‘Sam and I did go round and we spoke to him. He hinted that he had been pressured into it, which was why we went and saw his mum. He might crack with a few more questions, but I mentioned all this to Huntington and he wasn’t happy at all.’
‘I can see why, I suppose. This job is still all over the media. I get asked about it on a regular basis. If someone walks in and holds their hands up to it, I think anyone in Graham’s position would not be looking that particular gift horse in the mouth. I’m not happy, though, not happy at all. If this Tinsow fella isn’t the right man, then it could really come back and bite us on the arse. It would be far worse for the force if it came back a second time.’
‘So what do you want from me, sir? I mean, I’ve told Huntington what I know, so the ball’s in his court really.’
Cottage paused. ‘Go and see Tinsow again and have a word. I’ll tip Graham off so you don’t get your ear chewed, and I want you to report back to me directly with what happens. I’m due back here on Monday, so you can fill me in then, in person. If we get any solid evidence, or a statement from Tinsow that he was pressured into a false claim, then we’ll act on it. As it stands, there’s not much more we can do.’
‘Sounds fair.’
‘Now, driver, take me back. We’re eating into your family time. Is your wife going to be okay with you being late tonight?’
‘Judging by the way she reacted last time, sir, I’m in a lot of trouble.’
‘Oh dear! Do you have much on tomorrow?’ Cottage said.
George slowly pulled away across the grey forecourt. ‘I always have a lot on . . .’
‘Take the day off, with my blessing. I feel bad about making you late. I’ll fudge it with Helen, I’ll tell her you need it for some reason.’
‘Well, that’s very kind of you, sir, but I couldn’t do that. I mean, it wouldn’t be fair on the team to just not turn up, and I have stuff to do — going to see Tinsow for a start.’
‘You don’t need to impress me with your dedication, George.’
‘You’re right, I should have already impressed you enough,’ George laughed at his own cheek. ‘I tell you what, though. I could do with Friday off. That would please the missus no end. My girl’s school is having one of those staff training days.’
‘Oh, I see. Taking advantage of the boss, are we? Think he’s a soft touch?’
‘Well, it’s worth a try!’
‘Do you think you can talk to this Tinsow tomorrow?’
‘I’ll make sure of it.’
‘Yes, do that. We need to know what we’ve got there, if anything. And I’ll have a word with the lovely Helen about your long weekend. Can’t have the wife upset now, can we?’
‘We certainly can’t, boss, and that’s very kind of you.’
George took the chief back to Langthorne police station. Helen Webb had been waiting for their return at the side entrance. She came clip-clopping out of the building as soon as she spotted the chief stepping out of the car.
‘Oh, you didn’t take that one, did you, George?’
‘Yes, ma’am. I thought it was the best one to take, for security reasons, so we could blend in,’ he lied.
‘I see.’
Cottage was laughing. ‘It worked perfectly, too. We’re back in one piece and George here didn’t stop to pick up a microwave.’
Helen wasn’t laughing.
‘Sir, will you be needing your driver? I remember you said you wanted to get off promptly.’
‘Are you trying to get rid of me, Helen?’
‘No, sir! Of course not’
‘Oh, Helen, I was just winding you up. I’ll pop in and grab him myself, and then I’ll be off. I have a meeting at HQ to get to, I’m afraid. The working day is far from over for me.’
‘Very good,’ Helen replied, and turned away.
‘Oh, and Helen. George here will be needing Friday off.’
Helen looked back. ‘Oh, right. I’ll let Inspector Jacobs know.’
George couldn’t resist a dig. ‘You know that we’ve got ourselves a new guv’nor then, ma’am? I only found out when he turned up this morning.’
‘Yes, er . . . yes, I do know. Graham did tell me that he was speaking to you about it.’
‘Maybe we missed each other.’
‘George and his team have a new inspector? I don’t recall Graham mentioning that to me. I would like to say hello myself. Don’t worry, Helen, I’ll let this Inspector Jacobs know about Friday. Enjoy your day with the family, George. Lord knows, they are priceless.’
