Wild Thing (DI Ted Darling Book 6)

by L M Krier

  'Thanks, Megan, that's helpful. It does mean we're probably still none the wiser about the gender of our killer, or their age, it seems. At least not from their shoes. But it looks probable that our killer is also the animal abuser, at least in the last case, and was involved in putting Batman where he was found. The fact that Batman was back on his launcher when found does suggest contact with Tyler. It's likely that he was holding the launcher, after Batman had flown off out of the garden. But I must stress that's only conjecture.

  'Doug, are you able to tell us how long the toy was there?'

  'We would date the footprints where it was found to between twenty-four and thirty-six hours, but that's not exact. So, more recently than Tyler's death, and seeming to coincide with the cat killing.'

  'Thank you. Right, this is probably the moment to get Jezza to mention again her theory of a trophy killer, and also the possibility – slight at this stage – of a link to the Luke Martin case. Jezza.'

  Jezza laid out her theory, succinctly and factually. She mentioned the fact that the missing violin bridge had been overlooked at the time of the initial investigation, without hinting at blame. The team had been busy enough looking for what items they could find, not concerning themselves with what might be missing from the scene.

  'So that's the interest in finding the purse in our case, boss?' Leona asked. 'You think there's a possibility of a link, of another trophy taken?'

  'It is only a possibility at this stage. I can't stress that enough. So what did the search of Jake Dolan's house reveal? For those not yet up to speed with all the details, Jake was our first possible suspect for that case, from a phone tip-off. You've got all the info in the hand-outs, to catch up on.'

  'Nothing more than a bit of skunk, boss. Not even enough to make an issue of. Definitely personal use quantity, unless you want me to take it further? But no signs of a purse or anything else untoward. Wherever he keeps the drugs he sells, it's certainly not at his place. And his feet are too big to fit our killer's prints. We checked out all his shoes.'

  'Thank you. Maurice, talk to us about garden gnomes.'

  Maurice first briefly outlined the circumstances of the arson attack and its proximity to the park.

  'There are plenty of photos of the garden after the fire, and you can see a load of gnomes in the front garden. There was no inventory or anything taken of them; they weren't seen as significant.

  'But boss, can I just say, if it's a youth we're looking for, and there is a connection to the animal abuse cases, going from the notes you circulated, they must have been very young at the time those started happening, surely? Possibly even at the time of the arson case.'

  'There may well be no connection. It's just worth flagging the arson up as a case which was never solved, and it is near to the park, which is also where the animal abuse has taken place. And there is the slight possibility that a trophy may have been taken from the arson site. I admit it is only a tentative link at this stage. But I wouldn't let age put us off. We all know that juveniles have been responsible for some dreadful things in recent years.

  'Right, Rob, how did you get on with Max Newman's girlfriend? Again, if you're not up to speed yet, Newman was flagged up as bullying younger children at his school so he was worth checking out in connection with Tyler. His feet are also too big for the footprints at the scene, but he does have a girlfriend, who's a Goth or an Emo and who possibly wears purple nail varnish, and a trace of something similar was found on Tyler's body.'

  'I went to see her, boss. First off, she's a tall, rather lanky girl with big feet. Her main interest in Max Newman seems to be his pet snake, and that's not a euphemism. She loves reptiles, but her parents won't let her have one of her own. She was pleasant, cooperative. Happy to give us a sample of her nail varnish, which I've sent off to the lab. I don't know if there are any results yet?'

  'We've been going full throttle all weekend,' Doug responded to the question. 'As far as I know, no, not yet, but hopefully shortly.'

  'Fair enough. But in any event, she has a watertight alibi for the day Tyler died. She was on a field trip with the school.

  'As regards friends and family, boss, we've got a lead on a former boyfriend of Tyler's mother, from a while back, but we haven't yet had time to go and find him. Peter Harrison. He has form.'

