The Other Killer

by Noelle Holten

  ‘Do I have time to make a cuppa before this lecture? Do you want one?’

  She laughed. ‘Behave! It’s just a chat. And yes, I’d love a coffee.’ The wine was making her feel a little light-headed. She returned to the living room and sat down.

  When he joined her, he held her coffee out, handle towards her, something he used to do as a kid to show how hard he was as the cup burned his hand. Rather than messing with him, she took the cup and thanked him.

  ‘OK, so …’ she took a deep breath, ‘I wanted to talk to you about Mum and Dad …’ She waited for the protestations and when none came, she went on. ‘Nothing definite at the moment but they may be coming down next month to stay—’

  ‘And you want me out? That’s OK, no need for any explanations. I’ll start looking in the morning.’ He pressed his lips together.

  ‘Fuck sake, Andy. Would you let me finish? I don’t want you out. In fact, I’m really glad that you’re here. Getting to know you after so much time apart has been nice, and the work you’ve done has probably saved me a small fortune, though maybe I shouldn’t point that out.’ She saw a smile form on his face.

  ‘Well, that’s good. I know I’ll eventually have to move out, but I think this is the perfect set-up for me at the minute. Your work ethic and, frankly, your bitchy attitude, and I mean that in the nicest possible way, is what’s driving me to do well for myself.’

  ‘Aww. Now don’t be getting soft on me. Look, I just wanted to give you enough notice and I guess I’m going to have to do the same with the folks. I don’t want to drop a bombshell on them, but they need to know. I just think that now is the time to burn down some of the barriers that have been up for far too long. I know it’s early days, but you’ve done incredibly well.’

  ‘Now who is getting soft …’

  ‘Oi! I can still kick your arse both verbally and physically if I really wanted to, never forget that.’ She raised her fist and shook it at him.

  He held his hands up in surrender. ‘OK, copper. Calm down. So how are you going to approach this with Mum and Dad?’ He turned the mug in his hands and stared at the floor. ‘I’ve put them through a lot. And I’ll never be able to afford to pay them back, but maybe if my new venture works out, I can at least show willing and make a start.’

  ‘I think that would be a great idea, but like you said, small steps. You still have a long way to go before you can say you’ve kicked your habit, you know. Relapse usually happens when a person feels they have beat the problem.’

  ‘Trust me, I’m done with all that shit. I’m a whole new person. There’s no such thing as a little bet for me these days.’ He paused, caught Maggie’s eye and took a deep breath. ‘If it wasn’t for you giving me yet another chance, I’m not sure where I would be.’ His eyes glistened.

  Maggie wasn’t one to handle emotion easily, especially since she rarely saw her brother cry. If her memory served her correctly the only other time she witnessed any emotion from her brother was when their grandfather died and that was twenty years ago. She immediately changed the subject. ‘Hey. Well will you look at us now. Two adults having an adult conversation. So, we’re good then? Now all I have to do is convince Mum and Dad …’

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  DI Abigail Rutherford looked around the open-plan office. ‘Anyone seen Maggie?’

  The small team of officers that formed Staffordshire’s Major and Organised Crime Department looked at each other before DS Nathan Wright piped up. ‘I think she’s on lates today, ma’am.’

  Abigail looked at her watch. ‘Damn. OK, thanks Nathan. When she gets in, can you tell her I need to see her? It’s urgent.’ The CCRC were investigating Raven’s appeal and needed to speak to Maggie.

  She shook her head at the thought that Raven was now claiming that he was unlawfully arrested and imprisoned. The worst thing was he may have grounds for that appeal after all. She was under a lot of pressure both at work and at home. With her second divorce looming, her head was a mess. Her only saving grave was that she’d never had children with either of her husbands. She couldn’t think about that now. Instead, Raven’s situation and the predicament her team currently found themselves in had to take priority.

  Abigail was torn between viewing Raven as a potentially dangerous offender and needing to keep an open mind that he could be acquitted and released.

