Zilhouette Murders, page 20
Their attention to the room was diverted when the doors opened as in walked a very tall man wearing a pair of chino trousers and a white shirt. Peter judged him to be in his mid-sixties. He had a broad smile as he greeted his guest.
“Detectives, how can I help you?”
“Thank you for seeing us Sir, My name is Detective sergeant Wicker and this is my colleague Detective constable Warrington.”
“And how can I help you Detective Wicker.”
“I believe you own a piece of ground next to woodland in Surbiton?”
“You mean off Richmond Road?”
“Yes Sir.”
“I do own that piece of land. Bought it thirty odd years ago hoping to build on it. Never got permission so there it sits.”
“Have you rented it out to anyone?”
Mr. Berns paused for a moment and looked very puzzled.
“Rented it? To whom? For what? No, Detective I have never rented it. Did have a problem a few years back with travellers but they are the only people to my knowledge, who have been on the land. Why do you ask?”
“Did you not see on the News the report of a fire on land off Richmond Road earlier today?”
“Er, no. I’ve been in meetings all day. Not heard or seen the News. What fire?”
“Two buildings, a garage and a van were found burning on your land Mr. Berns and we are very keen to know who constructed these building or who rented them.”
“There are no buildings on this land Detectives – or at least to my knowledge. It’s Green Belt which is why I couldn’t get building permission.”
“Don’t you check on the land Sir?”
“For what reason? Why would I pay someone to go and check on a worthless piece of ground? No, I never checked on the land. Maybe in the beginning I would have meetings with planners and people from my building company but that was at least fifteen years ago.”
“So you haven’t been on this land for fifteen years?”
“At least fifteen years Detective. What’s so important about a worthless piece of land with a couple of burnt out buildings on it?” “It’s part of an ongoing investigation Sir. Thank you for your time. We’ll leave you to enjoy your evening. Goodbye.”
All three shook hands, Peter and Steven walked out through the front door and back to Peter’s car.
“What do you think?”
“I think he is a very rich man who couldn’t give two hoots about a piece of land in Surbiton. Let’s go.”
They drove through the big iron gates. Steven got into his own car and they each headed home both remembering that fantastic view from Mr. Bern’s drawing room.
CHAPTER 40
Inside the large laboratory facility in Woking the three pathologists were examining the victims found in the burnt-out van. They had been working for two straight hours and all were feeling tired.
“How far off finishing are you?” Anton called over to Julia and Brian.
“Last five minutes for me Anton.” Brian replied
“About the same Anton.” Julia answered.
“I think we will all be glad when this is finished.” added Pauline. Anton nodded and stood back from the surgical bench taking one last look at the poor woman before him. He shook his head, turned and removed his surgical mask, hat and gown and headed for the changing rooms and jumped into the shower.
Minutes later he heard Brian come in, close the door and slump down on the bench.
“Long day Brian.”
“Yep, but let’s hope it’s a productive one.”
“I’ll drink to that.” said Anton as he walked out of the shower, a large towel wrapped around him. He sat on the bench next to Brian. “What do you think he’s like Brian?”
“Like?”
“Our killer, why do you think he’s done this to these unfortunate women.”
Brian shrugged his shoulders. “Given up trying to figure out how a mass murderers mind works Anton. It’s a pointless exercise because to understand such a mind you would have to share it.”
Anton raised his eyebrows and then nodded in agreement. “Of course you’re right. Us normal folk can’t begin to understand what makes a fellow human being take the lives of other humans-beings in such a brutal but methodical way. To understand why is to be like him, have his desire for this revenge, or whatever it is which had made him follow this path.”
“Why do you say revenge Anton?” Brian asked.
This took Anton by surprise. He thought everyone had agreed revenge was the motive.
“If not revenge Brian then what?” Anton asked.
“Did you notice how precise the surgery was and how clean all the incisions were?”
Anton thought for a moment.”Yes, it was an experienced hand Brian that’s for sure.”
“Surely, a man with revenge on his mind wouldn’t take so much care, be so precise. I would have expected hacking and slashing from someone with hatred in their heart having these women at his mercy.”
“You make a good point Brian. Once we have all the DNA samples logged and the X-rays from Julia’s cadaver with the evidence of complicated surgery, with help from CID I am sure we will piece all this together and know who we are looking for.”
They heard Julia come out of the shower and walk into the kitchen so they followed her, hoping for a hot drink.
“Tea, Coffee – something stronger?” asked Julia as both men walked into the kitchen.
“Coffee would be great.” said Brian, “Me too please Julia, where’s Pauline?”
“She was just getting out the shower as I finished. I’m making her one of those tea things.”
Pauline walked in just as Julia described her drink. “You mean Camomile Julia, you should try it. Keeps you calm.”
All three remained silent for a second until Julia burst out laughing and the other three joined in.”
