Substantial Threat (30 page)

Henry knew the barmaid. He said, ‘This man is happily married.' He saw her face crease. ‘Sorry.'

‘Just my luck.' She shrugged philosophically, pulling herself together. ‘It was nice talking to you, though.'

‘You too,' said Donaldson. He drank the last of his lager and stood upright.

‘Maybe another time when you're passing through,' she said hopefully.

‘Maybe, ma'am.' Donaldson tipped his head and winked. Henry thought she looked as though she had orgasmed on the spot.

‘Come on, you big lug,' he intervened before full sex across the bar became a very real possibility. He herded Donaldson away from her.

‘She was cute.'

‘Sure – and so is your wife.'

‘And I cannot believe how cheap the beer is up here.'

‘Lancashire prices.' He pushed Donaldson out of the bar to the car. ‘You still okay?' he asked Burrows as he got back in.

‘Fine,' she said and smiled wickedly. ‘Do you know what “Fine” means? Fucked up, insecure, neurotic and emotional, so yeah, I'm fine.'

Henry sensed a change in her. He started the engine and looked questioningly at her, a horrible feeling in his guts.

They were at Ormskirk police station fifteen minutes later, the traffic being light at that time of day, making the journey fast. Henry parked in the rear yard and pulled up at the back entrance.

Already he was beginning to feel jittery about things and it all emanated from the smile that Burrows had given him. There was something behind it and he thought he knew what it was. He decided he would broach the subject later.

He rang the intercom by the door and asked the voice which answered to send the inspector to the door to let them in. The voice obviously belonged to a public enquiry assistant working on the front desk. She chuckled when Henry mentioned an inspector.

‘There isn't one here at this time of day,' she told him. ‘Nearest one is at Chorley, I think.'

‘How about a sergeant?'

‘Nope – covering from Skelmersdale.'

‘A PC?'

‘The two who are on duty are out. I suppose I'll have to do.'

‘Guess so,' said Henry wryly

The lady appeared at the door a minute later and demanded to see Henry's ID, which he gladly showed.

She led them into the station, then up to the hostel used mainly as accommodation for single police officers, though other waifs, strays and divorcees were often found to be lodged there. The rooms consisted of a bed, wash basin, wardrobe, dressing table and desk, all quite nice and modern. Showers and toilets were separate. There was a kitchen/dining area and a TV lounge.

The PEA showed them an empty room. ‘This one should be okay. Next door is free, too.'

‘I'll have the keys for both, if you can put your hands on them,' Henry said. He smiled and she softened.

‘See what I can do.' She scurried away back down to the front desk. It was not far off midnight and she would be locking up soon.

A bloody PEA in charge of a police station, Henry thought and wished briefly for the good old days when every job was taken by a policeman. ‘You'll be staying here for the night,' he said to Burrows, ‘but I guess you've already sussed that. If you need a take-away or something to drink – which I do – we'll arrange it, okay?'

She went into the room and sat on the edge of the bed. ‘Home from home,' she said, bouncing up and down on what looked to be a hard mattress.

‘Can I have your mobile phone?' he asked, holding out his hand.

‘Yeah, sure, why?' She handed it over.

Henry checked the last number rang. ‘Is this Ray's number?' Burrows nodded and closed her eyes. ‘You must never contact him again,' he told her firmly. ‘It's too dangerous.'

‘I know, I know. It's just . . . I had to.'

‘Fine, but no more, Jack. You can't do it, okay? You must trust us with your welfare and safety, but you have to play the game with us.' He pocketed the phone. ‘Right. Food and drink. Karl, sorry about this, but can you bear with us?'

Donaldson was fine about things. After all, this was the girlfriend of the man who had been killed alongside Zeke. He had much to learn from her, he was sure.

Henry heard footsteps on the stairs. Jane Roscoe emerged, trailed by Rik Dean. He went to meet them down the hallway.

‘This better be very good,' she warned Henry.

‘Better than good,' he whispered. ‘Someone who is going to give us Ray Cragg on a plate. I want you in on it, because it's your job, but I also think there's much more than just a shooting.'

‘Who is it?'

