Chapter 55
“Good morning, and welcome to Sky Weekend News. Our top story on this Saturday morning. The owner of one of Europe’s best known television channels has served the first night of three concurrent life-sentences for the murder of Janet Croft, and the attempted murder of Kathy Hopkirk. In a sensational court-case which lasted six weeks, the Judge said that Piers Marshall will die in prison for the callous, wicked and depraved crimes that he and his accomplice Ben Thompson carried out last summer. During the course of the trial, the court heard that the TV celebrity Kathy Hopkirk was trying to get justice for historical sex crimes against Janet Croft, when London TV’s owner Piers Marshall attempted to stop revelations…” Miller turned the TV remote off, and threw the remote control on the couch.
“Right, come on, who fancies a day at the seaside?”
“Yeaaahhhh!!!” shrieked the twins.
“Noooo!!!” wailed Clare.
“Yeeeaaaaahhhhh!!! Shouted the twins, joined by their dad this time.
EPILOGUE
Kathy Hopkirk managed to turn her image around, thanks to Janet Croft. Once the court case was heard, and the national media reported the facts of what had gone on during that terrifying week, the British people found a real affection for Kathy Hopkirk’s courage and tenacity. But Kathy doesn’t really like being popular, and as such, she does very few media or Twitter appearances nowadays. She has become the patron of several charities, particularly those that try to deal with the psychological scars that sexual crimes always leave behind. Kathy has set up a charity, which raises funds to send addicts to rehab. Her charity is called The Janet Croft Foundation.
Her updated auto-biography, “Lucky To Be Alive” has been a number one bestseller across Europe, Australia and in several US states too. All profits are being used to support sexual abuse survivors, shared between the various charities that Kathy has become heavily involved with.
The sickening revelations about Bob Francis came as a great shock to the British public, for a day or so. But the public quickly resigned themselves to the fact that this was yet another reprehensible episode of a sexual-deviant managing to operate above the law, as a result of their fame, success and power. This type of crime has been witnessed so many times over recent years, it has completely lost its “wow” factor. People have become cynical about the celebrity world, and most are desperate to learn that this shameful period is over, and that no more horror stories are going to come out about the telly and music stars that they have loved and respected through the years.
Several women came forward to name Piers Marshall as the man who physically and sexually abused them, during their apprenticeship at London TV. Piers’ father, Timothy Marshall was also mentioned, as was Bob Francis. The fact that Piers and his father were both involved in the abuse, often at the same time added an extra layer of repugnance to the shocking and disturbing crimes that took place inside one of the nation’s most revered broadcasting houses.
The trial for Piers’ sex crimes is due to take place at a later date.
Sally King was very quickly relieved of her Witness Protection status, once it became clear that the people who posed the threat were out of circulation. She still runs her management agency. Kathy is no longer on her books.
Jack Greenwood’s decision to volunteer himself onto Witness Protection saved him from facing any charges in relation to posting the spoof video on Youtube. He said that he had posted it, to save himself from becoming the next victim. If anything, the ageing DJ did rather well from his exposure in the media. His appearances on the news inadvertently created a nostalgic reminiscence amongst older members of the public. This rediscovered interest in Jack Greenwood led to a regular show on Radio 2. Memories of his old shows sparked a nostalgic yearning for happier, more enchanted time in many older people’s lives. A time when there were only three telly channels, you could leave your front door wide-open and best of all, two of you could have a night out, watch a film, get a KFC bucket meal, and the bus home for two pound fifty, and still have enough for a Marathon bar with the change. And nobody had been sick at the bus-stop.
DC Helen Grant got the job in the SCIU. Her and Saunders celebrated by taking a week’s holiday to Portugal. They seem to be getting on pretty well. There were a few minor spats when Grant moved into Saunders’ apartment, but over-all, they keep their work and private lives separate.
Nobody else within the SCIU has been told about Grant claiming back the £3,000 donation money. Not yet anyway. Saunders refuses to rule out the possibility that it will come up, especially if Grant ever reveals anything embarrassing about his private matters.
DCI Paxman still doesn’t know who tipped off the press. The London CID officers don’t take the piss out of northerners anymore, and they prefer not to talk about the time that Kathy Hopkirk disappeared.
THE END
Gone Too Far : DCI Miller 4: Britain's Most Hated Celebrity Has Disappeared Page 35
