CAPTIVE ON THE FENS a gripping crime thriller full of twists

by Joy Ellis

  He idly scratched at his chin. Considering all the jobs that Carver had put their way in the past, he felt that they owed Freddie one more favour before they took their leave of this appallingly bleak county. He would honour that debt.

  Carver usually paid him in cash, but for the occasions when this wasn’t possible they had set up a complex system of transferring money safely. It was untraceable, and Mr Fabian knew that as soon as he had agreed to accept this job, Carver would have made a payment into one of his many offshore accounts.

  Fabian reached across to the passenger seat, picked up his briefcase and withdrew an opaque plastic folder. He had not expected to ever have to open it. Carver had said that it was a failsafe and would most likely never be activated, but since the Fat Man’s best laid plans seemed to have gone awry, Mr Fabian’s extraordinary expertise was now called for.

  Inside the envelope was a series of photographs, a set of telephone numbers, a code name, and a short dossier of personal details. He took the first photo and contemplated it seriously. The woman was blonde, petite and looked about as far from the stereotype police officer as you could get. He looked closer and decided that she was considerably older than the ponytail and fresh face showed at first. He checked her date of birth and gave a little nod. She was probably one of the prettiest marks he had ever had the pleasure of dealing with. A lascivious smile spread across his face. So, the last job that he would ever do for Freddie Carver would be a labour of love. How nice. He knew what the Fat Man expected of him but the fact was, Mr Fabian was a great deal more inventive than dear Freddie. And just in case his remuneration didn’t materialise, he would take his reward another way. Every job had its perks.

  He ran a finger lightly over the slim body in the photograph and sighed. Up until now, all of his work had been purely clinical. It had to be for him to remain at the top of his game. He was a professional, with no emotions to hinder him. He and Mr Venables were little more than machines — killing machines. Only once in their whole career had they failed to complete an assignment, and that would never happen again. But this time Mr Fabian realised that he wanted more, something different. After all, it was going to be the last time that he and Carver ever crossed paths. Yes, he would concoct something a little more adventurous for his swansong, and then he and Venables would disappear, like a swirl of fragile marsh mist.

  He sat back, took out his phone, and keyed in one of the numbers on the sheet. As soon as it was answered, he gave the code word. After a few moments a guarded voice said, ‘What do you need?’

  ‘Her duty rota times for the next two days and her whereabouts at present.’

  ‘I’ll text you.’

  The phone went dead.

  Fabian flicked through the other pictures while he waited for the text. They were mostly taken at the police station but others showed her at her home, at the local gym and out jogging on the river towpath. Fabian licked his lips. This was a new game for him. He just hoped he didn’t enjoy it too much. He didn’t want the pleasure to distract him.

  A sharp buzz indicated an incoming message. He read the short text, then shut off the phone. It seemed he needed to act fast to secure his mark, and then, well then he would have all the time in the world to indulge himself. He quickly checked what he had been given with his ordnance survey map and nodded slowly. It was a little way away and in a very wild spot on the edge of the marsh, which was in his favour. He had already reconnoitred the area when he first came to this godforsaken spot. He made a very swift call to Mr Venables while he still had a mobile signal, then allowed a smile to spread across his face. They had work to do. He jammed the seatbelt home, turned on the engine and revved hard out onto the empty road.

  * * *

  As Mr Fabian sped along the main road to the marsh, Nikki was travelling even faster toward Rainer’s Gowt. As she drove, she sifted through the information that had been thrown at her earlier. Her eyes narrowed. Cat and Ben had done a brilliant job in Derbyshire, but they had also caused a chain reaction, one that had put Jessie Nightingale and Graham Hildred in a very bad place indeed. And Jessie was still blissfully unaware of it all. The poor kid didn’t even know that her lovely Graham was alive and at least physically unharmed.

  And Freddie Carver? Nikki knew that there was no loyalty within the kind of criminal fraternity he belonged to. He was a vicious, greedy, cold-blooded hoodlum, and he treated his “personnel” like dirt. If they saw him going down they would not throw him a line. But that meant that right now, with years of planning swirling down the plughole, Freddie would be hurting badly, and like a cornered animal, he could be very dangerous indeed.

