by Roger Rapel
Jim was engrossed in the newspaper when he heard a cough. He looked up and saw a swarthy looking man who had to be Rhanjee who smiled and extended his hand as he said in perfect English albeit with an American accent ‘Jim I presume?’ ‘Likewise Rhanjee I presume?’ They shook hands as Jim ordered coffee. Once the niceties were over and coffee finished Rahnjee said ‘I will have the package soon, probably by next week then you will need to be careful as there are some very scared people. I have spoken with Yvonne letting her know the expected time for the delivery of the package.’
Jim looked at Rhanjee then gave a casual look around the lounge then said ‘who are the scared people?’ ‘Not sure who they are; Yvonne hasn’t divulged that to me, but whoever they are the word is they are very scared.’ ‘How big is this package can it be hidden or sent by courier to Yvonne.’ Ranjee then put on his Middle Eastern accent; ‘I have no idea Jim, apparently Yvonne wants you to take it to her. I am only the messenger and know nothing about Yvonne’s intention once you have the package.’
Jim smiled as he looked around expecting someone to leap and shout gotcha, but they didn’t. ‘What next Rhanjee?’ ‘Nothing, you just relax until I contact you; any problems call me on this number.’ Rhanjee handed over a business card. Jim looked at it back and front, it only had his name and number on, no details, just the number. ‘Tell me Rhanjee, what about the yanks, what do they know?’ ‘No idea I’m only in contact with Yvonne, why?’ ‘Only that I am the guest of some friends whilst I’m here, so wondered if they were in the loop or not?’ ‘I don’t know I’m just acting on what Yvonne tells me.’ ‘Okay I can live with that.’ They shook hands then parted.
Jim still didn’t know what to expect or what the package contained. He still didn’t know why it couldn’t be sent by diplomatic courier, but he had to go with it and comply with Yvonne’s instructions.
As if by coincidence Jim’s phone rang, from the display he saw it was Barney ‘hey Barney how you doing?’ ‘Fine Jim you fancy a beer?’ ‘I was just going to call CA to meet me at Maddys, I’ll see you there.’ Jim called CA ‘see you in Maddys in 15 minutes we are meeting Barney for a beer.’ ‘Okay I’m hungry Jim’ ‘what for, or need I ask?’ CA laughed ‘you’ll see later.’
Jim quickly called Jackie again as he walked to Maddys ‘hi Jack how you doing babes? Just another quick call as I’m on my way to yet another meeting?’ ‘I’m okay Jim just missing you, when you back?’ ‘No idea babes, I have just had one meeting as I said, and off to another, it’s all go.’ Jim crossed his fingers again then blessed himself as Jackie said ‘don’t forget my present, jewellery is always nice, but as I said, surprise me?’ ‘No babe’s, I won’t forget.’ Jim then caught up on the issues regarding the Forsyth investigation. Jackie quickly filled him in then said ‘oh I must go Jim the soaps are on.’ Jim laughed as he said his goodbyes.
Jim reached Maddys he hadn’t noticed the weather until then due to his talk with Jackie; it was nice and warm with the autumn afternoon sun on his face.
Jim entered to see Barney at the bar, ‘hey Jim good to see you.’ They shook hands as Barney passed him his beer. Then they discussed everything skirting around the package and its contents, but Jim knew Barney was itching to ask what he was doing.
Jim’s mind was already in overdrive mode as he thought, did Barney already know why he was there? With that CA walked in and waved as Jim stood up to meet her; after their greeting he bought another round of beers.
Barney said ‘you two having a good time?’ CA nodded as she coloured up and smiled. Jim said ‘couldn’t be better.’ Barney glanced over his shoulder then said ‘I need to talk to you both as Yvonne has explained the reason why you are here Jim. Let me take you to one of my favourite restaurants.’ Jim nodded as he thought, I knew it; I just knew it.
They finished their beers then hopped into Barneys SUV as he drove some 10 miles or so to a nice steakhouse. As they entered Barney was greeted like a long lost brother by the owner who shook his hand and gave him a man-hug ‘welcome back Barney it’s so nice to see you again; these must be your friends?’ As he shook Jim’s and CA’s hand with a big smile then said, ‘you’re most welcome both of you.’
