A Murderer's Heart (14 page)
With trembling hands, he sliced some more, stopping at the chest when he saw the encrusted blood that had seeped through the victim’s clothes.
It was the shape of a nearly perfect circle.
This was real, he knew, not like TV at all.
He was suddenly terrified, backed away from the body and almost threw himself down the ladder.
“Run, Ricky!” he shouted; his face nearly as pale as the corpse above.
They had to get out of here, and fast! He wasn’t stupid; everybody knew killers came back to the scene of the crime.
Maybe they were watching right now?
“What’s up?”
“Don’t ask, come on!”
Ricky followed Billy’s running footsteps out of the barn, only stopping to catch the bag thrown at him.
They fled.
{19}
Inspector Meakin was sitting at his desk trying to make sense of the information they had accumulated so far.
He didn’t like the way things were going.
He looked over to the large white board upon which he had put the facts of the case.
Could there be a connection?
His eyes ranged across from Mrs Armstrong, Alan Burgess and the stalker cases, which had ended in murder – and Jenny King.
It didn’t matter how long he stared the board; the answer never came. He was still waiting for the information about past stalker cases – they might give him a clue as to what was going on.
He still believed there was a pattern. He certainly felt all the murders were by the same person. They’d all been killed in the same way – cleanly and quickly.
Whoever had committed the crimes knew what they were doing. As yet he couldn’t find a connection between the victims – he knew once he had that, the rest would fall into place.
He was still leaning back in his reverie when the door burst open.
A small man with a moustache spoke quickly.
“Sir, a body has been found at the old Turner farm. It seems two boys were exploring when they spotted her – the eldest, that is. They’re here now with their mother...poor buggers won’t bunk off again, that’s for sure!”
Pushing back his chair, Meakin raced out of his office, and down the stairs.
This might just be the break he was waiting for.
******
Anne had arrived at her office – late.
She had woken on the sofa; pillow under her head, a blanket covering her body.
Sam had closed the garden room doors, turned off the lights and had left her to sleep.
As her stiff body unwound on the way to the shower, she read the note Sam had written.
He’d see her at work in the morning.
Next to the note was a vase holding one of her beautiful roses from her garden.
She leaned over to take in its fragrance – beautiful.
She’d noticed the time and quickly headed for the bathroom.
Soon after, she took a gulp of coffee then made her way to the office.
Sam was already there, of course; her first appointment had just arrived.
Not having time to say much, Anne hastily made things ready for Mrs Kennedy.
An hour later, Anne sat back in her chair and sipped more coffee while finishing her notes. After filing them she went to speak to Sam.
“Thanks for last night. I can’t believe I fell asleep like that. The rose was beautiful. You know, I should bring some into the office. Have I time to ‘phone Jenny before my next appointment?”
“No problem about last night. Your body was telling you to rest. As for the rose, I couldn’t resist. Yes, it might be a good idea to bring some in – it may help you to relax, as well as your patients. And yes, you do have time to call Jenny.”
He smiled as he answered.
“I’m doing it again, aren’t I? Racing ahead, trying to remember all I want to say,” she laughed at herself. “It’s a good job I don’t talk like that with my patients, they’d never come back!”
They were both laughing when the ‘phone rang.
It was David.
“I’ll take it in my office,” she said to Sam.
Sitting down once more at her desk, Anne picked up the ‘phone.
“David, is everything okay?” Concern filled her voice.
“Yes, yes. Jenny’s a little ropey, as you might expect. But she’ll be fine. We’re going to arrange for some counselling when we come back – could you recommended someone? We’re going away this morning. There’s a beautiful little cottage miles from anywhere – we should find the healing we need there. My boss has given it the okay. The girls will have a field day with all that countryside. Hang on; Jenny wants to speak to you. I’ll say goodbye now. We’ll let you know how to contact us. ‘Bye.”
The next voice was Jenny’s.
“Hello, Anne. Thanks for all that you’ve done. Sorry about yesterday. I still feel terrified about what happened. David’s told you we’re going away – I’m looking forward to time with my family.”
“Well, you certainly sound much better than you did. There’s no problem at all about yesterday – I’m just glad it’s all worked out for the best. I’ll arrange for counselling for when you get back. I know someone who will be perfect for you.”
Anne was relieved how strong Jenny had sounded.
“Okay, thanks, Anne. David will give you our number later after we arrive – just in case. But I’m hoping for some peace and quality time with my family.”
“Okay, I’m sure you’ll have a great time. Ring me later, and anytime you need to talk. Take care. ‘Bye.”
“Bye, Anne and thanks.”
They broke the connection.
******
The naked body lay on a slab in the morgue.
Inspector Meakin stood watching as the pathologist did her examination.
“What I can say is that stabbing was the cause of death. It has been expertly done. The blade went to the exact area of instant death. It certainly bears out your theory that it’s the same person committing these crimes.”
Doctor Linda Banks looked across at Meakin as she gave her professional opinion.
“Can you tell me what kind of knife was used?” Meakin asked.
“Not exactly, but I will say that the blade was long and slim. Nothing to give you an extra clue, I’m afraid. It could be anyone – though I would say that they would need to have a medical background. The way it was used, shows knowledge of the human body.”
