by M A Comley
“And may I ask why you’re here?”
“My team and I have been drafted in to catch this copper killer that you and your team are having problems apprehending.” Pitt smiled tautly.
“I’m not exactly sure that’s an accurate assessment of the situation, but I’m willing to let that one slip. If you’re here to help, then that’s fair enough. What I will object to is you taking over the case—and my desk.”
Pitt struggled to his feet, walked around the desk, then plonked himself into the chair next to Hero.
Hero sat down behind his desk and linked his hands together in front of him. “That’s better. Look, I don’t want to fall out with anyone regarding this case, but I have to make it clear from the start what we’re up against here.”
“I’m up to date on the case notes. I’m aware that he’s killed four of our guys so far. Even more reason to drop everything else you’ve been dealing with and pull the bastard in.”
“Okay, of course that is our intention, however, we’re not dealing with your run-of-the-mill scumbag here. We believe he’s constantly changing tactics. That’s what is hampering our investigation. He steals cars when the need arises and looks like he changes the number plates on the vehicles to fox us. Now we believe he has also kidnapped two teenagers, one male and one female. He’s keeping them somewhere. He’s committing crimes almost daily. No sooner do we knuckle down to the investigation than we get hit by yet another aspect to deal with. That’s why we haven’t caught the bastard yet.”
“I see. Do you have a name for the suspect yet?” Pitt asked, sounding a little more amiable than he had when they’d first met.
“Not yet. All we know is he appears to be very cocky. Witnesses at three crime scenes all reported seeing the same man, which gives me the impression that his main motive is to wind us up.”
Pitt hit the desk with his fist. “Damn it, strikes me as a bloody coward. Look, Nelson, I’m laying my cards on the table as I think we’re wasting time and should get out there and hunt this madman. I’ve been told to take over the investigation.” Pitt raised a hand when Hero’s mouth dropped open. “Hear me out, Inspector. After reading through the case notes in your absence, I’m satisfied that you and your team have been doing your utmost on this case. I’ve also checked out your record, and to be honest, I think we’d work well together. I’m prepared to work alongside you in this investigation, if you’re okay with that?”
Hero shrugged. “Gee thanks. Not sure what else you expect me to say. What will the bosses think about your decision?”
“Leave them to me.” He reached across the desk with an outstretched hand.
Hero shook it and smiled. “Thanks. As soon as I heard that reinforcements were on the way, to be honest with you, I was coming back here to clear my desk.”
“Whoa! Seriously? Now, I wouldn’t have you down as a quitter, Nelson.”
“I’m not. It’ll be a pleasure sharing the load on this case. Let’s hope we can wrap it up soon.”
“Right, now that’s sorted. What do we do about food and drink around here? I didn’t get this shape skipping meals, you know.”
Hero laughed. “I can imagine. I can send one of my lads out to the nearest baker’s. Will that do you?”
“I’d rather have a large portion of fish and chips, but I’m prepared to compromise. We’ll leave the chippie trip for our celebratory meal. That’ll be on me.”
They shook hands again. “Deal.”
Hero left the office, called Jason over to join him, instructed him to go around the team to see what their preferences were for sandwiches, then gave him a twenty-pound note. “That should cover it. If it’s any more, let me know when you get back. I’ll clobber DI Pitt for the rest.”
“Yes, sir.”
DI Pitt emerged from the office and stood alongside him as Hero addressed his team. “Stick around for this, Jason, before you go. As you’ve probably gathered by now, DI Pitt and his team have been assigned to help us solve this case. I have no doubts that you will all ensure that he and his team feel welcome. I want to stress that they are not here to take over the investigation but to work alongside us. Give them what they need. Let’s hope the extra hands and minds will help draw this bastard out into the open. I see you’ve all teamed up. Is everyone happy with their partnership?”
The team all nodded in response.