Barney then said ‘table for three in a quiet spot please Randy.’ ‘Sure come this way.’ Randy led the way then walked up a few steps as he undid a chain across the entrance, ‘here you go this will be quiet for you.’ Barney slipped him a couple of notes as Randy thanked him.
It was obvious from the way that Randy reacted with Barney, that this was normal, as Randy knew exactly what Barney wanted.
Then a pretty young waitress, probably a college student working to make-ends meet, took their drinks order giving them a nice smile, she explained the specials available, but they already knew what they wanted, so gave their food order at the same time as the drinks.
Barney said ‘look you two the reason why Jim is here, has spilled over into the realms of the US shores and has implications which, if not acted on, will have serious consequences for those in the field at home and abroad, so this is what I want you to do.’
The young waitress brought their drinks and some side dishes as she said ‘steaks are just being cooked they’ll be ready soon.’ Barney thanked her as she walked back down the steps hooking the chain behind her.
‘Right as I said the implications have become international, the package you were supposed to collect has been delayed, it probably won’t be here for another week at least, but Yvonne wants you to stay as there are further complications.
Jim said ‘fuck me Barney who isn’t a double agent in yours and Yvonne’s world?’ Barney smiled as he said ‘right, Yvonne wants you to meet your contact in the next couple of days, he is going to be fed a couple of false messages, if he acts in a certain way she will know that he is not to be trusted.’ ‘What? Where does CA feature in this?’
The waitress arrived with a big tray containing their meals which she rested on a trestle, handing over the steaks which were huge. The relevant sauces were provided on request. Jim smiled at her as he thanked her for her service, she smiled and said ‘oh you’re English, I love the accent.’ As she walked away CA said ‘you window shopping again Jim?’ Jim smiled as he cut into his blue steak.
Jim looked at Barney then said ‘what is the conversation I’m supposed to have with the contact, am I supposed to be surprised?’ ‘If he has been turned he will give you a package of his own, he will instruct where it is to be delivered in the UK. He will give you the final instruction of where he wants it delivered, including the name of the recipient when he hands it over. The contacts name if he gives it you will show he can’t be trusted. The contact is an American agent in the field in London who has allegedly become disenchanted and wants to make a big financial killing before he retires.’ ‘Fuck me Barney, why me and CA?’ ‘As before Jim you are both clean and can be trusted implicitly.’ Barney then said ‘this is so big Jim, Yvonne has broken protocol and given me the name of her contact, Rhanjee.’
Barney continued ‘CA will be close by at the meeting to assess if you are being watched and will use a covert camera to take pictures in case they are needed later.’
Jim’s mind was now turning summersaults with the double dealings, but there was nothing he could do at this time, so tucked into his steak. His first piece melted in his mouth. Jim loved the way the Americans cooked their steaks and the flavourings used. He looked at Barney nodding in approval.
CA looked at Barney then said ‘what do I do after?’ ‘Once the meeting is over wherever that maybe just sit and relax for at least an hour before moving, Jim you split and go for a walk, we will be monitoring to see if you’re followed.’ ‘Is he giving me the package when we meet?’ Barney shook his head ‘no idea, just go with the flow. Perhaps CA you should change your appearance, perhaps a wig, you know better than me.’ CA nodded as she finished off her steak patting her tummy as she said ‘wow that was great.’ Jim and Barney did much the same as they agreed the f
ood was extra special.
Randy came up the steps when he reached the table he said ‘hey guys, how were the steaks?’ There was a general agreement that they were just fine. Randy slipped Barney a note with the bill, Barney pocketed the note then he peeled off a hundred and fifty bucks saying ‘keep the change.’ Randy thanked him as he waved to the waitress who provided three liqueurs as Randy handed her the bill with the money saying ‘the change is yours.’ She smiled as she thanked Barney.
Barney dropped Jim and CA at Maddys as CA wanted to walk to her apartment to reduce the full feeling. Barney then said ‘be careful Jim there’s a lot at stake here, with some really worried people, but until the meeting with Rhanjee when he hands over the package you’re okay , but just in case keep your eyes peeled also sweep your rooms every day and don’t forget let go of the package if it’s snatched.’ ‘What if Rhanjee doesn’t give me the second package for the Yank agent in the UK?’ ‘Then we’ll know he hasn’t been turned.’ Jim nodded as he said his goodbye to Barney with a man hug; then both he and CA walked arm in arm for a couple of blocks to her apartment.
