Deadly Encounter

by M A Comley

  Ten minutes later, Jack entered her room, his face like thunder. “You’re kidding me, right?”

  Sally let out a full belly laugh. “Nope. I bet you’re regretting your decision now, aren’t you?”

  He shook his head in disgust. “And some. Where are we going to put it all?”

  “It’s going to take us a good week or so to sort through it all. We’ll need everything to hand. Pile it up at one end of the room. I’ll quickly sort this lot and join you as soon as I can.”

  “Yeah, right. Take your time. I think we’ll be ferrying the files all morning.”

  Sally chewed her lip. “Sorry, matey.”

  “I have a feeling we’re all going to regret our decision if that lot is anything to go by.”

  “Don’t be such a sourpuss. According to Green, we should be able to give most of the cases a cursory glance. Let me get this paperwork out of the way. I’ll be with you in say half an hour.”

  “The boys and I will still be carting the files back to the office, but feel free to start going through the files without us.”

  “Joanna and I will do just that. I’m never one to pass the buck, Jack. You know that.”

  “Yeah, we’ll see.” He turned and walked out of the office, leaving Sally wondering if she had indeed forced her team into a situation that could see them drowning in paperwork for years to come.

  Over the next half an hour, the men wheeled boxes into the incident room, huffing and puffing and shouting the odd curse word. For once, Sally was glad to take refuge in her office to deal with her nightmarish paperwork. Thirty minutes whizzed past, then she was forced to confront the torrent of abuse, if only in the form of death stares, coming her way when she re-joined her team.

  Jack entered the incident room, carrying another heavy file. Even for a fit, walking bag of muscles, he was clearly getting a good workout from shifting the boxes. Sweat on his brow was coursing down the side of his face. “Jack, take a break. There’s no need to strain yourselves getting them all moved in one go. I’m sure Green doesn’t expect that from you guys.”

  “You might want to tell that to his face. He looks daggers at us every time we enter his office.”

  “Sod him. I’m ordering you to take a break.” Sally stepped into his path, preventing him from going back to Green’s office.

  “All right, you win. I’ll take five when the boys return—we all will.” He breathlessly slumped into his chair. “Thank God we’ve got that trolley. We’d be on our knees by now, otherwise.”

  Sally winked and pointed to her head. “Used my brains on this one, partner. I couldn’t see you boys struggle. I knew the desk sergeant had one tucked away downstairs.”

  “Smartarse,” he mumbled under his breath, giving her the impression that he wouldn’t have thought about tracking one down if she’d left him in charge of shifting the files.

  Any other inspector would have taken him to task over the name-calling, but Sally was thrilled about the banter they shared between them as a group. That was why the team got on so well and achieved so much.

  Picking up the spreadsheet, Sally ran her finger down the cases. “That bloody Falkirk has a lot to answer for. What an idiot he was. Still, his ineptness has put his pension in jeopardy in the process. Let’s hope he didn’t screw up every case he touched. Joanna, you and I will search through the database, check off all those found guilty, see if their time in prison has been spent yet or not. These files go back fifteen years from what I can see. I’m presuming that most of the people he convicted will have had their sentences fulfilled by now, and they’ll be walking the streets again. If that’s the case then the pile will be whittled down a fair bit from the outset. Then there will no doubt be cases where the prisoner has perhaps died during his or her time in prison. That’ll mean there are less to wade through. Okay, let’s get cracking and leave the boys to finish transporting the rest of the files.” She flashed Jack a smile. Her partner shook his head and marched towards the exit, dragging the trolley behind him.

  “You’re such a wind-up merchant, boss,” Joanna said, fighting the urge to laugh.

  Sally placed a hand over her chest. “Moi? I don’t think so. Have you felt the weight of one of these files?” She stood over an archive file and tried to lift it. She managed to raise it two inches off the floor before she dropped it again. “They weigh a bloody tonne. Still, Jack and the boys can look on the bright side.”

