Girl Changed

by Mark Bailey

  ‘She would fight back; she was very feisty.’

  ‘The forensic team picked up blood extract from the carpet. They have called the D.N.A. extract Likely 1. Whether she’s bitten Likely 1 or scratched him, or he has bled from punching her … or all the above, who knows? They cleaned the carpet, but the carpet was dark, so there were no visible telltale signs. Nari bled from the nose and mouth, and there was saliva mixed in with the blood residue in the carpet between one and two meters from the front door.’

  ‘So you can tell all that just from the carpet?’

  ‘Pretty well. The Nari bled theory is backed up in evidence by the fact they took her clothes with them when they left. We believe there would have been blood from Likely 1 on her clothes too.

  ‘Do you think she knew them?’

  ‘Yes, Milly. She wouldn’t have opened the door otherwise.’

  ‘What would have made her change her mind then, Greg?’

  ‘We are assuming, for now, that she realized there were two of them present. Initially, she may have thought there was just one. Once they punched her, she would have been stunned. Then they’ve strangled her and dragged her into the bathroom where they’ve done the job on her,’ said Stopford, anticipating her next question. ‘But it’s still speculation at this stage.’

  ‘How sophisticated would they have to be to cut her legs off and one leg in half?’

  ‘Not sophisticated at all, Milly. Jude explained it well. If you want to cut the back leg off a beast, anyone looking on who didn’t know would think it a Herculean task … but it’s not. You just slice through skin and cut through flesh right through to the ball and socket of the hip joint. Then flick the ball out of the socket, cutting the rest of the flesh and skin behind it and, hey presto, the leg is separated from the rest of the beast.’

  ‘It sounds too easy, Greg.’

  ‘Then to cut the leg in half, you can cut through the front or back of the knee joint. That requires more precision because there is more tendon, ligament, and cartilage holding things together, than in a hip joint. They would use force to twist and break or separate the top and bottom bones of the leg if they didn’t get the cuts right.’

  ‘Wouldn’t they have to saw through bone?’

  ‘No, not at all. They knew what they were doing. Then they’ve bled her out in the bath after cutting her throat and then stuffed her in the suitcase with towels to stop residual water and blood running everywhere.’

  ‘Why didn’t they cut the other leg in half then?’

  ‘Jude believes she was killed between 6:00 and 10:00 Sunday evening. Giles Ryon turned up knocking on the door at 7:40 p.m. He told us he knocked on the door and waited, then knocked a couple of more times and left.’

  ‘What happened then?’

  ‘Well, because only one leg was cut in half and the fact they left her body behind, we believe the killers were spooked and got the hell out of it. They waited until Giles left, then finished cleaning up and got out before he came back with a key.’

  ‘Yeah, a key he didn’t have.’

  ‘Apparently, Milly, but they didn’t know that did they? There’s a lot of speculation in these things, so really, who knows? They may have planned on dumping the body and the head and fingertips separately. They may have planned on burning everything and just cut everything up, so they could carry her out. They did quite a good job cleaning up after themselves. Probably, this Giles Ryon knocking on the door ruined their plans … like I said, who knows?’

  ‘When Giles knocked on the door and there was no answer, he probably thought she was busy with a client and left.’

  ‘Yes, possibly. We’ve still investigating it, and we’re waiting for the results from forensics. They may have planned something else for the fingertips too.’

  ‘Yeah, like sending them to me in the post.’

  ‘Who knows, Milly?’

  ‘British Airways, Greg,’ said Milly pointing as they traveled on another one hundred meters. ‘Just here will be fine.’

  ‘Alright, Milly, I’ll pick you up at 6:30 Monday afternoon.’

  ‘Thanks, mate, I really appreciate it,’ she said, as she leaned across and pecked him on the cheek. ‘By the way, take a warning, Greg. Be careful how you involve P.C. Stone in all this including what you say in front of her. Only tell her things you want Sim Charles to know.’

  ‘Thanks, Milly, I’m onto it.’ As he drove away, Stopford thought she kissed him more like she was his mother than a potential suitor. Patience, he said to himself, as he drove away. He had already talked with Elizabeth Stone; that one was sorted.

  Chapter 29.

