Hunting the Wrecking Crew: An Eric Stone Novel

by Nick Albert

  “Any news?”

  “No, she’s still unconscious. The doctor said that her bloods were not good, but they’re doing all they can.”

  Carter’s face was a grim mask.

  “At the moment they’re doing Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy. It uses high-pressure oxygen to flush out the toxins. We’ll know more in a couple of days.”

  Stone gripped his friend’s shoulder.

  “Thank God you were there, Ed.”

  Carter shook his head.

  “I was lucky to get her out. The fire was so fierce; the heat was incredible. Fortunately, whoever set the fire didn’t know that she had a fire suppression system, sitting behind all of that computer gear. It kept the flames back for a little while, and probably saved her life. If I’d arrived five minutes later, it would have been too late. As it was, I was still trying to drag her out of the door, when the fire engine arrived. They gave her oxygen and immediately whisked her off in an ambulance.”

  Carter looked down sadly.

  “There was nothing they could do for the cats.”

  Linda broke the silence.

  “She’s alive — that’s what matters.”

  She put a supportive hand on Ed’s arm.

  “You can’t blame yourself for this. It’s not your fault…”

  She remembered an earlier conversation.

  “—or Eric’s.”

  “I know.”

  Ed gave Linda a fierce hug.

  “Anyway, this Wrecking Crew thing has just become very personal. We have work to do. Let’s go and check-in.”

  He pointed to the hotel with his chin.

  “We’re safe here. The owner is an old mate. He’ll book us in secretly.”

  Despite having been awake all night, Carter wanted to start work immediately, but he eventually gave in to Linda’s nagging and agreed to get cleaned up first. After he had showered and changed into some clean clothes, Linda took both men firmly by the hand and marched them to the restaurant, where she made sure that everyone ate a hearty breakfast. Cleaned and fed, but still looking exhausted, they went back to Ed’s room to begin working the files.

  “Ok. Let’s summarise.”

  Carter was standing beside a whiteboard, borrowed from a conference room at the end of the corridor. It was covered in scribbles, lines, and yellow post-it notes — the product of three hours of reading and discussion.

  “From the files that Charles got from GCHQ and the additional research that Megan conducted, this is what we know as facts, or strong supposition.”

  Ed pointed at the board and began to read.

  “One: The Wrecking Crew has been in operation for around ten years. That’s an assumption, but there are no files from before then.

  “Two: According to the file from GCHQ, the wrecking crew operate on the belief that knowledge is power, and that everyone has a weakness. Once that weakness is identified, it can be exploited as a means to an end. Then the targets are manipulated, discredited, destroyed, or dispatched, to achieve the desired result.

  “Three: Megan was positive that such an operation would require substantial resources, with computers, cars, and offices with good internet access.

  “Four: We don’t know who runs the Wrecking Crew, or where their base of operations is.

  “Five: The Wrecking Crew has worked for the Government, but there is no record of who hired them, or how they were paid. However, we can suppose that they are very well connected, with some very powerful friends.

  “Six: We know that they operate through the charity Second Chances, but we were unable to find a physical connection to the Wrecking Crew.

  “Seven: From the list of operations that they’ve been involved in, we can surmise that they have people skilled in computers and the manipulation of financial data. In addition, they must have access to a legitimate data bank — probably through an employee at one of the big operators.

  “Eight: They also use violence and intimidation quite frequently, as well as theft and — as we know — arson. Some of these people may have come from Second Chances, but others must have been specially recruited.

  “Nine: The file also mentions an assassin who goes by the name ‘Chameleon’. There’s no clue to his identity, but from the list of killings attributed to him, and the wide range of methods used, he must be ex-special forces. Unfortunately, Megan was unable to find a likely suspect in her searches.

  “Ten: Finally, every case that involved an obvious crime has been investigated by the police, but no suspects were found, and no arrests were ever made.”

  Ed sat down, looking haggard and defeated.

  “So in summary we have nothing.”

  Linda stood up and paced in frustration.

  “There must be something! What about this Chameleon?”

  Ed shook his head sadly.

  “He’s a ghost and a shape shifter. We can’t even be sure that he has killed.”

  He tossed the marker pen onto the table.

  “Take the last two cases as examples. Lynda Devon, CEO of Devon rail, was killed in a mysterious, but very convenient car crash. I personally spoke with the investigating officer. He said that the car’s computerised automatic stability system failed, causing the car to swerve into the path of a lorry. When I asked if there was any sign of tampering, he said that although it was theoretically possible to hack into the car’s computer and cause the crash, because the manufacturers have a powerful lobby group, any officer suggesting such a scenario would be laughed off the force.”

  Carter ran his hand through is sparse grey hair in tiredness and frustration, before he continued.

  “Then there was Valerie Jenkins. She was suggested by Charles as the best person to help expose the Wrecking Crew. As soon as the words were out of his mouth, she was dead — and in the most unusual circumstances. Apparently, she suffocated after falling ill. The investigator believes that she ate some sushi contaminated with a natural, but very rare toxin. Although it may be the first such death in Britain, it’s happened elsewhere — so it’s being treated as an accidental death.”

