The Killing Moon

by Michael Robinson

  Chapter Fifty-seven

  DI Denman arrived at the medium secure unit, and did her best to avoid the flock of journalists that had seemed to have made a permanent residence on the hospital site, like a group of gypsies. Once she had shown the receptionist her credentials she was quickly ushered through the medium secure unit and taken to the senior manager's office. He held out his hand and introduced himself as Lewis.

  Lewis Farr was a short fat man in a scruffy looking suit and Denman could smell the cigarettes and assumed he must be a forty a day man. Before she began to question him, they both sat down at a desk. She began to ask Lewis about Dr Beaumont's work history, and although Lewis appeared genuinely concerned about Dr Beaumont's daughter, Denman could tell that he was distracted. Lewis knew what was coming.

  "Was there a connection between Dr Beaumont and Rob Foster, the patient who escaped?" She added, "The media seem to assume there is."

  Lewis held a hand over his mouth as he began to cough furiously, almost gripping his chest as if he was going to have a heart attack. Once he had finished, he said, "About three times a year, patients run off. No matter how good we are, we cannot foresee this coming at any given time. If we thought they would run off, we would not let them out on leave. If you think I'm happy about it, you would be wrong. I'm not. My bosses are coming down on me already since both the escapes."

  DI Denman stopped him there. "Both the escapes?" she questioned. "I thought there was only Rob Foster's escape."

  Lewis began to turn red with embarrassment. He had obviously given something away that he did not want out. Then Lewis replied, "A second patient has gone on the run again this week, a particularly dangerous individual called James Crisp. We're hoping to keep it under wraps for as long as possible."

  Denman took in the information, and then asked for a file on both of the patients that had gone missing, and then as she was taking notes, she asked, "What can you tell me about both individuals?"

  "Well," Lewis replied, "Rob Foster's ex-military. Basically, we know that he's suffering from PTSD. At the same time his wife left him before she had given birth to their son. He's succumbed to psychosis and killed somebody in a park. That's where Dr Beaumont got involved, she became his forensic consultant. By all accounts I think Doctor Beaumont and Foster had quite a good relationship, but it did not stop him from tricking her so he could escape."

  As DI Denman took notes, she put a question mark next to Rob Foster's name. She would ask Doctor Beaumont about this later.

  Lewis then continued. "James Crisp is a complete psychopath, almost off the scale. If we hadn't intervened, I'd have no doubt you would have a serial killer on your hands. By all accounts he is an intelligent man. Not only had he got a scholarship to read medicine at York University, but also, he regularly beats grandmasters at chess that come to visit him here. The lads on the ward, though, refer to him as The Surgeon."

  "The Surgeon?" Denman said inquisitively.

  "That's how he was caught. He began doing surgical procedures on household pets: cats and dogs etc. Classic signs of early psychopathic tendencies. It's well documented that individuals who kill animals early in life will progress onto people at some point."

  DI Denman took more notes and then asked if she could interview some of the patients on the wards. Lewis looked at his watch again as if he was in a hurry.

  "It's impossible, DI Denman," Lewis protested. "Not only am I short staffed, but I have had to put all the wards on lockdown until this thing blows over. As far as the wards that Foster and Crisp were both on, not only did Foster nearly kill one of the nursing staff that was escorting him on leave, but also the senior manager has gone off sick. That never happens. She's as tough as old boots that one, almost too brash."

  Denman closed her notebook, she had enough to be getting on with. Plus, she had been given access to the files on both Foster and Crisp. She had already dismissed Crisp from her enquiries but Foster was someone she wanted to look into. It was as if it was a police woman's instinct that Foster had gone on the run soon after the event.

  As Lewis escorted DI Denman back to the reception, she noticed the sweat that was pouring off Lewis. As she went to the airlock, they both continued to exchange pleasantries. Then Denman asked, "You said your senior nurse had gone off sick, and that she was tough as old boots. Why would she need to go off sick?"

