The Trophy Taker Read online

  ‘Vincent Atkins has been linked to both victims; Susan as a work colleague and mistress and JJ as a pupil in Aspire Academy, a school for difficult children that he worked at from 1989 to 2004.’

  Bet’s hand shot up into the air. Hunter looked across towards her and nodded.

  ‘Boss, sorry to interrupt. I didn’t get a chance to speak to you before the meeting. After Paul’s phone call I got Tanisha Fleming’s record out and she was also shown as attending Aspire Academy. I phoned the school to confirm the dates and she was there in 2004 for about six months before Atkins moved on. It’s only a small school. He will almost certainly know her.’

  ‘Good work Bet. There you have it then folks. Suspect number two, Vincent Atkins, who we can now say has links to all three victims.’

  Charlie gave Bet’s arm a squeeze. ‘Well done Bet. That’s excellent.’

  Bet smiled back, her cheeks glowing red with embarrassment. Hunter got back on track.

  ‘Our third victim is Tanisha Fleming, as we’ve just mentioned; a twenty-seven-year-old, mixed race female, working as a prostitute on Brixton Hill. She has a similar background to JJ but has stayed local. I’ve been informed that her flat mate believes she is single and has no partner, other than, if you want to make comparisons, being “married” to crack cocaine or her pimp. I can’t think of any other reason why a rock of crack cocaine, which we have identified as almost certainly belonging to her, and not our killer, should be placed in her body otherwise.

  ‘I’ve also just been told that a quantity of cash has been found in her boot, so the motive is unlikely to be robbery. There may be a sexual element, as her skirt was pulled up, but we are yet to get the full details, we’re waiting on her post mortem. She had no phone on her to examine but she was seen in her usual spot by a member of the vice squad earlier in the evening, so it is likely she was picked up from the street there. I need all CCTV cameras from the nearby area scrutinised to see if we can identify a person or vehicle she went off with.

  ‘Her finger was also severed, even though her flat mate has also now confirmed she didn’t wear a ring. So we need to find out why. Does our killer have to perform the same rituals? Is there a reason for them? Or does he just like to torture his victim? The pathologist states that with two blood supplies and a whole array of nerves and sensors on each finger, their removal would cause a disproportionate amount of pain. More importantly, does our killer keep the fingers? And if so, where? We haven’t found any of them as yet. If one of our suspects is our killer, why haven’t we found them? Do they have them hidden in a secret place? A garage, shed, vehicle that we haven’t found? We need to find them as a matter of priority, not just for the investigation, but also for the grieving families.’

  He paused allowing his last words to take effect. Each person in the room knew the importance of a murder victim being laid to rest intact. The knowledge that body parts belonging to their loved ones could be hidden away or discarded was untenable to everyone connected to a victim, whether police or family.

  ‘Going back to our suspects; we have three good ones and possibly a fourth as yet unidentified. Two are due in on bail today, the third is due in tomorrow and we’re continuing to work on whether there is a fourth and if so, who it might be. The first is Mickey Barton, Susan’s estranged husband. He has the motivation to kill her; she had left him and he felt slighted. He didn’t want anyone else to have her. He may or may not know about Atkins, he won’t say. He also had access to her house at the time. More importantly he has her engagement ring. How did he get it? Why was it in his toilet cistern, if not to try and hide it from us? ‘He also works in a garage so would be likely to have access to GBL. Its legal use is as a paint stripper or alloy wheel cleaner and it is only illegal if it can be proved that it’s to be ingested. It causes euphoria if taken in the right quantity, or coma and death if in an overdose and is likely to have been secreted in drinks given to our victims. Now we know what drug has been used, we need to get down to Barton’s garage again and find some.

  ‘He still almost single-handedly runs the scout group at his and Susan’s local church and is linked to JJ through that. JJ used to attend the group for quite a few years and helped with it until he ran away in 2000. How well were they known to each other and did something happen at the meetings or summer camps to show a possible motivation? Barton is a man’s man. Could he have been threatened by JJ’s sexuality, or even participated in something that he fears will be made public? Could he be the anonymous person who was trying to track JJ down? And could he also be linked to Tanisha Fleming through the same church? Father Antonio needs another visit; he wasn’t saying much when we visited last and I think he knows more than he’s letting on.

  ‘Barton went missing after our visit the other night. We firmly believe his sister knew where he was and was lying for him; but why hide if you’ve done nothing wrong? He’s due in to the station to sign on for his bail at midday and his daughter Emma says he intends to come. I need someone waiting for him when he arrives. He needs to be re-interviewed about the engagement ring and his links to JJ and if necessary arrested on suspicion of his murder.’

  There was an immediate buzz, with the detectives present all hoping that they would be the one chosen for the next collar. Hunter stood his ground.

  ‘It’s good to see you’re all raring to go. I need more of you to go out and bring Vincent Atkins in too. He has now been linked with all three victims. We know he was having an affair with Susan, and trying to hide it from his wife, Molly. Did he kill her to stop news of the affair getting out? How well does he know the other two? Did he teach them? Could he have had liaisons with them too? Was there something that they knew that he didn’t want coming out so he had to dispatch them? Whatever their relationships, I need to know.’

