Definitely Dead

by Kate Bendelow

  ‘With regards to what?’

  ‘You mean with regards to whom. Aiden Donnelly was released yesterday.’

  Alison’s mouth dropped open; shaking her head and blinking quickly, she sat back into the chair. ‘How the fuck did that happen?’

  ‘Sean, do you want to explain? I’m still trying to get my head around it.’

  ‘Yes, boss.’ Stevenson leant forward on his forearms looking incredibly subdued.

  ‘Remember Ryan Johnson, ma’am? He provided us with information about Nowak and Donnelly, claiming they’d put pressure on him to store firearms for them? Well, not only has he retracted this statement, but he has also admitted that the firearm and ammunition seized from the raid at The Farmhouse belonged to him. He’s made a statement claiming that he planted them there deliberately to set Donnelly up.’

  ‘What? No chance. No fucking chance. He’s lying,’ Alison blustered. ‘They’ve got to him and are pressurising him into saying all this shit.’

  ‘Exactly,’ said Redford. ‘Carry on, Sean.’

  ‘After the raid, we got authority to fast-track the firearms and the ammunition for examination. Forensically, we have nothing to link that firearm to any other incidents. Not only that, no forensic evidence has come back to Donnelly or Nowak, but Johnson’s fingerprints were found all over the packaging.’

  ‘Okay, so the firearm is a new acquisition. Obtaining guns is what they do. Donnelly and Nowak are too forensically aware to leave their prints anywhere. Johnson’s fingerprints are bound to be on the packaging because he told us they’d made him store it.’ She was indignant with frustration.

  ‘We know, Alison, we know. As usual it’s out of our hands. Donnelly’s brief presented the CPS with this latest evidence. They reviewed it and subsequently issued a Notice of Discontinuance. The CPS contacted us about it while you’ve been off. I didn’t want to bother you at home. I had hoped common sense would prevail at the last minute. The long and short of it is that Donnelly has no case to answer.’

  Phil Redford ran his hand over his head as he spoke. The disappointment on his face mirrored that on Alison and Sean Stevenson’s.

  ‘So, what now?’ Incredulous, she shrugged her shoulders.

  ‘We concentrate on getting Nowak to trial. We prove he was involved in the discharge firearms incident at Damien McCluskey’s house. Although he may not actually have pulled the trigger, we all know he ordered it to be done. Next, we need to prove he was involved in the stabbing of David McCluskey. We know that was his own handiwork, we just need the forensics to back it up. Lastly, we need to persuade the McCluskeys to talk to us…’

  ‘There’s no chance…’ Alison began, but Redford interjected.

  ‘I know it’s a long shot but listen. My thinking is we try and get Ma McCluskey on side. Despite the fact they’re a pair of big ugly bastards, they’re very much still attached to her apron strings. The fact both her baby boys have been so recently targeted might have caused her enough upset to want to bang their heads together and warrant talking to us.’

  Alison snorted with disbelief, but Redford was on a roll now and refused to be swayed by her negativity.

  ‘I really believe the violence against the McCluskeys is going to be enough to get Nowak put away for a long time. Who knows, if the “Brothers Grimm” speak out against Nowak and Donnelly, then other people may come forward too. God knows those two have pissed off and hurt a lot of people over the years. As far as I’m concerned, their reign of terror ends now. I’m convinced that if we can get Nowak facing a lengthy sentence, he might be persuaded to dish the dirt on Donnelly, so his time is reduced.’

  ‘No chance. They’re far too tight.’

  ‘I appreciate that. But the prospect of fifteen years in a cell, staring at another bloke’s bollocks, might just give him a change of heart. Mike Malone said Nowak’s arse dropped when he was in. Despite his usual demeanour, he was rattled. Do you remember how much he was kicking off and banging about in his cell? He’s never acted like that under arrest before. He’s practically living with Markita Milani, who appears to be the love of his life. He’s not going to want to be parted from her and his steroids for long.’

  Alison pondered for a moment before nodding acquiescence. ‘Okay, let’s go for it. We’ve not much choice. In the meantime, what about Donnelly?’