“Okay, I think the best thing is to go over what you’ve individually been working on so far, see if your new team member can offer anything you might have overlooked—two brains and two sets of eyes and all that. Good luck, team.”
Hero strode over to study the board with Pitt and brought him up to date with his earlier encounter at the Baldwins’ house.
Pitt tutted and rolled his eyes. “Jesus, couldn’t you dissuade them?”
“I assure you I bloody tried my hardest, but they’re adamant. Again, fending off the calls could be our downfall in this investigation.”
“It needn’t be,” Pitt replied.
“What are you thinking?”
“We assign two, three members of the team tops, to man the phones, while the rest of the team gets on with the investigation.”
Hero nodded. “That could work. Maybe if the volume of calls gets too excessive during the day, we can use another member of the team to pick up the slack.”
Pitt gave him the thumbs-up. “Sounds good to me. Where are we at on the forensic front? Has anything useful surfaced there?”
“Nothing the last time I checked. That was a few days ago. I’ll get on to the pathologist to express the urgency on this one.”
“See? We’re already thinking and working as a team.”
Hero smiled. A huge weight had been lifted from his shoulders. However, he had no intention of letting Pitt in on that revelation. He went back to his office. With all that had happened during the course of the day, he’d forgotten to ring Fay to tell her about Rogerson.
“Oh, Hero, that’s just too awful for words. How’s Cara?”
“Back at work.”
“What? Why?”
“She said the last thing she wanted to do was dwell on things back at the flat. I’ll drop by and see her at the end of the shift, if she’s still here.”
“She needs to be around people she loves. Insist on bringing her home with you. I’ll change Louie’s bed. He can sleep on the couch tonight. It’ll be his little adventure.”
“I can’t promise that she’ll come, love, but I’ll put it to her all the same. I better fly. Love you.”
“I love you, too. Please be careful out there, Hero.”
“Of course. Kiss the kids for me.” He hung up and immediately rang his sister. “Hey, sis, it’s me. No excuses—Fay insists that you come back to the house with me tonight. Are you up for playing Auntie Cara? It might help take your mind off today.”
“You guys are the best. I really appreciate your kindness, and yes, I’m up for playing Auntie Cara this evening.”
“No, seriously, how are you?”
“Shell-shocked. I’ve just been ploughing on with work. It’s been a good distraction. It’ll probably hit me when I get back to your place this evening.”
“At least you’ll be surrounded by people you love, sweetheart. Keep your chin up. I’ll drop by and pick you up after work.”
“Thanks, not sure I’m up to driving.”
After their late lunch, the team gathered around the TV and watched Mr. Baldwin’s media conference. Not long after he announced his hundred-thousand-pound reward for information leading to the recovery of his daughter, the phones went ballistic and didn’t stop ringing.
At six that evening, Hero had finally had enough. He rang the duty sergeant to make arrangements for two members of his night shift to man the phones. Then he said farewell to everyone and dropped by the fraud office to meet his sister.
She seemed pretty held together until they were on the drive back home. Suddenly, she began to sob.
Hero placed a comfor
ting hand on her thigh. “Let it out, Cara. It’ll ease your pain.” He swore then that he would double his efforts to catch the man guilty of putting not only his sister, but all the other victims’ families through the pain of losing a loved one.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
It was time to start messing with the inspector’s head. Myers pulled the carrier bag out of the cupboard in the hallway and fixed the wig and glasses into position. He glanced at his reflection in the small old-fashioned mirror hanging on the wall. Even if the coppers had an inkling what they thought he looked like, that was about to be tossed out the window from a great height. The difference was remarkable. He mentally kicked himself for not using a disguise before.
Myers walked into the front room.
Dale, still tied to the bed, looked puzzled when he turned to look at Myers. “Yes, it’s me. Good, ain’t it? Right, now you have to earn your keep, laddie.”
“Sorry? What are you saying?”
“You heard me. It’s about time you started contributing to the food you’re putting away and your comfortable accommodation. Didn’t your parents tell you that nothing comes free in this life?”
