‘Tweedy,’ Ruby said, with more than a hint of concern. She had come in the front way, not expecting to see her old school friend standing in line. ‘What brings you here?’ A sliver of panic rose within as she wondered what was so wrong that he had to drag himself to the front counter of Shoreditch police station to ask for her.
She ushered him into a side room. Devoid of CCTV cameras, it was a functional square block. Windowless, it held a table and chairs, a computer for taking statements, and a black panic strip, which ran horizontally against the walls.
‘I was in the area, thought I’d pop in. . . see how things are going.’
Tweedy dragged out the hard plastic chair from beneath the table. Its rubber feet screeched against the flooring as he shoved it back to allow for his girth. He was casually dressed, wearing his usual tweed jacket and jeans. His jumper rode up as he sat down, exposing a generous midsection. One of the hazards of being six foot seven, Ruby thought. The small box room was free from the distractions of the busy main desk, and at least it afforded them some privacy. All the same, she felt uncomfortable with his presence at her place of work, particularly when he was there to discuss Nathan Crosby.
Her eyes were drawn to the slice of light under the door, blotted by the shadow on the other side. She frowned, glancing at Tweedy and then nodding silently towards the bottom of the door. This was not a safe environment to discuss incriminating details.
She was not the only one who looked uncomfortable. Tweedy rubbed his beard, a light sheen of sweat lacing his forehead.
Ruby tried to keep her tone light, but inside her stomach was twisting as she tried to figure out the reasons behind his impromptu visit. ‘Obviously, I can’t discuss details of the case. . .’ She reeled off the textbook response just in case anyone was listening. ‘But the investigation’s progressing at a decent pace. I expect we’ll be making an arrest very soon.’ She leant forward, her voice barely audible. ‘Is Nathan OK?’ she whispered, followed by a louder: ‘I trust everything is OK with you, nothing to add since your last statement?’
‘No, all’s good here,’ he said, stuffing his hands deep in the pockets of his tweed jacket. ‘I only wanted an update.’
‘As soon as we’ve made an arrest I’ll inform you.’ Ruby glanced back at the door. Whoever was listening in was still out there. ‘I have to ask you,’ she said, shaking her head before he returned the response, ‘have you heard from Nathan Crosby at all? We’re very keen to eliminate him from our enquiries.’
A conspiratorial smile touched Tweedy’s lips. ‘He’s away on business. He has an alibi for that day, hasn’t he?’
‘Oh yes, he has. As I said, it was just to go over a few minor things. We’ve a lot of enquiries to get through. I’d like to clear this up sooner rather than later.’
‘For sure. From what I’ve heard, he’ll be back in a couple of days. His property business has been manic. One of the district managers walked out. He’s hiring a new guy, and he’s meant to be shit hot. But that’s Nathan for ya. You can’t keep a good man down.’ He looked at his watch. ‘Anyway, I’d best shoot off. I don’t want to keep you any longer.’ As he pushed back his chair, the shadowy figure hastily slid away like a fleeting ghost just as dawn was about to break. Ruby wondered who had been listening in on their conversation. ‘Know of any good places to eat around here?’ Tweedy said, laying his hand on the door handle.
Ruby smiled. Like her, Tweedy had grown up in the East End. It may have changed in the past few years, with food chains replacing the restaurants that could not afford the increase in rent, but regardless of the change, he knew this place like the back of his hand. ‘Sure. Do you like Nando’s?’ she said, playing along.
‘Sounds good. Can you point me in the right direction?’
‘It’s just around the corner. I’ll show you out.’
Ruby scoped the reception area as she left. Apart from desk staff sitting behind the glass counter, the once busy space was now empty. Taking a breath of evening air, they walked past The Eagle pub as they made their way down the street. Satisfied she was out of earshot, she glanced up at Tweedy as she spoke. Even in her heels he towered over her. ‘Bloody hell, mate, what brought you to the nick? You do know we had an audience in there, don’t you?’
Tweedy gave her a sheepish grin. ‘Sorry, um. . . Nathan wanted an update. He’s itching to go home.’
Ruby frowned. If Nathan wanted an update, he could have called her on their private phone. ‘You gave me a fright. I thought something had happened to him.’
‘God, no, he’s fine. I’ll be glad when things can get back to normal. He keeps beating me in Call of Duty.’
‘Hmm,’ Ruby said, giving him the eye. She was still not convinced he was telling the truth. ‘Are you sure there’s nothing else?’
‘I hear you’re going after Doctor Tanner,’ Tweedy said, changing the subject.
‘I am. Why?’ Ruby raised her voice against the steady stream of traffic and pedestrians.
‘I just wanted to say, well, to warn you, just be careful. I meant to say it when you were down last, but you were gone before I realised, and Nathan probably didn’t think to tell you.’
‘Tell me what?’
‘He was a nasty piece of work. I’m surprised he managed to stay out of trouble this long. I stayed out of that side of things because I don’t have the stomach for it, but the doctor was very handy with a scalpel, if you know what I mean.’
‘I know he was employed for more than bandaging up cuts and bruises,’ she said.
‘Yeah, there was that,’ he said grimly. They were both referring to torture – the side of the business that Lenny employed to bring people around to his way of thinking. ‘Tanner was an evil bastard, cunning. Liked to set people up. Sometimes he’d loosen people’s bindings then wait around the corner and slit their throats as they tried to escape. I just wanted to let you know what you’re up against. Don’t underestimate him. He was a slippery fucker, quick on his feet.’
Hands in her trouser pockets, Ruby arched an eyebrow, giving Tweedy a look that said she could take care of herself.
‘I know you’re capable, but he’s a trap setter. Don’t go bundling in or you’ll get hurt.’ He sighed, his words trailing away on the exhale. ‘I wouldn’t want that on my conscience.’
‘What do you mean, on your conscience?’ Ruby said as small alarm bells began to activate in the back of her head.
Tweedy’s gaze swivelled up the street and back to Ruby. ‘What? Oh, nothing, just that I’d blame myself if I hadn’t warned you. Anyway, it’s time I was off. See ya round, yeah?’
‘Sure. Thanks, mate, take care.’
She returned to the station, lost in thought. Tweedy was her friend, she shouldn’t doubt him, but someone had planted the evidence in Nathan’s home – and someone knew more than they were letting on. As she approached the front counter, she was pleased to see the face of Bob, a member of staff she had known since her probationary days. His small stout frame took up residence behind the glass, and with his balding head and greying beard, he reminded her of a garden gnome. She leant on the counter; she had to ask. ‘Sorry, mate, but do you remember who was waiting to use the statement room while I was in there? I think someone else had it booked, but, you know what I’m like, I just went straight in.’
Bob raised his bushy grey eyebrows. ‘Ah, I see. I did wonder why he was standing there. It was DI Downes. I told him the other room was free, but he said it was OK.’
‘No worries, I’ll speak to him now.’
Possibilities raced through her mind as she took the stairs to her floor. Why was DI Downes listening in, and how did he know Tweedy was there? Unless. . . she paused, chilled by the thought that greeted her. Unless Tweedy wasn’t there to meet her. She made the presumption and ushered him into the room – but what if she was wrong? From the second they began talking, he seemed on edge. She had put it down to him being in a police station. But what if she had interrupted another meeting? One between Tweedy and her DI?