Where Is She?

by Roger Rapel

  Jim crept up behind her and patted her bum then cradled his arms around her as he cupped her breasts in each hand, then kissed her neck. Jackie loved this attention as she lifted her head allowing his lips access to her throat and her ears, which she adored; the feeling of his warm breath tumbling inside her ear sent sensual shivers down her spine exciting her, sending instant moistening signals to her vagina which responded instantly, knowing the excitement to be relished soon.

  Jim breathed softly into her ear causing Jackie to scrunch her shoulder up at the pleasurable sensation as she giggled and moaned softly. She turned around then kissed him deeply and passionately. He was getting aroused as was Jackie, she turned the oven down low then turned off the veg and dragged him by the tie to the bedroom, where she undressed him then sat on the edge of the bed dragging his head between her thighs where he engaged in her favourite sexual activity, Jim feasted on her, absorbing her juices. ‘Oh Jim please don’t ever stop liking this will you, oh my god yes, yes, oh fucking hell Jim.’ Jackie loved Jim performing on her, it was her favourite by far, it felt so good; she would hold his head keeping him there whilst she climaxed again and again. Then they engaged in making love for an hour. Jackie hugged Jim and laid her head on his chest listening to his heart beat. After a while she got up and started dishing up the dinner. Jim could have slept all night, but he dragged himself to the kitchen where he helped dish up.

  They sat eating in front of the television as they discussed their days work; Jackie was riveted by the investigation that Jim unfolded.

  They finished dinner and went to bed both tired from their day and physical exertion with each other. Jim crashed till his alarm went off. Jackie had slept passed her normal time, then got up and started to rush about getting ready then they were gone.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Jim arrived at HQ’s where he debriefed Langton on his previous day; Langton had already begun to write his policy log and filled in the blanks from Jim’s information. Jim had already sent a message to PNC for the arrest of Sumner for murder if he was stopped.

  Jim and Langton then went to the scene where the tents had been erected over the graves. The teams were slowly beginning unearth each grave in sequence. The pathologist began to work on the uncovered bodies. All the officers were wearing face masks to try and reduce the smell of the decaying bodies. The stench got stronger the deeper the officers and the pathologist dug.

  Jim knew so well the acrid smell that hit the back of the throat, the smell that one never forgets; there is no other smell that comes close to it. The smell just hangs in the air attaching to clothes; the smell of decaying bodies clings to the skin and hair.

  Jim watched as the teams unearthed the last grave, none of the bodies could be identified by facial features, as all the flesh had been eaten by worms and bacteria; the normal decaying processes had well and truly kicked in. The only recognisable one was the latest victim although her face was so badly bruised from the punches inflicted on her by Sumner; she was not a pretty sight, but just about identifiable as having been the girl on the last video.

  It was only dental records and perhaps the jewellery which was worn by some of the victims that would hopefully be identified, and confirm their identities.

  The pathologist confirmed the post mortem dates, although his initial examination confirmed each body had indications of strangulation as the hyoid bone in each of throats had been broken. The bodies were removed to the mortuary in body bags by the undertakers.

  Langton and Jim returned to HQ’s in their own cars with windows wide open trying to rid themselves of the smell of decaying bodies. Once in Langton’s office he poured three fingers of scotch which in some way aided the reduction of the smell. But as with all smells, the longer you remain in the vicinity the more the nose gets used to it. But to others who come in contact with it, they can instantly detect the distinct odour.

  Jim drank the scotch then went to make more notes and prepare for the eventual interview of Sumner. He needed to have an interview package available just in case he was working for the spooks when Sumner was finally arrested.

  Jim had removed the jewellery from the victims and placed them into separate bags and numbered them 1-5. He went to see Mr and Mrs Crosby where he prepared them for the worst. He opened the envelope which, from the description was probably Janet’s; he couldn’t show them the physical remains, it would have been too much for them and from what was left they couldn’t have identified Janet anyway.

  Jim carefully emptied the contents of the envelope onto the dining room table. There was a necklace with a heart shaped pendant and gold ring with a diamond in the band. Mrs Cosby on seeing the jewellery covered her face and burst into tears as she grabbed her husband and sobbed heavily into his shoulder. Mr Crosby looked at the jewellery as he welled up with a brick sized lump in his throat. He tried to speak, but all that came out was mutterings. Jim let them cry out; when they had settled; Mr Crosby said ‘the ring was an 18th birthday present and the necklace a 21st. Where did you find them?’ Jim thought oh my god this is going to kill them hearing the truth; so decided to lessen the impact by saying she had been found in the woods and he was waiting for the post mortem to establish the cause of death.

  Mrs Crosby then said ‘can we see her?’ ‘Sorry, the reason I bought the jewellery, is because well you know; it would be difficult after all the time she had been in the woods to establish the identity. Mrs Crosby brought her hand to her mouth again as she burst into more tears. ‘Oh my Sandra, oh my god my poor baby, oh please it can’t be, please god oh please.’ She collapsed into her husband’s shoulder again as the tears flowed, she could hardly breathe as the emotion overtook her. There was nothing more Jim could do; he took a short statement of jewellery identification from Mr Crosby; then left stating he would keep them informed as the investigation progressed.

