Dead Sweet: A D.I. Turnbull mystery

by Sally O'Brien

  As Penny reached the car park exit and was just beginning to silently celebrate another successful shoplift, a tap on her shoulder alerted Penny to the fact the grey suit had followed her out of the store.

  "Excuse me," the suit quietly said.

  "I'm sorry." Penny began, flustered. "I'm really sorry, I'll put it all back, please I'm sorry."

  "Hey, hey I'm not a store detective," the suit smiled. "I don't work there, I don't care what you've stolen."

  Penny now felt very embarrassed and could feel red heat creeping up her cheeks. She really wanted to run away but fear kept her rooted to the spot she stood on.

  "I'm Terry," the suit extended a hand which Penny barely touched with her fingers, giving a quick handshake.

  "I'm a talent scout for a modelling agency," Terry said. "I couldn't take my eyes off you when I saw you. You are just the girl we're looking for."

  Penny reached up to touch her mousy scruffy hair, being a cross between curly and straight, it was quite unmanageable so she tended to just wash and go. She patted it now in another futile attempt to tame it.

  "I don't see how," Penny said.

  "Hey that look is all the rage now," said Terry, "And you have a perfect figure, just look at that chest."

  Penny was far too embarrassed to tell Terry that her breasts had been enhanced with pastry and jerk seasoning so kept quiet as Terry continued.

  "Yes I can make sure you have lots of work and never need to shoplift again." Terry told her. "If you come to my studio I can give you loads of free makeup and perfume; we get lots of freebies from our clients."

  Penny smiled, "I don't want to come home and see your puppies mate." She laughed, "I wasn't born yesterday, move on."

  Terry produced a business card for Penny to look at, 'Elisworth Models' was embossed in red letters on the cream card.

  "Never heard of them," Penny said, "I'm not sure I would make much of a model anyway."

  "But you're so thin." Terry exclaimed, "It's just the look we need; skinny is in, we really need people like you. Look, it pays really well and all I need to do is take a few test shots to show my boss and then I can get you signed up and working as quickly as in a week."

  Penny was very tempted by Terry's offer. This could be the way out of her life as she knew it. Penny knew that her parents would probably have kittens if they saw her on display in any catalogue or magazine. There was a billboard directly opposite the church her parents attended regularly; the image of their faces when they saw her on it, advertising tampons or some such product, was just delicious.

  "What do I have to do?" she asked.

  "Come back to the Big Value café," Terry said, "We can sit and discuss it there."

  "Not bloody likely," Penny guffawed, "I've got two sausage rolls threatening to fall out of my trouser leg at any moment."

  Terry gave a huge donkey like laugh; Penny heartily joined in with her new found friend and possible life saviour.

  "Ok then, why don't I come to your place?" Terry suggested, "It won't take long, just a couple of pictures in different poses."

  "OK sure, why not?" Penny agreed, "What have I got to lose?"

  Chapter Nine

  Monday July 8th 2013

  16:00 hours

  D.I. Todd Turnbull sat in his office at his chipped wooden desk. Burn marks were testament to the old days when smoking wasn't frowned upon and many a cigarette was left to burn itself out in an ashtray as Todd and his counterparts had worked on a case. Banning smoking had done the world of good for Todd who could now see clearly across the office and breath without choking. He fingered a particularly deep burn on the desk as he chatted to Candace about Sunday night's shenanigans.

  "Should have won that match," Todd complained.

  Candace looked sullenly at the floor. Her hangover was getting the better of her and she was dying of embarrassment at the memory of throwing herself at her boss.

  "We'll do better next time, we had a lot on our minds." Redness crept up her cheeks as another picture flashed in her mind." I'm sorry about... you know."

  "Candace, I've got more important things to worry about than a sergeant who can't handle her drink. Any news on DNA yet?"

  "Not yet, I've got to phone the lab later."

  "Did we mark it as urgent?" Todd asked.

  "Yes, but so did every other nick dealing with a murder." Candace shrugged. "It won't be much longer."

