Persons of Interest

by Peter Grainger

  Waters said, ‘Is it to do with the town itself, rather than the people in it, ma’am?’

  The DCI said, ‘Yes.’

  ‘The docks?’

  ‘We think so.’

  The superintendent looked at Waters as if he had just noticed him for the first time after nine months in the building – as if, in fact, he had just emerged struggling into the bright world of the fight against crime. Smith gave another short nod and turned his attention back to Cara Freeman.

  He said, ‘Import or export?’

  ‘The former. You’ll all recall the significant finds in Essex last year, when they were using light aircraft to get across from Holland. It’s the same operation, probably looking to open up a new line after losing that one. The timing fits that theory. Our source is in London, and we don’t know the details of what’s been going on up here but it appears that your Mr Routh has his own established contacts in the docks which he has used to supply a number of other dealers in the east. He was approached, apparently agreed to cooperate initially and then there was a falling out. What you have told us about this morning is possibly related to that, isn’t it?’

  It was Smith’s opinion that she was seeking, not the detective inspector’s or even the detective superintendent’s.

  Smith said, ‘There’s plenty of to-ing and fro-ing across the North sea to The Netherlands and Germany, lots of it to do with the rigs, as you know yourself, ma’am, and the wind farms. The security is minimal – stuff doesn’t need to go under the radar when there isn’t a radar in the first place. We don’t give the docks enough attention but then, as I said, there are good reasons for that. As for Stuart Routh, I’d be surprised if he ever did agree to ‘cooperate’. He’s his own man, with a very nice apartment in the Old Harbour development; he probably even invested in the building of that himself. He’s got the cash – he doesn’t need to be part of a conglomerate.’

  DCI Freeman said, ‘He might not need it but he might have no choice. To use the worn-out cliché, he’s a big fish in a small pond; the people that RSCU are looking at are much bigger fish from a sizeable lake – if you can forgive the expression.’

  ‘Time to get your biggest rod out, sir!’

  All the faces turned to Detective Superintendent Allen. He smiled politely at Smith’s little quip, and the guilty party pointed to the picture on the wall, the one of the superintendent embracing a medium-sized salmon – DCI Freeman understood then and laughed, which somehow made it worse.

  Allen said, ‘We really need to focus on this matter. If this ‘kidnapping’ that Smith has stumbled across really is connected to the Serious Crime Unit’s investigation, then months of work could be jeopardized. We must look into it, obviously, but the first priority is not to compromise that investigation by alarming those who are the subjects of it. We must tread very carefully here.’

  Again Waters sensed the hesitation around the table. The five different ranks present seemed to create an awkward dynamic in which discussion was reluctant to emerge from its safe-house – silence. But he knew that Smith would have something to say, and it was not long before he felt compelled to say it.

  ‘I’m sorry, sir, but I can’t agree. The first priority here has to be the lives of the two young people who have been abducted.’

  Allen looked at Cara Freeman as if to say, you see what I have to deal with on a daily basis? When she did not respond in kind, he said, ‘DCI Freeman, you have some knowledge of the people involved, these ‘big fish’. If the girl and the boy have been taken as some sort of bargaining chip, they will be of no use if they are - harmed, will they? Do you seriously believe that their lives are in danger?’

  Freeman looked from the superintendent to the sergeant, from a tall man in an expensive suit to a small man in a shabby tweed jacket and a tie that could never make a successful match between that jacket and any shirt that he might conceivably wear with it. The sergeant had placed his fingertips together, and he had placed upon her own face a gaze of considerable intensity – she had the odd feeling that whatever she said next would fix forever his view of her. She had no idea why that should matter but it did.

  She said, ‘Without a doubt.’

  The meeting ended shortly after that. Alison Reeve, who had, in Waters’ view, been uncharacteristically quiet, asked one question before it did so – she had said to DCI Freeman, ‘You said earlier that you would share “pretty much” everything that you have. Is there anything else that we need to know before we can sort this out? As you said, if lives are at stake...’

