by J. D MCG
'My name isn’t Mr Roberts and I don't know anything other than her name is Esther.'
'Is Esther her real name or her alias?'
'What do you think?' he smirked.
'We've got no time for your games!' Jacob shouted and banged his fist on the table.
'DS Wright, you guys are barking up the wrong tree. I don't work with other people. If you're looking for her accomplice, you should be looking into my sister.'
'We've already got detectives interviewing her as we speak. We want to know if you have any relevant information that could help us locate her,' Ally interrupted.
'I don't, sorry,' he replied with a smirk across his face.
'We know you killed Natalie Dixon.' Jack continued to smile at Ally. 'We have CCTV evidence of you leaving the van in which we found Natalie's body. What we don't understand is, why are Natalie's parents dead? And on the same night? But killed differently?'
Jack placed his elbows on the table again and leant forward. 'And you think I killed them?'
'No. Your M.O is totally different. This killer was more cunning and planned. Your murders are messy and unskillful,' she replied, trying her best to aggravate him. 'We also think whoever killed the parents was working with Felicity... Sorry, I mean Ruth. Isn't that what you horsemen call her?'
Jack sat back in his chair, continuing to smile, angering both Ally and Jacob as time was of the essence. He kept his mouth shut, seeing Ally bursting with frustration because of it.
'Just tell us, why Natalie? What did she do to deserve to be killed?' Ally continued.
'Why should I make it easy for you by giving you all the answers? Why does there have to be a reason for why I killed her?' he continued to smirk.
'There's always a reason. You killed your wife because she was having an affair with your neighbour. Then your neighbour accuses you of murdering your wife in front of the whole street, so you killed him before he could get any closer to the truth, and this whole time you've sent us on a wild goose chase about a disfigured man, who you say, has been stalking you?'
'But you have no evidence linking me to those murders, do you? So, it's just hearsay.'
Ally was getting riled and Jack knew it.
'Hannah Jones is another piece of the puzzle that isn't fitting right. We know you killed her, but don't know why. She escaped from Felicity and you just happened to be there, taking a walk at the exact same place? I think you were working with Felicity and her accomplice, Esther. She called you, telling you that Hannah had escaped. You searched for her and when you found her, you killed her. Esther was also there when you kidnapped Natalie. Esther is the one who poisoned her parents. The connection is there, but what we don't know is why? Why did you and Esther kill Natalie and her parents?'
'That's a fantastic story, DI Miller,' Jack said while clapping his hands. 'But again, your job is to find out why.'
Suddenly there was a knock at the door, and Jacob announced a pause for the purpose of the tape before they stepped out of the interview room. Ethan was standing there, anxious about something.
'What is it, Ethan?' asked Ally.
'I found something. I don't know how I missed it, but...'
'Ethan, get to the point,' Jacob cut him off short.
'Natalie Dixon is the doctor who treated Felicity James and Nathan Lawrence a few years back,' he informed them.
'What about a connection with Jack Roberts?'
'There isn't one.'
Ally stood still, thinking for a moment before turning to Jacob.
'Then why did Jack kill Natalie? Did he do it for the others?'
'Most likely. There's no link between him and Natalie, but there are links between him and the others, which means he's either doing their dirty work or he wants to impress his new friends,' Jacob added his theory.
'Are you still believing the split personality lies now?' she asked him.
'I'm not sure. I'm starting to re-think my first thoughts about Jack Roberts and his D.I.D diagnosis.'
'Let’s hope Sarah and Brian are having more luck with Felicity,' she added.
* * *
Sarah and Brian sat inside the interview room alone with Felicity. Her confident alter-ego was sat across the table from them.
'Felicity...'
'Ruth,' she interrupted.
'Ruth. Can you please tell us why you and Esther wanted to keep those women hostage in the farm shack?' Sarah commenced the interview.
'For fun,' she replied shortly and grinned creepily.
'What was Esther's plan with these women?'
Ruth let out a screech of a laugh. 'She wanted to kill them, slowly and watch them decompose.'
'What do you mean? Is that why you starved them, to watch them die slowly?' Sarah continued asking questions.
'No, that was my plan. That's how I like to kill.'
'Is that because you're Famine?' Brian asked, trying his best not to laugh, but he slipped out a smile.
'Yes.'
Sarah carried on. 'So, that means Esther must be Pestilence?'
Ruth nodded.
'What is she planning to do? Obviously, her plan is the big plan,' Sarah said, knowing it would annoy Ruth.
'All our plans are big plans, it's just she's not sat inside a prison cell,' she said, disappointingly.
'Then help us and her plan won't get as far as yours,' Sarah pleaded.
'I know what you're trying to do, detective, and it's not going to happen,' she sat smiling, infuriating Sarah.
Then there was a knock at the door and they paused the interview. When they exited the room, they caught eyes on Jacob, Ally and Ethan, standing there.
'This better be important?' Sarah asked them.
'Oh, it is,' Jacob told her.
'Felicity and Nathan Lawrence were both patients of Natalie Dixon,' Ally informed Sarah and Brian. 'Natalie was their doctor and we know Jack Roberts killed her but don't know why. There's no connection between Jack and Natalie, but we know Jack killed her and he killed her for a reason.'
