The Other Killer

by Noelle Holten

  ‘Have you seen him since you were incarcerated?’ Maggie looked him in the eye.

  ‘No. In fact, he’s been very quiet, if I’m honest, a little too quiet. I tried ringing his mobile, but he must have got rid of it.’

  ‘So, Adrian hasn’t visited you?’ Maggie leaned forward.

  ‘No. I was surprised. I thought he might, but I guess he didn’t want to associate with someone who was convicted of murder.’ Raven smiled.

  ‘We have reason to believe your brother has visited you a few times. I thought you were estranged from your brother?’ Maggie persisted.

  ‘After he went into care and I moved in with my grandmother, I didn’t see him at all. Well … that is until recently. He did visit me here a few times. I think he had hoped that he would find something out and be able to sell his story. We were never close growing up, and he left disappointed.’ He watched DC Jamieson write his response down. ‘Do you want me to go slower? Or maybe you want to record this conversation? It would save those delicate hands of yours.’

  ‘Please don’t patronize me, Mr Raven.’

  ‘Of course. Please accept my apologies, DC Jamieson. Where was I? Oh yes, I was talking about my brother.’ He scratched his head. ‘At first I have to admit, I did find it confusing that he’d decided to visit me, considering we had not spoken more than two words after he went in to care.’

  ‘Why did he go into care when you went to your grandmother’s?’

  ‘He chose to. My grandmother couldn’t look after two boys; I suspect he just wanted to separate himself from all of us. A new beginning, perhaps? I never thought to ask him, and he never offered an explanation.’

  ‘Do you know where Adrian Harrison is now?’

  ‘He gave up the flat we shared not long after I went into the secure hospital apparently. I have no idea where he went or where any of my personal items are. He got rid of everything, I guess.’ He threw his hands in the air. ‘But I’ll be OK. My grandmother left me everything she had. It will be waiting for me when I’m released.’

  ‘Do you know why body parts of people you claimed to have killed would be showing up now?’

  He tapped the table. ‘Changing the wording of your questions, won’t change my answer. I wish I knew that myself, DC Jamieson. The prison psychiatrist thinks that whoever is behind the killings now must feel some connection with me. Wants my approval or praise. But how could I be pleased? Such horrendous crimes.’ He smirked.

  DS Wright joined in the conversation, ‘That, or you took pleasure at all the attention and notoriety.’

  ‘DS Wright, as insightful as ever. We were doing so well, but now I’m tired and think I am through with answering all your questions.’

  ‘So soon?’ Maggie grinned at him. ‘I thought you would last a bit longer than that. Our time isn’t up yet. Can’t you just spare us another five or ten minutes? I apologize for my colleague if he offended you.’ Her eyes were suddenly pleading.

  ‘No more questions.’ He stood. ‘Guards. I’m ready to go back to my cell now.’ He tapped on the plexiglass window. ‘You can direct any further questions to my solicitor.’

  A dark smile crossed his face as the officers gathered their belongings and they were escorted from the room. He shouted to them before the door clicked closed. ‘Thank you both for stopping by and send my love to your brother, Maggie. It’s a pity the way this ended. I’m sure there would have been so much more to discuss …’

  DC Jamieson put her foot in the door and looked him straight in the eyes. ‘I have no doubt we’ll be speaking again. We’re definitely not through with you.’ There was venom in her voice.

  Nor I with you, DC Jamieson …

  CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE

  ‘Fuck, fuck, fuck!’ Dirt swirled around her feet as she stomped her way back to the car. The door slammed behind her as she pulled it shut, sat down and buckled her seat belt. ‘I think we blew it.’

  ‘You mean I blew it.’ Nathan looked at her.

  ‘I think it’s fair to say it was a joint fuck-up this time. He was playing us anyway. The way he was talking. What the hell. Arrggghhhh.’ She smacked her leg.

  ‘Look it wasn’t ideal. I shouldn’t have insulted him. We had him right where we wanted him and I had to open my big mouth. But I guess we now know that finding this associate, Adrian Harrison, and Raven’s brother has to be our top priority.’

