Zilhouette Murders, page 2
“OK Sir, thank you for your time. One of my uniformed colleagues may ask you to write down a statement about this.”
“No problem, I’m always here.”
Peter turned and walked back towards the Bates house just as two panda cars pulled up and three uniformed constables and a WPC got out and walked towards DS Wicker.
“Good afternoon, what do you want us to do?” asked one of the constables.
“Hi, well, I need one of you to secure the property and tape off the area. It won’t be long before the press get a hold of this, so make sure they are kept at a distance. The forensic team are inside led by Anton Schwartz and his people so please make sure they have everything they need. I also want you to get started on door-to-door to find out if any of the residents saw anyone entering the property between yesterday after nine o’clock, throughout the night and after nine thirty this morning. Remember, there is a male resident coming and going so make sure people know we are not interested in Mr. Bates’ movements.”
“Is Mr. Bates the resident then Sarge?”
“Yes, his wife, Honey Bates is missing and we have found a body upstairs so any movement by her should be recorded. Obviously, don’t say anything about what might have happened and what we have found. Clear?”
“Yes, understood.”
The constable walked over to where two of his colleagues were waiting by the car.
“Good afternoon,” he said as he approached.
“Good afternoon.”
“I have advised your colleague what is required and I need a lift back to the station, could one of you oblige?”
“No problem.” replied the WPC, “Jump in now and I’ll take you.”
“Just one minute, I need to go inside and speak to the Forensics people.”
The WPC nodded and Peter walked back into the house.
He climbed the stairs looking for Anton who he found in the other bedroom.
“Found anything the Anton?”
“No Peter, but it is very strange.”
“Strange?”
“Yes, there isn’t a single drop of blood anywhere so whoever is in the bed wasn’t murdered in the house, but even if she were killed elsewhere, transporting the body and carrying it upstairs always involves bumping and bashing and I would have expected some spotting on the route – but nothing!”
“Anything else?” asked Peter
“Well, that message on the back of the door. The writing is in lipstick and we couldn’t find any lipstick in that room but there are lots in here. I will take what’s here and see if we can match anything back in the lab.”
“What about the carton?”
“Nothing unusual, but we will obviously check for prints and DNA back in the lab.”
“OK Anton, I’m off back to the station. You have my contact numbers so please call me when you have anything else. I will put together a Case Team and maybe you could present your findings when you have completed your initial investigation?”
“Of course Peter. It will take me a day or so to finalise my report but perhaps I could summarise what I have found so far if that would help?”
“That would be really helpful Anton. Can you let me know when you have finished here and I will make arrangements for you to come over to the office.”
Peter turned and headed downstairs. He went into the lounge to say goodbye to Anton’s team and then headed back to the WPC who was waiting inside the police car.
“Thanks for waiting, let’s go - constable?”
“ Harris, Sarge.”
“Right”
He pulled out his notebook and began to write down some notes about his meeting with the neighbour Joe Mortimer with some points to remind him about their conversation and questions which needed answering.
‘Where was his wife?’
‘Follow up siting of Gas Board men accessing Bates house – see if other neighbours saw them or heard the car pulling away around 3am.’
After about twenty minutes they arrived back at the station.
“Thanks for the lift.” he said to the WPC and headed for the front door.
The station was on the main road in Guildford and nearly two thousand officers were based there including an extensive CID unit. The station had dealt with a number of high profile murder cases and because of its proximity to the A3 and M25, the Transport Section represented a large percentage of the overall staffing levels. Sergeant Wicker made his way through to the CID offices and found out DC Warrington was still interviewing Mr. Bates; who by now had requested a lawyer, who had joined Mr. Bates and DC Warrington in the interview room.
He made his way to the room adjacent to the interview room and stood before the two-way mirror which allowed him to view inside the other room.
He could see Mr. Bates looking rather distressed and his lawyer appeared to be having a conversation with DC Warrington so he turned on the speaker to listen to what was being said.
“DC Warrington, you cannot speak to my client in that way and I am about to advise my client to stop answering any more questions and leave unless you charge him.”
Peter felt it was time to make an entrance and diffuse what appeared to be a very hostile interview.
CHAPTER 3
DS Wicker tapped on the door and entered. His DC looked up and spoke into the recording machine.
“DS Wicker has entered the room.”
He walked over to the table and chairs where Mr. Bates, his lawyer and his DC were seated. He sat down and pulled DC Warrington’s notes towards him and glanced at what was written.
“For the tape, my name is Detective sergeant Wicker and myself and DS Warrington are about to exit the room leaving the constable by the door in attendance.”
He shut off the tape, turned to the Lawyer;
“We’ll just be a couple of minutes.”
They both got up and exited the room leaving Mr. Bates and his lawyer looking a little annoyed but left before they could challenge him.
Once outside he turned to DC Warrington.
“What the Hell is going on Steve? I asked you to accompany Mr. Bates back to the station and ask him a couple of questions, NOT run him through questioning which looked like he was the guilty man!”
