Where Is She?
Page 19
Jim went in as he retorted ‘you giving Sandy one guv?’ Langton said ‘touché; come in close the door. How was your meeting with Yvonne?’ ‘Well to say I don’t know where to start is an understatement. None of what I did was real, it was all false to identify a double agent, or so she says, I don’t know what’s what anymore. The truth is so elusive, I have never been kept in the dark so much in all my life, and now there’s a Yank job in Lisbon soon, the CIA agent Barney will call me. Fuck me guv I’m confused to say the least.’
Langton laughed ‘was that from pillow talk?’ ‘Oh do fuck off guv, you won’t leave it alone will you?’ They both laughed as Langton said ‘okay Interpol have been contacted and the extradition papers are being drawn up by the legal dept. as we speak. I would like Vicky to interview Sumner when he gets here, with you present; I want her to get the experience, because I can see you being away more and more with the spooks.’ Jim showed his disappointment as he wanted to get inside Sumner’s head, but at least being in on the interview was a result. Jim looked at Langton and was sure he knew more than he was saying. He was being kept in the dark from all sides now. He felt like the proverbial mushroom being kept in the dark and fed on bullshit. Jim cocked his head to one side as he looked in his normal questioning manner raising his eyebrows? Langton just smiled and said ‘that’s it Jim, anything else?’ Jim smiled and shook his head then walked out just as Langton said ‘I will get a couple of uniformed officers to fly over when he gets nicked and bring him back.’ Jim nodded as he opened the door then sat at his desk.
He browsed through the new documents on his desk, but not really concentrating, so called Vicky. ‘Hi Vicky we need to meet to discuss the Sumner interview, say in an hour, yeah here will be fine.’ Jim collected all his papers and found a spare office and set them out, he also obtained some dry wipe pens from Sandy. He wrote on the whiteboard the points that needed to be proved. Not that he needed to, nor was he demeaning Vicky’s competence, but it never hurt to go through the evidence again to make sure nothing was missed.
Vicky arrived as he made coffee then went to the office and set to work detailing the evidence as he knew it. He wrote on the whiteboard the points to prove in chronological order. ‘Okay Vick, lets presume he will have a brief with him so we need to be positive, also devious as well; he will have had warnings about what we’ve got and what we haven’t got; that’s why the evidence of Debbie and Sandra will be vital, especially Debbie who he left for dead.’ ‘Why are you involving me in this Jim?’ ‘Oh, hasn’t Langton told you? He wants you to run the interview with me present.’ ‘No he didn’t, fuck off Jim, your winding me up; are you serious?’ ‘Yep doubly serious; so any questions fire away now?’ They sat down for a couple of hours going over the finer points of the case making notes and cross referring evidence and witness statements. Vicky was scribbling furiously making sure she had it all down in writing, which she would disseminate at her leisure, so it got implanted in her brain. Once finished, Vicky went into see Langton and thanked him for the opportunity. He smiled and said ‘right Vicky close the door this is for your ears only. Jim is going to be working away for a while, I can’t tell you where, and nor do I expect you to ask Jim where, and neither do I expect you to repeat this outside of this room because if you do your secondment will cease, no warning no second chances. We deal with highly sensitive matters here, so my trust is being put in you on the strength of Jim’s recommendation, so pleases don’t abuse that trust.’ ‘Understand guv you have my absolute trust. I hope it doesn’t come on top, Jim going away before Sumner gets nicked and brought back here?’ ‘I have no control over that.’ Vicky looked at Langton not sure what to say. Langton opened his drawer and poured a dram in each glass as he toasted her secondment to his department. Vicky raised her glass and nodded in recognition. The toast having been made Vicky collected her papers and returned to Central; she didn’t take up her new post until after the week-end so she still had to be present at Central.
She had to fend off the normal searching questions and banter about who she was giving one to at HQ’s to get the job. She didn’t rise to the bait, just smiled and said ‘the list was endless.’
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Yvonne arrived back at MI5 headquarters in Thames House, London, where she met up with one of her senior officials who reported directly to her. Archer discussed the issues of suspected double agents and how they could overcome the latest scandal. Archer was a tall man with greying temples having an air of being snobbish and aloof. This was more of an act on his part, using his Harrow and Cambridge education to keep up the image, but deep down he was a man’s man who in private would call a spade a spade. He had worked his way up through the ranks of MI5. Archer was married with the 2.4 children average, living in suburbia with a country retreat.
‘Look Yvonne I’ve debriefed Murphy and as expected he was compromised after being honey trapped in Brussels whilst on a mission. Rather than owning up and suffering the consequences, he lost his nerve, and once having passed one piece of information he was threatened with exposure, he was hooked and reeled in, then the gravy train went on with him getting deeper and deeper.
