Deadly Silence

by OMJ Ryan

  For a moment, Dempsey said nothing, staring into space. ‘Do you know what they used to call me?’

  ‘Who, Tom?’

  ‘Susan, Dee-Dee and the others. They had a nickname for me.’

  ‘No, I don’t.’

  ‘Winnie.’ Dempsey snorted. ‘Winnie. And do you know why?’

  ‘No, Tom.’

  Dempsey placed the hammer head against Maguire's temple again. ‘Because the first night this bastard delivered me to Donnelly’s room in France, I was wearing hand-me-down Winnie the Pooh pyjamas. Mum didn’t have much money, so she got them from a church jumble sale. I was naïve, I thought they were great until I put them on and all the kids started laughing at me. They said I was a tramp wearing someone else’s clothes – pyjamas that little kids wear.’

  ‘Kids can be cruel, Tom.’

  ‘I cried my eyes out and ran from the dorm – and bumped into Father Seamus.’ He shoved Maguire’s head sideways with the hammer. ‘This devious prick told me to ignore the other kids. That they were just jealous because I was special. So special, in fact, that Father Donnelly had asked to see me privately in his room. He had a special gift for me, and Seamus would take me to see him. Me special? After the others had been so cruel, I was over the moon. I couldn’t wait to see what Father Donnelly had for me.’ Dempsey paused, clearly struggling with the memory.

  ‘Tom, I’m so sorry.’

  Dempsey steeled himself once more. ‘He raped me that night for the first time, and then every week after that for almost three years. And do you know what the worst part of it was?’

  ‘I can’t imagine.’

  ‘The kids never, ever called me Thomas or Tom after that night. Just Winnie. A name that constantly reminded me of that horrific night and what Donnelly did to me.’

  ‘Is that why you killed them?’

  Dempsey wiped a tear from his cheek. ‘In part, I guess, but not that alone. No. They died because, at some point, they all knew what he was doing to me and not one of them said anything to anybody, ever. They could have stopped what was happening to me, but instead they looked away. They sat back and did nothing whilst Donnelly stole my life.’ Another tear ran down his face. ‘So I stole their lives. A fair trade, as far as I’m concerned.’

  At that moment, Phillips’s phone began to vibrate in her jacket pocket.

  ‘I need to get that, Tom.’

  ‘No phones,’ Dempsey said firmly.

  The phone continued to buzz loudly.

  ‘If I don’t answer it, they’ll send the TFU guys in and they will shoot you, Tom.’

  ‘Do you really think I’m afraid to die, Inspector? That’s how this ends. Maguire dies, and then I do.’ The phone stopped. Sadness flashed across Dempsey’s face. ‘I won’t kill me; they will.’

  Phillips was confused. ‘Who’s they?’

  Dempsey pointed to the window. ‘Your marksmen. I’ve studied your protocols and I know that, with a police officer as my hostage, if I refuse to negotiate, it’s only be a matter of time before they give the shoot-on-sight order.’

  Phillips gaped at him. ‘Why would you want that?’

  ‘Because I’ve wanted to die since that first night in France. But I still have this stupid, ingrained fear that suicide is against God.’

  ‘And killing Father Maguire isn’t?’

  Dempsey shook his head. ‘No, I don’t think it is. Like the Bible says, “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth”.’

  Phillips’s phone began to vibrate again.

  ‘Please let me answer that, Tom. I need to get Entwistle some help. He’s just a young copper starting out. He’s in a bad way and your fight’s not with him.’

  Dempsey stared at Entwistle’s prostrate body. Blood continued to pour from the gash on his head. He nodded. ‘Okay, answer it.’

  He stepped behind Maguire, the hammer ready in his hand.

  Phillips took the call. ‘Yes sir, I have eyes on him now… No sir… No sir… Yes sir… That’s correct sir, please just give me five more minutes… Thank you sir…and we’ll need an ambulance for DC Entwistle. He’s sustained a serious head injury… Yes sir…thank you, sir.’ Phillips ended the call.

  ‘Ready to storm the castle are they, Inspector?’

  Phillips nodded. ‘That was the head of the TFU. As you predicted, this is now a hostage situation and they have eyes on us through each of these four windows with snipers ready to fire on his command. He’s given me five minutes to talk you down before he authorises a shoot-on-sight protocol.’

  ‘In that case, I'd better get this over with.’ Dempsey spun the hammer in his hand like a tennis player spinning a racket.

  ‘Listen to me, Tom. You don’t have to die. Stop this now and help me bring Donnelly and Maguire to justice.’

  Dempsey stared at Phillips a long moment, then walked behind Maguire and placed a hand on his shoulder. He nodded softly. ‘There’s merit in what you want to do, Inspector, and I really do envy your optimism. That’s something I lost thirty years ago. The truth is, the church will always find a way to protect its own. This man will never pay for his crimes and I’ll never get justice. No, I’m sorry Jane, Maguire dies.’ Dempsey raised the hammer high above his head.

  Phillips launched herself at him just as his arm plunged, knocking him backwards. The hammer missed Maguire by mere millimetres. It fell from his hand and landed on the carpet.