They finished their hot drinks and tried to talk about anything other than the days work.
“Right, I think we should call it a day. We are all tired – or maybe just me.” said Anton.
“Just you I think.” joked Julia.
“Let’s pack up and go home. I’ve spoken with Joe who is happy for us to come back over the next few days if we need to. Anyone fancy a beer on the way home? Asked Anton.
“I can’t.” said Brian who had picked up his things and was already headed for the door.”Bye.”
“Bye.” all three replied in unison.
“I’m up for a glass of wine Anton.” said Pauline, “Me too.” added Julia.
“Right, let me just call Joe and see if he’s still here.” said Anton who picked up the phone. “No reply. Guess he’s gone.”
“I know a place close by Anton.” Said Pauline. “Follow me.” All three headed for the car park.
“You come with me Julia and I will take you back to Guildford. I assume that’s where your car is parked.”
“Yes please Anton.”
Anton followed Pauline out of Woking and ten minutes later they pulled into the car park of a small pub. All three walked inside. “I’m buying,” insisted Anton.
They stayed for forty-five minutes before Anton looked at his watch. “Time to call it a night ladies. Thanks for today, I am hopeful the information we gathered today will help us to identify all the victims and then our killer.”
Both Julia and Pauline finished their glasses of wine and followed Anton to the rear door and the car park.
Pauline waved goodbye in the car park and Julia climbed into the passenger seat of Anton’s car and he drove off, heading for Guildford and Julia’s car.
CHAPTER 41
The following morning Peter Wicker was at his desk before eight o’clock. He had spent a restless night going over the witness statements in the ‘Sweetie Murder’ file and certain things didn’t make sense. All through the trial Steven Monarch’s barrister maintained his client had cast-iron alibis which placed him at a different location when the four murders were committed but, on close examination Peter Wicker discovered one person was the main witness for each alibi including the one which maintained Steven Monarch wasn’t even in the Country.
“Morning.” said Steven Warrington.
“Good morning Steven.”
“I see you are still looking through that cold case.” said DC Warrington.
“Yes Steven, there is something about these witness statements which makes me feel uncomfortable and I can’t understand why it wasn’t picked up by the investigating team.”
“The jury ignored the defence evidence and found him guilty.”
“I know, but Monarch’s appeal went through because the board felt there were doubts over the jury’s decision to ignore his alibis which were supported by witness statements. If these statements weren’t made Monarch would still be in prison.”
“He did murder that woman though and had DS Frank Adams not caught him when he did, he would have also murdered the other one.”
“But Steven, don’t you think it’s strange that as soon as Monarch was in prison the murders stopped. If someone else was the murderer why stop?”
“Perhaps he thought he was going to get away with it and didn’t want to risk getting caught.”
“Possibly, but the person who murdered those four women wasn’t a level-headed individual. He was a psychopath and I know two things about this type of killer. They don’t worry about getting caught and usually keeps going until he is and secondly, he can’t stop. The just keeps on killing without a real purpose other than to kill. This is not like this ‘Zilhouette’ murderer. He has a plan and judging by his actions on that piece of land where he torched everything, his plan is finished and he will not carry on.”
“So you don’t think the murderer is the same person now?”
“No Steven. But I do think there is a connection and once we have managed to identify all the victims it will become clear what they have in common and then why they have been targeted.”
“What are you going to do then?”
“What WE are going to do is track down the common witness. The one who supposedly was with Steven Monarch when these murders were committed and we are going to re-interview them. At the same time, when we get the information from the prison about any technical courses Monarch attended and any relationships and friendships he developed with anyone who was known to possess technical knowledge we will follow up any leads and interview any names which come-up.”
“What about the work on the ‘Zilhouette’ Murders and the identification of the victims?”
“I’m going to ask DI Cunningham for us to be excused on that and allow us to follow this up.”
The detectives’ area started to fill-up as officers started their shifts, They exchanged information with their night shift colleagues who went home after a long night then focussed was on the missing persons list.
Viv Roberts had produced a list of missing persons which excluded those people who did not fit the profile already advised and this list had been circulated. The list extended to thirteen persons. With the help of David Cunningham she had allocated detectives specific women from the list so everyone knew the names of the people they had to investigate.
She had also printed off a form which the detectives had to complete once they had interviewed the family. This was then to be returned to Viv who would then transfer the information onto the case board.
Peter Wicker knocked on David Cunningham’s door and walked in when invited.
“Peter, do you have the allocated missing person assigned to you?”
“Yes Sir I do.”
“So, how can I help you.?
Peter Wicker took a deep breath and composed himself. He knew his boss would not be pleased with his request but he felt he just had to do it.
“I would like your permission to follow-up the witness statements on the Sweetie Murder case.”
David Cunningham dropped the pen he was writing with and leaned back in his chair.
