‘Detective Hunter, I understand there’s been a development.’
Assistant Chief Constable Tess Bainbridge leaned closer to her laptop camera, her green eyes keen. ‘Care to update us?’
Kay eyed the notes beside her own computer, then made sure the door to Sharp’s old office was closed and looked back to the three faces staring at her from her screen.
Both Sharp and Chief Superintendent Susan Greensmith appeared relaxed despite the hastily scheduled video conference, and she wished she possessed a modicum of their calmness in the face of one of the force’s highest commanders.
Then she realised their resilience was honed by years of experience.
Experience that had been gained first hand, in situations like this.
She took a deep breath. ‘Earlier this morning, control took a triple nine call from the MacFarlane residence. The MacFarlanes were interviewed earlier in this investigation because they hold one of the largest firearms collections in our division. At that time, we conducted a spot check of weapons against their computerised inventory, interviewed both Porter MacFarlane and his son Roman, and concluded that they weren’t involved in Dale Thorngrove’s murder last week.’
‘I sense there’s a “but” here,’ said Bainbridge.
‘When we attended the property this morning, the MacFarlanes informed us that they’d discovered two .308 rifles were missing. They only found out because a TV production company turned up to take delivery of some stock. Porter decided to audit the firearms while he was up early. Apparently his son’s been nagging him to do that for weeks.’
Sharp hissed through his teeth while the two women stared at their screens in shocked horror.
‘Do they know when the rifles were taken?’ Greensmith asked.
‘No, they don’t.’ Kay bit her lip before continuing. ‘It transpires they’ve been relying on purchase orders to note stock going in and out on the inventory database and Porter hadn’t conducted a full audit since June. I’ve currently got Daniel’s team reviewing their firearms certificates, and we’ll obviously be making further enquiries before deciding whether to revoke those, bearing in mind that a substantial portion of their business is reliant on firearms.’
‘Do they know who took them?’ said Bainbridge.
‘Neither man has been able to suggest who might’ve taken the rifles. They allow production crews to go in and out of the building while stock is being loaded under their supervision. My team here is working through a list of production companies that have been to the MacFarlanes’ property since the last audit. I’ve also got a team on site concluding a search of the property for any indication as to how anyone else might’ve accessed the shed. It’s locked at all times and there was no sign of a break-in, but the building is surrounded by woodland and it isn’t visible from the house.’
‘Given the amount of time that’s elapsed since their last audit, that theft could’ve been any time in the past three months,’ said Sharp.
‘Exactly, guv. We also have an additional problem that has only come to light since I’ve returned to Maidstone. Roman MacFarlane has advised that an amount of ammunition was taken as well. Over two thousand rounds, to be exact.’
A stunned silence met her words.
Kay paused a moment to check she’d covered everything in her notes, then raised her gaze to the screen once more. ‘We’re understaffed here, and I could use an experienced pair of hands to help work through all the information we’ve got, and to help me coordinate with Paul Disher once we locate the weapons.’
Bainbridge managed a wry smile. ‘I take it you want Piper back there?’
‘Yes, please. As soon as possible.’ Kay tried to keep the desperation from her voice. ‘He’s one of the most experienced detective constables on my team, and I need him to work with some of the uniformed ranks to focus on tracking down those rifles. I also need someone I can trust to dig into Porter MacFarlane’s background and activities – without drawing attention to themselves.’
Bainbridge turned her attention to Greensmith and Sharp. ‘I’m inclined to agree. Do either of you have any pressing matters you need Piper for?’
‘Now that the focus has centred on the Maidstone area, I’m happy to release him,’ said Greensmith. ‘We can retain a watching brief from here utilising the team available to us with respect to any suspicious activity that might lead us to the gunman.’
‘Agreed,’ said Sharp. ‘Unless and until the killer breaks cover, our hands are tied.’
‘Very well. I’ll release Gavin Piper from the team here with immediate effect,’ said Bainbridge. She winked. ‘Look after him, Detective Hunter. I want him back at Northfleet one day.’