The Black Rock Murder Read online

  “Coral, I’ll leave you to serve.” Sandy said with a hiss. Her sister looked up at the harshness of her words but nodded her agreement as Sandy stomped out of the serving hatch and through the cafe, then up the stairs.

  The quiet of the books was a welcome relief to her. She padded through the shelves, looking at the books, rearranging some that had been misplaced by the day’s browsers, until her breathing returned to normal.

  Her reaction to seeing Bomber was extreme, she knew. But Cass’ devastation years earlier had been extreme too, and Sandy had been there for every part of it. Cass’ parents hadn’t seemed interested at the time, distracted by a furious silence that had filled their house at that time. Of course, Sandy realised, calculating the years in her head, it was around that time that Cass’ father had been having the affair that produced Olivia. At the time, Sandy had only known that Cass was heartbroken and had nobody else in the world to turn to.

  “Oh, hello, Rob.” Sandy said as she glanced down one aisle of books to see the vicar flicking through a huge art book.

  “Sandy!” Rob said. He gave her an easy smile and she wished for a moment that she was as comfortable in her skin as the vicar appeared to be in his. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine.” She lied. “I hear you’ve offered Olivia some work.”

  He closed the book so his full attention was on her. “Yes… I need some help. I haven’t been blessed with organisational skills, I’m afraid.”

  Sandy smiled to herself, remembering the state of his house on the occasions she had visited. “She’s a good kid, I’m sure she’ll do well for you.”

  “Everyone needs a second chance, after all.” Rob said.

  His words, and the direct implication of them towards Sandy’s reaction upon seeing Bomber, made her jump. “What?”

  “Everyone needs a chance.” Rob repeated. “Are you okay? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

  “No, no, I’m fine.” Sandy assured him. “I’ll leave you to it.”

  She walked away and took a seat behind the till, where she loaded up the computer and checked the reports from the previous day’s sales. To her constant amazement and delight, the bookshop sales continued to increase week by week. Her large space allowed her to stock a wide range of specialist titles, and word of mouth was attracting dedicated readers from far and wide.

  “Sandy.” A voice came, distracting her from her work. She glanced up, not needing to, to see that Bomber had followed her upstairs.

  “What?” She asked, making no attempt to hide her dislike for him. Tanned, toned and not to be trusted, that was all she needed to know about Bomber.

  “Wow, it’s good to see you too!” He said. Sandy noted the gold rings on his fingers and the heavy Rolex draped on his wrist.

  “I’ve got nothing to say to you, Bomber.” She said. “If you have to come in here, someone else can serve you.”

  “Look, I know I did wrong, will you just hear me out?”

  “No.” Sandy said. It struck her that if Bomber had broken her own heart she probably wouldn’t still be as angry with him as she was for the hurt he had caused Cass. “Just get out, please. And don’t look for Cass. She’s better off without you.”

  “You make her decisions now, do you?” He asked, a sneer across his face.

  “When she’s not thinking straight, I help her remember certain things. And I know for sure she’s better off with you in the past where you belong.” Sandy said. Heat took over her face as she became more and more angry.

  Rob Fields appeared from the aisle he had been perusing and looked over in her direction, his face etched with surprise and concern. “Everything ok?”

  “Yes.” Sandy said as she crossed her arms. “This gentleman is just leaving.”

  “Sandy…” Bomber pleaded, his tone still light with the arrogance of a man used to getting his own way.

  Sandy was distracted by the sound of footsteps stomping up the staircase. Coral appeared at the top of the stairs, her face white.

  “Sandy, it’s happened again.” She called, then turned and ran back downstairs.

  “Excuse me.” Sandy said, following her sister. Her heart sank as she wondered what might have happened. Some of the kitchen equipment had been temperamental. She should have replaced things before now. It was nicer looking at the plump balance of her business bank account than paying money out for equipment that could possibly last another month, though.

  The cafe was a congregation of silence with Dorie Slaughter leading the flock. She glanced across at Sandy and cleared her throat as a boom of thunder roared across the sky.

