In a moment of startling clarity, Bill made his decision.
He wasn’t prepared to take the rap for anybody. Fuck that.
He would sack off his useless solicitor and ask to speak to the big, lairy cop who had wound him up.
His instincts were telling him that he needed to get ahead of this mess. He had a feeling that Slater and his cronies would try to stitch him up and drop him deeper in the shit than he already was.
He pressed the alarm button in the cell. Then, with his balled-up fist, he started to bang repeatedly on the metal door.
73
1 July 1986
Mansfield Police Station, Nottinghamshire
The door to Danny’s office was closed.
Inside, deep in conversation with Danny, were Rob, Brian, Fran and Glen. The two interview teams were bringing Danny up to speed on the first round of interviews.
Rob said, ‘It’s gone as well as can be expected. As we thought, Slater advised Caroline to go “no comment” throughout, which she did unwaveringly.’
‘What was the reaction when Glen started talking about the address book?’
‘There was a muted protest from Slater that we hadn’t disclosed it prior to interview, but surprisingly, he let it continue.’
‘And when you mentioned the specific list at the back of the book?’
‘Panic! Big style. He couldn’t shut down the interview quick enough.’
‘Did you make sure Caroline witnessed Slater being arrested?’
‘I virtually shouted what he was under arrest for, just to make sure she heard it.’
‘Good work. What was her reaction when you took her to the cell, Glen?’
‘She said nothing, but she was definitely rattled. You could almost hear the cogs in her brain turning.’
‘And she said nothing?’
‘Nothing at all, but she suddenly went from being very assured to looking like a rabbit caught in headlights.’
‘I don’t think we need to mess about anymore. I’m of the opinion that we start piling on the pressure, letting her know exactly how much evidence we’ve got. What do you think, Glen?’
‘I’d say drip-feed it to her, boss. Let her realise there’s no wriggle room. As well as admitting her own part in all this, we need her to start identifying who did what. She needs to understand that co-operation is her only, and best, option.’
‘That sounds good to me. Let’s concentrate on getting her talking and take it from there. Do you think she’ll persevere with the no-comment strategy given to her by Slater now he’s under arrest?’
‘It’s hard to say. I think if she refuses further legal advice, then we’re in business. She’ll start talking.’
‘Don’t wait too long, Rob. I want you both back down there. Get her a new brief if she wants one, and get her talking. Let’s try to keep the pressure on.’
‘Okay, boss. What do you want doing with Slater?’
‘Nothing yet, let him stew for a bit. Concentrate on Caroline. I still think she holds the key to unlocking this case.’
Danny turned to Brian. ‘How did it go with Bill?’
Brian was just about to answer when the telephone on the desk started to ring.
Danny quickly snatched it off the hook. ‘DCI Flint!’
‘Sir, it’s PC Mayne in the custody suite. Bill Short is asking to speak to Detective Inspector Hopkirk without his solicitor being present.’
‘Thanks.’
Danny put the phone down, looked at Brian, and said, ‘I don’t know what you did down there, but Bill Short has sacked his solicitor and wants to talk to you urgently. Get down there sharpish and see what he’s got to say. It would appear that the cracks are beginning to show.’
74
1 July 1986
Rampton Hospital, Nottinghamshire
‘What do you mean he’s not at work yet? He should have been here at half past nine. Has he phoned in sick?’
Tina Prowse glanced at her watch; it was now approaching ten thirty.
‘He should’ve been here an hour ago, and you’ve had no phone call explaining his absence?’
There was a pause.
‘Great. So now you’re telling me he wasn’t at work yesterday, either?’
Another pause.
‘No, that’s fine. It’s not your fault. Can you get me his home address, please? We’ll go and check on him there later, thanks.’
Tina put the phone down and looked at Rachel.
Rachel said, ‘I take it the elusive Stewart Ainsworth has decided against talking to us today.’
‘Bloody too right. Apparently he didn’t make it into work yesterday, either. Let’s crack on with the other three members of staff we’ve got to speak to today, then we’ll take a trip out to Ainsworth’s home address. I’ve got to admit, Rach, I’m starting to get a little pissed off with Mr Ainsworth.’
75
1 July 1986
Mansfield Police Station, Nottinghamshire
Brian and Fran sat opposite Bill Short in the interview room.
Fran placed the tapes in the recorder and switched it on. She quickly went through the introductions on tape before reminding Bill Short that he was still under caution.
Bill Short waved his hand at the young detective, gesturing for her to hurry up, then nodded his head, saying, ‘Yeah, yeah.’
Brian said, ‘Are you sure you’re happy for this interview to continue without your solicitor being present?’
‘Yeah, I’m sure.’
‘Is there any reason you don’t want your solicitor present?’
‘I don’t need one. I’ve got things I want to say.’
‘Go on then, Bill. What is it?’
‘For a start, I’ve been arrested for conspiracy to commit murder. What the fuck is all that about? When that kid died, I was miles away in my own bed.’
‘Just for the record, Bill, and so we’re both clear, exactly what child are you referring to?’
