Mark took the information he gained from Lucy to DS Hooper.
‘She confirmed that Vicki Wilkinson was in a relationship with Mick O’Dowd? Why the hell didn’t she tell us this before?’
‘To be fair, guv, I think she only just found out. It was just an assumption initially, but seeing them at O’Dowd’s flat confirmed it. I just picked up the email.’
‘Mark, I don’t know why you feel the need to defend Lucy – and to be honest, I don’t want to know. But let’s face facts here. She fucked up. The minute she suspected anything, we should have been informed.’
Mark knew that no amount of explanation would change his boss’s mind. Once Hooper had his jaws locked onto something, there was no letting go. ‘So … what do we do now, guv?’
‘Are you serious, Mark? We need to speak to Mick O’Dowd. Grab PC Reynolds and go pick him up!’
Mark blushed. ‘Yes, guv. On it.’
He headed back to the unit and looked around for PC Reynolds. The newbie was nowhere to be seen. ‘For fuck’s sake. Has anyone seen Reynolds?’
Maggie looked up from her computer and shook her head. Mark turned to Kat. ‘Kat, do you know where Reynolds is?’
Mark didn’t like the sly look on Kat’s face, as if she was ready to wind him up. Frankly he wasn’t in the mood.
‘Reynolds is at the photocopier. I asked him to copy some shit.’
‘Well, now you can take over. I need him to come with me. Hooper wants us to pick up Mick O’Dowd and bring him in for questioning.’
‘Uh … since when did you become my boss?’ Kat swivelled her chair casually.
Mark was grateful when he caught Maggie raising her eyebrows at Kat, ‘Just do what he says.’
‘This is fudonkulous.’ Kat grabbed her coffee and slouched her way to the copier.
Huh? Mark and Maggie looked at each other quizzically. Maggie shrugged.
‘No clue. She is always making up words. I’m guessing there’s a fuck in there somewhere …’
Within minutes, Reynolds was back in the office, looking like Kat had put him through the photocopier. ‘So, where are we off to then?’
‘Just grab your coat, Reynolds, I’ll tell you on the way.’
‘Can I grab a quick cuppa? I’m parched.’
‘No … no chance. Now get your coat and let’s go!’
Mark heard a faint laugh from the office as PC Reynolds stumbled his way out after him.
Mark and PC Reynolds arrived at Mick’s flat, hoping he wasn’t involved in the assault on Vicki. They already had enough pressure, following the Millard and Talbot murders, without adding a serious assault to their caseload.
The path up to the flats was littered with cans of beer and rubbish that the council must have given up on collecting. They buzzed the door and a woman answered. She had obviously had a rough night and, by the sound of her raspy voice, was probably a heavy smoker.
‘Yeah, who is it?’
‘Police, ma’am. Can you buzz us in please?’
‘Why should I? Who are you here to see?’
‘I’m afraid I can’t discuss that. If you won’t buzz us in, I’ll just contact your landlord.’
‘Ha!’ The officers heard a loud, hacking cough from the upper level. ‘Good luck with that.’ The door buzzed and then clicked open. They walked towards Mick’s flat and heard footsteps above them. Clearly the female occupant wanted to know who the police were coming to visit. Mark looked at the dilapidated flat entry, paint peeling off the walls and rubbish strewn along the unkempt walkway. He raised his hand and knocked on Mick’s door.
‘What a shithole.’ PC Reynolds verbalized what Mark was thinking. Mark punched him in the arm and pointed upstairs.
‘Keep it closed, Reynolds. We have company.’
‘Yeah, Reynolds. You prick!’ They could see the woman looking over from the walkway above. Clearly she wasn’t impressed with Reynolds’s observation of the property. They heard a door slam above and knocked once more on Mick’s door.
‘Don’t think he’s here, Mark.’
‘Really? What gave you that impression? Your detective skills are on fire today, Reynolds.’ Mark radioed in to the station as they left.
‘Maggie, do we have any details of known associates or hangouts for one Michael Edward O’Dowd? Also known as Mick. No one at his property.’
‘Standby. I’ll find out.’
Mark and Reynolds were getting back into the car when the radio buzzed and Maggie’s voice cut through the cold night air.
