DI Giles BoxSet

by Anna-Marie Morgan

  “We wanted to talk to you about two of your cases. The first is the rape of Angela Barnes in Maesbury Marsh. The other case was the familial-homicide of the Bennetts, also in Maesbury Marsh. You kindly lent me the file.”? Yvonne sensed intense interest from DC West. From the corner of her eye, she'd seen him lean in, and turned to face him directly. “DC West...”

  “Dave, please.”

  “Dave, I know you worked on the Bennett case, and I've spoken to you briefly over the phone.”

  Dave West shifted uncomfortably in his seat and Yvonne didn't mention the cryptic email, guessing it could lead to trouble for the junior detective.

  “Did either of you have doubts as to whether the father was responsible for the family's destruction?”?

  DS McAllister appeared confident. “No. There was nothing to suggest anybody else's involvement. Robert Bennett had lost a considerable amount of money and had been to see his doctor a few times in the weeks before his death. He was suffering from depression and had been a good deal less sociable in the last month or so of his life.”?

  Yvonne looked again at Dave West. He didn't look so sure. He looked as though there was something he'd like to say but was holding back.

  The DI changed tack. “Can I come back to that case in a minute? You know we've had two very similar cases to yours, and in a worryingly short period of time.”?

  McAllister nodded. “I understood you'd closed those cases...”

  Yvonne bit her lip. “My superiors closed the cases, and they may have been right to do so. I just have some concerns I need to put to rest. I also wanted to talk to you about the rape of Angela Barnes.”?

  “Yes, that was a strange business.” McAllister frowned. “Very unusual crime in such a quiet community. The victim insists she does not know who the perpetrator was, suggesting he came from outside of the community.”?

  “And you have a problem with that?”

  “Well, how would an outsider have known he'd have a victim that evening? No-one noticed anyone unusual in the pub that night, which would mean the perp was hanging around the canal area on the off-chance. Just doesn't seem very likely.”?

  “Unless the stranger knew her movements.” Yvonne took sipped her tea.

  McAllister shook his head. “He'd have had to have watched her, or been in the area for a while: days, even weeks.”?

  “What if he was?” Yvonne began dunking a biscuit.

  “Where's this leading? Have you got an idea?”

  Yvonne looked at Dewi and back, chewing on her biscuit. She swallowed. “We had a rape in Welshpool with a similar MO: method of abduction; clothing; what he was wearing; and a strong smell of soap.”?

  “Ah yes, of course. The rape in Welshpool.”

  “That's right. The victim works in Montgomery.”

  “Okay...” McAllister shook his head, indicating he wasn't making the same connections.

  “One of our familial-homicide cases was just outside of Montgomery.”

  The penny dropped. “Are you suggesting that the rape cases and the family deaths are related?”

  “I don't know. It's something I'm considering. Our rape victim, Tina Pugh, stated that a guy had come into her cafe and been extremely rude to her. When she asked him what he did, he replied, 'Money', and then went on to imply that she wouldn't know what that was.”?

  “Nice man.” Dave West murmured.

  “Quite,” McAllister agreed.” But that doesn't make him a rapist. Anything else to connect him to the girl? Was he in Welshpool?”?

  “We don't know.”

  “What vehicle was he driving?”

  “We don't know that either. Tina didn't see him drive away.”

  “That's a shame.” McAllister leaned back in his chair. “The day before Angela Barnes was raped, a silver Lexus was seen hanging around in the lanes. The postman remembered it.”?

  “Did he get a reg?”

  “Unfortunately not. And it hasn't been seen since.”

  “What about when the Bennetts died? Anyone see an unusual vehicle around at the time?”

  “Not that I know of.”

  “Did you ask?” Yvonne didn't mean it to sound accusatory, and could have kicked herself when she saw the McAllister's lips tighten. She needed these men on-side. “?I didn't mean that the way it sounded. I know you wouldn't necessarily be asking those questions if you felt you were dealing with murder-suicide. I just asked in case you had.”

