CHAPTER SIXTEEN
9th October (early afternoon)
They arrived back at the station to find George and CC high-fiving in the main office.
“That looks very positive,” Paolo said, taking off his jacket.
CC and George spun round.
“Sorry, sir, didn’t hear you come in,” CC said. “We’ve both got news for you.”
“Great. Come through to my office and fill me in. Dave and I will bring you up to date with what we’ve found out. Judging by your celebrations, you’ve got more to tell us than we’ve got to tell you.”
Paolo opened his office door and stepped back to allow the other three in. While George pulled a third chair up to the desk, Paolo hung his jacket on the hook and then walked round to take his place behind the desk.
“Right,” he said as he sat down. “Who’s going first?”
“I will, sir,” CC said. “I’ve got less to report.”
“Okay, let’s hear it.”
“I’ve got a fix on the transit van’s registration. It belongs to a Shadrack Faa listed with a Rochester address.”
“Unusual name,” Paolo said. “Is it Albanian?”
“No, sir, I’ve been on the net to check and it turns out it’s Romani in origin. Seems our van might be registered to a traveller. I’ve been on to the Rochester police, but they tell me the address is a derelict building. It hasn’t been inhabited for at least three years, so although our Mr Faa used it to register his van, he didn’t actually live there. Unless, of course, he was squatting. That’s always a possibility. Rochester say it has been used as a squat in the past.”
“Travellers? Maybe just passing through and not familiar with the hospital? That might explain why they didn’t know about the CCTV cameras around the building. Good work, CC.”
“Thank you, sir. I’ve put out an alert on the registration, so if it’s sighted anywhere, we’ll be notified immediately.”
“Have you had chance to go through the film footage looking for our fake nurse?”
“Yes, sir, but it turns out she was a he, or at least might have been a he.”
Paolo frowned. “It’s not like you to talk in riddles, CC. Care to explain?”
She nodded. “A tall nurse was caught on camera heading towards the lifts, but she didn’t get in and doesn’t reappear on any of the floors. She was looking down, unfortunately, which makes me think she knew the camera was there. Our people found the nurse’s uniform and a dark, short haired wig in the men’s toilets on the floor below where she was spotted, so presumably she took the stairs next to the lifts. The clothes and wig were stuffed into a carrier bag and left in one of the stalls. The problem is, we don’t know if it was a man dressed as a woman, or a woman who went into the men’s toilets to make us think it was a man.”
“So no help for us there. Uniform and wig gone for analysis?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let’s hope they turn up something useful. Anything else?”
CC shook her head. “Nothing more from me, sir.”
Paolo passed a slip of paper across the desk to her. “I want you to get in touch with Gazmend and see if he knows any local thugs going by the name of Bekim or Edar. They are the names of the two men who run the girls to and from the red light district. Apparently they in turn answer to someone called Joey.”
CC picked up the paper with the names on it. “Joey? British name? That’s unusual, sir. Normally the Albanians are pretty tight and don’t let outsiders in.”
“I know, so figuring out who this Joey might be is going to be that much harder. Ask Gazmend if he knows of any outsider who has been accepted into his community. We’ve been concentrating on the Albanian connection, but it might be a British crook who saw an opening and took it.”
CC frowned.
“You don’t agree?” Paolo asked.
“I suppose that could be the case,” CC said, “but then how would he get the contacts to pick up the girls over there?”
Paolo sighed. “If I could answer that I think we’d have the case wrapped up. Let’s hope Gazmend can help us on that score.”
He turned to George. “The floor’s all yours.”
George picked up the pad he’d placed on the desk in front of him and rapidly flicked through the pages as if searching for something.
“Got it,” he said and folded the pad back to keep it open. “As you know, I’ve been looking into Albanian businesses with the opportunity to bring in people under cover of legitimate activities. I’ve narrowed the list down to three likely ones. The first two businesses are Albania/UK/Albania, haulage contractors run by Jetmir Redzepi. Then there is Bogdani Imports, a general import/export company run by Jorgi Bogdani. Also runs regular trips around the country, not just between Albania and the UK.”