  ‘We keep a very, very close eye on him. If he so much as farts I want to know what it smells like. Understood?’ This was aimed at Stevenson who nodded emphatically.

  ‘What about Johnson. Has he been remanded?’ Alison asked.

  ‘No, he’s out on bail. I don’t consider him a flight risk. He’s too scared of his own shadow at the moment.’

  Alison frowned. ‘Would he not be safer inside? Away from Donnelly and Nowak?’

  Redford paused. His forehead furrowed as he considered the situation. He looked to Stevenson for confirmation before shrugging. ‘Let’s face it, if Donnelly and Nowak wanted rid of Johnson, they’d get to him whether he was inside or not.’

  Stevenson nodded agreement. ‘They wouldn’t be so stupid as to risk harming Johnson. They must know we’re going to be watching them.’

  Alison frowned uneasily. ‘Let’s just hope you’re right, gentlemen. For all our sakes.’ She nodded to them both before leaving the office. If only they would have known, they would have had Ryan Johnson in solitary confinement. For his own sake.

  23

  Maya arrived at Dominique’s clutching a beautiful bouquet of scented stocks. She let herself in with her key and was quickly enveloped in the familiar smell of home. Dominique met her at the kitchen door and pulled her daughter into a huge embrace, crushing the flowers between them.

  Eventually she stood back to take in her daughter’s face. She tucked a curl behind Maya’s ear and beamed. ‘How are you, sweetheart?’

  ‘All the better for being here with you. There you go.’ Maya extended the flattened bouquet.

  ‘Thank you, they smell amazing. Come and sit down, dinner won’t be too long. The wine’s open.’

  Maya followed Dominique into the kitchen and settled herself at the table, pouring herself a glass of wine and topping up her mother’s.

  ‘Hello, Jet.’ She smiled as the cat appeared from nowhere and began to curl herself around Maya’s ankles. Maya scooped her up and cuddled her, pressing her nose against her warm head to breathe in her familiar smell. The cat purred happily, burying into Maya.

  ‘She misses you.’ Dominique smiled fondly at her daughter.

  ‘I miss her. And you. Sorry it’s been so long since we had a proper get-together.’

  ‘No need to apologise. We’re both busy and I know how trying your shifts can be. You’re here now and that’s all that matters.’ Dominique sank into a chair opposite Maya and they chinked wine glasses.

  ‘Everything okay at work? Have you recovered from the shock of finding Mr Baron?’

  ‘Absolutely. It’s not the first time it’s happened, and I dare say it won’t be the last. Between us, Maya, he was a horrible man. God knows I took enough racist comments off him over the years. He was warned to cut it out or he’d be struck off from the surgery.’

  Maya nodded. ‘Tony said he was well known to the police. He also said you seemed quite upset?’

  ‘Not upset. I was fine. It was just more of a shock than anything.’

  ‘Really? Tony said he’d not been in the best of health.’

  ‘No, he hadn’t. But no worse than usual.’ Dominique took a sip of wine. ‘We see some people who, compared to others, always seem on death’s door, when in reality, they plod on for years. Jim Baron had various health complications but certainly nothing we were too concerned about. I expected him to be the type that would still be hanging on long after I’d retired.’

  ‘But Tony said there were no suspicious circumstances. Said he’d had some kind of medical episode?’

  Dominique nodded thoughtfully. ‘It would certainly appear so.’

  ‘You don�
�t agree?’ Maya frowned; a niggling sensation caused the hairs on the back of her neck to prickle.

  ‘I’m not saying that. God knows, the police and people like Tony and you know more than me. The flat was insecure, but that’s not unusual. Mr Baron had mobility issues, so he kept the door unlocked so we could come and go. He was lying on the floor of his lounge, and like Tony said, had clearly had a heart attack or something. It’s just…’

  ‘Mama, what?’

  ‘His medication, including his nebuliser, were still on the table next to his chair. I would have thought that once he started to feel unwell, they would have been the first thing he would have reached for. It seemed strange to me he was on the floor rather than in his chair.’

  ‘Perhaps he tripped on the way back from the toilet or something?’

