I want to see Jenny later and hear what Meakin told her. We have to discuss this stalker problem and what the consequences might be. She has to be protected – that’s if there is a connection with the other cases. I’m seeing Barbara at the gym about six o’clock – talking it through with her will help, as will the exercise.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me with you?” said Sam. “How about if I come round tonight? I’ll bring supper!”
“No, it’s fine. I’ll be tired by the time I’ve finished at the gym. And anyway, Barbara deserves some of my time, I’ve neglected her lately. Don’t fuss, Sam, I’ll be okay. I’ll see you in the morning. Could you make sure all the notes are ready for my hospital patients? Thanks, Sam.”
She smiled as she unlocked her car and started the motor.
Unwinding the window, she popped her head back at Sam as she said, “Will you please take that terrible look from your face, stop worrying, I’ll be fine. See you tomorrow.”
She drove away before Sam could reply and left him staring.
{15}
Anne parked the Mercedes in the gym’s car park and walked into the large foyer.
Future Fitness was a favourite of the staff that worked at Tadmore. It was great for them to unwind after the stresses of a busy day in a psychiatric hospital. Aware of what harm stress could do, they didn’t want to become patients in their own hospital.
Making her way into the changing rooms, Anne noticed that the place wasn’t
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