  "Well it better hurry up, that's the only thing we've got at the moment." Todd ran his fingers through his silver hair. He realised it was starting to get a big long and unruly; it was definitely time for a haircut.

  "I've got to pop out in an hour or so, what are we working on at the moment?"

  "You have to attend the council meeting with the Neighbourhood Watch coordinators." Candace smiled.

  "Oh joy, that's real detective work right there," Todd grimaced, "Remind me again why I have to do it?"

  "Because the DCI is on holiday."

  "I've got a murder to solve, twenty outstanding burglaries, two theft employees and a list as long as your arm of Davey Danley offences. Neighbourhood Watch will have to wait."

  "Already cancelled it twice Guv," admonished Candace.

  "Hmm, well you know what the secret of good management is Candace?"

  "What?"

  "Delegation; you're doing it."

  "But..."

  "No arguments, you can take one of the newbies with you, it will be good experience for them. It will let them know not all police work is about investigation and nicking people. It's about community as well."

  "Guv, I..."

  "No Candace, don't thank me; I always aim to please." Todd ushered Candace out of his office and sat back at his desk. He took out a sliver of mirror which he kept in his drawer and moved it around in front of his face, trying to catch a glimpse of his hair. Definitely in need of a haircut he thought and resolved to make that an important part of his day.

  -x-

  The phone on Todd's desk rang and the monitor identified the caller as the Station Office. Todd hoped it was Tessa calling; he answered the phone.

  "DI Turnbull."

  "Hi Todd, its Tessa."

  "Tessa, didn't see you at bowling last night."

  "Sorry Todd, I'm late turns, didn't finish till half past nine so I was very tired. I'll come next time."

  "OK no problem, how can I help you?"

  "Well I've got an issue at the front counter. A young lad has come in, he's really distressed and says he was kidnapped and held at knifepoint last night by his housemates. I wondered if you wanted to speak to him."

  "Have you created a CAD for officers to get around to the house? We need to contain any evidence."

  "Yes it's off borough in Twockford, but I've put a request for officers there to deal with it."

  When Todd heard it was a Twockford job, he was inclined to leave it up to them. It wasn't an Olinsbury job and he already had plenty to do, however, Todd wanted to help and impress Tessa, something inside him wanted to play the hero in front of her.

  "Look I will come and speak to him so you can hand it over to Twockford, ok Tessa?"

  "You're a life saver Todd, it seems quite serious; I don't want to get it wrong."

  "No problem, I'm on my way." Todd replaced the receiver and checked himself once again in the mirror. He had a good look up his nostrils to make sure nothing was taking residence in his nose which may cause embarrassment in front of Tessa, then walked quickly to the station office; butterflies flying around his belly in anticipation of seeing the current subject of his desire.

  When Todd rounded the corner of the station office entrance, he saw a young male standing at the middle counter; his forehead pressing heavily against the safety glass. Sweat ran freely down the young man's face and his hair was drenched. The male was breathing heavily and constantly rubbing his nose.

  Tessa stood, head down, at the counter; writing intently on a statement form. She looked up and gave a grim smile as
she noticed Todd had arrived, even that little gesture made Todd's stomach flip. He was surprised at how Tessa made him feel. This was new to him and he resolved to get over worrying what other people though and ask her out to dinner. For now though his professional hat was on and when he spoke it was all business.

  "Tessa."

  "Sir," Tessa began, "This is Joseph Portman. He says that he was held in his room today by this flatmates and they held a knife to his throat. I have Twockford officers attending the address as we speak and I have started to take a crime report."

  "Thank you Tessa, hello Mr Portman."

  The male took his head away from the counter, he still continued to breath heavily.

  "Why are you so out of breath?" Todd asked him, "Are you asthmatic, do you need an inhaler?"

  "No," gulped the male, "I'm just frightened."

  "How long has he been here for?" Todd whispered to Tessa.

  "A good twenty minutes," Tessa told him. "If anything he's getting worse; the more he talks about it, the more he gets out of breath."

