SILENCE (DS Addison McCain Series Book 1)

by Sara Dalton

  “Where did they take mum?” Sophie asked. Addison glanced up from her notebook. She didn’t know what to tell her. “Will they do one of them autopsy things? Mum likes crime programmes, so I have an idea what happens.” Sophie looked down at her hands. They trembled fiercely. Addison noticed that she was scared and still in shock. She put her pen back into the notebook and placed it in her back pocket on her jeans. She put a hand on Sophie’s shoulders and guided her back to the girls.

  “Do you see your father at all?” Addison asked.

  “We see him every weekend normally.” Lily jumped in.

  “I will call your father and he will meet you at the hospital. If there is anything that you can remember, you can give me a call. I will give your dad a contact card to call me on.” Addison smiled softly at them. Sophie nodded her head and walked over to the house. Robert was stood outside the tape in the corner having a quick cigarette. She walked over to him and he nodded at her. He stumped the fag butt out and threw the end into the bush.

  “Sophie said that the killer was over six feet tall. She also mentioned that her mum fancied their head teacher at the school, Mr. Kobak.”

  “He’s hardly over six feet tall. He’s barely the same height as you.” Robert joked.

  “Well, to Sophie he may have looked really tall, but could still be my height. Sophie had to crane her neck to look up at me, could easily think I’m the same height.” Addison explained her small theory.

  “You’ve got a good point there, kid. Nora ran me through the scene quickly, it all seems quite quick. He’s trying his luck with bigger families.” Robert told her.

  “This seems like a frustrated kill, he knows we are closing in on him. I think we are on the right track and that is the school. They all link to that school.” Addison explained.

  “I agree, we need to search each teacher’s background. I want to know what they all did before they worked there.” Robert demanded.

  Chapter Thirty-Two

  12th April 2016

  Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

  Addison typed in Harry Kobak in her internet search bar at her computer. The school website was the first thing that popped up in her search. She browsed the website and saw a picture of Harry Kobak with headteacher written under his name. Addison got her notebook out and started to jot down all the names of the teachers who are listed on the website.

  “McCain,” Fletcher whispered into her ear. Addison jumped back into her seat as she glanced around to see Fletcher laughing at her.

  “Don’t do that again. I don’t know what may happen to you next time.” Addison threatened. Fletcher carried on laughing at her as he pulled up a chair beside her.

  “Where’s Robert?”

  “He’s gone to the morgue.”

  “Why haven’t you gone with him?”

  “He told me to get a list of all the teachers at the school. I’m doing some research on them, finding some background.” Addison replied.

  “Find anything yet?”

  “No, not yet. I’ll put them through the system one at a time and see what comes up. My first on the list is Harry Kobak, I’ve got a horrible feeling about him. He has everything in common with our mothers. We have some more CCTV to get through if you want to help me?”

  “CCTV?”

  “Yeah, it’s from the entrance of the school.”

  “I will go and set up the TV,” Fletcher said as he got up from his chair and headed out of the office. Just as he left, Addison could hear shouting coming from outside the department. She got up from her chair to have a look at what’s going on.

  “YOU!” The woman shouted as Addison appeared. She recognised the little woman straight away, Susie Adams, Joan, and Rebecca Charles mother. “You, you were there. How could you? She was a kid, a whole life in front of her. This is your fault.” Susie marched towards her. She jabbed a finger into her chest as she yelled in her face. Addison stood there because Susie was right. She left the girl unattended for a moment and look what happened. Fletcher came back and noticed the commotion.

  “Mrs. Adams, please come with me,” Fletcher said. Susie glanced up at him. She let out a long sigh and looked back at Addison. She frowned at her and followed Fletcher into an interview room. Addison followed. Susie sat at the table and looked down into her hands.

  “Is there anything we could get you?” Fletcher asked her.

  “I would like to have my granddaughter back,” Susie sneered as she looked over at Addison.

  “We are very sorry for your loss, we are trying hard to find the person who did this to your family,” Fletcher said, trying to get Susie’s attention back to him. Addison could feel her phone buzzing in her pocket. She left the room to answer it.

  “Madison,”

  “Stop calling me,” Addison yelled. She went to hang up, but Alan stopped her.

  “I know who’s killing your victims.” He said. Addison stood staring through the small window into the interview room.

  “What do you want?” She finally asked.

  “Come and see me, I’ve got a photo of him,” Alan said and hung up. Addison stood staring at her phone. She didn’t believe him, but part of her wanted to go and see what he had. Fletcher came out of the room and closed the door behind him.

  “Who was that?” He asked.

  “Robert, he will be back soon.” She lied. “What did Susie say?” Addison changed the subject.

  “She’s angry, but she is grieving. I’ll leave her in there for a bit to cool off and I will send Robert to go and talk to her. She did tell me that she did see a man with Joan once.” Fletcher told her.

  “Show her this picture of Harry Kobak, it’s from the school website,” Addison said as she scrolled through her phone. She handed her phone to Fletcher and he went back into the interview room. Addison followed him and stood in the corner. Susie was aware of her being back in the room but paid no attention to her. Fletcher sat in front of Susie and he showed her the picture on Addison’s phone of Harry.