  She arrived at the Premier Inn Edinburgh Airport Newbridge around 7:00 p.m. Her scheduled departure time of 4:35 p.m. had been delayed by twenty minutes and then she waited to pick up her hire car. She had slept on the plane, the seat next to her was empty. She was still angry with herself for nearly saying too much to Giles Ryon about the state of Nari’s body; she considered she was better than that. Loose lips sink ships, she thought, as she pondered a drink or something to eat, or just going to bed. She had snacked on the plane before sleeping, and she didn’t deserve a drink, so she went to bed.

  Exhausted, she slept soundly all night, but the next morning the thought of Giles and her near blunder continued to prey on her mind. Her psyche was a strange beast; she understood that, but she couldn’t help being hard on herself. She would take drugs and indulge in risky sexual activity for weekends on end and never bat an eyelid — it was personal. Professional mistakes were inexcusable, though. She knew that, and maybe it was one of the reasons she contemplated a career change. She was growing tired of what she was doing and couldn’t blame drugs or even Theo anymore. The more she lost interest, the more mistakes she would make. Was it the money? Possibly. She got a kick out of paying for Nari’s funeral.

  Her appointment with Joe at Barlinnie Prison was at 3:00 p.m. She had talked with Deonaid Charles after she’d sent the photos of her boys and Gus. Milly had called to thank her. Deonaid had included her phone number on the back of one of Niall’s photos, under his age. She didn’t have Milly’s number but asked her to call and visit if she was in Dundee; Joe had told his mother that Milly visited the Russells. During their conversation, Milly broached the subject of Gus, asking for his number. They were talking now; their relationship had improved, but he had moved to Glasgow to be near Joe. Milly wondered if they had discussed Niall — whether Gus told her he’d tested positive for drugs when he died. Deonaid sent her Gus’s number.

  By the time she was ready to drive out of Edinburgh, it was 10:00 a.m. If she drove straight to Glasgow, on the M8, she would be there around 11:00. She had two choices. She could take her time as originally planned and stop and smell the roses or try and call Gus again and meet for a coffee or lunch. She had tried to call him during the week and was beginning to think Deonaid had given her the wrong number. All she got was a message saying the phone was switched off or not in a mobile area. Bugger it, she thought, I’ll give him one more go. This time he answered, and he was happy to meet her between 12:00 and 12:15 p.m. at the Anvil Inn on Smitycroft Road, just minutes from the jail. As she drove out of Edinburgh, she stopped for coffee and the local paper. She didn’t have a lot of time, but she didn’t want to be too early either.

  She was earlier than Gus, so waited in the bar. When he walked in, she knew who he was the minute she set eyes on him.

  ‘Gidday, mate,’ she greeted him. He was better looking than the story his photos told. If she were rating him for a dating site he was a 7.5 out of 10.0, or at the — ‘he would have been gorgeous in his day’ — stage. When they shook hands, and he sat down, he was upgraded to 8.0; when he smiled, more. He was tall, broad and he held himself well. She guessed he was a proud man; it was in his demeanor, in his manner. He looked healthy, his skin was clear, and he sported a beard and claimed to have been on the wagon since Easter. Quite surprisingly, he spoke softly.

  ‘You look like your si
ster, Sibby.’

  ‘Yes, we were pretty much one and the same,’ answered Milly.

  ‘Can you please say that again, Milly?’

  ‘What’s that, Gus?’

  ‘Gidday, mate.’

  ‘Gidday, mate,’ she said smiling, and they both laughed.

  ‘I love it. Why are you here, Milly? Just to see Joe?’

  ‘Yes, and you,’ she replied, and the tone of the conversation changed. It grew serious. He explained some of the regrets in his life as his voice grew even softer, like he didn’t want her to hear. Mostly, they related to his sons and the breakdown of his marriage.

  ‘I see myself as responsible for Niall’s death. I suspected Sim was selling drugs. The only permanent job he had was his apprenticeship. There was never anything permanent after that. But he always had bloody money, and I know for a while he was taking drugs himself. He was quiet and sneaky, and he had a cocky confidence about him like he was untouchable.’

  Milly could see they would easily get into a Sim bashing exercise.

