Rob ran towards Boothferry Road, at the crossroads to leave Boothferry Estate, towards Costello Park. He would wait in the park, and see if he was followed further.
Chapter Nineteen
Simon Grant was a thirty-two-year-old practicing solicitor with a good reputation within one of the most successful law firms in Hull. He had a close loving family, and lived quite comfortably in his four-bedroom mortgaged house in Anlaby, which was nearly paid off in full. He'd recently come out of a bad relationship, where he was engaged to be married, only to find out his fiancée was sleeping with one of his roommates from uni. For a while, Simon was paralysed with hurt. Until one day, one of his colleagues from the law firm suggested he take up running.
Seven months later, he'd run three marathons, and was hoping to do the New York marathon later on this year. The adrenaline buzz Simon got from running was almost a tonic to the break-up. Plus, he'd met a new circle of friends within the running community. He was due to go on a run Sunday morning, where he hoped Alicia would be there, because she'd jokingly said she would allow him to take her out on a date if he beat her on the next run. Simon was determined to make good on it. Alicia was twenty-eight and a successful accountant, and Simon thought she would get on well with his family, if only he beat her at the next run. Simon changed into his running gear, and then put on his iPod. He turned on his answering machine just before he left to go for his run.
Covertly, Rob had made his way into Costello Park past the stadium. All Rob could see was a dog walker, and no one else. However, Rob was sure he was being followed. In the centre of the park was a row of oak trees adjacent to a small road. Rob made his way behind one of these oak trees, pulled the knife out from his coat, and waited. Rob had never been so scared in his whole life.
Simon Grant was starting to warm up and get his breathing right as he turned into Anlaby Park Road North. As he approached Costello Stadium, he toyed with the idea of going up Boothferry Road towards the Fiveways pub, but just as he approached the entrance to the stadium, Simon changed his mind and made his way towards Costello Park.
The music was pumping, as was the adrenaline, as he knew his timings at this point were the best he'd ever done. He started on the road with the oak trees on either side.
Rob could hear footsteps. In fact, they weren't footsteps, it was somebody running. Whoever it was had to be armed. They must be looking for Rob, as this was his last known location. The steps were getting closer and closer, although Rob daren't look round the side of the tree, for fear of giving his position away. As he gripped the handle of the knife tighter in his palm, he tried to remember what he had been taught.
At the same time, as well as the footsteps, Rob heard the faint crackle of a radio. This confirmed it for Rob. Just as the footsteps got closer, Rob psyched himself up. Rob pulled himself from behind the tree, jumped out behind Simon and grabbed him by the shoulders. At the same time, Rob thrust the knife into Simon's throat, severing the carotid artery.
There was no sound other than the squelch of the blade against Simon's flesh, and at the same time, Simon had no idea what was going on, other than a sharp pain in his neck. Both men fell to the floor, and Simon died within thirty seconds. Another kill for Rob, but this time the kill felt different, with every other kill it was almost as if he felt justified. But with this one, it didn't feel like the others, almost unnecessary.
Rob was in full-on military mode, as well as shock, he quickly did a basic frisk of Simon's body to look for ID and also retrieved the radio Simon was carrying. Although there was no ID, there was a set of keys. Rob looked around to see if there were any other agents, but again, all he could see was a dog walker in the distance. The moonlight shone on Simon's body, and the blood that was pumping onto the road looked black.
As Rob turned Simon's body onto his back, more blood sprayed onto Rob's face. The agent was definitely dead, and as quickly as he could, Rob frisked the body further for a weapon, but found nothing.
Rob was in a dilemma now, either way, he had to ring it in, but also, should he try and move the body? Should he contact the police first? But other questions were nagging at Rob's mind. Why was the agent looking for him in particular? And also, how come he could not find any weapon?
Within the space of a minute, Rob had decided he would leave the body where it was. He ran further through the park towards Pickering Road. As he came out of the park, there was a police station to the left, but that wasn't what Rob was looking for. Outside of the police station was a public phone box. Rob made his way to the phone box and dialled in the number he'd been given to use in case of emergencies when training with the SAS. It was the number for the guard house in Hereford, and it was constantly manned by the military police. As Rob dialed in the number, he saw the blood stains all over his hand, some of it, in patches, still warm.
The phone rang three or four times, and then was quickly answered. "Sterling lines gate house, Corporal Green, sir."
Rob wasted no time, and informed Corporal Green of what had just happened. The fact that he'd been followed for some time, and that he had just assassinated his pursuer. Corporal Green quickly took notes, not knowing whether this guy was just a fruit-loop, or whether some serious shit had just gone down. Everything Rob disclosed was taken down in shorthand by Corporal Green.
When Green had enough information, he told Foster; "Hold the line, I'll put you through to someone."
At this point, Corporal Green put the phone on silent, and then turned to the first officer in the room. The officer then directed the call to the CO's office. And, at the same time, rang Humberside Police. The CO 'Chalky' White took the call from Rob Foster. "Foster, it's Chalky White, explain to me again what's just happened."
