McCleave, Simon - DI Ruth Hunter 02 - The Harlech Beach Killings by McCleave Simon

Author:McCleave, Simon [McCleave, Simon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Stamford Publishing
Published: 2020-02-09T22:00:00+00:00

DRAKE AND NICK GOT down to the interview room to talk to Alwyn Fields just before seven. The dog in his back garden had been identified as Hector, the missing springer spaniel that belonged to Owen Ankers. It had been taken to a local Harlech vet where the embedded microchip it had implanted as a puppy had been read. This was then cross-referenced with the UK Pet Microchip Database.

Mac’s description of Fields’ reaction to being asked about the dog seemed extreme unless he was guilty of Owen Ankers’ murder. Nick’s closer examination of Fields’ records, however, did give some clue as to why he might have reacted in such a way.

In the winter of 1985, 45 Commando were in Norway, protecting NATO’s northern flank. While on a night out in Oslo, Fields had got into a bar brawl with American sailors and one was killed in a nearby alleyway beside Oslo Cathedral. Fields was found guilty in Norway of manslaughter and sentenced to fifteen years, which were to be served in Britain. After serving five, a local man, Jorgen Johannsen, finally admitted that he had in fact killed the sailor and Fields was released with an honourable discharge.

However, as Drake pointed out, Fields might well believe that this incident in Norway might count against him as well as giving him little faith in getting a fair trial. He had, after all, lost five years of his life for something he hadn’t done.

As Nick sat down, Fields looked drawn and his skin was grey. He was lost in thought. His legal-aid solicitor, a young man in his thirties, short slightly spiked hair and glasses, sat beside him making notes.

Nick leant across and pressed the button to start the recording of the interview.

‘Mr Fields, I do need to recaution you at this time. You are being charged with the abduction of a police officer and the threatening use of a firearm. We are also going to arrest you on suspicion of the murder of Owen Ankers,’ Nick said calmly.

‘Do you understand all that, Mr Fields?’ Drake asked.

‘Of course. I’m not daft, lad.’ Fields sniffed and ran his hand over the stubble of his chin.

Nick and Drake had already played the hypothesis through on the way to the interview room. Alwyn Fields, a loner, watches Owen Ankers’ homosexual lifestyle with growing anger. When he spots Owen on the beach, with what he assumes is a boyfriend, Fields decides to take his chance and attack them on the beach. Maybe he is thrown by the sight of Abi Mullen. Maybe the dog follows him back and he decides to keep it, not having the heart to kill it.

‘Mr Fields, can you tell us why you had Owen Ankers’ dog in your garden?’ Drake asked him.

‘I found him.’ Fields sat back in his seat, looking conceited.

‘Found him where?’ Drake asked.

‘He was scratching around the house. Seemed lost, see? So, I took him in. Thought I’d take him back when Ankers came home.’

‘You told officers that you saw Owen Ankers with someone on the beach walking his dog,’ Nick said.

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