Read The Ultimate Selection: Be Careful Who You Talk To Online

Authors: S. J. Wardell

Tags: #detective, #her last scream, #the hitman's guide to housecleaning, #midwiter sacrifice, #kerry wilkinson, #Crime, #psychological, #alex walters, #danielle ramsay, #james patterson, #ben cheetham, #detectivecrime, #police, #vigilante, #blood guilt, #trust no one, #simon kernick, #taunting the dead, #lee child, #jo nesbo, #killing floor, #rosamund lupton, #mel sherrat, #murder, #katia lief, #the faithless, #siege, #mark capell, #martina cold, #steig larsson, #michael connoelly, #locked in, #silent witness, #bloody valentine, #the enemy, #thriller, #mystery, #Mons kallentoft, #luther, #gritty, #patricial cornwell, #harry bosch, #stephen leather, #stuart macbride, #bloody, #london, #red mist, #hard landing

The Ultimate Selection: Be Careful Who You Talk To (18 page)

BOOK: The Ultimate Selection: Be Careful Who You Talk To
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‘Yes, I agree, that would be fine. Please keep me abreast of the proposed joint interviews,' Barnford said, as he helped Sharon to her feet.

‘But of course,' Terry replied. The two detectives stayed in the room, waiting for Sharon and her solicitor to leave.

‘What's happened?' Terry asked eagerly.

‘A young male has walked in to West Hendon police station and wants to talk to us about Hector.'

‘Who is this guy?'

‘Only one way to find out.'

‘I'm going to need to see the pathologist's report on Hector… Oh, and I'm going to need to know what Hector's mobile number is, or was.'

‘We can pick that up later. I'll phone a mate of mine now but I think we should go and see this bloke at West Hendon nick first, mate.'

‘Yeah, I agree. Knowing our luck he's the local nutter!' Terry laughed.

***

As the two men walked in to the reception area of West Hendon police station they were met by another detective.

‘He's in interview room three,' the detective told them, pointing to his left, ‘I'll buzz you through.'

The young male was waiting patiently, in silence when the two detectives entered the room.

‘Detective McFarland, I saw you on the television, I have so much to tell you.'

‘OK, what's this all about?' McFarland asked the scrawny camp man.

‘What's your name?' Terry thought that it would be better if they knew a little about this guy.

‘My name is Julian Jones… you can call me Jules if you like. I'm twenty-two, and I live on my own on Chalkhill Estate, Wembley Park. One hundred and nineteen Gold Walk.'

‘What do you want to tell us, Julian?' Terry enquired. Both detectives leant forward indicating that Julian had their full attention.

‘I witnessed Hector's kidnap. I was there.'

‘I hope you are not wasting our time Julian?' McFarland said impatiently.

‘Honest… I was there…' Julian began to panic.

‘Go on, tell us more,' Terry smiled, his interest in what story he was about to hear grew.

‘OK… Hector and I had met in the Penny Farthing and he bought me a few drinks. We got talking, and he told me that he was married with two children. He enjoyed a bit of both worlds, if you know what I mean?' Julian giggled awkwardly.

‘Get on with it, we haven't got all day,' McFarland barked, wanting Julian to cut to the chase.

‘OK, OK… Hector was known to a few of the more regular clientele in the Penny for picking up someone and getting some action in the alley round the back of the pub. Apparently, he was well hung. Well, on Friday…'

‘Is that this Friday just gone?' Terry wanted Julian to be precise.

‘No, about two weeks last Friday. Well, Hector and I went round the back and started doing what we do and when we finished, Hector started hitting me, telling me how disgusting I was. I begged him to stop, well we'd just made love for fuck's sake… when all of a sudden this hunk appeared knocking Hector to the ground.' Julian paused, his manner seemed a little uneasy, even scared.

‘Please go on,' Terry instructed.

‘Well, Hector fell to the ground with a crash and this man wearing a skintight rubber suit stood there. I told him not to hurt me. He was a mean hunk of a bastard.'

‘Did he say anything?' Terry asked.

‘Yeah, he told me to fuck off before he changed his mind.'

‘Changed his mind? About what?'

‘I don't know, about letting me go without giving me a good hiding?'

‘What did he look like, this man?'

‘He wore a mask and it was dark. I couldn't see any of his features really. He was very athletic; he seemed powerful, strong, a body to die for… oops, sorry,' Julian chuckled. His nerves were not helping.

‘Have you ever been in trouble with the police?' McFarland asked.

‘No never,' Julian snapped. ‘What's this? I came here under my own volition.' There was a nervous edge to his voice.

‘What made you come in here under your own volition and decide to tell us all this?' Terry continued.

‘I just think that it's my duty. Hector was a bastard; everyone who knew him knew that. But he didn't deserve to die.' That was when all his emotions came flooding out, crying and sobbing. ‘He was bisexual. So fucking what? He liked a bit of rough after. Every one of us knew that he was a bastard, but he didn't deserve to die.'

