The DCI, clearly oblivious to the distress he was causing Meg, let out a deep, impatient sigh and moved his heavy frame from one chair to the other. Meg visibly relaxed and poured two more teas, not asking if either of the police officers wanted milk or sugar.
‘If we’re quite ready?’ DCI Masters stared pointedly at his DS. ‘Sergeant.’
‘Mrs Sissons, we understand Detective Sergeant McDonald called you this morning to inform you that a body had been found in Shady Woods last night?’
‘Harold.’
‘We believe it is your husband, as the clothes fit the description on file, but we need to await confirmation. I was wondering, do you have a recent photo of your husband?’
‘Harold didn’t like having his photo taken.’
‘I see.’ DS Cook looked at her boss, obviously not wanting to proceed without permission. He nodded for her to continue. ‘Did your husband wear a wedding ring?’
‘No. Harold said such things were a needless expense. He didn’t like waste.’
DS Cook raised an eyebrow and proceeded gently. ‘Are you certain there are no photos? A driving licence or passport perhaps?’
Meg thought for a moment. ‘Harold did renew his passport last year. Just a moment.’
Sophie couldn’t understand why the police couldn’t just check the DVLA records for themselves, but didn’t say anything. She was here as an observer.
‘Show her the photos,’ DCI Masters hissed while Meg was out of the room.
DS Cook shook her head.
Meg returned with a purple passport and passed it to DS Cook. Sophie realised it was a good move, bringing DS Cook along. Perhaps the DCI wasn’t as bad as her brother thought he was.
DS Cook handed the passport to the senior officer before continuing. ‘We’ll show this to the coroner for confirmation. Would you be happy to look at some photos of the clothes we found?’
Meg nodded before glancing at the photos briefly. ‘That’s the tie he always wears on a Thursday. The jacket’s his favourite.’ She looked away. ‘He went missing on a Thursday. You told me he left me.’ Meg’s head shot round to DCI Masters, who swallowed hard.
‘I don’t think that’s exactly what I said, Mrs Sissons. I said there was no evidence that any harm had come to your husband and that he could have gone away for a while.’
Sophie noticed the disbelief briefly cross the sergeant’s face before she reined it in.
‘Mrs Sissons, perhaps we could go over the day your husband went missing again another time, but I think for now you’ve had a lot to take in. You should prepare yourself that it is almost certainly your husband we’ve found.’ DS Cook looked at Sophie. ‘Is there anyone else we can contact?’
‘Meg has a daughter, Caroline.’ Sophie glanced towards Meg. ‘I don’t think Meg wanted to worry her; she hasn’t been told her father is missing.’
If DS Cook was shocked, she didn’t show it. ‘Mrs Sissons, could we have your daughter’s contact details, please?’
Meg got up again. This time she went upstairs.
‘Do you know why her daughter hasn’t been told?’ whispered DS Cook.
‘Not entirely. From the brief snippets I’ve been able to gather, they weren’t on speaking terms. Harold and Caroline, that is. They haven’t seen each other in years.’
‘Families can be complicated.’ DS Cook sighed, and Sophie suspected she had first-hand experience of this.
‘Do you know how he died?’ Sophie lowered her voice.
‘Bashed over the head, from what we can gather,’ DCI Masters answered. ‘Most likely a mugging gone wrong. We didn’t find a wallet, and he had no money on him.’
Meg appeared and handed DS Cook a note with an address and phone number. ‘Harold won’t be happy about you contacting her, but tell her it would be nice to see her.’
DS Cook nodded.
The two officers stood before DCI Masters stopped abruptly and turned to Sophie. ‘A neighbour, you say. Which side?’
Sophie had also stood as the officers made to leave. She pointed to the left.
‘There’s only one side. Meg’s is an end cottage.’
DCI Masters scowled and abruptly marched out with a confused DS Cook following close behind.
‘I don’t like him,’ said Meg.
‘She was nice, though.’
‘Yes, I like her.’
‘Meg, do you think it would be a good idea if you called your daughter before the police do? It will be much better coming from you.’
‘I was wondering what should be done. Harold would normally see to such things.’
‘But you’re the one in touch with Caroline. I thought she and her father weren’t the best of friends.’
‘Harold doesn’t allow me to call her, but I go to the telephone box in the village. He checks the bill, you see. And I write.’
Shocked, Sophie said, ‘I’m sure she should know about this even if she and her father weren’t, erm—’
‘Speaking? I don’t know what happened there. Neither of them told me. I’ll go into the village.’
‘Meg,’ Sophie spoke softly, ‘I don’t think that’s necessary; you can use your house phone now. Would you like me to stay with you while you phone?’ Sophie wasn’t convinced Meg would call at all if she didn’t.
‘That would be kind of you.’
Meg picked up the telephone after glancing around as if to check Harold wasn’t going to appear. She tapped in the number, leaving Sophie wondering why she’d made such a play of going upstairs to find Caroline’s contact details. That said, Meg did still appear to be suffering from shock.
‘Aiden? Hello, it’s Meg. Is Caroline there?… Oh, I see. Yes, of course. Would it be possible to have her work telephone number?… Right. Yes. I’ll wait to hear from her, then… Urgent? I’m not sure.’ Meg looked towards Sophie who was frantically nodding.
‘I have someone with me. Perhaps it would be better if I put her on.’
Meg handed the phone to Sophie and began clearing cups and saucers away into the kitchen.
‘Who is this? Is Meg all right?’ a concerned male voice asked. ‘She never calls from this number.’
‘My name is Sophie Cole. I live next door to your mother-in-law.’
‘Is something the matter?’ Sophie could hear children playing in the background, or perhaps the man was watching television.
‘I’m afraid so. I don’t know how to tell you this, but your father-in-law has been found dead in the local woods.’
‘What? When? How?’
‘Last night. I think it would be good if someone could come and be with Meg. She’s had a terrible shock. I’m worried about her.’ The clattering stopped in the kitchen as Meg awaited the response.
‘I see. Of course, but it’s Christmas and my parents are arriving up here for the holidays this afternoon. I’ll have to discuss it with Caroline. She may want to come down.’
Sophie knew families could be fractured, but she couldn’t believe what she was hearing.
‘I’m sure she would want to be with her mother at a time like this. Please could you ask her to call Meg as soon as possible?’