DI Lorne Simpkins 08 - Hostile Justice

by M A Comley

  Lorne frowned. “Hold on a second, who said anything about being blackmailed? The man has merely asked for help in exchange for valuable proof. I’m sorry, Superintendent White, but please explain to me how that is blackmail?”

  She waved her hand in the air dismissively. “It was an off-the-cuff remark. I apologise.”

  “With respect, ma’am, that’s the way witness protection has always worked. They give us information which will help convict criminals, and we, in turn, protect them until the court date arrives, and after, if necessary. It’s a no-brainer to me.”

  Lorne heard Sean’s throat make a funny noise. He placed his hand over his mouth, disguising the smirk, and pretended to clear his throat. “I’m sorry, my throat has been a little dicey for a few days now.”

  Superintendent White glared at him for an instant then turned back to look at Lorne. “I’m well aware of how the system works, DS Warner. The fact is, there are limited houses available, and all heads of departments were issued with a directive last month that these cases be carefully considered before jumping in feet first. Am I making myself clear?”

  Lorne shrugged. “Exceptionally clear. So, I’ll go downstairs and tell the informant ‘thanks, we’ll use the info, but as regards to your safety, well…‌no can do on that front. Call back another time when it’s more convenient’…‌shall I?”

  Katy was facing Lorne and rolled her eyes up to the ceiling, probably expecting the roof to be taken off any second. Instead Ann White placed her dainty backside on the edge of Sean’s desk and rested her hands against her thighs in front of her. “I’d admire your courage to speak out like this, DS Warner…‌Lorne…‌but, truthfully, making smart-mouth remarks like that isn’t going to get you anywhere.”

  “I’m sorry, ma’am, I suppose I was a tad out of line. I appreciate you don’t know me yet—”

  “I know of you, Lorne—your reputation for contradicting authority precedes you. However, I like to draw my own conclusions about people. I don’t make a habit of listening to the bitter and often twisted tales of others.”

  Lorne knew the super was making reference to her predecessor, Lorne’s archenemy in the force. Her shoulders slumped in defeat. “I apologise again, ma’am.”

  “Nonsense. Let me make one thing clear to the lot of you. I took this team on because it was sadly lacking. Don’t look at me like that DCI Roberts. You know as well as I do that the team is very young and inexperienced. I, for one, was relieved and delighted to hear that Lorne was returning to the force. I appreciate being challenged over decisions, and yes, this was a test. I’m happy to see at least one person on this team has the balls to stick up for what they believe is right.” She pointed at Katy and Sean. “Maybe Lorne took the wrong job. Maybe she should have returned as DCI instead of a mere DS.” Katy and Sean exchanged startled glances. Ann White burst out laughing. “I was kidding. Laying my cards on the table, I’m determined to make this the best Murder Investigation Team there has ever been in London. I’m telling you now, I’m a hard taskmaster, but I’m one-hundred-percent fair. I don’t make decisions lightly, and I expect you to fight your corner aggressively if I challenge your decisions. Do I make myself clear?”

  Eyebrows raised, Lorne nodded readily and smiled. She watched the strain ease on Katy’s and Sean’s faces as they agreed too.

  “I can’t hear you?” Superintendent White said, she cupped her hand around her ear and tilted her head towards them.

  “Yes, ma’am,” the three of them responded.

  “I know there are ranks to bear in mind amongst you, but I intend for this team to be just that, a team. You know that old saying, ‘There’s no I in team’…‌well, that’s going to be our motto from now on. I’ve worked with some stuffy-shirted so-and-sos over the years, and I can do without that attitude around here. What say we forge the path we intend to maintain, eh?” Sean was the first to speak. “I’m okay with that, ma’am. Besides, who am I to argue? I’m outnumbered!” He grinned teasingly.

  “What about you, ladies?”

  Katy was the next to speak. “I’ve already had this conversation with Lorne on Monday, as it happens, ma’am. Like you rightly said, Lorne has a wealth of experience that I, for one, will be counting on and learning from. It’ll be great knowing that we’ll all be working from the same hymn sheet.”

