‘I’ll see what I can do. Sounds like you’re planning on being here a while.’
‘As long as it takes, sir. Make no mistake, though, I’m as keen to return to Glasgow as you’ll be to have your station back to normal.’
‘We understand each other then. I have a couple of uniforms in mind. I’ll get them seconded.’
Farrell noticed a picture on the bookcase depicting a school class photo.
‘I see you went to Morrington Academy, sir. Jack Kerr went there too.’
‘He did? Well, that does rather surprise me. Must have been a scholarship boy. There were a couple in every year, poor blighters.’
‘Why do you say that, sir?’
‘Don’t get me wrong, it was a wonderful opportunity for them. Jack Kerr is clearly one of the success stories. However, some of the more objectionable parents didn’t like it. Said if they wanted their kids to mix with riff-raff, they’d have sent them to a state school. There were some bad cases of bullying over the years.’
‘The press is converging outside. Sophie Richardson and Moira Sharkey are particularly persistent. Are you going to schedule a press conference, sir?’
‘Not yet. I’ve instructed Andy Moran to release a brief statement saying as little as possible. It won’t stop them attempting to whip the public into a frenzy, though.’
Farrell retreated to his office and video-called DCI Buchanan in Glasgow.
‘DI Farrell,’ the brisk no-nonsense voice of his superior came over the link.
‘Morning, ma’am. I take it you’ve heard about the second murder?’
‘Yes. Two stabbings in such a short time frame is most unusual in Dumfries. I gather, though tenuous, there is a possible link between them?’
‘Yes. Both are close family of two local criminal defence solicitors and both were stabbed but we’ve yet to recover the knife used.’
‘How soon can the post-mortem be arranged?’
‘I’m hoping later today. The pathologist here is Roland Bartle-White. He can be a bit touchy. Sandy Gillespie is travelling back down from Glasgow to assist.’
‘Would you like me to call this Bartle-White character. Put a hustle on him?’
Farrell winced at the likely response from Bartle-White.
‘Thanks, but I can handle him.’
‘Are you all right for manpower? I’d send down another team, but we’re stretched a bit thin as it is.’
‘I reckon Mhairi, Dave and I have it covered. DI Moore and DS Byers are extremely competent and the new Super seems fairly receptive. I might need you to put the squeeze on for lab results from time to time. For example, we still don’t have Gina Campbell’s toxicology results.’
‘You want me to be your muscle, DI Farrell?’ she said with a combative gleam in her eye.
‘Something like that.’
‘Happy to oblige. I’ve sourced a flat for the three of you to live meantime. It’s the most cost-effective solution.’
Farrell hesitated. He was keen to get out from under his mother’s feet, but living with Mhairi? He wasn’t sure.
‘DI Farrell?’
‘Yes, ma’am. That should be fine.’
‘Keep me posted,’ she said, terminating the connection.
Chapter 23
The small lecture room was bursting at the seams and there were a host of unfamiliar faces. The Super had clearly made good on his promise to scare up some more bodies to help out on the two investigations.
Farrell cleared his throat and the room fell silent.
‘We now have two local criminal defence lawyers who have suffered the murder of a close family member.’
A hand went up. Farrell nodded at the young PC.
‘PC Joanne Burns, sir. Wasn’t Aaron Sullivan simply being fostered?’
‘Yes, but there were adoption proceedings in hand. These two murders may be unrelated, but despite the differing victims there could well be a link between them.
‘So far, we haven’t been able to uncover any eye witnesses to this morning’s murder, which isn’t surprising given the secluded nature of the kill site. The victim was stabbed and we’ve yet to recover the knife. After the briefing, I’d like those of you not already tasked to join DS Byers in a search for the missing weapon.
‘Aaron Sullivan attended Bruce Academy. I need someone to go to the school and speak to his head of year, get a feel for the type of crowd he was hanging out with and identify anyone at the school he was particularly close to. PC Green?’
‘Yes, sir. I’ll get right on it.’