‘He refuses to name any others who are in the same boat, but we suspect there are many others. The foreign powers involved have many women who they use to trap agents with the lure of honey. Then the pictures are shown with threats of exposure to wives and husbands alike, oh yes, he also says there are female agents as well who have been trapped by good looking women and men.’ Yvonne was obviously aware of the traps as she authorised them herself, so was not surprised; this was just the tip of the iceberg. ‘Okay thanks, let me know if there are any other suspects mentioned or suspected before the hand-over is made. Also who is debriefing Hunter when he gets here after the exchange?’ ‘I will get the debrief section head to undertake it.’ Yvonne nodded as they separated. She went back to her office where she rubbed her eyes; she was tired after her night’s passion. Then she said to herself ‘what a fucking mess.’ She called the technical head requesting he attended and sweep her office. He arrived with a box of tricks as he opened it and operated various devices, which beeped and flashed. ‘All clear mam.’ ‘I want all heads of depts. Offices swept please.’ He acknowledged her as he walked out with his box of tricks. Although regular sweeps were undertaken there was no harm in another out of sequence sweep being made.
Yvonne checked her watch, then called Barney ‘hey Yvonne how you doing?’ ‘Fine Barney, I’ve informed Jim of you needing him in Portugal, so he’s expecting your call. Are you all set?’ ‘Won’t be long most of it is in place now, I just need to check on a couple of issues then we are ready to rock and roll.’ ‘Thanks Barney I will start this end soon as well.’
Yvonne put the phone down then called her driver to take her home. On arrival she said ‘that’s it for today; take the opportunity of an early finish.’ ‘Yes mam, thank you.’
Yvonne checked the post then had a long soak in a soap suds bath relishing the previous night as she sipped her glass of red wine. Life’s never been better she thought to herself as she closed her eyes feeling the warmth of the water around her. She soaked for a long while, then as the water cooled she got out and dried herself and put one her white towelling dressing gown, when fully dried she discarded the gown and slipped into bed where she slept till the following morning. Her night had been undisturbed; she felt refreshed, but starving hungry, as her stomach growled at the lack of food.
She opened the curtains allowing the sunrise to send shafts light into the room; then went downstairs and decided to cook a breakfast rather than her normal cereals; so made herself poached eggs on toast washed down with a big cup of coffee. Not long after, she was brought back to her real world as her phone kicked into life with a flurry of calls regarding the operational issues she was responsible for.
Yvonne dressed as her driver arrived and parked outside her house and duly waited for her. Then the day started as she sat in the back of the ca
r reading the headlines of the broadsheets to bring herself up to speed with news before arrival at the office.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
The Spanish police arrived in the early morning outside of the villa where Sumner was. They scaled the walls using ladders then crashed in the front door; they found Sumner in bed with a couple of women. The screams and shouts went out, as Sumner was detained and handcuffed; the house was searched where large quantities of cocaine were found. The women got dressed; they were interviewed at the at the police station then let go.
Sumner was not used to the Spanish police, who were rough in their handling of him, not the softly approach of the UK police. He was asked his name, when he declined he was given a slap around the face. When he again refused he was hit in the stomach with business end of a long batten. ‘Okay me llamo es Smith, John Smith. The senior officer looked at the faxed copy of Sumner’s picture, then he shouted in broken Spanish ‘liar, lo eres Sumner’ as he showed the faxed picture. Sumner held his head down, it was over he was well and truly nicked. Then his passport was found which was also waived under his nose as the police laughed in his face.
Sumner was rough handled out of the villa as he saw the damage to the front door, he shook his head knowing he was in the shit big time, the villa had been ransacked; he hadn’t got a pot to piss in and had to pay for the cocaine that had been laid on him, plus the damage to the villa.
The extradition papers had been sent to the Spanish police. Once examined the papers were endorsed and stamped. Confirmation was returned regarding Sumner’s arrest. Langton authorised two officers to fly to Spain and bring Sumner back with instructions not to mention the case he was being brought back for, only to formally arrest him for the murder of Janet Crosby, nothing more. The officers collected their tickets, when they looked at the return date it was the same day. Langton looked at their disappointment and said ‘sorry lads just a quick hand over then back.’
The officers arrived at Malaga, they were met by a senior police officer who fast tracked them through arrivals then took them to a nearby police station, where the documentation was checked then rubber stamped for the flight. Sumner was brought out of a holding cell where one of the UK police officers produced his handcuffs as he closed one to Sumner’s wrist and other to his, he then informed him he was under arrest for the murder of Janet Crosby cautioned him. Sumner just shook his head saying nothing.
The flight was short and uneventful. Just after they had landed they were met by airport security and fast tracked through passport control, then they were met by a driver who took them to Central Police Station. Sumner was booked in and placed in a cell to await interview. He declined a brief at that time.
Vicky and Jim made the final preparations ensuring the video player was working; then Vicky went to get Sumner.
Jim had lived and breathed Sumner for so long he knew every inch of him.
He was brought in and sat down. Jim looked at him as Sumner lowered his eyes. Jim looked at Vicky as he nodded.
‘Right my name is DC Howser and this is my colleague DS Broadbent can you please confirm your name?’
‘Charles Sumner.’
‘Thank you; just in case you are unaware of the reason why you are here, you have been arrested for the murder of Janet Crosby, I am further arresting you for rape, conspiracy to rape, sexual assault, kidnapping and conspiracy to kidnap, you are under caution for those offences as well, you understand?’
‘No comment.’
‘Do you want a brief?’
