Body by the Docks: detectives investigate a baffling mystery

by Diane M Dickson

  “Oooh, get a room you two.” The comment from McCardle in the back seat didn’t help.

  “It’s fine, boss, don’t sweat it. You need to turn onto the Dunnings Bridge Road at the next roundabout. And then head for Northway. The place is on the other side of Ormskirk. I think you have to go through the town centre. Head for Burscough.”

  “Okay, it’s signposted here. Terry, what can you tell me?” Jordan said.

  “It looks like a farmhouse with cottages. I’ve got it now. It’s a place called Hurlston Moss Farm.”

  “Brilliant.” Jordan glanced at his watch again. “How long before we get there, does it say on the sat nav?”

  “Ten minutes if we don’t hit any hold-ups. But it says there are roadworks in Ormskirk,” Terry said.

  “Do we have to go through there?”

  “Well, it doesn’t look as though there’s much choice.”

  “Alright then.” They were heading up a wide dual carriageway, flat fields on either side. The traffic was busy but free flowing.

  “It’s okay, boss,” Terry said. “If you stay on this road then when we hit Ormskirk there’s a roundabout, take the second exit onto County Road – it skirts the town proper which looks like a little place with narrow streets.”

  Jordan glanced at his watch again, they were going to cut it fine, but the traffic was moving well, and he’d slipped into the outside lane. The road began to incline slightly and there were more houses now, rows of shops and a couple of pubs.

  “The roundabout is over the top of this rise, I reckon.”

  As Terry spoke the traffic began to slow, it didn’t take long at all before both carriageways were moving at just above a crawl.

  “Bloody hell.” Jordan thumped the steering wheel. “Help me out here, Terry.”

  They moved slowly on over the brow and down towards the town. As they hit the roundabout, everything had come to a stop and there was traffic in all directions. The second exit was completely blocked.

  “Boss, take the first exit, here, turn here. Cottage Lane and then on Asmall Lane.”

  “How small? We don’t want to be on a farm track.”

  “No, not a small lane, that’s what it’s called, Asmall Lane.”

  “Bloody stupid name,” Jordan hissed.

  Eddie McCardle had been silent for the last few minutes and Jordan glanced into the rear-view mirror. His back-seat passenger was staring forward, worry turned to real fear on his face.

  The other man caught his glance. “What are you going to do? I mean, have you any idea what you’re going to do? He’s a psychopath this bloke, he’s got his lunatic girlfriend with him. You know what he did to my mam. I mean have you even got a tazer or something?”

  They hadn’t.

  “You just do exactly what I tell you, right.” Jordan hoped his voice sounded stronger and surer than he felt.

  Terry glanced across at him and raised his eyebrows. It was too late to turn back now.

  Chapter 64

  As they drove away from Ormskirk it began to rain. Though it wasn’t yet sunset, the sky darkened; thick grey cloud lowered over the flat fields. Lights began to pop on here and there in the houses they passed. The atmosphere was charged with threat as lightning flashed in the distance. Windscreen wipers struggled against the growing deluge and Jordan’s shoulders tensed as the roads went from slick to awash in minutes.

  “Bloody hell, that’s sudden.” As he spoke Terry Denn searched for the weather forecast on his tablet. “Right, well that’s handy. There’s a storm coming in and they’re warning about high winds.”

  “Are we nearly there?” Jordan asked.

  “Yeah. Just up here. Turn at the next junction towards Parbold and the farm is on the right. From the Google Street View it’s a converted barn on the roadside. There’s a gateway just a bit further on. You might be able to pull in there.”

  Peering through the water streaming across the windscreen, Jordan could see the imposing barn behind a low stone wall just a few more metres along the narrow road.

  He drove on and turned into a gap in the low hedge. Heavy machinery had churned up the entry to the field and the ruts were filling with rain. “Terry, you stay here with Eddie, I’m going to have a quick look. We’ve got about ten minutes.” As he spoke his phone chirped and vibrated. “Okay, this is a transferred call from your phone, McCardle.”

