by M A Comley
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Lorne’s hopes rose when she received the call from Tony. She gathered the team around her. “Okay, hubby is out there doing his stuff with his partner. He’s just rung to say that they believe Parker used to visit a church close by. They’re setting off on foot to investigate that now. What I want is to tie up any loose ends we might have. Pat, you did well locating the area the homeless people use close to the river. That’s where Tony and his partner picked up the information about the church. What I need you to do now is search the area for any possible churches within walking distance, say a couple of miles’ radius?”
“I’ll get on it now, boss, and get back to you ASAP.”
“Graham, you need to keep chasing your people on the street.”
“I know. Not sure what the problem is. They’ve usually come through by now.”
“Maybe there’s nothing to tell us. Perhaps this Parker is a loner and refused to interact with other people on the street,” Katy suggested.
“You could be right. I don’t want to be in the position of being reliant on the information Tony and Joe are supplying us, though. So let’s keep at it. Karen, any news on the stolen cars in the area?”
“I have a list of six possible vehicles, some older than others.”
“My take is that if he’s intending on making a getaway after he’s picked up the money, he’ll want a newer, faster, more reliable vehicle,” Pat noted.
Lorne nodded. “Good point.”
“In that case, I would suggest the black Audi Quattro,” Karen said.
A sudden thought rushed into Lorne’s head like an express train. She slammed her hand on the desk beside her, making her team jump. “Okay, hear me out. What do we believe has been the one thing that has triggered Parker into abducting Emma and possibly killing Gillian Knot?”
The room remained silent for a few moments until Katy clicked her fingers and pointed at Lorne. “The death of his wife.”
Lorne gestured with her hand for Katy to keep thinking and to fill in the gaps. However, Katy grimaced and shook her head.
“He’s also stayed close to where they lived,” Lorne added, trying to prompt Katy’s brain into action.
Karen cleared her throat. “I think I know. You’re suggesting that perhaps his wife is buried there.”
“Bingo! Either at the church where he used to work or another one close to the homeless patch.”
“I can research it, get on to Somerset House,” Karen said then swivelled in her chair and started tapping the keys on her computer.
“Thanks, Karen. Let me know when you find some—”
Sean Roberts stormed through the door, heading straight for Lorne. “Warren has just rung. He’s been given a drop-off location for this evening.”
“Where?”
“At the entrance to Leavesden Country Park. Apparently, there is a bin close to the entrance. He wants the bag dropped in the bin and Warren to get back in his car and drive away.”
“Okay, so he’s expecting Warren to make the drop-off. Does he know what Warren looks like?” Lorne asked, her brow furrowed as she thought.
“Not sure. Maybe I could do the drop, use Warren’s car.”
Lorne nodded. “I’m happy to go down that route if you are. I was just about to come and see you. There’s been a small development.” She recapped her conversation with Tony and the fact that he and Joe were scouring the area for a church.
Distracted, Sean glanced at his watch. “Sorry to interrupt, but time is getting on. Instead of trying to find out where he’s hiding, Tony needs to be concentrating on getting the funds together.”
“He’s hardly going to forget that, Sean. Actually, Katy and I”—Lorne looked sideways and winked at her partner—“were about to head over there and join them.”
He nodded. “What are we waiting for?”
Lorne stared at him. “What? You want to come with us?”
“I am coming with you, whether you like it or not. I refuse to sit around here waiting for the phone to ring a moment longer. You can give me a lift to Warren’s house, I’ll pick up his car, and together, we’ll travel to where Tony and Joe are.”
Lorne shrugged. “Okay, it makes sense to me. On one proviso.”
“And that is?”
“This is my case, so when we’re out there, you follow my instructions.”
He gave her a disapproving look.
“Either that, or you stay here.”
He nodded and let out a frustrated sigh. “You win. Now, can we get a move on?”
“I need to place a call to the pathologist first, and you need to ring Warren, let him know we’ll be there within half an hour.”
