Back at her desk, Maggie couldn’t sit still. Her curiosity was getting the better of her. She wanted to know what information DI Rutherford and Nathan would be sharing with the press and whether they would allude to the connection with another stalking case.
She snuck in the back of the room and stood against the wall, her hands behind her, to stop her from reacting to anything that might lead to further frustrations. Looking at the attendees, she noticed that gobby journalist who had been out to get her during the Raven case. At the time, she had been investigating the dismembered remains of Bill Raven’s alleged victims while he had been appealing his conviction. The reporter had made a point of sensationalizing the case and making Maggie look like she was incompetent. She’d also thrown around accusations that Maggie had coerced an innocent man into confessing and was trying to sabotage his release. She shuddered as the memories raced through her mind.
Maggie listened as her DI advised the press on the current situation with the discovery and formal ID of Tracy Holloway’s body.
‘Our victim was discovered in the early hours and declared dead on the scene. After speaking with our colleagues in the Misper Unit, we can now confirm the victim has been identified as Tracy Holloway, who had been reported missing some five weeks ago. On discovery of her body, we’ve learned that her hair had been dyed black and clothing that she did not own was placed on her, presumably by her abductor and killer.’
‘Can you tell us if she had been sexually assaulted in any way?’ One journalist shouted out.
‘No, I can’t confirm that at the moment. As soon as more forensic details have been passed on to us, we’ll be sharing what we can with you. Our message today really is to ask you all to respect the family’s wishes and allow them time to grieve.’
‘What about the eyes being sewn shut?’ The mouthy journalist called out.
Maggie’s eyes widened. How the hell did she know that? She needed to find out the journalist’s name.
‘I’m sorry? I’m not sure where you got that information from, but I am not at liberty to discuss any aspects of the ongoing investigation.’ DI Rutherford’s face had reddened, and Maggie knew the reporter would not give up so easily.
‘But you’re not denying it then, are you? And the mouth too. I heard she had an almost doll-like appearance.’
Maggie clenched her fists behind her; she could feel her knuckles graze the wall. She noted the smirk on the journalist’s face.
‘As I said, I’m not at liberty to discuss anything more with you at this time. I’d like to thank you all for attending today. If you have any further questions, you can direct them to our COMMS Officer via the usual channels.’ DI Rutherford straightened her suit jacket and made her way out of the room, with Maggie quickly in tow.
‘What the hell was that?’ Maggie whispered to her boss.
‘Fucked if I know. How did that journalist get those details? I specifically told you all in the briefing that we wouldn’t be giving out those details to the press. Our whole case could be compromised now with all the nutters who are going to call in saying it was them.’
‘Do you think we have a leak in the team, ma’am?’ Maggie had to quicken her pace to keep up with the DI.
‘We’d better not or heads will roll! And what was that crap about looking like a doll?’
Maggie grabbed DI Rutherford’s arm. ‘Wait. Dr Blake said something like that at the crime scene. I don’t think it was recorded anywhere, so the leak could be anyone who was within earshot.’
‘Are you serious? Right, I want you to speak to Nathan and check the records, statements, and any notes available. I’ll be calling everyone together in an hour. If we have a leak, we need to know. I’d also like to find out more about that journalist. We need to shut this down as soon as possible before she prints something that’s going to cause a panic in the community.’ DI Rutherford carried on to her office, and Maggie went to Nathan’s.
***
‘Did you hear what happened?’ Maggie blurted out.
‘Where? When? Sorry, I’m not psychic so I have no clue what you’re talking about. Care to enlighten me further?’
‘Sorry.’ She took a breath. ‘At the press conference. Remember that journalist from the Raven case – the one who clearly had it in for me? She knew about the eyes and mouth being sewn shut in this case and—’
‘What? Did she say where she found out that information?’ Nathan interrupted.
‘Well, if you’d let me finish …’ Maggie smiled. ‘She also knew about Dr Blake referring to the victim as looking like a doll, but she wouldn’t say where the information came from and Rutherford basically ended things there.’
‘The guv must be fuming. But the doll thing – was that said in any of the briefings?’
‘I can’t recall. I know Dr Blake said it at the crime scene, but I can’t for the life of me remember if it was something that was mentioned with everyone at any of the discussions or even casually in the office. That’s what worries me more. Only someone at the scene would have heard that.’ Maggie sat. Her legs felt like jelly.
‘Well, let’s find out the facts first. We should be able to narrow down where the information originated and then how the journalist got hold of it.’
Maggie knew Nathan was right. ‘DI Rutherford wants me to go over the statements to see what information was recorded. That may give us a lead. She’s also asked me to get Bethany to do some digging on that journalist. We’ll have to stop her from sensationalizing this whole thing – imagine what Tracy Holloway’s family are going to think if they read about that in the papers.’
Nathan’s computer pinged. ‘Go and make a start on those tasks; we’re meeting in an hour. Can you ask Bethany to come in here? I’ll work with her on the journalist side of things and see if we can get at least those aspects suppressed. Though I’m sure we’re going to have to give her something to stop her.’ Nathan scratched his head and picked up his phone. That was her cue to leave.
She walked over to Bethany. ‘Nathan needs you in his office.’
‘Erm. OK. Any clue what it’s about?’ Bethany frowned.
‘Just the case. Sorry, I need to do something before the briefing. Don’t look so worried.’ As the words came out of her mouth, she knew she sounded harsher than she’d intended but Bethany was already out of her chair and heading to Nathan’s office before she could explain further.
Maggie opened the statements on her system. She trawled through the details but could find no mention of Dr Blake’s comments from the crime scene. She looked through the notes she’d jotted down from the briefing but then realized that even if the doll-like reference of the victim had been mentioned, she wouldn’t necessarily have noted that herself. Her next port of call would be DI Rutherford’s PA, but with her only working part-time, she may well have gone for the day. She picked up her phone and dialled the extension. The answerphone kicked in. Damn. And then a thought crept into her head and the hair on her arms stood on end.
What if the killer was in contact with the journalist?