In Jack Meadows office, Ramani and Jack watched as digital photographs of Jim's injuries are fed into a computer. There are myriad of small cuts and bruises of all different colours, and the scar from the iron was clearly visible, still healing.
"Oh my god." Ramani raised a hand to her mouth. "Why didn't he say something? He must have been in agony."
"I've known Jim Carver over ten years. He doesn't make a fuss, ever. He's always bottled things up..." Jack looked away. "We have to face the possibility that he may have snapped..."
"Do you honestly believe he's capable of that?"
"I... I have to try and remain impartial, I saw him when he was drinking... he seemed capable of anything at some points."
"But your gut feeling?"
"Jim Carver would never hit a woman, much less throw her down the stairs."
"I haven't known him for long but I know he's not capable of that. And he isn't drinking at the moment."
"Good, because if this comes to court..." Jack picked up a file, and stood. "His history may be brought up, and..." He rolled his eyes. "OK. Let's go do this."
***
Inside Interview Room 2, Jim Carver sat, silent, his head in his hands, while Tony Stamp sat opposite him, looking on in concern. The door cracked up. "Jim... Tony."
"Sir." Tony grunted.
"Thanks Tony, you can be on your way." Tony nodded and stood, but Jack stopped him at the door. "How's he been?" He whispered.
"He hasn't said a word." Tony muttered back.
"Has the FME given the OK for him to be interviewed?"
"As far as I know, yeah. Go easy on him though."
"We will." The two officers stepped into the room. "OK, Jim..." Jack sighed. "I'm sorry we have to do this, but..."
Jim looked up at him with huge damp eyes and shrugged defeated.
Ramani slipped a tape into the recorder and started it running. "This is a taped interview with James Michael Carver. Present are DCI Jack Meadows, and DC Ramani De Costa. I have to remind you that you are still under caution."
Jim looked and nodded, dropping his head again, his fingers pulling at his hair.
"Jim... where were you at seven am this morning?"
"At home... in bed... with my... wife."
"And... what time did you get up?"
"I went for a shower just after 7am."
"And when you finished the shower, how was... how were relations between you and your wife. Relaxed... tense�?"
"We argued... I told her I was leaving her."
"So, the suitcase on the bed..." Ramani interjected. "That was you... it wasn't Marie throwing you out."
"That was me." Jim muttered.
"OK... I'm showing the prisoner exhibits JM1, JM2 and JM3, photographs taken by the forensic medical examiner prior to this interview." Jack pushed the pictures in front of Jim so that he could see them. "Can you explain how you came about these injuries?"
"That was when... Marie hit me with the iron." Jim gulped pointing to one photo. "The others are... are from where she hit me... or threw something at me... or scratched me." Jim wiped at his tears with the back of his hand.
"None of these incidents you reported." Jack observed.
Jim shook his head. "No..."
"In fact we wouldn't have known of this one..." He pointed to one of the photographs. "If it hadn't been for PC Taviner."
"She threatened me."
"In what way."
"She... she told me if I told anyone she'd make them think it was the other way round... that I was hurting her... and she made threats against June."
"Against Sergeant June Ackland?" Jack elaborated for the tape. "What did she have to do with this."
"Marie was jealous of my friendship with June. She thought something was going on between us."
"I have to ask you this, Jim - was there?"
"No there was... is nothing between June and myself other than friendship."
"Ben Graham discovered his mother at the foot of the stairs at 8am. When did you leave the house?"
"I'm not sure exactly, 7:30, no later than 7:45."
"And where was Marie when you left?"
"She chased me down the stairs, she'd just thrown a vase at me. It sounded like she was smashing the lounge up."
"Smashing the lounge..." Ramani muttered.
"Is there a problem?" Jim asked.
"No... it would explain why Ben thought the house had been burgled."
"I heard yelling and glass smashing when I was getting into the car."
"We'll check that out, see if the neighbours heard anything." Jack nodded. "Jim, Marie alleges you threatened to leave, and she didn't know why... she says everything had been alright with you until this morning - she says you simply snapped and pushed her down the stairs, leaving her there unconscious." Jack sighed. "She also alleges that you are having an affair with June Ackland and you planned this together."
"I am not having an affair with June Ackland. You can check with her."