  ‘What about Niall?’

  ‘Niall adored him. Sim was his older brother. He had a reputation around the place, and some of his cockiness was rubbing off on him. Sim and I argued the day Niall was killed, and they hopped in the car and drove off. Niall told me he would do anything for his big brother. Did Joe tell you Niall had drugs in his system when tests came back after the autopsy?’

  ‘He did, mate.’

  ‘Well, mate,’ said Gus smiling and emphasizing the mate, ‘you don’t have to be real smart to work out who he got them from, and it’s not just speculation on my part. I’m going to tell you something that no one else knows. A couple of days after the accident, while Sim was still in hospital, I went through Niall’s room and found drugs there. Then I had a look in Sim’s room, and there was nothing.’

  ‘What did you find?’

  ‘Powder and tablets in Ziploc bags.’

  ‘If I'm not too nosy, Gus, why would you be snooping through your son’s room a couple of days after he was killed in a car accident?’

  ‘I had my suspicions, and I didn’t want Deonaid finding anything untoward if she chose to clean out his room. Niall’s behavior and attitude had changed, especially his attitude to school. When I fronted Sim, after he got out of hospital, he denied it at first. Then he owned up and told me that Niall didn’t know about the drugs. He explained he had hidden them there because he didn’t want to carry them around in his car in case the cops picked him up while he was down staying with us from Aberdeen. The cheeky bastard even asked me to give them back.’

  ‘What did you say?’

  ‘I told him I’d shove them up his … you know.’

  ‘Yes, I know. So why are you telling me all this?’

  ‘I’ve been meaning to call you but didn’t have your number. I’m very patient, even slow sometimes, Milly.’

  ‘I get that impression, Gus, you seem to be very patient,’ answered Milly, who was thinking how quietly spoken he was and how it belied his reputation and everything she’d heard about him.

  ‘Do you think Niall knew Sim’s drugs were in his room?’

  ‘Aye, of course, he knew. He hid them there. Why didn’t Sim hide them in his own room? He wanted Niall to have them, to be responsible for them. He was grooming him.’

  ‘I can understand how you arrived at your conclusion, Gus,’ said Milly who wondered if there was another side to the story.

  ‘So, Joe was going to get you to call me after you met with him today? I’m glad you called this morning. It’s worked out well.’

  ‘So am I. I’d been trying to call you for a few days, but your phone was switched off.’

  ‘Sorry about that, Milly.’ There was a pause as Gus considered things. ‘I’m telling you what I’m telling you today because I think you can help me. Joe never told anyone about Sim after the police charged him. They came down hard on him because he wouldn’t tell the authorities who he’d got the drugs from, so they charged him as if the drugs were his. If he stays in prison and keeps his mouth shut, he is still looking at another two and a half years with good behavior.’

  ‘I’m not sure what role you think I can play.’

  ‘I believe Sim has something to do with the death of your sister. It’s not just Cailin Stewart on his own who’s involved.’

  ‘Okay, hang on, mate, I’m just going to get myself a drink.’

  ‘Don’t drink anything alcoholic, Milly. If they smell it on you over at Barlinnie, they may not let you in to see Joe.’ He declined Milly’s offer of a soft drink or mineral water.

  Milly sat down with her mineral water. ‘First, before we discuss Sibby, Joe told me you called one of those Dob in a Dealer lines to report Sim.’

  ‘Aye yes, I did, unfortunately. I tried to unload Sim somewhat anonymously because of my failing relationship with Deonaid, and it bloody well backfired on me. I never thought for a minute Joe was involved in drugs in any way or that he would courier for him.’

  ‘Why not? You think Sim worked his charm on Niall, don’t you?’

  ‘But Niall was only a kid, Milly. Joe had just finished medical school and was a qualified doctor engaged to be married to a nearly qualified doctor. I didn’t think for one minute Joe, or your sister, would be drug users, or that Joe was a courier for Sim … and besides, they didn’t need the money.’

  ‘Why didn’t you just dob Sim into your local police then? You might have had more leverage.’

  ‘I did, to Dob in a Dealer in Dundee.’

  ‘You know what I mean; not anonymously.’