  The look that had passed between Freeman and Allen was unmistakably of the warning variety. DI Reeve must have seen it, Waters thought, but she did not back away, did not take the hint as they might have wished – he had the sense that the two women were not yet growing closer as a result of this investigation. He guessed also that if something was being held back it might be because of the presence of a young and inexperienced detective constable.

  Freeman said, ‘I need to speak with my superiors as a result of this meeting. Some aspects of this are very sensitive,’ and Allen followed that immediately with, ‘And I need to contact Huntingdon. As far as liaison is concerned, this is a nightmare. And it’s a Friday. You all need to go back to your offices and make sure that the paperwork is spotless – heaven knows who we’ll have turning up as a result of all this. Pull back anyone who is out on the investigation this morning – DI Reeve, let your fellow inspectors know, please, but with minimal detail. Refer any objections directly to me. Go.’

  They went, back to their respective rooms and offices. Murray and Butler were already there – Smith had held them back that morning, surmising correctly that there was about to be a change of direction. What he had not expected was that the whole operation would be suspended forthwith as had just happened. None of Wilson’s team was present in the shared office but they would soon be, as would the rest of the Kings Lake detectives, once their sergeants had been told by their inspectors to return to base. Questions would be asked – after all, that was what they did best and for some of them it was their only life-skill – and the answers, inevitably, would lead back to one particular detective sergeant. Everyone had been having a lovely time, and some lovely overtime, too, and they had expected it to go on for at least another week, and now it had come to an unexpected end. Some of them might even try to say it was his fault.

  That did not concern him in the slightest but he was having to think quickly about what was now likely to happen down in Huntingdon. Had he landed Hinton in it? He ought to warn him, at least. He went outside into the corridor and dialled the number.

  ‘Nigel? Just a quick one. I picked something up from Everett’s sister yesterday – it could be the motive you’re looking for but it’s causing all sorts of a rumpus up here. I won’t go into details but this is about to bounce back to your lot, miles above our heads – I just thought you ought to know.’

  Hinton said, ‘Funny, Terek just got called in.’

  ‘They’re not hanging about, then. I’m sorry if this gets awkward. I’m expecting a bit of stick myself.’

  ‘We were just doing our job. Investigating, liaising – frankly, I don’t give a toss, and I’d be surprised if you do. Sir.’

  Smith laughed, thanked him and ended the call. An old trooper who had seen and heard it all before – they could do with a few more of those. Up and down the corridor, all was quiet, the quiet before the storm, perhaps. Was there just time to slip out of the building for half a cigarette? He had made up his mind that there was when Alison Reeve appeared and made straight for him.

  ‘Nice one, DC.’

  He didn’t answer – she wasn’t quite herself this morning, and when she wasn’t it was often better to say nothing.

  ‘Everyone’s on their way back. And I just had another conversation with Allen. He wants a statement, something in writing, of course, more paper to cover his backside. That sounds disgusting but when I suggested something starting with �
�As a result of a routine investigation...” he laughed and said, “Smith? Smith has no idea what a routine investigation is! When was the last time Smith carried out a routine investigation?” I sort of know what he means.’

  ‘There is nothing to apologise for-’

  ‘Don’t!’

  ‘Don’t what?’

  ‘Say “Ma’am”.’

  ‘OK. There is nothing to apologise for. If we hadn’t found out about the two being taken, if we had pushed on and alerted the kidnappers, we could have been indirectly responsible for any consequences. That might already have happened, of course. According to the DCI, these people would not hesitate. I don’t care what the fall-out here is, you don’t mess with a young girl’s life. It’s as simple as that to me.’

  Reeve turned from him and looked out of the window. The lime trees were smothered with their intricate blossom, and in the solitary flowerbed in the single square of grass, the marigolds had burst into flame; for a moment it was possible to forget that the building right behind the flowers was the police mortuary.

  ‘She definitely has time for you, doesn’t she?’

