Ask No Questions

by Hartley, Lisa

  Seddon smirked. ‘They talk to us as though we’re dogs, you see.’ He moved to the chair and sat down, leaning back, his legs spread wide. ‘Isn’t that right, Mr Grandby, sir?’

  The prison officer laughed. ‘Part of the training, Mr Seddon. Humiliate and degrade the prisoners at every opportunity.’ He winked at Caelan and Ewan. ‘I’ll be outside.’

  As the door closed behind him, Seddon leaned forward. Caelan remained still, though she felt Ewan tense beside her. Seddon saw it too, and one corner of his mouth lifted. ‘It’s all right, son. I don’t bite.’ He lifted his hands, cuffed together. ‘No threat at all, you see?’

  Ewan blinked, but said nothing. Seddon turned his attention to Caelan.

  ‘How about you, darling?’

  Caelan stared back at him. ‘Me?’

  ‘How does it feel to be locked up with twelve hundred men? Some of the blokes in here have barely seen a woman in more than twenty years. I’d imagine they’d love to be sitting where I am right now.’ He smirked, using his fingertips to adjust his trousers around his crotch, moving his knees even further apart. Caelan watched the performance, unimpressed. If Seddon thought he was going to rattle her with one of the most pathetic attempts at intimidation she’d ever seen, he was mistaken. She lifted an eyebrow.

  ‘Finished?’ she said. The effect on Seddon was immediate; he sat up straight, his features contorting.

  ‘Hard-nosed bitch act, is it? Fine by me.’

  ‘More convincing than your perving,’ Caelan shot back at him.

  ‘Telling you, when my mates on the wing hear I’ve been talking to a young woman, they’ll want to hear every detail. Your face, your figure, the smell of your skin …’ He leaned forward again, sniffing, treating them to a passable impression of Anthony Hopkins playing Hannibal Lecter. He groaned. ‘Beautiful.’

  ‘Oh piss off,’ said Caelan. ‘If you don’t want to listen, go back to your cell, and we’ll go home. Some of us can do that, Duncan.’

  ‘And I won’t be able to for another twenty years?’ Seddon nodded, grinning widely. ‘Good point. You’ve hurt me deeply by mentioning it – well done. All right. Tell me why you’re here and I’ll decide if I want to hear you out or not.’ He widened his eyes, tipping his head to the side as if to prove he was listening.

  ‘We were told you’d agreed to help us,’ Ewan said. Caelan wished she had told him to keep his mouth closed, and let her do the talking.

  Seddon chortled, displaying beige teeth and several gold fillings. ‘New boy, is he?’ Ewan blushed, and Seddon laughed harder. ‘Leave him at home next time you come to see me, darling.’

  Caelan was losing patience. ‘We’re here to talk about your cousin.’

  ‘My cousin?’ Seddon raised his cuffed hands to scratch at his jaw. ‘Have to be more specific, treacle. I’ve thirty or more cousins, not to mention a shitload of half-siblings – my mum was an old slag, what can I say?’

  ‘This cousin’s young son was murdered,’ said Caelan quietly. Seddon stared.

  ‘Son? You mean Charlie?’

  ‘You do know then.’

  ‘Know? Of course I fucking know.’ Seddon’s lips were drawn back in a snarl. ‘Shot in the head by some fucking paedo who’d been doing God knows what to him while the police sat around scratching their arses like the useless bastards they are.’ He showed his teeth in a parody of a smile. ‘Present company excepted.’

  ‘There was no suggestion Charlie was sexually assaulted.’

  ‘So you say. I know how these fuckers work. Why else would you grab a kid and keep him locked up?’

  ‘I can think of several reasons. We were hoping you might be able to help us decide which version is the right one.’

  ‘I doubt it. Why are you asking?’

  ‘Were you close to your cousin?’

  He snorted. ‘Close? No. Like I said, my family’s huge. If I was close to everyone, I’d never get any business done.’

  ‘Business?’ Caelan remembered the briefings about Seddon’s entrepreneurial activities, and suppressed a shudder.

  ‘It’s hard to believe, I know, but I have a successful plumbing and building company on the outside.’

  ‘Plumbing? Right.’

  ‘What does that mean?’

  ‘Nothing, Duncan. Nothing at all.’

