See Them Run

by See Them Run (epub)

  Clare’s hand went involuntarily to her right ear. ‘Buzzing a bit, I must admit, but the doc says they should mend.’

  ‘Try and get home early tonight then,’ he said and he gave her a rare smile.

  * * *

  Clare nipped out to buy a sandwich. When she returned, Jim was manning the desk.

  ‘What’s happening, Jim?’ she asked.

  ‘Not much. Fergus Bain’s laptop has arrived. I’ve given it to one of the Vice lads. Bain’s with his solicitor just now. And that Inspector from Vice…’

  ‘Kate?’

  ‘Aye, that’s her. She and one of the other lads have interviewed Edward Collinson but he’s denying any involvement. Some story about being away from the house a lot, and anyone could have been using it. Is he not in the photos from Nat Dryden’s computer?’

  Clare shook her head. ‘Nope. He’s been too clever for that.’ She stood lost in thought for a minute then spoke again. ‘Is Kate still around?’

  ‘In the incident room.’

  Clare went through to the room and saw Kate’s unruly mass of red curls bent over a laptop. She was scrolling and pointing while her colleague took notes. They looked up when Clare entered and Kate rose to greet her.

  ‘Clare – good to see you. Doing okay? Heard you had a bit of excitement last night.’

  ‘Yeah I’m fine, thanks.’ She rubbed her ear again. ‘Ears are a bit annoying but I’m told it’ll pass. How are things with you?’

  ‘Can’t complain. This is Brian. My DS.’

  Clare smiled at Brian then looked back at Kate.

  ‘I know that look, Clare. What are you after?’

  ‘Kate, I hear you’re the go-to person for paedophile victims.’

  Kate laughed. ‘Yeah, unfortunately I do have that honour. What you after?’

  ‘Any chance you could look at some photos? We’ve a suspected paedophile with an arsey solicitor champing at the bit to have him released; and I don’t want to lose him.’

  ‘Of course. Anything to put another one of them out of circulation.’

  Kate stood aside to let Clare use the laptop. She navigated her way to the folder on the network where the photos were stored. ‘If you recognised any of the kids here there’s a chance they could identify our Mr Collinson.’

  Kate nodded, took the mouse and began flicking through the photos.

  ‘Stop,’ Brian said. ‘Go back one. Yes, that one.’

  Kate looked more closely. ‘Jasmine Greene?’

  ‘That’s what I thought.’

  ‘You know her?’ Clare asked.

  ‘Yeah, quite well. I’ll check, but I think she’s in a residential home the other side of Cupar.’

  ‘Could we interview her? It could give us the evidence we need to put Collinson away.’

  ‘Let me make some calls.’

  Kate started phoning round to track down Jasmine Greene while Brian and another officer from Vice went to see Fergus. Clare sought out Chris. He looked up and she hesitated.

  ‘Oh, God. What?’ he said.

  ‘Job for you.’

  ‘One I’m not going to like, judging by your face.’

  She sat down. ‘Sorry but it’s important. The DCI thinks Fergus’s accomplice might be someone he knew from his time at Garthley House. Probably a fellow abuse victim. Maybe a girl he kept in touch with.’

  ‘And you want me to track her down?’

  ‘’Fraid so.’

  ‘How long ago did he leave?’

  ‘About twelve years ago. Social Work will know.’

  ‘And he was there how long?’

  ‘I think about four years but, again, get Social Work to check it out. See if any of the staff remember Fergus, and whether he was pally with any girls while he was there. Or if he wasn’t, do they remember a girl with the tip of her middle finger missing. Might save you some time.’

  Chris sat back in his chair and exhaled. ‘Four years? Clare, have you any idea how big a job that is? Kids come and go at these places all the time.’

  ‘I know. But it’s important. There’s a woman out there who’s committed one murder and damn near a second and, unless Fergus gives her up, we haven’t a clue who she is. And for all we know, she could have more targets in her sights. Get Connor, Steve and Phil on the phone and bring them in.’

  Chris threw her a You Owe Me glance and lifted the phone.

  Clare went to let the DCI know she was heading over to Cupar to interview one of the possible abuse victims.

  ‘I’ll take a laptop with the photos and see if we can get Collinson identified. Kate from Vice knows her and will smooth the way.’

