Dead to Me: A serial killer thriller (Detective Kate Matthews Crime Thriller Series Book 1)

by Stephen Edger

  ‘I see. But you told my colleague on the phone that you were the best person to speak to about her recent cases.’

  He smiled sheepishly. ‘Well, I may have embellished somewhat. How can I put this so you understand? If you need to know the nitty-gritty details of her most recent cases then I can put you in touch with the clerks here who can provide the case names and some background information on the nature of those charges or appeals. However, your colleague also asked about Eleanor as a person. I was the one who hired her, so I probably know more about her than most.’

  Kate licked her lips, hoping he picked up on the subtle hint at her thirst. ‘When did Eleanor join the firm then?’

  He leaned back in his chair and gazed at the wall just behind Kate and Laura, as if the memory was being shown on a projection screen. ‘I met Eleanor Jacobs when she was at university here in Southampton. Undergraduates experience a night of mooting, in their first year, where they are paired up and provided background information on a hypothetical case and each pair made to argue for or against in front of a serving judge or experienced barrister. Although the cases aren’t real, they are based on real cases, but with the names and locations changed. Eleanor and her partner came before me, defending a woman accused of shoplifting. It’s good fun, but the purpose of the night is to see whether the students have an aptitude for researching case and statutory law, and how well they can think on their feet when arguing a point of law. There are no real winners, but it provides an invaluable lesson to those wishing to pursue a career in legal practice.’

  ‘Did Eleanor win?’

  His smile grew. ‘Interestingly, she argued that the defendant shouldn’t be held accountable for her actions, as she’d only stolen in order to provide for her young family, and that the law was prejudiced against those in need.’ He paused, and fixed his eyes on Kate. ‘No, she didn’t win her argument, but I saw something in her that night that’s never left me. She restored my faith in human nature, and that’s what led me to offer her a role in our firm after she’d graduated. We ended up paying for her to attend law school and earn her calling to the Bar.’

  ‘So, you knew her pretty well?’

  ‘In work? Yes. She was a dynamo in the courtroom. I know the expression “a dog with a bone” is cliché, but there’s no other way to describe Eleanor. When she had the bit between her teeth, God help anyone who got in her way. She was an exceptional barrister, knowing exactly how to work a courtroom in her favour. I’ve watched her perform in court, and on her day, she was unstoppable.’

  ‘Is there any reason you can think of why someone would want to see her dead?’

  ‘None whatsoever. I still can’t believe that she is dead.’

  ‘Did she have any enemies that you’re aware of?’

  ‘Enemies? We’re barristers, not superheroes.’

  Kate cleared her throat, still hoping for that cup of tea. ‘Forgive my turn of phrase, but did she rub anyone up the wrong way recently?’

  He grinned. ‘We’re barristers, detective, we rub everyone up the wrong way.’

  Kate bit her tongue. ‘If I asked you to think of anyone who might want to see Eleanor Jacobs dead, who would you think of?’

  ‘I’m sorry, detective, I’m probably biased in my assessment of her, because I only wanted to see the good in her. All I can tell you is she was a bright and enthusiastic woman, and I was proud to see that I’d helped her develop into a formidable advocate. I’m closing in on my own retirement, and I had high hopes that Eleanor would take on some of my responsibilities when I left. She was young, but she was very good.’

  ‘When was the last time you saw her?’

  ‘Now, let me see. What day is it today?’

  ‘Friday.’

  ‘Uh, we have a meeting every Monday to have a look at what work has come in and to review who is undertaking which cases in the week to come. She was at that. In fact, that was the day I formally announced that I’d be retiring in the autumn. I brought in some cake and everyone had a slice, including Eleanor. Then… oh that’s right, she won her case that day, and we went out to celebrate in the evening.’

  Kate didn’t want to mention that the case in question was the one she’d been present at on Monday afternoon. ‘Where did you go?’

  ‘Sadler’s bar in London Road. It’s where we always go to celebrate a big win.’

