Chapter Twenty-Eight
Magee had been at home enjoying a late breakfast listening to the radio as the news of Ronnie Nelson’s murder broke. For the first time in his life, he turned on breakfast time television, hoping for better coverage, and was delighted to see a live report from the scene. He sat tensely, eyes glued to the screen, feeling frustrated that he was not involved.
‘There's Jackson!’ he pointed out to his wife, as a man appeared on screen walking towards the film crew.
‘He looks very pleased with himself,’ Jenny replied. ‘What's he done?’
‘I'm not sure yet. Just a second, he's coming to the microphone.’
Magee’s mood became increasingly gloomier as he listened to Inspector Jackson take the credit for the case. His heart sank when Jackson told the country that everyone could now sleep safely in their beds at night knowing that the murderer had been apprehended. It was a syrupy speech, he thought, just what the Home Secretary would love to hear.
‘This crap is making me feel sick!’ Magee spluttered. ‘Jackson has contributed nothing to the case, yet he's acting like he caught the murderer single handed. Look, there's Melissa. Come to bask in the spotlight as well, I suppose. Traitor! Look at that, she's come over to stand right next to Jackson. Hoping some of the credit will rub off on her, I suppose.’
‘She doesn't look as though she's enjoying it,’ Jenny observed. ‘That’s her unhappy face, Jack. I’ve seen it before. She’s not happy about something, I can tell that.’
‘Well, she's smiling now! Look at that grin.’ He switched the television off in disgust.
A few moments later Magee’s telephone rang interrupting his sulk. He grabbed at it and snapped, ‘Yes, who is it?’
‘It's me, sir.’
‘Melissa? What do you want? Gloating about the case are you? Well I’d rather not hear about it.’
‘Have you been watching Jackson on the television by any chance?’
‘Yes I have. And I suppose you’ve rung to rub salt in my wounds.’
‘Not at all, sir. Calm down!’
‘Calm down? How can I calm down when Jackson is stealing my case from under me?’
‘Forget Jackson, his statement was a bit optimistic.’
Magee paused as he took in Melissa’s words. ‘What do you mean by that?’
‘I mean, sir, that our killer is still out there. Jackson’s so-called murderer is a young Thai man. We found him at the scene, almost unconscious, but he’s so obviously a plant. I think it’s a set-up, and not a particularly good one either, if you ask me.’
‘A set-up?’
‘Well, there’re plenty of inconsistencies that give the game away. Jackson’s fallen for it though. The killer left clues like they’re going out of fashion.’
‘Whoa, slow down, Melissa. I’m not with you.’
‘The young Thai man, Ning is his name, is a twenty-four year old masseur from Kemp Town. I’m sure it will be easy to verify his alibis for the other murders. Jackson hasn’t even taken the time to think about that.’
‘He always was a bit hasty.’
‘Ning has really badly bruised wrists. They’re chaffed and burnt, as though his hands have been tied up tightly and he’s been struggling to free himself.’
‘Have you got SOCO working on that?’
‘I have, don’t worry. Next point is that the skin around Ning’s mouth is sticky. I reckon he must have been gagged at some stage last night.’
‘This is looking interesting. Any more?’
‘Yes. When we found him at the scene he was really groggy, like he’d been drugged, not knocked unconscious in a fight as Jackson is suggesting.’
‘So what you’re saying is . . .’
‘I’m pretty sure he was dumped on site. SOCO are sure there were two people in the car that brought him here, which is still in the drive, but there’s no evidence of anyone sitting on the driver’s side. The driver must have worn gloves, but we couldn’t find any at the scene.’
‘Hang on, Melissa, any cadet could piece that together in about two minutes flat.’
‘Precisely, sir. The killer has made a complete fool out of Jackson. He must have meant to do it because the clues he left are so obvious.’
Magee was perplexed. ‘But what did he hope to achieve? A few hours of police confusion, perhaps?’
‘No, I don’t think so, sir. I think he had a plan. A very clever plan.’
‘Don’t keep me in suspense, Melissa. What plan?’
‘What’s the most likely outcome? With Jackson, that is?’
‘Everyone will see what a fool he is.’
‘Yes, and then?’
‘He’ll be taken off the case.’
‘And?’
‘And nothing, Melissa. Someone else will take over.’
‘And who might that be?’
Magee paused to gather his thoughts. ‘Surely not? You think the killer wants me back?’
‘Yes, sir. I think he does. For whatever reason, I think he wants you investigating the case, not Jackson. The scene was so different to the other three cases, clues literally scattered around like confetti.’
‘But why, Melissa? Why on earth would the killer want me back on the case?’
‘I’m not too sure on that one, sir. Maybe he likes the challenge? Maybe he’s on an ego trip, battling his wits against yours?’
‘It’s possible, I suppose, or . . .’
‘Or what, sir?’
‘Maybe he can’t get to someone.’
‘Sorry, sir?’
‘Oh, nothing, Melissa, just thinking aloud. Look, you’d better get back to Jackson before he starts to get suspicious. Thanks for this, I need to sit down and think where to go next.’
‘Okay, sir. See you soon I hope.’