Deadly Divorces by Cohen Tammy

Author:Cohen, Tammy [Cohen, Tammy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781843587064
Publisher: Perseus Faber
Published: 2007-07-30T22:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER SEVEN

BODY IN THE BOOT

The Hotel Mercure, just outside St Albain, near the French town of Macon, is not the sort of place that sticks in the mind. A modern, 86-room building, it’s more acclaimed for its accessible location just off the A6 Autoroute du Soleil than for its ambience. Tourists heading down through the centre of France might break up their journey there before heading on towards more fashionable holiday spots such as Provence or the French Riviera. Otherwise it’s mostly used by businessmen taking advantage of its convenient location and conference room facilities or by golfers attracted to the nearby courses. Occasionally guests may stay a few days, perhaps sampling a bit of wine-tasting in the surrounding Burgundy vineyards, exploring Macon or even venturing into nearby Lyons. But mostly it’s used as a mid-route stopover where weary drivers can recharge by the outdoor swimming pool, or just take in a meal in the restaurant before they flop into bed for the night, continuing their journey the next day.

When Derek Symmons pulled up into the car park at the Mercure on 6 September 2005, there was nothing to suggest he was anything but a normal tourist on his way down to the South. The BMW he was driving had British number plates, suggesting he’d probably got straight onto the Autoroute after arriving in Calais, and had decided this was as good a place as any to decamp for the night. The 62-year-old electrical engineer looked slightly wide-eyed and haggard as he arrived in the hotel’s rather soulless lobby with its circular seating bench and curved reception desk, all in various shades of beige and brown. But then most guests seemed that way when they arrived, after hours spent staring at the tail lights of the car in front on the endless French motorway.

Having checked in, Derek went off to his room but when he reappeared in the bar some time later he showed no signs of being refreshed or rested. Instead he seemed agitated and distressed. Despite his smart, obviously expensive clothes, he had an almost wild look about him. Curious hotel staff would soon discover why. ‘I’ve done something terrible,’ he told the hotel’s receptionist. ‘I’ve killed my wife. Her body is in the boot of my car.’

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