Care for Murder: The Reluctant Detective, #5

By T M Goble

In the gripping fifth instalment of the Detective Sergeant Josh Anderson series, "Care for Murder," an unassuming death in a Nursing Home sets off a chain of events that plunges Josh into a world of suspicion, secrets, and sinister motives. As an old lady passes away, seemingly a routine occurrence, Josh's instincts tell him that there's more to this story than meets the eye.

Minor incidents in the vicinity of the Nursing Home trouble Josh, sparking his curiosity and concern. As he delves deeper into the investigation, the owner of the Nursing Home and the Senior Nurse raise red flags, casting a shadow of doubt over their roles in the elderly woman's demise.

But the mystery deepens further when a relentless stalker emerges from the shadows, demanding answers and threatening to reveal shocking truths. Driven by a burning desire for justice, Josh sets out to solve the seemingly minor cases that haunt his conscience, unaware that they will gradually unravel, leading to an attempted murder that will test his mettle like never before.

As the pressure mounts from senior police officers, Josh faces the daunting task of connecting the dots between these seemingly unrelated crimes. With each piece of the puzzle he uncovers, the web of deceit and danger widens, and the truth becomes an elusive quarry.

In "Care for Murder," Detective Sergeant Josh Anderson's relentless pursuit of justice takes centre stage as he races against time to unravel the intricate connections between a series of crimes. Will he decipher the hidden motives and expose the perpetrators before it's too late, or will the pressure from above threaten to derail his quest for the truth?

Join Josh as he embarks on a harrowing journey filled with twists and turns, secrets and lies, in a quest to uncover the chilling reality hidden beneath the facade of routine. "Care for Murder" is a heart-pounding thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat, as Detective Sergeant Josh Anderson confronts his most intricate and perilous case yet, determined to bring the guilty to justice.

• Language: English
• Publisher: The Creative Peak
• Release date: Feb 18, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224169887

Book preview

02

‘Hello, Karen.’ Trish was dressing in her green nurse’s uniform in the staff changing room. I frowned, as I didn’t want a lengthy conversation, but she would chat rather than work. Combing her auburn hair, she twisted it into a bun, which she secured with a series of hairpins.

‘Are you on the night shift?’

‘Yes, I’m late. I’ll be in a row again with Deborah. I went for a ride with my boyfriend in his new car and we were caught in traffic.’

I wasn’t certain about Trish. She’d been employed for three or four months but had shown how unreliable she was. Her boyfriend and his car were the source of the difficulties. Often, she had rung in sick, but the following day had no symptoms. She’s taking Deborah and me for a ride. One of us needs to put a stop to it. The residents haven’t taken to her, but I’ve not been able to work out why.

‘Are you okay to takeover then?’

‘Yes, Karen, you can get off home.’

I changed into a fresh nurse’s uniform of green trousers and a matching top which would then be ready for tomorrow’s shift.

‘See you tomorrow, Trish.’

She nodded as I left the changing room. I’ve calmed so I checked my watch. I’d had enough hassle for one evening and it’s my finishing time.

That’s the buzzer on my belt. Who? I won’t answer the request. Whoever it is can wait for somebody else to pick up the message. I glanced at the small screen. Damn! It’s Mary who’s seeking help. I need to deal with this one. Mary is a special person, so I’ll acknowledge and make this my last call before I leave.

I knocked on her door and went straight in.

‘There you are, Mary. Get into bed as you’ve been poorly today.’

‘Thanks, Karen. I hope I’ve not been too much of a nuisance.’

‘Of course not.’ I closed my eyes as the old lady turned away from me. She’d been a serious problem all day. Every five minutes, she wanted something, but my focus was on her, so I had no option but to humour her. ‘If you sleep well, you’ll be better.’ The old lady rested her head on the pillow. She was facing away from me, so I didn’t have to smile.

‘I’ve had dizzy spells today.’

‘Yes, if you are unwell tomorrow, we’ll fetch a doctor,’

‘I think I need a doctor.’

She was getting to the stage where she was repetitive, but I was used to it. ‘We’ll fetch one tomorrow if you are not better.’ Hopefully, she will have forgotten. The poor old soul is becoming forgetful. ‘I’ve left a glass of water for you over there on the table.’

