Zilhouette Murders, page 8
“Yes Sir.”
“And Anton, where is he?”
“He drove home Sir. I don’t know when we will see him Sir; he was very badly shaken.”
“Understandably so.” commented David Cummings.
Just then there was a knock on the office door.
“Come in.” instructed David.
To the surprise of all three officers in walked Anton Schwartz. “Anton,” David said “I, we didn’t expect you today. Are you alright?”
“Alright? No. But I am fit for work and determined to help find the animal who took my sister from me in such a brutal inhumane way.” The three officers looked at Anton open-mouthed, none of them able to respond.
“Come on guys, we have a murderer to catch,” Anton broke the silence.
All three closed their mouths and stopped staring.
“Right Anton, this is what we are gong to do.” started David.
All three discussed a plan of action and after thirty minutes of deep discussion, Anton stood up.
“I’m getting back to my Lab where I can do most good. I will discuss what we have with Julia who will bring back – he paused, took a deep breath – Margaret’s remains and complete the comparison of the remains found by the riverside two days ago. Early indications show the torso found is likely to be that of Margaret but we need to be sure and with the other body parts this can be confirmed.”
David nodded in agreement and added. “I think we need to go back to the beginning with the first two bodies found. One appears to be Margaret but we still don’t know whose remains were left in Honey Bates spare bedroom. I think we need to talk to Paul Bates again and the priority has to be to find a link between him, his wife and Anton’s sister.”
He looked at Anton as he finished his statement and Anton nodded in agreement.
Peter and Steven rose from their chairs and Peter turned to his boss. “I will get him in and chase up the interviews with the women Honey Bates met before she disappeared.”
“Good,” David responded and all three men walked toward to the exit, but before leaving they turned to David who had stood up. “Whoever is killing these women is clever, but, in my experience these ‘clever killers’ get too confident and make mistakes. We just have to be sure we’re up his arse and on him when he does. I have organised a case meeting to start in ten minutes so I’ll see you all there.”
All three nodded and left the office.
“OK Anton, look we...”
“I know Peter, I know. Let’s just get this bastard OK?”
Peter nodded and gave a wry smile, shook Anton’s hand and he and Steven walked away back to their desks. Anton took a deep breath and moved off back towards his Lab to collect his file and then to head back for the meeting. When Peter arrived back at his desk he cleared all the papers and joined Steven and other officers seconded to this case for a briefing arranged by David Cummings.
David Cummings arrived and shortly after Anton, Peter and Steven took their places along with a group of CID officers who all three knew.
The meeting started with Inspector Cummings standing up in front of the blackboard and delivering the details of the case.
“Ladies and Gentlemen, thank you all for coming. We have a particularly nasty bastard out there targetting women and murdering them in a brutal yet clinical way. For those not up to date, we have three bodies plus an additional victim we think is connected. There are some similarities with the killings, the most obvious being all four had all limbs amputated, two were decapitated, two were scalped and apart from the victim found at the golf course – Mrs. Paula Monarch – all had the blood drained from their bodies.”
“Excuse me Sir, did you say Paula Monarch?” asked one of the detectives.
“Yes, why do you ask?”
“Well, wasn’t her husband convicted of a similar murder fifteen odd years ago and wasn’t he out of prison when she was killed?”
“Yes Sergeant, you are correct on both counts but, he has a cast iron alibi for when this murder took place. He wears an electronic tag as part of his early release and this showed him at home. He could not have killed his wife so he is no longer a suspect.”
There was a murmuring in the room as the older detectives present made comments about Steven Monarch.
“Enough, look, I still believe Monarch might have had something to do with this but equally, according to Forensics, there is a thought the real killer who also murdered the others was trying to divert our attention away from him by killing Monarch’s wife and getting us to believe Steven Monarch was the killer.”
Again, more murmuring in the room.
“OK moving on. This is what we do know.” David Cummings continued.
“We know the identity of one of the victims and we know the identity of another possible victim so our first job is to find a connection between these two.”
He turned toward the board.
“We now know the body found by the river was Margaret Schwartz who was the sister of Anton Schwartz the senior Forensic Officer based here.”
There were some gasps from the audience as some in the room had not been told about the latest discovery.
“We know Mrs. Honey Bates is missing and items belonging to her were found at the murder site by the river and that this body is that belonging to Margaret Schwartz so, what is the connection between these two women? How do they know each other? What do they have in common? Because I am telling you, there is something they have in common and it is that which is driving the killer to commit these horrendous crimes.”
David paused for a moment to wait for any questions from his officers.
“Excuse me Sir, but how certain are we there is any connection between Honey Bates and Margaret Schwartz as we haven’t found Honey Bates?” asked one of the officers.
“Good question,” he was about to continue when Anton stood up.
“With respect Sir, I think I am best placed to answer this question.” David Cummings nodded and smiled. Inside he was relieved Anton had offered because he didn’t know the technical facts as well as Anton.
