by Aj Estelliam
‘Vaughn! Stand up and put your hands up!’ Jess yelled, stepping forwards with a taser.
I listened as she called for back-up and they quickly swarmed in. from behind the tree, a smaller, more humbled man came out with his hands up. He was looking at us with trepidation, and I wanted to know why.
‘Arrest me,’ he said, not putting up any fight.
Jess walked in and handcuffed him quickly. ‘And why are we arresting you, Vaughn?’ she asked.
‘You don’t know?’ he asked, eyes round.
‘Of course we do-I just want to hear it from your own mouth!’
‘I…’ he looked from Jess to me and then back again and I could hear the deliberation in his head. He was going back and forth, back and forth with which story to go with. ‘I was involved in Williamburg’s crimes,’ he decided.
I frowned. That wasn’t strictly the truth.
‘Okay. Vaughn, I’m arresting you on suspicion of kidnapping and murder…’ Jess began and continued to talk as she led him back through the forest. I followed behind, thinking about what I had heard in the man’s head. There was one thing for sure…I needed to be present when he was questioned. He wouldn’t be lying for long with me around, I knew.
We made our way back to the police station, with Vaughn in handcuffs. The recovery team remained to search the X’s and see if there were indeed more body parts to be found in the woods. I suspected there was. It seemed likely, given Fraser’s history.
When we arrived back at the station, Vaughn was taken into questioning and I asked Captain Withers for a moment of his time.
‘What’s up?’ he asked.
‘I’d like to come in with you, please…’
‘You have something?’ he questioned.
‘Yes,’ I nodded. ‘I do. He’s lying, Dan. He’s going to lie to you for the whole interview.’
‘How do you know that?’
‘Because I heard a glimpse of the truth out there in the forest, and it isn’t the tale he is telling.’
‘Why would he bother to lie? Especially as it incriminates him?’ he asked.
‘Exactly,’ I murmured. ‘That’s what we need to figure out,’ I nodded.
Captain Withers and I went into the interview room and both took seats. Jess and Officer Hemmings were already waiting and once we were in, the interview could begin.
‘So, go ahead,’ Captain Withers began, sitting down and lying his crutches down beside him.
‘Where would you like me to start?’ he questioned.
The Captain shrugged. ‘Vaughn, I’ve known you a long time…it isn’t like you to be short of something to say.’
Vaughn lowered his gaze for a moment, and then lifted his head to look the Captain in the eyes. ‘It’s all true-what he says. I’m involved.’
‘What exactly are you involved in?’
‘The killing…I helped butcher those people and I even buried the parts out in the forest.’
Daniel leant back against the chair and folded his arms across his chest. ‘This seems…very unlikely, I must say Vaughn. I’ve known you for…how many years is it now?’ he questioned.
Vaughn avoided his eyes. ‘People change, Dan.’
‘Not that much…for fuck sake, Vince! What are you thinking? Why are you incriminating yourself like this?’
‘I…because I’m guilty of the crimes,’ he said, sadly, bowing his head in shame.
I listened intently to his internal monologue and began to understand just why he was confessing to this. I went to sit down beside Dan and looked over at him.
‘Do you remember me?’ I asked him.
‘Yes,’ he frowned. ‘You’re Miss Hope…’
‘Do you recall what I do?’
He nodded sombrely.
‘So, let’s just say I have some insight to you that the others in this room aren’t privy to.’
He shook his head, begging me to stop. He didn’t want me to continue.
‘Vaughn, you can’t let this happen…you can’t let him blackmail you like this. You didn’t do any of the things you’re confessing too!’
‘He hasn’t?’ Captain Withers questioned.
‘No! He’s being blackmailed by Williamburg! The only reason he’s saying these things is to detract from the truth. The real truth!’
‘Which is?’ Dan questioned.
I looked at Vaughn who seemed suddenly like a broken man. ‘It isn’t worth letting him win for, Vaughn. Yes, you’ll be trouble for what you’ve done-but at least you won’t be in trouble for something that he did.’
