Dead Guilty

by Helen H. Durrant

  A few seconds later she heard the key turn in the lock. “They’re off their heads. Wrecking the place.” The elderly man was obviously anxious. “Please get rid of them. I’ve tried, but all they do is laugh at me.”

  “Is that lad David your grandson?”

  Mr Hopkins shook his head. “Is he heck. I don’t know him from Adam, and he’s not called David either. They turned up here uninvited. I can’t do anything. There’s too many of them and they’re a right rough lot.”

  Ruth had heard enough. “Don’t worry, Mr Hopkins. I’ll sort them out.”

  Ruth was pissed off. Back downstairs she went straight to the radio and turned it off. A collective groan went round the room. “Want to spend the night in the nick?” she asked, holding up her warrant card.

  “Got some front, that one.” A comment from one of the group. “She needs teaching a lesson.”

  Ruth looked round at them. There was a mix of lads and girls. What did they think they were doing? Some were lying on the carpet, obviously out of it. Others were lolling on the furniture. There were no lights on, but she could still see sleeping bags, duvets and clothing littered about. There was dirty crockery and what appeared to be dust covering every surface. This wasn’t new. This lot had been here a while.

  “Get out and don’t come back, or that’s what will happen.” She looked at the scowling faces. She recognised one of them. “I know you, Dean Laycock. I’ll be speaking to your parents in the morning.” It flashed through Ruth’s mind that the lad had changed a lot since she’d last seen him. He’d lost weight for a start and looked positively haggard.

  Another of the lads laughed and pushed Dean forward towards Ruth while whispering something in his ear. “Come on lads. The tart wants us gone. Time we moved on. This is a boring old hole anyway.”

  Ruth saw him nod at Dean, then the lad bent down and picked up a large holdall. “Drop that!” she shouted.

  “No way!”

  “I won’t ask again.”

  She heard some of the group snigger. The bag was obviously important. The lad clutched it close to his body. “Drop it or I’ll arrest you.”

  “Do her now, Dean,” the call went up.

  Dean walked towards her. He had one hand in his pocket. The lad with the holdall had gone.

  Dean looked unsteady on his feet and stumbled as he moved toward Ruth. “He warned you,” he hissed under his breath. “You should have let it go. You can’t take this lot on, you won’t win.”

  “Last chance,” she warned. “I know you and you’re in big trouble. I want names and I want that holdall.”

  Ruth heard the others muttering. One shouted, “Go on, do her now!”

  Suddenly Dean lunged at her. She saw the glint of a blade. He’d been holding a knife in his pocket. She should have realised. But Ruth reacted quickly, lifting her arm so her hand was protecting her body, but the blade still caught her. She stumbled back in shock and fell, hitting her head on the stone hearth of the fireplace. The blow knocked her out cold.

  * * *

  Ruth came round to bright lights and the sound of voices. Her head hurt like hell and her right hand was heavily bandaged. She’d no idea what had happened, but it had to be serious — she was in hospital.

  “Ruth, can you hear me?”

  It was Jake. He looked concerned. “Where am I?” she asked softly. Her mouth was so dry she could barely speak. “Where’s Harry?”

  “He’s fine. The neighbour is sitting with him. You were attacked. You went to see Mr Hopkins, remember?”

  Ruth closed her eyes. She was sleepy. She had a vague recollection of seeing a group of youngsters, an angry rabble. They’d frightened Mr Hopkins and she’d tackled them.

  A doctor spoke. “She hasn’t come round properly yet. She’ll be more coherent tomorrow.”

  Ruth could hear the words but they made no sense. Something was nudging at the edge of her memory. It was frustrating. She had to tell them something, but what? Her eyes snapped open and she looked at the people around her. She only recognised Jake. No Calladine. She needed to speak to him urgently, but Ruth couldn’t remember why.

  “Calladine?” she whispered to Jake.

  “Don’t stress, I’ll ring him later. You have to rest. Work can wait.”

  “Mr Hopkins?”

  “He’s fine. I rang his doctor. He’ll get sorted, don’t worry.”

