The Killing Court

By Thomas Laughlin

Detective Inspector Rain Frank is looking forward to her retirement soon, having spent the last 12 years catching serial killers in her quiet little town of Coatbridge, her close working and personal relationship with her current partner, Theodore Gillon-Smith, is the only reason she agrees to takes on her l

• Language: English
• Publisher: Thomas Laughlin
• Release date: Nov 17, 2023
• ISBN: 9781916981072

Book preview

Chapter 1

Rain pulled up to the cemetery just like every other morning for the last two years, the snow eased and the sun fought hard to display it’s beautiful colour, and warmth through the darken clouds. She parked just in front of the graveyard main entrance gates and reached over to the back seat and picked up the large bouquet of yellow carnation flowers, her Max’s favourite. Rain stepped out into the cold air and pulled up the collar of her coat from the icy cold wind, but before she took a step her phone rang, as did her pager.  Rain looked down at her pager sitting on the passenger seat flashing the extension number, she took out her phone. Seeing the number and name of the caller she quickly opened the drivers door and tossed her phone onto the seat before closing the door and walking the short distance to Max’s resting place.  Walking towards her husband’s grave she spotted three youths hanging around drinking cheap alcohol and being loud as other visitors moved around them, whilst being subjected to verbal abuse.  Seeing the tallest of the youths stand and walk towards her she smiled then throat punched the youth sending him quickly to the ground as his two friends stood in shocked silence, she closed the gap between them.

I’ll say this once only, I’m not one for repeating myself boys...Fuck off.  She grunted standing calmly with her right fist closed and ready. Rain watched as the two helped up their embarrassed friend and slithered away calling out threats as they quickly made their way to the main gate. Rain watched as they disappeared out of the graveyard before kneeling at the side of the grave and placed the flowers at the bottom of the headstone before removing her coat she placed it down next to her soulmate, she sat crossed legged in front of the headstone, then sighed heavily, Philip the groundsman arrived and stood just behind her.

I told Max this morning you might be a little late what with the local news and all,  Said Philip with a gentle smile.

News? What news?.  Asked Rain looking up and dropping her eyebrows.

You mean you haven’t heard yet? Sounds rather nasty by all accounts.  Philip replied.

Rain knew that the call must have been on the instructions of her Superintendent, Theodore, or Tee as she liked to call her partner, would never interrupt her knowing she always started her day with Max. Superintendent Godfrey Hails, or as he is known in the station, Colgate, however, was a cold and uncaring dip shit that was hated and mocked throughout the Coatbridge force, mocked because of his lazy left eye that turned fully to his right side given the illusion he only had the one eye.  Rain stood and leaned over to kiss Max’s headstone before she turned and thanked Philip for keeping Max’s quiet place clean and as always removing the flowers at the end of the day and placing them on the grave of a baby girl that was found dead in a burned out stolen car only a year ago, and who was laid to rest in the grave just behind Rain’s husband.  Rain knew that no-one ever visited the child and felt somehow she had to let the little baby girl know she mattered, Philip told her no-one even knew her name, Rain paid for a new headstone and had the name LAVADA in large letters carved in gold with frosted outlines of two angels looking towards heaven with out stretched arms, Philip had picked the name which means Of Pure Soul and below her name were the words from Rain Seen, Loved and Forever Missed.  Rain returned to her car and called her partner to be told she was needed at the crime scene as the case was now hers and the medical examiner was waiting for her before he removed the body for an autopsy, Rain was glad she had been taken off all case’s before her retirement in fifteen days time, for the last few days she had been given the job of a file clerk down stairs in the file storage room, in the Serious Crime Squad.  Rain knew that Superintendent Hails hated her as much as she hated him, and giving her the lead was his way of giving her the finger, his final fuck you.  Rain had planned to take some time travelling to the places she and Max loved to visit, she couldn’t wait to burn her murder book, and toss her warrant card across his desk on her last day and being a civilian, the last few years she had grown to hate her job. Before Rain even got out of the car she saw her Superintendent marching towards her in the school car park like he had a hedgehog up his arse, almost walking on his tip toes eagerly followed by Detective Constable Theodore Gillon Smith.  Rain knew the Superintendent was about to attempt showing her up, she could see at least three reporters and two television crews setting up near the far end of the field. Superintendent Hails loved to show boat in public, and thought nothing of the poor officer that was on the end of his ego trip.  Rain got out of her car and sighed, then held out her hands in front of him stopping her Superintendent in his tracks with a shocked look on his face, he turned and looked at a smiling Theodore who quickly looked away.

