Hidden Killers. Lynda La plante

and he be remanded in custody at the court to stand trial.’

      Jane was now even more shocked. ‘He confessed to DI Moran?’

      ‘Yes, in an interview last night. I not believe it at first, but Moran show me Peter’s signed confession and I see his signature.’

      Jane didn’t know what to say to Marie. She had genuinely believed that Peter Allard was innocent of the rape, but to hear that he had made a signed confession made her feel naïve and foolish for what she had said to DC Edwards about Moran planting the knife.

      Jane told Marie that she had to go to work, and hurried into the station. She went straight to the CID office to speak with DI Moran. There were a few detectives at their own desks, but Moran’s office was empty. Jane went over to Edwards’s desk and spoke to him in a low voice.

      ‘Where’s Moran?’

      ‘He’s gone to the Magistrates’ Court with Allard, to object to bail.’

      Flustered, Jane took a deep breath.

      ‘Is it true that Allard signed a confession?’

      Edwards nodded. He had a raging headache as he’d drunk too much at the birthday bash the previous evening.

      ‘I can’t believe Allard signed a confession . . . were you present?’

      Edwards could see some of the other detectives looking at them both.

      ‘Not here, Jane,’ he whispered. ‘I’ll meet you downstairs in five minutes.’

      Jane waited impatiently for him in the locker room, tidying herself up in preparation for her meeting with Metcalf. She looked at her watch. There was only ten minutes left before she was due to be in his office.

      DC Edwards walked in and shut the door.

      ‘I’m sorry for what I said yesterday, Brian, but I really thought Allard was telling the truth about not being involved in the rape. What did he say? I mean, why did he suddenly confess?’

      ‘I don’t know – I wasn’t present at the confession as I’d already gone to the pub.’

      ‘Did Moran say anything to you at the pub?’

      ‘He didn’t come to the pub, but he was all cock-a-hoop about it first thing this morning. He said he’d charged Allard with the indecent assaults and was fingerprinting him when he suddenly broke down and made a signed confession. Moran couldn’t believe it himself.’

      There was something about his tone of voice that didn’t sit right with Jane.

      ‘So, Moran was alone in the fingerprint room with Allard when he confessed?’

      Edwards nodded.

      ‘Should Moran have had someone else present when he wrote down the actual confession?’

      ‘There’s no fixed rule about needing two people present, it’s just advisable to counter any allegations of it being false,’ Edwards explained.

      Jane hesitated before she spoke. ‘You’re not convinced about the confession, are you? Do you think we should take it further . . . speak with Metcalf maybe? I’m seeing him in a minute about joining the department—’

      Edwards was quick to interject.

      ‘No, I don’t . . . definitely not. If you raise any queries regarding Allard being fitted up by DI Moran, the first thing you’ll be asked for is proof . . . and the fact is you don’t have any. It’s his word against yours, and you won’t win.’

      ‘Come on, Brian, you know DI Moran obviously decided Allard was guilty of the rape as soon as we arrested him. When Allard lied about what happened with me Moran decided his course of action and planted the knife. The more Allard lied, the more it played into his hands . . . he’ll probably claim that Allard’s emotional stress with his wife made him break down and confess—’

      ‘For Chrissakes, Jane, wake up and get real! You’ve got more to lose than gain here. Why ruin your career for a piece of shit like Allard? He split your lip, he terrified the life out of you and other helpless women whose lives he’s ruined, not to mention not giving a damn about his wife’s feelings. He’ll get a long stretch, whatever happens . . . and to be frank he’ll get what he deserves.’

      Jane shook her head. ‘For a crime he may not have committed . . .’

      ‘Listen to me, Jane, neither of us knows the truth, but if he’s signed a confession he’s screwed. We both know he lied at the start about his arrest and who he really was . . . Allard did himself no favours, so you and I don’t owe him anything. Lemme tell you, there have been plenty of people like the guv who look upon a fit-up as what is called “noble cause justice”. You might think they have a warped sense of loyalty to the job in bending the rules and making up confessions or fabricating evidence if they are convinced someone is guilty. I don’t . . . I really don’t, because if the ends justify the means, that’s a success. If you want to be part of CID you’d better get used to it and learn to turn a blind eye fast.’

      Jane took a deep breath and looked at him in disbelief as he turned to leave.

      ‘Wait a minute . . . I can’t believe what you’re saying! That’s not justice, it’s corruption, whatever way you look at it.’

      Edwards ran his fingers through his hair and sighed as his cheeks flushed.

      ‘That’s the big dilemma, Jane. But with no proof there’s no case . . . so there’s nothing you can say, no matter how bad you feel about it. You need to learn quickly who the bent cops are and try to avoid working with them. If they try to get you involved in something dodgy, just say no and walk away. But don’t ever say anything to anyone else because everyone will think you’re a grass and ostracize you.’

      Jane shook her head. ‘I’d be hated because I told the truth about a dishonest police officer? That can’t be right.’

      Edwards sighed; his head was really throbbing now. ‘No one said it was right, Jane, it’s just the way it is. It’s how you define the word “corrupt”, and in my eyes Moran isn’t corrupt. He doesn’t take backhanders or steal from drug dealers.’

      ‘Really? Well, do you think Moran might have assaulted or threatened Allard to get him to sign a false confession? Is that what you define as “noble”?’

      ‘For Chrissakes, Jane, no way . . . He might have come off second best in the fingerprint room, or in a cell alone, with a bloke like Allard who has karate skills and is a martial arts expert.’

      ‘There’s no need to be sarcastic, Brian . . . Whatever you say, I don’t believe Allard would have knowingly signed a false confession if he was innocent.’

      He was losing his patience. ‘It’s Moran’s word against Allard’s, and we can’t be sure of the truth either way. I’m on your side, Jane, but I’m not stupid enough to shout about it. So let’s just forget we ever had this conversation, OK? After what you did the other night you’ve already got one foot in the door of the department . . . don’t fuck it all up now. Go and see Metcalf and reap the rewards, and we’ll do the lab form for the steroids when you’ve finished.’

      Edwards walked out of the locker room. Jane waited a few moments as the implications of their discussion sank in. This was some learning curve. She looked in the mirror and put some foundation over the bruise above her cut lip, powdered her swollen cheek then headed out of the locker room for her meeting with Metcalf.

      Jane knocked on the door. ‘Ah, Jane.’ Metcalf invited her in, gesturing to her to sit down. ‘I hear you’ve had good news and that Allard has admitted the rape?’

      ‘Yes, sir,’ Jane replied against her will.

      ‘Excellent. When this case appears at the Old Bailey the judge will no doubt commend you. You’ll also be put forward for a Commissioner’s Commendation for your part in the arrest of a very dangerous man.’

      Jane