  Lewis replied, "Sally Cooper, yes, she's hard as nails, but her prize-winning dog's gone missing and that's what she lives for, she's in quite a state."

  Denman almost smiled, then she shook Lewis's hand, and made for the exit.

  Chapter Fifty-eight

  DI Denman felt she was right on the money when it came to James Crisp. There was no connection really between him and Dr Beaumont, she wasn't even his consultant. Rob Foster was a different matter, and if anything, Foster was a smart individual. Although it took up most of her day, Denman dug up on the police computer anything she could regarding Foster.

  However, the thing that intrigued her wasn't what was written about his military record, but what wasn't written. The last six months of Foster's service had been deemed as classified. This meant not only could the police not gain access to what was written, which included her bosses, but also the only persons who could gain access would be the top brass in the military, or the Home Secretary.

  Also, there was nothing in his medical file to account for his last six months’ service. The more she thought about Rob Foster, the more intrigued she was to learn. She shut down her computer and picked up the phone, and rang Dr Beaumont.

  Understandably so, Charlotte Beaumont was on leave from work. It was almost torture because Charlotte had nothing to do other than watch the news for any signs of her daughter. She had managed little sleep and spoke little to her family. In fact, every time someone rang, Charlotte made her excuse to get off the line. Charlotte knew full well that everyone that was calling, was ringing out of concern. But it was almost as if she could not stand the patronizing tone, even though they had her best wishes at heart. Also, the police officers that were on her front door, were a bone of contention, Charlotte did not want them there. However, it was a lesser of two evils because if they were not present on her doorstep, then she would continue to get hounded by the media.

  As Charlotte flicked through the news channels, the phone rang and on the second ring Charlotte replied with anticipation. Was this good news? Was this bad news? Had Amelia been found? Or was there a body?

  All she could say was, "Hello, Charlotte speaking."

  "Charlotte, It's DI Denman here."

  "Ok. Is there any news?"

  "There is nothing significant I can tell you at the moment Charlotte," replied Denman. "However, it's my understanding that Jonathan will be landing at Gatwick at four a.m. tomorrow morning. I will need to speak to him as soon as possible and I would like to suggest we both go together to the airport to meet him, as there are a few questions I have to ask you as well."

  The fact there was no news, made Charlotte's heart even more heavy. 'How much more of this could she take?' she asked herself.

  But instead, just replied, "Ok. I'll be at my house," Charlotte replied.

  Frustratingly for Charlotte, the call ended.

  Chapter Fifty-nine

  Rob was armed with all he needed to break into the pharmacy. He had even managed to get hold of some surgical gloves, as well as a penknife and a screwdriver. Also, he had acquired a small torch. Rob parked work's vehicle in the same place as the night before and under the cover of darkness, made his way to the pharmacy in the Pilton estate. Again, constantly scanning for any sort of CCTV or people in the area. Luck was on Rob's side. It was just as quiet as the previous night.

  Making his way back up the drainpipe, onto the roof, Rob quickly got to work in opening the skylight. Within five minutes, he had managed to gain entry inside the building. At this point he also put on the latex gloves, desperate not to leave any trace. He quickly scanned the area with his torc
h to find out where the medicine was kept. Soon, he had found the medicine safe, which was held together by locks, at the same time, Rob heard a beeping. 'Shit!' thought Rob. A security alarm.'

  It began to count down. Rob realized, he had to work quickly and efficiently. Security alarms usually had between ten seconds and a minute before the siren sounded. He returned to the counter, and looked for a drawer. On the first drawer, he opened it; there was nothing but paperwork. However, on the second drawer, his luck was in, whoever had done the security for the pharmacy was so unprofessional, that they had left the keys for the medicine cupboard, in an open drawer.

  As soon as Rob picked up the keys, the alarm sounded. At the same time, the lights within the pharmacy began to flash intermittently. As calm as he could muster, Rob put the key into the lock almost easily opening the safe. All he had to do now was find the correct medication. He opened every box he could find, in no particular order, disregarding the boxes that were no good onto the floor. It was almost as if there was every other medication there, but the one he needed.

