by Sally Rigby
Once they were close, she went over to them. ‘Stay here and make sure no one gets on the train. I’ll be back in a few minutes with further instructions.’
‘Yes, guv,’ they both replied.
She returned to George and Ellie. ‘Come on, let’s take a look.’
‘You handled the driver well,’ George said. ‘It can’t be easy for him to do his job when there could be a murder on here.’
‘Thanks.’
They got on board and walked through every carriage. They were all in the same state of disrepair as each other: tired faded seats, and in need of updating.
‘Do you think Ellie should go in the last carriage or the one before last?’ George asked.
‘The one before last, and you and I will sit in the end one. If we’re close to the front, we should be able to see Ellie and keep an eye from a distance. There will also be a plainclothes officer in her carriage, but far enough away not to be a deterrent.’
‘Should I be on the left or right side of the carriage?’ Ellie asked.
‘Judging by the other murders, he doesn’t seem to favour a particular side. All we know is the victims were on their own. Wherever you sit, we’ll make sure we can keep an eye on the area,’ Whitney said.
They headed back along the train and got out at the front.
‘We’re out now, Wayne,’ Whitney called to the driver, who was still sitting at the controls. ‘You can lock the doors. Has Des arrived yet?’
‘No.’ He looked at his watch. ‘He should’ve been here by now. He’s never normally late.’
‘I’ll be waiting on the platform. Send him over when he shows up.’
‘Will do.’
She made a call to the sergeant in change of the transport police, who were going to be stationed on their platform, and explained where she wanted them to be situated. She then phoned Matt.
‘Guv,’ he answered.
‘What’s happening? Have you got everything set up?’
‘I’ve been on the train and worked out where everyone is going to be positioned. The manager said this train is never usually busy and according to ticket sales, it’s even less so today. People have probably decided to keep away.’
‘Make sure there’s someone close enough to Vic they can see if anything goes down. But not close enough to stop it from happening. We’re not going to know until it actually occurs which of the trains it’s going to be because of the overlap in travel times.’
‘It’s all in hand. We’re going to catch this bastard one way or the other.’
‘Thanks. I know I can rely on you. Keep in contact. We’ll text, rather than call, once each train begins its journey; we don’t want the killer to get wind of the fact we’re more organised than he thinks. He’ll be expecting uniformed officers on the train, but he won’t know about the rest of us.’
‘Understood. It’s all in hand. Just take care of Ellie.’
Matt and Ellie were really close, in a platonic way. He’d mentored her when she’d first arrived, and made sure the team were aware of her incredible research ability. Initially, she’d only been lent to them by another department, but Whitney fought long and hard to keep her. Without her extraordinary skills, solving cases would have been so much harder. Matt had always been Ellie’s go-to person if she was struggling with anything. Whitney encouraged her to come out of her shell and always let her know how valued she was in the department.
‘Nothing will happen to her; you have my word.’
‘Thanks, guv. We’re leaving shortly. I’ll text once we get close to the stop where the killer might be getting on.’
‘This whole thing should be over by the end of the day,’ she said, letting out a sigh.
‘And the drinks will be on you,’ Matt said, giving a half-hearted laugh.
‘Too right they will. We’ll be celebrating big time.’
‘Can’t wait,’ he said.
‘Right, off you go. We’ve got a murderer to catch.’
Chapter Thirty-Two
Sunday, 23 June
Once all the officers had arrived, Whitney took them on the train and positioned them in every carriage. She instructed uniform to walk up and down the train during the journey. The killer would be expecting them, and she didn’t want him to think there was anything out of the ordinary going on.
She’d left George and Ellie standing on the platform, and after she’d positioned the last officer, she headed off the train. She still hadn’t spoken to the conductor, so she went back to the driver who was sitting in his seat looking at his phone.
‘Still not here?’ she said.
‘He’s phoned in sick. We’re waiting for a replacement.’
‘Does that mean the train’s going to be delayed?’
‘It looks like it.’
That was all they needed. She didn’t want to frighten Thackeray off.
‘How long for, do you think?’
‘Difficult to say. No one wants to be working on this train because of the potential danger.’
‘We’re doing everything we can to make sure no one is harmed.’ She let out a frustrated sigh.
‘Try telling that to the people who work here. In the meantime, we’ve just got to wait.’ He folded his arms tightly across his chest and stuck out his chin.
‘Are you letting passengers on yet?’
‘They can get on if they wish. It’s up to you.’
‘My officers are all in position. It would be best to open the doors, so everything looks normal. Although we’re not expecting the suspect to get on here, I don’t want to take any unnecessary risks, so let’s get them aboard. There are a few people waiting on the platform.’
He opened the doors. ‘An announcement will be made shortly about the delay.’
‘Let me know as soon as the replacement conductor arrives. I want to talk to him before we leave.’
‘Will do.’
She returned to George and Ellie. ‘The train’s been delayed.’
‘Do we know for how long?’ George asked.
‘No. The conductor’s phoned in sick, so they’re waiting for his replacement.’
