Zilhouette Murders, page 25
The solicitor nodded in agreement and for the next fifteen minutes Steven Monarch described how he lured his estranged wife into his car and once inside, he grabbed her by the throat and squeezed until she lost consciousness. He then drove alongside the golf course and waited for a gap in the traffic before dragging his wife onto the course where he attacked her with a knife and an axe.
DI Cunningham noticed the young WPC didn’t flinch and took down the statement word for word.
When it was completed the paper statement was handed over to Monarch to check and he signed where indicated and handed it back. David Cunningham checked the signature and before ending the interview he turned to Steven Monarch who actually looked calm and almost relieved it was all over.
“Steven, tell me something, did you kill those four other women?” Steven Monarch stared back at the inspector and smiled. He tapped the side of his nose but did not reply.
“Come on Steven, it makes no difference now but it would give some closure for the families.”
Steven Monarch looked at the WPC then back at the Inspector. “No comment.”
David Cunningham remained calm as he smiled at Monarch and stood up, picked up his papers and pulled back the chair for WPC Susan Baker to also rise out of her seat then they thanked the solicitor and walked out the room.
When they were in the corridor the WPC let out a deep breath and said,”What an absolute arsehole Sir, I hope they throw away the key.”
“Quite right too Susan. Thank you for your help. I need you to just complete your report on the meeting to tidy up the paperwork and to advise you that if he changes his mind and his plea, you might be called as a witness – but I doubt it. Are you finished now Susan?”
“Yes Sir. It’s been a long day.”
“Safe journey home then Susan. Good night.”
“Good night Sir.”
CHAPTER 48
The following day the four detectives arrived in the office bright and early and with a new spring in their step. All had thought about the new line of enquiry and all were invigorated by this new approach to finding the ‘Zilhouette’ murderer.
David Cunningham had reported to Chief Inspector Adams who was elated by the news Monarch had confessed to the murder of his wife: but a little disappointed to discover he still denied killing the other four women all those years ago.
In the detective area Peter Wicker had asked his colleagues for their attention for five minutes to enable him to describe the new approach.
“Good morning all.” there was a muttering of reciprocated ‘good morning’s’.
“For those of you who don’t know Steven Monarch confessed to the killing of his wife and leaving her remains on the golf course.” there was some cheering and applause in the room which died down after Peter waved his arm.
“Thank you, now we know Paula Monarch wasn’t killed by the ‘Zilhouette’ murderer. Any line of enquiry trying to link Paula Monarch with the other victims should now cease and we should direct our attention to these ten victims and try to find some kind of connection.”
A hand was raised. “Sarge, you know we have come-up with absolutely nothing on this. We have exhausted every possible connection so surely there is little point going down this route again.” there was a general muttering of agreement in the room.
“Yes John, you are correct but now a new idea has emerged about why these people have been selected.” the room went quiet. Peter continued, “We now believe there might not be a direct connection with our victims but possibly a connection between the victims and their families.”
“You mean these poor women might have been murdered because of something their mother or father has done?” asked one of the detectives.
“Or even their brothers or sisters or cousins. In fact, any family member,” Peter added. “Think about it. If our killer feels people have done something to him which caused him great pain and he wants them to experience the same pain, by murdering one of their loved-ones this could satisfy his need for revenge.”
“So whatever was done might not have been done to the killer, but to his loved ones.” Alison reiterated.
“Yes, exactly Alison. We need to go deeper into each victim’s family. Has any close relative of any victim been involved in something which resulted in another person suffering. Is everyone clear?”
“Excuse me sergeant but what if these people were part of a jury which resulted in an accused person being found not guilty of a crime which had an effect on our killer?” Alison suggested.
The room went silent until Peter Wicker answered. “Alison, that’s a very good idea! Has any family member of any victim been on jury duty in the last three months?
There was a general feeling everyone understood. “Right, please pair up and let’s find this link.”
All the detectives returned to their desks and pulled out the files of the victim they were researching and started to agree a way forward with their partner.
The ‘Zilhouette’ killer heard the announcement on the news that Steven Monarch had been rearrested and he had confessed to killing his wife. The murderer sat in their car watching fellow workers park in allocated spaces and wave as they walked past. The wave was acknowledged and a smile returned before the killer exited the car and started another day in the office.
CHAPTER 49
Anton Schwartz put the receiver back onto its cradle having had a long conversation with David Cunningham about the new idea suggested by one of his detectives and Anton was sitting quietly behind his desk staring at the ceiling contemplating the conversation when Brian walked in.
“Good morning Anton.”
“Oh, good morning Brian. I’ve been talking to David Cunningham about the investigation and he suggested the enquiry was heading in a new direction.”
“New direction?”
“Yes, the team of detectives has spent the last few weeks trying to find a connection between the ‘Zilhouette’ murders victims based on the idea they must have something in common; but now they believe it’s possible it might not be the victims who have the commonality, but maybe relatives of the victims.”
