The avon rogue, p.26
The Avon Rogue, page 26
Penny began to shake. She had made up her mind. Skelton returned to the sofa. Penny stood up and ran her hands through her hair. ‘James has got some sort of a workshop on an industrial site just off Lower Bristol Road, but I have never been there. James spent time in prison with Ben and they are good friends. I know that they have some sort of a job on this Friday in London. They will not be going but they will be sending Jason and Jeff. I don’t know any more than that. James is meeting Ben today for lunch.’
Skelton and Alexander stood up and exchanged glances. ‘Penny, this is just between us. James will not hear about this arrangement between us. You can go on living just as you have been and from time to time, when James is not here, we will call in for a little chat.’
Chapter Fifty-Three
Murray, Naylor, Jason Andrews and Jeff Roberts were sat around the desk. Naylor had just given them the run down for the job on Friday. Murray was deep in thought. Jason and Jeff would be armed, unlike Chadwell’s men, who would not. In all probability, the mere sight of the guns would be enough for Chadwell’s men to hand over the money and drugs.
‘Okay listen up. The meeting is scheduled for eleven Friday morning. I don’t want to take any chances with traffic on Friday. So, Jason and Jeff drive up to London on Thursday and get a hotel near the warehouse. On Friday morning, you get in position. Ben has given you the details of the car they will be using. When that car enters the warehouse, you go in after it. Chances are that on seeing your shooters, they will hand over the money and drugs. But if not, you will have to shoot them. Do you understand?’
Jason and Jeff both nodded their heads in unison. The mission was on.
Skelton had called a meeting with his detectives following the visit to Penny. ‘Bill and I had a quite little chat with James Murray’s girlfriend this morning. We made it clear to her that unless she cooperates with us, she loses the house and goes to prison for tax evasion. That got her attention, I can assure you.’ The officers all smiled. ‘We got two useful pieces of information from her. The first is that Murray has acquired some sort of workshop or lock-up on an industrial estate off Lower Bristol Road. Now as you know, there are dozens of industrial estates down there, but Penny does not know which one it is. It is going to be like finding a needle in a haystack searching for it. The chances are that the owner or leaseholder has sub-let it to Murray. So, Land Registry searches will not help us to find it. I want Chris Spurrey and Peter Lowik to get down there and have a nose around, to see if they can find it. I think it will be a long shot, but we have to try.’
Spurrey nodded his head at Lowik.
‘Penny also told us that Murray and Naylor have some sort of a job on in London on Friday but has no details of what it might be. However, Murray and Naylor will not be in attendance. We don’t know where in London it is, but we do know that Jason Andrews and Jeff Roberts will be going. We will therefore spring a surprise for them. We know where they both live, so we will mount surveillance on them from six on Friday morning. Bill will sort out the details and assign you accordingly. Make sure you get their car details from the computer right away.’
Skelton was just finishing sending an email when Alexander knocked on his door and entered. ‘Sir, it is just going on one and I could go for some lunch.’
Skelton closed down his laptop and sighed. ‘It’s been a busy morning and we never had a sausage sandwich, so I think a visit to the Saracen’s Head is in order. I saw someone having a sirloin steak in there the other day and it looked fantastic.’
‘Do you know, sir, that since you joined us here, I have never eaten so well. I used to just use the canteen. I saw that guy with the sirloin steak as well and the guy devoured it. I think two medium cooked sirloins is the order of the day. Let’s go.’
It was a cloudy grey day but that did not stop the usual horde of tourists descending on the city. As they walked to the abbey, it seemed like they were in Japan as there were so many Japanese people taking photographs. Their progress was painfully slow but eventually they got to the pub. Skelton held the door open for Alexander and they both walked to the bar. Both Alex and Toby were behind the bar and Toby was busy pulling a pint of Guinness. Alex greeted them with a smile and said, ‘Good afternoon, gentlemen.’ He then whispered, ‘You aren’t going to be arresting any of my customers today, will you?’
