Kate sat down opposite him.
“What do you mean?”
“Well, if it weren’t for the video, it would all add up. There’s nothing implausible in what she said.”
“But we do have the video.”
“Which was sent to us, not recovered by us.”
“Does that matter?”
“Not in the grand scheme of things, no.”
“Is it enough for the CPS, the video?”
Malcolm paused before replying. He had spoken to Jon Brandon down at the NCA, and asked him the same question. Jon had just laughed.
“Yes, definitely. If she’s convicted, she’ll be looking at fourteen years. Possibly more because of the international element.” He sipped his drink before putting the polystyrene cup back down, still unsure if it was tea or coffee. “Good Lord, that’s rancid. If Miss Flynn’s switched on, which she is—even without Paul Dewar in the wings—she’ll go for the coercion element. He made her do it, Your Honour. It won’t get her off, but it would reduce the sentence quite significantly.”
“Flynn’s not got much else she can use to mitigate it, has she?”
“What’s the story with you and her, anyway?” Malcolm asked, deliberately looking out of the window as he did so.
“What do you mean?”
“Kate, it’s obvious there’s more than just the normal animosity between the police and defence lawyers there.” He turned to look at her. “What’s the story?”
“It’s nothing, Malcolm. We just had a bit of a run in outside work, that’s all.”
“What do you mean, run in?”
“It was nothing. Just a personal thing.”
“Kate, look at me.” When she did, he deliberately kept his expression neutral. “Tell me in confidence if you need to. I don’t want something coming back to bite us on this later on. She’s sharp. Don’t take this the wrong way, but she would rip you to shreds on the stand.”
Kate sighed, a resigned look appearing on her face.
“We had a bit of a, er, a thing a while ago.”
Malcolm felt his neutral expression start to slip, and he had to work to keep it in place.
“What sort of thing?”
“It was nothing. Just a bit of a fumble in a club. It didn’t go anywhere.”
“Oh,” Malcolm replied, surprised. “Right. Well, that could be awkward. You don’t need me to tell you that having a bit of a fumble with a defence lawyer probably isn’t the best move for a copper, do you?”
“No, sir,” Kate said. At least she had the good grace to look contrite, Malcolm thought. He wanted to tell the young woman not to shit on her own doorstep but, from the look on her face, he didn’t need to.
“Right, I think we need to speak to the CPS. See if they’re happy for us to move to charging McGuire.”
“Can I ask you something, Malcolm?” He looked at Kate, picking up on the change back to the use of his first name.
“Sure, fire away.”
“You’re not convinced, are you?”
“I wasn’t until that video turned up.”
“But it was your idea to look at her?” Malcolm regarded Kate carefully, but could see that there was no malice in the question.
“It was, you’re right.” He tapped the side of his nose. “But this has been wrong before, and it will be again.”
Just as he said this, his phone started vibrating in his pocket.
“Griffiths?” Malcolm said as he answered it.
“Hey sir, it’s Elizabeth down in technical support. Have you got a second?”
“Elizabeth, you know I’ve got all the time in the world for you.” It was true. Malcolm had had a soft spot for the woman who ran their technical support department since the day she’d started.
“You old charmer,” she replied with a laugh. Malcolm grimaced at the way she used the word old to describe him. “We’ve got the laptops from the McGuire case with us.”
“Have you found anything?”
“We’ve not done a deep dive yet, but the initial scans aren’t throwing anything up. My lads are on them at the moment seeing as the laptops both arrived with biscuits, but there’s something just cropped up on the woman’s laptop that I thought you might be interested in?”
“Hold on, I’m going to put you on speaker. I’m here with DC Hunter.” Malcolm fiddled with the screen and when he managed to turn on the speaker, put the phone down on the table between him and Kate. “Okay Elizabeth, fire away.”
“Right, so we’ve been in her Gmail account to try to retrieve these alleged e-mails, and we’re not having much joy on that front. But she’s just had an interesting e-mail. Let me read it out.”
Malcolm listened intently as Elizabeth read out the e-mail demanding another ten thousand pounds.
“Can you trace it?” he asked, hopefully.
“It’s from a Protonmail account, which are impossible to get into properly. We have traced the route, though. It’s from an Internet cafe in Denpasar which, according to Google, is in Bali. I’m looking at it now on Google Streetview.”
“Could you send me the details?”
“Sure. I’ll ping them over now.”
“You’re a star, Elizabeth. Thank you.”
When he had disconnected the call, he turned to look at Kate.
“Interesting,” she said. “It doesn’t change anything, though.”
“Maybe whoever sent her the e-mail doesn’t know that we’ve got her in custody.”
“What are you thinking, boss?”
“I want you to set up a Skype call between us and the NCA. I’ll text Jon now and let him know, but I want to get their take on this.” Malcolm paused, his phone in his hand. “There might be something we can do.”
68
Laura walked into her office and opened the windows before sitting at her desk and turning her computer on. She thought about making a cup of tea, but she decided against it. When Gareth and Dave turned up, they could go to the coffee shop around the corner. Their milk would be more likely to be in date than the carton in her fridge. As she waited for the computer to boot up, she looked around the office.