  ‘Make sure you mix the photos up, Inspector. Throw in a few rogue ones so we’re not accused of leading the witness.’

  ‘Already done, sir. And a social worker will be present when we interview her. I’m not losing Collinson at this stage.’

  As they were talking, Brian, the DS from Vice, poked his head round the door.

  ‘Fergus Bain,’ he began, ‘we need to put him on the staff, never mind charging him.’

  ‘He’s come up with the goods?’

  ‘Yep. By the time he’s done I reckon we’ll have a handle on at least another three paedophile rings in Fife alone. The guy’s a bloody genius with the dark web.’

  ‘He’s also a murderer,’ Clare reminded him.

  ‘Well, don’t go upsetting him before he’s given us all the info.’

  She saw Brian’s point. ‘Get what you can from him then I’ll have him charged. That’ll let us hold him while we track down his accomplice.’ She checked her watch. ‘I’m all set to head over to Cupar now, if Kate’s free. I’m just sorting out photos of the men on a laptop.’

  ‘I’d suggest taking printed copies,’ Brian said. ‘It’ll be easier for Jasmine to leaf through them.’

  ‘Good point. I’ll set the printer going now.’

  While the photos were printing, Clare’s mobile buzzed in her pocket. Tom. She let it go to voicemail. Too busy just now. The last photo dropped out of the printer and Clare scooped them up and headed out to the car with Kate.

  Chapter 25

  Kate drove while Clare called the officer on duty at Nat Dryden’s bedside. ‘Advise him to have a solicitor there this afternoon. Let’s say two o’clock? He’ll be questioned in connection with possible criminal charges.’

  The call made, she sat back and chatted to Kate. ‘Tell me about the girl we’re going to see.’

  ‘Jasmine Greene. She must be nearly fifteen now,’ Kate said. ‘In and out of care most of her life. Fostered a couple of times but mostly in residential care. She can be a bit of a handful. Not surprising, really. Mother died of a heroin overdose when she was five or six. Jasmine was found alone with the mother’s body. Needles all over the place.’

  Clare shook her head at this grim picture. ‘Is she likely to co-operate?’

  ‘Yeah, I think so. She’s a nice kid, once you scrape away the tough veneer.’

  They drove on in silence past fields, slowing down as they entered Cupar. The town was bustling with cars and shoppers but soon the narrow street broadened out and they drove past school and college buildings before reaching farmland again. A few miles on, a flat-roofed modern building in honey-coloured brick appeared. Kate pulled off the road and into a car park. They were buzzed in by a young woman in a Laura Ashley-type dress who Clare thought was probably in her late twenties.

  She introduced herself as Miranda. ‘Jasmine knows you’re coming but I’ve not explained why.’

  Clare thanked her. A young girl with pierced eyebrows was hanging about, twisting a strand of hair in her fingers.

  Miranda called her over. ‘Can you ask Jasmine to come to my office?’

  The girl eyed Clare and Kate, then turned without response and disappeared. Miranda led them into a small office. It was sparsely furnished with a desk, a stack of bucket chairs and a grey metal filing cabinet. The desk was an old L-shaped one with a trio of filing trays at
one end and the obligatory computer in the centre. Miranda moved the monitor to the side and set out the chairs. A few minutes later the door opened and a girl in her mid-teens came in, her eyes flicking between the three women. Clare recognised her from the photographs and she felt a lump in her throat. This wasn’t just a sulky-faced teenager. This was a girl who was suffering systematic abuse. Right now in 2019. Why the hell was this still happening? She smiled at the girl but the smile wasn’t returned.

  ‘Jas,’ Miranda began, ‘these officers are from St Andrews and would like to ask you some questions. Now, you’re not in any trouble and nothing you say will result in anything happening to you. So please be truthful and tell them everything you know.’

  Jasmine said nothing but eyed Clare with suspicion. Kate gave her a friendly smile.

  ‘Remember me, Jas?’

  Jasmine nodded.

  ‘This is Clare,’ Kate went on. ‘She’s the DI at St Andrews and you can trust her.’

  Clare took over. ‘Jasmine, we believe you might have been forced into some sexual activity with older men. Now, if that’s true then you won’t be in any trouble at all. Quite the reverse. We’ll give you all the help and support you need. But those men… well, they’ll be in a lot of trouble. Do you understand?’

