Beyond Innocence (5 page)

Little did he know it but it was all beginning to come apart at the seams. It would still take quite some considerable time and, when it did finally happen, the effects upon everybody would be catastrophic.

The following morning the Chief Constable went over the things he was going to say whilst he waited for Detective Inspector Taylor to arrive. There was a faint knock on the door and, in answer; he shouted “Come in.” Peter Taylor entered the room.

The Chief Constable put down his pen as the Inspector entered. “Sorry to trouble you Peter I know you’ve a lot on at the moment, but, this is important so I felt that I should tell you myself. This concerns the Angela Clarkson case. I had a tip off last night. I can’t disclose my source but I can assure you the watch definitely belonged to her. My information comes from an absolutely impeccable source in fact; he might well have been her last client.”

Peter Taylor could not believe what he was hearing and replied, “Well let me check him out.”

But he was quickly rebuffed by the Chief Constable who said, “No. No leave it there, Peter, you have the watch positively identified, leave this man out of it now; there’s nothing to be gained by destroying him or, his reputation.”

“With respect sir,” said Inspector Taylor, “in all my years on the force I have never ever had to contend with anybody interfering with the way I conduct or handle a case. If you’re going to interfere like this, I will insist that you tell me now that you are taking me off the case and you’re going to handle it yourself or, replace me. In addition, I will expect to receive notification of this from you in writing together with some form of explanation giving your reasons for taking me off the case. Upon receipt, I can assure you sir; I will then take up the matter with my Police Federation.”

Even though the Chief Constable expected a war of words over this issue, he was totally unprepared for an onslaught of such magnitude. In a clumsy attempt to diffuse the situation he said quietly, “For Christ’s sake Peter, sit down for a moment and listen because you’re not thinking straight about this matter. Just give me a minute and, I’m sure we can sort something out. First of all, I want you to ensure that this man does not, under any circumstances whatsoever figure in this enquiry. As I have already told you, my source is without question but, if his name does come out he will be utterly ruined and, as far as I can see, there’s no need for that, is there?”

Peter looked defiantly at his boss and, although he was all tensed up inside and positively fuming, he could see the validity of the point put to him by his superior as he replied, “Sir, if we are talking openly man-to-man and this is my case, I really think you should let me be the judge of that. We have a DNA Profile taken from the dead woman and, if it matches his, he could still be in the frame.”

This argument raged for over half an hour. In the end, a compromise was reached. Inspector Taylor agreed that the name of the person would not be revealed provided that the matter was handled by himself alone and without any outside interference whatsoever. In return for a DNA sample and a check on the man’s alibi then, provided that he was completely satisfied, Detective Inspector Taylor agreed he would keep the name of Timothy Harris out of the case. Needless to say the DNA test did prove to be a positive match but, with a waterproof alibi checking out, Timothy Harris’s name was removed from the case. To make matters certain the file was sealed and then placed in a locked drawer in the Chief Constable’s office where it would remain until all the papers were filed at the end of the case. Then it would be marked up ‘Not to be shown to The Defence’ and filed in the Crown Prosecution Central Records Office. As Detective Inspector Taylor closed the door behind him, the Chief Constable breathed a sigh of relief as he realised how close matters had got to being totally out of hand.

Meanwhile, Peter Taylor made his way back to his own office where Jim West was waiting for him. “Hello Jim,” he said, “sorry to keep you waiting but I’ve been to see the Chief. It seems that we have a positive ID on that watch, in fact, there’s no doubt about it. It did belong to the Clarkson woman. Sorry, I can’t tell you any more as the source is classified.”

Jim West’s eyes lit up at the news, “Let’s go and pull Thompson in then,” he said.

“Not so fast Jim, I’m afraid it’s not quite that simple.” At this point he paused for a moment because he knew that he had to choose his words very carefully now. He was going to propose to his colleague that somehow they needed to find one or two pieces of evidence and, he could hardly come straight out and ask Detective Sergeant West to manufacture that evidence. It had to be a lot more subtle and tactful than that. With DS West almost straining at the leash, Inspector Taylor continued to keep him in suspense even though he now knew exactly what he was going to say. Then he added, “What we really need to find here Jim is one or two of Angela Clarkson’s mates on the game who can vouch with absolute certainty that the watch belonged to Angela and that they had seen her wearing it. I reckon if we can tie that up we can go ahead and pull him in.”

Inspector Taylor needn’t have worried. Jim West knew straight away what was needed and he assured his Chief that he would get on to it immediately in order to ensure that it was taken care of.

However, Jim West did not take care of it and neither did his boss, as later that day events took a dramatic turn when Diane Wilson’s body surfaced at Chorley Wood near Preston.

Two divers from the Preston and District Sub Aqua Club found the body. They had entered the murky waters, and they had only got down twenty feet or so when one of them spotted the trailing rope and this led them to the parcel on the shelf. At first, they thought it might be drugs and that they had stumbled upon a huge haul. This prompted them to leave things as they were until the police arrived.