‘Jack Burrows, Ray's girlfriend. She's come to us.'

He looked at Dean, who looked, for all the world, like he'd seen a ghost.

Crazy had fallen asleep, his chin on his chest. Miller was wide awake and alert, knowing he could remain so for very long periods when he had to. Not that he needed to stay awake. The volume was up high on the alarm receiver on the dash, loud enough to wake the dead. Yet he stayed awake. His mobile rang. It was Ray Cragg.

‘How's it going? Any sign yet?' Cragg wanted to know.

‘Nothing.'

‘Think she'll come tonight?'

‘I don't presume anything,' said Miller. He stifled a yawn. Not one of tiredness, but one of boredom. This was the sixth call from Cragg that evening and Miller was getting pissed off with him.

‘Something else has come up. I need to see you both now.'

‘You want us to leave here?'

‘For the time being I do. This is more important and it'll mean a lot more for you if you pull it off.'

Miller shook his head. ‘Whatever. You want to see us now?'

‘Yes, right now.'

I
t was a Chinese take-away and they sat and ate it in the dining room at the hostel. It was one of the best Henry had eaten and he devoured it with relish. He was ravenously hungry too, and that helped. One or two curious officers who lived in the hostel passed through with frowns on their foreheads, wondering who this strange quintet of people was who were invading their space. Mostly it was quiet and also very hushed between the people who were sharing the immense banquet. Small talk was minimal.

Henry did not mind. He noticed how uncomfortable Rik Dean was. Very bloody uncomfortable. Dean and Burrows made occasional eye contact, but on the whole Dean kept his eyes on his Won Ton soup and crackers. Henry also noticed that Jane was watching him. He smiled pleasantly at her, but she puckered her brow and shook her head.

Donaldson partook in the food and enjoyed watching the unspoken interactions between the participants, happy not to be involved in any personal way.

At the end of the meal, Dean tidied away the boxes and foil containers. Henry drew Jane into a corner.

‘What's the plan, Henry?'

‘Is there any way you could stay with her tonight?' he asked hopefully.

Jane blew out her cheeks. ‘Other than the fact I have no night things, no wash bag, no change of clothes. That I have been wearing this lot since seven this morning, I probably smell like a fish, my knickers feel like they're ready to walk in protest. My husband will go spare – yeah, no problem.'

‘If you can stay, I'll get Rik to collect a change of clothing for you from home. D'you think your better half would be okay about that?'

‘He'd have to be. I'll ring him.' She stared at Henry. ‘Are you staying?'

‘I have Karl to sort out.'

‘And what about us?'

Henry went zip-lipped.

Jane's mouth twisted. ‘Thought as much.'

Miller and Crazy met Ray at one of the bedsits in South Shore. Miller arrived in the car, Crazy on the motorbike. Ray was already there, holding a bottle of Stella. Two empty bottles were by his side, suggesting he had been busy consuming.

‘It's all just gone to fucking rat shit,' Ray said, beerfully. ‘Marty ripping me off – and what's the full story behind that, I do not know. Him shagging Jackie, my bird. The fucking foreigners. Dix pissing off with my money.' He hurled the half-empty bottle across the room. It thudded into the plasterboard, leaving a hole, and fell to the floor, its contents spraying everywhere. ‘Shit,' said Ray unhappily. He folded his arms.

Miller watched the display with bemusement, wondering why they had been summoned. ‘We'll get your money back,' Miller promised.

‘With interest,' Crazy added.

Ray scratched his forehead, then sighed. ‘Yeah, I know you will. I trust you two, can't trust any other git, though, can I?'

The two henchmen knew when to speak and when not to. They clammed up.

‘And now this,' Ray said, shaking his hands angrily. ‘The bitch. I cannot believe it!'

‘Believe what?' Miller asked, wishing to be put out of his misery.

‘She's gone to the cops. She's going to grass on me.'

‘What are your plans?' Donaldson asked Henry. They had retired to the games room downstairs, knocking balls around the snooker table in a desultory manner. Henry aimed a cue and belted the white ball into a cluster of reds, sending them spinning round the table.

