The Body in the Boot: The first 'Mac' Maguire mystery

by Patrick C Walsh

  ‘So they keep you busy then. Do you mind me asking, how old are you?’

  ‘I’m twenty three.’

  ‘How did you get into forensic computing or whatever you call it?’

  Martin laughed.

  ‘I’ve always loved computers, I started programming when I was ten and really got into it. I was basically on the other side until I was seventeen. I was a hacker, mostly kid’s stuff though. I was seriously considering joining this group though, they were hacking big corporations, US defence systems, big stuff, challenging stuff. Then some of them got arrested which made me think again. My dad persuaded me to go to university instead and here I am.’

  ‘And how do you like it?’

  ‘It can be fun sometimes especially when I get to pit my wits against people like myself, much tougher challenge than big industry or even defence. I’m hoping to work at the Met some day, I’m thinking of joining CEOPS.’

  ‘Child protection?

  ‘Yes, even though it’s all online, that would be real detective work tracking down the people who peddle child porn.’

  ‘I wish you luck with that.’

  ‘Thanks.’

  ‘What about this case? Dan said you were looking at stats and CCTV.’

  ‘Nothing as yet, we’ve had six possible instances of car crime in six months, not enough to show up in as a pattern in the stats and CCTV was a non-starter really, we only cover a few routes with number plate recognition and unfortunately he didn’t use any of those. If we more or less knew the time and direction that he left Luton around those dates it might be worth going through the videos but even then it might take days. Something we might have to do though if we get stuck, even then I’m not sure what it would really tell us. What you need is something unusual. There were over four thousand car crimes last year, six more don’t make that much difference.’

  ‘Yes I see the problem. It would have to be something unusual to show up. The fact that five prostitutes were found dead in Luton town centre was unusual though, wasn’t it?’

  ‘Yes but data analysis broadly consists of two things, the data and the analysis. The data may be out there but unless someone’s actually looking at that particular data set or it forms some sort of regular report it won’t get picked up.’

  ‘You know, I thought with all this technology…’

  Martin smiled.

  ‘That’s what a lot of people think but the big problem is that computers are still very stupid and, for all the effort that’s gone into it, they still don’t know what things mean. They’re working on it but, for now at least, any analysis is still more or less reliant on us humans.’

  ‘Wish I knew more about it. Bit long in the tooth I suppose.’

  Mary Sullivan’s head poked around the door.

  ‘We’re back. Dan wondered if you wanted to help him interview the professor.’

  ‘You bet!’ Mac replied enthusiastically. ‘How did the raid go?’ he asked as they walked.

  ‘No problems. Just the professor and a student and both came quietly.’

  ‘He was sleeping with one of his students?’

  Mary nodded.

  ‘Wonder what her mother will make of that.’

  ‘His mother you mean, it was a male student.’

  ‘Oh.’

  Mary led him to the door of an interview room.

  ‘Adil are I are interviewing the student.’ Seeing Mac’s excited expression she added, ‘Have fun, I’ll see you later.’

  Mary gave him a little smile and left him to it.

  Dan nodded at Mac as he entered the room and gestured at the empty chair next to him. On the opposite side of the table sat a balding man in his forties, he was wearing a thin pullover over a tee shirt and his face was pale and covered with a light sheen of sweat.

  The man couldn’t seem to keep still for a second, his arms and legs seeming to have a life of their own, his fingers drumming on the table. Next to the balding man sat a man in a crumpled suit who was reading from a file. He was very still, the only movement he made was when he turned the page. Mac guessed he was the duty lawyer.

  Dan pressed the button on the recorder.

  ‘Officers present are DI Carter and ex-DCS Maguire acting as a consultant. Also present is the duty lawyer, Mr. Ken Fawley and the interviewee. Can you please state your name and address for the record?’ Dan asked.

  The professor gave his details in a low shaking voice.

  Dan read him his rights and asked, ‘Professor Grinberg, have you any idea why you’re here this morning?’

