`Peter fucking Sutcliffe, for starters,' mutters Quinn.
`But in that case why did the attacks stop the minute Gavin Parrie was arrested, and where has this other bloke been for the last twenty years?' It must be pretty obvious, just from his tone, what Gislingham thinks about that as a theory. But, frankly, he doesn't give a toss.
He turns to the board again. `Number three: Faith and Sasha were attacked by someone who actually knows Parrie `“ someone who's trying to make it look like he was set up for something he didn't do. And the reason all this is happening now is because Parrie's up for parole. And because those Whole Truth people are suddenly poking their noses in. And we all know where that could end up.'
Baxter mumbles something about Making a Murderer, and there's a ripple of agreement.
But Quinn is looking sceptical. `That's all a bit convoluted, though, isn't it? Who's going to go to that much trouble to get Parrie off the hook? It's like something off the bloody telly.'
Ev agrees. `I could just about buy it if it was just Faith, but Sasha? Assault is one thing, but would someone really commit murder `“ a really brutal murder `“ just to put Parrie in the clear? Not even your own family's going to do that, surely?'
`I know blood's thicker than water,' mutters Baxter, `but not that bloody thick.'
Gis shrugs. `I'm with you, but we still need to take it seriously, at least until we can prove otherwise.'
`I'll check who's been visiting him,' says Everett. `Where did the boss say he was `“ Wandsworth?'
If Ruth Gallagher registers that `boss' she gives no sign. `Actually, I have that information,' she says, opening a file. `DI Fawley already requested it.'
There's a half-awkward moment as she walks up to Everett and hands her the sheet of paper, and Gis wonders for a second if she's about to take over, but her task done she returns to her place and gives him an encouraging nod.
`OK, Ev,' he continues, `perhaps you could check where those people were on the days Faith and Sasha were attacked. Just so we can scratch them off our list.'
`What about friends? Previous associates?' asks Asante. `He could have got a message out to someone via his family `“ it didn't need to be someone who actually visited.'
`That sounds like something off the bloody telly too,' says Quinn, rather louder this time.
`Let's start by eliminating the nearest and dearest,' says Gislingham firmly. `See where that gets us.'
He writes `4' on the board, and turns again to face them. `Last, but deffo not least, a copycat. Which is why Baxter was checking the transcripts in the first place.'
Baxter looks up. `Right, yes. Basically, all the details of the MO are in there `“ the hair, the plaster dust, the cable ties, the plastic bag. And all that was in the press too. It might take a while to dig it all up, given how long ago it was, but I reckon anyone could get their hands on the right info if they were determined enough.'
`What about Sasha's boyfriend, Sarge?' says Somer. `Are we still looking at him?'
`More like looking for him,' says Baxter stolidly. `Because I for one am beginning to doubt the bugger even exists.'
`Yes,' says Gislingham firmly, glancing at him, `we are. Sasha had a half-empty box of condoms that didn't use themselves. Can you stay on that, DC Somer?'
She nods and he looks round the room again. `Anything else for now?'
But if there is, no one appears to want to raise it in front of Gallagher.
* * *
Adam Fawley
6 April 2018
14.49
`Can I have a quick chat?'
I look up to see Ruth Gallagher at my door, one hand still on the handle.
I sit back. It's not as if she's interrupting; I've been staring at the same report for the last half-hour and haven't got beyond the first paragraph.
I beckon her in. `Of course.'
`You've got a good team there,' she says, taking a seat.
`I think so.'
She puts a thick cardboard file down on my desk. `I've just been reading through the Blake and Appleford material. That offer of help `“ does it still stand?'
I nod, but I must look wary because she hurries on. `Look, I know this is a shitty situation, but I hope you realize I didn't want this to happen any more than you did. From what I can tell from the file, Alastair Osbourne did everything a good SIO would do. As did you. I don't see how any competent officer could have come to a different conclusion.'
So she has read the file. She just didn't want to push it in the first five minutes. My respect for her inches up.
`Look, I know why you're here `“ you want to ask me about my wife `“ about what it says in those trial transcripts. But the defence were just fishing `“ trying to get me on the back foot. Alex and I didn't get together until long after the trial ended. At the time she was assaulted she was engaged to someone else. They split up a few weeks after it happened `“ he just couldn't hack it. If you spoke to Alex she'd confirm all of that. But I'd rather you didn't have to.'
`I don't think there's any need,' she says, looking me steadily in the eye. `But thank you anyway.'
I sit back. `OK. So what did you want to talk about?'
She gets to her feet. `I don't know about you but I'm gagging for some decent coffee. And after that, we can get started.'
* * *
Fiona Blake is sitting in the dark, alone, behind her drawn curtains. The TV is glowing in the corner, but the programme she was pretending to watch has long since finished and she hasn't bothered to change the channel. On the plate in front of her, her long-cold lunch is congealing, uneaten. She can smell the heavy scent of the huge bunch of lilies stuck anyhow in a jug she hardly ever uses; she's never liked them but Isabel brought them round and she didn't want to upset her by throwing them away. Not after everything those girls have been through. The Family Liaison Officer is in the kitchen, no doubt making yet another cup of bloody tea. The sound of him moving about puts her teeth on edge.
`Mrs Blake?'
She turns slowly to see Patsie hesitating at the door. It's gone 4.00 but she's still in a dressing gown, with that blurry look of someone who hasn't even bothered washing. It's the first time Fiona's seen her all day.
Fiona frowns a little. `Are you OK, Pats?'
The girl takes a step forward. And now it's obvious: there's definitely something wrong.
`Me and Iz and Leah,' she says. `We've been talking.'
Fiona puts her glass down. `OK,' she says carefully.
`It was when I watched that appeal thing again that I thought about it. The one they did when Sash went missing. That bit when they asked people to get in touch `“ you know, if they'd seen her.'
Fiona waits, barely breathing. Has Patsie remembered something? Has Isabel?
`It was that journalist `“ he said there'd been another girl, who got taken in a van.' Her cheeks are flushed now. `We wanted to say something before but `“'
`But what?' says Fiona. She doesn't seem to be getting enough air. `What is it, Patsie?'
The girl drops her eyes. `Iz says it can't be him because it isn't a van, not really `“'
Fiona's on her feet now, gripping Patsie by the arms, shaking her. `What isn't? Who are you talking about?'
* * *
Adam Fawley