  Eventually, Rob found his prize, it was Modecate, 24ml, and there were sixteen siphons. At the same time, Rob looked for morphine, the heroin substitute. He wanted the authorities to think that the break-in wasn't for medication, but for the morphine. The stress of the whole exercise was taking a toll on Rob, and he quickly made his way back to his escape route. All the time, the sirens wailing and the lights flashing.

  Once on the roof, he did not check to see if the police or the public were outside, he simply threw himself off, onto the ground, in the same fashion as if he was landing from a parachute jump. He quickly made his way through the estate. As soon as he was seven hundred metres away from the pharmacy, Rob hid in a back alley, in order to get his bearings, take a breath, and see what was happening around him.

  Fortunately, with the government's cuts to the police, this break in may not be a priority to the local force but he could still not take a chance walking openly in the streets, carrying medication. Rob was wired, and completely wound up. To reassure himself, he had just remembered he had a job to do.

  Within an hour Rob was back in the work's vehicle, and taking the longer route back to the hostel. With the paranoia Rob was beginning to suffer from, he thought it was about time that he found different accommodation. If the authorities could trace who had taken the medication, it may lead them back to the Rock.

  He began to wonder whether Amy would allow him to sleep on her sofa. He had the medication and he also had a little money. Soon he would have his passport to get him out of the country. That was all he needed for the time being. The fact was, Rob was even surprised with himself, to come this far, without appearing on the radar.

  He decided not to return to the Rock after all. He would not sleep tonight anyway. and instead he made his way to a drugs' clinic that would open in the morning. There he would be able to get clean needles which he would need to inject himself. He would give a false name, and with the clothes he was wearing and the general sorry state he was looking, Rob doubted the clinic would think twice.

  Chapter Sixty

  DI Denman and Dr Charlotte Beaumont spoke little at first on their journey down the M1 in the early hours of the morning on route to Gatwick airport, where Jonathan would be landing. It was awkward for both parties. One did not want to talk, the other needed to get information. DI Denman pushed, she had a job to do, and she had to ask about Foster.

  As diplomatically as she could, Denman asked, "I had to visit the medium secure where you work, to chat to some of your colleagues."

  Charlotte Beaumont felt almost violated. She did not like being checked up on, especially behind her back. "Why did you need to do that?" she asked, with contempt.

  "Just routine enquiries," replied Denman. Then she swallowed as she continued. "We do not have a lot to go on at the moment I'm afraid, and so I want to uncover every angle. Believe me, I want to get Amelia back."

  "Ok, so what did you want to find out?" asked Charlotte.

  "I spoke with Lewis Farr, the hospital manager. He told me you had a good relationship with one of your patients, Rob Foster."

  "There was nothing inappropriate if that's what you mean?" was her defensive reply.

  "Believe me, I don't think there is. But what can you tell me about him?"

  Charlotte sighed. She realised DI Denman was only doing her job. Then she replied, "He's ex-military and by all accounts he's been through a lot of traumatic experiences throughout his service and probably before. Also, his childhood was not as good as it could have been. His mother died several years ago and his father is dying in hospital of cancer. His father was a heavy drinker. I diagnosed Foster with PTSD. However, he's a bit different to your average run of the mill client."

  Denman listened intently as Charlotte continued. "For starter's he's got a higher than average IQ. I've no doubt had he not been a soldier he could have quite easily been a lawyer, politician, possibly even a doctor. He was arrested for murder, but it was reduced to manslaughter after I assessed him. Given his previous traumatic history and exposure to intense violence over long periods of time, anyone who's not psychopathic would succumb to PTSD. There were also problems in his marriage, which was exacerbated when he started to drink. He was thrown out of the army. A few months later he killed a jogger in a park. Whatever they taught him in the military he must have learned it very well. The individual he killed must have died within thirty seconds."

