Dead Secret

by Noelle Holten

  ‘Yeah, I noticed that too, but if Rutherford knows what it’s about, she’s keeping it close to her chest. Just watch your step, okay?’

  Maggie cocked her head to the right, but the frown on Nathan’s face told her to leave the conversation for another time. ‘I’ve just been on the phone with Julie Noble. She had left me a message, so out of professional courtesy I called her back. I’d really love to know where the hell she gets her intel?’

  Nathan shrugged. ‘Maybe she has a contact in this office. Who knows? What did you tell her?’

  ‘Nothing. Not even a hint, and I want that on the record.’ Maggie tapped Nathan’s desk. ‘Though she knew enough herself. I said she’d have to wait for the press conference like everyone else.’

  ‘Smart response. I know you wouldn’t share details with the press, so stop being so paranoid. They’ll have something from us later today. If the vic is in the system, we’ll get an ID and inform the family – that’s the priority – but we’re as much in the dark as the press.’ He looked over her shoulder and gestured. ‘Kat’s waving a cuppa this way. Go, drink up and I’ll see you in the briefing room soon.’

  Chapter Seven

  An hour later, Maggie followed behind Kat and Bethany as they headed into the briefing room. The whiteboards were being set up and a few officers from the field team had joined them. Maggie caught her breath when she saw DI Rutherford. The guv had dark circles forming underneath her eyes, and Maggie knew then that there was more going on at the office than was being said, as it looked like Rutherford hadn’t slept in a week.

  ‘Thank you all for coming. Let’s get through this as quickly as possible. We’ve a young male at the mortuary waiting to be identified and a family to share some horrendous news with – not the way any of us saw our weekend going, I’m sure. Due to the nature of the injuries, we can safely say he’s been killed under suspicious circumstances. For those of you who weren’t able to attend the crime scene, a hammer was found and it’s with forensics for testing. As an aside, DCI Hastings is … off sick, so I’ll be taking the lead until he’s back and I’ll fill him in on where we are at. What do we know so far?’

  Bethany spoke up. ‘Well, guv, I interviewed the security guard, but he couldn’t tell us much, as he stumbled across the body during a break. The site is a common meeting place for youths from the area to go and get pissed and occasionally there have been some punch-ups – I verified this with the Neighbourhood Police Team. The witness initially thought that our victim was one of the regular teenagers who passed out, so didn’t pay much attention at first. He said they normally just wake up and go on their merry way home. But when he’d finished his fag and the lad still hadn’t moved, he decided to investigate further. Once he realized it was more serious, he called it in straight away.’

  ‘Any CCTV in the area?’ DI Rutherford queried as she wrote the information on the whiteboard.

  ‘Yeah. I still have to go through it, but the security guard wasn’t convinced it would be much help, as it mainly covers the exit, entrance, and not much beyond.’ Bethany shrugged.

  ‘How shit is that security? I mean why was the kid found so late? Don’t they do regular checks?’ Kat blurted out. Maggie smiled inwardly as DI Rutherford held her hand up to Kat. Her point was valid, but the guv clearly wanted to get the facts out before any wrong conclusions were made.

  ‘What about you pair? Anything to add?’ Rutherford looked over at Maggie and Nathan.

  ‘My initial thoughts are that the location where the victim died was not where it all started. Before I caught up with Bethany, I had a chat with the first responder and with the way the body was positioned, and the marks in the dirt behind him, it seems to me that he either dragged himself there before the final blow to the head or someone else dragged him. He wasn’t a big guy, so it’s possible someone pulled him out of the forest – maybe something spooked them? What I don’t get is that there was no ID left behind, or even a mobile phone – but the hammer was …’ Maggie knew Bethany would be tracing the mobile signal once they had an ID to see if it was still active.

