Jane sat opposite Kingston as he carefully read her notes of the conversation she’d had with Rachel Wilson.
‘These notes are very detailed and interesting, especially what was said by M1 on the Monday and today – you’ve done really well, Jane.’ He smiled.
‘Thank you, sir. I also have the original notes Rachel made about what she lip-read on the Monday, and the descriptions of M1 and M2 that she wrote down for me today.’ She handed them to Kingston.
‘I don’t mind you calling me Stewart when we’re talking one to one like this or off duty.’ He read Rachel’s descriptions.
‘It was all from the horse’s mouth, so to speak.’
‘How reliable do you think her lip-reading is?’
‘Very reliable, she’s been doing it for years, though she did say that making out names can be difficult. But she was certain M2 was called Tommy and reasonably sure M1 said the names Webley and Judge.’
Kingston looked at the notes. ‘The way I’m reading it, M1 would cover the back of the van with another person who’s probably the loose cannon, M2 would cover the front with Webley, and Judge was the getaway driver in the Cortina.’
‘Yes, that’s what I thought as well.’
‘Which adds up to five people being involved. But all our witnesses said there were only four, and one man covered the front – not two.’
‘It’s possible the other man never went on the robbery.’
‘Or M1 might not have been talking about the Leytonstone bank robbery. You need to be open-minded and consider alternative possibilities.’
‘I know, but this morning at the cafe, M1 said, “Yesterday was a total fuck-up” and “Riley was a hothead”. We know that an off-duty PC got shot and the man in the front passenger seat of the Cortina fired at the area car with a handgun – maybe that’s what M1 meant by a fuck-up.’
‘Again, it might not have been a robbery he was referring to, but there’s something else M1 said that could arguably link to our investigation. He said he’d have to get a loan for Tina’s wedding as a monkey wasn’t enough. Two grand was in the Securicor cash box they got away with – which, divided by four, is a “monkey” each.’
‘Rachel thinks M2 might be connected to a snooker hall opposite the cafe. I’ve got some names from Companies House, which are all connected to the hall, and one of them has a criminal record.’
Jane looked in her pocket notebook and told him about her enquiries at Tottenham Police Station and the conversation she had with the collator there, and at Chingford Police Station, then finally her flying visit to Wood Green.
‘Bloody hell, you have been ferreting away today.’
‘Rachel may have been wrong about the name Riley. I think M1 might have said O’Reilly, and it’s reasonable to assume Tommy may be Thomas Ripley. Aidan O’Reilly lives at 94A Seven Sisters Road, which is where Ripley used to live. Ripley also has a conviction for GBH – admittedly it was just over twenty years ago, but it shows a propensity for violence. I’ve ordered his case file and it should be here by Monday.’
‘Any CRO records for O’Reilly or Maria Fernandez?’
‘There’s a load of possibles for O’Reilly and nothing on Fernandez, but she’s shown as a secondary keyholder for the snooker club. Obviously, I’ll need to do more work on all the names I’ve got so far. Finding out who M1 is is key as it may reveal further connections to Ripley and O’Reilly. The collator at Tottenham knows the cafe owner and said he’s an honest man who’s given him information before.’
‘Is the collator still Kevin Bottomley?’
Jane nodded. ‘Yes, and the cafe owner’s called Nick.’
‘Kevin was the collator when I was the DI at Tottenham – he’s reliable and trustworthy. It might be worth asking him to speak to the cafe owner, without giving too much away – or you could get Kevin to introduce you to him and do it together.’
‘He did offer to speak to Nick, but I said not at the moment. Bottomley is off over the weekend, but I’ll speak to him on Monday morning.’
‘Rachel mentioned M1 said something to Camel Hair Coat Man about having “a nice XJS on the front if he was interested” – sounds like the sort of thing a car dealer might say.’
