Trophies: a gripping detective thriller (The Wakefield Series Book 1) Read Online Free PDF

it would have done his promotion prospects any harm. And do you remember a young bit of skirt working the case with him?”
    “I think so, why?”
    “Rumour has it he was nobbing it.”
    “There you go, I told you blokes are at it every day. She was a bit of a looker, if I remember, lucky bastard. But Summers maintained his innocence, though. His brother, oh I can’t remember his name now, he was always making noises about how it was a stitch up.”
    “He might have a point,” Wilson said. “Anyway, she disappeared off the scene pretty quickly after that. Promotion and London, they said. Then he got made up. Slippery bastard. It might be worth keeping him on your radar.”
    “Thanks for that.” Souter once again thought of his old mate Colin Strong. “I’ll bear that in mind. Now, one for the road?”
     

7
     
     
     
    Strong was in his office reviewing the files on the case that was due in court the following day when Atkinson knocked on his door.
    “Ah, Malcolm, how did you get on with our Geordie Jock?”
    “We charged him with handling and released him on bail last night, guv.”
    “Did you speak to Rosie Hudson?”
    “Yes, she confirmed he was with her on November the 28 th and probably on the other dates too but she couldn’t be sure. Also, she claims she knew nothing about the videos and TV’s we found there.”
    “And, let me guess, she doesn’t know any of Montgomery’s friends either.”
    Atkinson merely nodded confirmation.
    “All right then, get a list of his known associates, see how many have been interviewed before and how many have previous for burglary. Check their stories for the nights in question.”
    Atkinson placed a small rectangular package on Strong’s desk. “And Sgt. Sidebotham asked me to give you this.”
    Strong studied it for a moment but when Atkinson turned to leave, called him back. “Oh, one more thing, see if you can dig up any background information on Montgomery. For instance, it says in his file he’s divorced. See if you can find out from whom; did they have any kids, that sort of thing.”
    Atkinson looked puzzled.
    “Something wrong, constable?”
    Atkinson noted the change of tone. “No, guv,” he replied, closing the door behind him.
    Satisfied he’d gone, Strong brought a small cassette player and a copy of Montgomery’s interview tape from the middle drawer of his desk. Unwrapping Sidebotham’s package revealed another tape, which he placed in the machine then pushed the play button. The first words in that familiar, slightly lispy, north-east accent emerged from the player.
    ‘I’m Jack.
    ‘I see you are still having no luck catching me …’
    This was the notorious message sent to taunt George Oldfield, the senior detective leading the hunt for the Yorkshire Ripper in 1979.
    When it had finished, he played the copy of Montgomery’s interview, then stopped both tapes at the points he wished to study further.
    ‘I have the greatest of respect for you, George, but Lord; you are no nearer to catching me now than four years ago.’
    The voice from twenty odd years before sounded just as menacing and mocking as he remembered it.
    ‘ Lord! How many more times, I bought them from some bloke in a pub!’
    Billy Montgomery’s voice didn’t sound as similar as he first thought. Truth to tell it was really only his use of ‘Lord’ that could be considered similar. Was he letting his imagination run away with him? Was he likely to embarrass himself? In the end, it was over twenty years ago, does it really matter? He took a small cigar from the pack in his pocket, walked over to the window, opened it slightly, then lit up.
    Of course it matters. The person responsible for the tape and the previous letters distracted the police enquiries from the true culprit. At least three more victims lost their lives at the hands of Peter Sutcliffe. The perpetrator of the cruel hoax was as responsible as Sutcliffe himself. “Of course it matters,” Strong said