Lynda La Plante: Hidden Killers

Jane held her own in the witness box. She was controlled under questioning by the defence council, who accused her of deliberately encouraging the defendant by wearing sexually suggestive attire that would have been an attempt to lure the defendant into making a sexual approach. Jane denied the allegations and said that her intention was to safeguard any other women from being attacked. It was all very uncomfortable and by the time she returned to sit in the court to listen to the rest of the trial she could hardly contain her anger. Moran winked at her to indicate that she had held her own. He then sat with his head bowed, refusing to look at Allard who stood in the witness box looking very handsome, wearing a suit and a pressed shirt his mother had brought into the prison for him to wear for his court appearance. Allard had the audacity to keep his head held high, and then lower it in a gesture of submission when he said softly that he was ashamed of having assaulted the women but he was under such stress because of his wife’s medical predicament.

The defence were able to argue that his confession was taken under duress and was therefore not admissible evidence. They argued that his signature and that of WDC Tennison were also not acceptable.

The prosecution asked why, as innocent as he professed to be, he was wearing a stocking mask and Allard bowed his head.

‘Because I am a foolish, stupid man. I was desperate for some kind of satisfaction, and I am deeply sorry.’

The jury filed out as DC Edwards approached Moran and passed him an envelope. He ripped it open and then leaned back, closing his eyes. Jane was sitting directly behind him and he turned to face her whispering, ‘We just got confirmation… Susie Luna’s dental records match the body found at Allard’s house. We bloody got him!’

The jury returned half an hour later. The foreman handed the judge the result and there was a palpable tension in the courtroom. When the judge read out the verdict there was an audible murmur from everyone present. Peter Allard was found not guilty of rape and, as he had pleaded, guilty of the assaults. As he had already spent time in prison on remand he was released and free to leave the court.

Allard walked out into the marble reception area of the Old Bailey. He was smiling as he shook the hand of his barrister. It was extraordinary and it felt as if he was in total denial about the second knife attack on Jane and Janet Brown, and the brutal assault of the young boy Ginger. But he suddenly straightened and looked afraid, his eyes like a trapped animal.

DI Moran was clearly enjoying the moment, and he made a point of having WDC Tennison by his side. He looked across at Jane.

‘He’s yours, Tennison… it’s your arrest.’

They approached Allard and Jane’s voice echoed around the old courthouse reception.

‘Peter Allard, I am arresting you on the suspicion of the murder of Susie Luna. You do not have to say anything unless you wish to do so, but what you say may be given in evidence.’

It was as if everyone was caught in time, moving in slow motion as Allard stepped back. But an officer had already moved in behind him. Moran handcuffed him, then stepped to stand beside him as Jane moved to walk on the other side. As DI Moran and WDC Tennison escorted Allard out of the court, the press photographers suddenly realized that something very newsworthy was happening, and the flash bulbs began popping as the cameras clicked in quick succession.

Allard was still handcuffed as he was pushed into the waiting police van and the caged doors locked behind him. When the doors slammed shut he let out a howl like a wolf.

Jane and Moran got into a patrol car together. She had expected him to show some kind of emotional exuberance but instead he was quiet. He eventually turned towards her.

‘It’s over. I’m going to give you a nudge for a commendation, because you’ve shown persistence and good team work as a trainee CID Detective… surprising for…’

She was about to thank him when he added, ‘… a young woman.’

Jane laughed. It was a backhanded compliment but she was now more determined than ever to move up the ranks in this, her chosen career.

I would like to thank Stephen Ross and Dan Ross at Ross Bennet Smith for their continuing support, advice and lasting friendship. At one time we enjoyed owning racehorses together but this last year has contained more hurdles than I could ever have anticipated, and Stephen and Dan have successfully guided me over them.

My thanks also to Robin Hilton and James Sully at Sheridans for their outstanding legal and professional advice during some very challenging negotiations.

I am very fortunate to have Simon & Schuster as my publishing company, with constant support and friendship from Suzanne Baboneau and Ian Chapman. I am extremely grateful not only for their friendship over many years, but also for their dedicated professionalism. I have had tremendous support from all the team at S &S, including Emma Capron, Mattie Whitehead, Celine Kelly, Tamsin Shelton, Ian Allen, and Jane Pizzey.

My thanks also to Louise Davies for her editorial advice and guidance. Sometimes it is hard to accept structural amendments to something you have created, but for me the changes have always proved to be worthwhile.

My thanks also to the UK sales, marketing and PR departments: Gill Richardson, Dominic Brendon, Rumana Haider, Laura Hough, Sally Wilks, Sara-Jade Virtue, Richard Hawton, Dawn Burnett, Rich Vlietstra, Jessica Jackson; and finally, Matthew Johnson who has designed the brilliant book jacket. Everyone at S &S Australia and Jonathan Ball in South Africa.

As well as the incredible support from Simon & Schuster, I have Nigel Stoneman working beside me. Nigel runs La Plante Global and is a consummate professional and a joy to work with. He not only handles all the exciting projects we have coming in the future, but manages the ongoing publicity events, TV appearances and other interviews. He makes sure I get from A to B without mishap – which is not always an easy task!

I would also like to thank Tory Macdonald, my Personal Assistant, who is still helping me to take the stress out of my life. Her organisational skills continue to be quite extraordinary.

My thanks go to the Metropolitan Women Police Association, particularly Beverley Edwards, Eileen Turnbull, Siobhan Elam, Gina Negus, Janice Gammon, Wendy Rowe, Monica Tett, Valierie Lowe and Kathi Broad.

Last, but by no means least, my sincere thanks to Callum (Cass) Sutherland. As Cass was stationed at Hackney Police Station during the 1970s, all of the police procedure I have used is very accurate. His ideas and his own memories of that period are a constant source of inspiration throughout the Tennison series. I would also like to thank his wife, Anne Sutherland, who was stationed alongside him and who has provided me with the details of what life was like for a very young female probationary officer attached to the Met.

Lynda La Plante (born Lynda Titchmarsh) is a British author, screenwriter, and erstwhile actress (her performances in Rentaghost and other programmes were under her stage name of Lynda Marchal), best known for writing the Prime Suspect television crime series.

Her first TV series as a scriptwriter was the six part robbery series Widows, in 1983, in which the widows of four armed robbers carry out a heist planned by their deceased husbands.

In 1991 ITV released Prime Suspect which has now run to seven series and stars Helen Mirren as DCI Jane Tennison. (In the United States Prime Suspect airs on PBS as part of the anthology program Mystery!) In 1993 La Plante won an Edgar Award from the Mystery Writers of America for her work on the series. In 1992 she wrote at TV movie called Seekers, starring Brenda Fricker and Josette Simon, produced by Sarah Lawson.