‘Yes, I knowyou just startled me that’s all’ Zara
said calming down.
‘Anyway Zara, I’ve got a flight to catch, but I want you to speak to Howcroft and find out what he knows about this file’ he then passed it back to her. ‘Also get Mackod to dig into DS Williams, who I think is working on the Susan Kenyon-Lloyd murder’.
‘What Judge Lloyds wife?’ Zara asked confused ‘is this the Williams who had been at your break-in?’
‘Yes I do believe it could be the same one, so ask Mckod to be discreet’ Tarling said knowing his stye for the more direct approach.
Zara nodded went behind Stephen at his desk and placed her hands on his shoulders, placed a kiss on his cheek and whispered ‘Take care.’
He spun his chair around to face her, she straddled his lap ‘of course I will.’
Chapter 9.
Dave Harris took another long drag on the cigarette, he exhaled and filled the briefing room with more smoke, usually a sign when he was anxious or nervous, but it was only a de-brief on the murder. Dave had been with Traffic Police for fifteen years before transferring from Southampton. He had now been with Chief Inspector Howcroft for three years but still found his presence unnerving.
Mike Brewer and Tina Barnes were also in the room busy chatting about last night’s programme on ‘Child Crime’. Mike and Tina had deve!oped a good relationship when they joined as ‘rookie cops’ two years ago and deve!oped a partnership when briefly investigating their only previous murder investigation.
Dale Pearce and Sandra Jones burst through the doors laughing and taking. Dale was in his mid thirties always had the appearance of just getting out of bed, unshaven and unkempt. Sandra was the ‘mother figure’ of the team, making sure no arguments or differing views got too over heated. Sandra was in her late fifties and always immaculate in appearance, and each of the team in one aspect or another came to her with their problem.
Howcroft marched into the room followed by Williams; they went to the back where it displayed graphic photographs of the murdered Susan Kenyon-Lloyd at the crime scene. There was also a white board with the heading SUSPECTS ? There was nothing underneath.
‘Okay everyone settle down and listen up’ Howcroft said in a meaningful tone…’I’ve got plenty of gaps in this case, so I want to fill some of them in, and get some names. a name on this board.’
‘So Sandra can we confirm the time of the call Lloyd made to his wife?’
‘He made one call from the telephone in his flat to his home telephone at 3.12pm on the 3rd, he made another call at 10.38pm, this time from his mobile to his wife’s mobile. Earlier that day he called his secretary at 9.15am’
‘So I wonder why he called from the mobile on the second occasion?’ Howcroft pondered as he paced up and down.
‘Maybe he was ill in bed and didn’t want to get out to make the call’ Harris nervously interrupted.
‘Maybe’ Howcroft nodded.
‘Or Guv’ Williams thought ‘He was out somewhere at the time’
‘Exactly’ Howcroft turned to Williams and pointed ‘What time did his neighbours hear the door shut?’
Tina piped up ‘It was around ten to ten thirty.’
‘And the second call to his wife was ten thirty-eight’, Howcroft paused and then wrote Judge Lloyd on the white board under suspects.
‘Alright Harris, Pearce what did you find out about Mrs Kenyon-Lloyds last movements?’
‘We definitely know she went to Miss Marino’s, a shoe shop in the city centre, the young assistant recognised serving her from the photo, and later in the day visited one of these new Indian head massage
placesrelieves stress and that sort of thing’ Pearce
replied with a shrug of the shoulders and subtle laugh.
‘In between that’ Pearce continued ‘She had lunch around one thirty at Carlo’s with a male friend?’ he looked for signs of confirmation, it was silent, ‘who the waiter described as tall and blonde.’
‘Right’ Howcroft said loudly ‘Williams will now fill you in on his findings’
Howcroft stepped back and leaned back against the wall. Williams moved into the limelight and gave a slight cough as he ckared his throat.