  'We certainly know him, if it's the one I'm thinking of,' Kevin Turner put in. 'Decidedly dodgy. Buys and sells anything, no questions asked. He's got form for assault, too, but mostly drunken pub brawls, as far as I remember. But he is a nasty piece. I could see him going after the little lad just to spite the mother, if he felt she'd treated him badly. As I remember him, though, he's a big bloke. It couldn't be his footprints we have, unless he has a small accomplice. A kid of his own, perhaps.'

  'I'll make it a priority today to track him down and talk to him, boss.'

  'Good, thank you. Now, back to the animal abuse cases. Steve, what have you found out from the various groups online?'

  Even with his new-found self-assurance, Steve went slightly pink in the presence of so many people, particularly the senior officers. But he presented his findings clearly, and his voice was audible to all.

  'I can't find any trace of photos of the latest incident appearing online anywhere. I've also searched on other, previous images, and for anything coinciding with any of the dates the RSPCA gave us. Nothing. So either our animal torturer doesn't share their images with anyone, or they're posting them somewhere I haven't yet found. But I will carry on looking.'

  'Thank you, Steve. Now, if anyone has anything else, anything at all, do feel free to chip in. We need ideas from all of you. Don't, whatever you do, think your idea, or the information you've come across, is too far-fetched to be relevant. I hope you all know by now that I'm approachable. If it's something you don't want to raise in a public briefing, please feel free to come and talk to me in private. Someone, somewhere, knows who's behind these crimes. So let's find them and get some justice for the families.'

  Jim joined Ted for a drink after the briefing. If there was a definite link between the cases, they would come under his remit, as overall head of Serious and Serial Crimes.

  'I know you're as on top of it as you can be, at this stage, Ted. But don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it. I'm with Debs on this one. To hell with the budget. Let's get the bastards behind these cases off the streets. Leave her and me to worry about the costs and face the consequences.'

  Another frustrating day of pen-pushing followed for Ted. Even with the support of both his senior officers, he still needed to balance the books and the hours. More so, with no suspects in sight. They were the ones who would have to justify the budget. They relied on him to keep the books in order to allow them to do so.

  It was late afternoon when Mike Hallam stuck his head round the door to ask, 'Do you want to come and look at something on the CCTV, boss? It may be entirely unrelated, but I'd like to see what you think of it.'

  Sal and Océane were at their desks, working together on the Sabden House enquiry once more. There was still a long way to go on the paperwork with that one, in order to present CPS with a hopefully watertight case. Jezza had just come back in and was settling at her desk to write up notes of her day so far. Jo was still up at South Manchester, so Ted and Mike had the old Big Boss's office to themselves.

  'What am I looking at?' Ted asked, as he sat down in front of the screen.

  'This is from earlier in the day of the cat incident, boss,' Mike told him as he started the footage.

  It was grainy and indistinct, but Ted could see a solitary figure walking along a road near some shops. It wasn't possible to tell if it was male or female because their hood was up, effectively masking their face. Their hands were stuffed into the kangaroo pockets of a hoody, and they appeared to be wearing tracksuit bottoms with it. The baggy clothes rendered the figure genderless.

  'Hempshaw Lane?'

  'Yes, boss. Whoever it is is walking down from the Offerto
n Fold direction. Like I said, it may be unrelated. But they don't look very big, and it is the day of the cat incident.'

  He ran it again, at Ted's request. It was no clearer the second time. It had been a damp and dismal sort of day so there was nothing strange in someone walking along with their hood up and their head down.

  'Let's get Jezza in, see what she thinks. See whether she reckons it's male or female, for a start. She has a good eye for that. Without saying anything first, of course.'

  Mike went to the door and called her in, telling her simply that he needed her to view some CCTV footage. She went to stand behind the boss, leaning over his shoulder to look at the screen, the tall figure of Mike Hallam looming over both of them.

  Jezza asked to see it through three times before she gave her verdict.

