The Cop, page 17
24
There was an edge to DCS Watts’ voice. A tension Hodgson had heard before, but only in times of crisis.
‘Follow me, sergeant, we can talk as we walk. I need to update you on a few developments in the case.’
Hodgson hurried alongside him as he crossed the busy police HQ car park, waiting for him to share whatever bad news she knew was undoubtedly coming her way.
‘Still no joy finding the corpse?’
‘I’m afraid not, sir. House-to-house enquiries have come up with nothing, and whoever transported the body from the house wasn’t caught on camera at any stage of their journey. I thought the press release may result in someone coming forward with relevant information at some point, but it didn’t happen the way I wanted it to. We’ve just had the usual nutters confessing to crimes they couldn’t possibly have committed. Most of them historical. If someone knows where Kathy Conner is, they’re not telling me about it.’
Watts increased his pace as the sky darkened and large drops of rain seemingly came from every direction at once, bouncing off the tarmac.
‘There’s something I need to share with you, Sarah. It’s not good news, I’m afraid.’
She screwed up her face.
‘If someone else is taking over the case, I can’t say I’m surprised. I thought you’d have reallocated it to a more experienced officer long before now.’
He unlocked the driver’s door of his estate car with the click of a button and got in with the door left ajar, leaving her standing in the rain.
‘I’ve had the CPS on the phone.’
She crossed and uncrossed her arms, fearing the worst. ‘What did they have to say for themselves?’
‘There’s no easy way of telling you this. They’re dropping the case. It’s official. I only found out myself yesterday morning. It’s going to be all over the media soon enough. I wanted you to hear it from me first. You did your best to secure a conviction in difficult circumstances. But it wasn’t enough.’
Hodgson held her hands out wide, oblivious to the worsening weather as the rain turned to sleet.
‘What? It’s not even going to trial? That’s ludicrous! Let a jury decide. That’s all I’m saying. There’s more than enough evidence to put Conner away. Even without a body. It’s got to be worth a try, hasn’t it? What have we got to lose?’
‘The matter’s closed, Sarah; the decision’s made. I’m not any happier about it than you are, but that’s the reality. It’s out of my hands. We’ve got to accept the situation and move on.’
She took a quick step forward as he attempted to close the door. ‘Oh, come on, boss. Talk to whoever’s in charge. Twist their arm. Make them change their mind.’
The DCS switched off the engine, glaring up at her. ‘Do you think I haven’t tried?’
‘What about the evidence, the tablets, the blood, the knife?’
He tapped his finger on the steering wheel.
‘Someone else was at the house at the relevant time. Someone you haven’t been able to identify despite all the resources we’ve thrown at it. That changes things. You know that as well as I do. Conner’s a well-respected officer with multiple commendations on his record. We needed a watertight case. The CPS no longer think there’s a realistic chance of a conviction.’
‘That’s totally crazy!’
‘It’s their decision, not ours. That’s how the system works. There’s nothing more I can do.’
She wiped the freezing water from her face as he restarted the engine. ‘Conner’s fingerprints were all over the knife. And the footprints, what about the footprints? They belonged to him, not some woman we haven’t identified yet. He was plastered in blood from head to foot.’
‘The decision is made, Sarah. It’s too late unless we can come up with new evidence. What part of that don’t you understand?’
‘I just can’t believe what you’re telling me. The bastard’s going to get away with it after all he’s done!’ Watts looked away.
‘There’s something else.’
And just when she’d thought things couldn’t get any worse. ‘What is it?’
‘DI Conner will be returning to work.’
Hodgson’s eyes widened, the whites flashing. ‘He’s what? Surely you’re not letting that slimeball work as a police officer again after everything he did to that unfortunate woman? Where’s the justice in that? It’s a travesty. Come on, boss. You need to think again.’
Watts switched on the car’s wipers, adjusting the speed. ‘He’ll be back at his desk this coming Monday. Get used to it, Sarah. In the eyes of the law, he’s an innocent man.’