  Nathan interjected. ‘Maggie’s right. He was initially attacked deeper in the wooded area. There was dirt under his nails and leaves and mud stuck to his clothes, so I’d rule out the idea of someone hauling him that distance – I think he tried to get away and ended up at the secondary scene where he was found.’ Nathan stood and went to the giant map of South Staffordshire that was tacked on the wall. He pointed to the location of where the body was found and then dragged his finger before stopping and tapping on an area within the forest. ‘Crime scene officers followed the trail which ended around about here. So, the next question is: was it a bunch of college kids, drunk, maybe things got out of hand? Or was our victim targeted? A robbery gone wrong?’

  Kat jumped in again. ‘From what I’ve heard so far, it doesn’t sound like a well-planned assault though, does it? I mean, our vic’s face was pretty beat up but he was able to drag himself out of the woods. He was what? About eighteen years old, maybe younger? I have a few ideas about that. What if he stumbled across some kids dealing weed, they threatened him, maybe he got a bit gobby – they hit him with the hammer a few times, not realising how bad his injuries were? Then bricked it when they saw the kid was unconscious. Wonder if we speak to Comms and ask the public to come forward with information – you know, maybe someone’s son or brother came back and was acting a bit weird? Washed their clothes but don’t normally? You know, that kind of shit.’

  Maggie agreed with Kat. Her scenario sounded plausible, but something was bothering her about where the victim was found. She just couldn’t put her finger on it yet.

  ‘All good theories and lines of enquiries to follow up on. The door-to-doors might get us some answers before we have to start involving the press, so other than confirming a body was found and asking for any witnesses to come forward, we’re going to hold back on any specifics.’ DI Rutherford rubbed her chin. ‘I’m hoping it is local kids, rather than a stranger outside of the area – and given what we know, it being a fairly secluded industrial site, it is likely to be someone who knows the area. Let’s focus on that avenue first. Did the security guard notice any strange vehicles around?’

  ‘No, guv.’ Bethany looked through her notes to confirm. ‘Said his car was the only one in the lot, actually.’

  ‘Big area for only one guard, isn’t it?’ DI Rutherford looked on the map.

  Maggie eyed the map. The guv was right – a site that large would surely have more than one security guard. Kat’s comment about shit security earlier was well placed.

  ‘Apparently there are usually three of them. One was a newbie and complete no-show and the other called in sick at the last minute. But the guard said it wasn’t really unusual for them to be on their own some nights,’ Bethany called out.

  ‘Talk to those people then confirm their whereabouts so we don’t waste any more time on them than is necessary. Not much else we can do today – make sure you’ve recorded everything and …’ DI Rutherford looked at her watch, ‘then go home and I’ll see you all back here in the morning.’

  Before leaving for the day, Maggie asked if Kat would contact the security guards who had failed to attend work and arrange for them to come in for an informal chat. Her head was pounding, as she’d had no time between the last case and this new one to de-stress. She needed some alone time to process the events of the day before heading home. She knew exactly what would fit that bill.

  Chapter Eight

  Outside, Maggie looked up and noticed the dark clouds forming – rain wouldn’t be too far off. She started to compartmentalize the crime scene in her head as she walked over to the café at the end of the road from the police station.

  Inside the café, Maggie sat down at a table that gave her a good view of the street while not making her the centre of attention. When the waitress came around, she ordered herself a cappuccino and then began to clear her head by staring out the window at the d
rizzle of rain that had just started. Droplets landed on the glass, blurring her view. The bleak weather matched her own mood today, though she did her best to hide it from her colleagues.

  Maggie’s thoughts immediately drifted to Kate’s decision to go on indefinite leave after the last case they worked on. The pair worked well together, and she never imagined how lost she would feel with her friend not being around to bounce her theories off. She had met Kate when she had been seconded to the DAHU and worked closely on bringing the killer of domestic abuse perpetrators to justice. When Maggie had returned to the MOCD, Bill Raven’s case had knocked her confidence and then the Living Doll Killer had made things personal. Too personal. Maggie shook her head. Those cases were closed, and Kate wasn’t here. She had worked on her own successfully for many years without a criminal psychologist on board – she’d do it again.

