DEAD BAD a gripping crime mystery full of twists

by Helen H. Durrant

  The young mum was crying.

  “They didn’t harm you or the child, did they?” Ruth said. The child, a little girl, was sitting up in the pram, screaming.

  “No, they were just being cheeky.” The mother attempted a smile.

  Ruth frowned. “It looked a bit worse than that to me. Did they want something in particular? Were they trying to rob you?”

  “No, nothing like that.”

  Rocco approached them. “Do you live in the block?” He was pointing at Heron House. “I’ll give you a hand up with the pram if you want.”

  “We’re police. We don’t wish you any harm.” Ruth had picked up on the girl’s accent. She was obviously foreign, maybe Eastern European? “Where are you from?”

  “Slovenia,” she replied.

  Ruth smiled at her. “You must find Leesdon very different.”

  The young woman nodded. “It always seems very busy, but I prefer it.”

  Rocco, who had gone off to call the lift, called out that it had arrived.

  “If you have any more trouble from those kids, give us a ring at the station,” Ruth said. “What’s your name?”

  “Why? Is it important?” The young woman looked fearful.

  “No. Just being friendly. Here, take my card in case you ever need to talk.” Ruth handed her a card.

  “I am Ingrid. Ingrid Plesec.” The young woman turned and pushed her pram towards the block.

  Ruth watched her go, shaking her head. “We’re far too busy for all this stuff. I’ll get uniform to keep an eye out. Those kids that were bothering her looked like a rough lot.” She checked her watch. “I’m picking Tom up from Piccadilly soon. But remember, Rocco. Not a word to anyone. He’ll be keeping under the radar for a while yet. Doc Hoyle lives in Hopecross. The locals joke that it’s the end of the world. No one ever goes there.”

  Chapter 15

  “I’m going to have a word with that contact of mine from the CPS,” Greco said. “Robert Galt. He’s a lawyer. After that, I’ll be going straight home. We’ll leave for Strangeways at ten in the morning.”

  He was hoping that Robert Galt would be able to tell him something useful. And he needed a break. The atmosphere in Leesdon station was oppressive and it was doing him no good at all. He picked up his briefcase and left.

  Greco’s mind just wasn’t on the assignment he’d been landed with. He was anxious about what was happening back at his own station, Oldston. His name was mud there. If the transfer came through, he wouldn’t stay a moment longer than necessary. He’d worry about how to square it with the super when it happened. He’d had to have heard by now and was no doubt itching to have a word. Grace wouldn’t be happy. But his main concern had to be the welfare of his daughter, Matilda. Since their breakup, she’d been missing Grace and playing with her daughter, Holly. What they both needed right now was a new start. A job in a less hectic station, with a lighter workload, would give him more time with Matilda.

  Robert Galt had an office in the city centre, around the corner from the Crown Court. Greco had had dealings with him in the past and had found him to be fair minded and friendly. He was a tall man with dark hair, always impeccably dressed. He and Greco often met to discuss the cases they were involved in.

  Galt shook his hand and invited him to come into his office. “You’re interested in the Vincent Costello case? We’ve put in the hours on that one, believe me. We’re leaving nothing to chance this time. The evidence has stacked up, and we’ve finally got him nailed. I can’t see how any jury would fail to convict.”

  Galt’s office was on the top floor of a high-rise block in central Manchester. It had wonderful views over the city and the blue-grey hills beyond.

  The two men sat down. “So how can I help?” Galt asked.

  “I want to know how important DI Tom Calladine’s testimony is to the case. It could be relevant to another one we’re working on.” Greco deliberately kept it brief.

  “The two have history, I know that much. A case that DI Calladine investigated six months ago feeds into the charge we have Costello on. I would say that the inspector’s evidence will be useful but not vital.”

  “What if Calladine were unable to attend? Would you still get your conviction?”

  “Oh yes.” Galt smiled. “We have plenty of indisputable forensics, plus testimony from eyewitnesses. Why do you ask?”