  ‘If his brother wanted to sell the story, why haven’t we seen a story in the papers? It was a while ago. Is it worth speaking to some of our press contacts, see if they have heard anything?’

  Nathan started the car and began to reverse back onto the lane leading out from the prison. ‘Let’s speak to DI Rutherford. If something gets leaked, she’ll kill us.’

  Maggie stared out the window for a long moment. ‘Most prisons have CCTV when you go visit someone. Might be worth getting Bethany to check that out. We need to check PNC for any recent addresses for all three of them. Do you think it’s weird that Adrian never even wrote to Raven in custody?’

  ‘Maybe it wasn’t a wasted trip after all. Perhaps we played the right cards, even if he did cut us off before we could get anymore.’ Nathan stared ahead.

  They arrived back at the office in record time.

  Maggie headed to DI Rutherford’s office but stopped short when she saw Mr Stanford from the review commission talking to her boss. DI Rutherford’s face was creased. She didn’t look happy at all. Maggie loitered around the office for a few more minutes, biting her nails. DI Rutherford caught her eye and waved her in. Shit.

  ‘DC Jamieson. Good timing. You remember Mr Stanford?’

  ‘Erm, yes, ma’am. Nice to see you again.’ Maggie glanced in his direction.

  ‘He would like to speak with you once more about your interviews with Raven. A few points of clarification … that’s right, isn’t it, Mr Stanford?’

  He cleared his throat. ‘Yes. We just wanted to go over a few things that were raised after interviewing your colleagues. What time would be most convenient for you both?’

  She looked at DI Rutherford.

  ‘Your boss has pointed out that you’re currently following a few potential leads in the investigation, so right now might not be the best time.’ He waited for her response.

  ‘Now is not ideal. Maybe sometime next week?’

  He pulled out his diary. ‘Wednesday at 2 p.m.?’

  Maggie agreed and he passed her his card holding her hand just a little bit longer than necessary. His palms were sweaty and Maggie snatched her hand back, nearly dropping the card to the floor.

  ‘See you then. Thank you for your time. DI Rutherford. I’ll be in touch.’

  Maggie leaned away from him and let him pass. He seemed to falter and looked like he was going to say something further before changing his mind and heading back to the makeshift office that had been set up on the third floor.

  ‘What a wanker …’

  Maggie gave the DI an incredulous look.

  ‘What was that all about then?’ She wasn’t expecting the DI to answer.

  ‘There’s some question of your ability to remain objective in the current case and he wants my opinion on how you handled the original investigation.’

  ‘Can you tell me what you said or is that confidential?’

  DI Rutherford sighed and rubbed her face. She had bloodshot eyes. The whole team was looking worse for wear.

  ‘Is there anything I can do?’ Maggie felt a pang of worry for her boss.

  ‘Catch this killer so we can put the case to rest and get the review commission off our backs.’

  ‘Doing my best, ma’am. Do you want to hear about our meeting with Raven?’

  ‘May as well.’

  Maggie proceeded to update her boss on the J-man, and the chat they had with Bill Raven. She informed her boss that they were continuing to focus their resources on locating Adrian Harrison and Raven’s brother, who had reappeared after being estranged for years.

  ‘Shit. I hope he d
oesn’t go to the media with this story. Surely if his plans were to sell his story, he would have done so already.’ The DI stroked her eyebrow. ‘This whole thing just doesn’t add up, Maggie. What the hell are we not seeing?’

  ‘Raven wasn’t too happy with me and Nathan; he terminated the interview early. I’d like your permission to try and placate him, maybe interview him on my own?’

  ‘Out of the question. Especially not while everything else is happening. You’ll have to think of another way.’

  Maggie held her hands up. ‘I just think I would have a better chance one on one with Raven. He’s definitely getting some sort of satisfaction out of taunting me. He knows something that will blow this case wide open.’

  ‘That may well be true, but you need to tread carefully. Think outside the box.’ DI Rutherford tapped her nose and gave Maggie a meaningful look.

