by Jack Steele
I felt like shouting at them because no one had witnessed the attack on Miranda. Attached to many of the lampposts in the street were signs indicating ‘This is a Home watch area’ which was a joke seeing what had happened earlier here.
Carl sensed my hurt and opened his passenger door for me. He didn’t need to say anything. I knew he was hurting just as much as I was. After cursing under my breath I got into his car and we drove off to yet another hospital. I just prayed that both Stella and Miranda were still alive.
Chapter 30
Stella tried to focus as gradually her vision returned. The room was first a blur and she felt nauseous but it was the constant whispers that made her realise where she was.
‘Over here! It’s me.’ Miranda’s voice cracked with emotion as Stella finally lifted her head and looked over from the other side of the room.
‘Miranda is that you?’
‘Yes it’s me!’ she immediately replied sobbing. Stella tried to pick out her friend in the poor light which flickered occasionally through a gap in the door. It was then she made out the outline of a limb in the middle of the room just a few feet away from her followed by the body underneath what looked like a piece of sackcloth. She realised that the living nightmare of capture by the sadistic psychopath Geb Blood had just became a reality.
Miranda was crying so much that Stella asked her what was wrong. She was obviously upset at being here but the amount of tears sounded more like something else. Could it be relief that she was no longer alone and this was an outpouring of relief?
‘What is it Miranda? Why are you crying?’
Stella was thrown by her friend’s reply.
‘I’ve kept a dark secret from you all these years and now I have to tell you before we die. I’m so sorry Stella. This is all my fault.’
Chapter 31
Carl and I had visited Andy who was now being moved onto a ward for overnight observation. He had family arriving soon so we left him and promised to check on him in the morning.
The route back to mine took us past the docks and along the river Thames. The full Moon was the largest I could remember. The orange hue appeared to highlight the many craters and lunar swirls on the surface.
A small riverboat had chugged along the river just ahead of us, causing small waves to cut through the Moon’s reflection. It danced on the wake and created different shapes with the distortion.
It made me think how things can be distorted by another’s actions. My opinions of my colleagues instantly sprang to mind. How Stern could be portrayed as achieving the pinnacle of his career in the establishment of the Strategic Investigation Unit, when he is merely a pawn of the Mafia. I had looked up to him and had even placed him on a pedestal. To me he offered the zenith of everything I would work towards, a successful law enforcer with vast experience and a loving family behind him. Now all that seemed to be in tatters.
Carl was still none the wiser to my conversation with Stern so I invited him up for a coffee as I felt bad about my attitude earlier.
We reached the Penthouse. I opened the door, kicked off my shoes and threw my keys into the burgundy bowl on top of the beech unit in the hallway. I picked up the remote and switched on the television and then poured filtered water into the kettle.
‘What happened here?’ Carl saw the smashed beer bottle and the stain where it hit the wall. Glass was everywhere.
‘Be careful mate.’ I got a dustpan and brush from under the sink and proceeded to brush up all the glass. Then I vacuumed the area to ensure I wouldn’t cut myself on a piece I had missed. To finish off I took kitchen roll and a cleaning agent to the wall and wood panelled flooring to remove any sign of the beer. Carl made us a brew and we sat down at the table.
‘First of all I am sorry for not being myself last night but you can blame Stern who drops the mother of all bombshells on me, so I am struggling to cope.’
‘I’m here for you man. Can you tell me what he said?’
There were no qualms about letting Carl know everything. Over this past year together we had gradually built up enough trust that now we both know each other inside out.
First of all I explained all the things buzzing around my head. ‘I’m feeling totally stressed Carl and I don’t know how to deal with it. Questions like where is Miranda? Where is Blood? Who had escaped with him and is assisting in his sick vendetta?’
I explained Stern’s gambling addiction brought on by the ravages of war. It was seized upon by the Stettsi family who now have him right where they want him.
‘Do you remember during the investigation with the family how Stern dealt with issues personally? We had our suspicions which now seem justified. I have something to tell you buddy.’
‘I’m all ears.’
‘Stern opened up last night and told me something which I have been mulling over most of the night. He hinted that where we are sitting right now is owned by the Mafia.’
Carl’s eyes widened and he looked astonished. He let out a gasp and sat back in his chair. I waited as the gravity of it sank in, all I wanted was for him to listen and maybe provide me with another perspective.
‘If Gemma returns and finds out that we are living in an apartment with connections to the Mafia then who knows how she will react? I could end up losing her again if she has a relapse Carl.’
Carl nodded and then came up with a possible way out.
‘Listen Joe, move in with me. I have a spare room and we can make sure that if Geb shows up then he has two of us to deal with.’
It was a kind gesture and one I thanked him for but there had to be another way. Besides I thought it would do him good to move out of Bannister House and start afresh.
‘I think we should both consider our options and move somewhere that there are no attachments to where we live.’
‘I know you mean my mother but thanks to her this mortgage is now paid off and prices are rising fast. I can wait a while longer until the market tops out and then decide.’