‘Rachel knows nothing about the makes or models of cars, but she’s got an excellent memory, almost photographic I’d say. Her description of Camel Hair Coat Man’s car is good, so I was thinking of making up an album of lots of different sports type cars and see if she can pick.’
Kingston opened his desk drawer and took out what Jane thought was a newspaper and handed it to her.
‘This is the latest issue of Exchange & Mart – it’s full of new and used motors of all makes and sizes.’
Jane shook her head. ‘Why didn’t I think of that?’
‘Because you’re a woman, and you let your boyfriends, husbands or fathers buy cars for you,’ he said with a smirk.
She laughed. ‘I’ll have you know I bought my car all on my own, thank you.’
‘Which explains the colour. Can I see your notes again, please?’
She handed them to him.
‘What are your feelings about the man in the camel hair coat?’ he asked.
‘On the face of it, the conversation M1 had with him didn’t suggest they were talking about a robbery. It could have been something to do with a business deal, and the envelope he gave to M1 could have contained a contract or something like that.’
He looked at Jane’s notes. ‘Agreed, but M1 wouldn’t show M2 the contents of the envelope and said something to do with “champagne and caviar for life”. If they were to commit a massive robbery it would set them up for life – and you have to wonder why M1 was so guarded about the envelope and wouldn’t open it in the cafe if it was just a business contract.’
‘Do you think it might have contained plans for a robbery?’
‘If the men in the cafe were involved in yesterday’s botched job, they could be planning another one to make up for it.’
‘Does that mean I can make further enquiries about them?’ Jane asked.
‘Murphy will have to make that decision, but as far as I’m concerned the answer’s yes.’
‘I’m not exactly his flavour of the month.’
‘I can’t see how he can ignore your information – especially as it’s the only lead we’ve got that’s worth pursuing so far. You’ve got the weekend to do some more digging—’
‘Katie told me that Murphy said I was to take the weekend off.’
‘On the basis of what you’ve uncovered so far I’m authorising you to work it.’
‘Can I have that in writing?’
‘I’m sticking my neck out for you as it is. You need to firm up what you’ve got so far and keep digging for more if you want to convince Murphy to put a surveillance team on Ripley and O’Reilly.’
‘I could go to the snooker hall and have a snoop around.’
He laughed. ‘No offence, Jane, but you’d stand out like a sore thumb – snooker halls are men’s dens.’
‘What about using Dabs? He said he plays snooker for the Met team.’
‘That’s not a bad idea – he’s a short-arse and doesn’t look like Old Bill. For now, just keep what you’ve told me between the two of us. Get someone else on the team to help you with your enquiries.’
‘Teflon helped me this morning when I first went to Broadwater Farm. Can I use him and maybe Cam as well if I need him?’
‘I’m fine with Teflon, but Cam’s a driver, not a detective. You can use him to make phone enquiries if you want.’
‘Will you be telling Murphy they’re assisting me?’
‘Stop worrying about what Murphy thinks, just do your job and let’s see what else you might uncover before we talk to Murphy on Monday. The more ammo you’ve got to fire at him, the more difficult it’ll be for him to ignore you.’
‘I doubt he’ll agree with me on anything.’
‘I’ll back you up.’
‘Do you think he might authorise making some arrests and searching their homes – and the snooker hall?
‘I doubt he’d go as far as arrests at the moment. Sadly Barclays informed us the cash that was stolen is untraceable and there’s no solid evidence that the men in the cafe were responsible for the Leytonstone job. If they’re planning another robbery, Murphy will want to nick them on the pavement with the goods in their grubby little hands.’
‘Is it worth me taking Rachel to the Criminal Records Office at the Yard to look through the mugshot albums?’
‘I’d hold off on that for now. Thomas Ripley’s mugshot is twenty years old and if she failed to pick him out it wouldn’t help the investigation. She’s seen M1 and 2 regularly in the cafe, so identifying them from surveillance photos won’t be a problem.’