  “There’s a bright side?” Joanna asked, perplexed.

  “Yeah, just think how much money and time I’ve just saved them by skipping a gym session.”

  Joanna laughed.

  Within seconds, Jack came back into the room, wheeling another two boxes.

  “A few more trips should have you sorted.” Sally beamed at him.

  Jack ignored her smug smile and hoisted the boxes on top of the others already in situ. “Only eight more to fetch.”

  ~ ~ ~

  Sally settled down at the spare computer beside Joanna, and between them, they rattled through the cases, placing either a D for ‘dead’ or an A for ‘alive’ next to each of the names. Then there was a matter of tallying up the files inside the archive boxes with the list and putting each of the files in the appropriate pile.

  The whole process took them the rest of the day to accomplish.

  Wearily, Sally stretched out the knots in her back and announced, “Right, why don’t we all go home and get a good night’s rest and begin in earnest on this lot in the morning?”

  The team agreed to the proposition and quickly dispersed. Only Jack remained behind. By the look on his face, she sensed she was in for an earbashing. “All right, let’s hear it.”

  Jack perched on the desk beside her. “Hear what?”

  “You’re obviously pissed off about something, Jack.”

  “Nah, what’s the point?” He nodded his head towards the archive boxes. “Looks like we’ve got enough cases to see us through to our retirement.”

  “Don’t be daft. Joanna and I have already highlighted some of the cases that can be returned to the storage unit.”

  “Great, and who’s going to be granted that chore?”

  “Why are you being such a grouch about this, Jack? You had the option to opt out if the job didn’t appeal to you.”

  “I know. Maybe it’s just me wondering if I’ve done the right thing after all. Looking at that lot, we’re sure going to have our work cut out for us. You know how much I hate the paperwork side of things. Isn’t that what looking into cold-cases is mostly going to be about?”

  Sally sighed. “Not necessarily. Is that what this is all about?”

  Jack frowned. “What?”

  “The paperwork? Is that why you’re still having lingering doubts? I need you to be fully onboard with this, partner, or it just isn’t going to work. I feel as though you’re putting unnecessary obstacles in the way.”

  He shrugged. “Maybe I am. I’m trying to summon up some enthusiasm but…”

  Sally felt her frustration building. She stood up and walked into her office to collect her coat and handbag. When she returned, she stopped in front of Jack and locked gazes with him. “Think things over properly tonight and let me know your decision in the morning, all right? Think of the job security aspect before you rule it out, Jack, for Donna and the girls’ sake.”

  His head dipped, and he mumbled, “Okay, sorry to be a pain, Sally.”

  “You haven’t been, yet. But if you accept the job and begin to doubt whether you’re up to the task or not, then that is going to really piss me off, matey. If I were in your shoes I’d be thinking more along the lines of seeing how I go for a month or so, and jack it in—excuse the pun—if I can’t get my head around the new regime. You need to decide quickly, though, mate. I haven’t got time to waste on this—you’ve seen the massive task ahead of us.”

  They left the incident room, descended the stairs, and left the building in silence. “We’ll talk tomorrow.”

  “Okay
. Have a good evening.”

  “You, too. Think long and hard about your future—and for goodness’ sake, make the right decision for yourself, Jack. Don’t do it for me.”

  Sally jumped inside her car. Watching her dejected partner walk away, she had a sinking feeling that he would show up the next day with a resignation letter in hand.

  When she arrived home, in spite of Simon’s best efforts to make her laugh, she found herself distracted and worried about what the morning would bring.

  “Want to talk it over?” Simon asked, sidling up to her on the large leather couch.

  “Not really. I don’t think it would help. It’s in Jack’s hands now.”

  “I’m here if you need to vent, you know that. Maybe he’ll reconsider his options overnight and surprise you with his decision in the morning.”

  “Either way, I think tomorrow is going to be a bugger of a day. I need a cuddle.”

