Take Two (A psychological thriller)

Marriott had no trouble getting Carolyn Castle’s address as she had a number of speeding tickets so her details were on the Police National Computer. The traffic was heavy and it took the best part of an hour to drive to Notting Hill Gate. They managed to park a short distance from her front door. As they walked towards the house, a large Mercedes stopped in front and Carolyn Castle got out.

She waved at the driver and the Mercedes drove off. Biddulph was sure she had seen them but she turned away and walked up to her front door. ‘Miss Castle!’ he called, but there was no reaction. She took her keys out of her bag and opened the front door. ‘Miss Castle!’ Biddulph called again.

As she stepped inside the house, Biddulph ran up to the front door. ‘Miss Castle!’ he said.

She frowned at him, the door half closed. ‘Who are you?’ she asked.

‘Inspector Mark Biddulph. I spoke to you last week.’

She shook her head. ‘Not me you didn’t.’

‘Is there something wrong, Miss Castle?’ asked Biddulph.  Sergeant Marriott joined him on the doorstep. ‘And what’s with the Australian accent?’

‘I’m not Carolyn,’ she said. ‘But I am Australian.’

‘Miss Castle, are you okay?’ asked Marriott.

‘I’m Carolyn’s sister. Jenny Hall.’

‘Her sister?’ said Biddulph.

‘Twin sister,’ said Jenny.

‘Would you mind showing me some identification, Miss Hall?’ asked Biddulph.

Jenny fished her wallet out of her bag and flicked through it until she found a driving licence. She held it out and Biddulph took it from her. It was an Australian licence with her photograph and the name Jenny Hall.

‘I’m sorry about the confusion,’ he said, handing the licence back to her. ‘Miss Castle didn’t mention she had a sister.’

‘I’m the black sheep of the family,’ she said.

‘Can we talk to her?’ asked Biddulph.

‘She’s not here right now,’ said Jenny.

‘Do you know where she is?’

‘Not really, no.’

‘I’m sorry,’ said Biddulph. ‘You mean she’s missing?’

‘I’ve just got here, and she hasn’t been around for a few days.’

‘Has someone reported her missing?’

‘I spoke to her bosses at the production company and they said not to worry, that she sometimes checks herself into a clinic.’

‘Why?’ asked Biddulph.

‘To dry out,’ said Jenny. She made a drinking motion with her hand. ‘My sister has a bit of a drinking problem.  Not like me. I drink too much, I fall over. No problem.’ She laughed. ‘Sorry. Old joke.’

‘So you’re saying she’s in a clinic somewhere?’

‘I don’t know. She’s only missed two days at work and they say she’s done it before. Plus they’ve been having arguments over the show. You should talk to the producer, Paul Day.’

‘What sort of arguments?’ asked Biddulph.

‘I’m really not sure.  About her role, I think. Stuff like that. But like I said, you need to talk to Paul Day.’

Biddulph looked up at the house. ‘And you’re staying here now?’

Jenny nodded. ‘I told Carolyn I was coming over a couple of weeks ago. She was supposed to collect me at the airport but she didn’t turn up.’

‘So how did you get into the house ?’ asked Biddulph.

‘She left a set of keys for me and I knew the burglar alarm code.’

‘Who did she leave the keys with?’ asked Biddulph.

‘She left them under a rock,’ said Jenny.

‘A rock?’

Jenny smiled. ‘In the back garden. A plastic rock. She always leaves a set there, has done for as long as she’s had the house. I can show you if you want.’

‘No, that’s okay,’ said Biddulph. ‘I have to say, Miss Hall, you seem very relaxed about your sister’s disappearance.’

‘I was a lot less relaxed when I first got here, but no one else seems to be worried so I thought I’d wait a few days and see if she turns up. Can I ask you why you want to talk to her?’

‘It’s part of an on-going investigation. When she does turn up could you ask her to call me?’ Biddulph took a business card from his wallet and gave it to her.

Jenny studied the card and nodded. ‘Absolutely,’ she said.

CHAPTER 88

The entry phone buzzed and Richards jumped. Every time it sounded he expected to see Carolyn on the screen, soaking wet and back to haunt him. He walked over to the unit, his heart pounding, but it was only Halpin. ‘Can I come up, boss?’ he asked.

Richards buzzed him in and fetched a bottle of brandy from his drinks cabinet. He poured himself a slug and another for Halpin. He tossed in ice cubes and had Halpin’s drink ready for him when the lift doors opened.

‘Cheers, boss,’ said Halpin, taking the glass.

‘How did it go?’

‘All good,’ said Halpin. ‘Bit messy but then guns always are. Took his wallet and his watch. The cops’ll think it was a robbery.’ He took a gulp of brandy.

‘And your alibi’s rock solid?’

‘Played poker, lost a monkey, serves me right. You?’

‘I was in the club all night. Terry, that black guy who’s pally with Carolyn, was there and Jenny was with him.’

Halpin’s eyes hardened as he looked at Richards over the top of his glass.

‘Don’t give me that look,’ said Richards.

‘What look?’

‘You know what look. We just had a few drinks.’

Halpin shrugged. ‘None of my business, boss,’ he said.