  CHAPTER SIXTY

  Kate was shattered and looking forward to the end of the day. She rubbed the back of her neck. The domestic abuse unit was challenging with little reward, given the nature of their offenders.

  Lately, however, even going home had its own stresses. Kate was not easily spooked but she was beginning to sense that perhaps something more sinister than a hopeless crush was going on with the letters and she didn’t need the added pressure. She was still thinking about whether she should bring the notes in to work to see if her police colleagues could do anything about it. She was torn. Kate valued her privacy and didn’t want to make a fuss if it all turned out to be nothing.

  Kate had been thinking a lot about the type of person who would do this. Stalkers always wanted to induce fear and level some form of control over their victim. Is this what was happening here? She couldn’t put her finger on it, but something felt off – the notes were not overtly threatening but did have a creepy undertone.

  Kate braced herself as she walked towards the main doorway of her building. When she had moved here, she’d been glad to be on the ground floor. Looking out her window and people watching was a favourite past time. But now, it just made her feel vulnerable. A new feeling for her and one she didn’t like. Thankfully, there didn’t seem to be anything waiting on the front doorstep. She opened it and stopped dead in her tracks when she saw the large black box sitting outside her flat.

  Kate swallowed and pushed the box aside with her foot. She grabbed her gloves off the side table by the door and put them on. Just as she was about to pick up the box, she noticed a man standing by the stairs watching her.

  ‘Fuck!’ Kate jumped.

  ‘Oh sorry. Did I frighten you? I just wanted to make sure you got the package.’ He pointed at the box. It was her neighbour, a man who lived across the hall.

  ‘Did you let someone into the building to deliver this?’ Her voice shook.

  ‘Yes. They kept ringing the buzzer. Said it was urgent. So I let them leave it outside your door.’

  ‘Did you get a look at who dropped off the package? Could you describe them?’

  The man frowned. He looked surprised by the question. ‘The voice was all muffled. They were wearing a motorbike helmet. I only caught a brief look as they walked past.’

  Kate tried to smile. ‘Well thanks anyway. Could I ask a favour though? Please don’t let any visitors in for me if I’m not home? If the person calls again when I am out, can you give me a call?’ Kate dug around in her handbag for her business card. ‘I’d really appreciate it.’

  ‘Of course, I didn’t mean to upset you.’ He glanced down at the business card and raised an eyebrow. ‘You’re a psychologist?’

  Kate said nothing.

  After a moment, he pocketed the card. ‘Do you want me to get rid of the box then?’ he said.

  ‘I’ll take it in.’ She waited for the man to leave, but he kept standing by the stairs, as if expecting her to invite him inside.

  ‘I’ll leave you to it then. If anyone ever bothers you, I’m right across the hall.’

  ‘That’s very kind of you.’ The pair shook hands. She could just imagine the rumours that this conversation would generate with the other residents in the building. ‘I’d better get this in. Have a great evening.’ Kate picked up the box.

  She waved her neighbour goodbye and closed the door, placing the box gently on the floor. She bent down, holding her hair back with one hand. She wondered if she should just call the police.

  Kate took out her mobile phone. She called her parents and asked whether they had sent a package, trying to sound calm and casual about the reasons for her asking. Kate hung up the phone. It had not been her parents.

  Her curiosity was getting the better of her. She took a deep breath and crouched down by the box, reached out with a shaking hand for the lid. Closing her eyes for a moment, she told herself it would be nothing, just a gift from someone – a forgotten birthday present, a box of chocolates from someone at work – but deep down she knew what it would be. She took another breath and carefully lifted the lid. The lid fell shut, and she started to scream.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE

  Kate raced to the bathroom as the contents of her lunch climbed its way up her throat. After spitting out bile and taking a few deep breaths, she rinsed her mouth out with water and gargled a swill of mouthwash to get rid of the awful taste in the back of her throat. Closing her eyes she thought about the smell of the box as she opened it. The tang of rotting meat. Inside she had found a small wreath wrapped with a ribbon saying Together Forever written across it. Two vials of what looked like blood were also in the box, held together with gold ribbon. Finally two rings that looked to be made out of dried-out human skin. Her stomach turned again.