“Can you give time of death?”
“Again, I can’t be exact, only that it’s been several days. I’ll need more time to be sure. Do you know who she was?
“Her clothes haven’t given much away. I’m hoping fingerprints may give us the answer. She may be on file.”
Meakin thanked her as he left the mortuary, deep in thought.
Somehow he felt this particular body was the key to unravelling this whole nightmare.
Back in his office, he pinned up the new victim’s picture to join the others.
Who are you? Where do you fit into this mess?
Talks with the boy who found her hadn’t helped.
He was sitting in his office chair when PC Moore once again poked his head around the door, his moustache moving excitedly.
Even he knew the significance of his news.
“Sir, we know who she is – she was on file for possession of marijuana a year ago. She had no parents or other family, as far as we know. She lived alone in a flat, kept to herself most of the time. Someone had persuaded her to attend a party in one of the other flats – where she was arrested. That’s what her file says, anyway. She paid her fine and left – she wasn’t found with much, just party stuff. Then about six months ago she was caught shoplifting; she got so upset that we had to bring in a doctor. Apparently, she tried to do herself harm. They admitted her to Tadmore Psychiatric Hospital. Her name is Amy Chambers. It seems she was discharged about two weeks ago, but never turned up for her outpatient appointment. I’ve rung the caretaker of the flats where she lived – he hadn’t seen her for ages, thought she’d gone back into hospital.
Moore was smiling as he finished his report and watched as Meakin jumped out of his seat and ran down the stairs.
******
After arriving at the hospital, Meakin was told that he would have to see Doctor Frank Miller – they were not authorised to give out patient details. He was given a visitor’s badge, which he fastened to his lapel, then directed to Miller’s office. Meakin still wore a suit despite the hot weather. He was a great believer in standards.
Frank was waiting for him when he arrived.
“Please sit down, Inspector. What can I do for you?”
Meakin had refused coffee and sat opposite the doctor and asked, “Do you remember a patient who was admitted here about six months ago; a Miss Amy Chambers?”
Surprised, Frank looked across at Meakin saying, “I thought you must be here about Alan Burgess’ death. What makes you ask about Amy?”
He felt queasy.
“No, we have nothing more on that case yet, though we are following a few leads. So, you do remember her?”
“Well, not really. She was one of Anne’s patients – Doctor Blake. She only consulted me on a minor matter – sometimes it’s good for doctors to talk about their patients, it helps clarify situations. Anne just wanted to back up her own theories as to treatment.”
Frank was afraid to ask what he knew what must be coming.
“A body of a young woman has been found – we believe it to be that of Miss Amy Chambers.”
Meakin spoke in his usual straightforward way.
Frank was shocked.
“Oh, God...how did she die? Are you going to say she was murdered like the others? Anne told me about a series of murders that seemed to be linked. Is it connected to Alan’s death?”
“I’m afraid to say that it looks like Miss Chambers was killed in the same way as the others – stabbed, always in the same area. That points to them having medical knowledge. The relevance of this hospital now seems clear; perhaps more specifically to Doctor Blake herself?”
Meakin waited for the reaction to this news.
Frank stood briskly, pushing back his chair.
“You don’t think that Anne would…? She could never…this is ridiculous!”
He sat back down and stared malevolently at Meakin.
The Inspector’s face was impassive as he related some of the facts of the case.
“We’d had an inkling that Tadmore was the connection between the victims of the past – but nothing was ever conclusive; too many variables. And not all of the victims had ever attended. The patterns we have found are that some of the victims were patients at this hospital, some had been stalked and not all reported it, if they had been...this has come to light afterwards, from what we’ve been able to piece together. In addition, all have been killed in the same way with what appears to be the same weapon. I’m still waiting for reports on murders that go further back than eighteen months ago – in particular regard to stalking. Because of the strong links in these cases, we believe it to be the same man.”
“You know it’s a man, then?”
“What we do know, is that whoever it is, has to be strong. The bodies were found in places where they would have to be carried or dragged. Miss Chambers was found in a barn – in the hayloft. Imagine how difficult it would have been to carry a dead body up there.”
“She wasn’t killed there, then?”
“No, there’s no evidence to suggest she was killed at the barn. There wasn’t enough blood.”
“So what do you need us to do?”
“We need a full report on all the victims we know attended this hospital – we’d like one on Miss Chambers as soon as possible.”
“That will be up to Doctor Blake, even when a patient dies, their files are confidential. Though I think, under the circumstances, she may be willing to help.”
“Well, we’ll certainly need to know who had access to files, and who was on duty. We need the names of all the staff that would have taken care of the victims – I’ll fax you a list from my office. When is Doctor Blake working at the hospital?” Meakin asked.
“She only comes here on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons. With her own practice, there’s more than enough work for her. She sometimes recommends her patients be admitted to hospital, so she’s pleased to be able to continue her care for them while they’re here. I’m always telling her she gets too involved. Poor Anne, she’ll be devastated when she hears the news. It’s been hard enough for her worrying about her friend.”
Frank looked uncomfortable.
Anne was going to need him.
He’d call her tonight.
