She had a point. ‘Okay. The consulting doesn’t sound like a bad idea, though. That can’t get me into too much trouble.’
Chandler sighed and shook her head.
‘What?’ he said, shrugging.
‘Have you met you, Jimmy?’
Ten
‘Bloody hell!’ was the first thing Bliss said when they reached the crime scene. The taped-off area had shrunk, but the tent was still in place despite the body having been removed long ago.
‘What is it?’ Chandler said, looking around in alarm.
He shook his head and smiled. ‘Oh, nothing. I noticed the tree by the forensic tent the other night. I couldn’t make it out properly in the LED lights. Seeing it in daylight… it’s breathtaking.’
Though the season had taken its natural toll, there remained a significant number of leaves on the tree. In the pale early morning light, set against a watery blue sky, the warmth of its vivid creamy yellow colour held Bliss captive.
‘It’s a field maple,’ he told his colleague. ‘Normally they’re green and red, but come this time of year they change to this. I only know them because they’re related to the acer family. I thought about getting one in my garden, but the mature ones were too pricey.’
‘It’s lovely,’ Chandler said absently. Bliss knew she did not share his affection for certain plants and trees. ‘Looks a bit like one of those pot plants you have.’
He nodded. ‘The autumn moon. It’s what I opted for when I decided against the tree.’
‘You think our victim being either killed or dumped here means something? The tree does stand out from the others.’
‘I’m not sure if there’s a ritualistic note to it. Trees do feature in mythology in relation to death; I think the cypress is most closely associated with it, though. As for the maple, it’s popular in Celtic mythology, and also thought to repel demons and evil spirits. But I don’t think one murder victim being found close to a maple tree establishes a pattern.’
Two uniforms had been left to protect and preserve the radically reduced crime scene. And to make sure nobody stripped down the tent and made off with it, Bliss thought, as he wandered over to the closest of them. He introduced himself and asked if the officer knew the area well or lived locally.
‘Couldn’t be more so,’ the young constable replied, after giving him her name. ‘I live in Cherry Hinton. I come over here all the time with my kids, and to walk the dog.’
‘Perfect. My oppo and I were talking about the tree. That maple standing alone, over by the tent. We were wondering if there might be any significance attached to the body being left almost beneath it. Do you happen to know if there’s anything special about that one? Does it have a colloquial name? Any history you know of?’
Constable Stevens bit her lip before shaking her head. ‘I don’t think so, sir. Not that I’ve heard. Not regards any history, at least. We’ve always called it The Autumn Tree. It seems to be the first to turn but the last to shed its leaves.’
‘Yeah, maples do cling on. So nothing noteworthy otherwise?’
‘Sorry, sir. No.’
Bliss shrugged. ‘Not to worry. It seemed a little off to me, her being dumped right there. It’s quite a distance from the path.’
The young constable seemed surprised. ‘I think we assumed the victim had been murdered right here, sir. Like you say, it’s a fair old hike from the closest spot to park a vehicle. It seemed logical to us that she walked here with her killer. Are you certain that’s not the case?’
He wondered how much to reveal, thinking about what might get back to DI Kennedy. But PC Stevens was keen, not content with kicking her heels and looking to keep warm. ‘Not certain,’ he admitted. ‘Just one of the theories we’re looking into. We’ll know more after the PM.’
‘We heard Peterborough had taken over the investigation. Personally, I don’t care who has it, provided they find the bastard responsible. If she was a prostitute, she must have known the risks, but she didn’t deserve that.’
‘Nobody does. And we’ll do our best to find her killer. Rest assured, I’ll bust a gut the same way I would if she were royalty.’
PC Stevens appeared placated. It wasn’t a great deal of fun manning cordons, and the majority of her time would be spent in thoughtful solitude. Bliss was delighted by her attitude of not caring who got the arrest, as long as somebody did. Clearly she was focussed and keen on a successful outcome.
‘If you hear anything relevant about the tree, please do get in touch,’ he said. Ironically, he had not brought any business cards with him. He motioned for Chandler to join them and asked her to hand Stevens one of hers. Bliss’s phone rang at that moment, and he walked away, leaving the two to chat.
He was unsurprised to see Sandra Bannister’s name on the screen; she’d be looking for an angle all of her own. ‘I’ve got nothing for you,’ he said in place of a greeting. ‘It’s too early.’
‘So, you confirm you and your unit are working the murder at the chalk pits?’
Bliss smiled to himself. This was one he could let her have. ‘I can confirm that, yes. But that’s all you’re getting out of me.’
‘Oh? Only I also heard ERSOU were involved.’
He wondered how she had acquired that snippet of information. ‘Did you? That’s interesting. I don’t suppose you’d like to give me your source?’
‘You know what, I think I will. Just for old times’ sake. It’s all extremely hush-hush, but… the NCA have it on the news page of their website.’
She didn’t have to laugh; he could hear the amusement in her voice. ‘Oh, how droll. Okay, so… Yes, we have an ERSOU investigator working with us. We’ll see which way this blows before knowing if they’ll attach more to it.’
‘You’re looking at an OC connection,