  ‘And how did she seem that night?’

  ‘Fine. She was happy to have won.’

  ‘Did she seem worried by anything or, in hindsight, could you say whether she seemed troubled by anything?’

  ‘Not that I can recall, I’m sorry.’

  ‘And you didn’t see her after Monday night?’

  ‘In our line of work, our paths don’t cross regularly. That’s why we make a point of having the Monday morning meeting: it’s the only way we can guarantee to get everyone in the office at the same time. We don’t just work in Southampton, you see. Although we’re based here, and the majority of our work is undertaken at the Crown and Magistrates Courts in Southampton, we are hired to work in the neighbouring counties too.’

  ‘Where was she supposed to be this week? We’re trying to narrow down who saw her last, and where.’

  ‘You’ll have to check with the clerks. I can take you down to see them now, if you’d like?’

  ‘Actually, can you take DC Trotter to see the clerks? I’d like to speak to some of the other barristers who are in today, if you don’t mind?’

  ‘Of course; anything we can do to help. Just give me a minute and I’ll come and get you.’ He left the room.

  Kate leaned closer to Laura. ‘I want details on any cases she worked in the last six months. Okay?’

  ‘Of course, ma’am. What are you thinking?’

  ‘Clearly Gerry here had a bit of a soft spot for her, and that can’t have sat well with the rest of them here. Someone is bound to have an opinion on her flaws. I just need to find who.’

  33

  The clock on the wall above the door said it was nearly three, and Kate still hadn’t eaten. Her stomach growled with dissatisfaction.

  The Head of Chambers poked his head around the door. ‘Everything going okay?’

  ‘Well, Gerry, I think it’s safe to say I’ve got a better picture of Eleanor as a person. Are there any more barristers for me to speak to? I’ve been ticking the names off the list you gave me, but I don’t think I’ve spoken with Nicolas Altier yet. Is he around?’

  The smile left Gerry Irwin’s face. ‘Ah, you really want to speak to everyone in the firm then?’

  ‘That is what I said when you gave me this list and offered up your office for me to conduct the interviews.’

  ‘I’m not even sure if he’s in today. I’ll check.’

  ‘Wait, what is it you’re not telling me, Mr Irwin?’

  He glanced around outside the door before entering and closing it behind him, leaning in to talk just louder than a whisper. ‘The thing is, Nicolas and Eleanor were—’

  ‘Rivals?’

  ‘Lovers. At least they were once upon a time. It all ended very messily, and after they split, everything became a bit awkward around the office. He made accusations about her, and she made complaints about him, and, let’s just say, those weekly Monday meetings became quite tense affairs. It ended up with us having to move them to different floors, just so they’d avoid running in to one another.’

  Kate drew a big circle around his name on the list.

  ‘And why did you think I wouldn’t want to speak to Mr Altier then?’

  ‘Because his view of Eleanor is clearly muddied by what happened. He’s likely to tell you all kinds of stories about her—’

  ‘Stories? Like what?’

  ‘Anything to make her look bad. He’s not likely to stay part of the firm for much longer, after some of the recent comments he’s made.’

  ‘Go on, what comments has he made?’

  Gerry glanced back at the door to make sure it was still closed. �
�He’s accused the clerks of giving Eleanor preferential treatment.’

  ‘In what way?’

  ‘So, when a case comes in, the clerks decide who would be best suited to handle it in court. Nicolas has made a number of accusations about them giving Eleanor better cases than they gave to him.’

  ‘How do you determine what a better case is?’

  ‘There are a number of factors. Hours involved is one. We charge by the hour, so the longer a case drags on, the greater a fee the barrister can charge, within reason. Also, there are cases which are more likely to receive local press coverage, and others that won’t. Barristers can be vain creatures too, and the chance to see your name in print still offers some reward. Nicolas felt Eleanor was benefiting from these types of cases, while he was getting stuck with quick wins.’

  ‘And is he right?’

