Tennison

by Lynda La Plante

  Harker continued, ‘The pathologist estimated that both women had been dead since early to late Wednesday evening. The mother in the chair suffered a repeated beating to her head and face with a blunt object, but that didn’t actually kill her. She was physically sick, but the packing tape round her mouth forced her to try and swallow her vomit back down and she choked to death. Her attacker stabbed her in the heart after death and further multiple injuries were also discovered at the post-mortem. She had many minor stab injuries to her neck, chest, arms and legs, none of which would have killed her, but would have caused intense pain.’

  He took a long pause before he continued.

  ‘The daughter’s hands were taped together at the front and her mouth gagged as well. She was strangled from behind, most probably while the assailant raped her, though this may have occurred after the strangulation. There were no traces of semen so the suspect either failed to ejaculate or wore a condom.’

  There were more gasps around the room at the suggestion of necrophilia.

  Harker moved on to the next slide which was a close-up of the daughter’s face and neck revealing her bulging, bloodshot eyes.

  ‘The red pinpoint-type marks in her eyes are petechial haemorrhages and this is a classic sign to the pathologist of asphyxiation due to obstruction of the airway. The haemorrhages occur when blood leaks from the tiny capillaries in the eyes, which can rupture due to increased pressure on the veins in the head when the airways are obstructed. The red abrasions on her neck were caused by the assailant’s fingers and you can also see some fingernail marks. However, these can sometimes be caused by the victim themselves when trying to pull the attacker’s hands from their throat.’

  Jane held up her hand. ‘I was wondering about finger-prints.’

  Harker looked at his watch. ‘I was going to cover that after lunch, but seeing as you ask I’ll do it now. A finger-print at a crime scene could be evidential gold, especially if whoever left it already had a criminal record meaning their fingerprints were previously taken and retained on file. We then have something to physically search against, and hopefully get a match providing us with a suspect’s details.’

  Jane raised her hand again, and he glanced towards her.

  ‘Could some people’s prints be at a scene innocently? I mean what if they’d just visited the premises for—’

  ‘Yes, yes, I am just coming to that.’

  He went on to explain to the class that every fingerprint recovered from the scene was sent to the fingerprint bureau at Scotland Yard and manually searched against the many thousands of criminals’ fingerprints on record. Prints were also taken from everyone known to have visited the premises for elimination purposes.

  ‘We discussed fibres from a suspect’s clothing.’ Harker stared at Jane. ‘If his clothes are covered in blood he would probably burn or throw them away, so what use are fibres then?’

  Jane thought he was testing her knowledge, but he didn’t know what she had learned so far on the Julie Ann Collins case.

  ‘Well, if the suspect went to and from the scene in a car there may still be traces of the car fibres at the murder scene and traces of the victim’s and suspect’s clothes in the car. There may even be traces of the victim’s blood in the car.’

  ‘That is a good point, because I did find a large amount of blue cotton fibres on the daughter’s top, skirt and legs, which could not be traced back to anything in the cottage and therefore must have come from the suspect’s clothing when he lay on top of her and committed the rape and murder.

  ‘As you can see, the interpretation and assessment of a crime scene is constantly evolving as more evidence is uncovered and examined at the forensic lab. At the time we actually knew quite a bit about our suspect, but sadly not who he was. We considered, from the evidence, the possibility of a tradesman that owned, or had access to, a car, wore size 8 Gazelle trainers and a blue boiler suit. While shoe size is a poor predictor of exact height, there is a relationship between the two and without going into mathematical detail the suspect could have been between roughly five foot six to five ten, assuming he had stopped growing. I should also add that we did find one fingerprint that we were sure was the suspect’s and in doing this we did something that was quite unique.’

  Like the rest of the class, Jane was transfixed. She was enjoying testing herself and applying her new-found knowledge to the Collins case.

  After a couple of pints and a chat with the drug squad officers in the Warburton Arms, Bradfield and Gibbs went for a late lunch in the canteen. Their shepherd’s pie and chips was greasy, and even with heavy dollops of HP sauce the food was still unpalatable.