Is that the only reason you wish to stay?
‘You know that I was so close to my mother and I feel that I can’t just leave there. I feel her spirit flowing through those rooms.’
It sounded like poetry with a twist of creepy on the side. We were both in a difficult situation.
‘I feel like I am spinning so many plates at the moment that at any minute they will all come crashing down. You would think we were at a Greek wedding.’
Carl smiled at my attempt at humour as he looked around the room; his eyes fell upon the French doors.
‘Let’s get some fresh air.’
He slid open the doors and we stepped out to take a look at the view. It was a mild evening and the sounds of laughter and music drifted up from a yacht sailing along the Thames. Their party was in full swing and I was transported to one of the many evenings we sat outside drinking beer and watching the boats travel past up the Thames towards Westminster.
The barbeque was covered over now but just a few months ago we had the team over celebrating the successful conclusion to another investigation. Needless to say Jasper had declined the invitation. We started a private WhatsApp account that night and some of the photos posted on it showed a unit that were extremely tight. I remember watching Miranda and Stella getting so drunk that they had to sleep in my bed that night with a plastic bowl on the floor just in case.
To be totally honest Carl, you and Gemma are the only ones I trust enough to put my guard down. I am seriously struggling to cope with Gemma, the commander, this case, no break and the media. It’s all too much.’
‘Plus you have had me to contend with too’
‘That I can deal with, I know you have my back and can relax when you are around. You never let me down mate.’
My thoughts were interrupted as my attention was drawn to the television. The news headlines were centred on the grisly find of a butchered body in Victoria Park. There was a large Police presence and I listened to hear if the body had been identified.
The Commissioner had asked me to call him if something important was on my mind but my attempt went to voicemail. I left a message to call me back as soon as possible.
‘Are you thinking what I am thinking Joe?’
‘Yes I just want to know it’s not one of them.’ I looked across to the skyline of Greenwich. Miranda and Stella were out there somewhere. We had to find them but with all the resources at our disposal they had simply disappeared.
The second item of news was my interview in front of the Royal Brompton Hospital. It was strange watching me give an interview to camera with the bright lights making my skin look pasty and in need of a much needed break away in the sun. It reminded me of the ordeal of a live television briefing tomorrow morning and my stomach churned at the mere thought of it.
‘Thank goodness they haven’t gone for the Detective Joe Stone and his crap private life angle.’
Carl snorted a chuckle, taking a large gulp of his tea and pointed to the television.
‘I look like your minder standing there with my arms crossed!’
We both had a laugh at that and I was thankful to him for that as I wondered whether I would ever laugh again. The questions concerning our current investigation prompted me to call Jasper hoping he would have something for me.
I pulled out my mobile and pressed his speed dial number which he surprisingly answered.
‘Joe. What’s up?’
‘Hi there Jasper, have you any news?’ Usually he would have been obstructive or vague but tonight he was a different person.
‘I managed to track down some of my contacts. After a lot of running around and several meetings and pay-offs, I believe by the morning I will know who the three are that escaped from Broadmoor!’
Chapter 32
The morning sunrise was spectacular with the sky a mix of orange and red. I paused admiring the view while standing on the decking outside. If it hadn’t have been for the fact that I was fully dressed in my suit it would have been the briefest of ventures outside due to the cool temperature. I returned to the kitchen and set about preparing Carl his morning mug of tea. Anything to take my mind off the press conference that would take place in around three hours. I had made some notes and had practised my speech earlier in the shower
At precisely 7 o’clock the elevator reached my floor and I opened the door. Carl looked really smart in his suit. It was the same one he had worn for his mother’s funeral just a few days ago. I had offered him the chance to kip down at mine last night for safety reasons but he preferred to go home to get his suit and stay there.
‘You ok mate?’ I asked knowing full well that I wasn’t the only one feeling the pressure of back to back cases but he also had to deal with the grieving process. I had tried to negotiate with him about taking some time off and seek medical help but his answer was to keep going without having to think about his mother passing away. We all deal with things in different ways and my needs were split between his well-being and having him around to watch my back.
‘Tired but what’s new! Hopefully we can get a stakeout today and I can get some shut eye.’
I laughed at his take on a stakeout. We stood by the French doors preferring to watch the sky from inside where it was warmer. Carl mentioned the beautiful sunsets in Jamaica and promised that after this case was over he would take me to visit his family there because we have earned a vacation.
‘I want things to go back to how they were Joe. When I first started at the SIU the pace seemed slower and not like it is today.’
I completely understood where he was coming from especially now we are always being scrutinised by the media. At the moment they are saying what a great job we are doing but we all felt they were treading water waiting for us to fail and then bring it all crashing down around us.
Our Commander would have deflected some of that attention so that we could carry out our jobs without intrusion or interruption. It was a welcome thought that he said he would take the helm later on today, but I couldn’t see the medical team releasing him so soon. Before that happened I was in charge and to be honest I wasn’t enjoying the spotlight.
