In Plain Sight: a hero series novel

by M A Comley

  “I quickly asked around after I rang 999.” The woman gestured to the gathered crowd. “Some of them told me that they heard one or two of the shots but thought it was a car backfiring and didn’t think anything of it until the police arrived. We’re hopeless, aren’t we? I wish we could say more.”

  “We’ll interview your neighbours, just in case. Thank you for your help. Can I get a uniformed officer to come and see you tomorrow to take down your statement?”

  “Yes, I’m out at the hospital doing a voluntary stint in the café there in the afternoon, so if they could come in the morning, I’d appreciate it.”

  “I’ll make a note of that. Thank you for speaking to me.”

  “Sorry I wasn’t much help.” The woman walked dejectedly out of the shop.

  “Make a note to get a couple of uniforms out here in the morning, Lance. Let’s go upstairs.”

  They walked up the stairs and into the main bedroom, where two forensic officers were taking pictures of the deceased.

  Hero stood at the end of the bed. “He didn’t even try to move, did he?”

  The female forensic investigator looked up at him. “You could be right. Poor man didn’t stand a chance.”

  Hero glanced around the room. “Nothing else touched up here?”

  “We’re going through the motions. Doesn’t look good, though. There’s jewellery on the dressing table in full view. The assailant had one thing on his mind, maybe two, the money and to kill the witnesses.”

  “That was my assumption, too. Thanks, we’ll let you get on.”

  Lance followed Hero down the stairs. “Think this is the same bloke, sir?”

  Hero walked through the door to stand alongside Gerrard. “I reckon. Don’t you, Gerrard?”

  “Seems a coincidence if it’s not the same man. I suppose you should look at the copycat angle first. However, the time frame between the two incidents puts a different perspective on things, wouldn’t you say?”

  “Yep, I’m not going down the copycat route on this one. What I need to do is alert all the post offices in the area as to the possibility this person could strike again. I’ll do that through a media conference in the morning. If there’s nothing else you can share, we might as well call it a day.”

  “Nothing else until I give you my report. We’re dealing with a dangerous person here, Hero. If he’s connected to the incident involving your boys, that’s five people he’s killed within the last forty-eight hours.”

  “Let’s hope he hasn’t got the taste for it. My guess is, it’s too late to think that way.”

  “I’ll get the report to you as soon as I can on this one. You have my word on that.”

  “Appreciate that, Gerrard.”

  Hero riffled through a few drawers in a sideboard and located an address book. He placed it in his pocket, then he and Lance walked back outside the shop. He glanced up at the property’s exterior. “There’s a camera up there. We need to check it out tomorrow to see if there’s anything of use on it.”

  “I’ll get on to it in the morning, boss.”

  “Okay, let’s call it a wrap for the day. Have a good evening, what’s left of it.”

  The two men parted at seven forty-five. Driving home, Hero prepared himself for Fay having a go at him for being late.

  Sammy and his notorious wagging tail greeted Hero the moment he walked in the front door. “Hello, boy. Is the coast clear, or do I need to don my tin hat?”

  Sammy turned and walked into the lounge. Hero hung his jacket on the coatrack in the hallway, removed his shoes, then followed his loyal dog through the house. “Fay? Are you here?”

  The house was quiet. The TV was turned off, and there were no lingering smells coming from the kitchen. Where are they? He rushed up the stairs to find all the doors to the bedrooms wide open. What the hell is going on?

  Fearing something dreadful had happened to his family, he withdrew his mobile from his pocket and rang Fay’s phone. He heard the phone ring upstairs. Crap, she never goes anywhere without it. Fay, where are you? “Where are they, boy?” He got down on his knees to pet Sammy.

  Just then, the front door opened, and Louie barged through it and into Hero’s arms. Unexpected tears filled his eyes. He glanced up at Fay, who was smiling lovingly down at him. He stood up and kissed her hard on the lips as Zoe and Zara clung to each of his legs. “Where were you?”

