DI Sean Corrigan Crime Series: 6-Book Collection: Cold Killing, Redemption of the Dead, The Keeper, The Network, The Toy Taker and The Jackdaw

Hellier regained his stoicism. ‘No comment.’

‘She’s still alive you know. DS Jones is alive – and she’s tough. She’ll pull through. She’ll confirm it was you who attacked her.’

‘Really,’ Hellier said.

‘Yes. Really.’

‘Ha.’ Hellier laughed. ‘You’re a damn fool.’

‘You’re just damned,’ Sean countered.

‘Probably.’ Hellier seemed pleased at the prospect. ‘But right now I’m just bored.’

‘Maybe I can get your interest? At your last interview, you gave us samples of blood and hair. Remember?’

‘No comment.’

‘You can answer that question,’ Templeman advised. Hellier turned his head slowly to him. He stared at him, eyes slit.

‘No comment.’

‘For the benefit of the tape,’ Sean explained. ‘Mr Hellier was arrested yesterday on suspicion of having raped and murdered Linda Kotler. On that occasion he provided samples of hair and blood for forensic comparison to hair samples found in Linda Kotler’s flat. Does that refresh your memory?’ Hellier feigned disinterest. ‘Those samples have since been analysed at our forensic laboratory. It has been confirmed that the samples taken from the scene are a DNA match to samples provided by you.’

At this, Hellier focused on Sean, eyes narrowed, head turned slightly to one side. Sean noted the reaction.

‘It’s over,’ he said. ‘No more games. You can’t argue with DNA evidence. Like I said, it would be better for you if you start talking.’

Hellier said nothing. Sean spoke almost sympathetically: ‘Tell us about the things you’ve done,’ he encouraged. ‘I want to hear about the … exceptional things you’ve done.’

‘No comment.’

‘What was the point in doing the things you did if you don’t tell the world?’ Sean tried to appeal to his ego.

‘You and I both know you’re lying, Inspector. You couldn’t have matched my DNA to this woman because I’ve never set eyes on her.’

Hellier’s response surprised Sean. He hadn’t expected that. Hadn’t expected such a definitive denial. He’d assumed Hellier would try and talk his way around the DNA evidence, as he had with Daniel Graydon. In spite of everything, the man was capable of knocking him back, souring what should have been his moment of triumph. No matter, the DNA evidence alone would hang Hellier.

Hellier studied Sean. His eyes twitched with the concentration.

‘You think I’m lying?’ Sean asked. ‘Mr Templeman will confirm I’m not allowed to lie about evidence. Only suspects are allowed to lie.’

‘I think we’re at the stage where you should be specific about the DNA evidence you have,’ Templeman said.

‘Two hairs,’ Sean answered confidently. ‘Both recovered from the crime scene at Linda Kotler’s flat. One on the body. One next to the body. We could tell by their positions that they had very recently been deposited, and both those hairs belong to you, Mr Hellier.’

Hellier was without emotion. ‘No comment.’

‘Can you explain how your hair came to be in Linda Kotler’s flat?’ Sean asked.

Hellier glared at him contemptuously. ‘No comment.’

‘This is physical evidence from the scene. I want to remind you that if you fail or refuse to explain here and now how your hair came to be in Linda Kotler’s flat, then a jury can draw a negative inference from your failure or refusal to do so. Do you understand, Mr Hellier?’

‘No comment.’

Sean leaned across the table, closer to Hellier. ‘I don’t blame you for not answering. And I know why you won’t, because there is only one explanation, isn’t there? That you went to her flat and you killed her.’

‘No comment,’ Hellier answered quickly.

‘You raped her and killed her.’

‘No comment.’

‘You raped her. You tortured her. And you killed her.’ Sean’s anger was rising.

‘No comment,’ Hellier raised his voice to match Sean’s.

‘Do one decent thing in your life,’ Sean snapped. ‘If you can find one shred of humanity in your body, then use it to help the people whose lives you’ve shattered. Give the victims’ families some closure. Admit to these crimes.’

‘If you have the evidence, then you give them closure,’ Hellier taunted. ‘Charge me. Tell them you’ve put the man who killed their darling daughter or son behind bars. Why do you need me to confess? Do you lack belief, Inspector?’

‘Belief’s got nothing to do with it, James – or should I start calling you by your real name, Mr Korsakov? Mr Stefan Korsakov?’

Sean waited for Hellier’s reaction. A slight smile, nothing more.

‘Like I said, it’s not about what I believe. It’s about what I can prove, and I can prove who you really are and that ex-Detective Sergeant Jarratt has been helping you cover your crimes for years.’

‘So the pig finally squealed,’ Hellier spat. ‘How appropriate.’

‘And that’s why you tried to kill DS Jones. You had to. You knew she was getting close to the truth. Jarratt warned you, so you had no choice. She was going to bring your whole house of cards crashing down, so you broke into her flat and you tried to kill her.’

‘You’re delusional. You think I’d kill to protect Jarratt?’

‘No. To protect yourself.’

Hellier leaned forward as close to Sean as the table they sat across would allow. ‘I don’t care if you think you know who I am, or even if you do know who I am. I can be anyone I want to be. I can go anywhere I want to go. Do anything I want to do. Jarratt, a corruptible cop – ten a penny, Inspector. Not reason enough to kill your little pet.’

Sean swallowed his mounting anger as best he could. ‘Nice touch, by the way,’ he told Hellier.

‘What are you talking about now?’ Hellier asked. ‘More delusions, Inspector?’

‘Using my name when you approached Linda Kotler. Telling her you were me. Did you have a false warrant card with you? Or did Jarratt provide you with a real one, in my name? Did you show her the card when you were telling her you were me?’

‘I don’t know what you’re talking about. You’re insane, man.’

‘No,’ said Sean, icy calm. ‘Not me. It’s you who is insane. You have to be.’ The room fell silent, Sean and Hellier locked in combat while Templeman and DC Cahill looked on uncomfortably, aware they were little more than intruders in a private duel.

‘I think this interview’s gone on long enough,’ Templeman interrupted, his head spinning with new revelations, even if Hellier’s was not. ‘Given the injuries Mr Hellier suffered while being arrested, I feel this interview should be stopped until such time as my client has received further medical treatment.’