  The buzz grew stronger. Charlie felt herself swept up in a wave of enthusiasm. They had a purpose and even though the chips were down, the squad were eager to get going.

  ‘Lastly,’ Hunter raised his voice above the chatter. ‘Before your skippers split you up into teams I want Abrahams tracked down and brought in. His car was seen at Susan’s murder. It is possible that the killer brought her to the cemetery a different way and the Vectra is a red herring, but the time lines make our scenario the most likely. We need it found. Over the weekend JJ was murdered it was caught on ANPR cameras around the area of Hastings, which is on the south coast, as is Brighton. It hasn’t been seen since.

  ‘Abrahams is claiming an unknown acquaintance, who he speaks to on one of those secret chat rooms that paedophiles use, has it, but he doesn’t know their name. This so-called “friend” is our fourth suspect, but we know almost nothing about him and have only Abrahams’ word that he even exists. Abrahams’ computer is in the process of being interrogated by the lab technicians to try to identify any of his associates but it takes time and so far we’re not having any joy. There are however, files and files of porn on it which will be sifted through in due course to see if any illegal material can be found.

  ‘At present we don’t know whether Abrahams did have control of the Vectra at the time of Susan’s or JJ’s murder or if he still does now. We need a positive link between him and both JJ and Tanisha, possibly from their backgrounds. Did he hang around their children’s homes, schools or the church scout group that JJ attended? Did he work in any of those places? Were they caught up in a paedophile network that he was involved with? JJ certainly ran away from something or someone and Tanisha was obviously very vulnerable. I’d like to get authority for some surveillance on him; to watch him over the next few days. We’ve used up more of his custody time clock from when he was last in so I don’t want to get him in too soon and waste what time we have left. Justin Latchmere is his solicitor and you know what he’s like; if he can spring him, he will, and I don’t want that unless we have something more to hold him with.’

  About half the detectives in the room immediately started to mutter, beginning stories about their dealin
gs with the crooked solicitor. Hunter clapped his hands and they all became silent in an instant. He glanced towards DCI O’Connor, who nodded his appreciation.

  ‘Our man had only previously killed on Sundays before. Now, with Tanisha being killed on a Wednesday night, he’s upping his game, so is he getting impatient? Or fearless? Or getting a thirst for murder? Does he think he can keep killing without us getting close? Or are we too close, and he needs to kill more quickly to fulfil some sort of warped mission? He claims his victims ripped his heart out, but who is he and why does he think this?’

  Hunter paused and rubbed his hands together. The room stayed still, silent at his last words. He waited for a few seconds longer before turning to address them finally.

  ‘Right, ladies and gents. Thank you for your time. You know what we need to do, so let’s do it!’

  Chapter 31

  Father Antonio was taking confession when Charlie arrived at the church. She felt the usual tightening in her chest, the large number of incense sticks making the atmosphere oppressive and claustrophobic. It was as if all the oxygen was being sucked out of the building.

  She stood by the outside door breathing in the fresh air for as long as she could while she waited for the confessional door to open. By the time it was released and an old man, stooped and sallow-faced, hobbled out clutching a string of beads, she had acclimatised more to her setting.

  Father Antonio stayed seated in his side of the box for what seemed like an eternity, even though no one further was waiting. She was tempted to knock but decided against it. After about ten minutes he appeared, yawning. He clapped his hand over his mouth when he saw her.

  ‘Do excuse me, its DC Stafford if I remember rightly. It can get a bit tiresome sitting in there waiting to hear about others’ sins.’

  She baulked at his words. He was one sanctimonious, arrogant priest. ‘I suppose it is, if you have none yourself?’

  She couldn’t help herself.

  ‘Well I wouldn’t like to say we’re free from sin, but we do try our best, DC Stafford. It’s what Our Lord expects of us.’

  He was moving away towards his office. She followed, not really wanting to be lured into the room by herself with him.

  ‘Father Antonio, do you know a girl by the name of Tanisha Fleming?’

  He stopped abruptly at the name. ‘Why yes, I do know her. She’s a troubled soul, doesn’t know wrong from right and will often speak falsehoods. She used to come more regularly, before I arrived at the parish, but will still turn up occasionally if she needs something. I believe she is “on the game” as they say. In the end there was not much we could do for her. She was usually high on drugs and would make a nuisance of herself almost every time she came.’

  ‘So what did you do on those occasions?’

  ‘We would try to placate her then send her away again. She upset the regulars with her language and allegations.’

  ‘What sort of allegations, Father?’

  He turned away from her abruptly and stood facing a stained-glass window of the Virgin Mary.

  ‘Oh, this and that. There were too many to elaborate on. Like I said, she was a troubled soul. How strange that I should be standing in front of Our Lady talking about someone who is the exact opposite of her.’

  He dipped his head and gave the sign of the cross. Charlie felt her anger stir again. The man had no compassion. In fact she was appalled at his lack of empathy or kindness.

  ‘Why do you ask, anyway?’ he ventured, turning back and facing her.

  ‘She was murdered last night. Her mutilated body was left in a prostitutes’ graveyard. Fitting, don’t you think, considering she was “on the game” as you so quaintly put it?’