“We know Honey Bates is missing. We also found an as yet unidentified torso of another woman in a bed at Honey Bates home and this victim was killed in the same way – no arms, no legs and she had been scalped. The hair was loosely attached to this torso and we have confirmed using DNA from the hair found in the home this does not belong to Honey Bates. We also know the manner in which the hair was removed from Honey Bates would have caused massive blood loss which she couldn’t have survived. We think, that whilst we haven’t found Honey Bates, it is safe to assume she is also a victim. The fact the killer dressed the torso with someone else’s hair and risked planting the body in the home of Honey Bates shows a very competent and confident adversary. Make no mistake gentlemen, this a clever, brutal killer and I for one don’t think he has finished. He is not picking these people at random, he plans too well for this. He is carefully selecting his victims which is why, finding this connection may help to save other innocent women from being murdered by him.”
Anton re-took his seat and David Cummings stood up again.
“Thank you, Anton, we all appreciate how difficult that must have been.”
Anton nodded.
“So,” continued David Cummings, “You will all be working under DS Peter Wicker who I am sure you all know and the admin will be coordinated by Viv Spencer who I think you also all know. Any new information should be given to Viv. She will enter this on the board and make sure we are all kept up to date. Is this clear?”
A general acknowledgement from the group meant the meeting could be closed.
“OK guys, let’s get this bastard,” David Cummings said.
The group dispersed and David Cummings went back to his office. He was followed by Anton.
“David, I just wanted to let you know I am OK to continue with this. Before getting here I spoke to Julia who will handle Margaret’s case so I won’t be involved. I want to work, I need to work so please let me continue.”
“Anton, I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
They both smiled and Anton left David’s office and went back to his laboratory.
CHAPTER 17
Peter Wicker called the offices of Paul Bates to arrange for him to come in for further questioning. He thought it better to call rather than turn up in the hope this would make Mr. Bates conduct himself in a more cooperative manner.
“Mr. Bates please.” he told the operator.
“Putting you through.”
“Mr. Bates office, can I help you?”
“Hi, this is Detective sergeant Wicker, can I please speak with Mr. Bates?”
“I’m sorry, but Mr. Bates isn’t here.”
“When will he be back?”
“I’m not sure Detective. He was give compassionate leave after the disappearance of his wife. You may get him at home.”
“Thank you, I’ll try that but, are you saying Mr. Bates hasn’t been in work since I met him earlier this week?”
“Yes, Detective.”
“OK, thanks again.”
Peter Wicker cleared the line and picked up the phone ready to call Peter Bates at home then thought better of it.
‘I’ll go round there myself.’ he thought.
Before he left the office he called the duty sergeant.
“Detective Wicker here Sergeant. Tell me, have your men completed their house to house on the Bates disappearance?”
“I think so sergeant, let me double check.” He heard the receiver being placed down and waited.
“Sergeant, the report was delivered to Viv about twenty minutes ago.”
“Thanks sergeant, great work as usual.”
He picked up the phone again and rang Viv Spencer.
“Viv here, can I help?”
“Oh, hi Viv it’s Peter Wicker.”
“How can I help you today Peter?”
“I think you have the results from the Bates’ location house-to-house, can I come down and take a look?”
“Of course. They have only just arrived and honestly I haven’t had a chance to look at them.”
“See you in a couple of minutes Viv. I’d like to take a copy with if that’s OK”
“I’ll arrange it now Peter.”
He left his desk and made his way to the stairs and went down to the floor below where Viv was waiting for him with the report.
“I’ve had a quick glance Peter. You should look at the comments from the woman at number thirty-two.”
She handed him the file and Peter thumbed through it to get to house number thirty-two.
To the question; “In the last forty-eight hours have you seen any unusual activity around number forty-four or any strangers or vehicles which don’t belong here?”
The lady in number thirty-two replied;
“I saw a British Gas van around three in the morning and a man walk up to number forty-four carrying a large bag, a tool bag I think. He let himself into the house and about thirty minutes later he walked about again carrying the same bag but, he folded the bag before throwing it into the back of the van as if he had delivered something to the house. Now I thought that was strange at that time but the man carrying the bag was wearing a uniform with EMERGENCY GAS REPAIRS on his back and the van displayed a yellow light. I didn’t see Paul or Honey the next morning to ask them.”
When asked why she was up and about at this time she replied, “I have a new baby and it’s around this time every morning I feed her.” Peter saw the lady’s name was Dawn Wilson.
He thanked Viv and took the file copy with him, headed for his car to go to Thames Avenue and speak to Mrs. Wilson and then Paul Bates. He got into his car but before pulling away he called Steven Warrington. “Steven? Hi, I’m going back to Thames Avenue to speak to Paul Bates again and to follow up on a witness who saw a van in the early hours of Monday morning.”
“Do you want me to join you?”
“No, not for this but, can you see Viv and get a copy of the door to door questioning and see if there is anyone else I should be talking to. If there is, give me a call. If there’s more than a couple then please make your way down here to help.”
