DARK MURDER a gripping detective thriller full of suspense

by Helen H. Durrant

  “You were showing us a watch, Lily. Do you have it on today?”

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” She showed him. “He’s a sentimental bugger underneath all that rough.” She grinned at Merrick. “And it’s worth a bob or two. When he gets fed up with me, I can cash it in. It’s win-win, don’t you think?”

  “I suppose so.” He coughed. “But there is a small problem. I’d like you to come down to the station and give a statement, Lily,” Merrick told her. “Just about how you got the watch and how long you’ve had it.”

  “I told you, soft lad, Geegee gave it to me.” And she pouted. “I don’t want to go there, it makes me nervous.”

  All the time he’d been talking to Lily, Craig had been slowly leading her towards the door. Once he got her there, he pointed to the police car. “These gentlemen will look after you, Lily. No need to worry, they’ll won’t keep you long and they’ll bring you back.”

  “No way. You can’t drag me down there. I’ll tell Geegee. He’ll sort you, he’ll sort the bloody lot of you,” she responded angrily. But it was too late.

  Speedy stood at the bar, looking around anxiously. He half-expected Geegee to jump him any second. “Where is he?” he asked Les.

  The landlord shrugged but his eyes flicked towards the back room.

  “Another game going on?”

  Les nodded.

  He was going to have to bite the bullet. If Geegee got wind of uniform being outside, then he’d scarper. Speedy nodded at Craig and gestured towards the door. “We’ll do this together. Give uniform the nod.”

  He barged straight in. The room was a fog of cigarette smoke and four men were seated around a table.

  “Come back for more?” Geegee taunted when he spotted him. “Don’t be shy, come in, grab a chair and help yourself from the bottle,” he invited, shaking a near-empty whisky bottle at him.

  “Come with me, Geegee.” Speedy’s voice cracked, from the smoke, fear, and the consequences that were sure to follow.

  “The lad wants to take me somewhere,” Geegee laughed to the others. “There’s a cop car outside so they must want me at the nick, what d’you say?”

  “Just come with me and we can get this sorted,” Speedy tried.

  “Get what sorted? The fact that you owe me a packet? How d’you think that’ll go down with your bosses, copper?”

  “All we want is the answer to a few questions, nothing heavy,” Speedy lied. He daren’t mention murder or Geegee would be out the window and gone.

  “Okay.” This surprised everyone. “But you’ve got to bring me back and this room remains locked while I’m gone,” he told the others. “So go on, scarper, the lot of you.”

  Speedy took that to mean that Geegee was up to his old tricks again; marked cards and a guaranteed winning streak. People like him needed culling.

  “What’s this about?” he asked Speedy, before he got in the police car.

  “My boss wants a word,” was all the sergeant would say.

  “About you gambling and losing a packet? Or perhaps it’s our little deal that’s got his interest.” He laughed. “You haven’t forgotten that, have you, lad? Because I certainly haven’t. It’s like having cash in the bank.” He paused and stared into Speedy’s face for a few seconds. “Cash I might have to call on if things get heavy. You will get me out of this if I need you to, won’t you, copper?”

  “I’m powerless; others much higher up the chain will be running things.”

  “You’re not that stupid. A missing bit of evidence here, a lost statement there; it can be done, so don’t go telling me you’re powerless,” he warned.

  Speedy’s nerves were unravelling. What would the mad bugger say once he was faced with Greco? He didn’t fancy his chances with that one. If the DI got one whiff of that card game and his losses, then Speedy’s career would be over.

  * * *

  When they arrived at the station Craig Merrick explained to Lily that the watch hadn’t been Geegee’s to give her. She’d argued the point bitterly, but given she could be charged with receiving stolen property, she finally handed it over. By the time Geegee made it to the interview room, the watch was sitting in an evidence bag on the table in front of him.

  Geegee sat slumped in a chair, his hands in his pockets. Greco sat opposite and a uniformed officer was at the door.