Sean withdrew his mobile, punched in a number and moved to the side of the room. Under Katy’s watchful gaze, Lorne rang Patti. “I had to accept, Katy. He’d probably tag along and only get in the way if I didn’t.”
Katy raised her hands. “Hey, I never said a word. It’s better to have him where we can see him, I suppose.”
Lorne smiled as Patti answered the phone. “Hi, Patti. It’s me. Any news on the DNA?”
“It’s just come through. I was about to ring you with the results. It was a definite match. Frank Parker is a person of interest in the Gillian Knot case.”
“Thanks. We’re closing in on him. I’ll get back to you once we’ve caught him.”
“Excellent. Good luck.”
Lorne and Sean ended their calls at the same time.
“I’m all set. Are you?” Sean asked, his gaze drifting between Katy and Lorne.
Katy left her chair and slipped on her coat. “I’m ready when you are.”
“Karen, ring me when you have any news.”
“Will do, boss.”
The three of them marched out of the incident room and through the station. Katy climbed in the back of the car, while Sean sat up front with Lorne. They drove to the Lansburys’ house in silence. Sean flung open the door and exited the car even before Lorne could apply the handbrake. Warren was looking agitated as he waited for them on his drive. He had a cloth cap in his hand, which he gave to Sean, along with the keys to his car.
Lorne waved at Warren and issued a thumbs-up. He smiled weakly at her and hugged Sean before his friend got into his car.
“Do you want to hop up front with me?” Lorne asked Katy.
After Katy was settled in the passenger seat, Lorne pulled the car up alongside Sean. He indicated that he was ready to move, and together, they set off.
“Damn, I didn’t ring Tony. I better let him know what we’re up to.” She punched in Tony’s mobile number and spoke to him through the hands-free. “We’re on our way, Tony. Umm… Sean is coming with us.”
“Okay. It’ll be good to have you here. Not sure about Sean. Is he up to this?”
“He’s got to be. Parker has contacted the family about the drop-off, and Sean is going to pretend he’s Warren. We’ve just stopped off and picked up Warren’s car to make it more legit. Talking of money, you need to get to the bank to pick up the funds, love.”
“First things first. We don’t have the car here with us. We’re on foot, so you’ll need to drop me back there to pick it up.”
“Not a problem. Have you located the church yet?”
“We’ve just stopped at a local, and they said there is a disused church around the corner. We’re just coming up to it now. Hang fire.”
“Sounds promising. I had an idea that maybe Parker’s wife was buried at the church, but if it’s disused, then that theory can be squashed.”
“Okay, we’re here. It’s a definite possibility. Put Jasmine Close into your satnav, and that should lead you here.”
“Brilliant. Don’t do anything until we get there. We’re about fifteen minutes away at a rough guesstimate.”
“See you soon. Drive carefully.”
Lorne ended the call. “Crap, time’s getting away from us. When we get to the scene, I need you, Sean and Joe to sit in Warren’s c
ar and keep the church under surveillance while I drop Tony off at his car. I’m tempted to go with him to collect the money, but my gut is telling me to stay with you guys. You’re in charge in my absence. I’ll ensure Sean and Joe understand that.”
“Thanks. We’re going to have some pretty experienced people gathered. Let’s hope this turns out to be the right place.”
“I think that’s code for ‘there will be a few tough egos to deal with’, right?” Lorne asked, laughing.
“Yeah, that, as well. Not sure those ‘egos’ are going to be up to a mere woman ordering them to stay put and bide their time. Are you?”
“They will if I read them the riot act, love. Don’t fret. You’ll be fine.”
~ ~ ~
Lorne drew up alongside Tony and Joe, who both jumped in the back of the car, then Sean joined them a few moments later. Lorne ran through the plan she’d suggested to Katy, and the men were all in agreement that it was a sound one.
When a man left a nearby house opposite the church and drove away, Katy nudged Lorne’s leg and pointed ahead of her. “A black Audi Quattro.”