  But Ruth was worried. Something was seriously wrong. The detail kept slipping out of reach. She groaned in pain. Jake was right, it would have to wait.

  Chapter 19

  Day 4

  Calladine had stayed late in the incident room waiting for forensic results to come in from either the Sean Barber killing or the Alder abduction. Neither had been forthcoming so he’d called it a day. On arriving at the station the next morning, he was greeted by an anxious desk sergeant.

  “Have you heard about Ruth, sir?” The officer looked worried. Something was wrong. But surely if something serious had happened to Ruth then Jake would have called him.

  Calladine frowned. “What about her?”

  “She’s in hospital. Some sort of ruck on her street. A bunch of kids got rough and she was stabbed.”

  Calladine’s stomach turned over. He immediately made his way back out to the car park. What the hell was going on? Why hadn’t anyone told him? If anything happened to Ruth, well, he’d no idea what he’d do. His seriously doubted his ability to carry on in the job.

  He hadn’t asked, but Calladine presumed that Ruth would be in the infirmary. He drove straight there.

  Running up the main corridor, he saw Doc Hoyle coming out of his office.

  “She’s fine,” the doc said at once. “Good God man, you need to calm down. You’re as white as a sheet.”

  Calladine was out of breath from running. “Is it any wonder? What the hell happened? Can I see her?”

  “Ruth’s okay. I’ve just come from giving her the all-clear. She’s waiting for a taxi to take her home.”

  “A taxi! Where’s Jake, why isn’t he with her? What’s going on in that bloke’s head?”

  “She’s in the side room at the end. Go and speak to her yourself.”

  Calladine was furious. Ruth shouldn’t be on her own. Jake should’ve taken the day off. She’d need looking after.

  As he entered the room Ruth looked up and smiled at him. She was dressed and sat on the bed, an overnight bag at her side.

  “Christ, you look worse than me!” she said. “Give you a fright, did I?”

  “I’d no idea how serious your injuries were. I was just told that you’d been stabbed. How d’you imagine I felt?”

  “Well, I’m fine.” She waved a bandaged hand at him. “It looks worse than it is. You know what it’s like, more bandage than wound.”

  Calladine nodded at the overnight bag. “No need for a taxi, I’ll take you,” he said. “I’m surprised Jake has left you here like this.”

  Ruth rolled her eyes. “He’s got work and Harry to see to. We’re not the only ones with demanding jobs, you know. Anyway, I insisted that I could see to myself.”

  Calladine wasn’t convinced. She’d banged her head, probably had concussion. Plus, her hand was heavily bandaged. They didn’t do that for a scratch. “How did this happen? It’s usually so quiet where you live.”

  “Not recently, from all accounts. I’ve been so busy, I’ve not noticed. Old Mr Hopkins at the end of Orchard Close has had a group of youngsters staying with him, and not out of choice. They’re a rough bunch. One of them said he was his grandson, but a load of rubbish.”

  “I don’t understand. Are these kids homeless or something? How did it happen? Did they just turn up and move in?”

  “Sort of. And they’d been there a while from the look of things. There were sleeping bags and clothes lying around. A lot of rubbish, cans and takeaway trays.” Ruth paused. “I challenged them because of the noise. They were playing loud music and cars had been roaring up and down day and night. They did
n’t like my interference, but I had to try and stop them. Did no good though, not even my warrant card bothered them. One of them, Dean Laycock, went for me with a blade. If I hadn’t dodged it, stuck up my hand in defence, he might’ve killed me. Uniform are bringing him in. Mind you, he was being egged on by the others. He lunged for me, I moved, but when I felt the blade, I tripped and banged my head on the hearth. I was unconscious for a while. Fortunately, Mr Hopkins had left the house and was already on his way back with Jake. Some of the other neighbours came out, too. I presume when the group saw what they were up against, they legged it. That house needs forensics round pronto.”

  “Why didn’t Mr Hopkins just call the police to begin with?”

  “He has no mobile, only a landline. The kids must have broken it. Besides, he’s an old man and he was frightened. I expect they threatened him.”

  Calladine frowned. “What were these kids doing?”

