Death on High (The Lakeland Murders)

by Salkeld, J J

  ‘He didn’t know. The old boy was bloody livid. But he said that his padlock wasn’t the best, and when we looked at it there was some scratching that looked fairly recent. But he couldn’t shed any light on any of it.’

  ‘So you think they might have used the place before?’

  ‘I can’t be certain boss, but aye, I do.’

  ‘OK Ray, thanks. Just write that up for me would you, literally just a couple of paragraphs?’

  ‘You thinking of carrying it all on then boss? Even after this foul-up?’

  ‘Yes, it’s what Ian wants to do, and I think he’s right. And that brings me to the other thing I wanted to ask you. Do you think you could get a tracker on to the back of the truck next time without being spotted?’

  ‘Oh aye, I was thinking exactly that last night. The driver only got out of the cab for a piss and a stretch the whole time they were there, and the lads on the roof and doing the unloading on the ground couldn’t see me, if I timed it right. Maybe just as they were hauling the bucket back up. That bucket swings around, so they’re all concentrating on it.’

  ‘And you’d be willing to do that?’

  ‘100% boss.’

  When Hall walked into Robinson’s office he was pretty sure that the Super and Val Gorham had settled their differences. The two of them were sitting side-by-side at the table, and neither smiled when Hall walked in. Robinson asked for an update.

  ‘No sign of the lorry or the lead I’m afraid sir. We haven’t picked up the registration number on any camera.’

  ‘Your conclusion?’

  ‘Either a plate change, quite possibly at the yard where it stopped, or possibly they loaded the lead onto another lorry soon after. For what it’s worth I think that the former is most likely.’

  ‘And you feel that the operation was properly planned and executed?’ asked Val Gorham.

  ‘I do, and it was fully signed off by the management team at tactical.’

  Hall thought that this would probably be enough to stop that line of questioning, since the Chief was known to be a supporter of the tactical team, and was expanding it modestly, even in the face of cuts. Sure enough, Gorham changed tack.

  ‘So you will be making the arrests today?’

  ‘My recommendation is that we run with it for another couple of days.’

  ‘Impossible’ said Gorham firmly. ‘The Chief won’t hear of any delay.’

  ‘Why not?’ asked Hall.

  Gorham looked surprised, and Robinson didn’t jump in to support her. Hall was no politician, but he’d expected him to sit on his hands. Robinson would be happy enough to see either Hall or Gorham lose face. Gorham glanced across at Robinson, saw that she couldn’t expect any support, and carried on.

  ‘You lost the truck last time. It would just happen again.’

  ‘We will use an electronic tracker next time, supported by vehicles. Tactical are fully behind it.’

  ‘You can’t seriously think that we can allow further damage to a Scheduled Ancient Monument, can you Inspector?’

  Hall smiled. ‘One of the advantages of the fact that we’ve involved all the heritage people is that we now know more about the damage that Spedding and company are doing.’

  ‘It’s incalculable’ said Gorham firmly.

  Hall slid a piece of paper across the table. Gorham didn’t look at it, but Robinson did.

  ‘I asked the English Heritage case officer for his view, and here it is. Would you like me to summarise it for you?’ Gorham didn’t reply, and she still wasn’t looking at the paper. ‘It says that all that lead and some of the copper on the roof was going to be coming off this spring anyway. It was a bad job apparently, because the flashing and other lead work is much too heavy for the roof, and has been damaging it for years. In his final sentence he says that while he is losing the scrap value of the lead, unless it’s recovered, the saving on labour and so on is actually more. He says, in terms, that he’s relaxed about losing the lot, and that the building is not at risk as a result.’

  ‘I see. But we have an agreement that arrests would be made immediately after last night’s events, irrespective of outcome. I think I’m right in saying that’s your stated position Superintendent.’ She looked across at Robinson, but more in hope than expectation.

