END GAME a gripping crime thriller full of breathtaking twists

by Charlie Gallagher

  Sol turned back to his brother. ‘That’s what this is all about?’

  ‘Tools are going missing. Started small but we’re losing expensive shit now — cutters, generators and such.’

  ‘Brother, do you know how many thieves, liars and general criminals we get through these gates every single day?’

  ‘It’s disrespectful.’

  ‘It is. And we will find out who it is, and then you’ll get the opportunity to personally cut their hands off. But we can’t push one of our best partners around!’

  ‘It ain’t personal. I been checking loads.’

  Sol turned back to Mick and rolled his eyes. ‘It ain’t personal, he’s been checking loads. So let’s teach my brother here a lesson. Let’s open the back of the van, prove you’re innocent and justifiably outraged, and then we can all get on with our lives.’

  ‘You still want me to open the doors?’ Mick said. His voice faltered.

  ‘Well, yeah. Then it’s all over, isn’t it?’

  Mick went back to the cab and pulled the keys from the ignition. He walked towards the rear door. He slid the key into the lock, twisted the handle, took a deep breath and pulled it open.

  Mick stepped aside. The gate was two hundred metres away. He’d never make it.

  ‘There you are, see? Not our man. Are you happy now, Danesh?’

  Danesh was already walking away. Mick peered inside at the empty benches. The empty interior.

  ‘Nothing personal you understand, Mick. My brother doesn’t understand the priorities. That was good work last night. We need good men like you around.’

  ‘Yeah. Sounds like you got a bit of a thief problem. Good luck with that.’

  Mick walked back to the driver’s door and pulled it open. Helen Webb lay curled up in a foetal position in the passenger side foot well. Her wide, panicked eyes met Mick’s.

  ‘Oh, and Mick?’

  Sol was directly behind him. Mick turned, pushing the door to behind him.

  ‘Wassup?’ Mick replied.

  ‘If we don’t have what you need here, come and see me. I can sometimes source equipment from elsewhere, if you know what I mean? If it’s worth the effort.’

  Mick nodded. ‘Double the last haul, I reckon. I’d go to a lot of effort for that sort of return.’

  Sol smiled again and held out his hand. ‘Man after my own heart.’

  Chapter 29

  George marched back into Langthorne House just as two uniform officers were on their way out. The first officer held the door for him. Her colleague scowled and made a comment. George ignored it. He ignored his phone too. He guessed it would be Paul, still trying to get some clarity. Right now, George couldn’t give him any. He had never been more bewildered. And guilty. He had led the very man he was trying to keep away from them right to his wife and child. He hadn’t even made it difficult. George touched the piece of paper he had hurriedly stuffed into his pocket. Free me. George had no idea what it meant.

  He pulled his personal phone out of his pocket. Seven missed calls. Two were from Paul as he had expected, and the rest were from Darren Lewis.

  When he got to his office, Darren Lewis was coming out. He greeted George with a beaming smile.

  ‘You’ve heard then? I tried to let you know.’

  ‘Heard what?’

  ‘Kane Forley. He’s in the bin.’

  George tried on a few expressions. None seemed appropriate.

  ‘When? How did we find him?’

  ‘We didn’t. He walked in and gave himself up! Made some significant comments to the front counter staff — they’re giving statements as we speak — then again at the custody desk. He’s clearly in the mood to cough to what he did and go to prison, and we’re certainly happy to help him with that.’

  ‘He just walked in?’

  ‘Yup. Just after eight this morning. He’s downstairs.’

  ‘Was that all he said? Did he say anything in custody?’

  ‘He’s demanded his rest period. Said he didn’t sleep a wink last night with all the guilt weighing on his mind, or some such rubbish. Said he was high on coke too, so we do need to play the game. He seems to be expecting us down there at two on the dot. I think we’ll let him sweat in there for a bit longer. I guess this is all part of him trying to control his environment, like you said?’

  George nodded. Slowly. His eyes were unfocused. ‘Yeah, that’s what it will be.’

