by Jack Probyn
‘What?’ Charlotte asked over the partition between them.
‘Come here. You need to see this.’
Charlotte rounded the desk and pulled Drew’s chair over beside him.
Jake kept his voice low as he spoke. ‘Nigel Clayton’s profiles and reports on the PNC and HOLMES have changed.’
‘Changed how?’
Jake pointed to the screen. ‘As in, they’ve been rewritten. According to this, Nigel Clayton’s now colluded and worked with Richard Maddison, Jermaine Gordon and Danny Cipriano. Before there was never any mention of any of their names.’
Charlotte’s eyes shifted behind her glasses and her lips moved as she read through the passages for herself. ‘I don’t believe it. They’ve falsified evidence to make Nigel Clayton a scapegoat.’
‘But how? And who?’
Charlotte held a finger in his face, pulled out her phone and held it to her ear. Saying nothing, she climbed out of the seat and headed towards the women’s bathrooms.
Five minutes later, she returned.
‘Do I wanna know?’ he asked, afraid that he already knew the answer.
‘My team working on this case had a look at the back end of the PNC.’
‘And…?’
Charlotte crouched beside his legs and supported herself on the desk’s edge, then cleared her throat. ‘In total, forty-two entries have been made to the entirety of Nigel Clayton’s document on the PNC. In the last hour, six of them have been made by one person, and one person only.’
‘Who?’
Charlotte tilted her head to the desk beside Jake’s.
CHAPTER 59
PUB
Jake took his hands away from the keyboard and looked at the time. Somehow, it was seven o’clock, and it was pitch black outside. The office air conditioning continued to hum in the background, filtering the room with mild, clean air. Jake rose out of his seat and wandered up to the window. Outside, workers were rushing home. Some walking, some cycling, some driving. He emptied his mind of all thought and simply watched them whip past. In a way, he envied them. It was his job to make sure that they – and their families – were kept safe; to make sure that, if anything did happen to them, he would bring the person responsible to justice. But none of them knew what was going on in the real world, on the front line of duty. None of the people outside the window knew what he was going through in order to get the criminals off the streets.
Looking out of the window gave him a different perspective on things. Some days he’d rather be down there, going to a menial office job he despised so that he and his family could live a middle-class lifestyle. Other days he couldn’t think of anything worse, and he cherished the opportunity to do what he did for a living. He wasn’t jaded yet. And he didn’t think he ever would be.
A door opened behind him. Jake twisted and saw Liam standing there, at the head of the room with his arms folded. Garrison had since returned to the office after another unexplained absence, and he’d spent the past half hour speaking excitedly about his new car. Meanwhile, the rest of the team had gone home, save for a couple of the civilian staff who were most likely looking for some extra brownie points. Now it was only the four of them – Jake, Charlotte, Liam, Garrison.
For a moment, nothing happened. Jake observed Liam – the minutiae of his facial and bodily movements – and concluded that he was still drunk. In fact, worse now than he’d been earlier, swaying a little from side to side with those bloodshot eyes that seemed to glaze over everything.
‘What’s n-new?’ Liam said, visibly trying his hardest not to slur his words.
‘Very little, guv,’ Garrison replied, leaning back in his chair and forcing a stack of biscuits into his mouth; a pile of crumbs quickly formed on his collar.
‘Actually,’ Charlotte said, lifting herself out of her chair. In her hand she held a folder. ‘I’ve got a few things I think will be of interest.’
‘Oh?’ Liam said. ‘I’d love to hear th-them.’
‘Poojah’s pathology report’s just come in for Richard Maddison.’
‘And?’
‘She found puncture marks in his arms – fresh ones – as well as what she believes to be traces of cocaine in his nose. That corroborates with his whereabouts the day before he died, according to the CCTV Drew found of him at Jermaine Gordon’s flat.’
‘Right…’
‘And there’s something else as well.’
‘Right…’ Liam echoed, proving it was the only word in his vocabulary that he could pronounce clearly while steaming drunk.