'So, you want us to ask the question to Felicity?' Brian asked.
Jacob and Ally nodded before Sarah and Brian re-entered the room and commenced the interview.
'Ruth, if what you say about having another personality is true and that is your name, we know Natalie Dixon was your doctor. She was murdered last night by Jack Roberts. What we are trying to figure out is why? There's no connection between Jack and Natalie, but there is between her and you. Did any of you ask Jack to kill Natalie?' Sarah stated her theory.
'Good story,' she laughed. 'I'm finished with this interview now.' Ruth faded away and Felicity's personality came back, panicked and frantic. 'What happened? Why am I back in here?' she asked the detectives.
Sarah and Brian looked at one another, before terminating the interview and left the room. The pair of them wandered back to the CID and Sarah gave the team the nod to follow them into the briefing room. Barnes was sat inside as they entered, staring closely at the investigation board, and turned around as they strutted through closing the door behind them.
'What's going on?' Barnes inquired.
'She's not telling us anything. We have no idea why Jack killed Natalie Dixon, no idea who Esther is and the more we poke, the less they talk,' said Sarah.
'I think I might have an idea who our mysterious Esther is?' Ethan piped up.
'Then please inform us, DC Robinson,' Barnes asked.
'I searched for any other people who booked into the hospital with certain qualities that matched the symptoms of D.I.D and also things that match our Esther and got a match. Her name is Jenny Reynolds. She was admitted a few months ago because of post-traumatic stress and self-harming and was under the watchful eye of...'
'Natalie Dixon?' Ally guessed.
'Correct, DI Miller,' he replied.
'Have you got an address?' Jacob asked.
> 'Yeah, I'll send it to you now.'
Jacob and Ally made their way out of the station as Ethan sent them the address of Jenny Reynolds. Sarah and Brian re-entered the interview room with gleaming smiles.
'Sorry to keep you waiting, Felicity. We really need to talk with Ruth again,' Sarah began.
'I have no control over when she takes hold.'
'The thing is, she holds information on our latest suspect and we need her to tell us where she is and what she plans to do,' explained Sarah.
'I don't hold the power to bring her forward, only she can do that. She comes and goes as she pleases,' she cried, nervous and scared of being imprisoned.
'Felicity, we need you to try to bring her out. I know you're scared but this could really help us.'
Felicity sat quietly, tears dripping down her cheeks, knowing that Ruth didn't want to show herself. No matter what was to happen at this moment, she knew she'd be locked up for the rest of her life.
* * *
Ally parked outside of Jenny's apartment building. Jacob's stomach rumbled as it hit 1.30 pm. The thought of food made his stomach groan louder, alerting Ally that he was hungry.
'We'll get some lunch after this,' she said.
'I was hoping you didn't hear that,' he laughed.
The pair of them jumped out of the car and walked towards the building entrance. There was an intercom with the names of the residents on it.
'Think we've come to the right place. Look,' Ally said, pointing to Jenny's name on the buzzer.
'We need to find another way in,' Jacob told her. 'The element of surprise.'
'I think you're right,' Ally replied, trying to think of another way inside.
Minutes passed before someone left the building, opening the door. Ally showed them her police badge before the woman let her inside the building.
'Do you remember what floor she lives on?'
'Yes, the second, apartment two,' Jacob answered.
They thought about taking the elevator but decided it might be quicker to take the stairs. As they reached the second floor, Ally peered around the corner to make sure the hallway was empty before they moved on to Jenny's apartment.
'Apartment two,' she announced quietly for Jacob.
Jacob knocked three times before announcing they were police. After waiting a few seconds, there was still no answer. Jacob tried pushing the door handle downwards, hoping for it to be unlocked, and when the door opened, his facial appearance showed how shocked he was.
'Usually, people lock their doors,' he whispered as they entered.
Jenny Reynolds’ apartment was elegant and was as top of the range as they come. Ally started glancing around to find anything they could use in evidence, while Jacob's eyes caught a glimpse of a few photos hanging on the walls. A feeling of familiarity hit Jacob as he stared at what he believed to be their suspect. His eyes were diverted to a photo of Jenny with Ella Morgan.
'Ally, come check this out,' he grabbed her attention.
'What is it? What's wrong?'
Jacob continued staring as he couldn't believe what his brain was telling him.
'I've seen Jenny before,' he informed her. 'She was the friend of Ella Morgan.'
'One of the victims from our last case? The one with...'
Jacob stopped her and announced the one name he hated hearing. 'Lily.'
'Do you think there's a connection?' she asked.
'I don't know. I hope not. I put this Lily situation to bed. I don't want her ruining my life any further.'
Ally continued taking a look around the apartment, while Jacob took a photo of the pictures hanging on the wall and sent them to Barnes. Not five minutes passed before Barnes phoned him.
'Am I seeing this right?' he asked.
'You are, boss,' Jacob answered.
'Is there a connection between these two cases?'
'We don't know yet, sir.'
'Okay, call me if you find anything.'
