The Other Killer

by Noelle Holten

  ‘I’m not holding my breath. I think she’s just placating me.’ Maggie shrugged.

  ‘To be fair, if nothing comes of it you really won’t have any choice, will you.’

  ‘And if I’m right?’ Maggie stood with her hands on her hips.

  ‘We’ll have to cross that bridge when we come to that.’ Nathan walked towards Maggie.

  ‘Right, what else do we have?’

  ‘At the moment, it remains the J-man from Raven’s building, the Blackwood Estate mystery man and Adrian Harrison. Without having the opportunity to re-interview him, Harrison’s alibi still stands, as we can’t really disprove what he said. We’re waiting for information on the J-man, from Bethany. When I last checked, the landlord wasn’t being very forthcoming.’

  ‘OK, putting both the nameless men aside for one moment, what more do we have in relation to the possibility of Raven and Harrison working together?’

  Nathan stood in the doorway of his office as Maggie pulled her chair closer.

  ‘As much as it pisses me off to admit this, not much. I mean why would Raven take the fall for Harrison? And why didn’t he point the finger at Harrison during his appeal?’

  Nathan also didn’t look convinced.

  ‘That’s what we need to figure out. I think it’s worth talking to Raven again without directly asking him. We wouldn’t want him warning Harrison.’ Nathan’s finger tapped on the door frame. ‘I’m still not sure I buy it, but I’ll go along for now.’

  ‘Thanks.’ Maggie bit her lip. ‘At the moment, I think we need to lay this to rest while still developing other lines of enquiry. We don’t want to keep finding body parts strewn across Staffordshire.’

  ‘Agreed. OK. I’ll contact the prison and see when we can book a visit with Raven.’

  ‘Great. I’d like us to also revisit the original crime scene. Maybe find out about his grandmother’s address – didn’t I see somewhere that she died before all this happened and she left him her house and a significant amount of money in her will?’

  ‘You know you’ll have to clear that with the boss.’ Nathan frowned.

  ‘Of course.’ Maggie smiled. Taking a deep breath, she stood and made her way to DI Rutherford’s office. The DI was on the phone but waved Maggie in. She sat down and waited for her boss to finish the phone conversation.

  ‘Right. What can I do for you now? Oh, and before I forget, you’ll have that list of Raven’s visitors in the morning.’

  ‘Seriously? Wow. How did you manage that?’

  ‘I have a few contacts who owe me a favour.’ DI Rutherford tilted her head and made strong eye contact.

  ‘OK.’ Maggie took a deep breath. ‘I think we need to speak to Raven again and I’d like to find out more about his grandmother. Visit the house she left him in her will. And before you shoot me down, let me explain why …’ Maggie was surprised to see DI Rutherford raise her hand.

  ‘I don’t doubt your skills, Maggie. So long as it’s relevant to the current case and doesn’t take up too much time, do what you need to.’

  ‘I promise. Completely professional and key to the investigation. It seems it may have been overlooked during the original case notes as Raven had not been forthcoming about that bit of information. I want to catch this killer, boss. If I am wrong about Raven, I’ll hold my hands up.’

  ‘Then why are you still here? Just get on with it.’

  Maggie strode to Nathan’s office and tapped him on the shoulder. ‘Make that call. We can interview Raven.’

  ‘How did you manage that?’ Nathan did a double take.

  ‘To be honest, I haven’t a clue. The boss is no idiot, she knows that despite everything, Raven is still the common denominator connected to these killings.’

  ‘What’s the plan then? I think we need to prepare ourselves so that we’re not caught off-guard. Regardless of anything, Raven is a pathological liar, a master manipulator and he likes to mess the authorities about – particularly you. I read the statements from the original case. He took pleasure in winding you up, and you bit back.’

  ‘I know what I’m doing.’ Maggie held her tongue. ‘I think you’re right though, we need a clear plan. I’d like to find out more about how he knew the victims. Also, DI Rutherford said I’ll have the list of prison visitors tomorrow. Before we go out to Raven, it would be a good idea to go through that list and ask him who visited. Test his honesty.’

  ‘I’ll call the prison now and book a visit.’

