He picked up his phone and then hesitated for some time. He finally summoned up his courage and dialled a number he knew by heart.
‘Hello, West End Central Police Station, how can I help?’ a young lady asked.
‘I need to speak to DS Peter Harper.’
There was a slight pause.
‘I’m afraid that we don’t have a Detective Sergeant Harper but we do have a Detective Inspector Harper, would that be the same person?’
‘Yes, yes it would.’
So Peter had gone for that promotion at last.
‘I’m afraid that DI Harper isn’t available at the moment. Can I take a number?’
Mac left his number and the line went dead.
Mac had a sad moment while he thought about the life he’d left behind when he’d been forced to retire. Being a policeman had formed the warp and weft of just about every working day in his life and he found he missed it almost as much as he did his beloved Nora. He knew it was being unfair but deep down he still felt that he had been betrayed by the force in some way, that they’d somehow let him down when he’d needed them most.
When he retired he had just walked away and never looked back. Yet he’d had many good friends in the force, friendships that had been forged and tested over many years and in some difficult situations. He’d walked away from them too.
Peter had been the best of all of those friends. He’d been his sergeant for over twelve years, his right hand, almost his other self. Yet Mac hadn’t seen him once since he’d retired. This hadn’t been Peter’s fault as Mac knew he’d called on at least two occasions. He knew this because he’d been hiding in the house when the doorbell rang. Deep in depression he hadn’t been opening the door to anyone at the time. The sympathy etched in people’s faces only served to remind him that his wife was dead and the reality of that was just too hard to bear.
It still was at times.
Mac was grateful to have his thoughts interrupted by the phone ringing.
‘Mac is that really you?’ a familiar voice said.
‘Peter, it’s so good to hear your voice.’
‘How are you? I’ve heard all about your daring exploits. I was going to call over but I wasn’t sure…’
Peter never finished the sentence. Mac knew he owed his old friend an apology.
‘I’m sorry Peter, I really am. I’ve been in a very strange place and I think I’m only beginning to realise now how strange it’s been. After Nora died I desperately needed to work. I suppose I was using it as a crutch, it was the only way I felt I could get through it all. Then when that was taken away I went into a dark place for quite a while. I think I’m only coming out of it now if I’m honest.’
There was silence for a few seconds.
‘I would have liked to have helped you Mac, I really would have....’
‘Peter you weren’t the only friend I pushed away, God knows there were many times when I wouldn’t even see Bridget. Anyway, if I’m honest, I’m not sure anyone could have helped me. I’ve had to find my own way out.’
‘And have you?’ Peter asked.
Another silence.
‘I hope so, I really do.’
‘Is that what you rang about?’
‘It should have been but no there is something else. I could do with a case file if you could track it down for me.’
Mac told Peter about the Ashley Whyte case and about the related case in North London.
‘Yes I remember that one. From what I heard the gang were sending out a message, they reckoned they were being ripped off far too often. Anyway it must have worked as there hasn’t been anything like that since as far as I know.’
‘Can you get me the full case file? I’d like to compare it to the St. Albans case,’ Mac explained.
‘No problem, in fact I’ll bring it over myself if you like. You’re not going anywhere in the next few hours are you?’
Mac assured his friend that the likelihood of that being the case was exactly zero.
When Amrit came in with a mug of coffee she noticed a difference in him.
‘You’re looking happy, my coffee must be better than I thought.’
‘No it’s not that…’
‘What? Are you saying that my coffee isn’t that wonderful?’ she said in mock indignation.
Mac’s smile went even wider. He was beginning to realise that his nurse was a bit of a leg puller.
‘Your coffee is as delicious as ever of course but no I was happy because an old friend is going to visit, one I haven’t seen for a long while.’
‘I’m glad then, what is they say? Oh yes, If you haven’t learned the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learned anything,’ Amrit said.
‘That’s all too true. Is that a Sikh saying?’
‘No Muhammad Ali. My father loved him when he was boxing and he used to quote him all the time when I was young.’
‘He was a great man. He came to Birmingham you know, not long after I left. I heard that he closed the city centre down, there were massive crowds everywhere he went. A friend of mine saw him in the flesh and he still talks about it today as being something very special.’
‘Okay is there anything else you need before I go?’ Amrit asked.
She could guess from Mac’s face what he needed.
‘Okay I’ll get the wheelchair. I really wish you’d at least consider a urine bottle, it would save you a lot of pain…’
One look at Mac’s face told her that this was a subject that was not up for discussion.
She’d got him back in bed and comfortable just before Bridget came in. Again he could hear them talking in the corridor but, listen as he might, he couldn’t quite make out what they were saying. He heard the front door close just before Bridget came in.
‘Is that right, is Peter really coming?’ she asked with a wide smile.
‘Yes he should be here in an hour or so.’
‘That’s great dad. It will be really nice to see him.’
She thought it was better than great actually. It had been a source of worry to her that he’d cut himself off from his former friends in the police.
‘Is he going to be here for a while?’ Bridget asked.
‘I hope so as he’s driving all the way from London. Why?’
‘Well I thought I might go around and see Tommy for an hour,’ she said.