There was a ding-dong, indicating an announcement was about to happen.
For passengers travelling on the 11.30 train to London, this train has been delayed for twenty-five minutes. We are sorry for any inconvenience caused. Thank you.
‘I thought they didn’t know how long the delay would be,’ Ellie said.
‘If they said that, people will get annoyed. At least giving them a time makes it more bearable. Hopefully, the conductor will be here by then, anyway,’ George said.
‘I’d better get in touch with Matt and let him know,’ Whitney said. She took out her phone and, glancing at the time, decided to text rather than call.
Our train’s delayed. Have you left yet?
A few seconds later she received a text back from him.
Just about to. Will call you.
Whitney’s phone rang and she answered it straight away. ‘I thought we weren’t going to speak,’ she said to Matt as she stepped away from George and Ellie.
‘Sorry, guv. I didn’t think it would matter, as we haven’t left yet. We’ll be leaving shortly. I’ve got officers positioned as planned. I’m going to stay with the uniform guys and patrol the train. I thought if we start in the first carriage, I can check all the passengers who are on here at the moment. Then I’ll scan the platforms as we arrive into different stations, to see who gets on and off.’
‘Have you seen anyone who fits the description yet?’
‘No, but we’re not expecting him for a while, are we?’
She knew that, she just wasn’t thinking straight. ‘No, but you should still keep a lookout. I don’t know when we’re going to be leaving. The conductor called in sick.’
‘Okay, guv. I’ll keep in touch and let you know how the journey is progressing.’
‘Thanks.’
She ended the call and returned to where Ellie an
d George were standing.
‘With all the platforms having police on them, will that put the murderer off?’ Ellie said.
‘He’ll be expecting it and will find somewhere to hide before he gets on his chosen train. The waiting room or the toilets. There are bound to be places he’ll be able to go to keep out of the way,’ George said.
‘Agreed,’ Whitney said.
‘Do you think that’s the conductor?’ Ellie said, pointing to a man in uniform hurrying over the bridge.
‘I hope so,’ Whitney said. She waited until the man had walked down the steps and reached the front of the train before heading over to him.
‘I’m DCI Walker. Are you the conductor?’ she said to the small, balding man in front of her.
‘Yes, I’m Charlie Jones.’
‘Have you been told there’ll be a police presence on the train, and the reason for it?’
‘Yes. The Carriage Killer might be on here.’
Whitney frowned. Judging by the expression on his face, he was excited by the prospect.
‘It’s one of three trains we’ve identified as being possible targets, so we don’t know whether it’s going to happen on here or not. I want you to act normal and do your job as you usually do.’
‘I understand, and I’ll do my best.’ He nodded.
‘Can you run through your procedures?’ she asked.
‘Once the train starts, I go through every carriage and check tickets. Anyone who hasn’t got one will have to pay me.’
‘What happens when you get to the first stop?’
‘I step down from the train and look to see who gets off and who gets on.’
‘Then what do you do?’
‘I go through the carriages again and check the tickets of the new people.’
‘Do you ever miss people getting on and off?’
‘Rarely. In this job you get used to remembering faces and destinations.’
‘Okay. When you’re doing your rounds, I don’t want you scrutinising people or engaging in conversation. You’re not to acknowledge me or any of my officers.’
‘Wouldn’t the killer think I know the police?’
‘Only the ones in uniform, so you can talk to them if necessary.’
‘How do we know he’s not on here already and watching you talking to me?’
‘If this is his chosen train, we’re not expecting him to get on board until Rugby, two stops out of Lenchester, which is the city he’s targeting at the moment.’
‘How do you know?’
‘We’ve done our research and studied his routines. But that doesn’t mean we won’t be on our guard for the whole journey. Like I said, all we want from you is to act like there is nothing out of the ordinary happening.’
‘And this will be his last murder on our train line?’
‘The pattern is four murders in one area, and then he moves on. But that’s not going to happen now we’ve identified him and he’s going to be caught.’ She was about to say more, then stopped. Knowing more might stop him from doing his job as he usually would.
‘Which are the other two trains he might be on?’
‘You don’t need to know anything else, apart from all the trains are running at similar times and there’s some overlap, which makes it impossible to identify exactly which one he’s going to be on.’
‘Okay. We need to get this train underway.’
‘Thank you for your cooperation. I know it’s not easy, but we’re going to catch this man.’
Whitney got off the train and walked over to George and Ellie. Just as she got there, an announcement came over the public address system saying the train was about to leave. They were now only fifteen minutes late.
‘Let’s get ourselves on the train. Ellie, you walk in front of us, and when we see where you sit, George and I will position ourselves.’
‘Yes, guv.’
They walked through the carriages. In the first there were ten people, a mix of families, friends, and solo travellers. As they went through to the second and third, there were fewer people, until they got to the fifth and there was only one other person in there, not counting the plainclothes officer. Ellie sat in a two-seat row, by the window, on the right. There was only one double seat behind her.