  Mcallister's gaze softened. “I agree with you, that we are pretty much certainly dealing with the same perp as regards the rapes. There are too much similarities in the descriptions, and the soap-thing stands out.”?

  Yvonne nodded, hopefully.

  “Where I don't yet see a connection is with the family deaths. For me, that's a leap too far. Interesting, but not backed up with anything concrete.”?

  “But you said yourself that this rape case was extremely unusual, and that the perp was quite possibly from out of the area, and may have been hanging around. What if it was because he was watching the Bennetts?”?

  “You've given us something to think about...” McAllister looked away as he said it.

  Yvonne finished her tea. “You'd begun looking into the backgrounds of some of the firms Robert Bennett was dealing with, before his death. Could we have what you've got?”?

  “We didn't uncover anything significant, there. He was a shrewd businessman. His downfall was his tendency to gamble recklessly from time to time.”?

  “On the stock market?”

  “Yep.”

  McAllister was closed. Yvonne knew it. She suggested another cuppa and stayed Dewi with her hand, as he made to get up to go help DC West. “?It's okay, Dewi. I'll go. You can continue talking to the DS. Find out more about those firms.”

  Dave West filled the kettle and put it on its stand.

  “Dave...I sense that you wanted to say something back there. Was it about the deaths of the Bennetts?”?

  Dave searched her face. He was clearly fighting with himself.

  “I won't say anything to McAllister. I promise.”

  “Well, it's just that the scene was too neat. Too organised. Desperate men do desperate things. Here was the ultimate desperate act by an ultimately desperate man.”?

  “Poetic.” Yvonne smiled.

  Dave grinned back but his eyes were still earnest. The scene should have been disorganised. Rob Bennett was pretty laid back. His study was awash with paper and collections. Nothing laid out neatly. Yet, the murder scene was left all neat and tidied up. Even the children's teddy bears, all lined up on the shelf very neatly. Mother and children all tucked up. That's not the disorganised act of a desperate man. That's more like the act of someone very organised.”?

  “You been on training recently?”

  Dave grinned. “Does it show?”

  “Yes, but that's a good thing.” Yvonne was silently thrilled. His intuition had been the same as her own.

  Callum was waiting for her, when she and Dewi returned to Newtown CID.

  “Ma'am. I've been following up on a rape which happened in Llandrindod Wells around two months ago. I think there's a chance it's linked to the rape in Welshpool.”?

  “Wow.” Yvonne signalled for Callum to walk with her. “What are the specifics?”

  “The victim works in a service station in Llanbadarn Fynydd. She'd just finished a late shift and was on her way home. A friend gave her a lift into Llandrindod Wells and she was walking home. She was pulled off the lane into a field. The perp was wearing a mask. Victim remembers a silver car passing her minutes before but cannot remember more about the car other than it was silver.”

  “Does she remember anything else about the attacker?”

  “No, ma'am.”

  “Good work, Callum.”

  “I told her you might want to call on her. She said she was happy for a visit or a telephone call. She stated she just wants him caught before he does it to someone else.”?

  “Thank you.�
�� Yvonne felt hopeful. It hadn't escaped her notice that this rape happened within reasonable distance of Knighton –? the place where the Davies family lost their lives. If she could show a demonstrable link between this and the other two rapes, she could go back to the DCI.

  Sarah Evans, an articulate young woman, gave detailed answers to each of the DI's questions, over the phone. Yvonne knew that CID from Llandrindod were already on the case, so her questions were few and to the point.

  “What do you remember about the attacker, besides what he was wearing?”

  “He was medium build, seemed like he worked out. He was strong.”

  “Did he have an accent?”

  “He didn't speak. He grunted and used his strength to defeat me.”

  “Was there a smell? A scent?”? The DI trod carefully, she didn't wish to put words in Sarah's mouth.

  “I don't recall.”

  “Sweat?”

  “No. Definitely not sweat. He was clean.”

  “You sound sure about that. How do you -”

  “Soap. He smelled of an expensive soap. Like he'd just showered. I don't know how I could have forgotten that.”?