‘Keep her here tonight, tucked away. Then in the morning move to another police station, maybe, so we don't stay still. Then start debriefing her and if she gives us the goods, a written statement, that is, which condemns Ray Cragg to a life of crushing rocks, we'll look seriously at putting her into a witness protection programme.'

‘Do you think she'll need that?' Donaldson potted a black.

‘Yes, I think she'll be in big danger and I don't think she's done herself any favours by making that call to Ray. Sheer stupidity. That means we have less time to play with because he now knows she's defected, if you'll excuse the Bond-like terminology. He'll be out to get her, probably even as we speak, so we have to keep on the move for a little while before things are arranged. If she gives us a statement, I can have her out of the county by tea time tomorrow, holed up in a half-decent house.'

Henry lined the cue up on the white and slammed it into the pink so hard that the ball bounced and flew off the table. Donaldson caught it in his left hand.

‘What I would like to do is get her used to talking now, even though it's late. That's what I'd like Jane to sort out. Chat her up, put her at ease. I'd like to leave her with a voice-activated tape recorder, but I can't just put my hands on one.'

‘I always carry one in my case,' said Donaldson, placing the pink ball back on the table. ‘I prefer pool,' he said.

The games room door opened. Rik Dean stood shamefacedly at the door.

‘Boss,' he said to Henry. ‘Need a word.'

Henry racked his cue. He knew this had been coming.

‘It would be better to get her before she makes a written statement,' Miller said, thinking hard. ‘Then no matter what, there's nothing they can use in court.'

‘Good speech,' said Ray.

‘They won't have started formally interviewing her yet. They'll be softening her up, offering her inducements, but they'll get into her ribs tomorrow, I'd guess.'

‘So we don't have much time?'

Miller shook his head.

‘I want her taken out before she makes a statement.'

‘Easier said than done.' Crazy sniffed.

‘Think I don't know that?' Ray snapped.

‘Is there any way your informer in the intelligence unit could find out where they're keeping her?' Miller asked.

‘Doubt it. She's just a bloody admin clerk.'

Miller scratched his head, then had an idea. ‘Got it! What is the name of the cop involved in it?'

‘Henry Christie.'

‘That twat!' Crazy spat.

‘He's the key to this,' Miller said thoughtfully. ‘He can lead us to her. We follow him, he takes us there. Just follow him from home.'

‘We don't know where he lives.'

‘Couldn't your admin clerk find out?' Miller asked.

‘She doesn't have access to personal records. I've asked before.'

‘Doesn't matter,' Miller said. ‘I know how to find his address.' He turned to Crazy, winked, then said to Ray, ‘This will cost you big bucks, Ray. This will not be easy.'

‘Tell you what – afterwards, when you find Dix, because I still want that to happen – you two split the money. Hundred and forty grand each, give or take a bob or two. How's about that? Worth it to me.'

Miller and Crazy nodded. It sounded very good.

Henry lounged against the wall on one side of the corridor, Dean stood opposite. Henry regarded him coldly. He knew Rik was an excellent detective, but Henry also knew he had done something very stupid. Dean's face was mainly floorward, his eyes occasionally rising to meet Henry's, but only fleetingly.

Dean sighed heavily. He shook his head with disgust. ‘I've been a fool,' he admitted, and said no more.

‘Tell me.' Henry's voice was tough.

Dean's head continued to shake. ‘You know I took that statement from Jack Burrows regarding the young girl who was murdered in one of her flats?'

‘I do.'

‘Shit.' He screwed his eyes up, finding it hard to continue. ‘I slept with her. There! Said it. I slept with her.'

‘I thought as much,' Henry said in a clipped tone. ‘What did you tell her?'

‘Nothing, nothing much.'

‘Pillow talk,' said Henry. ‘Did you keep her up to date with the investigation?' Dean nodded. ‘Did you know she was involved with the Cragg brothers?'

‘Er . . . no.' It was an unsure answer.

‘Tell me the truth, Rik.'

‘I had an idea.' He winced.

‘Was the fuck worth it?' Henry asked.

‘It wasn't like that.'

‘Oh, what was it like? Was it love?' he asked harshly. ‘So during your post-coital chats you told her how things were going on with the investigation? Yeah?'