“What’s the significance in that, Katy?” Tony queried.
“Katy, ring Karen and get the plate number, just to be sure,” Lorne instructed before telling the men, “I asked the team to look out for any stolen vehicles in the area since Emma’s car was found burnt out. Six possible vehicles were highlighted, and one of them was an Audi Quattro.”
Katy ended the call. “That’s the one.”
“Okay. I’m aware we’re cutting things a little fine. Tony, you and I should get going.”
“Agreed. I would suggest Sean backs up a bit. Keep the church under surveillance from a safe distance. We’re sitting ducks where we are.”
“Yep, I agree,” Lorne said, turning in her seat. She looked Sean in the eye and pointed a finger at him. “No heroics, Sean. We all appreciate how you must be feeling right now, but you need to keep a tight lid on those emotions. I seem to remember you telling me the very same thing a few years ago.”
“I hear you, and I promise. Katy is in charge in your absence. Don’t be long.”
“I’ll be right back once I’ve dropped Tony back at his car.”
Katy, Joe and Sean piled out of the car and into Warren’s. Lorne drove past the church slowly while Tony discreetly observed the entrance and the surroundings. “There’s a door on the entrance, and it doesn’t seem that derelict to me.”
“If he’s keeping her there, it would need to be a secure place if he keeps leaving her. I’ll turn around so you can get a better look.”
Lorne got to the end of the road and did a U-turn and drove past the church again. “There appears to be a path leading around the back of the building. It might be worth one of us having a quick recce later.”
“We’ll see how things develop when we get back.” During the drive to pick up Tony’s car, they ran through different scenarios they should consider. One of them was ringing for backup in the form of an ART. “One problem I can foresee with that—this is supposed to be a covert operation. He warned us what would happen if the police got involved, and I’d rather not risk Emma’s life, not this late in the day.”
Tony nodded. “You’re right. My suggestion would be to keep the church under surveillance until Parker leaves to pick up the money. While Sean is doing that, the rest of us can swoop in and rescue Emma, if she’s being kept at the church.”
“Hmm… that plan is okay up to a point. My idea was for you guys to leave Katy and me at the church, while the three of you go to the drop-off. We need to capture the bastard red-handed once he has the money in his hands. He’ll be expecting Warren to deposit the money in the bin and has instructed him to get back in his car and drive off immediately after. I think you and Joe should be hiding inside the park, ready to pounce on him when he’s least expecting it.”
“That would work for me. I’m sure it’ll be acceptable to the others.”
“At the end of the day, our priority needs to be rescuing Emma.”
Tony snorted. “And to ensure this bastard doesn’t take off with our money.”
Lorne laughed. “That too. Thanks again for putting up the funds, love.”
He leaned over and pecked her on the cheek as she parked alongside his car. “You’re welcome. Just don’t make a habit of it.”
“I won’t. I promise. Ring me when you’ve collected the money. See you soon.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Lorne swiftly returned to join the others on surveillance. She jumped in the back of Sean’s temporary car. “Anything?”
Sean was the first to respond. “Nothing. I’m getting more and more frustrated by the second.”
Lorne shook her head. “You’re going to have to hang in there, Sean. We know he’ll have to leave the premises soon. The question is, will he take Emma with him or leave her here and come back for her once he’s collected the money?”
“If Emma is still alive,” Sean replied sullenly.
“Negative thoughts of that magnitude do not belong in this car. We have to hang on to the slim chance that he’ll leave her behind.”
The car fell silent again and stayed that way for the next half an hour. The atmosphere was tense as everyone’s gaze remained trained on the church. Lorne’s concentration was so intense that she jumped when her mobile rang. She snatched it out of her pocket. “Hi, Tony. I’m putting you on speaker.”
“Okay. Right, I’ve got the cash. Any movement at that end?”
“No, nothing. Are you coming back here?”
“Yep, the drop-off isn’t for a few hours yet. I’ll stop off and pick up some sandwiches on the way, yes?”
