CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

 

Jon and Gary sat in the flickering darkness of the monitor room, their eyes trained on the CCTV footage that flashed across the screens.

‘I hope you two are working and not hiding down here eating Big Macs and fries?’

‘No such luck.’ said Jon without looking away from his screen. ‘We are looking for Nic Barley’s meeting with the big cheese of the Sicko Society.’

Kate slumped into a chair and looked far from happy. ‘And I’ve just been getting an ear-bashing from the Super.’ She turned up the corners of her mouth in a wry smile. ‘Apparently my reports on the Jamie Durham case are late; I never told her about Emily; I’ve allowed myself to get side-tracked away from Shauna Kelly’s death; the team isn’t getting results quick enough, and although she didn’t actually say it, I think I may be singularly responsible for the Icelandic volcanoes and the war in Afghanistan.’

Jon gave a small laugh. ‘Which translates that Top Brass is chewing at her heels for results on the death of the child of one of our own people.’

‘Exactly.’ growled Kate as she turned to Gary. ‘But there’s one bit of good news, PC Pritchard.’

Gary paused the footage and swung around to face the boss. ‘Ma’am?’

‘As from ten minutes ago, you are on our team.’

Gary face crumpled into a smile. ‘That’s great, ma’am. I just hope that I can be of help.’

‘I’m sure you will, constable. Now are you happy to commute, or can we organise somewhere temporary for you in Saltfleet?’

‘He can have my guest room, Guv.’ Jon turned to Gary. ‘If you want it?’

‘That would be perfect, as long as I’m not putting you out, Sarge?’

Jon grinned. ‘No problem. It’ll be good to have some company.’ And he meant it, but when he looked up he saw Kate flashing him a warning look that could have halted a speeding freight train.

He gave her a reassuring smile and the hint of a nod. He knew what he was doing, even if he hadn’t shared his insights with the DCI. He hoped that she would pick up his unspoken message that said, “Its okay. I can handle this.”

Kate shrugged then gave him a forced smile. ‘That’s settled then.’

Gary had missed all of that, and was grinning from ear to ear. ‘When I get home tonight I’ll sort out a few things and get some clothes together. I can move in tomorrow if that’s okay? It’ll be much better to be on hand if I’m needed.’

‘My thoughts precisely,’ said Jon. ‘Although perhaps I should fill you in on some of my eccentric habits before you commit yourself to becoming my lodger?’

Gary raised an eyebrow. ‘I’ll take my chances, Sarge. When you’ve lived out on Harlan Marsh you’ve seen it all before. That place has characters that make eccentric look normal!’

Jon laughed, and suddenly felt very pleased with his new domestic arrangements. He’d been a long time on his own, and although this was only a temporary thing, the way things were going at present, he’d meant it when he had said that he could do with the company. He looked back at his monitor. He’d fill the Boss in on his reasons when they were alone.

‘Sarge! Guv!’ Gary stopped his machine and ran it back a few shots. ‘Got them!’

Jon stared at two dark figures, both staying well back in the shadows, whilst young Nic Barley stood, blissfully unaware, right in front of the security camera.

‘Damn! They could be anyone,’ cursed Kate.

‘Hang fire, ma’am. The one on the left turns in a minute, look, just there.’ Gary pointed to the screen.

Jon and Kate looked closer.

‘That taller one, he’s familiar somehow. I think we know him.’ murmured Jon.

‘Maybe, but..,’ Kate squinted as she tried to make out any recognisable features. ‘The quality is crap. Even if he were the biggest villain in town, we’d never get an ID from that.’

‘I’ll get some stills printed off. Maybe they’ll show something more.’ Gary went to talk to the IT operator and returned in a few minutes with a batch of print-outs.

‘They’re no better,’ sighed Kate. ‘Can we get Scott to clean them up, make them clearer?

‘No, ma’am, the IT operator here has done the best you can with them. Young Barley’s face is clear as crystal, as you can see. It’s just that the Head Honcho and his side-kick kept close to the buildings and in deep shadow.’

