DISCLAIMER:
This is a story. None of the characters in the story exist and the events that take place are purely imaginary. This is a detective story with sexual overtones. I hope that you like this as a piece of writing.
WARNING:
Do not read this story if you are in any way offended by acts of a homosexual nature.
Do not read this if you are under the legal age for accessing adult sites.
Always indulge in safe sex.
MARTIN ROBERTS INVESTIGATES
Chapter 6
Quite unusually, Tom was the first to get up the following morning. He had a meeting with his clients and their solicitor out of town and wanted to leave before the traffic got heavy. Martin had slept only fitfully that night and had finally dropped off to sleep in the early hours of the morning. Tom went to the kitchen, made the coffee and then took it back to the bedroom. As Martin regained consciousness, Tom made use of the shower and emerged from there covered in a skimpy towel a few moments later to see Martin looking at him admiringly. Tom grinned at his lover but said in a rather sad tone,
"I know what you're thinking but there's no chance of that right now. I'm due in Oxford at nine this morning, so I'll need to get off soon to avoid the traffic."
Martin smiled sleepily back at Tom,
"Well, we'll have to save it up for later, won't we? I shouldn't be away for a bit as all the work I have to do on the case can be done here in London - unless our killer strikes again."
"OK, Marty, see you tonight. Special dinner and then an even more delicious 'afters'!!"
As he said this, Tom dropped the towel tot he floor and Martin got a full view of his lover's body before Tom pulled on his best clothes and prepared to leave. Martin was already sitting on the side of the bed as Tom came to kiss him goodbye. As he did so, Tom fondled Martin's slightly hard prick in a tender and loving way and Martin French kissed him deeply. Tom tore himself away and headed for the front door with a cheery wave. Martin slowly walked into the shower and prepared for the day. Overnight, Martin had thought of some new initiatives in the investigation. He had not been satisfied with the press conference of the previous week and even less so by the lacklustre response to it. No new leads and little new information had been forthcoming. Martin knew that he needed more information and leads and, in his opinion, the best way to get that would be by better use of the media. Long experience suggested to him that there was always someone out there who knew something or suspected something; if you could trigger them into contact a small piece of evidence could trigger a major breakthrough. Thus Martin was determined to persuade his superiors of the need for him to make an appeal on one - or more - of the television programmes dedicated to highlighting criminal cases. Martin also intended if he was permitted to do so to make a specific appeal through the gay press.
Before leaving for Scotland Yard, Martin had made several telephone calls. The first was to his Inspector, Mark Jamieson, first to check if there was any news about his baby - there was none and then to tell him of his proposed initiatives in relation to the media. The remaining phone calls were summon various members of the investigation team in Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham to a conference in London. This would be held after lunch that day and they would review all the evidence and leads that had been followed, look again at the forensic and medical evidence and plan a strategy for the future based around the new media initiatives. In addition, Martin made one last call in which he made it clear that he wanted Ed Wilson, the travelling sales executive who could verify Peter Collins' account of his activities on the night of Paul Laycock's murder, traced and spoken to as soon as possible.
Prior to the afternoon conference Martin had sought and received permission from his superiors to make the television appeal that he had asked for. The necessary arrangements were put in hand and a recording slot was allocated for a programme to be shown in a few days time. On returning to his office Martin called in Mark and together they went through the evidence so far and decided what they should use in the television programme. Both officers knew that it would be difficult to re-construct all the crimes but a brief account of each was considered a good option, especially if it was accompanied by existing news footage. After this had been agreed, the two police officers agreed that there had to be a full re-examination of all the forensic and pathological evidence gathered so far. All four bodies were still available and so Martin proposed to ask one pathologist should be asked to review the autopsy of all four victims. Although Mark thought that this was a good idea, he was uncertain what else would be found or what fresh insight might emerge. For the rest of those present it was simply going to be a case of reviewing what they knew already and then seeking any further ideas for leads or lines of further investigation. The meeting went well and the lines of the media initiative were broadly welcomed. Martin indicated that he hoped that there would be one central call line for the receipt of information and this, too, was welcomed. The meeting ended with all those present in agreement that they would re-double their efforts to see whether they could find out how many of the suspects were in their area when the murders took place. Martin was pleased with how things went and he was even more pleased when he learnt that Ed Wilson had been located and would be available for a full interview later in the week. In the meantime, the police in the area where he had been located had spoken to him and he had confirmed that Peter Collins' story was correct.