‘Thanks, Karen you are a treasure.’ I tucked the bedclothes in around her. ‘Leave the lights on, please.’

I resisted the automatic reaction of turning the light off as I left the room. I closed the door behind me and walked along the upstairs passage. The old building with its high arched ceilings was silent. Some residents watched television in the lounge, but most were in their rooms. I would finish soon. I glanced through the window to the front drive. No one was there. Scowling at the earlier memory, I could not be bothered to have the tyre repaired tonight so I’d get a taxi and fix it in the morning. Groaning, he could return and do more damage over night, but I must accept the risk.

The main office had a light on. Deborah must still be here. I went straight in.

‘Hi, Karen. Are you finishing?’

‘Yes, if that’s okay with you?’

‘Of course. You know you don’t have to ask. I saw Trish arrive; she was late again.’

I nodded and looked at the manager and owner of the Woodview Nursing Home. Deborah was smartly dressed in a matching white jacket and trousers. Her clothes looked more stylish than mine, but she was slimmer than me. She ran her fingers through her short brown hair. In that respect, we were similar.

‘You’re working late.’

Deborah sighed. ‘When someone dies, there’s a lot of paperwork.’

‘We haven’t had a death for two months, have we?’

‘The letters from the family and solicitors are lengthy and require detailed replies.’

I understood as I helped her with the office work. It was a surprise she was working into the evening. She preferred to leave by six o’clock.

‘I’ve a potential client coming this evening to find out whether we are a suitable place for her elderly mother.’

‘I’ll leave. It’s been a busy day. I could do with a large gin and tonic.’

‘I’d love to have one. Did you finish those figures earlier?’

‘No, sorry. I’ll do them tomorrow.’

‘They are late, Karen. Can you complete them earlier next month?’

Deborah and her bloody figures drove me barmy. Even when I’ve finished the month’s totals, she gives them back because they are not right.’

A noise caught our attention. Someone had come in the front door. One of us might need to greet a visitor. I breathed a sigh of relief as I heard confident and well-known footsteps.

As he opened the door and entered, Deborah gave a puzzled expression, ‘You weren’t due until later?’

‘I know, my darling.’ Jack smiled. ‘But my business finished early so do you fancy a drink.’

‘Hello, Jack.’

‘Beautiful Karen.’

‘After all these years, no one believes your rubbish.’ Deborah came from behind her desk to kiss her partner. He took off his overcoat to reveal a dark blue suit and white shirt which gave him a smart appearance. He smoothed back what was left of his greying hair.

I laughed, as it was the usual banter.

Kissing me on the cheek, he caught my hand. ‘I’m the bringer of bad news?’

He wasn’t a man to believe, so I went along with his joke. ‘And what would that be?’

‘Oh, fair damsel, your carriage has a puncture.’

‘Oh, bugger! Is it entirely flat?’

‘Never seen flatter!’

Deborah looked serious. ‘Can you change the wheel for Karen?’

Jack looked at his suit, but before he could reply, ‘I don’t have a spare.’

‘What about a temporary inflation device?’

‘Nothing. Don’t worry, I’ll get a taxi. In the morning, I’ll find a mobile tyre fitter to repair it.’

‘Why not ring for one straightaway? No, wait, I’ve a better idea.’

‘What’s that?’

‘Fred Wigglesworth’s car is outside.’

‘Is he going to leave it on the drive?’

‘No, he doesn’t want to part with it, so I said I’d put it in the garage until he decided. I’m sure he wouldn’t mind if you took it.’

I shook my head. ‘I’ll get a taxi. But I’ve forgotten. Mary’s lights are still on so I need to turn them off.’

‘You leave. I’m waiting for my visitor. I’ll check on Mary.’

Jack kissed his partner on the cheek. ‘If you are not ready to leave, why don’t I give Karen a lift home and then you can join me at the pub later.’

Deborah frowned. ‘The day has been long and I want to go home so you go with Karen. I will see you at home later. I’ve my car, so it’s not a problem.’