  ‘None whatsoever,’ the professor stated.

  Mac looked at him closely. He was absolutely certain the professor had something to hide.

  ‘How long have you been residing in the UK?’

  ‘Just over three years.’

  ‘Professor, in that time have you ever used a prostitute?’

  ‘No never, why would I?’

  ‘Do you recall the names Mandy Stokes or Angela Moran? You might know them better as Randy and Angel, those were the names they used on the street.’

  ‘No, I don’t know anyone with those names.’

  ‘We have statements that you gave both those women named some substance in the form of white pills. Is that correct?’

  ‘Is that what this is about?’ the professor asked.

  Mac thought he looked even more uncomfortable.

  ‘Please answer the question,’ Dan insisted.

  ‘No I never gave anyone any pills. You’ve obviously mistaken me for someone else.’

  ‘Do you have any such pills on your premises or in your possession elsewhere?’

  ‘No, apart from some paracetamol, I suppose.’

  The professor kept his eyes on the table and Dan had to turn his head to the side to make eye contact.

  ‘Are you sure you don’t want to reconsider your answer? We’re searching your premises right now and my team will miss nothing.’

  The professor said nothing for what seemed an eternity. Eventually he answered in a voice so quiet it was almost inaudible.

  ‘No.’

  ‘I’m sorry we didn’t hear your answer,’ Dan said firmly. ‘Please repeat what you said.’

  ‘No!’ The professor almost shouted.

  ‘This interview is suspended at five fifty eight,’ Dan said as he turned off the recorder.

  Mac followed him out of the room.

  ‘What do you think?’ Dan asked.

  ‘He looks as guilty as hell to me.’

  ‘I agree. Just thought I’d let him stew for a while, let him soften up a bit. Also gives the team a chance to find something. Fancy a coffee?’

  Mac followed him to the canteen. They’d only just sat down when Dan’s phone rang. Dan listened and a smile grew on his face.

  ‘Thanks Tommy, excellent news.’

  He put his phone away and continued, ‘That was Tommy. He said that forensics have found a box containing around two to three hundred little white pills. It was hidden under a loose floorboard, not very original for such an apparently bright person. Oh well, no rush, let’s finish our coffees.’

  ‘Take me through the raid,’ Mac asked.

  ‘Sure, not a lot to tell to be honest. The Support Unit had the door down in a couple of seconds, the professor and his friend were still in bed and half asleep when we entered the room. There was no resistance. They dressed when told and then we slapped on the handcuffs. And best of all we’ve now found the pills, God I wish every raid was so easy!’

  On their way back Dan interrupted the questioning of the student to tell Adil of the discovery of the pills. A few minutes later Mac was back in his seat in the interview room. The professor was beginning to look very stressed indeed.

  Dan turned the recorder on.

  ‘Interview resumed at six twenty five. Professor Grinberg, I’d like to summarise the answers you’ve given so far if that’s okay?’

  The professor had a whispered conversation with his lawyer and t
hen nodded warily.

  ‘Please say yes or no.’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘Okay, I asked you if you recalled the names Mandy Stokes or Angela Moran, also known as Randy and Angel and your response was negative. I also asked if you were in possession of any white pills and you said that, apart from paracetamol, you were not. Is this summary correct?’

  ‘Yes,’ the professor said with some hesitation.

  From his expression Mac could see he was starting to smell a rat.

  ‘So, if I told you that we found a box containing two to three hundred white pills under a loose floorboard in the room in your flat you use as an office, would that come as a surprise?’

  The professor covered his face with his hands and didn’t answer for the better part of a minute. Dan stayed silent.

  When he removed his hands Mac could see a look of resignation on the professor’s face.

  ‘No, it wouldn’t be a surprise.’

  ‘I take it that these pills aren’t paracetamol? We will of course be analysing them.’

  The professor’s former agitation had left him. His lawyer whispered something in his ear but the professor shook his head.