By late afternoon Martin had already instructed a Home Office pathologist and he was on his way to Leeds to start the process of re-examining the first of the four bodies. Martin hoped that within a few days further leads might emerge from this comparative study. He reported the latest developments to his superiors before returning home to his apartment to think about the day's events. He was certain that one of the people they already suspected of the crime was the guilty party but identifying who it was and then providing the evidence to get a conviction was a different matter. Martin looked in on Mark before he left and informed the inspector that it was his intention to spend the following day at home. Mark nodded his agreement he thought the Super could do with a rest, he had not really had much time off recently. He hoped that this day off would not be interrupted by any further developments.
Tom as promised was home early and in a good mood. He and Martin enjoyed a leisurely dinner together before retiring to bed and spending a pleasant time in sexual activity. Tom liked to have a lengthy period of foreplay before the final headlong rush to orgasm and, as neither of them had a heavy schedule for the next day, they took their time. The pleasure and the pain of impending release built up slowly for both men until Tom released a shower of spunk that hit Martin square on the nose and face and this triggered the older man's own release. Martin's cum was ejaculated deep inside Tom's love channel. Both men lay back contentedly and rested in each other's arms. It was a moment that they both always cherished, having satisfied each other's desires they could now express their devotion by their intimacy as a couple. Sleep slowly overcame the pair and they drifted off into unconsciousness without much effort.
The following morning the more normal pattern of the day was resumed in that it was Martin who was up first. It was not early and he had not been awoken by urgent messages but he was keen to spend his day off indulging in one of his other favourite pastimes, his coin collection. Martin intended to visit a local outlet selling coins and medals as he had seen a particular piece he wanted to acquire. This had the added advantage in that he would be very close to home should he be needed urgently. Martin dressed casually and was surprised to see that Tom was much more formally dressed.
"Thought you had a lazy day, too, Tom?" Martin said enquiringly.
"Not an early start, but I do have to go back to Oxford to round off yesterday's business and I'm due there for lunch. Shouldn't tell you this but this case against your lot overstepping the mark in Newcastle is getting stronger by the minute. I reckon we'll win and win big, once we get all our evidence organised."
"Well I'm never one to defend the indefensible, as you know. So if they are guilty then I hope you nail them. But if they are innocent then I don't like the idea of them being hounded by you and the liberal press, just to get publicity and to hell with their lives."
Tom was about to respond to this remark but he was interrupted by the telephone ringing. Tom answered it,
"Yes .. Oh hello Mark, not more trouble I hope? .. no .. good .. yes, here's right here." Tom turned to Martin and continued, "It's Mark for you."
"Hello, Mark", Martin spoke softly into the phone, but his voice still carried the tone that implied that this was his day off and he was not happy at being disturbed so early into it, "What's the problem?"
Tom had telephoned for two reasons. The first was personal: Ruth was still at home and there was no sign yet of the baby. The doctor was happy but if there was no sign by the beginning of the following week they might consider inducing it. Mark and Ruth were not keen on this idea and had hoped for a 'natural' birth. The second reason for the call was professional. The Home Office pathologist had telephoned to say that he hoped to have completed his examinations by late the following day and was suggesting a meeting to discuss his findings on the day after that, Friday. Martin agreed readily to this suggestion although he was not hopeful that any of these re-examinations would produce anything new. Mark rounded off the conversation by saying that he hoped that Martin would have a relaxing day and that he would not be disturbed again. Martin thanked his loyal and reliable Inspector and put the phone down. Tom had retreated to the study where he had surrounded himself with papers and law books and Martin decided that he would be better off at the numismatists. Martin kissed Tom lightly on the cheek, went to get his coat and left. He was out for several hours and by the time he had got back to the apartment, Tom had left for his lunchtime meeting in Oxford. Alone, Martin put some Mozart on the stereo, found his latest coin catalogue and marked up the place where his latest acquisition was displayed, putting a large tick against the illustration.
Martin had a relaxing day, turning over in his mind various thoughts about the case, listening to music and planning his next foray into the world of coins. He also spent some time thinking of what messages he wanted to get across in his recorded interview for the television programme and his longer press release to the gay press. A number were obvious. The first thing Martin had to do was to warn people - especially gay people - of the danger they were in because the killings appeared to be so random and spread over a largish geographical area. The second was to appeal for information, which people might have thought trivial or unimportant or which had come to mind following the jogging of their memory. Underlying these two massages was the hope that something would turn up that would lead them to the murderer, or help them to link one of the suspects to a crime scene more firmly than the circumstantial evidence that already existed. Finally, Martin began to wonder whether there were any other cases out there. Had the killer struck before? Were there unsolved murders that had been half-heartedly investigated and then quietly dropped because the trail went cold and the victim had been gay. None had come to light but there was a chance that some retired copper somewhere might come forward with some evidence.