  “Is this the man you saw her with?” He asked. Susie took the phone from his hand and had a closer look at the photo. She handed the phone back.

  “Yes, that’s him,” Susie said. Fletcher looked up at Addison and she nodded to him.

  “Thank you, Mrs. Adams, that has helped us very much,” Fletcher said. He got up from his chair and Susie copied him.

  “Is it him? Is he the killer?”

  “He’s now the main suspect. But we will tell you when we catch the person responsible for this. We need to make sure we’ve got the right person.” Fletcher assured her. Addison and Fletcher watched as Susie Adams left the room, they followed her and guided her to the exit.

  “You better phone Arrows, get him back.” Fletcher handed the phone back to Addison. She dialled Robert’s number and he answered on the first ring.

  “McCain, what is it?”

  “Sir, Susie Adams was here a few moments ago. She told us that she remembered seeing someone with Joan once and we showed her a photo of Harry Kobak and she has identified him as the man Joan Charles was with.” Addison told him.

  “Good work. I’m on my way to pick you up and we will go and somewhat arrest him.” Robert said and then hung up.

  “He’s coming to get me,” Addison told Fletcher.

  “I’m going to carry on watching the rest of that CCTV footage, I know where I’m not needed.” Fletcher joked. They both headed back to the office, so Addison can grab her things. She went downstairs to the carpark and waited for Robert to turn up. She glanced down at her phone for the time, but an incoming call surprised her. She answered it.

  “Madison,” Alan spoke. Addison rolled her eyes at the name.

  “You don’t know anything. We’ve got our main suspect.” Addison said and hung up. She put the phone back into her pocket and noticed Robert pulling up. She hopped into the passenger side of the car.

  “Well done Addison,” Robert said to her.

  “What for? Fle
tcher helped, I got him to show her the picture.” Addison told him.

  “We have a reason to suspect him. Let’s bring him in and see what he has to say for himself.” Robert replied. She noticed he was determined to catch him. Addison found herself thinking about Alan Reed’s phone calls. Why does he want to tell her now who the killer is? Did he even know? A photo? The questions made her curious.

  Chapter Thirty-Three

  12th April 2016

  Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

  Robert and Addison stood outside Harry Kobak’s office as he was in a meeting. The receptionist refused to let them inside.

  “Do you know how long he will be? This is very important?” Robert said to the receptionist. She sighed as she got up from the chair and she moved to Harry’s door. She quickly disappeared and reappeared within moments.

  “He will finish his meeting and will call you in, please wait a few minutes.” She said and sat behind her desk.

  “Why can’t we just barge in there?” Addison whispered to Robert.

  “Because we aren’t arresting him yet, we are trying to get him to come down the station willingly,” Robert told her.

  “But we have enough to suspect him?”

  “We do, but we need more evidence to back up our suspicions,” Robert said. A man and a woman emerge from Harry’s office followed by a young boy. They had sullen faces as they disappeared out of the reception area. Harry popped his head out and called the detectives into the room. Robert and Addison went inside as he closed the door behind them.

  “What can I do for you detectives?” Harry said as he perched on the side of his desk.

  “We have reason to believe that you were dating Joan Charles?” Robert started.

  “Where did you get that from? I wasn’t dating her.” Harry assured them.

  “Have you ever been to her house?”

  “No, I haven’t, look what is this about?” Harry stood up from his desk and moved behind it.

  “We would like you to come down the station so we could have a word about your relationships with these women who have been murdered.” Robert explained.

  “Are you arresting me?”

  “No sir, we would like you to help us in this investigation and tell us everything you know about Joan, Wendy, and Pauline.” Robert convinced. Addison fished her phone from her pocket and saw that Fletcher was trying to contact her.

  “Just one moment,” she said as she stepped outside to answer the call.

  “Please tell me you have found something. I don’t think he’s going to come down the station willingly.” Addison said.

  “Well actually, I’ve found some footage on those CCTV tapes of Harry Kobak and Wendy Willis together. They seem to be arguing outside the school intensely.” Fletcher told her.

  “Is there a time and date on it?”

  “Yes, 7th April at four fifteen,” Fletcher said. Suddenly he realised that was the night of Wendy’s murder.

  “Thanks, Fletch, we have reason to arrest him now.” Addison hung up the phone. She put the phone in her pocket and smiled as she re-entered the office.

  “Harry Kobak, where were you on the 7th of April at four pm,” Addison asked. Robert and Harry both glanced at her.

  “I was in my office.”

  “Did you have anyone here with you at the time?”

  “No, I was alone as I had some schedules to change for the next week.”

  “Can I have a word with you outside for a moment,” Addison said as she turned to Robert. Robert followed her back into the reception area.

  “What is it, McCain?”

  “Harry Kobak just lied. Fletcher called me, he found some footage of Harry Kobak and Wendy Willis outside the school arguing on the 7th April.” Addison explained.

  “The night of her murder,”

  “Is that evidence enough?” Addison asked. Robert smiled as he marched back into the room. Addison followed with a big smile on her face.