‘DC Thomson, did you find us any information relating to the death of that young solicitor in Jedburgh ten years ago?’
‘Yes, sir, I have the case summary here.’
There was a quick murmur of interest round the room.
‘The reason I asked for this is that it seems to have been responsible for the strong bond between the solicitors whose families are now being attacked. The night that Fergus Campbell’s wife was murdered was the ten-year anniversary of her death. It may be completely unrelated or the anniversary could have served as a trigger.’
DC Thomson cleared his throat. ‘Colette Currie was a twenty-five-year-old solicitor who was in Jedburgh along with the other three to represent one of four accused in charges involving a breach of the peace. The three males were staying in a guest house opposite the court, but Miss Currie was staying in a cottage on the outskirts of town. During the night the property was destroyed by fire. Colette Currie didn’t make it out alive.
‘She was discovered near the door, but for some reason, hadn’t managed to open it and get out. It was thought she’d been confused and disoriented. Her blood alcohol level was high and there were trace amounts of cannabis as well as ecstasy found in her system. It was ruled to be a tragic accident. I’m obtaining the reports and analysis from the fire authority.’
‘Who benefitted from the insurance on the house?’ asked Farrell.
‘The estate of the late Judith Fox. She was a spinster, so her estate went to her nephew, Peter Swift. He was Colette’s fiancé, which is why she ended up staying there. It wasn’t worth a whole lot so unlikely to be a motive in itself for murder.’
‘What did the three men have to say about it at the time?’ asked Farrell.
‘They claimed to be devastated and told the police they’d been playing poker together at their lodgings.’
‘Interesting,’ said Farrell, feeling a twinge of unease that they’d trotted out the same alibi then too.
‘Barry McLeish is still in the wind,’ he went on. ‘We have a team of uniforms out interviewing all known associates and places he might be hiding out.’
‘I have his cell number in my phone,’ said Mhairi, remembering. There were a few titters that made her scowl. ‘Here it is,’ she said, handing it to DC Thomson.
‘In the meantime, the barman at the Pig and Whistle has been picked up. DI Moore, would you like to do the honours on that one along with DC Thomson?’
She nodded.
‘DI Moore, has Gina Campbell’s father identified any additional suspects in relation to his daughter’s murder?’
‘He said he couldn’t think of anyone, but I’m not sure whether I believed him,’ she said. ‘I hate to muddy the waters even more, but it looks like Gina Campbell’s father didn’t move down here to retire. My contact in organized crime has sent me an extensive file. He’s been charged multiple times over the years but nothing ever stuck,’ she said.
‘What types of crimes are we talking about?’ asked Farrell.
‘Extortion and drugs, mainly.’
‘What a charmer,’ said Mhairi.
‘He deals in information,’ said Moore. ‘He’s rumoured to have compiled dossiers on most of the power brokers in Scotland. Here’s the interesting bit: they reckon Gina Campbell may have worked hand in glove with her father over the years.’
‘So, if she was instrumental in blackmailing someone it could have got her killed,’ said Farrell.
‘Or, she might have had a little extortion scheme of her own going on,’ said Mhairi.
‘Lots to think about there,’ said Farrell. ‘And now, I’d like those of you who are helping with the search for the knife to head towards the Whitesands, near the toilets. DS Byers will meet and brief you there.’
Everyone filed out, leaving him with DI Moore, DC Thomson and Mhairi.
‘Dave, I’ll need you in the MCA room to coordinate both investigations. Try and get a location for Barry McLeish’s mobile phone. I’m not sure yet if he’s running scared or if he’s a guilty party. I’ve requested that Ronnie Stirling be approached to assist as a consultant, which would free you up to help us with the legwork.’
DC Thomson’s face brightened at the prospect.
‘His Vera will have your guts for garters,’ said Mhairi. ‘We’ll never hear the end of it.’
