Cold Revenge (Willis/Carter #6)(60)

‘What were the other lines of inquiry?’ asked Maxwell. ‘Can you just run through those with us?’

‘Of course. They put forward ones about the disciples. They thought there was a lot more they could have told the investigation at the time. They were complicit in other crimes of Douglas’s, like selling drugs. They were completely under his power and tuition – it’s highly likely they took part in the assaults that went on in the bungalow. There were some theories that Heather intended to run away with someone too.’

Willis looked up. ‘Why did they think she was going to run away with someone else?’

‘They interviewed one of her school friends who said that she was.’

‘Where is that friend now?’

‘They emigrated to Australia and died in a motorbike accident. I have brought along the notes and the statements taken at the time.’ She handed them across.

‘What were the inquiries at the time, re a person she might be running away with?’ asked Willis.

‘It wasn’t likely to be one of her school friends. It had to be someone she became friendly with at the farm,’ answered Blackman. ‘What did the team find out about what happened to Ash?’

‘They got as far as finding his mother had been sectioned and cared for in hospital for a couple of weeks in Southampton and then discharged and there is no trace of either one since,’ said Blackman. ‘They didn’t bother looking any further because neither Ash nor his mum were there at the time Heather disappeared, they had been gone a while according to statements at the time.’

‘But he could have come back?’ said Willis. ‘You have to wonder if he ever made it out of that place alive.’

‘He was only sixteen at the time,’ said Willis, ‘and he and Heather were friends. He had no choice but to socialise because Douglas let him live there on his field.’

‘What about Douglas? When are you seeing him again?’ asked Maxwell.

‘I’ll try and see him again tomorrow,’ said Willis. ‘He’ll have had time to think things over. We’ve had restrictions placed on his freedoms.’

‘What does he seem like when you talk to him?’ asked Maxwell. ‘What did he say about Lambs Farm and the graves?’

‘He was flustered, thoughtful at first, and then he seemed to dismiss it. It almost made him happy. He seems to think this is all going to end up good for him. I really hope he’s wrong,’ Willis said.

‘What about Saul, the blacksmith who lives on the farm lane?’ asked Maxwell. ‘Douglas mentioned him,’ answered Willis, ‘but he didn’t really throw him into the mix. What have you got on him?’

‘Nothing,’ answered Blackman. ‘The team can’t find sufficient motive for him to kill the disciples. But he is selling up. He’s a loner. It will be worth checking up on his movements. He was a friend to Heather.’

‘Tell me what you have learnt today about Rachel McKinney’s grave and at Lambs Farm?’ Carter asked Maxwell.

‘Well, it depends on whether we find remains that can be directly linked to Douglas, doesn’t it? We got close today. I feel we saw some of Douglas’s life in those graves. I can’t promise you that what I learnt will be worth anything if we don’t find a body closely associated with Douglas. We know he was willing to travel anywhere but if he had a special place he brought victims to, it’s not going to be hours away. I think three hours max. Rachel McKinney is the nearest we will ever come to a survivor of Douglas’s.’

‘I don’t think she will be able to help us,’ said Carter. ‘She says she was blindfolded through a lot of it.’

‘She must have been moved during that time,’ said Maxwell. ‘She has to remember something.’

‘I don’t give up hope on it,’ said Willis. ‘And there were many people affected by what went on at the bungalow. The disciples brought friends with them when they came to party; they were encouraged to do so.’

‘We have made a point of asking people to come forward who haven’t felt able before. I’m hopeful people will,’ said Carter.

‘If Douglas does get out in June, I hope we can fix it to re-arrest him at the gate,’ said Willis.

‘He must think whatever we find there cannot be traced to him?’ said Maxwell. ‘Maybe he’s right. If so, I’ll just have to find another site.’

‘Stephen Perry is on my mind a lot,’ said Carter. ‘Hector is putting together a report on his finances. Perry might want protection and, while I don’t blame him, he could afford to hire his own security and he hasn’t done so.’

‘Has Cathy Dwyer been located yet?’ asked Maxwell.

‘We know where she lives.’ Willis looked at Carter and raised an eyebrow. ‘Shall we?’

Carter nodded. ‘Time to pay her a visit.’





Chapter 31


When they got back to the car Carter looked across at Willis. ‘Do you have an address?’

‘I have a London director’s address in Canary Wharf, yes.’

Carter looked at his watch. ‘I need to ring Cabrina but it’ll take too long for me to explain everything. Let me just text her instead.’

‘I understand.’