Vaughn sighed and rubbed his hand over his face wearily. ‘I’ve made some pretty extensive mistakes,’ he revealed.
Captain Withers nodded, as if to say, ‘go on.’
‘It all started when we found the first ‘creation,’ Vaughn began. ‘I was conducting the autopsy when I noticed something unique-yet it wasn’t something that any other professional would have noticed…’
‘The stitching…’ I murmured, amazed.
He looked up at me, surprised. ‘That’s right. Only one man I know stitches that accurately…that precisely. It was the man who had been working alongside me for the best part of a year. I confronted him there and then.’
‘How did he react?’ Jess asked.
‘Not as you may suspect,’ Vaughn said slowly, rubbing his chin. ‘I thought he’d be angry, I thought he’d react with force maybe…it turns out I was wrong…’
‘Because he was ready for you, wasn’t he?’ I said, nodding.
‘He sure was. He had taken his time to find the dirt on me and he presented me with it, ensuring my co-operation.’
‘What dirt does he have on you?’ Captain Withers asked, intrigued.
‘He thinks I’m into necrophilia, I believe…’
‘Why would he think that?’ Dan continued.
‘Because I did something bad…something wholly unprofessional for my own, personal gain.
‘What was it?’ Jess asked.
He sighed. ‘I’m in some pretty awful financial circumstances. I needed some money fast.’
‘Why do you need money? You must earn well?’ Jess wondered.
‘I do…but I also have a penchant for drinking and gambling. It doesn’t pay for itself.’
‘So, what did you do?’ Dan pushed.
‘I, uh…I needed some money. So, I uh…I took some photos of the dead…in sexual circumstances. I sold them to sickos who pay good money for that kind of shit. I don’t feel proud of what I did whatsoever and the last thing I wanted was for anyone to find out.’
‘And you’d rather let people think you’re a killer? That you associate with Fraser Williamburg’s crimes?’
‘I…I thought it was just moving some parts for him…he threatened to expose me if I didn’t.’
Captain Withers shook his head at him. ‘You’ve been such a fool, Vaughn. Your whole career…’ he murmured, letting the implications hang in the air around us.
Sorrow filled Vaughn’s eyes as he hung his head in shame. ‘I’ve made so many mistakes…’
‘Yes, you have, Jacob. Yes, you have.’
Quiet filled the room as the outcome was established in the minds of those present. Vaughn would go to prison too; but not for Fraser Williamburg’s crimes. He had crimes of his own to pay for, and unlike Fraser, his held deep regret.
I stood and headed out of the room. I couldn’t be there anymore. Jess followed me out and walked with me down the hall.
‘Alex? Are you alright?’
‘Yeah,’ I sighed, stopping to lean against the wall heavily. ‘I just…I just can’t believe what an idiot he has been! A man in his position with his credentials! It just defies believe.’
She gave me a sardonic expression. ‘After all you’ve seen since being in Scotland?’
‘Well, there you have a point.’
She reached for my hand. ‘Come on, Alex. This is almost over.’
‘Almost?’
‘Yes. I want to
go and see Williamburg one more time,’ she told me.
‘Oh yes. Don’t let me forget to ask about the feather,’ I said, frowning. ‘I still don’t understand the significance of it.’
‘Oh yeah…come on. You can share the glee of telling him he didn’t manage to incorporate Vaughn into his crimes.’
‘Now that I want to see,’ I smiled.
Half an hour later, Fraser Williamburg was furious and seething after we revealed the truth had all come out about Vaughn’s revelations. I let Jess do her part and then at the end, my opportunity to ask my question surfaced.
‘Fraser?’
‘What?’ he asked snappily.
‘I just…I have one last question for you.’
He looked up at me with an angered expression.
‘The feather? What does the feather mean?’ I asked him.
‘Feather?’ he frowned. ‘What the fuck are you talking about now?’
I stared at him, quite amazed. I was convinced that there would be some significance to the feather. It turned out, I was wrong.
