‘Hello, Laura, I presume Owen has told you why we want to speak to you today?’ Ruby was sitting in Laura’s dining room, using DC Ludgrove’s first name in order to relax the nervous-looking young woman before her. The three-bedroom semi was like many on that estate: council owned but cared for, and a stone’s throw away from shops and schools. Ruby did not like involving Luddy’s niece, but given the seriousness of the crimes, she had little choice.

‘Yes, he has,’ Laura said, shifting nervously in the dining room chair. Dressed in a T-shirt, and leggings, she had time to spare before her next shift in Sanity Line. Her mother, Luddy’s sister, had sensibly left them to it.

Ruby hoped she had enough time to clean up the mess that Luddy had found himself in. She was no stranger to bending the rules and had gone as far as discussing cases very briefly with Nathan, but she could handle her own indiscretions because they were for the good of the case. Bragging was not her scene, and she did not need her ego inflating. The victim’s welfare was always at the heart of her actions. It was up to Ruby to keep her team in line. If they messed up then the fallout would rightly come upon her. She was always conscious that they worked as a team.

‘Don’t look so scared. You’re not in any trouble.’ Ruby watched Laura twiddle the ends of her long blonde ponytail.

‘Oh, I know that,’ Laura said, her dimples on display as she smiled. ‘I just feel bad about discussing clients. My supervisor said that I’d lose my job. It’s only voluntary, but I’m hoping to apply to the police, and a reference from Sanity Line would really help.’

‘She doesn’t need to know that you’ve spoken to us,’ Ruby said. ‘And at the end of the day, we’re talking about murder. Anything we can do to speed up the investigation is surely worthwhile.’ She rested her elbows on the table, gesticulating with her hands. ‘Now it may be that this person is what we call a false lead – someone who wants to draw attention to themselves. Usually they have mental health issues. Sometimes they’re just trolls. The problem is, with so many time-wasters, a genuine caller can be overlooked. That’s why we have to examine each one on its own merit. Owen’s filled me in on the nature of the call. Have you any idea of where your caller is based? And secondly, are you absolutely sure that you’re talking to a man?’

‘Yes, he’s definitely a man,’ Laura said, flicking her ponytail out behind her. ‘I’m a hundred per cent sure of that. He’s not said where he’s from, but he always calls the local line instead of the national one.’

‘What about background sounds?’ Ruby said. ‘Does he call from inside or outside? Shared accommodation? A house, workplace, or even a classroom? It’s surprising what you can hear if you really tune into it.’

Laura looked upwards to the left, her fingers tapping the tablecloth as she searched her thoughts. From the kitchen, a kettle whistled and the clink of a cup against teaspoon ensued.

Her mother’s head popped around the door. ‘Can I make you a drink? Tea? Coffee?’

‘No thanks,’ Ruby said, answering for them all. James Mason’s custody clock was ticking. They had up to twenty-four hours to hold him. After that, they could charge him, apply for an extension, or let him go. Ruby felt the pressure build. She prayed it would not be the latter.

Laura glanced at Ruby, her eyes alight. ‘Come to think of it there have been sounds in the background. I’ve always imagined him calling from a house, maybe a flat. Sometimes I hear him make a cuppa in the background, just like Mum is now. At least, I can hear cups rattling and a kettle boiling so I always imagine him making a drink. Cupboard doors open and close. Sometimes I hear a television in the background. She paused as she searched her memory for answers. ‘Let me think. Yes, now I remember. I don’t think he lives alone. He says that sometimes it’s hard to find peace and quiet to talk. He’s definitely used us in the past. When he first rang he was very aware of the questions I had to ask, such as finding out if he’s suicidal. It’s something we have to work into each and every call.’

Ruby nodded in acknowledgement. ‘Do you ask more than once? If the caller rang you again later that day would have to ask them again?’

‘Yes, it’s policy. Our training manual is very specific about it. We have to enquire about it every time. Sometimes when people suffer from depression it’s the one question their families are afraid to ask. We bring it out into the open from the offset and it usually gives us a good indicator of where the call is going to progress. We also tell them that the call is confidential and that helps people relax. It’s why I feel so bad now.’ Laura frowned. ‘I’m so out of my depth though. The last time we spoke, he challenged me to ask him who he really was. But when I opened my mouth to speak, the line went dead.’

‘I see,’ Ruby said. ‘When it comes to identifying someone by voice alone, there are lots of factors to take on board. Does he sound old or young? What about a stutter or a speech impediment? Perhaps health issues such as a cough or breathing difficulties? Does he have an accent? Think about the quality of his voice when he’s speaking. What clues does it give?’

Laura nodded in understanding. ‘His health seems fine, although he has mood swings. One minute he seems OK, but say the wrong thing and he flies off the handle really quickly. Sometimes he hangs up with little warning. I think he likes to shock me. Talking about what he’s done gives him some kind of release.’

Ruby leaned forward. ‘Sorry to deviate from my questions, but when you say release, do you mean sexual release? Does he masturbate while you’re on the phone?’

Laura glimpsed at her uncle, a pink bloom rising to her cheeks. ‘No. It’s happened with other callers but not him. If anything, I get the feeling that he’s sexually frustrated. I think he’s had problems in that department in the past. It could be down to what happened in his childhood.’

‘He might be lying,’ Ruby said. ‘If you’re hoping to be a copper you must never assume anything.’

