Zilhouette Murders, page 19
Charlie moved away and Anton could see him talking to the Fire Chief who appeared to be nodding. Minutes later the large tender’s engine started and began to reverse off the site and back to the main road. Shortly afterwards the smaller tender turned around on the site and drove straight out.
“Right,”started Anton, “Brian and Julia if you could get suited up and join me in the back of the van and grab those covers Charlie brought we can try to secure these three victims ready for transport back to Woking.”
Both his colleagues confirmed they were ready to join him so Anton took a suit from the back of his car and, together with shoe covers and a hat he walked to the van.
Once inside the three of them were immediately confronted by the dreadful smell of burning flesh and petrol. Undaunted, they proceeded to cover each corpse with the strong covers and then the elasticated string was used to tie each victim more securely to the van frame and the fixed table. Each corpse was gently rocked and all were satisfied this was the best they could do in the circumstances. “I can travel back with them Anton to make sure they remain intact as much as possible,” Brian offered.
Anton thought for a moment, because it wasn’t a particularly palatable thing to have to do, but realised it was a good idea.
“Yes Brian, but I’ll sit with you. That will give us an even better chance of protecting the evidence.”
“Sure,” Brian replied.
They both exited the van and joined the detectives waiting with Julia and Pauline.
“Right, that’s the best we can do. Brian and I will travel back to Woking in the back of the van to try to preserve as much as we can. Julia, please take my car back and join me and Brian in Woking to start the examination.”
“No problem Anton. I’ll leave now and start preparations. I know Joe quite well so I am sure he will help.” Julia acknowledged everyone, said goodbye and left.
“What do you need me to do Anton?” Pauline asked.
“Pauline, could you please go to Woking with your camera and set yourself up ready for our arrival.”
Pauline smiled, said goodbye to the detectives then Brian went off with her to find her car.
Anton turned to David.
“David, I’m sure you guys have a lot to work on. The information on the victims found in the river might be slightly delayed, but only for forty-eight hours. This is the best chance we have of finding some clues about whom this murderer is. I’ve called the office and a team is on its way down here to see whether there is anything here they can extract which might help us. I’m not too confident because the fire was pretty fierce but you never know. I want you to get the uniformed team to sweep the area for anything which might have been discarded by the killer. He might have smoked or thrown a beer can away. Unlikely, I know but we should check.” Anton said. I then need you to get your people searching through the medical records of the list of missing people who fit the general criteria of female, in good health, between the ages of thirty and fifty and only reported missing in the last three months.
We are looking for any surgical work, amputations, prosthetic fitments, metal pins securing joints and even cosmetic surgery. Then I need you to get in touch with the dentist of those missing women who meet the general criteria and get copies of their files. We have to identify these victims David. We have to find the link between them, find that and we will be able to catch the killer.”
“I’ll make sure they have a thorough look around here Anton and I will get the team working on getting this information and let you know if they find anything.”
Anton nodded and walked off.
David turned to Peter Wicker.
“Right, you heard Anton, please ask Steven to liaise with the forensic team and uniforms. Get a sweep of the area and make sure uniform are told not to touch anything, just report any findings to someone in forensics. You go back now and take my car and get started on these enquiries. If you need help speak to one of the DI’s assigned to the case; if you have any problems call me OK?”
“Yes Sir.”
Peter walked over to find Steven to tell him what he needed to do and then headed for David’s car and drove back to the police station in Guildford.
Charlie climbed into the cab of his lorry and started to manoeuvre the rear to be as close the front of the burnt out van as possible. He was assisted by Steven who stood at the rear of the lorry directing Charlie until they were both satisfied they were as close as possible. Charlie jumped out of the cab and walked to the rear of his truck and released some chains which were stored in a box behind the cab. Once he had secured one end of the chain to his lorry and the other on the van he started the slow process of pulling the van onto his low loader.
By the time he had winched the lorry on board Anton and Brian were standing at the rear, ready to climb in and close the doors.
Charlie had clearly listened to the request from Anton so his driving back to Woking annoyed most of the other road users but provided Anton and Brian in the back of the van with a reasonable ride. They arrived at Woking and started the slow process of off-loading the van. Once this was done the rear doors were opened and Anton and Brian jumped out of the back to meet Joe and Julia plus half a dozen suited assistants with three trolleys waiting for them.
“Joe, thank you so much for your help with this,” Anton said as he warmly shook his colleagues hand.
“Anton, you’re more than welcome. Now, how do you suppose we get these unfortunate ladies off and up to the laboratory.?”
“Well, slowly I think. I haven’t checked to see if any of them are completely detached from the metal chairs but I suggest this is where we start.”
Both men climbed aboard the van where Brian had already removed the elasticated rope securing the victims and the covers.
“My goodness Anton.” said Joe.
“I know Joe, these are numbers nine, ten and eleven killed by the same man.”