  A single shot rang out and glass splintered across the room as Phillips wrestled Dempsey to the floor, attempting to subdue him. But it was no use; he was too strong. Pushing her onto her back yet again, he clambered to his feet and, reaching down to pick up the crucifix, ran headlong towards Father Maguire. ‘See you in hell, you bastard!’

  A loud scream filled the room as Phillips, who had grabbed the claw hammer, swung the spikes deep into Dempsey’s Achilles tendon, stopping him in his tracks.

  Another shot rang out, this time catching Dempsey in the chest. He staggered a few feet, then slumped to the floor – next to the kneeling Phillips, who clutched the bloodied hammer tightly in her hands – and rolled onto his back.

  ‘Guv! Are you ok?’ Jones yelled, banging on the door – apparently locked – that lead from the vestry to the house. ‘Guv!’

  Beside her, Dempsey remained motionless, coughing up blood and staring into the distance. He was trying to say something, but Jones’s shouts and banging were drowning him out.

  She moved her ear closer to his mouth.

  Through bloody bubbles, he was praying. ‘Our Father Who art in heaven…hallowed be Thy name…’

  ‘Thomas Dempsey – you’re not going anywhere.’ Phillips jumped up and ran over to the door to let Jones in. He halted when he saw the scene.

  ‘We need an ambulance… Now, Jonesy!’

  ‘Yes, Guv.’ Jones raced across the vestry and through the church to alert the medics waiting outside.

  Phillips knelt beside Dempsey, and was alarmed to see he had stopped breathing. ‘Don’t you die on me, Tom. Not after everything we’ve been through.’ She started CPR.

  Above her, still tied to the chair, Maguire looked on. ‘Let him die, Inspector. It’s what he wanted.’ His words were slurred through his missing front teeth.

  Phillips finished giving Dempsey mouth to mouth and started chest compressions. ‘You’d like that, wouldn’t you?’ she panted. ‘Clears everything up nicely between you and Donnelly.’

  She repeated mouth to mouth as Maguire continued behind her. ‘He was insane. A total fantasist. I never did any of the things he said I did. I have no idea what he’s talking about.’

  Just then, a group of TFU officers charged into the room in formation, guns cocked at the ready. They were followed by two paramedic teams, who split up and immediately started working on Dempsey and Entwistle.

  Jones followed them in, reaching out his hand to help Phillips to her feet. ‘You’ve got to stop doing this to us, Guv.’ He was smiling, ‘We really thought we’d lost you again.’

  Phil
lips blew out a sigh of relief. ‘Tell me about it.’

  ‘Please… Can somebody please help me out of this chair.’ She turned to see Maguire tugging at his restraints as more uniformed officers entered the room.

  She picked the pliers off the floor and handed them to Jones. ‘Cut him loose, will you?’

  While Jones cut through the ropes, Phillips stepped behind Maguire. As soon as he got to his feet, she yanked his arms roughly behind his back. ‘Seamus Maguire, I am arresting you on suspicion of being complicit in the sexual abuse and rape of Thomas Dempsey. You do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence.’ She turned him around to face her.

  Maguire’s crooked, toothless smile greeted her. ‘You can’t prove anything, Inspector. It’s Dempsey's word against mine, and it looks like he’ll be needing the last rites soon enough. Would you like me to oblige?’

  Phillips stepped in closer, struggling to contain the emotions boiling inside her. ‘I know Thomas wasn’t your only victim, Seamus. And while you have some kind of hold over Matt Logan, he will tell me what you and Donnelly did to him all those years ago, and I will put you in prison for a very, very long time.’

  Maguire scoffed. ‘Matthew? I was like a father to him. Everyone else gave up on him, but I never did. We have a special bond you wouldn’t understand. He would never say anything against me, you can be sure of that.’

  Phillips held his gaze. ‘I’ll tell you what you can be sure of, shall I? No matter how long it takes, I swear in this house of God that the world will finally hear the truth about you and Donnelly – and all those like you, hiding in plain sight. Because that’s what matters now – the truth.’ She pushed him towards Jones. ‘Get this monster out of my sight.’

  Epilogue

  One Month Later

  GMP Headquarters

  Ashton House

  ‘So, what are the chances of you getting back to DCI, Guv?’ Jones asked when Phillips returned to the squad room after her meeting with Chief Superintendent Fox.

  She flopped into her office chair and, placing a thick Manila folder on the desk next to her, patted it with her hand. ‘Well, I’ve just spent an hour putting my case forward as to why I deserve it.’

  ‘Like catching the Cheadle Killer single-handed?’

  Phillips reclined in the chair and smiled. ‘That’s very kind of you, but it was hardly single-handed. Anyway, Brown took all the credit, didn’t he?’

  Bovalino folded his thick arms with a scowl. ‘No surprises there, then.’

  ‘Like I say, I’ve made my case. Now it’s up to Fox and the review board to decide.’

  Bovalino continued. ‘God, I hope you get it, Guv. We can’t have another prick like Brown coming in and making our lives miserable.’

