The Wilderness Murders: DI Giles Book 16 (DI Giles Suspense Thriller Series)

by Anna-Marie Morgan

  “Wait until you see this…” Dewi had his hands on his hips, his back to her, staring at the wall.

  “What?” She joined him.

  A cork noticeboard sported several newspaper clippings, covering the murder of a Sarah Evans, a child on holiday with her family in Thailand, six years before.

  Someone had circled a paragraph telling of the suspicions which fell on the backpacker community. No-one had been caught or convicted for the girl’s murder.

  “My God…” Yvonne frowned. “This must be Eifion’s cousin, the one Alfie Lloyd told me about.”

  “He’s taken quite an interest in the murder.” Dewi pursed his lips. “They must have been close.”

  “He looks to have been obsessed with the investigation.” Yvonne picked up a photo frame from the chest of drawers, showing two children playing together in what looked to be an adventure park. “I think this may be the two of them. I’ll ask his mum, when we go downstairs.”

  Dewi pointed to another article pinned on the board. “According to this, Sarah was found clutching her mobile phone, on which she had taken several photographs of her surroundings before she died.” He scratched his head. “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?”

  “That he bought a shotgun, and has been using it to exact his own form of vengeance against backpackers?”

  “Yes, except that wouldn’t fit with the teenagers killed above Dolfor.”

  “It wouldn’t, but he did flush bright red when I asked him about Brianna.”

  “You think he was sweet on her?”

  “I think he was.”

  “What about Jason Timms?”

  “He doesn’t fit the hypothesis either, but he may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time, or was killed to confuse us regarding motive. My God…” Yvonne took a step back. “We may have found our killer. Did you get into his phone?”

  The sergeant shook his head. “It’s fingerprint activation only. We should get it in to the lab. They can-”

  They were interrupted by the DI’s mobile. “One moment, Dewi…” She put the phone to her ear. “Yes?” Her brow furrowed. “All right, Callum. Listen, I want you to inform the DCI. Tell him we’ll need armed response up there, and they need to tread carefully. We believe, we are dealing with a teenager, who will probably be emotional. We will join you as soon as we can.”

  “What’s happening?” Dewi asked, at the mention of armed response. “Yvonne?”

  “A Wynona Hopkins has reported her parents missing. They took a walk in Hafren Forest this morning, and haven’t returned or been in touch. The daughter said she set off looking for them with their dog, who ran on ahead. It disappeared, and when it returned, it had several shotgun pellets embedded in its hind leg. There was no sign of the parents. Given what’s been happening in the area, she called police. She said it is not like her parents to not meet for lunch when they say they will.”

  Dewi nodded. “We’d better get up there.”

  On the way out, Yvonne asked Caroline about Eifion's cousin's death.

  “He was inconsolable for weeks. Neither of them had brothers or sisters, so we brought them together for regular playdates from very early on. They had weekly sleepovers and were more like best friends than cousins. He was devastated by her death.”

  Yvonne nodded. “Thank you, we'll keep you informed of our progress.”

  26

  Forest of fear

  Sheila Hopkins cowered in a ditch inhabited by a small stream. The fallen trunk of a dead tree provided some cover, but not nearly enough.

  He’d gone quiet, listening for her.

  She struggled to hear anything past the thumping of her heart, and the white noise of blood rushing in her ears — a tinnitus born of terror, preventing her from hearing his footfall.

  Water had soaked her boots and socks, and her body ached from crouching low with her hands tied behind her back, but she didn’t dare move for fear he would spot her.

  She wished she hadn’t left her phone in her husband’s backpack. Their attacker had it now.

  Sheila prayed that her husband, Trevor, would be okay, and that the assailant hadn’t hurt him. She hoped that as long as she was still free, the attacker would not dare to harm the man she loved. They had heard about the murders on the Kerry Ridgeway, but had foolishly believed themselves safe, being forty-or-so miles away, an hour’s drive by car. But he was here, and if she didn’t stay hidden the assailant would likely kill them both.