  ‘I can’t eat this shite,’ Bradfield said, pushing his plate to one side.

  Gibbs ploughed on, shovelling forkfuls into his mouth, but both were frustrated as the drug squad officers had not heard of a Big Daddy, or a sidekick called Dwayne.

  Gibbs wiped his mouth with his napkin. ‘Looks like that little turd Eddie Phillips was lying about Julie Ann Collins again . . . and has done a runner.’

  ‘Yeah, I know that, thank you, Spence, but the drug squad guys will keep digging and hopefully they’ll find out something positive for us. I want that little bastard Eddie found and dragged back in here.’ He stood up and replacing his chair under the table gripped the top of it. ‘I’ll be in my office going over everything, but I got to tell you, Spence, it’s not looking good and DCS Metcalf is constantly wanting updates.’

  ‘I thought he was supposed to be running the investigation,’ Gibbs remarked.

  ‘He’s busy on another case so he’s overseeing it and entrusting me with the investigation, but I’m telling you, Spence, right now this case is flat-lining.’

  ‘Now comes the most fascinating part of today,’ said Harker as they settled back into their seats after lunch. ‘The ever charming and helpful suspect Brian Hall agreed to come into the station. Meanwhile, two officers attended his uncle’s premises making enquiries about Hall’s movements during the week of the murder. Low and behold his work records revealed he’d delivered and assembled a new double-sized wooden bed and mattress on the Wednesday morning to the two women’s address.’

  Everyone in the class sat bolt upright, listening intently as Harker put up a slide of the mother’s bedroom and pointed out that, although the wooden headboard was new, no one had noticed or thought about it at the time. When asked if he had heard about the murder Brian Hall had looked totally shocked and said that he hadn’t, but he could have been to the premises on a delivery but wasn’t sure as it was months ago. Hall was confronted with the delivery and cash payment invoice that his uncle had given the police, but he remained calm and said he must have been to the premises, but had totally forgotten about it as he did so many deliveries every week and could not remember every person he met.

  ‘It was as if butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He wasn’t at all nervous and had an answer for everything. He accounted for his movements after work by saying that he was at home all evening with his father, who just happened to be suffering from early onset Alzheimer’s, thus his alibi couldn’t be disproved beyond doubt. The DCS decided to arrest Hall on suspicion of murder, and obtained a warrant to search his house and car and go over everything with a fine-tooth comb.’ Jane yet again put up her hand and asked about the blue fibres and if they came from Hall’s boiler suit.

  ‘Good question. I recall you brought up the fibre possibility earlier,’ he remarked.

  Harker continued by saying they were a match, but sadly the suit was very common and the one Hall wore didn’t have any blood or fibres from the victim’s clothing on it, and both his company van and car were spotlessly clean and the latter had new seat covers and rubber mats. Hall was also asked if he owned Gazelle trainers and he said he didn’t. It seemed that he had every angle covered and their only hope was he’d slipped up or was being too clever for his own good.

  He indicated for the next slide to be brought up. It was a large
colour close-up of a smiling Brian Hall, a keen angler, on a riverbank. He was crouching down and proudly holding up a first-prize cup with a very large freshwater carp on the ground by his feet.

  ‘Taken two weekends before the murders and found hanging in his living room – this was mistake two. Remember I told you every picture tells a story, but can you spot it?’

  There was total silence as everyone looked at the picture, tilting their heads this way and that to try and see it from different angles, but no one was forthcoming with an answer.

  Harker dropped another clue. ‘He said he’d never owned a particular type and brand of trainer?’

  Everyone’s attention was instantly drawn to Hall’s feet and there were repeated echoes around the room of the words ‘Gazelle trainers’, which he was wearing in the photograph.