  “Can’t you guess? Think about it. Mr Hopkins, Rowena Hargreaves, and Alex Geddes. What do they all have in common, Tom?”

  Calladine scratched his head. “Two of them are pensioners, but Alex was a young lad.”

  “They are all vulnerable people, easily manipulated,” Ruth explained. “They were targeted by this group. They seek out a likely candidate, move in, get them hooked on dope and take over.”

  “Then what? What is it they want?”

  “One of the lads, I’ve never seen him before, had a large holdall. I told him to drop it, but he refused. Clung onto it like grim death. It was at that point that things got dodgy.” She looked at Calladine. He still hadn’t got it. “Have you heard the term ‘cuckooing?’”

  Calladine was baffled. “I think there was a mention in that circular we got. I glimpsed it, but you know how it is.”

  “Well, I’ve read about it. A group move in with a vulnerable person, usually only one or two for starters. For a while they appear kind. Do the shopping, a little cooking. But that soon changes. The rest of the group arrive and they take over. They use the premises as a drugs den. All deliveries and pick-ups, and a lot of using, is done from that address. They constantly move around, which means they stay one step ahead of us.”

  “You worked all this out while you lay injured in here?”

  Ruth smiled. “Nothing else to do, is there? Battery’s dead on my mobile.”

  “Rocco had noticed how quiet the streets are. All uniform has stopped is the odd possession. There’s been no dealing that we’re aware of.”

  “Oh, it’s going on alright, but under wraps.”

  At that moment Calladine’s mobile rang. It was Alice. He listened intently to what she told him.

  “DNA’s in on the blood found on those wood splinters,” he told Ruth at the end of the call.

  “I’ve been thinking about that case, too.” Ruth smiled knowingly.

  “The blood belongs to Annie Alder. It looks like we’ve all been set up,” Calladine told her.

  Ruth stood up gingerly. “You need to get back to the station. But you can drop me home on the way. I’ll spend the rest of the day with my feet up and see you tomorrow. Make sure forensics get to Mr Hopkins’ house today.”

  “There’s no need to rush back. With an injured hand, you won’t be able to drive.”

  “That’s not all I do, you know.” Ruth laughed. “Anyway, you’re pushed, you need me. A day tops, and then it’s work as normal.”

  Chapter 20

  A relieved Calladine made his way back to the station. Ruth was okay, but that was more down to luck than anything else. Dean Laycock would be charged. Attempted murder. The lad would also be questioned about the mysterious ‘Street.’ Sooner or later, either he or one of his group would talk.

  There was also the question of Annie Alder. It was her blood they’d found on the wood splinters. Their instincts had been right all along. But what Calladine couldn’t understand was why she hadn’t simply left Alder, without all the drama. He decided to speak to her sister, Frankie, see what she could tell them.

  “Dean Laycock, has he been arrested?” he asked as he entered the office.

  Alice looked up from her desk. “He’s downstairs in the cells, sir. He’s asked for a solicitor. The one he specified has been contacted. Not the duty one either. This solicitor is from some large practice in Oldston.”

  “There’s money in dealing drugs. Do we know if it’s drug money he’s using to pay?”

  “He won’t say, sir. He simply gave us the number to ring.”

  Calladine nodded. “I’ll deal with him later. I want a word with Frankie Halliwell, but first I must speak to Richard Alder.

  “Have you found her?” His first words when he heard Calladine’s voice.

  “We’re getting there. It’s important that you don’t pay the ransom over,” he said. “We have evidence that your wife may be implicated in the abduction.”

  There was silence on the line. Calladine understood that this would be confusing for Alder.

  “Annie took Sophie! Are you sure?” He said at last.

  “We’ve got evidence that points that way. When we do find your wife and child, you will be the first to know, in the meantime, do not transfer any money.”

  Reluctantly, Alder agreed.

  “Alice, you’re with me.”

  He waited for DC Bolshaw to grab her jacket and then the pair headed for the car park.

  “How’s Ruth?” Alice asked, once they were outside.

  “She reckons she’s fine, but then that’s Ruth all over, isn’t it? It was a near miss from all accounts. That hooligan, Laycock, will get his, don’t worry.”