Both Skelton and Alexander smiled. Skelton rested his elbows on the bar and said, ‘No not today, Alex. But what we would both like is a couple of pints and two medium cooked sirloin steaks.’
Alex chuckled to himself. ‘I wondered when you two would tackle our sirloin steaks. They are twenty-eight day aged and my chef cooks them to perfection. Oh, and just to let you know, this is my last week in here. A new general manager takes over on Friday. His name is Dale, and he is from Cardiff.’
Skelton stretched out to shake Alex’s hand. ‘Sorry to hear that you are leaving us. We must get to know Dale.’
Their usual seats by the window had just become free and Skelton took the stool with his back to the window. Both men took a long slurp from their glass and Alexander said, ‘This job in London on Friday sounds interesting. It looks like Ben Naylor and Murray are definitely working together, but it’s a shame they are not going to be physically involved in it. Any idea what it might be?’
Skelton took another sip from his glass. I suspect they are buying drugs. They always need a supply, so Murray is dispatching Andrews and Roberts to do the dirty work. With a bit of luck, we can follow them to London and let them buy the drugs and arrest them. Murray loses both the money and drugs and Andrews and Roberts go to jail. That will please me and piss Murray off big time!’
Alex brought over the sirloin steaks. ‘There you go, gentlemen. I am sure you will enjoy them.’
‘Bloody hell, Bill, these look absolutely delicious. Alex, could you bring us over another couple of pints, this looks like thirsty work.’
The men sat in silence, except for the odd burp. When they had cleared their plates, Skelton dabbed his mouth with the napkin and said, ‘That, Bill, is the best sirloin steak I have ever tasted.’
Alexander let out another burp and said, ‘Dan, I could not eat another thing, but I could go for another pint. Let me go and get the refills. I just hope I can stay awake this afternoon.’
Skelton stood up and began walking to the toilets. He went in and after washing and drying his hands, began walking back to his table but decided to look into the pool bar. Sitting in deep conversation were Murray and Naylor. He approached their table and Murray saw him.
‘Well, if it’s not Mr Skelton, and what can we do for you?’ Naylor turned his head to see.
‘I wonder what Mickey Chadwell will make of you two, meeting up yet again? I get the impression that you guys are not meeting up for old time’s sake. I think you fancy your chances with Chadwell. Now Chadwell is not a man you upset unless you have just bought a funeral plan!’
Murray spread the palms of his hands on the table. ‘Ben and I were just having some lunch and a beer. No harm in that, Inspector.’
Skelton possessed natural authority and he decided to exercise it here. He looked at them in the eye and said, ‘You two think you are a pair of smart bastards. Now I don’t give a shit if its Mickey Chadwell that gets you before I do but rest assured one of us will. I don’t think Chadwell is going to be very pleased when he hears about this. Oh, and when we tell him about your little meeting in the coffee shop the other day, the shit is going to well and truly hit the fan!’ Skelton gave them a big smile. ‘Enjoy your lunch, it might be one of your last.’
Skelton walked back to his table and patted Alexander on the shoulder. ‘I love this pub, Bill. We arrested Fergus Walsh in here the other day, and I have just totally pissed off Murray and Naylor. They seem to have lost their appetite and I can’t wait for Friday.’
Chapter Fifty-Four
Chris Spurrey and Peter Lowik were in an unmarked police car and had just begun a slow drive around the industrial estate off Lower Bristol Road. The area was huge and just about every type of business you could think of was present. They passed paint shops, electricians, plumbers, car rentals and lockups. Some of the premises appeared to be unoccupied. They had the details of the cars owned by Murray and his known associates but there was no trace of any of them. After two hours, they gave up and went back to the station and reported to Skelton, who told them to make daily trips to the estate in case their luck changed. Murray and his men would have to show up sometime. This was going to be a waiting game.
On Thursday afternoon, Jason Andrews drove over to pick up Roberts from his flat. He was carrying a small overnight bag and wearing black jeans, a white top and a jacket with a hood. Andrews was a big guy and regularly worked out at the local gym. He was thirty years old and in good shape. Roberts was a little older at thirty-four and his hair was already turning grey. However, he was also in good shape and preferred running as opposed to the gym. Roberts opened the boot and put his bag in then got into the passenger seat.