“I didn’t, look at my notes. I only asked him whether his relationship with his wife was without problems and he went mad, demanded his Lawyer and refused to answer any more questions. When the lawyer arrived he spoke with Mr. Bates and then challenged me to charge his client – I said absolutely nothing about charge or accused him of anything. Honest Sarge, this is what happened.”
“So, Mr. Bates and then his lawyer acted like he was guilty of something without you mentioning anything other than asking his about his relationship with his wife?”
“Yes Sarge, that’s exactly what I am saying and what’s more, if you play back the tape this will confirm it.” replied the DC.
“Very curious. Do we know anything about his Brief?”
“I’ve never seen him in here before Sarge.”
“OK, let’s go back in. Let’s try to calm things down a little. Perhaps leave the questioning to me. OK?”
“Of course.”
“What’s his lawyers name?”
Steve checked his notes,“Walter Helms.”
They went back in the room, sat down and turned recording back on and announced their return.
“Now, Mr. Bates, there appears to have been some misunderstanding here. All my colleague asked you is whether your marriage was fine and without problems and quite frankly, in these circumstances I think you would find it unusual if we hadn’t asked.”
Paul Bates leaned over to whisper in his lawyer’s ears.
“My client has no issues answering this and other questions. He felt he was being questioned as a suspect in this case when he came down here to assist voluntarily.”
“I can assure you Sir, this was not the case and if Mr. Bates got this impression then we both apologise for this misunderstanding. Now, can we please continue because I am sure your client wants to get to the bottom of what has happened as much as we do?”
“Yes, we agree, let’s continue.”
“Mr. Bates, did you make any arrangement for any utility company to send engineers to your property yesterday or earlier today?”
“No.”
“Could Mrs. Bates have made any arrangements?”
Paul Bates thought for a moment.
“Well actually, I do think Honey might have mentioned she had arranged to have the boiler serviced. I am not certain and would have to check, but she didn’t mention anything when I got back from work or before she went out.”
“Thanks for that.”
“Did you hear any car or van starting in the early hours of this morning?”
“No, but our bedroom is at the back, so I doubt I would have heard anything anyway.”
“What time did your wife leave?”
“The taxi picked her up at just after eight o’clock last night.”
“Do you know the name of the taxi company?”
“Yes, it’s the one we always use – 888888 Taxis.”
“And you didn’t hear your wife, or anyone come into the property overnight?”
“No, I got a text message from Honey; er, here, I’ll show you.”
He took his phone from his pocket scrolled through the screen and handed the phone to the DS pointing to the screen.
“This is the message.” he said.
DS Wicker took the phone and looked at the screen.
‘Paul, having a great time. Bit too much to drink. Gonna be late so don’t wait up. I’ll crash in the spare room. Love you Honey xx.’ the message ended with two smiling emojis.
“Was this sent from your wife’s phone Sir?”
“Yes, I recognised it immediately.”
“Tell me, is there anything unusual about the message?”
“Unusual? Like what?”
“Well, does your wife always address you as Paul and always sign off the same way?”
Paul Bates thought for a moment.
“Actually no. Thinking about it she never texted me addressing me as ‘Paul’, it’s normally ‘P’ or darling and she usually ended he messages ‘H’, but I didn’t think about this slight difference before now. Is this relevant.?”
“Don’t know Sir. I see this was received at 11-45 last night. Did you reply?”
“Yes, just ‘OK, have a great time, love you and signed P.’ I think this will be in my sent folder.”
Peter opened up the menu and went into ‘Sent Messages’ and found the message Paul Bates had referred to, but his eye was caught by another sent message after the one to his wife.
“Excuse me Mr. Bates. Who is Bella?” asked the DS.
The blood drained from Paul Bate’s face as he turned white and beads of perspiration formed on his forehead. He had his head lowered and his hands were clasped tightly in front of him.
“Well Mr. Bates, Bella?” he repeated.
“She’s a friend.”
“What sort of friend?” asked the DS.
“Just a friend.”
Peter turned back to the message on the phone.
“Well, reading this message it sounds like she’s the sort of friend who you would arrange to meet after your wife had gone out.”
Paul Bates remained silent with his head bowed.
“Well Mr. Bates?”
After a few minutes of silence he spoke.
“No comment.”
Even his lawyer looked surprised at this remark Peter certainly was and his DC actually gasped.
There was a moments silence before Peter addressed the Lawyer. “Mr. Helms. Your client is not under caution nor even a suspect in this investigation. He has come here voluntarily to assist us in finding out what may have happened to his wife now, if he chooses now to simply answer ‘No comment’ I have no intention wasting my time sitting here listening to this. So, have a quick word with your client and if he insists on answering everything I ask him with ‘no comment’ I will terminate this interview and proceed with the investigation without any assistance from him.”
The lawyer rose from his chair and indicated his client should follow him to the far corner of the room where they might have a quiet private conversation.
