Anna felt chilled, recalling Pete’s words when he phoned her from the forensic lab to discuss the blue blanket found wrapped around Dorota Pelagia. It had dog hairs over it, and he said he thought they were possibly from a German shepherd. She wanted to shove the photograph back into the drawer and forget she’d seen it. Was it a coincidence? Then Langton’s mantra entered her mind — there are no coincidences — and she jumped when Mrs. Hudson walked into the room.
“I’m sorry, did I startle you, dear? I’ve put it on low heat to cook it really slowly.”
Anna licked her lips, which felt dry. “Brenda, who is this in the photograph with Ken?” She passed it over.
Brenda sighed heavily. “Ah, it was terrible. I don’t think Ken ever got over it. That other lad is Jack, and the dog was called Rex: he worshipped it. Jack was a dog handler at the prisons, and it was through him that Ken became interested in doing the same work — you know, before he goes back to studying again. Has he told you he wants to qualify to work with special needs teenagers?”
“Yes, yes, he did mention it. What happened?”
Brenda still held the photo in her hand as she sat on the sofa. “Rex was Jack’s guard dog; Jack had had him since he was a puppy — you know, they take them home to get them familiar with their trainer or handler, I think they call them, and I’ve never come across an animal that was not only so obedient but so clever. He’d dribble a football around, and his eyes used to follow Jack, because he doted on him. I know he could be ferocious, that’s what he was trained for — Jack only had to click his fingers for that dog to sense what he wanted him to do.”
“What happened? You said Ken found it hard to get over something?”
Brenda sighed again. “Jack used to have a van with a dog cage in the back, but Rex was never locked in, since he was so well behaved. Maybe we’ll never know how it happened, but they were on the M6 when a ten-ton lorry jackknifed across the central divide. There was a head-on collision. Rex had somehow sensed it, because he’d moved from the cage to shield Jack, and he took the full impact.”
“Did Jack survive?”
“Yes, although he had terrible injuries and was in the hospital for months.”
“When did it happen?”
“Four or more years ago. We had this photograph in a frame on the mantelpiece, but Ken told me to put it away because he couldn’t stand to look at it.”
Roy came in at that point and asked if Anna would like a sherry. She said that she’d maybe have one later, but if they didn’t mind, she’d like to change for dinner. When she’d left the room, Brenda held up the photograph to replace it in the drawer.
“She found this picture of poor Jack and his dog.”
“Sad business. Do you want a sherry?”
“No, love. I’ll get the vegetables prepared, and then I might go up and have a little rest.”
“I’ll set the table, shall I?”
“Already done. You sit and watch some TV.”
Anna’s overnight bag had been placed in the same room she had slept in before. She lay down and closed her eyes, chastising herself. Just as she had suspicious about finding the blue blanket at Ken’s flat, she now felt the same way about the photograph. It was horrible that her work could encroach on her like this. One moment she was utterly relaxed and happy, and the next, she had turned back into Detective Inspector Travis. Deeply troubled, she fell asleep and woke only as Brenda gently shook her a few hours later. Anna sat up and immediately apologized.
“Don’t worry, love. I’ve had a little sleep as well, but Ken’s just called, and he’s on his way here.”
“What time is it?”
“Nine-thirty, and you must be hungry. We usually eat a lot earlier, and Roy’s hovering around the kitchen like a starving man.”
“I’ll be right down.”
Anna swiftly washed her face and put some fresh makeup on. Downstairs, the table was set, and there were her flowers in the center and champagne glasses with a bottle of Moët in an ice bucket with a big pink bow. Anna noticed a number of happy-anniversary cards on a side table as she heard the rumble of Ken’s motorbike.
She hurried into the hall as he walked in, opening his arms and swinging her up to kiss her.
“You two come and sit down,” Brenda called out fussily. “Your dad’s ready to carve.”
“Give me two minutes to wash up, Mum. Start serving, I won’t be a tick.”
Ken had taken a quick shower and changed from his work clothes into a white T-shirt and jeans. Anna noticed that he broke his usual teetotal habits to take a glass of champagne to toast his parents, and it was sweet the way his father had a few glasses too many, as did Brenda. Yet again it felt like she was truly welcome, and Brenda had cooked up a storm serving roast lamb, roast potatoes with gravy, carrots, and green beans. She was rosy-cheeked and giggly as she brought in the anniversary cake, making sure everyone knew that Anna had made the iced roses. Ken gave a funny formal speech, praising his parents’ longevity and happy marriage, hoping that he’d be lucky enough to find someone like Brenda one day. He kissed his mother and gave his father a hug and said that as it was a special night, he would do the washing up.
“I’ll be your assistant,” Anna said, piling up the dishes, and together they insisted that Brenda and Roy go and put their feet up.
Ken was fast at stacking the dishwasher, while Anna washed the fragile champagne glasses by hand. He washed the pans and the meat dish beside her and then left them to dry. After that, he did a quick wipe around all of the surfaces before tossing the cloth into the sink and saying they could call it quits.
“Your mum has put my overnight bag into the room I used last time I stayed.”
He grinned. “She’s very diplomatic, but you are sleeping with me, and it’s a quick good-night to those two, who’ll stay up for hours watching old movies, and then...” He took her in his arms, kissing her passionately. “Has it been a tedious day for you?” he asked, letting her go.
“Far from it. I love being with your parents, and I also had a good sleep this afternoon.”
“All right for some. It’s been a real shit of a day for me, but I don’t want to talk about it, I just want you beside me.”
Ken’s room was not what she had expected. There was a rowing machine and a set of weights, but little else of a personal nature.
“When I went off to university, they redecorated, and there were foster kids using it; when they all moved out, I sort of moved back in, but I just keep some clothes and books here. I don’t want them to think I’m moving back on a permanent basis. Lizzie and the kids use this room as well when they stay. So don’t think I’m a cross-dresser when you find frocks in the wardrobe.”
“You also keep your flat pretty unlived in.”
“Ah, you noticed. Reason is, I am saving, because when I move to London to work at this special unit, I want to buy a place of my own. Until then I live like a monk.” He laughed. “Well, that’s not quite true. Mum still insists on doing my washing and ironing — I think it makes her feel needed.”
“I’ve heard some excuses in my time...”
He grinned and was about to take her in his arms when she asked about Jack. He moved away from her.
“I found his photograph,” she said, “the two of you together with his German shepherd.”
“Did Mum give it to you?”
“No. I was putting away a photo album, and it was in the drawer. I did ask her about it, though.”
“Jack was the best friend I ever had. He worked at the prison. You know about the crash?”
“Yes.”
“If it hadn’t been for Rex, he’d have taken the full impact. Somehow Rex got out of the cage to shield him. Bloody juggernaut jackknifed across the motorway. When they found him, the dog was crushed against the steering wheel, and Jack had been pushed sideways, head cracked open on the passenger-side window.”