Picture Her Dead (Rhona Macleod)
Page 33
He’d got nothing further from Nelson. The mere mention of Gavin MacLean had shut him up, and this time Lord Dalrymple’s name was met with a blank expression. Bill suspected Nelson’s representation was being paid for by Dalrymple; he’d tried finding out but had met with another brick wall.
With forensic help Bill could place Nelson in the projection room of the Rosevale, but he couldn’t prove Nelson knew anything about the body behind the wall; that crime would be laid at Gavin MacLean’s door. But this? This was powerful material leading straight back to Dalrymple. Bill looked forward to seeing how Dalrymple would wriggle out of this one.
Sutherland had asked to be informed of any further developments in the MacLean case. Bill thought it was time he was told exactly what they’d found.
‘This film is how many years old?’
‘We don’t know exactly, but—’ Before he could give an estimate, Sutherland interrupted him.
‘This is a very serious accusation you’re making.’
‘A girl died trying to bring this film to our attention, Sir.’
‘We’re not discussing Jude Evans’ murder at the moment.’
Bill bit his tongue.
‘If we intend to progress this, you must have ample proof for a conviction before the procurator fiscal’s office will entertain it. I take it we haven’t identified the victim in the film?’
‘No, but we have identified members of the audience.’
‘You intend charging them?’
‘And the owner of the premises being used, Sir.’
‘We’ve tried that before, Inspector. It didn’t work.’
‘It should have.’
Sutherland ignored him. ‘Have you located this Brian Foster?’
‘He died three years ago.’
‘That’s unfortunate.’
Sutherland actually sounded as though he meant it. Bill was nonplussed for a moment. He’d assumed Sutherland would do everything in his power to thwart any action against Dalrymple. Maybe he’d been wrong?
Sutherland moved to the window, his back to Bill. ‘Contrary to what Mr Nelson may have said, I do not play golf with him. Neither do I spend any time in Lord Dalrymple’s company that I can possibly avoid.’
Bill was taken aback by this sudden declaration and had no idea how to respond. If it wasn’t true, it meant the Super was already distancing himself from trouble.
‘I’d go for Section 34 on this one, Detective Inspector. You’re more likely to get a conviction.’
His superior officer was right, but it still stuck in Bill’s craw.
As he made to leave, Sutherland called him back.
‘What was the name of the newspaper man who blew the lid on the MacLean story the first time round?’
‘Jim Connelly, Sir.’
‘Better make sure no one talks to him about this.’
Was that a suggestion or a warning, Bill wondered as he made his way back to his office. If he’d read the interview correctly, Sutherland wanted Dalrymple charged under Section 34. And he didn’t mind Jim Connelly finding out about it.
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Bill handed Rhona her ticket and they passed through the turnstile.
‘First class?’ she said, impressed.
‘Courtesy of the Met. It was the least they could do.’
‘We’re not sharing a coach with Slater, I hope?’
‘He and Black have already given evidence.’
They found their seats and settled in. They hadn’t seen each other since before she’d been to the Jazz Club. Only now did Rhona appreciate why Bill had worked so hard to get her there.
‘When did you find out where McNab was?’
‘About the same time as Chrissy, and an hour before you,’ he told her.
‘Sean came to see me the night we found Petersson. It must have been hard for him not to tell me then.’
‘He was right not to.’
Rhona thought back to the care Sean had lavished on her that night and felt bad about how abrupt she’d been with him.
‘What’s happening about Petersson’s murder?’
‘That’s Slater’s department. As are Brogan’s and Sinclair’s. Slater thinks Lang has left Glasgow for London, but chances are he’ll find him floating in the Thames soon too.’
The trolley came by and Bill ordered them drinks.
‘Is this on the Met too?’ she asked.
‘No. This is on me.’
He produced an early edition of the Evening Post and pushed it towards her over the table.
‘Something to toast Jim Connelly with.’
The front page headline read:
SNUFF MOVIE SHOT IN STATELY PILE
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There were no shadows here to hide in.
Every swelling, bruise and cut were in full view. McNab kept his dark glasses on until he reached the witness box, then removed them, visibly shrinking from the brightness of the light. His eyes looked as though someone had tried to scoop them from their sockets.
Someone had.
McNab glanced up at the front row of the public gallery and raised his hand in a fist when he spotted her and Bill.
It took all Rhona’s willpower not to give a cheer in return.
THE GLASGOW EVENING POST
Reporter: Jim Connelly
BACK FROM THE DEAD
The trial of Russian businessman Nikolai Kalinin took an astonishing turn today when a Scottish CID officer, Detective Sergeant Michael McNab, literally ‘came back from the dead’ to appear as chief witness for the prosecution. The officer had been gunned down earlier this year by person or persons unknown outside a poker club in Glasgow in a seeming effort to prevent him giving evidence. The Metropolitan Police subsequently kept his survival a secret to protect him. The witness appeared with severe facial injuries, said to be the result of yet another attempt on his life.
MUMMY’S TOMB SHOCK AT CINEMA
The discovery of mummified remains in the projection room of the Rosevale, once one of Glasgow’s largest cinemas, reads like the script of a Hollywood film. The man’s death has been linked to an earlier case where three young Glasgow males were mutilated and murdered in sexually motivated crimes by Gavin MacLean. MacLean had been an IT specialist at the time working for Strathclyde Police Force. He died before being brought to court.
FACEBOOK FRIENDS OUTFOX FORCE
Over 200,000 people go missing every year in the UK, but when Glasgow art student Jude Evans disappeared while photographing the Rosevale Cinema, her friends refused to give up the search for her. Although Jude’s remains have not yet been found, due to the determined efforts of Liam Hope, Aurora Sermannis and Ben Howie, one Albert Nelson has been charged with her murder.
An exhibition of Jude’s work entitled ‘Glasgow – Cinema City’ is to go on show shortly. The principal of Glasgow School of Art said, ‘Jude’s insertion of ghostlike figures into the stunning interiors of these derelict picture palaces gives a sense of just how important “going to the pictures” was to the people of Glasgow. This show will be a fitting tribute to her great talent.’
THE FALL OF THE HOUSE OF DALRYMPLE
The discovery, in a derelict Glasgow cinema, of an old film reel depicting sexual sadism has led to the unearthing of a library of similar images, all shot here in Cinema City over a period of fifty years or more.
Embroiled in this story is the wealthy and influential Lord James Dalrymple. A former rent boy named Neil MacGregor has come forward with evidence linking these films with both the Gavin MacLean case and the ancestral seat of the Dalrymples. Lord Dalrymple yesterday declined to comment, but calls are already being made to strip him of his title.
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