‘I saw the pictures of Sergeant Lee — of Freddie. They showed me them in interview.’ George’s voice was soft as he recalled the images of the familiar faces in their blood-soaked uniforms. ‘I knew him too. Not well, but well enough for the pictures to have an effect. I knew Ian Cutter far better. He was a good man, one of the old boys. He was good to me when I first started out on the detective route, and ever since. His picture hit me hard, Jack. You can believe that or not, I am long past caring. When I saw that picture, it was the first time since I got suspended that I wished I could come back. But I can’t, and I reckon I never will. I am bitter, Jack. I have no time for the management at Lennokshire Police, and I would shed no tears if some of them were to meet their end thanks to this nutter. You should know from the people that were targeted that I had nothing to do with it. Nothing at all. Some young lad with a family, a wrinkled old PCSO, your skipper and an old friend. I’m not denying that I’m sometimes capable of violence, nor would I say that vengeance hasn’t crossed my mind. I’ve spent long nights sat in this place with nothing to do but think. I’ve lost my job, all but lost my family and drunk more than I should, and you do get crazy fucking thoughts. All I’m saying is that if this was me, if I really was having my revenge, the targets would be different people.’
Jack reached for his mug, ‘I shouldn’t have come here. I didn’t really think it through. I can’t think straight at the moment.’
‘That’s what anger does when you let it fester in you. Feels like a long time ago I learnt that you’ve just got to let it go, or the only person you end up hurting is yourself.’
Jack looked at George’s dressing gown. ‘How’s your side?’
‘We both got lucky,’ said George. ‘I’ll live.’
Jack took a swig from his mug. ‘Seems I couldn’t even do that right.’
* * *
After Jack left, George leaned against the door and exhaled. Jack had left his phone number scrawled on a piece of paper in case George “heard anything.” George couldn’t think why he should, or how, but at least it meant he could keep in touch. George pushed himself away from the door and paced back into his living room, undid his robe, and prodded the now congealed blood that marked his wound.
He switched the television back on. He had missed the press conference, but they were still repeating key parts. Helen Webb was centre stage, wearing what looked like a new suit. She was flanked by two senior officers that George didn’t recognise. They were replaying the section that had sparked the most questions from the floor. Helen looked uncomfortable. She held out her hands to appeal for calm, and leaned towards the microphones roughly bunched together on the table in front of her.
‘It is true that we made an arrest yesterday. That person was questioned extensively and has now been released on bail with strict conditions. You will appreciate that this is a live investigation so I can’t release details, but I will say that it is also true that he is an employee of Lennokshire Police and is a thirty-eight-year-old male.’
‘Ha!’ George flicked the television off and made his way through to the shower. ‘She can’t even get my age right.’
CHAPTER 15
‘Blimey, thanks, hon. What time is it?’ Billy Toner said.
Sam Robins grinned as the figure in front of her sat up, the fresh cotton of the bedsheet falling away to reveal a muscled torso. He brought a knee up and rubbed at his face. Sam was wearing his white shirt, which had been thrown to the floor when they had arrived back at her flat in the early hours of the morning. He took the steaming cup from her and she sat, cross legged, at the bottom of the bed.
Sam chewed her bottom lip. ‘Seven o’clock. Did you sleep ok?’
He grinned. ‘When you finally let me.’ They shared a smile and Sam slapped her knee. ‘Right. I need to get moving. Do you want breakfast?’
Billy narrowed his eyes. ‘No, don’t worry. I’ll let you get sorted and get to work. I’ve got stuff to do anyway.’
‘Plans for your day off? Do I figure in your evening plans at all?’ Sam teased.
‘Well, today I’ve got a bit of football with the lads and then a beer after. Maybe we can hook up later in the week, eh?’ Billy put his coffee cup on the bedside cabinet and stood up beside the bed. He stretched and walked towards the door. ‘Mind if I use your shower?’ He disappeared from the room before Sam could answer.
