‘Tommy was right about you. You’re a fucking liability, and you’re going to put us all under the spotlight.’
‘Not you. Not him either, just me. Tommy did me a favour, Ed. He wouldn’t give me a clean one, so he forced me to use the same cannon that shot them officers, the one they never got back. They’re gonna work that out. Can you imagine the questions that will come up when they do? And when they find my crash hat in the bushes at the end of your road, they’ll get the DNA off that and it will match those six executions. Can you imagine the fear!’ Kane’s face was twisted, he was breathing heavily. ‘It’ll be worse than when they thought Elms was on the rampage. Then, they had an idea who was doing it. They had someone to chase. I’ll have them again, Ed. I’ll have every one of them back under my spell, terrified.’
‘You’re losing it, mate.’
‘Am I?’ Kane stepped closer to Ed, who still had the gun raised. He pushed his forehead into the barrel. ‘They don’t know me, Ed. There’s no record of me anywhere on their system, no DNA to compare, no fingerprints. You told me yourself that as far as they were concerned, I didn’t exist. That’s how I know I can do what I want, because they’re not looking for me. As long as I stay off their system, I’m just a ghost.’
‘George Elms knows who you are.’
Kane laughed. ‘Fucking right he does. It’ll be eating him up inside. If he so much as whispers my name to his pet rat inside that stinking prison, I’ll wipe out his family and I’ll make sure he gets to see the highlights.’
‘They’ll release him. Because of you.’
Kane took a step back. Ed lowered the gun slightly.
‘I’m banking on it. That way I get to destroy him all over again.’
‘But you need to get out of this mess first. You reckon you can wait it out here? Like they’ll just give up and go home when they’re done?’
‘Not at all. We’ve got three hours max until they’re here. The bike and the crash hat are a reasonable distance apart. When they find those, they’ll drop and do fingertip searches round them. It’ll slow them up a little but you and I need to be a long way from here by then.’
‘You and I? What you talking about? I’m not going anywhere.’
‘Jesus, Ed, are you really that stupid? With your background, I thought you’d be way ahead of me here. They’ll be going house to house, taking details. This place is on the books at Lennokshire Police, right?’
‘How do you know that?’
‘Same way I know where you live, Ed. You got sloppy. Everyone out there knows who you are, where you are, and who you’ve got in your corner. So, we give them some shadows to chase and then I disappear. This way they know that I was right under their fucking noses. And that means I can be again.’
‘I know how these people work. You’re playing with fire, Kane. They’ll throw a match at you and watch you burn.’
‘Of course you know. This is your bag ain’t it? You’re still one of them when it comes down to it. You’re so certain that all you have to do is throw people, forensics, search teams — the lot — at a problem and it gets solved. Fuck, I’m not even being careful. I made sure I put some good prints in that crash hat to go with the masses of DNA. They’ve got everything they need. But they’re still dying, ain’t they? And it wasn’t the rank and file this time, was it? It was the top dog with his own personal protection team of armed men. When they don’t catch me, when they know they were wrong about Elms, when they see that no one is safe, that’s when I’ll have them on their knees, all of them. Get someone scared enough, you cripple them completely.’
‘This still has nothing to do with me. I don’t need to go anywhere.’
‘You really believe that? What will it take though, Ed, for it all to come crashing down? How long till they stick the press release out asking if anyone’s seen someone make off from a crashed motorbike in Hythe? I know I got seen limping up your road, probably even up your drive, Ed, it seems like that sort of neighbourhood. Do you really think you can stand up to the scrutiny of your house getting turned over? I don’t reckon that’s the only piece you’ve got here, is it?’ Kane gestured at the pistol that now hung by Ed’s side.
Ed rolled it on his palm, looked down at it, contemplating Kane’s words. ‘So this is your big idea? Turn up on my doorstep, make it my problem, and just hope I can get you out of Hythe?’
‘Yup. We all know about your links with the coppers, senior ones too. You make a call, they make a call, and we’re away from here.’
‘Fuck.’