‘They are indeed, sir. And thank you.’
* * *
George shook his head as he parked on the drive to his home. The clock on the dashboard read 18:09. He was over an hour later than he’d said he would be.
George stepped out onto ground that was already icy. He gingerly made his way up the slight incline towards the front door. He decided that he would forget the apologies and launch straight into a story about how he had spent most of the day with the chief constable. If he was casual enough, he might just get away with it.
As he pushed his key into the lock, the door was flung open. Sarah stood, hands on hips.
George forgot everything he had planned to say. ‘Sorry, Sarah. I was all set to get off—’
‘Don’t you fucking sorry me anymore!’ Sarah’s face flushed, her eyes widened and she clenched her fists. George almost cowered.
‘Listen.’ He spread his arms, palms up — his best submissive stance. ‘Listen, I got Friday off, that was my payoff.’ He took a step backwards, as Sarah filled the doorframe. ‘You told your sister you couldn’t go out with her, but you can now. I’ll look after Charley. I thought you’d be happy.’
‘What?’
‘I can look after her on Friday. I’ll take her out for the day. We bought those zoo passes and I’ve never been there with her. It’s supposed to be cold but dry. We’ll wrap up — she’ll be fine.’ George was babbling, but it seemed to be working. Sarah turned and went back into the house. George followed her inside, rubbing his hands. Sarah stuffed some clothes into the washing machine, keeping her back turned to him.
‘I was with the chief constable today. He was supposed to pop in and see me at two this afternoon, but he didn’t get there till I was about to leave. Thing is, you can’t just tell the chief constable that you’ve got to go home.’
‘Why not? What’s more important, George, the chief constable or your family?’ Sarah spoke into the tumble dryer.
‘Oh, come on, I didn’t realise I had to choose between.’
‘And if you did?’ Sarah turned to face him.
‘I’ll give it up, the job, everything, if you want me to. If you want me to be here all the time and you think it’s the best thing for our family, fine, I’ll do it.’
‘Don’t be ridiculous!’
George put his hands on her shoulders. ‘Is she still up?’
‘She’s watching a DVD in her room.’
‘King Julien?’ George laughed.
‘Isn’t it always?’
George held her from behind. ‘Why does she always like the characters with a screw loose?’
‘I blame her dad. If you really are going to take her out on Friday, then you’d better go and tell her.’
George kissed the back of her neck and walked away. He stopped at the kitchen door. ‘Do you think the zoo is the right idea? I don’t know what these young women like to do with their dads these days.’
Sarah smiled. ‘George, she’s six.’
‘Really? But how come she’s always organising me?’
George went up the stairs to his daughter’s room. She was lying on her bed, head hanging down, watching her television upside down. She smiled broadly as her dad walked in.
‘Hello, Daddy!’
‘Hey, sweetness. I like your pyjamas.’
Charley righted herself and sat up on the bed. She tugged at her pyjama top so George could make out Princess Rapunzel on the front.
‘I see. Mummy’s very good to you, isn’t she? Seems like maybe it’s my turn now.’
‘What?’
‘You fancy the zoo?’
Charley squealed. ‘When?’
‘Well, I’m afraid the next day I have off is after two more sleeps. Is that okay?’
Charley leapt to her feet and was hugging his legs before he had time to react. He laughed as she let go and clattered down the stairs.
‘Mummy! Mummy, Daddy’s taking me to the zoo where the animals live!’
‘I know. Daddy told me he would.’
‘Do you think King Julien lives there?’
George appeared behind his daughter, smiling. ‘Well, Charley, I happen to know that there are lemurs there, and what do we know about King Julien?’
‘He’s the Lord of the Lemurs!’ Charley clapped her hands and jumped up and down.
Sarah looked at George over their bouncing daughter, and smiled. ‘Right you, back up to bed. You still have to do a day at school tomorrow before your zoo trip.’
‘Oh, but Mummy,’ Charley whined, ‘Daddy’s just got home.’
