“What did ballistics have to say?” asked Andy.
“The gun used was an automatic. Eight 9mm shells were recovered from the scene. He was determined to kill them. It was over kill, the amount of lead he used,” replied the DC.
“Is there any other evidence? Anything else you can tell me?” asked Andy.
“Can’t think of anything else sir.”
“How much do you think was the value of the drugs that he took?”
“Minimum would have been about £20,000 and it could be a lot more. Micky deals in nothing less than 20k. The top end, well who knows?”
“If anything else turns up you have my mobile number?”
“Yes sir.”
Andy put the receiver down and clutched his hands in thought. Where would Lemmings head for with so much cash? He stood up and went into the incident room.
“Listen up, Lemmings is on the move and I want to know where. So get your fingers out and find him. Newton, come to my office, please.”
Newton followed him out of the room.
“Where do you think he is heading for?” Andy said without ceremony.
“Well, he’s got a great deal of cash and his face has been splashed all over the media, so I think somewhere out of the country,” said Newton.
“That’s what I think,” said Andy, “and he’s got some very nasty people looking for him, but his final destination is not important to my mind. It is how he is going to get out of the U.K?”
“You’re right sir, but which way will he go?” said Newton.
“We know that ten hours ago he was in North Yorkshire. I’m absolutely sure that he is in West Yorkshire now or somewhere on the east coast. So were will he go next? How will he try to leave the country?”
“Well sir, he will not try to leave the country by the usual means, but even so we should put an alert at ports and airports in case he does try,” said Newton.
“Hull Police have done that already. Now what other routes could he take?” said Andy.
At that moment Singh put her head around the door.
“Sir?” said Singh. “We have two reported sightings of Lemmings.”
“Where,” asked Andy.
“Filey,” said Singh.
“How good are the sightings?” asked Andy.
“One is very good. The manager of a static homes park says that Lemmings has been renting a home there for twenty months. The other is a take away in the town,” replied Singh.
“Right, everyone drop what they’re doing and get on the road. Newton, I want an armed unit to meet us in Filey. Singh, notify Hull Police. We all meet at the manager’s office. Give them the address. They will want to join us. Let’s go,” said Andy.
*
As they pulled up at the manager’s office, the manager came out. Andy didn’t like the look on the man’s face. Andy got out of the leading car.
“You the police?” the man asked.
“Yes. Are you the manager here?” said Andy.
“He’s gone,” said the man without ceremony.
“How do you know?” asked Andy.
“I’ve been down to his home. There’s no one there.”
“We told you not to go near his home,” said Andy angrily.
“Yea, but I thought that I needed to make sure he was here and anyway I went to the Radcliffe’s. They live next to him and know everything,” said the manager.
“What if he’s visiting someone on the site or gone shopping?” asked Andy.
The manager smiled. “The Radcliffe’s say he has been gone for two days. His car is not there.”
“What’s the registration of his car?”
“Don’t know, but Bill Radcliffe might know,” said the manager.
“Newton, start a home-by-home inquiry of the site and collect as much information as you can.” He turned to the manager, “Get into the car. Take me to the Radcliffes’ home,” he said abruptly.
Bill Radcliffe was seventy years of age, tall and with a full head of grey hair. He was witty and soon Andy’s black mood was gone. He knew the registration of Lemmings’ car and had a detailed knowledge of his comings and goings. Some would have labelled him a nosey parker but to Andy he was a God-send. The car registration proved to be a clone. The DVLA gave the owner as living in London, but Bill gave more important details about the car. He knew the make and model, since he had been a motor mechanic before he had retired. The details were flashed to all the police forces and mobile units in the country with an urgent request to find the car and driver.
“The brakes and suspension had been modified on it,” he said to Andy.
“What’s more, from the sound of the engine and the size of the exhaust, he’s got a right lump in that car,” Bill said knowingly.
“Did he have any visitors?” asked Andy.
“Only once, about three months back. A group of men came. Most left after a few hours, but two stayed the night,” said Bill.
“Can you describe them?”
“Well, at my age the memory isn’t that good now. But I’ll try my best,” said Bill.
“I’m going to leave an officer with you to take a statement and I would like you to tell her everything that you can remember Bill,” said Andy.
“I’ll try my best to remember,” said Bill.
Andy gave Bill a pat on the back and said, “I know you will.”
Chapter 25
The next day, shortly after the morning shift had started, the news came in that the car had been found in a car park in Scarborough. Andy had been going through the meagre contents found in Lemmings static home. He had been looking for clues as to where Lemmings had gone or was heading for. He had found nothing. Lemmings had been very careful to leave the place clean of any evidence leading to his whereabouts. As soon as the car was found, Andy had it removed to the forensic laboratories at Thorpe Arch for a very close examination. The scientist soon found several finger prints and some human hair matching Lemmings’ DNA, but little else. It was another dead end. Once again Lemmings had been ahead of his pursuers and had left nothing that would lead to his whereabouts. He was long gone. Andy’s disappointment was deep. He felt resentment against those of his superiors who had hampered his enquiry at every turn. He asked to see Padwick. His intention was to make Padwick feel some of the disappointment that he had inside him and that a child killer had, in Andy’s opinion, been allowed to get away. He was not about to mince his words.
