by James Hume
‘I arrived at 08.15 and found the place a mess, with every drawer pulled out and its contents on the floor. They’d made a very thorough search for something. Of course, sadly, we don’t know if they found anything.’
‘Brilliant, Alex. Well done to cat camera. Now I’ll need to think through what it all means, though. Could you do some other checks while you’re here?’
‘Certainly, ma’am, if I can.’
She went to her safe and got the two bags of pills. ‘Could you find out what these are?’
He glanced at the bags. ‘I know immediately, ma’am. They’re methamphetamine hydrochloride tablets, manufactured in Germany, and used extensively by the German army and air force during the early part of the war.
‘They have two huge effects on the human body. They give a tremendous feeling of euphoria and energy, people think they can fly and feel totally invincible, and they have a very strong aphrodisiac effect, to the point some people can maintain sexual stamina for several days. These pills had such a powerful effect the German pilots nicknamed them Stukas, after the Stuka dive-bomber, because they could fly so high and then dive down, release their sexual bombs, and keep repeating it.’
Sandra’s jaw dropped. ‘Wow.’
‘They were first produced just before the war, and I’m told the owner of the company was very close to the German High Command, and some of them, including Hitler, became addicted to these tablets. They then issued the tablets to all of their forces, and it’s said the hugely effective drives by the German army in 1940, westwards into France and the Low Countries, and eastwards into Russia, were fuelled by these tablets. The army called them Hermann Goering pills, after the senior Nazi who authorised them. However, when the soldiers stopped taking the tablets, they had severe withdrawal symptoms and became like sleepwalkers for a few days. Not a great attribute in an occupying army.
‘By 1942, the German Health Leader decided the upside wasn’t worth the downside, re-categorised the pills under their Opium Law, which made them illegal, and closed the factory in Berlin. But the genie was out of the bottle. The factory relocated to keep the supply going to Hitler and other senior people, and to feed the growing black market among soldiers that eventually spilled over into the wider population as a recreational drug. It became a large organised drug supply network.’
Sandra gasped. ‘Jesus, Alex. How do you know these things?’
He smiled. ‘Because, ma’am, two weeks ago, on a busy Saturday afternoon, a man got knocked down and killed by a bus in the Saltmarket. Several witnesses said he shouted he was flying, as he ran onto the road in front of the bus.
‘Now, the man was a low-level gangster called Willie Milne, renowned as having been at the front of the queue when the good looks were handed out, but at the back of the queue when the brains were handed out. Handsome, but dumb. And to make it more interesting, he was married to the sister of that man’s wife.’ He pointed to the picture of Sam McFadden..
Sandra’s jaw dropped again.
‘And when we dealt with Milne’s body, we found a packet with four of these tablets in an inside pocket. At the time, I didn’t know what they were, so I called a pal in the Met who specialises in these matters, and he told me all about them. He’d got loads of info from a friendly German medic in a POW camp in Hampshire.
‘In fact, since the end of the war, these Stukas have now appeared in many of our major British cities. I’d suggest, ma’am, this looks like a local drug dealer’s stash.’
‘Jesus.’ Sandra glanced over at Tom, who looked stunned.
Roberts went on. ‘Now, it’s not illegal to possess these pills in this country, ma’am, and the tablets we found on Milne were handed to his family with the rest of his things. So, I’d hazard a guess this man, Sam McFadden, has had an earwigging from his wife, to find the man who supplied the tablets to her sister’s husband and effectively killed him. And Sam has decided either to exact retribution on the supplier or take over a lucrative business. These tablets sell on the street for two pounds a pop. Whatever his motives, I’d say he’s trying to find the dealer and his supply. So, the question is, how does he end up at Tommy Thomson’s door with a key in his hand?’
‘Good question, Alex. So, you reckon these packs are worth a total of two thousand pounds on the street? I think we need to look after them very carefully.’
‘What else do you want checked, ma’am?’ Roberts asked.
She went to her safe again, and came back with the little black notebook and the suitcase. ‘Could you photograph this notebook for me, Alex? How long would it take?’