As the day wore on, Martin became completely at ease with himself. This mellow mood continued until Tom telephoned to say that the meeting in Oxford had not been completed and that he had been invited to dine at one of the Colleges and stay over, so he would not return until the following day. Martin could hardly complain as the case he was on had taken him away from Tom quite a bit but he was nevertheless disappointed that the one day he had off could not be completed with Tom as well. Although he was a good cook, Martin decided to eat out and travelled into the west end where he went to a favourite restaurant, close to Scotland Yard but far enough away so as not to attract large numbers of his colleagues. The meal was excellent and it was washed down with half a bottle of excellent red wine. Martin liked to drink in moderation and never drank much when out of the house. He was home by just after ten-thirty and went to bed shortly after to read. Again he fell easily into sleep and, although disconcerted by Tom's absence, slept well and awoke at the usual time. Quite unusually for him, Tom phoned before Martin left the house to go back to Scotland Yard. Tom had little to say but rang to say that he would definitely be home that evening and that he had missed Martin but had a good meal. Martin told Tom that he had missed him and had also eaten well and was looking forward to seeing him later.
Martin arrived at Scotland Yard a few minutes before Mark Jamieson did. Mark again confirmed that there were no baby developments and the pair decided that they would go together to interview Ed Wilson who had finally returned to London. Mark had arranged for Ed to go to a police station close to where he lived. Martin and Mark drove north towards Wembley and reached their destination several minutes before their interviewee was due to arrive. On the way they discussed what they would seek to get from the interview and had time to set up the room to their liking before Ed arrived. As soon as he did appear he was shown straight into the interview room. Ed Wilson was not what either of the two policemen had expected. He was tall, well built in a rugby-player, blond haired and young looking, probably under thirty. He had about him an air of a man who knew what he was about. He was self-confident, but with a winning smile and attractive face and intense blue eyes. Mark and Martin greeted him and explained what they wanted to talk to Ed about.
Ed nodded enthusiastically and proceeded to give an account of the events of the night of Paul Laycock's death. Ed confirmed that he and Peter Collins had had a row. He admitted that he had been in a bad mood, due to the loss of an important client to a rival firm and that Peter had borne the brunt of his annoyed frustration. Ed also confirmed that he had accused Peter Collins of only being interested in him for sex and not as a person, and that he had regretted the slur the moment he had said it. Peter had left the room and gone off somewhere and had not returned until much later, after midnight, Ed thought. As for his own movements, Ed said that he had waited to see if Peter would come back but when he did not he had gone to the bar, bought a drink and taken it back to his room. He had watched the television for some time, nothing memorable and had eventually gone to bed, but not to sleep at around eleven-thirty. Ed concluded his account by saying that he had stayed awake until Peter had finally returned, apologised to his older friend and that they had made it up by having sex. The following morning they had both left the hotel, Peter had gone to his exhibition while Ed had gone to make more calls. As far as he was concerned, Ed asserted that he only learned of the death of Paul Laycock sometime later on the day of the poor man's death when he heard it reported on the news.
Martin and Mark accepted Ed's version of events. They had no evidence to the contrary but there were a few mainly clarifying questions to ask. When these had been asked and answered, Martin requested Ed to stay in touch and then said he was free to go. Ed thanked the policemen for being so kind as to allow him to be interviewed near his home. He assured them that his sales meetings would keep him in London until after the weekend and that, if he could be of any further help, they should just call his office and he would see them straight away.
After he left, Mark looked across at his superior and said,
"Just a little too pat, do you think, sir?"
"Well, Mark, I certainly think he and Peter Collins got together to ensure their stories coincided but he left himself very exposed. He has no confirmed alibi, just a short visit to the bar, no one apart from the barman to confirm that and then back - alone - to his room." Mark nodded his agreement,
"Yes in trying to help out his friend, he may have put himself in the frame. Unless of course it's a double bluff."
"I agree. I think we should add Mr Ed Wilson to our list of suspects and have him kept under observation. I am going to keep an open mind on all our main suspects for the time being."