  ‘You okay, George? I expected a different reaction from you. This means it’s over for you.’

  George shook his head. ‘Yeah, I’m fine. I just can’t quite believe it. I guess we need to prep for the interview. I mean, there’s a lot of work to do.’

  ‘Don’t you worry about that. We’ve got an interview team already doing their homework. It will take a few days, I imagine. I’ve got the DCI for Major Crime leading it. They’re already talking about extensions.’

  ‘Do you need me to do anything?’ asked George.

  ‘You can speak to the team. I’d appreciate that. Do you think Kane will be expecting you to interview him?’

  ‘No. He’s clever enough to know that it can’t be me. He’d probably like me to, though. It would give him another opportunity to play his games. They will need to keep to the facts. They can’t let him dictate how it goes. He will be difficult, I’m sure. I can’t see him just coming in and deciding to play ball after all that’s gone on.’

  Darren nodded. ‘I agree. I certainly think they would benefit from speaking to you. You can at least give them some idea of what to expect. But he’s in, that’s what matters. It almost doesn’t matter too much what he says. We have his DNA. Finally he’s under our control. He won’t be able to lead us now.’

  George watched Darren go. Then he went over to a window, leant against the sill and gazed down at the people going about their business below. Panic began to well up inside him. Kane Forley was in custody downstairs, something George had become consumed with making happen. And now he knew for certain what he had to do to ensure the safety of his wife and child.

  Free me.

  Chapter 30

  ‘George Elms! Well, I never thought I’d see you again.’ Jim the jailer had a big, open smile. ‘I always said it was rubbish.’

  ‘I’ll never forget the tea you made me.’ George smiled back, remembering how Jim had broken ranks and treated him kindly when he was on the wrong side of one of these cell doors.

  George took in the screens lined up along one wall. The camera system had been upgraded since he’d last been in, and now it was all in high definition.

  Jim had said something.

  ‘Sorry?’

  ‘I take it you’re down here about Forley? He’s in the juvenile bit so we can keep an eye on him easy, and keep him away from the rest.’

  ‘Oh right, yeah.’ George looked again at the monitors. The figure in number eleven had a blue custody issue blanket wrapped around him. He seemed very alone, almost vulnerable. George knew better. Kane Forley had never been more in control.

  ‘Are you speaking to him?’ asked Jim.

  ‘The skipper will probably get the hump if I do,’ George replied, his throat suddenly dry.

  Jim shrugged. ‘To be honest, I think Matt expected you down here earlier. I don’t think he’d have any issue with a little gloating. Just don’t get your hands round his neck or I’ll have to pile in and hit you with the cut-down kit!’ Jim laughed.

  George managed to smile. ‘No promises.’ He stepped forward just as Matt Dobson, the custody sergeant, came in through the swinging doors. His response was similar to Jim’s.

  ‘George Elms! Nice to have you back, mate. What brings you down here?’ The smile on Matt’s face suddenly dropped away. ‘You know some DCI spoke to me? She warned me to keep you away. Seems they’re worried you might come down here and cause trouble. That’s not why you’re here, is it?’

  ‘Of course not, Matt. Like I would cause any trouble.’

  ‘Good. Then I will be very
busy for the next three minutes. There’s a lot going on down here. Just don’t do anything I might notice.’

  ‘Understood.’ George had been lucky. Matt Dobson was the most laid back custody sergeant he’d ever worked with, and he was an old friend.

  * * *

  The two officers with Kane Forley were watching him approach. George saw them exchange glances as he drew near.

  One of them greeted him. George noticed the clipboard with the prisoner’s custody record on it. He could see from this officer’s force number that he was brand new. He would have drawn the short straw and was stuck with supervision duty.

  ‘This isn’t an official visit, so you don’t need to record it.’ The two officers exchanged another look and George smiled at them. ‘I’ll write down anything significant.’

  The officer handed him the clipboard.

  George looked at the officers. ‘I need to speak to the prisoner.’

  Neither officer made a move. ‘We’ve been told not to leave him alone,’ said one.