“This is one angry killer Anton. It takes a certain type of person to rip apart the human body like this and then set it alight. This is vengeance Anton. I’ve only seen something like this once before and that was nearly fifteen years ago.” Joe told Anton.
“You were involved in the Steven Monarch case Joe?”
“Yes, it was very early in my career. I was just a junior but I’ll never forget the state of the victims we brought in here. Just like these poor sods; but none of them were burned like these.”
“We think he is finished Joe, getting rid of any evidence. He torched the facility he had created as well as this van and this is exactly how we found these three. Two days ago we found another two on the tidal river bank in Richmond which he led us to via an internet message.”
Joe looked at Anton, then back into the van. “Just as well he’s finished Anton, it’s going to be damn difficult to find out who these people are. These cadavers are in a terrible state.”
“We are hoping for some DNA from the skeleton and skull if there is no chance from the remaining body; then of course there are the teeth which might give us what we need. CID is now working on all the missing persons in the area who fit the general profile to check medical records. If there is anything to find, we will find it!” Anton said as he started to examine one of the torsos stuck to the chair.
After two hours of poking and prodding the last of the three cadavers was lifted onto the trolley and the morgue porter slowly started the journey to the laboratory where Julia and Brian were already starting the examination of the first two with Pauline who was shadowing them with the camera.
As both experienced men headed to the laboratory Joe turned to Anton.
“It’s going to be a long night Anton.”
Anton smiled tight-lipped and nodded. then he continued to follow the cadaver on the trolley.
CHAPTER 38
Peter Wicker got back to his office and immediately contacted Viv Roberts and told her what had been discovered and what he needed her to do.
“Viv, I need to get all the guys together and get them to start to try to narrow down the missing persons list, then get to work on pulling medical and dental records on the possible candidates they have selected. We believe up to three of the victims from the river and those found today will be on that missing person list.”
“OK Peter, give me fifteen minutes to run off some paperwork for them and I’ll call a meeting in thirty minutes – OK?”
“Perfect Viv, do we have any DI’s on duty?”
“Er, DI Harry Jones and DI Shirley Lock are both in.”
“Thanks.”
Peter had history with Harry Jones and didn’t really want to work with him so he headed off to find DI Shirley Lock.
He found her in the rest area enjoying a mug of coffee.
“Excuse me DI Lock, do you have a moment?”
“Well, I was on a break Peter, what’s the problem?”
Peter explained what had happened earlier and his instructions from DI Cunningham.
“So you see Ma’am, I need to organise this and I would appreciate your help.”
She finished her coffee, got up and started to walk away.
“Follow me,” she said and Peter did as he was told.
They walked into the Detectives Area and both stood by the ‘Zilhouettes Murder’ board and waited for Viv and the rest of the Detectives to join them. Within ten minutes the room was full and there was a great deal of chatter until DI Lock raised her hand “Thank you ladies and gentlemen.”
The chattering stopped and all eyes were on Shirley Lock. She stood five feet five, had blonde hair and a plus size frame. She had only recently received her promotion but was well-liked and respected in the office.
“Right, you all know DS Wicker here and I believe you have received the latest briefing notes run-off by Viv so you know why we are here. This murderer has now claimed ten, possibly eleven lives and his victims have been mutilated by this animal and it’s time we put him back in his cage.”
There was a snigger in the room.
“Now, DS Wicker has been told by his Gov’ner to retrieve certain information and you lot are going to help – aren’t you?” There was a general positive mumbling.
“So here’s what you are going to do. I want you to pair-up and divide the Missing Persons list put together last week between you. Select out from the list, every female missing for more than three months, every female not between the age of thirty and fifty. If some of you in pairs have more than three left, share them out with others. If you have no victims after selection, take on any surplus from others. Then. I want one of you to go and visit the family. Please DO NOT raise their hope about finding their missing relative, try to make your visit look like routine. You want to know if their missing relative had any invasive surgery, which included the fitting of any metal parts; pins, steel rods, screws anything like that. If you find they have had surgery, find out where it was done and get onto the hospital for copies of the X-rays or scans.
Then find out who was their missing relatives dentist. Go and see them and get copies of any X-rays they had carried out.
Any questions?”
No one raised a hand. “Right, let’s get this done and hopefully, the information you get will help us find this one, OK?” there was a general agreeable hum as the group exited the room and made their way back to the detective’s area where they split into groups and with Viv Robert’s help, divided the missing persons files between them.
“There, DS Wicker, all done. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“Permission to speak off the record Ma’am?”
“Off the record Peter? Why?”
“I can’t answer the question Ma’am unless I can do it off the record.” DI Lock looked closely at her junior colleague. She had only ever heard good things about Peter Wicker and she knew there we mumblings in the office about his upcoming promotion so, if he had something he needed to talk about it must be serious.
“OK Peter, off the record, what is it?”
Peter cleared his throat loudly and started his presentation to DI Lock about his concern over the ‘Sweetie Murders’ of thirteen years ago and the role which he thought was played by the then DS Frank Adams. When he had finished his presentation DI Lock sat down obviously thinking about what Peter had told her.
