Stone Fall

by J. D. Weston

  25

  Heroes Song

  It was a typically overcast day at the East London cemetery. Melody and Reg stood either side of Frank, and together they stood among the friends and family of Denver Cox. His mother sat at the front dressed in a smart black dress, a black hat and veil, and black gloves.

  There was no coffin, no dug earth. There was just a headstone to remind the world of Denver’s existence, and give his mother and his family a place to go and visit him, to talk to him, to remember him and grieve.

  Melody would need no headstone to remember Denver. He had been a solid man, true and reliable. She stood and listened to the vicar reading from the Bible, and remembered how Denver had talked her down from bursting into the barn when Donny Cartwright had been running a human trafficking ring. Denver had always been quiet until push came to the shove, and then he always stepped up.

  Denver’s family took turns to talk of him, and Melody delighted in hearing about her friend, things he’d done as a child, antics, his passion for speed and adrenaline. Even at a young age Denver went go-cart racing and displayed an almost fearless trust in his own capabilities. His mother explained how she had watched him take corners at high speeds and had to look away.

  Nobody spoke of Denver’s love for supercars, and how that passion had come very close to putting him behind bars. There was no need to mention it. He hadn't gone to prison and had formed a career from doing the things he loved the most.

  The vicar asked the assembly if anybody else would like to say a few words.

  Frank stepped forward.

  He addressed the gathering of friends and family but spoke directly to Denver’s mother.

  “I’ve met many men in my time in this world in many countries, cities, and towns. Some come and go, while others stay a while. Denver was an honest man, true to his word and one of the most reliable,” said Frank. Denver’s mother nodded. “I firmly believe that the people we meet, new faces that enter our lives and share our time, fall into three categories. Some we meet for a reason; some twist of fate guides the purpose of the meeting for the benefit of them or me, and then they move on, or I move on. Fate is fulfilled. Denver does not fall into this category.” Frank took a breath and paused to let the words sink into the engaged crowd.

  “Others, we meet for a season; a brief period of time, summer, winter or a year or two, where two people become friends, enemies, colleagues, and then fate again sends one or both of us along a different path. Denver does not belong in this category.” Frank cleared his throat and stood strong, though Melody could see that he was holding his emotions together.

  “There’s some people we meet that do not cross our paths for a reason or a season, they join us for a lifetime. These people are few and far between.” Frank took his eyes away from Mrs Cox and looked at Melody and Reg. “But these people are exceptional, and some subconscious inside us, in our very cores, knows that we will love these people forever, and no matter what happens, we will be by their sides when times are good, and we will offer our shoulders when times are difficult. Regardless of the circumstance, and regardless of the outcomes, we will be together, and that person will be a part of our lives forever. Denver Cox is one of those people. I’m proud to say he will always be a part of my life, for as long I still breathe.”

  Mrs Cox wiped tears away as Frank stepped down from the small astroturf podium, and rejoined Melody and Reg. He put his arm around Melody’s shoulder. Melody wiped her eyes with a small handkerchief.

  The congregation were invited to join Denver’s family at their home for his wake. As soon as the people began to move, Denver’s father stood and approached the team. He stopped directly in front of them all and shook their hands one by one, looking each of them in the eye.

  “Denver died doing what he loved the most,” said Mr Cox.

  “He’s a hero, sir,” said Reg. “I’ll never forget what he did.”

  “You were there?”

  “I was, sir.”

  Mr Cox nodded and put his hand on Reg’s shoulder. He turned to Frank.

  “Thank you for the kind words, Mr Carver.”

  “It was nothing that isn’t true, Mr Cox.”

  “So you’re the team he spoke about then, are you?” said Mr Cox, in an attempt to cheer the conversation. “I thought there were more of you?”

  “We were five,” began Frank. “But we lost-”

  “We lost the best driver and pilot I ever met,” said a voice from behind them. “He was a hell of a man.”

  Melody spun around at the sound of the voice.

  “I’m sorry, who are you?” said Mr Cox.

  “Stone, sir. Harvey Stone.” Harvey held out his hand for Mr Cox. “I’m very sorry your loss. Denver was one of my closest friends.”

  26

  Alive

  The team sat in the meeting room of headquarters. Reg sat on one of the two couches, Melody stood by the coffee machine, and Harvey leaned against the door. There was a hole in the room where Denver used to sit on the arm of the other couch.

  The dog had visited the team individually and received pats on the head. He’d got a lot of cuddles and attention from Melody, then went to sit at Harvey’s feet.

  Angel sat beside Melody on a little chair. She was colouring in a pad with an array of pens and pencils, oblivious to the people around her. Melody had bought the young girl a new dress and had cleaned her from her ordeal as a prisoner.

  Frank addressed the team.

  “Today’s debrief will be slightly different, aside from the addition of our two guests,” said Frank. He shifted his feet, looked up and stared at the team, one by one.

  “I’m taking Angel to the child services today, sir,” said Melody. “They’ve found a home for her.”

  “Good, she’ll need a lot of care after what she’s been through.”

  “She’s a strong kid, sir.”

  Frank turned to Harvey.

  Harvey didn’t reply.

