Stella said, nodding in their direction, “They won’t really talk to anyone until this is over unless they need information from us. They’ll already have developed a strategy.”
“It seems to be going really well,” Isobel said.
“Yes, already Thomas Banks knows he’s in trouble and is going to try to minimize it.”
There was not much else to say so they sipped their drinks until they saw someone tap on Simon’s office door.
Stella said, “They’re ready,” and led the way back to the observation room.
Thomas Banks and Percy Fenwright were already seated. A few minutes later Rajesh and Simon entered. Rajesh flicked the switch so they could all hear again and then, starting the tape, stated again who was in the room.
Percy Fenwright spoke immediately Rajesh had finished. “My client has prepared a statement which I will now read to you.”
“Go ahead,” said Simon.
“‘When Thomas Banks was tragically killed by a drunk driver, realising that he had a new job lined up with White and Smith I changed my name and took his place in the company. I have been Thomas Banks ever since.’” He paused. “Note that my client is merely admitting to capitalising on an unfolding situation.”
Simon said, “He knowingly lied to his present employers and got this job under false pretenses.”
“That may be true but that’s all that he did.”
“I’m sure White and Smith will not be happy to hear this. They may press charges.”
Thomas Banks said, “Probably not – the publicity would do their company more harm than good.”
“That may be true. Before you changed your name to Thomas Banks, who were you?”
Simon waited and Thomas Banks stared at him for a long while before answering.
“Matt Cooper.”
Percy Fenwright didn’t react or appear surprised so Thomas Banks must have confessed this.
Simon said, “I’m going to need a sample of your DNA to compare with the body found in the garden.”
Percy said, “I must object –”
“We’re getting his DNA now or later,” said Simon.
Percy Fenwright nodded at Matt and he said, “OK.”
Rajesh opened the door and a constable entered to do a mouth swab and quickly left.
“I want a sample of your fingerprints also,” Simon said.
Again Matt Cooper acquiesced.
Once more, with everyone settled at the table, Simon said, “Thank you, Mr Cooper. Now, going back to the body at 42 Sycamore Street, we managed to find your mother’s old dentist. Using her old dental records we can tell you that the body in the garden is definitely your mother.”
Matt Cooper shook his head. “No, she told me she was moving to Scotland.”
“I can further tell you that your mother was strangled.”
“What?”
“Your mother was murdered.”
“Oh my God! My poor mother! I thought she was having a new life in Scotland.”
“Had she been in touch with you?”
“No, but she gave me the house and I thought she wanted to go off with her boyfriend and just live it up. She was a single parent and it had been hard for her. I thought she wanted to be irresponsible now, young, carefree.”
“So you weren’t surprised when she didn’t get in touch?”
“Of course! Surprised and hurt. But I thought she’d other things on her mind. You’re going to try and pin this on me, aren’t you? Well, I didn’t do it. Maybe it was that old boyfriend of hers. I didn’t do it. You can’t prove that I did.”
Simon said, “You can see my concern, sir. I have a body in your old house and then it seems that your gardener disposed of a body after leaving the garden of your present home. Just to put my mind at rest I contacted your wife’s sister to get a DNA sample to compare with the body we pulled from the River Thames.”
This time Matt Cooper paled very noticeably.
“DNA showed that the body dumped in the river was indeed your wife’s.”
Matt Cooper broke down, sobbing. “Oh my God, Anne!”
Isobel was shocked at how convincing he was. He cried for some moments and then said, “I need another moment with my solicitor.”
Simon and Rajesh went through the same procedure and left the room. This time Isobel and the others remained. Even with no sound they could see that Percy Fenwright was angry.
Listening to the men around her, Isobel could hear some of what they quietly said.
“Jesus, Simon is playing a blinder.”
“He has him.”
The waiting this time was horrendous. Eventually the solicitor opened the door to signal that they were finished.
Once again after the preliminaries they resumed.
Matt Cooper said, “I had nothing to do with either of those bodies. I’m innocent.”
Percy Fenwright intervened. “Once again I’m going to make a statement. About three months ago Anne Banks left her husband. He came home from work and found her gone, leaving a note saying that she’d met someone else. Obviously my client was devastated and fearing that she and her new man would try to take Tommy’s home he concocted a divorce whereby someone pretended to be his wife in the hope of preventing any further battles about money. This was very ill advised but Mr Cooper was under considerable emotional stress at the time. He had no idea that his wife was dead. He now believes that Charlie Ellis may have been the other man, that there was a fight and that he is being set up to take the blame.”
Simon said, “So once again Matt is admitting to fraud.”
“Yes, he was silly, trying to capitalise on a situation but he didn’t harm his wife.”
Simon said, “When your mother went to Scotland, as you thought, you sold the house and kept all the money.”
Matt said, “My mother had already signed the house over to me. She wanted a fresh start in Scotland. I offered her money but she refused. She said that she wanted to get me started in life.”
Simon asked, “Have you got the note your wife left?”
“No, I was so upset about things that I tore it up.”