  Fay frowned. “At a birthday party across the road. It was Louie’s best friend’s birthday. I reminded you about the party this morning as you were leaving for work.”

  Hero pounded his clenched fist against his temple. “Damn, so you did. I forgot—it’s been a hectic day.”

  Fay raised her hand. “Can you spare me the details until I get these munchkins tucked up in bed?”

  “Of course. Can I help?”

  Fay shook her head and placed the palm of her hand against his forehead. “Are you coming down with something?”

  He shook his head and tutted. “What a cheek. I always help out when I can. Have you eaten?”

  “No, the kids ate at the party. I think I’ll just have an omelette.”

  “We had pizza and hot dogs at the party, Daddy,” Zoe said, tell-tale signs of ketchup at the corner of her mouth backing up her story.

  “Is that right? Was it a good party, kids?”

  “The bestest,” Louie shouted as he ran up the stairs. “Bagsy me getting in the bath first.”

  “I’ll be right there. Make sure you put the plug in the bath before you run it this time, Louie.”

  “Yes, Mum.”

  “Why don’t you girls go and get your clean nighties out. I’ll be up in a jiffy.”

  Zoe and Zara grasped hands and climbed the stairs together—they did everything together.

  Hero hooked an arm around Fay’s shoulders and sighed. “They’re growing up fast. Too damn fast.”

  “They are. You’re home late. Did you stop off at the pub?” Fay sniffed the edge of his mouth.

  “Wrong. I swore my drinking-after-work days are over, and I meant it. I had a late call out to a murder scene,” he added, lowering his voice in case the children heard him.

  “I was only teasing. You poor thing. I’ll just sort out the ingredients for dinner. Is an omelette all right for you?”

  “Fine, I haven’t got the stomach for much else after what I’ve just witnessed anyway. I’ll prepare the ingredients if you want to start bathing the kids.”

  She pecked him on the cheek. “You’re one in a million, Hero.”

  He watched her walk up the stairs. Not for the first time, he sighed when he thought how lucky he was to have met her at the checkout at the local supermarket almost six years ago. You’re a very lucky man indeed, Hero Nelson. There’s no denying that.

  An hour later, the kids were all tucked up in bed and asleep after their exciting evening, and Hero and Fay were cuddled on the couch, replete from the frittata Hero had knocked up at the last minute instead of the boring omelette Fay was expecting.

  “Do you want to talk about it?” Fay asked, placing her head on his chest.

  “Not much to tell you, really. Apart from there seems to be a maniac on the loose, intent on turning over the post offices in the Manchester area.”

  “That’s dreadful. The larger ones?”

  “No, the two cases we have so far involve post offices out in the sticks. In tonight’s case, not only did the callous bastard kill the postmistress, but the fucker went upstairs and shot her bedridden husband, too.”

  Fay sat up. “How awful. I’m not surprised you looked wrung out when you came home. Any news on the other case you’re working on?”

  “The one concerning our colleagues? Not yet. We’re going along the lines that there might be a connection. I’m going to call a TV conference tomorrow. I need to warn the other postmasters in the area to be wary. I also want to try and trace the killer’s car—a blue Laguna. According to Sally, there are over two thousand of the blasted things in the area.”<
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  Fay tilted her head up for a kiss. “I have every confidence you’ll catch the culprit soon, love.”

  “I’m glad you have faith in my abilities. I’m struggling to find any right now.”

  CHAPTER FIVE

  “Right, here’s where we’re at, people,” Hero said, addressing his full complement of staff. His eyes narrowed as his gaze rested on his partner, sitting at her desk, looking distracted, when everyone else had their eyes on him. “Julie? Are you with us this morning?”

  She spun around to face him, colour rising in her cheeks. “Umm… yes, sir.”

  Hero made a mental note to take her to one side once the meeting was over. “Today’s priority is to organise a press conference for this afternoon. I intend warning all the local PO staff in the area to be more vigilant than usual until we apprehend this man. Sally, I want you to ring round as many as you can, just in case they miss the news. Ensure they realise the importance of being alert over the coming few days.”