With that, Martin and Mark passed on their requirements to the local station commander, who was far from pleased about it, and drove back to Scotland Yard.
Across London, almost in the same direction as the two policemen were heading as they drove back to their headquarters, Steve Mason was sitting in his office. The thirty-something head of his own public relations company, Steve was waiting to talk to his partner Harry King who was four years his junior. Harry was not only a business partner but also was Steve's lover and the couple shared a flat near Battersea Park. Harry and Steve had been in business together for almost seven years and had been together in a personal way for even longer. As Steve waited for his partner, who was never on time for anything - the one personal habit Steve disliked in anybody was lateness - the business man reflected on how the two had got together and how this being their anniversary weekend he had planned something special for both of them.
Steve had known Harry for several years before they became personally involved because he had gone to school with Harry older brother, Al. Although the family had an African name, everyone called the two brothers by their middle name, which was King, and this name stuck. At the time he was best friends with the older brother Al, Steve had not got to know the younger boy all that well. Indeed they had not really kept in touch after Al and Steve had gone to university. Indeed, it was not until Harry was finishing his own university degree that he and Steve had met by chance.
At the time he got re-acquainted with Harry, Steve had been working for a public relations and advertising company. He had been, as a young but up-and-coming figure in his chosen career, invited to address a group of students about working in advertising. Harry had been in the audience and had immediately recognised the face of the speaker as being one belonging to his older brother's best friend from school. As the talk came to an end, Harry had made his way down to the front of the hall and had caught Steve's eye. Steve had looked for a second before recognition dawned,
"It's Harry, isn't it?"
Harry had smiled broadly, his white teeth sharply contrasting with his dark skin, and nodded.
"How are you doing, Harry? Wait 'til I've finished here and let's go and have a drink or something. Catch up. Haven't heard or seen anything of Al in ages."
Harry waited patiently as Steve dealt with several questions and the people who just wanted to get his card. Finally he was finished and he walked quickly over to where Harry was waiting.
"A drink or a meal? I bet you could use a good meal? On me, of course."
Harry accepted the offer gracefully and moments later he was being driven in a taxi to a very up-market restaurant in the city centre, one that was certainly outside the financial range of almost all the students that Harry knew. Over the meal Harry told Steve that his older brother had, after getting his law degree, returned to West Africa from where their parents had originally come many years before. The older boy was actively involved in the state politics and was becoming well known as a radical leader of the young professionals over there. Steve smiled and said,
"Always knew he was a bit of a rebel - even at school. He managed to get away with blue murder with that winning smile of his. You've got that smile too, you know. Are you going to follow in his footsteps?"
Harry shook his head and smiled,
"No way. I want to stay here and I'm more interested in following in your footsteps than his."
Steve again smiled and ordered some coffee. Harry declined. Steve leaned forward and said,
"Do you want to go to a pub for another drink, or - maybe - back to my hotel for one there?"
"Pub", responded Harry instantly and missed the look of disappointment that crossed Steve's face.
The chosen pub was very crowded and noisy and they had to queue to get in. Steve went in first but when he turned to ask Harry what he wanted to drink, the student was nowhere to be seen. Steve went back to the entrance where the doorman was barring Harry's entry. Steve intervened,
"Is there a problem. The young man is with me?"
"No problem, sir, but he looked like a troublemaker and he's wearing inappropriate clothes."
Steve felt outraged at these remarks that clearly covered over the fact that the doorman was barring Steve on the grounds of his colour, as there were plenty of people far less respectably dressed already in the pub. Steve looked the doorman up and down and then with a disdainful note in his voice said,
"There certainly isn't a problem now. I think we will take our custom elsewhere. Come on Harry, let's go back to my hotel for this drink."
Harry had followed Steve back to his hotel and they had decided, to Steve's immense but hidden delight, to take them back to the older man's room. As they sat together in the room Steve moved closer to Harry until his hand brushed against the outside of the younger man's jeans. Steve was pushing his luck and he knew it but he had always fancied Harry even when he was much younger and unattainable. Al had always been a ladies man and Steve had pretended to be one too but given half the chance he would have had sex with Al anytime, had it ever been offered. Harry was much younger than he and Al, four years younger but Steve had found both his smile and his face even more appealing than Al's. Now, quite fortuitously, he was alone with Harry and he had a chance - a slim one maybe but a chance - to fulfil his long held ambition.
