by Seb Kirby
I reach forward and take hold of the gun. I aim it at him.
He stares back with a look of bewilderment. He speaks with pain in every word. “I may not have been the best father to you. But that’s what I’ve been when no one else wanted you. I kept you safe. You owe me that, at least.”
I squeeze the trigger. “You’re no father of mine.”
He falls back, the bullet taking him in the mouth.
I should feel guilt, self-remorse. But I don’t. I’ve spent too long in the shadow of the past. My feelings of guilt are over.
I pull open my shirt and, using the shirttails, wipe the gun clean. I then throw it across the room where it lands with a loud clatter.
My next thought is for Tony Galbraith.
I’m trying to bring him round and free him from the chair when there is a shout behind me from the open doorway.
CHAPTER 86
The scene on the second floor of the Montebanc tells its own story.
Two men lie dead, suffering fatal damage from inflicted knife wounds.
Ives and Lesley exchange glances. Neither needs to say that this is Cargill’s work.
The door to the room the men had been guarding is open. From inside comes the sound of another gunshot and, then, silence.
Ives does not know what to expect. Perhaps whatever conflict has been played out on the other side of that door has now come to an end. Or, maybe, there is more.
He briefs Quinn, the SWAT team leader. “We need to go in. Will you lead?”
Quinn nods and marshals his men. “Stay here until you’re called.”
They will have to go in blind, without knowing what might be waiting inside. An act of bravery they commit to as part of the job.
Ives holds his breath as the squad bursts in. There is no more gunfire. Within minutes, Quinn reappears at the door. “It’s safe to come in.”
The scene of chaos they encounter is going to take a long time to analyze. The brute details are clear. Five men lying dead, Cargill and Wilsden amongst them. Two have survived. Emma Chamberlain and Tony Galbraith, who shows unmistakable signs of having been tortured.
Ives turns to Lesley. “Now just what happened here?”
EPILOGUE
Two months later
If I expected the police to be my salvation, I was mistaken. Ives treated me as a suspect from the start and held me for questioning at Lions Yard.
He asked how and why I was involved in a series of events leading to so many deaths. When I told him I’d been doing no more than my job as a journalist, he remained unconvinced. In a string of interview sessions, he probed what I knew about Stanley, and about Wilsden. He wanted to know about Tony Galbraith and what part he’d played. And then there was Brian Cooper. I chose to tell him as little as possible.
And all the time I was in shock at what took place at the Montebanc and the number of dead left lying around me. The full implications of what I’d been involved with were slow to emerge.
Ives showed no sign of caring about this.
When I was allowed a phone call, I rang Sophie. She advised that if we were to discover what Ives had on me, I should open up to him. It started with the truth about what Stanley and Wilsden had been involved in. Ives tried to conceal his dismay as he heard of the abuse the pedophile ring had been so free to pursue over all those years. He demanded proof and we agreed that Sophie should bring in a sample of the three hundred records I had obtained from Assent Trust.
When Ives saw the records, his attitude changed as he realized what this could mean for the reputation of the Met.
The crucial interview came just before Ives was tasked either to charge me or release me under habeas corpus.
After making sure the normal recording devices were all turned off, Ives began. “You were the one who killed Wilsden.”
He’d taken me by surprise. “I don’t know what you mean.”
“We’ve done the forensics on the gun used to kill him.”
“So?”
“It was wiped clean. No prints. No way of tracing who might have held it when it was fired.” He paused and stared directly at me. “You were the only one in the room capable of wiping the gun. You were the only one left standing. Why would you do it if you weren’t trying to hide the fact that it was you who fired it?”
“If you’re looking for some kind of confession, Inspector, you’re wasting your time. Why are you seeking to accuse me when you should be concerned about the wretched private life of Chief Superintendent Raymond Wilsden and his accomplices? Once the truth is out there, you don’t need me to tell you what will happen. Others are bound to come forward. The full extent of their reign of abuse will become known. Is that what you want?”
“You may claim that’s the case, but it still doesn’t answer my question.”
“You don’t see the connection?”
Ives shuffled in his seat. “If you’re implying some kind of deal, you must understand I can’t talk about any such thing. But let’s say there’s always room for interpretation in an investigation of this kind. And it’s the same in journalism, I presume.”