  Todd's intuition was going made; years of dealing with people in different and sometimes terrifying situations gave him much experience on how people reacted. It didn't make sense to Todd that this male should be so distressed when he was and had been in the safety of a police station for twenty minutes. Todd's bullshit alert was kicking in and he decided to move on quickly to see if he was right.

  "Ok, tell me what happened."

  Joseph Portman began speaking very quickly, "Well I was at home. I've been living with these guys, Hells Angels, for about two months. Last night there was loads of shouting and arguing, I don't know what was going on but it was frightening. I just wanted to get away from there so I started to leave the house. One of them saw me going down the stairs and he called his mates." Joseph stopped speaking to rub his nose vigorously. "Then they grabbed me. One of them tied me to a chair in my bedroom and the other one put a knife to my neck. I was really scared. I just want my stuff back now and I'll go back to live with my Dad. I'm not staying there anymore."

  Joseph stopped again to look expectantly at Todd.

  "She said some police have gone there, can they get my stuff?"

  "Well it's probably more important that we discuss the fact you've had a knife put up to your neck, tell me about that."

  "I don't really care about that." Joseph said, "Please, I just want to get my stuff back."

  "Poor thing," Tessa soothed, "Shall I contact the officers?"

  "Not yet," said Todd, "Joseph, why did they grab you and tie you to a chair. Did they tell you?"

  "No, I don't know."

  "And how did you get free?"

  "What?" Joseph looked around him as if for an answer.

  "Well if you were tied to a chair and held at knifepoint, how did you manage to get to the police station?"

  "I..." The room went quiet and Joseph's breathing appeared to return to normal. "I just got out." He offered.

  "Ok, bear with me a moment, I'll see what's happening." Todd pulled Tessa by the arm and led her away from the counter. When he was sure Joseph couldn't hear them, he spoke to her.

  "This is a load of bollocks, total L.O.B." he said, "I don't know what has happened but it's not like he says. We need to speak to the Twockford officers and find out what has gone on."

  "But he seems so genuine," Tessa protested, "You don't get that out of breath and sweaty if nothing's happened to you."

  "I'm sorry Tessa, you may be right, but it's a very hot day again which accounts for the sweat and anyone can put on the breathing, did you see how he stopped when he was trying to explain how he got free? Let's phone Twockford and see what they say." Todd dialled the number for Twockford control room and spoke to the controller on duty.

  "Good afternoon, DI Turnbull from Olinsbury; has an officer dealt with the call at..."

  Todd clicked his fingers at Tessa and motioned for her to provide him with Joseph's address.

  "...Wicklow Gardens." He read from the piece of paper.

  "Yeah complete L.O.B." the controller started.

  "Yes I thought that," Todd agreed. "What's happened?"

  "Well the officers arrived at the address; it's a Hells Angel's pad. Three men on scene; all occupants. Owner, Mr Chubb agreed that Joseph Portman had been staying in the spare room for the last six weeks, says he was supposed to pay them fifty quid a week, but had never paid them anything. Anyway at five o'clock this morning they heard him clattering about in his room and Mr Chubb and Co decided to check it out. They find Joseph Portman trying to climb out of the bedroom window with half of Mr Chubb's house tucked into a couple of suitcases. They've pulled him back in the house and locked him in his room, telling him that he has to pay his rent before he leaves and obviously Mr Chubb is hacked off that Sonny Jim thinks he can nick the silver. Joseph convinced them to let him go so that he could run to his dad and get the money. Obviously he ran straight to your nick, cheeky git."

  "Cheeky is not the work I'd use," said Todd. "What does the fellow want to do about it, has he reported it as a theft?"

  "No, he doesn't want to know. And the boy's belongings were handed over; they are at Twockford. It's a civil matter over rent now as far as we're concerned."

  "Ok thanks for letting me know, I'll send him in your direction."

  "Cheers Guv, bye."

  Todd replaced the receiver and turned to Tessa. "I knew it," he said as he told her what he had just heard. Tessa looked forlorn and disappointed.

  "I actually believed him," she said, "There's not many that I do believe but he seemed so genuine."