  “Is this the watch you gave to Lily Dawson?” Greco began, tapping the bag. The man was a waster, typical of all that was wrong with the town. Geegee shrugged and shuffled on his chair before leaning forward for a closer look.

  “Yeah, looks like it,” he said.

  “Where did you get it from?”

  “Found it, didn’t I?” Geegee grinned.

  Typical response from a well-seasoned scoundrel who’d been in this position many times before. He’d long since ceased to be intimidated by a police station or a formal interview. He was inviting Greco to disprove what he’d just said. But was he going to do that?

  “Where exactly did you find it?”

  “By the canal, on the bank before the tall bridge. It was just lying there in the mud.”

  “Did you find anything else?”

  “Why, was there anything else to find?” Geegee coughed and took a filthy handkerchief from his pocket.

  “Just answer the question, Mr Gibbs.”

  “As it happens I did, copper. There was a woman’s bag and an empty purse. Someone had been unlucky or dead careless I reckon.”

  Everything the man was telling him fitted. Brenda Hirst had had a bag with her, containing a purse. “What did you do with them?”

  He shrugged again. “No use to me. The purse was empty and I have no use for a handbag. I threw them in the canal.”

  “When was this? Try and be specific.”

  “Yesterday morning, not early, I don’t do early, so it must have been about eleven thirty. I was walking my dog.”

  “Was there anyone with you when you found the things?”

  “Look, am I under arrest or summat? Only if I’m not, I think I’ll be off, things to do.” He cleared his throat and slid the chair back from the desk. “You’re barking up the wrong tree, copper. I didn’t steal that stuff; mugging’s not my style, ask anyone.”

  “Mr Gibbs, we’re investigating a murder not a theft. The items you found belonged to the murdered woman.” There was a silence. Grady Gibbs’s face had paled.

  “I ain’t killed no one.”

  “I didn’t say you had. I just want to know where you got these items from.”

  “And if I had killed someone, I wouldn’t leave their stuff just lying around. I’m not stupid.”

  “I’m going to give you a little time to think things over, Mr Gibbs. I want you to consider your position carefully before we resume our talk.”

  With that, Greco left the interview room.

  “Craig, take the watch round to Jack Hirst and make sure it’s the right one. Sergeant, what do we know about this character, Grady Gibbs?”

  “He’s something of an all-rounder, sir. He’s into most of the scams that go on in Oldston. He deals drugs, although we’ve never had enough evidence to build a case. He’s not shy about giving anyone who crosses him a good kicking, but to date he’s never actually killed anyone. Not to my knowledge, anyway,” Speedy added thoughtfully.

  “Is he involved in the tobacco smuggling?”

  At that Speedy smiled and shook his head. “No, sir, the Hussains won’t let him in. They did their best to keep him short on the drugs too. They might be on the wrong side themselves but they’ve got more sense than to get involved with Geegee.”

  “He drinks in that pub you go to. Do you know him, would he talk to you?”

  “He might, but he’s not going to tell me anything that’d drop him in it.”

  “We’ll let him cool his heels for a while then speak to him again. You can sit in this time, Sergeant.”

  * * *

  Greco had gone down to the canteen to get himself some food and Qu
ickenden was beside himself with worry. He’d no idea what Geegee had said or what he was likely to say once Greco went in there again. He had to see him first.

  He made a mug of coffee and took it along to the interview room. He nodded at the uniform who let him in and waited outside.

  “Here, and it’s more than you deserve,” he said, slamming the mug on the desk.

  “I want to know how they found out. I ain’t said a word outside the Spinners about that stuff I found, and there isn’t anyone in there who’d snitch.”

  The young lad had let it slip but Quickenden would keep that to himself for the time being.

  “You’re not going to pin some murder on me, it ain’t fair because I didn’t do it. If you try, I’ll drop you in it so fast you’ll wonder what hit. You owe me and you’d do well to keep that in mind.”

  “Look, Geegee, this isn’t down to me. I had nothing to do with your arrest. This is down to the boss and that bloody watch.” He watched the man slurp on his drink. “Where did you get the damn thing? Don’t give me any bullshit.”

