STRANGE BODIES (a gripping crime thriller)

by Antonia Marlowe

  Nick was alarmed at her reaction and said, ‘Oh my God, I’m sorry, so sorry. I shouldn’t have shown you that.’

  He got up and walked quickly to the door. ‘Mrs Halifax, coffee please. Quick as you can. And some water too.’

  ‘There’s water in your fridge, sir,’ she said. ‘I’ll bring the coffee in a few minutes.’

  He got a bottle of cold water from his small fridge, filled a glass and took it to her. Her hands were shaking so much he had to hold the glass steady so she could take a few sips. He watched as she pulled herself together.

  Her colour came back and after another minute, she looked up at him and said, ‘I have seen some pictures of this but they were still photos, and the bodies were lying on the ground, separate, not tied together like that.’ She gestured to the wall screen where the video images had been. ‘I also saw some shots of their backs. There was something carved there but I couldn’t see what it was. I think it was deliberately blurred, because the rest of the shot was clear. What was it? Was it words? They ... the images were emailed to my computer at home yesterday, last night. I don’t understand what’s happening. I didn’t discuss this with anyone. I don’t know how but I think some information on the Richardsons was lifted from my computer.’

  She couldn’t seem to stop talking now. ‘No one should be able to get into my system—it’s protected with multi-level security.’ She bit her lip as if realising the implications of her words.

  Adams was watching her carefully. She was shaken out of her usual calm and now was the best time to push for the information he wanted. He knew she was being less than truthful about something but he before he could push harder, there was a rap at the door and Mrs Halifax came in with coffee for them. ‘I don’t know how you prefer it, Ms Burne, so I brought milk and sugar. The Commander has it black.’ She put the tray on the table.

  She gave a strained smile and said, ‘Thank you, I have it black too. No sugar.’

  As Mrs Halifax left, they both drank, grateful for the respite. Nicholas noticed then what she was wearing. The strong colours suited her as did the subdued makeup she was wearing.

  Verity finished her coffee and put the cup back on the tray between them on the table. He followed suit then said, ‘I am truly sorry, Ms Burne. My anger got the better of me then. I should never have shown you that. Any murder makes me angry and when it’s the sort of overkill that this one seems to be I get even angrier.’

  ‘I understand, but it’s not just the video ... I feel guilty. I feel as though I was responsible for that ... that.’

  He said, with some passion, ‘No, never think that. The people who murdered that couple are the ones responsible, you know that. No matter how corrupt, how bloody awful the Richardsons were they did not deserve that. No one does. And no one has the right to act as judge and jury, to take another life, to decide that they are above the law. I have come a long way to make my home here and I have sworn to uphold the laws of this country, as I did in the Met.’

  He looked a bit embarrassed at the speech that had burst out of him. Verity was looking at him now, her head on one side and, he was pleased to see, a very small smile played around her lips for a second or two.

  ‘To answer your question—the word you saw on their backs—it was burned in with a laser scalpel. It was used to do other … no, believe me you don’t want to know what else was done to them.

  ‘Now, I know you have to protect your sources so we’ll come back to that later. But please tell me how long ago you obtained this information and who you discussed it with.’

  ‘I can’t be exact, but about five or six weeks ago, I received an anonymous email, data about Gerald and Roberta Richardson, and Walter and Cissy Cooper. There was a note telling me to take a very close look at these people, that they were not what they seemed and would make good subjects for RAZZ! I checked them out, found plenty about the Coopers who were on her last show. I’ve still got the emails and I’ll send them to you.

  ‘I tried to trace the source but got nowhere. Well, I got everywhere, bounced from one country, one city to the other, even off Lunar Station Four and various satellites. Someone really knows what they’re doing, which is not easy with BigSys monitoring all transmissions. They must have some powerful programs to do that. And another thing—someone knew I was a researcher for the show and that’s not generally known.’

  That was food for thought and needed further investigation, but Nicholas said, ‘Indeed. In that case, are you sure you didn’t talk to anyone else, Ms Burne?’

  ‘I am sure I didn’t.’