Harry felt Steve's hand brush against his jeans but dismissed the thought that his brother's old school friend was interested in him. Harry had longed to spend time with Steve - one of the few white kids in the school who bothered to hang out with people like him and his brother. Steve also wondered what Steve's cock was like and had spent many hours fantasising about it as he lay in bed nursing his own rock hard cock and bring himself relief with his hand. At university Harry had gained some small experience of male cocks both in the showers and on a few occasions more intimately in short and slightly sordid encounters in out of the way toilets. Now, here he was with Steve in his hotel room and the older man had just brushed his hand against his leg. Harry took no immediate action thinking that it might have been accidental.
When Steve's hand brushed against his leg, slightly more firmly, for a second time, Harry knew it was no accident. Inexperienced though he was, Harry knew that he had to convey to Steve that he was amenable to these advances. With a slight sigh, Harry leaned back slightly and opened his legs a bit wider. Steve noted this immediately and moved his hand so that it ran along the inside of Harry's legs and up towards his crotch. Harry's dick was beginning to swell and the bulge in his jeans became more pronounced. Steve needed no further invitation and soon had his hand firmly caressing the growing bulge as Harry lay passively beside him. Steve unloosened the top button and then eased the zip of Harry's jeans down to give himself access to what lay beneath and the younger student lay still and watched him closely. Steve encouraged Harry to lift himself off the chair slightly and this gave him the opportunity to pull the jeans down to the student's knees. The underwear that was now exposed was tented by Harry's engorged love pole.
At this point, Steve paused and stood up revealing that his own trousers were equally strained by his own rock hard erection. As Steve began to undress, Harry acted. He leaned forward and began to cup the older man's hard-on in his hand. Soon Harry would see in real life the penis over which he had spent so many hours fantasising. Steve continued to undress and finally removed his underwear giving Harry his first glance of his rampant dick. Harry was not disappointed, although the colour of the skin was different, the shape and even the size was not that dissimilar to his own. In fact it was very much as he had imagined it would be during all those masturbatory fantasies years before. Steve's dick was soft white and the glans at the head were an even paler pink, a sharp contrast to Harry's own dick, which was dark black with equally black glans. Harry also noted that Steve's dick was rather thicker than his own but slightly shorter.
Once naked, Steve returned his attention to Harry and released the young student's straining prick from its confining underwear. As soon as it sprung free, Steve was more than impressed by the attractiveness of the rampant black tool that rose to meet him. He was not inexperienced and had seen Al naked so knew roughly what to expect in his brother but even so this was his first time alone and naked with a black person. Steve knew instinctively what to do. He stood alongside the naked student and took Harry's throbbing dick into his mouth from the side. From this angle, Harry could have easy access to the older man's dick. Harry felt Steve's mouth lower onto his rampant dick, swallow the glans between his lips and tease the head and shaft with his rough tongue. At the same time the young student reach out and took hold of the older man's rampant tool and very quickly began to work the shaft of Steve's prick with his hand, rubbing it with increasing speed and intensity. Harry's wanking actions on Steve's cock reflected the student's own rising excitement. The effect of the oral action on his penis was such that Harry could not control himself for long. He felt his balls swell, his shaft harden and within a few moments he was spewing forth his ball juice into Steve's eagerly swallowing throat. Almost simultaneously Steve's own cock was showing the telltale signs of orgasm. Steve released the young student's dick from his mouth and stood closer and, as Harry wanked the shaft, the older man's piss slit opened wide and his creamy spunk shot out. Steve's cum shot into the air and landed on Harry's hand, arm and body.
Short though the time had been from the moment they had started Harry was exhilarated by what had happened and so was Steve. The intensity of the moment had heightened and shortened the period of pleasure, but neither man complained. After they had recovered a rather slower second round was undertaken. During this time Harry took Steve in his mouth and, for the first time, sucked another man's dick and swallowed his ball juice. After this Steve showed Harry how he liked to be fucked. He lined the younger man's rock hard prick up with the entrance to his love tunnel and both men watched as the long black head and shaft entered Steve and Harry lost his virginity as he fucked the older man's arse. Despite it being his first time, Harry was a natural and he soon got into a regular rhythm and took a respectable amount of time to unload his ball juice deep inside Steve's twitching, clenching hole.