  ‘My sons are running it while I’m otherwise engaged.’ Seddon wiped his nose on the back of his wrist, the handcuffs clinking. ‘Lucky I started paying into a pension early, isn’t it?’ Caelan couldn’t help smiling. Seddon saw it, and winked. ‘Think you and I are going to be mates. Not sure about him.’

  ‘You knew your cousin’s son was murdered, though?’

  ‘Hard to miss it. All over the news, front page of the papers when he went missing. Then when he was found dead …’ Seddon swallowed. ‘I couldn’t believe it. I went to the house, told them they should have paid the ransom.’

  Caelan was careful not to alert Seddon to the fact that he’d given them information of interest. The Flynns had always denied receiving a ransom demand.

  ‘And what did they say?’

  He looked at her as if gauging whether to tell the truth. ‘Listen, Miss Police Officer, what am I getting out of this?’

  ‘Half an hour off work?’

  ‘Meaning I’ll lose some of my wages. A few pence less in the pittance I’m allowed.’

  ‘I’ll make sure you’re not docked any money.’

  ‘Good of you. What else?’

  ‘You’re starting a life sentence. I don’t think you’re in a position to make demands.’

  ‘Don’t you? Seems to me like the ideal time to try.’

  Caelan sighed. ‘What do you want?’ It was a stupid thing to say, and the look he flashed her was pitying.

  ‘Apart from you naked, bent over this table?’ He licked his lips. ‘I want out of this shithole. I’ve been in here before, but it’s changed. It’s all kids and blokes who can’t speak English now. Most of them are mental, or pretending to be. I want my category to be reconsidered.’

  ‘I bet you do.’

  ‘Only fair. You scratch my back, and all that.’

  ‘You know that won’t happen, not yet. You killed a man.’

  ‘Not intentionally. I never meant for him to die.’

  ‘You stuck a knife in him, Duncan. What did you think was going to happen? It’s not as though you tickled him.’

  Seddon stuck out his lower lip. ‘I’m not going to argue over the details. Tell me what you can do for me, or I’m off.’

  ‘You won’t even discuss it? This is about your own flesh and blood,’ Caelan said. She doubted Seddon had a conscience, but it was worth a try. He lifted his shackled hands again, rubbed his top lip, scratched the stubble on his chin. Eventually his index finger disappeared inside his nostril. Caelan watched, not giving him a reaction. Eventually her patience was rewarded.

  ‘They wouldn’t even see me,’ Seddon burst out. ‘There were journalists, TV cameras, nosy neighbours. People laying bunches of fucking flowers everywhere, like it was going to help. Pricks.’

  ‘How did you know a ransom demand had been made?’

  Seddon stared at her. ‘I guessed. “Pay up or we’ll start chopping bits off your son and posting them to you.” You know how it goes.’

  ‘If you say so. Did your cousin ever confirm the kidnappers had contacted them?’

  ‘I’ve told you, I never spoke to her.’

  Caelan held in a scream. ‘You were winding me up before? You’re telling me you don’t know if your assumption about the ransom was right?’

  ‘I’ve no idea.’ Seddon’s grin was smug. ‘Irritating bastard, aren’t I?’

  ‘What about other members of the family? Did anyone else talk about Charlie’s murder?’

  ‘What do you think? It was all anyone spoke about.’

  ‘How did the family feel when the man who killed him escaped?’

  Seddon sneered. ‘When you lot let him get away, you mean? Sha
me you couldn’t look the other way when I used my knife on a mouthy bastard who was taking the piss, wasn’t it?’

  ‘Taking the piss? What do you mean?’

  ‘The whole pub was talking about Charlie’s death. The bloke I killed? He made a smart remark, something about thinking the parents had done it and shifted the blame. I lost it. Next thing I know, he’s on the floor, blood pumping over my best shoes.’

  ‘How inconsiderate of him. You were defending your family’s honour then, is that it?’ She tried to keep the sneer out of her voice, but it wasn’t easy.

  ‘Didn’t wash with the judge either.’ Seddon sounded regretful.

  There was a silence, Caelan wondering how best to play this. Seddon was wily, and clever. He might be able to help, but was equally likely to be stringing them along for his own amusement. Anything to break up the tedium of the day. ‘Your victim wasn’t the only one to think that maybe Seb Lambourne didn’t kill Charlie,’ she said, choosing her words with care. Seddon let out a bark of laughter.

  ‘Yeah, and maybe the Titanic sprang a leak. Maybe this whole world is a reality TV show, watched by little green men.’