Again, Rob reiterated the events that had happened in the park. Chalky quickly realised what had gone on, and it was like a low blow to the pit of his stomach. One of his own had blown a gasket and killed a civilian. Either way, Chalky had to keep Foster on the phone until the police arrived.
Within twenty minutes, Humberside Police had discovered Simon Grant's body, and it soon became obvious there was nothing to be done. Ten minutes after discovering the body, the police turned up at the phone box, where Rob was still on the phone to Chalky White.
Initially, when the police arrived, Rob thought they were there to help deal with the incident, but as soon as he pulled the knife out of his pocket, he was quickly tasered, and six police officers held him to the ground whilst his hands were quickly cuffed behind his back.
All the time, Chalky White heard the scuffle on the other end of the line. As one of the police officers grabbed the handset of the phone to find out who Rob was talking to, Chalky had had enough, and had replaced the receiver where it stood.
Chalky opened his side drawer in his cabinet, and took out his bottle of Bushmill's, which was there for medicinal purposes. A week before his retirement, and this is not how he wanted it to go.
Rob was quickly placed into a police van, all the time Rob was saying, "What're you arresting me for? I'm a Special Forces Operative." He continued, "For Christ's sake, I'm not the enemy."
Within an hour and a half of the incident taking place, Rob was taken to Priory Road police cell, and placed into police custody. Arrested for murder.
Chapter Twenty
Ken Hunter had been a member of Humberside Police for over twenty years and was now the custody sergeant at Clough Road Police Station. It was his job to ensure the well-being of any prisoner taken into custody. This included any prisoner's mental health. Ken had thought he'd seen it all in his twenty years of experience but he also knew no day was the same in this job and this was certainly the case with the suite's newest arrival, Rob Foster.
It was obvious Foster was either out of his mind or on drugs, possibly both but the computer system told Ken that Rob was a former member of the local infantry unit until recently. This did not marry up. Normally the army lads that came in had been fighting with the locals in Beverley w
hen on leave from Leconfield army barracks. Yes, they were always aggressive and yes it was always alcohol fueled but they were never arrested for murder and rarely substance abuse. This was definitely not the norm.
By all accounts looking at the initial notes on Foster's arrest form, Foster was banged to rights. Even the Detective Chief Inspector took one look at the evidence against Foster and passed it straight over to the Detective Sergeant. In Ken's mind, this usually meant that it was an open and shut case. Foster had refused to answer any questions when he was arrested other than his name and his serial number. Apart from this, Foster had said, "No comment."
Either way, the lad needed to be assessed by the mental health team. He would also need legal representation whether he liked it or not. Ken picked up the phone and dialed the number for the mental health crisis team but as always whenever you needed the crisis team, the line was engaged. Ken replaced the receiver and dialed the number for the duty solicitor.
Chapter Twenty-one
Laura Allison from Gregory and Thomas Solicitors received the call from the custody sergeant and was given a quick brief on the night's events. As it was a murder, she had to go straight away to Clough Road Police Station. She grabbed her keys, put on her long overcoat and kissed her husband as she left. Secretly, she was quite excited, she had not done a murder before. Within an hour she had pulled up in the police station car park.
Walking into the police foyer, Laura gave her name to the reception, and was quickly ushered into the custody suite, where she was met by Ken Hunter. Laura had always respected Ken, as he was one of the few police officers who told it like it was, regardless of what the arresting officer's quota was.
"Hi, Ken," said Laura. "What have we got with Rob Foster, then?"
"Well," replied Ken, "he's been arrested for murder, but personally I think there's more to it than that."
"How so?"
"Well for a start, he's a former squaddie, and by all accounts, he's only just left the army. But the DNA we took from his hair and the mouth swab indicates he's off his head on spice. Also, we cannot find the connection between Foster and the victim, although it's early days yet. My own opinion, is that the lad's probably ill, and doesn't know what he's done."
"Has the CATS team got involved yet?"
Ken sighed. "I've tried ringing them, several times, but the line's permanently engaged." Then he added, "I'm sure they just take the phone off the hook so they can sit on their arses and drink tea."
Laura smiled. "Okay, Ken, if I can have a look at the custody record and get a room where I can have a quick chat with him, then we'll take it from there."
Ken smiled and said, "Yeah, I'll have a man stood by the door."
As Laura took a look at the custody record, she made a note of the time of the arrest and what comments Foster had made, then went to view Foster in his cell. Approaching the cell door, the custody officer opened the hatch and explained to Foster that there was a solicitor here to see him. Laura looked at Foster through the hatch, and he was sitting in a corner in white overalls, where his clothes had been removed, with just a blanket to keep him company.
"Mr Foster, I'm Laura Allison. I'm the duty solicitor here to look after your interests. Can I have a quick word with you?"
Rob just looked up, and then looked down. Laura then paused, and tried again. "Mr Foster, do you know where you are?" she asked. "You're in Clough Road Police Station, and you've been arrested for murder. That's quite a serious charge. I'm here to represent your legal requirements. I do not work for the police, and I'm not trying to put one over on you, but I do need to speak to you. Would you mind if we had a quick chat somewhere quiet?"
Although Rob didn't feel like answering, he mumbled, "Yeah, whatever, love."