  ‘He won’t be alone, will he? He’ll be with me.’

  The new officer shook his head. ‘Two at all times, that’s what the skipper said.’

  ‘Well, if you could just wait round the corner. If I need someone to hold my hand, I can call.’

  ‘Sorry, Sarge, I didn’t mean to—’

  ‘Don’t be sorry. You’re right to ask. I’ll just be a minute.’

  The other officer stretched and got to his feet. ‘Come on, Tone. Let’s go get a cup of tea while we have the chance.’

  George waited for them to leave.

  Kane had been watching the exchange with an amused expression. ‘How have you been?’ he said.

  ‘I don’t have time for pleasantries,’ George spat out.

  Kane smiled. ‘There’s always time to be pleasant.’

  ‘What do you want from me?’

  ‘What time is it?’ asked Kane.

  ‘Around midday.’

  ‘Midday? So there is time after all. We need to be away from here at two this afternoon. There’s a very strict schedule.’ Kane yawned, he carried himself like they might have been making arrangements for a lazy lunch.

  George looked at him. ‘What happens at two?’

  ‘Nothing, but we will need to get a move on, George. Like I said, there’s a tight schedule.’

  ‘It’s not possible. You think I can just come down here at two o’clock when your rest period ends and all eyes are on you — and then what? Walk you out?’

  ‘I thought I might attract some interest.’ Kane seemed pleased at the thought.

  ‘Why turn yourself in if you just want me to lead you back out again? I’m done with your games. We all are.’

  ‘I thought you would be. That’s why I took your wife and child. It was a lot of work, but I needed to be sure you’d play your part.’

  ‘This is your final play though, right? You’re not going to let my family live. Why would you? What do you have to gain from it?’

  ‘You’re right, George. There’s nothing to gain from them living. But there is everything to gain from watching you try. You will try, because there’s still a chance you can save them. You’ll see what I mean. When you get me out of here, I’ll take you to where they’re currently sitting — on top of a rather crude lump of explosive. Amazing what you can learn from the internet these days.’

  ‘Jesus, Kane. She’s seven years old! Your issue is with me.’

  ‘Your issue was with my brother. Didn’t stop you wiping out my whole family though, did it?’

  ‘Your brother killed himself. That killed your mum because she couldn’t stand the shame of what he was. What do you think she’d make of what you are?’

  Kane’s expression hardened. ‘If someone had given me the chance to save her, I would have done everything I could. I would have done anything I could. We’re no different. You need to be here at two. We’ll need a car, and we need to get away clean.’

  George snorted. ‘How the fuck do you think I’m going to manage that?’

  ‘You’re going to have to do some of the thinking yourself, George, but I can offer you some assistance. Tommy Wilkes should be in by now. Find out where. When you need the focus off me, bang on his cell door three times. He’ll do the rest.’

  George knew the name. ‘Tommy Wilkes? He’s some town drunk, isn’t he?’

  ‘He’s perfect for what we need. He was cheap too.’

  The two uniform officers appeared at the door, clutching steaming paper cups.

  ‘Have you had long enough, Sarge?’

  ‘Yeah, thanks.’ George walked away.

  On his way out, George greeted Matt, and then checked the board displaying the prisoners’ names. Cell three showed Tommy Wilkes — Theft — Contagious.

  Chapter 31

  ‘You gonna tell me your story then?’

  ‘I’m under caution, right? Anything I say and all that?’ Helen Webb had waited nearly ten minutes before getting up from the floor. The drive out of the compound was torture. The stiff suspension bounced them over the rutted track, and she groaned at each jolt. Finally she was able to sit up. She expelled a long sigh and put her head back against the headrest.

  ‘Well, I’m hardly in a position to write down what you say, am I? We’ve got some time to kill, so we might as well talk.’

  ‘I thought you were driving me to the nearest police station. If you like a bit of drama, you could walk me into the chief constable’s office. It’d be the defining moment of your career.’ Her eyes closed. She had never been so exhausted.