  Jim got outside, he took a sharp intake of breath as he thought, no matter how many times he delivered a message like this it was always difficult, especially knowing the truth, but having to hold back out of sympathy for the relatives. Albeit the truth would eventually come out, they would have had time to become stronger and be able to cope a little better when it did.

  Jim got back to HQ’s where he called the coroner’s office to confirm the identity of body number 3, was that of Janet Crosby.

  He then wrote on the dry white board 1-5, writing Janet’s details; confirming the identity by the Jewellery as number 3. The other numbers would eventually, have their identities confirmed.

  The next thing to do was get the remaining jewellery photographed by SOCO then use the media to circulate it through local papers and national news so it reached as wider audience as possible. The internal circulation would be made first to all surrounding forces to check against missing persons reports.

  Jim prepared a charge for the next remand hearing for the Small’s. Conspiracy to murder Janet Crosby on or about the date she went missing. If the identities of the others could not be confirmed then they would be charged with the murder of persons unknown on a date unknown.

  Jim contacted Special Branch to trawl the airline and ferry crossings for Sumner; he was convinced he would have done a runner to Spain or Portugal by now. He then had a flash of inspiration and called Yvonne requesting a search of their system to ensure he wasn’t one of theirs. Yvonne confirmed he wasn’t, but would use their sources to place an alert on him. Then she said ‘get ready Jim, don’t pack yet, but get ready.’ ‘Is it still the states?’ Yvonne confirmed the states, adding I need to brief you as well.’ ‘You mean debrief?’ ’Behave Jim, but yes perhaps.’

  Jim collected the photos from SOCO then met with the force press officer requesting him to call for a briefing and arrange for a press release, in order to give the jewellery as much coverage as they could.

  The day came as the room where the showing was to be made was jam packed full of TV crews and photographers. Langton was chairing the conference as the press officer called
for silence, the room slowly descended into a hush. The press officer opened the meeting then handed over to Langton, who then gave an impassioned plea for anyone who recognised the jewellery to come forward by getting in touch on the following numbers, or by calling their local police station. The room then erupted into a barrage of questions with the press officer conducting the reporters like an orchestra by pointing to the next one to ask a question; then the next and so on. Langton then nodded to the press officer, who then called a halt to the proceedings as Langton and Jim left the room. Langton then said to Jim ‘fucking news hounds they can be a right pain in the arse sometimes, but on occasions like this we need them.’ Jim nodded as he smiled walking into Langton’s office where he opened his bottle of Islay and poured two fingers into two glasses they chinked them and toasted the success so far.

  Langton looked seriously at Jim, as Jim cocked his head in a questioning manner, Langton then said ‘they have found the back bencher in his holiday flat in Greece, it looks like a suicide, his wrists had been cut and he bled to death in the bath.’ ‘Was there a note?’ ‘Sort of; very sketchy, it just said, I’m sorry.’ ‘He’s being brought back by plane, we will have to wait for the results of the post mortem, maybe the pathologist can ascertain if the cuts were self-inflicted or if they could have been caused by another, it’s a long shot, but worth a try.’ Jim nodded as he sipped his scotch.

  Jim said ‘I don’t suppose the Greeks want a murder on their hands so will not push too hard at their end.’ Langton nodded as he agreed.

  The media circus had done their bit; the newspapers locally had front page coverage of the jewellery; whilst broadsheet papers had a small reference on the inside pages. The local TV stations gave a big coverage, but the national news hardly touched on it, as there were bigger headline issues to cover, including the death of the backbencher in Greece, which took primacy over other news of the day. Jim thought if only they knew the connection between the two they would have a field day.

  Jim reviewed the tapes again making sure he could identify the other persons in the sequences. He was sure he had all the identities correct. He went back to see Langton confirming the names which now included a top ranking solicitor in one of the practices that the police used for advice on civil matters. Langton nodded at Jim and said ‘I will notify the Chief as there will be a lot of press interest in this. Also Police matters already in the hands of that practice may have to be recovered and given to another firm. But don’t worry there will be no whitewash. Give me a day to sort it, then I will give you the nod.’ Jim smiled as he left the office.

  The okay was given after the Chief had been informed. Jim didn’t need a second telling, he went to the solicitors offices where he requested to see Reginald Prentice. He was fobbed off initially by the smiling receptionist. He then informed her if she didn’t notify Prentice he was here to see him, he would arrest her for obstructing him.

  The receptionist quickly buzzed Prentice to come to reception immediately. Shortly after an interconnecting door opened, as out walked a smartly dressed pin striped suited man with greying hair at the temples. ‘Yes how can I help you, what’s the urgency, why can’t this wait?’ Jim saw the face and immediately recognised him from the video sequence. ‘Can I have a moment of your time in your office please?’ ‘No I’m too busy now, make an appointment.’ Jim could hear the arrogance in his voice which really pissed him off, so said ‘In that case Mr Prentice I am arresting you for rape and conspiracy to murder.’ Jim then gave him the text book caution, knowing everything had to be by the book. Jim saw his face drop and the jaw of the receptionist drop open even wider having heard the statement of Jim.

