Authors: Katherine Pathak
Tags: #International Mystery & Crime, #Mystery, #Thriller & Suspense, #Police Procedurals
‘Who do you believe?’ Andy watched the professor’s face closely.
‘In my humble opinion, I think it’s Orla who’s the mastermind. Liam claims it was his mother who set the fire in their caravan all those years ago. He says she placed the candle on a pile of papers, knowing full well her husband was enjoying his carnal pleasures in the connecting room. She locked the door and watched them burn, hearing the men’s screams and doing nothing.’
Calder involuntarily shuddered.
Dani turned when she heard a noise at the door. ‘It’s Carol, shall I let them in?’
‘Aye,’ Andy said with a smile.
Bevan and Morgan slipped out, as Amy rushed past them and launched herself onto the bed. Andy cried out in mock agony then scooped the girl up in his arms and began to laugh.
Dani briefly caught Carol’s eye, seeing her mouth the words, ‘thank you,’ just before they pulled the door shut behind them.
Chapter 58
I
t was overcast in the city of Edinburgh, which was good news for the runners. The air was crisp and cool. Dani woke up in the bedroom of her boyfriend, James, at his tiny flat in Marchmont.
She watched him sleeping for a while, knowing he would need all his energy for the day ahead. When he finally awoke, he pulled her to him, planting kisses on her lips and neck.
‘What are the rules with marathons? Is it like a big match – no sex for days beforehand?’
‘We’ve already broken that one, so what the heck, eh?’ James rolled over so that he was lying on top of her, gently pinning Dani’s arms above her head.
‘She glanced at the bedside clock. ‘Shit! You’d actually better get a move on.’
James declined his coffee and stuck to fruit juice instead. He’d showered and put on his running gear, minus the incredibly expensive trainers which weren’t going on until they reached the starting line.
‘Remember all your training,’ Dani said, as if she were some kind of expert. ‘If you experience any tightness or pain in your chest, I want you to stop.’
‘Okay, boss. Got the message.’
‘I’ll be at the finish line with my camera, so make sure you give a big smile for Facebook.’ Dani moved across and placed her arms around him. ‘I am proud of you.’
‘I’ve not done it yet,’ he replied dryly.
‘No, but you’ve worked so hard for this and I’ve hardly been much of a support.’
‘Dani, never apologise for the job you do. Your work saves people’s lives. Look at all those families who can now bury their loved ones. It’s a bit more important than me jogging around this old city. What’s the latest on the trial?’
‘Hadley and O’Driscoll are drip-feeding the Fiscal’s office with information about their previous murders. I expect they are hoping to delay the trial for as long as possible.’
‘The lawyers will be encouraging them to do that.’ James’ father and sister had both been leading defence advocates. He knew what he was talking about. ‘But a guilty verdict is inevitable, with all the evidence you have. There’s no sign of either claiming diminished responsibility?’
‘No, they wouldn’t get very far with it. Liam Hadley is also charged with murdering a young policewoman. He’s going to get no mercy whatsoever from the justice system.’
James eyed her with concern. ‘And so he shouldn’t. Did you visit Caitlin’s parents?’
Dani nodded. ‘It was the most awful thing I’ve ever done. Her father gave thirty years of service to the force. For the first time, I wondered if it really is all worth it.’
He brushed his hand across her cheek. ‘What was your conclusion?’
‘The jury’s still out.’ Dani reached back for her coffee. ‘At least we got some closure on the west London murders. Rhodri Morgan called me before I left Glasgow. They’ve identified a local councillor who was a frequent visitor to the children’s home in Acton where Ian Cummings spent much of his adolescence. This man also inspected a youth detention centre when Cummings was an inmate. The Met checked his movements in the late eighties. He was in London during the times of each of the murders.’
‘Can he still be prosecuted? Do the Met have enough to convince the CPS?’
‘The man died seven years ago of cancer. It was an aggressive form. Apparently, he had a nasty end.’
‘But no justice. How about Cummings – has he admitted there was an accomplice?’
Dani shook her head. ‘No, Rhodri has visited him twice, but he refuses to give the man up.’
‘Maybe there never was anyone else. Harry Kyle might have been mistaken. You’ve no more evidence than his altered testimony, given twenty five years after the event. It wouldn’t hold up in a court of law. I can’t see why Cummings would continue to take the blame, even when his protector is dead and buried.’
‘These people develop an odd bond. Look at Orla and Liam. They are drawn together by the tragedy and pain of their lives, feeding off one another’s evil. Even the wicked need something to believe in, to cling on to. With Cummings it’s his loyalty to this man.’
James went quiet, looking unsure of himself.
‘What it is?’ Dani asked. ‘What have I said?’
‘It’s just when you commented on people needing to believe in something. It reminded me. I’m not sure if you’ll want to hear this.’
‘Go on.’ She started to feel uneasy.
‘When you first mentioned the name of the woman who helped to kill all those men. I’d heard it before.’
‘Where?’
‘Orla O’Driscoll was the name of the medium who was at Dad’s party. Do you remember?’
Dani felt her blood run cold. ‘The fortune-teller in the summer house?’
James tried on a weak smile. ‘I know, pretty unlikely hey? She must have seen the name on an old poster somewhere, from a fairground long ago. I’m certain it can’t have actually been the same person.’
‘How did your dad get hold of her in the first place?’
‘It was Mum who booked the entertainment. She saw an advert in the newspaper. The wording was terribly old-fashioned but Mum thought it might be fun.’ James noted his girlfriend’s troubled expression and took her hand. ‘It must just be a coincidence. I’ve probably got the name quite wrong.’
Dani nodded, allowing herself to relax into his arms. ‘Yes, it must be a mistake,’ she mumbled.
‘Oh God,’ James had glanced at his watch. ‘We’d really better get going.’
*
The sun was trying to break out as Dani stood with the crowds at the finishing line on Prince’s Street. She was watching the giant digital clock closely, knowing that if James was making decent time then he should be reaching the end quite soon.
Dani put on her shades so she could watch the runners more closely. A woman was making a sprint finish, practically falling into the arms of two young men, clearly her sons. They wrapped heat conserving blankets around her and solicitously offered her a drink. It was Jenny McLaren and her boys. The tannoy announced that she was one of the top five fastest women to complete the course.
Bevan felt happy for her. It was lovely to see the woman in the embrace of her sons. They all looked well. Dani decided not to go over. She’d leave them in peace. Instead, she scanned the road ahead, finally seeing James approaching at a steady pace. No sprint finish for him. Bevan still experienced an unexpected surge of pride, and something else – love, maybe? She pushed through the crowd to the line, shouting him on as he raised his arms in victory. Dani forgot all about the photo, rushing towards him and helping to support his weight as he half collapsed in exhaustion.
‘Did I do well?’ He managed to say between heaving breaths.
‘You did very well,’ she replied, and they walked arm-in-arm towards the finishers’ tent.
*
©Katherine Pathak, all rights reserved 2015
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Katherine.
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© Katherine Pathak, 2015
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