They exchanged pleasantries and Andrews started to drive. ‘I have found us a Travelodge which is about a mile away from the warehouse. I booked us a room each. When we get there, we can book in and then take the tube up to the West End. I haven’t been in London for years. One place that I really love is China Town. I love a good Chinese.’
Roberts smiled and said, ‘You seem to have a plan, Jason. You can count me in. I know a few good pubs in the West End so we can check them out as well. We can’t go out and get drunk though. We are going to need our wits about us tomorrow morning. I know that James reckons on the job being a piece of cake, but you can’t afford to take things for granted.’
The drive took just under two hours, and it was almost 5 pm when they booked into the Travelodge. They went to their rooms and placed their bags in the wardrobe. They met up at reception and walked across the road to the tube station. They were soon on their way to the West End.
On Friday morning, at just before 6, Chris Spurrey drove Peter Lowik to the flat owned by Jason Andrews. As Spurrey parked the car he said, ‘There is no sign of his car. Do you think he has gone already?’
Lowik’s eyes were scanning the street. ‘Maybe he spent the night with Roberts. I will radio Janet and Ross and ask them to look out for the car.’
It soon became apparent that Roberts’ car was parked outside his flat but there was no sign of Andrews’ car.
It was a very slow tedious morning for the officers. They reckoned that Andrews and Roberts would have to leave Bath by 9 am to get to London for the job. When it got to ten, they realised that the mission had to be aborted. The officers drove back to the police station and headed for the canteen. Skelton had been kept updated throughout the morning. Skelton went to see Alexander and found him seated at his desk, filling in some forms.
‘It looks like Murray has outsmarted us this morning. I think he must have sent Andrews and Roberts up to London yesterday. Any chance that we had of nicking those two buggers has gone and Murray has pulled off another deal right under our noses. I haven’t got an appetite for lunch today, Bill. I will be in my office if you need me.’
Alexander looked up at his boss and said, ‘Sir, you will get Murray one day. It’s only a question of time.’
Chapter Fifty-Five
Steve Quinn was driving and Frank Hughes was in the front passenger seat. On the back seat was the holdall containing the cash to buy the drugs. It was just after 8.30 am when they joined the M4, which would take them to London. The traffic was running smoothly. So far everything was going to plan. All being well, they would be back in Bristol around 2 pm. The sun was shining but as it had rained during the night it reflected on the wet road surface. Quinn could cope with that. He knew the route to the warehouse well. He reckoned that they would arrive at their destination around 10.30 am so they would have to park up and wait. That was not a problem.
At the Travelodge, Jason Andrews and Jeff Roberts had set their alarms for 8 am. They had got up, showered and shaved. They had breakfast together and were content to read the newspapers they had requested from reception. Roberts was closely studying the sports section of the Telegraph. When they finished reading, it was 9.45. Almost time to go. Each man returned to his room and retrieved his overnight bag, inside of which was a handgun. Neither man expected to use it but were perfectly prepared to if required to do so. Andrews excused himself and went to the bathroom. He closed the cubicle door behind him and took out the wrap of coke. This would steady his nerves. When he had finished, he flushed the toilet and left.
Quinn and Hughes had an uneventful journey, and it was 10.40 when they reached the street where the warehouse was situated. Quinn found a parking space and parked the car. All was going to plan.
Andrews and Roberts checked out of the Travelodge at 10 am and got into the car. They were both carrying their overnight bags. They removed their guns and stuffed them into their coat pockets. Andrews could feel the coke working its magic and he felt good. The car was a blue BMW and they had cloned the plates. Once they were safely back in Bath, they would torch the car, thus destroying any forensic evidence against them. Roberts drove the car to the street where the warehouse was situated, parked up and waited. They watched the warehouse and could see lorries coming and going. At two minutes to eleven, they saw a red BMW enter. It was time to make their move. Roberts started the engine, pulled out and accelerated down the road. He slowly drove into the entrance and could see the red BMW parked outside the office. The car was empty, which meant that the occupants were now inside the office. They pulled on their balaclava masks, got out of the car and walked to the door.