  She said it how it was, in the hope of provoking a reaction. She got one; but not the one she was expecting.

  ‘Well at least she’s at peace now and won’t be disturbing anyone else’s.’

  She stared at him, trying to comprehend his statement. He seemed almost relieved that she’d been killed; as if she was nothing more than an irritating fly that had at last been swatted.

  ‘Nothing like everyone being children of God then?’

  ‘Officer, just as in life you get bad children and good children, so will there be in Heaven also. Tanisha will need to learn the way of the truth if she is truly to be accepted into heaven.’

  ‘What is that supposed to mean?’

  He shrugged and started to move away from her, clearly finished with their conversation. As he moved towards his office, she turned to see his secretary, Joan Whitmore bustling into the church with a huge bunch of flowers, no doubt to be strewn about the nave and altar table at the front. She peered out from behind the bouquet and caught Charlie’s eye.

  ‘Have you come about that poor, poor girl? It’s awful, isn’t it? I just heard the news; such a sad, lost soul. It’s a shame we weren’t able to help her more. I think during the time she was with us we made her worse not better.’

  ‘Hello, Joan, nice to see you again. What do you mean by that?’

  ‘She means nothing, do you Joan? We tried our hardest. We prayed for Tanisha Fleming’s soul and now she has been rescued.’ Father Antonio gave the sign of the cross again and moved to where Joan Whitmore stood, chivvying her further away towards the furthest altar.

  ‘Here let me give you a hand with these. I’m sure the officer has more important things to do with her time.’

  Charlie knew that was his priestly way of telling her to piss off and she was glad to be going. Father Antonio was keeping something from her, hushed within the church’s walls; of that she was sure. The religious establishment was closing ranks. She would phone Joan Whitmore later; her number was on St Matthews’ web page. She was about to leave when she realised she’d nearly forgotten what she’d come for.

  ‘Before I go, could you tell me whether Tanisha Fleming would be known to Mickey Barton?’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure she would,’ Father Antonio intoned. ‘Tanisha Fleming was known to the whole congregation with her antics.’ He paused, collecting his thought before continuing, ‘And some, I’m ashamed to say, more intimately than others.’

  *

  Mickey Barton had no alibi for where he’d been on Wednesday night. That much they’d already established. Camping, in the depths of a forest in mid-October? Really?!

  Before she’d left for the church Charlie had watched as he was pounced on as he entered the front office of Brixton Police station. After the briefing, a small arrest team in plain clothes had been quickly mobilised and were waiting at the doors, blocking off any chance of a possible escape bid. He had come quietly. There had been no point doing otherwise.

  Now, he was waiting to be interviewed and he looked nervous, scared even, sitting on the fixed wooden bench in the custody office, anxiously wringing his hands together and peering up and down. It was amazing what a difference even an hour in the cells could make. Not so much the macho man now, the jack-of-all trades; more your average Joe who knows he’s deep in the shit.

  She gave him a thumbs up as she walked past, noting with amusement the way he moved his hands underneath his legs to sit on them. There was no way he was going to reciprocate the sign, especially not to a woman.

  She popped back out to find Hunter deep in conversation with DCI O’Connor in a small interview room. Naz was sitting just outside with Sabira, talking on the phone. When she finished she beckoned Charlie over.

  ‘I’ve just heard from the guys who’ve gone to Mickey’s garage. They’re turning it inside out looking for the missing fingers. Nothing as yet but they’ve found several containers of GBL at the rear and are seizing some of his tools. There is a set of bolt croppers and various other pliers, blades and saws that they’ve taken, just in case.’

  ‘Nice One! Let’s hope forensics can find some minute traces of blood from one or more of our victims on them. Even the rufty-tufty Mickey Barton would have a job explaining that away. I’m looking forward to hearing what he’s g
ot to say.’

  Hunter emerged from his meeting as she finished speaking.

  ‘That looked very interesting! Was it a back-slap or a bottom-smack?’ Charlie teased, looking up horrified as she realised the DCI was directly in his wake. Why did she always engage mouth before brain?

  ‘It was neither, actually.’ The DCI looked stern. ‘You’re all working extremely hard. You just need a bit of luck to come your way before I decide which course of action I’ll take.’ She noticed the trace of a smile playing on his lips. ‘Or Mickey Barton’s confession!’

  He strode out of the office, leaving Hunter to shake his head at her.

  ‘Right come on then Charlie, see if you can redeem yourself. I’ve got Bet and Paul on CCTV duty again, seeing if they can find me any suspect or vehicle doing the rounds where Tanisha was picked up. They’re the king and queen of CCTV at the moment. They’ve taken over from you. Naz and Sabira, get yourselves back to the office and see if you can find anything more to link Abrahams and the last two victims. We’ll be back soon. Let’s go.’

  As they made their way into the custody office Charlie filled Hunter in on the find of GBL at Mickey’s garage and the fact that he would know Tanisha Fleming. Things were looking up.

  *

  Mickey Barton was ready and waiting for them when they got there. The duty solicitor for once seemed quite new and slightly less hostile than most. Charlie hoped Mickey might actually talk.