Condemned

by R. C. Bridgestock

  Charley could see, by the expression on Thomas’s face, that this opening line of questioning was most unexpected.

  Chapter 40

  James Thomas pulled himself to the front of his seat – he was sweating profusely even though they were in an air-conditioned room. ‘What do you want to know?’

  Charley leaned back in her chair in her office as she watched the interview on screen. She felt almost relaxed, there was no rush.

  ‘Whatever you want to tell us.’ Mikes responded.

  ‘I’m a businessman,’ he said.

  ‘Hobbies?’ asked Mike.

  ‘I like the finer things in life, fine dining, the theatre, my cars, but my passion is amateur dramatics.’

  ‘What is your business exactly?’ prompted Wilkie.

  ‘I’m an entrepreneur.’

  ‘What exactly is an “entrepreneur”?’ asked Wilkie.

  ‘An entrepreneur is someone who operates a business, or businesses, taking on greater than normal financial risks.’

  ‘That could be anyone who starts up a new business?’

  James Thomas nodded. ‘I suppose so, yes.’

  ‘What do you actually buy and sell?’

  ‘If I see something where I think there’s a profit to be made, then I’ll invest in it or buy it outright. Whatever that might be.’

  ‘Like Crownest?’ said Mike.

  James nodded. ‘Yes, but like I said, I don’t just deal in property, or land. I buy and sell anything that I think might be profitable, that’s why I called the business JT Developments, as it covers a multitude of investments.’

  ‘Then, you’re telling us that you are driven by money?’

  ‘I used to be.’ Thomas paused. ‘You see I was brought up on a council estate in a strong working-class family. As it happened, we were classed as rich because we had glass in our windows. It wasn’t easy for my parents. I’ve worked hard to get where I am today.’

  Mr Thomas appeared to be happy talking about himself. ‘Where would you say that is?’ Mike probed a little harder.

  ‘I have my own house, and I am financially stable, which enables me to invest and support charitable causes.’

  ‘My officers tell me that you lived in Rome for a while. Is travelling something that you like to do?’ the detective continued.

  Thomas shrugged his shoulders. ‘If the mood takes me. I don’t have anyone to answer to but myself.’

  ‘You live alone?’ said Mike.

  James smiled. ‘You know I do.’

  ‘Never met the right person or through choice?’

  ‘In my early twenties I went to Rome to become a priest, something I had trained for, but although I had a terrific time, I met someone.’ James swallowed hard. ‘It was unexpected, and traumatic, and my life took a very different road from the one I had planned, and I guess you could say that from then on, my disillusion with the wider world began.’

  ‘You fell in love, he let you down?’

  James looked at him with surprise. ‘How did you know that?’

  ‘Call it intuition, but, let me assure you, I have no issue with your sexuality.’

  James smiled, a genuine smile. ‘Well, let’s just say, from that time I have carried with me a sense of rejection and unfulfillment which often comes to the fore in bouts of low mood or when things are not going to plan.’

  ‘So you have a temper?’

  James nodded his head. ‘As your boss saw first-hand at Crownest that day. I just get frustrated.’

  ‘When did you first meet Jonathan Raglan?’ asked Mike.

  ‘A few years ago. I have quite a portfolio of properties which I have acquired from him over the last few years, and now he contacts me if he has been to value property which he thinks might be of interest to me.’

  ‘Okay, so we have determined from our little chat that you are an intelligent, generous man. What is your involvement with Crownest?’

  James Thomas turned his head sideways to look at his solicitor, who nodded his head for him to continue.