Andrews drew his gun first, followed by Roberts. He turned the door handle and went inside. A man in his forties was sitting at the desk and had a suitcase in front of him. On seeing the two armed men he raised his hands. Steve Quinn was carrying a large bag whilst Frank Hughes was carrying nothing. Andrews brandished his gun and said, ‘Just hand over the money and the coke and nobody will get hurt. None of you wants to die a brave man.’
Quinn put his bag next to the suitcase on the desk. ‘Okay, it’s all yours. Don’t shoot.’
Roberts moved in closer. He pointed the gun at the man sitting at his desk and said, ‘Get up, turn around and put your hands behind your back.’ He had cable ties in his hand. ‘You two do the same and be quick.’
Andrews covered him as he got to work. First, he applied the cable ties to each man’s hands and pulled them tight. He then removed the gaffer tape from his pocket and taped their mouths shut. ‘Now lie on the floor face down.’ The men did as they were ordered. Andrews picked up the suitcase whilst Roberts took the bag. ‘You guys just keep quiet and all will be fine.’
Roberts took the key from the door lock and opened the door. Andrews followed him out. Roberts closed the door and locked it with the key and placed it in his pocket. They put the guns back in their pockets and looked around. Nobody was about, so they got to the car and got in. They took off their balaclava masks and Roberts reversed the car out of the warehouse. The job was done, and they were on their way back to Bath. Murray had been right – it had been a piece of cake.
Roberts drove the BMW to the lock-up on the industrial estate where Murray was waiting for them. The three men exchanged high fives; the mission had gone perfectly to plan. Murray was delighted with both Andrews and Roberts. He would be giving them both a hefty bonus.
Roberts drove the BMW to an abandoned farm and doused the interior in petrol and set it on fire.
Chapter Fifty-Six
Mickey Chadwell knew that something was wrong shortly after 11 am. Neither Quinn nor Hughes had called to say that everything had gone to plan. He tried calling Quinn’s mobile phone whilst Naylor tried contacting Hughes’ phone, but they were not answering. ‘Something is not right here, Ben. I don’t know if they have been arrested or if they have made off with the money? If it’s the latter, I will find them and god help them when I do. I need to call Harry Campbell and see if he knows what’s going on.’ He made the call. ‘Harry, what’s going on? I can’t get a hold of my men.’
Campbell was worried. ‘Mickey my man should have called me by now and I can’t get him to answer his phone. I am going to drive over there now and see what’s going on. I will call you just as soon as I have any news. But this has never happened before. Leave it with me, Mickey.’ He ended the call.
Campbell drove over to the warehouse and saw the red BMW parked outside the office. He got out the car, went to the office door and pulled down on the handle, but the door was locked. He tried knocking on the door but got no answer. He knew he could not break the door down; it was far too strong. He knew the manager would have a spare key, so he went looking for him. When he found him, they returned to the office and the door was unlocked. They freed the men, but they were certainly not going to call the police. Campbell called Chadwell. It was the most difficult call he had ever made. Chadwell reacted very badly to the news.
Ben Naylor was nervous but did his best not to show it. He and Murray had pulled off the perfect heist but there would be consequences for everyone involved. Chadwell would guess that it was an inside job. Fortunately, Chadwell would be suspicious of Quinn and Hughes. Had they got drunk and let slip that they were going to London to exchange the money for the drugs? Who would have the balls to stitch Chadwell up?
It was 3.30 pm when Quinn and Hughes returned from London. Chadwell and Naylor were waiting for them. Naylor had to put on a show. He knew that his life would depend upon it. Chadwell greeted them with, ‘And what the fuck happened in London this morning? You don’t look hurt, so you must just have handed over my money and coke like they were presents.’