‘After looking into Nigel Clayton’s history on the PNC and HOLMES,’ Charlotte began, ‘it looks like they’ve all had dealings with one another. Richard. Jermaine. Nigel. Even Danny Cipriano. In the past, Jermaine has supplied to both Nigel and Richard since they all left prison.’
‘So they’re all in cahoots with one another?’ Liam’s voice reached a crescendo as he said the word.
‘It would appear that way, guv.’
Liam used the wall for support. ‘Well, I say that’s all a load of splendid work you’ve done there, DI Grayson. In fact, the two of you’ – he wagged his finger between Jake and Pete – ‘need to get your shit together… Which reminds me… Garrison, you’re up.’
‘Up for what?’
‘Swapping places with Drew. Poor little fucker’s probably bored senseless out there on his own. Tell him that his shift’s over for th-the day. I want you on night shift and I’ll send someone down in the morning.’ Liam’s eyes fell on Jake. ‘Tanner – it might be you.’
Jake swallowed hard and nodded. He’d been dreading that. He didn’t want to be anywhere near that side of the investigation. He wanted to be inside the office with Charlotte instead – where he felt safe; where he could lean on her if needed.
Garrison lifted himself out of his chair and retrieved his car keys from his paper tray. ‘Suppose I’d better put the new wheels to good use.’
‘Don’t forget your biscuits.’
Garrison gave a nod and a soft chuckle before leaving.
After the door shut, Liam turned to Jake and Charlotte.
‘Get yourselves home, kids,’ Liam said. ‘Hopefully tomorrow we’ll have something to celebrate.’
Seems like you’ve already found that something, Jake thought but decided to keep his mouth shut.
Saying nothing more, Liam kicked his office door goodbye like he usually did every day, and then stumbled out of the room. Silence, save for the sound of the civilian support staff working in the background, fell on Jake and Charlotte. They looked at one another and shrugged.
He checked his watch – 8 p.m.
It was time for the pub.
CHAPTER 60
BEAST
Drew’s arse and legs were numb. He’d been sitting still for hours, playing games on his phone and doing the quick piece of work Liam had asked him to. It was a miracle he’d had his laptop with him, and that he was one of the few people who had access to the back end of PNC and HOLMES. For that, he hoped, Liam would hold him in some high esteem at least. Maybe even give him a bigger cut of the deal that he was working out with Henry Matheson.
Here’s hoping.
For the last ten minutes, Drew had been staring at the warehouse in the distance. It was a complete waste of time him being there, but he knew it was necessary if they were to keep up appearances. It was all part of Liam’s master plan. And that was what frightened him.
Typical Liam, Drew thought. Sending me in to do his dirty work.
Before he pondered it in any further, his mobile rang.
‘Liam?’ Drew answered.
‘He’s on his way. You remember the plan?’
‘Yeah.’
‘You remember what you have to do?’
‘Yeah.’
‘Good. He’ll be there in a while. The Farmer’s on his way too. Sit tight.’
Liam hung up. Drew placed the phone neatly on the seat beside him and ran his hands up and down the s
teering wheel in an attempt to staunch his nerves. It had no effect. He was going to need something stronger.
Drew leant across the car, reached into the glove box and pulled out an unopened packet of cigarettes and his half-empty bag of cocaine. Then he unbuckled his seat belt, shuffled forward on the seat and made a line using the remainder of what was left in the bag. Rolling the only note he had in his wallet into a tube and pressing it against his nose, he snorted the contents and allowed the chemicals to grapple with the nervous beast inside him.
Within seconds, they had tamed it.
Now he was ready.
CHAPTER 61
SEND
Two brilliant white lights cut through the terrain and shone in Drew’s rear-view mirror, sending the hairs on the back of his neck on end. He’s here.
Drew inhaled until his lungs were full. The rubber grip of the steering wheel felt hard and bruised his skin. He kept his eyes focused on the black silhouette that gradually approached him. A short while later, it idled past and pulled in front.
Garrison killed the engine and stepped out. Drew watched him keenly as he rolled down the window on the passenger side.