He thumbed through the book. ‘About fifteen minutes tops.’
‘Great. And could you check this case for me, please? I think from measurements, there are hidden sections in the case, top and bottom, but when you look from the inside it seems solid. Could you confirm that for me one way or the other? ’
‘Sure.’ He got up and left the room.
Sandra looked at Tom. ‘What do you think?’
Tom sighed. ‘Well, I think the Doc’s question’s bang on. From your earlier analysis you said a criminal could only get that lead from the police. What do we do about it, ma’am?’
Sandra leaned back in her chair with her hands behind her head. ‘Right. I’ll arrange to see our Chief Constable later this morning and give him the evidence as I see it. I can’t take any other direct action, and it’s up to him to deal with his officers. I’ll also contact Burnett. This could get very messy, and I’ll need all the support I can get.
‘Put the evidence bag and case into our SB evidence vault, Tom. It means no one can then access it without my permission. Make sure everything’s recorded. And then chase up the three teams we set up last night, re Huizen. Let’s meet at four for an update unless something breaks earlier.’
Tom stood up. ‘Will do, ma’am. Talk later.’ He left the room.
She picked up the phone and got a slot to see the chief in two hours time. Then called Burnett. She took him through the sequence of events that had started with the call from Porritt. Burnett also had a lead role on Aquila and understood the background.
‘However,’ he said, ‘Once you heard about the possible second murder last night, and you knew the second victim’s name and address had been falsely used for drug dealing by the first victim, you should have told the SIO. Now, I know why you didn’t, because you don’t trust him, which has now been confirmed with your hidden camera. So, to that extent, your delay’s justified. But, I think you need to take your local CC into your confidence now. Show him your evidence, the photos, the gaps in the case file, and let him sort out the problem with the SIO. Don’t waffle, keep calm, and give him the facts.
‘As for the drugs, unless you think they’ve anything to do with the Aquila backwash, then agree with the CC what to do with them. As far as we know, they’re not illegal, so by right, you should return them to the first victim’s family as part of his assets.
‘Now, I’ll back you, Sandra, if you need it, but I think you’ve got to get back to tracing the mysterious Dutchman. That’s what Porritt wants – and needs.
‘Thank you, sir. ’
‘No problem, Sandra. Let me know how it goes with your CC.’ He rang off.
She sat and pondered the conversation. Her instincts told her the situation was more complex than Burnett appreciated. But he was right. If she couldn’t link the drugs to Aquila, she shouldn’t get distracted by them. First things first. She’d need to handle the CC very carefully, and began to work out what to say. She glanced at the clock. Just one hour to go.
***
Ten minutes later, she sensed a commotion in the outer office and looked up to see Assistant Chief Constable Douglas marching towards her room accompanied by another officer in the uniform of a Chief Superintendent. Uh, oh. This looked like trouble with a capital T. Douglas was always a cold fish, but ice-cold towards her. She took little consolation from the fact he’d been the same with her predecessor.
She stood up and tried to stay calm. ‘In what context, sir?’
‘In the context of our possible murder scene last night.’
She held up a hand. ‘Just one moment, sir.’ She went to her door and signalled over to Tom to join her. She needed a witness here. Then she remembered she had a recording machine on her conference table. Tom came in and she indicated they should all sit round the table. ‘For the avoidance of future doubt, I suggest we record this, sir.’
His eyes narrowed and he gritted his teeth.
She started the recorder. ‘Meeting at Glasgow Police HQ on Thursday 6th December, 1945. Officers attending, ACC Douglas, CS . . .’ She looked over and waited.
‘CS Taylor of Renfrewshire Police,’ the officer said.
‘Superintendent Maxwell, and Inspector Hamilton. Time 10.43 am,’ she went on. ‘Right, sir, would you care to begin?’
Douglas’s lips tightened and he glared at her. ‘This meeting relates to events last night and this morning in relation to the suspicious death of David Wilson at his home around ten pm last night. Do you know about this death, Superintendent?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘When did you know about it?’