  “We are waiting. You come into yard. Your sister is here.”

  “Answer him,” Eddie said. “Let him know we’re here. I’m going in there.”

  McCardle pulled at the door handle but the child lock prevented him from leaping out into the road.

  “No! I told you to stay here and do as I say. We don’t want him to know what’s happening. Not yet. He’ll be puzzled and frustrated because you haven’t responded. It’ll mess with his head.” Jordan swivelled in the seat to glare into the rear of the car. “I’m going to see what the situation is and then we’ll decide what we’re going to do.”

  “That’s my sister. He wants me. That’s why you brought me, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, and it’s my job to get us all out of this in one piece. We didn’t come to negotiate, we came to get Molly. Stay here.”

  “Do you want me to call for backup, boss? We’re pretty sure now that this is where they are and it’s all a bit dodgy. Be best if we know there’s help on the way, yeah?”

  “Give me a few minutes. If we can sort this without going in mob-handed it’s going to be safer for everyone. If I’m not back in five minutes that’ll make it ten past, then bring in the troops. I’m just going to have a look.”

  Jordan zipped up his jacket. The pain in his back had lessened and though he still felt stiff and awkward, he could move more easily. Whether it was the effect of all the painkillers or a genuine improvement, he didn’t know. It could even be adrenalin. Whatever it was he was grateful for the ease. He fished a short spade out of the boot and then turned, lowered his head against the driving rain, and crossed the road. There were no lights on in the converted barn and no car on the paved area outside the door. A narrow path down the side of the big building led to a gravelled parking area. The blue car they had searched for countrywide was pulled into the corner against the garden wall. Only one cottage in the short row showed any lights and there were no other cars in the yard.

  Wiping water from his face, Jordan sprinted across the open space and, crouching below the level of the windows, he approached the third little dwelling.

  Peering through the glass, he could see a small, cosy room with a couple of easy chairs and a settee grouped in front of a wood burner. In the corner there was a dining table with four seats around it. Beyond a door at the back of the room he could make out a narrow kitchen. There were clothes piled on every chair and the table was littered with takeaway boxes and dirty dishes. He could see no one. In the corner opposite to the kitchen was another door, partly open, the light spilling out into the living room.

  He backed away from the front of the cottages and ran around the corner of the block, splashing through the puddles and skidding on wet stones.

  There was no need to crouch as he strode along the narrow pathway at the rear of the cottages. They had no windows but all five of them had heavy, wooden, stable type doors. All were closed apart from the third one where the top part was slightly ajar. As he watched, a cloud of cigarette smoke puffed out into the rain, disappearing as soon as it hit the saturated air. After a few moments, a glowing butt was flicked onto the stone walkway landing with a tiny shower of sparks. There was a short, shouted conversation in Spanish and the top of the door slammed shut. Jordan moved closer and stood beside the cottage, listening. He could feel the thud of his heart in his chest. He had to make a judgement call. Mariano didn’t know they were there, yet. So, they could wait, call for backup and trust the thugs would do nothing to hurt Molly before they had the chance to storm the cottage. Or he could act now. Bring them out into the yard to Eddie. Then, unarmed except for this
short spade and with only Terry to help, they could try to bring the girl to safety themselves. The second option was obviously ridiculous and ill-advised. He would go back to the car and wait.

  As he splashed his way back down the side of the terrace of cottages, his phone which was on silent, vibrated again. He dragged it from his pocket to see another re-directed message.

  Okay. You don’t even answer. Now you will no longer have a sister. This is your fault.

  His throat dried and as he pushed the phone back into his pocket a scream of terror filled his ears.

  They had run out of time.

  Chapter 65

  Jordan scurried back, retracing his steps to stand near the corner of the row of cottages where he was hidden from view. After the scream there was nothing except for the rumbling thunder in the distance and the pound of rain on the roofs. He should let Terry know what was happening. He typed a quick SMS and slid the phone back into his pocket.