  As the journey continued, Dr Beaumont and DI Denman continued to discuss Foster further. They talked about the court proceeding, evidence given, the Grant family and the references from Harry Woolen, the publican from the Admiral pub where Rob drank and the Company Sergeant Major, Duncan French. DI Denman felt more of a need to investigate Foster than ever.

  Within three hours they had reached arrivals at Gatwick airport, and when Denman parked the car, both individuals made their way through to holding. Within half an hour both were ushered through to a secure area where Jonathan was waiting. They entered a darkened room which held a two-way mirror.

  On the other side of the mirror looked a broken man. It was Jonathan. Charlotte gasped as she saw the state of her estranged husband. He looked a pathetic individual, in yellow overalls, his right hand missing, replaced with a bandage on a stump.

  Charlotte whispered, "Look at the state of him," and she could feel her heart in her mouth.

  Denman turned to Charlotte and said, "You go in first. I'll be here. I'll catch up with both of you in a while."

  The police officer then nodded at the guard, who opened the door and hastily Charlotte Beaumont made her way inside the interview room. Tears welled up in her eyes just as Jonathan looked up and saw his wife for the first time in three weeks.

  "My God what have they done to you," was Charlotte's greeting to her life partner.

  Jonathan fell to his knees, on seeing Charlotte, and began to cry. This was not like Jonathan. In fact, Charlotte could not even remember a time when Jonathan had cried in front of her. Jonathan began to speak. "They took our little girl. I tried to stop them, Charlotte, believe me. I tried to stop them," he replied.

  At the same time Jonathan brought his stump and other hand up to his face. Charlotte rushed to her husband. No matter what he had done in the past it was obvious that this was not the same man. As she held him to her chest both parties began to cry. Charlotte knew she had to support Jonathan. It was the only way she knew both of them could get through this. Also, Charlotte knew she needed Jonathan as much as he needed her.

  As she held him with tears rolling down her cheeks she said, "We will get through this, Jonathan." At that moment Charlotte knew despite all of Jonathan's faults, her marriage would continue.

  From behind the two-way mirror DI Denman saw what she wanted to see. It was apparent Jonathan was not involved directly in Amelia's kidnapping. The trouble was, this meant she had even less to go on. She just hoped the Rob Foster angle could come up with an answer
, because something did not sit truly there.

  She turned to the guard in the room, and with authority said, "Leave them for a while."

  As she left the outer room, she looked back to see Charlotte and Jonathan comforting each other as she closed the door behind her.

  Chapter Sixty-one

  Rob was the first to be seen at the drug dependency clinic, and it took very little persuasion for Rob to get the clean needles he required. As soon as he left the clinic, he made his way to a Costa Coffee. He ordered a drink and then made his way to the restrooms. Soon he was emptying the siphon into one of the clean syringes. At the same time Rob was trying to remember what he'd been taught during the paramedic phase of selection.

  As he undid his trousers, he remembered the rule of administration and injection into the buttock. He had to visualise a cross on one of his buttocks in order to avoid a sensitive artery. Also, he tried to remember the dart technique of administration. This would not have been so bad if he was doing it on a patient, but Rob was doing it on himself. It took several attempts for him to pierce his skin, however on the third attempt it was successful. Soon he was injecting the Modecate into his right buttock and this was a relief in itself as he knew he could cope operationally for the next few weeks, if he could evade capture that long.

  Once he had finished, he discarded the needle. He cleaned himself up as best he could, and flushed any evidence down the toilet. Then he took out work's mobile and rang Amy. He explained that he wanted to save some money and he asked if he could sleep on her couch for the time being. Whether she believed him or not he did not know, but she seemed okay with the idea and she did not think Sophie would mind either, however she would have to run it past Jessica.

  She agreed to phone him back when she knew what the score was. Rob then left the restroom and made his way to the counter to pick up his coffee. He did not want to hang about, the paranoia still prominent.