  “Don’t be alarmed, ladies and gentlemen.” Dorie called, then trotted across the cafe to Sandy’s side.

  “What’s going on?” Sandy asked.

  “Gurdip.”

  “The shepherd?”

  Dorie nodded, then proceeded to fold her arms across her chest so each hand was resting on the opposite shoulder. As if she were dead.

  “Dorie!” Sandy exclaimed, horrified.

  “It’s a dangerous job.” Dorie said with a shrug. “I thought I should tell people so they take care on their ways home.”

  “I don’t understand…” Sandy said.

  Dorie rolled her eyes and repeated the dead person act. “Died in the storm. Fell off Black Rock, last night my Jim says. We all need to be careful. Nobody knows the lay of the land better than a shepherd.”

  “He’s dead?” Sandy asked. She didn’t know Gurdip at all, other than by sight. She’d spot him standing atop a hillside with his flock of sheep occasionally, but he had never been in the cafe.

  “Awful business.” Dorie said, removing her arms from her chest to Sandy’s relief. “But, you work with nature, and nature will remind you it’s stronger than you.”

  “I can’t believe it.” Sandy said. Black Rock was a high ledge looking out across the beautiful Peak District valley on the edge of the village. By daylight, it was a popular place with couples, a romantic viewing platform, a place remote enough to offer privacy despite its popularity. In the dark, it was a terrifying, uneven base, with an invisible drop that promised certain death. Sandy shuddered at the thought of tumbling from the ledge, realising the fate that lay ahead, and being powerless to stop it.

  “Careless, these young ones.” Dorie said. She shook her head. “He shouldn’t have been there.”

  Sandy nodded her rare agreement with Dorie. Surely it was common sense that Black Rock would have been the worst place to go near during such an awful storm.

  The customers had begun to return to their conversations. Coral watched her closely, awaiting orders.

  “I’m going to stay upstairs.” Sandy said. “Just try and stop Dorie treating this place as her own personal platform to announce things, please.”

  “Yes, boss.” Coral said, with a resignation that suggested she knew she was no force at all against Dorie.

  Sandy sighed and returned upstairs.

  She sat at the till, continued reading the sales reports, and only realised some time later that Bomber had disappeared.

  3

  Dorie remained in the cafe after closing, while Sandy wiped the tables down and Coral did the takings. She watched the women work as Bernice and Derrick cleaned the kitchen. As Coral put her coat on and prepared to leave, Dorie made no attempt to move.

  “Are you staying for the night?” Sandy teased.

  Dorie shook her head. “My Jim’s coming to get me.”

  “Oh.” Sandy said. “Do you know what time?”

  “Nobody’s got the commitment these days, everyone shuts at 5 exactly and forgets all about work. It wasn’t like that when I was working. You stayed as long as it took.”

  Sandy rolled her eyes towards Coral. “It’s ten past six, Dorie. And I’m not kicking you out, but I do have evening plans…”

  “Off with your fancy man?” Dorie asked.

  Sandy felt her cheeks flush. “No, actually.”

  “Hmm. I know when I�
�m not wanted.” Dorie said. She stood and pulled on her leopard print coat and a bright pink wool hat. The door burst open before she could pull on her gloves. “Ah, here he is now. My Jim has a job that needs him until late, you wouldn’t understand.”

  Sandy followed her gaze. Jim looked exhausted.

  “Goodness, Jim, are you okay? Shall I get you a drink?”

  The police officer shook his head and collapsed into a chair across from Dorie.

  “Woman hater, that’s what you must be.” Dorie muttered under her breath. “It was all ‘come on, off with you’ for me, but my Jim walks in and suddenly drinks are on offer.”

  “Jim?” Sandy asked. He looked entirely spaced out.

  “It’s been a long day.” He admitted. Sandy had always imagined his career to be a strange choice for such a nervous man, making every day a leap outside of his natural comfort zone, but it seemed as though he had found a role that allowed him to do little actual policing work. He spent much of his time on the front desk rather than out dealing with crime.