‘McFarland, get him a cup of sweet tea would you?'

‘Aye, I will.'

‘Was that particular Friday your first time with Hector, Julian?'

‘No,' Julian lifted his head, ‘but you already knew that, didn't you?'

‘You were in love with Hector, but you had always known he would never be yours, yours alone, and that's why you're so upset, heartbroken.'

‘Hector was only mine when Hector said so. He was a bastard, but that's who he was. Detective, I slept with other men as well and Hector slept with others. I don't know why that guy killed him and let me live.'

‘You did the right thing Julian, coming here and telling us this. You've been a massive help.'

McFarland came back in the room.

‘Get a WPC to come and sit with him until he's ready to go. Take your time drinking your tea Julian and, once again, thanks for coming in to see us. What you've told us may help us with our investigations. May we contact you if we need to talk to you about anything that we think you could help us with?'

Julian sharply nodded.

‘And please feel free to contact us,' Terry said as he stood up once the female officer entered the room. ‘Look after him won't you?'

‘Yes, sir,' the young inexperienced uniformed officer replied. McFarland placed his card on the table in front of Julian.

‘McFarland, let's go talk to Martin.'

The two men left the police station and got into McFarland's car.

‘There's a pattern emerging,' Terry said.

‘Aye,' McFarland replied, not knowing what his partner was on about, ‘and what's that?'

‘Both murdered victims treated their women like shit. And this guy, The Ultimate, knew this. How did he know this? He told me that he knew everything, that he watched us, specifically you. We need to find out if Hector's wife knew about his double life. I'll go and talk to Martin, and you go and talk to Mandy Hylie. We need to know how she's coping with her husband's death.'

‘Right. How are you going to get home from Borehamwood nick, have you thought about that?'

‘Good question.' Terry paused. ‘Plan B we'll both go and see Mandy Hylie, Martin can wait,' his thoughts had raced away with him.

Placing his right foot on the brake pedal and his left on the clutch pedal with a swift down selection of gear, McFarland swung the car around so that it faced the opposite direction. Terry braced himself.

‘Fucking hell, mate!' Terry cried.

The smell of rubber from the screeching tyres filled the cabin of their vehicle.

‘Yeee-haarrrrrr!' the Scotsman yelped.

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Both men stood outside the front door waiting for someone to open it. This time McFarland banged on the door using the side of his clenched fist.

‘Hold on, hold on I'm coming for Christ's sake,' the voice behind the closed door said.

As the door opened, a petite woman emerged.

‘If you're from the papers you can sling your hook, go on piss off!'

‘Hello, I'm Detective Inspector James McFarland, and this is…'

‘I know who you are, I saw you on the telly. I'm so sorry for being so rude – I'm sick of journalists,' Mandy interrupted. ‘Please come in…'

‘Thank you,' Terry replied. Following Mandy, Terry could not help but notice how quiet the house was. ‘Where are your children?' Terry asked.

‘At my mother's, I want them out of the way until all this mess is sorted. Would anyone like some tea? I'm sure I could find a couple of digestives.'

Both detectives were directed to the living room.

‘Find a seat and I'll be with you in a moment.'

Almost fifteen minutes later, Mandy emerged from the kitchen carrying a tray which she set down in the middle of the coffee table in the living room.

‘You seem to be handling this whole situation very well Mrs Hylie,' Terry commented, and then continued, ‘How are you holding up?'

‘You have to carry on. Life goes on. OK, I did love him and, yes, I will be the first to admit, he wasn't a brilliant husband… but, all said and done, he was my husband and, yes, I have been freed from him. Sorry if that sounds terrible but that's the terrible reality of life, and life is with my children now.' She was being very open. ‘If I had my time again, I wouldn't have married Hector, but then I wouldn't have my two beautiful children. He wasn't always that way, the way people say he is. Once upon a time he used to be a gentle, kind man. I think it was when he decided that he wanted to bat for both sides, that was when he started to punish others.'

‘How long has, or sorry, did Hector embark on these bisexual conquests?' Terry asked, sipping his tea.

‘I don't know and I suppose I never will know exactly how long it was.' Mandy paused for thought, ‘I found out about four years ago, but I know that it had been going on for a lot longer.' She shook her head, ‘What I don't know, won't hurt me – that is what he always told me. But it tore me apart. You can understand that can't you?'

‘Yes, we do understand. Have you been to see Martin?'

‘No, not yet, I'm not ready for that. Anyway, I'm the last person Martin would want to see. My God, his poor girlfriend and their baby.' Her emotions seemed rock solid.

‘Do you know why Martin did it?'

‘He had no choice. Anyone faced with what he was faced with would have done the same. Tell him that I forgive him and that I love him. He will always be my brother and before you ask, I'm well aware of Martin's hatred for Hector and that the only reason Martin never laid a finger on him was me.'