  ‘Who does?’

  ‘The chief inspector. How many times have you rebuffed her advances now?’

  There were comic possibilities beyond measure here, and he decided to ignore them all.

  ‘Just the twice.’

  ‘Why? Your talent for un-routine investigations would be invaluable to RSCU. You’d never be bored. Maybe you’re just too comfortable here.’

  If she was out to pretend that she wanted to get rid of him, she was doing a decent job – maybe he should throw a defensive left jab or two after all.

  ‘Comfortable is fine by me. I’ve told you before, I’ve done the other stuff. If I had the T shirt, it would say something unprintable. And anyway, it’s nothing to do with her.’

  ‘Meaning what?’

  ‘DCI Freeman – I think she’s terrific. That lovely hair, and she’s got this way of looking into a man’s eyes that just, well, you know... I reckon there’s a deeply passionate woman inside, just waiting for the right detective to come along.’

  As well as she knew him, it still worked, as he knew it would – she was smiling but her eyes were cross. Before she could speak, he did again.

  ‘No, it’s him. I just cannot imagine sharing an office with Terry Christopher. He’s the thing that is keeping us apart. If it wasn’t for him, who knows what might have been?’

  His face was straight and a wistful look had appeared. Now she was annoyed with herself because she had got annoyed. She told him to go back to his office and keep the children quiet until mummy and daddy had decided what to do, but she didn’t put it quite like that.

  An hour later, Alison Reeve called for him – they were on their way back up to Superintendent Allen’s office once again. On the way, she stopped on a landing and said to him, ‘The other thing, the one that Freeman didn’t want to talk about?’

  ‘The thing that you were trying to make her talk about?’

  ‘I wasn’t, I was just – just – sod it!’

  Smith looked mildly surprised – if this kept up for another week or two, he might have to ask what the trouble was. She composed herself and continued with exaggerated calm.

  ‘Yes, that thing. You know what it was, obviously.’

  ‘I can take a good guess, from the complete lack of a reaction when I told them what Stuart Routh said to Sandra Fellowes. The fact that nobody said a word about it told me a lot more than anything they might have said. It didn’t come as a surprise to at least two people in the room.’

  He was giving her that look, asking that question.

  ‘Yes. I knew that there was – that there had been some talk, some months ago.’

  ‘Is there an internal investigation going on?’

  ‘No. Or at least, not to my knowledge. You know what it’s like.’

  He did, and he didn’t want to know any more than was absolutely necessary to sorting out the current mess, but there was one final question he had to ask.

  ‘Do you know the name? Or the names?’

  ‘I know a name. But it was months ago – I don’t think it came to anything, DC.’

  ‘Glad to hear it, and I still don’t need you to tell me, unless it’s the same name that’s cropped up this time.’

  She began to climb the next flight of stairs, and Smith followed, carefully, making sure that he did not put any unexpected angles into the bending of his knee.

  Reeve said, ‘I’m not sure that we’re going to find out, are we?’

  ‘Well, somebody knows. And somebody could do worse than have a word with Stuart Routh.’

  Chapter Fifteen

  The somebody was to be Smith, and that was just one of a number of things that had already been decided before the meeting in Allen’s office began. This time only the four of them were present, Waters having rejoined the ranks of those who only stand and wait. Allen was brisk and business-like; Smith had the sense that lots of feathers had been ruffled in the hour and a half since he had been in the room, but some sensible decisions seemed to have been taken by someone.

  Allen said, ‘Huntingdon wanted to send an inspector called,’ looking down at a paper on his desk and then saying the name as if it wasn’t a proper one at all, ‘Terek to interview Sandra Fellowes immediately – today, would you believe? I told their superintendent that this was completely unacceptable in view of the complex situation here. She did not agree and wanted to play some ridiculous game of trumps. This has been right up to the Assistant Chief Constables, not twenty minutes ago...’

  He looked pointedly at Smith and said, ‘ACC Devine asked to be remembered to you.’