‘You been waiting long?’ Garrison asked, smiling facetiously.
‘Piss off.’
‘Can you blame me? I don’t want to be here any more than you do.’
‘I probably would’ve done the same. Especially on the night shift.’
‘I think Liam’s got it in for me,’ Garrison said. He placed one elbow on the window frame and the other on the roof.
‘How is he?’ Drew asked, trying hard not to sniff and rub his nose. He needed to pretend to be sober. To look sober. When in reality the hit had been bigger than he’d expected and he could already feel himself beginning to lose control of his senses.
‘Drunk.’
‘Again?’
Garrison nodded. ‘He disappeared for an hour earlier. No idea where he went. Now he can’t stand up straight. Nor can the fucker talk in cogent sentences.’
‘What a mess,’ Drew said, shaking his head, even though he didn’t mean it.
‘Think the pressure’s getting to him. Big time. All this stuff with Maddison and now Clayton… Only a matter of time until he breaks. Either that or The Cabal will get rid of him as soon as he realises Liam’s a liability.’
Drew hesitated before he responded. ‘Yeah,’ he said, non-committal. The more he listened to the venom coming out of Garrison’s mouth, the more he realised that what was about to happen was absolutely necessary. ‘Liam’ll be first to break. But then I reckon sooner or later, we’ll all follow. And it won’t be pretty when we do.’
‘How long you reckon you got left in this game?’ Garrison asked.
Drew blew a raspberry through his teeth as he considered a calculated response. ‘Fuck knows, mate, if I’m honest. It all depends on this rape bullshit. If Tanner does as he’s told and keeps it to himself, then everything should be all right. But if it keeps coming back – if she goes to the IPCC or something – then I’m done. It’s taking it out of me, mate. Constantly worrying, making sure I’ve covered every track, making sure I haven’t exposed myself, or you, or anyone else. It’s fucking knackering. I’ve been so uptight for months now. I reckon if you shoved a clam up my arse, a pearl would come out within minutes. I haven’t been able to jack off. I’ve not touched a pussy in months – I’m beginning to forget what one feels like. I’m pretty sure Suze has left me. She hasn’t come home in months. Christ knows where she’s fucked off to.’
Garrison laughed as though he genuinely found humour and enjoyment in Drew’s pain.
‘I’ve been there, mate,’ he said. ‘Trust me. We’re going to have to take you to the strip club soon when this is all over, eh? Gotta make sure you spunk all your money on a different kind of crack.’
Drew’s face dropped. ‘How did you…?’
‘I’m not a fucking idiot, mate. I was there for you when you first started. I knew the signs then, and I know the signs now. You need help with it?’
Drew closed his mouth and shook his head. ‘I’m coming off it.’
‘You better be. Otherwise, I’ll have to intervene again. Just like last time. And if it’s anything like that, you know you’re not going to like it.’
That was true – he wouldn’t. Ten years before, when Drew had first started snorting coke on the job, Garrison had become involved. To help combat the issue, Garrison had forced Drew to stay in Garrison’s spare bedroom, so that he could keep a close eye on him. There, Garrison had locked him in and got him off the drugs, cold-turkey style. It was a drastic and brutal way of dealing with it, but it had been for the best. After all, Garrison had helped the rape allegation disappear, so Drew couldn’t be angry. Much to his surprise, it had worked.
‘Hey,’ Drew said as he forced his mind away from all the good that his colleague had done him. He pointed at Garrison’s car. ‘How is it?’
‘Pukka. Five-litre engine. Five hundred brake horsepower. Five G less than the asking price. This little beauty goes like a fucking rocket.’
‘Let’s have a look,’ Drew said as he stepped out of the car and made his way to the Jag.
Garrison rounded the back of the car and hopped into the front. As Drew was about to join him, the nerves in his body trembled. It was time to do exactly as Liam had said. Distract him and keep him there for as long as possible until help arrived, because Liam was paranoid that, as soon as Drew left, Garrison would do the same.