  Greco sighed. He was going to have to say something. After all, it was highly likely that Calladine wouldn’t show up in court. “Calladine has gone missing. Talk has it that Costello has paid him off. Ensured his silence.”

  “I’d say that was utter rubbish! I can think of at least four others that Costello would like to make disappear before he bothered with Calladine. The man is the old school type of villain. He doesn’t pay people off to make them disappear. He has other, more permanent methods, if you get my meaning. You’ve been misled, DCI Greco.”

  “You’re sure? There is nothing Calladine could add to the proceedings that would ensure Costello got a longer sentence, for example?”

  Galt shook his head. “Costello is going down for a long time, with or without Calladine’s evidence.”

  * * *

  The Edinburgh train was late. By the time it pulled in, Ruth had been pacing up and down the platform for over half an hour. She was on edge.

  Calladine was one of the last off the train. Ruth barely recognised him. He was dishevelled, unshaven, and he couldn’t stop yawning. And despite what he’d told her, he still had the angry red shingles rash down one side of his face. Ruth gave him a hug. “Good to have you back. You’ve no idea how worried we’ve been.”

  “Try being me! That was one helluva journey. I had to wait in Inverness for at least two hours to get a connection.”

  “I’m talking about what happened to you, not the journey home, idiot!” She was in no mood for jokes.

  He grinned. “I wasn’t best pleased with events myself. Bashed over the head, then taken to some godforsaken spot in northern Scotland. The escape was no picnic either. Threats or no threats they won’t get away with it. Have you told Birch?”

  “Yes. She is having the place looked at and she’s organised round-the-clock protection for Harry and Zoe. You should give Zoe a call, tell her what’s happening,” Ruth suggested. “I bumped into Jo earlier but I didn’t say much. I thought it was better coming from you.”

  “The sooner those bastards are arrested and locked up, the better. Has Birch said anything to you about how the raid has gone?”

  “I’ve hardly been at the nick today, so she’s not had a chance.”

  “I don’t want any mistakes, Ruth. There is a big rough bloke and a woman at that house. They are sure to know who else is involved in this. They could be key to clearing my name.”

  “In the meantime, we’ll work behind the scenes, find out who these people are and what they want.”

  “The rest of the team?”

  “They know you’re back, and that’s all. I see you have a black eye.” A change of subject.

  “The other chap has a broken arm,” Calladine said with a satisfied smile.

  “You’re joking!” Bravado, Ruth thought.

  “No. I’m not a violent type as you know, but it was life or death. The bastard would have done for me. I lashed out at him with a garden spade. Caught him just above the elbow.”

  Ruth’s eyes were wide. “It sounds as if you were lucky to get out alive. For now, it’s safer for everyone if you stay hidden. You’re going to Doc Hoyle’s. That okay?”

  “It’ll have to be. Doc Hoyle’s will do for now.”

  They walked towards the car park.

  “What is happening with regard to the money?” he asked.

  “Greco is on your case, and you know what he’s like. Probably won’t tell us anything. But I’ve given him Alice to assist. I’ve had a word with her, and tried to make her understand how important it is to keep us up to speed. But neither of them was in the office when I got back,
so I don’t know what he’s found out, or who he’s spoken to.”

  “Greco will have me hung out to dry given half a chance.” Calladine shook his head. “One hundred grand! Just dumped in my account. Who does that? It can’t be that hard to find out where it came from. I mean, who do you know with that sort of money to give away?”

  “Odds on, it’s a bribe from Costello. Birch is convinced you’ve done a runner with it.”

  “That woman has a lot to learn. Costello would have me bumped off rather than give me money.”

  “We tried to tell her that,” Ruth said.

  “What about Layla and Zoe? What do they think has happened to me?”

  “Layla found the blood on your car. She suspects you’re in trouble. We saw Jo today. She’s suspicious but thinks it’s a work thing. You must ring them. Put their minds at rest.”

  Calladine nodded.