Ed and Kane still stood in the hallway. It had a small step up into the living area. Ed sat on it, using the end of the pistol to rub his head, and considered his options. He would like nothing more than to put a bullet through this piece of shit, but Kane was right. His house was going to be searched. If he refused, the best he could hope for was that they’d sit outside while someone went and got a warrant, if Helen hadn’t already stitched him up.
‘This is where it all falls down,’ Ed managed, shaking his head. ‘This big idea that you have. This is where it becomes impossible.’
‘Nothing’s impossible. A year ago, I swore I wouldn’t rest until this police force paid for what they did to me and my family. Look at me now.’
‘But don’t you see where you are? You’ve become this fucking parody of yourself, hell-bent on killing every copper you come across, using the chief as a trophy kill. And now you want one of the most senior coppers to help you out, to come pick you up. She’s not stupid, Kane. She won’t fall for that.’
‘I never said it was going to be easy for you, Ed, but you’re a clever chap. Maybe you don’t tell her the details, maybe you just say that you and an associate need to be out of here and she needs to do what she can to facilitate that. She knows you might reveal your little arrangement.’
‘She still might not help.’
Kane slid his rucksack off his back. ‘Mind if I go and change?’
Ed flicked the pistol to signify that he could leave. He watched Kane go. The only option open to him was to shoot that fucker himself. But not here.
CHAPTER 32
Helen Webb’s phone burst into life. It was the cheap Nokia she used for Ed Kavski, and she couldn’t run it through the car’s system. She pulled over and fished round in her bag. She had considered ignoring it. But he might know something about the shooter, maybe even where he had gone or, more importantly, if he had managed to get away clean.
‘Mr Kavski, it seems I’m being called back into work. There’s been a nasty incident, I’m told.’
‘We have a problem.’
‘I know that, Ed. Do you have any update on your source? Did he get away clean?’
‘No.’
‘What do you mean? You haven’t had any update or if he’s been caught?’
‘He hasn’t been caught. He’s here.’
Helen reeled. ‘He’s at your house?’
‘Yeah, and look — we’ve lost control of him. He’s going to bring this whole thing down unless you do what you can.’
‘Wait. We’ve lost control of him?’ Helen was angry. ‘This morning I didn’t know this fucker existed, and now you call me and tell me we’ve lost control of him. If he’s at your place, I suggest you deal with him. Don’t you have the perfect opportunity to make sure he can’t speak to anyone ever again?’
‘It’s not as simple as that—’
Helen cut in. ‘Seems very simple to me.’ Ed’s apparent weakness made her feel that she was back in charge.
‘He’s clever,’ Ed said, almost apologetically. ‘He knows his position and he knows ours. The gun that shot the chief is the same one that killed the officers in Langthorne. He’s left his DNA in a helmet close to his bike. He wants your lot to know that he’s the man who did those jobs, not George Elms.’
‘Why would he do that?’
‘Look, it’s complicated. He’s fucking complicated, but that don’t matter right now. Right now you need to get me and h
im out of here. I don’t need you to get us far, just far enough that I can clean this up without one of your search teams knocking on my door.’
Helen sighed again. ‘Jesus. I don’t know what you think I can do. I can’t just have someone come pick you up, can I?’
‘No. You’ll have to come here yourself and take us away. No one’s going to ask questions of you driving in and out of a sterile area, are they? You can go where you want, when you want.’
‘I have to have a fucking reason, Ed,’ Helen hissed. ‘I have to be able to tell them why!’
‘Then think of one. We don’t have long, he’s made sure of that, he’s forced our hand. But once you get me away from here, I can take back control. For the both of us.’
‘Jesus fuck, Ed, I need to think. I’ll call you back.’
Ed started to say something but Helen switched the phone off and threw it onto the passenger seat as if it had suddenly become toxic. She tried to think.
This time the ringtone came through the car’s speakers. It was her office calling.
‘Helen Webb.’ Her voice was tired, almost resigned.
‘Ma’am?’ Sure enough it was her excitable PA.
‘Hey, Jean.’
