Programmed To Kill: Featuring Detective Annie Macpherson Read online

  The senior officer looked up. He knew both Ellison and Macpherson. ‘Morning Detectives, any word on how Father Bannister’s doing?’

  ‘Not yet,’ Ellison replied. ‘What’ve you got?’

  ‘Not much yet. The area has been contaminated to some extent by the traffic going through: first the trainee priest, then the ambulance crew. There’s lots of blood pooled in this part, which I’ve marked out. Father Bannister must have been lying in it for some time before being discovered. I was about to start a spiral search pattern so I can record the exact position of all the blood.’

  ‘Mind if I take a few shots myself?’ Ellison pulled out his digital camera without waiting for a reply and Heaviley stood to one side. When Ellison was finished he looked at the investigator again. ‘Don’t suppose you’ve come across the weapon?’

  ‘No, Detective, but if you glance to your right, you’ll see another area we’ve marked out. There’s a trail of blood leading to the other door, so I would guess the murderer took the weapon away. I suspect a knife from the description of the injuries the paramedics gave Officer Cunningham.’

  ‘Any sign of forced entry?’ Ellison asked.

  ‘Not so far. We’re in the process of taking prints from all the doors. We’ve still got a lot to do. Haven’t even started with the blood or fibre samples. One of my team is outside with Officer Jacobs. They’re looking around the perimeter of the building, particularly where that back door leads. I need to establish the exact parameters of the crime scene. It may be that we have to extend it outside if there’s anything to warrant it.’

  Ellison was taking in the scene as Heaviley spoke.

  ‘Have you interviewed the seminarian?’ Heaviley asked.

  ‘Not yet. There’s a bakery across the road, which opens quite early. We’ll go there first and see if anyone spotted anything unusual.’

  ‘Good idea. Check back with me before you leave, so I can tell you how far we’ve got.’ The investigator turned his attention back to his work.

  Annie took a last look around. The efficiency of Heaviley’s team was impressive. Each member worked unobtrusively, having specific tasks to do, never getting in the way of anyone else. They reminded Annie of one of those wildlife programmes on ant colonies.

  Ellison directed her back out through the vestry and across the road to the bakery.

  ‘Sure you’re just not after a fresh doughnut?’ Annie asked.

  ‘Thought you’d never offer, Detective. This bakery’s been here since before I was born. It has changed hands loads of times but the quality is still pretty good. Everything is baked on the premises.’

  They drew a blank at the bakery as far as anything suspicious was concerned. However, Ellison’s memory of the honey-dipped doughnuts was accurate. Washing the doughnuts down with some coffee as they walked, they checked out the derelict garage on the opposite corner to the church. Ellison pointed, commenting, ‘Someone could have parked here without arousing suspicion or even on one of these side streets. At most, it would take two minutes to get from that back entrance out to this road. I’m going to call the desk sergeant to have some patrol officers knock on the doors further along this road.’

  Annie finished her coffee as he made the call.

  Ellison got what he wanted from the desk sergeant. ‘And Sarge, make sure they leave a report for me in the squad room.’

  Chapter 4

  A man, introducing himself as Brother Jonathan, opened the door to the seminary. From his white hair and stooped posture, Annie assumed he was well past retirement age, although she wasn’t sure if Catholic clergymen actually retired. Her own background was Scottish Presbyterian but she’d abandoned religion years ago. Brother Jonathan took a pair of reading glasses out of his pocket and scrutinised their police credentials.

  ‘Have to be careful,’ he muttered, as he passed their identifications back and turned to lead the two detectives down the corridor. The door he paused at opened into a large, open plan kitchen, more modern than Annie expected, given the age of the rest of the building. A young, dark haired man was sitting at the table, his head in his hands. He turned to look as Annie and Ellison entered the room. His eyes were red and he clung on to a handful of tissues.

  The two detectives took seats at the table and introduced themselves, before Ellison began. ‘We know you’ve been through an ordeal this morning, Mr Bailey. Are you OK to talk? We’ve got some questions while things are fresh in your mind.’ Annie smiled encouragingly, backing up the empathic tone that Ellison was using with the young man.