Word spread quickly throughout the country and it wasn’t very long before detectives from Merseyside CID were making their way to the scene. With all sirens operating at full pitch, the convoy of cars sped up the motorway at speeds well in excess of the normal speed limit whilst another car was dispatched to collect Mr. and Mrs. Wilson who would be asked to identify the body.

Accompanied by a trained police counsellor, the Wilsons made the painful journey to the mortuary at Preston where the body had been taken. Brenda, Diane’s mother, couldn’t face the ordeal and it was left to her husband to identify her.

As John Wilson began to walk slowly to the doors at the entrance, his movement became distinctly laboured and, to those watching him, it was obvious that he must be absolutely dreading this terrifying ordeal. Brenda, his wife, watched with growing apprehension too as the officer accompanying him began to open the dark green doors in order to let him pass and it was at this moment, as she prepared herself for the inevitable, that she knew that all her fervent prayers were now in vain. As she felt her body tighten involuntarily, she somehow steeled herself for the inevitable sounds which she knew would be forthcoming as the sheet was drawn away from her daughter’s face and the shock and horror registered with her beloved husband. Despite this, and still hoping against hope, even she could not have prepared herself for what was to follow. As John Wilson disappeared through the dark green doors and, although Brenda Wilson was silently weeping uncontrollably, she was totally unprepared for the sound that followed. When it began it was almost inaudible as though it was emanating from below bowel depth and moving with agonising slowness through his body until, when it finally emerged, the howl of anguish chilled all within earshot as the finality of the all-embracing tide of death washed over all of those present.

Distressed beyond belief, Brenda found it impossible now to express her own grief and release her inner torment, especially in the presence of strangers as she sank into the comforting arms of her husband. She endeavoured instead to attempt to share his burden whilst knowing only too well that together their suffering would now be never-ending. Before their tragic and tearful journey home began, they were both sedated and they listened in solemn silence as Inspector Taylor told them he wouldn’t rest until he, and his team, had their daughter’s killer safely locked up behind bars.

Although still in a state of shock, John Wilson leaned forward in his seat and directing his anger directly to the Inspector said, “Well, I don’t think you’ll have very far to look, will you Inspector? Let’s face it, if I get my hands on Harry Thompson before you do, there won’t be any need for a bleeding trial. With that, John Wilson wound up the window and the car drove slowly out of the parking area to journey back to the Wirral at a much more sedate pace. Neither of the bereaved parents spoke much during their lonely ride back home. There wasn’t any need. They both knew the pain the other was feeling and they also knew that their world no longer existed. Furthermore, as far as they were both concerned, Harry Thompson was the biggest evil, lying bastard, on this earth.

Inspector Taylor and Jim West made their way to their car. Before moving off, he checked with his own superiors that the total news blackout he had requested was being observed and that the men that he had asked for were on hand waiting in readiness to make an early arrest as soon as they got back. It wasn’t as if Detective Inspector Taylor was presuming Harry Thompson to be guilty. It was more of a case of keeping him secure and unharmed until the cause of Diane Wilson’s death had been established and the DNA samples analysed and compared. Once all this had been accomplished, he felt sure that Harry Thompson would end up inside for a very long period of time.

Leaving the mortuary behind, Jim West was skilfully driving the car at speeds within the limits and now they were approaching Ellesmere Port. His boss was on the radio making sure that the men were ready. Receiving confirmation that all was to his satisfaction, Peter Taylor told his Sergeant to go straight to the home of Harry Thompson. In order to make Thompson’s arrest official, one of the other officers in attendance had secured the necessary warrant and Inspector Taylor didn’t anticipate any trouble or any members of the press to be in attendance.

The cars drew up outside the front door of the neat little house in Eastham village and silently disgorged their human cargo of officers and men. Both men strode purposefully to the door at the front. No time for niceties now thought Jim West as he lifted up the knocker and launched a thunderous assault on the door. Inspector Taylor thought about asking him not to overdo it, but that hardly mattered for the door was beginning to open.

As the door swung open, both men could see the frame of Harry Thompson in the doorway. They saw the smile on his face diminish as he saw the group of men assembled. Thrusting forward his ID card, Detective Inspector Taylor began. “Harry Marcus Thompson My name is Detective Inspector, Taylor, Merseyside Police. I have a Warrant for your arrest in connection with the death and disappearance, of Diane Wilson. You do not have to say anything at this stage but I must warn you that anything you do say may be used in evidence against you. I must now ask you to accompany my officers, and myself, to Bromborough police station where we will continue our enquiries.”