Whitney and George went through the connecting doors and into the next carriage, which was empty. They sat in a double seat at the front.
‘I can’t actually see her,’ Whitney said.
‘No, but we can see if anyone comes down the aisle and approaches her,’ George said.
‘Good point. I’ll text Matt to let him know we’re leaving shortly.’ She took out her phone.
Leaving now. Where are you?
After a couple of minutes, she had a reply.
We’re on our way. Nothing to report.
‘Right, now we sit tight and wait. So, we might as well talk about Ross.’
‘Why would we want to do that?’ George said, looking puzzled.
‘Because this waiting is killing me, and I can’t draw attention to myself by pacing up and down the train.’
‘I’m not discussing him while everyone can hear,’ George said. ‘We’re all wearing mics and earpieces.’
‘We’ll turn our mics to incoming only,’ Whitney said as she pressed the button on hers and leaned over and did the same to George’s.
‘What do you want to know?’ George let out a sigh.
‘When am I going to meet him?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘Have you introduced him to your friends?’
‘I don’t know anyone to introduce him to, apart from work colleagues, and that’s not going to happen.’
‘I’m sorry, I forgot you don’t mix with many people.’
‘I have a wide range of acquaintances, but no one I see socially.’
Whitney could relate to that. She was so busy with family and work she hadn’t caught up with any of her friends in months. They probably didn’t even remember who she was.
‘Why don’t you bring him to my concert?’ she suggested.
‘When is it?’
‘We’ve got one coming up in a few weeks, in a local hall. We’re also preparing for a big one in November. All the Rock Choirs in the Midlands are getting together. I’ve been asked to do a solo.’
‘I’d definitely like to come to that one. I haven’t heard you sing before.’
‘I’d love you to be there.’ She rarely invited people to see her perform, as she liked to keep that part of her life separate. But with George it was different.
‘I can bring Tiffany with me, too.’
‘You can, but there’ll also be Mum and Rob.’
‘No problem. I’ll bring everyone.’
‘What about Ross, can you get him in the car as well?’
‘We’re talking about over four months’ time. I’ve no idea if I will be seeing him then.’ George shrugged, but Whitney wasn’t fooled. She was being fobbed off.
‘Except you’ve already asked him to the wedding, so my guess is you think you will be.’
‘How did we get back to talking about my relationship again? You’re so devious.’
‘Not devious, just interested. Hopefully, you’ll still be seeing him. I like the change he’s brought out in you.’
‘I think you’re talking nonsense,’ George said.
The train jolted and Whitney’s attention was diverted as they pulled away from the platform. They were finally on their way.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Sunday, 23 June
‘Right, we’re just coming into Rugby, the stop where Thackeray might be getting on,’ Whitney said.
George peered out of the window as the train pulled into the station. There were fifteen people on the platform. Four men on their own. Two had their heads down and one was wearing a baseball cap. Impossible to see their faces clearly.
Witney’s phone pinged. ‘It’s Matt. He said there’s a man on his train he’s keeping an eye on.’
‘Has he got a scar on his face?’ George asked.
‘He didn’t say. I’ll text and ask.’ Shortly after, a text arrived back. ‘They can’t get close enough to him, but they’re on the alert. I’m going for a walk. Sitting still is driving me crazy,’ Whitney said, jumping up from her seat.
‘Do you think that’s wise, in case he’s on here?’
‘I’ll go through the next carriage to the toilet. It might give Ellie peace of mind if she actually sees me. Also, everyone’s got their earpieces and mics on, so we’ll be in contact.’
‘Okay, I’ll see you when you get back.’
George watched Whitney leave their carriage. Although Whitney didn’t stop to speak, she briefly turned her head in Ellie’s direction and gave a small nod. In her earpiece, George heard Whitney whispering, ‘Are you okay,’ and Ellie replying, ‘Yes.’
She was distracted by her phone ringing, and when she pulled it out of her bag, she saw it was Ross. Should she answer? She supposed it wouldn’t hurt.
‘George here,’ she said.
‘Ross here,’ he said.
She smiled to herself. She liked his sense of humour; it was easy and light. ‘I’m working at the moment.’
‘I thought there were no students in over the holidays.’
‘I’m working with Whitney on a case.’
‘Is it secret?’
‘I’ll tell you when I see you. Well, not all of it, but certainly some.’
‘I’d like to meet Whitney sometime,’ he said.
‘Not you too.’ Did they have a hotline to each other?
‘What do you mean?’
‘That’s what she said about you.’
‘In that case, we’ll have to arrange something.’
‘She’s invited us to one of her concerts. She sings in the Rock Choir and there’s a big concert in November.’ Why did she mention the November date? He’d think she had long-term plans for them.
‘That’s a long time to wait. Why don’t we fix a time for us all to go out for drink? Does she have a partner?’
‘No, but we could invite her daughter, Tiffany, along.’
‘Okay. I’ll leave you to arrange it.’
‘Did you phone for anything in particular?’ she asked.