  ‘Crownest is probably the worst investment I have ever made. It was sold to me by Raglan as an undesirable property whilst it stood, but with the promise that when it was demolished, it would leave prime land for development. He assured me that plans would be passed by the council to build several prestigious detached houses. Offers were invited for the sale of it, and I subsequently put an offer in which was immediately accepted. Plans were drawn up for the development, at my expense I might add, and planning permission was put in to the council. Then out of the blue, Raglan informed me that the sellers had accepted a higher offer from another buyer, which I was obviously very upset about because I thought I had already completed on the property. The approved planning permission for the new houses came back several days later, so when Raglan rang me to say that Crownest had come back on the market, I immediately put my offer back on the table, to have it accepted again. In the meantime, the Dixons had already moved in, temporarily I was told… As you can imagine I wasn’t very pleased about this because we couldn’t immediately start the demolition… and, you know the rest.’

  ‘We’ve heard other people’s versions of what happened on the night of Faisal Hussain’s murder, but we’d like to hear yours,’ said Mike.

  ‘Raglan told me that the couple renting were reluctant to leave the property. He said that, knowing the couple, if I was willing to offer them a monetary incentive, he was sure they would depart. Delays for me meant losing money, so I wasn’t against this idea. It turned out that when I arrived at Crownest, Jonathan Raglan was already there. He was acting very strangely. However, the couple, introduced to me as Brad and Brittany Dixon were hard to strike a bargain with, and in the end, Raglan offered to go halves with me for the price they were demanding. I remember thinking at that point that he didn’t look great, but he hadn’t looked well in recent months… although he remained a shrewd businessman nevertheless.’

  ‘Had you met the couple, the Dixons, before that night?’ interrupted Mike.

  James nodded. ‘Yes, I saw them briefly when I went to the address previously with Joe Greenwood, the owner, to discuss the house demolition.’ Suddenly, James’s eyes grew large and round. ‘Anyway, the time I went to discuss the Dixons’ departure, the next thing I knew was that a big, angry-looking Asian guy had burst into the hallway brandishing a gun, and before anyone could do or say anything, this guy had Brad Dixon’s head in a headlock, and was pointing the gun to it and threatening to kill him.’

  Mike and Wilkie remained silent.

  James Thomas took a clean, neatly folded handkerchief out of his suit pocket, and held it to his cheek, then he mopped his forehead, before putting it back in his pocket. ‘I was absolutely terrified. The whole thing was just surreal, like something out of a play. Next thing I heard was a gun going off, and I saw the stranger fall to the floor. I turned to look at Mr Raglan, and he was holding the gun that was pointed in the direction of Brad Dixon. I didn’t know what to do. I panicked. I can recall Mr Dixon saying the man was dead. After that, it all seemed slightly crazy. Mr Dixon told me that I had to keep quiet about what I’d witnessed, or else—’ Thomas put his hand over his face. ‘—his nose was pressed against mine,’ he said. Thomas’s hand shook. ‘Mr Raglan appeared to be in shock. I promised them that I wouldn’t say a word if they let me leave. Under duress, and in fear for my life, I helped to hide the body, after which I hastily left. I remember my heart was beating so hard against my ribcage that when I got into my car and had locked the doors, I was trembling so badly that I couldn’t put the key in the ignition.’

  ‘How did the others appear to be immediately after the shooting?’

  James considered the question. ‘That’s just it, when I think back, they were all quite calm, matter of fact. A man had just been shot in front of their eyes, and they didn’t really bat an eyelid. They appeared to be only concerned about being caught.’

  ‘Did you want the building to be demolished as soon as po
ssible to get rid of the body on their behalf? Is that why it was set alight?’ continued Mike.

  ‘No, not at all! I had enough on my plate trying to carry on and act normal after what I had witnessed. I could only surmise, when the bodies were found in the house, that one of them was the stranger I had seen shot dead that night. I did want Crownest to be demolished for one thing, and one thing only, and that was to get the job done, so that the builders could start.’

  ‘If you want us to believe that this is the truth, tell me, why didn’t you come forward before now? You had time before the human remains were discovered, and plenty of time since,’ said Mike.

  ‘God’s honest truth? I was petrified that they would kill me. I still am.’

  ‘You’ve heard of Crimestoppers haven’t you?’ said Mike.

  Thomas nodded.

  Wilkie’s eyes became suspicious. ‘Why didn’t you make an anonymous call?’