There was something missing, but she couldn’t put her finger on exactly what. Obviously, Paul wasn’t there, but it wasn’t that. It was something else. As her eyes drifted around the interior, she realised what it was when they reached the grandfather clock. It was still, its deep resonant tick tock absent.
Laura got to her feet and crossed to the clock. She reached up and stroked the fine mahogany, wondering whether she should try to wind it up. Paul’s operation was scheduled for later that afternoon, and he had specifically asked her not to visit him.
“The last thing you need to see, my dear,” he had told her when she’d spoken to him on the phone, “is me in a hospital gown with my arse hanging out of the back.”
Sighing, Laura returned to her computer. She checked her e-mails, but other than routine business, there was nothing interesting. It took her a few moments to get the scanner working, but she managed to scan the paperwork that Gareth had signed. She attached the document to an e-mail to the CPS, requesting that she be allowed access to the full video for analysis and included her mobile number so they could call her.
“Bloody hell, it’s a bit posh in here,” a male voice boomed out. She jumped as Dave walked into the office. He was followed by Gareth who had a wry grin on his face.
“This, Dave, is how the other half live,” he said.
“You could sleep on this carpet,” Dave replied, rubbing his shoe across the pile. He looked at Laura and grinned. “Have you got any jobs going? Only my current boss is a bit of a knob.” Gareth playfully slapped his hand around Dave’s head.
“Shut up and make the tea,” Gareth said.
“I wouldn’t bother,” Laura said, smiling. “I think the milk might be a bit ropey. I was thinking we could go to Starbucks or somewhere. My treat.”
“Sounds good to me,” Gareth replied. “Someone’s spe
nt all the company funds on coffee, so I’m skint.”
Twenty minutes later, they were sitting in a small coffee shop on St Andrew’s Hill that, according to Dave, had much better coffee than Starbucks and was about half the price. Laura had walked past it hundreds of times and never been inside.
“So what’s next?” Dave asked as he sipped his latte.
“I’ve e-mailed the paperwork over to the CPS to get you access to the video. They’re normally pretty quick, and as Annette hasn’t been charged yet, the police clock is ticking.”
“Dave, you know it’s not going to be very pleasant, watching that video?” Gareth said.
“I know,” he replied, and Laura caught a fleeting look of concern on his face. “Can’t say I’m looking forward to it, but if it might help Annette, then I’m more than happy.”
“Good lad,” Gareth said. “When do you think they’ll charge her?”
“That’ll be up to the CPS, but I expect they’ll want Dave’s findings back first in case that changes anything.” Just as she said this, her phone rang. She excused herself and got to her feet to take the call outside the small coffee shop.
“Miss Flynn? This is Elizabeth Hyland from the technical support department at Wymondham Police Station.”
“That was quick,” Laura said. “I only sent the paperwork in about half an hour ago.”
“You must have caught the CPS on a good day, then.” The woman laughed, and Laura instantly warmed to her. “They’ve signed off all the authorisations for you, so you can come in whenever you want.”
“Okay, that’s brilliant. I’m with the consultants now so I’ll speak to them. Can I get you on this number?”
“Sure, that’s my mobile. Or just come in and ask for me.”
Laura thanked Elizabeth and disconnected the call before returning to the coffee shop. She sat down next to Gareth.
“That was Wymondham nick,” she said. “We can go in whenever.”
“We’ve got to go in there?” Dave asked. “I thought they would send us the file?”
“No chance, Dave,” Laura replied. “You’ll have to look at it on their computers.”
“But I’ve got some software I need to run?”
“You can probably install it on their computers, I expect.”
“It’s not really software I want to install on a police computer,” Dave said, glancing at Gareth. “It’s quite, er, bespoke.”
“What, illegal?” Laura asked, her eyebrows arched.
“No, not illegal. I wrote it myself.”
“They’re not going to steal your software, Dave,” Gareth said. “Just speak to the techies when you get there. I’m sure you can work it out between you.”
“Dave,” Laura said. “Do you want something to eat before we head over there?” He looked at the menu on the table briefly.
“Not really, Laura,” he replied. “I’m feeling a bit queasy already, to be honest.”
She leaned forward and put her hand over his.
“You’ll be fine,” Laura said, squeezing his hand. Dave looked at Gareth with a sheepish expression.
“You never mentioned this sort of thing at the job interview.”
69
“Afternoon, Malcolm,” Gareth said brightly as the policeman walked into the foyer of Wymondham Police Station. “We’re here to see the video that’s supposed to be of Annette.”
“Gareth, Laura,” Malcolm replied. “Good afternoon. Er, Gareth. I know the CPS have signed your firm off for this, but I’m not happy with you seeing this video when it involves your sister.”
“Malcolm, it won’t be Gareth doing the viewing,” Laura said, realising she should have included some more information in her e-mail. “Can I introduce you to Dave? He’s Gareth’s technical expert.”
Gareth stood back to let Dave shake Malcolm’s hand. He was relieved at what Malcolm had just said, but wasn’t about to say anything in front of them.
“Okay, follow me. Have you been here before, Dave?” Malcolm replied.