  Taking a deep breath, Kate walked back towards the front door and without looking at the box dug out her mobile and dialled 101. Kate made the call to the police and after relaying her concerns, her details were taken down. She informed the call handler that she worked at Markston Police Station and would bring in the items tomorrow. Thanking the woman at the end of the phone, she plonked down on her comfy chair.

  Kate turned her phone around in her hand, considering her options. Someone was targeting her. They knew where she lived. She scrolled through her contacts until she found the number she was looking for and hit ‘call’. After three rings the phone was answered.

  ‘Hi Maggie, how are you?’

  ‘Hi Kate! What a nice surprise. How’s things?’

  ‘Sorry to bother you after hours but I guess I am just looking for some advice and reassurance.’

  ‘Sounds ominous. What’s up?’

  Kate breathed out a sigh. ‘For the last few weeks, I have been receiving odd cards, notes and gifts. Usually left on the outside doorstep or posted through the letterbox. Except this evening, when one of the other residents let the person in and they left a box right outside my front door.’

  ‘Were the letters and stuff threatening?’

  ‘To be honest, at first I didn’t even pay much attention. But then they started getting weirder and I began logging things down and keeping everything. Today I received something that I think could be viewed as pretty threatening: a wreath, some vials of what looks like blood and two rings, made out of what I suspect to be rotting human skin.’ The bile rose in her throat.

  ‘Shit! Have you contacted the police? Do you want me to come around?’

  Kate’s shoulders dropped. ‘Thanks. That’s exactly what I needed to hear. I don’t know many people in Staffordshire and … Would you mind staying over? I feel silly asking.’

  ‘Of course, don’t worry about it. Try to wear gloves in case there’s any forensic evidence. I’ve a late start tomorrow, so can swing by Markston with you in the morning.’

  ‘I’ve been using gloves. Guess it’s all that time I spend in the police station.’ Kate laughed weakly. ‘Thanks again. I have wine and munchies, so we can chat or watch a film on TV if you like? Maybe even catch up on where you’re at with the case? Anything to take my mind off this.’

  ‘I’d love to catch up on the
case. I had an interesting meeting with Raven and it’d be great to hear your thoughts on that. I’ll get my brother to drop me over before he heads into work. In the meantime, make sure your windows and doors are locked.’

  ‘That’s fab. See you soon.’ Kate hung up the phone and felt relieved. Although she’d had bouts of anxiety in the past, she was not normally the type to get herself in a state, but then again, this had never happened before. At work, she was used to being called names and threatened in anger, but for someone to invade her personal space and come to her home – that was a line well and truly crossed.

  She gathered all the items together in a bag and placed it by the box near her front door. She wanted it out of her flat. As she waited, she went back over the past few weeks and tried to recall anything that might point to the person responsible.

  It could just be some random who had targeted her. A shiver went down her spine. She hoped this was not related to the case. Everything seemed to have escalated around the time that she had started speaking to Maggie about it. Or was it before that? She took a deep breath and tried to calm down. She needed to use her fear to focus – who knows, it may lead them one step closer to answers.

  CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO

  Half an hour later, Andy and Maggie walked to the car, as a few raindrops began to fall. ‘More rain.’ She rolled her eyes and her brother paid no attention. He was probably wishing he was in his bed for those last few minutes of sleep. Maggie opened the car door and put her things on the back seat. They got inside and Andy started the engine.

  ‘So, what’s the rush?’ He pulled away from the kerb.

  Maggie fiddled with her seatbelt for a moment longer than was necessary. ‘Kate … she’s been receiving some threatening messages.’ The rain beat against the glass and the only sound was the windscreen wipers washing back and forth. Maggie told him about the parcel on the doorstep. ‘I offered to stay on her couch for the night and help her sort it out in the morning.’