Paolo nodded. “Well done. They both fit the brief.”
George looked up from his pad. “The third on my list is actually the most interesting and the one I think I should dig into first.”
“Why’s that?” Paolo asked.
“The business is the Albanian Language School. They offer English-language immersion classes to Albanian students, many of whom come over in advance of taking up university places. The students are given a three-week intensive course speaking nothing but English, so that when they get to uni it’s easier to understand the lectures. The school handles all the travel and accommodation arrangements and brings in students on a regular basis, so are fully capable of smuggling in people under their legitimate activities.”
Paolo sat up straighter. “I like the sound of this one.”
George gave one of his rare smiles. “That’s not all. You’ll like it even more in a minute. When you mentioned the name Joey I wondered if maybe that was the Anglicised version of an Albanian name. The school is owned by Isuf Xhepa. Isuf being the Albanian equivalent of Joseph. You think he could be our Joey?”
“He could be,” Paolo said. “Definitely one to look at closely. George, that’s excellent work. I want you to find out more about the comings and goings of all three businesses. But I agree with you. Concentrating on the language school makes a lot of sense at this stage. Keep everyone in the loop on what you find. Tomorrow, Dave and I will pay a visit to each of them to see if Bekim and Edar are known to anyone.”
“Oh, I thought maybe I could do that, sir,” George said.
“No, George, we need your skills on the computer and telephone. Find out as much as you can on each of the businesses’ activities over the last year.”
Paolo saw the enthusiasm drain from George’s face and felt bad, but he was the best of the team when it came to digging into backgrounds. He made a mental note to make sure George knew how much his skills were appreciated.
Dave stood up. “I’m off to see what else uniform have discovered at the hospital. See you all later.”
Paolo looked at his watch. “I need to leave in about half an hour. I have an appointment with Katy’s psychiatrist this afternoon, so will probably not be back until quite late in the day. I’ll be switching my phone to silent while I’m in with her, but if you need to contact me urgently, send a text and I’ll call you back as soon as I leave her office.”
“Good luck, sir,” CC said as she followed Dave and George out. “I hope it’s a good meeting.”
So do I, Paolo thought, but he had a horrible sinking feeling in his gut that it was going to be the exact opposite. Jessica Carter had sounded far too serious for it to be good news.
Paolo walked into the waiting room to find Lydia already there. She looked up when he entered and the temperature dropped by a thousand degrees. He could almost feel his skin suffering ice burns from the glare Lydia shot at him. He opened his mouth to greet her, but before he could get a word out she deliberately looked back down again, making it quite clear she’d rather be eaten by maggots than speak to him.
He sat down on the other side of the room, praying that Jessica Carter wouldn’t keep them waiting. He wasn’t sure
he could survive too long without getting frostbite. He’d loved Lydia since they’d been teenagers. Theirs had been a young love that blossomed into a deeply passionate marriage. Just a few years ago they’d been an example of the perfect relationship. Sure, they fought, all couples did that, but their disagreements had never lasted beyond a few hours. And look at them now. Mortal enemies, at least from Lydia’s side. From his? He just wanted to be able to exist in the same atmosphere without being annihilated by her hatred. Maybe, given time, she’d start liking him again. Right now he’d settle for indifference.
He glanced at the clock on the wall above Lydia’s seat. Only two minutes to go, thank God. But those two minutes passed as slowly as twenty. By the time the door opened Paolo was wishing he’d put on thermal underwear.
Jessica Carter smiled at them. “Please come in.”
Lydia stood and swept past the psychiatrist. “I hope this isn’t some ploy to stop me from getting a second opinion,” she said.
Paolo gave Jessica a half smile as he went in. He sat down next to Lydia, who promptly moved her chair as far from his as possible. Maybe he had leprosy and no one had bothered to tell him.