  Maggie wasn’t the type of person who spent much time on general hobbies or interests, but lately her job was having an impact on her mental well-being. Well over ten years as a detective working murder cases could take its toll, but Maggie loved her job and knew she was a good detective. Her success lately was due to her colleagues, working with Kate and other agencies, because they made her strive to be the best she could be and reminded her about all the things she loved about her job: justice, protecting the public, and the feeling that she had accomplished something. She was making a difference.

  She’d still been speaking with Kate since she had left, but the conversation was generally casual or about their cats. Now that the team had a new murder investigation to work on, Maggie wondered whether Kate would mind her bringing up work, as the last thing she wanted to do was trigger her friend and ruin any recovery or healing Kate had managed to achieve so far.

  Maggie was still drowning in her own thoughts when there was a ‘tap tap tap’ on the table. She looked up and didn’t know whether to smile or scream.

  ‘What are you doing here?’ Maggie raised a brow.

  ‘Oh, DC Jamieson, you’re always so welcoming. It’s a coffee shop. What do you think I’m here for?’ Julie Noble pulled out a chair and sat opposite Maggie.

  ‘Did I ask you to join me?’

  ‘Not directly, but I could see you wanted me to, so I made it easier. Have you ordered?’ Julie waved at the waitress and asked for a coffee. She looked at Maggie and waited, but Maggie ignored her, turned away, and looked out the window.

  ‘Suit yourself.’

  ‘Why didn’t you just go up and order? You’ll be getting it to go.’ Maggie glanced at the journalist before she returned to watching the people outside run for shelter as a flash of rain came pelting down.

  Julie leaned across the table and whispered: ‘I just love your flirting, Maggie. It’s a wonder you aren’t swamped with requests for dates. Why the long face?’

  Maggie knew that Julie was trying to get a rise out of her and straightened up in her chair. ‘You sure are full of yourself, aren’t you? What makes you think I’d share anything with you? You’re not exactly discreet.’

  Julie leaned back and faked being surprised. ‘Oh c’mon! Your private life is hardly newsworthy. I thought we had passed all that bullshit. You know, all was forgiven. Anyway, I promised you a coffee after all that mess with the Living Doll Killer, so this one’s on me.’

  Maggie could see Julie was offering an olive branch. She wanted to accept it, but a part of her still didn’t believe the journalist’s motives. Julie Noble was attractive, annoying, and a complete enigma but at least Maggie knew that she wouldn’t be barking up the wrong tree, like she had been with Kate. ‘Fine.’ She huffed. ‘One coffee, but can we not talk about work? I’d feel much better knowing that you’re not mentally taking down every word we say and filing it away to be used in one of your stories.’ Maggie pursed her lips.

  ‘So suspicious. As you wish, DC Jamieson.’ A smile crept across her face. ‘Or can I start calling you Maggie again? How’s your friend – Kate, isn’t it?’

  Maggie frowned. ‘I said I didn’t want to talk about work.’

  ‘Kate doesn’t work with you any more, does she? I’m actually interested in how she’s doing. I know what it’s like to not get the justice you feel is deserved when …’ Maggie noted the frown on Julie’s face before she continued. ‘Never mind. Why don’t you tell me what we can talk about so that I’m not putting my foot in it every five minutes?’ Julie twirled her fingers around the locket which hung around her neck.

  Now Maggie’s interest was piqued. ‘What do you mean by that?’

  Julie leaned forwards. ‘Why don’t we save that for another time?’

  The waitress came over and placed Maggie’s cappuccino in front of her. She handed Julie a takeaway cup. Julie stood and handed the young woman some money before looking back at Maggie. ‘Next one’s on you, Maggie. Call me.’

  Chapter Nine

  Maggie left the café shortly after Julie did, and when she walked into her house, the aroma hit her nostrils and she smiled. She threw her jacket over the bannister and dropped her bag as she headed into the kitchen.

