by Jack Steele
She grew increasingly anxious when there was nothing, so how could she ensure that those who had been subjected to Blood’s heinous crimes were not going to die for nothing. There was a large risk that if her evidence was not conclusive, Blood could walk free. He was guilty of assaulting his teacher, classmates, and countless others and it was highly likely that once released he could be free to continue where he left off.
The CCTV evidence had ensured he was in the area but no cameras near the brickworks pinned him exactly to the scene. All she had to do was make sure he couldn’t get away with his unspeakable acts. There were no fingerprints at the brickworks because he had ensured all his tracks had been meticulously cleaned. So she had to manipulate the findings. There was plenty of DNA in the van of course and she planted that in various locations inside the brickworks.
Miranda was there to watch him be convicted. In her eyes she had managed to ensure that all those unfortunate souls had not died in vain.
When he left the courtroom he turned his head slowly and his dark evil eyes scanned the room and stopped at her. She suddenly felt a chill run down her spine as he resisted the attempts of the guards to move him along. He stood there transfixed on her as if he was communicating with her soul and promising to wreak his revenge on her. She broke eye contact and the next time she looked up he was gone.
The SIU was praised in the media for their success. Unfortunately Miranda couldn’t share in the celebrations, excusing herself to be at church, because it was a hollow victory. She had lied in order to not only convict in essence an innocent man, but to gain respect and strengthen her position in her first real job in a fast and dynamic police unit.
Now she was here to receive his justice and in some way it was as if it was divine retribution. Yet it wasn’t just her life endangered it was Stella’s and the rest of the team as well. So while Miranda prayed for their souls, Stella worked on how to escape from this hell-hole which was their only hope for survival.
Chapter 43
Carl and I were seated in the snug which was a room just off the main bar, waiting for the arrival of Jasper who apparently had some ‘very important news’. He asked to meet us away from headquarters which now had dozens of media networks camped outside.
The temperature had dropped significantly with an icy wind blowing down from the Arctic. Here inside the pub was a welcoming fire, warm and mesmerising as the flames danced along the logs which crackled and fizzed as they burned.
Carl picked up his pint of diet coke and took a large mouthful as Jasper entered the room.
‘Here you are hiding.’ He joked, holding out his hands towards the fire. I knew he would accept the offer of a drink so I pulled out my wallet, but Carl stood up and motioned that he would do the honours.
‘What you drinking?’ he asked.
Jasper turned around to warm his back and address Carl with mock surprise.
‘Ooh I will have a pint of bitter shandy please. Any will do. Surprise me.’ Jasper then spun back around as if practicing a dance move but this was more a vanity motion to check his appearance in the large ornate mirror hanging above the fireplace.
I could see through to the main bar where a lot of locals had gathered for the Monday Night Quiz. That always attracted a crowd. Carl had the same idea,
‘I’m going to have a better chance of being served through there so see you in a bit.’
Jasper took off his long black coat and threw it over the small ebony stool which we had reserved for him. He was wearing black trousers, black Italian shoes and a thick black cashmere jumper. It must have cost a pretty penny but knowing him they could all be on an expenses sheet to go with the position. I looked at him and he gave me a knowing smile, hinting that his news was likely to impress me. I had to wipe that smug look off his face.
‘You know Jasper. Let me start by saying if I were you I wouldn’t upset Carl today or ever. He is feeling particularly on edge right now, so if you do anything to annoy him just remember his fist is bigger than your face!’
He looked suitably unimpressed by the warning but I knew he would have taken it on board. I resented his attitude towards us. He gave the impression that he was better than us and we should be grateful for his company. Yet I had added to that by giving him a promotion so decided to cut him a little slack.
‘Anyway Jasper, I bet you will implode if you don’t get your news out into the open soon. What can you tell me that would cheer us all up?’
He sat on his coat and shuffled closer so as no one would overhear us, even though the small room was empty. He rubbed his hands on his thighs as he revealed his news.
‘I’ve lined up an interview with the ex-wife of Jez Cross who in return has asked us to take her into protective custody. I have agreed we will if the information leads to his arrest. She still lives in their house but he hasn’t returned there yet so the Met have sent someone round to protect her.’
I had to bite my tongue hard because I was the one who had given him this elevated status to make these sorts of decisions but there was an immense cost involved with safe houses and witness protection. Yet if her information could throw some light on where to find Cross then that could lead us to Blood and ultimately Stella and Miranda.
I decided to fill Jasper in with the meeting we had at Broadmoor earlier.
‘The Primary Nurse, Clinical Director and the Lead Psychologist all mentioned his fearsome temper being treated to curb his Sociopathic issues.’
‘Her name is….’ Jasper paused to check his phone. He obviously hadn’t registered what I had said which was an annoying trait of his. It made me feel that my information wasn’t important.
He scrolled through his phone to find his notes, preferring to use that rather than the more traditional pen and paper.
‘Donna Wolcott. Apparently they married in 1999 and divorced in 2001. She can fill us in on the details when we call round to her home at Camden Lock around 2pm.’