“What are you getting at, Inspector?”
“Well, let’s say, just for the sake of argument, you might find there are insurmountable problems in covering the story about the Assent Trust. And, let’s just say there could be reasonable doubt about the analysis of the evidence that might lead us to think you were the one who shot Wilsden.”
I realized what he was asking, and I feared it was too much. The journey I’d been through to unmask Wilsden and Stanley was at such personal cost it was almost unthinkable I could ever remain silent. The world needed to know about the crimes of such men. Though they were no longer alive, there were those like them who were planning terrible acts against children and those monsters needed to be convinced they would be held to account.
I tried to resist. “You’ll find it difficult to bring the case against me. Even if you could link me to the gun, what jury wouldn’t find in favor of a harassed and abused woman fighting for her life.”
Ives was prepared for this line of defense. “That might be so, but your story will be sub judice for the whole time of the trial. If you were to lose and be given however light a sentence no one would be willing to publish it, not when the accusation would be made that you were involved in the man’s death, and your story was a way for you to try to get even. There are powerful forces that will seek at every turn to undermine your credibility. I’d say there’s a strong possibility they would succeed.”
“That’s not going to work, Inspector. I’ve not been through all this for the truth to be made into some kind of lie. So, it’s no deal. I’ll take my chance in the courts. Prepare for a storm of protest about the way Wilsden was allowed to get away with it for all those years, right at the heart of law-enforcement.”
Ives gave a look resignation. “I can’t say I’m surprised. Knowing what we do about you. Don’t think I’m doing this out of any sense of belief. I want to see men like Wilsden called out for what they are. But I’m also loyal to the Met and I owe it a duty. It deserves better than this. So, show me how.”
“There is a deal to be done, Inspector. You’ve been questioning me about Brian Cooper. I have no idea what you have on him. But whatever it is, forget about it. Don’t stand in the way of his parole.”
Ives gave an uncertain smile. “It’s a big ask. Cooper’s influence is all over the killings.”
“You’re demanding as much or more of me.”
Ives took a long time to think, but then offered a reluctant hand. “OK. It’s a deal.”
I didn’t return the handshake straight away. I had one more condition. “I expect you to launch an internal enquiry, root and branch, to purge the Met of any trace of those who have interest in children.”
Ives nodded. “It’s already underway. And I can promise it will be thorough.”
I took his hand. “Then we have a deal.”
Ives gave a look of reli
ef that suggested this was the outcome he had expected all along.
He was true to his word. The killings were attributed to Evan Cargill, acting alone.
Once I was released, I made slow but definite progress in rebuilding my life.
I had survived.
I had seen Wilsden and Stanley’s reign of abuse ended. Nothing could now bring them back from the hell I was sure they were condemned to.
The feeling that there was good in my life once more began to become a possibility, helped by further sessions with Berinski.
As ever, Sophie was a dependable beacon in getting my life back into perspective.
She was quick to blame herself. “You could have been killed. I should have been there for you. I can’t say how sorry I am.”
I would have none of it. “You were there when it mattered, Sophie. I wouldn’t have made it through without you.”
With Stanley’s influence no longer a factor, my reinstatement at the Herald was a formality. McLeish didn’t once mention the Stanley story. He must have been warned off.
And, then there was Tony Galbraith. He recovered well after a short stay in hospital. For all the evil I had uncovered, this one truth stood out. Not only had I found myself, I had gained a brother. The tragedy that entered our lives when our parents were killed in the plane crash could now be laid to rest. We could begin again.
I spent many hours with Tony, seeking to understand how different our lives had turned out and how we should come together now the burden of the past was lifted. We discussed reverting to our birth names, Christian and Lena Novak, but we both agreed that Tony Galbraith and Emma Chamberlain were who we had become and who we should remain.
I convinced him he should give up the crime that was the staple of his life. I promised to show him a better way. He agreed, on condition I gave up my drinking. I agreed and, as the weeks passed, we both came through on our promises. I found Tony a job in the City where his talents discovered their natural home. I confessed my alcohol problem to Berinski who showed me why I no longer needed that kind of support.
