The Key
Page 5
“Scott Halliday tonight confessed to the murder of Tracey Dawn Jackson when police confronted him after a locket belonging to Tracey was discovered last night. A source told us that along with the locket, several items belonging to a female or females unknown were also found.”
“Halliday also confessed to killing other young women, but taunted police that they would have to ‘do what they were paid to do’. When asked to elaborate, Halliday is quoted as saying, ‘You should earn your money for a change. You only found the stuff because some nosy busy-body couldn’t mind her own business. You want to know who the ribbons and jewelry belongs to, but why should I help you? You figure it out yourself’.”
“When asked why he killed Tracey, our source told us that the clearly deranged Halliday replied, ‘She shouldn’t have laughed at me; she’s not laughing now though, is she? It’s her fault that I killed her’.”
“We can now go live to Harvest Spring Junction, where Chief Nick Handsen is about to hold a press conference.”
The TV screen went blank for a few seconds, then a room filled with microphones, cameras, and members of the press came into view. The sound of muttering voices and clicking cameras was soon brought to a sudden halt by the voice of a police spokesman.
“Good evening, ladies and gentleman. In a moment you will hear a statement from Chief Handsen. We would ask that you kindly remain silent until Chief Handsen has finished his statement. You will have ample opportunity to ask specific questions after the statement.”
Chief Hansen coughed to clear his throat, and then began to read his carefully worded statement.
“Scott Halliday was tonight charged with the murder of Tracey Dawn Jackson after confessing to her murder. Further enquiries into additional charges are ongoing. He will be held overnight and appear in court tomorrow morning.”
The statement was short, and a baying press was eager to get more details.
“Ted Summers, 123TV. Did Halliday say why he killed Tracey, Chief? Is it true that the motif was jealousy?”
“Mr. Halliday claims that he had asked Miss Jackson out on a date, on the day that she disappeared. He claims that she refused, and she taunted him about preferring his brother.”
“Vicky Taylor, Radio Today. Did the key found next to the body belong to either Miss Jackson or Scott Halliday?”
“No. The key did not belong to either Miss Jackson or Mister Halliday.”
That answer prompted a sea of voices to shout out all at the same time. The questions became unintelligible, but one strong male voice near the front did stand stood out from the crowd.
“Chief, Chief. If the key did not belong to the victim or the perpetrator, do you know who it did belong to? And why was the key found next to the body. Is a third party involved?”
“To our knowledge there was no other party involved in the murder of Tracey Dawn Jackson. Mr. Scott Halliday stated that he deliberately planted the key. The locker key belonged to his brother Vincent Halliday, and Scott had intended to throw suspicion on his brother when the body was found.”
“Is it true Chief, that Halliday accused you of being incompetent in not finding the body sooner? And why exactly was the body not discovered until now?”
Chief Summers was now losing his patience and his cheeks reddened as he became visibly angry.
“Yes madam. Mr. Halliday did make certain accusations towards the police in general. As for why the body was not discovered until now; the body was found in a secluded area. It probably would have remained undiscovered if a metal detecting enthusiast had not picked up a signal from the key. The key, I might add, that the murderer planted in order to incriminate his brother.”
“Benson, Daily News. How close are you to tracing the owners of the other personal items found, and do you believe Halliday’s claims about killing more women are genuine?”
“We are still trying to trace the owners of the other items, but you have to understand that we have to reopen missing person’s cases dating back over thirty years. These things take time. As for whether his claims are genuine or not, well I can confirm that we are treating his claims very seriously indeed. That’s all.”
As the disgruntled Chief Handsen left the room, his spokesman made all the usual noises about keeping the media fully informed. The screen switched back to the TV station newsreader in the studio.
Carly started pacing the floor like an expectant father as she continued to watch the broadcast. It didn’t feel real, and she was finding it hard to take it all in. Holy cow, I don’t believe it. How couldn’t I tell it was him? Good job I didn’t confront him with the attaché case and Tracey’s locket. He’d probably have killed me too!
It was late and Carly was exhausted, but being so disturbed by these latest events she didn’t think she’d manage to sleep.
Maybe I should use my CD to help me to get off to sleep. On second thoughts, I’ve had enough adventures for one day! Think I’ll settle for a cup of hot chocolate instead.
Carly wandered wearily in to the kitchen. These past few days have been very eventful, she thought, but who knows what lies in store for me in the future …
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If you enjoyed this book, I’d really appreciate it if you would take a few moments to leave a review on Amazon >> Review “The Key: Dream Traveler In Time”
..ooOoo..
Whilst it is not necessary to read the first book in the Dream Traveler In Time series, you may wish to do so for background and completeness.
The Gift: Dream Traveler In Time (Episode 1)
It features Carly Moore a perpetual insomniac and independent woman, who works in a small town radio station, where nothing much normally happens.
When a mystery man offers a cure for her insomnia, little does she know that it will change her life forever. And the lives of others.
After this chance meeting, this very ordinary thirty something woman is gifted the ability to do extraordinary things, travel through time, and change events through the medium of her dreams.
Carly Moore becomes the “Dream Traveler In Time”.
Drama, excitement, intrigue, mystery, suspense, humor, and emotion combine to tell the story of how simple changes to the past can have such far reaching consequences.
Episode 1 - The Gift – where dreams become reality.
Please tell your friends about my books.
To stay up to date about my new book releases, and to have your say about what sort of story you’d like to read next, please visit my blog >> http://SarahMayPalmer.com
Thank you,
Sarah May Palmer
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