CA was snuggling into Jim’s shoulder resting her head as she said ‘oh Jim at least another week, wow that’s great.’ ‘My head is going in circles with thoughts about the two packages, what’s going on CA have you any idea?’ ‘Not a clue Jim; I never even knew you had met Rhanjee, so no, not a clue.’ They chatted all the way to CA’s apartment; their breath hitting the cold air where it condensed instantly into vapour on the chilly breeze. Jim stopped at a couple of shops looking in windows watching the reflections, but he saw nothing to cause him any concerns.
Once inside the apartment Jim rubbed his palms together as he took CA’s hands and put them under his jumper to his armpits to warm them up. ‘Oh Jim how can you do that?’ Then he kissed her as he walked her backwards to the bedroom; they got warm with the exertion of their love-making, passing the heat from one to the other as they hugged close.
31
Vicky awoke and spooned Brian, his skin was warm as she folded her arm over his chest. This was so satisfying to Vicky; from a husband who didn’t care about her to someone who satisfied her desires. She knew it was only going to be short lived as in a couple of days he would be gone, but she was going to make the most of him, Vicky smiled to herself as she cuddled and rested her head on his skin savouring his warmth, closing her eyes as she drifted off for another hour.
Vicky sat in the office with Brian as she said ‘how did Christina get down here? There has to be someone who was collecting the kids from Susan Gormley, but she is staying tight lipped, but someone must know who was dropping them off on route to sexual predators all over the country, this could be nationwide. Oh Brian those poor kids, but what happened to them after, they weren’t sent back to the home; oh god you don’t think?’ Vicky put her hand to her mouth as she stifled the next few words ‘you don’t think they’ve been murdered do you?’ ‘Too early to say, they could have been, or even sold abroad, anything is possible.’ Vicky looked sad at the thought of those poor kids being handed around like sweets for the gratification of some paedophile ring.
Brian then said ‘what you need to do is interview Forsyth and try to get from him who was delivering the kids, as he could hold the key to all of this, including where the other kids have gone.’
Vicky nodded then she knocked on Langton’s door, he nodded inviting them both in, as Vicky gave Langton the thoughts that they had just discussed. Langton nodded saying ‘just be mindful of the cutbacks, but if Forsyth opens up, then the powers at-be will have no alternative, but to run with it.’ Vicky nodded as she contacted the prison for an interview slot, although she knew from other visits that once inside prisoners clam shut.
The prison gates looked daunting as Vick and Brian entered through the security system; they were both searched. Previous officers over the years had tried to sweeten prisoners with gifts so all visitors including police officers went through the same procedure as normal visitors.
They were shown to an interview suite where they waited for Forsyth to be delivered to them. The door was opened as Gordon Forsyth was shown in. The prison guard nodded as he exited closing the door behind him. Vicky smiled at Forsyth then said ‘how’s prison Gordon, are you okay?’ ‘Who’s he?’ ‘His names Brian, he’s a colleague from Yorkshire.’ ‘Yeah I’m okay, but having to be kept from other prisoners as there is a price on my head.’ ‘We could get you moved to another prison for the right information?’ ‘Like what?’ ‘Who delivered Christina and the others to you and where are they are now?’ ‘You don’t know who you’re dealing with, anyway no matter where I go I will still be on section for my safety, so no point.’ ‘Perhaps, but we could see what privileges we could get you.’ ‘But you can’t promise can you?’ ‘All I’m saying is you play ball with us and we’ll do whatever we can to accommodate you with some extra privileges, okay?’
Forsyth sat with his head in his hands as Vicky took a scented handkerchief from her sleeve and held it to her nose, the time in prison hadn’t reduced his stinking bad breath.
Forsyth looked up ‘okay, but you promise?’ ‘I promise to do what I said.’ ‘Okay, look firstly I haven’t done anything with the other kids they were moved on, where they are now I have no idea. Look the main person in this is a.’ Forsyth looked around as he said ‘are you sure no one can hear us?’ ‘No you’re good to go.’ ‘As I was saying the main person is a politician he was the organiser, he loved little kids the younger the better, he was in some way related to Susan not sure how, but that’s what I was told when someone let it slip.’
