“I’m twenty-nine and I’m—” Taylor begins, but Sam has already moved on.
“We know that Denver killed at least one other personbeforehis twentieth birthday,” she says, “because the first thing he tells us is the definition of a serial killer, and that he became one before he turned twenty. It’s as if he’s slapped a huge clue in our faces on page one. The arrogance.”
“He doesn’t tell us who his third victim is,” Taylor confirms. “I’ve almost finished the book and the victim after Sarah is killed in about 2006. I haven’t added them to the timeline yet, but I will.”
Taylor places the sheet on the floor so Sam can add a further point at the bottom.
How to Get Away with Murder—Timeline
Denver is born—approx. 1981.
Denver kills Jono (Quarry. DB age 12)—1993.
Denver kills Sarah (Convent. Physical evidence: letters)—1997.
Denver becomes a serial killer by age 20 (Missing victim?)—2001.
“This is good, Taylor,”she says. “Keep building this timeline. I’ve checked our searches for real victims, so let’s hope for a strokeof luck there soon. While I work on the money trail from the website, I want you to really push to find out where Denver’s book was printed. Telephone every printer in the country if you have to.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he says, writing down her instructions in a way that pleases her far more than his compliment about her youthful appearance.
Sam turns over her copy of the book and examines the ISBN. Surely, they’ll be able to trace the printer.
“Taylor?” she says after a moment and he nods, leaning forward, pen poised. “A personal question, but… have you ever owned a dog?”
“A dog? Er, yes, ma’am,” he says, a tad flummoxed. “My family keeps gun dogs. Spaniels for the most part. Some Labs, a few old beagles.” Sam pictures a country lodge and men in tweed jackets with rifles pointed at pheasants. “Jess, she’s called. My Border collie,” Taylor says, and Sam returns her focus to him.
“Tell me, Taylor,” Sam asks, “what does a person do with a dog while they’re at work?”
“I think most people use dog walkers, ma’am,” he says, with a slight blush. “Or family. Friends. Neighbors, perhaps. Our dogs… we have a gamekeeper, Barney. He takes care of them.”
Sam remembers that Harry mentioned Taylor’s father is a wealthy man. A London MP with gun dogs and a gamekeeper called Barney. They must have more money than some small countries. Why on earth would such a privileged young man join the Metropolitan Police?
“What will you be working on, ma’am?” Taylor asks, as if keen to change the subject back to work.
“The money trail, like I said.” Sam gathers up her things and stands. “I’m also going to send the ebook ofHow to Get Away with Murderto a linguist I know—Claire—she’s a bit of a genius. If she agrees to help, and Harry approves a budget for it, she’llbe able to pick up any regional dialect and phrases that Denver uses.”
“That sounds great,” Taylor says, then quickly adds, “ma’am. I’ll put the kettle on.”
“Make mine a coffee this time, please,” she says, holding the door for him. “After all that, I’ll need to get back to readingHow to Get Away with Murder—and my concentration needs all the help it can get right now.”
Sam’s rereading thechapter about Sarah. Denver has just described strangling the girl beneath an oak tree and she is comparing his description to the written crime scene summary of Charlotte’s murder, because she still cannot face looking at the photographs. The similarities leave Sam’s mouth salty and she opens a new box of headache tablets before swallowing two dry. The cup of coffee Taylor left on her desk an hour ago is overly milky and she’s let it curdle in front of her. She can feel the pills inching roughly down her throat. Her palm is throbbing too, and when she looks down, she notices she has Charlotte’s netball keyring in a vise grip. She shakes out her hand and picks up her pen.
Low-income family: no computer, free school meals.
College is near a stream, a reservoir and a field with a single oak.
Denver and Sarah exchanged letters—physical evidence (1997).
She opens the email from DC Chen and scans down to the important part—the details from WorldSecurePay. The money from Denver’s website, his takings from sales of the book, is being sent to a student bank account in Glasgow. Anticipation mounting,Sam calls the bank. She’s on hold for an age, speaking to multiple people, verifying her credentials each time.
“Take your time,” she says sarcastically. “It’s not like there’s a killer on the loose.”
After all that, they refuse to budge on the need for a court order before they will disclose more details. By the time Sam’s hung up, her head is splitting. She holds the cool back of her hand against her forehead.
She fires off an email to the civilian team to get the court order moving ASAP, then heaves a huge sigh. Every step she takes, there’s more paperwork for her to complete andHow to Get Away with Murderlies closed on her desk.
A loud thud sounds from Taylor’s desk as he slams down the receiver, then immediately picks it up to dial again.Without anything else to go on, he has resorted to calling every printer he can find online and Sam sees a spreadsheet grow larger on his screen as the young officer simultaneously speaks to another receptionist and adds to his list.