“I’ve always paid my parents housekeeping money,” the boy bit back.
“Good, I’m glad they’ve brought you up properly—a rarity nowadays. We live in an ‘I want’ society, and the youngsters seem to think it’s their God-given right to have everything they ask for, as if the world owes them something. In my day, my parents used to give me pocket money, but I had to damn well work hard for the pittance they gave me. Fifty pence a week, I used to get.” His eyes narrowed remembering how his father used to whip him if his chores weren’t carried out to his liking. He shook the thoughts away and turned his focus on Dale again.
“I’ve always helped Mum and Dad out around the house. I’m not like other youngsters my age, and I object to you comparing me to them. I’ve worked for Mum at the post office from the age of thirteen, often unpaid.”
“Well, good for you. Now you’ll be working for me instead.”
“I don’t understand… doing what? Kidnapping people and holding them hostage, or did you mean you want me to start killing people, like you killed my mother?”
Myers glared at the boy and leaned down to stare at him directly in the face. “You have a smart mouth, kid. That could get you into trouble if you’re not careful. Also, I should remind you that it was your fault your mother died.”
The boy shook his head. “You’ll never convince me that’s true. You’re the one who had your finger on the trigger.”
“I ain’t arguing with you. If you hadn’t attempted to get the gun off me, then your mother would be walking around today instead of being six feet under.”
“I dispute that, and I always will.”
He stood upright, admiring the youngster’s sudden bravado. Myers needed to keep control of the lad, make him scared of him again. He kicked out, his foot connecting with the boy’s injured leg. Dale screamed and writhed around in pain. Myers leaned down to confront him again. “You need to keep your mouth in check, sonny. Remember that the next time you try to challenge me verbally.”
Dale squirmed on the bed as tears leaked from his wide eyes. “I’m sorry. I won’t say anything again. Please don’t hurt me anymore.”
“Do as I say, and I promise not to hurt you or your family again.”
“My family?”
“Yes, I have plans for you. Here’s the thing: fuck up my plans, and it won’t be only your mother lying in a grave. It’ll be your father, too.”
“No, please. Leave my dad out of this. If he dies, I’ll have no one. The rest of my family are all dead.”
He shrugged. “That’s entirely up to you. Do as you’re told, and I’ll deliver you home safely once I’ve finished with you.”
The boy’s head dropped onto his chest. “What do I have to do?”
“Rob a post office.”
Dale’s head rose sharply to look at him. “No, please, anything but that. I couldn’t do it. You have no idea how little these people are paid. I won’t do it.”
Myers turned and walked towards the door. “Suits me. Sorry you won’t get the chance to see your father before I kill him.”
“No! Wait… okay. I’ll do it. Just please don’t hurt my father.”
“See? You do have a wise head on your shoulders. I’m going to untie you now. Any mischief, and I won’t think twice about carrying out my threat. You hear me?”
“Loud and clear. You won’t get any trouble from me.”
He untied the boy and spent the next ten minutes going over what he expected of Dale once he was inside the post office.
“What about a disguise?” the boy asked.
“Why would you need a disguise?”
“I just thought…”
“No, shit for brains, I’m the one who does the thinking around here.”
“Okay. What if they refuse to hand over the money?”
Myers smiled. “You’re an intelligent boy; I’m sure you can figure that out for yourself. Are you ready?”
“Yes, but my leg hurts.”
Myers crossed the room to retrieve a tub of painkillers. He tipped two in the lad’s hand and offered him a bottle of water to wash the tablets down. “See? I’m not the uncaring bastard you think I am.”
The youth swallowed the pills and tried to walk on his leg. Myers felt a tinge of regret for kicking him in the leg earlier, but it passed quickly, as Dale hobbled across the room to the door. “I’ll be fine.”