  "Don't beat yourself up about it Tessa, we've all been taken in at one point or another."

  "I feel like an idiot nevertheless."

  "Well you're a beautiful idiot." Todd smiled then walked over to the counter where a now calm Joseph sat and waited. He jumped up when he saw Todd approaching and began to breath heavily again.

  "Did you get my stuff?"

  "Listen son, pack the panting in, you sound like a bloody dog. Yes we've got your stuff but we also got their side of the story. Now tell me what you think they said?"

  Joseph looked sheepishly at Todd. "Well they're not going to tell you the truth are they." He said.

  "I think they told me a lot more truth than you did son. You have wasted a lot of time and resources this morning."

  "But they held me prisoner." Joseph protested.

  "With good reason," Todd said sternly, "You were trying to get away with not paying rent and you were stealing their property."

  "I wasn't."

  Todd help up his hand to stop Joseph from speaking further.

  "Listen I'm a very busy man and this officer here is a very busy woman. I should be giving you a ticket for wasting police time, but I haven't actually got the time to do that. Your stuff is at Twockford police station. I suggest you go there, get it back and learn never to do this again. If I see you back here, you won't like what I will do to you."

  Joseph began to walk out of the small room that he was in. "Can I have a lift to Twockford?" he asked as he walked out of the door.

  "Are you actually serious?" Tessa asked him incredulously.

  "Worth a try," grinned Joseph.

  "You better start running boy or I'm coming to get you." Tessa moved towards the door.

  "Ha, like you could catch me, you fat cow." Joseph shouted, then darted out of the front door. Todd felt embarrassed for Tessa at the remark made. He toyed with the notion of bringing Joseph Portman back to the police station and making him apologise, but Tessa had begun to laugh off the comment and was already returning to the front counter in order to deal with a new person standing there.

  "I'm sorry Tessa." Todd said.

  "You don't need to apologise," Tessa tsked, "I have a mirror. Its sticks and stones, don't take any notice." Tessa's face mirrored her true feelings, however, but this quickly gave way to resignation before being replaced with her usual beaming smile.

&
nbsp; "Thanks a lot for your help Todd, you saved me a lot of work."

  "No problem Tessa," Todd hesitated; he really wanted to ask Tessa out for a drink. He wanted to get to know her better and also get over this stupid sensation he had in his stomach whenever he saw her. But Joseph's comment reminded him how people viewed Tessa. He didn't want to be the subject of ridicule amongst his work colleagues. Shallow though it may be, his feelings for her at the moment were not as strong as his fear of ridicule. Todd decided to walk away without asking Tessa out. He was too busy anyway with the case he was working on. Maybe when he had more time and more guts he would give it another try.

  -x-

  As Todd walked away from Tessa and along the corridor to the stairs a heavy feeling of guilt and shame now replaced the excitement and butterflies he had experienced on the journey there. He was silently berating himself for being such a coward when Candace came hurtling down the stairs.

  "Looking forward to the meeting I see Candace." Todd smiled at her.

  "Meeting will have to wait Guv, we've got another body."

  "What's happened?" Todd came to attention.

  "Young girl found in her bedsit off St Jim's Road."

  "Same M.O.?"

  "Sherbet and sweets."

  "Tied to her bed?"

  "A chair this time."

  "Who found her?"

  "Her boss; she didn't turn up to work so he went around to her house."

  "That's a bit odd, why didn't he just ring her?"

  "Believe it or not, she doesn't have a mobile phone." Candace shrugged, "She only worked around the corner in Woodlinds Road so it was probably easier for him to walk there and see how she is."

  "Still sounds wrong to me." Todd opined, "Let's get over there and check things out. I want someone to look into the boss as well, get me some background and DNA samples on him; even if he did nothing wrong he's probably fucked up my crime scene."

  "Yes Guv, do you think we've got a serial killer on our hands?"

  "This isn't Hollywood Candace, the UK doesn't have many serial killers; come on get a shift on, we've got a lot of work to do."

  As Todd followed Candace to the car he hoped the statement about serial killers wouldn't come back to bite him on the arse.