Hodgson stood staring at the car as her boss reversed out of his personal parking space and drove towards the open road. She wanted to scream. She wanted to stamp and shout like a petulant toddler. But instead, she turned and hurried back towards the nearby building, as the icy rain soaked into her clothes right down to her cotton underwear. Sometimes police work was hard to bear. Sometimes the stresses made her weep. There was no shame in that. And now was one of those times.
25
Kathy sat in her small static caravan and counted her blessings as the day slowly turned to night. The place was far from luxurious, but it was peaceful, it was remote, it was off the grid – and the other residents of the ramshackle community had made her even more welcome than she could have hoped. They were a good bunch if a little eccentric, with their own stories to tell; so unlike the man she’d married.
Kathy removed her blue jeans, lay back on her single bed, and began to read, escaping into a fantasy world of fairies, goblins and wizards at the behest of an author whose words moved backwards and forwards in time, engendering a range of emotions with seemingly effortless ease. She read a few more pages in the light of a single forty-watt bulb, stopped to make a cup of warming peppermint tea, then read some more until she felt the need for sleep an hour or so later. Kathy placed her empty cup to one side, made a quick toilet visit, and then tucked herself under a chequered Welsh wool blanket, bought cheaply in a Caerystwyth charity shop recommended by the social worker she now considered an unlikely friend as well as a source of professional help.
Kathy pulled the blanket even more tightly around herself, feeling warm, safe and secure right up to the second she closed her eyes for the first time that night. But then there he was… in her mind’s eye; hovering over her like a malicious and spiteful ghost she couldn’t hope to escape. Just like before. Just like always. The thoughts were repetitive. A dark mantra that was all too familiar. Kathy placed the palms of both hands on her swollen abdomen and tried to think nice thoughts, to drive Conner’s savage face from her mind. To send him to oblivion, never to return. But his image reappeared every time she sought to sleep. He haunted the darkness. There he was again. That devil in human form she knew so very well. Would she ever forget him? Would he ever become an unremembered memory? It may happen one day. It could, couldn’t it, with time? Of course it could, of course it could. Kathy repeated it in her mind, yelling it time and again, attempting to drive out her doubts. It could happen one fine day but it hadn’t happened yet.
Kathy lifted herself into a seated position, her eyes wide open – but her melancholy mood wouldn’t lift. Her internal life was intense, with vivid colours, smells and sounds. She thought she heard his voice on the wind, as it blew through the surrounding trees. Conner was taunting her, threatening her, as he whispered in her ear. Perhaps a little music would help her. It would, wouldn’t it? Maybe put on the radio to keep her company for as long as required. That would drown out his voice. That would shut the bastard up.
Kathy lay back down, a little out of breath, and listened, singing along to one three-minute song after another as her tension slowly faded. She paid only passing interest as the news began. But a short report near to the end of the programme made her jump up and take note, as she listened intently to every single word. A Plymouth police inspector had been released from prison after his murder charge was dropped. A police officer named Michael Conner. The investigation was ongoing, but the officer would return to regular duties.
No, no, no! This isn’t happening. It really can’t be happening! Kathy threw open the caravan door and hurled the radio out onto the stone-strewn, semi-frozen ground with all the strength and force she could muster. The bastard, the absolute bastard! He was free, free to come after her. Free to hunt them down.
Kathy clutched at her hair in clumps with both hands as her tears began to flow. How could it happen? How on earth could it happen? He’d always claimed he could get away with anything. He’d always said she’d never escape him, whatever she did – however hard she tried. And now he was out of prison, her plan in tatters. It had said so on the radio, in plain language, undeniable, unequivocal, as clear as day.
Kathy slumped to the caravan’s floor as concerned residents approached from nearby dwellings. It seemed her husband was some sort of superhuman. An evil creature impervious to harm. That was the only logical conclusion. The one thing that made any sense at all. Oh God, please God, no. He’d be coming after her. And the baby too. It seemed every threat the bastard made was true.
