by Ellis, Tim
‘She’s having a ball.’
‘That’s hardly my fault...’
‘It certainly looks as though it’s your fault.’
‘I may be thrusting, but it’s an unconscious movement of the hips...’
When they were exhausted, she said she’d give him the benefit of the doubt, but he was to sleep downstairs on the sofa until she could come to terms with his treachery.
He slid the DVD out of his briefcase and across the table as if it were the plans for world domination.
Toadstone tried to take it from him, but he kept his fingers pressed down hard.
‘You can understand that the contents of this DVD is not something I want to share with every Tom, Dick and Harry...’
‘I’ll get Liam Daly onto it.’
‘And you can trust him?’
‘He wouldn’t be working here if we couldn’t trust him.’
‘No, I suppose not. I don’t want to be the butt of people’s jokes, Toady. The content of this DVD is above Top Secret. He’s the only one to work on it, to see it, and if it appears on the Internet. Well...’
‘I’ll make sure Liam understands the sensitivity of the DVD’s contents.’
He eased his fingers from the DVD. ‘I’m counting on you Toady.’
‘Have I ever let you down?’
‘Do I need to think about that one?’
‘The answer is no, Sir.’
‘If anyone finds out anything about what’s happened, who’s responsible, etcetera, they’re to tell you, and you’re to tell me. I don’t want messages left with my secretary, or post-it notes sent through the internal mail system.’
‘We could call it something... like Operation Rainbow, work out a system of code words...’
‘You think I’m being a bit paranoid?’
‘Just a bit, Sir. I have good people up there... You have good people up there. They won’t let either of us down.’
‘I hope not. Thanks,’
After Toadstone had left, he had to sort out another mobile phone, and then contact the bank manager to arrange a meeting. He also phoned Jerry and told her what had happened.
‘And you think it’s the same person?’
‘Who else would it be?’
‘All right, I believe you about the sex romp.’
‘I should think so, and it wasn’t a romp.’
He also phoned the Chief Constable to arrange a meeting. If that DVD was made public. Well... he couldn’t wrap his head around the repercussions.
While the computer went through the motions of logging him onto the system, he poured himself another coffee. He was glad he’d come into the office last night and cleared some of the backlog. He still had a full day today, but it was manageable. He logged onto his email account. It was empty except for one email, which had “Thanks for Tuesday Night” in the subject heading. Where had the rest of his emails gone? He’d been away for three days, he should have had close to a hundred emails. He opened the one email...
Just before the screen gave the appearance of melting, and his hard disk was destroyed, he caught a glimpse of the email:
More to follow, lover!
Chapter Twenty-One
‘What did the Chief want?’
‘Need to know.’
It was eight-thirty. They were on the way to King George Hospital to look at the two bodies again, and then Richards had her appointment with Dr Suresh.
‘Oh, don’t say that. He calls you out to a secret meeting and you’re not going to tell me what it’s about.’
‘That’s about the size of it.’
‘You’re just the meanest person.’
‘I think you forget sometimes that you’re a lowly constable and I’m a Detective Inspector.’
‘I don’t forget, you keep reminding me.’
‘And it’s a good job I do, otherwise you might also forget who’s working for whom.’
‘So, you’re not going to tell me?’
‘Haven’t I already said that?’
‘His car wouldn’t start?’
‘No.’
‘No his car wouldn’t start? Or, no that’s not the answer?’
Parish laughed. ‘I love playing these early morning guessing games with you.’
‘I hate you.’
‘I know.’
‘Are we going up to see mum?’
‘What do you think?’
‘I think we should... just for five minutes to say good morning.’
‘So do I.’
‘I’m really happy mum’s woken up.’
‘So am I, but...’
‘Yes, I know it’s not all cider and roses.’
‘Let’s err on the side of caution.’
‘You sound like a health and safety pamphlet.’
‘Thanks.’
‘He’s left Jerry, and he needed somewhere to stay?’
‘You’ve guessed.’
‘You liar, that’s not it.’
‘Do you really want to know?’
‘You know I do.’
‘Well, you won’t find out from me.’ He burst out laughing.
She had a face like a bag of onions. ‘I’m never going to talk to you again.’
‘Don’t make promises you can’t keep.’
‘I’m going to ask for a transfer.’
‘See.’
It was quarter past nine when they arrived at the hospital. Doc Paine was waiting for them with both bodies laid out next to each other on two stainless steel mortuary tables.
‘You wanted to look at the bodies through the eyes of a serial killer. Well, there they are, tell me what you see?’
‘I see two dead bodies.’
‘I think you can do a bit better than that, don’t you, Detective? Remember, you’re looking for a signature.’
She smiled. ‘I know.’
He moved back with Doc Paine, and left her to examine the bodies.
After ten minutes she said, ‘I don’t see anything that could be a signature.’
‘That’s because there might not be one. Don’t you think Doc Paine would have found something and told us?’
‘I suppose.’
‘Come on, you have an appointment with destiny.’
As they were heading towards the door Richards stopped. ‘Have you looked at the bodies under a black light, Doc?’
‘No. We only use a black light when specifically requested to.’
