I Can See You
Page 22
Mayweather nodded. She had received her invitation to the ‘top-secret’ briefing just that morning. She said. “What about Cotter or Mr. Roberts? What’s happening there?”
“The pair of them are going to make it,” said Sharples. “The bullet only just grazed a shoulder so they’re going to live. They’re in a secure facility near Cheltenham. I’ve been to see them and it’s not good news.
“There are two fully formed personalities in there and they are fighting for control. The Cotter character is quite lucid and has confirmed Jonathan’s theory. He did implant the chip in his own head and at first it seemed to work. His cognitive function improved massively and that is when he got the idea of challenging Roper to a sort of duel, without telling him he was taking part in one.
“But now I have had a chance to talk to him, it is clear the man is a psychopath. His plan to steal the chip was extraordinary for both its daring and the fact that he was indifferent to murdering his mentor.
“With the chip in place his aggressive side started to assert itself. That’s when he came up with his crazy plan to not only prove he was better than Roper, but to actually kill him.” She looked at Hooley. “He says you were next in line because he needed to make sure Jonathan hadn’t left any secrets with you.” The DCI looked rueful.
“Back to the plan to kill Jonathan. As far as I can tell that is the point at which the Mr. Roberts character appeared. At first neither knew about the other, but now they do. It has made Roberts become psychotic in his determination to get at Cotter, and Cotter is terrified he will.
“It’s quite a horrific thought, but he is being hunted by himself. I have no idea if they will ever be able to confront each other, but Mr. Roberts wants Cotter dead. Heaven knows what will happen if he succeeds.
“What is fascinating is that there are genuinely two people in there, that sort of thing is incredibly rare, and, if I dare say it, incredibly interesting.” She noticed the stares she was getting. “Speaking as a psychologist and doctor, finding new conditions is always rewarding.”
Hooley had been listening closely. “I have enough trouble with me. I’d hate to think there was a worse version of me in there as well.” He tapped his forehead. “I wouldn’t wish that on my worst enemy, although Cotter does seem to have brought it on himself. What’s going to happen long term?”
“Well, I think that will be talked about at the meeting this afternoon, but I don’t think they can just close this down because there are too many murder victims. Those families need some sort of closure from this.”
“They’re looking at some sort of secret trial at the Old Bailey,” said Mayweather. “The families can know some of what happened, at least that Cotter is the killer, but not much more. Cotter or Mr. Roberts, is clearly not fit to stand trial and will be sent to a secure hospital.”
Roper piped up, his voice still sounding weak. “Was I right in thinking Cotter was stealing industrial and military secrets?”
“You were bang on the money. He had stolen some especially valuable software programs that are worth millions. Not that I can tell you that.
“The Cotter character also revealed that poor Tom Bennett had his own invention used against him. He has told us where to find all the surveillance tech he hid around the man’s home.
“He was able to manipulate his position at GCHQ to do that, but should never have been able to. That also allowed him to hack Scotland Yard computers so he could keep an eye on you and your team.” This last statement was aimed at Mayweather.
Sharples added. “It’s caused quite a stir in the security section. The head man is off to spend more ‘time with his family’ and his deputy has taken over. So hopefully the next madman won’t get so far.”
She turned back to Roper and fixed him with a warm smile. “As you can imagine, Jonathan, with all that on their plates, the decision to let you off for a bit of email hacking was quite easy. So now you’re home free. What are you going to do? If you’d like to start again at GCHQ you’d be welcomed with open arms, but maybe you’d like a break?”
Hooley intervened. “Before you decide that I’m guessing you will be coming back to my place for a few days? Give yourself a chance to recover. I’ve already got enough food in to feed a football team. Should last a couple of days.”
Mayweather looked over at Roper. “We’ve all been talking about you. The view is that after what you’ve been through it might be best if you came back to the Yard for a little while. That way Brian and I can keep an eye on you.” She stopped. “Does that sound OK to you?”
Roper could only nod. He seemed to have got something in his eye
THE END
Thank you for reading my second novel in the Jonathan Roper Investigates series.
I wanted to create a character who was a little bit different and I think Roper fits that bill. His autism and lack of social skills provide him with both insights and problems. My sense that Roper would be an interesting fit for the modern world was influenced by my autistic son. He is non-verbal but despite this it has been heart-warming to see him develop; partly down to the brilliant support of so many carers, but also because of his own determination. This determination is a trait he shares with Roper. It was always my intention that the Roper series should be regarded as series of “page turning thrillers”, each one capable of being read alone. While it offers some small insights into the autistic world, I also wanted to show some of the unexpected side of autism. There can be humour there and I hope that my portrayal of the relationship between Roper and his long-suffering boss, Brian Hooley, demonstrates that.
I am a self-published author and would really be grateful if you could leave me a review on Amazon. The number of reviews a book accumulates on a daily basis has a direct impact on sales. So just leaving a review, no matter how short, helps make it possible for me to continue to do what I love… writing. All you have to do is click on the link below and scroll down to the bottom of the page where you will see the option to write a review - Thank you
I Can See You ~ Review
Be the first to receive news on new Jonathan Roper and Brian Hooley adventures by visiting my website at www.michael-leese.com and become a VIP reader (I promise to only contact you with news of new launches). You can also write to me at the following email address: hello@michael-leese.com – I always enjoy reading your comments and thoughts about Roper, Hooley and Mayweather, and I do my best to respond to all correspondence.
Also available in the Jonathan Roper Series…
Going Underground
A gang of mercenaries is causing mayhem in London. Scotland Yard sends for Jonathan Roper and Brian Hooley. They unearth a terrifying conspiracy between human traffickers and unscrupulous scientists who need a steady flow of young victims to fuel a search for eternal life.
Read Going Underground
The Long Reach
London is the target of a terrorist plot to detonate a dirty bomb in the perfect location to spread a radioactive cloud through the British capital. All eyes turn to Jonathan Roper and Brian Hooley in a battle that will go down to the wire.
Read The Long Reach
To Kill A Critic ~ A Short Story
Successful critics make enemies. So, when the most famous critic of them all is found hanging in luxury tower, no one thinks its suicide. Jonathan Roper and Brian Hooley need to eliminate hundreds of suspects from the worlds of theatre, TV and film to find the killer.
Read To Kill A Critic
Coming very soon…Spring 2019
Just Kill Them
The British Royal Family are put on alert to flee London after a devastating series of terror attacks leave hundreds dead and injured, including a Tech Titan. But an unexpected twist means Brian Hooley has run out of time and Jonathan Roper may have to go it alone.
DON’T FORGET! Make sure you get the news of the release date… join my reader VIP list at www.michael-leese.com
Copyright © Michael Leese 2017
The rig
ht of Michael Leese to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced, stored in or transmitted into any retrieval system, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise) without the prior written permission of the publisher. Any person who does any unauthorised act in relation to this publication may be liable to criminal prosecution and civil claims for damages.
This is a work of fiction, Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
ISBN: 9781521517338
Imprint: Independently published