Gareth and Laura followed Malcolm as he led them through the security gates and into the bowels of the police station. Malcolm was talking to Dave as they walked, and although he couldn’t hear what they were saying, it was clear Malcolm was doing his best to reassure the young man.
“Do you think he’ll be okay?” Gareth whispered to Laura. “Will you be okay?” he added a few seconds later.
“I’m sure Malcolm will make sure we’re looked after,” she whispered back. “Look at him, he’s gone straight into Dad mode with Dave.”
“He’s a good bloke,” Gareth replied, looking around at the large open plan office they were walking through, “for a copper.”
“Can I introduce you both to Elizabeth Hyland?” Malcolm said a few moments later. They were standing outside a glass frosted door with the words ‘Technical Services’ written on the front. Gareth looked at the woman from his position a few steps back from the group as she shook hands with first Laura and then Dave. She was in her late-thirties to early forties, and had a matronly air about her. “She’s in charge of technical services. That’s Gareth Dawson, but he’s not viewing.” Gareth raised a hand in greeting and she walked over to shake his hand.
“Pleased to meet you all,” Elizabeth said, smiling warmly. “We do have a room set aside for you to use with one of our computers, but would you like to have a look round the lab first?”
Gareth smiled as he saw Dave nodding enthusiastically. The lad would be in his element.
“Shall we leave them to it?” Malcolm said to Gareth. “Come on, I’ll buy you a cup of something in the canteen if you want? I can’t stop for long, though. I’ve got a Skype call in about twenty minutes.”
“Sounds good to me,” Gareth replied. He turned to Laura and Dave, who were about to walk through the glass-fronted door to the lab. “I’ll wait in the car for you both. Text me if anything crops up.”
“Will do, boss,” Dave replied. Gareth looked at Laura, whose expression had changed to one of apprehension. Instinctively, he crossed to her and took her hands before leaning to whisper in her ear.
“Good luck, Laura,” Gareth said. “I’ll be thinking of you.” To his surprise, she kissed him on the cheek.
“Thank you.”
Gareth turned to Malcolm and, ignoring the curious expression he had on his face, walked over to him.
“Come on then, Malcolm. I don’t think a copper’s ever actually bought me a cup of coffee before, so I’m looking forward to this.”
“You might want to wait until you taste it before you say that.”
“Bloody hell, that’s rank, that is,” Gareth said a few moments later when he sipped his drink from a polystyrene cup. “I see what you mean.”
“There’s a coffee van that’s started coming round at lunchtime,” Malcolm replied with a grin. “If you’re waiting in the car park for those two, I would make sure you get there first when it turns up.”
“Why?” Gareth asked.
“Because there’ll be a queue half way back to Norwich when it does,” Malcolm said. “There always is.”
Gareth looked into his cup.
“I can see why,” he said. “How long do you think they’ll be?”
“That’ll be up to your lad, I would imagine. Elizabeth’s ever so good, though. She’ll take excellent care of them.” He paused for a second. “Can I ask you something, Gareth?”
“I didn’t think you could discuss the case with me?”
“Not about the case. Something personal?”
“Sure,” Gareth replied, wondering what Malcolm was about to ask him.
“Are you and Laura, er, together?”
“Bloody hell, Malcolm,” Gareth said, smiling at the policeman. “You should be a detective. You’d be really good at it.”
Malcolm laughed, but Gareth caught a momentary look of confusion on his face before he did.
“You’re a funny man, Gareth Dawson,” he said.
“It’s all a b
it new, to be honest. What with Jennifer and everything, it took me a while.”
“She’s a lovely woman. I think Laura and Jennifer would have been firm friends, had they met.”
“That would be a bit awkward,” Gareth said, prompting another laugh from Malcolm.
“Yes, wouldn’t it?” He glanced at his watch and Gareth knew he was about to be thrown out of the police station. “I’m going to have to go.”
“No problem, I’ll see myself out.”
“You will not. I’m not having you wandering round my police station unaccompanied. God knows what you’d walk out with tucked under your arm.” He got to his feet and put a hand on Gareth’s shoulder. “Now come on before I nick you for loitering with intent.”
Gareth nodded at a couple of uniformed police officers sitting in the corner of the canteen.
“I should get them to nick you, Malcolm.”
“What for?”
“Attempted poisoning,” Gareth replied, nodding at the polystyrene cup on the table.
As the two men walked back to the foyer of the police station, they chatted about nothing in particular. When they reached it, to Gareth’s surprise, Malcolm followed him through the security barriers.
“Gareth,” he said, just before they got to the main doors leading to the car park. “How are you holding up?”
“Who, me?” Gareth replied, not trying to hide his surprise.
“Yes, you,” Malcolm said. “This whole mess, it can’t be easy for you.”
“It’s Annette I’m concerned about, Malcolm.”
“Sure, I get that. But what about you?”
Gareth paused for a few seconds, thrown by the unexpected question. He looked at Malcolm, who was standing next to him with his hands in his pockets.
“I’m okay, I think,” Gareth said, eventually.
“I would say if there’s anything I can do let me know but, under the circumstances, that wouldn’t really work, would it?”
Single Handed (Gareth Dawson Series Book 3) Page 25