‘I would just like to start off by thanking everybody for their efforts so far’ Williams looked at Howcroft and received a nod of approval. ‘As Brewer and Barnes are aware we’ve also been watching a Stephen Tarling’
The team was looking at him intently, awaiting a new development in the case.
‘It would appear from our surveillance that Tarling is a cose friend or colleague of Judge Lloyd, and it was agreed it warranted a search of his home to answer some questions’. William’s ceared his throat again, ‘After conducting the search a large stash of money in unused notes was found pus a key’ which he held up in his hand. ‘That we feel belongs to a safety deposit box’
Howcroft moved forward and asked ‘What about the DNA?’
‘Yes we removed a hair sample of which we should have the results in a couple days’
Howcroft screeched the black marker pen on the board again and put Tarling under Lloyd. There was a lot of murmuring and talk amongst the team, ‘Alright’ he
continued ‘settle bloody down again’ he paused and
waited for the silence.
‘That rough description of Mrs Uoyd’s lunch companion does fit our Mr Tarling….so team I think we
have two solid suspects to investigateRight Sandra
I want you find out about the bank details of Lloyd and Tarling. Brewer, Barnes I want you to find what this key belongs to, safety deposit box and the contents…Pearce and Harris low profile surveillance on the Judge’ Howcroft was in full flow, ‘alright go …go!’
Howcroft gestured towards the door suggesting them to get right on with their assignments, there was back chat and laughter as they left the room.
‘Well John I think we’re filling in some of those gaps’ Howcroft smiled
Williams looked at the two names on the board, paused andjust nodded.
Chapter 10.
Stephen Tarling vigorously wound down the window after getting in the bright yeHow taxi, he fell hot and agitated after the hustle and bustle of coming through customs especially as literally everyone had their bags searched. He thought it was a good idea though, that the man in the kiosk asked him for his destination and proceeded to give him a computer printout, incuding price for the journey.
As he left the airport he was hit with the oppressive humidity, although the previous month had seen heavy rainfall and winter like weather, but now it was heading into the dry months where the heat and humidity would take over. Although eventually he was heading into the mountainous region of Bogota, where it always seemed chilly and overcast.
Tarling gave the taxi driver his printout, which would take him to the ‘Bogota Royal’, the hotel he would be staying in for a few days while Freddy Morales arranged the meeting with Rafael Rojas, ‘The Chess Player’.
Stephen threw his case onto a chair by the wall as he walked into his hotel room. It was gloomy and he walked straight over to the balcony doors that were shutting out the daylight. He pushed both them back so they lay flat against the wall and was immediate^ illuminated by the late evening sunshine. He looked from his balcony window at the view bdow, cars jostling for position hooting their horns it seemed grid locked whilst the people hurriedly made their way home.
‘The heat gets to you lot too uh?’ he said to himself out loud, sensing the agitated mood from down bdow.
He was relieved to feel the breeze slowly filling the room, walked back slowly to the double bed and fell down on it, letting out a groan of satisfaction.
A couple of hours had passed, before he awoke to a slight chill, he could see it was dark outside and the c
ity blow was a lot quieter. He sat on the edge of the bed and looked around to see where the wardrobe and bathroom
were even where he had left his case. ‘Right’ he
thought ‘time for a shower, a drink at the bar and then let’s see what the Bogota night life has to offer’. It would take his mind off the troubles back home.
He then thought of why he was here?to meet
Rafael, and try to end the money laundering operation. ‘Fucking hell!’ he shouted out loud in anger, it had become complicated now and enough was enough after the death of Susan Kenyon-Lloyd.
He hoped the tasks he had left with Zara and Mackod would be resolved by the time he would return. ‘Yes’ he said to himself, feeling happier, he would relinquish his and Judge Lloyd’s role in the operation with Rafael and when he returned the heat of the investigation would be off. He could continue his progression to full Commissioner.
‘Would it be that easy’ he wonderedHe jumped
to his feet and thought again of enjoying the night. Freddy would call in the morning to let him know the day and time of the meeting with Rafael, so all he could do was wait and see.