‘Just after eleven o’clock last night.’
‘I see. And you didn’t think to tell any of my officers you’d been in the flat? Why was that? You know the first hours are vital. So why didn’t you tell us? My officers spent hours trying to trace a rogue fingerprint lifted from a side table, before finding it was yours, Superintendent. It’s now almost twelve hours since you knew about this death, and you still haven’t told us why you were there.’
‘It was part of our legitimate enquiries into the death of Tommy Thomson last weekend, sir. Wilson’s name came up as a close associate of Thomson, and so we visited him last night just before eight o’clock to ask him about Thomson.’
‘So, why didn’t you just call us?’
‘Because Wilson’s death had a potential impact on my investigations, and I wanted to see how it played out.’
‘What impact?’
‘I’m afraid I can’t say at this moment, sir.’
‘You can’t, or you won’t?’
‘It’s the latter, sir.’
‘Oh, I see. So, to hell with the fact we have a potential murder on our hands, your case takes priority. Is that it?’
Sandra didn’t reply.
He raised his eyebrows. ‘Well, there’s nothing you’ve said so far that explains this critical delay. Are you going to tell me now?’
‘No, sir.’ She swallowed. She’d now gone out on a limb.
‘Really? Well, as far as I’m concerned, that’s a gross dereliction of duty, and I’m going to recommend to Commander Burnett you’re suspended pending an investigation. If you were mine, I’d have you out on your ear in a heartbeat.
‘It was all very well for Porritt to take control of Special Branch nationally during the war, but now the war’s over, I think you and your lot should revert back to local control. We can’t have you clod-hopping around our work. Therefore, you will not meet or talk with any of my officers on any subject without CS Taylor, as an independent witness, being present. Do you understand?’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘I dare say we’ll talk again later.’ He got up and marched out the door.
Sandra spoke into the recorder, ‘Interview ended, 11.04 am,’ and switched off.
CS Taylor cleared his throat. ‘I want to make clear, I’m not here to interfere with your work. In any case, I don’t have the right security clearance for what you do. So, if you point me at a desk, I’ll get on with my own work. Let me know when you’re meeting with any of ACC Douglas’s staff, and I’ll join you.’
‘Right, sir.’ She pointed to a desk in the far left-hand corner of the outer office. ‘You can use that desk, sir. It’s free at the moment.’
‘Fine, Superintendent.’ He left her room.
Sandra turned to Tom. ‘You come with me to see the chief in ten minutes, and bring the recorder with you.’
‘Will do, ma’am.’
***
Sandra and Tom waited in the secretary’s office. The chief was running late. Then his door opened and ACC Douglas emerged. He glanced at them and stopped in surprise for a moment, then continued to march out of the room.
The chief appeared at the door. ‘Sandra, please come in. Sorry to have kept you.’ He frowned ‘Is Inspector Hamilton joining us as well?’
Sandra nodded. ‘Yes, sir. If that’s okay?’
‘Sure.’ He showed them into his room. ‘I’ve just had ACC Douglas in here fuming about your behaviour, and your refusal to explain your actions. Do I get the feeling you’re about to tell me?’
‘Yes, sir.’
He looked at the recorder. ‘And you want to record this?’
‘Yes, sir. For the avoidance of future doubt on a sensitive matter.’
He pursed his lips and went to the door. ‘Christine, could you ask ACC Clarke to step in here right away, please?’
Clarke was okay, Sandra thought. Head of Admin.
‘Right, let’s get set up around this table.’ Clarke came in and shook hands with Sandra and Tom. Sandra gave the introductions on the recorder.
She then took the chief through her actions in investigating Thomson’s death, and her findings. When she finished, the chief sat back and studied her. ‘Are you alleging collusion between one of my officers and known gangsters, Superintendent?’
‘I’m presenting the evidence, sir. It’s up to you to draw the relevant conclusions.’