  “Are city back?” She asked. The city police had been sent across several times recently to investigate the spate of unconnected murders that had plagued the usually peaceful village. Their presence was unwelcome, and their determination to keep Jim out of the investigations had frustrated him.

  “City?” Jim asked.

  “I heard about Gurdip.” Sandy explained, then gave a look towards Dorie. “Your mum shared the news.”

  “That’s what I’ve been doing all day.” Jim said. “Let’s just say you don’t want to fall off Black Rock. What a mess.”

  Sandy felt her stomach churn.

  “Why would city be back, though?” Jim asked.

  “Oh, I don’t know, they seem to like it here!” Sandy attempted a joke.

  “It’s not a murder.” Jim said. “You know that?”

  “Well, my source wasn’t exactly official…”

  “I’m as official as you can be next to the police themselves.” Dorie exclaimed. “My Jim gives me good information.”

  “I didn’t tell you about Gurdip.” Jim protested, palms open.

  “It’s ok, son, Sandy understands.”

  “Is it just an awful accident, then?” Sandy asked.

  Jim nodded. “There was no visibility last night, with the rain and the wind. Tragic really.”

  “And you’ve been dealing with it?” Sandy asked, hoping the surprise she felt wasn’t audible in her words. If the police department had trusted Jim Slaughter to deal with it, they must be giving the death very little attention.

  Jim nodded. “A dog walker rang it in and there was nobody else free so I went across to have a look. I thought it’d be flytipping or something. I’ll be happy to get back to neighbour complaints and paperwork, trust me.”

  “Oh, now, you do important work. Don’t talk like that.” Dorie said. She rubbed her son’s arm.

  “Come on, we should get going. Elaine’s going to have a pie ready for us all.” Jim said as he checked his watch.

  “I hope she’s followed my pastry recipe this time.” Dorie said, then looked at Sandy and lowered her voice conspirationally. “Shop bought!”

  “It sounds like you’ve earned that dinner.” Sandy said, ignoring Dorie.

  Jim pushed his chair back and rose to his feet, his stomach knocking into the table as he stood. He let out the groan of a man approaching middle-age and Sandy pretended not to have heard.

  “I’m too old for this.” Jim said, with a sad shake of his head.

  Sandy noticed that Coral was still hanging around by the front door in her coat, and exchanged a worried glance with her as Jim and Dorie walked out of the cafe. Coral locked the door after them, then scratched her head.

  “I’ve never seen Jim so down.” She admitted.

  “Me either.” Sandy said. “It must have really shook him up today.”

  “Maybe he should rethink his career.” Coral said, with a shrug. “The occasional dead body is a hazard of the job surely, as a cop.”

  “I don’t know.” Sandy said. “I think he’s so used to city stomping in and taking over the serious cases. Whatever it is, he probably just needs some time to process it. Poor Gurdip.”

  “Did you know him?”

  Sandy shook her head.

  “He was nice.” Derrick said, emerging from the kitchen with Bernice.

  “Were you two hiding out until Dorie left?” Sandy asked.

  “We couldn’t possibly say.” Bernice said, casting a wink in Derrick’s direction.

  “How did you know him?” Coral asked.

  “He caught me sleeping in a barn a while back, when I’d just left home. He pretended he’d not noticed me. Next night, I thought I’d try my luck again, and he came out with some food for me. Sat and had a chat with me for a bit.”

  “Oh, that’s nice.”

  “Yeah. Nicer than the other guy, that’s for sure.”

  “What other guy?”

  “The farmer whose barn it was. He found me that second night after Gurdip had gone. Kicked me out, literally. I had the bruises for weeks.”

  “That’s awful.” Sandy said. “Who would do that?”

  Derrick shrugged and walked across to the front door. “I’m gonna get going, see you all tomorrow.”

  “I’m coming too.” Bernice said, and waved bye as she walked out of the cafe with Derrick.

  Sandy looked at Coral, who had been ready to leave for some time but still stood in front of her. “What’s up?”

  “Your plans tonight.” Coral said, a grin spreading across her devious face. “What are they?”

