‘That’s not good,’ Jacobs said. Ed stared at him.
‘It’s not great, no,’ Baurman said. ‘Normally, I would simply look to remove them but they have become a large enough interest for my supplier that if the brothers were to disappear, he would stand to lose a lot of money. And the suppliers tend to react to losing money in much the same way as I do. At best they would hike the price up even further, so that I was making up the difference, and at worst our working relations would become very sour. I cannot afford either of those things to happen.’
‘So you want them put away?’
‘Exactly. If the Skinner boys get clumsy and become the subject of police activity, then they are out of my way and everything goes back to normal. There should be no way they would know that I was involved in putting them there. I would be in a far stronger position when it comes to negotiating my ongoing price, and I lose a competitor along the way.’
Ed grinned. ‘Makes sense. We can get them nicked, no problem. We’re already working our way through Epping Hill. We’ll get hold of the people on the streets that are doing the selling for them and force them to give their evidence to the police. We can find out where they keep their gear, set up a raid and—’
‘I’ve got a better idea,’ Baurman cut in. He stood up and walked over to the large front window. ‘I had a man working for me in Epping Hill — “Smith” — who was responsible for coordinating my operation on the estate and beyond. Recently we had a bit of a falling out. I was hoping I had delivered a sufficient message and he would fade into the background but I’m hearing that this isn’t the case. He’s back on the gear and coming to the attention of you lot. He’s now a liability and I intend to remove him from the picture altogether.’
‘Remove him from the picture?’ Jacobs questioned.
‘Someone in my employment will pay him a visit. The weapon used will then need to find its way to the Skinner brothers. Needless to say, this will be your task. I don't care how you do it, but it needs to be linked very strongly to both brothers.’
‘A plant?’ Jacobs said.
Baurman shrugged. ‘Call it whatever you like. I need to be sure that the Skinners get put away and that the evidence is damning enough to keep them out of the way for some time. I just need my man to lose confidence in them so that he sees me as the best long-term option.’
‘We can do that,’ Ed said, ignoring Jacob’s bemused expression.
‘Good.’ Baurman walked to a cabinet under one of the spiral staircases and returned with an A4 envelope which he dropped into Jacobs’s lap. ‘You’ll also need to drip-feed this Huntington fella with intel after the incident, to keep up the momentum of the police investigation. Up to you how you do that. Ed, I suggest your task is to make sure my man gets away clean, and then the inspector here will take charge of getting the weapon to the right place.’ Baurman looked at them. ‘Do we see any problems with this?’
Ed shook his head. ‘Not at all.’
‘You want me to organise a raid and then plant evidence?’ Jacobs said.
‘Unless you want to be involving someone else?’
‘Jesus, I wouldn’t know where to start,’ Jacobs said.
‘Then, yes.’ Baurman leaned towards Jacobs, who was looking down at the envelope as though Baurman had dropped a snake onto his lap. ‘Unless you have a problem with that?’
Jacobs shook his head. He uttered a weak, ‘No.’
‘Good. The envelope contains fifty thou and you’ll get the same again when the Skinners are nicked. There’s also a mobile phone on which you will be contacted so you know when the event is taking place.’
Ed snatched the envelope from Jacobs’s lap. ‘No problem at all,’ he said.
Jacobs and Ed bid their host farewell, and walked out of the front door and into the waiting Range Rover.
‘I didn’t realise this was going to involve conspiracy to murder,’ Jacobs said.
Ed looked at him. ‘We were always going to have to break the rules, Craig.’
‘Breaking the rules is one thing, but conspiracy to murder, perverting the course of justice and God knows what else? We’re not talking about losing our jobs here, we’re talking about going to jail.’
‘We always were, Craig, so we might as well jump all in. We just better be sure we don’t fuck this up.’ Ed turned up the envelope, tipping out bank notes in five-thousand-pound bundles. He threw half of them at Jacobs. ‘Sometimes the risks are covered by the rewards,’ he said, and watched Jacobs scoop up the money and slip it into his jacket pocket.
Ed flipped through the notes. ‘This is just the start. You have any idea how much money we can make out of this? It’s literally endless, mate. Once this Smith is out of the way and we’ve earned Baurman’s trust, we are in a perfect position to become his main link to the area. How could he say no to that? Him with the supply contact and us with the backing and resources of the police under our control via the chief superintendent — the sky’s the fucking limit!’
Jacobs had his head turned to look out of the window. ‘Sky’s the limit.’
‘You think you can handle Huntington?’
‘Well, the difficult bit is over. Once he gets the Skinner result he’ll be so full of himself he won’t give a shit. And then I’ll tell him what we’re really looking to achieve in that estate. By that time he’ll be in so deep he’ll have no choice.’
‘You really have got him all worked out, haven’t you?’
‘He’s perfect. He’s obsessed with his rank and his stature. Once he realises that rumbling us would see him lose everything, he’ll be very much on board. We’ll give him his cut if it makes him feel better, keep him sweet.’
‘Sweet indeed!’
Jacobs was still turned to the window, but Ed could see just enough of his face to make out a wider smile forming. The cash had done it. The inspector was now fully committed.