  Maggie wasn’t sure if it would accomplish anything, but she wanted Raven to know that the police were in control. He wouldn’t like that power taken away and it just might give them something they could use to nail him.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SIX

  The following day started with a bang.

  ‘Hey Maggie! Leave your coat on. The female witness who discovered Lorraine has just called. She said that the suspicious male is back on the estate and has just gone into the old man’s house across the road. Steven I think his name was.’

  Maggie had just walked into the office. She was out of breath after foolishly running up the stairs. ‘Can we do the prison visit after that?’ Maggie didn’t want to lose the opportunity to speak with Raven, but knew this could be an important break in the case.

  ‘Let’s just see how we get on. We may be too busy interviewing a suspect.’

  They raced to the Blackwood Estate and parked outside the neighbour’s house. She looked down the alley where Lorraine had been discovered. A stack of water-stained crates balanced precariously along the wall. They could see a woman in the window waving down at them with a mobile phone. She was probably filming the whole thing on Facebook. Maggie rolled her eyes. Social media can be both a help and a hindrance in police investigations. Maggie hoped it would be the former in this instance.

  They got out of the car and approached the door cautiously. The ground was damp from the earlier storm and a dog barked in the distance. Nathan whispered, ‘I’ll have a look around back and make sure no one leaves the property. He may be more receptive to you.’

  ‘DS Wright. That’s a bit of a sexist comment.’ She flashed him a wry smile.

  Maggie knocked on the door, but there was no answer. She walked over to the window and peeked inside, catching a glimpse of a shadow out of the corner of her eye. It looked like someone was trying to hide behind the couch. She tapped gently on the glass. ‘Sir. Can you come to the door, please? I see you there. I’d just like to have a chat. Follow up on our last visit.’ Maggie watched the shadow move and she made her way to the door.

  The man opened it a crack. It still had the chain on. Showing her warrant card, she introduced herself again. ‘Do you mind if I come inside?’

  He looked over his shoulder and, with some reluctance, removed the chain and opened the door. ‘How can I help, officer?’ His voice shook. Maggie walked inside and noted the way his hands were clenched by his sides. She took in the strange atmosphere and felt herself tense. All the doors to the other rooms were closed this time. She thought she heard scratching from the room directly behind where Steven stood.

  ‘Is there anyone else here with you, sir?’ Her hand went to her baton.

  ‘No. Why do you ask that?’ There was a strange look in his eyes.

  Something crashed from the back room and Maggie rushed forward. She brushed by Steven and ran towards the sound. ‘Police! Stop!’

  The old man came up behind her. ‘Leave him alone. He’s my son!’

  Nathan had tackled whom they believed to be the Blackwood Estates mystery man in the back garden and was cautioning him when Maggie caught up.

  Maggie turned to Steven. ‘Why didn’t you tell me he was here?’

  ‘Look, I was scared. I haven’t seen my son for years, and all of a sudden, he turns up on my doorstep. I just wanted to talk to him. What do you think he’s done?’ The man’s eyes shifted between Nathan and Maggie.

  ‘I ain’t done shit. Why are you arresting me?’ The man was lying on his fron
t, his hands cuffed behind him.

  ‘There was a suspicious male reported in the area over the last few weeks. You fit that description. The fact that you ran off and Steven here lied about you makes everything more suspicious.’ Maggie clasped her hands behind her back and took in the surroundings. The grass was overgrown as were the bushes that separated the neighbouring garden. She spotted something on the ground.

  ‘Can we just go inside. I can explain everything.’

  ‘Hang on.’ Maggie walked towards the bushes and picked up a plastic bag. ‘Is this what I think it is?’ Maggie shook the baggy and pointed to the back door.

  They followed close behind as they returned indoors.

  ‘Explain yourself then.’ Nathan took charge.

  ‘OK. It’s a bit of weed. I panicked and threw it in the bushes.’ He looked sheepish. ‘I haven’t seen my father for about fifteen years; he just upped and left. A relative recently passed on his address details and I’ve been coming to the neighbourhood for about four or five weeks, trying to catch a glimpse of him and working up the courage to knock on his door. I finally did the other day when you both came over asking questions. I just got nervous. The weed relaxes me. I have a previous caution and figured if you caught me with it again, I may end up in court. That’s it, I swear.’

