A Final Regret: A Pembrokeshire Murder Mystery by Jeff Warren

Author:Jeff Warren [Warren, Jeff]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-11-16T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 25

Dylan’s parents lived in a bungalow hidden away in the back roads beyond Solva, a picturesque village on a deep inlet from the sea. Seagulls wheeled and squawked above the yachts and motorboats moored in the harbour. It was ten years since Matt had been there, and it was beautiful.

The sun was low in the sky when Matt and Beth arrived at their destination. To the side of the bungalow, a lean-to sheltered a cement mixer and stacks of building supplies. An aging silver Toyota with a roof rack was parked at the front. Gemma Rogers answered the door when Matt rang the bell. He remembered her by sight from when he’d lived in the area.

‘Good afternoon, Mrs Rogers. I’m Detective Inspector Vincent, and this is Detective Sergeant Francis. We’d like to ask you a few questions, if we may?’

Gemma stared at them for a few seconds, then held the door open and invited them in. She glanced outside before closing the door. ‘You’d best go into the lounge,’ she said, pointing the way. ‘I’ve only just got back from the gift shop. It’s terrible what’s happened to Bill Symonds. Is there any news how he is? Have you caught who did it yet?’

‘He’s in a stable condition but still in a coma was the last news I heard,’ Matt told her.

‘But you haven’t caught who did it,’ Gemma said, accusingly. ‘It shouldn’t be that difficult.’

‘We’re still investigating the incident,’ Matt said, keeping his voice neutral and hoping that Beth wouldn’t jump in with one of her insensitive comments.

Gemma shook her head reproachfully and said, ‘I’ll put the kettle on then. You’ll both have tea?’

‘Yes please,’ Matt replied.

While Gemma left them to rustle up the tea, Matt examined the room. It was cold. A fire had been laid in the fireplace, but it hadn’t been lit. The furniture was old, comfortable and lived in.

Photos of Dylan and Meg occupied the mantelpiece above the fireplace and every shelf and table top. Pictures of Rianna were conspicuous by their absence. There were none of her with Dylan or holding Meg. Matt wondered if they’d been binned when Rianna threw Dylan out of his home, or whether there ever had been any.

Gemma bustled in with a teapot, milk jug, cups and saucers and a sugar bowl on a tray.

‘Don’t stand on ceremony. Sit yourselves down.’

She deftly poured three cups and passed them around.

‘What that court did was outrageous,’ Gemma said, launching into what sounded like a well-rehearsed refrain, ‘kicking my poor Dylan out of his own home. It’s so unfair, and I’ve hardly seen Meg since that Rianna took him to court. When can Dylan have Meg back?’

Matt was amazed. Gemma was behaving as if Rianna hadn’t been killed.

He sipped his tea before answering. ‘I’ve advised your son that he’ll have to go back to the family court. It’s up to them to decide what happens next. I also suggested that he seeks help from the citizen’s advice bureau.’

‘That’s ridiculous. They should cancel the order automatically.

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