Detective Inspector Shana Lawrence took the stand and pulled the mic towards her. She stood tall and proud, stiff in her freshly pressed uniform. She scanned the courtroom, filled sparsely with a few spectators, and began to speak.
“The first time Mr Anderson killed was nine years ago. His first victim: Ava Getts. He left no traces and the case was left unsolved until now. The next year he killed Sam Thompson in the same way. these two murders were followed by those of Grace Chance and Sarah Rutherford,” she looked over to where Manny Wigginson was sitting, but he didn’t meet her eye, “before the final murder of Steve Acram that I am sure you are all aware of.
“Mr Anderson was a cold-hearted psychopath who killed for pleasure. On the night of Mr Acram’s murder he saw Mr and Mrs Abell through the window and suspected that they had seen him.” Shana nodded at the couple, who were sat to the left-hand side of the courtroom.
She continued, “Not wishing to leave any loose ends, he left his house on the night of the 22nd and headed towards the house of the Abell’s. Detailed planning was found on searching Mr Anderson’s house which showed how each of his five murders was perfectly executed. There was, however, no information on Mr and Mrs Abell, and we can assume that this action was not planned.
“However, upon reaching Cross Close, Mr Anderson encountered the defendant,” she gestured towards Alfie Henderson, who sat, shoulders hunched, next to his defence attorney. “who was driving his car late at night, most likely speeding and under the influence of alcohol.
“Upon impact with the car, Mr Anderson sustained headwounds causing loss of blood and internal bleeding from the impact which threatened his organs. He was left on the road incapable of moving for some time before he lost his life. The autopsy places time of death at around two to two-thirty am with the cause of death being heart failure due to loss of blood.
“Mr Anderson was found the following morning by Mary-Ann Salisbury who was walking her dogs early in the morning. The body was found next to a bag of tools and a hunting knife, along with plastic sheeting, gloves and a disposable plastic body suit. The following day the police were contacted by Mr and Mrs Abell, who were then interviewed to provide the evidence linking Mr Anderson with the five murders.
“Two days ago, Mr Henderson turned himself into the police confessing to being at the scene of the incident at the time of Mr Anderson’s death.”
Before Shana could continue, the judge interrupted.
“OK fine that’s enough. We have enough context. I understand we have a signed confession from the defendant? We shall now hear a few words from the defence and if the prosecutor wishes they may have questions. There really is no need to draw this out.”
Shana nodded and stepped down from the stand, making way for Alfie Henderson. She sat down next to Manny, who smiled at her and whispered a ‘well done’ under his breath.
The lawyer for the defence proceeded to ask some personal questions about Alfie’s lifestyle, trying to prove to the judge that the boy was well intentioned and had little evil in him, he had just made a mistake. The prosecutor had a couple of questions about the party and how much Alfie had had to drink.
Shana sat through the proceeding with the distinct feeling that it didn’t do the case justice. For the past ten years she and her colleagues had all wracked their brains about the murders. Each new one had presented new difficulties. Even Steve Acram’s death seemed to have no real leads attached. They had interviewed Mr and Mrs Abell the very day Steve’s body was found, and this, their most likely lead, had led nowhere. Now that the truth was out in the open, the fact that Mr Anderson was dead left the case feeling hollow. In her tenure in the police force she had met more than a few murderers, but never anyone as intriguing as Mr Anderson. And after all these years, she had never had a chance to actually speak to the man.
The court proceedings were carried out, a reasonably fair sentence was passed, as Alfie was only a minor, and the two police officers left the courthouse and headed for the station.
“Well, good to see that lot finally cleared up I guess!” said Manny, digging his key fob out of his pocket.
“Yes, it does feel anticlimactic though, don’t you think?” replied Shana, somewhat wistfully.
“True, true. If I’m honest I don’t know what I’m going to do now the greatest case of Stackley has been solved!”
“What do you mean?” Shana frowned, “You were never assigned to one of his murder cases.”
“Oh yes…I know,” Manny winced internally, “I just mean, you hear so much about it at the station, there’ll be nothing left for the boys to speculate over during lunchtime!”
Shana nodded, sliding into the passenger seat. “There is one thing I don’t get though.”
“Uhuh?”
“Who slipped that note under the door of Mr and Mrs Abell?”
Manny shrugged coolly, “I guess that’s just one of those mysteries.”