With that Harry Thompson was led away to face another ordeal. When they arrived at the police station he was taken in by the rear entrance and, as a precaution, a blanket covered his head. He was then led upstairs to the interview room. Harry knew the predicament he was facing so he didn’t waste any time in requesting the presence of a solicitor. As instructed by Brian Donnelly, the solicitor who had come to assist him the last time, he made a specific request for Michael Mulrooney to attend. He also made his position crystal clear to the officers from the very beginning that he would not answer any questions until Michael Mulrooney, or his appointed representative, arrived irrespective of how long it took.

It was late when Michael Mulrooney arrived and he was allowed immediate access to his client, Harry Thompson. Straight away he told Harry that he should only answer questions when he nodded and, whenever he didn’t nod, Harry was to remain silent and let him do the talking.

All too soon the officers were back in the room and the interview began in earnest. Inspector Taylor switched on the tape recorder and began as follows.

“We have arrested Harry Marcus Thompson on suspicion of causing the deaths of Diane Wilson and Angela Clarkson. This interview is being conducted by myself, Detective Inspector Peter Taylor, and Detective Sergeant West from the Merseyside Police Force. Also present are Harry Marcus Thompson and his solicitor, Michael Mulrooney. At this point the Inspector stopped for a moment and looked at his watch, then he continued, “The time is now seven fifty six pm, and, I would like to commence this interview with your affirmation that your name is Harry Marcus Thompson and that you are currently residing at 43 Eastham Village Road, Eastham, South Wirral.”

Noting the nod from his solicitor, Harry confirmed that the officer’s statement was correct.

“Can you confirm to us the last time you saw Miss Wilson and can you give us an accurate account of your subsequent movements covering the following twenty-four hours?”

This time there was no nod, and, Michael Mulrooney answered, “Mr. Thompson has already given you a full statement concerning this matter, and he has instructed me to say that he has no reason to add to it at this stage.”

And so it went on. As each question was put to him his solicitor was there with the answer. The Inspector concluded matters by telling them that the interview would be adjourned until 9 am the following morning when there would be an application for a remand in custody whilst enquiries continued.

Michael Mulrooney nodded his assent to this adding that the police had only 36 hours in which to conduct their enquiries, after which time, they would either have to release Harry, or charge him with murder. He also added that Harry was completely innocent of any charge and any custodial remand application would be vigorously resisted.

The following day the remand hearing was held in the Magistrate’s Court and, Harry Thompson was formerly charged with the murders of Diane Wilson and Angela Clarkson. Following a two minute hearing he was remanded in custody to Walton Gaol for 28 days pending further police enquiries. Despite protests by his solicitor and, a not guilty plea, bail was refused and he was led to the cells below to await transport to the prison remand centre.

Later that day, the two officers were discussing the case again over a pint of beer in a little country pub. They had received confirmation that Thompson’s DNA had proved a match but only to that obtained from Diane Wilson but they knew this was only to be expected in view of the fact that Thompson had freely admitted to having sex with Miss Wilson just before her disappearance. They also knew that this was the crux of the case against Thompson simply because as far as they had been able to ascertain, he was the last person to see her alive.

The Clarkson case was very different though and much more circumstantial. Both men went over the details again together with a plan of procedure.

The body had been found just a quarter of a mile from the Thompson home and that was too much of a coincidence as they considered it was far too close for comfort when considered along with the other aspects of the case.

Thompson must have known the spot because he readily admitted to walking his dog in the vicinity of the golf course and the surrounding area.

At an earlier interview, Thompson had also admitted walking with his girlfriend around the same area on a regular basis.

Thompson had handed in a watch at Bromborough Police Station that he claimed to have found. When the actual spot was pointed out it was found to be less than sixty feet from where the body of Angela Clarkson lay. Although they did not have specific confirmation that this watch belonged to Clarkson, they were quite sure that, given time, events would prove that this was indeed the case.

Thompson was known to drink in the local pubs and hotels in the area and, although he had been identified as being in the Roundhead Hotel on the night in question, nobody could confirm having seen him there with the Clarkson woman.

The railway guard had come forward following the crime watch programme and volunteered the information that a well dressed young lady, who bore a strong resemblance to Clarkson, had boarded his train at the Bromborough Rake station late one evening around the time of her death. Subsequent examination of the CCTV footage revealed the presence of a man on the platform and, although the image caught on screen resembled Thompson, they were unable to obtain definite proof or, confirmation of this.

“What do you think about it now then?” Jim asked his chief.

Jim West didn’t take long to think about his reply.

“Well Peter, I see it like this we have no DNA in this case so all we can do is build up the circumstantial case against him. First of all we treat the DNA in Clarkson as though it doesn’t exist. After all, if we don’t introduce it the defence cannot comment upon it. Then we devote all our efforts into tying the watch in with Clarkson. If we can show that Clarkson wore that watch, I think we are home and dry simply because it’s all too coincidental.”

Inspector Taylor agreed adding, it was just a pity that they couldn’t get access to her last client but, given a decent break, they would get there in the end.