The Value of Life

by Andy Crowson

  Chapter 26: Who's K?

  When Josef pulled up outside the station and Whitlock ran out from reception to the car it was a little before four thirty. He felt like he'd been hit repeatedly with a large, wet, quite fleshy pike. Whitlock looked great.

  "Morning," she said.

  "No," Josef mumbled.

  "Okay," she smiled and they drove in silence to the sorting office. When they arrived they were shown into the post masters office. He produced coffee and even biscuits and by the time the uniformed officers arrived Josef was feeling almost human again. They allocated an officer to each van and dished out instructions, then introduced the officers to the van drivers.

  "We're trying to keep this as low key as possible so I don't want you to do anything other than you normally do. You guys," Josef pointed to the uniformed officers, "you stay hidden in the van OK. Just take the sacks and check the contents."

  Each officer had a photocopy of the ransom notes received so far for comparison and the address of the Bilhams.

  "You know what to do. Anything suspicious you call it in straight away ok?"

  They nodded and Josef left the officers and the drivers with their coffee to get acquainted. Josef and Whitlock retreated to reception for coffee refills and watched at the vans as they left the compound.

  "You think they'll find anything?" Whitlock asked.

  "Unless it's one of these lot," he pointed over his shoulder in the direction of the sorting room, "then they have to. So long as he keeps the same routine."

  "You think he will?"

  "I think so yeah." The postmaster joined them in reception.

  "I hope we can help you," he said.

  "So do we," Whitlock answered. Josef's phone rang.

  "Excuse me," he said, and then to Whitlock as explanation "it's Bentworth." He pushed open the door and went outside. As he answered a van pulled up at the curb, engine running. Josef turned away and blocked his other ear.

  "Lindahl," he said.

  "How is everything at the post office? Did uniform turn up?"

  "Yes Sir," Josef said. "They're in the vans now checking the post." He wandered towards reception and the shelter of the doorway and looked at Whitlock though the glass.

  "Let's hope he sends a note," Bentworth said.

  "I'm sure he will," Josef replied. The van behind him accelerated away and Josef turned to look at it.

  "Well let me know if you get anything," Bentworth said.

  "Sir," Josef answered, now paying more attention to the van. Josef walked out from the shelter of the doorway and looked at the van. N 239 RND. A white van. N 23. Josef looked around and noticed for the first time the post box set into the front wall of the sorting office. He looked at the van as it disappeared then back at the post box.

  The door nearly hit Whitlock as Josef flew back inside.

  "The post box in the wall outside, open it," he yelled. The postmaster hurried into the front office pulling a large bunch of keys on a long chain from his trouser pocket. He bent down by a box in the wall and opened it.

  "Don't touch anything, let me see," Josef said and pushed in front of the small box. There was just one letter in it. The address of the Bilhams' printed neatly on the front.

  "Mother fucking fuck shit," Josef yelled.

  "What?" Whitlock said. He stood aside.

  "Oh I don't believe it," she moaned. "Did you see him?"

  "I was on the phone to Bentworth, I wasn't paying attention till he drove away. I got the registration number anyway," he said. Whitlock pulled her pad from the pocket and unclipped the pen.

  "Tell," she said. "Before you forget."

  "N 239 RND," he said.

  "Then let's go call."

  They left the postmaster and the sorting office and called Bentworth from outside. Josef explained the episode with the van and the letter.

  "N 239 RND," he said.

  "Right," Bentworth said. "I'll follow this up with uniform. I think this is probably a stolen van or he's just using someone else's number plate so until we have an arrest you carry on as planned. At least we know where to find him next time. Good work, but it's a shame you missed him."

  "Sir," Josef said. Josef looked at the phone to sure the call was finished.

  "I don't fucking believe it. We could have had 'im right here."

  "Come on," Whitlock said. "Don't kill yourself. We know the license plate and where he drops the letters off. We've made headway."

  "Bentworth thinks the van is either stolen or on false plates and I have to say I agree with him."

  "Yeah but at least every uniformed cop in London knows what registration number we're looking for, whether it's false or not. Stop beating yourself up."