‘Can we request you do that now?’
Parish shrugged. ‘Then we drop it, Richards.’
‘Okay, Sir.’
Doc Paine opened up a cabinet with her keys and mixed various chemicals together to create flourescein. She then sprayed the liquid over the two bodies.
‘Switch the light off,’ she said.
Parish flicked the switch.
She then switched the ultra violet black light on and shone it over the two bodies.
‘Oh God,’ Richards said, and staggered backwards.
Parish caught her.
Painted on the torso of both bodies was the symbol that had been daubed on the walls of each crime scene by Ruben Millhaven when they were investigating “The Wages of Sin” murders.
‘What the hell is that?’ Doc Paine asked.
‘Yahweh,’ Parish said. ‘”I Am That I Am.” Thus spoke God to Moses when asked for his name, Exodus 3: 13-15. It’s a Hebrew Tetragrammaton for the name of the God of Israel. – YHWH – the modern pronunciation is Yahweh.’
Tears ran down Richards’ face. ‘You remembered?’
‘It’s seared into my memory.’
‘Father Rosario was right, Ruben has come back to finish what he started.’
‘Don’t be silly, Richards. Ruben is dead. What it does mean is that there was a second person involved in those murders, and we missed him.’
‘And I have him in my head.’
‘Thanks, Doc.’ Parish took Richards by the elbow and guided her towards the door. ‘And it’s time to get him out of the
re once and for all.’
***
Before they reported to Dr Suresh for Richards’ hypnotherapy session, they went up to Beech Ward to visit Angie.
The nurses were surprised to see them so early in the morning because they were preparing for the doctors’ rounds.
‘Five minutes,’ Staff Nurse Julie Gillibrand said.
Parish nodded. ‘That’s all the time we’ve got anyway.’
Richards was already in the room hugging her mum, who was sitting in a chair staring out of the window at the dark grey clouds galloping across the sky.
He leaned over and kissed Angie. ‘You look a million dollars.’
‘You could lie for England.’
‘Police officers are only permitted to tell the truth. We only popped in to say good morning. Mary has an appointment to get her head examined.’
‘It must run in the family,’ Angie said.
He realised he’d said the wrong thing. It would be a while, he guessed, before he stopped walking on eggshells.
‘Don’t say that, mum. Dr Suresh is going to hypnotise me. We think there’s a serial killer in there somewhere.’
‘Well, I hope you find him, love.’
‘So do I. When are you coming home, mum?’
Angie held her daughter’s hand, and her eyes were heavy with drugs. ‘Not just yet, love. I need more time.’
‘Hey, you take as much time as you want,’ Parish said. ‘When you’re ready, we’ll be there waiting for you.’ He nearly mentioned Jack, but decided against it. He knew that in her mind her son was the cause of her problems. Hopefully, after treatment, she would come to terms with what had happened, and understand that it wasn’t her fault, and it certainly had nothing to do with Jack.
‘We’ll come back tonight, mum,’ Richards said, and hugged her mother.
Angie continued staring out of the window.
Parish leaned down and kissed her again. ‘See you later, my love.’
‘She’s still not right, is she?’ Richards said as they headed along the corridor.
‘The doctor said it would take time. If she’d broken her leg, you wouldn’t expect her to be up and walking already. Well, that’s what’s happened to her mind. She needs time to heal, and it’s no good us trying to rush her to do the one hundred metre sprint. We have to be patient, and support her every step of the way.’
‘You should be a volunteer at the hospital.’
‘You mean like the WRVS? Or the YMCA?’
‘I was thinking more of a Candy Striper. You’d look good in one of those red and white striped jumpers.’
‘Yes, I can see that Dr Suresh has got some serious work to do in that brain of yours.’
***
‘Come in, Mary,’ Dr Suresh said. ‘You can wait...’
‘Can he come in with me, Doctor?’
‘I don’t normally...’
‘I’d like him to. And he’ll know what questions to ask... He also knows who we’re looking for.’
‘If you’re sure?’
‘I am.’
Parish sat out of the way in a worn easy chair without arms behind Richards. He’d never seen anyone be hypnotised for real. Oh, he’d seen some coppers at one of the police balls being hypnotised on stage, but that was all an act he was sure. The hypnotist had the volunteers clucking like chickens, taking off their clothes, and doing lewd things. They all must have been primed beforehand. He’d heard that no one could be made to do something against their nature. If he was being honest, he didn’t really know much about hypnosis.
Richards turned her head. ‘You’ll be here all the time?’
‘Don’t worry, I’ll be here,’ Parish reassured her.
‘Are we ready?’ Dr Suresh asked.
‘Shoot,’ Richards said, and closed her eyes.
Dr Suresh started the metronome.
Click, click, click, click...
Parish began to feel sleepy. He shook his head and opened his eyes as wide as they’d go. He’d heard about people in a room being hypnotised who weren’t actually the target of hypnosis – what the Americans called “collateral damage”.
