The Cabin by the Sea: The Audrey Murders - Book Two Page 14

  The drug GHB is better known as the date drug it is a depressant drug that slows down messages between the brain and the central nervous system. At low doses it acts as a sedative. At higher doses it acts like an anesthetic. Its effects can last up to three hours. GHB is almost impossible to detect after death. But hair analysis can confirm the presence of GHB in the body. The combination of GHB and oleander proved lethal for Diane Jenkins.”

  A photo of the common New Zealand oleander plant was on the screen. “I have seen that plant growing in Audrey’s garden outside the cabin,” said Bruce. I had no idea it was so poisonous.”

  “You had better tell her,” said Marge. “I would hate her to accidentally ingest it.”

  “Good idea” said Bruce thinking it as another excuse to pop next door. “I will go over tomorrow.”

  C H A P T E R 7 8

  Audrey wasn’t stupid. She knew Paul was writing a book about Suzy’s murder. She had read what he had written on his computer when he was at Suzy’s funeral. She also learned something very interesting. Suzy’s best friend was Constable Bromley’s daughter, Lucy. She wondered why the media had not got hold of this information. If Suzy was prostituting herself it was likely Lucy was doing it too. Bromley must be keeping this information to himself, she thought. I wonder why.

  The evening had not gone to plan. All Paul wanted to talk about was the murder - questioning her about what she thought, what she knew, where she was when it all happened until she had to say “I have an early morning tomorrow and really have to get some sleep” just to get rid of him. Ok, so he was writing a book – big deal! He obviously thought himself far superior to little ol’ Audrey who was so bloody stupid she didn’t know his book was about the murder. When, in fact, he was so bloody stupid he didn’t know murder was something she liked to do just to prevent boredom. And, what’s more, Paul had begun to bore her.

  She had got all dressed up for him, provided two bottles of wine, dinner and her company when he had just provided an evening of constant interrogation. Well, thought Audrey He can go to hell for all I care and that is exactly where he will be going if he doesn’t pick another topic for his precious book.

  Audrey headed for the kitchen in her PJs and bed socks. Tip Top vanilla ice cream is the best in the world, she thought as she poured over passionfruit sauce and added a banana for good measure. Given a choice, dessert wins over men every time.

  Looking out the curtain at the cabin next door she could see a shadow pacing up and down. Bet he’s pissed off, she thought as she sucked on her spoon.

  C H A P T E R 7 9

  Constable Bromley was putting all the Suzy Cunningham files in a box. He was pleased he could finally put the case to bed. Mostly because now could keep Lucy out of things. Gavin Jenkins did him a favor. Taking the case to trial would have brought out Lucy’s association with Suzy and she would have had to testify under oath. The town would know she was with Suzy that night and, for sure, he would be ostracized by both; the public and the police. Worse, Suzy would have to deal with it for life.

  The second box was harder to close. He picked up the cardboard lid bearing the name “Gavin Jenkins” and paused for just a moment before adding the words “Case Closed”.

  Today should be a happy one. He had just talked to Mary to tell her they could come home in a few days. The town had moved on with their lives. It had been ten days since Suzy Cunningham’s went missing and almost a week since her body was found. Even the media was now focusing on Diane Jenkins death by oleander poisoning.

  He was getting calls from residents worried about the plant and if their dogs, cats and small children were at risk. Was there going to be a law forbidding the growing of oleander like there was marijuana?

  Oleander plants were common in Northland. He supposed there might even be a couple in his garden he should get rid of before the girls return. They would only remind him of the case and he didn’t like the idea of keeping poisonous plants around.

  When the phone rang on his office desk he didn’t hesitate “Constable Bromley, Mangonui Police Station” he answered with a revived attitude to life.

  “Constable Bromley it is Audrey here.” He heard

  “Audrey, what can I do for you?” he asked surprised.

  “Well it is a little difficult to talk about on the phone. Can I come down to the station and talk to you?” she asked timidly.

  “Is there a problem? He asked now concerned.

  “There might be,” she answered. “I just need to talk to you”

  “Yes, come on down” he said

  “Great see you in about half an hour” she said and hung up.

  C H A P T E R 8 0

  Paul’s book was coming together nicely. He had developed his character profiles through his research. He had also been going through Suzy’s friends’ social media sites and amazed at how much teens revealed about themselves and their friends. He now had no doubt Lucy must have known about Suzy’s prostitution. In fact, there was gossip about Suzy and Lucy having gone to the movies on the night of the murder. There had been a group of girls at the movie that night and they had seen Suzy with Lucy and another older girl. He would track down that girl somehow. He knew he couldn’t talk to Constable Bromley about his daughter. Suzy’s friends had tweeted about Lucy having gone to Australia after Suzy’s body was found. He had added the information into Lucy’s profile along with his suspicions of her involvement in the underage sex business.

