The Child Predators

by Aitor Echevarria

  “It’s been a hard and ugly case, sir. I’m glad to see the back of it and though I hate to say it, our criminal friends did us a favour killing Lemmings,” said Andy.

  “Between us and these four walls, they not only did us a favour but saved the tax payer a lot of money,” added Bill Green.

  “Who do you think did it?” asked Padwick.

  “I think Micky paid for it. He’s been in Amsterdam for the last two weeks, in a five-star hotel, well out of the way and with the perfect alibi. But who he got to do it, we will probably never know or how they found him. You know, sir, Lemmings had a near perfect getaway planned,” said Andy.

  “Where was he going?” said Padwick.

  “From the documents we found in the barge, he was going to Liverpool first; there he would leave the barge and then take the ferry across to Northern Ireland. He then had a route planned to Eire and from there to Spain; after that who knows, but Africa is very easy to get to from Spain or a plane to South America. He had plenty of cash so money was no problem. He would have got clean away if he had not been killed. The only thing we didn’t find was the money or drugs. I guess the killer took those,” said Andy thoughtfully.

  “To our friends in crime,” said Bill Green raising his glass.

  “Aye, to our friends,” said Andy in broad Yorkshire and downed the glass in one gulp. Andy sat looking at the empty glass. He got up abruptly.

  “With your permission sir, I’ve got work to do. Mr S is still at large. I don’t like loose ends,” said Andy.

  “O.K. but I want to make your squad permanent and responsible for the eradication of child abuse in this city. This case has made you an expert on the subject. Will you accept the challenge, Andy,” said Padwick completely changing the subject.

  Andy sat down, looking at his empty whiskey glass and turning it around in his hand.

  “Only if you can guarantee no cuts in my personnel, sir and if I can keep the squad intact it is a possibility,” replied Andy after some thought.

  “I can’t, but I can guarantee that I will give you my full support,” said Padwick.

  “Well if that’s the best you can do, I accept. Now I must get back to my work, sir, with your permission,” said Andy rising again.

  “So must I,” said Bill Green, getting up.

  “BLOODY FOOL!” Andy suddenly said loudly.

  Padwick and Green looked at Andy in startled astonishment. Padwick was the first to react.

  “What did you say, Rawlings?”

  “I said fool, sir. I’m a bloody fool,” said Andy.

  “What on earth do you mean?” said Padwick.

  “We only recovered one whole body out of all the kids they killed; just bits of bone from two of the others and that body told us something we never properly followed up,” said Andy.

  “Go on,” said Padwick.

  “They sold the other bodies for parts. That’s why we found so few of the children’s bodies.”

  “For God’s sake where did that come from? Have you got some new information, or what?” said Padwick.

  “It’s what happened in London. The paedophile ring that I broke up there, it’s what they did. They sold the kids for body parts. It’s highly organised and lucrative to the men that abduct children or import them. Don’t you see sir? That’s why we recovered so few children. There’s another member of the ring. Everything points to another member. That rat Murphy has been keeping information on him away from us. Murphy was making money from Lemmings and the person he was selling parts to.

  I need to interview Murphy again and then there was what was in the pathologist’s report. The pathologist report said the body contained traces of drugs. The body contained a very special mixture of drugs that could have only been put together by an expert. I need to talk to Professor Carter, the pathologist who wrote the report and examined Tommy White’s body. I need to know what he meant exactly by ‘expert’ and ‘special mixture’. Murphy did not tell us that there was another member of the group, a man with very special skills. With your permission sir, I’ll get going and see Murphy again.”

  Padwick nodded and both men left. Andy had looked drawn and worn out. Not the man that had first entered my office all those months ago, thought Padwick. Padwick was left alone; his breast was filled with pride in his men.