  Simon happily obliged. He hooked an arm over her shoulder and pulled her close. She felt his lips touch her forehead and travel down her face until he grazed her lips gently with his own. She moaned softly as his kisses carried her off to a deserted island, where only two inhabitants existed. All the stress of the day dispersed instantly. That was what she loved about this man: his ability to put things right immediately. Though he was a doctor, constantly dealing with corpses, his skill of casting a healing spell over her only reinforced her understanding of what a truly compassionate man he was.

  Their passion escalated, and it wasn’t long before she was unravelling herself from his arms. She leapt out of the chair and held out her hand to him. He slipped his hand into hers and allowed her to lead him up the stairs to bed.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Despite listening to Simon’s assurances over breakfast, Sally drove into work with her nerves taut. She glanced around the car park, searching for Jack’s car. He hadn’t arrived yet, and she wasn’t sure if that was a good or a bad sign. It would at least give her a chance to get an extra coffee down her neck before meeting with him.

  A full ten minutes passed before Jack sauntered into work. His demeanour came with a warning that constricted her stomach muscles until they became painful.

  “Morning, boss. Can I see you in your office?”

  Sally smiled and turned on her heel, expecting him to follow her. She settled in her chair and waited as he closed the door and sank into the chair opposite. “Thought long and hard overnight, have you?”

  He pulled the skin around his right eye down. “Yep, I guess the bloodshot eyes are a bit of a giveaway.”

  Sally was at a loss for what to say next. She could tell what was coming, and she didn’t have a clue how to prevent it. “And your decision is?”

  He shook his head. “I can’t do it, boss. I thought I could handle it yesterday, but the more the day progressed, the more the proposition refused to sit well with me.”

  Unexpected tears clouded Sally’s vision. She coughed to clear the lump in her throat. “And what about Donna? What does she have to say about this, Jack?”

  He shrugged. “She’s okay about it. Says that I have to do what feels right for me, and I’m sorry—this just doesn’t feel right.”

  “So, where do we go from here? Do you want me to have a word with DCI Green?”

  “If you wouldn’t mind. If I can get a transfer, that would be the icing on the cake. I really don’t want to leave the force after the amount of time I’ve invested in it. I just can’t handle looking into cold-cases for the reasons I stated yesterday. I hope you understand and my decision won’t damage our friendship in any way.”

  “It won’t, and I totally understand. You might have to work with us for a week or two until an alternative position arises. Will that be okay with you?”

  “Of course. I’m sorry to let you down, Sally.”

  “You haven’t let me down. The truth is, none of us know how this new set-up is going to pan out. We might all be joining you in another team soon—you never know.”

  “I doubt it. Once something sparks an idea with you, you usually see it through to its conclusion. You’ll make this work, with or without my input. You still have an excellent team around you. The four of you will crack those cases wide open. To be honest, I’d probably be surplus to requirements.”

  “How do you make that one out?”

  “Will you really need a partner going forward?”

  “I hadn’t given it much thought. I suppose I will. Never mind. One of the other members will have to suffice. Seriously, Jack, I’m going to miss having you by my side. If things don’t work out for you once you get transferred, promise me that you’ll let me know. There will always be an opening for you on my team.”

  “Thanks, Sally. I’m going to miss you and the rest of the guys. I’ll still be around the station, hopefully, so we can have a catch-up now and again. Damn, who am I going to complain to now about my lack of sleep?”

  She smiled. “You’ll find some mug whose ear you can bend.”

  “That’s why my decision has been so hard to make. Friends like you don’t come along that often, even if you have been a tyrant of a boss over the past five years or so.”

  “Right. I bet you’ll be calling me a bloody angel once you’ve worked under someone else for a while.”

  Jack laughed. “I bet you’re right about that.” He pushed out of his chair and headed towards the door.

