by Sally Rigby
‘Is it the same sedative as the others?’ George asked.
‘I think so. Not strong enough to totally knock him out. Just enough to relax him and make him easy to deal with.’ The phone on her desk rang and she picked it up. ‘Walker.’
‘Guv, it’s Ellie. I wanted to let you know Jules is back online, if Dr Cavendish wants to come back.’
‘We’re on our way.’ She put the phone back on the desk. ‘Come on, Jules is active.’
They headed out of her office, towards the desk next to Ellie’s.
‘Are you going to speak first?’ she asked.
‘No. I’m going to wait to see if she sees me online and makes the first move.’
‘You think it’s best for her to take the lead?’
‘On the one hand, if I’m acting like the predator, maybe I should be trying to lure her in as soon as possible. But on the other, we want to be sure she’s the one. I think it will come through more if we let her lead us,’ George said.
‘That makes sense. The whole point is for her to be luring us to our demise.’ There was a ping, and it showed a message had arrived for livetoplayfootball from Juleslovesyou.
‘Well, it looks like she’s made the first move anyway,’ George said as she opened the message.
Hiya WUU2?
‘What does that mean?’ she asked.
‘What you up to,’ George said. ‘I won’t answer straightaway. I’ll give it a few minutes. I’ve got to pretend I’m at home and in bed.’
‘Look at you, down with the kids. How do you know this?’ She grinned.
‘I spent yesterday afternoon with Ellie, and she got me up to speed. Glad you’re impressed.’
‘You did a good job, Ellie,’ Whitney said, nodding in her direction.
‘Thanks, guv,’ the young officer said.
After a few minutes, George decided to reply. ‘I’ve got to make out we’re kindred spirits. She’s having problems with her parents, so I’ll be having problems with mine.’
NM apart from being ordered to clean my mum’s car not happy about it HBY
They didn’t have to wait long for a response.
I’m still grounded even though I told her it wasn’t my fault. She never listens. She hates me and I hate her.
‘Right, let’s take this steady and get her on side,’ George said.
‘Or get her to believe you think you’re getting her on side,’ she said as she shook her head. ‘Talk about weaving a tangled web.’
‘True. It’s certainly complicated.’
Sorry ur so upset wish I could help.
‘Is that what an eighteen-year-old boy would typically say?’ she asked.
‘Doubtful, but that’s the point. If I’m pretending to be an eighteen-year-old boy and occasionally slip up, it confirms to Jules she’s got the right person.’
‘Got it,’ she said.
I wish we could meet up to talk
‘Bloody hell, that’s quick,’ George said.
‘You must have been very convincing.’
‘I don’t know. It seems a bit soon to be suggesting a meet-up. From what I’ve seen, it doesn’t usually happen this quickly.’
‘Or maybe Jules isn’t the one,’ she said.
‘Grooming typically can take weeks, but if she’s convinced we’re not who we say we are, then maybe she wants to trap us as soon as she can. Or she has another reason for moving this on quickly. Either way it doesn’t matter. If we go to the meeting and see she’s a young girl, we won’t bother going up to her, so she’ll think she’s been stood up,’ George said.
‘Except our murderer could have a young girl working with her. The girl lures the man somewhere quiet, and the killer injects them and takes them away. If there’s a young girl there, we’ll stand her up and then tail her,’ Whitney said.
‘True. Anyway, it’s worth following this through. I’ll make the plans,’ George said.
Can you get away at all?
The reply was almost instant.
Not today. My mum goes to work tomorrow so I can sneak out of the house without her knowing.
‘Don’t suggest anywhere too private and secluded because that might appear suspicious,’ Whitney said.
Okay. Let’s meet in Orchid Café at Springfield Shopping Centre.
They stared at the screen, waiting for a response.
No. I want to go somewhere quiet where we can get to know each other.
George arched an eyebrow. ‘This has to be our murderer. There’s a sexual undertone, and all I’ve suggested is for us to talk.’
‘Yes.’ Whitney punched the air.
Where?
Abingdon Park near the lake on the far side by the trees.
The park was vast, and where the girl had suggested wasn’t a place young people usually went. They tended to congregate by the fountain.
‘That would work,’ Whitney said.
Okay what time?
11?
Cool. See you then. GTG.
George signed off. ‘We’ve done it.’
‘Right. I’ve got work to do making sure this happens,’ Whitney said.
‘I’ve got some jobs to do. When do you want me back?’ George asked.
‘After lunch.’
Whitney spent the next few hours dealing with the red tape involved in getting all the approval they needed. Jamieson gave clearance after risk assessments were made. She also made sure they had additional officers available for support.
Mid-afternoon, she went back into the incident room. George had also returned and was standing with Matt.
‘Listen up, everyone. Stop what you’re doing and make sure you can see the board.’ She pinned up an aerial map of the Abingdon Park area.
‘This is the meeting place,’ she continued once everyone was settled. ‘There are benches situated around the lake. Matt, you’re going to be our decoy, and you’re to sit on the bench closest to West Street. I want you wired.’
‘Yes, guv,’ the detective said.