"We'll do that, but... you have to admit that as a scorned ex-lover that could been seen by a jury as a motive."
Jim nodded. "I didn't touch her."
Jack looked up, nodded slowly, meeting Jim's eyes. "I believe you." He mouthed. "We're looking into Marie's history, medical and criminal, and we're trying to get in touch with Ben's father."
"I think he's out with the lorry at the moment. I remember Ben speaking to him last week. Spain I think..."
"That's a great help, thank you." Jack looked at his watch. "Interview terminated, 2:17pm." He looked up. "I'm going to release you on bail."
"You're not going to lock me up again?" Jim's face relaxed with relief. "Hang on... I called for petrol this morning after I left Marie... the CCTV should pick that up. It might help with something time-wise."
"Give us the details..." Jack pushed a piece of paper and a pen towards Jim. "We know you didn't do this, Jim, but there are certain conditions, you can't go anywhere near St Hugh's - or anywhere near June."
"I won't... I take it June's a witness? And my house is a crime scene?"
"It is." Jack nodded. "Have you got somewhere to stay?"
"I'll find somewhere. Am I suspended?"
"I'm afraid so." Jack nodded. "You'll have to hand in your warrant card to the Superintendent before you leave."
"It's in my desk drawer..."
"Ramani... take Jim up to the CSU then book him out to return for further questioning. Take care, Jim." Jack left the room, leaving Jim in the care of his colleague.
***
6:32pm.
Jim had stayed at the station until five, though suspended no one had said anything about him being there. At around six he had left, driving around, stopping for a McDonalds then sitting in his car, pondering his next move.
His fingers were drumming the steering wheel in time to the music. As the song ended, Jim stopped freezing suddenly as the radio presenter announced the next track. "She's the One." A song that held so many wonderful memories from his time with June. Their song. He punched the radio off, wiping at the tears that flowed from his eyes.
He pulled his keys from his pocket, flipping through them, finally locating the one he was looking for. He remembered when June had had this cut for him; it had been such a bold move on her part, such a commitment, such an indication of trust. He gunned the engine and drove, almost on autopilot, until he drew up in front of a large terraced house in a quiet, tree lined road.
He sat in the car for several minutes, plucking up the courage to make a move into the warmth. He knew he shouldn't be there but there was an undeniable pull. A pull to the only place he could think of that would provide him with the warmth and comfort he so desperately craved.
He got out of the car, walked up the garden path and slid the key into the door, pushing it open. Stepping in, he closed the door behind him, shaking, closing out the world. He looked around himself; just months ago this had been his home, reverberating with the sound of laughter, of love, of... his eyes fell shut. There wasn't a room in this house in which he and June hadn't made love.
And now, it felt strange to be here. The comfort remained but there was also a real feeling of uneasiness. He hugged his jacket around him as he stepped into the lounge. Everything was the same. He sunk down on the sofa, buried his head into his hand.
Glancing up, over to the mantelpiece, he saw a framed picture of him and June together, taken at Kerry and Luke's engagement, the night she had finally admitted her love for him. That had been the best night of his life, not stopping when the party ended... He stood, walked over to it, picked it up and stroked June's image. "I'm sorry..." He whispered.
He placed the photo back down gently, looking round for Toto out of habit. "You're a fool Jim Carver." He laughed cynically, casting his eyes around the room.
His eyes stopped at the mahogany drinks cabinet in the corner of the room. On top was a decanter, filled with red wine. Through the glass he could see bottles, whisky, vodka and white wine. Jim approached the cabinet slowly, he hand almost automatically going for the whisky bottle. He picked it up quickly, found a glass and sat down on the sofa.
Methodically, he poured the thick golden liquid into the glass, measuring off a perfect double. He raised the glass to his mouth, inhaling the sweet aroma before tipping the contents down his throat in one, his hands instinctively refilling the glass.
"Here's to you, Marie Carver." His words cut into the silence of the large empty house. "Here's to your deceit and your violence and your jealousy." He downed another double.
He poured more whisky into the glass, filling it this time. "And to you Jim Carver, for being pathetic." Again the contents of the glass were poured down his throat.