‘If they’re local, they probably know the exact positioning of the cameras.’ Kate murmured. ‘Is this all we have?’

‘We just need to check out the last of the meeting places that Nicholas Barley told us about.’ Jon threw her a tired smile. ‘We may get lucky.’

‘Okay, well, finish those, then get home. There’s little more that we can do now.’

‘Are you getting away too, ma’am?’ Jon asked, noting the dark patches beneath Kate’s eyes.

‘Soon, but I need to talk to this Benedict Broome guy first, and then I thought I’d go see Toni Clarkson in the safety of her own home, and try to find something, anything, that may give us a clearer idea as to the identity of Emily.’

‘I’ll go with you.’ said Jon.

‘No, finish up here, then for God’s sake take the opportunity to get some rest. I get the feeling that things are about to hot up.’ She stabbed a finger at the grainy photographs. ‘It’s all about these sick bloody parties, isn’t it? Nic Barley here helped to organise one of the venues; Toni went willingly to one; Emily too; and Asher Leyton told us that Shauna Kelly said she had been to a weird party and was going to another. We have to find a way to stop them before more kids disappear, or die!’

Jon thought about Emily. The Golden Hour was long gone, and time might be running out for her, where ever she was. Whoever she was? ‘If only we could get someone inside,’ he murmured.

‘You find me a venue, and I’ll get in.’

Rosie McElderry stood in the doorway, a determined look glinting in her eyes.Jon felt a jolt of concern, and he wasn’t quite sure why. They all did undercover work when necessary, and Rosie was probably the best detective on the station when it came to looking younger than her years. So why wasn’t he saying, ‘Yeah! Great idea!’?

‘The problem is finding the next venue.’ said Gary flatly. ‘Don’t forget, we’ve been one step behind these guys for months and we’re no nearer catching them.’

‘But you didn’t have Nic Barley, did you?’ added Rosie looking down at the photographs of the boy. ‘As long as no-one knows that he’s been helping us, he could be our way in.’

Kate leaned back in her chair and puffed out her cheeks. ‘He told us he did a runner when he found out he was dealing with a load of pervs. He may not find it easy to get back in again.’

‘Maybe not, but I’m willing to bet he knows some of the kids that do go for the free booze.’ Rosie said doggedly. ‘At least let’s talk to him.’

Jon frowned. ‘Well, if we manage to get a location and a time, why don’t we just raid the place? Cut out any risk to Rosie and lock the bastards up, finito!’

‘Ah, so sweet of you to care,’ smiled Rosie, ‘…but think it through, Sarge. It may not be finito if a van-load of flatfoots charges in. What if the bosses aren’t there?  I doubt the organisers attend every rave. Or what if they leg it and we lose them? I’d be one hundred per cent certain they have an escape route pre-planned. And the place could be full of minors. It’s too iffy. We need more intelligence before we can hit them.’

‘You’re right.’ said Kate quietly. ‘We do need to infiltrate one of these damned parties.’

‘Maybe I can help you there, ma’am.’

Jon saw a tall figure standing behind Rosie. Then she stood to one side and a stony-faced Sgt Danny Page, the desk sergeant, stepped into the dimly lit monitor room. ‘Sorry to butt in, ma’am, but I think you should hear what a new witness has to say about your parties.’

Kate stood up in surprise. ‘Someone has finally come forward?’

‘After a fashion.’ He turned back and ushered a young blonde, teenage girl into the room. ‘Detective Chief Inspector Reynard, meet my daughter, Jasmine. She has quite a lot to tell you.’

 

Half an hour later the uniformed officer, his arm gently draped around the tearful youngster’s shoulder, escorted his daughter from the station. Kate and the others moved back to the CID room to decide their next move.

‘So, all we need is Jasmine’s friend Chloe’s mobile phone, and as soon as the text comes through, we’ll have the location of the next venue. We’re in!’ Excitement edged Rosie’s voice. ‘We’ve got her address. Shall Scott and I go pick it up, Guv?’