  Maggie looked at Nathan and raised a brow.

  ‘Well your father should have been more forthcoming when I knocked.’ Turning to Steven, she sighed. ‘Why were you so cagey?’

  The old man shrugged. ‘It was a big shock to me. I wasn’t the best dad and I guess I just got worried that I wouldn’t get time to spend with him. I didn’t know about the drugs, OK. I’m not well. I may not have long left. I just wanted to talk to him myself.’

  Maggie relented slightly. ‘I’m sorry to hear that.’ She turned to the other man. ‘You’re still going to have to come down to the station and provide some details. You’ll be searched at the station. If this is all the cannabis you have, you’re likely to get another caution. I do believe what you’re saying for what it’s worth, but you may be asked to provide fingerprints for elimination purposes. Are you OK with that?’

  ‘Yes. Anything. Can you remove these cuffs now? I’m staying with my dad for a few days at least. I’ll do whatever I need to.’ He put his head in his hands.

  She cleared her throat as she removed the cuffs.

  Maggie handed him a card and told him to report to Stafford Police Station at 10 a.m. the following day. Someone would be there to interview him and take his prints. They left the property and returned to their car.

  CHAPTER FIFTY-SEVEN

  HMP Featherbrook was located in the middle of a giant field. The nearest village was ten miles away and Maggie stared up at the walls and shivered. Imagine living a stone’s throw away from some of Staffordshire’s most notorious dangerous offenders.

  Nathan and Maggie waited as they were checked by the prison guards for contraband and weapons before being signed in and taken to the legal visit room where Raven would be waiting. Maggie took a deep breath as they approached the door and prepared herself for what was to come.

  ‘Whatever he says,’ Nathan looked her in the eye, ‘don’t let it get to you.’

  They opened the door and went inside.

  ‘Well good morning, officers. Nice to see you both.’ Raven smiled up at them from his seat in front of the bolted-down table. The smile didn’t reach his eyes. ‘As you’ll see, my solicitor isn’t present. Despite his reservations and wanting to be here, I explained I’m just helping you with your enquiries. Don’t make me regret that decision, officers.’

  ‘Mr Raven. Thank you for agreeing to meet with us at such short notice. I’m sure there’ll be no regrets from either party.’ They took seats opposite him. ‘We won’t take up too much of your time,’ Nathan confirmed.

  ‘It’s my pleasure. Anything I can do to help you catch this killer.’

  Maggie looked around. The room was like a giant fish bowl. No privacy, which didn’t bother her and probably fed into Raven’s ego and need for the spotlight.

  ‘Is the décor not to your taste, DC Jamieson?’ A sly smile crept across his face.

  ‘I’ve been to prisons before, Mr Raven. Shall we just get on with things?’

  ‘Of course, here, have a glass of water. I made sure we had some; I wouldn’t want to have to cut the meeting short because my mouth got dry …’

  ‘None for me, thanks.’ Maggie looked at Nathan.

  Maggie didn’t want to drink anything put out by Raven, but noticed Nathan accepted the water without thought. Maybe she was just overanalysing things.

  Raven poured a glass of water for himself and Nathan. His mannerism seemed out of character. He was pouring the water slowly into each glass. Looking at the officers as he did so. Once he had finished, he eased back in the chair and took a sip. ‘Oh, bit too cold for me at the moment. I think I’ll let mine reach room temperature first.’ Maggie watched him as he placed his cup of water on the table and stared intently at Nathan gulping from his cup. Nathan sputtered, and Maggie jumped out of her chair.

  ‘Are you OK, Nathan? What did you put in the water?’ She slapped Nathan’s back repeatedly.

  ‘Put in the water? My, my aren’t we paranoid, DC Jamieson?’

  ‘Maggie, I’m OK.’ He shrugged her hands away. ‘Just went down the wrong tube.’

  ‘Sorry.’ Maggie sat back down. ‘Let’s just get to the questions.’