‘So, a little white feather means nothing to you?’
He shook his head. ‘Nothing. Why?’
‘Because it led me to your crimes,’ I told him.
He curled his lip. ‘What?’
‘It’s how I found the body parts…how I found the places you held your victims. I just followed the feather.’
‘I have no idea what some stupid, fucking feather has to do with anything.’
I nodded, wondering what it had been that had spurred the feather on to show me the way. ‘Okay. Well, never mind.’
‘I’m done now. I don’t want to talk anymore,’ Fraser told us.
‘That’s just as well,’ Jess told him, ‘because you’re off to jail now. We’ll see you in court to send you away for the rest of your life.’
With that, Jess turned and I followed her out of the room.
Chapter 22
An hour later, Jess and I were home. I felt bereft of responsibility suddenly. With both men behind bars, it looked like the case was finally over.
‘It’s funny Jess,’ I said as we sat down on the sofas, ‘although I know it’s over, I feel anxious still.’
‘I know,’ she frowned. ‘I guess because it happened so quickly-and it was such an overwhelming experience.’
‘Hmm,’ I murmured.
‘You’re not still worried about it all, are you?’
I looked over at her and considered lying. I went with the truth. ‘I just don’t get the feather aspect, Jess. Why can’t that be explained so I can rest easy now? I think I want all the loose ends tied up so that I can really relax and consider it over.’
She nodded. ‘You know your trouble?’
‘What’s that?’ I asked.
‘You’ve forgotten how to relax…’
‘That’s for sure!’ I exclaimed. ‘Since this ‘gift’ in my head, I haven’t been able to shut off…well, nearly ever!’
‘When can you?’ she asked.
‘Sometimes when sleeping and also when I’m with you.’
Her eyebrows rose in surprise. ‘Really?’
‘You make me forget it all,’ I told her huskily. ‘You’re the one person who I feel like I can be me again with.’
She smiled at me lovingly. ‘Let’s have some time alone again now this is all over.’
I nodded. ‘That would be nice.’
‘Dan won’t be here forever and it would be good to get back to normal.’
‘It sure would,’ I agreed.
‘I tell you the first thing I need though…’ she said.
‘What’s that?’
‘Sleep! I’m so tired I can barely stand anymore,’ she said, rubbing her face.
‘Oh Jess, go to bed then! I’ll come up in a while. I’m sorry but I need to wait a while and calm my mind a little. There’s too much going on in there to sleep right now.’
‘That’s understandable,’ she smiled. ‘You really don’t mind if I abandon you to sleep?’
‘I really don’t mind; in fact, I’d appreciate some time alone.’
‘Okay. Well, see you in a bit…I love you,’ she said, kissing me softly.
‘I love you too. I’ll be up in a bit.’
‘Okay.’
Jess headed off up the stairs and quietness surrounded me. I breathed in and released it, slowly. I was trying to calm myself and yet it wasn’t working. I tried lying down on the sofa and closing my eyes but still I felt on edge. I decided to pace. That helped a little, but didn’t quite work completely. It also alerted me to the fact that the answer machine light was flashing so I pressed that and listened. It was my parents enquiring after me. I picked up the phone and headed for the sofa.
I dialled the familiar number and waited.
‘Hello?’
‘Dad! Hey!’
‘Oh Alex! You’re a hard person to get hold of!’ he exclaimed.
‘I’m sorry, Dad. Things have been mad up here.’
‘They have? Tell me everything! I’m curious about your exciting police work you’re involved in. What a change in your life, eh?’
‘It is, yes…but I can’t say it’s exciting in that sense, Dad. It’s been awful if I’m honest. This case has really disturbed me.’
‘What happened?’
‘There was a killer abducting gay men and killing them.’
‘Oh goodness…’
‘That wasn’t the worst part, Dad.’