  Jasmine eyed Miranda who gave her an encouraging smile.

  Jasmine turned back to Clare. ‘Yeah.’

  ‘Can I ask if you go out regularly? In the evenings?’

  Jasmine looked at Miranda who smiled. ‘Go on, Jas.’

  ‘Can I have a fag?’

  Miranda laughed. ‘Not indoors. You know the rules. Maybe after.’

  Jasmine looked back at Clare. ‘Thursdays. We go out on Thursdays.’

  Miranda frowned. ‘But surely that’s your gym night, Jas?’

  Jasmine wouldn’t look at her. ‘It was to start with. Then she said did we fancy a bit of extra cash. Good money, yeah?’

  ‘She?’ Miranda was dumbfounded. ‘You don’t mean Mrs…’

  ‘Yeah, her. That Jennifer woman.’

  Clare looked at Miranda. ‘Jennifer?’

  ‘Gilmartin. Jennifer Gilmartin. She takes an interest in the youngsters. She’s been so kind. Organising a minibus to take them swimming, to the gym.’ She put her hand to her mouth. ‘Oh my God. What have we done?’

  Clare took out her phone and opened Google. She typed ‘Jennifer Gilmartin’ into the image search. The first result was a photo of Jennifer and Bruce at a brewers’ dinner.

  She showed the photo to Jasmine. ‘Is that the lady, Jasmine?’

  ‘Yeah. And him. She took us in the minibus and he was there. We did stuff with him. Sex and that.’

  The colour drained from Miranda’s face. ‘Jas, why did you do it? Did you not feel you could come and tell me?’

  Jasmine shrugged. ‘Dunno. We got money, nice food and that. I’ve had worse.’

  Miranda sank back in her seat, lost for words.

  Clare asked Kate to take Jasmine through the photographs and excused herself to call Chris.

  ‘Get over to Jennifer Gilmartin’s house and bring her in,’ she said. ‘Tell her nothing. Just that we need to speak to her in connection with enquiries. She’s up to her neck in it.’

  When Clare returned to the room Kate had the photographs divided into two piles.

  ‘These are the men Jasmine has identified as taking part in the Thursday evening parties, as they were called.’

  Clare leafed through them. They were all there, including Edward Collinson. ‘Yes,’ she said under her breath. ‘Jasmine, you are absolutely sure about these photos?’

  ‘Yeah. Been there loads of times.’

  ‘And Jennifer Gilmartin took you in a minibus?’

  ‘Yeah. It’s in the countryside so she drove us.’

  ‘Did you notice where you were going?’

  ‘Uh-huh. That castle on the Tayport Road. Mort something. Take you there if you like.’

  ‘You’re very observant, Jasmine. Are you sure that’s where it was?’

  ‘Oh yeah. I was fostered in Tayport for a bit. Used to pass it in the car. Always wondered what it was like. Dead fancy inside.’ She jabbed a finger at the photo of Edward Collinson. ‘It’s his place. He’s loaded!’

  Clare tried not to let her excitement show. ‘We may need you to give evidence, Jasmine. But it would be by video-link. You wouldn’t have to see anyone.’ She decided not to tell Jasmine that only two of the men were still alive at this stage.

  ‘Yeah, fine. Can I have that fag now?’

  ‘Just one more thing, Jasmine. Can you tell us who the others were?’

  ‘The other kids?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Yeah. Miranda knows. All of us who went with Jennifer.’

  Miranda looked shocked. ‘All of you? The boys as well?’

  Jasmine shrugged. ‘Yeah,’ then she said, ‘fag?’

  Miranda reached into her desk drawer and took out a packet of cigarettes. She took one out and handed it to Jasmine. The girl rose to leave.

  ‘Jasmine, just one thing,’ Clare said, ‘Please don’t mention this to anyone. It’s very important this doesn’t leak out to the press. If that happened these men could claim they wouldn’t have a fair trial. We need to play this by the book, yeah?’

  Jasmine nodded and left the room. Miranda looked close to tears.

  ‘She’s such a nice lady, Jennifer. I really trusted her…’

  * * *

  Clare called DCI Gibson while Kate prepared a statement for Jasmine to sign. ‘Just taking a statement, sir,’ she said. ‘Should be back within the hour. But there’s something I need to tell you.’

  ‘Yes?’

