by Mark Hayden
‘I don’t know. How much am I on, sir?’
‘How can you not know that?’ said Tracey.
Karina shrugged, embarrassed. Yet again, I stepped in, and said, ‘Thirty-three thousand plus allowances.’
Tracey shook her head. ‘Damn. No chance of poaching her then. My lot are on a lot less than that, and I’m not on much more. Close your ears.’ She pulled her mask down and cupped her hands to her mouth. ‘Gather round, everyone!’ She lowered her hands. ‘We’ll get right on that. If he’s run some distance, there could be secondary crime scenes a long way away.’
I removed my own mask. ‘As a reward, can Karina tag along with you while I go and talk to the DCI? She really does know her stuff when it comes to evidence in woodlands, even if she wasn’t expecting to be called into action today.’
‘Yeah. Sure.’
‘Thanks, I…’ It was my turn to grab Tracey at that point, because all the squatting had sent my leg into spasm. Holding on to Tracey was like gripping a solid rock. At least I didn’t hop into the body.
‘Are you okay, sir?’ said Karina.
‘I’ll be fine. Sorry, Tracey. It’s an old wound that doesn’t like bad weather.’
I flexed my leg until it behaved, then made my way slowly back to the perimeter. Dave logged me out and told me to put the suit in a secure rubbish bag. I put my coat back on and folded Karina’s robes over my arm. I took the long route back to see Morton so that I could have a smoke. After seeing our deceased Gnome, I really needed one, I’m telling you, and the Sheriff didn’t object when he saw me approaching.
‘Bad news, I’m afraid, Tom. This was definitely one of the Calabrese.’
Morton lifted his right hand and moved it towards his left arm. Half way there, he realised what he was doing and changed it into a rub of his hair. ‘How do you know?’
‘Invisible tattoo. Or rather, it’s visible, but only under certain light. What I can’t say is whether that … man had anything to do with the Count of Canal Street’s death. It could be absolutely unrelated.’
‘And the manner of his death? Do I need to call the Special Forces wing of the RSPCA? What the hell did that to him?’
Have you ever had that feeling, when you have evidence of something but don’t want to think about it? Like when you feel a lump in your body, or your child comes home from a night out with pupils like pinholes? Or when your partner starts taking telephone calls outside? I had that feeling right now.
One of the Lions of Carthage once bit my arm. I don’t have a physical scar, but the mental one is still there. Everything about this crime scene said magick, and more than that, it said w*r*w*lf. I’ve used the asterisks because we don’t use the word w*r* in the world of magick. What we say is Dual Natured in general and Mannwolf in particular. I’ll explain what that means if it becomes an issue. However, I needed something less mind-boggling for Tom Morton’s benefit.
‘We’ve just found evidence that the victim was running away when he was attacked. I’m thinking that a pack of trained hunting dogs did this. If I had an obvious suspect, I’d be on the way to their kennels right now.’
Morton nodded carefully. ‘You used to ride to hounds, didn’t you?’
‘I did once. Perhaps I will again now that I’ve got a horse. If Mina lets me.’
‘I hope she bloody doesn’t, or she’ll go down in my estimation,’ said Elaine.
‘And mine,’ said Morton. ‘Regardless of that, you’ve seen foxhounds in action. Could they have done this?’
‘No. Well, not a regular pack. They’re trained from birth to follow the scent of a fox or a drag lure. Not a man. Someone, somewhere, has been playing a very dangerous game.’
‘Could they be wild or escaped?’ asked Elaine. ‘People keep all sorts of weird things illegally. I was called to a house in Leicester once. Guy had a breeding pair of European lynx in his back garden. Could someone be keeping wolves or tigers or something, and they’ve got loose?’
‘I’ve already checked,’ said Morton. ‘No unusual farm deaths have been reported. What you’re saying is truly evil, Conrad. What would someone want with a pack of man-eating dogs?’
He was right, in one sense. It was truly evil. I forced myself not to think about it. Not yet. ‘What do the rich want with superyachts or ten homes? These things are all status symbols. I may be wrong, of course. There may be a much more boring explanation.’