‘Ma’am, I understand you are on your way back in.’
‘That’s right, but I think I might go straight to the scene. Is there a rendezvous point assigned?’
‘Yes, I’ll find it, but I wanted to give you an update that’s just come through to me here.’ Jean’s tone was ominous, her voice breathy. Helen knew her PA very well indeed and Jean was definitely building up to something that wasn’t going to please her.
‘What’s the matter, Jean?’
‘I’m sorry, ma’am, but it’s become a murder case. The chief passed away a few minutes ago.’
Helen grabbed the steering wheel for support. This had all got out of hand, but now she had a chance to put it right. Or at least to cover her tracks.
‘Did anyone speak to him? Before he died, I mean. Did they get a chance . . . ?’ Helen’s voice petered out.
‘Well, I don’t see how anyone could. I don’t think he ever came round, ma’am.’
Helen concentrated on softening her tone. ‘Jesus, I’m sorry to hear that, Jean. We need to focus on finding the man responsible, and then maybe we can all get our heads round what’s happened.’
‘Yes, ma’am. Quite.’ Jean’s voice shook with emotion. ‘There’s just been so much tragedy recently, so much.’
‘There has. It will get better, Jean. We need to keep it together and see this one out. It will get better.’
‘I hope you’re right.’ Jean sniffed.
‘What’s the latest on the ground, Jean? I’m playing catch-up here a little.’
‘They’ve found a bike in Hythe. They’re pretty certain it belongs to the man we want. They’ve started searching the area. Hythe’s pretty much closed off, so we’re getting a lot of questions from the media and a lot of upset residents who aren’t being allowed home.’
‘I bet. Is there anything out to the news people yet?’
‘Social media only, but the main media are quoting them. We’ve just said there’s an ongoing incident in Hythe and asked for patience — the standard stuff. There was talk here about putting out an appeal for information but we don’t want to panic people, so there’s some discussion about the wording.’
‘Don’t do that, Jean. Nothing goes out without my sign-off — I’ll get something together. I need to speak to Barry Lance on the ground and I’ll be better placed to get something done from there. I’m on this number any time you need me.’
‘Thank you, ma’am. Understood.’
* * *
Kane Forley had changed into a fitted, crisp white shirt and a pair of grey dress trousers, plus black formal shoes. He’d washed his face and slicked back his hair.
Ed Kavski stood in the kitchen with his back to him. Kane noted that his weapon was on the kitchen counter, as though he’d forgotten about it. ‘I feel a lot fresher,’ he said cheerfully.
Ed looked out over his garden to the distant sea beyond. ‘I’m going to miss this place.’
‘I heard you speaking to our police friend,’ Kane said.
‘Yes. She’s coming for us.’
‘No, she isn’t.’ Kane was still smiling.
Ed turned to face him. ‘What do you mean “no she isn’t”?’
‘She isn’t coming, Ed. At least, if she’s true to form she won’t.’
‘What are you talking about?’
‘Predictable, Ed. What was I saying? They’re completely predictable. Why would she come here? It’s all over for her, and you, whether she comes here or not. There’s going to be a lot of attention on this house, it’ll all come out in the wash and she knows it. She’ll be using this little bit of time to give herself a head start, my friend. You said it yourself, if she comes here, she just gives me another high-profile target and if there’s one thing I can’t resist—’
‘So what’s the plan now?’ Ed cut in.
‘Now that you’ve made the call I needed? I just need to leave your door blowing in the wind, my bike leathers where they are, lying on your bed, and leave your body bleeding out on this expensive-looking floor.’
Kane’s right hand was in the bag. Ed’s eyes went to where his pistol lay on the work surface, but Kane had already brought his weapon from his bag and levelled it.
The weapon spat two bullets in quick succession. Both slugs ripped through Ed’s body, shredding internal organs before emerging to make two neat holes in the floor-to-ceiling glass windows. Ed Kavski still looked puzzled as his heart stopped and his lungs emptied for the last time.