  “I’ll make the calls ASAP, sir.”

  “Good, it looks like our hands are tied forensically until the results come back from Gerrard and his team. Jason, I want you to see what you can gather from the CCTV footage. Apparently, this bloke left the PO and nonchalantly jumped into his car. The witness said that there didn’t seem to be any urgency behind him leaving the crime scene. That bothers me. It’s as though this killer feels nothing for his victims. So what’s this guy’s motive? More importantly, I think we should be looking more at his state of mind. Apart from being a callous bastard, what else is going on up there?” He tapped his temple.

  Julie shook her head in disbelief. “Anyone who shoots an old woman in the kneecaps has to be right up there with the nutters, surely, sir.”

  “That much is a given, Julie. Okay, team, get cracking while I arrange the conference. Julie, I’d like a word in my office first.”

  She followed him into the office.

  “Close the door behind you.”

  “Sir?”

  “Let’s have it then?”

  She frowned. “Have what, sir?”

  “Why you took the day off yesterday?”

  Her head dipped so low that her chin nestled on her chest. She remained silent, as if trying to come up with an excuse.

  “Julie, this isn’t like you. What’s going on?” He moved around the desk and sat on it in front of her.

  “To be honest, sir, I hate to admit it, but I’m struggling at present.”

  “May I ask what you’re struggling with?”

  “Life in general.”

  Hero frowned and tried to think over how she had coped with work over the last few months. He’d had no complaints on that score. “I’m here if you need to discuss anything, Julie. You should know that.”

  “I know, sir. It’s probably me being foolish, but…”

  “Don’t stop there. Let’s hear what you have to say.”

  “Let’s just say life has been put back into perspective this week, what with Wilmot’s and Portman’s deaths.”

  “I can understand that. Shit like this happens all the time to serving officers, Julie. Every time we step out onto the street, we run the risk of coming up against a madman capable of killing us. It’s even more important for us to remain positive that we’ll catch this man. Negativity will only fester. In the end it will suffocate our abilities—you know that.”

  “I know, sir. Rob said the same thing only last night.”

  Hero cringed when she mentioned her on-off boyfriend, who was not one of his favourite characters. At least he was making the right noises for a change and sticking with her. He’d walked out on her right after she’d lost her mum, only to return to her bed once the funeral and all the unpleasant stuff had been dealt with. “Glad we finally agree on something. Are you coping with the loss of your mother? Could that have something to do with how you’re feeling?”

  Her gaze met his. “It was hard to lose her. I don’t think there will ever be a day when I don’t miss her. However, her death has nothing to do with how I’m feeling right now.” She waved a hand in front of her. “I’ll be fine in a day or two, sir. Bounce back like I always do, given the space.”

  “If you’re sure. I can sign you off for a few days’ leave if you’d rather. Although, I’d much prefer you work through whatever the lads’ deaths are ‘putting you through’ here with us. That’s what working in a team is all about.”

  “I’m aware of that, sir. Sorry if you feel as if I’ve let the side down.” Julie’s head bowed again.

  Hero blew out a breath. “There you go, twisting my words, as usual. Look, Julie, if you’re not happy working on this team, it’s time for you to be open and honest about that, you hear me?” The words came out harsher than he’d intended. His grief over the loss of a dear friend was making him desperate to capture the culprit. He sighed. Not everyone reacted to a crisis the way he did; he should be used to that by now.

  Her head snapped up to look at him. “Sir? I’m not thinking anything of the sort—pardon me for breathing.”

  He stood up, counted to ten, and sat down behind his desk. “And that kind of sarcasm belongs in the playground, not in my office.”

  Julie went to rise from her chair, but he motioned for her to remain seated.

  “But I’d like to get back to work now.”

  “Not until you give me your assurance that you’ll devote a hundred percent of your time to work and finding this culprit.”

  She shrugged. “All I can do is try my best, sir. If my best isn’t good enough for you, then might I suggest that you partner up with someone who you’re happy to work with?”