George opened a kitchen cupboard. ‘Tell you what, if you’ll just pop back to bed, Charley, me and your mum are gonna light the fire and polish these off.’ He produced a large bag of marshmallows.
Charley was bouncing again. ‘Nooooo! Can I have some marsallows, Mummy, please can I, can I?’
‘You’d better ask your dad.’
Charley spun round to face him.
‘Definitely not, unless . . .’
‘What, Daddy, what?’
‘Unless you can beat me in an arm wrestle.’
Charley yelped and sprinted through to the dining room. Sarah met her husband’s gaze, and sighed. ‘Every time.’
Chapter 35
Graham Huntington swore. The sound of his ringing phone had interrupted the weather report. Huntington always listened to the weather on his way into work. He edged a foot closer to the temporary traffic lights in the distance.
‘What?’
‘Sir, it’s Inspector Jacobs.’
‘This had better be fucking good. It’s six thirty in the morning, Craig. I’m not on the clock yet.’
‘Sir, I know, and I’m sorry to bother you. It’s just that the chief constable visited me last night, last knockings.’
‘So? He came and saw me, too. It’s no surprise he’s down here after the recent issues with the press. He seemed pleased with some of the results.’
‘He said that to me, too. The other thing he said was about George Elms. It seems to me that those two are working very closely. I had no idea—’
‘I agree. It’s unprofessional,’ Huntington growled.
‘He said that they’d spoken about Elliot Tinsow. The chief was asking me what I thought about Tinsow, and what I knew about his history. I couldn’t lie to him. I said I had no idea. I said that you’d said you weren’t surprised in the slightest by him holding his hands up, that he fitted as the culprit.’
Huntington thumped the steering wheel. ‘This again! I spoke to George. He came to me with it and I told him to move on, there’s plenty of jobs out there that need a lot of work doing. I just don't understand why he’s so fixated with this one.’
‘Neither do I, but it could cause some problems.’
‘You think I don't know that? Now he’s got the fucking chief asking about it! That was a big success, a real positive message to get Cottage back onside, and George Elms is fucking it up.’
‘What do you want me to do, sir?’
‘Nothing for now. I moved you in there so you could put the reins on him, and that’s what we’ll do. Let me have a think. Hopefully I’ll be out of this damned traffic before Christmas. We’ll speak later.’ Huntington ended the call abruptly, and thumped the steering wheel again.
* * *
‘CSI came down earlier,’ Paul began as soon as George walked in.
‘Go on,’ George said, still in his jacket.
‘They cleared the scene. All their work is done and they gave this to me to pass on to the parents.’ Paul held up a bronze door key.
‘Scene?’ George was scrabbling round in his drawer for his notebook. ‘Whose parents?’
‘This is a key to Elizabeth Wallis’s flat.’ George stopped rummaging. ‘They asked if I could make sure the key got to her parents. They can go and collect her things if they want. I’m going to drop it round this afternoon.’
‘I’ll do that, Paul. I’ll drop it round to them.’
‘You sure?’
‘Definitely. I’d like to.’
Paul nodded and thrust the key into George’s hand.
George turned to Sam, car keys jangling in his hand. ‘We never drew that tattoo, did we?’
‘No, there wasn’t the need in the end.’
‘We’re going to see Sophie.’
‘We are? You want me to draw the tattoo now?’
George stopped his rummaging. He had found what he wanted, and stuffed it into his bag. ‘I’ll be in the car. Soon as you can.’
* * *
‘Read me out that address again,’ George said. It was the first thing he had said in half an hour.
‘Forty-seven Ingles Road,’ said Sam. ‘Is this Ingles?’
‘Yeah. I’ve been here a couple of times for domestics. Not to number forty-seven, I should add. Nice area.’ George was driving slowly, looking at the numbers. The road reminded him a little of his own: well-kept, semi-detached houses, each with its own drive and garage, typically middle class.
Sam counted down the odd numbers. ‘Should be this one.’
They stepped out of the heated Skoda into the freezing fog.