  He considered the question. ‘If you were to compare her recent cases to his, you could understand why he might think—’

  ‘So, it’s true then.’

  He tilted his head awkwardly. ‘I’m not saying that.’

  ‘What are you saying then?’

  ‘That I can understand why he might make that assumption, but of course he’s mistaken. The clerks have a duty to assign the best counsel, and maybe he’s just had some bad luck recently.’

  Kate placed her palms flat on the desk, and glared at him. ‘I want to speak to Nicolas Altier immediately. If he’s not here, find out where he is so I can pay him a visit.’

  Gerry gulped. ‘I’ll see what I can do. But please, take what he says with a pinch of salt.’

  Kate waited for him to leave before drawing a second, darker circle around his name.

  There was a knock on the door a few minutes later and a man of more than six feet tall, but with a thin frame, entered. His face was handsome, but there was an arrogance in his expression that couldn’t be ignored. His nose was long and pointed, like an eagle’s beak. When he spoke, his words were heavily accented.

  ‘Are you the detective?’

  Kate offered a wide smile, luring him in. ‘That’s right, Mr Altier. I’m Detective Inspector Kate Matthews. Please, have a seat.’

  He closed the door and sashayed over to the chair, patting it down so it didn’t dirty his designer suit. ‘’Ow can I ’elp you?’

  ‘I don’t know if Gerry told you, but Eleanor Jacobs has been killed, and I’m heading up the investigation into her death.’

  He didn’t react. No shock, sadness, or surprise on his face. He remained passive, as if he hadn’t heard what she’d said.

  ‘I’m speaking with all of her colleagues to understand what kind of person Eleanor was—’

  ‘She was a bitch!’

  Kate jotted the words down. ‘Did you know her well?’

  He grunted. ‘I thought I did.’

  ‘What can you tell me about her? I understand you were in a relationship with her?’

  ‘That ended a long time ago. I was naive once, but I learned my lesson.’

  ‘What caused the relationship to end?’

  A second grunt. ‘She fucked another man.’

  ‘She cheated on you? That must have hurt.’

  ‘It showed me ’ow foolish I ’ad been. I’m over it.’

  Kate raised an eyebrow. ‘Who did she cheat on you with?’

  ‘I do not know ’is name. I went to ’er ’ouse one day, and there they were in bed together.’

  ‘Everyone else I’ve spoken to has expressed sorrow at her passing, and has spoken of how kind a woman she was, but I’m getting the impression from you that you saw her differently.’

  ‘She was no saint.’

  ‘Can you expand on that, please? What do you mean?’

  He stared at the nails on his right hand, like she was interrupting a manicure. ‘She knew ’ow to get what she wanted.’

  ‘Like what?’

  ‘Like she knew ’ow to bribe the clerks to give ’er the best cases.’

  ‘You made a complaint about that, didn’t you?’

  ‘Of course! It wasn’t fair ’ow she received preferential treatment. Even when I complained, they took ’er side. This place is a joke! She was a bitch, and everyone knows it.’

  ‘There’s that word again. Are you suggesting that everyone who’s just told me how good she was, was lying?’

  He waved a finger. ‘She was good at ’er job, but only because she did whatever it took to win ’er cases. She bribed, bullied, and intimidated witnesses. You must ’ave seen ’er in court. She was a bully. She would say and do anything to get ’er way.’

  ‘What are you saying, Mr Altier?’

  The blood drained from his face as panic set in. ‘Forget I say anything. I go now?’

  ‘Not yet. What did you mean by “she would do anything”? Are you suggesting she wasn’t always honest in court?’

  His face answered the question, even as his lips denied it. ‘I don’t want to say anything else.’

  She decided to go up a gear. ‘Where were you between the hours of nine o’clock Wednesday night and seven o’clock Thursday morning?’

  ‘What? I don’t know. Why? You don’t think? No, no, no, I’m not the person that… no.’

  ‘I’m not suggesting anything, Mr Altier, I just want to know what you were doing when your colleague, a woman you have twice called a bitch, was murdered.’