Jacob ended the call and continued searching the apartment for anything that could help them locate Jenny. Time passed and more theories spun around in Jacob's mind. Is the death of Ella what caused her to have post-traumatic stress and made her self harm? Something wasn't adding upright.
'Something's not right,' he spoke up. 'Jenny was shaken up when she found out her friend had died. I don't believe it was an act. I also believe it's the reason for her having post-traumatic stress. But for her to go and be a part of all of this, no way.'
They moved on to the bedroom as they continued to discuss Jenny's personality and the facts when Jacob discovered a little black zipped wallet. They both watched in anticipation as he unzipped it, revealing needles inside.
'As a police officer, Jacob, we go by the facts and here we have needles and empty vials inside. If we send this off for testing and it's a match, we have our suspect. We have our Esther,' Ally told him.
Moments later, teams of uniformed officers showed up on the scene, digging through drawers and cupboards. Barnes turned up to help not long after the officers arrived. Ally's phone began to buzz, while she read through notebooks at Jenny's kitchen counter. It was an unknown number.
'DI Miller,' she answered, but there was a slight pause before the other person spoke.
'Good afternoon, Detective Inspector,' the female voice greeted. 'I hope you find what you are looking for.'
'Who is this?' Ally demanded to know, grabbing the attention of Barnes and Jacob.
'I think you know who this is.'
'Esther?'
'Bingo.'
'What do you want?'
'I think you know everything at this point. The body I've taken hold of, the people I've killed.'
'We know you've been helping Felicity...' Ally said before she was interrupted.
'Ruth, you mean? Please use their real names, DI Miller.'
'No. Their real names are Jack Roberts, Nathan Lawrence and Felicity James. And yours is Jenny Reynolds. I've had enough of this second personality bullshit. It ends now!' she shouted down the phone at her.
'Do you want to know what got Natalie Dixon killed?' Jenny asked.
'Please inform me.'
'Making deals with the devil.'
'I don’t understand what you mean.'
'She was arrogant, thinking lightning couldn't strike in the same place more than once. I hear Jenny's screams every minute of every day. Felicity, Nathan and Jenny wanted her dead for what she did to them.'
'I don't believe you.'
'I don’t care what you believe.'
'Why her parents? Why did you kill them?'
'For fun. They were a test to see how the modifications worked,' Esther chuckled. 'And there's more to come.'
'Why the girls in the farm shack?' she continued trying to get answers.
'They were going to be part of my experiment, but stupid Ruth got in the way.'
'So, starving these girls was not part of your plan?'
'No. Has Ruth not told you who she is?'
'If you mean in your fictitious world, then yes, she has.'
'Then you know that wasn't part of my plan, just her's.'
'Why did you call me?' Ally asked.
'To tell you that you'll have another body on your streets within the next twelve hours. See you soon, DI Miller,' she answered before the phone went quiet.
'What's wrong?' Jacob asked.
'Who was that?' Barnes questioned her.
'That was Jenny Reynolds, or should I say, Esther. There's going to be another body within the next twelve hours,' Ally announced.
Chapter 21
Kate met her father again that afternoon, unaware to Jacob and Belle's knowledge. They sat inside the restaurant, tucking into their dinner when Craig began to stare at her.
'Why are you staring at me?' Kate asked.
'I just can't believe how much you lo
ok like your mother,' he explained. 'I'm glad we can do this.'
'So am I,' she smiled, forgetting about everything for a moment.
'You shouldn't be too hard on your family. They don't know me and wanted to protect you and keep you safe.'
'But they lied to me and kept secrets from me. How can I trust them again?'
'Because look at what they've done for you since your mother died. Your brother took you in and kept you safe, gave you a roof over your head. He didn't know you weren't his little sister, but when he did, did he throw you out? No, he didn't. He took care of you like nothing happened.' Kate screwed up her face, not wanting to listen to him, even though she knew he was right. 'All I'm saying is, go easy on him. He still loves you like you're his sister,' he continued.
She nodded as a tear started to form in her eye. Knowing she was wrong about how she treated Jacob and Belle, it was time for her to make amends.
'Can you excuse me for a minute?' she asked her father and he nodded in response.
She removed herself from the table and exited the restaurant to make a quick phone call. Her hand trembled as she didn't know how to apologise to Jacob for how she'd treated him. Kate flicked through her recent contacts and called Jacob's mobile. It rang a couple of times before going to voicemail. She sighed and entered back inside, joining her father back at the table.
'No answer?' Craig asked.
'Straight to voicemail,' she replied.
She tucked back into her food and grabbed her glass, chugging the cocktail down her throat.
'Slow down,' her father laughed.
At that moment, Kate's heart sank as she noticed Belle and Ben walking in through the front door, hoping Belle wouldn't notice her. But it was too late for her as Belle locked eyes with her.
'Come on, Ben,' Kate heard her say. 'We'll find somewhere else.'
Kate rose off her seat and rushed towards her.
'Belle, wait.' She approached her. 'I'm sorry for the way I've treated you. I know I've been a bitch...'
Belle laughed at her. 'A bitch? Kate, you made me so depressed. You told me how we're not family...'
'I know and I'm so sorry. I really am,' she interrupted her. 'I know my words don't do much, but please accept my apology?'