  Bailey took another sip of his tea. ‘Please call me Damien, Mr Bailey sounds like my dad.’

  Brother Jonathan lingered in the room, obviously not wanting Damien to go through the interview on his own. ‘Would you detectives like a drink?’ he asked, interrupting Ellison before he could start the questioning.

  ‘We’re good,’ Ellison replied, eager to get on with it. It was obvious to him, however, that the clergyman wasn’t sure whether he should stay or not. With drinks refused, he had nothing to do. Ellison addressed the young seminarian. ‘Damien, do you want Brother Jonathan to stay or would you rather speak to us on your own?’

  The young man’s eyes widened. ‘I’d like him to stay, if that’s OK.’

  ‘Then have a seat, Brother Jonathan,’ Ellison suggested and waited until the clergyman settled. ‘So Damien, tell us what happened: what time you found Father Bannister, how he was.’

  Damien glanced from the detectives to Brother Jonathan before he began. ‘I was rushing because I was late for Father Bannister. I help him with his vestments, make sure the wafers are ready for Mass, the readings marked. So I dashed down the stairs, hoping he wouldn’t be annoyed with me.’ The red colour started on his neck and moved up to his face. ‘I pushed the door open but it was hard to see inside because the vestry doesn’t have much natural light.’ Damien hesitated and twisted the tissue in his hands. His chest started to rise, as his breathing grew heavier.

  ‘Damien, this is very important. What did you do next?’

  ‘I … I got distracted because I heard moaning. I thought something must’ve happened. I mean Father Bannister could’ve had a heart attack …’

  Brother Jonathan placed a hand on the seminarian’s shoulder. ‘Damien, the detectives need to know what you did and what you saw, not what you were thinking.’

  ‘Sorry,’ the young man said, regaining his composure. ‘I switched on the light and saw Father Bannister. It was awful. He was covered in blood.’

  Ellison interrupted. ‘What do you mean covered in blood? Can you be specific about where the blood was?’

  ‘Mostly below his waist, all over his hands, on his cassock; more blood than I’ve ever seen. I couldn’t tell where it was coming from or how to stop it. I didn’t know what to do.’ Damien started to fill up again and his hands were shaking.

  ‘Damien, I know this is difficult. It’s important we’re clear. You said a moment ago that you heard moaning, so was Father Bannister conscious? Did he say anything to you?’

  ‘I can’t remember his exact words. It was something like, Kill me then. He must’ve thought I was the person who attacked him. That’s when I moved round to face him and said, It’s me, Damien. His eyes weren’t focussed. I don’t think he could see properly. He then said to get an ambulance or something like that.’

  ‘Good, that’s helpful.’ Ellison glanced over at Annie who was taking notes.

  Sensing that her partner would be happy for her to ask her own questions, she took the cue. ‘Damien, did you get the impression that Father Bannister knew his attacker?’

  The young man shifted in his chair, turning his head to face Annie. ‘I’m not too sure. It was scary, like he was expecting more violence, like he was resigned somehow. I don’t know why I’m saying that really;
it was only a feeling I got. As soon as he said to get the ambulance, he drifted off. I couldn’t rouse him. I thought he was dead at first but then I saw his chest move slightly.’ Damien started crying and Brother Jonathan got up and put his arm around the young man’s shoulders. Ellison signalled to the older man that they were finished.

  Brother Jonathan helped the younger man up. ‘I’ll see that Damien gets settled in his room.’

  ‘Not a lot to go on,’ Annie commented when they were on their own.

  ‘No,’ Ellison agreed, ‘but it seems a strange time of the day for an attack: first thing in the morning, when there’s a weekday Mass. Still, not exactly a baseball crowd in attendance. We can get Cunningham and Jacobs to check out the loyal following again. One of them might remember someone, a stranger maybe, who’s been to Mass recently.’

  The clergyman came back into the room. ‘He’ll settle soon. Now, how else can we help you?’