  His body was quite still as he said, ‘They’re Crystal Meth.’

  Now it was Dan’s turn to look surprised.

  ‘Crystal Meth? We don’t see a lot of that in Luton.’

  ‘I brought them over from the States last time I was there. I’m not an addict you understand but they help me get through things.’

  ‘So can I ask again have you ever met Mandy Stokes or Angela Moran, also known as Randy and Angel?’

  The professor nodded.

  ‘Yes, I went to them both several times.’

  ‘What about Barbara Mason, also known as Babs, Annie McTavish also known as Tanya and Kayla James also known as Kayla?’

  The professor looked really puzzled.

  ‘No, I don’t know any of those names.’

  Mac believed him and apparently so did Dan.

  The professor’s lawyer piped up, ‘Can you tell us what this is really all about? I get the feeling that my client isn’t the real focus of your investigation.’

  ‘No, I’m afraid I can’t at this moment,’ Dan said. ‘Thank you for your co-operation Professor Grinberg. You have admitted possession of a Class A drug. You will be kept in custody until formal charges are prepared. I’ll let you have a word with your lawyer. Interview suspended at six thirty five.’

  Dan stopped the recorder and Mac followed him out of the room. Outside in the hallway Dan punched the air.

  ‘That’s how I like them, short and sweet!’

  ‘Crystal Meth? That’s a bit of a surprise though,’ Mac stated.

  ‘We’ve only had the one case of someone found with Crystal Meth to my knowledge, an American passing through the airport a few years back. Unfortunately its use is growing. They busted a drugs factory up North a few months ago and found over twenty kilos of the stuff, apparently worth over a million on the street. Another one was recently found in London. It won’t be long before it really hits the streets for real and then that’ll be another problem for us, as if we haven’t got enough.’

  ‘A result today though,’ Mac said, trying to be positive.

  Dan smiled broadly.

  ‘Yes we should celebrate our little victories when we get them. Only problem is that it doesn’t help us much with the Lewinton case and the death of all the other girls does it? I mean Crystal Meth, it’s not our hibernation drug, is it? ’

  ‘It’s a step forward though, a suspect crossed off the list.’

  ‘So we need to think of some other way of cracking this case. Any ideas?’

  Mac shook his head.

  ‘Not at the moment but I’m sure something will come up.’

  ‘I certainly hope so. There’s something quite chilling and distasteful about all this. The thought that young girls could be kidnapped, held for weeks and disposed of like unwanted dogs. I mean this is Luton for God’s sake!’

  ‘I know exactly what you mean. I think that this might be one of those cases you have to keep chipping away at but I’m sure we’ll get there in the end.’

  Mac sincerely hoped he was right.

  Chapter Nine

  They only had to wait a few minutes for Adil and Mary to join them.

  ‘Anything?’ Dan asked hopefully.

  ‘No,’ Adil replied. ‘He admitted that he and the professor had smoked cannabis a few times but he said he didn’t know anything about any Crystal Meth. I believe him.’

  Mary nodded her agreement.

  ‘Okay we appear to be back at square one again. We may not get Tommy and Buddy back for a few hours so I think we should crack on. We still have two girls to follow up on, Annie McTavish and Kayla James. I suggest that Adil and I take Annie and that Mary and Mac take Kayla. We’ll meet up here no later than four when we’ll debrief and call it a day. I suggest the first thing you do is get some proper breakfast, it’s going to be a long day.’

  Mary took Kayla’s file and Mac followed her out to the car park.

  ‘Is there any reason in particular he paired us up?’ Mac asked as they walked.

  Mary looked at him and gave him a little smile.

  ‘Yes, I asked him to. I’m up for sergeant soon and I was just curious to see how you worked. I suppose I’m hoping something might rub off.’

  Mac smiled too as he thought about when he’d taken his sergeant’s exams.

  ‘It took me two goes.’

  ‘Really? Yet you were so good at what you did.’

