Bex Wynter Box Set 2

by Elleby Harper

  “Have you heard of the Loughborough family?” Cole asked.

  He pronounced the name “Luffborrow” Bex noted. She shook her head in response to his question.

  “The Loughboroughs are an entrenched crime family going back to the 50s and 60s. Old Man Mortimer was arrested and spent seven years in jail in the 60s. When he came out he had already laid the groundwork for his empire. He’s still alive, but he’s ‘retired’ and his son Jack runs the show now. It’s a point of pride to the Loughboroughs that they’ve never put a toe in prison for forty years. For three generations they’ve been unrepentant about their unstoppable desire to break the law.

  “Their main source of income is drug distribution, but they also dabble in financial fraud, and won’t cavil at murder. They intermingle their criminal activities with legitimate enterprises.

  “Ten months ago my team ran a sting operation on a massive drug deal going down in Bridesmead. We netted Griffin Loughborough, Mortimer’s grandson. He’s the next generation being trained to take over the family business.”

  Bex heard the note of ownership in Cole’s voice that told her how much he had invested in this operation. She had no idea what was coming next but knew from Cole’s serious expression that it wasn’t good news.

  “We didn’t expect to find any big fish in the operation, but we were embroiled in a gunfight as Griffin’s minders tried to extract him from the ambush. Three men died that night, including an officer.” Cole’s voice held pain and he took a moment to draw in a deep breath.

  “So, your sting operation netted a big fish. Is it enough to bring down the Loughboroughs?”

  “I’m getting to that. Griffin was seventeen at the time and we expected a lot of pressure from the Loughborough lawyers to spring him. With a police officer’s death, the charges were substantial. Essentially Jack Loughborough let his son be the fall guy to take the rap, we presume in order to keep police out of the rest of the family business. We were able to place Griffin in juvie without bail. While I was building the case I spoke to Griffin a number of times and he knew he was going down.”

  “Was he responsible for the officer’s death?”

  “Only by association. All the evidence pointed to one of the family’s minders. But I told Griffin I was pushing to get him tried as an adult, which would substantially increase his time behind bars. Without the backing of his family Griffin was running scared.

  “I spoke to the Crown Prosecution Service about offering him a deal. In exchange for evidence and testifying against Jack and Mortimer Loughborough, he would get a suspended sentence for his part in the drug bust and immunity from any crimes he might be associated with as part of his family’s crime syndicate when the case was brought to court. Essentially he’ll be allowed to walk free.”

  “Did he take the deal?” Bex asked.

  Cole glanced towards Titus who gave him a nod.

  “Yes he did. He agreed to turn on his family but only if we placed him into witness protection afterwards so he can start a new life. As a sign of cooperation he supplied us with intel to raid a neighborhood of the Loughborough crack houses. We netted hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of drugs and two of the Loughboroughs’ lieutenants.”

  “We’re looking forward to the case going to trial next week. We anticipate shutting the Loughboroughs down for good,” Titus added.

  After digesting their words, Bex said, “But after that bust Griffin’s family must’ve known he defected.”

  “Yes, they seem to have jumped to that conclusion,” Cole said with dry humor. “Two months ago while Griffin was in juvie one of the inmates stabbed him with a homemade chiv. Luckily he was able to reach the panic button and the guards saved him. He got away with minor injuries but it spooked him. The inmate refuses to talk, so there’s no evidence, but Griffin is convinced his father’s put a contract on him. Without Griffin we have no case against the Loughboroughs so a decision was made to move him.”

  “Where is he now?”

  “Since then he’s been held in the High Security Unit of the Coldmarsh Prison. It’s an adult facility but the HSU is sequestered away from the main prison population so he’s been perfectly safe.”

  “Until now,” Bex said.

  Cole shot a quizzical look in her direction. Hazel eyes flashed with green glints.

  “How did you know?” he demanded. “The attempt on his life only happened an hour ago.”

  “Because Sheryl said an urgent situation had arisen. What are the details?”