  Frustration got the better of him, and he threw his pen across the desk. “There you go again, twisting my bloody words. I just offered you time off, and you threw it back in my face. Go, Julie. Get back to work before I really lose my temper with you. I will not—I repeat, will not—have a self-pitying sergeant as my partner. So either you get your act together, as in by the end of today, or we’ll see about getting you transferred out of this team. Life is tough on everyone around here because of what happened to Wilmot and Portman, but you don’t see the other members of the team wallowing in self-pity, do you?”

  She stood up and pushed her chair under the lip of the desk, avoiding eye contact with him. “Sorry to be such a disappointment, sir. I’ll try my best to shape up before you get tempted to ship me out.”

  “We’ll chat more at the end of the day. How’s that?” He picked up the address book sitting on his desk. “Go through that. We need to trace Georgina Kilburn or whatever her married name is now. She’s living in Australia. Let me know when you find it, and I’ll place the call myself.”

  “Yes, sir.” She took the book and left the room, closing the door quietly behind her.

  Hero leaned back in his chair and placed his hands behind his head. He looked over at the grey Manchester skyline and tutted. “Thanks, I was hoping for some blue sky, anything to cheer me up.” He rocked back and forth a few times then picked up the phone and rang the station’s press coordinator to arrange the TV appeal. Once he’d obtained the clearance about that, he picked up the first of many brown envelopes scattered across his desk and tore it open. It turned out to be a mundane change of procedure he’d been informed about in another mundane letter only last week.

  Julie poked her head into his room ten minutes later and gave him a piece of paper on which she’d written a name and phone number.

  He rang the number in Australia.

  A man with a thick Australian accent answered the phone.

  “Hello there. I wish to speak to Georgina. This is DI Nelson of the Greater Manchester Police.”

  “In connection with what?” the man asked sternly.

  “I’d like to tell Georgina that first, if you don’t mind. It is important.”

  “Just a minute. I’ll get her.” The phone clattered. “George, there’s someone on the phone for you. Don’t be long; I want my dinne
r.”

  He sounds a right charmer!

  “Hello, this is Georgina. Who’s this?”

  “Hello, Georgina. This is DI Nelson of the Greater Manchester Police Force. Can I ask if you’re sitting down?”

  “Oh no. It’s not bad news about Dad, is it?”

  “I’m sorry, but there’s no easy way to say this—your mother and father were both found dead at the post office yesterday.”

  Georgina’s scream almost pierced his eardrum. He heard her husband’s voice demanding to be told what was going on.

  “What the fuck have you said to my wife?” the man shouted into the phone. “She’s in bits here.”

  “Sorry, I had to tell her that her parents had been found dead yesterday. There was no other way of me sharing that news with her.”

  “Jesus, couldn’t you have told me instead, or at least told me to be on standby? My wife is pregnant. If she loses this baby, it’ll be down to you. What happened?”

  “I can’t apologise enough. There was a major incident at the post office. Mr and Mrs. Kilburn were killed in a robbery.”

  “What? Don’t you guys have some kind of panic button attached to the police station over there?”

  “Some do, not all of them.”

  “What happens now? Have you caught the bastard or bastards? Were they kids?”

  “No. We’re still on the culprit’s trail.”

  “You better get off the phone and crack on with your investigation then. What’s the next step for us?”

  “Once the pathologist has completed the post-mortems on Mr and Mrs. Kilburn, their bodies will be released for burial. Will you be coming over to deal with things at this end?”

  “Ha, I suppose we’ll have to. Not sure my boss will keep my job open for me.”

  “I’m sure he wouldn’t be that heartless. I’ll keep you informed.”

  “You don’t know my boss. Right, make sure you do.”

  Hero disconnected the call and with a heavy heart returned to his paperwork. When he left his office to see how far his team had progressed, they had very little to tell him. He’d pinned his hopes on Jason coming up with something through the CCTV footage, but there was nothing. “Jason, widen the search. Even if it takes you all day, I want you to pull up all the footage surrounding that area at the time of the crime.”