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

Sian went over to her desk and took a Twirl from her snack drawer. ‘It’s not the healthiest breakfast snack in the world, but it will give you a sugar rush.’

‘Thanks.’

‘You’re going to make yourself ill. You need to have a proper night’s sleep.’

‘I know. I didn’t intend to spend all night here. I went to see how Rory was and just ended up back here.’

Matilda saw the pad in front of her computer where she had written down everything she had found out about Debbie Hartley’s brother and his former partner in crime. As much as she trusted Sian, she didn’t want her involved in this, so quickly closed the pad and placed it in her drawer. ‘It’s a bloody mess in here,’ she said by way of an excuse.

‘How is Rory? I texted Scott this morning but didn’t get a reply.’

‘He was at the hospital until late. I suppose he’s still asleep. Rory’s going to be fine,’ she smiled.

‘Oh that is a relief. I hardly had any sleep last night worrying about him.

‘What time is it?’ Matilda asked, noticing daylight coming through the slats in her venetian blind.

‘Almost eight o’clock.’

‘Shit. I need to speak to the ACC first thing.’

‘She won’t be in yet.’

‘No. I’ll have time to go home and shower first.’

‘Good morning, ma’am, any chance of a word?’

An hour later and Matilda was poking her head around Valerie’s door. She had taken a taxi home, had a long shower and a change of clothes, a strong black coffee, and a brief chat with James, telling him all about her maybe breakthrough in the Thomas Hartley case. As she left, she stuck two fingers up at the treadmill and closed the door firmly behind her. A shower and a coffee; that was all it took to give Matilda a fresh perspective.

‘Matilda, of course. How’s Rory?’

‘He’s fine. His recovery will take a while but he’s heading in the right direction, which is the main thing. Callum Nixon will be on his way to Sheffield Magistrate’s Court this morning.’

‘What about the other inmates at Starling House?’

‘They’re still in the holding cells. We’re waiting on the Home Office.’

‘So what can I do for you?’

Matilda sat down at Valerie’s desk without being offered a seat. She swallowed hard and braced herself for an onslaught.

‘Do you remember me talking about Thomas Hartley—?’

‘Matilda, please don’t tell me … ’

‘Wait. Thomas’s father, Daniel Hartley, was really Thomas Downy.’

‘Thomas Downy?’

‘When he was thirteen, he and Wesley Brigstone murdered Felix Myers in St Austell, Cornwall.’

‘I remember.’ It was obvious Matilda had piqued Valerie’s interest but her tensed jaw and thin lips were evidence she was annoyed at Matilda for going against her wishes to leave the Thomas Hartley case alone.

‘I want to interview Wesley Brigstone.’

‘What? No. That’s not happening.’

‘Why not? I’m sorry, ma’am, but this obviously shows the original case was flawed. They assumed Thomas was guilty and refused to look elsewhere. If they’d have explored all angles they would have found out Daniel was really Thomas Downy and found the real killer.’

‘Do you have any idea how this is going to look to Greater Manchester Police?’

‘Isn’t this supposed to be about justice and not reputation? Besides, only the other day you were worried about South Yorkshire’s reputation. This is bound to win us some brownie points.’

Valerie looked at Matilda’s pleading face and sighed. ‘Leave it with me. Stick to the Starling House case for now.’

There was nothing more to be said between the ACC and the DCI. Matilda quietly walked out of the office and silently closed the door behind her. She was surprised Valerie hadn’t erupted and suspended her on the spot – she had been expecting that. She wasn’t allowed to investigate the Thomas Hartley case herself but it was being looked into. That was a major turning point, wasn’t it?

SIXTY-THREE

‘How’s everything with the house?’ Matilda asked Sian as she approached her desk with a replacement latte.

‘We’ve lost all the downstairs carpets, and the sofas are ruined. I’m not sure about the dining table until the wood dries out. The fridge, washing machine, and dishwasher are all broken. It’s a nightmare.’

‘I’m sorry, Sian. If there’s anything I can do,’ Matilda said.

‘Thanks.’

‘Look, if you or the kids need a place to stay you’re more than welcome to use a couple of my spare rooms.’

As soon as Matilda offered up her home she immediately regretted it. As much as she loved Sian and wanted to hear life in her home again, she wasn’t sure she was ready to share her space with anyone other than James.

‘That’s very kind of you, Matilda. Fortunately, the kids are loving just having the upstairs to live in. It’s like camping. They may change their mind in a week or too. If they do, I’ll let you know.’

‘Well, it’s an open offer. As and when.’ Meaning Matilda didn’t need to offer anymore and, hopefully, Sian would be too polite to bring it up.

‘Am I OK to have a word with you about Ryan Asher?’ Faith asked entering the open-plan office. This morning her hair was tied back in a ponytail which reminded Matilda of Kate Moloney. She wondered how she was coping with the unrest. A small article in the newspapers this morning stated Starling House was to be closed down while an inquiry was taking place into its conduct over the years. Matilda doubted it would ever reopen.

‘Of course you can, Faith. What have you come up with?’

Faith told Matilda and Sian all about Malcolm Preston and Ryan Asher seeming to get away with putting a teenager into a veritable persistent vegetative state.

‘Now, according to the couple of nurses I’ve spoken to at Norfolk, Malcolm’s father used to keep a bedside vigil. The last couple of months or so he hasn’t been there much.’

‘Any reason?’

‘Well, the consultant was getting worried about him as he was losing weight and hardly sleeping. They had a counsellor talk to him who basically said it wasn’t healthy to be spending every day