Lorne and Katy stared at each other and shook their heads. “My stomach is churning. I couldn’t eat anything and neither could Katy. Sean? Joe?”
“I wouldn’t say no,” Joe said with a cheeky smile while Sean shook his head, his eyes never leaving the entrance to the church.
“Nothing for Sean, either. Thanks, Tony.”
“Okay, I’ll see you soon.”
Lorne ended the call. Everyone in the car sighed now and again as their anxiety rose during the wait, which seemed endless. People in the surrounding houses had begun arriving home from work. Life was going on all around them, but Lorne couldn’t help wondering what was going on inside the church. Panic rose within her when she thought about Parker ending Emma’s life. “Guys, if he doesn’t make a move within twenty minutes, I’m going in.”
The car door opened, and Tony jumped in the back seat beside her. “What have I missed?” he asked, handing a sandwich to Joe.
“I was just saying that I need to get in there. I can’t stand sitting here much longer, knowing that Emma could be inside, in mortal danger.”
“I’m with Lorne on this one,” Katy said.
Tony shook his head. “Come on, guys. Time is getting on. He’ll be leaving soon enough. Let’s not do anything rash.”
They waited until seven fifty-five, when they spotted Parker leave the church and run across the road to the stolen Audi.
“This is it, guys,” Lorne said, her heart pounding against her ribs. “Everyone all right with the plan?”
“The three of us need to get over to the drop-off,” Tony replied, reaching for the door handle to get out of the car.
“Okay. Stay safe. Katy, let’s go.”
Tony stood aside to let Lorne out of the car, kissed her and jumped back in the car.
Lorne and Katy watched them drive away then raced across the road to the church. Lorne twisted the large metal ring, but the door was locked. “Let’s see what we can find around the back.”
“Do churches even have back doors?” Katy asked, frowning.
Lorne shrugged. “I suppose they must have. We’ll soon find out.”
The path alongside the church’s stone exterior was overgrown with nettles. “Ouch, the bugger got me,” Lorne whispered. She bent down and picked up a dock leaf and rubbed it over
her stinging hand.
“Wuss.” Katy chuckled.
They passed several windows that were all locked, and when they reached the rear of the property, they found a back door. Lorne tried to open it and found it was also locked.
“Okay, we’re wasting time. Search for a rock or something we can break one of the windows with. I think that’s going to have to be our point of entry.”
Katy pushed back some of the overgrown shrubs and picked up a large stone. “Will this do?”
“It’ll have to. Help me with this.” Lorne pointed at an old wrought-iron table lying amongst the tall grass. She and Katy hauled it into position under one of the windows. It wobbled slightly on the uneven ground as Lorne climbed on top. Katy handed her the rock. Lorne smashed the corner of the glass, and it shattered right away. She used the rock to knock out all the large pieces, then she squeezed through the window and landed in a dark corridor. Lorne turned and helped Katy through the window.
“Last time I wear my best coat for work,” Katy complained, brushing off the small shards of glass.
Lorne placed a finger to her lips and cocked her head to listen. Somewhere in the building music was playing. She motioned for Katy to follow her. Once Lorne’s eyes adjusted to the dark, she could make out several doors leading off the corridor. She placed her ear against the first two and shook her head. When she tried the third, she nodded. “The music is coming from in here.”
Katy held up her hand. She was still holding the large rock.
Lorne smiled. “I should have brought my Taser.”
Katy shrugged. “Never mind. We need to press on.”
Lorne nodded and reached for the door handle. She was surprised when it moved and the door opened. The colourful sound of a choir singing hymns filled the medium-sized room. She entered the room cautiously, with Katy close to her back. The music turned out to be an old cassette player. The room had very little furniture, only a few chairs and a table, all of which had seen better days. She located the source of the music—the player was sitting on the floor under the table.
“Emma, are you here?” Lorne said quietly, thinking Emma might be hidden somewhere they couldn’t see.
