Thursday, 22 March 2012

BRISTOL DAILY NEWS

SEASIDE SHOOTER’S SISTER FOUND ALIVE IN VICTIMS’ HOUSE

by Harriet Hill

The Missing sister of the alleged Seaside Shooter who killed a Tilby couple has been found in the victims’ basement.

Flora Powell, now 34, who went missing when she was just sixteen, has been found alive at Clive Wilson’s Bristol property. It is thought she was kidnapped and kept a prisoner, hooked on drugs, for nearly eighteen years.

She was found living rough along the Welsh Back by two residents and is said to be in a critical but stable condition in hospital after a suspected overdose.

Police have delayed charging Ms Powell’s sister, Heather Underwood, 32, due to her recovery from a head wound. But now police believe that Heather may not have killed Deirdre and Clive Wilson after all.

A source said: ‘The police are now looking into the fact that it may have been Flora who actually committed the murders. An eyewitness at the time of the killings recalled seeing a “dark-haired woman”, which would also fit Flora’s profile. After what they put her through, she definitely has a motive.’

A spokesperson for Avon and Somerset Police confirmed that Flora Powell had been found but refused to comment further on the case.

‘Fucking Harriet fucking Hill,’ I spit, to a startled Rory. ‘How did she get this story when it all happened just last night? Has she got spies at the hospital or something? Shit.’ I fling the newspaper onto the coffee table.

‘I’m sorry. I thought you should see it.’ Rory had gone out to get milk this morning and had bought the newspaper when he saw the headline.

‘Now they’re saying it’s Flora who killed the Wilsons?’ I throw my hands into the air.

‘It makes more sense, though, doesn’t it? You said Margot told you there was an unidentified fingerprint on the gun. And it means Heather’s off the hook.’

I groan. ‘That might be the case – but poor Flora. And poor Margot.’

The sofa sags as he sits down next to me and pulls me into him, kissing my hair.

‘My story about the body in the basement not being Flora is going to be old news now, isn’t it? It’s published tomorrow.’ I sigh. ‘I don’t know. Maybe I should work for a daily again.’

‘If that’s what you want?’

I turn to face him. ‘You’d follow me a second time? Leave Bristol?’

‘Of course. I haven’t got a permanent job here yet. I’m just supply teaching.’

‘I couldn’t ask you to do that for me again. It wouldn’t be fair. And, anyway, we’ve got a good thing going here, haven’t we? Especially if we’re saving to buy our own place.’

He stands up, a half-smile on his face. ‘That’s true. But only if that’s what you want.’