The Coldest Blood

Postscript

The body of Russell Fleet was never found, but a 22-foot ketch, the Saronica, was located anchored off Scolt Head Island, North Norfolk, thirty miles along the coast. It was provisioned for a sea voyage. The burnt wreck of the dinghy was recovered, with the charred remains of an estimated £325,000 in £50 notes.

An inquest into the death of Chips Connor recorded a verdict of unlawful killing. Ruth Connor remained silent and refused to answer any questions relating to the death of her husband, Paul Gedney, Declan McIlroy or Joe Petulengo, or her relationship with Russell Fleet. She was interviewed on six separate occasions but never charged. The case remains open, but DI Parlour sees promotion in other, less intractable investigations. DI Reade endured an uncomfortable interview with the chief constable. He took early retirement, but not on his terms.

William Nabbs claimed to know nothing of Ruth Connor’s life before he had met her in 1984. He took a new job as manager of a marina in South Devon. He never saw Ruth Connor again. She bought Lighthouse Cottage from the new owners of the Dolphin and banked the remainder of the sale: £975,000. Under new management the old huts were finally cleared away and a marina built in the old salt-marsh. Most of the staff faced compulsory redundancy, including Muriel Coverack.

Chips Connor was buried at Sea’s End parish church, in a plot with a view over open water.

Police interviewed Russell John Fleet at his home in Malton, North Yorkshire. He was unable to produce a passport issued in 1972 when he was eighteen. DI Parlour showed Dryden a picture: even now there was a resemblance to the identically named impostor, and of course there was the distinctive zigzag scar. Fleet had never travelled abroad but denied attempting to pervert the course of justice by selling his passport to his half-brother. He was formally cautioned, but no further action was taken.

An internal inquiry was held within North Norfolk Electricity at the failure – despite repeated attempts – to switch off the National Grid supply when ice threatened to bring down the pylons at Sea’s End. A report, subsequently published, found that severe weather conditions had made it impossible for engineers to access exterior switchgear. Automatic electronic safety systems failed owing to a huge surge in consumer demand on the night of the ice storm. Recommendations were made for design improvements to protect systems in the future from freezing rain.

Joe Petulengo’s ashes were scattered alongside Declan McIlroy’s outside the Gardeners’ Arms. Father John Martin conducted the service and Marcie Sley visits daily. In his will, Petulengo left JSK to a trust, with directions for the establishment of a workers’ co-operative. John Sley, who recovered quickly from his heart attack although he continues to take daily medication, was elected managing director.

The inquiry into abuse at St Vincent de Barfleur’s Roman Catholic Orphanage continues. A preliminary hearing is expected within three years. Whittlesea District Hospital was reprieved following a local campaign run by the town’s MP. George Lutton continues to preside over an ophthalmic clinic each Tuesday and Thursday. His private clinic was purchased by a private healthcare company for an undisclosed sum.

The Mid-Anglian Mutual Insurance Company agreed to the conversion of the forward cabin on PK 129 to accommodate Laura Dryden at a cost of £85,000. They also agreed to provide, in perpetuity, a scheme of care including visits by a trained nurse and a remedial physiotherapist. Laura also visits The Tower regularly for hydrotherapy in the pool and to see a consultant neurosurgeon. The subject of Philip Dryden’s broken promise has never been raised.

Humph’s cab is often parked up on the bankside, Boudicca asleep on the tartan rug. Autumn approaches and Humph plans a Christmas trip to the Gulf of Finland and the miniature Estonian capital, Tallinn.

Upon his return he will begin a new language course: Faroese.