James woke up the next morning and caught a sleepy glance at his watch. His heart thundered as he realized that he should have been at work 15 minutes ago. He jumped up, put a clean set of clothes on and dashed for his car. He arrived at the station to find it busy with people and preoccupied with other cases. This surprised him as he thought they would be busy with the suicide case. James wandered into the main room to find Simon Matthews standing on top of a desk grabbing people’s attention.
“James, over here”. Simon shouted with his surprising loud voice.
“Yes sir” James replied anxiously.
“I’ve got you a new case. It’s a simple robbery, you can start immediately”. Simon passed him the thin file and started to walk away.
“Sir, why are none of us investigating the Zoe Jones case”? James said, mystified at why the case wasn’t being looked into.
“Why? It doesn’t need investigating. It was a suicide, simple as. Now start working or I’ll sack you before you can say sorry”. Simon yelled as he began to lose his patience.
“Yea, sure sir. Sorry sir”.
“Good. Now get to work”.
James couldn’t believe it. He knew that both the murders were linked and he couldn’t believe that Simon was that blind not to see it. He recognized Simon as an excellent cop and that was why he was Chief Superintendent but he couldn’t forgive Simon for this blatant mistake. James went to his office and flicked through his case but the only thing on his mind were the two murders. He decided that he needed some fresh air and left his office.
He exited the police station and pulled his last cigarette out of the packet. He reached for his lighter but a billboard, up on the side of the building, advertising the effects of smoking on your health, persuaded him to put the cigarette back. He started to walk back into his office when he saw two officers holding a man. He knew that man too well. It was Ted Vecna, the man he suspected of killing Susan Mason. He saw both the officers take him inside the station. James dashed inside and asked one of the officers why they brought him in. He replied by explaining that he had beaten up ‘sum old geezer’ and had been taken into custody. James knew that this was a perfect opportunity to find out if Ted was the murderer of both the young girls. He scurried outside and got into his car. The loud engine roared around the car park as he thundered off up the road.
As he drove he thought of a plan. If Ted’s house was empty then maybe he could uncover something that could reveal him as a murderer. James knew that there was only one way to find out. He arrived at the house. It was different from the last time he saw it. Although it was still as impressive as he remembered. The lawn was recently mowed. The flowers were tropical and colourful and the house was gleaming and glossy. James drove the car round the side and got out. Fortunately he knew the house well and this would help snoop around the house. He walked up to the side door and thrust a small piece of wire into the lock. He moved from side to side and turned the knob repeatedly. It clicked and clanked but finally it opened.
He stepped into the house. The house was clean and fresh. All of the appliances and furnishings were new and modern. He started to search anxiously for anything that could prove Ted was a murderer. He checked draws, cupboards, wardrobes, anything he could think of but he didn’t find anything. It made him wonder if Ted was a suspect in either of the murders. Maybe he was innocent. James then realised that maybe the suicides were not being investigated because they were just simple suicides. Maybe his gut feeling was wrong. It was only a feeling.
At that moment his heart sunk. The sound of footsteps made him look franticly for a place to hide. He dived like an action hero behind the sofa. As he did this he knocked over a small chest that was locked. To his surprise it opened and spilled all of the contents onto the floor. It was like he had struck gold. There, right in front of him were two bracelets. Both blood stained. They had two different inscriptions on them. They both said, Zoe Jones and Susan Mason. James gasped in horror but then quickly remembered that someone was entering the house. The door slowly opened to reveal two men. He knew that one of them was Ted but he was shocked to see who the other man was. He couldn’t believe that he didn’t know. It was right under his nose and he didn’t get it. It explained a lot. Why he wasn’t taken seriously with cases that involved Ted. How he acted and how Ted got away with so many things. It was Simon. He stood there with Ted like they were friends. Like they knew each other well. It was hard for James to take it all in as he looked up to Simon so much. He listened in to what they were saying.
“Sorry Ted but it was the only way we could meet without it raising suspicion. Now they just think I was escorting you home”. Simon said with a voice James had never heard. It was evil. It had a cold whisper that James didn’t like.
“Nah, no problem mate. This time next week, me and you will be off the hook thanks to you. Well Spain is almost around the corner and then I won’t have to worry about a thing. Then nobody will find us”. Ted’s voice was hard for James to forget.
“Yea well I’ve still got to work in that, dump. You never know I might join you one day. Spain. I suppose I could live there. The weather, the food, the culture”.
“Alright Simon, don’t tell me the MET have made you go all soft”.
It was hard for James to take it all in but then he looked down at his uniform. He then realized he was a cop and he had a duty to perform. He reached down to his holster and pulled out his gun. He had only fired his gun once before and he intended never to do so again but in this situation he might have to. He jumped up from the sofa and frightened both Ted and Simon. He pointed his gun at them and simultaneously they both raised their hands up in the air.
“Put your hands up in the air and don’t move”. James yelled surprisingly with some courage in his voice.
“James! W…wha…what are you doing here. How did you get in”?
“That doesn’t matter. What does matter is that I’m arresting you both for the murder of both Susan Mason and Zoe Jones.
“You can’t prove anything. I’ll arrest you for breaking and entering”. Simon said with a hint of nervousness in his voice.
“Well, would you be happy to explain this”. James pulled out the bracelets. Simon looked shocked and he knew he was fighting a losing battle.
“You do not have to say anything but it may harm your defence if-” James stopped as Ted dashed for the door. James knew he had only one option. He took a long, deep breath and pulled the trigger. The noise pierced the ever so quiet house and a loud scream of agony echoed around the room.
James looked up to see Ted clutching his leg in pain. James felt quite bad. He knew it had to be done but firing a gun it something that you never get used to. Simon was on the floor scared and surprised at the incident at what just occurred. James knew he had won and that his gut feeling hadn’t let him done.
After James had radioed for backup the police had arrived and taken Simon away. Ted had been taken by ambulance and was escorted by two officers. He thought what sentence both of them would get. Life probably. He still couldn’t believe that firstly, he didn’t pick up on it and secondly why he did it. There were so many questions buzzing inside James’ mind. Could he trust anyone in the force? Was everyone corrupt with Simon? He couldn’t wait for questioning. There he would find all of the answers he was looking for. The thought of a good night sleep in his own bed made James smile. He was happy that he could finally put his mind at rest with this case and he thought that maybe, just maybe he could have a free weekend.
By Jake Maguire