Of course he knew she didn’t mind. They had been seeing each other for nearly six months now. Seeing each other. What an expression! Sam hated it but Billy used it at every opportunity. It was his way of making sure she knew where she stood, which was as far away as possible when it suited him. Sam sighed. She’d sworn that she would never get involved with another police officer, and especially not a firearms officer. Billy was typical of that particular breed. He spent all his free time in the gym or playing any number of sports with his mates. He wore his uniform just that little bit too tight and avoided all suggestion of any sort of commitment. For months, Sam had tried to ignore him, but his arrogant advances followed by periods of no contact, and his reputation as a bit of a playboy all kept her guessing. And those damned eyes. Sam knew she was being played, but she was drawn in nonetheless.
Sam had thrown herself backwards on the soft mattress and lay looking at the ceiling. Billy reappeared, rubbing at his short, dark hair with a towel. He scanned the room for the rest of his clothing.
He reached for a thin V-neck jumper and pulled it over his head. ‘Stick that shirt through the wash for me and I’ll grab it next time.’ He gathered the rest of his clothes and fiddled with his watch.
‘Next time? Next time, what? You fancy a fuck?’ Sam was smiling but her eyes flashed.
Billy stopped fiddling with his watch. ‘Come on, Sam, that’s not what I meant. Next time I see you, is all.’
‘And when will that be?’
Billy shrugged. ‘I don’t know. You know what I’m like. I’ve got a lot on.’
‘Where do I fit in then, Billy?’
‘Where I can,’ he replied, his tone as cold as Sam’s. Then he softened. ‘I love it when we get together, you know that, but I don’t get much time.’ He turned to the door and picked up his shoes. He reappeared at the bedroom door hopping, with one shoe on. ‘I’ll give you a bell. We’ll sort something out, yeah?’
Sam offered no reply.
‘I’ll send you a text.’
Sam followed him to the front door.
‘Have a good shift, yeah,’ he said and leaned in for a kiss.
Sam backed away. ‘Billy?’
‘What is it?’
She shook her head. ‘Oh, don’t worry.’
‘You sure?’ But he was on his way out. She caught a wink and a reassuring smile as the door clicked shut.
Inside, the flat was silent.
‘I’m pregnant,’ said Sam to the closed door.
CHAPTER 16
‘Sarah?’ George asked tentatively
‘Hello, George.’ She sounded hesitant, even via the phone line.
‘What can I do for you?’
‘I just wanted to call quick. Er, to see how you are. I had a visit — from the police,’ Sarah said.
George screwed up his face as he took this in. Of course they had been to see his wife. ‘Did you? I’m sorry about that.’
‘Don’t be.’
‘Anyone we know?’
‘Helen Webb.’
‘I’m not surprised. She’s going to be enjoying this.’
‘She tried to give me the impression that she wants to help you — that you’re not helping yourself.’
‘Helen’s one of the most experienced detectives I’ve come across. She knows how to work a source.’
‘I don’t want to be a source, George. Or a witness, or a victim or anything as far as the police are concerned. I thought all this was over when you moved out. They stopped bothering me for a while, but now here they are again. Telling me that you’re murdering people.’
‘I’m n
ot murdering anyone, hon. Jesus.’
‘I know. I told her that. I’m just tired of sticking up for you.’
George ran a hand through his hair. ‘Don’t then. Just tell them that you haven’t seen me for weeks and that you won’t talk to them anymore. They can’t keep bothering you without good reason.’
There was a pause. ‘I’m sorry it’s been a while. I know you want to see Charley. It’s just been a bit much recently.’
‘It’s my fault. I know I was the worse for wear last time you both saw me, but that won’t ever happen again. It was a bad day and when you cancelled I had a couple of drinks to get me over it. I get so devastated. Then when you said I could meet you both after all, I knew I shouldn’t, that I wasn’t fit, but I didn’t want to miss the opportunity.’ George knew that he was rambling.