‘I want you to wait in a side street, out of sight, until fifteen minutes before the meeting time. Then walk over to the bench. Act furtive, then sit down. Listen to instructions from me, and report anything you notice.’
‘And be prepared to get the needle, so wear thick trousers,’ Frank said.
‘Matt’s fully aware of the possibility he might be injected with a sedative,’ Whitney said. ‘But before that happens, Matt, you have to get her to admit to what she’s done, and what she intends to do. If we don’t get this confession, she could walk. Our only evidence is carpet fibres and some straw. We need something concrete. Let’s make sure no mistakes are made.’
‘Understood, guv.’
‘George and I will be stationed here, behind the trees.’ She pointed to a clump of trees on the map. ‘Doug and Sue, you sit on a bench on the opposite side of the lake, so you can keep an eye on everything. You can pretend to be a couple. We’ll all have earpieces and will be able to hear what’s going on.’
‘What about me, guv?’ Frank asked.
‘I want you out of sight, here.’ Whitney pointed to some bushes to the left of where Matt was going to sit. ‘I’ll have officers in cars placed at every road leading to the park. Does anyone have any questions?’ Whitney asked.
‘What if there are two of them?’ Sue asked.
‘There are five of us, plus Matt and the backup cars. We’re also carrying Tasers. They won’t get away. The meeting is set for eleven, so I want everyone there at nine-thirty. We want to make sure we’re there before the murderer, who also might arrive early to check things out. Questions?’ No one had any. ‘Right. I’ll see you all tomorrow. Let’s nail this fucker.’
Chapter Thirty-Seven
George glanced at her watch. It was fifteen minutes before the meeting, and Matt had already positioned himself on the bench.
‘There’s a teen girl walking around the lake.’ Sue’s voice came over the radio.
George grabbed Whitney’s
binoculars and held them up to her eyes, focusing on the area Sue and Doug were sitting. She spotted the young girl, wearing jeans and a hoodie. She looked around fifteen.
‘A decoy?’ she asked Whitney as she handed the binoculars back to her.
‘Could be. Let’s see what she does.’
The girl strolled casually around the lake. As she got within twenty yards of where Matt was, she stopped, stared in his direction, and pulled out her phone. She held the phone to her ear, all the time keeping her gaze on him.
‘She could be calling the perp. Matt, go over and ask if she’s Jules,’ Whitney said.
He slowly rose from the bench and walked towards the girl.
‘Hello,’ he said once he was within a couple of feet.
The girl tensed and panic etched itself across her face. ‘It’s not her,’ George said.
‘Are you sure?’ Whitney asked.
‘Definitely. There was terror on her face when Matt approached. It wasn’t put on. It was for real.’
‘Matt, get back to the bench, pronto,’ Whitney said.
‘Sorry,’ he muttered before turning back and walking towards the bench.
The young girl turned and ran off.
The radio crackled. ‘A white Ford’s turned slowly into West Street,’ came the voice of one of the backup police officers over the radio.
‘Thanks. Matt, be prepared,’ Whitney said.
George kept her eyes focussed on the road and observed the car driving slowly past. She couldn’t tell who was behind the wheel. The driver didn’t stop.
‘Is she sussing out the scene, do you think?’ she asked Whitney.
‘She could be.’
‘She’ll be back soon, then.’
‘Did you get the registration number?’ Whitney spoke into the radio.
‘Yes, guv. We’re running the plates now,’ the officer said.
‘Who was behind the wheel?’ Whitney asked the officer.
‘A woman on her own.’
While they waited, the car came back the other way and slowed down until it was level with the bench where Matt was now sitting. The driver pulled in and parked.
‘It looks like this is it,’ Whitney said to the rest of the team.
They waited for around five minutes before the car door opened and someone stepped out.
‘What the fuck?’ Whitney muttered.
George strained her eyes, cursing the fact her distance eyesight wasn’t as good as it should be.
‘What?’ she asked.
‘Can’t you see who it is?’ Whitney said.
‘No. Tell me.’
‘Diana Atkins!’
Bloody hell. Why hadn’t she worked that out?
Mesmerised, they watched the woman stride over towards the bench. She was immaculately dressed in dark brown boots and a fawn, calf-length, double-breasted coat. A large tan-coloured handbag was hanging over her shoulder. When she reached Matt, she sat beside him, placing her bag on the bench to her left-hand side.
George and Whitney stood in silence, waiting for the conversation to commence.
‘Hello,’ Diana Atkins said as she smoothed out her coat beneath her.
‘Hello,’ Matt responded.
‘Are you waiting for someone?’ she asked, smiling at him.
‘I am, yes.’
‘Is it Jules?’ she asked.
‘Yes. How do you know?’
‘It doesn’t matter how I know. All that matters is she won’t be coming,’ she answered icily.
‘Why not?’ Matt asked, his voice remaining calm and in control.
‘Because she doesn’t exist, that’s why.’
‘Yes, she does. I’ve been speaking to her.’
‘No. You’ve been speaking to me.’
‘I don’t understand,’ Matt said.
George and Whitney exchanged a glance. He was good.
‘You thought you could prey on a thirteen-year-old girl and abuse her. Well, you can forget it. It’s not going to happen now, and it’s not going to happen ever again.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘I make it my business to stop men like you.’