  Andy entered his office and picked up his phone. He pressed the memory button and the automatic redial. He spoke to the professor’s secretary and made an appointment to see Professor Carter. He sat in his car, thinking about the questions that he needed to ask, as it sped towards St. Mary’s Hospital in South Leeds and his meeting with the pathologist. Professor Carter had just finished a lecture to post graduate students and returned to his office when his secretary announced DI Rawlings arrival. He told her to show him through. As Andy entered he looked up from his desk over the top of his glasses.

  “What can I do for you?” he said without ceremony.

  “Your report on Tommy White, the child recovered from the car said that his body contained an odd mixture of drugs,” said Andy getting straight to the point.

  “My report said that he had a particular mixture of drugs that could only have been put together by an expert. Pathology is a science. We do not have ‘odd mixtures’ as you put it,” said the professor.

  “What was significant about the mixture?” asked Andy, ignoring the mild rebuke.

  “The use of propofol amongst other drugs,” said the professor.

  “What is propofol and why is it significant?” said Andy.

  “It’s sedative and hypnotic. Only physicians who are expert in its use and management can use it,” said Carter.

  “Why?” asked Andy.

  “It can restrict the airways. In other words it stops you breathing and kills you very quickly if you don’t know how to use it,” said the professor in a condescending manner.

  “Anything else?” asked Andy.

  “The use of midazolam; before you ask it’s a short-acting anxiety-reducing drug. That together with propofol is significant as are the other drugs used. It was all in my report,” said the professor.

  “What sort of knowledge would you need to use these drugs, without killing the victim,” said Andy.

  “You mean, who has this kind of training?” said the professor.

  “Yes.”

  “It would have to be to post graduate level at least, in medicine or pharmacy. Either a doctor or a pharmacist,” said the professor bluntly.

  “Do you think that we should be looking for a practising doctor or pharmacist?” said Andy.

  “Are you asking for my opinion?” said the professor, looking at him over his glasses.

  “It’s your profession,” said Andy.

  “I would have thought that anyone with that kind of personality would have been struck off. Or at least I would have hoped that this was the case for the sake of my profession,” said the professor pensively.

  “Then that’s where I’m going to start, with doctors and pharmacist who have been struck offed in the last ten years,” said Andy.

  “You need to look at post graduates, in these fields as well,” said the professor.

  Chapter 29

  Sat around the conference table his squad was listening to Andy’s words attentively. He had started with,

  “Tommy White sent us a message from the grave and we got diverted, instead of following it through. That was my fault. I diverted our resources into finding a filing cabinet. Well we are going to put that right with some honest, routine police work. The drugs found in Tommy’s body were unusual and difficult to obtain. What is more important is that, unless you are a doctor or pharmacist, they are very difficult to use. It goes without saying that no honest doctor or chemist would make a mixture of drugs like that found in Tommy. So, DS Newton and DC Singh will look at every doctor and pharmacist that has been struck off in the last ten years. You will find out where they are and what they are doing. You will then bring any interesting lea
ds to me. DC Baker and DC Smith will contact all the medical schools and find any students who have been sent down or removed over the last ten years. You will trace them and see what they are up to now.”

  He opened a file in front of him. “Murphy describes Mr S as of medium height, thin, with grey eyes and between forty-five and fifty-five years of age. That cuts down who you are looking for significantly. What’s more I think that there is another member of the ring. I think that we are also looking for another man that has very particular skills and connections. Again any promising leads you will bring to me. Are there any questions?” said Andy.

  “This could take some time. Do we get any additional resources?” said Newton.

  “No,” said Andy.

  “Why Ireland?” asked Newton.

  “What, what on earth are you referring to Newton?” said Andy.

  “Why was Lemmings going to Ireland?” said Newton.

  “To escape seems the obvious answer. Do you think there was another reason?” said Andy.

  “I don’t know sir, that’s why I’m asking,” said Newton.

  “Is this just a gut feeling on your part or is there something else?” asked Andy.

  “I have no concrete reasons sir. I just think that Lemmings would have more than one reason to pick Ireland,” said Newton.

