won’t. I promise.’
Sally turned on her heels and headed out of the office. ‘By the way,’ Sean called after her, ‘have a nice lunch.’
Hellier and Templeman sat close together in the interview room that served as their private consultation room.
‘I need to be out of this fucking dungeon by six at the latest,’ Hellier told him. ‘No excuses, Jonathon. You have to get me out.’
‘It’s difficult to make that promise,’ Templeman answered nervously. ‘The police won’t tell me much. Until I know what they’ve got, I can’t be expected to judge our position.’
‘Our position?’ Hellier asked. He put his hand on Templeman’s thigh and squeezed hard. Templeman winced. ‘No matter what, you’ll be walking out of here. It’s me they want to nail to the wall. Keep that in mind.’
Hellier released his grip and gently laid a hand on Templeman’s shoulder. He knew the man was scared of him. ‘I know you’ll do your best.’ He spoke softly. It only added to his menace.
Templeman swallowed his fear and spoke. ‘Before we can even think about bail, we have to prepare for the interview. If they’ve re-arrested you, they must have something. If you know what that could be, you need to tell me now. They want to start the interview as soon as they can, but they’re only telling me the minimum they’re legally obliged to. You have to help me to help you. We don’t want to walk into a trap. You should answer everything “no comment”.’
Hellier could barely disguise his contempt. ‘Trap! You think they’re clever enough to trap me? They’ve got nothing, and Corrigan knows it. He’s trying to make me panic. Well, let him do his worst. You just keep your mouth shut and try and look professional. Let me do the talking and follow my lead. If Corrigan wants to play, fucking let him. Tell them we’re ready to be interviewed.’
Sean began the interview with the usual formalities, Hellier responding with a nod when asked if he understood the caution and his other legal rights. He nodded again when Sean repeated that he had been arrested for the suspected murder of Linda Kotler. His face was expressionless.
In an effort to gain credibility with Hellier, Templeman immediately went on the offensive: ‘I would like it recorded that it has been almost impossible for me to properly instruct my client, as the investigating officers have told me nothing about the allegation. Nothing about any evidence they may have that indicates my client could in any way be involved in this crime.’
Sean had been expecting as much. ‘The allegation is one of suspected rape and murder. It occurred less than thirty-six hours ago. I’m sure your client will be able to answer my questions without being given prior knowledge.’ Sean waited for a protest. None came. ‘I’ll keep the questions simple and direct.’ He and Hellier locked eyes across the table, then Sean launched into the interrogation: ‘Did you know Linda Kotler?’
‘No,’ Hellier answered.
‘Was that a no comment or a no?’
‘That was a no. I don’t know anyone by the name of Linda Kotler.’
‘Have you ever been to Minford Gardens in Shepherd’s Bush?’ Sean was trying to shut him in.
‘I don’t know. Maybe,’ Hellier answered.
‘Maybe?’
‘I’ve been to Shepherd’s Bush, so maybe I’ve been there.’
‘Minford Gardens?’ Sean repeated.
‘Wherever.’
‘Have you ever been to number seventy-three Minford Gardens?’
‘No.’
‘Sure?’
‘Positive.’ Hellier sounded bored.
‘Are you absolutely sure?’ Sean had to be precise. Any ambiguity now would be exploited later by the defence. Hellier didn’t answer. ‘I’ll take that as confirmation. But you’re lying. You have been there,’ Sean continued.
Hellier gave no reaction other than raising one eyebrow slightly. Sean noticed it.
‘You met Linda Kotler. You met her the same night you killed her.’
‘Really, Inspector,’ Templeman jumped in. ‘If you have evidence to support your allegation that my client was involved, then why don’t you just say so and tell us what it is. Otherwise this interview is over.’ Sean ignored him. Throughout the interruption he maintained eye contact with Hellier.
‘Where were you the night before last?’ Sean asked.
‘You mean you don’t know?’ Hellier tormented him. ‘All those policemen following me and you have to ask me where I was. How galling that must be for you.’
‘No games.’ Sean was trying to keep the pace going. ‘Where were you?’
‘That’s my business,’ Hellier snapped.
Good. His calm was breaking.
‘And now it’s mine,’ said Sean. ‘Who were you with?’
‘No comment.’
The questions and answers came quickly. Templeman kept on the lookout for a break, a chance to object, but he knew neither Sean nor Hellier would listen to him. This was between the two of them. Personal.
‘If you’ve got an alibi, you’d better give it now,’ Sean told him.
‘I don’t have to prove a damn thing,’ Hellier retorted.
‘You weren’t at home.’
‘Your point?’
‘And you weren’t at work.’
‘So?’
‘So between seven p.m. and three a.m. the next morning, where were you? During the time Linda Kotler was murdered, where were you?’ Sean’s voice was rising.
Hellier fought back. ‘Where were you, Inspector? That’s what people will really want to know. Would she be alive now if you’d done your job properly? You’re desperate and it shows. You stink of fear. It’s blinded you. What have you got? Nothing but theories.
‘So you don’t know where I was the night this woman was killed. That proves nothing.’ Hellier leaned back, satisfied.
‘How long did you watch her for?’ Sean suddenly asked. ‘For a week, like you did with Daniel Graydon, or was it longer? Did you spend days and days fantasizing about killing her, the images in your mind growing ever more vivid until you could no longer wait? You followed her home, didn’t you, James? Then you watched her windows, waiting for the lights to go out. And when they did, you waited until you were certain she was asleep before you scrambled up the drainpipe and climbed through her bathroom window. Then you knocked her unconscious, tied her in your favourite bondage position and raped and sodomized her. And when you were finished, you strangled her – didn’t you?’
Hellier