Kane Forley dropped his weapon back into his bag and pulled out a polished metal badge with neat black lettering. He attached it to his right breast pocket. It read, “Kane Mitchell, Front of House, Hythe Imperial Hotel.”
CHAPTER 33
‘Oh! You scared me,’ Sally’s mother, Denise, said.
‘Sorry, I didn’t mean to.’ Sally hadn’t meant to be seen at all. She had seen her mother arrive home, and had concealed herself beside the porch. Her mother must have seen her from the drive and must therefore have seen Sally scrambling on her hands and knees, trying to hide.
There was an awkward pause. Denise was carrying a small cardboard box with a piece of cake in it. She fumbled with her keys, dropped them and turned to Sally. ‘Are you coming in then?’
‘If you don’t mind,’ said Sally.
‘Of course I don’t,’ Denise snapped. ‘You know you’re always welcome here,’ she added, sounding more friendly. She pushed open the door and Sally followed her inside.
‘What time is Dad home?’
Denise sighed as she checked her watch. ‘Well, your father should be home by now, but there’s been some incident and he’s staying on for a bit. I have no idea how long.’
‘Okay.’
‘There’s something going on in Hythe. I was working down at the shop and they even stopped me and searched my car, I don’t know what they were looking for but they carried on even when I mentioned your father.’
Sally knew that her mother was a volunteer at one of the charity shops in Hythe’s high street. She had been there for years. Sally had spent some time working there as part of one of her many rehabilitations. She’d hated it, as well as the group of bitter old women who spent the day complaining about each other and eating cake. Judging by the box her mother carried, nothing much had changed.
‘Don’t worry. You can hide upstairs until he’s home if you like.’ Denise smiled.
‘Deal,’ said Sally. ‘But I think I’ll make a cup of tea first, you know, to take upstairs with me.’
‘Good idea. I’ll go and get changed now then, so I don’t have to go up there again. Mine’s black, no sugar.’
Sally walked through to the kitchen. It was as immaculate as ever, everything in its place. Sally was wary of moving anything. She wasn’t a tidy person.
Maybe she had been once, she couldn’t remember.
She wiped her face with a piece of kitchen towel. Her back was sweaty. Her body was aching for drugs. She hadn’t been this long away from it since a court appearance eighteen months ago when she had been held in a cell. She had gone cold turkey a few times and knew what to expect. It would get better, but it would get a whole lot worse before then. Sally didn’t know what to do. She could think about nothing but the heroin and crack cocaine in her pocket. Tiny little wraps that would make her feel better, if only for a short time. But she was here, at home, and she had promised herself that she would never use here again. Maybe she could weather it out? She knew her dad was going to be pleased to see her — sickeningly pleased — and she could try and spend some time with him. She would wait until her parents went to bed before she had some of her medication. But not until then. She would just have to put up with the aches, the sweats.
The kettle boiled. She knew it was important to keep busy. She’d drunk a lot of strong coffee the last time she’d gone cold turkey. The act of making it took her mind off her pain, for a few minutes at least. It forced her to stand up, to concentrate on something other than the craving.
The phone ringing made her jump so hard she dropped a mug, and it smashed on the tiled floor. ‘Shit!’
‘Sally?’ her mum called down from upstairs. ‘You okay?’
‘Yeah, sorry. Damn phone made me jump.’
‘Can you get it? It’ll just be your dad. He’ll make an effort to get back if he knows you’re here.’ The shower was running and Sally heard her mother step into the bathroom.
Sally answered the phone.
‘Hello?’
‘Sally? Thank fuck!’
‘Lizzy?’ Sally began to whisper, but there was no need. Her mother couldn’t hear.
‘Yeah, it’s Lizzy. Sally, I need to talk to you.’
‘You’re okay?’
‘Yeah, no probs. You okay?’
‘Fine. How did you get this number?’
‘What you mean? I thought you knew. I called it the other night when you needed picking up. It was on your jail gear when they kicked you out. It had “Dad” next to it so I assumed it was someone who might help. I know you said your dad’s dead, but, whatever.’
BLOOD MONEY a gripping crime thriller full of twists Page 18