Sophie answered their knock. ‘Hey!’ She looked pleased to see them.
Sam stepped inside ahead of George. ‘How are you, Sophie?’
‘Good, thanks.’
‘You here on your own?’ George asked.
‘Yeah, my mum’s just popped out.’
‘Okay. You okay talking to us without your mum? We won’t do anything formal until she gets back, but we can have a chat, right?’
‘No problem.’
‘How’s your injury?’ George asked.
‘Fine. I’m all done for now. There’s no pain or anything. I’ve just got to wait for it to finish healing and then the plastic surgeon’s going to have a look at the scar.’ It was now a long white gash punctured by red dots, pale pink along its length. Sophie had covered it with make-up, but it was still very visible.
‘Tea?’
George pretended to consider this. ‘Is it better than the hospital tea?’
‘I make great tea.’ Sophie led them through the hall to the kitchen.
George and Sam leant against a tall breakfast bar. ‘You have a nice house,’ Sam said.
‘It’s okay, a bit boring. So do you still need my help? I got your message saying that you wouldn’t need to draw that tattoo, and we’ve been told that someone is in prison for what happened.’
George nodded. ‘Someone was arrested, yes. We might still need to draw that tattoo, though, but I want you to see something first. Do you have a DVD player?’
‘Yes of course, there’s one in the lounge.’
Sophie led the way, and George produced a DVD from his bag. Without a word, he inserted it into the DVD player. Sophie and Sam sat on a sofa, facing the TV. Sam shifted uncomfortably as the picture appeared. It was shot from above, looking down at a doorstep. George watched Sophie. She leaned forward in her seat, waiting for something to happen.
She didn’t have to wait long. Two men appeared at the door to “Kettallson.” The image was a little grainy and shot from an awkward angle, but Sophie immediately recoiled. She pointed a shaking finger at the screen.
Sam put an arm round her. ‘It’s okay.’
‘That’s him,’ Sophie whispered. ‘That’s the man.’
George ejected the
DVD and put it back in his bag. He dropped onto his knees in front of Sophie, whose head was bowed. ‘I’m really sorry, Sophie. But that helps us massively.’
Sophie looked up, her eyes puffy and red. ‘It’s okay. I take it that’s the man you arrested?’
George and Sam exchanged glances. ‘No, but we will,’ George replied gently, ‘soon.’
* * *
‘So what now?’ Sam asked. They were still sitting outside Sophie’s house. Sam’s sergeant sat staring out of the front of the car, and she guessed that he didn’t know himself.
‘The way I see it, we’ve two options,.’
‘Two?’
‘Yeah. We go see Tinsow today as planned, and then take everything we have to the chief on Monday.’
‘Yeah . . .’
‘Or we give Huntington another go.’
‘You were planning to go and see Tinsow again today?’
‘Yeah, sorry, it was only decided late yesterday. The chief practically told me to, and then he asked me to go see him on Monday and tell him what was said.’
‘Well, do that then.’
‘We have to be careful though, Sam. Now we know for definite that Tinsow isn’t the man responsible, and we also know that the man that was responsible is desperate for someone else to take the rap. Desperate enough to beat up an old lady in her own home. It doesn’t make sense to me. We weren’t anywhere near getting anyone in for it. We had no idea at all. In fact, all we could prove is that Tinsow wasn’t the man responsible.’
‘Maybe the man on the film thought we were closer to him than we actually were.’
‘Maybe,’ George said, but he looked far from convinced. The car began to move.
Sam tugged at her seatbelt. ‘What are you going to do?’
‘Tinsow first, then I think I’ll see Huntington.’
Chapter 36
Ed paced the main bedroom of 5 Roman Way, talking on his phone. ‘This Elms is becoming a proper pain in the arse.’ He looked through the dirty net curtains at a group of four men in hoodies swaggering by, their breath visible in the freezing cold.
‘And you say he has the ear of the big chief?’ Oscar Baurman’s voice was perfectly calm.
‘So it seems.’
BODILY HARM a gripping crime thriller full of twists Page 17