‘I hope so,’ he said. ‘If you’ve got Karina’s outfit, where is she?’
‘With Tracey Kenyon, using her expertise. I had no more to offer at that point. I think I see her coming.’
I did. With her hood down and her overshoes and mask removed, Karina was jogging back to us round the outside of the inner perimeter. When she arrived, she was barely out of breath. ‘We’ve found something,’ she announced. ‘A secondary crime scene where it looks like the victim was released.’
‘Any trace evidence?’ said Morton.
She shook her head. ‘The ground had been blasted with something. We did find a bunch of roses tossed into the brambles. Recently bought, long-stem red roses, according to Tracey. She thought it was important.’
Elaine and Tom looked at each other and then at me. ‘A hot date, then,’ said Elaine.
‘Looks like it,’ I agreed. My phone rang and I checked the screen: Saskia. Eh? ‘Excuse me.’
I took the call, and she said, ‘Conrad, have you got a second?’
‘A quick one.’
‘I got back from Waitrose before lunch, and there was a motorcycle courier outside the lodge, getting soaked in the rain. He has a parcel for you and you only. He even has a picture of you in Indian dress to make sure. I’ve given him lunch and dried him out, but he won’t leave until he’s seen you. Are you going to be long, because he says he’ll get a room at the White Horse if you are. He really is that dedicated.’
‘I’m afraid I might be a while. Can I call you back in five minutes, please?’
‘Of course.’
I disconnected and put the phone away. ‘Important, but not urgent,’ I said.
‘So what’s your take on this, Conrad?’ said Morton with the air of the senior professional.
I pulled my lip for a moment to gather my thoughts. ‘He was on his way to a date, hence the roses and condoms. He had no coat, so he wasn’t ambushed in the woods. No one spends that much on a hand-tailored suit and then wanders coatless through the rain. He was intercepted somewhere else and brought here. His wallet and phone were taken and he was released. I didn’t see any ligature marks on his wrists, so he was probably held at gunpoint. When they released him, a pack of animals was set to chase him. Anything to add, Karina?’
She didn’t have any alternative explanations, but she did have a good question. ‘What were the roses all about, sir?’
‘A gesture of contempt, is what I’d say. The killers wanted to leave a clear message, but not too clear, that’s why they took his ID away – to delay identification of the body.’
‘That’s pretty much my take on things,’ said Tom. ‘So, where do we go from here? I’m going to have a lot of explaining to do when they find out you’ve been all over a South Lancs crime scene. I can’t be the SIO on this one unless someone pays my boss a lot of money, so a regular detective will take over as soon as they’ve dragged one out of the supermarket or off the golf course or wherever it is they spend their Saturdays.’
‘Can you ask to be given a watching brief? I’ll pursue enquiries from my end.’
‘Will you now, Conrad? And will you tell us what you’ve found?’
He’d finally thrown down the gauntlet: was I just pissing them around, or was this a real partnership?
I’d been mulling this question over ever since I’d decided to call for his help. I respect him far too much not to give him a straight answer, and anyway, he’s far too clever to fall for a simple lie or evasion.
‘I can’t promise to share everything, Tom. There are things I’m under strict orders n
ot to divulge, and I happen to agree with those orders. What I can promise is not to undermine any police investigation and to share all admissible evidence. More than that, I will not be a party to a cover-up of any description, nor to a slap on the wrist for the rich and powerful.’ I turned to Karina. ‘What is the Boss’s personal motto?’
She nodded her head, pleased to be given a question she knew the answer to. ‘We can’t be part of the solution if we’re part of the problem.’
Morton didn’t look happy. ‘You talk a good game, Conrad, but you always did. I’ll hold you to those promises.’
‘No harder than I hold myself, Tom. No Clarke has broken his word since the Middle Ages, and I won’t be the first. Did you come in separate cars?’
‘We did. Are you after a lift somewhere?’
‘I imagine you will have a hell of a lot of paperwork to do.’
‘Tell me about it.’
‘Then how about if Elaine takes Karina and me to Penwortham.’
‘What for?’ said Elaine.
‘Partly to see if Kirk Liddington is still in one piece, and partly to see his face when I ask him some questions.’