  A branch cracked. Was that him? If it was, he was close.

  She needed the toilet, and had to rock herself to suppress the urge, at least until she knew where he was.

  Turning her head towards the snap of another twig, she saw him, holding his shotgun across his body, each step stealthily made. His eyes scoured the surroundings.

  For the first time, she saw how young he was. He couldn’t be any older than twenty, at most. How had this young man become so twisted?

  If he continued on past, she could make her way back and to Trevor and untie him.

  Back at their vehicle, Yvonne and Dewi grabbed personal protective equipment from the boot. They might be the first on scene, and couldn’t take any chances with an armed teen who was not afraid to kill anyone who got in his way.

  They squeezed themselves into kevlar vests, fitted the earpieces for their radios, and set off with Dewi at wheel.

  They arrived in Llanidloes in good time. Even so, several patrol cars and the armed response unit had beaten them there, as had two ambulances.

  “Well done, the DCI…” Yvonne cast a glance at Dewi. “He pulled his finger out with this one.”

  “Let’s hope we’re in time.” Dewi swung the car in behind the second ambulance, before the DI hopped out to search for the tactical team leader, to ensure they were on the same page.

  She found him talking to his team with a proposed strategy. “Yvonne Giles,” she announced.

  “Rob Soames.” He gave her a nod. “Have we any idea where they are?”

  She shook her head. “We’ll have to do a sweep, starting from this end. The couple’s camper van is just over the bridge. That’s where their daughter is. Listen,” she added. “We think the perp is young. He’s not quite eighteen, and his name is Eifion Evans. Try not to hurt him unless absolutely necessary.”

  He checked his watch. “We’ll do what we can, but you know if it comes to it, we’ll have to take him down. We can’t risk the victim’s lives.”

  “Of course.” She gave him a nod. “But, when you find Eifion, let me know. I have spoken to him twice. He knows who I am.”

  “We’ll call you.” He reassured her.

  “Are they ready to go?” Dewi asked, when she rejoined him.

  “They’re going to start the sweep.” She rubbed her chin. Evening was on them. Soon it would be dusk. “I’m going with them. They will give me a chance to talk to the lad.”

  Dewi’s brow furrowed. “Shouldn’t we leave them to it?”

  She sighed. “Perhaps, but I would prefer that there were no casualties today. If he’s holding the couple, we have to tread delicately.”

  “What if he’s killed them already? He could shoot at us, he’ll have nothing to lose.”

  “I’m not expecting you to come with me, Dewi. You should stay here and wait for the rest of our team, and the DCI. You can fill them in with how we got here.”

  Dewi shook his head. “If you’re going in, I’m coming in with you.”

  “Very well. We’ll move into the forest behind the tactical team, as they begin the sweep.”

  “Right you are, ma’am.”

  27

  No way back

  As evening drew in, the temperature in the forest fell.

  Sheila’s aching body shivered in the chill air, as the cold water numbed her feet.

  Shifting position had not helped.

  She couldn’t see him now. He had moved on. Having kept her back to him for fear he would see her, she didn’t know the direction
he had taken. Could she make her move? Would he shoot if he saw her?

  Raising her head above the ditch, the frightened woman scanned the ground before rising from her crouched position, joints clicking as she straightened out. If he came for her now, she couldn’t run. But he was nowhere to be seen. Perhaps he had given up and left.

  That thought gave her the strength to take a few steps. The problem was, the trees all looked the same. Sheila couldn’t be sure which direction would take her back to her husband.

  She chose the track leading right, keeping among the bushes that ran alongside. Already scratched and dirty, a few more scrapes would make little difference.

  He fired into the trees above her head.

  Birds scattered in every direction.

  Sheila froze.

  “Don’t move a muscle,” he ordered, stepping from behind a large oak ten yards ahead. “If you do, I’ll kill you.”

