“When the DNA samples from the body were tested, the computer came up with a match. It matched one of the samples the police had taken from you. That match meant that the DPP had to review your case as a matter of urgency,” Jack explained.
The prosecution had claimed that the sperm samples the police had taken, were from a series of punters I’d had sex with in the previous 48 hours. I couldn’t disprove their theory, because I had already admitted to having unprotected sex with multiple partners during that period.
“Even though it’s not enough to quash your conviction, the DPP came to the conclusion that in order to catch the murderer of the German girl, your sentence should be drastically reduced, to enable the investigation to go forward,” Mary continued. “We’re also worried that the murderer may get wind of your release. That’s why we’ve brought you here so for at least the time being you’re safe.”
I was dumbfounded by the news. It hadn’t occurred to me that he might come back to try and murder me again. He would have known that my story was discredited and would therefore have no reason to want to silence me.
“You said a series of murders, How many?” I asked.
“Let’s see.” Mary opened her folder. “These are the confirmed cases with the same MO as your attacker.” There was a list of ten names
“MO?” I wasn’t sure what that she was referring to.
“Oh, the marks across your back.” She shuffled about in the file and produced a photo of my back, taken a few hours after the police had arrested me. Red wealds criss-crossed the white skin of my back and butt cheeks, blazing an easily recognizable pattern. Luckily I wasn’t left with any scars, but the pain at the time was almost unbearable.
“That photograph could possibly have saved lives if it had been linked to the bodies of the murdered girls. However, the DNA sample came up trumps and then we were able to fit it all together,” Jack pointed out.
“So have you caught him,” I asked naively.
“No Beth. We’re going to need your help to do that,” replied Mary.
“Me” What do you want me to do?” I asked, horrified.
“Beth, you’re the only one who knows what this guy looks like,” Jack explained. “In your statement, you said you thought your attacker was German. The latest body has turned up in Berlin. We think he’s operating on home territory and we need your help to stop him killing again.”
I sat back and stared at the police officers. Working with the filth was the last thing I ever wanted to do, but the German and his henchman were killing girls after they had finished fucking with them.
“You mean them! The German bastard has accomplices,” I pointed out.
“Yes we’re aware of that,” conceded Jack. “We’ve had reports from girls who have seen someone fitting the description you gave, taking pictures of them with a mobile phone. Luckily they ignored the driver and moved away.” Huh, I thought, I wish I had! “It appears that the young driver is sent out to scout for a suitable victim, sends the picture and if he gets the okay, he picks them up and delivers them to his boss, just like they did with you.”
“And Beth,” Mary piped up, “The disturbing thing is, that all the victims, uncannily resemble you.”
She opened her file, took out a few photos and laid them on the table. I stared at the chilling pictures, none of whom looked like common street girls.
“You see Beth, they go for attractive girls, with nice figures and leave the others alone!”
I was flattered and horrified in equal measures!
“Do I have any options? I asked, dreading their response.
“You do Beth. I can initiate the probationary order and take you down to the dormitory, where you’ll have to stay for 5 or 6 months. You’ll be tagged and your movements will be restricted.”
“Do I get my freedom, if I do what you ask?” I enquired.
“Yes and there’ll be no restrictions.”
“Okay, what do I have to do?”
The decision was easy, because after almost six months in the nick, I was ready to do almost anything to get my freedom. Plus, once I had started to worry about him looking for me, it made sense to help the filth find him first!
“We’re going to put you on a flight to Berlin on Friday…”
“Friday!” I interrupted. “That’s in 2 days’ time!” I was aghast at being rushed into action straight away. I wanted to put my feet up and enjoy my freedom for a few days.
“Beth, these guys are killing young prostitutes. Beautiful young girls like you! With you on the streets of Berlin we have a real chance of catching them,” Jack said, trying to calm me down.
However, I wanted to know a lot more, before risking my life to possibly save other girls from being murdered.
“What if they recognize me? I’ll be in real danger.” I pointed out.
“With your hair cut shorter and bleached, no one will recognize you, not even your Mother. On the safety side of things, you’ll have a tracker in your phone and we’ll be watching you 24/7,” explained Mary. “We’ll be staying close by in a hotel, so anything you need we’ll be able to arrange there and then; and we’ll be in constant touch wherever you are.”
Jack picked up the third folder and handed it to me.
“In there are your tickets to Berlin.” Explained Jack. “Your flight leaves at 3 pm on Friday. There’s details of the hostel, where we’ve arranged through a contact in Interpol, for a room to be waiting for you and details of an agency, where you need to register.”
“Agency?” I queried.
“Yes, they take a lot of foreign girls. English speakers are welcomed with open arms.” He looked down at his file. “And according to your file you did German at school.”
“I failed my GCSE though,” I scoffed, but I could probably get by.
“And you’ll be legal once you’re registered with the agency,” Jack explained.
I opened the file and glanced through the paperwork. So they wanted me to be a prostitute in Berlin! It was obviously one way of trapping the guy, but did I have the guts to go through with it?
“What are you going to pay me?” I queried.
It suddenly occurred to me that I could earn some pocket money, while working the kerbs at the same time as being paid by the filth!
“We’ll pay you five hundred a week and all your expenses,” Jack said.
I sat back and started to think about all the money I was going to be able to save, if the gig went on for any length of time. Maybe, I thought, when I get back, I’ll be able to afford the deposit on a rented flat and make the break from Dennis. At least with money in my own bank account, I’d be able to make some decisions for myself.
“All right,” I agreed. “If you are going to put all those precautions in place, then I’ll do it.”
“Good,” exclaimed Mary, jumping to her feet. “I’ll make the coffee, Beth. Then I’d like you to tell us everything you can remember about the night of 23rd December. If we can glean an insight into how these murderers operate then it’ll be much easier to catch them.
I waited for the coffee, before once again relating the full story of what had happened to me on that dreadful night.