  “I’ll take you to Doc Hoyle’s and leave you to it. It’s been a long day, and I’ve got a difficult discussion to have with Jake.”

  Calladine looked at her. “About the threats?”

  “No, to move, or not to move. I’ll be honest, Tom. I’m torn. I’m concerned that either way it’ll do irreparable damage to our relationship. If I insist we stay, he’s going to resent me. If I go with him, I’ll hate it.”

  “Do you want to go?” Calladine asked.

  “Up until you went missing — no. But now, if they throw you out of the force, then it might make the decision easier. Whether I like the idea of moving south or not, I couldn’t stay on without you. I was thinking about going for DI, but what with Harry, I think the stress would be too much.”

  “They won’t throw me out,” he said. “Me and Greco might not like each other, but he is one of the best. If anyone can clear me, then he can.” He looked at her. “Want my job, do you? One little hiccup and you jump into my shoes. Got the measure of you now, DS Bayliss.”

  Ruth knew he was joking, but the idea of climbing the ladder had suddenly evaporated. She liked things just as they were.

  She shook her head. “Having to take the lead with this case we’re on now has made me appreciate how difficult your job is.”

  “Tell me about it.” He smiled.

  “Do you remember the George Norbury case?” Ruth asked.

  Calladine nodded.

  “We’ve got another one, exactly the same. Even down to the pink teddy left at the scene. It’s doing my head in. The man is locked up. He can’t have done it.”

  “I never thought he’d killed the other one.”

  Ruth stopped in her tracks. That was a biggy. Calladine didn’t speak much about his past cases, but if there was any doubt about the outcome, he’d sometimes bring them up. As far as she could recall, he’d never once mentioned George Norbury.

  “Is that why you suggested the case to Alice as one she might look at?”

  “I thought it worth her while. She was hell-bent on raking through my old cases, so why not? I suggested that one and a couple of others I had doubts about.”

  They climbed into Ruth’s car and she pulled out into the rush hour traffic. It was slow going. At this time in the evening, Manchester centre was practically gridlocked.

  “Go on, explain. You can’t leave it like that. As you said, there was evidence, and the man confessed.”

  Calladine stared out at the line of cars ahead. “I could be wrong. I didn’t work with the evidence much, and I didn’t take part in any of the interviews either. They were conducted by DCI Boyd and Jack Andrews. Andrews had his doubts, and spoke to me about them on the QT. No one took much notice of him. He was just a DC, and Boyd the DCI, so his word was law. Boyd wanted the case wrapping up, so that’s what happened. It was a long time ago, but I don’t recall Andrews complaining openly. He just went along with whatever Boyd wanted. But what bothered me most was that Norbury wasn’t the full shilling.”

  “What part did our new chief super take in all this?” Ruth asked.

  “He was in on a couple of interviews.”

  Ruth glanced at his profile. “If it wasn’t Norbury, did you have any other suspects?”

  “No. Weeks of investigations, and all we had was Norbury. I know he confessed. He knew some important details, and certain items were found in his flat. But I didn’t feel right when Boyd told me they were charging him. Gut instinct. You know how it is when you’re working a case.”

  “Did you voice your doubts?” Ruth asked.

  “Not really. I was only involved at the start, and not when they were getting to the nitty-gritty. I was away on a course, so I didn’t get to know Norbury like the others did. I looked at the evidence when I got back. The CPS were happy, the rest of the team were happy. I had no choice but to let it go.”

  “And he was convicted.”

  He nodded. “The jury’s decision was unanimous.”

  “If he didn’t do it, surely he would have said something by now.”

  “Like I said, the man isn’t all there.”

  Chapter 16

  Day 4

  Greco sat at Calladine’s desk. DCI Birch delivered the news that Vincent Costello was refusing to see him. “I’m sorry, Stephen, but that’s how it is.”

  “Did he give a reason?” Greco asked.

  “No, but then he doesn’t have to. He’ll have his reasons, obviously, and I think we know what they are. He won’t want to incriminate himself. After all, he is suspected of bribing a serving police officer. That’s a serious charge.”