‘So you knew about Hector's double life?'

‘Oh come on. It was hardly a double life. He would go out to a gay bar and find a man to have sex with… I knew, oh I knew.' Mandy took a sip of hot tea.

‘Did it bother you that he had unprotected sex with these men?'

‘Of course it fucking bothered me! What could I do? If I said anything, Hector would give me a right-hander. He used to threaten to bugger me if I didn't shut up. Yeah, give it to me up the arse.'

Mandy reached over and picked up a biscuit, ‘Want one?' she asked.

Both detectives declined.

‘I'm a woman who married in to hard knocks. I'm simply hardened to it all. Hector was a nasty bastard and now he's dead. But I'll tell you one other thing, he never got near my arse!' She automatically burst in to tears. Maybe she wasn't so tough after all.

‘We will catch this man for you.'

‘Don't catch him for me, catch him for Martin, catch him for my kids. He freed me by imprisoning my brother. Ying and yang, pleasure and pain, there's a lot to be said for those Chinese people. All that karma they rant on about – there's something in it, I think.'

‘Well, thank you for the tea, and thank you for sparing us your time. I think you are a very remarkable and honest woman.' Terry held Mandy's hand in both of his, ‘Have a great life Mrs Hylie. Now you can truly begin to live your life with complete freedom.'

‘Thank you, I will. Once this is all over, I'm going to take my kids to Spain. I've got a friend who lives there. We'll stay with her for a while,' she smiled. ‘What is your name?'

‘Terry, Terry Bane.'

‘Thank you Mr Terry Bane.' Mandy closed the front door behind the two men.

‘I want someone to go and check on her, and also that her children are alright. She gave me the creeps,' Terry said.

‘Yeah me too, good God, if talking was an Olympic sport.'

‘That's just her way of dealing with it.'

‘Maybe...' To McFarland, everyone was a suspect.

Chapter Thirty

Martin was escorted to an interview room. He had been told why he had been summoned there, though he did not understand why the two detectives wanted to talk to him again.

‘Hello Martin,' Terry said walking into the room.

‘Hello.'

‘We've just been to see your sister, and that's why we're a little late. Sorry for that.'

‘How is she? How's Mandy?'

‘She is remarkably well and handling the whole thing very smoothly if you ask me. She wants us to tell you that she forgives you, and that she still loves you.'

‘At least she's free, free from that fat bastard.'

‘How you've changed your tune. May I ask what has brought this on?'

‘I'm fucked aren't I? I'm gonna get life for this, but at least I can serve my time knowing that my sister hasn't got to put up with that bastard any longer.'

‘OK, calm down and listen please Martin. The real reason for our visit is to ask you if you'd be interested in an idea that we've had. As you know, you are the second person this guy has forced to kill. We have been talking with the first this morning. I must inform you at this time that she does have legal representation and if you'd like us to appoint you with a duty solicitor please let us know. If you're in agreement, we would like to interview you both together at the same time. What do you think?'

‘What has her brief said?'

‘Mr Barnford is in agreement with our suggestion. I must also inform you that if you do agree, you must also agree that this remains strictly confidential. If this was to become public knowledge then the whole case would be thrown out and the orchestrator would walk free.'

‘What's in it for me?'

‘OK, at the moment you are looking at a charge of murder. If we can catch this guy, there is a chance of your charge being reduced to involuntary manslaughter.'

‘About ten years, pal, but you'll get out after about four if you behave yourself; keep your nose clean and your mouth shut,' McFarland summarized.

‘Why would talking to us together help?'

‘There are definitely some similarities with both crimes. By sharing your information and feeding off each other, there is a chance that you might unearth something.'

‘I know how you lot operate, you'll twist our stories and land us in the frame. The Old Bill have never helped me in the past, why should they now?' Martin slouched back in his chair folding his arms and oozing arrogance.

‘OK Martin. Let's put it another way, if you won't help us, how can we help you? We're doing the best we can here, but we need your co-operation,' Terry said standing up, ‘without it, we're snookered in this part of the investigation. I'm only trying to help you. Unless we catch this man, he will continue.'

‘I'll take my chances thanks.' Martin looked away.

‘OK Martin you've had your chance, fifteen to life it is then. Oh and I'll make sure that the CPS knows how much you wanted to co-operate and help us during the investigation. Listen, the offer stands until midnight tonight; if you want to talk to us, you know where we are.'

‘Hold on a minute, if the girl's willing to do this, I'll do it for her. I'm not doing this to help you, I'm only doing it to help her and so you can catch this geezer.'

‘That's the only way we think.'

‘OK, set it up,' Martin growled begrudgingly.

‘Come on, McFarland, you owe me a pint,' Terry announced.

BOOK: The Ultimate Selection: Be Careful Who You Talk To
8.72Mb size Format: txt, pdf, ePub
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