‘Sounds like a plan,’ said Morton. ‘Elaine?’
‘It’s a good job you’re both not his size,’ said Elaine to Karina. ‘My back seats aren’t that big.’
‘Is there any chance we could stop at a big supermarket on the way?’ I said. ‘Not only am I starving, Karina could get herself a top to wear.’
‘You’re not the only hungry one,’ said Elaine. ‘My car’s over there, away from the spectators. I’ll see you in five, okay?’
‘What should the force tell the media about this?’ asked Tom, getting out his phone.
‘That you’re looking for a dangerous dog and its owner.’
‘Fine. See you later.’
I walked towards her car, and Karina said, ‘Thank you, sir. That’s very thoughtful of you, asking to stop for clothes like that.’
‘Not at all. I’m just going to make a call.’ I connected with Saskia and asked her to put the courier on the line. As expected, he had a strong Black Country accent.
‘Do you have to deliver at Middlebarrow?’ I asked.
‘No, mate. So long as it’s in person it could be on the moon, but I’d need a bigger travel allowance to go there.’
‘Good. Can you find Middleforth Green in Penwortham, Preston? I’ll meet you there in about an hour. Get Saskia to give you my number.’
‘No problem, chief. I’ll see you later.’
‘Who was that?’ said Karina.
‘Friend of a friend. I’m about to get a mysterious present from Clan Flint.’
‘A present?’
‘Yes, but don’t get too excited. Now, if you’ll excuse me…’
‘Stand over there, sir, downwind by the trees.’
‘Right. Will do.’
On the way to the trees, I got a text from Mina: Call me when you can! I called.
‘I have gone outside,’ she said quickly. ‘Did you know what Karina was doing?’
‘No is the short answer. In what way?’
‘Ten minutes ago, there was a stir in the room and then Seth Holgate bursts out laughing. He comes over and says that I should congratulate you. When I asked why, he says that he is all over Twitter. I checked, and there are pictures of you two arriving at the woods. I presume it was you two, because the picture is one of Seth and Lois Reynolds holding hands.’
‘Oh shit.’
‘That’s not the worst part. The Malchs have now linked you to the suspicious death. It’s a good job I have no idea what’s going on. Expect more calls soon. Seth loved it, but you are officially off Lois’s Christmas card list. She did not find it in the least funny. If it wouldn’t make her look like a killjoy, she’d be making an official complaint, I’m sure.’
Elaine had arrived at the car. ‘I’d better go. Thanks, for the heads-up, love. Take care.’
‘And you.’
17 — The Pointing Finger
Our star witness, Kirk Liddington aka Fae Klass, looked a lot better when he answered the door. You could tell that the terrible secret he’d been carrying was no longer eating away at him from the inside – his shoulders weren’t as slumped and he made a valiant attempt at humour when he saw who’d come calling.
‘Where’s that nice Mr Morton?’ he said. ‘No offence, Conrad, but he’s much better looking than you are.’
‘It’s a good job my fiancée disagrees with you,’ I countered.
‘Don’t be too sure of that,’ said Elaine. I think she was joking. I hope she was joking.
‘And are you going to keep the ninja under lock and key?’ said Kirk with an eyebrow raised in Karina’s direction.
‘That depends,’ said Elaine, ‘on whether or not you’re a good boy and answer our questions.’
Kirk stood back and opened the door wide. ‘Come in, come in, you’re letting the heat out.’
We trooped into the house and immediately started shedding layers of clothing. It was boiling in there, and that’s when I realised that Kirk was on the mend. He’d been out shopping, and the supermarket denims had been replaced by tight trousers and a tight tee-shirt, either from the women’s or children’s sections.
Elaine had followed Kirk into the kitchen to help make the tea, and was asking him the obvious questions (Have you heard from the Fairy Gardens? Etc.)
I leaned down to Karina and said, ‘I know it’s Shabbos, but the Boss needs to know about the dead Gnome. Why don’t you do a quick report and send it to her. Just the headlines.’
‘Now?’
‘When the tea’s made. He’ll feel more comfortable if you’re not there.’