  “Well we can speculate on Lemmings reasons at some other time and if that is all, let’s get on with it,” said Andy, anxious to finish the briefing. He had just had an idea that he wanted to follow up.

  Newton got up as if to go but hesitated.

  “Just one more thing sir, I would like to go over the CCTV footage we have of Lemmings’ car in Leeds,” said Newton.

  “For what purpose?” said Andy.

  “To see if he stopped at any nearby doctors or chemists,” replied Newton.

  “Now that’s a very good idea, Newton,” said Andy sarcastically.

  “He’s going to make it that easy for you? Lead you straight to a Doctor? That would be a first!” said Andy.

  Newton looked down at his feet.

  “Look at the CCTV but see what areas he parks near and if he parks near an area regularly,” said Andy.

  “Yes sir,” said Newton and left.

  Andy sat back in his chair. He’s not that stupid. He’s testing me, trying to catch me out. He’s spying, but for whom? Andy thought.

  Andy went to see Bill Green. In his office he quickly came to the point.

  “I want to interview Frank Dobson again sir,” said Andy.

  “Any particular reason?” said Green.

  “I think that now that Lemmings is dead he may be prepared to give us more information,” said Andy.

  “On the Manchester gangs?” said Green.

  “That and on Mr S and the other group member amongst other things,” said Andy.

  “Fine but I’m coming with you. Get on to Wakefield and arrange an interview with Dobson,” said Green.

  Just as he was about to leave the phone rang on Green’s desk. Green picked it up and said,

  “Newton for you.”

  Andy spoke to Newton for several minutes and then put the receiver down.

  “You probably got the gist of that, sir. Lemmings parked his car in the university car park on numerous occasions,” said Andy.

  “What’s the significance?” asked Green.

  “We are looking for someone with an expert knowledge of drugs,” said Andy.

  “At the university? There should be quite a few there,” said Green

  “Don’t think so. Somewhere nearby,” said Andy.

  Chapter 30

  Frank was on the floor of his cell. Face down. He had been left there by the six prison guards that it had taken to put him there. He drifted in and out of consciousness and then he fell into a deep coma, brought on and caused by his injuries. An hour later he came around, and coughed a little. Pink foam appeared at the side of his mouth and spilled onto the floor of the cell. He drifted back into unconsciousness. Sometime later a routine check was made on Dobson by the prison guards and the alarm was given. Medical staff quickly arrived at Dobson’s cell and removed him into the prison hospital wing. The prison doctor examined Dobson’s injuries and condition. He was not prepared to take responsibility for him and had him immediately transferred to hospital, much to the Governor’s annoyance.

  Andy was in Bill Green’s office and they were going over the loose ends of the case. Mulling over ideas and what they knew.

  “The contact Dobson provided Lemmings with was Micky Houghton, a drug dealer and known associate of the Simpsons,” Andy was saying. “It gave Lemmings the means of making money. The man that I think killed him was the security specialist for the group and I think associated with the Simpsons as well. He would not be the sort of man that Lemmings would have known in his past life, but he is the sort of man the Simpsons would know and hence Dobson. What do you think sir,” said Andy.

  “I think that whether you are right or wrong, it’s worth pursuing. I think that you need to talk to Dobson again,” said Green.

  “If I can get an interview with Dobson, will you come to Wakefield sir?” said Andy.

  “Yes, but I would like us to meet first and talk about how we are going to handle Dobson. It needs some careful thought,” said Green.

  “I’ll phone Wakefield and ask them for an interview with Dobson. When the arrangements are finalised, then I’ll get back to you sir and thank you,” said Andy.

  Andy wasted no time in making the phone call to Wakefield prison. When he got through to the prison he was kept on hold for a while. Finally the senior prison officer came on the phone.

  *

  “DI Rawlings?” said a voice.

  “Speaking, whom am I talking to?”