From that first time onwards Harry and Steve had been together and soon after he graduated and got a job in the same firm as his lover, Harry moved in with Steve. After several years in which Harry demonstrated a considerable degree of skill in public relations, he and Steve had left to form their own company, which had survived for the past seven years. The seventh anniversary was about to fall and Steve had planned a special celebration weekend. He had arranged a small dinner party at a favourite restaurant for that very night, followed by a trip to one of Harry's favourite gay clubs. The following morning they would fly to Paris and spend a long weekend enjoying the sights and taking in a different scene. Steve was raring to well Harry about these planes but, as usual Harry was nowhere to be found. He had apparently 'just popped out somewhere'. It was over an hour before he reappeared and Steve had begun to get somewhat annoyed. However, the sight of his lover's ever-smiling and warm face had an instant effect on Steve and all his anger drained away. Harry's already broad and infectious smile grew even wider when he learned what Steve had planned. As neither of the two partners had much else to do, they decided to close early, go home, have a good long shower together and prepare for the start of their celebration weekend.
Harry and Steve were already on their way to their favourite restaurant and had just sat down to eat at just about the same time as Martin arrived at the BBC studios to record his contribution to the crime programme due for broadcast that evening. Martin was able to review the proposed content and was generally satisfied with it and then made his appeal for witnesses and issued his warning to the gay community to be on their guard. He had already given a longer and more specific warning in his interview with representatives of the gay press. Without Graeme Adams, Martin specifically said that all the victims had been at or near venues where a particular disco had been operating. In the relatively small world of the gay entertainment, the name of the DJ would not be difficult to find and the right conclusion drawn by those who wished to make it. Martin smiled at the thought that Graeme Adams might have the smug look wiped off his face if he no longer got the exposure that he had had in the past. If he was innocent then he would at least be able to recover much of what would be a temporary loss of influence; if he was guilty the move might be a shot across his bows and slow him down a bit, maybe even force him into a mistake. Just at the end of the interview Martin paused and then said,
"I am not convinced that this is the first time that this killer has struck. I'd like to appeal to colleagues - serving and retired - to let me know whether they have any unsolved cases that bear any similarity to the circumstances of these horrific killings. I am particularly interested in any unsolved killings involving the mutilation of the victim's genitals."
Martin realised that this was a desperate ploy but he deemed it worth the gamble as he might be able to glean some extra evidence that would narrow the search, even eliminate one or more of the suspects. The interviewer had looked slightly surprised by Martin's last remarks but the superintendent was pleased to learn that they would be broadcast. The television presenter shook hands with Martin who thanked him for the opportunity to appeal to such a wide audience and then left for home. Once home, he and Tom had a quiet evening meal and then watched the television for what Tom, half-jokingly referred to Martin's 'big moment' and his 'fifteen minutes of fame'. Martin responded that if he was to be famous for that amount of time, after this particular interview he would still have over ten minutes left.
Elsewhere in London Graeme Adams himself was preparing for another performance in a major gay club. This was one of his favourite venues, as it involved little travel and even less preparation. It was also good because he would almost certainly be able to have a number of friends back for a party at the end of the evening. The club was renowned for its clientele and Graeme knew there would be plenty of people with who he could mingle and network. Those whom he really wanted to impress would be invited to continue their revelry back at his luxurious apartment. Before he left Graeme ensure that there were plenty of drinks, food and movies as well as appropriate supplies of condoms around to ensure that the select few would have a good time and a night to remember. This approach had brought Graeme to the top of his profession and he hoped it would keep him there for a long time to come. The only dark stain on his plan was the ever-present plain-clothes police presence that followed him everywhere he went. On a few occasions he had given them the slip and, he hoped, tonight would be another one of them.
After a leisurely meal, Steve and Harry left the restaurant in a taxi and headed towards the gay club. Harry and Steve arrived at the club just after eleven that night. This much was confirmed by the subsequent police investigation. However from this point onwards the details were only pieced together long after the events. At this time all that was known that six hours after they entered the club, the mutilated bodies of Steve Mason and Harry King (Busia) were found side by side in open ground near a lay-by. The pair had died as they lived, together.
News of the double killing came through to Scotland Yard early on the Saturday morning. The urgent ringing of the telephone woke both Tom and Martin. Martin took the call with a sinking feeling in his stomach, an emotion that was confirmed by the news he received. Tom realised that the news was bad by taking one look at the anguished look on Martin's face. Martin put the telephone back and looked across at Tom,
"He's killed two people today. Do you think my broadcast provoked him?"
Tom looked equally concerned, as much for his lover as for the news, and replied,
"I wouldn't have thought that at all, not for minute."