  “And have you found the mutt a home, Stone?”

  “Yeah, as it happens, I have.”

  “Good, I’m glad,” said Frank, then turned back to the room. “Today's discussion will not involve us mourning Denver, though we all do mourn him inside. The day will not even involve us celebrating his glorious death, though we are all grateful for his heroic actions.” Reg leaned forward in the seat, and Melody stared at Frank, hanging on his words.

  “We will, of course, assess our successes, our failures and compile our reports. It’s part of the job, but I’d also like to hear from you all. I’d like to know where your hearts are, and where we stand as a team.” The last sentence was spoken softly.

  There was silence.

  “Let's start with a recap of suspects.” Frank picked up a whiteboard marker and turned to the board.

  “Stimson,” he whispered to avoid letting Angel hear her mother’s name.

  “Nailed,” said Reg. “Courtesy of Melody Mills.” Harvey looked across at her and nodded his approval. Frank wrote beside Stimson’s name Deceased.

  “Larson, status?”

  “Nailed,” said Reg. “Courtesy of our very own, back from the dead, Harvey Stone.” Reg hammered out a drumbeat on his knees.

  “Hague?” asked Frank, ignoring Reg’s enthusiasm.

  “Deceased, sir,” said Melody.

  “Not doing too well so far, are we?”

  “Adeo, Stimson’s minder,” called Frank. “Did we find him?”

  Melody and Reg were silent.

  Frank turned back to face the room. “And I assume we believe the priceless jade buddha is with him?”

  “That's correct, sir.”

  “So the case remains open.” Frank stared at Melody. “Until further notice.” He turned to Harvey. “I want the man found.”

  “Yes, sir,” said Melody.

  “You should know,” began Frank again, “that your actions, though unrecognised with respect to Al Sayan, have not gone unnoticed where it counts.”

&
nbsp; “Sir?” asked Reg.

  “We found the missing two taxi drivers in a locked room inside the Stratford warehouse. They were alive, and we’ve been credited with their release. My superiors sent an email thanking us for our efforts throughout the entire operation, and also sent condolences for the loss of Denver.”

  “Sounds cold, sir,” said Melody. “Would have been nice to hear it from the horse's mouth.”

  Frank didn’t reply to Melody. Instead, he carried on with his talk.

  “Okay, like I said, we’re going to discuss how we’re feeling, where are we as a team. It’s been a long few days and we’ve all been through more than our fair share of trauma.”

  Angel began to tug on Melody’s sleeve.

  “Not now, sweetheart,” said Melody.

  “Sir,” began Reg, “what about Al Sayan? And the taxi driver, and the tech guy?”

  “That’s not our case, Tenant,” replied Frank. “We can’t take credit for a case that doesn't fall under our jurisdiction. He was collateral.” Frank held his gaze until Reg turned away.

  “But, sir-”

  “No buts, I'm afraid. SO10 and SO19 took the credit for the takedown of all three terrorist suspects. Please omit them from your reports. You will, however, be asked to provide a statement surrounding Denver’s actions at a later date.”

  The team fell quiet.

  “So, how are we feeling?” asked Frank.

  Nobody replied.

  “Melody, you usually have something to say, where’s your heart at?”

  Melody didn’t reply.

  “Team, I’m not asking you open up here, I’m looking to gauge the motivation. And right now, quite understandably, it's on the floor.” He paused. “Am I right?”

  “It’s pretty hard to think about the future, sir,” said Reg.

  Frank pointed at him. “Good, keep it coming.”

  Melody looked confused. “You seriously want to hear how mad we are that we lost a friend and failed to solve the case?”

  “Yes, tell me.” Frank was loud, excited and enthusiastic at hearing their dejected tones.

  “Okay, well, we’re upset we lost Denver,” said Melody.

  “Understandable,” said Frank. “So am I. Next.”

  “We’re mad that we didn't recover the buddha,” said Reg.

  “Good, why are you mad?”

  Reg looked at Melody for support.

  “It’s the first case we lost, sir.”

  “Yes,” cried Frank. “Yes it was. So what are you going to do about it?”

  The team were stunned by Frank’s outburst, it had been a sombre few days.

  “You’re going to go find it, right?”

  Melody caught on to Franks encouragement. “Yes, sir,” she shouted.

  “Good,” said Frank. “And what happens when we can’t find it?” Franks voice rose in volume.

  “We look harder, sir.”

  “Excellent, Tenant. Are we going to fail?”

  “No, sir,” both Melody and Reg called out.

  “Fantastic. Denver doesn’t want you sitting in here moping. Get out there and make it happen.” Frank pointed to the door.

  Angel began to pull on Melody’s sleeve again.

  “Angel, let me talk please.”

  “But look,” said Angel.

  Melody glanced down at the girl, who had pulled some colouring pencils from her little pink backpack. “Not now, darling,”

  “This isn't mine,” said Angel, and shrugged. “Where did it come from?” Angel said the words slowly, as young girls do.

  Frank had turned away and was summarising the status of the deceased suspects on the whiteboard. Reg was fiddling with an iPad, but Harvey was looking directly at Angel.

