Complete Detective Stephen Greco Box Set

by Helen H. Durrant

  “You okay?” Greco asked.

  She touched her stomach. “I’ve got a headache and I think there must have been something dodgy about that seafood salad I ate earlier.”

  Greco pulled a face. “Don’t know how you can. Prawns and the like have never been my thing, especially for breakfast.”

  “I’m pregnant, Stephen. I fancy something, I eat it. I think I will go home. I’m dead on my feet.”

  “Do you want a lift?” he asked.

  “No, I’ll be fine. My car is in the car park.”

  “Take care. I’ll ring you later.”

  * * *

  Greco updated the incident board and went to find Leah.

  “I had a word with Roman. He doesn’t like the Ashtree. Apparently it’s frequented by some dodgy characters.” She pulled a face. “Coming from Roman, that’s some statement. And what pub is dodgier than the Grapes, I ask you?” Leah said.

  “Did he know anything?”

  She shook her head. “Nothing about the town being awash with drugs, if that’s what you mean. There’s no one new dealing either.”

  “Craig and Vinny must have put that haul somewhere. Those packets didn’t just disappear into thin air. We’ve searched their homes — nothing.” Greco sighed.

  “They could have passed them on. And whoever they gave them to is sitting on the stash until things quieten down,” Leah said.

  “Ava Whitton is Polish by birth. She works at Greyson Logistics. I’ve got Speedy taking a closer look at the firm. But we need more. Find out who drives for them, and what routes they cover.”

  Greco was staring at the incident board again. What were they missing? Jewellery had gone missing from Ava’s house and the community centre. That had to be down to Craig and Vinny with help from Max Marsh. Perhaps it was him who gave them the information as to who had what worth stealing. But was Marsh involved in the theft of the drugs too? He’d have another word with Clovelly, ask him to keep an eye out. Speedy and Leah were discussing Greysons. Joel had his eyes glued to his computer screen.

  “I’m going out,” Greco called to them.

  “Want company?” Speedy asked.

  “No. I’m going to the centre again. Another word with Clovelly. I won’t be long.”

  * * *

  “I’m looking for the boss,” the man said.

  DI Leah looked up from her desk and smiled at the stranger who had just spoken. He was about her age, mid-thirties, and he was flashing a badge. He didn’t return her smile.

  “DI Grant Chambers, drug squad.”

  “DI Leah Wells,” she said. “DCI Greco is the boss, but he’s not here, I’m afraid. He’s out doing his job. Chasing villains,” she said pointedly. “What can I do for you?”

  “You lot can get your size tens out of our case for a start. My guvnor doesn’t like amateurs bumbling into things that don’t concern them.”

  Leah was taken aback. He had some cheek coming into their incident room and laying down the rules. Red with anger, she stood up and faced him. “I beg your pardon! You can’t come in here and tell us what we can and can’t do. And we are not ‘bumbling’ into anything, as you put it. We are investigating two murders. We speak to who we need to, and go where the case leads us, until a higher rank than you tells us to lay off.”

  “The heroin. Ava Whitton. Leave it alone.” His tone was sharp, authoritative. He’d taken no notice of what she’d just said.

  “That sounds like a threat, DI Chambers.”

  “It’s a warning. We’re close to winding up a case we’ve been working for eighteen months. We won’t allow you lot to ruin it. So, I repeat, back off. Or that ‘higher rank,’ as you put it, will come down on you like a ton of bricks!”

  “You need to drop the attitude. Why don’t we try talking instead? Tell me what you know, and I’ll do likewise. We could help each other.”

  “No. Keep out of our way. You are straying into very dangerous waters, DI Wells. The people involved are killers.”

  Leah looked him in the eye. “We are fully aware of that! We’ve got three bodies in the morgue. I can’t describe what has been done to them. We know what we’re doing, Inspector. We are not amateurs.”

  “A piece of advice for you. Take Whitton’s name off that board and leave the woman alone.” With that, he turned on his heel and left the room.