  “Lorne?”

  “As long as I get the man downstairs his witness protection sorted out, then I’m in. Times are changing. If other units aren’t willing to move with the times, I say that’s their lookout. The four of us working as an elite team, with years of experience between us, can and will do wonders, I’m sure. Let me add this, Superintendent White, with you at the helm, hearing what you’re saying now, I would have returned to the force a lot sooner.” She turned to Sean. “And DCI Roberts, we’ll try not to let you feel left out too much, we promise.”

  They all laughed, and Sean winked at her. “I’m happy, extremely happy with the way things have turned out. With a new baby on the way, I’ll be relying on you women in more ways than one. It’ll be good knowing that I can count on some compassion when I come into work acting like a zombie after only grabbing an hour’s sleep.”

  Ann coughed lightly then said, “I wouldn’t go that far, Sean. I don’t plan on making exceptions for people not willing to give their all to the group.”

  Sean’s mouth dropped open.

  Ann White looked at Lorne and Katy, shaking her head. “Men, they really are so gullible, aren’t they, girls?”

  Lorne and Katy chuckled softly, then straightened their faces when Sean scowled at them. With the ice well and truly broken between them, Lorne broached the subject of Marcin again. “So, can I tell the young man downstairs he can expect to be re-homed soon?”

  Superintendent White launched herself off the edge of the desk and headed for the door. “I’ll make the appropriate call now. Come with me, Lorne.”

  Lorne cringed, and Sean and Katy pulled faces at her. “Me and my big mouth,” she whispered before running to catch up with the super.

  CHAPTER NINE

  After receiving the all-clear from the Witness Protection Department via the superintendent, Lorne went in search of AJ. “How’s he doing?” she asked her colleague after calling him out of the interview room.

  “Nervous. How did you get on?”

  “We’ve got the go-ahead. What I want you to do first is to take Graham with you and go to the locations, have a quick look for the carrier bag, not the weapon obviously—our divers will have to take care of that one—then take Marcin home to pick up his wife and children. You may run into bother at the address, so I’d take a couple of PCs with you for backup.”

  “Shall I bring them all back here?”

  “Yep, hopefully we’ll have a new address for them by that time. Be cautious and make sure no one follows you, just in case.”

  “Okay. I’ll see you later.”

  “You stay here. I’ll send Graham down. Good luck. Oh, and if you do find the carrier bag, let me know straightaway so I can do a happy dance, then please drop it at the pathology department. Okay? Also, ring me with the location of where he thinks they disposed of the weapon, so I can organise the frogmen ASAP.”

  “Got it. Be in touch soon, I hope.”

  Lorne ran up the stairs and bumped into Katy outside the incident room. “You left her office unscathed then?” Katy asked with a grin.

  “Yeah. She seems nice enough. It’ll be a nice change not having to deal with so many internal politics.”

  “I thought the same. Let’s hope it doesn’t backfire like these things have a tendency to,” Katy replied, appearing doubtful.

  “I’m sure it’ll be all right. We’ll make sure things run smoothly, eh?”

  “We’ll do our best. What are you up to now?”

  They pushed through the door and entered the office. Lorne halted at Graham’s desk. “Just a sec,” she told Katy. “Graham, can you join AJ downstairs and go with him on an a
ssignment? He’ll explain everything…‌simple enough?”

  “Sure. On my way.”

  “What was that all about?” Katy asked.

  Lorne explained over a cup of coffee in the office. “So, it’s a waiting game again. They should be back in a couple of hours.”

  “One thing puzzled me about what the guy said.”

  Lorne frowned. “You mean what Marcin said? Which part?”

  “He said they picked her up from the bus station. Do you think he meant coach station?”

  “I’ll look into it. I’m a little rusty with regard to areas. In Poland, there might not be a distinction between buses and coaches. I’ll ask AJ about it later—he can check the CCTV footage from the coach station, and maybe it’ll tell us something. Is that good?”

