Stalker

Chapter Thirty-Seven

‘Not one lad, but three,’ Beth emphasized as she and Matt looked at the report from the forensics team. ‘That comes from analysing the CCTV footage from all the crime scenes you sent them. They can tell the sex and approximate age of the suspects from their body structure and movements. These lads are likely to be in their early to mid twenties.’

Matt peered at Beth’s computer screen, taking it all in.

‘From the dates on the recordings,’ Beth continued, ‘it seems that one of the lads was involved until about six months ago, then he doesn’t appear again on any of the more recent footage. The other two are constant throughout, going back eighteen months – as much footage as we have.’

‘Is there anything to suggest they knew each other?’ Matt asked.

‘Not as yet, but my hunch is they do. And between them they could have been responsible for at least twelve of the crimes on our list, possibly more, including both break-ins at the Osmans’ newsagents, the voodoo doll left on the child’s bed at the Khumalos’, and the rape of Lorrie Gates. Forensics are still working on it but they have matched a footprint found beneath Lorrie Gates’ bedroom window with some found in the garden at the Khumalos. No match on the PNC yet though.’

‘Pity. With no previous convictions, all we have to work on is that they are lads in their twenties and wear balaclavas when committing their crimes. Doesn’t exactly narrow it down. Do we know if any of them have a connection to Derek Flint?’

‘None found yet but I’m sure there will be before long. The digital team are still ploughing through Flint’s computer. By the way, he can have his van and motorbike back now. Forensics have finished with them.’ Matt nodded. ‘But look at this,’ Beth said, opening another document. She began slowly scrolling down, allowing Matt time to read.

He whistled. ‘Flint’s been amassing data on everyone he knew. Not only his clients and apprentices but neighbours, an aunt, his father! Look, there’s a record of our visits.’

‘He’s completely obsessed with watching others and collecting data on them. See this column here with the row of dates and times,’ Beth said, pointing. ‘That’s when he was online and watching his clients – every evening until midnight, sometimes all night, and most weekends. All good evidence, and of course while he was watching he couldn’t have actually been there committing the crimes, which adds to our accomplice theory.’

‘Great stuff.’

‘And look at this,’ Beth continued in a flourish of delight, opening another document. ‘You remember when you went to see Paul Mellows he told you he hadn’t had any contact with Derek after he was sacked?’

Matt nodded.

‘He was lying. This is a list of text messages the digital team found on Derek Flint’s phone. The first text is from Derek to Paul: Please confirm you got the £500 just posted through your letterbox. Then Paul’s reply: Yes, got it. I want the other £500 when I’ve spoken to the police.’

‘Wow!’ Matt exclaimed.

‘I’ve checked and this exchange of texts happened later on the day we visited Flint at his office after the break-in at the Khumalos’ house. We thought we’d spooked him, he was very agitated, and we were right. There’s more,’ she said, moving the cursor up the page. ‘After I visited Paul at his home with his mother he sent this text to Derek: Police been… didn’t say anything… want the rest of the money tonight.’

‘Shit!’ Matt exploded. ‘He was blackmailing Flint.’

‘Exactly.Then Derek replies: Was everything OK? And Paul responds, Yes! Drop off the other £500 at 8pm. And Derek says, I will.’

‘Talk about incriminating evidence!’ Matt exclaimed with a deep sigh of satisfaction.

‘There were some phone calls between the two of them too around the same time but obviously we don’t know what was said.’

‘It almost doesn’t matter. This alone is pretty damning stuff.’

‘And if we needed any more evidence we have it,’ Beth said with delight, clicking the mouse. ‘As you know Flint is a meticulous record keeper. Look at this entry in Paul Mellows’ file.’ Beth waited while Matt read. His face was a picture.

‘He’s actually logged it all! Would that all criminals were so helpful! The dates and times of our visits, the payment demanded by Paul, and when he dropped off the money in two lots of five hundred pounds. Thank you, Mr Flint!’

Beth smiled. ‘Flint’s bank account shows he withdrew a total of one thousand pounds at the ATM in the High Street twenty minutes before he texted Paul to confirm he had the money.’

‘Well done, you!’ Matt said, glancing admiringly at Beth. ‘So Paul Mellows was one of Flint’s accomplices. It’s likely the other two lads on the footage were the others.’

Beth nodded. ‘The digital team will find the link eventually but there’s so much stuff on Flint’s computer and hard drives it will take time. They found a lot of pornography but it’s legal stuff. Adult, no paedophile activity. Mainly footage from The Mermaid and some gay sex.’

Matt nodded. ‘I wonder why he fell out with Paul?’

‘No idea, but I’m going to bring Paul in for questioning, and Flint back for further questioning. I’ve briefed the Serg and the DCI, and she said you should come with me.’

‘Suits me, I could do with some proper action.’

Matt went to his desk to collect his jacket from the chair back and as he did the telephone on Beth’s desk rang.

‘Just let me get this first,’ she called. ‘It might be digital forensics with something new.’ Then speaking into the handset: ‘Mayes here… Oh, I see… OK. Yes… I’ll deal with it. Thank you.’

She replaced the handset and looked at Matt. ‘That was the duty sergeant. Derek Flint’s mother has telephoned and reported him missing. She said she hasn’t seen him for four days.’

‘He’s made a run for it?’

‘Looks like it.’

‘We’ll visit Mrs Flint first and then bring Paul in.’