‘No don’t need one.’
‘Okay Mr Sumner, do you know Debbie Andersen.’
‘No comment.’
‘I think you do, look at this photograph, with your arm around this girl, that’s Debbie Andersen, so you do know her don’t you?’
‘No comment.’
‘Now then young Debbie was severely injured and left for dead, but miraculously she survived, the poor girl was so afraid of her assailant when interviewed she declined to name him. But that assailant was you wasn’t it Mr Sumner?’
‘No comment.’
‘Debbie said you and others had raped her as well?’
‘No comment.’
‘Do you know Sandra Rose?’
‘No comment.’
‘She was your girlfriend, but you also assaulted her and raped her and also let others rape her as well didn’t you?’
‘No comment.’
‘Now let me see, oh yes, you know Lynda and Stuart don’t you?’
‘No comment.’
‘They live at 76 Tall Pines Road; you have been there haven’t you?’
‘No comment.’
‘You have been to parties there haven’t you?’
‘No comment.’
Vicky was building up to the videos, but wanted him to sweat the same as Jim would have; she was enjoying it knowing Sumner knew she had more to come.
‘Oh silly me I nearly forgot about Janet, you knew Janet Crosby as well didn’t you.’
‘No comment.’
‘Let me show you her passport and her lovely picture inside, there that’s Janet, you remember her now don’t you?’
Sumner was now shuffling his feet and his eyes were everywhere apart from looking at Vicky. Jim was impressed; she was doing what he would have done.
‘Now just to bring back your memory about Janet; let me show you a video sequence of you and Janet so it jogs the thought process okay?’
‘No comment.’
Vicky nodded to Jim who operated the video. It showed the naked people in the room and then the door opens with Janet being led in by Sumner. Vicky nodded as Jim stopped the video.
‘See there we go Mr Sumner that was Janet, so you do know her, it must have slipped your mind, did it?’
Sumner put his head in his hands, he hadn’t realised the police had the tapes.
‘Yes I knew Janet; that was a party she liked sex parties.’
‘Go on then, tell me about those parties where were they held?’
‘At Stuarts and Lynda’s.’
‘At 76 Tall Pines Road?’
‘Yes.’
‘So let me recap, you do know Stuart and Lynda?’
‘Yes.’
‘So just to recap please confirm that you also had a relationship with Debbie and Sandra?’
Sumner was fucked well and truly, how could get out of this, he was just about to deny it when Vicky brought up four more video tapes and placed them on the table, she never said anything just patted them and smiled at him and nodded, as if to say I got you.
Sumner was now deep in thought and never replied. Vicky looked at Jim who put his finger to his lips. Vicky just sat quiet as the thought processes in Sumner’s mind were turning over and over like cogs in a machine.
He then said:
‘I’m fucked aren’t I?’
‘Big time Mr Sumner, so shall we?’
He nodded then said
‘Ask away?’
Did you know Debbie?’
‘Yes I did.’
‘Was she your girlfriend?’
‘Yes she was.’
‘Did you have sex with her?’
‘Yes I did.’
‘Sometimes by force?’
‘Yes.’
‘Did you allow others to take her by force?’
‘Yes.’
‘Did you attempt to strangle her?’
‘Yes.’
Did you know Sandra Rose?’
‘Yes.’
‘Was she your girlfriend?’
‘Yes.’
‘Did you have sex with her?’
‘Yes.’
‘By force?
‘Sometimes’
‘Yes and others did before you ask.’
‘Thank you Mr Sumner.’
‘Did you hit Sandra?’
Sumner nodded his head which was bowed in shame; not for what he had done, but the fact he had been caught.
‘Was that nod a yes?’
‘Okay I can play the rest of the tape if you like, do you want me to?’
‘No.’
‘Okay what happened to Janet Rose?’
Sumner knew Vicky had more, but wasn’t sure how much, could he bluff it?
‘I don’t know she ran off and haven’t seen her since.’
‘Okay just so you know I ain’t bluffing here is a section of interview with Stuart, where he say’s you strangled Janet and then he helped you bury the body in the woods.’
‘He’s lying.’
‘Not so fast Mr Sumner, he then took us to the grave site and the remains of Janet were found. You killed her didn’t you?’
‘No he must have done, not me.’
‘Okay I will play you the rest of the tape shall I, then I want you to listen to the conversation that is heard when the person talking, thinks the tape has been switched off.’
Vicky nodded as Jim played the tape. The scene was watched by Sumner then Vicky nodded as Jim stopped the tape.
‘Okay Mr Sumner, that scene shows Janet being raped, by others and you and in order for that to happen she was held and tied down, do you agree?’
‘No she agreed to it.’
‘Okay listen to the last part of the tape.’
Jim pressed play where Prentice is heard to say ‘who is going to do this one, it must be exciting hearing someone die?’
‘Now then Mr Sumner you were seen to take Janet out of the room in hysterics then Prentice speaks those words, which together with the statement of Stuart Small plainly puts you as the killer of Janet.’
Vicky smiled at him and cocked her head to one side seeking an answer.
‘Yes alright I killed her, you happy now, yes and buried her in the woods.’