  She loaded up the details on her computer and began to trawl through the original statements taken by Maggie. She had no doubt that Maggie did everything by the book, and as the Crown Prosecution Service, or CPS as they are better known to those in the criminal justice services, believed there had been enough evidence to charge and convict Bill Raven, she had no cause to be concerned. At least she hoped she didn’t. But she also knew that if Maggie let her obsession with Raven continue, it could lead the whole department into a nightmare.

  She was startled by a knock on her door and nearly jumped out of her seat. Seeing Nathan, she smiled.

  ‘Sorry, ma’am. Maggie texted to say she’s meeting up with some of her old colleagues from the DAHU – sorry, Domestic Abuse and Homicide Unit – and then heading to the Crown Courts to speak with someone in the CPS.’

  ‘Did she say who? Or why?’ Abigail frowned.

  ‘Sorry, ma’am. She didn’t. Do you want me to get back to her and ask?’

  ‘No. That’s fine. I’ll speak to her.’

  Although Maggie needed some time to readjust, Abigail wouldn’t tolerate having her instructions ignored. Their DCI was already on the warpath for reasons yet unknown to her and he’d come down on her like a ton of bricks if she didn’t keep her team in line. The Chopper case had almost destroyed Maggie the first time around, and Abigail wouldn’t let it happen again. Reaching for her phone, she dialled the only person at the CPS she knew to have any influence and hoped that Maggie got the message.

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Maggie arrived at Markston train station with plenty of time before her planned meeting with PC Mark Fielding and Probation Officer Lucy Sherwood. As annoying as it could be to take public transport, it also helped clear her head.

  Mark still worked with the domestic abuse team, but Maggie knew he was spending more and more of his time at the haven Lucy had set up for victims of domestic abuse after her own personal experiences the year before. Maggie loved the name – SAFE – it stood for Strength. Acceptance. Freedom and Empowerment. Maggie still shuddered at the thought of what Lucy had endured.

  She missed working with the domestic abuse team, even if it had been draining. Walking through town, Maggie headed in the direction of Costa. She ordered a cappuccino with an extra shot, grabbed a table outside and enjoyed the feel of the sun on her face. She pulled out her mobile and began scrolling through the news on the internet. When she saw the headline ‘Raven’s Appeal Makes a Mockery of the Police’ and read the section outlining her incompetency, she wished she had not bothered. All the papers seemed to follow along the same theme. Maggie bet that Raven was feeding them information, as none of what she read had been discussed in the press conference.

  Looking around, she saw two figures she instantly recognized. Maggie waved as they approached the table.

  ‘Hello! It’s so great to see you both.’ Maggie stood and hugged Mark and Lucy before sitting back down.

  ‘Are you okay for a coffee, Maggie?’ Mark pointed to her half-drunk cup on the table.

  ‘I’m good for now, thanks.’

  ‘What are you having, Lucy? I’ll get these in and you two can have a catch-up.’ Mark smiled and affection glowed in Lucy’s eyes.

  ‘Cappuccino, please.’ Lucy pulled up a chair, so she could face Maggie.

  As Mark walked away, Maggie grinned. ‘So, is there something I should know?’

  Lucy waved her hand. ‘Don’t be silly. Mark and I are just friends.’

  ‘You do remember I am a detective, right? I won’t interrogate you, this time …’

  ‘I like Mark. I’m not going to lie, but I’m just n
ot ready at the moment. Not after … well, you know.’

  Maggie placed a hand gently over Lucy’s. ‘I was just teasing. For what it’s worth, I think you and Mark would make a great couple. Just promise you’ll let me know when it does happen.’ Maggie winked and saw the corners of Lucy’s mouth turn up in a smile.

  ‘Right then, here’s your cappuccino.’ Mark took a seat beside them. ‘So, what’s been happening since we last saw you, Maggie? The Chopper’s appeal sounds like a nightmare.’ Mark placed his coffee on the table.

  Maggie didn’t want word getting back to DI Rutherford that she was still following up on things outside of the current investigation. ‘It looks like Lorraine might have been held captive for nearly two years. The other women could still be alive, too.’ Maggie took a sip of her cappuccino. ‘Raven has a clever solicitor trying to make a name for himself, and he managed to convince the CCRC that Raven was not of sound mind when he confessed. We have about six weeks until his next appeal hearing. With the latest murder, the conviction may well be overturned. There’s obviously more to the story, but that’s the basics.’