Within half an hour, Rob was escorted from his cell to the interview room, where Laura sat. As promised, Ken put a man outside the door.
Rob was still out of his head from the alcohol and the spice he had consumed in the pub. The only thing Rob did know was that he was out of the army, and that he was in a world of shit.
For the next half hour or so, Laura tried engaging in conversation with Rob, but Rob only gave small, short answers.
"I don't know."
"Yes."
"No."
This was about the sum of it. It soon became apparent to Laura that her client was definitely ill. In fact, the DS would not be getting any interview today. Certainly not until Foster had been assessed by a psychiatrist. Laura realised she wouldn't get much more information from Foster so she finished the interview and Rob was directed back to his cell. The solicitor then went to have a word with Ken.
Before Laura could speak, Ken said, "The DS wants to interview Foster in half an hour."
"Sorry, Ken," replied Laura. "My client's not being interviewed by anyone until he's been assessed by the mental health team."
Ken knew this is not what the DS wanted to hear, and sighed. "Great, that's me off his Christmas card list then. I'll try the CATS team again, but I'm not holding my breath. Either way, he's going to be up at the magistrate's court by the morning. Which probably means they'll remand him in Hull Prison."
"If what you say is true, Ken," replied Laura, "the last place he needs to be is Hull Prison. He needs to be in a psychiatric hospital, where he can be assessed."
Ken reiterated the fact that he'd tried the CATS team, but again, with the government cut-backs, it was doubtful anyone was going to turn up to see the lad tonight.
Twenty minutes later, Laura was escorted back to Rob's cell, and again, as she looked through the hatch, she almost felt sorry for him, as she saw him wrapped in a blanket, staring into space.
"Mr Foster," Laura said, "it's Laura Allison, the duty solicitor. Do you remember talking to me a few minutes ago?"
Rob just looked at the solicitor and nodded.
"You're going to be kept in tonight, and will be up at the magistrate's court in the morning. I'm going to try and get you assessed by a psychiatric doctor, however, the court will probably remand you to prison. This will probably be Hull Prison. Do you understand?"
Again, Rob just nodded.
"Mr Foster, I do not want you to give any statement or go on interview without me present. Is that clear? I will see you at court tomorrow morning, and then we'll take it from there."
Just before she left, Laura asked Ken to get Rob a cup of tea.
Chapter Twenty-two
At seven a.m. the next morning, Rob was handcuffed and put in the back of a Group 4 van, along with the other lags who had been arrested the night before. Rob just stared out the window as the van made its way out of town towards Hull Magistrates Court.
Arriving at the court, he was taken from the van and put into a cell, again on his own. Even though this cell was bigger, it had no inside toilet, and nothing but a wooden bench along the back of the wall.
As promised, Laura Allison arrived at the court and took the clerk to the side to explain about Foster. "My client's been arrested for murder, however I do not wish to make a plea at this stage."
The clerk smiled, and said, "Okay I'll let Judge Bainton know."
After being in the cell for a good three hours, Rob was ushered through the secure corridors, up the steps, and into the dock, which was surrounded by secure glass, with nothing there but a seat and a microphone. The public gallery was full, and Rob looked across to the prosecution, and then to the left was his solicitor, Laura Allison. Rob couldn't be arsed to sit down. He was still half-comatose. Then, a voice echoed around the courtroom. "All rise."
Everyone in the court stood to their feet as Judge Bainton entered from his chamber and took his seat in order to start proceedings.
"Please be seated," Judge Bainton said.
The prosecution stood up, and read the charge of murder. Judge Bainton looked at Laura Allison, and asked how her client would be pleading.
As if on cue, Laura stood up. "My client is a former soldier, and we suspect he may have some kind o
f mental health condition, your honour. We will not be entering a plea at this stage. Also, I would like to ask the court for an assessment at a psychiatric hospital before my client is remanded in to prison."
Judge Bainton rubbed his eyes. "Did he not get assessed when he was at the police station?"
Allison replied, "As far as we're aware, many attempts were made to contact the CATS team, however, they were unresponsive."
"I see," said the judge, and turned to the prosecution. "Does the prosecution have any objections?"
"No, your honour," was the reply.
"Okay," replied Judge Bainton. "I want Foster assessed, however, he will have to be remanded to Hull Prison until the CATS team get their affairs in order." Then he added, "Also, as this is a murder charge, I'm referring this case to Hull Crown Court, and a later date will be confirmed." Judge Bainton then looked at Rob. "Mr Foster, you have been charged with murder. That is one of the gravest of crimes. However, this court is not aware of your mental state at this stage, but given the nature of the offence, I cannot grant any type of bail. Therefore, I'm remanding you into the custody of Hull Prison, where hopefully you will be assessed. Do you understand?"
Rob just stared forward, not even replying. The judge waited for a response, but when he realised he would not get one, he concluded. "Once an assessment has been made into your mental health, then the crown court will start proceedings. Case adjourned."
Again, there was a deathly quiet around the courtroom, until it was broken by the sound of "All rise." The courtroom stood as Judge Bainton made his way back to chambers. A few seconds later, Rob was removed from the dock. His next stop would be Hull prison.
The Killing Moon Page 6