  Ellison stood up. ‘We need the names of all the residents of the seminary. We’ll start interviewing everyone who was here this morning. Detective Macpherson can stay in this room and you can show me another room I can use.’

  By the end of the morning the two detectives had interviewed two priests, six seminarians, the housekeeper and Brother Jonathan. No one had seen or heard anything or noticed anyone suspicious in the last few weeks. Above all, no one could venture any motive for the attack on the priest. Brother Jonathan confirmed the events of the morning and the number of attendees at the Mass. Finally, they also established some basic facts about Father Bannister: how long he had been a priest, when he came to the parish and the names of his previous parishes. They were also informed that Father Bannister’s mother was his next-of-kin. Annie jotted down her details

  ‘I’ve been trying to reach Marion Bannister,’ Brother Jonathan said, ‘to let her know that Brian’s in the hospital. She hasn’t answered the phone and doesn’t have voicemail.’

  ‘We’ll be in touch with Mrs Bannister,’ Ellison instructed, as the two detectives walked to the door. ‘If you think of anything else that’s relevant, give us a call.’ Once they were outside, Ellison said, ‘We need to check with Heaviley before we go.’

  Heaviley approached them as they came into the room. ‘There’s blood, fibre samples, and fingerprints to be processed. We need another couple of hours, at least.’

  ‘OK. We’re off to the hospital. I’ll tell Officer Cunningham to stay until you’re finished and then get some other uniforms to ensure no one enters the vestry.’

  Cunningham was by the crime scene tape as they approached. ‘Can you and Jacobs get started on the churchgoers when Heaviley is finished?’ Ellison asked. ‘And I want this area kept sealed off. I’ll get the sergeant to send some other patrol officers to cover in a couple of hours. Brother Jonathan knows that the priests will have to find an alternative place to dress for Mass tomorrow. Let me know at the end of the shift how far you’ve gotten with the interviews and whether there’s anything we need to follow up on.’

  ‘Will do, Detective,’ Cunningham said.

  Ellison and Annie headed back to the car. ‘Want to grab some lunch before we interview the ambulance crew and check on Father Bannister?’ Ellison asked.

  ‘Sure, I’m starving. That doughnut seems like hours ago now.’

  ‘Good. I better just call the sarge to arrange for the replacements.’

  A half hour later, the two detectives were in the local diner. The waitress brought over their orders. ‘You do like our burgers, don’t you?’ Ellison remarked when Annie’s meal was put down.

  ‘They taste better than the ones back home, that’s for sure,’ Annie replied, while she busied herself cutting her bun in half. ‘Only I still can’t work out how people manage to pick them up whole and get their mouths around them, piled so high with lettuce, tomato and bacon.’

  Ellison watched her. Everything she did was precise. Looking at her long thin fingers, now folded around the burger bun, he decided to follow suit.

  Annie was amused watching him copy her own actions. ‘Learning something from me, are you?’

  ‘I’m sure you could teach me a lot more, Detective. I bet I’d be a better student than that soldier.’

  Annie shook her head. ‘You can’t resist, can you?’

  Ellison held his hands up in surrender. ‘OK, OK, but I won’t stop trying and one of these days you’ll succumb to my charms.’

  Annie grinned at the gesture. ‘Perhaps we should get back to the case.’

  ‘Right. As soon as we’ve finished eating I’ll call the hospital and see how Father Bannister’s doing. If he’s out of surgery and conscious, he’s our priority. We also need to speak to the ambulance crew and any of the doctors who treated him. Cunningham and Jacobs should let us know by the end of the shift how the interviews went with the people at Mass.’

  Chapter 5

  Nearly time for the news: the murder of a priest should make it to the bulletin. By my calculations, Bannister would have bled out by the time anyone found him. I should have finished the job and made sure he was dead. When I heard that noise I knew I had to get out. I didn’t have to see him die to be satisfied. The look of fear on his face was enough. I was quick and effective. In the end, he was resigned to his fate. It was almost as if he’d been waiting for it to happen.