Padwick was, as usual, sat behind his desk. To the right of him sat Bill Green. So he needs Green as support and to be a witness. Doesn’t want to be on his own. If he thinks Green is going to stop me… What a piece of shit, thought Andy.
“Sit down DI Rawlings. I am going to review your handling of this case,” said Padwick.
Andy was taken aback but quickly regained his composure.
“In that case sir, I would like a record of this meeting made,” said Andy.
“Is that necessary,” said Padwick. “It’s only a friendly review?”
“I’m sure it is sir, but nevertheless, I would like it written and recorded,” said Andy emphatically and in a very serious voice.
Padwick could see that he was determined to have the meeting recorded and in truth he could not deny the request.
“Very well, if you insist,” said Padwick. He pressed a button and Cathy came in with her note pad.
“Date, time, and those present please Cathy,” said Padwick.
“DI Rawlings would you say that your operation has been carried out with due diligence and in the best traditions of the force?” said Padwick.
What the hell is he playing at? thought Andy. “Are you referring to the Lemmings operation or to my enquiries into corruption within this force, sir?” said Andy, smirking.
“The Lemmings inquiry,” said Padwick sourly.
“Well, that was jeopardised by you sir,” replied Andy.
“I would be very careful how you answer the questions,” said Bill Green.
&n
bsp; “My answers to the questions will be entirely factually based,” said Andy. “The Lemmings operation reached an unsatisfactory conclusion because the Chief Superintendent decided to stop the funding of my group of officers and pull the plug on the operation,” said Andy.
“Those are strong words DI Rawlings. Can you substantiate them?” said Bill Green.
“Yes, I was given direct written orders that prevent the arrest of Lemmings. Consequently, the operation was brought forward and jeopardised,” said Andy.
“I think that we need to adjourn this meeting, Clive,” said Bill Green softly.
“So be it,” said Padwick. “We will reconvene sometime next week.”
Chapter 26
The Simpsons had been summoned to a meeting. They did not like to be called to meetings, especially when they had no choice and they didn’t like who had called it. Reluctantly they had agreed to meet, but they made sure it was in their own backyard. So on a dull April morning, with the rain falling relentlessly, they met in the long low steel porta-cabin that was Peter Simpson’s office and which was situated in Peter Simpson’s scrap yard. Surrounded by scrap cars and various other bits of metal, the weather and the setting made a perfect backdrop to the black mood of the meeting.
“You’ve got a man who has caused me grief and money,” said Micky, without ceremony and getting straight to the point.
Peter Simpson sat back in his chair, the rain drumming on the porta-cabin roof. He swung his leg stump back and forth as he looked sullenly at Mickey and pulled on his cigarette; blowing out smoke through his nose and mouth. The cigarette smoke rose slowly towards the ceiling. The walls of the cabin were yellow from the nicotine of cigarettes. He had lost the bottom half of his left leg to cancer as a result of his heavy smoking. He had rejected a prosthetic leg. He got around on one crutch and his trouser leg hung loosely, flapping around like a wet flag where the leg was missing.
“Who are we talking about?” said Peter Simpson.
“Lemmings,” replied Micky.
“Not my problem,” said Peter Simpson.
“He not only took my money but killed two of my men and one was family,” said Micky angrily.
“Not my problem,” repeated Simpson dryly.
“Well, I’ll tell you what is your fucking problem, he’s one of yours!” said Micky.
“Well you’ve got that well wrong. Lemmings, has nothing to do with us,” said Luke.
“He was sent to me by Frank and Frank, he’s one of yours ain’t he?” said Micky.
“Frank has been locked up for five years. He has done nothing for us since he has been inside,” said Peter Simpson.
“Frank may be locked-up, but he worked for you since he was a kid and if he sends someone it’s the same as you sending someone. Now I’ve got two men dead and a load of drugs and money taken. The man was sent by you or in your name if you like. You compensate me or give me Lemmings.”
“Or?” asked Mark, who had not spoken till then.
“Or we stop doing business. No more drugs and I sort things out in my own way. It could turn out into a right mess for you,” said Micky mockingly.
“None of us want that. There is no need for it to go that way. We both want Lemmings, so we can work together on this, Micky,” said Peter Simpson quietly. Then he turned to his sons.
“Don’t forget lads, your brother John is inside ‘cos of what Frank has done and he gave Lemmings our disposer.” After a pause he continued, “I think that there may be a way to clear this mess up. Lemmings was given a lot of our contacts by Frank. I’m thinking that it could be possible that we know who Mr S is. You know, Micky, the bloke mentioned on the police TV thing?”
“What you getting at?” said Mickey.
“Well if it’s the bloke I think it is. Then there’s our solution,” said Simpson.
“Go on, you’ve got me interested,” said Micky.
*
Simpson carried on talking for about half an hour, after which the meeting broke up and Micky left.