  ‘But Superintendent Robinson is a man who changes his mind when the facts change’ said Hall. ‘He’s a bit like Keynes that way. Anyway, the facts have changed, and I’ve just spoken to the CPS and they’re supporting a further extension of the operation. In the light of the absence of evidence of damage to the fabric of the Abbey their view is that the risks of continuing the operation for another few days are far outweighed by the benefits that would accrue from arresting whoever is processing these stolen metals.’

  Gorham didn’t look as if she had anything else to say, and Robinson stepped in.

  ‘You say a few more days Andy, how can you be so sure?’

  ‘We can’t be absolutely certain sir’ said Hall, noting that he was Andy again, ‘but Spedding made several remarks to Ian, both during the job and after, as they were driving back to Carlisle, which indicated that they’d be back very soon. Ian got the impression that Spedding was under pressure from his buyer to deliver as soon as he possibly could.’

  ‘So how long do you think?’

  ‘Not tonight I’d imagine sir, because they’ll all be tired and the forecast is poor, but it improves later in the week, so that seems the likely window.’

  Robinson picked up his propelling pencil, then put it down again.

  ‘Very well Andy. In view of the facts concerning both the building’s condition and the CPS’s view I am going to agree to an extension of one week. As you say, the facts have changed, and it would be foolish of me not to take them into account.’

  Hall wasn’t surprised at the outcome of the meeting, and it reminded him that despite the constant machinations of the senior officers the force somehow still managed to make decent operational decisions most of the time. It was just a shame that he couldn’t do anything to help Jane keep her job. If he’d played the political game all these years Hall knew that he’d probably be much further up the tree himself, and even if he wasn’t he might have some other kind of leverage over the likes of Robinson. Maybe a favour or two to call in for services rendered. Most of the time his complete lack of friends in high places didn’t bother him, in fact it hardly ever even crossed his mind, but he would have given a great deal to be able to be able to keep Jane Francis on his team. He told himself that it was entirely because her punishment was disproportionate and motivated by personal spite, but Andy Hall had been a copper a long time. And he didn’t believe what anyone told him these days.

  As Hall walked in to CID’s open office area he saw Jane turn her head, then quickly get back to her work. He walked over to her desk.

  ‘Give me twenty minutes Jane. I just need to let Ian know that we’ve got a week’s extension on his operation, and email Ray Dixon to give him the good news.’

  ‘Is Ray really going to be coming over all James Bond?’

  ‘Yes, I’d say he’s going to be sticking his head over the parapet, but of course that will be Ian, literally.’

  Jane laughed, and Hall was glad to hear it.

  ‘Actually Jane, while I think of it, would you order Ray up one of the vehicle tracking devices, and make sure it comes with instructions.’

  ‘Why, Andy? He’s a man, so we all know he won’t read them.’

  Hall smiled. ‘See you in a bit.’

  Jane came in carrying two coffees, and had to go back to her desk to fetch her files on the Harrison death. They were both thinking that this would be the last time that they’d do this, and they’d miss it, but neither said anything. What would be the point?

  ‘I’ve chatted to the CPS just now, and they say that we’re a million miles away from a charge of any kind, based on the files. ‘Absolutely without merit’ was their conclusion. So have you found anything to cha
nge anyone’s mind?’

  ‘Well, we can be sure that Lillian and Tony were having an affair, but they were discrete, or rather he was. She dropped pretty broad hints to a couple of her friends about him actually, and he was the only person who was a regular caller at her house. The neighbours confirm it. But nothing from his side, except from calls and texts, all made from his other phone. And yes, he did have one. I’ve checked the call history and he pretty much only used it to speak to Lillian.’

  ‘I wonder where it is now. Have you pinged it?’

  ‘Yes, and we’re getting nothing back. All we know is that its last location was here, in Kendal.’

  ‘Anything other than that?’ asked Hall. ‘Any connection between the two women?’

  ‘No, not a thing.’

  ‘Unless we can prove that they discussed what happened afterwards I think we’re pretty well sunk when it comes to conspiracy’ said Hall. ‘Any signs that Vicky was preparing for a life after Tony before it happened? That might help.’

  ‘No, nothing that I can find. Nothing financial, certainly. So what do you think Andy? I’m only around for a few more days, so do you want me to stay with it, or help Ray with his training regime.’