Two meters prick, If you think I’m going to spend my last two weeks working this case then you, sir, can kiss my smooth black skinned arse.  Snapped Rain as she turned and opened the car door jumping in and starting the engine.

Inspector Frank, need I remind you who you are talking to? Until you’re retirement date arrives you are still a police officer, and I’m still you’re superior, so get you’re fucking smooth black skinned arse out of the car and down to the tent, the medical examiner is waiting.  Once you’re finished there you will then report to me back at the station, are we clear? Or do you want to do this here and now?.  Spat Superintendent Hails chapping on the drivers window with red cheeks and bulging eyes until Theodore pulled him away, reminding him about the presence of the press and TV camera’s. Rain smiled and got out of her car when she saw him march off towards his squad car and shouting at his driver to take him back to the station, Theodore leaned on Rain’s car as she got out and slammed the drivers door closed, winking at him before they both made their way to the tent. 

Before I leave this job I swear to god I’m going to put one on his chin or shite on his desk.  Said Rain with a smirk.

That’s Plenty!!.  Said Theodore showing his palm to Rain.

Martin O’Rourke had been the new medical examiner for only two months, and was drafted in from Edinburgh after the sudden death of John Weir the town corner who was found dead in his bed with Superintendent Hails wife, having suffering a massive heart attack.  Rain waited by the tent opening until Martin had finished his initial examination before signalling one of the young medical students to fetch her in. Martin had known Rain since childhood, but they were not really friends, but both had a lot of respect for one another, more so Rain for Martin after she learned about his affair with her Superintendents wife. After she moved on from John Weir, she was now shacked up with Martin, pending her divorce.  Martin stood and turned to acknowledge Rain and called her over to look over the victim, he handed her a clear bag containing a small calibre handgun, a pocket pistol ACP.25 Berretta Jetfire, Rain knew came from only one dealer in a small town like Coatbridge.

The weapon has been made safe, one round in his left eye the other five in his groin, he was also tortured and badly beaten, and as you can see, he was set on fire which failed to take hold or we would be looking at a burnt out corpse.  Said Martin lifting the bottom of the bag with his index finger as Rain held it up to look at the weapon.

The gun is a favourite with women.  Rain said looking for any markings.

Martin handed Rain a wallet containing a driving licence he retrieved from the victim’s back pocket and the compacted bullet inside a clear evidence bag he removed from the victim’s left eye, Donald Gibbs was the name on the licence, the photo matched the body. Martin instructed his assistants to take the body to the local hospital for a proper autopsy as Rain stepped out of the tent and straight into the press, who quickly fired questions at her, but she just smiled and walked away from them back to her car were Theodore stood waiting.

The Superintendent wants us back asap I think he’s in an even more pissed off mood, the fuck is it with you two anyway Rain?.  He asked.

Rain told him as she drove to the station how she stopped Superintendent Hails move from Coatbridge to Edinburgh a few years back before he joined the Serious Crime Squad and was working in the Vice Squad, Hails screwed up some paperwork on a case Rain was working and wanted her to take the hit for his incompetence, but she had told him to go sing at the moon only she used a lot more colourful language, it didn’t help when it was done in front of the whole squad room, making the Superintendent look like a complete idiot in front of his officers. Rain would joke that his wife had finally had enough of his bad breath, seeking attention elsewhere, Hails suffers from terrible halitosis, earning the nickname, Colgate, often people within three feet of him to keep their distance, and grateful for the two meter rule.  Pulling into the station car park the Superintendent’s secretary, Jo Beatty was waiting by the front entrance as they got out of the car and approached her.