‘The cafe owner had an advert in the window for a waitress. If he took me on, and Rachel’s in the cafe, she could give me the nod when the men we’re interested in come in. I could nip out the back, radio the surveillance unit, then we’d know exactly who to photograph and follow when they leave.’
‘You ever done any undercover work?’
‘I was a decoy for a serial rapist. He attacked me, but I still managed to arrest him. And I was a waitress in my school holidays, so I know how to act the part.’
He rubbed his chin. ‘It’s risky, and I can’t make that decision, Jane. I’d need to run it by Murphy first.’
‘Thanks for your support, Stewart.’
‘Keep up the good work and Murphy will have to change his mind about you.’ He looked at his watch. ‘You fancy discussing this further over a quick drink in the pub?’
‘I would, but I’ve still got to write up today’s report.’
‘Do it over the weekend, you’ve had a busy day and deserve a drink.’
‘All right, but just a quick one.’
‘We use the Prince of Wales – it’s just down the road by the river. I’ll drive if you want.’
‘I’ll take my car, then I can head off home from there as it’s en route. What about Katie?’
‘What’s she done now?’ He sighed.
‘Nothing, I just wondered if she’d like to join us.’
‘Have you told her what you told me?’
‘Not everything. She only knows that Rachel Wilson is deaf and lip-read what was said – plus I gave her a couple of the names to do PNC checks on.’
Kingston ran his finger around the collar of his shirt.
‘It’s not that I don’t trust Katie, but she can be a bit of a rumour-monger. I’m worried that if we discuss the case in front of her, she might say something to Murphy. It’s probably best to tell her that you’re going home . . . and I’ll do the same.’
‘I don’t like to be underhand. We could discuss it now and then ask Katie if she’d like to join us.’
Kingston looked a little annoyed. ‘What else is there you need to tell me?’
‘Rachel said the man Tommy wore a pendant round his neck with gold boxing gloves on it. As you were a boxer, I wondered if that type of thing was an award of some sort?’
‘I doubt it. Usually you get a cup or a championship winner’s belt. I’ve seen boxing glove pendants, but it doesn’t actually mean he’s a boxer.’
‘I was just thinking, maybe if I speak to Nick over the weekend, and he’s agreeable to me working as a waitress, then I could start Monday morning—’
‘There’s no rush, Jane. If Murphy approves it on Monday, we could start the surveillance on Tuesday.’
‘Rachel said she’s only ever seen M1 and M2 in the cafe together on a Monday or Friday. Why waste three days on an observation when we could identify them in one? We could put a surveillance team on them, get some good photographs and maybe ID their associates.’
He thought about it. ‘Speak to Nick when the place is closed. If you think he’s as trustworthy as Kevin Bottomley says, ask him if a couple of officers can use his upstairs flat as an observation point until we can find a single OP that overlooks both the cafe and the snooker hall.’
‘Is that a yes for me to start waitressing on Monday if Nick agrees?’
He shook his head. ‘No, I’m on duty over the weekend and Murphy’s off. You can keep me updated and I’ll decide on the next course of action. Anything else you want to talk about?’
‘No, that’s all I can think of for now.’
‘Then let’s go and have that drink.’
She picked up her pocket notebook and Rachel’s notes, then returned to the main office, where she saw the PNC printouts on her desk.
‘Thanks for these, Katie,’ she said, picking them up.
‘My pleasure. How’d it go with Kingston? Was he pleased with your information?’ Katie asked, avoiding eye contact.
‘Some of it, but he wants me to make further enquiries over the weekend – see if I can “firm up” what I’ve got before approaching Murphy.’
‘That’s sound advice. What have you got so far?’
She forced a smile as Jane unlocked the drawer in her desk and put in her pocket notebook with Rachel’s notes.
‘Not as much as I thought, but hopefully I’ll uncover more. Kingston said to ask if you wanted to join us for a drink at the Prince of Wales.’
She locked the drawer and pocketed the key.
‘I’d love to but I’m out tonight and I’ve got a couple of things to finish off here before I head home.’