  ‘Yes, that’s what Tony surmised. Honestly, would you listen to me pontificating. Your job has turned me into an armchair detective.’ Her contagious laugh filled the room and offered Maya some much needed relief. Time with Dominique was better than therapy. She was good company and radiated an inner calm that was almost hypnotic.

  ‘Are you still enjoying the job?’

  ‘Yeah. Yes, I am. I just keep wondering if I’m good enough. Whether I’m suited to it.’

  Dominique sucked her teeth and shook her head.

  ‘Of course you are, girl. What makes you say that?’

  ‘Because I keep fucking up, Mama. I’m trying my best, but I just keep showing myself up. I embarrassed myself at my first death and the situation with the journalist makes me want to cringe. And Kym is furious at me because of my conspiracy theories.’

  Dominique let out a low husky laugh. ‘Oh, Maya. Stop being so hard on yourself. We all make mistakes. You’re just unlucky to make yours so… publicly.’

  Maya laughed with her for a while until her face fell again. ‘Nicola in my office has a degree in forensics. She’s never messed up. Maybe I’ve been fooling myself thinking I can do such a complicated role with such limited experience.’

  Dominique flashed an angry glare at Maya. ‘Now you listen to me. You are intelligent, observant, quick-witted and capable. You don’t need qualifications to prove how competent you are…’

  ‘But…’

  ‘No buts. There’s a new doctor at the surgery who has qualifications coming out of his ears. No doubt medically he knows his stuff, but I’ve never met anyone who lacks so much common sense. And his people skills leave a lot to be desired. He’s so insular he doesn’t know how to talk to his patients. You would run rings around him with your personality and compassion. And if you ask her, I’m quite sure Nicola will give you plenty of examples of where she’s messed up in the past.’

  Maya smiled weakly as Dominique continued. ‘I am so very proud of you and everything you have achieved. Not to even mention the wonderful, caring person you have become. God knows life hasn’t always been easy for us. We’ve had our fair share of challenges and upset, and no one would have blamed you if you’d turned out differently. You have more life experience than most people twice your age, and that counts for a lot.’

  Maya couldn’t meet Dominique’s eyes as tears threatened to spill. She buried her face further into Jet’s warm black fur while she composed herself.

  ‘Do you ever think about him?’ Maya asked tentatively.

  ‘Naylor?’ Dominique took a huge glug of wine. ‘I have nightmares about him occasionally. Other than that, no. I made a conscious effort years ago not to let him live in my mind. As far as I’m concerned, he’s gone. Out of our lives. He may as well be dead.’ Despite her bravado Maya noticed the slight tremble of Dominique’s lower lip.

  ‘He’s not, though, is he?’ Maya said quietly. ‘As much as we might wish it, he’s still very much alive.’

  For a while, there was nothing else either of the two women could say. Marcus Naylor was very much the spectre at their feast.

  24

  Nowak was grateful to be alone in his cell. He felt he could breathe a little better knowing he didn’t have to share the air for a while. Naylor had gone to the exercise yard, leaving Nowak to masturbate while watching Loose Women. He was now watching the news and wondering about Naylor’s reaction to the SOCO he’d seen on the television. As much as Naylor was good company, it was a luxury to have this time alone to think without having someone else in such stifling proximity.

  Donnelly was due in to see him and the thought cheered him nearly as much as if it had been Markita on the visiting order. In fact, one of the many things he was keen to discuss with Aiden was the lady in question. He still felt as if she was giving him the brush-off and he was convinced she had something to hide. He had no doubt that whatever it was, Donnelly would get to the bottom of it and sort it out for him.

  The man was like a brother to him. He could trust him with his life and liberty – couldn’t he? Although he was pleased that Donnelly was out, he couldn’t help feeling a bit resentful. He hated being locked up and it seemed much worse knowing his best mate and girlfriend were carrying on with their lives outside and without him.

  He refused to even consider the prospect that he might be sent down for a stretch. There was a reason he and Donnelly paid so much money to their lawyers. It was something they both considered at the start of their criminal career as a good investment. He was hoping it would only be a matter of time before his brief found a loophole sufficient enough to have the case against him dropped.