‘Tommy?’ Mac asked.
‘Yes he’s around at the flat, he’s trying to redecorate it before…well…you know for when I go back.’
Bridget looked a little uncomfortable as she said this but not as uncomfortable as her father felt when he realised the situation.
‘God, I have been so selfish!’ he said.
His daughter and her boyfriend Tommy, a detective constable, had just bought a flat and were planning on moving in together. Mac had been so grateful when Bridget had volunteered to stay with him until his period of confinement was over that he hadn’t considered what Tommy would be doing.
Bridget looked puzzled.
‘You know I honestly never gave it a thought. So Tommy’s around at the flat which is what, some three or four hundred yards away or so, while you’re stuck here every night with me. Is that right?’
She nodded.
‘You could have arranged a night nurse you know?’
‘Well yes I could have but I wanted to be here for you dad. I know how hard it’s going to be for you in getting through these next few weeks. Anyway it was my decision and believe me I can be every bit as stubborn as you when it comes to it,’ she said.
Mac knew that was only the truth. He thought for a moment.
‘Okay when Peter comes go around and tell Tommy to pack a bag and take him back here with you.’
Bridget looked puzzled.
‘What? You mean Tommy can stay here?’
‘Of course, it’s the only sensible solution. If you’ve got to stay here then so must Tommy.’
‘In my room?’ Bridget eventually asked.
‘Of course, he’s not going to sleep on the sofa is he? Bridget, your mum was the religious one in this house but she was also the practical one as well. Believe me she’d have said exactly the same thing too.’
‘Thanks dad. I had thought of it but I just couldn’t think how to ask you. I have missed him.’
‘Well luckily I like him too. Anyway he can keep me up to date with everything that’s going on down the station.’
‘Ah, so there’s an ulterior motive after all then,’ she said with a sly smile.
Mac couldn’t help smiling too, his daughter looked happy again.
He passed the time by re-reading the Whyte case again from the beginning. He was surprised when he heard the doorbell ring and he felt a sudden thrill of fear, or perhaps it was embarrassment or shame, or even a mixture of all three.
He could hear Bridget say ‘Peter’ then she exchanged a few words with their visitor.
Mac felt quite tense as the door to his room opened. However all his fear and misgivings dissolved the second Mac saw his old friend’s face again.
‘Peter,’ Mac said warmly.
‘Mac,’ Peter replied with a wide smile.
They shook hands firmly and looked at each other. They both knew at that moment that their friendship was as alive as ever. Peter was only a little taller than Mac but he was much more broadly built. He was an ex-Army man who had always kept himself fit while Mac had never been able to turn down the odd sausage and egg sandwich from the police canteen. He was also someone that Mac respected both professionally, as one of the best policemen he’d ever worked with, and personally as a good friend.
‘So this is what you get these days for being a hero?’ Peter said with a grim smile as he sat down.
‘Oh, enough of the ‘hero’ nonsense. We worked as a team on that case just as we used to do, a team.’
‘I know but it still seems a bit harsh, save a girl’s life, get your photo in all the newspapers and then following all that up with six weeks lying flat on your back. How long have you got to go before you’re up and around again?’
‘Another five weeks. It feels like a prison sentence if I’m honest.’
Peter shook his head.
‘You’ve not had the best of luck lately, have you old friend?’ Peter stated with a sympathetic expression.
‘No perhaps I haven’t but I’m hoping that’s about to change. After all you’re here.’
Peter smiled and very gently put his hand on the back of Mac’s hand.
‘Anyway here’s what you were after,’ Peter said as he pulled a memory stick out of his pocket. ‘It’s a pretty slim file, no leads and no suspects I’m afraid.’
‘Thanks. How’s it going at the station? Are most of the old team still there?’
‘Yes, we’re all still there more or less. We’ve got a new boss now, DCS Malcolm Acton.’
From Peter’s expression he could tell that he didn’t think much of DCS Acton.
‘I hope the team are giving him a chance, how long has he been in charge now?’
‘Just over six months. I think it’s fair to say we’ve given him a chance but I think he managed to more or less blow it the first day he arrived.’
‘Why what happened?’ Mac asked, wondering what he could have done that so terrible.
‘Remember the stationery cupboard?’
‘Oh yes it used to be the chief’s office before I came.’
‘Well I remember when you were first appointed. You looked a little green around the gills but your instincts were good. Before you came all the other chiefs used to have their own office and they kept themselves well away from the likes of us ordinary plods. The first thing you did was take over an empty desk right in the middle of the room and, when someone asked what should we do with the office, you suggested it might make a good stationery cupboard.’
Mac remembered that first day well. He supposed he’d wanted to make the point that, whatever you were in the team, everyone was just a part. He also had to admit that he liked being in the thick of things, really getting to know each team member’s strengths and weaknesses, as well as keeping up with what was going on in the investigation in real time.
‘Anyway DCS Acton had it cleared out and had a plaque engraved and attached to the door. The plaque reads ‘DCS Malcolm Acton – Knock and wait’. Knock and bloody wait. That didn’t go down too well with the team I’m afraid and things have gone downhill further since then.’