Chapter 33
‘George Elms.’ This was said with some impatience into his desk phone. George was running late. Sarah had hassled him for going into work today and then the Laguna had frozen shut.
‘Is that the way you were taught to greet people on your Community Contact course?’
‘Yes,’ George said, ‘I believe it was.’ He recognised the voice but he couldn’t quite put a name to it.
‘I’m coming back down to Langthorne today, George. I was hoping to catch up with you again.’
The chief! Shit, it was the chief! George sat up automatically. ‘Sorry, sir, I didn’t recognise the voice there at first. Eh, yes, I’m sure I can make the time.’
‘Well, if you’re too busy, George, then forget it. I’ll go have a chat over coffee with the girl at the petrol station instead.’ The chief chuckled.
‘Probably best I don't drive this time though, sir, wouldn’t you agree? Did you ever get that window replaced?’ George winced a little at the memory.
‘Of course, but I’m under strict instructions from my driver not to let you anywhere near the car this time, I’m afraid.’
‘Fair enough.’
‘I’ll be with you about two this afternoon I would imagine. I have some bits to do this morning. I want to catch up with the state of play on Epping Hill and show my face around.’
George sniffed and rubbed his nose. ‘Well, I can understand that, but I might not be the best person to update you on Epping Hill. I’ve not been around for a couple of weeks really, and Mr Huntington has been quite hands-on in my absence. He seems to be the man in the know.’
‘George, I’m not coming down to talk work with you. I know you’ve been off. I just wanted to make sure you’re okay, that you’re getting the support you need and all the rest of it. I was so sorry to hear your news.’ The chief’s tone was warm and sincere.
‘I appreciate that, sir, that’s very kind. I’m fine, though. We’re getting through it.’
‘Of course you are. Doesn’t mean I can’t buy you a coffee and get us both out of the office now, does it?’
>
‘I’ll look forward to it, sir.’
George checked the time. It was coming up for ten already, and he had a full day’s work stacking up. He looked across at Paul and Sam and could see similar mounds of casefiles in front of them.
‘Sergeant Elms, good morning.’
George looked up. ‘Morning.’
‘I’m Inspector Craig Jacobs.’ The man shot out a hand, and George stood up to shake it.
‘Hello.’ George was pretty sure he had seen him around. The inspector paused as if waiting for something, and George did his best not to look blank. ‘I’m sorry, am I supposed to have something done for you, or . . ?’
‘I’ll be your direct line leader going forward.’
‘Going forward?’
‘Well, by that I mean from now on.’ Jacobs put his hands in his trouser pockets.
‘I see. Inspector Ascott has been—’
‘When was the last time you saw Mr Ascott?’ Jacobs cut in.
George couldn’t recall the last time he’d seen the old man. ‘Well, I know he’s had a few problems with his health, but—’
‘Mr Huntington has decided that this team might benefit from a more hands on style of management. Look, George, Mr Huntington’s happy with the results this team has achieved, and the way you have been getting on with it. He just doesn’t think you should have to. All the teams here have an inspector they can lean on a bit, get support from, someone to fight their corner, that sort of thing. He’s asked me to do that job. I really thought he would have spoken to you about it by now.’
George looked down at a forgotten post-it asking him to go and see Huntington. Suddenly he found himself warming to the idea. Perhaps it would be nice to have another layer in between him and Huntington, and also Helen Webb if it came to it — someone who could deliver the bad news and take the repercussions.
‘I’m sure he meant to.’
‘Right.’ Jacobs clapped his hands. ‘I see there’s a desk free over there. Do you mind if I move my stuff in?’
George frowned. This was going a bit far. ‘We don’t usually have the higher echelons of management in among us, sir, with respect. Do you not want one of those fancy offices? I’m not even sure that computer works.’
‘I’ve been in one of those sweat boxes for the last three months. I like the idea of sitting in with the team. That way I can be on hand for any issues.’ Jacobs was already clearing scrap paper and old pens from the desk in question.
‘That’s true,’ George said. This was no good at all.
‘I’ll get my stuff moved in then,’ Jacobs said, dragging his finger through a layer of dust.
‘Okay. Let me know if you need any help.’ George watched the inspector walk back between the desks and out of the door. Sam and Paul had been listening to the exchange.
He shrugged for their benefit. ‘I know, I know.’ The day was quickly going from bad to worse.
Chapter 34
George had spent the day working on a pile of paperwork. He had been so determined to get it finished that he had hardly taken any notice of the new inspector in their midst. Inspector Jacobs had begun setting up his desk, but had been called away into meetings for most of the day. This seemed to be the way for inspectors in George’s experience.
George hadn’t taken much notice of the time either, and he didn’t look at the clock until just before four o’clock, technically his clocking off time. Alan Cottage was strolling in through the double doors and past a suddenly very interested Inspector Jacobs.
‘George!’ The chief’s voice boomed across the office. His handshake was that of a friend rather than a work colleague. George found himself smiling warmly at the chief. He became very aware that just about everyone in the office, including his new inspector, was watching them.
‘So, we out for a coffee then?’
‘Sure,’ George replied.
