Heartless Reaction

by Dawn Marsanne

  ‘I know. Personally, I’ll be doing everything I can to keep the University connected with PersCure. It’s only a few months since the launch.’

  ‘What timescales are we talking about here?’asked Matt.

  ‘Well, I’m not sure but these things always take a while to work through. Six months, a year possibly.’

  ‘You’ve just made my day,’ said Brett, sullenly.

  ‘It’s not Hilary’s fault. Don’t take it out on her,’ admonished his colleague.

  ‘Sorry, it’s just a bit of a shock. We were going to offer a position to another postdoc. I’m glad we didn’t or we would have looked a couple of pillocks if we then withdrew it.’

  ‘Well, that’s all I wanted to say. I thought I should tell you in person, thanks for stopping by. Obviously, I’ll keep in touch and let you know as soon as I hear anything.’

  The meeting finished. Brett and Matt left the room.

  ‘Fancy a coffee?’ said Matt.

  ‘I fancy a drink,’ replied Brett.

  ‘Well, coffee will have to do for the moment. I’ll tell Nick the news. I’m a bit surprised I must say. I’d like to speak to Ian to see what his view is on this.’

  ‘It’s probably Phil Sweetman’s idea because he didn’t get any shares,’ joked Brett.

  ‘You better contact Jake Marsfield, see if he’s got a spare million looking for a home. He might be interested?’

  ‘Will do. Perhaps we should look at a flotation on AIM, go public, what do you think?’

  ‘We need advice on that. Speak to Prentice and Williamson, they’ve been involved in similar ventures.’ The company Matt mentioned advised on business matters and investment.

  ‘I’m sure our accountants will be pleased. More work for them.’

  Lovesey & Hawkes, the accountants for PersCure, handled the investment funding, audited all their accounts and submitted the tax returns. Matt and Brett stood silently in the coffee queue processing the information they’d just received and thinking life was never dull, that was certain.

  Chapter 16

  Shani Patel was exhausted as it had been after midnight when she had finally got home after speaking to Wayne Roberts. Now she was back at her desk after visiting the hospital to look at their security footage from the previous day, scanning the film was soporific and a few times she had felt her eyelids drooping. It had taken a while but they had managed to find the section where Jason Dawes had left the hospital along with another male. Both had been clever to obscure their faces from the CCTV cameras so it wasn’t a great help.

  ‘Hi, Shani. How’s it going?’ asked DS Walters. ‘You look exhausted.’

  She was aware of Andy looking at her quizzically as if trying to work out why she looked different.

  ‘Oh, I’m OK,’ said Shani, smiling weakly. She’d had to remove her smudged kohl eye makeup on return to the station and hadn’t bothered to replace it. She remembered rubbing her eyes, battling her tiredness as the CCTV images sped past. ‘Well, I managed to find the correct CCTV footage at the hospital. They left the building at 17.37 p.m. and drove out of the car park five minutes later.’

  ‘So have we identified the car?’

  ‘I’ve got a registration number.’

  ‘Great! Owner?’

  ‘The previous owner was a Mr Cyril Hunter, aged eighty-three, who lives in a nursing home. The car was registered as scrapped a year ago. Someone has been naughty and kept the plates. Also, the car was scrapped at the same garage as the one where we believe Jason Dawes got his false plates from.’

  ‘How interesting,’ said Andy. ‘This was a well-planned operation. Make and model?’

  ‘Vauxhall Astra. Rather ubiquitous. Dark coloured, blue, black, something like that from what I could make out on the film.’

  ‘What a pain. Have we any idea where it went after the hospital?’

  ‘Well, it went towards the town, after that, I’ve not managed to track it down. It’s possible the plates were changed again.’

  ‘So we’ve no idea where Jason is then?’

  ‘Not at the moment.’

  ‘OK, well, you’ve done what you can. Go and visit this garage, see what you can find out.’

  ‘Will, do.’

  ‘So, I hear you’ve got an admirer?’ said Andy, smiling.

  Shani looked puzzled.

  ‘Our Wayne. Asked for you personally I hear.’