  * * *

  Dee was angry. Getting dragged down to the police station was not supposed to happen. Damn those lads and their stupid scams, and damn Marshy for saddling her with the pendant. As soon as she got out of the station, she rang her boyfriend. “I’ve got the police sniffing around. Those lads have ballsed things up big style. That idiot Marshy gave me stolen jewellery. I’ve been wearing the stuff and the police spotted it.”

  “Are you being watched?” Dom said.

  “I don’t think so.”

  “Did you tell them anything about me?”

  “No, of course not. Anyway, there’s nothing to tell. There isn’t, is there, Dom?” Dee was worried. On the surface, Dom appeared okay — the epitome of a clean-living, law-abiding young man. But Dee knew that wasn’t the truth. Dom came from a rough background. He knew people, people like Barton. He and Barton had something going, but she didn’t know what.

  “No, I’ve told you. Me, I’m whiter than white. What about Barton? Did his name come up?”

  “No. I don’t think the police know anything about him. I’m not telling Barton about the police, and don’t you either. It’ll make him edgy. He wants to meet later. I’m waiting for a text.”

  “Take care. Don’t trust him, and watch your back. The man has a filthy temper.”

  Dee had no sooner finished talking to Dom when her mobile rang again. This time it was Barton.

  “The house on Balfour Street, Gorton, in thirty minutes, and don’t be late. It’s the one with the ‘to let’ sign outside. I have a job for you.”

  Short and sweet. The upside of working for Barton was that he paid well. There was no time to go to the centre first and get a coffee, which she’d been planning to do. She’d have to get the bus. It wasn’t far to the meet but it was raining hard. She was dressed in jeans and a hoodie, and would soon be soaked.

  On her way to the bus stop, Dee thought about Dom, and his relationship with Barton. She’d have to be careful, and be sure not to let anything slip. Dom was okay with her up to a point, but he was crafty. His loyalty went to whoever paid him the most. Currently that was Barton. Dee wasn’t daft. The police were looking for missing drugs. The theft had something to do with Vinny and Craig, and they’d ended up dead. How those two idiots had managed to outwit drug traffickers she didn’t know. But they must have had inside information. It was rumoured that Barton was a major player in the drug dealing that went on in this area of the city. What concerned her was that Dom might be somehow mixed up in that too.

  She was deep in thought when a car pulled up beside her. “Get in.” It was a voice she recognised. “I’ll give you a lift. Keep you long, did they?”

  The ride was a godsend. Dee accepted the offer gladly, and relaxed back into the passenger seat. “Nice motor. Where did you get it from? It must have cost you a bit.”

  “Did a bit of business.”

  “You were parked up over there. I saw the car as I came around the corner. Were you waiting for me?”

  “No, I’m on my way home. Stopped to take a call. What did the police ask you?”

  Another one wanting to know what had gone on. Dee wasn’t daft. He must have been waiting and watching if he knew where she’d been. “They are poking around into a bit of bother at the centre. You know, the stolen jewellery. Trouble is the bastard police have got it all wrong. I’ve done nowt, but they don’t believe me. That idiot Marshy is at the bottom of this.”

  “Where are you off to?”

  “I’ve got to meet someone in Gorton. A job that could bring in wages this week.” She smiled.

  “A meet? Anyone I know?”

  Dee
shook her head. “I doubt it. Owner of an old house on Balfour Street that’s being done up to be let out. Makes a bloody fortune with his scams, the man does.”

  “You’re talking about Barton.”

  “You amaze me sometimes. How do you know Barton?” She was genuinely surprised. Dom had told her that outside his own circle, Barton kept a low profile these days.

  He ducked a direct reply. “You want to be careful, Dee. You’re mixing with trouble there. At the first sign of interest from the police, Barton will drop you right in it.”

  “I can look after myself.”

  He was speeding down the dual carriageway. Suddenly he turned onto a back street Dee didn’t recognise. He grinned. “Short cut.”

  “Slow down, idiot. You don’t have to show off in front of me. You’ll kill someone at this rate!”