‘Maybe another time then – just the two of us.’
Still smiling tightly, Katie said, ‘I’d like that. Be good to get to know each other a bit better.’
Kingston walked out of his office and looked at Jane.
‘Ready to go?’
She picked up her coat and bag. ‘Katie’s out tonight so she won’t be joining us.’
‘That’s a shame. See you Monday then.’
He walked past Katie without looking at her.
Once Jane and Kingston had gone, Katie went to the window and watched Jane get in her car and follow Kingston down the road. She waited a few minutes, then grabbed her handbag and coat and left the office.
*
Kingston paid the barman for a pint of lager and a white wine, then took the drinks over to Jane, who was sitting at a small round table by the window.
‘You want something to eat?’ he asked, before taking a sip of his drink.
‘Are you having anything?’
‘Their scampi and chips in a basket isn’t bad – we could share if you’re not that hungry.’
‘One between us would be great.’ She reached into her bag. ‘I’ll pay for it.’
‘No, you won’t.’
He put his hand on her shoulder before going back to the bar to order the food.
Jane wondered why such a nice bloke had got himself involved with Katie. It struck her that maybe he wanted out, but was worried Katie would react by telling his wife.
‘I ordered some bread and butter to go with it,’ he said as he sat down. ‘I forgot to ask you this earlier, but have you done background checks on the Wilson sisters?’
Jane nodded. ‘No trace CRO and the electoral register confirms them living at the Broadwater Farm.’
‘What else do you know about them?’
‘Not a lot, other than their parents were killed in a car crash, and they were badly injured – that’s how Rachel became deaf. Their uncle looked after them for a bit, but couldn’t cope, so he put them in a children’s home. Beyond that I didn’t go into any detail about their past.’
‘Well, you need to check them out a bit more—’
‘They seemed genuine enough to me; I’ve no reason to think they’ve lied.’
Jane was slightly vexed by his implication that they might be dishonest.
‘I’m not saying they lied to you, but Murphy will want to know if they are credible witnesses – and the courts, if we get that far. It’s to your advantage if they’re whiter than white.’
Jane nodded. ‘I understand, but I think they’re decent people, and I do feel for them. They’ve been suffering verbal and physical abuse from some of the younger residents on the estate and are trying to get rehoused. They’ve written numerous letters to the council but each one’s been rejected.’
‘I know how tough Broadwater Farm can be. I was the DI at Tottenham for two years, so I know loads of residents apply for a move. It could just be they are well down the list.’
‘I was wondering if you knew anyone on the council who has a sympathetic ear?’
‘Can’t say I do. Have they reported the incidents to the local plods?’
‘No, they’re worried if police start asking questions on the estate, they’ll be subjected to even more abuse and intimidation. Are there any detectives at Tottenham who might be able to help?’
‘There’s a couple I can think of, but it depends on how you want it dealt with.’
‘What do you mean?’
‘Well, there’s the heavy-handed approach – i.e. scare the shit out of the little bastards so they don’t do it again – or the more subtle approach to the council, telling them that if they can’t get the sisters a move they may well go to the press about the council’s lack of care for the deaf community.’
‘What about getting them a move under the witness protection programme?’
‘You don’t know for sure yet that what Rachel told you is reliable. If the men were arrested and/or charged as a result of her information, then that’s a different matter. My advice would be to hold off on helping them for the time being. Then, if your further investigation pans out, we can review the situation and maybe get the witness protection unit on board.’
‘Should I at least tell them to report the incidents to the local officers?’
‘That would be a good start. I’ll contact DS Rickman at Tottenham – he’s the best man there to deal with it. I understand your feelings about Rachel and Emma, but you mustn’t let it cloud your judgement.’
‘Thanks for the advice.’
Jane took a sip of her drink. It was good to know there was someone in the office she could trust.