  Crouching low again, he moved along the front of the terrace until he was beside cottage number three. He peered through the window, resisting the urge to wipe away the raindrops racing down the dirty glass and dripping onto the soaking paving. Water ran from his hair and into his eyes, he blinked it away.

  The man who must be Mariano stood in the middle of the room. One of the dining chairs had been pulled away from the table and Molly McCardle was huddled on the seat. She was dirty and dishevelled, hunched forward with her arms wrapped around her, hair falling in a tangle over her face. Behind her, gripping one of the girl’s shoulders, was Lili, the woman Eddie McCardle had described as unstable. Jordan could see no guns and wondered if Eddie had been exaggerating the threat. But Lili raised a hand which held what looked like a large kitchen knife. So, even if there were no firearms in the little house, there were weapons.

  Molly was still alive. That was a huge positive. She was in distinct and immediate danger. It would be legal for him to burst in and attempt to bring her out. Jordan looked down at the spade in his hand. It seemed feeble and ridiculous now. But it was all he had and if there were no guns then he at least had the element of surprise on his side. He couldn’t crouch here and do nothing.

  Another transferred text message came into his phone.

  It is too late now. You were warned.

  He turned the spade in his hand so he could hold it just below the blade and the heavy wooden handle became a ram. With a massive yell he drew back his arms and thrust at the window. The old single glazing shattered easily, sending shards flying into the room. Before either of the thugs inside had time to react, Jordan stepped along the pathway to the front door, where he didn’t waste time with the doorknob. With all the strength of his shoulders, aided by surging adrenalin, he smashed at the lock and then kicked the door open into the room.

  All three of the occupants turned towards him. Molly was terrified, her mouth a shocked oval, eyes wide with fear. Lili’s face twisted into an ugly sneer and Mariano looked simply angry as he swivelled towards Jordan. Molly screamed yet again as the Spaniard raised the gun that had been hidden from view in front of his body. He pointed it first towards Jordan in the corner by the door and then swung back and aimed it directly at the sobbing woman. Lili reached out and gathered a handful of Molly’s hair in her fist and dragged her head back. She reached around and placed the blade of the kitchen knife against Molly’s throat and then stopped to look directly at her boyfriend.

  The pause seemed endless, the main sound in the cottage was the gurgle of rain in the drains. If he didn’t act, then it was all over for both of them. The spade in his hand seemed precious little against an evil-looking gun and a knife at Molly’s throat.

  Mariano was the first to move, taking a step towards Molly and brandishing the gun. With a great shout, Jordan leaped forward, sliding his hands down the wooden handle and turning the spade. There was a startling flash of white light and a roar. Jordan thought it was the retort of the gun as it was discharged, deafening in the small space. But there was no pain, and he was still moving, surging forward swinging his makeshift weapon from side to side. There was a second flash and crash and he realised it was the storm moving through. Mariano glanced at the broken window, at the flapping curtains, the rain blowing through the gaps, running down the walls and pooling on the floor. Jordan lashed out. The blade of the spade connected with Mariano’s arm, knocking the gun from his grasp and across the room where it slid to a stop under the dining table.

  Lili was yelling now, words that Jordan could not understand but the meaning of them was all too clear as she pulled back her arm and lunged with the blade at Molly, still screaming on the little wooden seat.

  Jordan leapt towards Molly. He kicked out at the legs of the wooden chair, knocking it from under her. She toppled sideways throwing out her arms to save herself and the blade of the knife sliced into the muscle of her bicep. She screeched again but scuttled on her hands and knees across the floor. He stepped over her to where Lili still held the blood-stained blade. He lifted the spade high above his head and brought it down onto the hands holding the knife. He heard the crack as something broke in her arms or wrists and she bellowed in pain. The knife slid across the wooden floor towards where Molly knelt sobbing, her hand pressed against the gash in her arm, blood gushing through her fingers.