  The car screeched to a halt in the shadow of a disused warehouse. The houses on the other side of the road were empty and scheduled for demolition.

  “Hey! This isn’t Balfour Street.”

  “It’s as near as you’re going.”

  “Look, I don’t know what this is all about, but I’m not interested.” Dee presumed that it was some sort of come-on. She tried the door, pulled at the handle for all she was worth, but it was locked. He made a grab for her. “You’re a bloody animal!” she screamed.

  Seconds later, Dee felt something sharp pierce her upper arm. The effect of whatever he’d given her was almost immediate. Dee felt unreal, like she was floating. Then she fell sideways and knew no more.

  Chapter 17

  Just as Greco pulled onto the spare ground in front of the community centre, his mobile rang. It was Emily Harper, Grace’s mum.

  Her voice was strained. “Grace is in hospital. She arrived home in a right state, in pain and throwing up. I took her to the maternity department, and they want to keep her in.”

  Greco didn’t know what to say. He was afraid that if he said anything, Emily would spot the relief in his voice and jump to the wrong conclusion. She’d believe he was pleased that this whole sorry mess might be about to end, and the decision whether to continue the pregnancy taken out of their hands.

  “I’ll go and see her,” he replied calmly.

  “It might be nothing. Grace thinks I’m fussing, but she’s not right and I want her looked at. I can’t stay with her because I’ve got to see to Holly.”

  “Leave Grace to me,” he told her gently. “I’ll keep you posted.”

  As he was getting out of his car, Graham Clovelly pulled up beside him.

  “Back again. Aren’t the kids twitchy enough?” he said.

  “Just want to clear a few things up. Can we speak in private?”

  “I have to open up. You’ve had Marshy and Dee down at the station. Wasn’t that enough?”

  “I needed to speak to them both,” Greco said. “But there is still a great deal about this case we don’t know.”

  “We’ll talk in the café.”

  Greco followed Graham into the building. Within minutes the place began to fill up with youngsters. Max Marsh was already in the adjoining room, setting out equipment.

  “The thefts. Who do you think is responsible?” Greco asked Graham outright.

  “I’ve no idea. What with that and the murders, I’m at my wits’ end. I didn’t even know it was going on. On the surface, it looks like it has to have been Craig and Vinny, possibly with help from Marshy. But he must have been coerced. He’s a good lad. He has a past, but he’s put all that behind him. Come next September, he wants to do an IT course at the college. Get properly qualified, and find a job that pays well. He’s on track too. He’s been going to night classes to get the GCSEs he should have done at school. He isn’t going to risk all that work for a bit of ready cash.”

  “Who else did Craig and Vinny trust in the group? Who would be likely to join them?”

  “Any one of them. All the youngsters have had difficult backgrounds. If Craig or Vinny was offering a quick way of getting hold of some money, they would be sorely tempted. For all I know, the whole lot could have taken the stuff between them.”

  “How do you reckon Dee got hold of a piece of jewellery stolen from the house in Handforth?”

  That threw Graham for a moment. “Perhaps one of the lads gave it to her. They all like Dee. Did you ask her?”

  “Yes, I did. She said that Marsh gave it to her. Sold it to her, in effect.”

  Graham shook his head. “He didn’t steal it. I’d stake my life on it. Of all the youngsters who come here, he’s the soundest.”

  “Okay. The others who come here. What about them?”

  “They don’t give me any trouble. They come here mostly to practise on the pool table. They help out. They have a laugh, sit about and socialise. Occasionally they interact with the groups.

  “Does Callum Riley come here? Is he one of your angels?”

  “He comes here sometimes and helps out with the activities. He is one of the angels. He does a lot of work with the food bank. He’s in the pool team too. Not as good a player as his brother. I won’t be able to use him for a while — what’s happened will have thrown him. They weren’t particularly close, him and Craig, but they were twins.”

  “In what way, not close?” Greco asked. He’d heard this before, and it sparked his curiosity. “Did they fight?”