  “Oh, for goodness sake, Coral, can’t I have any secrets?” Sandy asked with a laugh. “I’m going to a yoga class.”

  Coral burst into a fit of laughter and Sandy shook her head and pulled on her own coat. “Thanks for your support.”

  “Yoga? I’m sorry, but why?”

  “There’s a leaflet on the noticeboard, I just thought why not. You could come?”

  “Nah, you’re alright.” Coral said. “I’m going to have fish and chips and watch junk TV all night.”

  “Hmm.” Sandy said as they turned off the lights and walked out into the storm. “That sounds a much more appealing idea, actually.”

  “It’s always the way. These things sound like a good idea when you book them, but after a long day at work, all you want to do at our age is go home and relax.”

  “At our age?” Sandy exclaimed.

  “Mm-hmm.”

  “Coral, we’re in our 30s!”

  “Exactly, things aren’t the same as they used to be. Anyway, enjoy yoga… if you actually go.” Coral said. She set off towards the fish and chip shop, leaving a damp Sandy on the pavement outside the shop. Any possibility of her skipping the yoga class had disappeared. She would prove Coral wrong.

  She pulled the hood of her yellow mac over her head and began the walk to her car, keeping her head down to stop the rain attacking her bare face.

  “Where’s your boat then?” A voice called.

  “Ha bloody ha.” Sandy called into the storm. Several people made fisherman jokes about her yellow mac, and they were starting to wear a bit thin. She didn’t have the patience for them in this weather.

  “Ah, she does still have a sense of humour then.” The voice came again, closer to her, and recognisable. Sandy glared at the man who had fallen in step beside her.

  “I’ve already told you, just leave me alone.” She said as she reached The Tweed. Her car was parked on the road outside.

  “Just give me ten minutes?” Bomber pleaded. Sandy sighed. She had a choice of speaking to the man who would not apparently leave her alone until she did, or going to the yoga class she didn’t want to attend.

  “Fine.” She agreed, and stormed into the pub. Tom Nelson smiled when he saw her, then watched in confusion as she took a seat and Bomber sat across from her. “Go on, what’s so important.”

  “Well…” Bomber began. He fidd
led with one of the thick, gold bands on his fingers. “I don’t know where to start. How have you been? You’re working in a bookshop, eh, that’s nice.”

  “I own the bookshop.” Sandy said, immediately hating herself for boasting. She had nothing to prove to anyone and especially not someone like Bomber.

  He let out a low whistle, pretending to be impressed. She wanted to punch him. “I’m an entrepreneur too. They say the first million’s the hardest but it’s the most satisfying too, yeah?”

  Sandy glared at him.

  “Right, well, I only arrived last night… place hasn’t changed at all, has it? Been away years and then it seems like you’ve never left.”

  “What are you doing here?”

  He grinned, revealing unnaturally white teeth. “I think you know that.”

  “Cass.” Sandy said.

  Bomber nodded. “She’s bloody gorgeous, isn’t she?”

  “You haven’t grown up at all, have you?”

  “Ah come on, I’m being nice. I mean, she was always a looker, even under all that make-up, but she’s something else now.”

  “You had your chance.”

  “I was a kid.” Bomber said with a shrug. “I made a mistake, I know that. But then she reached out to me and I was blown away, I mean I never thought she’d forgive me.”

  “She shouldn’t.”

  “She has, though.” Bomber said.

  “She’s told you that?” Sandy asked.

  Bomber flashed a wicked grin. “Let’s just say the messages we’ve shared, they’re… well, there’s no animosity now.”

  “You’re disgusting.” Sandy said. “Have you even apologised to her?”

  “I’ve begged for her forgiveness, and she’s given it. I don’t have to be here sitting with you, ya know. I’m here because you matter to Cass.”

  “Well, I’m not asking you to be here so don’t expect a thank you.”

  Bomber sighed. “You’re like a little Rottweiler or something.”

  “I care about my friend, and I know you’re bad news.”

  “Well, let’s see what she says.”

  Tom appeared by her side and she was glad to see him, grateful for his strength near her. “Are you okay, darling?”