“You better be. Remember, once we get outside, any funny business, and I’ll drive straight over to your father’s house and kill him. You try and attract any attention by mouthing off, and I’ll have no hesitation in fulfilling my threat.”
“I understand. You have my word. My father is all I have left.”
“Yeah, yeah, I’ve heard all the soppy words I want to hear from you today. Right, we’ve—sorry, you’ve got a job to do.”
They left the house and jumped into the Avensis, which Myers had already thought about exchanging after the next job. They drove to the post office situated out in the country on the other side of Prestwich and parked in the lay-by outside the property.
He handed the lad a knife and a gun. “Don’t think about using it on me. I have instructed a friend to finish off your father if I don’t check in with him later.” That was a blatant lie.
“I won’t. I understand what I have to do. You can trust me.”
“We’ll see. If there are customers inside the shop, pretend you’re looking at the cards or something until they leave. Then hit the postmaster. He’s a frail old man, so you should be able to overcome him without much trouble. This will be an easy job for you to get a feel of what to do and what I expect from you in the future. Now go.”
Myers watched Dale hobble towards the shop, his weapons concealed beneath his denim jacket. He’d not been in the post office long when an old woman walking with a metal frame left the shop. Myers drummed his fingers impatiently on the steering wheel. Everything was quiet in the village until he heard a gun go off. Shit! I bet he’s panicked when the old man refused to open the safe.
A few of the neighbours looked out their windows, and one or two even opened their front doors to peer outside. Myers was in two minds about whether to run into the post office to help the youth. He looked over his shoulder, willing the boy to show himself. He didn’t. Sweat moistened his brow. He scratched his head. The perspiration was causing his wig to irritate him. “Damn you, boy, get your arse into gear and get out of there before the boys in blue show up.”
Dale finally emerged from the front door of the shop, a sack in one hand and the gun in the other.
An old man standing outside one of the cottages shouted at him, “Oi you, drop that. I’ve called the police.”
Myers winced when Dale fired a shot in the man’s direction, but thankfully, he missed his target. “Hurry up and get in the damn car.”
Dale opened the back door, flung the bag on the backseat, then climbed in the front. “Quick, let’s get out of here.”
In the distance, sirens approached. Myers pressed down hard on the accelerator, and the tyres squealed as the car sped away. In his rear-view mirror, Myers saw the neighbours first check on the old man Dale had shot at then run into the post office. Determined to get off the main road as soon as possible, he turned down a country lane that led to the next village just as a police car pulled up outside the post office.
“Phew, that was a close shave. How did you get on? Much in the bag?”
“Enough,” Dale said quietly.
Myers could tell he was contemplating what he’d done and was probably regretting his involvement. He would let the boy wallow in self-pity for a while, but Dale would need to snap out of his mood soon because Myers had another job lined up for him before the day was out. “What happened with the old man?”
“He’s dead. Just like you wanted.”
“Whoa! I didn’t tell you to kill him. I gave you the weapons to use to frighten the shit out of the old bugger.”
“Yeah, well, you neglected to tell me that part. What’s done is done, and you should be happy that you’ve got your money.”
Myers chuckled. “I am, and so should you be on a job well done.”
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Dale shake his head in disgust before turning to look out the window.
Myers negotiated the sharp bends, slowed at all the right places, and sped up on the narrow stretches until he came to a crossroad, which gave him four possible options to take. He chose the less likely route, the one the police wouldn’t dream of going down, away from the main villages in the area. The track was full of potholes, and he had to dodge the muck the local tractors had left behind. Before long, the road came to an abrupt halt. He had driven into a farmyard. “Okay, here’s what we’re going to do. We need to get rid of this car. Can you drive?”
“Yes, but I’ve never driven anything other than Mum’s car.”
“Now’s your chance to branch out. You can drive this while I steal the farmer’s car. Hopefully, he’ll be tending to his herd of cows out in a field somewhere. Wait for me to give you the go ahead, right?”
