The Vine Cross (The Vine Series Book 1)

by S P Dawes

  “Jesse! Where the hell have you been?” Rob sounded urgent, stressed even.

  “What’s up?” He asked, ignoring him. He wasn’t a kept man, not any longer anyway. Not since he had found his wife lying underneath his best mate in a hotel room they’d booked at his best mate’s wedding. The last thing he was going to be was beholden to his younger brother.

  “That bloke came back!”

  “What bloke?” Jesse was tired and just wanted to go back to bed. The car seat was not good enough for a full night’s rest, he’d been an idiot to think it would be.

  Why did his brother insist on drip feeding information out? He was worse than a suspect trying to bargain a deal.

  “Leon came round, that bloke was with him. He was here asking questions about Hales.”

  “What sort of questions?” Jesse asked, annoyed and suddenly very alert. “What did you tell him?” Jesse couldn’t help feeling protective of her.

  “Nothing. He wanted to know how I knew her? What she did at work, and if she was seeing anyone?”

  “When was this?”

  “Last night. Leon let him in. He dropped by to set up another meet with Caity. I stayed out of the way but this bloke came up to me in the front garden.” Jesse listened, trying to work out what was going on. “He worries me, Jess, there’s something about him,” admitted Rob.

  Jesse realised he would have to do some digging, if only for his own peace of mind. “Have you heard about Hayley’s place?” He asked, wondering if Leon had mentioned it.

  “No, what about it?” Inquired Rob.

  “It’s been done over, but I’ve not told you,” he warned his brother.

  “She OK?”

  “Shaken, but she’ll be all right,” he answered, sounding more optimistic than he felt. “Look, I know you’ve got your own worries…,” knowing, they both knew he meant Caitlyn. “Can you just keep an eye on Hayley?”

  “Sure,”

  Jesse relaxed a little, knowing someone could be his eyes and ears for a bit. He wasn’t sure what had happened last night between them, but he wasn’t banking on being welcomed back anytime soon.

  “She in trouble?” Asked Rob. Hearing the concern in his brother’s voice, he straightened his back to stretch the muscles.

  “I’m not sure, but I need to check a few things out. What did Leon say?”

  “He wants to meet on Tuesday. Says he’ll have some gear. I just told him it freaked me when he brought his mates, as I didn’t know them and didn’t want to get caught. I told him you were the mastermind and I don’t want to get involved, ‘cause I had his cousin and his mum to think about, if she found out. I think he believed me. Not that it wasn’t fun, but your life is far too risky for me,” laughed Rob.

  “Ha! Right, no problem, I’ll take over.” Jesse heard Rob sigh a sound of relief and smiled. He’d never have got him involved if it wasn’t for the fact he’d mentioned Leon’s name at their engagement party. Leon was a name already on their radar, so he used what ties he had to make the connection. “I’ll see you when I see you. Let me know if you hear anything though, yeah? What’s the guy’s name who Leon brings?”

  “He said his name was Danny, I think. But he didn’t give me a surname. Say hi to Mum and Dad, tell them I’ll be round on Sunday.”

  Jesse agreed and then put his phone on charge. He suddenly had that tight feeling in his chest again.

  Five minutes later, Jesse heard a car alarm ringing in the distance.

  The next minute his mum was knocking on the door, “Jesse, your cars going off.”

  Lunging off the bed, realising he had closed his eyes again, he grabbed his trousers off the floor. Jumping into them before opening the door to his mum in her dressing gown.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll turn it off.” He called back whilst running downstairs, collecting his keys from the kitchen side where he’d left them. Bolting out the back door and then around the house to his car. Lights flashing, he pressed the button on his fob, instantly stopping the alarm. Stepping around to survey for damage, it relieved him not to find any. He didn’t need his car being vandalised on top of everything else he was paying for.

  Just as he was about to go inside, he noticed something shiny underneath. Bending down, he ran his fingers under until he could pull it out by the wooden handle. Inspecting it, he saw it had a flat, jagged blade resembling a hunting knife. Looking around, he couldn’t see anyone nearby. Opening the car door, he grabbed an evidence bag from the glove compartment. Placing it inside, he tucked it back in the glove box, shutting the door. Checking the area again, he strolled back to the house.