“And you are suggesting that Charlie was going to run away with your wife?”
“Yes. About eight months ago, when Charlie was doing some other work for me, my wife said a few times that he made her uncomfortable. I was going to get rid of him but before I did my wife came to me and said that she was wrong and that he was a lovely man. I didn’t pass any remarks at the time but maybe they started the affair then. Maybe she wouldn’t leave me and he killed her. I don’t know what Charlie Ellis is doing but he’s trying to frame me. You need to ask him what his game is. All I can tell you is that I certainly didn’t harm my wife.”
“Yet you are the common denominator in both cases.”
“I’m innocent. You can’t turn a coincidence into a fact.”
Simon said, “Let me show you something.” Using the laptop he brought up the images of Charlie walking and the other man in work clothes walking. Then, just as Dermot had, he displayed the images simultaneously. “Do you see the difference in these two men walking? This man has a shuffle because of an old knee injury and this man here doesn’t.”
Matt said, “I can’t see much of a difference.”
“We got a forensic gait analyst in. They give evidence in court. They can identify people by how they walk. He’s looked at Charlie walking and this other man walking into the centre in workman’s clothes and he says this man is you.”
“That’s not true! It’s not me. You’re trying to frame me.”
Percy Fenwright said, “Forensic gait analysis! You’re overreaching here.”
“We don’t think so.”
A constable knocked and entered, handing Simon a piece of paper. He read it and passed it to Rajesh who nodded.
Simon calmly changed direction again. “We know that you had someone impersonating your wife and guess what?” He waited. “Not guessing? Well, I’ll tell you the
n. We found her.”
Matt said, “I’ve already admitted my duplicity there but that doesn’t mean that I murdered my wife.”
“She made a statement saying that you called her on the morning of the divorce to tell her to leave.”
“I did not. You can check my phone. She rang me.”
“She says you called her on a burner phone. Interestingly Charlie says you called him from a different phone number than your usual one.”
Isobel could almost see Matt going over things in his mind, trying to think of what to say.
Simon continued, relentless now. “We have a witness who saw you on a phone outside a café.”
Almost like a rabbit caught in the headlights, Matt’s eyes were locked on Simon’s, “You made the calls and then you got rid of it. A homeless man saw you do it and he retrieved the phone. We found him and I’ve just received word that it is the burner that you made the call to Charlie Ellis on.”
A pause, everyone just waiting with bated breath.
“And, guess what, your fingerprints are on it and in a couple of hours we will show that your DNA is as well.”
Matt just stared.
Simon continued, “Oh and we found the clothes that you dumped in the bins at the shopping area after you’d dug up and dumped your wife’s body. There was DNA at the usual places – under the arms, the rim of a hat.” He leaned back. “One more thing. We have photographs from an abuse centre of your wife’s injuries from a few days before she was killed. She made a statement to a solicitor, saying that you tried to strangle her. She had made plans to leave you. Somehow you realised that and you killed her.”
Matt screwed up his face and spat out, “That stupid bitch! How dare she even think of leaving me?I suppose you found all of this out because of that Irish bitch? She needs someone to sort her out!”
Isobel could feel herself cringing at the level of hatred. Patricia reached over and took her hand.
Simon said with satisfaction, “For the record we note your level of violence directed at this woman who challenges you.”
Matt ground his teeth.
Simon continued, “Well, we’re going to charge you with two murders. You won’t be hurting any more women for a long time. Now, just one more thing . . .”
Simon whispered to Rajesh who got up and left.
A few moments later Rajesh appeared at the door of the observation room and said, “Adam, you’re to partner Simon for this part of the interview.”
Adam looked shocked. “I’m not prepped.”
Rajesh smiled. “Simon is going to lead, just follow him.”
Adam nodded and looked at Isobel as he was walking out.
Once again the ritual was adhered to with the tape.
Adam sat down at the table.
Simon commenced again. “Detective Adam Bryce works with road traffic incidents. We’re going to show you footage of the hit-and-run where Thomas Banks was killed.”
Again they employed the laptop and showed the car hitting Thomas and the man walking back.
Matt Cooper winced.
Simon went on, “Note the straight line the car took to hit Thomas. Also, note the man who walks back to the body doesn’t show the usual agitated behaviour of someone in shock or fear.” He paused. “The car that knocked down Thomas Banks belonged to Jennifer Green. Adam, you continue.”
For a moment Adam looked shocked then he found his voice and spoke clearly. “You knew Jennifer from your work at the same company. In fact you knew her well. You often had lunch with her. You knew where she lived because you’d gone there to do work on your CV. Not only that but you borrowed her car for a weekend.”
Simon cut in, “And copied the key and then a few months later when Thomas got the flash job and you were passed over you ran him down and killed him and took over his life.”
Matt spat, “He always had it easy. Everyone liked him, he was clever and charming.”
Simon said, “And he was going to be way more successful than you and leave you behind.”
“No one leaves me behind.”