  He took a different tack. ‘Ms Burne, you were seen having lunch two days ago with Marcus Havington at the Apollo. And I’ve been told this is quite a frequent occurrence when he is in Australia.’ He looked straight at her and willed her to meet his eyes. ‘Tell me, what exactly is your relationship with him?’

  He didn’t really think there was anything in those meetings, he still had to check, and he had a personal curiosity that he barely acknowledged. He didn’t, at this stage, know what would turn out to be important.

  Verity looked startled for a second, gave him a steely gaze then said, ‘Excuse me one moment,’ as she tapped a gold pendant on a fine chain. He’d noticed it earlier but had paid no particular attention to it. She stood and walked a few steps away.

  ‘Marcus? Verity. I’m with Commander Adams in his office. He asked me a rather personal question about our relationship … yes … no, I’d rather you spoke to him.’ There was a pause. ‘No, not now. Yes, good idea.’

  She tapped it again and said, ‘Sir Marcus would like a word with you please, Commander. Just speak.’

  ‘Sir Marcus, Nicholas Adams here. I’m sorry to …’

  The voice was surprisingly strong coming from the tiny speaker.

  ‘Nicholas, my boy. Lovely to speak to you again so soon. Now why don’t you pop around to my office and we’ll get this all sorted out.’

  Nicholas glanced over at Verity and couldn’t help noticing a barely concealed smile on her face. ‘I didn’t know you were still in Australia. I tried to call to make that appointment as we discussed but your … Orlando Gray said you didn’t have any time available until next week and that you would be away until then.’

  ‘I was planning to head to New Zealand for a day or two but I can handle that from here. Other more important matters arose. Gray is very protective of me—it is his job after all.’

  ‘Well, I’ve never been clear on exactly what he does.’

  ‘He’s my Systems and Security Chief. Very clever, very highly qualified in all branches of electronics. In fact he’s been head-hunted by almost everyone including …’

  ‘Marcus,’ Verity broke in. ‘Can we sort this out, please?’

  Adams wondered, Was there a note of warning in her voice?

  ‘Of course, of course. Now, Nicholas, can you pop around today some time?’

  ‘Certainly, when would be convenient?’

  ‘Let’s see … it’s twelve fifteen. Shall we say one, that suit you? We can have a bite of lunch together.’

  ‘You mean now?’

  ‘Yes, don’t believe in putting things off. I’m not far away, Gemini Towers, 65th floor. I’ll arrange for you to be met in the foyer and one of the security staff will whisk you up. Until one then.’

  Nicholas looked a little bemused at the exchange that had taken place a few seconds earlier. He said, ‘Well, he’s not going away. Why are you smirking?’

  ‘I’m never too sure where he is at any time but I knew he was here now and I can always contact him with this.’ She touched the pendant. ‘As you pointed out we had lunch two days ago,’ she said somewhat tartly. ‘And to answer your other question, I may have mentioned something to him about a problem I was having but no names. And I didn’t mention the photos because I only got them yesterday. But you can’t possibly suspect him! That would be ridiculous.’

  ‘No, I don’t suspect him. I am simply trying to establish who
might have known a lot about the Richardsons, we have so little to go on. One of my teams is liaising with CID at this stage and we are trying to gather whatever scraps we can.’

  He looked at her pendant and said, ‘And what’s with the phone? I don’t think I’ve seen anything like this before. Is it new?’

  ‘Yes, it is,’ she said shortly. ‘It’s a prototype, and that’s all I can say about it. Is there anything else? I have a conference shortly.’

  ‘I’ll need those photos and the other information you received.’

  ‘I can do that now.’ She pulled an e-tab from her bag. ‘What’s your code number?’ she asked.

  He told her and she keyed in the information. ‘There, you should have them in a second.’

  ‘How on earth did you …’ His voice trailed off. ‘There’s a lot more to you than I thought, isn’t there, Ms Burne.’ It wasn’t a question.

  Nicholas had intended to ask her to have lunch with him but the … invitation? … summons? … from Marcus Havington had scuttled that plan, but no harm in trying. He said, ‘I was going to ask you to have lunch with me but unfortunately Sir Marcus has pre-empted that. Perhaps another time?’