Jessica took her place behind her desk and leaned forward with her arms resting on it. Paolo thought she looked like the most relaxed person he knew.
“I have some good news for you, but it is balanced by a negative aspect,” she said. “Firstly, Katy has begun speaking.”
Paolo felt like leaping to his feet in celebration. Finally, after months of silence, his baby was able to speak again. His joy was short-lived.
“I don’t believe you,” Lydia said. “I was with her this morning and she didn’t say a word.”
Jessica Carter shrugged. “She isn’t saying a lot, but what she has discussed with me is the reason I’ve asked you both to be here this afternoon.”
“I’m taking her home,” Lydia said, reaching for her handbag and standing up.
“Mrs Storey, please sit down. Katy has not yet recovered enough to leave the hospital, but I think it won’t be long before she is. What we need to discuss here is where she goes when she is well enough to move on.”
Paolo had been watching Lydia, but his head shot back to the psychiatrist.
“What do you mean? Surely she’ll go home to Lydia’s?”
Jessica shrugged again. “Under normal circumstances that would be exactly what I would recommend. However, in light of what happened yesterday and Katy’s subsequent revelation, I feel going home with her mother would be the worst possible outcome.”
Still standing, Lydia hissed, “Don’t be ridiculous. Of course she should be with me.”
“Mrs Storey, please sit down. Katy has asked me to have this discussion with you and her father. She told me what you said to her yesterday morning. She was extremely distressed and says she’ll run away if she has to go home with you.”
Lydia sat heavily, looking so heartbroken and confused Paolo wanted to reach out and hold her.
“I’m sorry,” he said, turning to the psychiatrist. “I don’t understand. Why would Katy say such a thing? She loves her mum. I know she does.”
Jessica Carter sighed. “I don’t know the full details yet. Katy became very agitated when telling me, but it seems Mrs Storey–”
“I told her I was getting a restraining order to keep you away from her,” Lydia interrupted.
All desire to hold Lydia left. “You did what?”
Tears fell down Lydia’s face. “Yesterday morning I went to see Katy. She was staring into space, like she always does. I told her I was going to get a second opinion and take her home. And then…and then…” She took a breath. “And then I told her I was going to stop you from visiting until she was well again.”
“How could you?” Paolo had never had a violent urge towards a woman in his life, but right now he was glad Lydia had moved her chair so far from his. He wanted to lash out.
Lydia leaped to her feet again. “How could I? It was easy, Paolo. I’ve told you this before. You’re toxic. Everyone you come into contact with gets damaged. Sarah, me and now Katy. We don’t want you in our lives.”
“Mrs Storey! That’s quite enough. Please, once again, I must ask you to sit down.” She waited until Lydia was seated before continuing. “Let me make my position quite clear. Should you go ahead with your plan to put a restraining order in place, I would feel obliged to testify against you.”
“What?” Lydia said. “You should be on my side. He upsets Katy.”
Paolo wanted to argue his case, but a feeling of incredible weariness stopped him from speaking. He felt detached from the argument raging in front of him. Whatever happened, he wanted what was best for Katy. Jessica Carter’s words finally penetrated and brought him back into the room.
“I don’t take sides, Mrs Storey. My only priority is to my patient. Katy became hysterical when she thought you would be able to prevent her father’s visits. It is not in her interests to keep them apart, no matter what your feelings may be on the matter.”
Lydia laughed. It sounded close to hysteria to Paolo.
“I can’t win with you, Paolo. Whatever I do, you always come out on top.”
Paolo went to answer, but the psychiatrist got there first.
“It isn’t a case of winning or losing, Mrs Storey. It is a case of doing what is best for your daughter. I want to be able to recommend Katy goes home with you, but I cannot do so if I think there is the slightest chance you will block visits from her father. She needs him in her life if she is to make a complete recovery.”