  "I should've had 'im," Josef repeated.

  "So should I," Whitlock said.

  They put the letter carefully in a plastic bag and headed back to the station. They were in CID before nine. Josef was sat at the desk searching the internet for crimes that included schoolbags and money and shoes. Whitlock came in with sandwiches and coffee.

  "Seems like Bentworth has put together quite a gathering this morning, they're busy in the canteen making sandwiches for the buffet. They said there's going to be about thirty people here."

  "Good," Josef said glumly. "The more the better."

  "We should have heard something from Bentworth about the van by now," Whitlock said.

  "No news is good news," Josef replied, clicking on an interesting link.

  As they ate their sandwiches the first of the families arrived. It was the Martins. Mr. Martin came over and shook hands with both Josef and Whitlock.

  "I 'fink this is a great idea," he said.

  "Thanks," Josef smiled, "it's very important we find out how the children are connected."

  "Yeah we've been rackin' our brains an' so 'as Daniel but we dunno," he said.

  "Something'll turn up," Josef said with more optimism than he felt.

  "I 'ope so," Mr. Martin said.

  "Grab a seat from anywhere," Josef said. "I think this is gonna be informal, just wander round and talk to each other, bit like a party."

  "Alright," Mr. Martin said and walked away to grab some chairs.

  "How are you Daniel?" Josef said.

  "'m good 'fanks," he nodded.

  "Good," Josef smiled.

  Whitlock took their coats and disappeared with them into the CID meeting room. When they were seated Mr and Mrs. Collridge came in. They had two boys with them, Bryan's two brothers, Josef guessed. They introduced some friends and the grandparents. It was starting to get busy. Josef introduced them to the Martins. The two families began talking. After ten minutes the Bilhams arrived, followed closely by the Beachams. Stella Wagstaff and her son were there also. The room was crowded but no one seemed to mind.

  "Can I just have your attention," Josef said. The room came to a hush.

  "You know why we're here. We've got to find a connection between all the boys. I think it's best if we keep this informal. Just talk between yourselves, everything you can, think about your families. There's tea, coffee and biscuits on their way up and there's a sandwich buffet for lunch. Well," he looked around the room at the families, "good luck."

  The conversation was noisy, Josef and Whitlock visiting the canteen several times for more tea and coffee. When eleven o'clock rolled round Mr Beacham was anxious to leave. Josef arranged for them to be driven back but Stella stayed along with her son. They were about to go for lunch, it was about five past twelve when Bentworth called.

  "Josef Lindahl," Josef said.

  "Sorry I haven't called sooner but I've just had a call from Mason. They've made the transfer there and now they're waiting. We've tracked down the registered owner of the van and he says he sold it for cash to a guy desperate for a van to move house. Didn't fill in the paperwork for transfer of ownership because the guy was in such a hurry. Got a receipt to prove it though. We've been at it all morning and it seems like he's telling the truth."

&n
bsp; "Bloody typical," Josef said.

  "Not to worry, every cop in the met is looking for that van. If he drives anywhere in it he's nicked."

  "Good," Josef said flatly. "Have you got any plain clothes cars in the area? You know he dropped Daniel off not far from his house and he used the van."

  "Good thinking Jo. If you think of anything else let me know."

  "Will do. Oh, just out of interest, do you know how much?" Josef asked.

  "Eighteen thousand," Bentworth said.

  "Really I thought they could have managed more than that," Josef puzzled.

  "Looks can be deceiving," Bentworth said.

  "Yeah"

  "Okay, call if you get anything," Bentworth said and hung up.

  Josef walked over to Whitlock.

  "What's the matter?" she asked.

  "Mason just told Bentworth they transferred the money."

  "So."

  "So they transferred eighteen thousand pounds."

  "What's the problem," Whitlock shrugged.

  "I was under the impression they could get together more money that the Martins that's all," Josef said.

  "Me too but," she stopped.

  "I know," Josef said, "looks can be deceiving. I'm going to pop down to the canteen and make sure everything's ready. Can you bring everyone down in five minutes?"

