Old bones lie, p.12
Old Bones Lie, page 12
Clare felt as if her legs could no longer support her and she sank down into a chair. ‘Oh God,’ she said.
‘You’d better prepare yourself in case you have to give your young sergeant some very bad news.’
Chapter 15
The Jardines arrived to have their fingerprints taken a little after five. With Ben’s words still ringing in her ears, Clare decided she couldn’t face them and she asked Max and Sara to take the prints.
‘Make sure they’re escorted home,’ she added. ‘Go into the house with them, check it’s secure and I want two cops outside all night, please.’
When they had gone Clare sought out Jim. ‘Anything from the hospital?’
‘Not, yet. Nita and Janey are with them, though. Last I heard, they were waiting on a doctor.’
She glanced at the clock. They were running out of day. ‘It’s going to be tomorrow, isn’t it?’
Jim nodded. ‘Probably.’
‘Oh well. Can’t be helped. Thanks, Jim.’ She wandered through to the incident room and Max appeared at her back, a plate of buttered toast in his hand.
‘I was getting hungry,’ he said, setting the plate down on the desk. ‘Help yourself, boss.’
‘Call me Clare, Max,’ she said, taking a triangle of toast. ‘And thank you. This is just the job.’
‘I can nip out for some proper food if you like.’
Clare looked round the room. There was only Max and Bill there. The rest must be out on surveillance. ‘Let’s pool what we know first. See where that gets us.’
Bill drew his chair across. ‘Okay. The two women were abducted on Saturday night.’
‘So they say,’ Max put in.
‘Yes,’ Clare said, ‘we have to consider they may not be telling the truth. Hopefully it won’t be too long before Ben interviews them. But, for now, let’s assume they were abducted on Saturday. That’s four days ago.’
‘Where were they found?’ Max asked.
‘Pitscottie,’ Clare said, and Max nodded.
‘I know it. So where have they been since then?’ he asked.
‘From the looks of them,’ Bill said, ‘somewhere they weren’t able to wash or change their clothes.’
‘Okay,’ Clare said. ‘Let’s assume they were kept somewhere near Pitscottie. In a cottage, say. Somehow they got away – either they were let go or they escaped. They made their way to the road and we picked them up.’
‘But we still don’t know why they were abducted,’ Max said.
Bill shrugged. ‘Seems obvious to me. To put pressure on the husbands so they’d co-operate with the escape. Mind you, that doesn’t explain why it took four days for the wives to reappear.’
Clare sighed. ‘No, it doesn’t; nor does it explain why the officers are still missing.’ She thought for a minute then said, ‘Let’s look at the report from the prison again.’ She pulled a laptop across the table and began to tap at the keyboard. Bill and Max shifted their chairs round so they too could read the screen. ‘Says here the tracker on the prison van was playing up. Could the officers themselves have interfered with it?’
‘It’s possible,’ Max said. ‘I’m not sure how it’s done but I don’t think it would be difficult.’
Clare read on. ‘Then the tracker stopped working altogether. The prison called one of the officers who confirmed everything was fine and they’d be back within the hour. And that was the last they heard.’ She sat back, considering this.
‘They could have been under duress when they took the phone call,’ Max said, and Clare nodded.
‘Okay. Let’s assume the tracker stopped working, somewhere after leaving Pittenweem. Shortly after that the van stops. Could be the officers were following instructions or maybe it’s hijacked – another vehicle blocking the road, that kind of thing.
‘What was the last known location?’ Bill asked.
‘Dunino. A tiny hamlet south of here. About five miles away, I think.’
‘How far is it from Dunino to Pitscottie?’ Max asked.
Bill exhaled. ‘Now, you’re asking! It would be across narrow B-roads. I’d guess around ten miles. But it is a guess.’
‘Close enough,’ Clare checked her watch. ‘Think I’ll call Janey. See if there’s any chance of the wives getting out tonight.’ She swiped to find Janey’s number and waited for an answer, clicking her tongue in irritation when it went to voicemail.
‘Maybe in a dead spot,’ Bill suggested.
‘Yeah, could be. I’ll try Nita.’ Again, Clare waited. She was about to end the call when Nita answered.