  ‘I am rarely available at midday, Commander,’ she said coolly. ‘But thank you for asking.’

  A little put out at her abrupt dismissal, he said sharply, ‘I’ll need to come and examine your personal computer, the one you received the information and the photos on. In your home office, wasn’t it? I’ve arranged for one of our bright boys to do the work. My computer skills are quite good but not up to the standard of our specialists.’

  She looked dismayed. ‘I have confidential information on there. I can’t …’

  ‘Ms Burne, either we examine your computer at your home or we confiscate it and bring it to CECI.’

  ‘See See?’

  At her puzzled response he added, ‘I mentioned it before—our Cyber and Electronic Crime Investigation division. I’ll arrange it for this afternoon or evening. I strongly suggest you make no alterations or changes to any of your equipment between now and then.’

  She thought for a second then sighed. ‘Very well. Obviously I have no choice here. I should be home by five o’clock. Call me before you arrive and I’ll release the parking barrier outside my house. And now may I ask you a question?’

  ‘Yes, but if it’s about the murders I don’t know if I’ll be able to answer it. I’m keeping in mind that you’re a reporter.’

  ‘I’m just a freelance writer, not an ambulance chaser,’ she retorted. ‘And my question is this: you said this was only one aspect of the case. What are some others?’

  ‘I can’t answer that at the moment. I’m waiting for some information to come in. The investigators are still going over the Richardson’s house and belongings and trying to find their missing vehicle. Maybe I’ll be able to tell you something later today.’

  She rose then and walked to the door. She turned and this time held out her hand. He grasped it gently and said, ‘I’ll see you later today, Miss Burne.’

  He stood in the doorway for a few seconds watching as she thanked Mrs Halifax for the coffee. Max was waiting to escort her back down to her car, he was pleased to see, and wondered if he had been there the whole time. He asked Mrs Halifax.

  She said dryly, ‘Max knows where to find a cup of tea and a piece of cake. It was no hardship for him to wait for your charming visitor.’

  She raised one eyebrow as he said blusteringly, ‘Not a visitor, Mrs Halifax. A possible source of valuable information,’ and turned back to his office.

  Rosemary Halifax wondered, Now what’s got him all hot and bothered? It’s the second time today I’ve seen him flustered. And she’s certainly a lovely looking woman. Hmmm.

  Chapter 19

  Adams contacted the CECI chief, Inspector Lucas. ‘Matty, I need one of your brighter geeks later today, around five. Anyone up for a spot of overtime, about an hour? Out of my budget. I need to track some very nasty images, murder not porn, so someone with a bit of experience. Don’t want the bugger passing out on us.’

  ‘This about the Richardson case, Nick? Heard about that. Yes, very odd, very nasty. Believe they were tortured. I’ll ask around, see who’s available and get back to you in five.’ He broke off abruptly and was back in four. ‘Got someone. He would have been my first choice anyway but he volunteered. Ex-Yank, New York … Jet Blanchard. Made Detective Sergeant here last year. He was a murder cop for a number of years in NY then transferred to electronic crime before he came here so he’s not likely to faint on you.’

  ‘Jet! Is that his real name?’

  ‘No. Jeff, I think … yes, Jeffrey with a J. Jet by name and nature. Works fast and good. Very, very good as we recruited him specifically about three years ago. He’d put in an application for migration and his quals popped up when we ran the standard checks. Yeah, he became a citizen early this year. I remember we had a bit of a do for him. Single, thirty-four, babe magnet too, so I’m told.’

  Nicholas guffawed. ‘Any of your crew not? From what I’ve heard they all are.’

  ‘Well, girl geeks often tend to be on the …umm … plainer side but the current crop, geez, if I was ten years younger.’

  ‘That’s a load of cock, Matty. You and Irene are the happiest couple I know.’

  ‘Yeah, well, no harm in looking, mate. About time you came round for dinner again. Rene was asking about you. She wanted to know if you’d found yourself a girlfriend yet.’

  ‘Please don’t let her set me up again. That lady friend of hers who just “dropped in unexpectedly”? She was even more embarrassed than I was.’