Emboldened now, he stood, wobbling slightly and left the room. He headed up the stairs, walked to the room directly ahead of him, opening the door and stepping into the bedroom. "Here's to you, June... I..." He looked around, remembering the nights - and days - they had spent in here, entwined in each other's arms, surrounded by bliss. A sob filled his throat, causing him to choke on his drink.
Jim sat down heavily on the bed, pouring more whisky into his glass as tears streamed down his face. He opened his wallet removing a crumpled photo, one from Kerry and Luke's wedding that June had thrown into the bin in front of him weeks ago, one that he had later rescued. "I'm sorry." He muttered, staring at the photo, as he swallowed more whisky. He put the glass down on the bedside cabinet and reached for June's pillow, hugging it against him and burying his face in it as he inhaled June's familiar scent.
"I'm sorry..." He whispered once more, curling up into a tight ball on the bed. "Forgive me June, forgive me..." Sleep overwhelmed him and he fell into a restless slumber, clutching the pillow tightly to him and praying his dreams would take him back to June.
***
The next morning, Polly drew up outside June's house. June had pressed her keys into her hands before she had gone away, asking Polly to keep an eye on things and water the plants. As she unlocked the front door, she noticed that the lounge door was open and frowned. She jumped as a loud clunk echoed from upstairs.
Instinctively, she reached into her bag for her baton, she flipped it, extending it to its full length and walked quietly upstairs. As she reached the landing, she called out. "Police! Where are ya?" There was no reply; the house had again fallen silent.
She pushed open the bathroom door and looked around, no sign of anyone. She did the same in the spare bedroom and the office. One room remained; June's bedroom. She slowly pushed open the door, which clanked against something made of glass. Baton in hand, she stepped into the room. "Don't move!"
She jumped as she saw a figure curled up on June's bed, apparently fast asleep. On the floor lay an empty whisky bottle, on the bedside table a glass half filled with booze. As she stepped forward, as her eyes adjusted to the gloom, she placed a hand to her mouth as she recognised the intruder. Shaking her head, replacing her baton, she picked up the glass and sniffed it. "What have you done..."
Jim stirred in his sleep, rolling over and mumbling something, before falling silent again, dead to the world.
She sat down on the bed, reaching over and shaking his shoulder insistently. "Jim... Jim, wake up. Come on. Wake up."
"Hmm..." Jim grunted, his eyes still shut.
"Jim...." She shook him harder. "I want you to wake up and tell me just what you were thinkin'." She snapped.
"Huh?" He opened one eye. "Go away Pol."
"I'm not leaving you here in this state."
"Leave me alone." He rolled over, turning his back to her.
"Jim, this ain't gonna help, is it? What do you think everyone will think when they find out you've been drinking? How do you think June'll react?"
Jim sat up slowly, wincing and holding his head. "I dunno."
"You never thought, did ya?" Polly shook her head despairingly. "If she finds out about this, god knows what could happen."
"Just leave me alone." He shouted, before wincing at the pain in his head. "My life's over."
"Yeah, it will be if you drink yourself to death!" Polly picked the bottle up from the floor and brandished it at him. "What are ya on, self destruct or something?"
"I'm going to jail Pol. I don't care anymore."
"You are NOT going to jail."
"Marie will make sure of it." He shrugged defeated. "No one will believe me."
"Everyone at Sun Hill believes ya. I believe ya."
"That means a lot." He looked up at her, tears in his eyes. "But you aren't a jury."
"It won't get that far." Polly placed her hand on his back, rubbing it soothingly.
"You can't know that..." Jim wept.
"I do know that. Jim, I've known you over ten years and I know you could never be guilty of such a thing."
"Marie wants to see me put away for this - why else would she do it?"
"Because she's got a screw loose." Polly rolled her eyes. "We've all seen what she's like."
"I've blown it haven't I?" He ran his hands through his hair, tugging at the roots. "June'll hate me for drinking again."
"No she won't." Polly gathered the forlorn figure into her arms, gently moving his hand away. "She won't."
"I don't know what to do anymore..." His body shook as he sobbed.
"Just believe in yourself and believe in us. The truth will come out in the end..."
"I can't wait that long... they're going to lock me up again."
"Not unless they have to, Jim it's an assault, you've been released on bail..." Polly sighed. "Look, how about I make you a coffee?"
Jim nodded. "If they lock me up I... I..."
"What..." Polly looked at him, her face turning pale.