  “The warrant came through this morning,” Greco said. “The bank has emailed me Calladine’s latest statement. The money is there, one hundred grand, but I suspect that there’ll be quite a trail before it can be traced back to source. Whether that’s Costello or not.”

  “Well it came from somewhere. If not Costello, then who?” She paused, frowning. “You see the problem, Stephen. There’s no one else it possibly could have come from. Calladine has dealt with a lot of villains in his time. Some are inside, some are dead — but that kind of money? And then, of course, there’s the tipoff we were given.”

  “The tipoff that you haven’t told me anything about. Will you elaborate now? It might help.”

  “The information was given to me by a vigilant solicitor,” Birch said after a while. “The man is part of the team representing Costello. He overheard a conversation between the villain and the senior partner in his firm. According to him, they were discussing the money and Calladine’s testimony. The solicitor thought we should know. Given his position, I didn’t question its authenticity.”

  Greco sighed. “I see. So, as well as everything else, we now have a crooked law firm. I may have to check on this myself. It’s puzzling. My contact at the CPS said that Calladine’s testimony in court will have little impact on the outcome. The CPS reckons they have plenty of evidence to lock Costello up, with or without Calladine. So why would Costello plot to set him up?”

  “You’ve missed something. I know your reputation, Stephen, but my source is sound. Look harder. It’s a helluva lot of money, and it was given to Calladine for a reason. We have it on good authority that it came from Costello.” Birch stalked out.

  Greco was waiting for a phone call. Leesdon didn’t suit him, and he wanted this inquiry to be over. He had called in a favour from a banker friend, a woman he knew from when he worked in Norfolk, and she had promised to find out what she could. At the very least, she’d be able to negotiate her way through the trail of banking red tape he kept getting tangled up in. She would phone him this morning. Then it would all be over.

  Alice stood in the doorway. “We should be leaving, sir.”

  “We aren’t going. Costello’s refused to see us. I’m waiting for some information that should help. In the meantime, I’m going through the files on Calladine’s recent cases to see if anyone involved in any of those could be at the bottom of this.”

  “Can I help?”

  “I’m okay on my own for the moment. Your time would be better spent wit
h the team. You have a nasty murder on your hands, and they are short-handed enough as it is.”

  * * *

  Ruth was poring over everything they had so far, which wasn’t much. She couldn’t stop thinking about Harry. She’d told the staff at his nursery about the threat. They were reassured by the presence of a uniformed officer. The ideal situation would be for Ruth to take time off and look after Harry herself, but that wasn’t possible. The staff were aware of her job and the dangers that came with it.

  Then there was what Calladine had told her about the Norbury case. She had to get proof. Even if it was just gut instinct, he was rarely wrong.

  She noticed that Alice was back at her desk. “The George Norbury file. Can I have it?”

  “What are you thinking?” Alice said.

  “There might be something in it that’ll help.” Ruth didn’t want to say too much, not to Alice. But she had discussed it with Rocco. “Would you contact Professor Batho, Alice? See if he has anything else for us.”

  Alice went off to use the office phone. Ruth pulled up a chair next to Rocco’s desk. “We’re going to go through this file word by word. There has to be something,” she said.

  The two of them spent the next hour reading through every single interview and report.

  Rocco sat back and shook his head. “If there’s something here that might help us, I can’t see it.”

  “What convinced the CPS in the end was Norbury’s confession,” Ruth said. “He told Ford details, things he couldn’t have known about the killing unless he was there. It was decided that Norbury had to have either carried it out himself, or was a bystander, and if so, why not tell them?”

  “Perhaps he wanted people to think he was a killer. Some folk crave notoriety.”

  “Read the profile. Norbury’s a typical introvert. Tom didn’t think Norbury was the killer-type either.”

  “With respect to the boss, that’s not evidence, is it? Anyway, if Norbury didn’t do it, why hasn’t he said anything? He’s banged up. He has no reason to stay quiet.”