  The news is on. Top story …

  ‘We’re getting unconfirmed reports of a vicious attack on a priest in the vestry of Sacred Heart Church in Westford. We’re unable to name the victim yet as his next-of-kin haven’t been informed. Our reporter managed to speak to one of the parishioners. We’re going over live to them now …’

  ‘Gerald, what can you tell us?’

  ‘Mary, I have Madeline Connors with me. She’s going to tell us what she saw. Mrs Connors …’

  The woman stared straight into the camera. ‘We were waiting for Mass to start. There were six of us, including myself. Brother Jonathan came in, saying that Father …’ The woman hesitated, looking at the reporter. ‘I can’t say his name, can I?’

  ‘No, his next-of-kin need to be informed first.’

  ‘Well, he told us the priest wasn’t well so Mass was cancelled. Then Brother Jonathan said that the police would interview us. While we were waiting, a couple of us wanted some fresh air and went outside. That’s when we saw the ambulance and the stretcher.’

  The woman looked at the reporter again, who asked, ‘Did you see the priest being taken out to the ambulance?’

  ‘Yes, it was awful. He had one of those oxygen masks over his face and he was covered up. Even so, you could see blood coming through the sheets.’

  Damn, he’s alive. What if he identifies me? My plan will go down the tubes. No, calm down. Think! He can’t last long. It’s a waiting game now. Waiting is what I’m good at. I’ve already waited years.

  Chapter 6

  Annie was familiar with Westford Hospital. With the previous case, she had spent many long hours here interviewing doctors and nurses. While visiting Angela Goodman she had been attacked herself, right on the ward. She shuddered thinking about that assault. As Ellison showed his badge at the main reception, Annie looked around the large open plan area, wondering if they might run into Charlie. His sister was making a slow recovery and now spending more time in the physical therapy department. Charlie visited every day.

  ‘I’ll find out where Father Bannister is,’ the receptionist replied. ‘Would you like to take a seat while you’re waiting?’

  Ellison didn’t make a move and, sensing his strategy, nor did Annie. ‘I’m sure you won’t be long enough for us to make ourselves comfortable,’ Ellison said, winking at the receptionist.

  The receptionist blushed as she pressed some buttons and then relayed the details she was given. ‘Father Bannister is still in surgery. It coul
d be another hour or so. Then he’ll be taken to the recovery area. He won’t be on a ward for a few hours yet.’

  ‘Thanks, Susan,’ Ellison replied, noting her name badge. ‘We’ll speak to the surgeon as soon as he’s finished. Meanwhile, we’d like to talk to the ambulance crew and the admitting ER doctor.’

  Susan didn’t hesitate this time. Smiling back at Ellison, she pressed some numbers again. Ellison turned to Annie as Susan was gathering information, his elbow still resting on the reception desk. ‘I bet this place feels like home from home for you after the last case.’

  ‘You could say that. I’ll probably be back to see Angela Goodman some time later this week.’

  ‘How’s she doing?’

  ‘Slow, but steady. Their rehabilitation services are excellent.’

  Ellison was about to say something in reply when the receptionist interrupted. ‘You’re in luck. The crew are transferring someone into the ER right now. They’ll be over in a few minutes. Dr Sanderson, the ER attending, is evaluating the new arrival. He knows you’re here.’

  They took seats and Ellison started flicking through a sports magazine. Annie opened the notebook from the previous case. Bronski was doing the main report for the prosecution and the case was coming together nicely. Annie needed to be sure she didn’t have anything further to add, before Bronski was back tomorrow. But scanning through her notes, her mind wandered to this new case. It was a change to work more closely with Dave Ellison. He was very different from Bronski, whom she admired professionally but couldn’t really relate to personally. Bronski wasn’t as easy on the eye either: medium height, late middle aged and balding – nothing much to distinguish him from lots of other ordinary looking guys. He was pleasant, of course, and very supportive, but she didn’t feel close to him. No, it was much easier spending time with Ellison.