  “Griffin was being escorted through the main facility to a meeting with me and the prosecution barrister, Isla Standing, when another inmate shot at him.”

  “Griffin’s still alive,” Titus said. “He sustained superficial wounds, but a prison guard died on his way to hospital. We need to keep Griffin alive, at least until he testifies. Since the target of the incident is a minor, I want the Youth Crimes Team to investigate the shooting at Coldmarsh. If the Loughboroughs are behind it, which seems the most likely scenario, then we want to add attempted murder to their list of charges.

  “Once the news of the shooting is released, the media will be screaming for access to the details. You’ve had plenty of experience of high profile cases, so I know you can take this in your stride.”

  Cole looked nettled. “Having a second unit involved will overcomplicate the situation, sir. With Bridesmead CID’s intimate knowledge of the case, I assure you we can handle the shooting as well.”

  Titus’s expression remained reserved. “Bridesmead CID are responsible for the case against the Loughboroughs, but I want the Youth Crimes Team to determine the culprit behind the prison shooting.”

  “What about the meetings Sheryl has lined up for me? There’s one today with Finestone Grammar School and two more scheduled tomorrow.”

  “Wynter, I want your full attention on the Loughborough matter so I’ll speak to Sheryl about postponing any upcoming promotional meetings. This morning revealed just how vulnerable Griffin still is. I want the two of you to keep Griffin safe long enough to testify next week. Are the boundaries clear?”

  Titus’s gaze swung between them. They both nodded. He stood up.

  “Good. Oh, and Wynter, you’ll be pleased to know I’ve found a replacement officer for your unit. Detective Sergeant Remy Knight. She should be able to hit the ground running, but you’ll only have her for this particular case because I think it warrants the extra manpower. That’s the best I can offer you. Now, I’ll leave you two to work out the nuts and bolts.”

  Chapter 4

  New Scotland Yard, Tuesday, April 3

  When Titus left her alone with Cole, Bex felt strangely out of her element. She hadn’t spoken to Cole since her appointment as his boss a week ago. She didn’t think she could handle anything personal so she played it safe by concentrating on work.

  “Sorry to step on your toes in this case, but can I have whatever details you’ve got on Griffin Loughborough’s shooting?”

  At the same time, Cole said, “Congratulations on your appointment to superintendent.”

  “It’s only temporary and I haven’t earned it,” she responded coolly. “Dresden’s departure left a breach at Bridesmead and Titus picked me to be the little boy with my finger plugging the hole in the dam.”

  Cole gave a rueful smile. “And I thought it was one hell of a way to avoid seeing me every day.”

  His eyes collided with hers and her empty stomach filled with butterflies.

  “How about those details?” she urged.

  Cole hesitated.

  “You said you were at the prison at the time of the shooting. Do you know who the shooter is? Do you have a weapon?” she pressed, firmly closing the door on dangerous personal territory.

  “The shooter is Buster Kaufman, three months into a life sentence for murdering a copper. The copper that got shot when we busted Griffin—”

  “Wait! You’re telling me that the guy who shot Griffin used to be his minder and is part of
the Loughborough crime family?”

  “That’s right. We finalized that case three months ago. Kaufman was found guilty of the murder of Constable Douglass. Under our new laws he was given a mandatory life sentence.”

  “So the shooting could have been personal? Kaufman could blame Griffin for ratting him out.”

  “It does introduce that element. We recovered the weapon in Kaufman’s cell. It’s with Forensics now, but I can tell you there was no serial number or distinguishing features. It’s a prefabricated, 3D plastic composite gun. Good for one maybe two bullets only before disintegrating. As it turns out, firing the first bullet melted the plastic too badly for a second shot.”

  “If the authorities knew Griffin was in danger why was he in the main facility at all?”

  Cole’s eyes narrowed at the implied criticism.

  “We’re treating Griffin as a vulnerable witness. At the trial he’ll be giving his evidence outside the courtroom via a live television link, because he’s still a minor and because of the danger to him.