  ‘Also note the good condition the trainers are in, which means they were fairly knew. We also found a ratchet screwdriver in his tool kit, and although it fitted for the murder weapon on the older woman there were no forensic traces whatsoever on it and we think it was obviously thoroughly cleaned. Mistake three was the real nail in his coffin and the discovery of evidence by myself that I am particularly proud of. I was able to match a section of the tape used to gag the victims with a reel I discovered at his premises. However, when Hall was asked about it he refused to answer any further questions from that moment on. He never admitted or said another word until he appeared for trial at the Old Bailey.’

  Harker looked at his watch and closed his file. ‘The jury unanimously convicted Brian Hall of both murders. Although we were pretty certain he stole money from the two ladies no large sums were ever recovered from Hall’s home. It may have been they didn’t have much money on the premises, which makes their torture and murder even more senseless.’

  The class applauded Harker as the lights flickered back on and the lecture ended. For Jane it had been an excellent and informative day and she couldn’t wait to talk to Kath about everything she’d learned. Harker reminded everyone that cracking a case was a team effort: police, forensic scientists and crime scene officers all working together and sharing information was what resulted in success.

  ‘I hope you have all found today useful and that you can take away something beneficial from it, maybe in how you approach a crime scene as the first officer attending, or a murder investigation for those of you who aspire to becoming detectives. That’s it. Good work, everyone – would the spokesperson for each group please stack the files on the desk by the door as you go?’

  The rest of the class had gone when Jane approached Harker, who was placing his acetate and projection slides into his briefcase.

  ‘Excuse me, Dr Harker,’ she said as she neared.

  He clicked his briefcase closed and looked up at her.

  ‘May I ask you a question?’

  He sighed and nodded.

  ‘I was interested in how people react in stressful situations.’

  ‘You can probably answer that question yourself to an extent. If you think about it, most of us at some time in our lives have experienced the range of feelings that accompany traumatic experiences, such as depression, denial and so on.’

  ‘You said Brian Hall was shocked and concerned when told about the murders. I just wondered what it was in his manner during the interrogations that convinced you even more that you had the right person.’

  Harker lifted his briefcase from the desk. ‘As a scientist I deal with and advise on questions relating to the crime scene and forensics. Detectives always carry out the interviews with a suspect.’

  ‘Oh right . . . I didn’t realize, I thought from your talk that you were present, but thank you . . .’ Jane thought from his demeanour and answer he wasn’t interested in talking to her. She started to walk off.

  ‘That’s not to say I can’t help you as I’m well versed in every aspect of the Brian Hall case, and working alongside experienced detectives I’ve often discussed a suspect’s guilt and behaviour with them.’

  ‘What are the reactions that give the suspect away and make detectives think they are guilty?’

  ‘In the case of Brian Hall it was quite clear his concern was a cover to make it appear he felt sympathetic and upset about the two victims and was not connected to their deaths.’

  ‘Did he ever get angry or lose his temper during the interviews?’

  ‘Sometimes a suspect, even an innocent one, will show rage and aggression towards the interviewing officers, but Hall was different. He was arrogant; he looked down his nose at them with contempt and thought they were fools. For the first time in his life he was the focus and centre of attention, and even when confronted with the packing tape as damning evidence he believed he was too clever to be caught. He had an answer for everything, never showed any remorse and I honestly believe he would have killed and raped more women if he hadn’t been caught.’

  Jane thought about how best to put her next question before continuing.

  ‘Say a person killed someone close to them, like a loved one, relative or friend, could they react with anger at any stage?’

  ‘From what I have learned from other cases the answer is yes, but where and when the anger will manifest itself is often variable and could be in private. Anyone who has committed a serious crime like murder is under a great deal of stress. Behavioural reactions like a sudden outburst of anger, in or out of a police interview, can be the result of inner turmoil and remorse about the crime committed, but it doesn’t mean the suspect is inherently guilty.’

  Jane persisted. ‘So, losing a loved one under any circumstances must create all sorts of dreadful emotions and confusion?’

