The Hangman’s Hold: A gripping serial killer thriller that will keep you hooked

Matilda brushed past the ACC and into the corridor, where Chris Kean, Adele’s son, was waiting. He’d changed dramatically since finishing university. Gone were the unruly hair and sombre scowl of the modern-day student, the dour expression of a generation with the worry of the entire universe on their shoulders. He had been transformed into a member of the working society. He was smart, neat, tidy, handsome, and had put on a little muscle thanks to the training he’d been doing with his mother and Matilda for the half-marathon.

As soon as he saw Matilda he jumped up from his seat. ‘How’s my mum?’ he asked, the look of worry had returned.

‘She’s fine, Chris. There’s nothing to be concerned about. We just need to talk to her about her date, that’s all.’

‘Are you going to interview her?’

Matilda looked back at the observation room, wondering if Valerie was listening. She lowered her voice. ‘No, Chris. I’m not allowed.’

‘Why not? She’d feel more comfortable with you in there.’

‘I know, but it’s a conflict of interest. We’re friends. It would be the same if you were in there. I’m sorry. She’s going to be interviewed by Aaron and Scott. She knows them; she’s worked alongside them for years. She’ll be fine. Trust me.’

‘But why are they allowed to interview her if they know her yet you’re not?’

‘Because they’ve never held her hair while she’s vomited a bottle of Prosecco down a toilet.’ Matilda smiled but Chris didn’t seem to see the funny side. ‘Look, Chris, you shouldn’t be here. You’ll have to wait in reception.’

Chris sat back down, slumping heavily into the plastic chair. ‘It’s all my fault.’

‘What makes you say that?’ Matilda asked sitting next to him.

‘I’ve been badgering her for months to go on the dating sites, meet someone,’ he sniffled. ‘She’s lonely, Mat. I can see it in her eyes. She says she’s not, but she is.’

‘I know, Chris. I blame myself too.’

‘Why?’

‘I’ve been so wrapped up in myself. Your mum is my best friend. She’s always been there for me and I should have been a better friend in return.’

‘You’ve been a great friend. You helped her when she first came to Sheffield.’

‘That was twenty years ago,’ Matilda scoffed. ‘It’s time I moved on. I need to start embracing life more, going out, enjoying myself. I think me and your mother deserve a holiday.’

‘Really?’

‘Yes.’ Matilda found herself smiling. ‘We should go somewhere warm with a beach, plenty of bars, maybe sing karaoke and chat up some blokes.’

Chris smiled but looked embarrassed.

‘Chris, you shouldn’t worry about your mum. You’re just starting out in life, you need to find out who you are, travel, meet new people, move away maybe. Your mum is going to be fine. I’ll see to that.’

‘You promise?’

‘Girl Guide’s honour,’ Matilda said, raising her right hand and giving the three-fingered salute.

‘You were a Girl Guide?’ He sniggered.

‘Well, not for long, I swore at the Patrol Leader – on more than one occasion. Come on, I’ll take you through to reception. If the ACC sees you here we’ll both be in trouble.’

DC Scott Andrews had been called in early. With Sian Mills on leave to decorate her house following the aftermath of her home being flooded, Matilda wanted someone alongside DS Aaron Connolly who Adele knew and liked. This would be a formal and recorded interview, but it needed to be as unobtrusive and sensitive as possible.

Matilda met Scott in the hallway in reception. He walked towards her carrying a tray of drinks.

‘I’ve snatched a few chocolate bars from Sian’s drawer too. I thought it might make things seem a bit more relaxed.’

Dressed in a dark grey suit with white shirt and grey tie, Scott looked his usual smart and dapper self. His hair had been recently trimmed. He was the embodiment of style. Today, however, his smooth complexion was one of worry. Adele was a regular figure in the station: everyone knew her, liked her, and respected her. Nobody wanted to see her interrogated.

‘Are you OK to do this?’ Matilda asked, noting his furrowed brow.

‘Of course. Who’s that?’ He lowered his voice and nodded at Chris Kean who was frantically chewing his nails.

‘That’s Adele’s son.’

‘Blimey, she doesn’t look old enough to have a son that age.’

‘Open with that line and you’ll have a friend for life.’ She opened the door for Scott and followed him through towards the interview suites.

‘Aaron!’ Matilda called to DS Connolly, who was talking to DC Easter. He made his excuses and joined Matilda outside interview room one. ‘Just the facts, Aaron. Don’t be too personal. We know Adele, she’s not a suspect,’ Matilda warned.

‘Yes, boss.’

Matilda watched as Scott and Aaron entered the room. She hoped to give Adele a reassuring smile, but she didn’t look up from the table. The door closed, and Matilda was left in the corridor. She went into the observation room. She may not be able to conduct the interview, but there was no way she was going to allow it to be unsupervised.

‘Friday, 10th of March 2017. Interview with Adele Kean. Those present are myself, Detective Constable Scott Andrews—’

‘Detective Sergeant Aaron Connolly.’

Scott nodded at Adele when she didn’t speak.

‘Oh, sorry, Doctor Adele Kean,’ her voice was broken and soft.

‘Dr Kean, you are not under arrest and you haven’t been cautioned. This is a formal interview, as we believe you to be the last person to see Brian Appleby alive. Do you understand?’

Adele nodded.

‘You’re going to have to reply for the benefit of the recording,’ Scott said, leaning forward, his voice gentle and low.

‘I’m sorry. This is all new to me. Yes. I understand.’

‘Adele, can you tell me how you came to meet Brian Appleby?’ Aaron said, sitting back in his chair.

Adele closed her eyes and shook her head. She wasn’t embarrassed about using a website to find a man, everyone did it these days, she just hoped she wasn’t asked why she wanted to find a soulmate in the first place. That, she was embarrassed about.

‘It was a dating website aimed at people of mature years.’

‘Who made contact first?’

‘He did.’