26
‘Aren’t you going to welcome me back with open arms, Sarah? Why the scowl on that pretty face? Don’t hold back. We’re the only people here. Now it’s your chance to show me how much you’ve missed me.’
Hodgson recoiled in her seat. ‘Have you no shame? I can’t believe you’ve had the nerve to come back at all.’
Conner placed both hands on her desk, standing over her, holding her reluctant gaze.
‘I think you’ll find it’s “I can’t believe you’ve had the nerve to come back here at all, sir”. Don’t forget the sir. You’re still a sergeant, and I’m still an inspector. And I’m going to use my superior rank to make every minute of your working life as miserable as feasibly possible for as long as I can. I may even ask to be allocated my wife’s case. I couldn’t do a worse job of it than you did, you fucking halfwit. It’s so good to be back in the fold.’
Hodgson pushed back her chair, her skin crawling as he stood between her and the door.
‘You think you’re so very clever, don’t you, Mike. You think everyone’s convinced by your fantasy version of events. But they’re not. I’m not for one. It’s only a matter of time before new evidence emerges. Kathy’s body will be found. And then you’re going to pay for what you did to that poor woman. I’ll make it my personal mission in life to see that you do.’
Conner reached across her desk, pulled her towards him and pecked her on the cheek, poking out his tongue and licking her ear as she tensed.
‘Has anyone ever told you that you’re lovely when you’re angry, Miss Hodgson? It’s quite a turn on. You may have noticed the swelling in my trousers.’
Hodgson dragged herself free, slapping him hard across his face with an open hand.
‘Get out of my room, you piece of shit. Go on, now! Get the fuck out!’
He chuckled to himself as he slowly approached the door. ‘Kathy is still alive. And I’m going to find her. And when I do, it’s her who’ll suffer. I’ll expect an apology on bended knee when you finally accept the truth, and maybe a blowjob or two.’ He made a sucking sound through pursed lips. ‘Gobble, gobble, what do you think? Are you up for it? Your mouth’s big enough even for me.’
Hodgson narrowed her stance, a bitter taste in her mouth as she glared in his direction. ‘What did Kathy ever do to deserve a filthy scumbag like you?’
He turned on reaching the doorway, winking once before blowing her a kiss.
‘I know you’re just playing hard to get, Sarah. I know what you women are like. Gagging for it, wet and waiting, whenever you’re paid a little attention by any man in the vicinity.’
Hodgson’s eyes flashed white, spittle forming at the corners of her mouth. ‘Get out! Get the fuck out!’
Conner clutched his engorged genitals through his trousers, thrusting his hips forwards.
‘If you want me, all you have to do is say so.’ And then a line he’d used before; one of his favourites – a line of which he was proud. ‘I’m man enough for any woman, and more than enough for you.’
27
Conner parked fifty meters or so from the Oakes’ terraced home, and watched from his patrol car as Tom left the house, carrying his golf clubs, about ten minutes later.
Conner waited with increasing impatience until Tom drove away, and then approached the front door in full dress uniform, silver buttons polished and gleaming in the unseasonal winter sunshine. He knocked with gradually increasing force, standing back and glancing from window to window; up, down; right to left and back again when he didn’t receive a reply.
Conner stood on the uneven pavement and stared at a first-floor window with a deep frown forming on his face. The curtain had moved. The bitch was peeping out. She was definitely in.
He returned to the wooden door with its shiny chrome furniture and began hammering it with the side of one fist, all the time imagining Anna Oakes cowering in her bedroom hiding place and praying he’d disappear. Conner began pounding the door with even greater force as it shuddered in its frame. He started shouting now, yelling, in danger of losing control as his rage intensified.
‘Come on, Anna, open the fucking door, woman! I know you’re in. There’s a light on. I can hear the radio playing. You moved the curtain. Open the fucking thing. I can kick it in if you want me to.’