“That doesn’t make any sense Anton.” said Brian who seemed a little upset with this news.
“Why would you say that Brian?”
“Well, you are the only close relative of Margaret. Can you think of any reason why her murder was committed to punish you.”
As the last words left Brian’s lips he realised he had made a mistake.
“What do you mean Brian?” Anton leaned closer to his desk and had the look of someone who has received some bewildering news. “Look Anton, that was out of order and I apologise.”
“No, no, Brian, what do you mean. You said something clearly without thinking about very hard before saying it. It is likely it is something you were thinking so, what do you mean?” insisted Anton. Brian’s morning had got off to a very bad start and this was the last thing he wanted to do, especially as he was about to tell Anton he was leaving.
“Anton, I apologise. I’ve had a sleepless night and wasn’t looking forward too today. I was in no fit state to make such a statement.”
“What’s the problem Brian?” asked Anton who could now see his colleague was looking rather haggard.
“I was going to give you this Anton”. He handed Anton a sealed envelope, “It’s my resignation.”
Anton felt like he had been hit by a truck; this was the last thing he expected when he came to work today. He had observed Brian recently acting rather strange but thought he would say nothing in the hope Brian would come to him and tell him what was wrong. This is not what he expected or wanted.
“Brian, surely we can talk about this, I don’t want you to leave. I suspected things weren’t totally right but hoped you would come and see me to talk about it. Why are you leaving?”
“I’d rather not discuss it Anton.”
“What will you do?”
“I’m going away, maybe overseas... I honestly haven’t decided.”
“When do you want to leave?” Anton asked fidgeting with the envelope Brian had handed to him.
Brian took a deep breath. “I was rather hoping now.”
“You want to leave now!...when we’re so busy and it will take me a while to find a replacement Brian. Please wait at least until the end of the month – two weeks Brian please.”
“I’m sorry Anton I can’t. I need to leave now.” Brian was looking down and looked as though he was about to burst into tears. Anton rose from his chair and walked over to where his colleague was standing.
“Brian, you can talk to me, what’s wrong?”
Brian looked up, extended his hand which Anton took and then shook hands before Brian turned and walked out of Anton’s office and out of the building; leaving Anton standing completely dumbstruck by what just happened.
Juliet walked in carrying two cups of coffee. “Did Brian leave Anton, I’ve made you both a coffee.”
Anton turned to face Juliet. “He’s gone Juliet, resigned and just gone.”
Juliet’s natural action was to turn to look at the exit, then back to Anton. “Brian’s resigned? Why?”
Anton returned to his desk, sat down and opened the envelope Brian had left with him. He read the contents.
‘Anton, I am afraid I can no longer continue to work with you. Thanks for everything. Sincerely Brian May.’
“What did he say Anton?”
Anton handed her the single page letter, “Here, you read it. Maybe you understand ‘cos I sure as Hell don’t.”
Juliet read the letter a couple of times and handed it back to her boss. She sat down in one of the chairs in front of Anton’s desk and started to drink the coffee she had prepared for Brian. Both of them remained silent and stared into nothingness.
Their thoughts were interrupted by Pauline who walked into Anton’s off with a broad smile on her face. “Morning all. Is Brian alright? I just passed him in the car park and he seemed to be in a hurry-didn’t say a word.”
“Brian’s resigned Pauline.” advised Juliet.
“No, that can’t be right, are you sure it’s not a misunderstanding?” Anton handed her Brian’s brief letter of resignation which Pauline read and then sat down in the other chair opposite Juliet.
“Did he say why?”
“No, not a word. Has he said anything to either of you recently about this idea?”
Both women shook their heads. “No Anton, not a word but then Brian really didn’t say very much anyway.” said Juliet.
Pauline raised her eyebrows and nodded in agreement. “Well, we can’t sit about all day.” said Juliet, “shall I do the paperwork on Brian or do you want to do it Anton?”
“No, please go ahead but just let me glance at it before you send it off.” replied Anton.
Both women rose from their chairs and Juliet collected Anton’s half-empty cup. “Another Anton?”
“No thanks Juliet, but could you come back in with your pad please I need to do some letters and I’m heading up to see Inspector Cunningham later this morning.”
“No problem; give me five minutes just to check the mail and I’ll be right in.”
After both women left his office Anton picked up the phone and called David Cunningham to tell him about Brian’s departure. “And he didn’t give you a reason for wanting to leave Anton?”
“No David, just that he wanted to leave right away. Said he might go overseas...”
“Seems a little strange Anton, I thought you and he got along well.”
“So did I, David, I mean we didn’t socialise out of the office, come to think about it we didn’t really socialise in the office. But he was good at his job and he will be hard to replace.”
“I thought you said he had become unreliable recently and you didn’t always know where he was Anton?”