‘I know.’ Laura broke into a grin. ‘Uncle Owen said they teach you that in training school: Never assume – it makes an ass of you and me.’

Ruby returned her smile. It was obvious that Laura worshipped Luddy, and easy to see how he had played up to that role. ‘So let’s keep this on track. With regards to my questions about his voice and accent, are there any clues as to his age range or identity?’

Laura puffed out her cheeks as she exhaled a breath. ‘Well I don’t think he’s old, and I wouldn’t say he’s a teenager either so maybe between twenty and forty years of age? I don’t like to put a number to it because it can be hard to tell. He hasn’t got a deep voice. It’s kind of ordinary, but sometimes I pick up a little hint of a Scottish accent when he gets angry. His breathing’s fine and he seems well. I’ve never heard anybody in the background, apart from the TV.’

‘OK,’ Ruby said, making a mental note to listen back to James’s interview. Perhaps her superiors would allow her to play Laura a voice clip. One thing at a time, she told herself, focusing on the young woman before her. ‘Would you say that given the nature of his calls he’s spent time in prison? It’s just that you mentioned his connection with Mason Gatley. He told you he’s learned things from him. Is this right? Did he actually mention Mason by name? Or is this something you put together later on?’

Laura nodded profusely. ‘Oh, he definitely mentioned Mason Gatley, because it gave me a fright. That’s when I knew I had to ask Uncle Owen for advice. I remember writing it down, even though we’re not meant to take notes. Then I got scared because Matthew started asking for me. The last thing I wanted to do was to talk to a serial killer. I already had my suspicions from what Owen told me about the case. He mentioned the names Cheryl and Melissa. When Matthew talked about punishing them I felt like I was on high alert.’

Ruby resisted giving Owen a stern look. She had made her point and would let things lie. For now, her thoughts were with finding their victim in time. ‘I think it’s best for now if we just focus on what your caller has said rather than what you’ve heard from outside sources. We all work in jobs in which confidentiality is key.’ Ruby smiled. ‘Do you understand what I’m saying?’

‘So if anyone else asks I just mention the content of the calls?’ Laura said.

‘Yes. You’re not lying or being dishonest, you’re just focusing on what Matthew has said. I do think you should get your work reference sooner rather than later though, in case this all blows up. This might not be our man, but there’s a chance that he’s using you as a sounding board to relive what he’s done.’

‘What do I do if he calls again?’ Laura said, nibbling her bottom lip.

‘Don’t allow him to draw you into any kind of conversation about your personal life. Don’t sound judgemental, and if you must speak to him, try to keep him calm. I’m sure you know all this anyway, given your experience.’

‘We offer a listening service,’ Laura said. ‘Although he does get angry when I use automated responses such as asking him how he’s feeling about things. I’m not supposed to but sometimes I do draw him out just to find out a bit more.’

Ruby gave her a knowing look. She would have done the same in her shoes. ‘As I said, be careful. This guy may be a time-waster or you could have a direct line to our killer.’ She rubbed her chin. The last thing she wanted was to put Laura’s life in danger. ‘I’m going to speak to my superiors about this, make an official record. Is there any way you can get picked up at the end of your shift? How secure is the call centre?’

‘Now they’ve closed off the drop-in centre, it’s a lot more secure.’

‘Good,’ Ruby said, running through a tick list in her mind. ‘I take it the door is locked while you’re on your calls?’

‘Oh yes. They’ve even installed a buzzer system with a camera and CCTV. It’s just when I’m going home on my own that I feel nervous.’

‘Her mum is going to pick her up from now on, and she’s only working two shifts a week,’ Luddy interjected. Up until now, he had chosen to stay quiet, allowing Ruby to take care of things.

Ruby nodded in response, returning her attention to Laura. ‘If you do end up speaking to Matthew, act exactly as before. Your safety is our main priority and my advice has to be to decline the call. If this is the same person we’re dealing with, he is unpredictable and dangerous. If you decide to go ahead then I’d be grateful if you could forward any notes you make to me.’ She slipped a business card from her pocket and laid it on the desk. ‘Anything urgent, take a snapshot with your phone and text me. If he threatens you then report it to your supervisors straight away.’

‘I don’t think he’ll threaten me,’ Laura said, taking the card. ‘If anything, he’s put me on a pedestal. He often says that I’m the only one who understands. It’s a bit worrying but I think I’ll be OK. It’s only over the phone.’

‘He doesn’t know where you live, does he?’ Ruby said.

‘No. I gave him my first name because I always get mixed up when I give false ones. Laura is common enough though, isn’t it?’ Laura looked at Ruby for reassurance.

‘As long as you’ve not discussed details of where you live or socialise,’ Ruby replied. ‘Is there anything else you can glean from your calls that we’ve not discussed so far?’

Laura returned to fiddling with her ponytail as she gave the question some thought. ‘He might be religious, or was maybe brought up in that background. He’s mentioned it before. Something about suicide. I can’t remember exactly what he said. I got the feeling that it mattered to him though.’

‘I take it he’s not mentioned visiting church?’ Ruby said, recalling her meeting with the priest. Would James be likely to return for another confessional?

‘Sorry.’ Laura shook her head. ‘I can’t remember any more than that.’

‘That’s OK,’ Ruby said, ‘You’ve been really helpful. More than you know.’