  Nikki eased the big Land Rover around a deceptive bend and tried to put herself in Carver’s place. After a while she shuddered and thought better of it. What worried her now was the fact that Carver probably blamed Graham for this calamitous situation, and that meant retribution. And that in turn meant hurting the one thing that Graham truly cared about. Jessie.

  And something else, something she hoped that the Derbyshire detectives had cottoned on to — Carver had two professional assassins in his pocket. That could mean one for Jessie and one for Graham.

  Nikki swallowed and pressed down on the accelerator. She had one thing in her favour. She knew this part of the marsh like she knew the layout of Greenborough nick. Her great aunt had been born in a farm cottage in a hamlet that lay between Rainer’s Gowt and Carter’s Fen, and these dangerous lanes were etched on her memory from childhood. And as twilight lengthened the shadows across the darkening fen, she considered it to be pretty damned lucky that she did.

  * * *

  In another part of the misty water-world, far out near the marsh edge, a barn owl hooted and swooped past an old, decaying cottage. Inside, the person whose cries had disturbed the owl’s flight, lay back on the filthy bed. She was hungry and in pain. He had told her he might be held up, and had left her food and drink. And he had, but last night he never came home. She had become confused, and had eaten it all. Now she was left with nothing but a couple of dry biscuits.

  He had left her a mixture of different pills, and she wanted her other more powerful medication. Some of these had no more effect than an aspirin.

  She pulled the cover up over her, drew her knees up to her chest and closed her eyes to the hateful, agonising place that had become her world. Vaguely she remembered a fun-loving girl who one day had jumped into a beautiful car. Had that been her? That girl had been full of hope. She had been promised an amazing chance to alter her life, and was standing on the brink of something special. She seemed to think that the girl could sing, and dance too. And there was a man as well, a man who excited her and opened forbidden doors for her. Surely that girl could not have been her?

  She tried to sleep. At least she still had the knife, and now the thought of it sliding through pale skin seemed almost comforting.

  * * *

  In Greenborough police station, Dave Harris was still trying to come to terms with what Cat had told him.

  Graham had been found. It was like a fairy story, one in which a terrible ogre had imprisoned the brave prince, and the knights had ridden in to rescue him and return him to his princess. Although in reality, things were not that simple. The princess was out on the fen at nightfall, and right now, the ogre’s henchmen were possibly stalking the brave prince.

  Dave rubbed his eyes. It was a lot to take in. And it would be a whole lot more for Jessie to try to absorb. He smiled ruefully. Jessie had always believed that Graham was still alive, but Dave had not. He had thought that Graham was dead, murdered because of something he knew. The body of one of Graham’s snouts had been found around the same time, so if the informant has been killed, then surely the policeman had too?

  Back then, Dave had had no idea of the Carver/Cavacini connection. He had just supposed it was a whisper about a drug deal that Graham had been following up, and had been taken out for his trouble. But now he felt guilty, as if he had let his old friend
down by not keeping the faith.

  He stretched. He was tired and wanted to go home, but no way was he going to leave the nick until he saw that Jessie, Joseph and Nikki were back safe. He worried more these days. Maybe he was getting old. He knew that each one of them was strong and canny enough to look after themselves, and he knew that they were all dedicated and prepared to take on anything. But he also knew that there were some evil people out there.

  Suddenly Dave realised that the phone was ringing in Joseph’s office. He hurried over and picked it up.

  ‘DS Easter, please.’

  ‘I’m sorry, he’s out at present. Can I take your number and he’ll call you back?’

  There was a grunt of irritation. ‘Will he be long? I’ve tried his mobile but he’s not answering.’

  ‘Look, I’m DC Harris. Is this something I can help with?’

  After a short pause the man said, ‘He came to see me earlier this afternoon. My name is Robbie Lyons and it was to do with the disappearance of Dina Jarvis.’

  ‘I am involved with that investigation, Mr Lyons. Please go on.’