  ‘Holy shit. The other women, the ones he also claimed to have murdered, might still be captive somewhere? So, Raven does have grounds for his appeal? But you’re not convinced, are you?’

  ‘The CCRC are going through everything with a fine-tooth comb. I’d rather not talk about it. What’s been happening at the unit. How’s everyone?’

  ‘Well Kat is looking to become a detective. She signed up to the accelerated programme and seems to be enjoying it. She’ll need to watch that mouth of hers though. Her brutal honesty will be her downfall if she’s not careful.’ Both Maggie and Lucy nodded agreement.

  ‘What about DS Hooper? He must be close to retirement now.’ Maggie recalled how keen the DS had been to leave the police after his years of service.

  ‘As he reminds us every bloody day with his countdown calendar. He’s saving up his annual leave and I think he only has a month or two left. Lucky bastard.’

  ‘I thought you liked working for the police?’ She looked him in the eyes, knowing she would see the truth no matter what came out of his mouth.

  ‘I do. But sometimes I just want a change. And with Hooper leaving, God knows who’ll replace him. Lucy did the right thing when she left her full-time position with Probation. At least with the agency work, she gets to pick and choose her hours.’

  The quick glance over at Lucy was not lost on Maggie.

  Mark continued, ‘I’ll carry on in the unit but keep my options open.’

  ‘Definitely the right thing to do. How’s Dr Moloney?’ Maggie hoped no one would notice the heat rising in her cheeks.

  ‘Busy but OK, I guess. A little stressed, what with all the profiles she is putting together on our nominals. Have you not seen her?’ Mark caught her eye.

  ‘Uh … no. Why?’ Maggie swallowed.

  ‘Just thought you might have, what with all that Raven stuff going on.’ Another look passed between Lucy and Mark.

  ‘You pair want to tell me what is going on? I can see the looks, you’re sitting right in front of me.’ Maggie sat back in her chair and crossed her arms.

  ‘It’s nothing. We know that you and Kate worked well together when you were in the unit. We just thought you’d have kept in touch.’ Lucy smiled, like butter wouldn’t melt.

  Maggie took a sip of her coffee. ‘I’ve been meaning to have a proper catch-up, but if you say she’s stressed, then maybe I should leave it.’

  ‘I should be seeing her later. How about I tell her you’d like to catch-up? She has your number, right? She can call you then when she is a little less under pressure.’

  ‘Sounds good.’ Looking at her watch, Maggie knew if she didn’t get the next train back to Stafford, she would miss the opportunity to talk to her contact in the CPS. ‘Right. It’s been lovely, but I need to get back.’ After hugging them, Maggie picked up her bag and headed to the train station.

  I have a few questions and there’s no way I am going to let the prosecution service wriggle out of answering them …

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Arriving in Stafford, Maggie stopped at the Starbucks in the station and grabbed an Americano. She hadn’t been sleeping well and needed more caffeine in her system to face the long shift she had ahead of her today.

  The courts were busy when she arrived. Maggie made her way to the CPS offices and was greeted by one of those receptionists whose smile never reaches her eyes.

  ‘Can I help you?’ Maggie cringed at the sound of the receptionist’s whiny voice. She barely glanced at Maggie before returning to her computer.

  ‘Please could I speak to the prosecutor in Bill Raven’s case?’

  There was a long pause as the receptionist continued typing on her keyboard. Eventually she paused and looked up. ‘Do you have an appointment?’

  Maggie had to take a deep breath. ‘No. I’m with the police – DC Maggie Jamieson.’ She reached into her pocket and took out her card, thunked it hard on the counter.

  As if it was contaminated, the woman moved the card closer with two fingers. ‘I’m afraid you still need an appointment. We’re very busy.’

  Maggie looked around at the empty hallway. She gripped the desk and her knuckles began to whiten. ‘I don’t need long. Can you just call up and see if he has a few minutes … please?’ Maggie returned the fake smile she got earlier.