“No, they don’t, do they? Not your mother, not Thomas and certainly not Anne. We had the forensic gait analyst look at this footage and compare it to the one of you walking to receive your graduation certificate. He says it is you who ran Thomas Banks down. Matt Cooper, I’m charging you with three counts of murder, also fraud and conspiracy.”
Simon stood and spoke to the officer standing by the door. “Take him and charge him.”
Matt Cooper was escorted out. Simon sat back down in the interview chair. He looked exhausted.
Isobel had rivers of sweat running down her back.
Suddenly a cheer went up from the lads in the room. They started pushing out and Isobel could see Adam shaking Simon’s hand.
Isobel could feel the tears coming to her eyes. It was just relief, she knew. It hardly seemed possible that this nightmare was over.
Patricia hugged her tightly. “I want to let Peter know that we got him.”
Isobel nodded.
Stella led her out of the observation room into the big office.
Patricia joined them again, beaming.
Simon was being escorted into the room by a number of his colleagues. He came up to Isobel and Patricia. For a moment they looked at one another and then he hugged them both together.
“The first round of drinks is on me!” he announced.
He insisted that Isobel and Patricia came along to The Feathers.
Patricia and Isobel had one drink but their hearts weren’t in it and soon, pleading tiredness, they left.
Isobel went up with Patricia to say hello to Peter. He listened spellbound to them telling him what had happened that day. He’d not been idle either. Claire was staying with Grace and Tommy. Peter had put in motion the relevant things for Claire to become Tommy’s legal guardian as Anne would have wished.
Eventually Isobel left Peter and Patricia together and stepped into the kitchen.
“Hi, Dave.”
“Hi, Isobel. How are things? Any word of you coming home?”
“Dave, we got him. He’s just been charged with three counts of murder.”
“Well done, Sherlock!”
Isobel laughed.
“You sound in better form despite all the murder and mayhem,” he said.
“I am, Dave. It’s really sad but this guy was so clever about covering his tracks. I’m glad you persuaded me to take this case.”
“Good. And home?”
“Yeah, on Sunday probably.”
“You can tell us all about it then, even the bits that you’ve left out in case I panicked.”
Isobel laughed. “Deal. See you Sunday. I’ll text my flight times.”
Worn out, before long Isobel and Patricia headed back to her flat and to the relief of sleep. For the first time since this case started Isobel slept soundly with no disturbing dreams.
Chapter 46
Saturday 2nd June
Isobel woke at nine o’clock. She felt a sense of relief that everything was over and also a deep sadness. She lay there for a few minutes. There were a number of important things that she wanted to do before she went home.
Firstly, she used her phone and found a hardware store nearby where surely she could get what she needed. Secondly, she rang Julia and asked if they could meet. They agreed on their usual place at eleven.
Isobel heard Patricia moving around also.
Isobel asked, “How are you today?”
“I’m glad we got him but I also feel sad about Anne and about Tommy.”
“Me too. I’m going to go round this afternoon and see Grace. Claire is there at the moment and Tommy. Do you want to come? I’m then going on to see Thomas Banks Senior to tell him everything.”
Patricia said, “Yes, definitely.”
“I’m probably going to go home tomorrow. Do you and Peter fancy having dinner with me tonight before I go?”
Patricia laughed. “Yes to that as well.�
��
They arranged to meet at Grace’s at two o’clock.
Isobel’s last call was to Adam.
“Adam, Patricia and I are going to call on Thomas Banks Senior this afternoon. Do you still want to come?”
Adam answered very emphatically, “Yes.”
Isobel said, “We’ll be coming from Grace’s so I’m not sure of the time yet.”
“I’m working nearby anyway so just let me know when you’re on your way and I’ll meet you there.”
Isobel then booked her flight home for Sunday afternoon. That done, she had a quick shower and went to the hardware store to forage for what she wanted.
Isobel arrived at the coffee shop in the National Gallery a few minutes after eleven, having taken a taxi and left her purchase at security. Julia rose and hugged Isobel and they settled down to talk. Isobel had thought that she would have to tell Julia all that had happened. However, she was surprised,
“Claire phoned me yesterday. She knew that Thomas had been taken in for questioning and she went up to Grace’s to be with Tommy. She was worried about what to tell him and so she rang me. At our refuge we have a fulltime play therapist available to work with children and she gave Claire some advice about talking to Tommy. I think Claire might arrange for the play therapist to see him in the future.”
“Oh that’s great. So much has happened to him and now he has no mum or dad. I’m relieved that Claire is asking for help and support.”
Julia nodded then rousing herself said, “Simon has been in touch. All of the officers are upset about how Thomas nearly got away with this and Simon wants to keep in touch and maybe refer people to us. We have an outreach programme so we can talk to women and men too in abusive situations and help and support them.” She smiled. “I think they want to do more, so he and some of the lads are thinking of doing a mini marathon to raise funds for us.”
“Goodness, they’ve all of that thought out already!”
Julia laughed. “Watch this space! They seem pretty determined.”
Isobel smiled. “Thanks for your help, Julia. You and Yvonne were great.”
“I just wish that we’d got Anne out in time.”
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