  “Like I told your boss, I found it on the canal bank. Just lying there in the mud it was.”

  “And you expect me to believe that?”

  “Believe what you like, but this time it’s the truth.”

  “But you can’t prove it, can you?”

  “No.” He thought for a moment. “But you can help me with that.”

  “I won’t be your alibi, there’s no way I’ll do that. I’ve gone too far as it is.”

  “You’ll stop whining and do exactly as I tell you.”

  “I won’t lie; the boss will know.”

  “You’ve got even less backbone than I thought,” Geegee scoffed. “You’ll go and see Daz Hopper. You’ll tell him what to say. You’ll tell him that he was with me yesterday morning and that we walked my dog along the canal. We found the watch, the bag and the purse together. I kept the watch and threw the rest in the canal.”

  “Will he do it?”

  “If he wants to keep his legs, he will.”

  “Okay, I’ll see what I can do.”

  “You won’t see, you’ll do it. When your boss gets back I’m going to use Darren as my alibi and then get the hell out of here. You need me to keep quiet about your gambling habit, so don’t let me down. Do you understand, copper? ”

  Speedy understood only too well. He was being forced to do Geegee’s dirty work. He had to find some way of sorting this or Geegee would be asking favours forevermore.

  Darren Hopper lived on the Link — didn’t they all. He was another one who was never out of trouble. Still, if he gave Geegee an alibi, then that got them all out of the mire. But it did mean ducking out again. What to tell the boss?

  “George!” She was the only one left in the office. “I feel sick, it’s come on suddenly. I’ve thrown up twice since coming in earlier. I’m going to have to go home.” She looked up from her computer and shook her head. “Lifestyle, Speedy, all that drinking and no food. Go home, I’ll tell the boss. He’ll just have to do without you.”

  “Lay it on thick will you. Tell him how pale I was and how I was in pain.”

  She rolled her eyes and nodded. He owed her. Speedy left by the back stairs; he didn’t want to bump into Greco coming back. He took his car and made for Link Road. If memory served him right Darren Hopper lived in a flat on the fourth floor of the tower block.

  He had to be in, he just had to be, because he didn’t have a phone number for him. He banged on the door of one of the flats and it was answered by an elderly woman.

  “I’m looking for Darren Hopper.” Speedy smiled. “He lives along here somewhere, but I’m not sure where.” He flashed his badge.

  “Number six and make it stick this time.” The woman scowled at him. “He’s a right tearaway, drives us all mad with his music and his noise.”

  Number six. Speedy made his way along the corridor and rapped on the door. Stace answered.

  “I’m looking for Darren.”

  She didn’t look pleased; she’d obviously guessed he was a cop.

  “Daz, get your arse in here!” she bellowed back along the hallway.

  “No, it’s alright, I just need a word. He’s done nothing wrong,” Speedy assured her.

  “Leave us, Stace,” Daz told her as soon as he appeared.

  “I don’t have long,” Speedy began. “Geegee needs an alibi and you’re it.”

  A few minutes later Darren Hopper was fully versed in what he had to tell Greco when he came calling.”

  “Wants the bloody lot, he does,” Daz complained. “Got me running about all over the place for him but still he’s not satisfied.”

  Speedy didn’t have time for curiosity so he let that one go.

  “They will ask — you know what to say. Don’t get it wrong; remember this is Geegee calling the shots, not me.”

  Chapter 13

  Wednesday

  “Anyone know why they’re emptying the shopping centre in Manchester?” Quickenden asked.

  “No idea, Speedy, where did you hear that?” Craig asked.

  “It was on the local radio when I was getting dressed. Shut the place up tight they have and aren’t letting anyone in. Something’s going on.”

  “I expect we’ll get to know sooner or later.”

  Grace wasn’t listening. She had her diary out and seemed to be working stuff out.

  “What are you doing?”