  Jim then thought fuck him, as he took out his handcuffs, ‘that won’t be necessary.’ ‘Sorry rules and regulations, you know all about those don’t you?’ Prentice had no option but to hold his hands out as Jim placed the cuffs on ensuring they were loose not tight.

  Jim placed Prentice in the back of the car as he sat in the front passenger seat; his colleague drove them to Central. There was an eerie silence in the car; Jim wanted him to stew in his own juices.

  Once back at the police station he was booked-in. Jim wanted him to be humiliated so had him banged up in a cell.

  Jim then prepared the interview room with video playing facility. Then after an hour he brought Prentice to the interview room, he got Vicky to accompany him. Prentice was brought in; Jim saw the man who looked so smart when arrested, he was now looking dishevelled, his tie and belt removed, his shirt collar undone and creased.

  ‘Okay Mr Prentice; my name is Detective Sgt Jim Broadbent, my colleague is here making notes. I just want you to understand why you are here; you have been arrested for an allegation of rape and conspiracy to murder. Earlier you were cautioned. I will ask you, do you understand the reason you are here?’

  Prentice just nodded as he looked down then said

  ‘Yes I do.’

  ‘You understand the caution?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Do you want a solicitor?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Right then; tell me how do you know Charles Sumner?’

  ‘Who is he?’

  ‘Now come on Mr Prentice you’re an intelligent man, how do you know Charles Sumner?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘How do you know Stuart and Lynda Small?’

  Prentice looked at Jim, trying to weigh him up. He had heard through the grapevine the police were on the hunt but, thought he was so far removed he wouldn’t be connected.

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Okay, do you read the papers?’

  This threw Prentice for a moment as he struggled to come up with an answer.

  ‘Yes why?’

  ‘That’s good; did you read about the backbencher found dead in Greece?’

  ‘Yes; but what’s that to do with me?’

  ‘You will see as the interview goes on.’

  ‘Did you see the news in the local papers regarding the jewellery found, and the police requesting for information as to who it may have belonged too?’

  ‘Yes I did; look where is this leading?’

  ‘Now now Mr prentice, be patient, all will be revealed very shortly. So you did see it in the papers?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Have you ever been to the house of the Small’s Stuart and Lynda?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘I think you have; no I’ll rephrase that, I know you have.’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Did you know Janet Crosby?’

  ‘Who?’

  ‘Janet Crosby?’

  ‘No, who is she?’

  ‘Remember I spoke of the jewellery?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Well her body was found in woodland near here and the jewellery she was wearing has been identified as being hers. You see she had rotted away in the ground and couldn’t have been identified by facial features; so her parents were shown the items discovered on her remains, which they confirmed as identical to the gifts they bought for their daughter Janet.’

  ‘Look what has this got to do with me?’

  ‘We are getting there; who do you think showed us the grave?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Shall I tell you, go on shall I?’

  Jim was nearing the crunch time and was enjoying the squirming of Prentice. This high flying moneyed man had nowhere to go now. He so enjoyed the interviews when he was on the front foot watching the twitching and feet shuffling of those on the end of the questions.

  ‘It was Stuart Small, and before you say no comment; I know you know the Small’s. Now just think, go on think, how do I know you know him; just think?’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Oh yes, just so you know, next to the grave of Janet there were 4 other graves, and by the time we have identified those, we will prove you knew those as well.’

  Prentice was now shaking, his hands were trembling, he was trying to look calm.
although underneath he was in turmoil with the unknowing; how much did the police know?

  ‘What have I got that makes me so sure you knew them, have a guess go on, have a guess?’

  ‘No comment.’

  Jim smiled at him it was now crunch time, he loved it. Prentice lowered his gaze as Jim stared into his eyes.

  ‘Now you may be wondering why the television is here; well it has a video in it; in my brief case are four others, but let me concentrate on this one first. Don’t worry about Vicky; she has seen it all before.’

  Jim nodded to Vicky who operated the on-button, the white noise gave way to the scene where Janet was bought into the room and stripped then held down as the men gathered raped her as the women jeered and egged them on. Then the camera operator zoomed in on each of them showing clearly the faces of all who gathered. There as clear as day there was Prentice raping Janet and smiling at the camera as he did so. After raping Janet, Lynda Small engaged him in oral sex as he is seen laughing.

  Jim nodded at Vicky who pressed the stop button. Prentice now had his head in his hands and started to cry. His big world of money that buys everything was gone, he had nowhere to hide.

  ‘Now then Mr Prentice, this is where this interview is leading you have been seen raping a woman on camera, that woman was Janet Crosby who was later murdered and buried in the woods.’

  ‘No comment.’

  ‘Okay, you see the other four tapes also include you raping women, and no doubt when their identities are known it will match those on the video sequences. So, I think you either give an explanation or we watch the other tapes showing you and others raping the other four women, including the backbencher found dead in Greece. I presumed you knew him as he is in all the video scenes raping the women as well as you?’

  Jim nodded to Vicky who ejected the video then started to load the second tape when Prentice said.

  ‘Okay, what do you want to know?’

  ‘Okay how do you know Sumner?’