“No problem. Talk soon.”
Peter thought he was very lucky to have Steven to assist him. He was intelligent, thorough and dedicated and Peter could see he was prime promotion material.
He started the car and headed to Thames Avenue.
He turned into the cul-de-sac and looked at the numbering, searching for number thirty-two. He parked and walked up the short path to the front door and rang the bell. The door was quickly answered by a young woman.
“Yes?”
“Mrs. Wilson?”
“Who are you?”
“Ah, my name is Peter Wicker, I am a detective sergeant from Guildford police station. Could I ask you a couple of questions please?”
He showed her his Warrant Card and she stood aside and smiled. He walked into the hallway and then into the lounge.
“How can I help you Detective? Is it about Honey Bates? Have you found her yet?
Peter had to tread carefully because no-one yet knew where Honey Bates was or whether she had been harmed or taken.
“Not yet Mrs. Wilson.”
“Poor woman. It must have been bad enough dealing with that husband of hers.”
“What do you mean?” Peter was intrigued by this new picture of Paul Bates she was painting.
“Well, all his bloody affairs and one night stands. She was ready to leave him a number of times but was talked round to staying.”
“I see. Is this common knowledge around here?”
“Yes, but I have known Honey for a while and we regularly have a chat.”
Peter thought before proceeding.
“May I sit down Mrs. Wilson.”
“Yes, of course, can I get you a tea or coffee?”
“No thank you. Look I’m here to follow-up on what you told my constable about what you saw in the early hours on Monday morning.”
“Oh, the gas man?”
“Yes.”
“Well, as I told the policeman, I saw this British Gas van stop outside Honey’s house and a man dressed in British Gas overalls take something out of his van, walk up the drive and he let himself into the house. At the time I didn’t think it strange but, having thought about it, where would he have got a set of keys? Anyway, he let himself into the house and about twenty to thirty minutes later he came out again, closed the door, got back in his van and drove off.”
“You told the constable he had a bag.”
“Yes, he walked in carrying a bag. It looked quite heavy so I assumed his tools were inside but, when he came out later he had folded the bag and he threw it in the back of the van so.. Oh! my God! You don’t think Honey was in that bag do you?”
“No Mrs. Wilson, I can categorically tell you she was not in the bag. What happened next?”
“Well, he just got into the driver’s seat and drove off.”
“What did he look like?”
“It was very dark sergeant. I can tell you he had a beard but I couldn’t tell you what colour and I didn’t see his face at all – sorry.”
“No Mrs. Wilson, don’t be sorry, you’ve been very helpful.”
He then rose from his chair and thanked Mrs. Wilson again as he headed for the front door.
“If I need to talk to you again Mrs. Wilson, is it OK for me to come back?”
“Of course sergeant.”
He walked through the open front door and back to his car. He sat for a few moments, watched by Mrs. Wilson who eventually closed her front door. Peter Wicker looked at his notes.
“It was him.” he said to himself “definitely him.”
CHAPTER 18
In Guildford station, DI Cummings finalised his preparation for the first presentation of ‘Where We Are’, updating the detectives on progress with the ongoing investigation into the murders of two woman and the disappearance of a third. He decided, with the agreement of Frank Adams that whilst the murder of Paula Monarch was undoubtedly the work of the same killer, they both believed this was more a diversion killing by the murderer who tried to place blame on Steven Monarch. They did not want this killing to cloud the investigation into the other two and possibly others which have the same recorded method employed by the killer.
There was a knock on his office door. “Come in.”
It was his colleague DI John Walters who initially took charge over the arrest of Steven Monarch.
“John, thanks for popping in, I have just finished my notes on the presentation to the team this morning. Perhaps we should just compare our notes on this before we go in?”
“To be honest with you David, I only have some input on the Paula Monarch murder and we have all agreed that whilst we think this was done by the same person responsible for the others we are discussing, presenting this case with the others might cloud the evidence and the way we move forward so I’m happy to run with what you have on the other two.”
“Thanks John. I’m ready if you are.”
Together they made their way to the ‘Detective’s Floor’ and put themselves in front of the gathered group of detectives with the blackboard and progress wall behind them.
On the progress wall were pictures of the two victims – Margaret Schwartz, whose body they now knew was the one found by the river- and the second, as yet unidentified body found in Honey Bates house.
The third, a photograph of Honey Bates who was missing but presumed dead because of the personal-belongings found by the body discovered by the river.
“Ladies and gentlemen. Look, I know we are all very busy but I think it is important to ensure we are all up-to-date on what we have, what we have found, what we are continuing to investigate and to bring together any new information on the overall investigation.
To remind you, we have two bodies-only one identified. We know the identified victim is Margaret Schwartz the sister of our Head of Forensic Science Anton Schwartz. Our first priority remains trying to identify who have we found in the home of Honey Bates.”
DI John Walters stepped forward.