  He was dressed for hunting. Camouflage trousers and a khaki t-shirt. Not the proper stuff, though, more like an outfit bought on the high street. The flimsy sort. The type that would tear if you had to do any real bush craft. Though, why she thought of such things now, when this could be her last moments on Earth, she wasn’t sure.

  He narrowed his eyes, flicking his gun in the direction he wanted her to take. “Move.”

  She did as she was told, holding her hands up at head height, like she’d seen people do in movies. How should one act with an assailant holding a gun? “You don’t have to do this, you know. You can have our things… our money. We won’t report you to police. We won’t say a word to anyone.”

  “Get moving and keep your mouth closed. You have nothing to say that I want to hear.”

  Sheila held her tongue, but stubbed her toe on a large rock jutting from the path. She ran a few steps to stop herself from falling on her face.

  It was then she saw her husband rolling around, trying to get to his knees. He moaned in pain as she ran to his side.

  “Stay where you are.” Their attacker’s voice was higher pitched, perhaps from nerves or fear of losing control.

  Sheila wasn’t sure that was a good thing, not with a loaded weapon aimed straight at her back.

  “Lie on the ground with your hands behind your back. Cross your ankles,” he ordered.

  If she had been brave enough to go for the gun, now would have been the last opportunity.

  She wasn’t. Sheila lay down exactly as instructed, hot tears falling on the woodland floor.

  “Wait…” Yvonne shot her sergeant a look. “Did you hear that? Sounded like a gunshot.”

  Dewi nodded, his expression grim. “That was a shotgun blast. We’ve got to move.”

  The tactical team had heard it too, and were signalling to each other, their movements silent as they headed in the sound's direction, tapping each other on the shoulder, before fanning out.

  The DI watched them, impressed by their black-armoured menace. Their calm professionalism inspired confidence. She knew, whatever they faced, they would do so with immense skill. She only hoped it would also be without loss of life.

  She and Dewi followed in silence, staying back just far enough that they wouldn’t interfere with the operation, but close enough to intercede if necessary.

  28

  Life or death

  He sat on a stump, shotgun resting on his thighs.

  Sheila watched as he opened the barrel, placing a fresh cartridge in the empty chamber before smashing it shut.

  He looked straight at her.

  She swallowed hard, sensing things were about to escalate.

  They had considered Cornwall back in the spring, when wondering where they might go after the COVID lockdown was lifted. Somewhere around Tintagel, where she had holidayed once with her parents as a child. It had been Trevor’s suggestion, and she had persuaded him otherwise, having never visited Mid-Wales, and having been wowed by the glossy brochures of its rustic beauty and abundance of scenic and historic hikes.

  She was reminded again how a single, throwaway decision might have a profound effect on lives in unforeseen ways. And perhaps, had they chosen to take their walk on a different day, they would have avoided this maniac altogether. There was a guilt in wishing that. It came from knowing that someone else would suffer instead. Perhaps even their daughter Wynona out walking her dog.

  She shuddered. That didn’t bear thinking about. Better them than their girl.

  He rose from his seat.

  Sheila held her breath, lifting her chest from the floor so she could turn her head and make eye contact with Trevor.

  They held each other’s gaze. A wordless exchange, which said, ‘I love you. You are not alone.’

  He walked towards them.

  Sheila closed her eyes, anticipating the end. All at once, a feeling of calm washed over her.

  A twig snapped.

  He twisted sideways, rolling along the floor to reach Sheila, whom he grabbed around the neck, pulling her on top of himself.

  She fought to get her breath past the pressure he exerted on her neck. What had he seen?

  She saw his cruel, fevered eyes searching the surrounding trees, the gun held in his right arm, the butt in his side. She couldn’t turn her head to see what was going on.

  They had found them.

  Yvonne watched as two members of the armed response team signalled to each, pointing ahead.