Brian then said ‘who was the person who dropped the kids off?’ ‘I was just coming to that; he was into import exports or something like that.’ ‘How was it organised and what was his name?’ ‘Look his last name was Sands I think. But I don’t know the MP’s name.’ ‘Where does Sands live?’ ‘Somewhere near London, I think someone said he had a big place in Spain as well, Susan would know better than me.’ Vicky said ‘Okay you’re doing well.’
Vicky then said ‘okay Gordon, how did you arrange for the kids to be picked up and dropped off to you and where did they go afterwards?’ ‘Sands would arrange it; he would drop off new kids and pick up the other ones.’ ‘How often was this?’ ‘Not that often about once every couple of months, depending on the supply from the care home.’ ‘When did you meet the MP?’ ‘Sands would arrange to supply the kids at some sessions where most of the top notch people would meet, they all wore masks including the MP, so I never got to see him fully and no one else would name him other than to say he was an MP.’
Vicky took another sniff of her scented handkerchief as she couldn’t take the smell. Brian stepped in whilst she was getting her breath back. ‘So what did these sessions consist of?’ ‘It was like a free for all, not only with kids, there was also wife swapping using the kids as well.’ ‘How many attended these sessions?’ ‘Sometimes a dozen or so, other times less.’ ‘How many kids were there?’ ‘Sometimes two or three, other times just one.’ ‘The kids were just handed around?’ ‘Basically, yes.’ ‘Was money involved?’ ‘Yeah the party was £200 a time for each person, it was too much for me.’
Vicky cleared her throat as she took over, ‘where were these parties held?’ ‘Look this never came from me, but at a place called Gables End, near the big golf course on the Cannon Rd.’ ‘Who lives there?’ ‘Some businessman, I don’t know his name, I only went there once, but it was well attended by all sorts.’ ‘How did you get to be invited to that sort of location, you hardly fit into that circle do you?’ ‘No, but my brother did, so I went with him.’ ‘What’s your brother’s name?’ ‘Grant.’
Vicky’s mind was now going 100 to the dozen, then she thought, no wonder Grant coughed to murdering Caroline so quickly he didn’t want anyone digging into his life. ‘You mean Grant Forsyth the one who killed Caroline Romney.’ ‘Yes, he told me Caroline had somehow found out about him and his involvement with kids
and threatened to go to the police, so he killed her because Caroline wanted him to leave his wife for her, so he strangled her to keep her quiet.’
Vicky took another sniff of her scented handkerchief then said ‘hold up just a minute, so your brother was involved with kids as well and he invited you to one of the sex sessions at the Gables End?’ ‘Yes, but as I said I only went the once; afterwards he took me home; I was never invited again.’ Vicky thought no wonder with breath like that. Forsyth then said ‘That’s about it, I’m saying nothing more until I see some return as you promised, only then will I tell you more.’ ‘Okay leave that with me, but just tell me, how do I know you’re telling me the truth?’ ‘You don’t, but when there is a party the drive at the Gable End is full of expensive cars; try looking at the end of the month. That’s it no more.’ ‘Okay I need to test what you have told me, if true, you will get your move and privileges okay?’ Forsyth nodded.
Brian and Vicky sat in the car outside of the prison as they said together ‘fuck me.’ They both laughed as Vick said ‘snap. You don’t know this, but my DS, Jim Broadbent dealt with a similar case where prominent people were involved; child sex abuse crosses all boundaries.’ ‘Well it sure looks like it. This could still end up being a joint venture. I will need to talk to my gaffer to see if he can swing it.’ ‘Let’s hope so Brian we could be close for a while so to speak.’ ‘That would be nice.’ ‘I need to speak with Langton and then let Jim know, he’ll be pleased as well.’
Vicky sat in Langton’s office where she enlightened him to the revelations given by Forsyth. He sat pondering then said ‘this could mushroom Vicky, we need to cap it, as the powers at-be won’t want a prolonged investigation.’ Vicky came right back at him, ‘look guv if there is an MP involved in this and he together with others are abusing kids from care homes on our ground, then we are duty bound to investigate; there could potentially be dead children buried on us as well.’ ‘Sorry Vicky just thinking out loud. Okay, write me a report on what you have uncovered and let me have it as soon as you can then I will go straight to the chief, by-passing all the pencil pushers.’