He sat with his chin resting on pointed hands, looking at the photos. He passed the photos to Clarke. ‘Who’s that with DI Bruce? One of his team?’
Sandra watched Clarke examine the photo. She’d like to know too.
Clarke studied the picture, then shook his head. ‘Don’t recognise him, sir.’
‘Really? Well, well.’ The chief sat in silence for a minute. ‘And where are the drugs now?’ he asked Sandra.
‘I have them in safe custody, sir, in my secure evidence vault. We’re still checking on whether there’s any connection between the drugs and Aquila. Doc Roberts tells me the drugs are not illegal in this country, and so we’ll offer to return them to Thomson’s family as part of his assets when our investigations are complete.’
‘I see.’ He sat and thought for several minutes. ‘Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention, Superintendent. We now have a difficult decision to make. I’d like you to keep this matter strictly confidential, please.’
‘Will do, sir, though I’ll need to brief Commander Burnett on this meeting. We would also appreciate it if you kept the reason behind Thomson’s death confidential.’
‘Yes, of course. And I can tell you I will not support ACC Douglas’s request to have you suspended, and will remove the oversight role of CS Taylor with immediate effect.’
‘Thank you, sir.’
***
Sandra updated Commander Burnett when she got back to her office
‘Right,’ he said. ‘Let’s leave it to your CC to solve his own problems. You stick to your line. Present the evidence, and don’t give an opinion one way or the other.’
‘Will do, sir.’
‘I was interested in your drug findings, though, and talked to a pal in the Met who knows about these things. He got very excited about the evidence you picked up at Thomson’s flat, and he’s now got me involved in a high-level meeting this afternoon. Apparently, the Home Secretary’s very concerned at the rapid spread of these drugs and wants to know what we can do about it. Although it’s not our area, if it turns out there’s an overseas connection, then we’ll get dragged in anyway. I’ll let you know what happens.’
‘Sounds exciting.’
He snorted. ‘No such thing as an exciting Home Office meeting, Sandra. These people have an unc
anny ability to turn every initiative into a bureaucratic maze that, once you’re in, it’s difficult to find your way out.’
She laughed. ‘Well, I look forward to hearing about it anyway.’
‘Okay, talk later.’ He rang off.
She smiled as she hung up the phone. Burnett was good to work with. He gave clear and direct instructions once and then moved on. And he also saw the bigger picture. Just right for that level.
She looked up as Tom knocked the door and came in. ‘Got a minute, ma’am?’
‘Sure.’ She indicated for him to take a seat.
‘I’ve just had an update. All three teams have got results.’
‘Already? Christ, that was quick.’
‘Good people, ma’am.’
‘So, what’s the news?’
‘First, we found the bus conductor from Friday night. He recognised Huizen’s picture. A hundred percent positive. Huizen got on a seventy-one bus coming in from East Kilbride at Dalmarnock Bridge around five past eleven. The conductor said he looked dishevelled. His coat was dirty, like he’d been in a fight. He sat in a daze the whole way into Glasgow.’
‘So, our theory was right, then?’
‘Looks like it, ma’am. Huizen stumbled off the bus at Killermont Street Bus Station and staggered away.’
‘Right. Do we know where he went then?’
‘We do, ma’am. Your idea of the north-side hotels paid off. We found a Mr and Mrs Huizen stayed at a small private hotel out the Great Western Road near Anniesland Cross from Wednesday to Saturday last week. Again a hundred percent positive ID on the photo. We’ve got the prints boys out there now, though the room’s been cleaned in the meantime, hopefully not too well.’
‘Brilliant. What do we know about them?’
He checked his notes. ‘Pleasant couple. Showed a photo ID on arrival. She’s an attractive blonde. Kept to themselves. Out during the day. She always wore a long, grey raincoat. He had business meetings in the evenings, and came back very late on Friday night. The owner heard him arrive around one o’clock and shortly after, being violently sick in the bathroom. They ordered a taxi for six o’clock on Saturday morning to take them to Central Station, paid their bill in full and disappeared. That’s it so far, ma’am.’
