life of RaymondConroy.’ Charteris paused, then glanced at the man seated beside him. ‘But perhaps ACC Rawlins would like to take over at this point.’
Rawlins was perhaps fifty years of age. The pouches beneath his eyes were dark, as though he had suffered too many sleepless nights. His shoulders were broad but slumped, and there were signs of deep-seated dissatisfaction about his mouth. Charlie Spate had the impression the man would be seeking retirement soon, disillusioned by his experiences in the police force, perhaps broken by the final straw supplied by the court’s decision in the case of Raymond Conroy. The man would have invested a considerable amount of his time to the affair. When Rawlins spoke there was a furred edge to his voice, a chronic smoker’s hoarseness, but his tone also was scarred with disappointment.
‘Yes, thank you, Jim. Gary Lawson … he’s known to us. He’s no angel, bit of a tearaway, has a few convictions for minor offences, and is known to be quick to use his fists or boots. Conroy was lucky Lawson got pulled away in time by bystanders, but it might not be the last time he’ll come across Lawson. The man is bitter about the killing of Irene Dixon, whom he considered as a girlfriend, though there’s little evidence she held him in high regard. But chances are, Lawson’s not given up. He’s displayed a certain obsessiveness about the death of Irene Dixon. He may well want to bring harm to the man he believes is the Zodiac Killer again. But, of course, he’s not alone in making threats.’
Rawlins paused and flicked a glance around the room of silent officers. ‘There’s also the family of the Capaldi woman. The father, Jack Capaldi, was in court when Conroy was released from custody. He also turned up at preliminary hearings. He’s issued a number of threats, and he meanswhat he says. Another thing you need to know: Jack Capaldi also has form. Some years ago he was involved in a long-running turf war in the West Midlands over ice-cream concessions and off-course bookie shops. He won the battle. Only after a certain amount of blood was spilled.’ His mouth twisted cynically. ‘Not that the victims appealed to us for help. That side of the business has since been handed over to his nephew, Nick, who’s another hard case. Jack Capaldi now concentrates on running small pizza businesses. Legit, as far as we know. But the family is close knit, and not afraid to stick up for what they see as due to them. In short, we’re aware the Capaldi family has access to a considerable amount of muscle. The guy who murdered Capaldi’s daughter was dealing with the wrong kind of family. Jack Capaldi will want revenge. And he’ll go for it. Raymond Conroy needs to be careful.’
There was a short silence. Charlie broke it with a question. ‘You seem pretty convinced that this Conroy character really was the Zodiac Killer.’
‘ Is ,’ Rawlins insisted with a grunt. He glanced at ACC Charteris. ‘The team that has been pursuing this case in the Midlands, we’re all convinced we got our hands on the right man. But … Jim here will know what it’s like, the kind of political pressure that gets put on senior officers to get a result, quickly, when the public starts screaming about keeping the streets safe for women. Over a period of six months, three women were horribly tortured and murdered. The nature of the torture, well, it fascinated the media. The killer had carved a sign of the Zodiac on the breasts of each victim. In the view of the press, at least, that means he intends killing at least nine more women if he gets the chance.’
Rawlins leaned back in his chair, glowering at hismemories. ‘In our patch the heat was on. Local and national press; the Home Secretary; questions in parliament. Television appeals. We got it all. We put extra men and women in the field. And we found our man. But, naturally, we had to build a cast-iron case against him, and that’s where we got
Rawlins was perhaps fifty years of age. The pouches beneath his eyes were dark, as though he had suffered too many sleepless nights. His shoulders were broad but slumped, and there were signs of deep-seated dissatisfaction about his mouth. Charlie Spate had the impression the man would be seeking retirement soon, disillusioned by his experiences in the police force, perhaps broken by the final straw supplied by the court’s decision in the case of Raymond Conroy. The man would have invested a considerable amount of his time to the affair. When Rawlins spoke there was a furred edge to his voice, a chronic smoker’s hoarseness, but his tone also was scarred with disappointment.
‘Yes, thank you, Jim. Gary Lawson … he’s known to us. He’s no angel, bit of a tearaway, has a few convictions for minor offences, and is known to be quick to use his fists or boots. Conroy was lucky Lawson got pulled away in time by bystanders, but it might not be the last time he’ll come across Lawson. The man is bitter about the killing of Irene Dixon, whom he considered as a girlfriend, though there’s little evidence she held him in high regard. But chances are, Lawson’s not given up. He’s displayed a certain obsessiveness about the death of Irene Dixon. He may well want to bring harm to the man he believes is the Zodiac Killer again. But, of course, he’s not alone in making threats.’
Rawlins paused and flicked a glance around the room of silent officers. ‘There’s also the family of the Capaldi woman. The father, Jack Capaldi, was in court when Conroy was released from custody. He also turned up at preliminary hearings. He’s issued a number of threats, and he meanswhat he says. Another thing you need to know: Jack Capaldi also has form. Some years ago he was involved in a long-running turf war in the West Midlands over ice-cream concessions and off-course bookie shops. He won the battle. Only after a certain amount of blood was spilled.’ His mouth twisted cynically. ‘Not that the victims appealed to us for help. That side of the business has since been handed over to his nephew, Nick, who’s another hard case. Jack Capaldi now concentrates on running small pizza businesses. Legit, as far as we know. But the family is close knit, and not afraid to stick up for what they see as due to them. In short, we’re aware the Capaldi family has access to a considerable amount of muscle. The guy who murdered Capaldi’s daughter was dealing with the wrong kind of family. Jack Capaldi will want revenge. And he’ll go for it. Raymond Conroy needs to be careful.’
There was a short silence. Charlie broke it with a question. ‘You seem pretty convinced that this Conroy character really was the Zodiac Killer.’
‘ Is ,’ Rawlins insisted with a grunt. He glanced at ACC Charteris. ‘The team that has been pursuing this case in the Midlands, we’re all convinced we got our hands on the right man. But … Jim here will know what it’s like, the kind of political pressure that gets put on senior officers to get a result, quickly, when the public starts screaming about keeping the streets safe for women. Over a period of six months, three women were horribly tortured and murdered. The nature of the torture, well, it fascinated the media. The killer had carved a sign of the Zodiac on the breasts of each victim. In the view of the press, at least, that means he intends killing at least nine more women if he gets the chance.’
Rawlins leaned back in his chair, glowering at hismemories. ‘In our patch the heat was on. Local and national press; the Home Secretary; questions in parliament. Television appeals. We got it all. We put extra men and women in the field. And we found our man. But, naturally, we had to build a cast-iron case against him, and that’s where we got
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