"I can't go through that again." His hands wrung together in his lap.
"You'd better not be saying what I think you're saying..."
"I'm scared Pol." He looked up at her with pleading eyes. "Don't let them lock me up."
"They won't... they won't, Jim, you've got to be strong. If not for yourself, think of June. If she lost you it'd... it'd finish her."
"I want to be strong for June but I don't know if I can."
"Just try..." Polly stood. "I'll get two coffees, eh?" She left the room, standing outside for a moment, shaking. As she descended the stairs she dug out her mobile, and dialled in a number.
***
At Sun Hill, Inspector Gina Gold dropped some statement forms into her bag and reached for her coat. She sighed and rolled her eyes as her desk phone trilled. She reached for it. "Inspector Gold."
"Ma'am its Polly." She whispered, moving into the kitchen.
"Polly, what is it, speak up, can't you?"
"Sorry, I can talk now... Erm, I don't what to say so I'll just come out with it. I've just found Jim..."
"Found him? Where?" Gina's brow creased into a frown.
"June's house - asleep on her bed."
"What... what are you on about?"
"With an empty litre bottle of whisky beside him."
"Oh no...." Gina slumped down into her chair. "The bloody idiot. Is he alright..."
"Hungover. Depressed. I'm worried about him."
"Worried... you don't think..."
"He's thinks he's going to get locked up again when he comes back in today, then get put away." Polly sighed, leaning against the kitchen units.
"He should know better than that." Gina looked up as a sombre looking Jack Meadows rapped on the door. "Gina, can I talk to you - it's urgent."
"I've got to go Polly." Gina muttered. "Keep me informed, or I'll call you back." Gina replaced the receiver, giving Jack her full attention.
"As you know, we've been doing house to house on this assault, went out early today to catch people in. The next door neighbour, adjoining wall remembers hearing an argument at about 7:15."
"And?" Gina shook her head. "Why do I get the idea this is bad news?"
"She wasn't fully awake, was woken by banging and crashing, and she didn't take much notice, apparently Jim and Marie have had screaming rows on a regular basis." Jack continued.
"What does that have to do with Jim's predicament?"
"She distinctly remembers...." Jack pulled in a shuddering breath. "Jim using the phrase, and I quote "I will kill you myself and damn the consequences."" He shook his head. "Soon after that everything went quiet."
"Oh Jim, what have you done..." Gina sighed and lit a cigar, taking a long drag on it. "So we need him back in then."
"I sent Eva round to see Marie... and Marie admitted... she said it was true, that Jim did threaten to kill her." Jack swallowed, tapping a pen reflexively against his knee. "The charge is now attempted murder."
"Tell me this is a nightmare..." Gina muttered.
"I wish I could. Jim'll have to be taken into custody."
"This is going to kill him... and June." Gina shook her head. "I'll phone Polly, get her to bring him in."
"Good idea. As for June... are you still going to see her?"
"I need to get a statement from her... I can't hide this from her. Oh and you should now, Polly's just found Jim at June's place."
"Right... let me know when he arrives. I owe it to him to do this myself."
***
An hour later, Jim was led into the custody suite. Jack was there to meet him, and beckoned for him to sit down on the wooden bench outside the Sergeant's office. "Jim... I don't know how to tell you this, but... the assault charge has been dropped."
"Thank you, thank you." Jim's face relaxed and he almost smiled.
"But..." Jack continued, looking up to Gina for support.
"What?" Jim's eyes flickered nervously around the room. "Tell me..."
"There is evidence to suggest that you threatened to kill Marie."
"I did what?!"
"A neighbour heard you." Jack said quietly. "And Marie... supported that accusation."
"What did I allegedly say?"
"That you would... kill her yourself and damn the consequences."
Jim buried his head in his hands. "I... I remember now... she was threatening to kill June."
"It was just words... I didn't think anything of it. She was so convinced I was leaving her to go to June she threatened to kill both of us. I don't suppose the neighbour heard that part."
"I'm afraid not, no apparently your rows have become quite a regular event."
"That's an understatement..."
"Jim... Jim, I...." Jack swallowed harshly several times then got to his feet. "Jim Carver, I'm arresting you on suspicion of attempted murder. You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court..."
................. on to Part Seven
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