‘That Jenkins boy.’
‘Do you mean Evan Jenkins? The young boy who, up until the time of his death, was a resident at Tall Trees Children’s Home? The home where your wife is the matron in charge?’
‘Yeah, that’s him.’
‘How do you know exactly when Evan Jenkins died?’
‘Because I was at home in bed with Caroline when she took the phone call saying he was dead.’
‘When was that?’
‘It was the night of the third of June.’
‘What had happened?’
‘I don’t know exactly what had happened. All I know is that Caroline took the phone call. She then tells me that the kid has died at the party they were having, and they wanted Caroline to go over and clear up their mess.’
‘What sort of party are you talking about?’
‘A fucking nonces party.’
‘What do you mean, Bill?’
‘Nonces! Blokes who like young boys. It was that sort of party.’
‘Who made the phone call to your wife about the boy?’
‘That smarmy bastard Grenville Slater.’
‘I realise that Caroline took the call, but do you know exactly what was said to her?’
‘I only got the gist from her after she’d put the phone down. She told me to get out of bed and to get dressed straight away. She said the kid had died at the party, and we had to go over and clear up the mess.’
‘So what did you do, Bill?’
‘I didn’t have a lot of choice, Detective. I went with Caroline to the cottage, to pick up the kid.’
‘What cottage?’
‘Don’t mess me about; I’m being straight with you here. You know where I mean: Mayflower Cottage. You must’ve followed me and fatso out there the other day.’
‘Okay, Bill. When you got out there that night, who else was at the cottage?’
‘Just Slater. Everybody else who’d been there had gone.’
‘How many had been there?’
‘I’m not sure,
but Caroline will know, and so will Slater.’
‘What did Slater say when you got there?’
‘He was talking in whispers to Caroline, so I only heard bits. I did hear him say something about a drugs overdose. Apparently, the stuff from the doctor was too strong or something.’
‘What stuff?’
‘I don’t know.’
‘What doctor?’
‘I don’t know his name.’
‘Where was Evan Jenkins?’
‘He was upstairs on a mattress.’
‘What was he like?’
‘What the fuck do you mean, what was he like? He was dead.’
‘Was he dressed?’
‘No, the kid was naked. The fucking nonces had been there, hadn’t they?’
‘What exactly did you do, Bill?’
‘Caroline told me to carry the kid down to the minibus and put him in the back.’
‘And did you?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Then what did you do?’
‘Caroline drove to some woods, and I carried the kid from the minibus to the woods. I buried him under some loose soil and leaves.’
‘Why didn’t you come to the police?’
‘How could I? I couldn’t grass on my own wife. She was the one who’d taken the kid out there, as usual. She was the one who’d supplied the drugs to the nonces for money. I had no choice, Detective. I had to do what she asked.’
‘Did you have any other involvement in the events that led to the death of Evan Jenkins?’
‘No, I did not. Not a chance. I’m not a fucking nonce! I kept telling Caroline that what she was doing was wrong, and that eventually it would come back to bite her on the arse. She just wouldn’t listen. She was led by that piece of shit Slater and wouldn’t turn down the money.’
‘How many of these “parties” has your wife provided boys and drugs for?’
‘God only knows. She did a couple down in Cornwall, using kids from the home we worked at down there. Then, as soon as she hooked up with Slater here, there were loads. At least a couple every month.’
‘How many times was Evan Jenkins taken to the parties?’
‘Quite a few times. The nonces kept asking for him.’
‘Were the parties always at the cottage?’
‘As far as I know, yeah.’
‘Who owns the cottage?’
‘It’s in Caroline’s name, but she couldn’t afford to buy it. I think Slater and fatso gave her the money to buy it.’
‘You mentioned “fatso” earlier. Who’s “fatso”?’
‘That’s what I call Councillor Lenny Mellor. He’s the biggest nonce of the lot. I can’t stand that piece of shit.’
‘What else have you done to try to conceal this crime, Bill?’
‘Caroline asked me to clean the minibus and the cottage afterwards.’
‘And did you?’
‘Yeah, what choice did I have?’
‘Is there anything else you want to say?’
‘Yeah, what’s going to happen to me now? You can’t charge me with murder. I never killed that kid.’
Brian closed the interview and returned Short to his cell.
Rob Buxton and Glen Lorimar were standing in the cell block, alongside Caroline Short and her new solicitor, waiting to go for a further interview.
Brian said, ‘Rob, you need to put her back in the cell and have a listen to what Bill’s just told us.’
Caroline’s eyes widened as she heard the big detective’s comment.
Glen Lorimar immediately took Caroline back to her cell.
At the door to her cell, Caroline stopped, looked at the detective and said, ‘What’s Bill said? I need to know!’
‘I don’t know yet, Caroline. I’ll come and get you for that interview in a while. I’ll sit your solicitor back down upstairs until we’re ready.’
Caroline finally made her decision.
She couldn’t afford to wait any longer.
She grabbed the detective’s arm and said, ‘Look. I don’t want a new solicitor. I need to talk to you right now.’