  ‘Well … I’ll try. But I wouldn’t hold your breath.’ The woman punched three numbers onto her telephone keypad and looked at her nails while she waited. ‘Good morning, sir, I have a DC Maggie Jamieson here and she said she’d like a quick word. Do you have time?’ Again, she looked at her nails, and Maggie wished she could hear the other side of the conversation. ‘Hmm … uh huh … OK. Yes, I’ll tell her.’

  Maggie straightened her blouse, waiting for the woman to buzz her through.

  ‘I’m sorry. He’s very busy. He can’t see you today but suggested that you make an appointment and he’ll talk to you then.’ She looked down at an open diary. ‘I have a free slot next Thursday then another—’

  ‘Never mind. I’ll catch him another time. Thank you for trying.’ Maggie did her best to contain her anger. She’d never had a problem speaking to the prosecutor before; he always made time to see her. What the hell was going on?

  The woman responded with her fake smile again. ‘OK, thanks for coming by. Have a nice day.’

  Maggie clenched her fists as she left the office. She wondered if DI Rutherford had warned him not to speak with her.

  The ten-minute walk around to Stafford Police Station served to make a slight dent in her anger. She needed to keep it in check. Although she respected her boss, there was an air of condescension about her that ruffled more than just Maggie’s feathers.

  Maggie climbed the stairs to the second floor and chucked her jacket over her chair. Just as her computer booted up, DI Rutherford called her over to her office.

  ‘Yes, ma’am. Coming.’ Maggie let out a sigh and slouched over, opened the door and took a seat in front of Rutherford’s desk.

  ‘Maggie. Did you have a good morning?’

  ‘I did. I had a few hours before my shift started and went across to Markston.’

  ‘Yes … I heard. Did you stop by anywhere else? And Maggie, think about your answer.’ The DI glared as she tapped her desk. Maggie sat up in the chair and noticed the dark lines of exhaustion on Rutherford’s face.

  So, she had spoken to the prosecutor. ‘Yes, ma’am. I stopped by the courts. I wanted to speak to the CPS, to see if they had anything useful for the current investigation.’

  ‘Ah. Just for the current investigation then? You know, if I find out you’re doing anything to jeopardize this case – like going on a wild goose chase against Raven, for instance – I’ll have your head on a plate.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘We have a briefing in an hour and I expect you to be there, focused, having left your views on Raven outs
ide the room. Do you understand?’ DI Rutherford gave her a look that was more than a warning – it was a threat.

  ‘I do. May I go now? I’ve a lot to do before the briefing.’

  ‘Of course. And Maggie …’

  ‘Yes?’

  ‘Someone from the CCRC wants to speak with you today at 4 p.m. Don’t be late.’ The DI sighed as she looked towards the ceiling.

  Maggie responded through gritted teeth. ‘I won’t, ma’am. Thank you.’

  She turned abruptly on her heels and left the room. Touching the base of her neck, Maggie squeezed and felt the tension release. At her desk, Maggie took her keys out of her pocket and opened the cabinet that was tucked underneath. Fingering through the files, she went to the very back and pulled out the one labelled ‘THE CHOPPER’.

  DI Rutherford had said to leave her thoughts out of the room – she didn’t specify which room.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  After going through her private file on the original Chopper case, Maggie sat back to gaze out of the window. DI Rutherford had a bite that would scare off even the most hardened criminal, but she was also the loudest to cheer and give praise to those who deserved it. Maggie had heard rumours that she was in the midst of a second divorce after she found her husband cheating on her. Apparently, he couldn’t cope with the long hours she put in at the office which left little time to think about starting a family. It was no wonder her boss looked tired. With everything that was going on in her personal life and now the CCRC scrutinizing the original case file … Maggie’s shoulders tightened. The MOCD’s reputation – her own reputation – could be on the line.

  ‘Penny for your thoughts.’ She looked up and saw DS Nathan Wright.

  ‘Sorry Nathan, I was miles away. Just thinking about the review commission and what they might find.’ Maggie cleared her throat.

  ‘Don’t worry. You worked hard on that case and you’re meticulous. There’s no way you screwed this up, trust me.’ He gave her shoulder a squeeze.