  ‘You believe Lambourne did it.’

  ‘Wasn’t I clear enough? Yes, I do. He didn’t get his money, so he murdered the boy. Killed some copper too, I heard.’

  Some copper. The image of Nicky slumping to the ground flashed through Caelan’s mind again. She ran a hand over her mouth. Seddon watched with interest.

  ‘Colleague of yours, was it? A friend?’

  ‘No.’

  ‘Still, it was only a copper,’ Seddon taunted. ‘Not as though you lot count, is it?’

  Caelan met his eyes. ‘Not as much as a ten-year-old child does, you mean?’

  Seddon sat back, pouting. ‘Why are you asking about this, anyway? It’s ancient history.’

  How much should she reveal? Fuck it. Beckett had said there was no need to be cautious.

  ‘We’ve heard Lambourne’s back in the country,’ she said.

  Seddon looked unimpressed. ‘And?’

  ‘And his son was murdered recently.’

  ‘Lambourne’s son was? Fuck me. Well, what a shame. Am I supposed to be upset?’

  ‘Can you think of anyone who might have wanted to teach Lambourne a lesson?’

  ‘Apart from the whole country? Got the “bring back capital punishment” brigade hot under the collar when he killed Charlie, didn’t he? They all wanted him stringing up. Sounds a good idea to me too, now you can do your magic with DNA.’

  ‘Except you’d be dead too by now. Hanged by the neck …’ The memory of Sam’s prone body flashed through Caelan’s mind again. At least he had been dead before he was strung up there. It gave her little comfort.

  Seddon smiled, unconcerned. ‘Hardly the same. I’d never touch a kid.’

  ‘Noble of you.’

  ‘I try.’

  ‘You’ve narrowed the list of suspects down to the entire population of the British Isles for us. Excellent work, Mr Seddon.’

  ‘All right, sarky. Doesn’t suit you, you know.’ He shuffled in his chair, his brow wrinkling. ‘My cousin and her husband might have had a go, but they’re dead.’

  ‘Seriously? You’re suggesting your own cousin as a suspect?’

  ‘Nah, not unless she’s doing it from beyond the grave. Her husband’s lot were well dodgy, though. Have a poke around his family tree – who knows what might fall out.’ He struggled to point a finger at her. ‘I’ll give you that for free. Nasty bastards, all of them.’

  ‘Says the convicted murderer,’ Caelan couldn’t help reminding him.

  ‘Now don’t be like that.’

  ‘Anyone else? Preferably people who are still breathing.’

  ‘What about the other geezer, the one who worked with Lambourne?’

  ‘Glen Walker. We can’t find him.’

  ‘There’s a fucking surprise.’ Seddon clicked his tongue, considering it. ‘No idea then.’

  Caelan pushed back her chair. ‘This is a waste of time. Goodbye, Duncan.’

  He held up his hands. ‘No, wait. You’re serious about it not being Lambourne, aren’t you?’ His expression changed, his eyes narrowing, a smirk crawling around his lips. ‘I’ll ask you again. What are you going to give me?’

  ‘What do you know?’

  ‘Not how this works, darling.’

  ‘I’m not your fucking darling.’

  ‘Temper, temper. The copper who died … There was someone else there, wasn’t there? It was supposed to be a rescue mission, turned into a total fuck-up. The bloke in charge was sacked.’

  ‘And?’

  ‘I don’t know. In here, I’m shut off, but out there … Out there, I heard things.’

  ‘What? What did you hear?’ Caelan knew she sounded too eager. He would pick up as much information inside as he had when he was free. Men like Duncan Seddon didn’t stop their activities because they were in prison. Seddon had nothing concrete to tell her, she was certain. And yet … she couldn’t take the chance.

  ‘I want to be moved,’ he repeated.

  ‘No chance. Tell me what you know.’

  ‘Or else what? My life’s fucked already. I’m going to die in here while my sons piss everything I’ve worked for up the wall.’ Seddon twisted in his seat, calling towards the door. ‘Mr Grandby? I’ll go back to my cell now.’

  Caelan thought quickly. Beckett had the power to make things happen. What harm could it do to promise to try to help Seddon? He was right, his life was a write-off. He could wheel and deal all he liked, but he would still be inside. His power had been diminished. Did it matter where he spent the rest of his days?