Christ Colgate is spitting fire out of his arse at everyone, if I were you I’d take him some flowers and chocolates, I think it’s his time of the month.  Grinned Jo as they walked through the main reception area and towards the Superintendent’s office.  Rain didn’t even knock on the door, but just walked straight in and stood in front of a smarting Hails.  Jo could hear the two going at it like an old married couple, in fact the whole station must have heard them, all the officers coming and going had stopped to enjoy hearing Rain give back anything the Superintendent threw at her.  Rain surprised everyone in the reception area, she suddenly burst out of the office wearing a grin on her face as she passed Jo and winked at her before telling everyone to get on with their jobs, the show was over.  Theodore stood at the top of the stairs waiting as his partner climbed them two at a time and they both entered the squad room to a loud applause from the other officers, Rain took her bow taking her seat at her desk, but stared into space, Theodore knew she was furious and needed time to cool down. With a few taps of his fingers he typed in the victims name and up popped his details, Donald Gibbs was a known pimp, drug dealer and was last busted for supplying girls as young as fourteen to a group of rich men, a posh men’s club that DCI Bobby McKay investigated a few years back. Gibbs had made bail on a serious charge of kidnapping two women, but the charges fell through when both woman disappeared. Seeing Rain looking a lot more calmer he handed over Gibbs sheet and waited for her reaction, not that he really expected her to be fully focused on the case knowing she was counting down the days, she would steer clear of the Superintendent until he had no other choice but to hand it over to either Theodore, or one of the more experienced Detectives, either way, the next two weeks were going to be interesting.

So pimp, drug dealer and dealing in the slave trade according to the notes of the lead detective, Tee, get me everything you can on the law firm picking up the tap on his case, as well as the characters he associates with.  She asked him while rifling through her empty desk drawers which contained only a bottle of single malt and two small glass’s. Sitting back against her leather chair she watched the room as her fellow officers went about their business, she knew she would miss the buzz of working murder cases, but losing her best friend and husband she had lost all interest in her work, whilst still struggling with the grief. The young medical student she saw at the crime scene entered the squad room and caught her attention as she walked towards her, she smiled an uncomfortable smile before she informing her that the medical examiner was ready to see her after completing his autopsy.  Rain accompanied the student downstairs to the Coroner's office to find Martin sitting at his desk filling in his medical journal whilst drinking his coffee. Rain stood at his office doorway and waited until he finished his paperwork, he stood to greet her as his student rolled down the cover to expose the body for the Inspector to view in the other room.

You’re fellow was killed rather violently, he was kept alive and tortured for some time.  Martin said steering her towards the body. 

I hope to christ this isn’t the start of a spree.  She said then thanked Martin before heading back up to her office, Theodore read over the autopsy findings as she stepped into the ladies toilet. Theodore sat at his desk as she re-entered the room and took her seat at her desk, she read the file he left for her containing the information on their murder victim.  Reading over the charges and his legal representatives, she picked up the phone dialled the number to make an appointment to discuss Donald Gibbs case with the lawyer tasked with defending the scumbag. Checking she had her warrant card and notebook she told her partner to grab his jacket as they where heading out, but first she called Philip at the graveyard and asked if Lavada had any visitors, something she did daily hoping to hear the little girl did have someone that cared for her, but again she was told the same sad news, no visitors. Theodore signally to her he would wait in the car park as she sat in silence with the phone receiver still at her ear, staring at her desk top.  Jo waited until Rain left the squad room and descended the stairs before informing her that the Superintendent wanted a daily brief on her investigation before she ended her shift, there would be no overtime, meaning he wanted the case closed quickly and within working hours, which drew a laugh from Rain as she continued to descend the stairs into the car park. Aitken, Richardson and Marley were one of Coatbridge’s most esteemed law firm’s with offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and London with new office’s opening in Manchester and Liverpool in the coming months, Rain like everyone else was sick of seeing and hearing their adverts on both television and radio, lately, it seems they where everywhere taking on case’s from shoplifting to murder and robberies with violence, the locals always referred to them as Villains, Criminals and Gangsters, protectors of the rich and infamous. Theodore sat in silence as always until he would break the silence with tit bits of useless information, his fellow officers often mocked him, something of a loner, and one that prefers to hold his own council, Rain liked his way of work and how he held himself, not the usual trying to please everyone police officer, but one that does his own shit his way, and he never paid much attention to the jokes and remarks made behind his back or even in company of other officers.

What can we see, but we can’t see?.  He asked without looking at Rain.

What!!?.  She responded looking puzzled.

The dark,.  He answered.

Do you brush you’re teeth with diarrhoea?.  Rain asked rolling her eyes.

Do I what? No….. why?.  He asked looking a little shocked.

Well, you do tend to talk a lot of shite sometimes Tee.  Rain replied seriously as she pulled into the law firm car park, next to all the fancy BMWs and Mercedes. Theodore scanned the fancy cars on parade in the car park and wondered what kind of car he would be driving had he studied law and landed a position at one of the top law firms in Coatbridge, before he decided to join the police force, since the age of fourteen he wanted to be a top barrister in his home town, but his father wanted and fought to have him working with him on his projects, but Theodore was his own man, having studied several degrees in several different fields, before deciding that policing gave him the most satisfaction he needed, within several years he had sailed through the promotional ranks and was being closely monitored by HQ Police Scotland, such was his case clearance record, forty eight closed cases from forty eight, partnering Rain, he believed, made him a better police officer and someone who just gets him, in and out of work. Theodore was made to feel like he was her family as did her siblings and mother, Theodore had found a real friendship and family, something he never really had growing up with a workaholic father.

Chapter 2

Arriving at his place of work he found the doors locked and chained, he had been called earlier this morning and told to get down to the community house and open up before 8am, today they were expecting three new arrivals, he had to make sure they all had their own separate rooms and everything was ready for them arriving.  Banging on the doors, but not getting an answer, he decided to try the back door which he found unlocked, he entered and called out to see if anyone else was in the house, but his calls were met with silence.  Throwing down his case bag full of paperwork with the details of the three arrivals. He began by checking all the rooms to makes sure they were ready, happy with the condition of the rooms he went to the kitchen to make sure there was enough food for everyone.  Suddenly he heard his name being called and spun round and stood by the door looking down the corridor, with no-one in sight, slowly, he walked down the corridor calling out his brothers name. His younger brother wasn’t working today but both loved to fool around and play tricks on one another, and he knew he was being set up for a joke by his younger sibling. Again he jumped when he heard his name suddenly being screamed repeatedly for several seconds causing him to panic, standing perfectly still until he calmed himself, he began to fake a laugh to hide his fear.

Very good Cameron, but enough fooling around, I’ve got to much to do today, so pack it in.  He shouted with a shaky voice.

The first room he checked was the main hall were everyone ate and gathered to watch TV and just chill out while mixing together, turning on the hall lights the room was as it always was, full of comfy chairs and a pool table in the centre of the room.  Josh walked over to the pool table and picked up the cue ball, but dropped it when he heard his name being screamed again, but this time it didn’t stop, Josh put his hands to both ears and shouted for the screaming to stop, he ran out of the room and back into the corridor, and stood frozen at the figure standing at the end of the corridor.  He called out to the silhouette in the distance, but got no answer, squinting his eyes he tried to focus on the face, but he was to far away from whoever it was. Slowly, he moved towards the figure demanding the person identify themselves still thinking it was his younger brother.  He could make out a tall figure as he got closer and closer then suddenly jumped as the dark figure moved towards him, then suddenly ran at him, Josh tried to step backwards in fear, but tripped over his own feet trying to turn away and face planted the floor, as the figure now stood over him.

Who the hell are you? Is this some kind of sick joke?.  He Screamed turning over onto his back to face the figure, who was wearing a white wig and dressed in a Red Judge’s gown.

Judgement.  Said the figure.

Turning onto his belly he tried to crawl away only for the figure to grab both his legs, dragging him down the corridor towards the back open door, he was flipped onto his back, before he could say or do anything, he saw the hammer speeding down towards his face.  Josh woke as the van came to a stop, the back doors swung open suddenly, Josh urinated himself when he saw the last thing he thought he’d never see again. Dragged from the van screaming and kicking wildly, he felt the stones and broken glass slap him hard as he hit the ground, dragged to the centre of the make shift stone ring, he loosened his bowels. Frantically looking to his right then left in utter fear and disbelieve, he saw the others standing in a circle in full dress, which terrified him more. Forced onto his feet he was escorted into the old