  James hand flew to his mouth. ‘Why didn’t I think about that? Although… now I am thinking about it, I was the only person who knew about the shooting, other than Jonathan Raglan and the Dixons, so it wouldn’t have been hard for them to work out who the grass was, would it?’

  ‘Are you involved in the drugs scene, in any way?’ asked Mike.

  James shook his head vehemently. ‘No, no, never. You’ve searched my house by now, I guess,’ he smiled wanly. ‘Give me a test, right here and now if you want.’

  ‘I didn’t ask if you were a user. I asked if you had any dealings with drugs. You grew up on an estate, you know how to handle yourself, you’re a self-made man, you come across as being astute and intelligent, so what puzzles me is why you would be dealing with someone like Raglan, who’s presently acting irrationally. And let’s not forget, through him you’ve met a pair of armed robbers who are wanted by the police, and a murder has taken place while you are in their company. How do you think all that looks to us?’

  ‘What I’ve told you is the truth.’

  ‘Then why don’t I believe you?’ Mike said. ‘I don’t deny you have a business buying and selling different investments, but I also believe that you have been dabbling with the selling and distribution of drugs, which you know is a global money-making business, and from which you can make a substantial profit.’

  ‘My client is not under arrest in relation to any drug charges, and I must object to this line of questioning,’ interjected Mr Kane, Thomas’s solicitor. James Thomas’s face was unreadable.

  Mike was quick to answer back. ‘You can object all you want, but we know that the Dixons and Raglan were involved in the drugs scene and in money-laundering, so the question is relevant for us to understand whether your client has been using his entrepreneurial skills in the drugs world.’

  James Thomas broke the silence. ‘Sergeant, let me assure you that is not the case. Have you found anything in my home or my car to suggest otherwise?’ Mike and Wilkie remained silent.

  ‘No is the answer, because I know you won’t,’ James said with some finality.

  ‘You’ll be telling me next that the Mafia are God-fearing individuals. I think it is time to terminate this interview to give you some time to reflect,’ said Mike collating his paperwork from the table in front of him.

  Mr Kane followed Mike out of the interview room. ‘I suggest that maybe my client is willing to make a statement, if he isn’t charged with any offence.’

  ‘I’m far from satisfied that your client was simply on the periphery. Even if he wasn’t the one that pulled the trigger, he knew what went on and assisted the others, and you know as well as I do that for assisting offenders he can be tried and indicted as a principal,’ Mike told him, letting him know there were going to be no deals. Mike saw the solicitor’s jaw drop. He turned and briskly walked away.

  It was the end of a shift, and the corridor was noisy with the banter of officers and support staff leaving the building as the officers made their way back up the stairs to CID.

  ‘You enjoyed that, didn’t you?’ Wilkie said, when he eventually caught up with Mike outside the Incident Room. As the pair walked into the office, Charley was waiting to greet them.

  ‘Nice work,’ she said. ‘I don’t think I’ve ever seen that pompous prig so docile.’ She walked behind them, a hand on each of their shoulders. ‘I’ll be giving his details to the National Crime Agency. He’s as guilty as the others. I’m sure of it.’

  Wilkie sat at his desk and Charley and Mike walked towards Charley’s office. Annie put down the phone. ‘Boss,’ she shouted. Both detectives turned. ‘The team searching Thomas’s car… they’ve found a key and fob in the sun visor. It relates to a locker at the theatre.’

  Chapter 41

  Ricky-Lee pulled his chair beside Wilkie’s desk. He handed him a brown paper bag, tied with an elastic band.

  Annie was sat at her desk opposite them, quietly reading Raglan’s statement.

  ‘I’d ’ave put money on Thomas’s arse dropping out…’ Ricky-Lee said thoughtfully.

  ‘Good job you didn’t,’ said Wilkie. ‘Raglan’s just made a statement basically canonising JT. The boss told us she wants Thomas charging.’

  ‘Makes me wonder who Raglan is more frightened of, Dixon or Thomas?’