  ‘Yes, but sometimes emotion can give a suspect away, so you need to watch their reactions closely. They may shed a few crocodile tears in a false display of grief to try and hide their guilt.’

  ‘But how can they force themselves to cry like that?’

  ‘Like an actor they draw on their own emotional experiences and trauma. The only difference is the suspect’s emotional experience is a real murder they committed. Sometimes the tears may be regret for what they have done or even self-pity,’ he said, and looked at his watch.

  ‘Thank you for your help, Dr Harker, and I really enjoyed your talk . . . ’

  ‘Listen, it’s after five, would you like to join me for a drink?’

  She gasped. Hearing the time, she realized that she would be late for the wedding rehearsal.

  ‘Oh no, I have to go! I’m sorry, I would have liked to, but my sister’s getting married.’

  He gave her a confused look.

  ‘There’s a church rehearsal and I’m chief bridesmaid and I can’t be late for it.’

  She hurried to collect her bag from beside the desk she had been sitting at.

  ‘Another time then – I’m sorry, I don’t know your full name.’

  ‘It’s Jane Tennison,’ she said, hurriedly pulling her jacket off the back of her chair and putting it on.

  ‘Where are you stationed?’ he asked as he opened the classroom door.

  ‘I’m a probationer at Hackney.’

  ‘I’ll know where to find you then.’ He let the door close behind him, leaving her alone in the classroom.

  Realizing the Underground would be her quickest option Jane ran to the Holloway Road station. She showed her warrant card at the barrier and the guard let her through. She rushed down the escalator onto the Piccadilly Line train. It wasn’t until she changed at Piccadilly Circus for the Bakerloo Line and was heading for Maida Vale that she thought about Dr Harker asking her to have a drink with him. As she sat back in her seat she thought he must have appreciated her attentiveness and constructive comments regarding the fibre traces. It never entered her head that he might also have found her attractive.

  Jane looked at her watch as she ran from Warwick Avenue Underground station, across Edgware Road and into Hamilton Crescent towards St Mark’s Church. She was already late, and arriving at the church sh
e had difficulty in opening the large wooden doors. Frustrated, she twisted and turned the big metal-ring door-handles. Finally the latch on the inside lifted and she was able to push the heavy door open with her shoulder. Through the glass vestibule doors she could see her sister, Tony the groom, the best man, the bridesmaids and her parents standing in front of the altar. The vicar was rehearsing the vows and was interrupted mid-sentence as the doors clattered loudly behind Jane as they closed. In unison everyone turned and looked to the back of the church.

  ‘I’m so sorry,’ Jane said in a loud voice which echoed round the church. She hurried down the aisle removing her raincoat and shoulder bag, which she threw down on a pew, before standing next to her mother in police uniform.

  Mrs Tennison glared at Jane and whispered that she had missed most of the rehearsal. She told her to take off her uniform jacket and stand with the other bridesmaids.

  Pam looked at her parents and Jane. ‘About time, Jane! Mummy, you won’t be standing there, you will be sitting in the first pew, and at this point so should you be, Daddy.’

  ‘I was just standing in for Jane, dear,’ her mother replied and pushing her husband scuttled with him to the pew.

  The vicar made a deliberate coughing sound to get everyone’s attention before continuing with the wedding vows. Pam was wearing a small makeshift veil, and on hearing the vicar say, ‘You may now kiss the bride,’ she lifted it, but wasn’t smiling as she was still upset about Jane being late.

  The vicar then showed them the anteroom and register the ‘newly married, happy couple’ would sign. Pam turned to Jane and put her hands out towards her.

  ‘Hold these.’

  ‘Hold what?’ Jane asked, as there was nothing in Pam’s hands.

  ‘I’m miming handing you my bouquet of flowers before we sign the register, then you hand them back afterwards.’

  ‘Right.’ Jane nodded her head dutifully, holding out her hands to accept the imaginary bouquet.

  ‘And remember when we enter and leave the church you need to be far enough behind me so you don’t step on my veil.’