  ‘Exams have nothing to do with police work. They’re just a hurdle you have to jump over, a bloody barrier might be nearer the truth. Some of the best coppers I ever worked with never made sergeant,’ Mac stated.

  ‘I know but you have to make that jump if you want to get anywhere in the force and I want to get as far up the ladder as I can. Anyway I just thought it would be nice to work with someone with your experience.’

  ‘Okay, where do we go first?’

  ‘There’s a pub down the road that does a more than acceptable full English. I’m always starving after a raid for some reason.’

  ‘Sounds like an excellent first step,’ Mac replied with a smile.

  As they ate Mac asked Mary what the plan of action was.

  ‘Unfortunately we don’t have any information on who associated with Kayla James. She’d only been on the streets for a couple of months before she disappeared and she just had the one caution for soliciting. We do know Kayla James’ pimp is a sleaze who calls himself Jay Dee, real name Jaydev Dhaliwal. He runs a string of girls in High Town, strictly small time but we suspect that there’s someone bigger behind the operation although we have absolutely no idea who that might be. We somehow need to see if we can get some information out of Jay about the other girls he’s running so we can interview them. Hopefully some of them might know something of use. If, as is all too likely, he tells us nothing then we’ll have to start back tracking, see if we can contact family members, school friends and so on.’

  ‘Where was she from, was she local?’

  ‘No she was from Watford. I sincerely hope Mr. Jay Dee talks or we’ll be in for what will probably be a wild goose chase for the rest of the day.’

  Mac said nothing but he had a feeling that Mary might be surprised about how co-operative Mr. Jay Dee might be.

  They drove past the rail station and into a Victorian area of the town that had seen better times. The car pulled up outside a scruffy terraced house outside of which was parked a Porsche four by four with black tinted windows. As they climbed out Mary noticed Mac looking at the car.

  ‘Might as well have a neon sign outside saying pimp lives here,’ she said.

  She knocked loudly on the door and kept knocking until a dishevelled young man in shorts opened the door.

  ‘Police, Mr. Dhaliwal,’ Mary said as she flashed her warrant card.

  ‘I can’t be dealing with this
right now. I’ve only just gone to bed, can’t you come back later?’ he replied testily.

  ‘Just a few questions, that’s all, then you can get back to your beauty sleep,’ she said.

  ‘Let’s get it over with then.’

  He led them down a dingy hallway into the living room. There was an accumulation of empty beer cans and pizza boxes strewn around the room.

  ‘Had a party, have we?’ Mary commented.

  ‘No, it’s the maid’s day off, isn’t it? Come on, ask your stupid questions so I can tell you to go fuck yourselves and then get some sleep.’

  ‘We’re investigating the death of Kayla James and we’d like to interview any friends she may have had.’

  ‘Never heard of anyone called Kayla James. Now go fuck yourselves, I’m going back to bed.’

  ‘Mary would you mind leaving me and Mr. Dhaliwal here alone for two minutes?’ Mac asked.

  Mary gave him a surprised look.

  ‘Are you sure?’

  ‘Yes, please just wait in the hall, it won’t take long.’

  When Mary had left the room Mac gave Mr. Dhaliwal a measured look.

  ‘What you looking at me for old man? Didn’t know they let cripples in the police, must be getting desperate, ain’t they?’

  Mac still said nothing.

  ‘That’s it, I’m off to bed. Let yourself out, if you can walk as far as the door that is.’

  ‘I’d stay if I were you and I’d also answer all of the nice lady’s questions. By the way I’m not a policeman I’m a private detective.’

  ‘Detective? I thought they were only in films and stuff. So what if I don’t answer any questions? What are you going to do about it?’

  ‘Me? Absolutely nothing but there is a man who might, in fact if he knew you were obstructing this investigation, I’d say he’d definitely do something.’

  ‘A man? You’ve got me all scared now. Who is he, the boogie man? Tell this man to fuck off, I ain’t scared of no-one.’