It was not a suitable solution, but I couldn’t think of an alternative.

03

Josh Anderson sighed, which he’d being doing a lot recently. His current work was boring. Travelling home after attending court, he was late as he’d spent the early evening with prosecution lawyers who wished to go through a case again. His radio volume was low, but he heard a call from central control. Flicking at the hand-free radio. ‘Papa, Foxtrot Three to Control, it’s Sergeant Josh Anderson.’

‘Hello Josh, Melanie Travers. What do you want?’

Josh made himself comfortable in the driver’s seat. He enjoyed chatting with Melanie as she had a delightful voice and was happy to talk if she wasn’t busy. He turned from the main road and drove along the streets through the middle-class end of Blackford. It was where the industrial tycoons of the nineteenth century had lived. The mill owners and the proprietors of coal mines had built a range of extravagant gothic mansions. It wasn’t an area he visited regularly with his work as a Detective Sergeant. He was more used to the squat crowded Victorian terraces that fringed the edge of the town centre or the high-rise concrete blocks.

Josh came back to focus. ‘Control has put out a calling requesting police attendance on Alma Avenue.’

‘There has been the unexpected death of an old lady at one of the posh nursing homes.’

Josh cast his mind back from driving along that road before. ‘Do you mean Woodview?’

‘Yes, that’s the one. I’m not sure why you’ve responded, as it’s a call for one of the uniformed patrols.’

‘They are so short staffed and as I’m nearby, I’ll pop in and hold the fort until you get someone who’s free.’

‘You’re a treasure, Josh. Thanks for helping, it makes my job easier.’

He hesitated. Should he invite her for a drink? They got on well when they spoke. The problem was, he’d never seen her. Police colleagues had told him she was good looking and unattached. Perhaps another day.

‘I’m arriving there now.’

‘Thanks, Josh. You know where I am. Why not pop in sometime?’

‘Will do. Over and out.’

He slowed as he approached Woodview Nursing Home. An ambulance was coming in the opposite direction with blue lights flashing. They lit up the tree-lined avenue. It signalled to turn into the drive of the home. Josh flashed his headlights and stopped in the road to allow it to swing into the space at the front of the home. The paramedics rushed from their vehicle. Josh had been at such scenes before. There would be many vehicles. He parked on the road.

It had been a long day. His parents were out this evening. It was their choir night, so he’d be on his own. With nothing better to do, he’d sit and watch television with a takeaway. He might as well do something useful. He walked up the gravelled drive. The lighting was poor. The paramedics had gone into the house and left their blue lights flashing.

A few cars were parked. He was concentrating on not tripping over the loose flagstones, but something caught his attention in the strobing blue light. One car had a flat tyre. It was unusual. He went for a closer look. It was completely flat. That occurred with a failure in the wall or nail causing instant deflation and the driver would be immediately aware. The car was covered in dew so it had been parked there for a while. If the driver had not noticed the deflation it would be a slow puncture and the tyre wouldn’t be completely flat.

He sighed again. His boss told him not to get involved with matters that weren’t relevant. He smiled to himself. It was worth a look. He bent to examine the wheel. It had been slashed. He guessed with a Stanley knife. Strange. He would make enquiries later, but had to deal with the reported death of the old lady. The front door was open, so he stepped in as a paramedic was returning to his ambulance. ‘What’s happened?’

The man gave him a scowling look. Josh returned the expression. Sliding his warrant card from his pocket, he opened it.

‘Sorry, Sergeant. Didn’t know you were the police. I’ve not seen you before.’

Josh nodded and relaxed the frown as he waited for the update. ‘The old lady lost her footing and crashed through the French doors of her room. Banged her head. She’s been dead for some time.’

‘Do you know her name?’

‘No interest, mate. Makes no difference. If she is alive, the last thing I’m worried about is her name. It’s part of the job; you know that. I treat them if I can. If not, my job’s done. I move on to the next one.’

Josh hated the callousness that surrounded him on these occasions, but he knew he appeared the same to outsiders. As he was the first officer on the scene, he had to make sure he followed the procedures and secure the local vicinity for the forensics team.

