‘Excuse me, Dr Harker,’ she said as she neared.
He clicked his briefcase closed and looked up at her.
‘May I ask you a question?’
He sighed and nodded.
‘I was interested in how people react in stressful situations.’
‘You can probably answer that question yourself to an extent. If you think about it, most of us at some time in our lives have experienced the range of feelings that accompany traumatic experiences, such as depression, denial and so on.’
‘You said Brian Hall was shocked and concerned when told about the murders. I just wondered what it was in his manner during the interrogations that convinced you even more that you had the right person.’
Harker lifted his briefcase from the desk. ‘As a scientist I deal with and advise on questions relating to the crime scene and forensics. Detectives always carry out the interviews with a suspect.’
‘Oh right... I didn’t realize, I thought from your talk that you were present, but thank you...’ Jane thought from his demeanour and answer he wasn’t interested in talking to her. She started to walk off.
‘That’s not to say I can’t help you as I’m well versed in every aspect of the Brian Hall case, and working alongside experienced detectives I’ve often discussed a suspect’s guilt and behaviour with them.’
‘What are the reactions that give the suspect away and make detectives think they are guilty?’
‘In the case of Brian Hall it was quite clear his concern was a cover to make it appear he felt sympathetic and upset about the two victims and was not connected to their deaths.’
‘Did he ever get angry or lose his temper during the interviews?’
‘Sometimes a suspect, even an innocent one, will show rage and aggression towards the interviewing officers, but Hall was different. He was arrogant; he looked down his nose at them with contempt and thought they were fools. For the first time in his life he was the focus and centre of attention, and even when confronted with the packing tape as damning evidence he believed he was too clever to be caught. He had an answer for everything, never showed any remorse and I honestly believe he would have killed and raped more women if he hadn’t been caught.’
Jane thought about how best to put her next question before continuing.
‘Say a person killed someone close to them, like a loved one, relative or friend, could they react with anger at any stage?’
‘From what I have learned from other cases the answer is yes, but where and when the anger will manifest itself is often variable and could be in private. Anyone who has committed a serious crime like murder is under a great deal of stress. Behavioural reactions like a sudden outburst of anger, in or out of a police interview, can be the result of inner turmoil and remorse about the crime committed, but it doesn’t mean the suspect is inherently guilty.’
Jane persisted. ‘So, losing a loved one under any circumstances must create all sorts of dreadful emotions and confusion?’
‘Yes, but sometimes emotion can give a suspect away, so you need to watch their reactions closely. They may shed a few crocodile tears in a false display of grief to try and hide their guilt.’
‘But how can they force themselves to cry like that?’
‘Like an actor they draw on their own emotional experiences and trauma. The only difference is the suspect’s emotional experience is a real murder they committed. Sometimes the tears may be regret for what they have done or even self-pity,’ he said, and looked at his watch.
‘Thank you for your help, Dr Harker, and I really enjoyed your talk...’
‘Listen, it’s after five, would you like to join me for a drink?’
She gasped. Hearing the time, she realized that she would be late for the wedding rehearsal.
‘Oh no, I have to go! I’m sorry, I would have liked to, but my sister’s getting married.’
He gave her a confused look.
‘There’s a church rehearsal and I’m chief bridesmaid and I can’t be late for it.’
She hurried to collect her bag from beside the desk she had been sitting at.
‘Another time then — I’m sorry, I don’t know your full name.’
‘It’s Jane Tennison,’ she said, hurriedly pulling her jacket off the back of her chair and putting it on.
‘Where are you stationed?’ he asked as he opened the classroom door.
‘I’m a probationer at Hackney.’
‘I’ll know where to find you then.’ He let the door close behind him, leaving her alone in the classroom.
Realizing the Underground would be her quickest option Jane ran to the Holloway Road station. She showed her warrant card at the barrier and the guard let her through. She rushed down the escalator onto the Piccadilly Line train. It wasn’t until she changed at Piccadilly Circus for the Bakerloo Line and was heading for Maida Vale that she thought about Dr Harker asking her to have a drink with him. As she sat back in her seat she thought he must have appreciated her attentiveness and constructive comments regarding the fibre traces. It never entered her head that he might also have found her attractive.
Jane looked at her watch as she ran from Warwick Avenue Underground station, across Edgware Road and into Hamilton Crescent towards St Mark’s Church. She was already late, and arriving at the church she had difficulty in opening the large wooden doors. Frustrated, she twisted and turned the big metal-ring door-handles. Finally the latch on the inside lifted and she was able to push the heavy door open with her shoulder. Through the glass vestibule doors she could see her sister, Tony the groom, the best man, the bridesmaids and her parents standing in front of the altar. The vicar was rehearsing the vows and was interrupted mid-sentence as the doors clattered loudly behind Jane as they closed. In unison everyone turned and looked to the back of the church.
‘I’m so sorry,’ Jane said in a loud voice which echoed round the church. She hurried down the aisle removing her raincoat and shoulder bag, which she threw down on a pew, before standing next to her mother in police uniform.
Mrs Tennison glared at Jane and whispered that she had missed most of the rehearsal. She told her to take off her uniform jacket and stand with the other bridesmaids.
Pam looked at her parents and Jane. ‘About time, Jane! Mummy, you won’t be standing there, you will be sitting in the first pew, and at this point so should you be, Daddy.’
‘I was just standing in for Jane, dear,’ her mother replied and pushing her husband scuttled with him to the pew.
The vicar made a deliberate coughing sound to get everyone’s attention before continuing with the wedding vows. Pam was wearing a small makeshift veil, and on hearing the vicar say, ‘You may now kiss the bride,’ she lifted it, but wasn’t smiling as she was still upset about Jane being late.
The vicar then showed them the anteroom and register the ‘newly married, happy couple’ would sign. Pam turned to Jane and put her hands out towards her.
‘Hold these.’
‘Hold what?’ Jane asked, as there was nothing in Pam’s hands.
‘I’m miming handing you my bouquet of flowers before we sign the register, then you hand them back afterwards.’
‘Right.’ Jane nodded her head dutifully, holding out her hands to accept the imaginary bouquet.
‘And remember when we enter and leave the church you need to be far enough behind me so you don’t step on my veil.’
‘Right,’ Jane repeated and pretended to hand the bouquet back.
Jane and her mother walked home as it wasn’t very far. Mrs Tennison slipped her arm through Jane’s. ‘You should have gone with your sister and the other bridesmaids — a few of the girls from the salon are joining them later as well for her hen night.’