‘Take a few seconds to imagine the sort of place you’d like to be – a special place of beauty, a place where it’s peaceful and you can relax. Now, I’m going to count from one to ten, and with each number I want you to step more and more into that special place. As you walk, I want you to notice the sounds, tastes and smells. Slowly, you will begin to notice changes in your body – especially how your breathing is deeper, You’re now walking through that special place, along a path, relaxing deeper and deeper, and becoming calmer. The birds are singing, there’s a waterfall in the distance, and the sun is warm on your face. You are covered in an invisible quilt of tranquillity...’
Parish was struggling to keep his eyes open. His leg kept jerking as if he was trying to walk. He could smell apples, and... He rubbed his face roughly with his hands.
Dr Suresh gave him a look.
He mouthed, ‘Sorry.’
‘Where are you, Mary?’
‘I’m in my special place.’
‘How do you feel?’
‘Warm, relaxed, and safe.’
‘Good. Now, I want you to leave your special place, Mary.’
‘Do I have to?’
‘Yes, you do. I want you to go down the stairs into the cellar. Don’t worry, you’ll be safe... Are you doing that, Mary?’
‘It’s cold and dark.’
‘Yes, but you’re relaxed and safe. What do you see?’
‘A cage.’
‘What do you see in the cage?’
‘A woman.’
‘Do you know who this woman is?’
‘It’s... me.’ A panic had entered her voice. ‘I’m in the cage.’
‘Remember Mary, you’re warm, relaxed, and safe. Is there anyone else in the cellar with you?’
‘No... wait. I can hear someone is coming. I’m so frightened.’
‘You’re safe, Mary. Inspector Parish is there. He won’t let anything happen to you. Do you hear anything?’
‘Yes... I can hear a voice.’
‘Only one voice?’
‘No... Now there are two voices.’
‘Can you see who is talking?’
‘No... The voices have stopped now... He’s coming...’
‘You’re safe, Mary. Nothing can happen to you now.’
‘He has a knife. Oh God! His eyes... I can see in his eyes what he’s going to do to me...’
‘He can’t hurt you now, Mary. Look past Ruben, what do you see?’
‘There’s someone there... in the shadows.’
‘Can you see who it is?’
‘No, it’s too dark... I can see he’s smiling...’
‘Is there anything else? Can you see his hair, his eyes, or what he’s wearing?’
‘No, he’s staying in the shadows. Wait... there’s something... something white. Oh God... he has a collar on... a white collar... he’s a priest.’
‘Can you see his face, Mary?’
‘No... I can’t see anything else. Ruben’s coming for me now...’
‘You’re going back to your special place now. You’re climbing the ladder into the sunshine. You can feel the warmth on your face. The birds are singing, you’re dipping your feet in the babbling brook. Ruben has gone now... forever. There’s no one left in that cellar, it’s completely empty. No one will ever go into that cellar again. Where are you, Mary?’
‘I’m in my special place.’
‘In future, whenever you start to dream of Ruben, you’re to go to your special place – No one can ever hurt you there. Now, I’m going to count to three and you will wake up. You will remember everything that has happened, but it won’t frighten you. You’ll be calm, relaxed, and at peace. Ruben has gone now. Do you understand, Mary?’
‘Yes, I understand.’
‘One... two... three...’
‘Oh God, it was a priest, Sir... Sir?’
<
br /> He could feel someone shaking him. ‘Wake up, Sir.’
‘What are you doing striking a senior officer, Richards?’ he said as he opened his eyes.
‘You fell asleep.’
‘Preposterous. I closed my eyes for a second.’
‘Then you know what I saw in that cellar then?’
‘Of course... but it wouldn’t do any harm to remind me.’
‘It was a priest in the shadows. The second person had a white collar on, he was a priest.’
‘Good job, Doctor,’ Parish said.
‘What about me?’
‘What about you?’
‘Well, it was me that remembered.’
‘You always have to be the centre of attention, don’t you?’
‘But...’
‘Now, when you say it was a “priest”, do you actually mean it was a “priest”, or was it just someone with a clerical collar on?’
‘They had a white collar on.’
‘So, he could have been anyone from a Christian denomination?’
Her face dropped. ‘I suppose.’
He squeezed her arm. ‘Hey, don’t be disappointed. We’ve taken two massive steps forward. We now know there was a second person in that cellar, and that it’s someone who wears a clerical collar.’
‘You mean it might not be a priest, or a vicar, or...?’
‘Anyone can wear a clerical collar.’
‘I wasn’t much help then?’
‘Of course you were. We have a clue, now we need to see where it leads us.’ He stood up and shook Dr Suresh’s hand. ‘Thanks very much, Doctor. I’m sure you’ve done Richards no end of good.’
‘You had a good sleep yourself.’
‘I was resting my eyes, that’s all.’
‘They have watches like you on Chigwell market,’ Richards said.
‘I’ve seen them – the gold Rolex ones?’
‘Those weren’t the ones I had in mind.’
***
Xena drove straight through and they arrived back at twenty past one. She parked in the car park and they walked across the street to the greasy spoon for some lunch.
‘Are you still paying?’ she asked Carter.
‘Seeing as you saved me a fortune this morning, I suppose I can’t complain.’