Behind Dead Eyes (DC Ian Bradshaw #2) - Howard Linskey Page 0,9

Bell.

Madman or no, Bell seemed pretty steadfast in his denials of murder. Tom knew most criminals continued to claim innocence long after they were convicted. It afforded them a sense of injustice to nurture while behind prison walls as they worked on an appeal, but there was something in Bell’s words that made him sound more believable than that. Tom wasn’t quite sure what it was though; perhaps the claim that the real murderer was still out there or maybe it was the bit about Tom being his last hope that intrigued him? Tom had once known an old lady without hope and witnessed the effect it had on her at first hand.

Tom fished inside his bag and brought out the fruits of his morning’s labours, a large number of black and white photocopied articles from the university library’s newspaper archive; each one dating back to the court case that ended with Richard Bell receiving a life sentence. He placed them in a neat pile on the table in front of him and began to read.

JULY 20, 1993

MURDER VICTIM’S LIFE PROBED

The investigation into the murder of former model, Rebecca Holt, is ‘centring on her complex private life’ a police source has revealed.

Rebecca’s body was found in her car at a rural County Durham location favoured by courting couples. She had been brutally beaten to death.

Rebecca, 30, was married to multi-millionaire northern businessman, Freddie Holt, 52, who made his fortune in construction. Holt was enjoying a cruise, shortly after the break-up of his 26-year marriage to first wife, Angela, when he met Rebecca who was working as a cabaret singer on the ship. They married following a whirlwind courtship. A neighbour of the couple, who did not want to be named, said, ‘Freddie is away a lot on business. It must have been very lonely for Rebecca in that big house all on her own.’

Police are working on the theory that Mrs Holt may have been planning to meet someone at Lonely Lane on the day of the attack. ‘We would like to speak to anyone who may have information regarding Mrs Holt’s private life,’ said Detective Chief Inspector Kane who is leading the investigation. ‘If you were due to meet Mrs Holt or know someone who was, please come forward so we can eliminate you from our enquiries.’

Police have already questioned several men who knew Rebecca Holt. Asked if Mrs Holt could have been attacked by a stranger, DCI Kane said, ‘We cannot rule anything out at this stage. Our enquiries are ongoing.’

JULY 28, 1993

MAN ARRESTED FOR LONELY LANE MURDER

A man has been arrested on suspicion of murdering Rebecca Holt. The 32-year-old, who has not yet been named, is thought to have known her intimately, according to a police source. He is currently undergoing questioning.

JULY 30, 1993

MURDER SUSPECT CHARGED

A local man has been charged with the murder of Rebecca Holt. Richard Bell, 32, was known by the victim and is a member of the same sports club. Bell is married with two young children. He has been remanded in custody awaiting a trial date.

OCTOBER 10, 1993

MURDER SUSPECT A ‘LADY-KILLER’ SAYS HIS OWN LAWYER ASTONISHING GAFFE FROM DEFENCE BARRISTER

The long-awaited trial of Richard Bell took a bizarre twist yesterday when his own lawyer referred to him as ‘a lady-killer’.

Martin Nixon told a jury they probably would not like his client but this did not mean Bell was guilty of murder. ‘Richard Bell is a handsome man who is capable of an easy charm and has perhaps taken advantage of this in his dealings with women,’ he said before adding, ‘in a bygone era we might have considered him to be something of a lady-killer.’ There were gasps from the public gallery at that and the defence barrister immediately added, ‘though obviously not in the literal sense.’ Richard Bell stared impassively from the dock throughout his lawyer’s opening remarks.

Bell is accused of murdering his lover Rebecca Holt, who was found dead inside her car, which was parked in a notorious lovers’ lane in rural County Durham. Police said she had been brutally beaten with a blunt instrument, possibly a claw hammer, during what was described as a frenzied attack.

Bell, 32, initially lied to police about their affair but, under questioning, later admitted meeting Rebecca regularly for sex sessions. He denies murdering the former singer and swimwear model because she threatened to expose their affair. Bell worked for his father-in-law’s company and, according to the prosecution, stood to lose everything if his extramarital