  Today he would tighten up the time line of the murder and the two suicides. He hoped to finish the book in a couple of months and get it to a publisher before someone else bet him to it. He liked to print out his draft as he went. He preferred to read off paper rather than his computer screen. He had piles of paper sprawled out all over the cabin. Each pile was neatly categorized.

  Early this morning he had taken a walk down to the waterfront to get some exercise and breath in some fresh air. The walk had done him good. His focus had returned and he knew he could get a full day of writing done.

  His thoughts went back to his evening with Audrey. She hadn’t given away anything. She just kept that constant bloody smile on her face and refused to give in to any of his tactics. She had even had the nerve to ask him to leave by saying she needed to get some sleep.

  C H A P T E R 8 1

  Audrey had seen Paul leave for his walk. She knew she had to be quick if she was going to make her plan work. A quick sort through his pile of papers gave her the ammunition she needed.

  She walked into the police station with a feeling of anticipation. This would bring the final curtain down on any suspicions the police may have about her.

  Constable Bromley directed Audrey into a small room with just a desk and a couple of chairs. She wondered if it was an interrogation room. She supposed it was.

  “Now what can I do for you?” Bromley asked

  “It is about Paul Jamieson,” said Audrey. “I invited him over for a drink and dinner last night as a friendly welcome and his conversation has got me worried”

  Constable Bromley paused and let Audrey continue.

  “He seems to think your daughter, Lucy, is involved in Suzy’s murder. He said he has been researching Suzy’s friends through their social media sites. He has proof Lucy was with Suzy the night she was murdered. “

  “What sort of proof are you referring to” asked Bromley obviously uncomfortable with where the conversation was going.

  “Here” said Audrey as she reached into her handbag and pulled out a wad of papers. “I was so concerned that I went into the cabin this morning when Paul was out walking and copied some of his research and some of the pages from his book.”

  Audrey laid out on the table various copies of social media chatter, Paul’s writing about Lucy and a copy of an article on Oleander poisoning.

  Constable Bromley looked at the pages, one by one. “Is there more?” he asked.

  “Oh yes he has piles and piles of information on everyone associated with the
deaths. He even has your background information and family details,” she said. He seems to have a lot on Diane Jenkins. She pointed to the page on Oleander poisoning “He had printed this page out before she even took her own life. How scary is that? Look you can see the date on the printout.”

  “Leave this with me” said Bromley “I will look into this.” He added, “What you have done isn’t legal. You entered his home and took it without his permission.”

  “I know,” said Audrey looking a little sheepish “I just wanted some evidence to back up my suspicions” she said.

  Audrey stood to leave saying “I feel so much better now. I have been worried. You seem like such a nice man and I don’t like what Paul Jamieson is doing. It was bad enough that the poor girl Suzy was killed, but to drag your daughter into it seems wrong somehow. He is like a dog with a bone and won’t let go.”

  “Oh, one last thing,” said Bromley “Where were you last Monday between midday and three o’clock.”

  Audrey was taken off guard. She didn’t expect to be questioned. “Mmm, she said thinking “Oh on Monday I went to Whangarei to do some shopping and I saw a couple of movies. I love movies and prefer them on the big screen.”

  “Do you know where Jamieson was that day?” he asked

  “I have no idea,” she said. “I didn’t get home until very late and he was home when I got home. His car was there and the lights in the cabin were on.” She said.

  “So he could have gone out on Monday?” he probed.

  “Oh, absolutely. He could have been out all day” she said grateful his questioning really related to Paul rather than her.

  “I see. Well thanks for coming in” he said.

  When Audrey left the station she felt like celebrating with a nice glass of Sav and fish n chips from the Restaurant overlooking the harbor. “It’s such a wonderful day” she sighed as she pulled into a empty car park immediately in front of the restaurant.

  C H A P T E R 8 2

  Constable Bromley couldn’t stop reading the papers in front of him. He must have read each page five or six times. “Fuck! What a bastard!” he keep repeating as the words dug deep into his worse fears. He knew he was trapped. Once the book was released his family couldn’t live in the same town. He decided he only had two choices. Ask for a transfer to somewhere in the South Island as far away as possible or find a way to stop Jamieson from printing the book. He, of course, preferred the latter.

  He hadn’t put the case files in storage yet. They were sitting on his desk. He opened the file on Suzy Cunningham and started reading. He looked at the interviews with Suzy’s school friends.

  Of course Lucy was mentioned along with many other schoolmates. However, she had not been interviewed and he wondered why. He guessed it was because she and had stayed home after

  Suzy’s body was found. I guess the case was solved before they had the opportunity to interview her, he surmised.

  There was no mention of Lucy having been at the movies that night. The case had focused on finding who picked her up from the shopping center. His interview with Staci was in the file. She had admitted to dropping Suzy off at the shopping center that night. No mention of Lucy being there was on the record - he had made sure of that. If this book got out he would be in serious trouble for omitting this information. “Fuck” he said again. “I have to stop the book”

  He looked at the page on Oleander poisoning. Why would Jamieson be researching this information prior to Diane’s suicide? Did he have something to do with it? Did he give her the information? Could he prove it?