  Clare told him about Jennifer Gilmartin. ‘Chris should be bringing her in any time now. I thought you should know.’

  There was an uncomfortable pause before the DCI replied. ‘You’re sure about this, Inspector?’ His voice was hoarse.

  ‘Afraid so, sir. One of the youngsters named her, and the duty officer at the home confirmed Mrs Gilmartin takes a minibus of youngsters out every Thursday. She thought they were being taken to the gym.’

  The DCI was about to reply when Clare heard a volley of barking over the phone.

  ‘Is that Chris back with Mrs Gilmartin?’ she asked the DCI.

  ‘Hold on,’ he said.

  Clare waited and a few minutes later she heard his voice again. ‘She’s gone, dammit. Must have been tipped off. Car gone and a note for the cleaning lady saying she’d be gone for a few weeks and to feed and walk the dog. DS West has brought the dog back.’

  ‘Can I speak to Chris, sir?’

  ‘Just a minute…’

  When she heard Chris’s voice she spoke quickly. ‘Get her car registration to the ANPR database. I want her flagged up as soon as she passes a camera. Who the hell tipped her off?’

  ‘Already done, boss. No idea how she knew, though.’

  ‘Leave it with me.’

  Clare rang off and glared at Miranda. ‘Is there any way you or anyone else here could have alerted Mrs Gilmartin that we were on our way here?’

  ‘Definitely not. There’s only me here today and I didn’t tell anyone why you were coming.’

  ‘Any of the kids around when you took Kate’s call?’

  Miranda shook her head. ‘I’m fairly sure they weren’t. They would only have heard my side of the conversation anyway.’

  Clare’s mind was in a whirl. ‘What about Jasmine? Could she have phoned her? Misplaced loyalty?’

  ‘I doubt it but I’ll give her a shout.’

  Jasmine denied it. ‘I don’t care if she goes to jail. Serves her right. Perv.’

  ‘Phone please, Jas.’ Miranda held out her hand.

  Jasmine scowled but handed the phone over. ‘I didn’t call her. You’ll see.’

  Miranda scrolled to Jasmine’s call record. ‘Nothing here, although you could have deleted it.’

  Clare interrupted. ‘Jasmine, we can check your call rec
ords with the phone company so, if you did phone Mrs Gilmartin, you might as well tell us now. You won’t be in trouble. I just need to know.’

  ‘I didn’t call her!’ Jasmine stuck her chin out. ‘Check all you like.’

  Clare nodded. ‘Okay. Thanks, Jasmine. We’ll be in touch.’ She looked at Kate. ‘Better get back.’

  Kate rose, thanked Miranda and the pair left. As they drove back, Clare ran over the events of the past twelve hours in her head. Who could have alerted Jennifer Gilmartin?

  She took out her phone again. ‘Chris? Can you get a hold of Jennifer Gilmartin’s mobile number please? The boss should have it. I need her call records from the phone company. The last twenty-four hours. Then get phone numbers for Fergus, Nat Dryden and Edward Collinson. Compare them to see if there were any calls or texts between them since Collinson was stopped last night. Top priority. Get the Vice guys to help if there are any spare.’

  ‘Will do. Anything else?’

  ‘Not that I can think of, just now at least. I need to order my thoughts. Any sign of her car?’

  ‘Not yet. But it should turn up.’

  ‘Okay, thanks. With you in twenty minutes.’

  As Clare entered the station, Benjy, who had taken up residence in his usual spot on the front desk, leapt off and bounded towards her. She scooped him up, grateful for the welcome, then returned him to his perch on the counter.

  ‘No sign of Jennifer Gilmartin yet, boss,’ Chris said. ‘The Vice guys are working their way through the phone numbers for us.’

  At that, one of them shouted. ‘Got a match. Text message just before nine this morning.’

  ‘From?’

  ‘Mobile registered to a Mr Edward Collinson.’

  Clare thumped the counter, making Benjy growl. ‘Got you, you bastard. Can you print those records out for me, please?’

  * * *

  Five minutes later, Clare was seated in the interview room again with Edward Collinson and his solicitor. She put the sheaf of phone records out on the desk in front of them.

  ‘This document,’ she began, indicating the top sheet, ‘shows the record of calls and text messages sent from your mobile phone in the last twenty-four hours. You’ll see I’ve highlighted one of the entries.’