  The man drew in a breath, then blurted out, ‘I’ve seen the man she went away with!’ He gave an exasperated sigh, then went on, ‘Thing is, I was a bit of a prat when your colleague and this other officer came to see me. In truth I was really cut up over Dina and this other rich bloke, but I couldn’t let anyone know. I would have looked like a right wuss.’

  ‘And who is this man?’ Dave asked patiently.

  ‘I told Sergeant Easter that I thought I recognised him when I saw him with Dina just before she went, but I could never place him. Well, after work I went down to the pub for a drink. I was pretty rattled by their visit. It stirred up all the old feelings about Dina. I went to the Leather Bottle but there was a bit of a scrap going on, so I walked to the Olde White Swan, and that’s where I saw him. He was drinking with two hard-looking men in expensive suits.’ He took a breath then went on. ‘Then it all came back to me. That’s where I’d seen him before. He and a group of flash-looking city blokes used to drink there years ago. A mate of mine reckoned that they were entrepreneurs of some kind. I just thought they were crooks.’

  ‘And it never dawned on you at the time that this was the same man you saw with Dina?’

  ‘It was a fleeting glance as she got into his car, and apart from that, he was just a face in a pub I rarely used, no more.’

  ‘How long ago was it you saw him?’

  ‘Half an hour or so. But that isn’t all. I was just thinking that I’d wait until he left and get his car number, or follow him if he was on foot, when this other guy comes charging in and speaks to the three of them, all intense-like. Whatever he said, they jumped up and hightailed it outside. Didn’t even down their drinks, just left them. I ran after them down the alley to the marina, but by the time I got there they had thrown themselves into the back of a big black car and it was already moving.’

  ‘Did you get the number?’

  ‘I would have done, but it had been covered up. I don’t even know the make of the car. It was really big, not quite like one of these limos you see pulling up at film premieres, but not far off.’

  Dave drew in a breath. ‘Look, I’ll relay all of this to Sergeant Easter and our boss. Can you come in and make a formal statement, or can we come to you?’

  ‘I’ll come now, if it helps.’

  ‘I’ll go and inform the desk sergeant that you’ll be here shortly, and I’ll also get an officer down to the pub to see if anyone knows the identity of your man. Thank you, Mr Lyons. You’ve been a great help.’

  Dave hung up and tried to contact Joseph. When he had no luck, he called Nikki, but she had no signal either. It was not uncommon in that remote area, but Dave felt a shiver of concern trickle down his spine and he cursed the appalling lack of radio coverage. He hated to think that his closest friends were out of contact. Then he thought, well, all but one. He rang Cat, and this time he got a reply. ‘Hello, old mate, I’m already on my way back. I’ll see you in around an hour and a half. Have you missed me?’

  ‘You’ll probably never know how much, my little Catkin. Drive safely, okay?’

  She threw him a retort worthy of Nikki Galena herself, and Dave felt a very unusual emotion well up in him. For the first time in years, he wanted to cry. He supposed it was the shock of the news about Graham, but suddenly his work colleagues, who doubled up as dearest friends, had become very precious to him.

  Precious and vulnerable. He swallowed. He wanted them back.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  ‘Is this the right road?’ Jessie stared into the gloom, totally lost.

  Joseph nodded. ‘Yup. We turn left at the next junction to Carter’s Fen and then we follow the road all the way back to the main road into Greenborough.’

  ‘Isn’t Carter’s Fen where Lilli’s body was found?’

  ‘That’s right. At Ruddick’s Farm.’

  Jessie thought for a while. ‘Keel said he’d heard Dina singing out near Carter’s Fen. Do you think there might be a grain of truth in his ramblings?’

  ‘Maybe when we’ve taken a good look at that diary of his, we’ll know more.’ Joseph slowed down at a junction and checked the weathered signpost. ‘I don’t think Keel is a liar. In fact I’m sure of that, but his view of the world and his way of conveying it to others is not exactly easy to decode.’

  Jessie looked up at the darkening sky, then across, along the straight stretch of lane. She pointed. ‘Look at that! Someone is driving this way like a bat out of hell!’