  ‘Not my style. I’m meeting my handler tonight. I figured I’d take you along and make you her problem. I know the Alcanis have quite a reach, so it’s risky to just walk you into a police station. If I take you to my handler, she’ll understand that she really does need to make me disappear. That’s my defining moment.’

  Helen smiled. ‘Ah yes. Disappearing. It’s a lovely thought, isn’t it?’

  ‘Was that your plan? Where did the Alcanis come in?’

  Helen opened her eyes. ‘I got desperate. I went to them with an offer. I had managed to stay off the radar for a few weeks, but then I saw the news that George Elms got released. I figured George would put a new emphasis on the search.’

  ‘What makes you think they weren’t trying before George was released?’ he asked.

  ‘They didn’t even do the basics. I was able to use my bank accounts for a few days. There’s been no press release. I could speak to my mum, and no one had spoken to her. She didn’t even know I was wanted.’ Helen shrugged.

  ‘Did you tell her?’

  ‘No, I didn’t tell her. I thought about it, but I couldn’t think how to say it.’

  Mick frowned. ‘Why wouldn’t they look for you?’

  ‘They will. I’m a big embarrassment. I guess they might be trying to get their house in order before I become their next public mistake. They’ve got a cop killer to find.’

  ‘Your mate you mean. Maybe you could help out with that?’

  ‘What do you think I did?’

  He shook his head. ‘It doesn’t matter what I think.’

  Helen gazed out of the window. ‘So where are you taking me?’

  ‘We need to get you some new clothes. And I guess you might want something to eat?’

  Helen looked down. Her hooded top was filthy, and her legs were streaked with grime. She had open wounds on her elbows and knees and dried blood on her face. ‘I would do just about anything for a hot bath, but yeah, I do need to eat. What did you have in mind?’

  ‘Well, a Tesco or something, with a clothes aisle and a café. You could have a wash in the sink in the bathroom.’

  Helen laughed. ‘You’re going to walk me into Tesco looking like this? In my underwear? I thought you wanted to blend in until we meet your friend tonight. Far be it from me to tell you how to do your job, but your idea stinks.’

  Mick scratched his chin. ‘Okay. Plan B then.’ He pulled
his phone out of his pocket and glanced down at it. ‘Firstly we need to get somewhere with a fucking signal.’

  ‘You need to make a call?’

  ‘Well, yeah, I do now. Seems like I need to speak to someone about running a bath. I need to speak to my handler too, so she knows you’re coming along.’

  Helen closed her eyes. She leant back in her seat and finally succumbed to her exhaustion.

  Chapter 32

  George hardly noticed the three men and two women, with their faces turned expectantly towards him. They looked like detectives, all suits, ties and stress lines.

  One of them was Darren Lewis. ‘George, thanks for coming up. This is the interview team from Major Crime. We’re just discussing tactics. What can you tell these people?’

  Skipping the introductions, George launched ahead. ‘Where are you with the interviews? Are you planning on talking to him as soon as his rest period runs out?’

  Darren shook his head. ‘No. He’s clearly trying to dictate terms to us, so we’ll make him wait a few hours. We’ll start by hitting him with the facts, and then we’ll bed him down so he gets all night to stew on what we know. There’s a lot of evidence.’

  ‘I assume you’re looking to extend his stay here, then?’ George asked.

  ‘Yes. Prison will be a relative luxury compared to the four bare walls downstairs.’

  George frowned. ‘I’m not sure I’d call it a luxury.’

  Darren looked embarrassed. ‘Poor choice of words.’

  George waved a hand and Darren said, ‘Well, he can stay here until the very last minute. We’re not going to have a problem getting a charge when we need it.’

  ‘That is true.’

  ‘So what’s his play here, George? Has he just come in to put his hand up for what he’s done? Is it all over now?’

  George shook his head. ‘No. I mean, we still don’t know where he’s been staying. You need to be putting every resource into finding that out, sir. With respect, we could do with knowing where it is prior to interview.’ George tried not to sound too eager.