‘I’ll be back in ten minutes, Caroline. If you still don’t want a solicitor then, we’ll go and have a chat straight away.’
76
1 July 1986
Mansfield Police Station, Nottinghamshire
Twenty minutes after she’d been returned to her cell, Caroline was relieved to see the cell door swing open.
Standing in the doorway were Rob Buxton and Glen Lorimar.
Caroline immediately stood up, a panicked expression on her face. ‘What’s Bill said?’
Rob replied, ‘Caroline, we can’t talk to you unless your solicitor is present.’
‘Bollocks to that! I don’t want a solicitor; I need to talk to you. Bill doesn’t know the whole truth. I do.’
‘Okay, Caroline. We need to go and see the custody sergeant first so that you can give him your reasons for not wanting a solicitor present for your interviews. Once that’s all done, then we can go and have a chat.’
After the legal requirements with the custody sergeant, Caroline was taken to an interview room by Rob and Glen.
Glen inserted the tapes and started the recorder. He made the introductions and clarified, on tape, that Caroline no longer wanted to be legally represented during her interview.
‘Caroline, as we took you from your cell earlier, you made a comment to me saying that your husband, Bill, didn’t know the truth, but you did. Is that an accurate account of what you said?’
‘Yes, it is.’
‘What did you mean by that comment? What truth?’
‘The truth about how Evan Jenkins died.’
‘Okay, Caroline. What can you tell me about the death of Evan Jenkins?’
‘At the request of certain powerful people, I took Evan Jenkins to a party.’
‘When was this?’
‘The third of June, this year.’
‘How did you get Evan to the party?’
‘I drove him there in my minibus.’
‘Where was the party?’
‘In the cottage.’
‘Does the cottage have a name?’
‘Mayflower Cottage.’
‘Where’s Mayflower Cottage, Caroline?’
‘Out near a village called Bleasby.’
‘Who owns the cottage?’
‘It’s in my name, but I didn’t buy it.’
‘Why is it in your name if you didn’t buy it?’
‘I don’t know. You’ll have to ask him.’
‘Ask who?’
‘Grenville Slater. He gave me the money to buy it so we could have the parties there.’
‘You said parties, plural. How many have there been?’
‘I’m not sure. Quite a few.’
‘You keep referring to them as parties. What exactly happened at these parties?’
‘Men and boys.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘They were parties organised for men who like young boys. For the men to have sex with the boys.’
‘What was your involvement in these parties, Caroline?’
‘I was asked to provide some of the boys from the home.’
‘When you say “the home”, where do you mean, specifically?’
‘Tall Trees Children’s Home.’
‘Did the boys have a choice?’
‘Sort of. They were given presents and money from the men at the parties, to keep quiet about it.’
‘How many boys went to the party on the third of June?’
‘Just one. I was asked to bring Evan Jenkins on his own. A lot of the men only ever wanted Evan.’
‘Why was that?’
Caroline shrugged her shoulders and said, ‘No idea.’
‘Who asked you to bring Evan?’
‘The person who organised the parties.’
‘And who was that, Caroline?’
‘Grenville Slater.’
‘So, when you arrived at the
cottage with Evan, how many men were there?’
‘Everyone was there. The list of initials you asked me about in my address book. They are the people who were there.’
‘Who are they? What are their names?’
‘I only know some of them by name. Grenville wrote the list in my address book. He just put their initials and swapped the telephone numbers around somehow. I think he did that so I couldn’t call them myself.’
‘Didn’t you think it was slightly odd that so many men were there, and just one child?’
‘I suppose it was, looking back, but I didn’t think about it like that at the time.’
‘Did you stay at the cottage?’
‘No, I drove home.’
‘So, let me get this straight. You dropped an eleven-year-old boy off at a cottage with a dozen or so men, who you knew were all paedophiles?’
Caroline looked at the floor and said quietly, ‘Yes, I did.’
‘What else did you take to Mayflower Cottage that night, Caroline?’
‘Nothing else.’
‘Do you recall we did a drug warrant at your home address some time ago? Forensic tests on certain items recovered from your property came back as testing positive for controlled drugs. Are you a drug user, Caroline?’
‘No.’
‘Is your husband, Bill, a drug user?’
‘No.’
‘I’ll ask you again, Caroline. Did you take anything else to the cottage that night?’
‘It sounds to me like you already know the answer to your own question, Detective.’
‘Well?’
‘Yes, I took recreational drugs to the parties as well.’
‘Why did you take drugs to the parties?’
‘So I could sell them to the clients and make a bit of cash.’
‘What drugs did you supply?’
‘I used to sell cocaine, amphetamine and cannabis.’
‘Caroline, you’ve described how you took Evan Jenkins to the cottage and then left. What do you know about the events that led to the boy’s death?’
‘I got a phone call, just before midnight, from Grenville Slater. He told me that something terrible had happened, and that I needed to get straight back to the cottage.’
A Cold Grave: A DCI Danny Flint Book Page 26