  ‘I don’t know; it just didn’t work out that way. I don’t like saying too much about anybody … anytime … especially if I’m not sure. I never told Deonaid about Niall and drugs. He was her blue-eyed boy. As I said, I didn’t even tell Joe until he went to jail. There was no point in trashing Niall’s reputation after he was gone.’

  ‘I agree.’

  I’ve lost everything now. My marriage is finished, my youngest son is dead, my middle son is in jail, and my eldest could be one of the biggest criminals in Scotland, in my opinion.’

  ‘Joe said you want to get back with Deonaid.’

  ‘Aye, I do, very much, Milly. I could not have done worse by her if I’d tried. I’ve caused problems with our kids, and you know what they say, don’t you? Never get between a lioness and her cubs. I’ve done that, I’ve …’

  ‘Why don’t you use this as leverage, Gus?’ said Milly interrupting. ‘You could tell Deonaid you were only thinking of her; just tell her what you’ve told me. It is quite a compelling story.’

  ‘I intend to, Milly, don’t worry about that. I just need something more. I haven’t exactly been totally well … totally faithful either.’

  ‘The long-suffering wife, eh?’

  ‘I’ve been caught with my fingers in the till, so to speak.’

  ‘More than your fingers, mate, by the sound of it. How many times?’

  ‘A few, Milly. Sometimes you get an offer that’s too good to refuse, and I’ve had a lot of offers.’

  ‘That means if you were caught a few times, it stands to reason there were a lot more.’

  ‘You worked that out straightaway, so it’s probably fair to assume Deonaid did too. After everything, she still stuck by me.’

  ‘It sounds to me like Deonaid is too good to be true.’

  ‘Aye, I think so,’ agreed Gus ruefully. ‘You don’t know what you’ve got … and well, all that stuff, Milly.’

  ‘So, what makes you think Sim has something to do with my sister’s murder?’

  ‘He used to visit his mother in Dundee. She asked me to leave the house and blamed me for the fight we had when he put me in hospital … you heard about that, didn’t you?’

  ‘I did.’

  ‘Everyone thinks I said something nasty or swore at him. All I did, was tell him I flushed his drugs down the toilet and he went ballistic, although I goaded him a bit too. Anyway, in the end, when I re
fused to leave the house, he would meet with his mother in Dundee.’

  ‘So you always knew when he was in town.’

  ‘Aye, Milly, which was quite often. He always told his mother he was visiting Sibby … I personally believe that Sibby was a threat to him, so he’s organized to do her in. As soon as she was dead, he stopped coming to Dundee and hasn’t really contacted his mother much at all as far as I know.’

  ‘It’s a long way from dealing drugs to murder Gus. Anyway, that murder’s been solved, and Cailin Stewart is in jail.’

  ‘I didn’t say Stewart didn’t do it. I’m saying that my son had something to do with it. As to going from drug dealing to murder, it’s no big deal; not the league he’s in. As I’ve indicated, I wouldn’t be surprised if he ranks up there with the biggest criminals in Scotland. Murder would be par for the course for him.’ Milly thought then of Nari.

  ‘How much have you told Joe?’

  ‘The only thing Joe knows now, that he didn’t know before he went to prison, is that Niall had drugs in his system when he was killed in the car accident. I had to tell him that to try and get him on side again. It helped explain some of my behavior.’

  ‘Alright,’ said Milly, ‘from our conversation today, it seems you and I are thinking along similar lines. We can’t tell him anything about any of this. First, we don’t want to get his hopes up and second, we want him to play along with Sim if Sim visits him in jail, which he surely will. Joe wouldn’t be happy if he suspected a tenth of the things we’ve been discussing here were true. When I see Joe today, I’ll ask him for your number and tell him I’ll call you.’

  ‘Sounds good. By the way, Sim visited Joe recently.’

  ‘What would you do to have Joe released from prison, Gus?’ asked Milly changing direction.

  ‘Anything, Milly.’

  ‘You need to continue being patient then.’

  ‘Yes, but my patience is wearing rather thin. I’ll think about it, maybe if … just one more time?’

  ‘Gidday, mate,’ said Milly and Gus laughed again.

  ‘That’s right, one other thing. You know I told you about those drugs in Niall’s room?’