“For the tape, Mr. Bates and Mr. Helms have moved from the table and the mike for a conversation,” announced Peter.
Neither detective heard what was said between Mr. Bates and his Lawyer but they came back from their ‘meeting’ and sat down. Mr. Helms reached for his case, opened it and put his papers inside and turned to the detective.
“I have advised my client to terminate this meeting and we are leaving unless you wish to formally charge him.”
DS Wicker just shook his head, waved his hand in a dismissive manner and turned back to the tape.
“Mr. Bates and Mr. Helms have terminated the meeting at 11.15 am.” Both Mr. Bates and Mr. Helms walked out of the office and the building.
DS Wicker turned to his DC and said.
“If this guy is innocent he has a curious way of demonstrating it-and what about that lawyer?”
DC Warrington shook his head in disbelief and collected his papers. The tape machine was stopped and the tape removed. They walked back into the CID section and took a seat to talk about what had happened in the interview and the case in general.
“So, Steve, do we have any more feedback from the first murder site by the river?”
“They did say it would take at least two days to try to establish the identity of the victim and actual cause of death but let me give them a call and see if they have made any progress. I did ask them about any packaging around the body and I will chase this is as well.”
“OK, I asked Anton to call later today when he has finished his preliminary investigation but he did say the ‘Number 2’ written on the back of the bedroom door was lipstick and no lipstick was found near the body or in the bedroom where the body was found.”
Peter pulled out Paul Bates’ phone which he forgot to take with him after his hasty departure.
“Can you please give this to our tech guys. I want the details of any more exchange of messages between this Bella and Paul Bates and to also see whether there are any other messages to other women on this phone, especially any which suggest more than just friends.”
“I’ll get right to it.”
The phone on Peter’s desk rang. “Hello.”
“Peter, it’s Frank Adams, could you please come to my office?”
“Yes Sir, I’ll be right there.”
Chief Inspector Frank Adams was a legend in the office. He had been with Guildford CID for more than twenty-five years and headed some of the high profile murder cases dealt with during this time. He actually selected Peter Wicker from the uniformed section when he applied to become a Detective and they had remained Jointly respectful of each other’s talent and rank.
Frank Adams was married, had two grown up children (neither of them in the police) and lived locally with his wife who was battling with breast cancer. No one in the office mentioned anything about Susan Adams or asked about her condition because they all knew it was only a matter of time before Frank would become a widower. Peter knocked on the Chief Inspectors office door.
“Come in Peter.”
He walked in and was greeted once inside by a firm handshake and a broad smile.
“Come and sit down Peter. Can I get you something to drink? Tea? Coffee? Water? Or a double Scotch!”
They both smiled.
“Tea would be nice Sir.”
“So, tell me about this case you are on, two bodies I have heard?”
“Yes Sir, a very strange set of circumstances. There are two bodies and there is some similarity with the way they were murdered and left.”
“Similarity?”
“Yes, Sir, both victims were female; both were killed and then their arms and legs were removed and all their blood drained. The victim I saw had been scalped and someone else’s hair was placed on their head by the murderer”
“My God! Sounds like the same person or persons Peter.”
“This is my thought Sir but there was another thing.”
“Thing?”
“Well, I only attended one crime scene and haven’t yet spoken to forensic who attended the one by the river but, the victim I saw was laid in a bed in a house in Godalming. On the back of the bedroom door was nailed an empty chocolate box and written next to it was the number 2. I have confirmed with forensic the writing was done in lipstick.”
Peter noticed his Chief Inspector looking a little strange.
“Excuse me Sir, but are you alright?”
“What was the make of chocolates?” he asked
“Zilhouettes’ Sir.”
“Are you sure Peter?”
“Yes Sir, why?”
The Chief Inspector look to the ceiling then picked up the phone on his desk.
“Molly, can you find sergeant Joe South and ask him to come to my office please and then connect me with Records.”
He looked at Peter without saying anything then turned back to his phone.
“Who is this?” he asked the person who answered his call.
“It’s Paula Waltons Sir. How can I help?”
“Can you please reach out and bring to me asap the file on the ‘Sweeties Murders’ from 2006 to 2007 I think.”
“Yes Sir I will get straight onto it and bring it to you.”
“What’s going on Sir?” asked DS Wicker.
“I’m not sure sergeant and I hope I am wrong but this reminds be of the most violent, sadistic murder case I ever worked on. Joe South was with me on the case. Let’s see what he and the file can tell us.
CHAPTER 4
Peter continued to discuss the Chief Inspector’s concerns that the case he was describing similar to one the DCI had worked on over thirteen years earlier.
There was a knock on the door “Come in.”
In walked a lady in civilian clothes carrying a large file of papers.
“This is the information you requested Sir.”
“Paula Walton’s?” he asked.
“Yes Sir. I work part-time in records.”
“Well thank you for finding this. I will get my secretary to return these when we are finished.”