  “Coldmarsh Prison staff knew he shouldn’t be exposed to the prison population. As far as I can determine, at the time of the shooting Griffin was being escorted from HSU to the visitors’ section for our meeting by prison guard Brian Thrussell. Normally, the escort would circumnavigate the wing, avoiding any contact with the prisoners. Apparently, passing through the main corridor was a shortcut. At that time of morning only three cells were occupied, so Thrussell may have presumed it would be safe. It was his first time doing this escort. Prison guard Kendel Hawthorne was scheduled to do it and Thrussell was doing him a favor.”

  “If that’s not the normal route to bring Griffin out of HSU, then how could the shooting be planned for?”

  “It may not be the normal route,” Cole’s lips twitched as he emphasized the pronunciation as ‘root’, “but I got the impression the guards used the shortcut more often than not if the main prison cells are empty. The shooter had no guarantee that Griffin would be brought through that way. But we don’t know how long Kaufman may have been waiting for his chance.”

  “When was your meeting with Griffin scheduled? Could someone have accessed the appointment and passed the info onto Kaufman?”

  “Isla Standing and I had regular weekly meetings with Griffin for the past month in preparation for going to trial next week. Plenty of people in the prison system knew our schedule.”

  Bex paused over Cole’s words. She knew Isla Standing’s dazzling looks belied a sharp intelligence and a dogmatic insistence on seeing through every case. As well as being Vincent Titus’s daughter, Isla was the hot shot lawyer married to her second-in-command, Quinn Standing.

  “I thought you said you were attending the prison with the prosecution lawyer? Isn’t Isla Standing in private practice?”

  Cole sighed.

  “I keep forgetting you don’t really know our justice system. Let’s see if I can explain this briefly. You’re aware that the Crown Prosecution Service is independent from the police and they supply the crown prosecutors when police make a charge and take a case to court. The majority of times this all plays out in magistrates’ courts.

  “The Loughborough case is the biggest investigation I’ve ever worked on. Because of the seriousness of the charges it’s going to be tried in crown court rather than magistrates’ court, so we need a barrister to argue the case. Let’s say it’s private practice working hand in glove with government authorities. For this particular case, the CPS hired the law firm of Perry Grais Standing because prosecution counsel has worked with them in the past. That makes Isla Standing the lead barrister for the prosecution. It’s the biggest and most high profile case coming to trial so far this year. I just know if we get a guilty verdict, we’ll chop the tentacles off the Loughborough crime family and release its stranglehold over London.”

  “To get this straight, Griffin is turning state’s evidence against his family which is the reason he’s been given immunity?”

  “Here it’s called Queen’s evidence. After he got a spent conviction on the crime, I managed to get Griffin allocated to the witness protection scheme, which will kick in after the court case. Our evidence from the drug bust pinpointed two Loughborough minders as the culprits in the police officer’s death, so anything we could make stick against Griffin for the drug haul would be loose change compared to what we get from Griffin’s evidence against his father.”

  “I get it. Griffin is valuable property and must be safeguarded at all costs. Is there any security footage of the shooting?”

  “Plenty. Thrussell wore a body camera. There were also closed circuit TV cameras in the corridor. As soon as prison control realized a shooting was in progress they locked down the corridor and sent in armed guards.”

  “Is there any doubt that the target was Griffin Loughborough? What about this guard, Brian Thrussell? Do any of the prisoners have a grudge against him?”

  “Titus has been very clear that it’s your job to investigate that. All I can say is that at first glance Thrussell seems like an ordinary bloke, well-liked by his coworkers. He has two grown children, a wife, loved his football, and was heading towards retirement next year.”

  “Alright. Send whatever files you’ve got on the shooting to my office. I’ll speak with Quinn about taking charge. Where’s Griffin now?”

  “He was returned to HSU where the prison doctor attended him. HSU is the safest place for him at the moment.”

  “Are you sure about that?” The words popped out more sharply than she intended.