  “Good idea. It begs the question what the woman was doing there, doesn’t it?”

  “You’re right. She could have been fleeing something or someone. Maybe she’s another illegal who’d stashed away enough money and was trying to make her escape.”

  Katy sipped her coffee and nibbled at the sandwich she’d bought from the vending machine on the way in. “It might be a lead worth following. We’ve got around three hours before the first partygoers turn up. That should give you and AJ time to investigate the footage or make a start, at least.”

  “That’s the plan…‌depends how long he takes to bring Marcin’s family in and whether or not he finds the bag. I asked him to drop the bag off to Patti, if they find it.”

  “Nasty case. Women are so disrespected by men. Sometimes seeing the shit we see, I’m grateful that I’m still single.”

  “Yeah, you’ve had your share of grief in the past. It shouldn’t put you off trying to achieve happiness in the future though, Katy. Look at me. I never thought I’d find such an understanding bloke as Tony. I wasted so many years being miserable with Tom, I’d hate for you to be tormented by regrets like I was. The thing is, we only stayed together for Charlie’s sake. She’s a far more rounded person now that Tom and I are apart and with other partners. She really loves Tony, too, which makes for a harmonious home life.”

  “I’m glad everything worked out well for you and Tony. I know many people who would be envious of the relationship you two have. I think I’m happy enough right now though, single and working my way up the police ladder.”

  Lorne laughed. “Watch out Sean, in that case. His job will be in your sights next.”

  “Not right now. I’m happy learning at this level for a while. His job’s safe,” she said, then added with a grin, “for the moment.”

  • • •

  AJ and Graham returned to the station at about two. En route they had rung Lorne with the river location, who in turn reported it to the dive team. AJ had also found the remnants of the bag and rushed it to Patti and her forensic team. Lorne indeed subjected everyone to one of her happy dances. Patti would be working on thorough testing on the bag shortly—she had one more case to finish up first before she could get to it.

  Lorne rushed downstairs to greet Marcin’s family. She didn’t want Marcin to think he was being brushed aside and forgotten after divulging so much information. When she walked into the interview room, Marcin was fiercely cuddling his wife and watching his children fondly. One of the children, a little boy, was in a makeshift cot made out of an orange box. The other child, a cute little girl with jet-black hair and ringlets, sat in one of the chairs at the table, swinging her legs. She stopped when she saw Lorne and eyed her shyly from beneath long lashes. Bending down beside the girl, who was about four, Lorne asked, “What’s your name, little one?”

  Twisting one of her ringlets, the little girl leaned forward and whispered, “Not telling.”

  Lorne pinched her nose. “Good girl. Never tell strangers your name.”

  Standing up, she walked across the room and shook Marcin’s wife’s hand. It was a vigorous shake and the tearful woman bent to kiss Lorne’s hand. She started speaking in a strange language. Her husband eagerly translated for her. “She said thank you. Thank you for saving our lives.”

  Lorne rubbed the woman’s arm. “You’re welcome. You stay here until we’ve made the proper arrangements for you, okay?”

  “Will it be long? My family is very hungry.”

  “Not too long, but I’ll get you all something to eat now.” Marcin shook her hand, only slightly less vigorously than his wife had moments earlier. “Thank you from here.” He placed his other hand over his heart.

  “You’re welcome. Bear with me a moment longer.”

  At reception she handed the desk sergeant twenty pounds of her own money. “John, do me a favour? Send out for a pizza or something substantial like that for the family, will you? They’re half-starved. Actually make it two pizzas—use the twenty.”

  With her good deed completed for the day, she returned to the incident room and proceeded to get things organised for when the partygoers showed up in a few hours. She wrote out a list of ten questions, spacing them out on a sheet of A4 paper, leaving enough room for whoever was asking the questions to fill in the appropriate answers. Then she photocopied them and placed them in a pile on her desk. She spent the next few hours twiddling her thumbs, going over Marcin’s account of what had happened. She began to make notes of probable reasons why the woman was abducted and ultimately killed.