“I am disappointed in you Peter. You have been on the ‘Zilhouette’ murder from the start and yet, you want to abandon the best chance we have had to catch this bastard in favour of chasing a statement or two from a case thirteen years old. WHY?”
David Cunningham was angry, it wasn’t difficult to determine this and Peter knew he was only going to get one shot at convincing his boss he should do this.
“Sir, I spent most of last night going through all the files again and, in my opinion, the alibis provided for Steven Monarch are at the very least questionable.” Peter paused.
“Go on.”
“I discovered there was one person involved in providing all the alibis for Monarch, as a matter of fact, the same person maintained she was overseas with Monarch when one of the women was killed.”
“The same person? Over what period?” DI Cunningham asked.
“Over more than one year Sir.”
“Wasn’t there any notes on this in the file?”
“None that I can find Sir. This witness was interviewed, but only in the course of other interviews with other people and no one seems to have checked on the validity of this witnesses claims. There is no reference to checks on flights or hotels she was supposed to have used to get overseas with Monarch.”
“You said ‘she’.”
“Yes Sir, the main witness for Monarch was a woman.”
“And is there any note in the file about checking on the other alibis, especially involving this woman?”
“No Sir, not a word. Permission to speak off the record Sir.”
“Off the record Peter, whatever for? No, I will not allow that. If you have something to say, say it.”
Peter remained tight-lipped and he could see his boss was not happy with this.
“So, you have nothing to add Peter?”
“No Sir, not at this time.”
David Cunningham moved his chair forward so he was sitting at his desk with his knees tucked underneath. He picked up his pen and started to fiddle with it at he stared at his sergeant.
“I like you Peter and I have respect for your insight. I do not like this ‘off-the-record’ stuff because I believe it will only lead to further such requests and things will grind to a halt BUT, I can see you have done a great deal work on this cold case, we now know there are only thirteen possible matches of missing persons for the bodies we have found. There are enough staff to deal with them without your help so, I will allow you two more days to come and present me with evidence proving you should continue with this or drop it. Agreed?”
“Yes Sir, agreed and thank you. Oh, can I take DC Warrington with me?”
“If you have to, now leave and get with it.”
Peter Wicker turned and started towards the door when DI Cunningham stopped him.
“Peter; remember, in my office two days from now.”
“Yes Sir.”
Peter Wicker’s heart beat faster and faster with excitement as he walked back to his desk hoping to find his DC was still there. “Right Steven, we have two days to prove there was something wrong with this investigation and sentencing so we need to start right away. The first job is to find this Anne Morris who lived in Bagshot thirteen years ago.”
“OK. I’ll get onto the Council and see what I can find regarding her current whereabouts.”
“Good Steven, I will check on whether most airlines keep records going back that far. It’s nearly fifteen years since Steven Monarch and this Miss Anne Morris went to Benidorm together at the time of the third Sweetie Murder.”
DC Warrington left and Peter Wicker called a number of airlines who operated flights to Benidorm to see whether they did twenty-odd years ago and whether they kept any passenger records for that far back.
In a large office on the top floor, Chief Superintendent Frank Adams stood by the window looking outside thinking whether his actions of thirteen years ago were going to return and not only deny him the position he had worked so hard for all these years, but also potentially his freedom.
CHAPTER 42
In the laboratory located in the basement of Guildford police station Anton Schwartz was in his office looking through the notes on the DNA evidence extracted from the two victims found in the river. He was pleased his and Brian’s efforts resulted in sufficient material in good condition being delivered to the laboratory.
In the file the laboratory had confirmed there were no matches to the DNA signature on file which meant this evidence would only be used as confirmatory rather than to help find the victim.
He also had the preliminary report from Uniformed compiled by Sgt. Joe South which really only confirmed what he had been told verbally. Nothing was found during the various finger-tip searches of the site after the fire. He shrugged his shoulders thinking ‘just what I expected.’
There was a knock on his door. He looked up to see Pauline, widely smiling and carrying a cup of coffee. He waved her in.
“Good morning Anton, hope you slept well?”
“Not really Pauline. Heads spinning with all this,” he answered pointing to the files on his desk.
“DNA results?” asked Pauline.
“Yes, they have definite signatures – which is great, but no database matches which isn’t so good.”
“Well, it’s more than we had yesterday and tomorrow, I’m sure we will have a breakthrough,” Pauline smiled and left, leaving Anton with his hot coffee, his thoughts and a lot of paperwork.
In the detectives’ area DC’s Black and Menton were looking through hours and hours of CCTV footage from the town centre trying to find Honey Bates and the British Gas van.
A young DC came rushing in. “We’ve found the van!”
Both DC’s Black and Menton turned off the recorder and concentrated on the DC with the information. At the same time, David Cunningham entered the area and walked up to the DC with the information.
“Where, where has the van been found?” David asked.