I checked my watch which gave us just over an hour. I had promised to keep one of my most reliable contacts in the loop, so when Carl returned I excused myself from the room and went outside to make the call. Sue Harrison was a journalist and we had become good friends over these past few days. We arranged to meet up in a Hackney coffee shop in thirty minutes time. It was en route to Mrs Wolcott’s flat where we would meet Jasper. I was still uneasy in his company so as far as I was concerned the less time we spent together then the better we got along.
I returned to the snug and warmed up once more by the fire. Carl joined us with Jasper’s drink muttering about the time taken to be served and I smiled to myself as Jasper went out of his way to thank him.
I mentioned my plan which Jasper was more than happy to go along with. He treasured his anonymity and tried to impress on us how lucky we were to be in his company right now. Carl nearly choked on his cola. Jasper was so conceited but I was sure that he didn’t know it. Yet what he said next would really be a game changer.
Chapter 44
‘Listen to this. This news is even better. Remember at the briefing I mentioned that Jez Cross had been back to his old pub last night asking around about the whereabouts of that woman.’
‘Which pub was that?’ Carl asked.
Clearly Jasper didn’t want to answer his question. He just ignored him.
‘Well I have more details now. So this guy has said something to Cross who suddenly starts shouting at him. This causes four of his mates to stand up and take on Cross who became like a whirlwind of fury. You know when they say demented right? Well he was completely off his head with rage. Bottles, glasses and ornaments, if it wasn’t screwed down it was lifted and used as a weapon.’
I imagined the carnage and unfortunately Jez Cross’s fearful reputation had not diminished with a spell in Broadmoor. It sounded like he simply picked up from where he left off.
‘So what happened next, surely someone called the cops?’ Carl reacted to the story.
‘Yes they came but he h
ad gone. He disappeared into thin air.’ Jasper made a gesture with his hands to signify someone vanishing.
I waited for Jasper to reveal the best part of his story but I know he was enjoying the look on Carl’s face. He could milk a story for all it was worth.
‘The barman was obviously upset and I know him quite well. So when I heard of the rumpus I got in touch with him and met up at a wine bar, which is more, my scene. He told me that he was so pissed with Cross who used to knock about with him when they were kids. Cross always was a tough character, bunking off school and always fighting. When he was in his twenties he used to go up to the gypsy market in Appleby and take them on in the bare knuckle fights. Then he progressed to bouncer and used to hang around the clubs. Apparently so long as he had a drink then he was calm and relaxed.’
‘Anyway, get to the punchline Jasper.’ I urged.
Jasper looked suitably annoyed that he couldn’t spin out his story any longer but did give way to my urgency as we all had places to go.
‘So the barman knows that Cross will return to pay for the damage. He is old school and will want to put right what he has done wrong. All we need to do is stakeout the pub and wait for him to return.’
Jasper picked up his pint and sat back satisfied with his efforts in this investigation so far.
‘So what’s the pub?’
Jasper looked at Carl knowing that he would have to answer his question.
‘The pub is the Spread Eagle in Camden. Just around the corner from where we are headed in an hour. I know one of the guy’s in the punch up so that’s where I am headed now. Hopefully he can tell me more.’
‘Thanks Jasper that’s great work. We will head over there and talk to your barman friend after speaking to Miss Wolcott. Give Carl his name and number while I go to the gents.’
I left the room knowing if this information led to the capture of Jez Cross then I may have to change my tune regarding Jasper’s suitability in the role.
Chapter 45
I returned to the snug to find only Carl sitting down looking at his mobile phone.
‘Jasper picked up his coat and left without offering to buy us a round.’
‘You can always rely on Jasper to do that!’
‘Here’s how much I don’t trust that weasel. If he said it was raining outside I would go out there just to get wet.’
I laughed at his jibe.
‘Anyway, he said he would meet us at Donna Wolcott’s apartment at 2pm. He gave me her address.’ He picked up his phone to show the route was programmed into his phone. ‘Oh and I just received a call from Sheila saying Stern is dropping by headquarters around four o’clock. He managed to pull some strings apparently despite professional advice to the contrary.’
I checked my watch to see how much time we had. We had the meeting with reporter Sue Harrison, an interview with Jez Cross’s ex-wife and I wanted to check in on our colleague Andy Webster at the King George Hospital before returning to headquarters for Stern’s appearance. After which I wanted to fit in a visit to the pub where Cross went last night. The Met were going to have a presence there already but I had to get a feel for the area where he grew up and hopefully gain an insight on his possible whereabouts.’
‘So what are you thinking?’ Carl asked me.
‘Sounds like we are on another stakeout later, but first let’s go for a bite at your favourite coffee house where I’ve arranged to meet Sue Harrison.’
‘Now you are talking!’ he replied.
Chapter 46
Chatsworth Road in Hackney has a market which dates back to the 1930’s. Over 200 stalls used to stretch along the whole road, four days a week. Now it is only open on a Sunday.
‘Once this investigation is over Carl, I would love to visit the market here. Considering it is just around the corner from your home, we should make the effort and give them our support.’