‘You don’t know anything about me.’
‘I know plenty. You’re all the same. Scum who don’t deserve to walk this earth. This is it for you.’
‘Really. And what can you do to me?’ Matt taunted. ‘You can’t prove anything. I’ll deny it if you go to the police.’
‘I don’t need to prove anything. The police won’t be involved.’
‘What then?’
Diana reached into the bag by her side and pulled out a small gun, which she lowered until it rested on the bench and was pointed at his leg.
‘Gun,’ Whitney whispered into the radio.
‘This is what. If you move, I’ll shoot,’ Diana said.
‘W-what do you want me to do?’
‘Explain why you think it’s okay to groom young girls for your perverted benefit. Make me understand.’
‘Are you going to kill me?’ Matt asked.
‘I’m asking the questions, not you,’ she said.
‘Please answer me. Am I going to die?’
‘Do you deserve to?’ she responded.
George looked at Whitney. ‘We can’t let this carry on. Matt’s life’s in danger.’
‘Okay, everyone, we’re going in. Doug and Sue, get up slowly and act normal, as if you’re going for a walk. Head towards the bench. Frank, come in from the other side, and we’ll come around the back, disarm, and arrest her.’
George watched as Doug and Sue left the bench and ambled around the lake. She and Whitney went to the back of the trees and approached from behind. As they got closer, Whitney trod on a twig and it snapped. Diana’s head flicked around, and she saw them.
Her eyes locked on Whitney. Furious.
Matt made a grab for her arm but not before she shot him in the leg. He let out an agonising shriek and fell to the ground.
George rushed over, pulling off her scarf, which she wrapped tightly around his leg, attempting to stem the flow of blood which was oozing down his trousers.
Whitney charged towards Atkins as she took off down the path. The woman ran headfirst into Doug and Sue, causing her to pause and attempt a detour. Before she had time to set off again, Whitney came up from behind, throwing herself forward and grabbing her around the legs, tackling her to the ground.
The gun was thrown from her hand, and Doug kicked it away.
Whitney stood and grabbed Atkins by the arm, hoisting her to her feet.
‘Diana Atkins, I’m arresting you on suspicion of the murders of Russell Atkins, Kelvin Keane, and Tony Adams, and for the attempted murder of Detective Sergeant Price. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention when questioned something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?’
‘I hope you can live with yourself. How many girls will have their lives ruined because you’ve stopped me?’ the woman challenged.
‘Take her away.’ Whitney turned and headed back to George and Matt.
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Whitney, George, and Doug walked down the corridor towards the interview room where Atkins was sitting with her solicitor. She preferred interviewing with Matt, but he was in hospital after the operation to remove the bullet from his leg.
She’d been in to visit him, and he was doing okay. Already talking about when he’d be back at work. But she’d make sure he didn’t return until he was totally better. She’d be putting him forward for a commendation.
‘Doug and I will interview. George, you can watch and listen from behind the two-way mirror.’
Whitney pushed open the door, and they walked in and sat down. She placed her folder on the table and prepared the recording equipment.
‘Interview on March twenty-seventh. Those present: DCI Walker.’ She nodded at Doug.
‘DC Baines.’
; ‘And please state your name,’ she said to the prisoner.
‘Diana Atkins.’
‘And,’ she said, nodding at the solicitor.
‘Jeffrey Baker, solicitor for Diana Atkins.’
‘Mrs Atkins, we’d like to talk to you about the murders of Russell Atkins, Kelvin Keane, and Tony Adams. Let’s start with your husband. When did you first find out about his predilection for young girls?’
The solicitor leaned in towards her. ‘You don’t have to answer, Diana.’
‘I want to answer. I want to tell them everything,’ she said.
‘I strongly recommend you don’t. They can use it against you when we get to court,’ he said.
‘I want them to know my story, as I’m going to plead guilty. I’m glad they’re dead and the world is rid of such monsters.’
The solicitor glanced at Whitney, frustration etched across his face.
‘There will be a sentencing hearing. I advise against you going through with this,’ he said.
‘If she wants to speak, then let her,’ Whitney said. ‘You carry on, Diana, and tell us everything.’
The solicitor leaned back in his chair and shook his head. ‘It’s up to you,’ he said, shrugging.
Diana sat upright and looked directly at Whitney. She could easily have been sitting in a Womens’ Institute meeting rather than being charged with three atrocious murders.
‘I discovered quite by accident Russell had joined SnapMate. We both had the same make and model of phone, and I accidentally picked up his. I keyed in my code to unlock it, and it turned out we were both using the same numbers. The year of his birth. I had no idea. Once I realised my mistake, I should have put the phone down, but you know what it’s like. I started looking around and saw the app on there. I clicked on it, and that’s when I realised what he was doing.’
‘Why didn’t you challenge him about it?’ Whitney asked.
‘I wanted to see how far he’d go. I monitored everything he did and, whenever I could, sneaked into his phone. For six months I did this, following him in person whenever possible. I saw his intentions towards these girls, so I decided to set him up.’
‘With the intent to murder him?’ Whitney asked.