Martin, however, was not really convinced. However, there was work to do. He rang Mark and told him the news. Mark said he would be round directly and they would travel to the crime scene together. On the way, Martin asked Mark the same question that he had asked Tom and received from the Inspector a very similar response to Tom's. Mark thought it highly unlikely that the killer had seen the programme, let alone reacted to its content. In these circumstances he thought it unlikely that anything Martin had said on the television would have made any difference to the killer's actions. Martin was still not entirely in agreement with Mark's logic but let the matter drop. Mark reported that there was still no news on the baby he and his wife were expecting but was sure it could not be long now before Jamieson junior - son or daughter - appeared. Martin made suitably encouraging noises: he regarded Mark with considerable affection, a kind of younger brother. Mark admired and liked his superior and had been pleased to invite him and Tom to his wedding. They had known each other almost from the day Mark became a constable and had been assigned as Martin's driver. When the opportunity came for Mark to move across to detective work he had been more than delighted to be 'head-hunted' by Martin and became an early member of his team. Since joining Martin, Mark had risen steadily in rank and was destined to go further. Martin would be sad to see him leave but he would never allow his personal feelings stand in the way of deserved promotion for a fine police officer. Although this point was left unspoken, both men knew that it was the case.
Mark and Martin arrived at the all too familiar and desolate scene of the latest murders and went straight to the tented area where the bodies had been discovered. The doctor had already given some preliminary finding: the pair had died, like the others, from some form of smothering, probably with a plastic bag and had been mutilated after death. In addition, the pair had died at roughly the same time but had not been killed where they had been found. In all probability they had been murdered and then driven to the spot where they were finally dumped. The police that were scouring the area found no evidence to speak of in the area around the bodies and Martin and Mark made the assumption that the killer had used the lay-by as a convenient place from which to move the bodies. The killer knew the areas he operated in well and always chose areas that were well hidden from the road and afforded cover for himself and his murderous activity.
Satisfying himself that there was little more to be done at the scene, Martin asked Mark to drive them both back to the Yard. As always the need to identify the bodies was a priority but he was also anxious to get the main suspects in for another interview. To Martin's surprise the identification of the victims took the local police force very little time and the names of Steve Mason and Harry King (Busia) were quickly reported to him. It appeared that both men had been actively involved in some work in their local police area and the faces were well known in the community. A press photograph was obtained and, armed with this, Mark and Martin together went off to see the suspects.
All four of the suspects had been tailed and so their whereabouts should have been known. On further enquiry Martin discovered that as far as the previous night was concerned none of the four could be positively accounted for. All four had at some stage gone to a very busy gay club and their 'tails' had somehow managed to lose them in the crowd. The four plain-clothes officers responsible for the debacle had a very uncomfortable interview first with Mark and then with Martin who let rip at them as he relieved much of his frustration. His anger subsided almost as quickly as it began and he later apologised to the constables for his bad language although not, he was quick to add, at their failure to carry out their orders effectively. Officers that had also been placed outside the homes of the four suspects reported that none of them had come home very early that night. Graeme Adams had got back to his apartment sometime around two-thirty, followed shortly after by two other men who went into his apartment block. Joe Smith drove home alone a little after three. Peter Collins similarly arrived home by car at just about two and Ed Wilson parked his car in the road outside his home at just before two. On the basis of this information none of the four could be ruled out but interviews with them produced nothing new. All admitted to being at the club and none of them had seen either of the victims among the large crowd that was there. Graeme Adams told officers that he had been involved with the disco until quite late and then had met a couple of friends and they had gone back to his apartment for drinks. Although Joe Smith had spoken to a number of people in the club, he had not met anyone he particularly fancied that night and had gone straight home. Peter Collins had hoped to meet Ed Wilson at the club and they had made a tentative arrangement to do so but neither found the other and they each had left the club to go home separately, missing each other probably by a few minutes. Martin was depressed at the deaths and the lack of his ability to crack any of the suspects. None had a concrete alibi but neither had any of them a particular weakness in their account. Martin's mind turned back to the main concern he had which was the motive. Undoubtedly there was anger and ferocity in the murders and the choice of victim appeared so random, but there must be a connection between them. Once he knew whatever the victims had in common, Martin was certain, this would lead him to the killer.
Two phone calls interrupted Martin's train of thought.
"Roberts", he said clearly.