  Wilkie peeked into the bag full of assorted broken biscuits and smacked his smiling lips together. ‘I’m glad you’re not knocking a lass off that works in’t ironmongers,’ he said. ‘Put t’kettle on.’

  Ricky-Lee stood up, and collected the others’ cups from their desks. ‘There’s no way Thomas is clean.’

  ‘According to Raglan, he’s cleaner than a duck’s fart.’

  Annie glanced over her computer screen, ‘Slippery as an eel, more like,’ she muttered. ‘I wonder what Mike and the boss will find in the locker?’

  ‘What’s Raglan actually said in his statement?’ said Ricky-Lee.

  ‘He blames his drug addiction, which he says started as medicinal,’ said Annie.

  ‘Of course,’ said Ricky-Lee.

  ‘He actually talks about Thomas rather fondly,’ said Annie.

  Wilkie sat at his desk opposite Annie, screwing up his face. ‘We know he’s not as green as he’s cabbage-looking though, as our lass says.’

  ‘He knows more about James Thomas’s business ventures than he’s letting on,’ said Annie.

  Wilkie nodded his head. ‘He knows which side his bread is buttered, that’s for sure, and when to keep his gob shut.’

  ‘What’s interesting is that he talks about the night of the shooting in his statement, but in his first interview he declines to tell us who shot Hussain. He says that he was sitting in an armchair, when Brittany Dixon indicated to him that there was a gun in the rucksack, by his side. At the time, Hussain had a gun to Brad Dixon’s head apparently, and he was threatening him, eyeball to eyeball. Raglan admits to retrieving the gun to pass to Brittany, at her request apparently, but says that whilst he was doing so the gun went off. He also admits the Dixons paid the rent by supplying him with drugs for his personal use.’

  * * *

  It was some time before Charley and Mike appeared back in the Incident Room from their investigation at the local theatre. Bags of exhibits filled Mike’s arms. ‘We had to wait for Neal Rylatt to photograph the contents of the locker in situ,’ said Mike, laying the exhibits on Annie’s desk.

  ‘A handgun,’ said Annie.

  ‘A loaded handgun,’ said Charley.

  The young detective looked up at Charley questioningly, ‘Hussain’s, do you think?’

  Charley shrugged her shoulders. ‘Either way, we need to arrest Thomas now for possession of a firearm, and he needs interviewing again. Annie, call his solicitor will you. Let’s get things moving.’

  Charley sat down next to Wilkie.

  ‘What’re you thinking happened, boss?’ he said.

  ‘I think that the four of them somehow disarmed Hussain, and held him on the floor whilst they put a bullet in his head. Like the pathologist said, it was an execut
ion, not an accident, as Raglan claims in his statement. But we may never know for certain who actually pulled the trigger.’

  ‘I’m glad I’m not eligible for jury duty. This murder enquiry is going to be a nightmare for each and every one of them,’ said Annie.

  Charley gave her a tight smile. ‘Unless of course, the Crown Prosecution suggest that this was without doubt, a case of joint enterprise. Which would mean we charge them all with murder and in the evidence show that they were all complicit with what went on.’

  ‘But Dixon’s defence team are sure to try and confuse the jury by playing out the different possible scenarios, emphasising that they must be absolutely sure what happened on the evidence that is put before them in court, in order to make the decision for the verdict,’ added Wilkie.

  ‘That would be nothing new for the defence, Wilkie, but the prosecution would lay out everything before them and make it simple for them to understand. But remember, it’s our job to put the evidence, and the offender, before the courts. Occasionally jurors get it wrong but that’s very rare. I think they’ll convict them of the murder.

  * * *

  There was a notable change in Raglan in his final interview with Annie and Ricky which had been set up to talk about the content of his written statement. The estate agent was trembling with such vigour that the interview had to be suspended shortly after it had started.

  ‘We will have to accept that we have got all we are going to get from Raglan,’ Charley later told the team at debrief.