  ‘I hear you got all hot and bothered about the lovely Verity Burne from Circe mag.’

  ‘Who the hell told you that! She’s only just left the building.’

  ‘Ha, that’d be telling.’

  ‘Surely not Mrs Halifax. I couldn’t believe ...’

  ‘Nah. I happened to ride up in the elevator with your security guard a few minutes before you called me. He said you were ogling her as she left.’ He roared laughing. ‘Yep, he actually said, “ogling”.’

  ‘Shit, get hold of the stupid bastard and tell him to keep his fu ... flapping mouth shut. I didn’t ogle, I don’t ogle. I may admire but ogle … never. And I didn’t anyway. Look, I mean … well, maybe I did look …’

  He realised he was waffling so stopped before he could make a complete fool of himself. ‘Ms Burne is certainly an attractive woman. Speaking of which, hers is the computer we need to look at. Send your Jet up to my office around four-thirty and I’ll fill him in on what we need to do. He can come with me to her house and I’ll voucher him an autocab home.’

  ‘OK. Now you bring her along for one of Irene’s gourmet feasts one night,’ Matty said. He rang off with a laugh.

  Nicholas put his head in his hands and groaned. Now I’m thoroughly confused. And who the hell does she remind me of? It must be someone I’ve seen in one of Father’s old movies.

  He decided that as soon as he had an early night, and the energy, he would unpack the box with the collection of video disks and the old player, some of the few personal items he had brought with him, small mementos of happier times. As a young boy he had enjoyed watching those old, old movies with his father, especially the silent ones where everyone walked jerkily, the Keystone Kops his favourites then.

  He buzzed Mrs Halifax. ‘I’m having lunch with Marcus Havington at one o’clock today. I should be back by two to two thirty. What appointments do I have?’

  She looked surprised, but merely said, ‘Nothing until your three o’clock with the Commissioner. You did say Sir Marcus Havington, Commander?’ She frowned. ‘I thought he was away.’

  ‘No, he put that off apparently. Ms Burne contacted him and arranged it. I need a bit of exercise so I’ll walk down to his office. It’s in the new Gemini Towers in Liverpool Street opposite Hyde Park, isn’t it? I said I’d be there at one so if I leave now I should be there in tim
e. Message me if anything urgent comes up.

  ‘Oh, and a DS Blanchard, name of Jet, from CECI will be here at four thirty. We’ll be going to Miss Burne’s place to see if he can track down the source of some graphic photos she was sent. I won’t be back after that so you can leave whenever it suits.’

  He had almost no secrets from Mrs Halifax. She was cleared to a level only two steps below his and her mind was as sharp as a tack. She was responsible for all the security in his offices. She monitored and recorded all meetings unless he indicated otherwise; they had various code phrases for that. He wasn’t sure why she had opted to come to Australia, but was very pleased she had. With his recommendation and endorsement there had been no hiccups with the application. It didn’t matter why—as long as she was here.

  Chapter 20

  Eighty storeys high, the foyer of Gemini One was breathtaking. Glass elevators clung to the inside of the building, their exposed cables like exotic vines amongst a jungle of rich greenery. The ripple and plash of a waterfall cascading from the heights filled the air, competing with bird song and the chatter of crowds thronging the cafes and bars. Nicholas looked up and saw flashes of colour as birds flittered through the greenery of towering palms and exotic plants.

  Before he reached the large circular reception counter, a tall redhead in a dark blue uniform stepped towards him. Her face was too angular for beauty but she was striking, with dark brown eyes and a proud nose. Her hair was pulled back in a severe braid, accentuating high cheekbones and a wide mouth. She smiled at him and spoke in a broad American accent.

  ‘Commander Adams? I’m Lara Nash and I’ll be escorting you to Sir Marcus. If you’ll come this way, sir.’

  She led him down a short corridor, stopped about halfway and pressed her finger on a metal plate set beside a mirrored panel which slid open revealing an elevator. She smiled at his surprised expression and said, ‘Sir Marcus doesn’t care for the glass elevators. This one is direct to his office.’