  Alice looked relieved. “You think Annie Alder faked the kidnapping?”

  “Yes, I do. But what I can’t work out is why.”

  “Perhaps she was afraid of her husband?” Alice suggested.

  “Possibly. I will find out and get an explanation. This investigation has cost both time and money.”

  Once again Frankie Halliwell answered the door to the Alder house. She was pale and heavy eyed, nursing a hangover. She greeted the pair with a grimace. Calladine noticed the suitcases in the hall.

  “Going somewhere?” he asked.

  “Yes. Not that it’s got anything to do with you.”

  “We might need to get in touch. A forwarding address would be useful.”

  Frankie scowled at him. “I’ll be at my place on the Hobfield.”

  Calladine glanced behind her into the house. “Is Annie in?”

  “She’s done one. Said nowt, just packed and went. I hate her! She had everything, but the cow still went and stole the only man I ever had a chance with.”

  The bitterness Frankie felt towards her sister was evident. Her face was red now and there were tears of frustration on her cheeks.

  “Where’s she gone, Frankie?” Alice asked gently.

  “Off with Billy, Rick’s older brother. Damn sod promised me we’d be together. Didn’t mean a word of it, lying bastard. She bats her eyelashes and he’s smitten. Stupid lump! I hate him too!”

  Calladine was puzzled. “Is this relationship new?”

  “No. The pair of them have been working on their plan to scam Rick for a while. All that time Billy strung me along to cover their tracks. He kept telling me that we had a future. Wish I’d never set eyes on him.”

  “We need to find Annie. Do you know where they might have gone?” Calladine asked.

  “No. I can’t find either of them. But when I do, they’ll be sorry they crossed me. That man doesn’t know what’s coming to him.”

  “You shouldn’t make threats, Frankie,” Calladine said.

  The young woman looked angry. “I’m not making threats, I mean every word. I’ll get my own back. The pair of them will be sorry they did this to me.”

  “You didn’t know about the affair?” Alice asked.

  “I suspected Annie had someone. But I never for one second thought it was Billy. I hate him! I hate them both!” She looked at Calladine. “This whole
thing was a set-up. Telling you lot the kid had been taken, everything. She did it to get money out of Rick, but she won’t get away with it.” Frankie shook her mobile phone at them. “I’ve told her exactly what I’m going to do. Rick doesn’t know yet what she’s done. He doesn’t know about Billy either. I’m going to tell him. Then we’ll see. Rick will find them and they’ll get paid back. Annie will regret what she did to me, and Billy will wish he’d never set eyes on the bitch.”

  “You’ve spoken to Annie?” Calladine asked.

  Frankie looked at him. “She’s not picking up, so I texted. She will be one scared woman when she reads it, believe me. Richard Alder is not a man you mess with, he’s got too much to lose.” Frankie folded her arms. “Why are you asking me all these questions? What have you found out?”

  “Not a lot and that’s the problem. What I don’t understand is why Annie went to all that trouble. If she wanted out, why not just tell Richard it was over, leave and take Sophie with her.”

  “Because Rick is a control freak, that’s why. No way would he let her take Sophie, or give her money.”

  “He seems the reasonable sort to me,” Calladine said.

  “Well he’s not. Far from it. All that big-hearted businessman stuff is a sham. Richard Alder is nothing but a well-dressed thug. Annie wanted out almost as soon as she’d married him. Silly bitch realised too late as usual. You should have heard her, she told me all about the things he did. What a heavy-handed bully he was.”

  “Are you sure you don’t know where Annie’s gone?” Calladine asked again.

  “No idea. But she’d better not show herself until things calm down.”

  At least it had cleared up one puzzle. Annie’s new boyfriend, Billy Alder, was Sophie’s uncle. That’s why she hadn’t been afraid to go with him, but little Jack simply knew him as the man in a witch costume at the party.

  * * *

  Calladine and Alice headed back to the station. “We should pay a visit to Alf Alder’s place,” Calladine declared. “Billy lived with him. It’s possible there’s a computer or something that’ll give us a clue as to where Annie and him have gone.”