*
Katie parked her car, then got out and put on her coat and headscarf, before taking a deep breath and walking down the road towards the Prince of Wales. From the other side of the street she looked through the large front window of the pub, where she spotted Jane and Kingston sitting close together, engrossed in conversation and appearing to enjoy each other’s company.
*
The waitress came over with their food.
‘Who’s for the scampi and chips with bread and butter?’
‘We’re sharing, so just stick it in the middle please,’ Kingston said. ‘Is salt and vinegar OK or do you want any sauce?’
‘This is fine.’
Jane unwrapped her cutlery from the napkin and stuck her fork in a chip. He picked up a chip and popped it in his mouth, then had to spit it out onto his hand as it was so hot.
Jane laughed. ‘Serves you right,’ she said, handing him a fork.
He pushed it into a piece of scampi and held it up.
‘What do you call a crayfish with a messy room?’ he asked Jane.
‘I don’t know . . . What do you call a crayfish with a messy room?’
‘A slobster!’ he replied, and she couldn’t help laughing.
‘That’s a stupid joke.’
‘Yeah, but it made you laugh.’
*
Katie was rooted to the spot, transfixed by the sight of them laughing and joking together. Then suddenly she ran back to her car, slammed the door and started thumping the steering wheel with her fists.
‘You bastards!’ she shouted, before breaking down in tears.
*
‘Thank you for the scampi and chips, they were delicious.’
‘My pleasure. Have you got a boyfriend?’
‘Gosh, that’s a very direct question,’ she said, laughing.
‘Well?’
‘Not at present.’
‘You surprise me – it’s hard to imagine an attractive young woman like you not being in a relationship.’
‘I find they generally end badly – so I’m quite happy being single.’
‘I was thinking, maybe we could go out for a meal one evening?’ he asked, leaning across the table.
‘By “we”, do you mean just the two of us?’ she asked guardedly.
He put a hand on her arm. ‘Is that a yes?’
‘No, it is not!’ she said firmly, shrugging his hand off.
‘I’m sorry, Jane, I didn’t mean to upset you. It’s just that I thought there was a bit of chemistry between the two of us.’
She leant towards him so they wouldn’t be overheard.
‘I never mix business with pleasure – and I certainly don’t go out with married men,’ she said with a tight smile, then picked up her coat and bag to leave.
‘What’s going on here then?’
The Colonel’s unmistakable voice boomed across the room. Jane looked up to see the Colonel, Stanley, Cam, Bax and Teflon walking towards them.
‘What are you doing here?’ Kingston scowled, realising he should have gone to another pub with Jane.
‘We’ve had a hard day and thought we’d enjoy a cosy drink like you and Treacle here.’ The Colonel smirked.
‘Actually, I was just leaving.’
Jane pushed past him and walked out of the pub.
‘Who’s rattled her cage?’ The Colonel laughed. ‘Looks like you won’t be pulling her drawers down any time soon. You might as well give me that twenty quid now.’
‘The bet’s off,’ Kingston snapped.
The Colonel snapped his fingers twice and held his hand out. Kingston took a twenty-pound note from his wallet with a scowl and handed it over.
‘I’ll have a pint of lager and whisky chaser.’
He downed the rest of his pint in one.
*
The office was empty when Katie returned from the pub. She threw her coat and handbag down on a desk, opened one of the steel cabinets by the wall and took out a large holdall. Inside was a range of equipment the team used to force entry into premises and to fit trackers and listening devices to cars and houses. She removed a twelve-inch jemmy, weighed it in her hand, then replaced it in the bag. She rummaged around until she found the assorted screwdriver case, then selected the two smallest ones. She crouched down by Jane’s desk so the side drawer lock was at eye level. She inserted one of the screwdrivers into the lock and jiggled it about a bit, then tried with the smaller one. After a few twists and turns the drawer popped open.
‘You can’t hide things from me, Little Miss Perfect,’ she said, reaching in to remove Jane’s pocket notebook and Rachel’s notes.