  His family was returning in a couple of days from Melbourne. He must fix this before then. He picked up the phone and called Detective Sergeant Morrison at the St. Heliers Bay station.

  “Can you email a copy of the Oleander Poisoning information you found at the scene of Diane Jenkins suicide?” he asked.

  “What the hell for?” Morrison asked. “You know we have closed the case here.”

  “Just tidying up loose ends here” said Bromley.

  “Shall do.” Morrison obliged. “I’ll get the office to email you a copy. Everything OK there?” he asked. “Messy business the Suzy Cunningham and Jenkins’ deaths” he added.

  “Yes, thanks mate” Bromley said as he hung up the phone and sat staring at the wall. If they are the same then I have something to work with, he thought.

  C H A P T E R 8 3

  Bruce was looking forward to a chance to chat with Audrey. He had already checked for her car from the boundary fence line twice this morning. “Surely she is home now,” he said to Marge.

  “What’s the panic all about?” said Marge” I think you fancy her.”

  “Don’t be silly” he replied looking a little sheepish. “I just don’t want her to poison herself on the bloody plant.” As he said it he felt stupid. Oleanders were everywhere. He just wanted an excuse to see her again.

  “You may as well bring her some of my fresh home made bread,” said Marge wrapping a loaf in brown paper.

  “Thanks, you’re a darling” he said and kissed her on the cheek and headed off across the freshly mowed lawn.

  As soon as he reached the boundary fence he could see Audrey’s car in the parking area. There was no sign of Paul’s car. He was pleased he would have Audrey all to himself. He climbed over the fence and headed across the new sheep paddock towards the cottage.

  She came to the door looking absolutely beautiful. Her hair was swept up in a twirl on her head. Her lips were painted a soft red and her green eyes matched her green necklace around her neck.

  “Why Bruce Bromley” she said as she opened the door. “How nice. Do come in. I was just about to have a cup of tea would you like one?”

  “That would be great,” he said handing her the loaf of bread. “My wife is a great bread maker,” he said handing her the brown paper parcel.

  “Fresh bread. Thanks. I love it! How nice of your wife” she said as she sat down at the round mahogany table and gestured for him to join her.

  “To what do I owe this visit?” she asked

  “I don’t know if you have been watching the news lately” he said “but they have been warning people about the Oleander plant. It caused the Jenkins lady’s death in Auckland and I wanted to warn you in case you have a plant around. I think I saw one when I was visiting with your tenant, Paul, the other day.

  “I didn’t know you were friends with Paul,” she said showing just a flicker of concern.

  “Well, I wouldn’t call us friends, per say, but we did have a nice long chat the other day. He was telling me about the book he is writing. Quite a project taking on the Suzy Cunningham murder.” He divulged.

  “Yes, he seems to be completely absorbed with the case. You say you saw an oleander plant by the cabin?” she said “Can you show me where it is?”

  She poured the boiling water into the teapot and they headed over to the cabin.

  “That’s funny. I am sure the plant was between that red flax bush and the agave” he said confused pointing to the gap in the garden in front of the cabin.”

  “It looks as though the plant has been removed,” she said. Maybe Paul heard about them on the news and decided to dig it out” she said hopefully.

  “You would think he would ask you first,” said Bruce. “Oh well it is gone now. Good thing too.”

  Audrey and Bruce returned to the cottage and enjoyed a couple of slices of Marge’s bread and the pot of hot English breakfast tea.

  “I don’t know about Paul,” said Audrey. “He has been asking me a lot of strange questions about Suzy’s death and, in particular, her friendship with Lucy Bromley. Paul mentioned that you are Constable Bromley’s Uncle?” Bruce nodded. “He seems to be focusing on Lucy in the book. He also seems to have a close association with Diane Jenkins. All really strange. I wonder if they knew each other before this all happened.” Audrey queried.

  Bruce was concentrating on Audrey huge breasts. He couldn’t take his eyes of them. They were t
he biggest breasts he had ever seen.

  Audrey rose from the table and said “I am sorry Bruce but I have to spray the thistles while the weather is still fine. I hear rain is coming tonight and I want to get the paddock ready for the sheep.”

  Bruce jumped to his feet. “Of course. I’ll let you get on with it,” he said as he made his way to the door.

  “Thanks so much for stopping by” she said smiling that big smile of hers. “And, please thank your wife for the bread.”

  Bruce walked back across the paddock to the boundary fence and made his way home. At least she invited me in, he thought. Next time I will go over in the evening and bring a bottle of wine. You never know, I might get lucky. Bruce whistled all the way home.

  C H A P T E R 8 4

  Paul was a little annoyed that Constable Bromley hadn’t taken his concerns regarding Audrey seriously. In fact, he wondered if Bromley was just relieved to have the case solved. Gavin and Diane’s convenient suicides enabled the case to be closed quickly without his daughter being questioned and her involvement being exposed.