“Well, yes that’s true but it was only a couple of times. As I said, he was very good at his job and now I will have to try to find a replacement.”
“Good luck with that! Changing the subject are you coming up this morning, I want to talk to you about this new line of enquiry on the ‘Zilhouette’ Murders?”
“I should be with you in about forty-five minutes.”
“OK. See you then, Bye.”
Anton cleared the line but then found himself going over what David had said about Brian’s reliability; but his thoughts were interrupted by his phone ringing.
“Anton, there been a body found in Weybridge.” said Juliet.
“Not another ‘Zilhouette’ victim Juliet?”
“No Anton, this is an elderly man. The police think it was a burglary gone wrong. I have the address.”
“Thanks Juliet. Please ask Pauline if she can join me.”
“Sure, bye.”
CHAPTER 50
Anton and Pauline arrived at the address where a man had been killed by a burglar who was disturbed. They both went inside and started to complete their inspection but Anton could not get Brian out of his head.
Just over an hour later they both emerged from the property and headed back to Anton’s car.
“I’ve decided to go and see Brian. Will you come with me Pauline?”
“Of course Anton. Do you have his address?”
“Yes, I have it here.”
He pulled out his address book and entered Brian’s post code into his sat navigation which told him it was just over six miles away, so they headed toward Walton-on-Thames with Anton driving and mentally preparing a speech he wanted to deliver when he met with Brian.
It was just after noon when they arrived outside Brian’s house and both got out of the car and headed for the front door. Pauline rang the bell and they waited, expecting Brian to open the door but it was a woman who greeted them.
“Can I help you?”
“Yes please, we’d like to speak with Brian.”
The woman seemed a little confused.
“Brian who?”
“Brian May, this is number 37 isn’t it?”
“Yes, it’s number 37 but I don’t know anyone called Brian May, apart of course from the member of that pop group Queen and he doesn’t live here either!”
Neither Anton nor Pauline had even thought about the name connection.
Anton took out his identification. “My name is Professor Schwartz and this is my colleague Doctor Pauline Fellows. We work with Surrey police in Guildford and please forgive me but this Brian May worked with us until this morning and he gave us this address.” The lady holding open the door looked even more puzzled.
“Just wait a second please.” she disappeared inside leaving Anton and Pauline completely baffled by their discovery that the man they worked with had given them a wrong address when he joined the group.
The woman returned and said to them.
“This is a long shot but we did have a handyman gardener working here for a few months but he left yesterday. His name was Joseph Watson and I think he did have some mail delivered here.”
“What did he look like?” asked Anton.
The description given by the woman was a perfect match for Brian and both Anton and Pauline were now becoming more and more confused: as well as concerned as to how it was possible for a man to work for Surrey police and use a false name and address.
“Do you know where this Joseph Watson lives?”
“Er, yes. I believe I do just a second.” again she went inside and returned moments later with a piece of paper. “I redirected a parcel to him a few weeks ago and I still have the address. Should I be worried Professor?”
“No, I’m sure there is a perfectly good explanation for all this. Can I take a copy of this please?”
“No, take it, I don’t need it any more.”
“Thanks for your help. Good bye”
The woman went back into the house and Anton and Pauline walked back to the car, neither sure what any of this meant but very determined to find out. When Anton sat back in the drivers seat he started the car and entered the post code from the piece of paper the woman had handed him.
“It’s only five minutes away Pauline. I want to go there. Are you OK with this?”
“Of course, let’s get to the bottom of it. After all, Brian might be in trouble.”
Anton gave a wry smile and drove off to this other address in Walton-on-Thames.
As they turned into the road they noticed a removal van parked half on the pavement just in front of them. Anton checked the numbering of the house. “This is it Pauline, the one with the removal van.” He was about to get out of the car when he saw Brian standing right in front of the car with a look of thunder on his face.
“What do you two want?” he almost shouted.
“Hang on Brian, you have some questions to answer here. We were just concerned about you and wanted to see if you were alright so we went to the address on your file and discovered you don’t live there. What’s going on Brian?”
Brian’s expression changed from one of anger to one of distress and he turned around and sat on the bonnet of Anton’s car.
“Come on Brian, talk to me. What’s wrong?”
Brian turned to face Anton. “It’s over, everything’s gone I have to pay for what I have done and I cannot see how I can come back from this.”
Anton looked at Pauline, who just shrugged her shoulders.
“What’s happened Brian?”
Brian just stared at the floor and didn’t reply.
Pauline put her arm around him. Brian, tell us what’s wrong and let’s see if we can help.”
“It’s too late. I can’t change what has happened and I have to leave.”
“For fucks sake Brian! What have you done?” screamed Pauline. Brian looked shocked at Pauline’s outburst but it worked. “My wife has found out I have been having an affair and she is chucking me out.”
Both Anton and Pauline let out a sigh of relief.
“Was it with the woman at number 37 Brian?”