  Shani laughed. ‘Oh, I attract all the best characters. Yes, once I hear the duty solicitor has arrived I’ll be going to speak to him. Do you want to sit in?’

  ‘No, not this time. He might be more likely to open up. Take Dave with you but you lead the questions. Focus on the County Drug Line aspect. See what else we can find out about the new boys on the scene.’

  ‘OK, sir will do. I’ll report straight back to you.’

  Andy wandered back to his desk, collecting a coffee on the way. He realised that they might have to give up on Jason Dawes for the moment. He didn’t believe Ron Radford’s story that he’d not been in touch with him. Sean Bailey’s phone records had shown a couple of PAYG numbers one of which had been triangulated to a mast near Brensford Manor. It was entirely possible Radford had an untraceable phone or one of his employees had or perhaps Jason had visited there and got a call whilst in the vicinity. If only the law could be changed so that PAYG phones had to be registered properly and not remain anonymous it would help the police enormously.

  He closed his eyes and thought back to the visit to Brensford Manor. The woman they’d met there seemed very pleasant. Hugely different from Radford’s late wife who had drowned in the swimming pool. Maureen Welch. Was that the same Welch as in Welch Properties?

  Andy woke up his computer and started to look into Mrs Welch’s background. He was curious about the new occupant of Brensford Manor.

  **

  Shani gave the necessary introductions for the tape. The duty solicitor, James Bagshaw was also present. He had represented Wayne Roberts before although it was just chance that he was available this morning. Before the interview, he had spent fifteen minutes with his client to hear his side of the story.

  ‘So, Wayne, would you like to tell us what came to you in the night when your memory improved?’asked Shani, starting the questioning.

  ‘I’m still not going to reveal the name of my supplier but I overheard him on the phone one day arranging to meet someone. I’m sure it was about his next supply.’

  ‘And this was?’

  ‘I’m sure it was Preston, that’s what it sounded like.’

  Shani and Dave looked at one another.

  ‘Preston? Was that a name or a place?’

  ‘Well, he just said Preston but he was definitely talking about a person, not a place.’

  ‘Do you think this was a first name or a surname?’

  Wayne merely shrugged.

  Shani made a note.

  ‘Anything else?’

  ‘That’s it. I’m being helpful, aren’t I? So are you going to drop the charges against me?’

  ‘Don’t make me laugh. We were expecting a lot more than that. You will appear before the magistrates tomorrow to face charges of possession and dealing.’

  ‘But I didn’t have anything on me when you picked me up!’

  ‘We have a witness who saw you in the Bradfield Arms handing over a wrap and receiving money.’

  Wayne looked worried. His solicitor whispered in his ear.

  ‘I’ve just remembered something else,’ he said.

  ‘Your memory is rather erratic, isn’t it? Comes in fits and starts. You should mention it to your GP when you go. Also about your drug habit,’ said Dave.

  ‘There is no need to be sarcastic or insulting,’ said the solicitor. ‘My client deserves to be treated with respect.’

  ‘Please accept my apologies,’ said Dave again with sarcasm. ‘No hard feelings Wayne, I hope?’

  The solicitor glared at him.

  ‘These Kilburn Boys, they’ve moved in
to one property and started lodging there. Cuckooing, it’s called.’

  ‘We know, there’s no need to explain to us the terms,’ said Shani becoming impatient.

  ‘Why don’t you let my client speak instead of picking on him?’ said James Bagshaw.

  Shani nodded at Wayne.

  ‘Well, they’ve taken over a flat in Regent Road on the Lensfield Estate.’

  ‘How do you know that?’ Shani asked.

  ‘I just do, it’s complicated.’

  ‘Which flat?’

  ‘Number thirty-one.’

  ‘Who lives there as well?’

  ‘Nobody, they forced him out. He’s gone to live with mates, couldn’t stand it no more. The guys are violent.’

  ‘Who was it who left?’

  ‘Not sure. Goes by the name Mitch, that’s all I know.’

  ‘M-I-T-C-H?’ Shani spelled it out.

