Maggie looked at her list of priority tasks. After updating Nathan on her plans, she finished off her coffee before she picked up the phone and contacted Markston Probation. Location wise, it seemed the best place to start, given the address of Tracy Holloway and where she was found.
After a few rings, the phone was answered and Maggie asked to be put through to Sarah Hardy.
‘Markston Probation. Sarah speaking. How can I help you?’
‘Hi Sarah. It’s Maggie – I’m actually hoping to pick your brains a bit, if I can.’
‘Oh hey! Great to hear from you. What can I do for you?’
‘We have a case that’s left us all a bit baffled. I can’t go into too much detail, but I wondered if you or any of your colleagues have anyone on your caseload who’s raised a red flag recently.’
‘Can you give me a little more than that?’
Maggie had to be careful with what information she shared, so she tried to give as much as she could without compromising the case. ‘Let me think. Anyone who has a previous history of violence, harassment, stalking, kidnapping even. Targets females. Perhaps they’ve recently stopped reporting. Or even the opposite – previous poor compliance but they’re now attending every appointment.’
‘Wow. That’s quite a bit to digest. Let me have a chat with my colleagues and we can put a list together. I can’t think of anyone off the top of my head, but I do have close to one hundred cases at the moment, so it may take a bit of time. I can email a list over to you as soon as possible.’
‘That would be great. I’m kind of relieved that no one screams out at you at the moment, but if you could go away and discuss it with your colleagues, I’d really appreciate that. And if your manager needs to speak to anyone regarding the sharing of information, they’re more than welcome to ring DI Rutherford.’
‘Great. Speak to you soon.’
Maggie ended the call. She tried to log the information on her computer, but the screen was playing up again. Probably a loose connection. She dialled the HR department and asked if they could send someone from maintenance out to fix it. There was always a free desk in the office, so she used one of the other computers to record the information and then gathered her things together. Her next task would be to visit Tracy Holloway’s home. Bethany was still looking at the social media accounts – Maggie informed her where she could be found if anyone needed her and she went down to the enquiry desk to grab the keys and sign out one of the pool vehicles.
***
At this time of day, the drive to Woodend didn’t take long. The area was decent enough, if not a little run-down, and Maggie surmised that the rent was probably affordable for a young person trying to live away from home. She used the code that had been given to the police by Tracy’s parents to get into the building and walked up the two flights of stairs, as there was a massive puddle in front of the lift and Maggie didn’t want to have to guess what it was.
She stopped on the landing to catch her breath before entering the second-floor hallway. She knew she was out of shape and if she didn’t do something about that, she’d fail the next fitness test and be stuck on desk duties. She made a mental note to start exercising again.
The victim lived in flat 212, and it was easily recognizable as there was a police officer standing just outside the door. Maggie showed her ID and signed the form he shoved in her direction. Inside, Maggie was instantly hit with the smell of vanilla. The flat was tidy and decorated minimally, and there were candles everywhere. She suited up and snapped on the latex gloves so she could begin looking around. There were a few people still dusting for prints.
‘You all OK if I just have a look in the bedroom?’
‘If you’re suited up, knock yourself out,’ one of the forensic officers responded.
The first door led to the bathroom and Maggie’s heart nearly stopped when she opened the door and came face-to-face with a masked man.
He jumped back. ‘Whoa! You gave me a fright.’
Maggie laughed holding her hand over her heart. ‘Snap! Sorry, I didn’t realize anyone was in there.’
‘Yeah, just collecting prints. All yours if you need it.’
‘No. I was looking for the bedroom. I’m guessing it’s that other door.’ She pointed.
‘Yeah. I was headed there next. Do you mind if I follow?’
‘That’s fine. I’ll just have a look around and then leave you to it.’
Maggie walked ahead and entered the bedroom. There was a double bed which had been made up. So Tracy was meticulous and tidy. One bedside table with a small lamp and a notebook. A chest of drawers and a small closet.
She opened the closet. Everything was hung neatly and looked to be in order of type: dresses, blouses, jackets, and trousers of various colours. The clothes she was found in did not match her usual style. The floor of the closet had shoe boxes full of trainers and pumps. No boots. A few scarves hung on a hook on the inside of the door. She closed it and went over to the chest of drawers next.
Socks, underwear, T-shirts and pjs were folded neatly. Maggie lifted a few things to see if perhaps Tracy hid any valuables underneath her clothing. Nothing there. Maggie looked under the mattress – nothing. And nothing under the bed either.
Finally, Maggie went to the bedside table. There was a smaller drawer with a cupboard compartment underneath. Inside the cupboard she found make-up, a hair dryer, curlers, and a make-up mirror. Then she opened the drawer and her heart stopped. She pulled out her mobile and with shaking hands scrolled until she found Nathan’s number, and hit connect.
Nathan answered almost immediately.
‘Hey, Maggie. What’s up?’
‘Sir, we have a problem. Have you spoken to Kate yet?’
‘I’m with DI Calleja. We’re just waiting for Kate to finish a call before she joins us. What is it, Maggie?’
‘I’m at Ms Holloway’s flat and have just found a bundle of letters. They’re in black envelopes with gold writing.’
‘OK. You’ve lost me now. Is that significant?’ Maggie was surprised Nathan hadn’t connected the dots. He had obviously not taken Kate’s stalker seriously.
‘Very. Kate received the letters in black envelopes with gold writing from her stalker.’
‘Oh shit! I’ve got to go. Kate’s just arrived. Make sure they’re bagged up and hand them over to the forensic team then head back to the station. I’ll see you there.’