  ‘Oh, did he, sir? Please return the compliment when you next speak to him.’

  DCI Freeman glanced across at DI Reeve – the look that she received back seemed to be saying, don’t worry, this really is normal.

  ‘Never mind all that, Smith. You’ve uncovered this mess and you can sort it out. We can’t have detectives from another force blundering about, can we?’

  ‘No, sir. We can do that perfectly well ourselves.’

  DI Reeve intervened.

  ‘Superintendent, in view of what you have said about Sergeant Smith approaching Stuart Routh, I’d like to propose how the rest of the team can help to push this forward quickly. I’d like to get a formal, detailed statement from Sandra Fellowes today, and also to interview the girl who witnessed the abduction. I realise that the RSCU investigation is on hold, but I think it would be wise at least trying to keep some sort of tab on Bridges – he’s likely to be involved in this, isn’t he?

  She looked at DCI Freeman and got the nod that she wanted.

  Allen said, ‘A daily report, please. I’m tempted to say hourly.’

  He paused and looked at Smith again.

  ‘But four o’clock daily unless something urgent develops. Work with DCI Freeman every step of the way, please.’

  And then, to his credit, Allen addressed the elephant in the room.

  ‘You all understand that an allegation of sorts has been made against a police officer – presumably a police officer here in Kings Lake. And you are all highly experienced officers yourselves. If this should develop into anything more – substantial, the utmost discretion and caution are required. No action whatsoever is to be taken regarding such a matter without consulting me in person. I hope that I have made myself clear.’

  Smith felt a growing need to get out of the building before another round of meetings could begin, but there were still arrangements to be made with Reeve, and DCI Freeman was in the background – not trying to manipulate anything, thank goodness, but watching and listening to the way they worked. Alison Reeve seemed increasingly aware of the fact.

  Murray would come with him to speak to Stuart Routh – that was the only sensible choice because the two of them knew each other and it might encourage Routh to tell them what was going on. Coppers don’t come much
straighter than John Murray, and they don’t come much bigger either – that’s always useful. Serena Butler would go with Waters to re-visit Sandra Fellowes. The woman would recognize the young detective, and Smith trusted Butler’s instincts enough now to be sure that she would take the right approach, whatever the emotional state of the bereft mother. They needed statements, as much background as possible on the girl’s relationship with Cameron Routh, and they needed photographs. That would be awkward as the woman had an understandable fear of any publicity, but Serena would get past that if anyone could. That meant that someone else was needed to continue the search, if it could be called that, for Duncan Bridges - they were still only sitting outside The Wrestlers. Smith had suggested Mike Dunn.

  Reeve had said, ‘Why?’

  ‘Because he’s reliable, and because if you won’t transfer him to my team permanently, I’ll have to get him some other way.’

  Alison Reeve didn’t look at DCI Freeman then but she wondered what the woman thought – Smith was an institution here, it was as if the building itself had been put up around him, and most of them treated him accordingly. But to an outsider, a senior and still rising detective like Cara Freeman? What on earth did she make of him?

  Reeve said, ‘I’m not putting just a DC on a Serious Crimes suspect, or even two of them. The whole situation is too...fluid.’

  ‘Fair point – I agree. Are you busy this afternoon?’

  ‘Oh, Cara has – DCI Freeman has a video conference call. She has asked me to sit in on it, as the liaison officer here.’

  ‘Really? A video conference call...’

  His impression of being impressed was so comical that both women had to smile, and Smith thought, well, something has thawed the air, thank goodness.

  Reeve said, ‘It needs a sergeant, DC. I’m going to ask John Wilson.’

  She had watched for his reaction, but the one that she got was unexpected.

  ‘Not Patrick Chambers?’

  As the outsider, DCI Freeman could not have understood all that happened in the tiny space that followed Smith’s question. DI Reeve had blinked once or twice, half-looked away from Smith and then back again; if there had been only the two of them in the room, she would have spoken out, but there were three.