  “Would you recognise the brand?”

  “No, but I thought there might have been a hint of something like sandalwood. Yes, I'd say sandalwood. Does that help?”?

  “It just may.” Yvonne was smiling at the phone. “Sarah, I can't thank you enough for speaking to me. I know you will have had a number of interviews already. I'll keep your liaison team posted.”?

  “I just want him caught.”

  “I know.” It was a almost a whisper, before the DI put down the receiver. She instructed DC Jones to pass on the new information to the team in Llandrindod, and headed down the corridor to DCI Llewellyn's office.

  TEN

  She gave his door a couple of firm raps.

  “Come in.”

  Was that a good mood 'come in'? Yvonne pushed the door open, quietly clearing her throat. “Good morning, sir.”?

  “Yvonne. Good morning to you, too.” Llewellyn smiled warmly. “What can I do for you?” He leaned back in his chair, giving the DI his complete attention.

  “I've come to ask again if I can investigate the deaths of the Davies and the Ball families.”

  “I see... Haven't you got enough on your hands investigating the rape in Welshpool? I'm given to understand there's a potentially related rape in Llandrindod Wells?”?

  Yvonne didn't blink. “And another, in Maesbury March. Though that one is not in my jurisdiction. I'm collaborating with Shaun McAllister and Dave West, from West Mercia.”?

  “Oh no, so not only do we have a serial rapist, but we have a very mobile one.”

  “I believe so.”

  “So, what is this about the family murders again? I thought we'd agreed...”

  “I didn't agree, exactly. I did as I was told. I'm not complaining,” Yvonne added quickly. “There's something I need to run past you, and it might just change your mind.”?

  “Go ahead. You certainly look excited about something.”

  “It's the locations, Chris. Can I put this on your desk?” She began unfolding the map she'd brought.

  “Be my guest.”

  “This is the border area. Llandrindod Wells, Maesbury March and Welshpool are all ringed with blue marker. Ringed with red are Knighton, Maesbury March and Montgomery.

  “Okay...” The DCI studied the highlighted areas.

  “You're looking at the rape locations in blue and the family deaths in red. What strikes you?”

  “Are you telling me you think the rapes and the deaths are related?”

  “That's exactly what I'm telling you.” Yvonne straightened up, hands on hips. “Each one of the rapes occurred in the periods leading up to the family deaths, and in a similar or same location.”?

  “I have to admit, that is quite striking, Yvonne.”

  “Isn't it just?”

  “Still...”

  “Tina Pugh describes a man as having gone into her cafe in Montgomery with what seemed to be an intent to antagonise her. That was a few days prior to her rape. She stated that the man specifically said 'money”?, when she asked him what he did.”

  “Did she remember anything else about him?”

  “Unfortunately not. She remembered very little aside from the way he made her feel and the general cut of his clothing.”?

  “It's interesting, but I don't know if that's enough to...”

  “There are a lot of interconnected characters, from the world of finance, who interacted with both Davies and Ball. One of the might be involved in the rapes and, I believe, deaths. Each of the victims vividly remembers the perp smelling of soap. One specifically believed it to be an expensive soap, possibly containing sandalwood.”?

  “How easy would it be to combine these investigations? Could your team manage it?”

  “There's a lot of potential overlap.”

  The DCI's eyes twinkled at her. “I'll talk to the super.”?

  “Really?”

  “You'll have to keep it hush hush from the media. I do not want them knowing we are looking into the family deaths unless you find something concrete, that points to stranger-murder. I'll let you know later today or tomorrow if you have the official go-ahead.”?

  “That's great, sir, thank you.” Yvonne smiled broadly at him. “I'd be able to officially interview some of the bigger players involved in the businessmen's money-world.”?

  “I do value your judgement, Yvonne. Your instincts are first-rate. But please wait until I give you the official nod.”

  “I will, sir.”

  “And remember to keep quiet as regards the media. Tell your team.”