Sophie accompanied me to Pentonville to meet Brian Cooper when he was released on parole. He walked straight past us, saying nothing, refusing to recognize me. I knew he still blamed me for Marsha’s death. He understood nothing of the journey I’d been through, nor the deal on his behalf I’d struck with Ives. But it didn’t matter. He’d already served time for the killings carried out on his behalf. My instinct about the importance of Cooper’s case when no one else would give it houseroom was the touchstone that had guided me on the journey that brought me to the discovery of my own identity and the unmasking of the pedophile ring. Brian Cooper owed me nothing.
I knew I wouldn’t see Jenny again. The young girl who had visited me in the night was now a thing of the past. I had taken that Jenny within myself. We were a part of each other now, as we should always have been.
I’m a more complete person now, with the chains of the past left trailing behind me.
More psychological thrillers from Seb Kirby
SUGAR FOR SUGAR
A gripping psychological thriller
How far would you go to uncover the secrets of your past?
Issy Cunningham has made a new life for herself but that's all about to come crashing down.
If only she could recall what happened that Valentine's Eve, she would be able to tell the police what really took place.
But those memories won't come because there's too much in the past that troubles her.
How can she set the record straight when her past won't let her be?
What reviewers are saying
What a great book. 'It hooked me immediately and I did not want to put it down. I found myself leaving the phone ringing and letting the children have 'just 5 minutes more in front of the tv'. I really enjoyed and would recommend it.' J L Edwards
Fast paced thriller Short, punchy chapters which kept me wanting to know more...well researched and well written, with a particularly interesting main character. This book kept me guessing... I was unsure which of the characters I trusted, and was surprised at how the story ended....and books are always best when you don't see things coming! Dawn
I simply whizzed through this book. No mean feat considering I read a paperback copy and I mostly read electronically these days. The book contains short punchy chapters that keep the story moving along at quite a high pace. Combine this with a plot line that held my attention and kept me on my toes throughout, played out by well crafted, easy to connect with characters and you get yourself a very readable book. Ashrae
Exciting readThis book just kept me turning the pages, something happened in every chapter. A complete page turner. TerryHeth
A super read One of the things I really like about books by Seb Kirby is the obvious attention to detail that he has in his writing, it is quite outstanding.' Susan Hampson, Books From Dusk 'Til Dawn
Further details here: http://smarturl.it/sfors
EACH DAY I WAKE
A gripping psychological thriller
Young women are going missing and only Tom Markland knows the terrifying truth.
When he’s pulled out of the North Dock, he comes round not knowing who he is or how he got there. All he knows is that someone is killing young women. He sees them die each time he closes his eyes. The only way he’s going to recover his identity is to discover who is doing the killings. Each Day I Wake will keep you turning page after page.
What reviewers are saying about EACH DAY I WAKE:
“A thrilling page turner of a book.”
“The crisp dialogue and unexpected twists and turns in the plot kept me interested all the way to the devastating ending.”
“A brilliantly written twisting thriller that I couldn't put down.”
“Engulfing, suspenseful...will keep you guessing.”
“This really is a cracking good read.”
“A cleverly-crafted plot that draws you in from page one.”
“I loved this one... A captivating and compelling read!”
“An enjoyable fast paced thriller. Lots of twists and turns.”
“A great roller coaster of a read...."
Further details here: http://smarturl.it/ediw
About the author
Seb Kirby is the author of the James Blake Thriller series (TAKE NO MORE, REGRET NO MORE and FORGIVE NO MORE), the psychological thrillers EACH DAY I WAKE, SUGAR FOR SUGAR and HERE THE TRUTH LIES and the sci-fi thriller DOUBLE BIND.
An avid reader from an early age - his grandfather ran a mobile lending library in Birmingham - he was hooked from the first moment he discovered the treasure trove of books left to his parents.
He was a university academic for many years, latterly at University of Liverpool. Now, as a full-time writer, his goal is to add to the magic of the wonderful words and stories he discovered back then.
He lives in the Wirral, UK.
Discover more books by Seb Kirby at: https://www.smarturl.it/ska
Acknowledgements
I would like to express my thanks to everyone at THE Book Club, Kath Middleton, Scott Bury and all my online friends for all their interest and support.
Cover design is by Jane Dixon-Smith (http://www.jdsmith-design.com).