  "Sure," Whitlock said.

  "Thanks."

  Josef strode out and headed for the canteen. She watched him go.

  "You like him don't you," Stella Wagstaff said as she wandered over.

  "He's a nice guy," Whitlock observed.

  "Not many of those left," Stella smiled.

  "Ya' think he'd make a good father," Whitlock said quietly.

  "What?" Stella asked.

  "Oh nothing," Whitlock blushed. "Listen we've just had a call saying that Mr. and Mrs. Beacham made the transfer, eighteen thousand pounds."

  "Really," Stella frowned.

  "Something wrong?" Whitlock asked.

  "She told me they had over twenty nine thousand and John was gonna buy the car from them for another twelve. They should've had over forty thousand," she said.

  "Josef thought something was up," Whitlock said.

  "So what does that mean?" Stella said.

  "I don't know but I'm gonna go find out. Everyone, can I have your attention please. If you'd like to follow me we can go get lunch in the canteen." Whitlock looked at Stella. "Thanks," she said and led the way to the canteen.

  In the canteen Josef was helping put the last few trays of food onto a line of tables. Whitlock headed straight to him.

  "That was a quick five minutes," he said.

  "I've just had a word with Stella Wagstaff. She said the Beachams had over forty thousand pounds." Josef thought about this for a moment.

  "Let's talk to her," he said. They pulled her aside as she entered the canteen.

  "How easy was it for them to find the money," Josef said.

  "Not that hard I guess," Stella said. "They had some savings and they borrowed some on the house. They sold some things, I mean they could've had more if they'd asked his parents."

  "Shit," Josef said.

  "Why shit?" Stella asked.

  "Because what this guy is really asking is how much Jamie's life is worth to them. If the kidnapper was abused as a child, then just what you can rustle up 'aint gonna be enough to get the boy back. He wants to know that Jamie is worth everything to them. Like he should have been to his parents."

  "You want me to call them and tell them to transfer the rest?"

  Josef looked at his watch, it was a nearly a quarter past twelve.

  "You know what? I think it's too late. But fuck it, do it anyway. I'm going to call Bentworth." Stella pulled out her mobile phone and Josef did the same.

  "You're in charge of that call," he said to Whitlock pointing at Stella's phone. He pulled up Bentworth's number and called.

  "Yes," Bentworth said.

  "Sir it's about the transfer. Mrs. Beacham's friend Stella, she said the Beacham's had over forty thousand pounds."

  "What? Who said that?" Bentworth said.

  "Stella Wagstaff. The woman who walked home with Jamie from karate the night he was taken."

  "Yes yes," Bentworth cut in. "She says the Beacham's had forty thousand to transfer?"

  "Yes Sir. Mr. Wagstaff was buying the Beacham's car. It was all planned."

  "So what happened?" Bentworth said.

  "I don't know," Josef answered, "it's what we're trying to find out."

  "Let me call Mason and see," Bentworth said. "I'll call you back."

  Stella Wagstaff was already finished on the phone. She and Whitlock stood looking at Josef.

  "Well?" he said.

  "Mason told them how much the Martins paid. Told them to pay the same," Whitlock said.

  "They're going to transfer the rest of the money now," Stella said.

  "Mason's furious apparently," said Whitlock warily.

  "Good," Josef snapped. "I hope Bentworth strings him up by the bollocks!"

  Josef and Whitlock wandered round while the guests ate and talked. No one seemed even close to making a breakthrough. Josef wasn't very hungry but he ate a few sandwiches anyway. His temper had calmed only marginally and when they returned to CID he'd lost hope.

  At about three people started to leave. Mr. and Mrs. Collridge spoke to Whitlock.

  "I'm really sorry we haven't been able to come up with anything," Mr. Collridge said. "Believe me I wish we had."

  "It was a long shot anyway," Whitlock said.

  "Can we get our coats?" Mr. Collridge asked.

  "Sure," Whitlock said and led the way to the CID Meeting room that they had used as the cloak room. The family followed her in. She began hunting through the coats that were piled on the table.