Chapter 27
Early on the morning of the 22nd of June, Andy came into the station and went to his desk. Various investigations had been successfully concluded and he had good reason to feel pleased with himself. He had a cup of coffee in a plastic cup in his hand, which he was enjoying and which he placed carefully on the desk, and then he sat down. There was the usual pile of mail and files. He pushed the files to one side and started opening the mail. As he came to the third envelope, he paused and for some reason, looked at it curiously. There was nothing that was outwardly different about it, but it caught his attention for some unknown reason. It was a plain brown envelope with his name and address neatly typed on the front. He turned it over. No addressee. The envelope felt flimsy. There was obviously little in it. He opened it. Inside was an A4 plaid white sheet of paper folded in three. He unfolded the paper. In the middle of the sheet, printed in bold black type, he read:
YOU WILL FIND LEMMINGS ON A CANAL BARGE. HE CAN BE FOUND AT LOCK 41. LEEDS/LIVERPOOL CANAL. YOU OWE US ONE. WE WILL COLLECT.
He quickly found, on Google, the location of Lock 41, Leeds/Liverpool canal. It was near Gargrave, about one and a half hours from Leeds. He got up quickly and moved into the main office where his team were.
“Newton, Singh, I want a car and get your coats on. We’re going to Lock 41 on the Leeds/Liverpool canal and be ready to leave in fifteen minutes. I’ll meet you in the car park. Have a firearms team meet us in Gargrave, half a mile from Lock 41.”
He left and went up to Bill Green’s office. He knocked on the door and without waiting for a reply entered the office. Green was sat at his desk and looked up as Andy entered. Andy handed Green the letter and envelope without saying anything. Green read it carefully and with remarkable calmness said,
“Well we will either find him wrapped up like a Christmas turkey or dead. Let’s go and find out.”
“I’ve a car waiting,” said Andy.
They met the firearms team in Gargrave and they moved as a unit, as close by road to Lock 41 as was possible. They were aware that they would have to walk down the canal path for about half a mile to reach the lock. As they came close to the lock the armed officers detached themselves and moved ahead of them. When they got to Lock 41, below it, they could see a canal barge moored in a siding. It appeared empty. Rawlings and Green watched as the firearms team deployed. As soon as they were in position, armed officers boarded and entered the barge, from the front and back simultaneously. Andy and Bill Green remained some distance away. From his position he could see that the barge was of average size. It had a black hull with a green-painted cabin that ran the whole length of the barge. He could just make out the words ‘Mayflower’ painted in gold and outlined in black on the side of the cabin. After a few moments an officer appeared at the rear doors of the barge. He spoke over his radio to Andy.
“A man answering Lemmings’ description is dead in the rear compartment, sir. He’s been shot,” said the officer.
Andy went down the canal path and stepped onto the rear of the barge. Bill Green quickly followed. He went through the cabin door and there was Lemmings. He was face down on the floor of the barge. He had two small holes in the back of his head.
“From the size of the entry wounds, I would say it’s a small- calibre weapon,” said the firearms officer volunteering the information without being asked.
“I can see that. How small?” asked Andy still looking at the body on the floor.
“I’d say a .22,” said the officer.
“Then our killer would have had to have been very close with a .22 pistol. Or have been known to Lemmings to have made such a close- range killing,” said Bill Green.
“Unless he was an expert small-bore rifle shot,” said the firearms officer.
“Why do you say that?” asked Andy.
“No empty shell cases in here and look at the banks of this canal. They are heavily wooded and overgrown. Perfect for a close-range shot with a rifle,
” said the officer.
“How close would he have to be to shoot accurately with a .22 rifle?” asked Andy.
“Fifty yards for an expert, but look at those wooded banks. He could get within twenty-five- yards easily,” said the officer.
“Why would he use a .22 rifle?” asked Green.
“At a twenty-five yard range, it’s deadly accurate and it’s absolutely silent. What’s more it’s easy to conceal. He would not have to get too close to make the shot or approach the target,” replied the officer.
“Concealed how?” asked Andy.
“A rod fishing bag would not look out of place on a canal, sir. A .22 rifle can be easily concealed as a fishing rod. Its small enough to look like a folded fishing rod in bag,” said the officer.
“Go and have a look around. See if you can find what you consider a good spot to make such a shot from and see if you can find any evidence,” said Andy.
“Then again if he was on the canal path, pretending to fish. He could wait and not look out of place. Right, let’s get forensics down here and cordon the area off, and get some drivers into the canal, Andy. He may have dumped the gun although I doubt it,” said Green.
After a few hours the barge had been searched from top to bottom. Forensics had done their work and they had a very good idea of how Lemmings had been killed. The killer had waited for Lemmings to arrive, hidden in a wooded area of the canal bank. From the way the grass had been flattened he had been waiting several hours. He had watched Lemmings tie the barge to the bank so he could operate the lock and had shot him as he made the barge fast to the bank. The second shot had been made at even closer range and had left some burn marks around the wound. The killer had then put Lemmings back on the barge. He had used hollow- point bullets. It had all the hall marks of a professional killing; in other words, the work of a hitman.
Chapter 28
Andy and Bill Green were sat in Padwick’s office. They both had large tumblers of malt whiskey in their hands.
“You’ve done a good job, Rawlings, you must be very pleased with yourself and your team,” said Padwick.
The Child Predators Page 13