Carl agreed as he parked the car just up from the coffee shop where we were to meet the reporter.
‘The food stalls are amazing with a wide range from different countries.’
I had to smile. Only Carl would mention that and not the textiles, clothing and jewellery stalls.
We entered the shop and at first glance it looked like we were going to struggle to find a table but it was then I spotted Sue Harrison waving to us from a table in the far corner. Carl insisted that he would buy the coffees and so I weaved my way through the closely arranged tables to where she was sitting.
She stood up and stepped out to greet me. I went to shake her hand but she gave me a hug and kissed me on the cheek.
‘I would shake hands Joe but mine are still thawing and I know you suffer with the cold too.’
Sue has Raynaud’s disease in three of her fingers on each hand. The poor circulation causes them to go white. In extreme cold weather the index finger on my right hand can turn white, so it was something we had in common.
I took off my jacket and placed it over the back of my chair. Sue was wearing a thick grey jumper which had writing on but the words were too small to read. Sue ran her fingers through her short cropped hair as we sat down opposite each other and I messaged Carl to buy her a flat white.
‘What’s one of those?’ I asked.
‘It’s been around since the eighties in Australia and New Zealand. Oz, the owner here, has been making it for a while now. He reckons it’s a failed Cappuccino because the low fat milk doesn’t froth. According to him it will catch on soon. Anyway, enough of that, what do you have for me?’
Sue reached into her backpack and pulled out a notebook and a silver pen. She flicked through the pages until arriving at a blank page and then looked up and smiled hoping for news on Geb Blood.
‘If you could give me something Joe to please my editor otherwise I may have to interview the person who looks after Chameleons in the London Zoo reptile house.’
I had to laugh despite the serious nature of our meeting. What I had to offer was an important piece of information which sooner or later would leap from the dark web to the front pages.
‘I have a lead story if you want to run with it tonight?’ I told her. ‘It’s the one that you asked about at the press conference this morning. Do you want it?’
‘Yes please!’ she replied.
‘There was a cyber-attack on the hospital just prior to the rioting and the escape of the two patients, which goes to show that it was an orchestrated attack.’
Sue’s hazel eyes were wide as she knew this was gold dust and frantically wrote down everything I told her. It was a piece that would certainly delight her boss at the paper.
‘So this can be corroborated?’ She asked.
‘Yes, I received the information from Graham Parker at SIU. He wouldn’t have told me if there wasn’t credibility in the rumour.’
Sue continued scribbling notes while I looked over to Carl who appeared transfixed by the video being shown on the large plasma screen fixed high on the wall behind the counter. On view was a video of why the independent chain’s coffee was ‘honestly smooth’ promoting a fair-trade policy.
‘Is there anything else?’ Sue queried.
‘Yes. Two things I would like from you. The first concerns the question you put to the commissioner this morning at the briefing. You asked him, ‘Can you confirm the rumour that Broadmoor, Rampton and Ashworth’s computer network has been hacked?’ My question is where did you receive this information?’
Sue wriggled uncomfortably in the chair reciting the classic line about not divulging her sources. I made it clear that the same source may help us find the hacker who shut down the system and demanded a bitcoin ransom. So she promised to look into that for me.
‘Thank you Sue. The second thing I would like concerns your paper. Can you run a campaign to pull down the remains of the brickworks? I’ve heard that followers of the macabre turn up there to see for themselves where Blood carried out his sickening murders. We found a group of kids in there yesterday more than likely fascinated by
the stories of that place. It could have been Geb who turned up there instead of us and then what would have happened to them?’
‘Oh that sends shivers down my spine. Well you have scratched my back with the bitcoin ransom so let me scratch yours with this one.’
‘Here you are Sue.’ Carl placed her coffee in front of her as she momentarily paused her writing. ‘Oh thank you Carl.’
He placed our coffees on the table and a sign with a number on it.
‘What have you ordered?’ I quizzed.
‘You and I have a toastie coming. What about you Sue?’
‘No thanks Carl. I have to phone this through to my editor.’
‘There’s one more thing Sue, we obviously need to warn the public about Geb Blood and Jez Cross but we don’t want to cause a panic. Just the usual cautionary message not to approach them but to call SIU or the Police should anyone believe they have a sighting or information.’
‘I would say the sooner the better Joe.’ Sue remarked as she scribbled down a few more notes. ‘Cool. Thanks you two.’ She gave us both a hug and started to put her pen and pad into her backpack. Carl looked at her drink that had hardly been touched. ‘Sorry Carl. This can’t wait and I have another possible lead on the recent ‘Ripper’ murders which requires me to be elsewhere. If it proves to be useful I will call you later tonight Joe.’
It was valuable having another trusted and reliable ally in the hunt for information. She put on her rainbow coloured mittens and then her cagoule.
‘Will you please finish that for me Carl?’
He didn’t need asking twice and Sue swept out of the café. I watched Carl enjoy the drink and I got to thinking about our diet which today consisted of coffee, biscuits and cheese toasties. Hardly 5 fruit and veg per day so I made a mental note to treat Carl to something healthier tomorrow.