There were two women, one in dark green and the other in a light blue uniform, talking to the remaining paramedic at a bedroom door. He went up to them and showed his warrant card. It was always interesting to see their reactions. They had seen cards before.

The woman in green wore a badge with the label Trish - Nurse. ‘We work here. Jane is a care assistant. I’m Trish, a nurse. I found her, but she was already dead. Do you want to see?’

He’d seen too many dead bodies to avoid the issue, but he’d never lost that inner feeling of sorrow for the end of a life.

He followed the paramedic and Trish into the room and walked towards the French doors. An old lady’s legs were protruding from under a blanket. The paramedic didn’t speak as he lifted the blanket from her body. ‘She landed on her front. We only examined her from behind. It wasn’t difficult to tell she was dead. I assume she tripped and fell. Her head crashed against the metal door. You can see the blood.’

Josh nodded, ‘Is there anything else you need to do? The paramedic shook his head. Josh turned to Trish, the nurse, who smiled. ‘When was she discovered?’

‘I did my ten o’clock round. Mary was on the list not to disturb.’

‘What does that mean?’

‘We open the door and check we can hear breathing or movement. We don’t go in unless we have a concern.’

‘What happened tonight?’

‘As soon as I opened the door, I realised the room was freezing cold. Mary liked to be warm. I turned on the light and saw she had fallen and examined her.’

Despite the badge, he had to ask, ‘Are you a nurse?’

‘For five years, Sergeant.’

She was in her mid-twenties, good looking, with her hair in a bun. An old lady dying had caused her no concern as she smiled at the young paramedics. He heard the sirens coming closer. He listened. ‘I hear movement in the house.’

‘The old dears don’t sleep well, so any excuse to get up to come and find what’s happening, they will take.’

‘Can you keep them out of this corridor?’

‘But what about outside? Some will go that way.’

Josh smiled. ‘I’ll look after that. I can hear other coppers arriving.’

He walked past the body of the old lady and onto the patio that lined the house side of the garden. A sizeable pool of blood was near her head. Several of the other ground-floor rooms had similar doors. They were the old metal doors. He looked around. Many of the rooms had lights but pulled curtains. He glanced back. The curtains in Mary’s room hadn’t been drawn. The heavy dew on the grass caught his attention as the wet soaked through the leather of his shoes. He wished he’d brought his jacket from the car. It was chilly. Pulling his beanie from the pocket of his jacket, he put it tightly on his head. He walked in wider arcs away from the body. There was nothing unusual. The patio next to the house was clean and well kept. While the dew was heavy, the grass was cut short and trimmed around the edge. He walked over to the far side of the grass where it met the flower border. As it was autumn, he saw trimmed rose bushes and a few of the fruit trees that had been pruned. The soil had been turned. His father always did that as the final seasonal work before the garden shut down for the impending winter. He examined the bed as he had nothing else to do until forensics or uniformed officers arrived. He kept looking back at the house. There were no residents venturing outside.

He returned his attention to the flower bed. The soil had been tilled, but in one place near bushes, there were footprints. His eyes scanned the entire garden, including the flower beds. The area was in immaculate condition. The footsteps could have been the gardeners, but he doubted whether they were. With everything else so neat, the prints on the soil made that section look untidy.

Josh was getting cold. He was relieved when out of the darkness he heard, ‘Evening, Sarge.’

‘I’m glad you’ve come. I’m bloody freezing. Will you take over? The old lady is over there.’ One of the uniformed constables, a big man in a bright fluorescent yellow jacket, had walked in his direction. He was holding a large roll of blue and white tape, which he attached to the fence and streamed it across the garden. ‘There are footsteps on the flower border. Will you get forensics to take imprints?’

‘Will do.’ The constable tied the police tape.

‘Is it suspicious, Sarge?’

‘Probably not. An old lady falling over in a nursing home and banging her head is common, but we’ll make sure.’

‘Got you. Leave it to us.’ Josh nodded. ‘If someone in the house has nothing to do. There are two thirsty coppers in the garden.’ Josh smiled as he went towards the door. It would be good to return to a warm house.

Josh was in two minds whether he should take statements. The