‘Do you have a car? Only I wasn’t joking earlier, my driver really doesn’t want you to have mine.’ The chief laughed.
‘I do, but you’ll have to slum it, I’m afraid. No heated leather seats.’
They left the office together. The chief said ‘hello’ to just about everyone, including Inspector Jacobs. George nodded and said, ‘See you tomorrow, sir,’ as he passed.
They both got into the freezing interior of an unmarked Skoda Fabia. Cottage didn’t breathe a word of complaint and even commented favourably on the controls of the heating system. ‘Finally, a heater that you just have to twist round to make it warmer. So, like I said to you earlier, George, I wanted to see how you were, just check that you haven’t come back to work too early. There’s no shame in saying if you have.’
‘I really don’t feel like I’ve come back too early. To be honest with you, boss, the job gives me something to think about. I found that when I was off I was just mulling over . . . things, you know.’
‘I think I do. I have to say I’m very similar. We all have these traumas in our lives. I lost someone very dear to me too, once — of course we all do, more and more as you get older. Anyway, I went back to work for the same reasons. One thing I did have, though, was a very supportive sergeant. I was a PC at the time, you see.’
George nodded. ‘That does help.’
‘Have you got that? I mean, we’ve all got our opinions on the area commander down here, and I’m not sure how he would be in this kind of situation.’
George laughed. ‘Awful! He’s really bad at the personal stuff, sir, but to be fair to him he did exactly what I wanted him to do. He had a brief try and then he moved on.’
‘I didn’t really have you down as one for prolonged expressions of sympathy, George.’
‘Nah, it’s nice to know that people care enough to try and make me feel better about what happened, but it’s just time, sir. There’s nothing anyone can do. We just need to spend as much time as possible together at home, as a family.’
‘I agree,’ Cottage said. ‘But are you back full time?’
‘I am, but I’m doing eight till four weekdays. Helen Webb sorted that for me, and it gives me every weekend off.’
‘That makes sense. I’m glad Helen did that but if you need to be working reduced hours-’
‘Actually the shifts work well sir. I have been doing some late shifts with my team. I didn’t see the point in sitting in an empty office for four hours waiting for them to come in.’
The chief nodded. ‘Okay. Makes sense, I suppose. Hang on . . . eight till four?’ He made a show of checking his watch. ‘Are you doing a late shift today?’
‘I’m not, sir, no.’ George was almost apologetic.
‘Then you should be home right now!’
‘It doesn’t matter, sir, it’s not a problem.’ George chuckled, though he knew he was in a lot of trouble.
‘Here we are talking about the importance of you spending time with your family, and I’m taking you away from them.’
‘Honestly, sir, it’s really not—’
‘Don’t make me pull rank!’
George turned right into the same garage they had visited before. ‘Pull rank all you want, sir, but I’ll tell you now you’re not getting out of buying me a coffee.’
George sat in the car while the chief went in to get the coffees. A police-marked BMW X5 had also pulled up to fill up at the pumps, and two armed response officers stepped out of the car and began stretching and yawning. Both returned the chief’s nod and watched him as he walked back to the car. They did a perfect double-take as they recognised Cottage, who was opening the door of the three-year-old Skoda.
‘I think it would piss me off.’
‘What’s that?’ Cottage passed one of the cups over.
‘People’s reaction, especially other coppers. Everyone immediately on their guard, just because you’re there. I really wouldn’t want that.’
‘Of course you wouldn’t, and that’s why you’d make a good chief constable, George. There are those who do enjoy it, who see other people’s react
ions to their rank as one of their main reasons to move up. It’s not me.’
George chuckled. ‘I don’t know anyone like that.’
‘I’m sure you don’t. How has our Graham been? He appears to be getting some results on that estate, finally.’
George stirred his coffee and tried to think of a tactful response. ‘There have been some good results, that’s for sure.’
‘But?’
‘But nothing that I know for certain.’
‘You can’t talk in riddles to me, George. That’s one of my rules.’
George took a sip of his scalding coffee. ‘The big result was getting Tinsow in.’
‘He’s the bus robbery fella, right?’
‘That’s right. I had a bit of an issue regarding Tinsow. It just didn’t fit for me or for Sam — she’s a decent detective and was leading the investigation.’
‘He came in and coughed it, right?’ Cottage’s eyes narrowed.
‘He did, yeah. But Sam and I went and saw his mum and sister. They live together in a nice house, a million miles from how Elliot lives. Anyway, they had a visit from three heavies who basically roughed them up as a way of getting to Elliot and forcing him to cough the job.’
‘You know this for certain?’
‘As certain as I can be. They had a camera covering the front door that filmed these lads when they paid them a visit. These are normal, decent people. They weren’t lying to me about the facts and they were genuinely scared.’
‘You have the camera footage?’
‘I did get that, but I got no support from the mother or the sister. They want nothing to do with it and I can’t get back to talk to Elliot. He’s the key. If he would tell me what happened and support us, then we might get somewhere.’
Cottage wiped a splash of coffee froth from his chin. ‘I was told he got bail. Why can’t you go round there?’
BODILY HARM a gripping crime thriller full of twists Page 16