‘Sorry, boss. Janey’s talking to the doc now.’
‘Any chance?’
‘I doubt it. They’ve both had a drip put up. The nurse I spoke to said they’d probably want to observe them overnight. Dundee are standing by to relieve us in a couple of hours, if they are kept in.’
Clare ended the call. ‘Looking doubtful for tonight,’ she said, putting her phone down. ‘Can’t be helped. Let’s get back to Monday morning.’
‘Okay,’ Bill said, ‘the tracker on the van develops a fault, last known location Dunino. No trace of the van since Monday afternoon.’
Clare nodded. ‘Why would that be? If they’d torched it someone would have seen the smoke.’
‘Could be Paul Devine used it to get away.’
‘It’s a bit of a risk,’ Max said. ‘Surely he’d ping a camera somewhere?’
Clare shook her head. ‘Not if you know where to go. Plenty of roads without cameras, especially in Fife. Or they could be using false plates.’
‘So the officers are either being held with Paul Devine, or they’re hurt.’
‘Or worse,’ Clare added.
‘There is another possibility,’ Max said.
Clare turned to look at him. ‘Go on.’
‘The officers could be in on it. They could be willing participants.’
Clare frowned. ‘I’m not sure, Max. Why would two officers risk everything? Their jobs, pensions, let alone see their wives taken off into the night.’
‘If they’re not willing,’ Max persisted, ‘why are they still missing?’
It was a good question. It fell to Bill to give voice to their thoughts.
‘Unless they’re dead.’
They were silent for a moment, then Clare said, ‘Anything from the officers’ phones?’
Bill shook his head. ‘Not a peep. According to Ben’s team they’re both out of action. Either they’ve been destroyed or the SIM cards have been taken out.’
‘And bank accounts?’
Bill hesitated.
‘Yeah, I know,’ Clare said. ‘We’ve been told to leave it to Ben’s lot. But he did agree information relevant to both crimes would be shared. I’m making a judgement call here. Those bank details could be relevant to Maggie’s murder.’
Bill looked at Clare for a moment. Then he rose and left the room. A minute later he returned with a sheaf of papers. ‘Got copies from Jim,’ he said, putting the printouts down on the desk. ‘There’s the takeaway on Saturday night. We knew about that. And there’s some small stuff on the Sunday too, but nothing since.’
Clare ran a finger down the transactions. ‘Looks like Gavin Gates paid for petrol on Sunday morning and spent £25 in Tesco. Then he used the machine to take out £50 cash.’
‘What about Alan Carter?’ Max said, stretching across to read the statement.
‘Contactless payments to Subway, Costa Coffee and he withdrew fifty quid as well.’ Clare sat back, rubbing her chin. ‘It doesn’t sound like they were planning anything. Unless… Gavin paying for petrol – anything come in on their cars, Bill?’
‘Not that I’ve been told.’ He picked up his phone. ‘Soon find out, though.’
They waited while Bill had a brief conversation with the prison. Then he put his phone down on the desk. ‘They’re going to check and get back to me.’
‘Bit odd,’ Max said, brushing toast crumbs off his trousers. ‘All those transactions; and the petrol too. Imagine you’ve watched your wife being taken away at gunpoint. Would you be doing something as normal as putting petrol in the car?’
‘Maybe he was running low,’ Clare said. ‘How much was it for, Bill?’
Bill scanned the bank printout again. ‘Just shy of thirty pounds.’ He looked up. ‘That’s not a full tank, is it?’
‘No,’ Clare agreed. ‘He’s topped it up.’
‘Bit suspicious,’ Max said.
Clare shrugged. ‘Maybe. Maybe not. My dad refuses to let his car go down below half full. He says he doesn’t want the fuel pump sucking up all the crap from the bottom of the tank.’
Bill ran his finger down the list of transactions. ‘Doesn’t fit,’ he said. ‘The last two petrol bills were close to sixty quid.’ His phone began to ring and he snatched it up.