  ‘I’m an open book, Detective. Ask away.’

  ‘I know it’s a sore subject, but I wondered if we could start with Lorraine …’

  CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT

  He admired her tenacity. DC Jamieson was relentless in her pursuit of him – he felt famous all over again. They needed him. ‘What is it you want to know about my confession?’

  He watched her closely. Her eyes challenged him, dared him to make a mistake, as if she thought she could catch him out. Maybe it would be fun to tease the detective a bit.

  ‘We’d like to know a few things actually. Firstly, how did you know Lorraine?’

  ‘Hasn’t this all been covered?’ He ran a hand through his hair. The brainless policeman next to Maggie hadn’t even spoken yet.

  ‘I always find that if I can hear the information first-hand, it really helps form that picture in my mind.’ Maggie lifted her pen and held it to her open notebook.

  ‘I’m thrilled you’re interested in finally hearing the truth and maybe then you can stop hassling me, wasting valuable time, and catch the person who is dismembering those poor women.’

  Maggie’s strained smile sent a prickle of excitement down his spine.

  He paused. ‘Poor Lorraine, she was messed up but good as gold, you know. Always helped me when things were … ahem … hard. Thankfully, I have meds that keep my head clear now. But what does poor Lorraine have?’ He gave a dismissive wave of his hand.

  ‘Yes. We’re all grateful for that, Mr Raven.’ The sarcasm dripped from her lips. He imagined that she wanted to reach across the table and grab him by his collar. He imagined letting her do it and smiled.

  ‘Call me Bill. We’re all friends now, aren’t we? Almost family?’ He caught Maggie’s eye. ‘We would do anything for each other – house-hold chores, paying debts, fixing things – that’s what families are for.’ Maggie squirmed in her seat.

  Through gritted teeth, she replied. ‘Please stick to the question: how did you know Lorraine was going to be murdered?’

  He rubbed his chin like a schoolmaster with a particularly promising student. ‘Good question. Clever girl. Well I knew she was missing; you hear things in the drug community. She had debts. I thought she was in hiding, maybe even in a different country, so I just chose her name … randomly. I was using daily back then and not right in here.’ He tapped his head. ‘When she didn’t appear after the news stories broke, I thought she had taken the opportunity to start new in some other country. I had no idea there was a real killer. I mean, she must
have been held for some time, right? Maggie, do you ever wonder how long you could survive as a captive? How long you could hold out in a dark room before you lost your mind? How long before your body gave up? I imagine if you were fed and watered, it could be years …’

  Maggie swallowed and Raven felt another flash of pleasure.

  ‘Where do you think someone might have held her for all that time?’ Maggie said. ‘And why do you think they waited so long to kill her?’

  ‘Now, now, how in the world can I answer that? I’m no killer. I don’t think like one.’

  The male detective jumped in. ‘It’s a valid question. You knew the name of the second victim and provided a name for a further missing woman.’

  ‘Maybe you’re not a very open-minded kind of person, Detective. Maybe you don’t believe in coincidences. But as far-fetched as it seems, it was the same thing all over again. These women were drug addicts, prostitutes and criminals in your eyes. You and I both know that people like that disappear all the time. I just picked names out of a metaphorical hat – people I knew, people who wouldn’t be missed – and like the best kind of story it came true. You don’t think the killer chose his victims based on the names of the missing women I gave, do you? Now that would be something, wouldn’t it? I was just so—’

  ‘Yes, we know.’ Maggie leaned forward. ‘You were ill, off your face, in the middle of a psychotic episode. What about that associate of yours, the one who held the drug parties in abandoned freight cars? Jake was it? Or is it Jack? And your flatmate? Adrian Harrison. What can you tell us about them?’

  ‘Did you find that guy? I think it’s Jack actually. No wait, it’s definitely Jake.’ He winked at DC Jamieson, and she moved back in her chair. ‘But Adrian? He’s your focus now? How unimaginative.’ Raven sighed. ‘He supplied me with drugs. A small-time dealer really. He could be odd at times, and aggressive, especially if someone ripped him off, but more of a mouse than a lion.’