Conner stopped and listened, peaking through the letter box as Anna slowly descended the stairs towards the hall. And then the door opened with the chain on, Anna Oakes peeping through the gap.
‘What do you want?’
He took off his cap, placed his face close to the six-inch gap and grinned.
‘Naughty, naughty, aren’t you going to invite me in? It’s not polite to leave an esteemed visitor standing on the doorstep in the cold.’
Anna gripped the edge of the door as her legs threatened to buckle.
‘Just say what you came to say and go.’
‘Now, you listen to me, and you listen well. I’m going to give you two choices. You can ask me in to discuss recent events in a rational manner, or I can put my shoulder to the door, arrest you, drag you to the station in cuffs and charge you with perverting the course of justice. If you think that pathetic chain’s going to stop me, you’re kidding yourself. Make your choice.’ He pushed up his sleeve and looked at his watch. ‘You’ve got ten seconds from now.’
Anna unfastened the chain with fumbling fingers.
‘I don’t know what you think you’re going to gain by this.’
‘Just open the door, woman. You’re almost as useless as your sister.’
Anna turned away, trembling as he followed her down the hall towards the lounge. She stood and waited while he sat in a convenient armchair with his legs spread wide.
‘I asked you what you want?’
‘Take a seat, Anna, there are things we need to discuss.’
She chose a chair at the furthest point from his, suddenly claustrophobic, the walls closing in.
‘I’ve got nothing to say to you.’
Conner moved his seat towards her, hands clenched. ‘Where is she?’
‘I don’t know why you think I know the answer to that.’
‘Where is she, Anna? We can do this the easy way or the hard way. Make your choice. It’s up to you.’
‘I haven’t seen Kathy since before your arrest. There’s nothing I could tell you, even if I wanted to.’
His eyes flashed. ‘So, you’re admitting she’s alive.’
‘I didn’t say that.’
Conner sniggered. ‘Oh, come on, Anna, you can do better than that. I know the bitch is alive. And I know you helped her escape. If not you, then who? She must have told you where she’s going. And I’m willing to bet she’s been in touch since getting there. You two are close. You’re like two rotten peas in a pod. Tell me where she is, and I’ll leave you alone to get on with your life. Continue to protect her, and I’ll destroy you. I can’t be any fairer than that.’
Anna’s pallid features turned ashen, a visible pulse on her neck throbbed.
‘You’re the worst thing that ever happened to Kathy. I wish she’d never met you. I’m not telling you a damned thing.’
Conner began slowly pacing the room, first one way and then the other.
‘Wouldn’t it be a shame if Tom was arrested. Wouldn’t it be awful if child porn was discovered on his computer, or class A drugs found in his car? Or maybe both, what about both? That would result in a certain prison sentence. And nonces don’t do well in custody. They don’t do well at all. He’d be hated, targeted, treated like shit. Tom’s not a hard man. He’d be eaten alive.’
Anna began to cry.
‘You wouldn’t d-do that. Tom’s a good m-man. You know that. What has he ever done to you?’
‘Where is she, Anna? That’s all you’ve got to tell me. Give me the answer I’m looking for, and I’ll leave you in peace. What have you got to lose? It seems like a good deal to me.’
‘No! You can make however many threats you like. I’ll tell Tom all about it. And I’ll talk to your superiors too. I’ll report you. I’ll make it official. I’m not t-telling you a thing.’
Conner reached out, stroking her face, licking the tears from his fingers.
‘Oh dear, how very sad! That would be by far the worst decision you ever make. The consequences would be dire, for you and for that ineffectual husband of yours. If you think Kathy suffered, it’s nothing compared to the torrent of pain I’d inflict on you.’
Anna was weeping now, the tears running down her face as she pressed herself against the backrest of her chair.
‘Just go! Please, go and leave us a-alone.’