‘Dave Manning,’ the voice said. The assistant governor at the prison. Bill switched the speaker on for Clare and Max to hear. ‘Regarding the officers’ cars,’ he began, ‘Alan Carter’s vehicle’s still in the staff car park. But Gavin Gates didn’t bring his car in on Monday.’
‘It’s Clare here, Dave,’ she said, leaning towards the phone. ‘Is it possible they lift-shared?’
‘Oh hi, Clare. No, we don’t think so. I’ve had a look at the car park CCTV and it looks like Alan arrived alone.’
‘But Gavin was at work?’
‘Oh yes. He arrived for his shift okay – just before eight in the morning.’
‘Could someone else have given him a lift?’ Clare asked.
‘It’s possible. But they were the only two officers from Fife on duty that day. He could have caught a lift from a friend, though. Maybe someone else who works in the town.’
Clare thanked Dave Manning and Bill ended the call. She sat thinking for a moment then said, ‘Max, go and ask Jim to send someone round to Gavin Gates’s house. See if there’s any sign of his car.’
As Max rose the incident room door opened and Chris came in. He was dressed in jeans and a dark jacket.
‘Just heading out on surveillance,’ he said. ‘There’s a couple of farms with new kit, similar to the tractors that are being nicked. I’ve set up a watch.’
Clare smiled. ‘Sounds like a good plan, Chris.’
He seemed keen to linger. ‘Don’t suppose there’s any news?’
‘Nothing yet.’
‘I could help out with the murder.’
‘Maybe – if we definitely rule out a connection. Stick with the tractors for now, though, and we’ll review it in the morning.’
As Chris turned to leave, Jim appeared and handed Clare a note.
‘Donald Keys,’ he said. ‘Funeral guy? You were asking about funerals Anthony attended.’
Clare glanced at the note. ‘Not many at all,’ and Jim agreed.
‘Two were holiday cover over at Cupar and the other was a private family cemetery.’
‘Brunton,’ Clare said. She shook her head. ‘Where is it?’
‘I know it,’ Chris said. ‘Remember that bit of trouble at Hazelton Walls? The cottage?’
Clare remembered it well. A previous case when they’d been faced with one man holding another at knife point. ‘How could I forget.’
‘It’s a mile or so along the road from there.’
‘Christieson family,’ Clare read.
‘Think they own a bit of land,’ Chris said. ‘Probably why they have their own graveyard.’
Clare smiled. ‘Thanks, Chris. Good luck with your tractors.’
‘Gee, thanks.’
* * *
By 9 p.m. Janey confirmed the two women were being kept in hospital overnight. Max reported there was no sign of Gavin Gates’s car at his house.
‘Make sure the registration is noted as a vehicle of interest,’ Clare said. ‘If Gavin – or someone – is driving around they may just slip up and pass a camera.’ Leaving Max to this task she emerged from the station into the cool evening air. She stood on the step gazing up at the sky. As she looked, a carpet of stars began to appear; and the longer she stood the more she saw. For a moment, she forgot about Paul and Anthony Devine, about the two prison officers and poor Maggie White, lying in a mortuary fridge. A toot from a nearby van brought her back to reality and she walked down the steps and clicked to unlock her car.
Friday
Chapter 16
Chris had gone home to bed before Clare arrived at the station. She found a note on her desk telling her they’d had no luck but would try again tonight. She sank down in her chair, holding the note. They weren’t having much luck with the farm thefts and it wasn’t the best use of resources when they were so stretched. But it was keeping Chris clear of the hunt for his cousin so it was worth another night or two. It might throw up something.
There was a tap on the door and Max pushed it open with his foot, He entered, bearing a mug in one hand and a piece of cake in the other.
‘From Zoe,’ he said.
Clare eyed the cake. ‘She’s been baking again.’ And then a thought struck her. ‘It’s not even eight o’clock, Max. She’s surely not in already?’
He flushed and avoided her eye. ‘Actually, she gave me the cake last night.’
‘Last night, eh?’ Clare said, trying not to smile. ‘So, you and Zoe…’
He shrugged, his face still red. ‘We had a meal together. That’s all. She’d made a cake and said I could take a couple of slices for today.’
‘Uh-huh.’
‘Anyway, she’s good fun.’