‘Those are the kind of stupid decisions you make when you’re pissed.’ Then Sarah’s voice softened. She said almost fondly, ‘You’ve always been a stupid drunk.’
For the first time in over eighteen months, George and Sarah shared something approaching a laugh. George sat down. ‘Is there any chance we can try again? Arrange a meet so I can spend just a bit of time with my little girl? I’ll be on my best behaviour. It’s been a rough time and it would mean so much to me.’
‘Yeah, I think we can do that. Charley misses you like mad. But you have to be different, and by different I mean the same, the man that used to be her dad, when we all lived at home and had a normal life.’
‘I know.’
‘And that’s the man I miss too,’ Sarah added softly.
George didn’t say anything. He’d learned not to rush things.
‘I’ll send you a text in the next couple of days. We’ll have to work round Charley, she’s got quite a social life now! I’ll let you know.’
George was beaming. ‘Thank you. I’m really looking forward to it.’
Sarah ended the call. George walked to the window and peered out onto the sun-baked high street. He’d spent countless hours looking down at this view and had always hated it. He imagined that all the people bustling around down there had not a care in the world. George stood alone above them in his tiny flat, a prisoner of circumstance, increasingly of alcohol, and of his own memories.
Today, though, he saw bright colours glowing in the hazy sunshine, shoppers and happy kids on their school holidays. Warm days at the seaside. George dared to think that the downward spiral of his life might just have come to an end. Just maybe he had turned a corner and, who knew, maybe he’d get his family back.
CHAPTER 17
Detective Samantha Robins was glad to be away from it all. Langthorne House was crazy. The media had set up permanent camp outside, and everyone entering or leaving the building was hassled by microphones and cameras.
Sam got into her car and nodded at the armed police officer standing at the barrier. As she waited for it to rise she cast a look over at the white forensic tent on the other side of the car park. Four reporters approached her window as she reached the road, soon followed by others. Sam spun her wheel and accelerated away.
Langthorne General was also busy, with a large police and media presence. The bodies of the four fallen officers were due to be brought here when CSI were finished with their in situ examinations. At least one of them was here already. The footage of a black private ambulance arriving was being replayed on all the national news channels. Sam had never liked the way the police uniform made her so conspicuous. Perhaps it had been more difficult for her than others — a blonde female in any uniform was an easy target — and today more than ever she was happy to be plain-clothed and inconspicuous. She checked her notes and followed along endless corridors until finally she came to a stop at a set of double doors that marked the entrance to Mansion Ward.
She slipped inside as a harassed-looking nurse rushed through on her way out. Sam went up to the workstation.
‘I’m here to see Gerald Fedder,’ Sam announced to the nurse on duty.
‘Fedder?’ The nurse did nothing to conceal her chewing gum. ‘You family?’
‘No, no,’ said Sam, showing her badge. ‘Police. I need to talk to him.’
‘Bit late for that, isn’t it?’
Sam dropped her badge back into her bag. ‘Where will I find him?’
Clearly unimpressed by this show of authority, the nurse pointed in the general direction of the area behind her. ‘You get one chance, one visit for half an hour tops. You want to come and see him again after that, you’ll need to call ahead and ask the doctor for permission. You need to walk right through to the rooms. He’s in number 4.’
Number 4 was the first room after the open ward which seemed to consist solely of elderly patients. Sam had no idea why her man had been put in a room on his own, but she was pretty certain it wasn’t a good sign.
She had expected him to be alone. Two young children were sitting on one side of the bed and an older woman rose from the chair opposite. Their expressions were almost beseeching. Gerald lay breathing slowly, and Sam realised that she had not been very well informed about the seriousness of his injuries. ‘Sorry . . . My name is DC Samantha Robins from Langthorne Police Station. I am investigating the assault on Gerald. How is he doing?’
The woman and two children looked at each other.