  “Harry Kobak, I am arresting you for the suspicion of the murder of Wendy Willis. You do not have to say anything. But, it may harm your defense if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.” Robert read Harry’s rights.

  “What are you on about? I didn’t murder anyone.” Harry started. Addison got out her handcuffs and went to the desk to place them on his wrists. Harry moved away from her as she came near him.

  “Stay away from me, I didn’t murder anyone.” Harry put his hand out to stop her. She went to grab his wrist, but he grabbed her first and pulled her towards him.

  “Harry, stop.” Robert started. Harry thrust Addison’s head towards the desk, colliding with it. He pushed her away, falling to the ground and Robert leaped forward, knocking him down. Addison quickly got back up again and passed the cuffs to Robert who now had Harry’s face down on the floor. He forcefully lifts him up from the ground and drags him out of the doors to the car. Addison saw everyone looking out of their windows and teachers watching from the doors as Harry is dragged to the car.

  “I didn’t kill anyone. I’m innocent. It’s not me.” Harry shouted as he was shoved into the backseat. Robert and Addison got into the car and took him back to the station.

  “We will keep him in a cell for him to cool off overnight. We will interview him in the morning. I’ll take him back to the station and then you can have the rest of the day off.” Robert told her as he shuts the door on a shouting Harry Kobak who is still claiming he’s innocent.

  “Ok sir, I will see you in the morning,” Addison said. She hopped into the front seat and they headed back to the police station. Addison left Robert booking Harry Kobak to his cell, so she could get her things to go home. She saw Fletcher sitting at her desk, waiting for her.

  “We have a suspect.” Fletcher smiled.

  “We do indeed. Let’s hope the charges stick, he’s linked to all the women. We need to put him in the places of their time and deaths.” Addison said as she flung her bag over her shoulder. “I’m heading off now, but I’ll see you in the morning,” Addison said as she waved to Fletcher before leaving the department. She got into her car and drove home. She parked her car in the normal spot outside her flat and walked up to the front door.

  She put the keys into the door lock and then paused for a moment. She listened. Someone was inside her home. She pulled out her phone and started to dial Robert’s number. He didn’t answer the first time, so she tried again. She opened her front door slowly and noticed that the place had been tipped upside down. There were broken glass and plates, books and pens all over the floor. All her draws had been ripped open and emptied. She walked slowly to the kitchen and saw a note that was stuck under a magnet on her refrigerator.

  “Wrong man. Your time will come.” She read aloud. She called Robert phone again, listening to it ringing and ringing. There was a sudden noise behind her and she turned around. Someone hit her around the head with a bat, she fell to the floor unconscious with the sound of Robert’s voice echoing as he had answered the phone.

  Chapter Thirty-Four

  12th April 2016

  Sawbridgeworth, Hertfordshire, United Kingdom

  Fletcher had been knocking on Addison’s door but there was no answer. Robert had gone around the back to see if there was a backdoor that might be open. He peeked through the kitchen window when he saw Addison on the floor. He took a step back and looked around for a stone or a brick big enough to smash the window.

  “FLETCHER,” he yelled. He threw the large rock and the window crashed. He used the sleeve of his jacket to move any access glass, so he could climb through. Fletcher came running around the corner and saw Addison on the floor too.

  “Christ, what happened?” Fletcher said.

  “Addison,” Robert called as he lifted Addison’s head into his lap as he sat on the floor. Fletcher called for an ambulance and back up.

  “Addison,” Robert called again. He gently brushed h
er hair to one side as her eyes started to flutter open.

  “What happened?” She croaked.

  “I was wondering if you could tell me.” Robert said to her. She tried to sit up but Robert kept her pinned to his lap. “Stay still until the ambulance gets here.”

  “Someone was in here. I don’t think Harry is our killer.” Addison confessed to him.

  “What makes you say that?” Robert asked. She points towards the note on her fridge and he follows where she is pointing. He noticed the note. “The killer was here?”

  “I think so,” Addison said as she tried to get up again. Robert put his arm around her waist and guided her to the sofa. He placed her carefully and sat beside her.

  “You should be lucky he didn’t kill you.” Robert told her.

  “I’m not his MO, he’s got something else for me.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I have a feeling I may have upset someone in the past and they’ve come for revenge. Maybe knew my real identity and using my father’s killing motive to lure me out. He’s got his wish.” Addison said. Fletcher came into the room with paramedics following him. They went straight over to Addison and checked her over, it was only a mild concussion.

  “We will need to take you down to the hospital to get that wound stitched up.” The paramedic said to her.

  “I don’t need to go to the hospital, can’t you do it here?” Addison rejected.

  “We can do it here. But it would be better for you to be checked over just in case,” The paramedic started, but Addison still refused.

  “Do it here. I will only get sent home and I am fine.” Addison demanded. The paramedic looked at her partner and he nodded his head. They stitched up the wound on her head and started to pack their things.

  “You will need to find somewhere else to stay tonight as this place is a crime scene for now. We will see if we can lift any prints anywhere from our killer.” Robert said.

  “She can stay with me.” Fletcher piped in. Robert glanced up at him, for a moment Fletcher thought he was glaring. But it was quickly replaced with him nodding in agreement.