  The DI wasn’t close enough to see what they saw, but she placed a hand on Dewi’s arm, and a finger to her lips.

  They crouched where they were, hearts thumping, listening to what was happening ahead.

  “We’ve got eyes on.” Soames’ hushed voice came over the radio. “Confirmed, one male assailant and two hostages. Attacker is using female hostage as a shield. Over.”

  DCI Chris Llewelyn’s deep voice replied. “Do nothing until I get there. We’re almost at your position.”

  Yvonne looked behind, to see Llewelyn coming along the track, Dai and Callum accompanying.

  She waved an arm so they would know where she was.

  Her team was with her in moments, their presence reassuring.

  “I want the chance to speak with the suspect,” she said. “We believe it is Eifion Evans. I’ve talked to him before, and we have some insight into why he is doing this.”

  He nodded. “I’m moving up to speak with Soames. Come with me, but don’t go off on your own. If you are to speak with Evans, I want you fully protected.”

  “Thank you, sir.”

  29

  End game

  “This is the police. Put your weapon down, and release the hostages,” Soames shouted.

  Evans tightened his grip on Mrs Hopkins, who whimpered, her fair hair sticking to her neck and temples.

  “You’re surrounded by armed police,” Soames called again. “Drop your weapon and walk away from the hostages. Do as we ask, and you won’t be harmed.”

  Evans stayed where he was, lying on the ground with Sheila covering him, knowing that police couldn’t risk firing. Instead, he aimed his shotgun at Sheila’s temple, arm outstretched, thumb on the trigger. He didn’t speak.

  Sheila let out a cry of anguish, shaking so much, she feared setting his gun off by accident.

  Yvonne and the DCI crept up to Soames’ position, backs hunches, knees bent.

  He acknowledged them with a nod, his attention returning to the target. “He shows no sign of releasing them. As it stands, we don’t have a clear enough shot. We may have to wait this one out.”

  “Let me talk to him.” Yvonne tilted her head. “I’m worried if he tires, he’ll pull that trigger.”

  Soames’ eyes narrowed. “I don’t know…”

  “All right.” Llewelyn placed a hand on Yvonne’s arm. “Don’t move too close. Give him plenty of warning that you wish to talk. If he won’t engage, you pull back. We need to see you at all times. Is that clear?”

  “Perfectly,” she agreed. “If he becomes agitated, I’ll pull back.”

&nb
sp; “You’ve got your vest on, and your ear piece is in and working?”

  “It is.”

  “Are all the panels in your vest?” he asked, referring to the kevlar plates that fitted into pockets on the stab vest.

  “They are.”

  “Take your time, Yvonne.”

  “I will.”

  She knew they were watching her like nervous parents watching their toddler take first steps.

  She approached within ten metres of the target. Even from that distance, she could see the fear in Sheila Hopkins’ face.

  “Don’t come any closer.”

  She recognised the adolescent voice of Evans, and stayed where she was, as he had requested.

  “Eifion? Do you remember me? I’m DI Yvonne Giles.”

  He kept his stranglehold on Sheila, but raised his head to see the DI. “What do you want?”

  “I came to ask you that question, Eifion.” She felt a panic rising in her chest. “Not now, not now,” she muttered, steeling herself against an anxiety attack.

  The birds sang their dusk chorus, oblivious to the tension below.

  “Take your officers and back off.”

  Sheila’s wide eyes pleaded for help.

  “I can’t do that, Eifion, not yet. Is there anything you need?”

  “I have everything I need.”

  “Do you?” she asked. “I’m not sure you do. I think you’ve backed yourself into a corner, and are looking for a way out. Let me help you, please?”

  “I don’t need your help.” He spat the words through gritted teeth, pushing the gun harder into his captives temple.

  Sheila whimpered.

  Yvonne pressed her lips together. Perhaps a fresh approach was needed. “Did they ever find out who murdered Sarah?” she asked in a calm, even voice at odds with her trembling hands.