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

it was relatively dull outside, Matilda could see his face reflected back through the glass – he looked maudlin, dejected, and unloved. She felt sorry for him. Despite his bravado all he wanted out of life was a good career and a woman to love.

‘Look, Rory, Sian told me you and Amelia have split up.’

‘I thought she would have.’

‘You know Sian, we’re her extended family. She’s worried about you. So am I.’

‘I’m fine.’

That’s exactly what I say so I know you’re not.

‘What happened between you and Amelia?’

‘We had a massive row. She’s studying to become a solicitor and I want a social life. It was our anniversary a couple of weeks ago. We’d been going out for four years. It was on the calendar and everything so there was no reason for her to forget. I certainly didn’t. I bought her some flowers and a necklace. Do you know what she said to me?’

‘What?’

‘She said, “What are these for?” She’d completely forgotten. We started arguing and it just escalated. She said I resented her for wanting to achieve something. I said I wanted a girlfriend who liked going out for a Chinese once in a while. By the time the row ended I just packed a bag and walked out.’

‘Any chance of a reconciliation?’

‘No,’ he said firmly. ‘Do you know, when I left and was in the car, I felt lighter, like a weight had been lifted from my shoulders. I think the break-up had been a long time coming.’

‘Where are you living now?’

‘I’m back at my parents until I can sort something out. It’s not ideal but I’ve nowhere else to go.’

‘Rory, Sian also mentioned about you getting all psychological on our little house of killers.’

‘I just want to understand why they did what they did.’

‘Are you sure? You seemed to drift off at the briefing last night.’

‘Of course I’m sure,’ he almost snapped. ‘Is Sian worried I’m going to turn into Hannibal Lector and become a serial killer myself?’

‘I don’t want you letting this case get to you. If you’re looking for something to take your mind off Amelia, then I’ve got a dead tree that needs digging up.’

Rory laughed. It was a genuine belly laugh. He threw his head back and looked at Matilda. The sparkle was back in his eyes.

The second set of gates to Starling House were open. After announcing their arrival over the intercom they drove straight up to the front door. The forensic team were still there, combing through the recreation room for a second day. Fortunately, they had parked out of sight.

Entering Starling House was like entering the House of Horrors. There was a chilling atmosphere that consumed you. It had only been a prison for twenty years yet it felt like its entire history was shrouded in murder, rape, and arson. The souls of the most violent boys in history were imbedded in the walls and it seeped out to cast an eerie shadow over everyone who entered.

Matilda took the stairs two at a time to the boardroom on the top floor. She didn’t like the atmosphere in here and longed to be back at HQ. However, it was sensible for the detectives to be based here while the interviewing process was underway. She opened the door and was surprised to find Aaron Connolly waiting for her.

‘Aaron, what are you doing back? How’s Katrina?’

‘She’s stable. They’re keeping her in hospital for a few days. She has pre-eclampsia. She also has endometriosis which is why she had problems getting pregnant in the first place. They want to make sure she’s OK before they let her home.’

‘You shouldn’t have come back.’

‘I’d have only been sat at home worrying. I’m better off at work.’

‘If you’re sure.’

‘I am.’

‘Good. Look, if you need to rush off or anything, don’t hesitate. Just let me know, OK?’

‘Will do. Thanks, boss.’

‘Right, everyone,’ she said, clapping her hands together and bringing everyone to order. ‘Day two of this investigation and we still have no idea who the killer of Ryan Asher is. Now, all of the inmates have been interviewed, and Sian and Rory have been going through the files on everyone here. Has it thrown anything up?’

‘Chillingly, a majority of them are here for killing their parents,’ Sian began.

‘That’s comforting,’ Aaron said which led to a smatter of laughter.

‘The question is: why would they want to kill a fellow inmate? What would they possibly gain by turning on one of their own?’ Matilda asked.

‘Do any of these boys know each other from before they came here?’ DI Brady asked.

‘Sian?’ Matilda nodded.

‘I doubt it. They’re from all over the country. We’ve got Norwich, Liverpool, Southampton, Bristol, Worthing, Nottingham. It’s highly unlikely their paths would have crossed.’

‘So we can rule out some kind of feud then?’

‘It would appear so.’

‘And Ryan Asher was only here a day before he was murdered. He wasn’t here long enough to gain an enemy,’ Rory said.

‘OK. Well, Scott and Faith are on their way to Norwich to talk to Ryan’s aunt. Fingers crossed that gives us something to work on. Until we hear back, we need to interview the staff. So, like yesterday, I want two teams. Christian, can you sort that out?’

‘Sure.’

‘Thank you. I want you to press them hard. Don’t forget, Ryan’s door was opened from the outside and only they have keys. If they all admit they were asleep at the time, at least one of them will be lying.’

Sian’s mobile rang. She mouthed an apology to Matilda and went to the back of the room to answer it.

‘I was thinking,’ Rory said. ‘Whoever killed Ryan must surely have been covered in blood. It was a brutal stabbing. Where was the trail of blood from the pool table to the exit? If the killer got blood on him, where are his clothes? They’re either very well hidden so we haven’t found them yet or there’s more than one person involved and they’ve managed to cover up for each other.’

There was a silence as