  ‘Assume so,’ nodded Wayne.

  ‘So, short for Mitchell is it?’

  ‘I suppose so but I only ever called him Mitch.’

  ‘First name or surname?’ continued Shani.

  Wayne shrugged.

  ‘OK, we can look into it. That it?’

  ‘That’s enough surely? Are you going to drop the charges?’

  ‘I’ll need to consult my senior officer. We’ll be back soon.’

  ‘What about a note for my employer to say I was helping you with something?’

  ‘I’ll see what I can do,’ said Shani.

  ‘I want protection as well?’

  ‘Don’t push it. The best you can do is to keep away from these boys. Go and stay with a mate for the time being.’

  ‘What?’

  ‘I’m serious. And we will need an address before you leave. We might need to contact you again.’

  ‘You’ve conned me! I expected more from that information.’

  ‘We owe you nothing. You’ve led a charmed life for ages. You could have had many more years in prison if we hadn’t been lenient with you. Now keep your nose clean and make yourself scarce. It sounds like this Kilburn gang lot have got a lot of business to concentrate on at the moment, they won’t miss you.’

  Shani and Dave left the room to discuss their findings with Andy and Mike. They would have to inform the Drug Squad as well. Wayne had been quite forthcoming and hopefully, it would lead to some significant arrests.

  Chapter 17

  Two days later..

  Jake Marsfield had a busy morning ahead. He had a couple of meetings with wealthy clients who had entrusted a large portion of their assets to his management and also a strategy meeting with other senior partners at BondFin Asset Management. Global stockmarket growth appeared to be levelling off and there would need to be a shift towards bonds to maintain a reasonable return on clients’ portfolios. Careful allocation to different markets would be needed to balance risk and return. He was fairly sure his projections were sound but they would need to be approved and could be subject to some fine-tuning.

  As he flicked through his notes he hoped that his large Americano coffee would sharpen his mind. He was feeling rather woolly headed after a late dinner last night with his friend Theo Henchard, who seemed to be able to drink like a fish and remain stone cold sober. Jake felt the stubble on his face and hoped he didn’t look too unkempt. He really should have shaved this morning but having pressed snooze several times, he’d left in a hurry, taking the quickest of showers in order to avoid the busiest time on the Tube.

  Theo had once again tried to persuade him to join the lucrative world of options trading as there was a vacant position in his company. Jake had some experience in that field in his younger days but felt he lacked the acumen required. He had carved out a reputation as a solid stock investor and had risen quickly up the ranks at BondFin and that was where he intended to stay. In five years time, the top position could well be within reach.

  There was a knock at his door and his personal assistant, Ursula popped her head into his office. Ursula had worked for the company for the past twenty years and now in her mid-fifties had hinted that her time in the city would soon draw to a close.

  ‘Ursula, yes, come in.’

  She closed the door carefully and approached his desk so she could speak quietly.

  ‘There are a couple of people here from the FCA to see you. Well, one is actually from the newly formed group, OPBAS, I think that’s the right acronym.’

  ‘I’ve nothing in the diary,’ frowned Jake. ‘I’m busy this morning. Mr Charlesworth will be here in half an hour.’

  ‘Yes, I know but they are very insistent.’

  ‘Names?’

  She handed over two business cards.

  Jake sighed. He looked at the business cards and for Ursula’s benefit frowned. Inwardly, a wave of panic washed over him. He recognised the names as he had been in contact with them before.

  ‘Well, you better show them in and make sure Mr Charlesworth is looked after properly. Take him to another waiting area or better still, see whether the big meeting room is free. Get a nice tray of refreshments together, not just coffee,’ he instructed, trying to remain as calm as possible.

  ‘Right ho, I’ll see to it. Sorry about this.’

  ‘Not your fault. God, I hope one of my team’s not been up to something.’

  Ursula nodded and left his office. Jake was beginning to feel worried and hoped Ursula hadn’t noticed his slight agitation. Suddenly he no longer felt like his coffee, his throat felt dry and his head had begun to pound. He quickly popped two painkillers out of a foil strip and washed them down with some water. He went over to his window and was standing casually admiring the view over the city when there was another knock on the door and his visitors were shown in.