While we drank our tea we discussed the phone call with Jasper.
‘He assured me that this morning he will know who the three fugitives are.’
‘That’s great news! Isn’t it?’
Carl must have seen the look on my face.
I rubbed my chin. It felt coarse around my jaw which made me realise I had forgotten to shave this morning such was my attention on giving the media my speech later. I quickly grabbed my electric razor from the bedroom chest of drawers and chatted to Carl while looking in the bathroom mirror.
‘What if there were more than three that escaped? I am not sure that Jasper could ever be trusted to bring this investigation to a conclusion.’
It occurred to me that he hadn’t provided anything positive in the past to convict those we had sent down.
I returned to Carl who was still sitting at the table. My chin was stinging with the aftershave burn. We were about to head to work relying on someone who we didn’t trust.
‘What are we to do Carl?’
He looked up at me then rapped the table with his clenched fist. ‘I know what we must do and that’s to find our team!’
‘Damn right!’ We fist pumped and made our way downstairs to reception. I had a brief chat with Norman, the concierge, who promised to entertain me later with more of his exploits when he was a spy.
I hoped that we had this case wrapped up by then but little did I know that this investigation had more twists to come before we found Geb Blood’s hideout.
Chapter 33
The morning briefing was turning into a joke. In two hours there would be a press conference regarding our new investigation but Carl and I were the only ones in the room! Graham and Jasper were late and I could not recall any other time that there were no women present.
Graham pushed open the door. It was the first time that I had seen him without his large ginger beard. He looked at both of us then offered an explanation.
‘I thought it would throw Blood off my trail. It gets creepy here at night and I got the sense that I was being watched. When I saw pictures of you on the news last night it made me think that I needed to do something drastic so I could remain elusive.’
It certainly worked as I wouldn’t have recognised him if he passed me in the street.
I glanced at Carl. His hulking figure would prove difficult to become anonymous and lately I was on all the networks. We would have to remain vigilant if we were on Geb Blood’s hit list.
Jasper finally arrived a few minutes later and did a double take when he saw Graham, giving a sarcastic chuckle as he threw his thick black coat over a vacant chair. I watched as Graham’s eyes screwed up with contempt at his colleague’s uncompassionate nature. It was clear that Jasper was unable to empathise with anyone which could account for how he survived as an undercover operative all these years.
Carl’s fist hit the table making his feelings known.
‘What the hell is wrong with you man!’ it was an uncharacteristic outburst from my colleague, ‘we are all worried sick about those two and we know we are next. Unlike you Peach, we all have our faces on view. If Graham wants to change his appearance then I don’t blame him. So cut him some slack!’
It shook Jasper up a little to see the veins standing up in Carl’s neck and he mumbled an apology to Graham.
‘Well said mate.’ I whispered.
Jasper immediately passed around some printed documents from his new folder. He took in a deep breath with us waiting expectantly; he must have loved the feeling of holding court.
‘OK here is the news we have been waiting for. I have managed to find out the identities of the two other fugitives who escaped from Broadmoor.’
He looked at our faces as thoughts rushed into my brain. How did he come by this information? Can his sources be relied on to give us an accurate identity? How can they know, when we
have all the police departments in London and GCHQ searching for information?
Jasper continued with his findings as I scanned the document which highlighted three names.
‘Two of the three people that escaped were Geb Blood and Jez Cross. Both detained indefinitely at Broadmoor for being totally deranged. The third person was in fact a clinical nurse manager who my sources believe is one Nigel Stamford. He was in charge of their wing and both Blood and Cross, being two of the most dangerous characters in there, decided to drag him along with them. Needless to say I don’t give much hope for his long term prospects.’
The scant regard for his life made me feel rage. Here was a man doing a job which quite frankly must be one of the toughest there is, he may have a family or friends who would all feel a great hole in their lives if he was murdered by these psychopaths. He was as important to find as Stella and Miranda.
Jez Cross was someone I didn’t know anything about so I looked at his profile on the sheet of A4 in front of me.
He was in the same wing as Blood and the information listed his numerous arrests for GBH, ABH and murder. The worrying nature of his schizophrenia was highlighted during the trial. Here was a man that could hold down a job, have a wife and for all intents and purposes be normal one minute, but could turn into a violent and aggressive thug the next. Prison wasn’t going to give him the specialised care and treatment that could help him curb his angry outbursts so he was sent to Broadmoor instead.
I studied his photo in which he looked particularly aggressive. He was bald with thick eyebrows and dark brown eyes. His head was pointing down but the pupils were almost disappearing into his skull. He looked totally evil, ready to pounce. Despite that he reminded me of the actor Lenny McLean who declared in the eighties that he was The Guv’nor. I had read his life story and wondered whether Cross aspired to be like him. Another photo showed him from the side with a thin goatee beard and a teardrop tattoo on his left cheek.
‘Who did he murder?’ I asked due to the lack of that particular information on the profile sheet.