‘Please, sit back down. I’ll just ask a few questions and then we’ll see where we can go from there.’ Sam flipped open her notebook. ‘Sorry,’ she said again.
‘Well, the nurses are wonderful. We’ve been very well looked after.’
‘Good.’ Sam smiled. She turned to the children. ‘Hello.’
Two sets of eyes stared back. Both were around five or six she guessed, both very cute. The boy wore a checked shirt underneath his jumper. He seemed very shy. The girl had a bold, quizzical stare. She had on a pretty white dress with a matching hair band.
‘Our grandchildren. Tommy and Carol-Ann.’
‘And which one’s which?’ Sam asked playfully.
The girl rolled her eyes. ‘I’m Carol-Ann, of course.’ She kicked her legs against the chair.
‘I see. Well, nice to meet you, Carol-Ann, Tommy.’
‘Are you going to arrest the bad man that hurt my Granddad?’ Carol-Ann swung her legs faster.
‘That’s what I’m here for, yes. I was hoping that Gerald might be able to tell me a little bit about who the man is. I didn’t realise that he would be asleep.’ Sam cursed the lack of information she had been given about this job. Langthorne House was a hive of activity, but all of it was directed at finding and stopping the cop killer. An assault on an elderly man didn’t rate very high. Sam Robins was assigned to a job that would normally have two or three detectives at least, and the only reason she had been released was because no one wanted to use her on an investigation that might involve George Elms.
‘Gerald was in a coma, Detective. He’s not long been back with us, and he’s still sleeping a lot. The doctor says that’s quite normal.’
‘You must be Gerald’s wife?’
‘Valerie Fedder.’ The woman held out a cold, bony hand.
‘Nice to meet you, Valerie. Like I said, I’m Detective Samantha Robins. I’m leading the investigation into what happened to your husband.’ Sam reached inside her bag and produced her card. ‘I need to talk to Gerald, get some details about what happened, you know, but I can see that now isn’t going to be the best time.’ Sam looked at the children, who had started to fidget and bicker.
Valerie glanced at her watch. ‘Their mother will be back for them in about an hour. Maybe you could pop back later in the day after they’ve gone home?’
Sam looked at her own watch. It was just gone eleven. She could stop off at her mum’s house for lunch and then come back. She could really use a chat with her mum.
‘No problem. I don’t really want to discuss this in front of the children anyway. When might be the best time? Is your husband going to be well enough to talk to me?’
‘Ger
ald is quite compos mentis but he gets tired very quickly. Come back later this afternoon. That should give him enough time to get some rest, and the kids will be gone. We’re keen to find out how the investigation is going.’
Sam nodded and said her goodbyes. She left the room, and walked back to the desk at the end of the ward, where there had been a change of personnel. ‘Hi, I’m visiting Mr Fedder, in room four. Would I be able to pop back later and speak to him when he’s a bit more awake? I really need to talk to him.’
‘Are you family?’ asked the male nurse.
‘No, I’m with the police. We’re investigating what happened to Mr Fedder.’
The man beamed. ‘A police officer? Well, I feel a little cheated that you’re not in uniform.’
‘I prefer to be out of it,’ she said.
‘I’m sure you do. You can probably have a lot more fun when you’re out of your uniform.’ The man leaned forward. Sam turned away slightly and ran her fingers through her hair.
‘So will it be okay to pop back to see him?’
‘The doctors don’t want him disturbed. He’s not out of the woods yet, from what I hear.’
Sam bit her bottom lip. ‘That’s terrible. How long do you think he’ll be in for?’
‘A few weeks, easily.’
Sam played with her hair. ‘A few weeks! My sergeant will be really upset if I don’t get to speak to him soon. Sure I can’t sneak back in a little later? It would mean a lot.’
‘I’m sure I can sneak you in for a quick one.’ The nurse winked.
As the door to the ward closed behind her, Sam already had her phone in her hand, scrolling through her contacts.
PANIC BUTTON a gripping crime thriller full of twists Page 9