‘I’m sure she is. Just watch she doesn’t take advantage of you!’
‘Very funny. So, boss, should I bring my coffee in or are you about to do a briefing?’
‘Bring it in for a minute. And Max?’
‘Yes?’
‘Call me Clare.’
* * *
Ten minutes later Clare entered the incident room and called the briefing to order. Jim confirmed Ben was delayed and that he’d authorised Clare to brief both teams.
‘For anyone who doesn’t know,’ she began, ‘Paul Devine’s brother, Anthony, was snatched off the street around lunchtime yesterday. Two men in dark clothing bundled him into a white van, similar to a Transit. We believe it headed south out of town but we’ve had no sightings since.’
‘Any idea why?’ someone asked.
‘No, but it’s hard to think it’s not connected to Paul’s escape,’ Clare said.
‘Did the brothers get on?’ Max asked. ‘Any conflict between them?’
Clare shook her head. ‘Not that I’m aware of. Having spoken to Anthony, I didn’t get that impression. But we can’t rule it out. We do know Anthony had a caution for Class C possession. Can we look back to see if there’s anything else? Any domestics involving the brothers? Maybe something that didn’t get as far as a caution. Could be we attended and it fizzled out. Let’s check, please.’
Heads nodded and Clare went on. ‘As you all know a package was delivered to Anthony’s house a couple of days ago. He claimed it was a DVD. But now he’s disappeared, I’m even more convinced that was a lie. So what was in that package?’
‘If he is dealing,’ Bill said, ‘it could have been money or drugs; and if he’s upset someone – moved in on their patch – maybe they’ve lifted him to give him a slap.’
‘Let’s check the hospitals.’ She scanned the room. ‘Sara, could you look into that, please? Speak to the ambulance service too in case they picked him up.’
‘What about pharmacies?’ Sara said. ‘He might not have wanted to go to hospital in case they asked awkward questions. If he bought stuff to patch himself up he’d be on their CCTV.’
‘It’s a good idea,’ Clare said, ‘but we don’t have the manpower just now.’ She smiled at the young PC. ‘I’ll bear it in mind, though, if he doesn’t turn up soon.’ She looked round the room. ‘Any other thoughts on the package?’
‘Burner phone,’ Bill said.
Clare nodded. ‘Makes sense. Maybe Paul’s hiding out somewhere and needs help: money, food, a car even. Could be whoever sprung him on Monday arranged for a phone to be delivered to Anthony.’
‘And if Anthony wasn’t willing,’ Bill went on, ‘if he was ignoring Paul’s calls, maybe that’s why they snatched him.’
‘Hold on, though,’ Jim said, ‘if Paul has men working for him – men who have access to a van and kids to drop off phones – what does he need Anthony for?’
It was a good point. ‘Well?’ Clare said. ‘Any ideas?’
‘That jewellery shop,’ Max said. ‘How much did they get away with?’
Clare frowned. ‘I’m not sure what the final figure was.’
‘I heard close on half a million,’ Sara said.
‘That much?’
‘They’ve a lot of high-end stuff. Rolex and other designers.’
‘And it wasn’t recovered?’
Sara shook her head. ‘I remember someone at the time saying they’d likely hang onto it for a bit. Wait for the heat to die down. The insurers had offered a big reward so every dealer would have been on the lookout.’
‘Could be the others gave Paul’s share to Anthony,’ Bill said. ‘To keep safe until he got out. That might explain why they grabbed him.’
Clare’s head was spinning with it all. There were so many possibilities. ‘Okay, let’s talk it through.’ She paused, trying to order her thoughts, then went on. ‘Let’s say the gang spring Paul on Monday. He’s hiding out somewhere but he knows we’ll be watching Anthony so he has to keep away. He – or whoever helped him escape – arranges for a lad to drop off a phone. Then he tries calling, but Anthony doesn’t pick up. Eventually Paul loses patience and sends the gang to lift him.’
Bill nodded. ‘Yeah, I’d say that works.’
She frowned. ‘But why would Anthony ignore the calls? And, if he was keeping Paul’s share of the robbery safe, where is it?’