It was Tuesday morning 9th December. The sound of the telephone ringing woke him up, he wiped his hand over his face feeling the stubble that had formed on his chin and then stretched out his arms. He leant over to the bedside table and picked up the telephone.
‘Hello’ he said quietly.
‘Stephen’
Stephen Tarling pulled the telephone away from his ear and winced. ‘Not so loud pease Freddy’
‘Ohfeeling a bit, what you say hang over’
‘Something like that Freddy’
‘WeH get in that shower’ Freddy Morales said laughing ‘I will meet you at Carbon de Palo the best restaurant in the city at twelve thirty’
Tarling picked up his watch and saw it had just gone ten. ‘Okay Freddy no problem, where about is it ?’
‘You turn left out of the hotel and it is only….er…5 minute walk’
‘See you there’ Tarling put the phone down and appreciated the silence it brought.
He turned round to see the bed was empty ‘she must have gone’ he said to himself. He rubbed his eyes and remembered the night before the woman with the nice smile and pretty eyes who kept him company at the local bar. Drinking for hours, until she asked ‘what hotel he was staying at? and that her rates were very good’.
Tarling smiled to himself and vaguefy remembered still being up to the job. He suddenly jumped out of bed and needed to get into that shower, get himself together for the day that lay ahead. He hoped that when he met Freddy a time had been arranged to meet Rafael. He phoned down to room service and asked for black coffee and a bottle of cold water.
He took another gulp of coffee as he strode over to let the ‘city’ into his room as he pulled back the shutter doors, again he was surprised with the vibrant noise and people that scuttled beneath him. He was feeling better and with arms outstretched gave a mighty yawn. His mobile telephone was switched off and hidden away in his suitcase. He retrieved his case by pulling it down from the top of the wardrobe, he released the locks after fiddling with the combinations.
The mobile beeped into life, and he wondered if he had received any messages:
‘‘Missing youhope you are okay?anyway
Stephen, meeting with DCI Howcroft soon, wiil let you know outcome. Call me if you can?’-He smiled, it was Zara.
‘Steve….it’s Lloyd, if you get this message, just to let you know they have released Susan’s body so I’ll be
arranging the funeral for next weekalso call me
when you’ve met the Chess Player’-It was the Judge.
‘That’s good’ he thought’ maybe the heat was off on the investigation.
Tarling rubbed his hands together, he was now off to meet Freddy at the restaurant. Freddy Morales was waiting for him outside the restaurant with his usual pearly white grin. ‘Wow, Freddy I’ve only been walking for five minutes and I feel out of breath’ Tarling said gasping for air.
Freddy laughed, ‘It takes a bit of getting used to…you are… er, about two thousand six hundred metres above sea level’
Stephen Tarling gave him a look of surprise, but also one of ‘ cut the tourist crap’. Freddy laughed again, slapped him on the back and reassured him he would be ‘alright’.
‘We are now going to have the best grilled steak you have ever tasted’ Freddy said eagerly as though he couldn’t wait to get into the restaurant.
A waitress greeted them with good afternoon ‘Buenas tardes’ as they entered through the doors. Another shout from across the bar ‘Hola Freddy, Que pasa?’ . Freddy responded with Spanish dialect and laughed again. Tarling smiled to himself, he obviously frequented this restaurant a lot he thought.
They were escorted to the delightful indoor patio and were seated in a corner table, surrounded by hanging plants that filled the room.
Stephen Tarling reclined in his seat, patted his stomach with delight after the meal had finished.
‘I can tell by your face, you enjoyed that…uh?’ Freddy asked knowing the answer. ‘You now need to have some coffee, the best in the world’
Tarling smirked, with it couldn’t get much better feeling and they both laughed out loud. ‘Okay, Freddy business, when can I meet Rafaell’
‘It has been arranged for tomorrowyou have to
be at the Museo de Oro at ten am’, Freddy could see a blank expression on Tarlings face.
