Sean and Donnelly sat in their car outside Helliers office building. Well? Donnelly asked. What dyou think about Mr. James Hellier? Did you get a feel for him?
Hes a smooth bastard, Sean replied. And so was his boss, for that matter. Like a couple of fucking clones. But Hellier, hes trying to be something hes not, whereas Gibrans persona seemed genuine, effortless. Well have to watch out for him. He looks like the sort wholl be wanting to stick his nose into our investigation. As for Hellier, behind the suit and haircut theres an angry man. He didnt tell Donnelly about the animalistic odor hed smelled leaking through Helliers skin. A musky smell, almost chokingly strong. The same odor hed smelled on others in the past. Other killers. But why is he so pissed off with the world?
Pissed off with the world? Donnelly questioned. I thought he was just pissed off with us.
Sean realized he was moving too fast for Donnelly. Youre probably right. He needed to give Donnelly something more tangible, more logical. But there are already two possible motives for him. First, he was having an intimate relationship with Graydon, and somewhere along the line it went wrong.
So were back to a lovers tiff?
Or, Sean continued, Graydon was blackmailing him and Hellier thought, probably correctly, the only way to make it stop would be to get rid of him. Hes a walking blackmail victim and Graydon liked nice things-remember his flat?
And the seventy-seven stab wounds? Donnelly asked. Those needed explaining. If he just wanted him out of the way, why not do it nice and neat-one shot, one well-placed knife wound, strangulation? Makes me favor a domestic bust-up.
No, Sean reminded him. Remember what Dr. Canning told us-the wounds were placed around the body, almost ritually, as if the killer wanted us to think it was a rage attack to get us chasing our tails looking for a jealous ex-boyfriend. Or even a motiveless strangers attack. That and the lack of forensics at the scene leave me thinking it was premeditated, which means blackmail was his most likely motivation. Or something else we havent thought of yet. Everything else was staged.
Donnelly looked less than completely convinced. Well, in the absence of anything better than a missing barman and a recently released homophobic homosexual, its worth running with, so long as youre convinced Hellier has it in him to kill.
Lets just say I get a very bad feeling about him, Sean replied. His attempted show of compassion made me feel sick. Everything about him seemed off, as if he was hiding behind the facade of being a happy family man.
Why are you so sure he was faking it? I thought he registered some real surprise that Daniel had been killed.
False sincerity. Ive seen that too many times.
Donnelly had worked with Sean long enough to know that sometimes it was best to simply accept his word and move on. Youre a scary individual, he said. Now all we need is the evidence to prove your theory.
Thats the hard part, as always.
Arrest him. Search his house, office, car. Get a look at his bank accounts. Compare his prints and samples to anything and everything from the scene.
No, Sean insisted. I sensed no panic when we asked him about being in the flat. He knows hes left it clean. Or maybe Im wrong and hes never been there. Anyway, were getting ahead of ourselves. I need to know more before I draw any lasting conclusions. Lets have him followed for a while.
Round-the-clock surveillance? Donnelly asked.
Starting as soon as possible, Sean confirmed. He may have missed something. Something that could betray him. If were lucky hell lead us to something thatll hang him or at least give us grounds to dig further.
If were very lucky, Donnelly pointed out.
Right now we dont have much else, so lets start digging into his past. A man like Hellier doesnt just appear. Have criminal and intelligence records checked, see if Mr. Hellier here hasnt got some skeletons in his closet.
What about Inland Revenue, employment records, general background information?
Not yet. We havent got enough for production orders. Lets stick to our own records first-see what we can turn up.
Itll be done, Donnelly told him. Anything else?
Yeah, Sean answered. You take the car and get back to the office. Concentrate on tracking down the rest of the victims clients and let me know as soon as you turn up someone or something interesting.
Fine. And yourself?
Im going to have a little chat with his wife.
Sean took the tube from Knightsbridge to Kings Cross, noting all possible CCTV points that Hellier could have passed, including those covering the taxi rank outside the station, where Hellier probably hopped into a cab for the last leg of his journey home, although from here their journeys differed-Sean traveling the rest of the way by bus. Black cabs were an expensive luxury for him, not a realistic mode of transport. Not so for Hellier. Even so, it hadnt taken him long to get to Helliers place: 10 Devonia Road, Islington, close to Upper Street and the Angel underground station.