  Phillips smiled widely. ‘Thank God he got his promotion to Superintendent, hey?’

  ‘So he’s back in uniform then?’ asked Jones.

  ‘Yep. That’s the protocol in his division. He’s not a detective anymore, so he has to wear it.’

  Bovalino let out a chuckle. ‘Can you imagine it? Teeny-tiny Fraser Brown back in uniform – he’ll look like a fucking kids toy!’

  All three laughed loudly before Phillips brought it back to business. ‘Anyway, more importantly, I spoke to the guys at the CPS today about Dempsey.’

  Bovalino sat to attention. ‘And what did they say?’

  ‘Because he’s pleading guilty to all four counts, it looks like they’re willing to look at reducing the length of his sentence if he testifies against Maguire.’

  ‘That’s good news,’ said Jones.

  Bovalino cracked his knuckles. ‘D’ya think he’s a credible witness, Guv?’

  ‘Credible? I’m not so sure. But compelling? Absolutely. If Dempsey stands up in front of a jury and tells his story, Maguire’s going to Hawk Green until he’s a very old man. Plus, having now heard that Maguire was complicit in his abuse with Donnelly, Matt Logan’s agreed to testify against him too. And since his arrest hit the news, more and more victims are coming forward each day.’

  Jones frowned. ‘My biggest worry is that the church will try and cover it up.’

  ‘I’m not sure they can this time, Jonesy. With the recent high-profile cases in the US, these kinds of stories make worldwide news now. And I’ll personally make sure Don Townsend gets all the exclusives he needs to get the story out there. You know what he can do when he’s got the bit between his teeth and, thanks to social media, he’ll make sure the whole planet knows what monsters Maguire and Donnelly really were.’

  Bovalino shook his head. ‘I know Dempsey killed four people – he even tried to kill you, Guv – but I can’t help feeling sorry for him. Does that sound crazy?’

  ‘Not at all, Bov.’

  Jones nodded. ‘I’m with you, Bov. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so conflicted about a case in my life. When I look back at the crime scene photos, it’s hard not to see Dempsey as a calculated, cold-blooded killer. Then I read the historical claims of abuse and what he went through, and all I see is a little boy whose life was destroyed by evil men. Evil men abusing the trust of a whole community, pretending to be doing God’s work. It’s sickening.’

  Phillips patted him on the shoulder. ‘I know, Jonesy, I know. But it’s the world we live in.’ She got up from her chair. ‘Right, I don’t know about you guys, but it’s home time for me.’

  Bovalino looked surprised. ‘You not coming to meet Entwistle, Guv?’

  Phillips looked confused. ‘Entwistle? Did I miss a meeting?’

  ‘Remember, I mentioned it last week. We’re meeting him for a few drinks in town,’ Jones told her.

  ‘More than a few!’ boasted Bovalino, his hand waving in an imaginary drinking motion.

  Jones continued. ‘It’s a welcome back party. His sick leave finishes this week.’

  Phillips nodded. ‘It’s coming back to me, but you’ll have to count me out, I’m afraid. I’ve got somewhere to be.’ She picked up her car keys and headed for the door.

  Bovalino played it camp. ‘Ooh, check you out. Anyone we know – someone special, is it?’

  Phillips reached the door, but stopped for a moment. ‘Nope, no one special.’

  ‘Well, he’s a lucky man, whoever he is,’ quipped Jones.

  Phillips stepped out into the corridor, a wry smile creeping across her face. As she headed for the car park, her phone beeped. Pulling it from her pocket, she continued walking and looked down at the diary reminder that had appeared on the screen. ‘COUNSELLING – DR BARTON – 30 MINS’.

  ‘No one special, Bov…life-changing, maybe.’ She smiled as she opened the double doors at the end of the hall and took the stairs two at a time.

  Acknowledgments

  The support I received from so many people made this book possible, and I’d like to take a moment to thank them.

  As ever, my biggest supporter is my wife, Kim, who gave me the courage to quit my day-job and follow my dream of being a full-time author. Even in the most frightening moments that followed, she never faltered. Thanks, Babe.

  My son, Vaughan, who inspires me every day to be playful and to have fun.

  My coaches, Donna and Cheryl from ‘Now Is Your Time,’ who helped me to let go, and trust in the Universe’s plan for me and my writing.

  My dad, who kept reminding me to have patience and let things happen as they should.

  Mum, my brother, Simon, and sister, Suzanne, for their faith and support. They each resisted telling me to get a real job.

  PC James Eve and Simon ‘Harry’ Harrison QC, who once again helped me understand the complexities of UK law.

  My publishers, Garret and Brian, whose standards are so high I can’t help but improve my craft working with them.

  My editor, Laurel, who is simply brilliant.

  And finally, thank you, my readers, for reading Deadly Silence. I hope you
enjoyed it.

  Published by Inkubator Books

  www.inkubatorbooks.com

  Copyright © 2019 by OMJ Ryan

  DEADLY SILENCE is a work of fiction. People, places, events, and situations are the product of the author’s imagination. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is entirely coincidental.

  No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in any retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the prior written permission of the publisher.