  ‘Training regime?’

  ‘He needs to lose two stone to fit into the black catsuit I’m getting him.’

  Hall laughed.

  ‘Please don’t. But I think you should help Ray to be honest, Jane. Even if none of this shit with Robinson had happened I’d still be closing the file on this one now. It’s going nowhere.’

  ‘So you don’t think that one or both of them killed Tony?’

  ‘Honestly, I can only think of one scenario that even begins to fit the facts, and it’s so fanciful that I’ll keep it to myself I think, Jane. There’s no point starting hares running, and this whole case has amounted to nothing more than conjecture built on hypothesis, founded on I don’t know what.’

  ‘Instinct?’

  Hall laughed. ‘Over-rated in the view of most modern Superintendents, and to be honest Jane, they might be right. I should probably nick myself for wasting Police time.’

  ‘So you think Tony’s death was an accident?’

  ‘I didn’t say that, but I certainly wouldn’t bet my pension on it being anything else.’

  As soon as he’d said it Hall regretted it, but there was nothing to be done. ‘Are you still thinking of jacking it in?’ he said.

  ‘Yes, but I’ll wait and see what happens. All I know so far is that I’m to report to personnel at HQ in a fortnight, where they say they’ll do some assessments, whatever they are, before I’m re-assigned.’

  ‘All they’ll do is prove that you’re perfectly suited to detective work.’

  Jane smiled. ‘Do you really mean that Andy? Honestly?’

  ‘Of course I do. You’re too good at this job. Too good for me anyway. They’ll be mad if they throw all that potential away.’

  They drank their tea in silence for a minute. Hall had the strong urge to say more, but something made him stop. Maybe it was the same constraint that stopped him hugging his kids as often as he should, and telling them how much he loved them too.

  Tuesday, 26th March

  Ray Dixon was taking no chances, and he drove up to Carlisle with his DEFRA office ID hanging round his neck on a lanyard, and his case on the back seat. He’d even nipped round to the DEFRA office and had his alter ego Ray Turner copied on a few routine memos from the last few days, which he’d printed out and stuffed into the case.

  He drove past Mann’s house, saw nothing unusual, turned round further down and drove back. Mann left him standing on the doorstep for what seemed like ages when he knocked.

  ‘Sorry Ray, I was on the bog’ said Mann cheerfully, when he opened the door.

  ‘Thanks for sharing.’

  Mann made them coffees and they settled down in the living room.

  ‘If we get any visitors I’ve got some more forms for you’ said Dixon. ‘Any news about when we’re on?’

  ‘Nothing yet, and I doubt it will be tonight or tomorrow. But the weather forecast for Thursday and Friday looks much better. Have you got everyone on stand-by?’

  ‘Yeh, just give me the word. One thing did occur to me though, what if they just call here for you, and then just wait ’til you’re ready to go? Then you wouldn’t have a chance to contact me. Do you think that’s likely?’

  ‘Well they haven’t done it before, but I suppose it’s just possible. You’re thinking they might have their doubts about me?’

  ‘Not really, I just thought of it in the car driving up here.’

  ‘I thought you’d only be thinking about the apres ski by now.’

  ‘You’re not wrong Ian. Sunday morning, bright and early we’re flying out. So make sure you’ve got this all wrapped up by then. I don’t want to hand it over to someone else. Anyway, what will you do if they just turn up for you?’

  ‘I’ll have a text ready to send to you, wishing you a happy holiday, and I’ll send it if they turn up, before I open the door. OK?’

  ‘Aye, that’ll be fine. And that way you’ll be covered if they want to look at your phone, if they do have their doubts about you. Anyway, I just wanted to talk through with you when you think I should get the tracker on the truck.’

  ‘Two choices I reckon Ray. Either early doors, when we’re setting up the hoist and the driver shouldn’t need a piss, or quite late on, an hour or two in to the job. What you’d have to do is come out just as the guys on the ground are sending the basket back up to us. You’d need to make your move just as they’re re-attaching the basket. It keeps both of them busy for a minute or so, and they’ll both be listening for us shouting down to them too.’