  Cole’s jaw clamped tight, the muscles quilting with tension.

  “Are you questioning my judgment as my superior officer?”

  “I’m saying I’d like to visit the prison and check on the situation personally. As you’ve said multiple times, Griffin’s the lynchpin of your case and Titus put me in charge of keeping him safe.”

  “Titus put both of us in charge,” Cole argued. “And I’m not sure visiting the prison is the best use of your time.”

  “I understand your concerns —”

  “No, I don’t think you do. My detectives have been on this case for nearly a year —”

  “I get it. You’re invested,” she spoke over the top of his interruption. “And I don’t want to pull rank on you, Cole, but the first thing I intend to do is talk with the victim.”

  She rose to her feet, indicating their meeting was finished. At five eight and with her high heel pumps on Bex wasn’t diminutive, but when Cole stood to his full six foot three stature he still towered over her. He ran a hand through his hair. His mouth lifted crookedly in an apologetic smile.

  “Bex, I just want you to know there’s no hard feelings over your promotion, temporary or not,” he said.

  His words unleashed a flood of bitterness. She had prided herself on being more professional, but she discovered the gossip Quinn had repeated to her about Cole still rankled. She couldn’t bite back a sarcastic rejoinder.

  “That’s big of you. I suppose you’d like me to say there’s no hard feelings over the fact that your team were taking bets on our spending the night together? Apparently you were odds on favorite to ‘get your leg over’!” Although her words landed between them like a gauntlet, she couldn’t extinguish a faint hope that Quinn had spoken out of spite and the gossip was untrue.

  Cole’s face colored. Discomfited, he avoided her eyes.

  “So it is true!” she accused, mortification burning her own cheeks.

  “Do you really think I’m that shallow? You’ve only got one end of the stick, Bex. While, I can’t deny Yabsley turned himself into a bookie for some of the reckless gamblers on my team, I put a stop to it as soon as I learned of it. I’ve never spoken to anybody about what happened that night. As far as I’m concerned —”

  “As far as I’m concerned,” her voice overrode his, “that night was nothing but a drunken mistake between two colleagues. I’m now your boss and nothing is ever going to happen between us again.” />
  Cole stood still, letting her words sink in.

  “I’m sorry to hear that. I know I carry more baggage than the Eurostar, but I thought we might get past that enough to see what happens between us.”

  The regret in his voice caught her by surprise, ripped at her heartstrings. Afraid of letting him get too close, she clamped the tender feeling down with viciousness. Instead of giving in to it, she spoiled any chance they had of being together.

  “Just a heads up, Cole. Titus wants me to run a tight ship at the borough and amalgamating the two DCI positions is top of the priority list. Unless you can get creative with the budget.”

  If her words cut, he didn’t let it show. She felt ashamed of herself for being so mean and scrappy with him. In reality Cole had done nothing wrong. In fact that night at her studio apartment he had done everything right.

  Cole raised an eyebrow. “Thanks for letting me know my head’s on the block. Luckily I’ve put in for the superintendent’s permanent position already. Let’s hope I get it so it solves your budget problems.”

  She braced herself to meet his eyes. The hazel had almost disappeared into glittering green. He gave her a slight, crooked smile and then strode briskly towards the elevators.

  Chapter 5

  Coldmarsh Prison, Tuesday, April 3

  In the windowless prison reception filled with a limp artificial pot plant and a battered vending machine, Bex watched two gold fish swim in depressing circles around a gloomy fish tank while she awaited her second-in-command, Quinn Standing. He was temporarily head of the Youth Crimes Team while she filled in the superintendent position. She had left a message for him that they had a new case that needed to be assessed.

  When the door opened Detective Sergeant Idris Carson stepped across the threshhold. He looked sharp in a simply tailored, light-weight suit that stretched over broad shoulders. Under it he wore a slim fitting shirt of Swiss cotton with an oxblood silk tie. His appearance emphasized the dinginess of the reception area.