She shifted from one foot to the other. ‘I didn’t like it when Elaine made a joke about me.’
‘It is the time-honoured lot of the junior officer to be made fun of. My role is to make sure it doesn’t amount to bullying, and your job is to deal with it.’
‘Yes, sir.’
‘Shall we go outside while the tea brews, big boy?’ said Kirk. He grabbed a long puffer coat in black that was clearly his sister’s and headed outside without waiting for me to reply.
I followed and gave him a cigarette. ‘Is Amy on shift?’
He shook his head. ‘She’s gone out with the girls. I promised to clean the house while she was out. Try and give a little back. I don’t know what would have happened if she hadn’t taken me in. I did the bathroom and my room, then I had to lie down for a bit. I’m out of practice.’
His voice had settled down to what you’d expect: camp and still slightly higher pitched than normal. ‘If I said that everything was okay, Kirk, that you didn’t have to look over your shoulder any more, what would you do? It’ll happen sooner or later.’
‘I don’t know. I really don’t. Let’s go back inside, I’m freezing out here.’
We took our tea into the living room, and this time I sat next to Elaine on the couch. ‘Just a couple of questions,’ I said. ‘Did the Count, or Wayne, or the Management ever make threats?’
‘What do you mean? If you’re you asking whether they coerced me or bullied me, they didn’t. I’m a grown-up. I knew what I was doing.’
If only that were true. ‘No, that’s not what I meant. Did they ever say anything like, “We’ll have to break his fingers”?’
Kirk scratched his scalp and winced. ‘Wayne never threatened anyone with words. He just moved into their personal space. That made them shut up. Or if they didn’t, he’d have their arm up their back and throw them out in seconds. The Count never threatened anyone, either. Not his style. The only one who needed to do that was JC.’ For a second, he looked slightly uncomfortable. ‘I’m not going to repeat them, but she used threats of a sexual nature. To men and women. “I’ll sit on your face for a month,” was one of the mildest.’
‘It’s not JC we’re interested in,’ I said.
‘Thank God,’ said Elaine.
Kirk star
ted to shrug, and then remembered something. ‘One night, the Count had a call from the Management. He’d been a very naughty boy, and she wasn’t pleased. He came off the phone and said, “She’s threatened to set the dogs on me.”’ He thought for a moment. ‘No, he didn’t. He said, “She’s threatened to set the pack on me.” That was it. Set the pack on me. Is that what you wanted?’
I did want it and I didn’t. Kirk had just filled in one of those asterisks, you know, in the w* word. Damnation. ‘Thanks, Kirk. I’m going to repeat myself: that you should not get in touch with the Gardens or anyone from there. Not until I say so.’
‘You’re always welcome, but can you bring better news next time? And bring nice Mr Morton?’
‘I’ll tell him you’re missing him,’ I said. ‘Let’s go.’
Karina had slipped back into the house during our chat to Kirk, and we headed for the car park, all of us checking our phones. Mine told me that the courier was waiting for me and that Mina was on her way back to the Haven with Meredith Telford’s daughter.
When Elaine had finished checking, she announced that she had to go to the Major Incident Centre in Bolton, and would we mind if she dropped us at Lostock Station? ‘There’s loads of trains to Victoria from there.’ She saw the courier watching us from a distance. ‘Aye aye, who’s that?’
‘Delivery for me. Won’t be a second.’
The motorcyclist took out his phone and checked the image on the screen against the reality of my person. Satisfied, he got a small package out of his top box and said, ‘There you go. There’s nothing to sign. Thanks for sorting me out, mate. Much obliged.’
I took the package and wished him a safe journey. He was gone before I’d walked back to Elaine’s car.
‘What on earth was that?’ she said. ‘Tom will go totally conspiracy theory when I tell him you’re getting deliveries in a car park.’
I shook the box and tore at the grey plastic bag (which was completely plain – no name or address). Inside, I got a glimpse of a wooden box with runes etched into it. Better not show them that. ‘I’ll tell you exactly what it is,’ I said. ‘It’s a burner phone set up for one of our contacts. I’ve been waiting for this so that I can try to get some answers. You’ll understand if I don’t use it until I get home.’