  ‘Thanks. But which would you do?’

  ‘I think I’d play it by ear to be honest Ray. You’ll know when the moment is right. We all know you’ve got the gift of timing. The only thing we don’t want is lots of moonlight.’

  ‘I hadn’t thought of that. Don’t tell me the moon is full this week?’

  ‘’Fraid so, on Friday. But so long as there’s decent cloud cover you’ll be OK. But if not just watch the sky and pick your moment, OK?’

  ‘Aye, will do. It all sounded so simple before. But I’m sure I’ll be fine.’

  ‘Course you will Ray. Now, one other thing, what’s your plan if it all goes tits up?’

  ‘How do you mean?’

  ‘What if you’re spotted?’

  ‘Leg it back to the lodge and hope I can raise the alarm, I suppose.’

  ‘Why not have a couple of lads in there with you, just in case?’

  ‘Andy Hall says he want to be on the plot this time, says he can’t sleep anyway, so I suppose he could be there.’

  ‘Good idea, but maybe get someone with you who’d be handy if it kicks off too. Andy’s a brave enough bloke I’m sure, but unless he’s planning to question them nicely into surrender I can’t see him being much use if it turns nasty.’

  ‘Do you think it might?’

  ‘No, they’ll all be concentrating on getting the job done, not worrying that we’re watching. And never underestimate the value of surprise Ray, you’ll be surprised what a difference it makes.’

  Dixon looked quite a bit less than completely reassured. ‘So are you looking forward to coming in from the cold then, Ian?’

  ‘In a way, of course I am. It’ll be great to be back in my own place, and to see Julie and me dad. But it’s been great, being out on my own. Making my own decisions, thinking on my feet, taking care of myself.’

  ‘Rather you than me Ian. I like having the rest of the lads behind me.’

  ‘Even if that means the likes of Gory Gorham and His Holiness?’

  ‘I take your point Sarge, but they can’t all be as tough and committed as me, now can they?’

  Mann laughed. ‘Conscientious to a fault, with never a thought about your pensionable benefits?’

  ‘That’s me Sarge. That’s me to a T.�
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  Wednesday, 27th March

  Andy Hall woke early, and lay there for half an hour, thinking about work. As usual he began with the Ian Mann situation, searching his mind for any additional threat or risk that he hadn’t previously considered.

  He found none, so he turned his attention to Vicky Harrison and Lillian Hall, and the death of Tony Harrison. Under normal circumstances Hall, who was persistent even by the standards of his profession, would have closed the file, and probably just thought about it as the one that got away. Or maybe he’d forget all about it in another year or two. As he lay there, plumping up the pillows and turning onto to his side, he ran through the four or five serious cases that he’d been involved in that had never even been charged, let alone gone to trial. At the time he’d been convinced that every one of the suspects were as guilty as sin but now, as a more experienced copper, he had his doubts about each of them. So down the line a bit he’d probably ending up feeling much the same way about Vicky and Lillian, if he just let it drop now, and sent the file down to records as soon as he got in to work. And for a second or two he even pictured himself leaving the file in his out tray.

  But that was never going to happen. It wasn’t because he was remotely certain of anything in the case, but because he felt he had a duty to Jane Francis. What she’d done had been foolish, and he would have had words with her about it whatever had happened, but crossing Robinson like that had been really stupid. But she wasn’t remotely stupid. So why had she done it?

  He still couldn’t understand why this case had become such an obsession with her, although he knew that she was prone to fixating on pretty much anything at work. Maybe that was all there was to it. And suddenly he had something new to worry about, so he began his usual mental process, gnawing away at each edge of the issue, like a small dog nibbling away at a large bone. Should he have encouraged Jane to develop a better work-life balance? Was it even his responsibility to say anything about that? As was often the case one worry quickly connected to another, and as usual he soon found himself thinking about the break-up of his own marriage. Would his own attitude to work look much the same as Jane’s to an outsider? Was there something in both their heads that stopped them ever saying ‘enough’?