  Joseph cursed softly. ‘Not the way to drive on these back lanes. I just hope he sees our headlights and doesn’t think we’re parked up. There’s nowhere to get away from him on this bit. There are ditches either side of us and no passing places until much further down.’

  Jessie felt a jolt of fear. ‘Oh shit! He’s showing no signs of slowing!’

  ‘Get out, Jess! If that bastard doesn’t stop we’ll be shunted right off the road!’

  Jessie released her seat belt and was just about to leap from the car when she heard Joseph exclaim, ‘Hold up, it’s Nikki! That’s her new Land Rover.’

  They both climbed out of the car and watched as the big 4x4 skidded to a halt a few yards in front of them. Nikki climbed out, her face drawn and worried.

  ‘What on earth has happened?’ asked Joseph.

  Nikki threw up her hands. ‘Where do I start? But first, we have to find somewhere we can talk. And no questions yet, okay? I’m just very glad I’ve found you.’

  Jessie frowned. Whatever was wrong, it was serious. She had never seen the boss act like this. ‘Why can’t we go back to the station, ma’am? Surely that’s the safest place to talk?’

  ‘Not right now it isn’t, and I said no questions.’ Nikki looked around as if searching for inspiration. Then she drew herself up and said, ‘I’m going to reverse back to the nearest passing place. I’ll turn round and I want you to follow me, and by that I mean tailgate me. Understand this, I want you to be so close that if you sneeze I’ll feel the draught on the back of my neck.’

  Joseph nodded and beckoned Jessie to get back in their car. ‘Wilco.’

  Jessie could never have backed along that lane in the dark. She was a good driver but she didn’t have a death wish. Nikki, however, threw her vehicle into reverse and shot backwards as if she were on elastic. In what felt like seconds, Nikki had spun the Land Rover around and was flashing them to get behind her.

  Joseph positioned himself a few feet from her bumper.

  ‘What in heaven’s name is going on?’ Jessie asked.

  ‘Ssh, hush,’ Joseph whispered to her. ‘No questions, remember?’

  ‘I didn’t know that went for you as well.’

  ‘If I do anything right now other than concentrate on the arse of that Land Rover, we’ll be in deep doo-doo.’

  ‘Point taken.’ Jessie sank down in her seat and tried not to let her mind go into overdrive. ‘I just wish I kne
w where we were going.’

  ‘Maybe that has got something to do with it.’ Joseph’s tone was grave, and he was pointing to the horizon, close to where the main road would be.

  Jessie saw a set of headlights pull onto the marsh road. As she watched, they were joined by a second set, then both were dimmed and went out.

  Suddenly her phone rang and she jumped. With shaking hands she pressed receive. It was Nikki. The patchy signal was back.

  ‘Hang on tight, guys. We are going off-road, just trust me.’

  The next five minutes were some of the most hair-raising that Jessie could remember. She had never been a fan of white-knuckle rides, and this was about as scary as it got.

  They finally came to a halt at the rear of an old pumping station, a place the river authority probably checked once a month, if that. They were tucked well off the lane on a small area of concrete parking. To get there they had bounced down a field track and a grassy section of a farmer’s field before picking up a footpath that led to the waterways pump house. Jessie felt as if she had been trapped in the spin cycle of a washing machine.

  The rear door opened and the boss climbed in. ‘Sorry about that. Are you both okay?’

  ‘I’ve checked my dental fillings, and they’re still there,’ said Joseph with a grin. ‘I’m assuming you are rather well acquainted with this part of the fen?’

  ‘True, but right now, there are things you both need to know. You saw that we almost had company?’ They both nodded.

  ‘Who was it?’ Jessie asked.

  ‘Unless I’m wrong, it was some people who do not wish you well, Jess.’

  ‘Me? Why?’ Shockwaves travelled through her mind, and then she felt a hand on her shoulder.

  ‘There’s no easy way to do this, Jessie, so I think the best thing I can do is just tell you outright. Are you ready for this?’

  Jessie froze. They had found Graham’s body! It had to be that, or why would the boss be so guarded?

  ‘Graham is safe. He was in Derbyshire, held by Freddie Carver. He’s safe and he’s unhurt, okay?’