“No? I’ve had you investigated by a discreet and very expensive private detective. You live with a Sybil Quade, who was a suspect in one of your cases. Now she’s your lover.” He paused for her reaction. When her expression didn’t change he said contemptuously, “Detective Inspector Carol Ashton, closet lesbian. Is that why you’re persecuting Collis’s memory? Because you think he was queer, and you hate that in him, as you must in yourself?”
Armored by her icy rage, Carol said, “Did you encourage your daughter to leave threatening messages on my answering machine, or was it her own idea?”
“I’m not here to answer questions. I’m here to tell you what it would be very wise for you to do.”
He rose from the lounge as she did, looking up at her with venomous intent. “Let me make you a promise, Inspector. Unless you find that his death was an accident, you’ll face the consequences. You ruin Collis’s reputation-I’ll ruin yours.”
“This better be urgent,” said the Commissioner. “I’ve rescheduled an appointment with the Minister because of you.”
Even though the Commissioner had previously given his full public and personal support to gay and lesbian police officers when a splinter group had attempted to out them, Carol still felt a stinging apprehension as she said evenly, “Kenneth Raeburn is trying to blackmail me into making a report that presents his son’s death as an accident.”
“Blackmail you? How?”
Carol put the miniature tape player on his desk. “I had an idea that’s what he was going to do, so I was wired. Constable Newsome observed our meeting, but wasn’t within earshot.” She pressed the play button and sat down. Raeburn’s voice was soft, but clear. Without comment they listened through to the end.
She didn’t expect his response. “Sybil Quade, eh? The Bellwether murders?”
“Yes.”
Frowning, he rested his chin on his steepled fingers. “You’re not denying what he says?”
She met his gaze directly. “About being a lesbian? No.” She needed to say something more. “But that’s my private life. It has nothing to do with my job.”
“It shouldn’t have anything to do with it, you mean.” He rubbed a hand over his face. “Tough it out, Carol.”
“You don’t think I’m compromised? You’re not taking me off the case?”
The Commissioner looked irate. “Because of Kenneth Raeburn? Hell, no.” He gave her a slight smile. “Or because you’re gay? Hell no, again.”
She returned his smile, her respect for him at a new level.
As she turned to go, he said, “Want my advice? Have Bourke threaten to charge Raeburn with trying to pervert the course of justice-that should shut him up for a while. If you’re sure about the daughter, suggest she might be charged too. And close the murder case as fast as you can. It’ll be out of Raeburn’s hands then and he’s not as likely to cause trouble for you, or for himself. Basically what I’m saying, Carol, is if you can make an arrest, make it now.”
She called Bourke and Anne into her office. “Close the door, Mark. I want you and Anne to listen to a tape of my conversation this morning with Kenneth Raeburn. I’ve already played it to the Commissioner.”
Her voice seemed to convey some of the stress she was feeling. Bourke glanced at her soberly, then sat down without his usual jesting comment. Anne, who had seen Carol’s silent white-faced rage after the meeting at the Park Royal, avoided eye contact altogether.
They listened to the tape without comment. The click when she turned off the recorder sounded loud in the silence. Bourke leaned over and put his hand over hers. “Carol…” After a moment he released her. His expression hardened. “We can get Raeburn for that.”
“The Commissioner suggests threatening him with trying to pervert the course of justice.”
“It’ll be a pleasure.”
“I’m sure Nicole Raeburn left the messages on my answering machine-in conversation with me she used phrases that occurred on the tape.”
Bourke was delighted. “I’ll mention charging her, too. That should wipe the smiles off their faces.”
Anne still hadn’t looked up. Carol said, “Mark knows about my personal life, Anne, so this isn’t a surprise for him.”
Carol realized, as Anne finally met her glance, that it was anger, not embarrassment or disdain, reflected on the young constable’s face. “It isn’t fair. That little bastard shouldn’t be able to use it against you.”
Carol could hear the resignation in her own voice as she said, “It had to happen one day.”
“How do we handle it?” said Bourke.
Carol had thought this through. “People in the Service will know, and that means there’s a good chance the fact I’m a lesbian will go further. And, of course, there’s Raeburn and his daughter, the private detective they used…”
“You could deny everything.”
“I could, Anne, but then I’m just reactive, and at a disadvantage. I want to have some sort of control here. The Commissioner knows, and so will my other superiors after this meeting. Aside from that, I’m not making any statements to anyone, but if I’m asked a direct question, I’ll answer it directly.”
“What do you want us to do?”
She sighed. “Mark, what do I say to you? It’s up to you what you say or don’t say.”
Anne said, “What about the media?”
Carol smiled grimly. “I haven’t quite decided. Frankly, I hope I don’t have to, but I’m inclined to think that ‘yes, so what?’ may be the way to go.”
Bourke stood. “I’m off to intimidate Kenneth Raeburn,” he said cheerfully, rubbing his hands together. “And believe me, I’m looking forward to it.”
Carol called the college where Sybil taught part-time. After an interminable delay, she felt her heart jump as she heard Sybil’s familiar voice. “It’s me.”
“Carol? What’s wrong?”
“Does something have to be wrong?”
“For you to ring me at work-yes.”
As she told her what had happened, Carol was conscious that Sybil might welcome what she, herself, dreaded. What might represent freedom to Sybil meant loss of control to Carol.
Sybil said, “I’ll come back home.”
“No, don’t,” she said involuntarily.
There was a long pause, then, “You don’t want me there?”
“It’s not that-”
“What is it, then, Carol? Worried that my presence will confirm the gossip? That people will come round to see for themselves?”
“I don’t need this!”
Sybil was immediately calm. “No, you don’t. I’ll stay away, Carol, but we need to talk. Do you agree?”
“Yes, of course.”
Sybil’s voice was husky. “I love you. I don’t want you hurt, and I don’t want to cause you any more problems. Call you tonight, okay?”
Carol shut her eyes, confused by guilt, love and misery. “Okay,” she said.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Early on Wednesday morning Bourke bounded into Carol’s office. “We got Berringer. A little worse for wear.”
“He put up a fight?”
“Hardly. What he did do was try to shake Kenneth Raeburn down over Collis’ homosexuality. I’d say Raeburn wanted to flush Berringer out of the woodwork, so he arranged to pay him off. Berringer won’t say how much it was, and he didn’t have it long. He had time to boast a bit about how smart he’d been, then two very large gentlemen gave him a very painful going over and, to add insult to injury, took the money back. That was enough to send Berringer straight into hiding.” He grinned with obvious pleasure as he added, “Our Kenneth didn’t take at all kindly to my visit yesterday, so I imagine he’s going to be even more unhappy today after I mention including him in possible assault charges when we pick up his goons.”
Carol showed her doubt. “What credibility would this Berringer character have in court against someone like Kenneth Raeburn?”