  'Honest answer? I just can't be sure if that figure is male or female. I'm still convinced the South Manchester one is a girl but this time I can't be certain. Slouching along like that it's hard to tell. Sorry.'

  'That's fine, Jezza, I appreciate you being candid. No point in guesswork.'

  Jezza went back to her own desk to finish up as Mike asked, 'Are we going to release it, boss? Perhaps say we think it's someone who was a witness to something and ask them to come forward, or anyone who knows who it is.'

  'I'm not sure at this stage whether it would help or hinder. If it is our cat killer and they did also kill Tyler, we risk pushing them underground if they know we're looking for them. I'll sleep on it, then I'll talk to the Super and the DSU before I decide.'

  Ted had sent a text to warn Trev that he might well be late back and not to wait to eat if he was hungry. When he got back, his partner was ironing the few holiday clothes he had worn, which Ted had washed for him, in front of the television. He had his mobile phone tucked between his shoulder and his ear. The conversation was in French, so Ted couldn't follow it, but it sounded intimate, and there was a lot of laughter going on.

  He wound it up as soon as Ted came home, with a few blown kisses, then turned to exchange a kiss with his partner.

  'Laurence?' Ted asked, careful to keep his tone neutral.

  'Laurence, officer, good bit of detection,' Trev laughed as he put the phone down. 'How was your day? Are you hungry? It won't take me a minute to heat yours up, whenever you're ready to eat.'

  Ted sank gratefully onto the sofa, yanking his tie loose and undoing his top shirt button. He knew it was a mistake. As soon as he got comfortable, the cats swarmed over him, purring and treading with their paws and he knew that, if he so much as closed his eyes, he could happily doze off.

  'It's been frustrating. I've not made the progress I would have liked. I'll perhaps have a quick shower and get changed then eat, if that's okay? Have you eaten?'

  Trev was about to answer when his mobile phone rang.

  'Hi, Shewee,' he greeted his younger sister, Siobhan, by her school nickname. 'To what do I owe the honour?'

  Ted could only hear one side of the conversation. He had no reason not to listen, trying to fill in the blanks.

  'Of course you can come and visit. You're welcome any time, you know that. As long as you're not nicking off school.'

  'Friday evening should be fine. I'll cook. Ted will try to be here, but you know there's no guarantee with his job.'

  He was looking towards his partner for confirmation and Ted nodded in agreement.

  'How are you travelling? Do you want picking up from somewhere?'

  'You have a boyfriend? Do the Olds know? With his own car? How old is he? What happened to concentrating on the eventing team?'

  'You do know Ted will have him arrested if he drives irresponsibly, and I will karate kick the crap out of him if he messes about with you in any way?'

  There was a much longer pause while he was clearly listening to reassurances from his much younger sister.

  'All right, just take care and don't let him drive too fast. Text me on the way, to let us know when to expect you. Bisous, frangine.'

  He was laughing as he rang off.

  'Well, that's a surprise. Kid sister has landed herself a moneyed boyfriend, double-barrelled, no less, although she insists they're just friends. He's invited her up to his parents' place near Prestbury for the weekend, so she wants to bring him here first, to show him off, I imagine. They've got eventers and polo ponies and all sorts, so she's going to be playing some polo.'

  'He's going to think we live in a garden shed, if they live out Prestbury way,' Ted commented, looking round their modest home. 'What's a frangine?'

  'It's a bit like sis. Shewee speaks fluent French, too, she spent some time living with the Olds in Paris. Are you all right with them coming to visit? You will try and get home in time, won't you?'

  'If I remotely can, I will, but you know what it's like. Right, quick shower and change, then I'll eat something, but I think I'm definitely ready for an early night.'

  'That sounds good to me.'

  The insistent muted buzzing of his mobile phone, moving about and lighting up on his bedside table, woke Ted. The screen display showed him it was shortly after one in the morning. It didn't feel long since he'd gone to sleep. He took the call, speaking quietly, although he knew it would take nothing short of an explosion to wake Trev once he was sound asleep.

