A Room Full of Killers, Michael Wood [best books for students to read txt] 📗

quiet bit after the first killing as the investigation begins. It won’t be long before the next victim turns up. So who will it be? Lee’s expendable. He can be the next victim nobody remembers. Then Hartley. Save me and Jacob for the final showdown.’

‘I don’t want to be killed in the final act,’ Jacob chided.

‘No, we’ll survive. We’re the tough guys. We’re like that Neve Campbell chick. We’ll be in the sequel.’

With the main focus in the room on Callum and Jacob discussing how the other inmates would die, Craig was still occupied with Thomas. His stare was burning through the book he was holding. Thomas could feel the glare. Eventually, slowly, Craig stood up and slunk over to where Thomas was sitting. He crouched down next to him and whispered in his ear.

‘I saw how your expression changed when Callum said you were the killer. He hit a nerve, didn’t he? It always is the quiet ones. I tell you something, you even try anything with me and I’ll cut your fucking heart out, understand?’

He didn’t wait for a reply. He stood up and returned to his seat, completely unnoticed by the other inmates.

Thomas tried not to react but it wasn’t easy. His bottom lip began to quiver. He couldn’t allow himself to cry, not in front of the others. He needed to save it up until he was locked in his room tonight and soak his pillow with tears like he had done every night since he arrived.

The door to the library opened and in walked one of the guards, Rebecca Childs. ‘Sorry to have left you alone for so long, call of nature. Now, what’s everyone talking about?’

SEVENTEEN

‘Any news from Aaron?’ Matilda whispered to Sian on her way to the front of the room to begin the final briefing of the day.

‘Not yet. I’ve sent him a couple of texts but he hasn’t replied. By the way,’ Sian grabbed Matilda’s sleeve as she moved away. Sian indicated she wanted to whisper so Matilda lowered her head. ‘You might want to have a word with Rory.’

‘Why? What’s he done?’

‘He hasn’t done anything. He’s taking this case rather personally. He wants to look into the psychology of why these boys have killed. I think he’s using it as some kind of a distraction: he and Amelia have split up.’

‘Really? When?’

‘He said he moved out last week.’

‘Poor bugger. I’ll have a word. Thanks Sian.’

Matilda looked out on the sea of detectives. They were smaller in number than this morning; many had been sent back to HQ as they had other duties to attend to. It felt strange to be standing in front of a room full of detectives after five years of addressing the elite few of the Murder Room. She still directed most of her comments and remarks to her own small team – something which she knew rankled the other officers. It was a bad habit she would have to kick into touch.

‘Have all the inmates been interviewed?’

‘Yes,’ Sian began, ‘all of their stories seem to be the same. The ones that did talk to Ryan Asher said he seemed like a nice lad: quiet and a bit nervous. They all said they went into the recreation room at around six o’clock before being locked in their rooms at nine, and not hearing or seeing anything until they were woken at seven the next morning.’

‘What about staff?’

‘We haven’t interviewed any of them yet,’ Christian Brady said. ‘They’ve been helping us out with the inmates – either accompanying them to and from their rooms or acting as appropriate adult.’

‘Has anyone left or entered Starling House?’

‘The shifts work four days on and three days off. The current staff are on day two. They’ve had no reason to leave yet.’

‘Christian, do me a favour: tomorrow, I want you to tear this place apart. The head of security is coming back from his holiday in Norfolk. When he gets here I want him shadowed. Also, I’ve asked for all CCTV footage to be made available to us. I want to know their entire security procedure.’

‘Not a problem. I’ll handle it.’

‘Now, are we all up to speed on who Ryan Asher is?’ There were nods around the room. ‘Who would want to kill him? Rory?’

‘Well, I’m guessing Jane Asher’s cookbook sales will have dropped – she could be a suspect.’

A ripple of laughter echoed off the walls. If Matilda hadn’t been told about Rory’s current personal status she wouldn’t have known anything was amiss. He was his usual jokey self. Normally she discouraged it, but on a case as difficult as this the odd joke was good for morale – even a bad joke.

‘Have we located his parents yet?’

‘Not yet,’ Scott said. ‘I’ve been looking through the file, and during Ryan’s trial his parents attended the court every day and so did his auntie, his mother’s sister. She has stayed in Norwich and, get this, moved into Ryan’s old house when his parents left.’

‘Really? That’s a bit bizarre, isn’t it?’ Sian asked.

‘That’s what I thought.’

‘OK, Scott. First thing tomorrow, I want you and Faith to go to Norwich and interview the aunt. Find out if she knows where her sister is, how she feels about Ryan, and why she’s decided to move into his home.’

‘Do I tell her about Ryan being killed?’

‘No. Tell her he’s been attacked and we need to get in touch with his parents. However, if it’s leaked out by the time you get there then you may as well tell her.’

‘Yes, boss.’ Scott turned and made eye contact with Faith Easter, who smiled at him.

‘Faith, you were looking into web forums. Have you discovered anything?’

‘I have, actually. There’s a woman in Bristol who was arrested for issuing death threats to the judge. She was given a caution. I’ve called Bristol police and they’re going to send someone out to have a discreet word with her – make sure she was actually in Bristol last night. I think