Chapter 24
Farrell and Mhairi swung by the Sheriff Court first, nodding to Bob, the Bar officer as they went in search of Max Delaney or Fergus Campbell. To their surprise they found all three of the lawyers huddled in a corner of the agents’ room, engaged in a heated conversation.
The fiscal, Peter Swift, was sitting at the table, deeply engrossed in a large file of papers, a look of intense concentration on his face.
They all glanced up as Farrell and Mhairi walked in.
Jack Kerr rose to his feet expectantly.
‘Sorry, I’m afraid we have no more news for you at the moment,’ Farrell said.
‘Then why are you here?’ he asked, his face white and strained.
‘We came in search of your two colleagues. Is there no one who can cover your cases today?’ asked Farrell.
‘It’s best if I keep busy. It seems less real that way.’
Max clapped an arm on his friend’s shoulder.
‘Don’t worry, officer, we’ll keep him right.’
Peter Swift looked up from his files. ‘Hey, if you guys need an adjournment for any trials or other issues, I’ll do what I can. Sheriff Granger, on the other hand, I can’t answer for.’
‘Cheers,’ said Jack Kerr, ‘I appreciate that.’
‘What are you all doing down here anyway?’ said Mhairi. ‘Shouldn’t court have started?’
‘The sheriff had something to deal with in chambers,’ said Max Delaney. ‘It wasn’t on the list, but the clerk wasn’t about to argue with him.’
‘There’s something I need to talk to the three of you about anyway,’ said Farrell. He glanced apologetically at Peter Swift who good naturedly took the hint, gathered up his files and left the room.
‘We’re somewhat concerned that two out of three of you have had someone close to you harmed, possibly by the same perpetrator.’
‘You think it’s the same person?’ said Fergus Campbell.
‘We have to consider that possibility,’ said Farrell.
Max went pale.
‘You think my wife or daughter could be next,’ he stated.
‘I’d rather err on the side of caution. We’re going to send someone round to advise on enhancing your home security.’
‘Why would someone target us?’ asked Fergus Campbell, clearly puzzled. ‘It makes no sense.’
Farrell walked over and closed the door. Then he sat down at the large table with Mhairi and motioned to the three men to join him.
‘Could it relate to what happened in Jedburgh?’ he said.
All three men glanced at each other uneasily.
‘You know about that?’ said Fergus Campbell. He broke eye contact and looked away.
‘Is it possible that someone blames you three for what happened to your friend, Colette?’
‘How could they?’ asked Max Delaney. ‘It wasn’t our fault. The fire was ruled to be accidental.’
‘Tell us exactly what happened that night, every little bit of it,’ said Mhairi.
They all shifted uneasily in their seats, avoiding eye contact with them and each other.
It was Max Delaney who broke the sudden silence.
‘Am I correct in assuming you aren’t interested in any youthful transgressions, DI Farrell?’
‘I’m only interested in solving these murders and preventing any more. That trumps anything else in my book.’
‘Come on, you guys, they could be coming for my wife or little girl next,’ pleaded Max Delaney.
‘Fine,’ sighed Jack Kerr. ‘We’d been stuck in the back of beyond for two weeks doing a piss-boring trial with multiple accused.’
‘Can you remember their names?’ asked Mhairi.
‘Mine was Scott Murray,’ said Kerr.
‘Kyle Rogers,’ said Delaney.
‘Danny Heaton,’ added Campbell.
‘And Colette Currie’s client?’
‘Barry McLeish,’ added Fergus Campbell. ‘He’s my client now. He was a first offender back then, only sixteen.’
‘Are the others you mentioned still kicking around?’ asked Farrell.
‘Scott Murray is dead, drugs overdose,’ said Kerr.
‘Danny Heaton left the area years ago,’ supplied Campbell.
‘Kyle Rogers is serving a stretch in Barlinnie for armed robbery,’ stated Delaney.
‘Walk me through what you did after leaving the court that day,’ said Farrell to Max Delaney.