“And you think there is a connection between those murders and the ones you are currently investigating – thirteen years in between?” she finally asked.
“Yes, I think it’s possible.”
“This means the person or persons involved then are the same people involved now?”
“Yes, but not in the same roles. These murders we are dealing with now appear to be some kind of revenge. The dressing of the first victims, the swapping of hair, the discovery of the bodies in other victims premises, these are all messages.”
“But what about the last few, the two in the river and the three discovered today. None of them were dressed and unlike the others they weren’t found alone.”
“I know Ma’am but maybe he panicked, maybe he thought we were getting close to catching him, maybe he only needed to dress some but his message needed the deaths of ten or eleven, I don’t know all the answers but there are too many similarities between these deaths and those twenty years ago for there not to be a connection.” Peter pleaded.
“Well Peter, I can tell you much more evidence will be needed before you start implying any wrong-doing by Frank Adams. Let’s park this and get on with what’s in front of us shall we?”
“Yes Ma’am.”
They separated and Peter Wicker went back to his desk. He had a number of messages relating to other cases and he dealt with these before calling Steven Warrington who remained at the crime scene.
“Steven? Peter Wicker, do have a minute?”
“Yes.”
“Have you found anything?”
“Not really. Some of the people from Forensics took details of the medical equipment and they are following that lead. Uniform did a sweep of the area and found nothing relating to the case. I think we are about finished here, The Forensic people are packing up and the uniformed group have just about finished their last sweep.”
“OK, can you get a lift back to the station. Ask the person in charge of Uniformed to set up a taped perimeter and have someone guarding until it’s dark and then get traffic to make regular drive-byes to check on the security.”
“Have you heard anything?”
“Not really Steven, DI Cunningham’s instructions have been given out and our colleagues are sorting through the missing person list.”
“Do you want me to do that when I get back?”
Peter Wicker thought for a moment.
“No, get back here and you and I will do some more research on the ‘Sweetie Murders’ file.”
“OK, see you soon.”
Peter Wicker checked his watch and realised he hadn’t eaten all day. He collected his phone and keys and went down stairs and walked the hundred yards to a local cafe where he tucked into some hot food.
CHAPTER 39
When Peter Wicker returned to his desk he found a Post-it note from DC Warrington.
‘Got the details of the owner of the site. Call me when you’re back. Steven.’
He picked up the phone and dialled Steven’s extension.
“Steven Warrington, can I help you?”
“Steven, it’s Peter Wicker. I’m back at my desk if you want to make your way here and bring what you have found with you.”
“On my way Sarge.”
Ten minutes later both detectives examined the papers DC Warrington had found from the Council.
“The site is owned by a Mr. James Berns, He has owned it for many years. There is no record of a lease and I have left a message for him to call me when he gets home.”
Peter looked at his watch. “It’s just after seven, Why don’t we swing by his house on the way home. We can go in two cars and leave separately.
They met in the car park, compared notes on where they were going, agreed a route and Peter drove off first closely followed by DC Warrington.
James Berns lived in a very nice house in Esher which stood on its own in substantial grounds and was protected by tall wrought-iron gates. There was an intercom on the side of the gate and Peter pressed the bell just as Steven pulled up behind his car.
“Yes, can I help you?” a ladies voice was heard through the intercom system.
“My name is Detective sergeant Paul Wicker and I have DC Warrington with me. We would like to speak with Mr. James Berns please.”
“Just one moment please.”
The intercom remained silent for a minute or so then.
“Are you there?”
“Yes, we’re here.” replied Peter.
“Ah, OK please drive up to the house and I will see you at the front door. Mr. Berns can see you.”
Peter told Steven to park his car and jump in with him. The gates opened and they both drove up to the house.
The property was atop a slight incline and the road leading up twisted and turned through beautifully-manicured gardens. Once they were in front of the house and out of the car, both men paused and enjoyed the view which stretched all the way to London. Canary Wharf could be seen as well as some of the new tall office building in The City.
“Wow.” exclaimed Steven.
“Yes, Steven, Wow.” Peter repeated. “Come on let’s do this.”
They walked up the six stone steps leading to the front door where they were greeted by a middle-aged lady dressed in a house coat and trousers. Peter and Steven showed her their Warrant Cards. “Please come in Detectives, Mr. Berns is waiting for you in the drawing room.”
Both men paused to allow the housekeeper to walk past them and lead the way to the meeting.
“Please take a seat Detectives, can I get either of you a tea or a coffee or something else to drink?”
“No thank you, we’re fine.” replied Peter.
They both sat down in the comfortable chairs, and looked around the enormous drawing room filled with beautiful furniture and with expensive looking paintings hanging on the walls. In the centre of the room, hanging from the ceiling was an enormous chandelier with dozens of crystal droplets casting prisms of light along the walls reflecting the early evening setting sun shining through the wide patio doors.