  Chapter 6

  Hayley woke to Bonnie Tyler rocking it out on radio Newark. The sound hurt her head, so she pulled the pillow over it. After a minute of attempting to ignore the music, she removed it before walking over to the alarm on the floor, purposefully put there to get her out of bed. Turning it off, she opened the bedroom door. On opening the living room, the smell of paint and turpentine slapped her in the face. For a split second she had forgotten what a nightmare her life was, but the scene in front of her quickly brought her back up to speed.

  Walking over to the kitchen, she put the kettle on. The time on the oven showed seven minutes past six. Rolling her eyes, she let out a little groan. She’d forgotten to reset her alarm since being unable to go into work until the locks got changed. Tom and the locksmith weren’t due round till nine. After speaking with Ash yesterday, he said he’d sort it so she could start at eleven-thirty, since the police had given them the go-ahead. Doing the later shift meant she could manage the early one on Saturday. She hadn’t minded, after all, he was doing her a favour by letting her go in later, at such short notice. He had been a lot more compassionate than she thought he might be when she’d had to make the call to work.

  Hayley spied the plates in the sink and the leftover Chinese tubs in the fridge when she got the milk out for her coffee. She’d made a right mess of last night. She couldn’t imagine what Jesse thought of her. Probably that she was some kind of nut job. One minute she was laughing and joking, going in for a kiss, then she was flying into a panic attack.

  Touching her fingertips to her lips, she remembered how good it felt. But no, she had to keep a level head. After making her drink, she took it to her bedroom. She didn’t want to have to look at her living room just yet. Sitting on the bed, she curled her legs up under her, watching the birds hopping about their business outside.

  Suddenly there was a loud knock on her door. Looking over the windowsill, she could see Rob’s car parked up. Running downstairs, she swung the door open.

  Rob stood there with a brown bag in his hand and a smile on his face. “You going to let me in?”

  When he approached the living room, he whistled.

  “Don’t! I know it’s awful,” she said from behind him. He handed her the bag which she peeked into. “You’re making a habit of this.”

  “What?” He was still in shock from seeing the room that resembled a war zone.

  “The breakfast!” She answered, holding up the paper bag.

  “They asked me to go into work early. I see why, now,” he replied, scanning the destruction.

  “I’d wondered who he’d get to do it,” she answered, walking over to the kitchen for some plates. “Sorry,” but he still wasn’t taking any notice of her. “For making you do my shift.”

  “No, it’s fine. Ash said you were doing mine on Saturday, although bizarrely that means I’m now doing a late shift on a Saturday. Not sure how that works to repay me but hey ho.”

  Hayley smiled and handed Rob a saucer, Ash had clearly used his usual degree of favour towards Rob. Taking a muffin out of the bag, she placed it on the dish he was holding and then put the other on the one near the kettle for herself.

  Rob took a bite and sat down on the settee. The squeaky sound made her think of Jesse last night. She bit into hers, trying to hide the smile growing on her face at the memory.

  “So serious
ly, why do you keep bringing me breakfast?” She asked, perching on the arm of the settee, while Rob took another bite of his muffin.

  “Just thought I’d pop in on my way,” he replied flippantly.

  “By going out of your way?” Hayley asked, unconvinced. “You’re a rubbish liar. You’ve spoken to Jesse?”

  “No, why?” But he wouldn’t look at her. Concentrating on his food, carefully peeling away the paper edges.

  “What did he tell you?” Hayley wasn’t sure she wanted to know the answer, but she needed to know if he had mentioned their kiss. “Rob?”

  “He told me your place was done over. But I didn’t think it would be like this,” he continued, surveying the damage.

  “And that’s it?” Rob looked at her, confused. “Ok, cool, I mean thanks.” She picked up her muffin again to take another bite, thinking if she filled her face, she was less likely to say something stupid.

  Rob left her apartment ten minutes later to get to work.

  Hayley got dressed out of PJ’s and waited for the landlord to arrive. She was anxious about seeing him. She’d not had the flat long, and now he had this to contend with. Added to that was the fact that she had lost her key. She didn’t think he would have much choice but to give her notice; she wasn’t exactly presenting reliability and confidence.