  **

  Ron and Maureen were waiting in the reception area of Sandhills, a private hospital on the outskirts of Persford. Maureen had helped herself to a cup of tea from the machine in the reception and was flicking through a magazine whilst Ron scrolled through emails huffing and puffing next to her. He’d been in a foul mood all morning and it wasn’t good that he was working himself up into a state before their appointment with the cardiologist.

  ‘Seems like this place is as bad as the NHS for keeping to time,’ muttered Ron. ‘Twenty minutes late already. I’m never this late for meetings.’

  ‘Perhaps something unexpected has come up,’ said Maureen.

  ‘Ha! Probably having a sleep on the examination couch,’ he said.

  Maureen knew better than to argue. She just hoped that Ron would be polite when they were actually seen.

  She was reading an interesting article about the Japanese garden at Tatton Park in Cheshire when a nurse called Ron’s name and asked them to follow her.

  ‘About bloody time, he whispered.

  They followed the nurse down the corridor and were shown into the doctor’s room.

  ‘Mr Radford, come in, I’m Dr Young. Please take a seat.’ She was in her late thirties, tall and slim with an athletic build. She wore little makeup and her dark brown hair was cut simply in a neat bob. Confidence and professionalism oozed from every pore. Maureen hoped that she had a strong enough personality to match Ron. She didn’t want it to be a wasted visit. Someone had to convince him that he needed treatment.

  **

  ‘Mr Marsfield, I’m Alex Goodwood from the Office for Professional Body Money Laundering Supervision, OPBAS.’

  ‘Olivia Frensman from the FCA.’

  They all shook hands.

  ‘Please take a seat,’ said Jake, motioning towards a round table at the corner of his room. ‘How can I help.’ His eyes lingered on Olivia’s shapely legs which were encased in shimmering black hosiery, paired with high-heeled shoes.

  ‘Mr Marsfield, you were acquainted with a Giles Wentworth who was fined for insider dealing on BioQex shares a little while ago. In fact, you were very helpful in our investigation of him.’ Olivia was leading the interview.

  ‘I trust I am going to remain
anonymous regarding the paperwork I provided to you?’

  ‘Oh, of course. In that matter, your anonymity is assured. We are here to discuss a separate but related matter,’ said Olivia.

  Jake opened his arms in a generous gesture indicating that they should continue.

  ‘Well, as you know the documents ensured that Mr Wentworth was guilty of the charge of insider dealing and paid a considerable fine in order to avoid a jail sentence.’

  ‘Yes he did and he tried to implicate me but I was merely handling his financial transactions. I was entirely innocent.’

  ‘At the time, yes. However, certain documents have come to light which reveal that when BioQex suffered a disaster which hit their share price, your options which were hedging your investment came up trumps.’

  Jake shrugged. He hoped he was maintaining a cool persona but within he was in turmoil.

  Olivia continued in her professional manner. ‘Hedging an investment is in itself a perfectly legal financial instrument, that is not what we are here to discuss. We have been looking at what happened after that incident and indeed a subsequent exercise of options when BioQex was taken over. Our main interest is where the money resided, whether tax evasion took place and what happened when it finally made its way back into the UK.’

  Jake stared levelly.

  ‘We have discovered that you used a complex trail of offshore accounts to hide those profits. No tax has been paid on those monies. You then legitimised them or hoped you had by laundering them through an up and coming company, PersCure,’ said Olivia Frensman.

  ‘Do you have any comments?’ asked Alex.

  ‘Not without legal representation,’ replied Jake. ‘I would like you to leave my office.’

  ‘Of course, sir. The directors of PersCure will be receiving notification of our concerns that they didn’t exercise due diligence. Do not attempt to contact them.’

  ‘Goodbye,’ said Jake.

  Olivia and Alex left his office.

  Jake waited until the door closed and picked up his mobile. His hands were so sweaty he had trouble bringing up the contact he required.