‘Mark, the guv says to call it a night for now. You can pick up where you left off in the morning and I’ll get Kat to put a list together for you. I’ve logged what you’ve told me and if Mick is seen, he’ll be picked up by the field teams on patrol.’
‘Thanks, Maggie. OK, Reynolds. You heard the lady. Time to head back, clock out, and go home!’
As Mark and Reynolds drove back to the station, a call out came over the radio.
‘Officers required at The Smith’s Forge. Two men fighting. No weapons reported.’
‘Looks like we’re not going home after all.’ Mark sighed as Reynolds actioned the siren.
A crowd had gathered outside, blocking the entrance to the pub, and Mark noticed one of the panes of glass from the front window had been smashed.
‘Criminal damage will be one of the charges then.’ Reynolds nodded.
The officers pushed their way through the crowd and found two men shouting at each other. Being held apart at opposite ends of the pub.
‘About time you arrived!’
Mark assumed this was the landlord of the pub. ‘And you are, sir?’
‘Kevin. I run this place. Look at the bloody mess this pair have created.’
‘OK, Kevin. Can you tell us what happened?’ Mark wanted to calm the situation down to avoid any further conflict arising.
‘These two … gentleman … and I use the term loosely, started rowing with each other. I looked away for one second and the next thing I knew, that guy over there threw a punch and this guy, Patrick, retaliated.’ Kevin pointed angrily at the two individuals being held apart.
‘Thanks, Kevin. We’ll take it from here. Reynolds, can you speak to Patrick and I’ll have a word with the instigator.’
There wasn’t actually that much damage to the inside of the room. The floors would need a good cleaning, the furniture would have to be picked up, and the glass swept, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed if Kevin paid his cleaner a bit extra.
Mark walked over to the man who was seated with his hands over his face. ‘Can I get your name please?’
When the man looked up, Mark smiled.
‘Well, hello, Mr O’Dowd. I’ve been looking for you. Mick O’Dowd – I’m arresting you for the charge of criminal damage and assault. Stand up please.’ Mark placed the cuffs on Mick’s wrists while continuing to read him his rights.
As they passed the other man talking to PC Reynolds, Mick shouted, ‘This ain’t over!’
Mark placed O’Dowd in the back of the police car and requested another car to the scene. Ensuring his car was secure, he radioed Reynolds, who gave him Patrick’s version of events: he had attended the pub for a quiet drink after dropping off his daughter at her grandparents for the night. He had only consumed one pint of lager, but was in the middle of getting his second, when he saw a few people he recognized. Reynolds continued, ‘He was making his way through the crowd when he felt someone grab his shoulder. He confronted the man – Mick O’Dowd – and said a few choice words. Someone in O’Dowd’s company had mentioned Patrick’s wife; Mick made a few further derogatory comments about Patrick’s wife. They argued and, when Mick punched him, Mr Quinn alleges he defended himself.’
‘OK. I’ve called for another car which I think I see coming now. Caution him and bring him out here.’
Following Mark’s instruction, Reynolds directed Patrick towards the assisting car and placed him in the back. They stood for a moment next to their vehicles and watched the crowd dispersing from outside the pub. ‘Looks like it won’t be an early night after all, Mark.’
Both cars headed back to the police station to process their arrests. Mick wouldn’t be interviewed until the morning. He smelled so strongly of booze that Mark and Reynolds feared they would end up drunk off the fumes alone. Mick was processed and placed in a cell for the evening by the custody sergeant. Patrick was still waiting to be processed and would more than likely be released pending further investigation. He was shouting that he wanted to call his wife, when Mark approached him.
‘Sir, you need to calm down. Once the custody sergeant processes you, you will either be bailed, or you can call your wife then. If you carry on shouting, this could end up being a long night for you … erm … sorry, what was your name again?’
‘Patrick. Look, I just want to get this over with. My wife is going to be pissed off and to be honest with you, after tonight, I just don’t need the fucking hassle.’
‘I get that, Patrick. But ranting isn’t going to get you anywhere quicker, is it?’
Patrick looked up at the police officer. At first Mark thought he may have a situation on his hands, as he noticed Patrick squeeze his hands together tightly, but a few deep breaths later, the man obviously thought better and played the game. The custody sergeant called Patrick forward and Mark left Reynolds to deal with the arrest. Tomorrow was definitely going to be a long day.