  “Another dead end,” Stone said. “These people really know how to cover their tracks.”

  “Damn right!”

  “What about the insurance companies?” Linda asked.

  “What about them?”

  “Bear with me…I was thinking about that film where the rich guy stole the paintings. The insurance company used a private investigator to track them down. It’s the sort of job you might do, Ed.”

  “Go on.”

  “Well, isn’t it right that because you’re getting paid, usually with a commission, you might be a bit more tenacious than some overworked policeman?”

  Stone gave Carter a quizzical look.

  “Also… to get to the truth quickly, an insurance investigator might have been inclined to bend a few rules.”

  Carter sat forward, suddenly interested.

  “You know, you could be right. I don’t think anyone ever talked to any of the insurance investigators.”

  Linda pumped a fist.

  “She shoots — she scores!”

  Stone flipped open the laptop.

  “Where do we start?”

  Carter closed his eyes and started to scan his encyclopaedic memory. Suddenly his eyes popped open and he pointed at Stone.

  “Got it! Quite near to the beginning of the file… there was a recycled cardboard business that got burned out. There was a suspicion of arson. The insurance investigator was Helen Anson…or something like that.”

  Stone searched, squinting at the screen in silence for a few minutes. The other two waited patiently until Stone leaned forward and tapped the screen with his finger.

  “Helen Atkins, Premium Mutual Insurance?”

  “That’s her! Do you have any contact details?”

  “Nothing in the file.”

  “Not to worry.”

  Carter gave them a sly smile.

  “This is my thing…it won’t
take me long to find her.”

  ***

  Helen Atkins burst into The Fixer’s office without knocking. The Fixer, unaccustomed to such blatant rudeness and disrespect, sat back in his soft leather chair and raised an inquisitive eyebrow.

  “Yes, Helen — how may I be of assistance?”

  She ignored is cutting sarcasm.

  “I’ve just had a message from the answering service on my private line. A private detective by the name of Ed Carter would like to speak to me about an arson investigation I was involved in some years ago.”

  “Ed Carter?”

  The Fixer sat forward in his chair.

  “Which investigation?”

  “That cardboard recycling warehouse that Gordon torched. It was my last investigation before I came to work here.”

  “Oh…Have you spoken to Carter yet?”

  “No, of course not. I’m not a moron, you know!”

  She looked away in anger, and began pacing in front of the desk.

  “Ok…calm down, this is good. It’s just what I’ve been waiting for.”

  She continued to pace.

  “Helen! For the love of God would you please sit down?”

  She threw herself into the chair and crossed her arms like a grumpy teenager. The Fixer pulled a pad and pen from a drawer and tossed it across the desk.

  “Listen carefully and take notes…”

  He leaned forward and gave an evil smile.

  “Now this is what I want you to do…”

  FIFTEEN

  “Do you think it’s a trap?” Linda asked. She was sitting on the edge of the bed in Ed’s hotel room.

  Stone nodded.

  “I think it could be. At least we should proceed on that basis.”

  “Hope for the best — plan for the worst,” Carter said with a stiff smile.

  Linda stood up and immediately sat down again, unsure of how to escape the tension building in the room.

  “So what’s the plan?”

  Stone took the lead.

  “Before we decide on a plan, I think we need to figure out what they’re up to.”

  “What do you mean?” Linda asked.

  “Well, this Helen Atkins has agreed to meet with Ed and she says that she has some information that she is prepared to share, but she wouldn’t say what it was. In itself that’s suspicious, but at the same time understandable. If she isn’t connected to the Wrecking Crew, and she doesn’t know Ed, then it makes sense for her to be guarded. She’s asked to meet Ed in a very public place — a coffee shop in The Oracle shopping centre in Reading. So on the one hand she could be a regular person who is willing to help, but sensibly cautious. Conversely, it could be a trap — but if it is a trap, then it’s a very public place for whatever they have planned.”

  “Well, if she’s just a helpful and concerned citizen, then there’s nothing to worry about,” Linda said, “but if she isn’t, then I’m confused about what they are planning to do. It’s a bit public for a killing or a kidnapping.”

  “My thoughts exactly,” Stone nodded, “they may be planning to use the cover of a busy shopping mall to have a look at us before they make a move. If they’ve figured out that we’ve dropped off the grid, perhaps they want to follow us after the meeting and then set up an attack. Then again, that location can work to our advantage as well. I’ve got the website here…”

  He pointed at the laptop.

  “The Oracle is a big place. The shops and food halls are on three floors, with loads of parking, and multiple exits. They can’t possibly have enough people to cover all eventualities. If we can get there early, we may be able to turn the tables on them.”

  Carter sat forward.

  “Follow one of them perhaps?”

  Stone raised an eyebrow and tilted his head.

  “Or take someone to one side and ask a few difficult questions. That was my thinking.”

  “It’s still pretty risky,” Linda said.