  “It’s childcare, Speedy,” she told him. “The boss has a problem and I’m trying to help.”

  “Why? I don’t get it. What’s the man got, to have you running around after him?”

  “I like him,” she admitted. “He’s okay once you get through that barrier he puts up. He’s actually quite human, vulnerable even, and he’s easy on the eye too.” She winked at Speedy.

  “You’re mad, you. Vulnerable! Are we talking about the same bloke? He’s not interested in you, so my advice is don’t get involved. He won’t stay around here for long, mark my words. He’ll get a promotion and be off somewhere else before you’ve finished batting your eyelashes.”

  “He came round to mine last night,” she boasted. “Stayed for tea and met my mum while his little girl played with Holly.”

  “Listen to me, don’t mix it, girl. You’re work colleagues, anything else won’t pan out. You’re a soft touch and he’s using you. It’ll end in tears.” Quickenden didn’t like fraternising with the DIs. He preferred to keep anyone above the rank of sergeant at arm’s length.

  “What happened to you yesterday, Speedy? You left here in a right state. Get your little problem sorted, did you?” Craig Merrick asked him. “When you didn’t come back I was thinking of sending out a search party.”

  “I went home sick. I left a message for the boss.”

  “I didn’t mean that, I meant with Geegee. You were all set to kill him when you went chasing out of here.”

  “No need. It worked out fine, no black eyes. Look,” he said shaking his head in front of Craig’s face. “Weird though, not what I expected,” he replied. “And it’s no thanks to you either. You could have stopped this. The next time you see some flash bastard dealing dodgy cards, do me a favour and drag me out of the place.”

  “There was no stopping you though, was there?” Craig reminded him. “Not like Geegee though, to let you off. Is he losing his touch?”

  “No, he hasn’t, he’s just prepared to wait, that’s all.”

  Speedy didn’t want to go into any more detail. The fewer people who knew about his little deal, the better.

  “That’s not like him either, what did you have to threaten him with?”

  “Nothing.” Speedy shrugged. “It was his idea.”

  “Whatever you’ve sorted, you look a lot better today,” Grace noted. “Try to stay out of trouble now. I don’t think the boss was impressed with your disappearing act and I’m talking both of them!”

  “He was a lot less impressed when Geegee came up with that alibi.�
� Merrick pulled a face. “Left it to the death he did, then yanked Darren Hopper out of the bag. The boss let him stew in the cells for the night and left word to let him out this morning.”

  Quickenden said nothing. He sat at his desk and accessed the local news on his computer. He could only hope that yesterday’s actions didn’t come back to haunt him. He’d provided a false witness for a known criminal. If it got out then his career was goosed. “Shopping mall is still closed. They’re saying it’s a bomb threat,” he told the others.

  Now he had their attention, talk of Grady Gibbs was replaced by something much more interesting. “Apparently there was an anonymous message sent to the papers this morning.”

  “It’ll be a hoax. Kids chancing their arm,” Merrick said.

  “Stupid thing to do in the current climate,” Grace replied.

  “Don’t think it’s a hoax; they’ve blocked off some of the M62 now. Looks like the real deal to me.”

  * * *

  Greco arrived later than usual, but no one noticed apart from Grace.

  “Got Matilda sorted with my mum, sir?” she asked, giving him a big smile.

  “Yes. Thanks for that. She likes your Holly, kept on about her all last night.” He smiled back at her.

  “Have you caught the news, sir?” George asked. “Bomb scare I think.”

  He looked at the computer screen she was watching. “Turn the sound up, please.”

  It looked as if DCI Green’s information had some truth in it. A grim thought, and he still hadn’t briefed the team either.

  “We should keep an eye on that. Right, get a cup of coffee, then the meeting room in ten minutes.”

  He knew what they’d be thinking. More meetings, and what had they got? A big fat nothing. Currently every lead led to a dead end and they were no closer than they’d been on Monday morning.

  Greco left them to it and walked along the corridor to the DCI’s office.

  “You’ve seen it, then.”