  ‘Listen, I’ll speak to my boss,’ she said quickly, urgency bleeding into her voice.

  Seddon heard it, cocked his head. ‘I’m listening.’

  ‘You’re a Category A prisoner, and I can’t change that. What I can do is try to make your time here more palatable.’

  ‘Still listening.’

  ‘What can I say? Your own clothes, full privileges? Money, cigarettes.’

  He sketched a yawn. ‘Not good enough.’

  ‘Then we’re finished.’ This time Caelan got to her feet.

  Seddon managed to click his fingers. ‘Not until I say so.’

  She looked down at him, not hiding the sneer now. ‘You’re in charge, are you?’

  ‘I did some business with Seb Lambourne once. I regret it, of course, now I know what he is. It was years ago, but you never know, I might be able to tell you something, if …’ He sat back, waited.

  ‘What do you want? Tell me, and I’ll see what I can do – within reason.’

  He smiled. ‘Good girl. Like I told you, I want a transfer. Somewhere with fresh air, scenery. I want to do some gardening, grow some vegetables, maybe flowers. I’m sick of London.’

  Caelan stared at him. What was his game? People like Seddon didn’t do anything without a reason, and she couldn’t see him digging or weeding. ‘What about your family, your business?’

  ‘My missus has been shagging my brother for years. They think I don’t know, but it suited me to let them get on with it. Allowed me time to have plenty of fun of my own. He moved into my house the day I was arrested. The business is fucked. Let the boys wreck it. My time’s over. Think of it as me wanting a retirement home.’

  ‘Scenery? Gardening? Not the top of most prisons’ list of priorities, I don’t think.’

  ‘Which is where they get it wrong. Some trees and fields to look at, even through the bars on the windows, would do most cons the world of good.’ Seddon’s voice was dreamy.

  Caelan shook her head. ‘Now I know you’re taking the piss.’

  ‘Not at all.’

  ‘What about HMP Wakefield?’

  ‘Monster Mansion? Funny. Anyway, it’s surrounded by houses.’

  ‘Frankland?’

  Seddon rubbed his chin. ‘Better. Still full of perverts, though.’

  ‘You�
�re Cat A, Duncan. Your fellow prisoners aren’t going to be angels.’ Caelan was losing patience. ‘I need to leave here in the next ten minutes. I’ll see what I can do about a transfer, but I don’t have much authority. I’m making no promises. Take it or leave it.’

  Seddon scowled. ‘If you have no authority, why are you here?’

  ‘Because we thought you might want to see the person who murdered a ten-year-old relative of yours behind bars for the rest of their life. Seems we were wrong.’

  ‘Reverse psychology now? You know how it is. No such thing as something for nothing. Now,’ he leaned forward, ‘let’s talk.’

  ‘You said you did some business with Seb Lambourne. What did you mean?’

  He laughed. ‘I’m not giving you details. I had some merchandise to sell, he heard, wanted to buy. We agreed a price, did the deal.’

  ‘Did you meet face to face?’

  ‘Once, in a pub. Horrible place.’

  ‘Where was it?’

  ‘Whitechapel.’ Seddon made guns from his index fingers and thumbs, pointed them at Caelan. ‘Not the Blind Beggar, it was some other shithole.’

  What the hell? ‘The Wheatsheaf?’

  ‘Bingo! Do you know it?’ The look Seddon gave her was impossible to read. Deafening alarm bells shrieked in Caelan’s head. She was being played, manipulated. Seddon was leading her in a dance, and she had been forced to fall into step. She folded her arms. Something was wrong, and she had no idea what. Was this Beckett’s doing? She had arranged the meeting. Seddon was a pawn, she was sure, dragged along for the ride. He’d probably been promised his transfer long before Caelan and Ewan arrived, having agreed to play his part.

  ‘I’ve heard of it,’ she said slowly.

  ‘Plenty of meetings go on there. Lots of deals struck, agreements made. Tempers lost, sometimes.’ He smiled at her. Caelan felt colour rise in her cheeks. Did he know what she had done in the Wheatsheaf? How could he? It was impossible, and she told herself to stop being paranoid. Seddon was a gangster, vicious and violent, nothing more.

  ‘Tell me more about your meeting with Lambourne. Was he alone?’

  ‘No. Someone like him rarely is. Have to have their muscle, their heavies, showing how important they are.’ He cleared his throat. ‘Pathetic.’