An elderly voice came through the receiver,
"Hello superintendent Roberts. My name is David Williams and I used to be an Inspector in Cardiff until I retired a couple of years ago. I saw your broadcast last night and I think I might have some things to tell you. I had a case very similar, not exactly so, mind, but similar enough - and it went unsolved. A young man - oh what was his name, hold on - yes, Darren Evans, just eighteen, killed - suffocated - and his body dumped on waste ground. Someone had tried to remove his genitals and more or less succeeded but they made a terrible job of it, not a clean cut at all, very messy. Still clothed as well. So not exactly the same, but you might think it worth a look at the evidence. I've got some stuff too. I worked the case but I was nearly at my retirement so when I went I don't think they assigned anyone new to the case."
"Inspector Williams", Martin had waited long enough before he interjected, "what you have to say may well be useful. I'd like to come down as soon as possible. It won't be today though as we've had another two victims today but I will get down to you as soon as I can."
"I'll look forward to seeing you soon. I'll leave my number for you. I know how busy you are, oh, and please call me Davy."
"All right, Davy. I'm Martin. I'll be with you as soon as I can get away."
Martin needed to get the whole issue cleared with his superiors and access to the records at Cardiff agreed before he set off. Although this would not take long to get, and he had a fairly free hand in pursuing his investigation, Martin liked to do things properly.
Almost as soon as he had had replaced the receiver, the phone rang again. Martin answered the call in his usual way,
"Roberts"
"Hello Martin, it's Ruth. Is Mark there?"
"Hello Ruth, is it the baby? I'll get him right away!!"
Martin was even more cheered by this news than he had been by his conversation with Davy Williams. He placed the phone on the desk and shouted for Mark. The Inspector ran into the room and knew from the wide smile on Martin's face that the call was from Ruth and the baby was on the way. Martin discretely left the room until he saw Mark replace the receiver.
Mark smiled at Martin,
"It's on its way, sir!!"
Martin smiled warmly back,
"Well, what are you standing here for. Get off to be with Ruth and don't come back until she's settled back at home. We can spare you for a day or two. I'll use Matthews instead until you return. Of course I'll let you know if anything else develops - or if I need you urgently."
Mark thanked Martin and went off quickly to join his wife at their local hospital maternity ward.
As soon as Mark had gone, Martin reached for the telephone and summoned Inspector Bob Matthews to join him. Matthews was another rather less bright inspector who was about the same age as Martin and certainly not quite in the same class either personally or in terms of his career prospects as Mark. The change would mean that Martin would have to postpone his visit to Cardiff, which he had planned to make the following day. Matthews was methodical and would do a sound job. As soon as Matthews had arrived, Martin briefed him - he was already involved with the case but had been assigned a different area of responsibility and was already working hard on collating background information on the four suspects.
"I'm sure you can handle the additional responsibility in until Mark returns, Bob." Martin said after he had told him of the latest developments. "I'm about to clear a visit to Cardiff with upstairs so you'll have to hold the fort for a day, probably not tomorrow or maybe the day after."
"Certainly, sir, I'll do my best. One thing is bothering me, sir, may I ask about it?"
Martin nodded and Bob Matthews continued,
"This double murder has got me thinking: could one man do it and if so, how? Are we now looking for one murderer or two?"
Martin looked thoughtful and paused for a moment before replying,
"I was wondering about that myself but I am still of the view that this is a lone killer. The two killer theory explains some aspects but not others. Well, as it happens, I think you can explain the double death if we can show that one victim died before the other. The medics will only say our two victims died within a particular time range but it is not inconceivable that one died a short time before the other. We can't rule out there being two killers but my gut feeling is that this is not the case. We're looking for a lone killer, who is angry about something and that something, whatever it is, links all the victims. Find the motive and we'll be a lot closer to catching our murderer than we are now!!"
Bob Matthews accepted this explanation and did not press the point. Martin told him that he would like to see him again the following morning and go over what he had dug up on the suspects so far. Bob nodded and realised that this was Martin's way of drawing the conversation to end.
After Bob had left, Martin rang Tom to tell him about Mark's imminent fatherhood and then, having got the necessary authorisation to go to Cardiff, went home. He hoped that he would be able to hear news of the baby's arrival before he left for Wales. As he made his way home, Martin wondered whether the new baby was a good omen and that the information from Wales would be just the link that had so far been missing.
TO BE CONTINUED...
If you liked this part of the story let me know cutrose40@yahoo.co.uk