  “There’s a risk — I’ll give you that, but I think they chose the location carefully. It’s likely to be near to their base. The Oracle is probably somewhere that they’re familiar with, and we have to assume that they will have access to the CCTV as well. I admit that’s all bad for us, but on the other hand, they won’t be planning to launch an attack in such a busy place — so they may not consider that we will. And that’s gives us a significant advantage.”

  Carter looked at Linda who gave a nod of approval.

  “Ok, what’s the plan?”

  “Do you still have those little two-way radios in the boot of your car?”

  Carter smiled.

  “I never leave home without them.”

  “Good! Atkins wants to meet at 5pm. It’ll be dark by then. If we leave now and take both cars, we can be there by three. That’ll give us a chance to get our bearings before the light fails.”

  Stone turned the laptop so that Carter and Linda could see.

  “The map shows two car parks, so we split up when we get there. Ed, you take a slow walk around the mall and gradually make your way to the coffee bar. It will look like you are being naturally cautious. Meanwhile, I’ll come in from the opposite direction and shadow you from a good distance. It should give me a chance to spot any of their people.”

  “And if you do?” Carter asked.

  “I’ll use the radio to keep you informed as I go. These are dangerous people Ed, but they’re all mercenaries, and they know the deal. So I plan to assess the situation and react accordingly.”

  Although he understood that they were heading into battle, Carter still grimaced at the implication.

  “Go on, what’s the plan from there?”

  “So…if everything looks ok, go ahead with the interview and get what you can from Helen Atkins. Otherwise, try to get her to reveal the location of the Wrecking Crew and its members. I’ll try and do the same with anyone I encounter.”

  “Do you think Atkins will know where the Wrecking Crew operates from?”

  Stone pushed back from the desk.

  “Let’s hope so. At the end of the day, it’s what we’re after. We can’t take them down unless we can find them. This is our best lead so far.”

  “I guess it’s as good a plan as any.”

  “Excuse me…” Linda spoke softly, “I just wondered what I was supposed to be doing during all these heroics.”

  Stone sensed her irritation, but he pushed on anyway.

  “I think you should stay in the car.”

  “Oh, that’ll be nice,” she said, her face tight with repressed anger. “Perhaps you can open the window a little so I don’t suffocate.”

  “Look Linda, it’s not like that…things could go south very quickly.”

  “And you want helpless little Linda out of the way?” She snapped, “Perhaps I should stay here and watch television — I could do some ironing if you like!”

  Stone closed his eyes in frustration. In a way she was right, he was trying to protect her — perhaps unfairly. However, they were short-handed and heading into a potentially fast-moving and dangerous situation. He had genuinely wanted to keep her in reserve, available but safe. He looked at her now and his heart almost broke. There were tears of humiliation in her eyes and her face spoke of betrayal and distrust.

  “Look…I didn’t mean it that way…I want you there…I need you, but I wanted you to stay in the car and monitor our communications. Then, if they make a break for it, you’ll be ready to follow immediately. That was my plan…” his voice tailed off unconvincingly.

  “I’m a big girl, Stone. I have a brain, you know…I think I could help.”

  “But you will be helping,” he said weakly, “monitoring the communications is very important.”

  “Whatever…”

  She looked at her watch and exhaled noisily.

  “We’d better get going then.”

  “Linda, I…”

  Stone took one look at the anger in her face and gave up.

  “Let’s go.�
�

  ***

  The Wrecking Crew had travelled to the shopping mall in three vehicles. Helen Atkins had driven her BMW 5 series with The Fixer as a passenger. Kitten and Bunny followed close behind in their black Toyota Hilux. Peter White had set out a little earlier in a red Toyota Land cruiser. He had been sent to collect three lads from Second Chances. They had been waiting at the motorway services along the way. Becka and Gordon McIntosh had remained at the office, as they were not required for the operation.

  Because their trip to Reading was not a long one, the Crew arrived at The Oracle just after 4pm. They parked their cars close together in the Riverside car park, just yards from the entrance to the mall. The lights of the mall and car park combined with the autumn fog to create a ghostly glow. As Peter White passed out photographs of the targets, The Fixer gave his final instructions.

  “Ok, listen up… Helen, I want you to stroll around the shops for a bit. Make sure that you reach the coffee bar at 4.50pm. It’s on the Riverside walk, just over there. Buy a coffee and sit outside, so we can keep an eye on you. Ok?”

  She nodded.

  “When Carter gets here, you can tell him whatever you like — just as long as you keep him sitting at that table. Peter’s guys are all dressed as mall security guards. At the first opportunity they’ll surround Carter and arrest him for shoplifting.”

  He rubbed his hands together and smiled.

  “Taking him in such a busy place will make the incident seem righteous. People are far less likely to question a scuffle in public, than they would if they saw the same thing happening at night, in some dark alley. Once he’s outside, Kitten and Bunny will put him in the back of the Land Cruiser. After that—”

  “I just walk back to my car?” Helen said, ignoring the grisly image of what would happen to Carter a little later.