Kate nodded. ‘Yes, from what Jasmine heard, there are sometimes several parties a week, which could make the next on anytime, tonight even!’ She looked at Rosie. ‘Go! And I don’t have to tell you how to handle Chloe and her brother, do I? There are lives at stake. You can scare the shit out of them for all I care, just make sure they both co-operate and keep their mouths shut, okay?’

Kate and Jon walked back upstairs, leaving Gary to check the last of the CCTV films.

‘I guess you two better hang on now until Rosie and Scott get back. I want us all to be in close proximity of that party, where ever it is if our Flower is going in undercover.’

‘You and me both, ma’am,’ muttered Jon in a low voice. ‘I’m really not happy about her doing this alone.’

‘Well, sorry to say this, but I hardly think any of us would pass for teenagers anymore, so it’s Hobson’s choice.’

‘Why not send Scotty in with her?’ asked Jon.

‘Sorry, but Scott doesn’t do getting down and dirty.’ Kate gave a little laugh. ‘Remember the last time we tried to rough him up a bit? He still looked as if he’d walked off the cover of GQ. And anyway, I think Rosie would attract less attention if she plays this one solo.’

‘What about a wire?’ asked Jon, and Kate read the anxiety in his voice.

‘I wouldn’t let her do it without one. We need to know what’s going on every step of the way.’ She paused at her office door. ‘She’ll be fine, Jon. You know Rosie’s not what she appears and this is all part of the job. She’s a tough cookie when she needs to be, and she can take care of herself, so stop fretting.’ She glanced at her watch. ‘I’m going to ring Benedict Broome. And I’m still hoping to visit Toni Clarkson, but I guess that rather depends on whether one of our nasty parties will be taking place. Perhaps you’d see if PC Andy English has had any luck with Broome’s planning permission?’

Kate went into the office, sat down, picked up the tattered card that uniform had given her and dialled the number.

‘Benedict Broome.’ The voice was deep and the words clearly spoken.

Kate introduced herself, then briefly told him of the missing girl and their having paid an earlier trip to his property on Roman Creek.

‘Mr Lee did tell me,’ said Broome, with the slightest hint of amusement in his voice. ‘I hope his rather threatening appearance didn’t upset your officers? And I hope that he was accommodating. Sometimes he can be a little over protective of the old place.’

‘They did mention his size, sir, but I assure you that he was obliging enough to show my men around.’ She went on say that considering the massive area that Windrush covered; they would need to make an extended search, and asked his permission.

‘Of course you must, Detective Chief Inspector. ‘I’ll notify Mr Lee of your intentions, and tell him you have my full permission.’

After a few words of thanks, Kate hung up. The man was eloquent and charming, and his concern for the missing girl had sounded genuine. Kate stared at the phone. So why did she feel so unsettled?

Before she could consider that question, there was a light tap at the door, and Jon entered. ‘Andy’s off duty, Ma’am, but he left you this.’

Kate took the memo and read it aloud. “Ma’am, regarding planning permission for Benedict Broome’s project at Windrush. Will know more after I’ve spoken to a senior council official tomorrow, but I suspect things are not straightforward. I’m certain it warrants taking another look. PC Andy English.”

Something in Kate wanted to jump up, grab a van full of uniforms, and chase out to Windrush immediately, but she knew that considering the dangerous state of the buildings and the surrounding ground, it was going to be a daylight job, and one done with a considerable amount of careful planning as well. They would need to search the place under their terms, not that of the giant caretaker, Mr Micah Lee. ‘It grieves me to say this, but it’s too late to move on this today, Jon. There aren’t enough hours of light left. We’ll go tomorrow. Why don’t you go downstairs and see how much support uniform can offer us? We’ll need a pretty big team for a place that size.’

Jon nodded. ‘I’ll see what I can organise.’ He stopped hesitantly in the doorway. ‘You will let me know as soon as Rosie returns, won’t you?’

Kate threw him a puzzled smile. ‘Of course I will,’ she said, as she watched him walk out. When he was gone, she murmured, ‘Mm, if I didn’t know you better Jon Summerhill, I might just wonder if …?