  Human-trafficking: was the girl caught up in a forced prostitution setup that she was trying to escape? Lorne had seen plenty of evidence of this type of thing over the years, especially where Eastern Europeans were concerned. Knowing where the woman originated from would be helpful; perhaps Patti would be able to provide more details on that soon.

  Organised crime: there were plenty of opposing gangs in the London area, each notorious for “sorting out” the other gang’s members or their relatives.

  Domestic violence: this one, despite thinking long and hard about it, she found hard to believe could turn out to be the reason behind the woman’s death.

  “What are you doing?” Katy asked, standing behind her and looking over her shoulder.

  “Just scribbling notes, as usual. Filling in time.”

  Katy perched on the desk alongside Lorne’s. “The first lot of people should be here soon. Are you ready for them?”

  Lorne tapped the pile of papers in front of her. “I’ve drawn up a list of questions for each officer to go through, that way we’ll be certain there are no cock-ups—quashes the temptation to ask irrelevant questions. I hope that was the right thing to do?”

  “Yes, I should have thought about asking someone to do that. Thanks, Lorne.”

  “No bother. You know me. I’m not one for sitting around here doing nothing.”

  “With regard to the other case, Marcin and his family are on their way to the safe house now. I’ve told the officers taking them to ensure they’re not followed. Let’s hope Patti comes up with something soon, eh? By what AJ said, there wasn’t much left of the head when they found it. I’ve had news that the dive team is at the scene. We should hear back from them later today.”

  “Fingers crossed they find the weapon—maybe we’ll be able to get prints off it. Although if the culprits are foreigners, we’re going to have trouble matching them up with our system, unless they’ve got a record in this country.”

  The phone rang on Lorne’s desk, and she quickly answered it, “DS Warner.”

  “Ma’am, the first people have arrived to see you and your team,” the desk sergeant informed her.

  “Thanks, John, we’ll be right down.” She replaced the phone. “The first ones have arrived. Do you want me to handle it?”

  “We’ll both go down there. Shall we give a time limit for each interview? I doubt many of them will prove to be successful anyway.”

  “Ten or fifteen minutes should be enough, unless we hit the jackpot with one of them.”

  Questions in hand, Lorne followed Katy down the stairs. They greeted the first two boys and took them into separate interview roo
ms. Both of the interviews proved to be pointless. They had the same result with the next two interviewees, who were girls. Lorne collected the next two youths and showed one of the boys into the interview room occupied by Katy and took the other boy with her into another room and settled him at the table opposite her. “Name?”

  The boy, whose face was covered in the worst case of acne she’d ever seen, told her, “Damon Sanders.”

  “Right, Damon. There’s really no need to be nervous. I’m going to ask you a few questions. Mostly they’ll require a yes or no answer, okay?”

  “Yeah, I want to help for sure. Wendy was an ace girl; it’s a shame she’s gone.”

  Lorne nodded and smiled sympathetically at the boy. “Did you recognise the boys who gate-crashed the party?”

  The boy hesitated and looked down at his clenched hands.

  “Damon?” Lorne prompted.

  “I’m scared.”

  “Of the boys?”

  “Yes.” He flicked his head, forcing back the hair that had flopped into his eyes. His gaze found hers for the first time.

  “So you know them, and I take it you’re aware of their reputation?”

  “Yes.”

  “Where do you know them from, Damon?”

  “I saw them recently. A few weeks back on one of the markets, a Sunday market.”

  Taking notes, she asked, “Were they wandering around the market?”

  “No. They had a stall.”

  Lorne’s interest piqued, and she sat forward on the edge of her seat. “A stall selling alcohol?” Even as she asked the question, she knew what the boy’s answer was going to be.

  “No.” His eyes lost contact with hers.

  “Then what?”

  “I don’t know…‌all sorts of things, I suppose.”

  “Damon, you need to give me a hint. Did you buy something off the stall? Is that why you’re being evasive?”

  “Yes. I’m sorry, I had no idea the stuff was fake. My parents don’t have a lot of money, but I really wanted those trainers.”