  “Occasionally. I know Callum didn’t always approve of Craig’s behaviour. Craig had a short fuse. Callum was always trying to straighten him out. When common sense and words didn’t work, they would scrap. I had to split them up frequently. It’s possible that Callum knew the lads were up to something. During the few days before him and Vinny died, Craig and his brother weren’t speaking at all. Made for a right atmosphere in here.”

  Greco made a mental note to speak to Callum. He knew the lad would still be grieving, but Greco needed information quickly. High on the list was what Craig had been planning in the last days of his life. “If you think of anything else, if you find out anything I should know about, contact me at once.”

  Greco left him to it.

  * * *

  A uniformed officer handed Leah Wells a sheet of paper. “You’ll find this interesting. Came in about an hour ago. I recognised the name from your investigation — Ava Whitton. Apparently, she’s had her purse stolen from a café in town. She told the officer who attended that someone was sitting at her table with her. She turned her back for a moment, and then her purse was gone. There is plenty of CCTV. The café is slap bang in the middle of Market Street. She’s currently taking a look.”

  The officer was right, it was of interest. Leah could only guess at what it meant. “If she does pick him out, get the image to us pronto. Who knows, we might recognise him ourselves.”

  Joel Hough had overheard the conversation. “I rang Greysons,” he said. “Made an appointment to go and have a chat. I asked to speak to Ava Whitton and they said she wasn’t expected in. Ill, the receptionist told me. Obviously that’s wrong, if she’s drinking coffee in town.”

  “Go and take a look at that café before you go to Greysons,” Leah said. “She may have simply fancied a day shopping, but then again . . . Ask the staff. See if they remember her.”

  Leah’s mobile rang while she was updating the incident board. It was Roman.

  “A couple of youngsters from the Lansdowne have been ferried to hospital in Oldston within the last hour. Took an overdose. Not on purpose. The stuff hadn’t been cut properly. Too strong. Looks like we’ve got an amateur on the loose.”

  “Any names?”

  “No, but the kids hang around the community centre.”

  Leah rang Greco but got no response. She decided to go to the hospital herself, and see if the two kids were up to talking.

  They were an important lead. At the very least they’d know who had sold them the stuff. That was if Leah could get them to talk. There were still too many questions. Nothing they had so far fitted together correctly. Leah wanted to make headw
ay on the case. She was ambitious. The move to Greco’s team at serious crime was a step in the right direction, but it wasn’t where she saw herself long term. She had her sights set on DCI, and a job with a team in the capital. It would mean another move, but that didn’t bother her. Leah Wells was free and single. She was born in the Manchester area, but had no close family, and was more than happy to work wherever the job took her.

  The two patients were in separate cubicles. One was still receiving treatment, but the other, a teenage girl, had regained consciousness. She was groggy, though. Her mother was sitting with her.

  “I’m DI Wells from the serious crime squad. Do you mind if I have a word with her?”

  “You won’t get much. She’s still out of it. Talking rubbish and being sick mostly,” her mother said.

  Leah nodded. Understandable. “I’ll stick around for a bit, if you don’t mind. Has she said anything about what she took, or where she got it?”

  The girl’s mother shook her head. “She was hanging around the estate after school. You can get your hands on anything there if you know who to ask. I blame that bloody boy she’s been going around with.”

  “Which boy?” Leah asked.

  “He goes to the community centre a lot. I don’t know — one of them Riley boys, I think.”

  “Craig or Callum?”

  “No idea. It might not even be them. Can’t tell them apart these days. They all dress the bloody same.”

  “Have you given the officer your name and address?” Leah indicated the uniformed officer sat outside.

  The woman nodded.

  Leah decided to go and grab a coffee while she waited for the girl to come round. She spotted Greco on the stairs down to the café.

  “Sir! You got the message?”

  “What message?”

  “About the drug overdoses. It looks as if our missing heroin has made its way onto the streets.”

  Greco shook his head. “I’m here on a different matter.”

  “I’m waiting to have a chat with the two girls, once they become coherent. But one thing — they hang out at the community centre. That clinches it. Someone there has to be involved.”