  Either that, or they would find someone who could be persuaded to take the rap for him, just like they had for Donnelly. That was something else he wanted to discuss later. He couldn’t countenance being inside any longer than he had to be, and the thought that plans were afoot to get him out would give him the peace of mind he really needed right now. Donnelly was his ticket out of here. Without him pulling strings in the background, he knew he would be going nowhere fast. The thought that his release relied on the actions of one man was overwhelming. He needed to trust Donnelly now more than ever before.

  Not getting out wasn’t an option. There was no way he could survive a prison sentence. As big as he was, the thought of long-term incarceration absolutely terrified him. It wasn’t the constant, underlying threat of the prison atmosphere or even the monotony. Truth be known, he was incredibly claustrophobic – a phobia he knew he had to keep hidden, as showing any sign of weakness would be the end for him inside. Every breath he had taken since being remanded had almost been a conscious one to maintain a level of calm. He needed out and soon. Very soon.

  He took a few steadying breaths, ignoring the walls crowding in on him and decided to concentrate on the television instead. Anything to distract him. The next programme was about to start, but Nowak switched the television off in annoyance, hurling the remote control across the cell. Panic or no panic – he wasn’t watching Judge Rinder – that was just taking the piss.

  25

  The rest of Maya and Dominique’s evening passed pleasantly, with mother and daughter soon settled back into their usual harmony. Dominique had swept any further mention of Naylor under the table. After a delicious meal and several more glasses of wine, Maya had kissed Dominique goodbye and headed home. Dominique had insisted she call a taxi, but Maya had eaten so much she was keen to walk it off. She had thought about calling Tony on the way to discuss the Jim Baron job but decided against it. She would heed Dominique’s advice, and as much as she was curious about the sudden death, she would not allow herself to succumb to any more whimsy.

  She was crossing the road near The Eagle, when she noticed a familiar figure collecting discarded glasses from the window ledges outside. She quickened her pace, head down, hoping to slip by unnoticed. Spence, however, had called her name, and with a sheepish look on his face, waved her over. Sighing, she manoeuvred her way around a Mercedes that was parked across the pavement and walked over to him.

  ‘Can I just apologise for the other night? Calling your date out like that. It wasn’t my place to interfere.’ He
smiled apologetically. ‘I couldn’t help it. He made a couple of derogatory comments when he asked for change for the condom machine. He made my piss boil, but it’s no excuse. I should have stayed out of it.’

  Maya sighed, she felt too relaxed after a lovely evening with Dominique to be annoyed with Spence. ‘Oh, don’t worry. You did me a favour. Turns out he was a bit of a prick.’ They both grinned.

  ‘Where are you off to?’

  ‘Home. I’ve just been for dinner with my mum.’

  Spence nodded towards the pub. ‘Fancy a nightcap. On me? No strings, promise.’

  Maya hesitated briefly. ‘Thanks, but no. I think I’ve eaten and drank too much. I’m going to head off home. Have an early night.’

  ‘Just one small wine?’ he implored, a huge grin on his face.

  Maya was about to concede when she turned to see a group of rowdy couples heading towards the pub. ‘I was nearly tempted, but no. I could really just do with some peace and quiet.’

  Spence continued to say something, but Maya didn’t hear him. Suddenly distracted by the Mercedes she had walked past. She had assumed it was empty, but there was a man craning over the driver’s seat with his phone angled towards them.

  ‘Is he filming us?’ she said, nodding toward the vehicle.

  As Spence looked over, the man turned away and began to start the engine. ‘I doubt it. Why would he? I can only see the back of his head. Perhaps he has a kid in the back seat or something. I can’t tell from here.’

  Maya shook her head. ‘Yeah, you’re right. I’m seeing things. Told you I was tired.’

  ‘So, what do you think?’

  ‘About what?’

  ‘I was just saying, if ever you’re at a loose end pop in one night and keep me company. I’ll guarantee you a seat at the bar and faultless waiter service.’

  Maya smiled. ‘That sounds good. Throw in some bar snacks and I may well take you up on that.’