  “I’ll ring the DCI now, put the ball back in his court about a transfer. I’ll let you know what he says. Maybe you’ll change your mind again if an opening in the vice squad is the only available option open to you.”

  “I doubt it.” He closed the door behind him.

  How she prevented herself from breaking down, she would never know. Jack had been like a brother to her since they’d become partners. That kind of working relationship only came along once in a blue moon. I can’t force him to work with me. Best to let him go and get on with his life.

  She pushed the thought aside for the next half an hour while she dealt with the post. Now, fully composed once more, she picked up the phone and called DCI Green.

  “DCI Green.”

  “Hello, sir. It’s Sally Parker. Are you free for a quick chat?”

  “Over the phone or in my office?”

  “The phone will do, sir.”

  “Very well, fire away, Inspector.”

  “It’s about my partner, DS Blackman, sir. He’s had a change of heart since yesterday and no longer wishes to join me and the rest of my team in the new department. I was wondering if you would look into offering him a transfer. He’s an excellent officer. One that, in my opinion, we should hold on to. I’ve tried my hardest to try and persuade him, but he’s adamant that he doesn’t want to remain with us in our new venture.”

  “Give me until the end of the day. I’ll get back to you, but I can’t promise anything. Make sure you pass that snippet of information on to him for me, will you?”

  “Thank you, sir. I’ll tell him what you said. Goodbye.” She held the phone away from her ear as the line went dead. Bugger! That’s pissed him off now. She left her office to join her team and beckoned Jack over to the vending machine to apprise him of the situation.

  “Damn, that doesn’t sound too good.”

  “It’s not too late to change your mind. Have you told the others yet?” Sally inserted a pound coin in the slot and selected the white coffee option.

  “No, I thought you could tell them.”

  “Still expecting me to do your dirty work for you?” He opened and closed his mouth quickly, seemingly stunned by her quick retort, until she dug him in the ribs. “I’m joking. I thought you knew me better than that, partner.”

  “I do. Sorry, my mind is in turmoil. This hasn’t been an easy decision for me to make, Sally. I can assure you, it’s knocked me for six.”

  “I know. Forget it. Let’s grab everyone a drink and get on with some work.

  With the team supplied with hot coffee, they bega
n searching through the files in earnest.

  Sometime during the morning, Joanna let out an excited squeal. “Oh, my God, I think I’ve stumbled across something major, boss.”

  Sally rushed over to Joanna’s desk. “What’s that?”

  “One of the names on this list has been matched to an alert.” She angled the monitor towards Sally so she could read the alert. “A Craig Gillan.”

  Sally turned to face Joanna, her mouth wide open in awe, and shook her head. “My God, the remains pulled out of the river were identified as Anne Gillan’s only last week. What year did she go missing?”

  Joanna ran her finger down the file. “In 2002.”

  Sally stood upright and raked a hand through her blonde hair. “Yes, fifteen years she’s been missing. Does it say who the pathologist dealing with the corpse is?”

  Joanna nodded. “It’s Simon Bracknall, boss.”

  Sally thought it strange that Simon hadn’t mentioned the case the previous week. She put that down to his busy schedule and wanting to spend quality time with her after work. He rarely discussed cases that she wasn’t linked with at home anyway. “Let me give him a ring. Find out what you can about Craig’s conviction, Joanna. I’ll be right back.” She marched into the office, perturbed that she wasn’t aware of the case, but then chastised herself for being silly. The same time last week, neither she nor Simon would have known that she and her team would be asked to run a cold-case department. She picked up her landline.

  A female member of his staff answered.

  “Hi, is Simon available for a quick chat?”

  “I’ll check. Hold the line.” There was a slight pause before she picked up the phone again. “Sorry, no. He’s just started a PM. Can he call you back in an hour or two?”

  Looking at her watch, Sally decided it would be best to go see her fiancé in person. “Can you tell him I’d like a meeting with him at around twelve? Tell him it’s really important.”