  "What coats were they?" she said.

  "I know that boy," the Collridge's son said, pointing at one of the pictures Josef had left taped to the whiteboard the day before.

  "What did you say Tony?" Mrs Collridge said.

  "I've seen that boy before," Tony repeated. He pointed at the picture of Jamie Beacham.

  "Where have you seen him," Whitlock said, taking the picture down and handing it to him. She hunkered down to the boy's height.

  "He was with one of Bryan's football friends in the park before."

  "Ok think a bit," Whitlock said. "This boy in the picture you've seen him with one of Bryan's friends." The boy nodded.

  "Which friend?" Whitlock asked.

  "Don't know."

  "Can you remember his name for me Tony?"

  "Bryan called him K," the boy said. Mrs. Collridge gasped.

  "Do you know who K is?" Whitlock asked the Collridges.

  "Sorry," Mr. Collridge said shaking his head. Mrs. Collridge was shaking her head as well.

  "I think it might be best if we did this outside," Whitlock said. She pulled the remaining pictures from the board and led the family back into the open plan office.

  "Listen everybody we've just had the break we're looking for," Whitlock said. Everyone turned to look at her. She lifted Tony onto a desk and Josef came over.

  "Tony here has recognized a picture of Jamie Beacham," she held the picture out. Josef bit his knuckles in frustration but said nothing.

  "Tony said that Jamie was with in the park with a friend of Bryan's. Bryan called this friend K."

  Daniel raised his hand.

  "Go on," Whitlock said.

  "I went to school with a boy called Keith Kelly. Everyone called him K."

  "Keith Kelly went to karate with Jamie," Stella Wagstaff said.

  "So where does Keith Kelly live?" Whitlock asked looking around the room.

  "He's dead," Daniel said.

  "How do you know?" Whitlock asked.

  "They said in school. They said a drunk man knocked him down."

  "I know who it is." It was Bilham who spoke.

  "What?" said Whitlock stunned.

  "
Harvey Kelly is my boss. His son was knocked down last year by a drunk driver, right on his own doorstep. Bastard got two years ban and a two thousand pound fine. Said he was under duress or some shit like that. Anyway, Harvey goes nuts and threatens to kill the guy and gets thirty days in prison. When he comes out his wife has committed suicide and he's on his own."

  The room was silent.

  "D'you know where he lives?" Josef asked.

  "No but I could find out at work," Bilham said.

  "Where do you work?" Josef said.

  "Barclays in the High Street."

  "You work in a bank? What does this guy do there?"

  "He's the manager of credit and loans."

  "Ah shit," Josef said.

  "What?" Whitlock asked.

  "He knows how much the Beacham's could get," Josef said. "Find this man's address." He pulled out his mobile and called Bentworth.

  "Sir," he said as soon as the line connected. "The man's name is Harvey Kelly. He's credit and loans manager at Barclay's in the High Street. One of the kids recognized a picture of Jamie, we worked it out from there. Mr. Bilham works with him but we don't have an address yet." He paused.

  "Yeah we're sure. His son was killed by a drink driver who got nothing but a slapped wrist and when he threatened the guy he got thirty days. The son was killed on his own doorstep and what's more the boy was called Keith Kelly. Nickname K. The wife committed suicide while our man was locked up." Another pause.

  "Too right he has an axe to grind," Josef said. "We're on it now Sir, we'll let you know as soon as we have an address. Okay Sir, see you then. Wasn't me Sir. It was Whitlock." Josef put the phone in his pocket. Whitlock was at a computer and had the phone to her ear but she was looking at him open mouthed.

  "Listen everyone I know you're all desperate to know what's happening. I suggest you just sit here and wait. We're on it." Josef said.

  "Get me a computer. I can remote log in to work and see if I can find his address," Mr. Bilham said.

  "Use that one," Josef pointed.

  "Won't be necessary, we'll have it in five minutes." Whitlock said. Josef looked puzzled.

  "Electoral role," she explained. Josef sighed.