  “Thanks, again.”

  Yvonne was tempted to skip down the corridor to tell the team, and she couldn't wait to let Tasha know there was now at least a chance of a proper investigation.

  The whole team was on tenterhooks, waiting for confirmation from Llewellyn. When it came, Yvonne and Dewi set to work, planning the most important next moves.

  Dewi confirmed with Bettws Hall that Mark Grantham was a regular visitor and that he travelled up from London in either his private jet or helicopter. He would always land at Welshpool airport.

  That he was wealthy was self-evident, but further confirmation was the fact that his regular home was in London's infamous Connaught Square. The knowledge that they were soon to interview the man made Dewi nervous.

  “Tread carefully, ma'am. Men like that are more powerful than prime ministers.”

  “I'm not afraid of him, Dewi.” Yvonne grinned. “In fact, I'm relishing the prospect.”

  “I'm a big fan of your guts.” Dewi grinned back at her. “But, even so.”

  They'd agreed to see him at the airport, for reasons of privacy, since it was only an informal interview. He had not one, but two, legal advisers in tow.

  The aircraft hanger had a cool, draughty feel.

  “Mark Grantham?” Yvonne held out her hand.

  He stared at it for a moment, like he wasn't going to shake it. “Yes. I'm Mark Grantham. You said this wouldn't take long.”? He grabbed the offered hand, turning it such that his palm was towards the ground.

  Yvonne twisted their hands back to a neutral position. “It won't.” She waited for Dewi to signal he was ready to take notes, then: “?How often do you come to mid-Wales?”

  “Oh, let's see...six, eight, ten times a year?”

  “What's the nature of your business here?”

  “I thought you'd know that. You're surely not coming into this cold.”

  “I'm not going to put words into your mouth, Mr Grantham.”

  “Mark, please...”

  “Mark.”

  “Well, it's mostly to hunt game or pheasant-shoot. I do talk to business clients in this region, though. So I kill two birds with one stone.”? He looked directly into her eyes. She felt uncomfortable.

  “Do you come alone? Do any of your team accompany you?�
�

  “I sometimes bring my team out here for team-building weekends and outdoor pursuits. That's usually just once or twice a year.”?

  “I see.”

  “This is all very mysterious. Why would police officers in Mid-Wales want to question me?”

  “We're clearing up loose ends around the suicides of businessmen in the area. I understand you knew the two men who died: Benjamin Davies and Tony Ball. I'm talking to anyone who had dealings with them. We want to know what drove them to kill themselves and bring closure for the relatives.”

  Mark Grantham ran his left hand through his slick hair, placing the other on his hip. He appeared every inch confident in his smart-but-casual shirt and jeans. Everything about him screamed expensive. He was tweezed. “?That was a bad business.” He sighed, flicking a look at one of his advisers, who had so far kept quiet.

  “It was,” Yvonne confirmed, in a firm but even tone. “Made worse by the fact they chose to take their families with them.”?

  “Suicide is a helluva thing.”

  Yvonne's eyes met his. Their piercing-blue held no warmth for the man in front of her. “They had each lost a considerable amount of money prior to their deaths. Some of it through their dealings with you.”?

  “With my company.”

  “With your company.”

  “We deal with risk on a daily basis. Granted, some risks are higher than others, but then so are the rewards. Davies and Ball knew the risks but wanted the higher rewards. They lost. It happens sometimes.”?

  “That's a pretty matter-of-fact way of putting it.”

  “It's a matter-of-fact business. Well, it would be if you didn't go all in.”

  “Why would experienced businessmen, with families, blow everything?”

  “They wanted more. There's nothing wrong with ambition.”

  “There is when, if you lose, you intend destroying everything you have, including your family...innocent children.”? The DI could barely hold back her anger, but couldn't give away her suspicion they were murdered. Let him believe she was investigating the deaths as suicides.

  One of the two dark-suited guys finally spoke up. “Are you implying that Mr Grantham applied undue pressure on the men to buy risky stock?”?