  'Sorry to disturb you, sir, but we have a nasty one for you. Not far for you to go, at least. A woman's been killed in her house on Hillcrest Road. The teenage daughter apparently walked in on the attacker, who then knocked her out, bundled her into a car and took her hostage. She managed to get away and sound the alarm, so we sent a team round to the house and found the mother dead in the kitchen. Bludgeoned to death with a hammer, from the early reports at the scene. The daughter's been taken to hospital with a head wound, but it doesn't sound too serious. She was conscious and lucid, just very shaken.'

  The duty sergeant gave Ted the house number. It was within walking distance but he decided to take the car as he would have to go straight in to the station from there to get things under way. He would have preferred to throw on some casual clothes but, as he had no idea when he would get chance to come back to the house to change, he reluctantly opted for his suit. He stuffed his tie in his pocket for now so he could at least put it on before he crossed the Ice Queen's path.

  He phoned Jo and Mike next, giving them the address and asking them to join him at the scene as soon as they could. Once he'd assessed what they were dealing with, he'd decide who else to call in.

  He checked his pockets carefully to make sure he had his lozenges. A murder such as the sergeant had described was not going to be a pretty sight.

  Chapter Nineteen

  There was already a uniformed presence at the crime scene when Ted arrived, and SOCO were just setting up. Two PCs were taping off the area in front of the house, a neat and well-presented detached property. A few lights had gone on in neighbouring houses and curious faces were peering out of windows. One or two souls had braved the chilly night air and were in their front gardens, craning for a look at what was going on, alerted by the flashing blue lights of the police vehicles.

  A taxi was just pulling up and Ted saw Professor Nelson climb out, pausing to pay the driver. He went across to greet her, surprised she had not come in her own car.

  'Morning, Edwin. I'd had rather a generous nightcap just before the call came in so I thought it prudent not to risk an encounter with any vigilant officers on the prowl. Don't worry, though, I am more than capable of doing my job.'

  Ted never doubted it for a moment. She was a competent and meticulous forensic pathologist with years of experience. Even with slightly too much good single malt inside her to pass a breath test, she was still the best person for the task ahead, one he could always rely on. She would be in charge of the crime scene from the beginning. It would be her decision as to when the body could be removed, but it would not be until she had found out everything she could on initial examination.

  Ted left her to make a start. He wo
uld go in when she told him he could. It worked better that way if space was limited. In the meantime, he went in search of the first responding officers for all the background he could get. As soon as Jo and Mike arrived, he'd get them to start talking to the inquisitive neighbours, to see if anyone had seen anything. He knew there was no point sending Mike into the house. His DS had some excellent qualities, but a strong stomach was not one of them. And from the sounds of it, this crime scene risked being a messy one.

  'Tell me what you know so far,' he asked the two PCs who had been the first on the scene, once he had located them.

  'The call came in just after midnight, sir,' one of them began.

  'Exact timings, please,' Ted interrupted him, but staying polite, as ever.

  'Sorry, sir,' the constable consulted his notes before continuing. 'Seven minutes past midnight. A young girl, sounding hysterical, then she handed the phone over to an adult who was with her. She'd been found at the side of a road near Marple, with a head wound, and with her hands tied with cable ties. She said someone had broken into the house and killed her mother, then abducted her.'

  He gave Ted the exact location where the girl had been found, before continuing with his account.

  'We came straight round, sir. The front door was closed and there was no reply when we rang, knocked and shouted through the letter box. There was a light on at the back of the house, but no others showing. In the circumstances, we decided we needed to get in, so we managed to squeeze down the side of the garage by climbing on the fence. The back door was ajar and we could see someone lying on the floor in a pool of blood. I went in, to check for signs of life, but there weren't any, so we called it in and secured the scene.'

  'Do we have an ID yet?'

  'A Mrs Edwards, sir. The daughter is called Morgane. She's been taken to hospital but as far as I know, her head wound isn't serious.'