  Chapter 7

  Jesse walked into the station at nine o’clock and was handed a stack of paperwork the minute he sat at his desk. He took the first document off the top and read.

  “Got some info on that guy you were asking about.” Jesse looked up as DC Rosa Redding handed him a file. “That’s his rap sheet. I spoke to Dana, who was his arresting officer, and she said he’s a nasty piece of work. Someone she wouldn’t want to be around again.”

  Jesse scanned through the information in front of him. He’d only asked around as a courtesy. It was the only thing he could think of that might relate to the drug overdoses. He needed to see if any known dealers bounced, his name had come up three times, so he was a worthy lead.

  “So, he’s not long been out according to this?” Jesse observed.

  “Nope, two weeks by the looks of it. Already ruffling feathers, like I said, a piece of work.”

  “Did Dana tell you what she thought was going on, besides what she arrested him for?” He asked waving the paper at her.

  Rosa leant in closer to him. “Dana thinks he’s also involved in the sex trafficking of girls, but she couldn’t get anything to stick. She also implied they warned her off.” She looked around to check they weren’t being overheard.

  “Who by?” Jesse needed to know what he was up against.

  “She wouldn’t say, but she said that he had connections in all the right places. To be honest, I’m surprised she got the robbery to hold, but apparently the evidence was overwhelming. Anyway, he’s out now, no doubt up to his old tricks. So, if you have got a snitch working behind the scenes, I’d pull them. The things she told me, well, let’s just say he’s not scared to cross a line.” Rosa warned before leaving his office.

  According to the rap sheet, he was almost the model citizen. Helping the police with their enquiries, witness testimonies and then a conviction for burglary, having received a truckload of knock off. It didn’t look like much, but maybe that was all Dana could pin on him?

  He’d been on the case for nearly a month now, and he didn’t seem to be getting any closer to the truth. It had taken this long to get a name, and how much that meant was anyone’s guess. He’d just have to get back to the grindstone. There were no quick fixes, especially when everything pointed to an organised crime. As far as the drugs investigation was going, they’d found batches that had moved around, but the parcels were all wrong, almost amateur. It didn’t add up.

  Drug users had been falling either dead or comatose, but what he couldn’t work out was why any decent dealer would intentionally poison their clients. It also meant a lot of kids could die, and he didn’t want to be part of the team that couldn’t crack the case. The publicity alone would put a stop to any future promotion.

  The rest of the day comprised following up leads, talking to victims, and gathering information they later deemed useless. It seemed the team’s hands were tied until they could find something to warrant new resources. They were involved in a vicious circle because the extra tests were their only hope to uncover anything that wasn’t obvious. But without fresh evidence, the chief commissioner was putting a halt to all funding.

  He’d eaten lunch in the pub with Martin, going over their cases without their Detective Chief Inspector breathing down their necks. It was better to just bat ideas around without someone always critiquing every word. Martin was as free to air his views beyond ridicule, or being made to speak politically correct, something Jesse favoured with his partner. He could bring a quick quip to any scenario and lighten the mood. Often it was much needed.

  “So, who’s the girl?” Smirked Martin, as he shovelled a pile of mash potato in his mouth.

  Jesse looked up at him confused “What you on about?”

  “Well, I’ve not seen you walking round with a smile on your face for a few months now. And its nowt to do with work, cus that’s a bag of shit.” Martin watched Jesse shake his head, his friend knew him far too well. “Well?” he asked, raising his eyebrow, waiting.

  “Nothing.”

  Martin looked at him, unconvinced, impatiently awaiting an explanation. “So that girl the other day was nothing, was it?”

  “OK, OK, I met that girl the other night, but seriously nothing’s happened.” Jesse relented.

  “Oh yeah? It was enough to give you a spring in your step?”

  Jesse cut into his pie and tried to ignore the gaze he knew his mate was balling down on him.

  “What she like?”

  “You’re not going to leave it, are you?” Jesse was smirking, feeling somewhat embarrassed.

  “Course bloody not, I’m married with three kids. