Vengeance On Tyneside

Chapter Five

Chapter FiveAfter she finished her breakfast, Agnes made her way out of the dining room and across to the receptionist to enquire whether there was a magnifying glass she could borrow. She hoped that if the photograph in the paper was magnified, she might get a better view of the man's face. However, though a glass was found, it didn't help much. All it did was make the photo look rather grainy; most likely due to it already having been reproduced in the newspaper.

She looked at the picture again. The only other option was to see the original picture. But would the newspaper take her seriously? Perhaps if Alan were to request a copy to be sent to the police station, they would oblige. For a moment, Agnes debated whether to phone him with the news or simply turn up at his office. Once she had made up her mind, she grabbed her jacket and set off to the taxi rank.

* * *

Now, upstairs in the DCI's office, Agnes showed Alan the photo in the newspaper and explained the reason for her visit.

“So that's why I really need to see the original photo. It's the only way I can be absolutely certain that this is the man I saw with the young woman.” She paused for a moment. “I was useless when I was trying to describe the man to your officer, but now, maybe I can make up for it. However, I thought if I were to approach the newspaper they might refuse, but surely they wouldn't refuse a DCI.”

“Agnes, if you had gone to the local newspaper with this information, they would have welcomed you with open arms,” Alan replied, his eyes still fixed on the photo. “It would have been a great scoop for them.” He looked across towards her. “I can almost see the headlines – 'Woman sees a suspect in the murder of Wendy Hamilton in local paper'. No doubt they would have wanted to emblazon the front page with the story.”

He glanced up at Andrews who was still staring down at the picture.

“However,” he continued, “and I think Andrews will agree with me, I don't believe that would have been a good idea. It might well have put you in a dangerous position – especially if the man in the photo is guilty of the young woman's murder.”

Andrews nodded. “If this is our killer and he's still in the area, then he'll be watching his back – reading all the newspapers to make sure no one will point him out.”

“But you can still request the photo, can't you?” Agnes said, looking back at Alan. “I'm sure you could come up with some reasonable explanation for wanting to see it.”

“Yes, we can and we will. I was simply trying to make you aware of the danger you might have put yourself in, if you'd gone to the newspaper.”

“Okay, Alan, I get it.” She gave them both a broad smile. “Now, when do I get to see the photo?”

* * *

“Does Mrs Lockwood really get it?” Andrews asked the DCI, once Agnes had left the building.

Alan had called a taxi and escorted her downstairs, leaving his sergeant to phone the newspaper office requesting copies of all photographs taken at the Central Station the previous day. Now he was back in his office.

“Yes, she does,” Alan replied, lowering himself into his chair. “But she tends to make light of anything that involves her safety. Nevertheless, I can assure you, she'll be thinking through everything we said while on her way back to the hotel.” He paused. “You got through to the newspaper okay?”

“Yes, we should have the photos within the hour. Whoever it was I spoke to sounded very keen.”

“I bet they were!”

* * *

In the taxi on the way back to the hotel, Agnes considered what had been said at the police station. Alan and his sergeant were right; the newspaper would have shown a picture of her in several editions over the next few days. It would make great news for them, but at what cost to her? Her life?

She was beginning to wonder whether she was seeking out cases of murder – or were they lining up for her? Either way, there was one thing she was sure of; she would never look the other way.

Before she left the station, Alan had told her that he, or one of his officers, would bring the photo to the hotel the moment they received it. He had even promised to include a blown-up copy of the photo to make it easier to view. Now, all she had to do was to wait for it to arrive.

But waiting, for whatever reason, had never been a strong point with Agnes. She sighed as the taxi pulled to a halt outside the hotel. However, with so little to go on, what else was there for her to do?