  ‘That smells delicious! What’s the occasion?’ She picked up a chopped pepper and popped it in her mouth.

  ‘No reason. I wasn’t sure what time you’d be back and figured you wouldn’t make anything for yourself. After that last case, you were wasting away. Need my sis back – you’re all skin and bones.’ Andy poked her in the belly.

  Maggie started opening up the cupboards and looking inside. ‘Hello? Where’s my brother? What have you done to him?’

  Andy laughed. ‘The bloody cheek! I can stop now if you’d prefer?’

  Maggie held up her hands. ‘No way! My tummy would never forgive me if I didn’t eat that!’ Her stomach growled to back up Maggie and she laughed. ‘See? Have the cats been fed?’

  Andy nodded. ‘Fed, watered, and probably snoring in sync upstairs. You know, I’m surprised at how quickly Salem’s adapted. If he stays much longer, I’m not sure I’m going to let Kate have him back.’ Andy went on to tell Maggie that he’d been waking up to find the black moggy curled up on the chair in his room.

  ‘I think you’ll have a fight on your hands – not sure I’d like to be on the wrong side of Kate.’ She popped another pepper in her mouth.

  ‘Has she said anything to you about coming back?’

  ‘Not yet … I’ve been avoiding the topic when I speak to her … shit friend, aren’t I?’ Maggie’s shoulders slumped.

  ‘Totally shit.’ He smiled.

  Maggie didn’t want to think any more about the possibility of Kate not returning, so she changed the subject.

  ‘How long is that going to be?’ She pointed at the pot.

  Andy lifted a lid and looked in. ‘Another half hour, at least.’

  ‘Well, if you don’t need any help, I’m going to try and catch the last half of the news.’

  ‘Go ahead.’ Andy picked up the peppers and added them in.

  Maggie stretched her arms as she walked into the living room. She kicked off her shoes, curled her legs underneath her, and turned on the TV, but when she saw Julie Noble’s face and listened to the reporter’s words … she wished she hadn’t.

  ‘What the actual fuck?’

  Chapter Ten

  Maggie stared at the screen and listened as Julie Noble stood in the car park of the crime scene she had left only hours ago. She wondered if this was why Julie had been so friendly at the café; perhaps she had hoped that buying Maggie a coffee would soften the blow. It was still daylight, so the footage must have been pre-recorded. Maggie turned the volume up and felt her jaw tighten as she watched.

  Why the hell did I expect anything more of her?

  Maggie had worked hard to get past the journalist’s passive aggressive reporting of the news after the Raven case and had begun to believe that Julie had changed her ways when she had helped Maggie and the police bring Kate’s stalker to justice. She should have known better.

  ‘Does South Staffordshire h
ave another serial killer on the loose? Today the body of a young man, said to be in his late teens, was discovered at the edge of the woods on Castle Bank Industrial Estate. Battered and bruised, my sources tell me he sustained numerous blows to the head and died before the paramedics had arrived. Is this a robbery gone wrong or should residents be more concerned?

  ‘The police have no leads and are investigating the death as suspicious. Are you waiting for your son, brother, or boyfriend to come home? If you know anything about what happened here in the early hours or think you may know who the victim might be, you can call the Stafford Gazette anonymously and speak to me. You have my promise to do whatever I can to help the police bring the perpetrator to justice. Let’s hope we don’t have another Ripper on the loose …’

  ‘That bloody cow!’ Maggie was furious and turned off the television to stop herself from throwing the remote at Julie Noble’s face. The victim had only just been discovered and already the reporter was stirring up the community’s fear by comparing the killer to the Yorkshire Ripper. If this wasn’t contained, they could have a load of vigilantes on the loose.

  Maggie looked around the room for her mobile phone. There was no way Julie would get away with reporting fake news. She stomped out into the hall and rummaged through her bag. A text wouldn’t cut it this time. She wanted the journalist to know exactly what she was thinking. She scrolled through her contact list and hit call.