‘The Gold museum’ Freddy was quick to explain ‘It is a staggering spectacular to the eyes Stephen with over thirty thousand pieces of gold’
‘Bloody hell’ was the only words Tarling could muster.
Freddy carried on ‘ you must be in the room with the model of the lost city, there someone will meet you and you will be taken into the mountain range of Monserrsate’.
‘Alright, Freddy ten o’cock tomorrow’.
Wednesday 10th December. Stephen Tarling looked at his watch again, it showed ‘9.53’ he fell his hands begin to sweat. ‘ Come on, pull yourself together’ he thought, looking around to see if anyone noticed his nervousness or were walking in his direction. He glanced back noticing a woman who was looking at him. She turned shyy away with a smile on her face. He smiled back wondering if she was here to meet him or if he looked like a schoolboy waiting to see the Headmaster.
He brought his wrist back up to his face and
noticed it was now ‘9.59’,‘okay any minute’ he
whispered to himself. He was standing next to the ‘Lost City’, a model reconstruction in the centre of the room. It was completely made of gold, and although he stood nervously waiting couldn’t help but admire the craftsmanship and beauty it bestowed.
‘ Hello Mr.Tarling’
A deep sounding voice came from behind him, Tarling turned around quickly to see a well groomed man in sunglasses and made to measure suit.
‘ Impressive uh?’
‘Eh’ Tarling was caught by surprise, ‘Sorry’ he
asked.
The man pointed his head towards the model, ‘The lost city’ he said.
‘Ohyes, yes very’ Tarling responded.
‘Your car awaits, pease follow me’ the man walked towards the exit from the room and Tarling followed.
As they left the building they were met by a cooler overcast day and he told Tarling there was no need for him to know his name and the meeting place in the museum was just to make sure he wasn’t being followed. Stephen Tarling saw in front of him a black Mercedes car with he assumed another one of Rafael’s men resting against the driver’s door.
The man quickly stood up and opened the passenger door at the back with his gloved hand. Tarling and his escort both climbed into the back. It w
as a drive that took them out of the bustling city and into the vast green countryside of Colombia. It seemed to take hal an hour in silence to Tarling before they lost the main roads; suddenly they turned into an open field.
‘Okay Mr Tarlinghere we are’ the man
grinned.
As Tarling opened the door and climbed back out the sound of a helicopter could be heard in the distance. As it got coser, Tarling shielded his face with his arm as the wind picked up and it gently landed a couple of hundred yards away. He nodded to his escort and gingerly walked over to the helicopter, which had its blades still turning. As he got coser he could see Freddy’s face, who pointed to get in. Tarling slid the door open and quickly jumped in and Freddy’s pilot slowly lifted the helicopter scattering the grass blow. As they took off the strength of the wind made any communication impossible, instead Freddy Morales raised his thumbs on both hands gesturing ‘okay’, Tarling nodded and responded in the same way.
He was relieved to take shelter from the wind as he used his strength in sliding the door shut, and blew a hard gush of air from his mouth as he sat down and buckled himself in. His mind began racing ahead to the meeting with the ‘Chess Player’, was it going to be that easy in leaving the operation? Would he understand his reasons? Was he putting his life at risk? He turned and looked out of the window, knowing whatever the outcome it was too late to go back!
After a flight of two hours through the mountains and hüls of the vast green wilderness, they touched down on the helicopter pad of the Rojas Villa. Freddy Mordes waited for the noise to subside and blades to slow down, before removing his earphones and jumping out. He slid the door open and shouted inside to Tarling it was safe to jump down.
Stephen Tarling released the safety buckles and jumped down onto the tarmac, to be greeted again by one of those white beaming smiles. Tarling didn’t say anything as he fell short of breath and his stomach began to knot inside. He looked in wonderment at the view that greeted him, miles of rain forest surrounded them and he didn’t dare guess how far up they were.
The Chess Player Page 6