‘It was the back of four when we got out,’ said Max Delaney. ‘We headed back to our digs to get changed and dump our files then met Colette at the pub. We had a couple of beers there but then left because our clients, who’d been allowed bail for the night, pitched up and started taking the piss.’
‘Then?’ asked Farrell, noticing that the other two were looking increasingly tense.
‘We went for a meal at the local Italian, got some booze and headed back to Colette’s cottage.’
He too started to look on edge.
‘And then?’
‘We downed some drinks and headed back to the guest house before midnight. Then we played a few hands of poker there before turning in. We didn’t find out what had happened until we pitched up at court the next morning.’
‘What happened to your clients?’ said Mhairi.
‘We were all in shock, including the clients. Barry McLeish was in tears when he heard. Even the sheriff seemed upset. I reckon he’d been going to convict them, but he just came on and pronounced them not guilty like he couldn’t get off the Bench fast enough. They were free to walk. It hit everyone real hard.’
‘Why was she staying in a cottage and not staying with you guys at the guesthouse?’ asked Mhairi.
‘The cottage belonged to Peter Swift’s aunt. She’d died recently so it was empty.’
‘He wasn’t in Jedburgh for the trial?’ asked Farrell.
‘No, he was working down here by then. It took him a long time to get over it,’ said Jack Kerr.
‘The toxicology report highlighted that she’d consumed a lot of alcohol as well as cannabis and ecstasy,’ said Farrell.
They looked at each other, clearly uncomfortable. Delaney, as ever, was their spokesman.
‘We couldn’t possibly comment on that. Like I said, officers, we were young at the time.’
‘Which one of you was the last to see her alive?’
‘That would be me,’ said Jack Kerr, his eyes on the floor, a slight flush spreading across his face. ‘I popped back into her room to check she was OK and didn’t want one of us to stay with her that night.’
His two friends looked at him. This was clearly news to them.
The door opened suddenly making Mhairi jump. It was Peter Swift.
‘Sorry to interrupt, the sheriff’s about to come on the Bench.’
All three men jumped to their feet, gathered up their files and followed him out of the room.
‘That was intense,’ said Mhairi, rubbing her neck.
‘It’s obvious that Colette Currie and Jack Kerr were more than just friends, but whether it started that same night or had been going on before they we
nt there, I can’t say.’
‘I’m not sure the others knew until now,’ said Mhairi. ‘You really think that this might be the key to these murders?’
‘I can’t yet rule it out,’ said Farrell.
Chapter 25
PC Rosie Green pulled into the car park at Bruce Academy. Although it was only mid-morning she already felt her cotton shirt sticking to her back. She removed her sunglasses and headed for reception. These investigations were growing arms and legs. Her husband had been moaning he hardly saw her these days, but she paid no attention. Her plan was to make herself invaluable to the investigating team, so that she could be Glasgow-bound herself. If her husband couldn’t handle that, well, she might have to leave him behind. It would maybe be different if they’d been able to have kids but, as it stood, she’d no intention of languishing in Dumfries.
Once she was registered and attired with the obligatory visitor pass she didn’t have long to wait before being claimed by Mr Layden, the guidance teacher she had come to see.
Sitting across from her in a hot, stuffy room not much bigger than the size of a cupboard, she noticed that he looked genuinely affected by Aaron’s death.
‘I still can’t quite believe it,’ he said, sitting back in his chair. ‘A young life snuffed out in the blink of an eye.’
‘What was Aaron like as a pupil?’ she asked.
‘Don’t get me wrong, he could have a bit of a temper on him, but most of the time he was just a regular kid. He was smart but at pains to hide it sometimes. He wanted to fit in with his friends, which was probably a bit of a survival mechanism after being bounced around in care when he was younger. The crowd he hung with were fairly rough diamonds. I guess he felt more comfortable around them given the home he came from originally.’
‘Was there any contact with his birth family?’
‘No. His mother died from a drug overdose before he entered care. His father scarpered when she was pregnant. He had a great home with the Kerr family. I don’t know Jack well but Sarah was very involved in the life of the school.’
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