  “Thompson, sir. I’m the senior prison officer,” said the officer.

  “I would like to arrange a visit with Dobson, Mr Thompson” said Rawlings.

  There was a long pause and then,

  “That’s a bit difficult, sir,” said Thompson.

  “Can you be more specific?” said Andy sarcastically, and with annoyance.

  “He is no longer with us,” said Thompson.

  *

  Thompson then went into a long explanation. He told Andy that Dobson had been taken to Pinderfields Hospital under guard. Sometime during the night, he had escaped. Andy was stunned. When he asked for more details, Andy was told he had attacked a prison officer and bitten half his ear off.

  “And what was the reason for the attack?” asked Andy.

  “The reason was the officer allegedly said that he was glad that Lemmings had been killed and that he hoped he was turning nice and crispy in hell. Dobson went mad. It took six officers to put him in a cell after a titanic struggle. The next day Dobson was still unconscious in his cell and so he was transferred to the hospital wing of the prison for treatment to head injuries. The doctor could not bring him round. He suspected serious internal injuries. He was transferred to the trauma unit at Pinderfields where he was found to have a partially collapsed and punctured lung filling with blood, and head injuries. After three nights the doctors managed to stabilise him. He recovered over the next week. Then one night he soiled himself and was taken to shower, to get himself clean. The two officers guarding him undid his cuffs so he could take off his pyjama jacket and shower. Dobson ripped the handrail of the wall in the shower and used it to attack the officers; leaving one with a fractured jaw and a broken arm, the other with several head injuries. Both officers were left unconscious. Putting on one of their uniforms, Dobson took their money and credit cards and walked out of the hospital.”

  “When did this happen, and why was I not informed?” said Andy.

  “You were not the arresting officer, sir and he was the concern of Manchester’s C.I.D. on our files not you. A general alert was put out this morning at 6am when the hospital discovered he was gone. Wakefield Police are coordinating the hunt for Dobson,” said the prison officer.

>   “Thanks, I’ll get on to Wakefield,” said Andy and put down the phone.

  Andy was on the phone to Wakefield for about ten minutes. He learnt two things. Dobson had taken a minicab from Wakefield to Leeds. He had robbed the driver and left him shaken but not hurt. He had entered an all-night supermarket in North East Leeds and had bought food, drink, some clothes and a kitchen knife. Dobson was on his patch and armed. Andy realised that they would have to launch a massive man hunt and the only man that could authorise it was Padwick. He got up and made his way to Padwick’s office.

  “Trouble?” asked Cathy as he entered her office.

  “Dobson has escaped and he’s in Leeds,” said Andy.

  Cathy picked up her phone and pressed the intercom button.

  “Sir, Andy is here and it’s urgent,” she said and waited.

  “Go straight in,” she said to Andy.

  “Well?” said Padwick as Andy entered his office.

  “Dobson’s out. He has escaped and he is somewhere in Leeds,” said Andy.

  “How do you know?”

  “Wakefield C.I.D. The information is sound and verified. What’s more Dobson is armed,” said Andy.

  Padwick picked up his phone.

  “Cathy, I want a full station alert. Give Dobson’s description to every officer and he is not to be approached until an armed response unit is on the scene. Get Green in here and the other divisional heads and get me the chief constable on the phone.”

  He put the phone down and looked at Andy.

  “Give me all the details. If we don’t catch Dobson soon we could have a blood-bath,” said Padwick.

  The meeting in Padwick’s office went on for over an hour. At the end of which Padwick had secured extra resources from his chief constable and a strategic action plan to catch Dobson had been made. As the meeting broke up and officers began to leave to brief their men, Green lingered behind.

  “What is it Bill,” said Padwick.

  “Why did Dobson head for Leeds and not Manchester, Clive?” said Bill Green.

  “You think he has come here for a reason or is it that Manchester was too obvious a choice for him Bill?” said Padwick.