DI Sean Corrigan Crime Series: 6-Book Collection: Cold Killing, Redemption of the Dead, The Keeper, The Network, The Toy Taker and The Jackdaw. Luke Delaney
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I doubt he killed the other people you think he did.’
‘Why?’ Sean asked.
‘Because he would have told me.’
‘Why would he want to do that?’
‘To remind me of what I had become. To remind me that I belonged to him.’
Sean and Donnelly looked at each other in silence. Finally Sean spoke.
‘Mr Jarratt, it’s time you met a friend of mine.’ A short, stocky figure dressed in a scruffy dark suit walked into the kitchen. ‘This is Detective Inspector Reger, Professional Standards and Ethics, or as you may remember it, Complaints Investigation.’
Reger casually showed Jarratt his warrant card. ‘Paul Jarratt, you’re under arrest for theft and assisting an offender. Get what you need – you’re coming with me.’
The two tape cassettes in the recorder turned simultaneously. Hellier had said nothing. He sat silently. Face badly bruised, his broken nose taped open to let him breathe. He refused to confirm his name. Let Templeman do the talking until he felt it necessary to speak himself. First he would wait and see if the police were wasting his time, again.
DC Fiona Cahill sat at Sean’s side. He wanted to have a woman police officer in the interview, so he could see how Hellier reacted to the allegation that he’d attacked Sally. If his eyes darted to DC Cahill, it would be a good indication he felt some guilt. Could Hellier ever feel guilt?
Sean was looking forward to this interview. Until now, he’d been at a disadvantage, but the discovery that Hellier was Korsakov had tipped the balance in his favour. He completed the pre-interview procedure, eager to get underway.
‘Mr Hellier, James, it’s time for you to talk to us,’ Sean began. ‘It’s over.’ Hellier said nothing. ‘It will go much better for you if you talk to us,’ Sean continued. ‘Help me understand why you did these things.’
Nothing.
‘Why did you kill Daniel Graydon?’ Sean asked. ‘Why did you kill Heather Freeman? Why did you kill Linda Kotler? Why did you try and kill Detective Sergeant Sally Jones?’
Sean knew he had to keep going. He knew Hellier wouldn’t be able to remain silent much longer. His ego wouldn’t allow it.
‘What did these people mean to you?’ he persisted. ‘Did you know them? Had they done something to make you angry? Did they deserve to die?’
‘You know nothing,’ Hellier snapped.
‘Why did you kill these people?’ Sean demanded, his voice raised now.
Hellier regained his stoicism. ‘No comment.’
‘She’s still alive you know. DS Jones is alive – and she’s tough. She’ll pull through. She’ll confirm it was you who attacked her.’
‘Really,’ Hellier said.
‘Yes. Really.’
‘Ha.’ Hellier laughed. ‘You’re a damn fool.’
‘You’re just damned,’ Sean countered.
‘Probably.’ Hellier seemed pleased at the prospect. ‘But right now I’m just bored.’
‘Maybe I can get your interest? At your last interview, you gave us samples of blood and hair. Remember?’
‘No comment.’
‘You can answer that question,’ Templeman advised. Hellier turned his head slowly to him. He stared at him, eyes slit.
‘No comment.’
‘For the benefit of the tape,’ Sean explained. ‘Mr Hellier was arrested yesterday on suspicion of having raped and murdered Linda Kotler. On that occasion he provided samples of hair and blood for forensic comparison to hair samples found in Linda Kotler’s flat. Does that refresh your memory?’ Hellier feigned disinterest. ‘Those samples have since been analysed at our forensic laboratory. It has been confirmed that the samples taken from the scene are a DNA match to samples provided by you.’
At this, Hellier focused on Sean, eyes narrowed, head turned slightly to one side. Sean noted the reaction.
‘It’s over,’ he said. ‘No more games. You can’t argue with DNA evidence. Like I said, it would be better for you if you start talking.’
Hellier said nothing. Sean spoke almost sympathetically: ‘Tell us about the things you’ve done,’ he encouraged. ‘I want to hear about the … exceptional things you’ve done.’
‘No comment.’
‘What was the point in doing the things you did if you don’t tell the world?’ Sean tried to appeal to his ego.
‘You and I both know you’re lying, Inspector. You couldn’t have matched my DNA to this woman because I’ve never set eyes on her.’
Hellier’s response surprised Sean. He hadn’t expected that. Hadn’t expected such a definitive denial. He’d assumed Hellier would try and talk his way around the DNA evidence, as he had with Daniel Graydon. In spite of everything, the man was capable of knocking him back, souring what should have been his moment of triumph. No matter, the DNA evidence alone would hang Hellier.
Hellier studied Sean. His eyes twitched with the concentration.
‘You think I’m lying?’ Sean asked. ‘Mr Templeman will confirm I’m not allowed to lie about evidence. Only suspects are allowed to lie.’
‘I think we’re at the stage where you should be specific about the DNA evidence you have,’ Templeman said.
‘Two hairs,’ Sean answered confidently. ‘Both recovered from the crime scene at Linda Kotler’s flat. One on the body. One next to the body. We could tell by their positions that they had very recently been deposited, and both those hairs belong to you, Mr Hellier.’
Hellier was without emotion. ‘No comment.’
‘Can you explain how your hair came to be in Linda Kotler’s flat?’ Sean asked.
Hellier glared at him contemptuously. ‘No comment.’
‘This is physical evidence from the scene. I want to remind you that if you fail or refuse to explain here and now how your hair came to be in Linda Kotler’s flat, then a jury can draw a negative inference from your failure or refusal to do so. Do you understand, Mr Hellier?’
‘No comment.’
Sean leaned across the table, closer to Hellier. ‘I don’t blame you for not answering. And I know why you won’t, because there is only one explanation, isn’t there? That you went to her flat and you killed her.’
‘No comment,’ Hellier answered quickly.
‘You raped her and killed her.’
‘No comment.’
‘You raped her. You tortured her. And you killed her.’ Sean’s anger was rising.
‘No comment,’ Hellier raised his voice to match Sean’s.
‘Do one decent thing in your life,’ Sean snapped. ‘If you can find one shred of humanity in your body, then use it to help the people whose lives you’ve shattered. Give the victims’ families some closure. Admit to these crimes.’
‘If you have the evidence, then you give them closure,’ Hellier taunted. ‘Charge me. Tell them you’ve put the man who killed their darling daughter or son behind bars. Why do you need me to confess? Do you lack belief, Inspector?’
‘Belief’s got nothing to do with it, James – or should I start calling you by your real name, Mr Korsakov? Mr Stefan Korsakov?’
Sean waited for Hellier’s reaction. A slight smile, nothing more.
‘Like