  He smiled when he caught a glimpse of green.

  Melody caught his smile and followed his gaze.

  Angel stood by her side with a two-thousand-year-old jade buddha in her hands.

  27

  A Gift from the Beast

  Frank drove, and Harvey sat in the passenger seat. Harvey was dressed in clean cargo pants, new boots and a clean white t-shirt beneath his old leather jacket. They drove out of town and headed into the green suburbs of Essex. The dog was in the back seat.

  “Are we heading anywhere in particular, Stone?”

  “I thought we might take a stroll, Frank.”

  “Could have done that by the river, couldn’t we?”

  “I want to show you something,” said Harvey.

  “Sounds nice. Are you going to tell me what happened?”

  “What happened?”

  “We thought you were dead, Stone. We saw the explosion. Nobody could have survived that.”

  “It was close, maybe the closest I’ve ever been.”

  “It’s almost a miracle, Stone, not just close.”

  “Depends on your point of view,” replied Harvey. “I haven't given it much thought since. How are you feeling?”

  “Feeling?”

  “You asked the team how we’re feeling, nobody asked you,” replied Harvey. “How are you feeling? Are you motivated?”

  “Motivated enough to fight another day. Are you offering encouragement?”

  “In a way,” said Harvey. “Turn here.”

  Frank steered the car toward Theydon Bois.

  “Do you have closure, Frank?”

  “Closure?”

  “Yes, closure. Do you feel like Jan can rest in peace? Do you feel like you avenged her death?”

  “In a way, it hasn't sunk in yet. What with-”

  “Denver, right,” finished Harvey. “Do you feel like the noose has lifted, or relaxed a little?”

  “My noose?”

  “Yes, Frank, your noose. We both wore them. Yours woke you up at night, didn’t it? It dragged you to work every day, and it reminded you daily that someone out there somewhere was responsible for your wife’s death. It reminded you that you lived and breathed another day on the planet in the same country, city even, and that you shared the same air as him.” Harvey paused. “The noose was tight, wasn’t it?”

  “It was, Stone, yes.”

  “Forget the formalities, Frank, I’m Harvey. I think we know each other well enough now,” said Harvey. “Tell me how you feel, how tight the noose is. Maybe I can help.” Harvey looked across at the older man. “I’m an expert at dealing with nooses, Frank. Remember?”

  “You want the truth?” Frank asked.

  “Of course.”

  “I can’t remember when I last slept a solid night.”

  “Thought so.”

  “You can tell?”

  “I told you, I’m an expert.”

  “I don't think I’ll ever get closure. I don't think I’ll ever understand how one human being can be responsible for the deaths of so many others.”

  “It’s a cruel world, Frank.”

  “Yes, yes it is, Harvey,” replied Frank. “How about you? You were typically quiet in the meeting.”

  “Planning,” said Harvey.

  “Planning?” asked Frank.

  “And patience. The two go hand in hand in my experience. Turn right here.”

  Frank indicated and turned.

  “You going to tell me what it was you were planning?” asked Frank.

  “My future.”

  “Your future?”

  Harvey didn’t reply.

  “Your future is with the unit, Harvey. We need you now more than ever.”

  “Perhaps,” said Harvey. “Perhaps not. Whatever I decide, it needs to be my decision.”

  “Your decision? It’s always-”

  “I need you take my noose off me, Frank.”

  “Okay.”

  “You want commitment? Release me, give me a choice. You want to see what I’m capable of, set me free. Some birds are just not meant to be caged, Frank.”

  “I take it you got the answers you were looking for?”

  “I got answers, not necessarily the ones I wanted to hear, but I can put the re
st together myself.”

  “Did you ever suspect Julios?”

  “Never, he was my one ally.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t be,” Said Harvey. “He’s dead, they’re dead. I’m alive, you’re alive.”

  “So how does your future look?”

  “Fresh start, deeper sleep,” said Harvey.

  “Deeper sleep?”

  “Peace, Frank.” Harvey paused. “I’m not sure I ever knew what it was.”

  “So if it was Julios after all this time, who killed Julios? Are you any closer to finding that out?” Frank glanced across at Harvey’s face, but it was typically impassive.

  “I’ll find him. He’s on my list. But I’ll take my time.”

  “I’m pleased for you, Harvey,” began Frank, before pushing the conversation forward, “I’m pleased you finally found the answers, even if the truth wasn’t ideal.”

  “Ideal, Frank?”

  “You know what I mean,” said Frank, “you got your closure. You worked hard at it, and there’s plenty of people who never thought you would.”

  “I have you to thank, Frank,” said Harvey.

  “I didn't solve anything.”

  “You held the noose tight, that’s what I’m saying. I don't need the noose anymore. It’s detrimental to my future now.”

  “It’s detrimental?” asked Frank. “But if I set you free, if I tear up the arrest warrant, would that be detrimental to the team?”

  “You want the truth from me?”

  “Of course.”

  “I feel part of something, Frank. When Denver died, I feel like we all lost something. I’ve seen men lost to crime. They’ve bled out or had their heads blown off, but I never felt loss. Not like-”

  “Like Denver?”

  “Yeah, not like Denver.”