Police are appealing for witnesses after a fatal accident occurred between a cyclist and a vehicle at approximately ten thirty am yesterday, Monday the eighth of June. It took place on the Denton Road, about three miles from Ilkley.
The victim has been named as a thirty-eight-year-old local man, and father of one, Robert Matherson, who, it appears, was struck from behind as he cycled. There is no information on the vehicle involved, other than that it will have potentially sustained damage on its front left-hand side. In assessing the impact, it is evident that it was travelling at a significant speed.
Investigations are being carried out on the damaged cycle to look for fragments of paint from the car. Local CCTV is being checked and nearby houses and farms are asked to come forward if they can contribute any private CCTV footage for inspection.
DI Green from West Yorkshire Police is leading the investigation and gave the following statement: “Someone knows what happened yesterday. The life of an innocent man has been snatched away. A husband and a father. Whoever is responsible must answer for what they have done. If you were the driver of the vehicle, please come forward. It will be far better for you if you come to us.
If you think you saw something, no matter how seemingly insignificant, in or around the area of Denton Road, before or after ten thirty yesterday morning, please get in touch immediately. Whoever is responsible made no effort to slow down and to have hit Mr Matherson with the impact they have, quite possibly, sped up as they approached him. It is imperative that we speak to this person as soon as possible.”
A phone notification slides over the top of the news report. It’s Sam’s mum again. Jack is at school now. Seemed OK when I left him. Do you need me to collect him this afternoon as well?
No, I type back straight away. But thank you. I really appreciate your help and support. I’ll pick him up later. He needs to hear what has happened from me.
* * *
I’m glad the wall shielded me from watching him land.
That would really haunt me.
I can’t bear the sight of blood.
Or bones.
Or twisted limbs.
A damaged tyre was bad enough.
Chapter 11
Seeing a phone number I don’t recognise, I answer it straight away, in case it’s the mortuary or some other official calling.
“It’s Denise,” announces a clipped voice without saying hello.
Rob’s ex-wife has always been hostile towards me. Probably because he didn’t wait a year after their split, before getting together with me.
“I’ve just seen the news.” She pauses as though waiting for me to say something. Her voice ramps up a notch. “How dare you not tell me what’s happened to Rob? Do you not think I had the right to know yesterday?”
I can imagine her angry face, shrivelled and red. She loves drama and will hate being the last to know.
“I haven’t even told my son yet.” I walk into the lounge, realising I didn’t come into this room yesterday. All is as it was, from when things were normal. “I only found out myself late yesterday afternoon. And forgive me for being so blunt Denise, but calling my husband’s ex-wife wasn’t the first thing that entered my mind.”
“He and I have a daughter together. She had a right to know.”
Don’t I know it? “Yes, I am aware you and he have a daughter. Well, you know now what’s happened, don’t you?”
“I shouldn’t have had to find out through the news. What if Simone had seen it before me? How could you have been so bloody heartless?”
“Do you not think I’m going through enough right now?” I slump into the armchair, staring out of the window. It’s another beautiful day. Christina is watering her hanging baskets and her adjoining neighbour is on her knees, weeding the flower beds. It’s as though the sunshine is taunting me.
“Alright. I will let it go.” Denise’s voice loses its edge. “Luckily, Simone knows nothing yet, at least, I hope not. I’m just about to drive around to her school to make sure it’s me she hears the news about her dad from.”
I don’t know why she thinks I would care about this. I say nothing, so she continues.
“Have you been told any more about what happened yet? They’re saying someone has done it deliberately, aren’t they?”
“You know as much as I do Denise. I should hear more today. They’re carrying out tests and investigations.” I’ve not even been awake for an hour and I’m worn out already. I’ll make a coffee when I get this stupid woman off the phone.
“I want to know the minute you hear anything. Do you understand?”
Who the hell does she think she is? “With respect Denise. I’ve got a lot on my plate. I’ll give you the number of the person dealing with the case so you can liaise directly.” I fish around in my bag for DI Green’s business card.
“What about the will?”
“The will?” I feel like I’m hearing things. The callous cow.
“Yes. I want to know what provision he’s made for my daughter. He’s probably better off dead than alive anyway.”
I’m speechless. She’s talking about inheritance for her bloody daughter while Rob’s barely cold on the slab.
And she continues. “He will certainly be a better father to Simone now that he’s dead. At least he can’t let her down anymore. He will be forced to provide for her.”
“I’ll get back to you on that Denise.” If I’d still been drinking, I’d have shot her down for her selfishness, but at this moment, I’m calmness personified. Nowadays, I seem to take things more in my stride. Denise and I have never exactly seen eye to eye, but then what ex-wives and new wives do? Luckily, I’ve never had to have a great deal to do with her.
But for her to say,