‘Tell me…’
‘He cut them up. He cut them up into pieces, Dad, and then sewed them together into obscene mismatched creations which he considered art. Ah, Dad-the things I’ve seen in these past few weeks. I feel disgusted…tainted by it all.’
He went quiet for a moment. ‘And your part in this was what, Alex?’
‘I found the boys he murdered when he was a child. I found the body parts he discarded. I found the victims he was about to kill.’
‘Listen back to what you just said, honey. Think of all the lives you impacted by doing what you do. I know it must be beyond awful to see those things, but don’t discount how many people you help.’
I nodded to myself. ‘I guess…’
‘Alex; take some time out…walk, sleep and take long baths. Read books, watch funny films and spend time with Jess. In no time you’ll feel like you again.’
‘I knew there was a good reason to phone you, Dad. You always know the right thing to say.’
‘I’m always here. We both are.’
‘I miss you, Dad.’
‘And I miss you too. How about we come up for a few days?’ he questioned.
‘Oh, would you?’ I exclaimed. ‘That would be amazing! Please do it! How soon could you come?’
‘Well, funnily enough I’ve been looking at flights up to Scotland today. They run constantly so we could come as soon as you are able to have us.’
‘Come tomorrow, Dad! I’d so love to see you both!’
‘Okay then, that’s settled! I’ll go and book flights now.’
‘Let me know the details and I’ll come and pick you up from the airport.’
‘We can rent a car if it’s easier?’ he offered.
‘Don’t be silly, Dad. Message me the details and I’ll be there.’
‘Okay…well, we can catch up in person rather than now on the phone.’
I beamed, happily. I felt so happy that my parents would be visiting me so soon. ‘Dad, you’ve cheered me right up.’
‘I’m glad. With any luck, I’ll see you tomorrow.’
‘Love you,’ I told him.
‘I love you too, honey.’
We hung up after saying our goodbyes and I felt positively buzzing. My good mood had returned and I couldn’t wait to show my parents Scotland for the first time.’
I went to bed a short while later. Jess was already sleeping so I climbed in quietly. I relaxed down into the warm bed and smiled to myself. I was so pleased that my Dad was arranging to come and see
me. Although I loved my new life in Scotland, I missed my parents terribly. It would be good to have a dose of normality and feel like the old me. I fell asleep feeling positive again.
The following morning, I woke to find an empty bed. I looked over at the clock and was surprised to see it was almost nine. I got up and dressed before heading downstairs. Jess was on the sofa and Captain Withers and Fee were in the kitchen cooking.
‘Morning!’ I called joyfully.
They all greeted me and as I joined Jess, she looked at me quizzically. ‘You’re surprisingly chipper this morning!’
‘I know. I spoke to my Dad last night after you went to bed. He’s booking a flight, Jess! They’re going to come up and see me!’
‘Oh, that’s great, Alex. I know how much you’ve missed them.’
‘I have…and I figured now was a good time with this case coming to a close.’
‘It is a good time,’ she replied. ‘When are they coming?’
‘Possibly today at the earliest,’ I told her.
‘Today?’ she exclaimed.
‘I hope you don’t mind,’ I said at her surprise, ‘but I want to see them, Jess. I miss them so much.’
‘No, I don’t mind. I was just surprised they’d come so soon.’
‘And don’t worry about us,’ Dan said, coming over. ‘I meant to tell you before but we’ve managed to find a rental property near the station while we wait for a house to come up in the area we like.’
‘Oh really?’
‘Yes,’ Fee added. ‘It’s a nice place and we didn’t plan to impose on you for long.’
‘You haven’t been imposing,’ I told her.
‘Thanks, Alex, but I know you two need your space, just like everyone does.’
I smiled at her. ‘So, when are you moving?’
‘They said they could probably get us in by the end of this week if we’re lucky. All the paperwork has been submitted, it’s just a waiting game now.’
‘Well, let us know if we can do anything to help,’ I told her.
‘Oh Alex, you’ve done enough,’ Fee told me warmly. ‘We’ll always be thankful for everything you’ve done for us.