Lydia stood once more. “It’s blackmail. You’re saying you’ll only let Katy come home to me if I go against what I believe is best for her. I loathe my ex-husband, you will never know how much, but that’s not why I wanted to stop Katy from seeing him.” She scorched Paolo with a glance. “You see, I genuinely believe seeing him reminds Katy of what she went through. If it hadn’t been for him she would never have been put in danger. But you two go right ahead and cosy up to each other. Paolo has that effect on the women in his life. Maybe you’re the next on his list. If so, be careful.”
“That’s unnecessary, Lydia,” Paolo said.
She ignored him and continued to speak to the psychiatrist. “Clearly I have to go along with whatever you decide. I don’t like it and I think you’re wrong, but I love my daughter.”
“I don’t doubt that, Mrs Storey,” Jessica said. “Let’s get Katy well enough to go home. By then she will be able to make her feelings clear and we’ll both know we’re doing what she wants.”
Lydia nodded and walked to the door. “I’m going to the hospital to tell her I was wrong to try and keep her father away from her. I wasn’t, but I’ll pretend I was if that’s what it takes to get Katy well again.”
Paolo watched as the door closed behind Lydia and then turned back to the psychiatrist. He’d thought the day couldn’t bring him any more pain, but the look of sympathy on her face almost brought him to his knees.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
10th Oct (morning and afternoon)
“At the roundabout, turn left. First exit. Turn left. First exit.”
“That thing will drive me insane, Dave. I could have told you where to find Albania/UK/Albania. Look, there it is at the end of the street,” Paolo said, pointing to a dilapidated looking warehouse building.
“You have reached your destination. You have reached your destination.”
“And it repeats itself all the time. Turn it off before I throw it out of the window.”
“It’s the first time I’ve been on this industrial estate,” Dave said, pulling up outside the haulage contractors. “I hadn’t realised how big it was. We needed the Satnav.”
Paolo got out and closed the car door. “You don’t trust my navigation skills?”
Dave laughed. “No comment, but I would like to remind you of a few journeys we’ve been on where we ended up taking the scenic route.”
“Okay, I’ll give you that. Rig
ht, let’s get in and see if anyone recognises the images.”
Paolo opened the door and walked into a surprisingly well furnished office. From the outside, the building had looked scruffy and unprepossessing, but the interior was completely the opposite. He approached the young woman manning the reception.
“Good morning, sirs. Can I help you?”
“Yes,” Paolo said. “We’d like to speak to Mr Redzepi.”
“Is he expecting you?”
“No, but I hope he’ll make time to chat to us,” Paolo said, pulling out his identification and showing it to the receptionist.
“One moment, please,” she said, examining the card before picking up the phone. “Good morning, Mr Rezepi. I have two police officers in reception. They would like to talk to you. Shall I send them?”
She replaced the phone and pointed behind Paolo and Dave to a corridor.
“His office is the one at the end. He said to go through.”
Paolo thanked her and nodded to Dave to go ahead. By the time they reached the end, a tall, perma-tanned man was waiting for them in the doorway.
“Come in, come in. Sit, sit. Is it about Connor?”
Paolo swallowed a smile. The man repeated himself just like the Satnav. He and Dave sat down in front of a massive polished walnut desk, which took up nearly the full width of the room.
“No, sorry. Who is Connor?”
“My driver, my driver. You arrested him in the motorway services a few days back.”
Paolo looked at Dave to see if he was any the wiser, but Dave looked as confused as Paolo felt.
“We arrested two men that night, but neither of them was called Connor.”
Jetmir Redzepi laughed. “Stupid me, stupid me. You most probably booked him as Konstandin Demaci. He was known by everyone here as Connor.”
“Ah, that makes sense, except that he didn’t mention being employed by you.”
“That’s because I fired him last month. I’d caught him out lifting goods from our customers, so had no choice. Sorry, sorry. I assumed you knew and were here to find out more about his background.”
Someday Never Comes (#2 - D.I. Paolo Storey Crime Series) Page 10