Helliers house was another beautiful Georgian town house and looked like a much smaller version of the Butler and Mason office building. Sean was beginning to feel undervalued and underpaid, but at least the time alone had settled his racing mind and allowed him space to clear his thoughts. He bounced up the steps and gently tapped the chrome knocker twice. After an acceptable wait a woman opened the door. Hello was all she said. Sean had expected her to say more. He showed her his identification and tried to look as unofficial as he could.
Sorry to bother you. Im Detective Inspector Corrigan, Metropolitan Police.
Oh, she replied, attempting to feign surprise. So Hellier had called and warned her. No matter. Sean had assumed he would-that wasnt why he was here. He was here for a chance at a snapshot into Helliers life.
Mrs. Hellier? Sean asked, smiling.
Yes. Elizabeth. Is there a problem?
Sean was struck by how much she looked and sounded like a female version of James Hellier: tall, slim, attractive, well spoken, the product of finishing school and two skiing holidays a year, the best of everything her whole life, but unlike with Hellier he could sense her naiveté. Was that why Hellier had married her?
Nothing to worry about, Sean lied. Im just looking into an identity fraud case. We think someone may be trying to pass himself off as your husband, James.
Really? she asked.
Im afraid so. They tried to make a substantial purchase in Harrods on Wednesday evening. Ive already spoken to your husband and he says he was home all night with you. If you could confirm that, then Ill know for sure the person we have in custody is lying to us.
But if youve already spoken to my husband, why do you need me to confirm he was at home?
Naive, but not stupid, Sean thought. I like to be thorough. Maybe we should discuss this inside, he suggested, hoping to see Helliers things, to walk in the skin of James Hellier, even for a few minutes.
Thats not really convenient right now. My children will be home from their tennis lesson any second. I wouldnt want them to start worrying. Im sure you understand. But I can tell you that James was here on Wednesday, although I hardly saw him. He was working in his office most of the night.
Sean couldnt stop himself from looking past her into the house and sensed her trying to grow large to prevent him. She wanted him to stay out of her familys life.
Of course, he said. I understand-and thank you. Youve been very helpful. Well, Ill leave you in peace. He turned to leave, then quickly turned back, speaking before the door closed on the opportunity. One more thing. . He registered the annoyance on her face, the slight flushing of the facial capillaries, only minutely visible beneath her tanned skin. He waved his finger vaguely at the front of the house and spoke casually. I was wondering, which room is your husbands office?
She stumbled. Clearly her husband hadnt warned her to expect this type of question. Does it matter?
No, Sean replied, smiling. Not really. He waited, not moving, knowing she would give in to the silence.
This one here, she said, surrendering, pointing to one of the front ground-floor windows, eager to be rid of him.
Ah, he said. If I had a house like this, thats where Id have my office too. Satisfied, he knew it was time to leave. He had sown the seeds of doubt in her and she would sow the seeds of fear into Hellier. He imagined the panicked conversation she would have with her husband later that day, both questioning each other, doubting each other. Well, Ive taken up enough of your time. Good-bye, Mrs. Hellier. Tell James I said hello. She didnt respond. He heard the door slam before he reached the last step.
Sean made the long journey on public transportation from Islington back to Peckham, jealously watching the vast majority of his fellow commuters wearily heading off for the weekend while he was heading back to work, all thoughts of home and rest still just a distant hope. Hed had little more than six hours sleep in the last two nights and knew the next few days would be no better. Reminding himself to buy some caffeine pills, he used the public entrance to the police station and climbed the stairs to the incident room without acknowledging anyone. As he crossed the room toward his office he casually observed who was there and who was missing. He assumed those not there would be running down whatever inquiries Donnelly had assigned them. He entered his office and sat heavily in his chair. Within seconds Donnelly was at his open door, a heavy bundle of witness statements and completed actions cradled in his arms. He didnt seem to feel the weight.
Howd you get on with Helliers trouble and strife?
Shes lying for him, Sean answered. Said he was home all night. I got the feeling it wasnt the first time shes covered for him.
Aye, but does she know what were investigating?
Not unless Helliers told her, which I doubt.
So technically he has an alibi.
Yeah, but you could drive a bus through it. She said he was in his office all night, alone. Its on the ground floor next to the front door. He could have slipped out and back easy.