He climbed into the passenger side and let the leather seat absorb his body. He didn’t realise it, but he let out a little groan.
‘Nice, eh?’ Garrison asked.
Drew ignored him, reached into his blazer pocket and produced his new pack of cigarettes. Just as he was about to remove one, Garrison slapped the packet out of his hand, spilling the contents into the footwell and onto the gravel outside the car.
‘The fuck you think you’re doing? You can’t smoke in here. No fucking way. I’ve only had it a few hours!’
Drew threw his hands in the air and then rushed to pick them all up. ‘I’m sorry, Pete. I don’t… I didn’t…’
‘Pick ’em up! All of them!’
Garrison leapt out of the car and hurried to Drew’s side, throwing the door open wider, then bent down and started to scavenge through the gravel and dirt for the residual cigarettes. Once Drew had found all the ones that he could in the footwell, he clambered out of the car.
‘Is that all of them?’ Garrison asked.
Just as he said it, Drew fumbled a couple and dropped them to the ground. Garrison swore as he helped pick them up.
‘Take them and get the fuck out of here,’ he hissed and thrust them into Drew’s chest.
‘But, Pete… Come on, mate. It was just a joke!’
Garrison didn’t want to hear it. He shoved past Drew, slammed the door shut and hurried back to the driver’s side of the car.
‘Go home, mate. Treat yourself to a wank, and maybe while you’re there you can shove a couple of those up your arse too.’ Garrison pointed at the mess of cigarettes in Drew’s hand.
Drew didn’t know what to say, so he headed back to the car, started the engine and drove away until Garrison’s silhouette got smaller and smaller. As soon as he was out of sight, he pulled over and typed out a text message.
All yours.
He hit send. And waited.
A few minutes later, a black van drove by.
CHAPTER 62
LINGER
Jake had suggested The Head of the House – it was familiar, friendly and perfect for keeping up appearances. Charlotte had decided to leave before him, and he was under strict instructions to wait five minutes before doing the same, just in case they were followed. She was being cautious, and Jake decided to take a leaf out of her book.
He arrived at the pub ten minutes after he’d set off.
‘All right,’ he said, as he joined her by the entrance.
‘Were you follo
wed?’
‘Not that I’m aware of.’
‘You sure?’
‘No. I’m not a spy.’
‘But you’ve got common sense. You can tell when something doesn’t seem right, and when someone might be following you?’
‘I’m not stupid.’
‘Good.’
Jake opened the door for her and allowed her to walk through first. She thanked him, and then they wandered up to the bar.
‘All right, love?’ Maggie, the bartender and owner, said. She had a piece of gum in her mouth and chewed horribly, making vulgar and revolting noises as she did, and revealing her teeth with each bite.
‘Evening, Mags,’ Jake said.
‘You want your usual?’
‘Oh, your usual?’ Charlotte repeated, raising her eyebrow and giving him a disproving look.
Jake ignored her. ‘Yes, please,’ he said, and then turned to Charlotte. ‘What do you want? I’m buying.’
‘Vodka and Coke,’ Charlotte replied without hesitation. Jake could hardly blame her. A stiff drink was exactly what they both needed. They’d been working themselves tirelessly, and they deserved a little reward.
Maggie disappeared around the corner, returned with two glasses and then began to pour the drinks. She set Jake’s beer down on the counter first – bubbles rocketed to the top, while a dribble poured down the side. A few seconds later, she handed Charlotte her drink. ‘I ain’t seen your face round here.’
‘She’s just joined the team,’ Jake replied.
‘Well, I’m only here for a short while,’ Charlotte corrected, taking the glass from the counter.
‘This is our initiation,’ Jake said.
‘The others joining ya?’
‘Sadly, they were all pre-booked.’
‘Well, I hope you’ve got your thick skin on, love,’ Maggie said to Charlotte. ‘Some of them boys don’t realise they’re in the company of women sometimes. But you’re all right with this one – he’s one of the good ones. Shame he likes to drink piss though.’