Before Peter could explain further Bridget stuck her head around the door.
‘I’m just off to see Tommy,’ she said. ‘Just in case I’m not back before you go Peter I’ll say goodbye and thanks for calling around, I know how much it means to dad. Take care.’
‘You too, Bridget.’
As they heard the front door close Peter said, ‘My God she’s all grown up, isn’t she? Makes me feel old.’
‘Tell me about it. There was a time when I used to tell her what to do, it’s definitely the other way around now. Anyway I want you to tell me everything that’s been going on since I left and a bit more about this DCS Acton too…’
Chapter Nine
The next morning Mac awoke to daylight and had the wonderful feeling that he might have actually slept for a few hours. He looked over at his clock and saw that it had just gone eight o’clock. He’d been awake in the night for a while but he must have had at least five hours sleep which was good.
He lay there with a smile on his face as he replayed his old friend’s visit in his head. He’d been brought fully up to date with everything that had been going on at the station since he’d left and Peter had gone away with Mac’s promise to visit as soon as he was mobile again. It was a promise that Mac was determined to keep.
He felt uncomfortable and tried to re-adjust his position. As he moved a flash of pain ran down his left leg. He hadn’t been aware of making a noise but he must have as Tommy’s head appeared around the door a few seconds later.
‘Are you okay Mac?’ he asked with some concern.
‘As I’ll ever be I suppose. It’s okay, come in and sit down.’
Tommy was dressed in a loose fitting T shirt and track suit bottoms. From the sleepy look on his face Mac guessed that he’d just got up.
‘No lie-in today?’ Mac asked.
‘No, I’m not all that great at lie-ins to be honest. I thought I’d let Bridget sleep on for a bit while I started breakfast, she was really tired last night. Oh and thanks Mac, it’s kind of you to let me stay.’
‘Tommy it’s not being kind at all. I’m sorry, I just didn’t think when Bridget volunteered to stay with me, I was just glad she’d be around and I selfishly agreed. Anyway I believe that you’re redecorating the flat?’
‘Well I haven’t gotten too far to be honest, I’ve had a few late nights at work and with Bridget not being there,’ Tommy said with a shrug.
‘I’ll give you the number of a decorator that one of my neighbours used a few months ago, he’s supposed to be good. Tell him what you want and then get him to send me the bill. It’ll be a nice surprise for Bridget when she goes back.’
‘Really Mac you don’t have to…’
‘Oh but I do. I was planning on doing something for you both when you got the flat but the case was gaining momentum at the time and it went right out of my head. I want to Tommy, so long as it’s okay with you that is?’
Tommy smiled as he said, ‘Well it’s more than okay with me. Over the past week or so I’ve discovered that DIY isn’t exactly one of my strengths. Well, if I’m honest, I’m just rubbish at it.’
‘Yes me too,’ Mac admitted. ‘Well I suppose there’s more to life than being able to wield a paint brush effectively.’
‘Although I have to admit that I’m a little bit better with a frying pan. Fancy a bacon sandwich?’
Mac’s smile was answer enough. Tommy returned fifteen minutes later with a tray on which were two coffees and two bacon sandwiches. Tommy handed Mac a plate and his
travel mug.
‘Someone left a note in the kitchen saying to use the travel mug for your drinks,’ Tommy explained.
‘My nurse,’ Mac replied. ‘She’s very thorough.’
While they ate Mac had Tommy bring him up to date with everything that was going on with the Major Crime Unit.
‘So Jo and Gerry are still an item then?’ Mac asked.
‘Not only that but I’ve heard that wedding bells might be in the air.’
Mac shook his head in wonder while inwardly saying a little prayer wishing them luck.
‘So what are you working on at the moment?’
‘Well we’re all working hard on the ‘Priory Park Strangling’ as the press have called it. I’ve been partnering Martina but, as she’s on a course for the next week or so, I’m not quite sure what I’ll be doing on Monday.’
‘Tell me a bit about the case,’ Mac asked.
He was curious, all he knew about it was what he’d read in the papers.
‘Okay just over a week ago the body of a man in his early twenties was found in Priory Lake by the members of a sailing class. Forensics said that the body had been in the water for some time and had come to the surface due to gases caused by decomposition. It had been fairly windy that day and forensics think that the wind pushed the body up onto the bank of a small island in the centre of the lake where it was spotted by a group of dinghy sailors. They called the local police in. At first they thought that it was just someone who’d gotten drunk, fallen in the lake and drowned. Apparently it’s happened there before. However the autopsy stated that the cause of death was asphyxiation, whoever he was he’d been strangled.’
‘You haven’t identified him yet then?’ Mac asked.
Tommy shook his head.
‘They managed to get two partial fingerprints and, so far at least, they don’t match anything we’ve got on our records. He had no identifying marks and dental records haven’t come up with anything as yet. They’ve identified some fragments of cloth as possibly belonging to a black track suit. The cloth however is pretty generic and the track suit could have been bought anywhere.’
‘Any underwear?’ Mac asked.
23 Cold Cases (The Mac Maguire detective mysteries Book 5) Page 6