  “Get out, Molly, run.” Jordan’s yell was lost in another crash of thunder and anyway the girl was too terrified to react, shocked into a stupor on the cottage floor.

  “Molly, run. Eddie is outside waiting for you.” He tried again and she raised her eyes to look at him.

  Lili was curled into a ball in the corner groaning and rocking back and forth, broken hands curled in towards her chest.

  Jordan turned to face Mariano. The big man had taken up a fighter’s pose, legs bent, and fists clenched. He snorted through his nose and jinked from side to side. His quick glances to the space under the table told Jordan just what he had in mind. With the spade held across the front of his body he stepped forward. From the corner of his eye he could see Molly was crab walking towards the door, sobbing and gulping but still moving and at least heading in the right direction.

  Mariano wanted the gun. Jordan very much didn’t want him to have it. They faced off stepping side to side. If he could hold him long enough Molly would have a chance to get away. One problem removed.

  Jordan heard Lili shifting in the corner, she was behind him. This wasn’t good. He stepped backwards towards the centre of the room. He could see them both now, but he was further away from the table and the gun that lay beneath it.

  Molly dragged herself up grabbing at the door frame and managing to stand. She half fell, half stepped out into the rain, crying out for her brother. Mariano turned quickly, she was his prize, he didn’t want to lose her. It was only a moment of distraction, but it was enough. Jordan pulled back his arms stretched high and swung the spade, aiming it directly at the other man’s head.

  The noise was sickening – a cross between a thud and an odd squelch. Mariano crumpled to the floor. Lili screamed but quieted quickly when Jordan turned towards her. “Stay there. Just stay there,” he said.

  He reached his foot under the table and hooked the gun towards himself. He bent and retrieved the knife, juggling both weapons in one hand. He flung them out into the rain and staggered from the room pulling the door closed after him. Terry appeared around the corner. Molly was nowhere in sight.

  “Boss, you alright, boss?”

  “Molly?” Jordan managed to gasp.

  “She’s over in the car. Eddie is seeing to her. She’s bleeding all over your seats.”

  “Okay, good.” Jordan felt his knees begin to wobble. The adrenalin that had seen him through the last few long minutes ebbed and he leaned against the soaking wall of the little cottage. He took in a couple of deep breaths and then turned to peer inside through the broken window. Mariano was still in a heap on the floor, a worrying pool of blood spreading from under his head. Lili had crawled across a
nd sat beside him keening.

  “The troops are on the way, boss. Are you okay, are you actually hurt?”

  “Yeah. I’m okay – I just need to sit down for a minute.” As he spoke the world turned grey at the edges and Terry ran towards him his arms outstretched as Jordan slid down the wall to sit in a puddle of gritty, grey water on the step of the little cottage. He lowered his head towards his knees as much as his injured back would allow and listened to the scream of sirens growing in the distance.

  Chapter 66

  The road was closed off with crime scene tape. Blue and white cars were pulled across the junction and the place was thronged with first responders. Molly had been bandaged and stretchered to the back of a waiting ambulance. She had begged for Eddie to be allowed to go with her but there was no way it could happen. In fact, he was in the back of a squad car wearing handcuffs and a worried expression.

  Jordan had repeated his rights and they were taking him directly to St Anne Street to be questioned by the Serious and Organised crime team. They were puzzled about the delay and diversion but just happy they would have him before the day was out. Yes, if he was being honest with himself Jordan felt bad, as if he’d misled McCardle. But he was a criminal when all was said and done and now, he would face the consequences of his actions. His mother was dead, and Jordan couldn’t imagine how he would ever find peace with the idea that he had been to blame.

  In the cottage, they were patching up Lili and her damaged hands and Mariano was hooked up to infusions, laid on a back board with a cervical collar protecting his neck. He was still unconscious and the doctor who had accompanied the ambulances had been non-committal about his condition. Jordan had looked for reassurance that the injuries were not life-threatening, but none had been forthcoming.