  ‘It ’as nothing to do with me.’

  She leaned forward. ‘Good, so you won’t mind telling me where you were or what you were doing.’

  ‘I don’t know. I was at ’ome asleep probably.’

  She raised her voice, watching him squirm on the chair. ‘Probably? Either you were or you weren’t, Mr Altier. It was only two days ago. It’s not like I’m asking you to remember something you were doing a decade ago.’

  He was sweating. ‘Uh, I was…’ He closed his eyes.

  She pressed on. ‘Come on, Mr Altier. Chop-chop. Wednesday night: where were you?’

  ‘I’m thinking, ’old on: Wednesday night. I remember. I met with a client around seven, and I got ’ome around ten.’

  ‘Who is your client?’

  ‘Samuel Whitchurch is ’is name.’

  ‘And he’ll confirm he met with you?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Where did you meet him and for how long?’

  ‘We met for food at the Pearl of the Ocean restaurant in Town Quay.’

  Kate tried to hide the recognition from her face. ‘And what time did you leave there?’

  ‘I don’t know, maybe about ’alf past nine.’

  ‘And you went straight home?’

  ‘Of course.’

  ‘And can anyone verify that you were at home at ten o’clock? A girlfriend, perhaps?’

  ‘No. I was alone.’

  ‘Did you go out after you’d got home?’

  ‘No, I was ’ome all night.’

  ‘Did you go straight to bed?’

  ‘I think I read some notes first and then went to bed about midnight.’

  ‘What notes did you read?’

  ‘I ’ad a new case starting yesterday so I was preparing my opening.’

  Kate eagerly wrote down what he’d said, ready to share with the team. They had a first possible suspect. ‘Is there anyone you can think of who might bear a grudge against Eleanor?’

  ‘What, apart from every police officer, plaintiff, and the families of the victims of those she defended? It’s a long list.’

  ‘I’ll need you to give me Mr Whitchurch’s contact information, and remain here while I phone him so I can verify your story. Is there anything else you’d like to say before I call him?’

  He located the number in his phone and handed it over. ‘I ’ave nothing else to say without a solicitor.’

  She dialled the number and rested the phone against her ear, fixing him with a stare. ‘I haven’t accused you of anything yet, Mr Altier, but you seem awfully tense for a man with nothing to hide.’

  34


  Detective Superintendent Williams was hunched over the filing cabinet, staring into the fish bowl, when Kate entered his office. She remained standing, waiting for him to invite her to sit. He continued to stare at the fish, a look of concentration on his face.

  ‘Sir? I want to dig deeper into the background of Nicolas Altier.’

  The supe returned to his desk, slowly. Kate was about to update him on the progress of her investigation when there was a second knock at the door and in walked Hendrix and Underhill, sniggering. They stopped abruptly when they saw Kate.

  There were only two chairs facing the superintendent’s desk, but neither looked twice at Kate before sitting in them. She remained where she was, looking straight ahead, keeping her expression blank.

  ‘Right,’ the supe began, ‘it’s Friday evening, where are we with finding our killers? Hendrix, you go first.’

  Hendrix straightened, standing proud. ‘Thank you, sir. DNA has confirmed that Harold Watson was the victim, and the pathologist puts time of death between midnight and one a.m. on Tuesday morning. Despite his daughter stating she saw Danny Fenton’s vehicle at the scene, we don’t have his car on any of the security footage, so it’s her word against his.’

  ‘Have SSD finished processing the forensics from the scene? Is there no trace of him there?’

  ‘There wasn’t a lot of anything left at the scene, sir, such was the size of the blaze. In addition, Fenton owned and regularly visited the warehouse, so finding his DNA at the scene won’t be enough to convict. Unfortunately, there is no trace of him on the victim’s body.’

  ‘What about the murder weapon? Have you searched Fenton’s premises yet?’

  ‘We no longer consider Fenton our prime suspect, sir.’

  Kate wanted to interrupt, but the supe got there first.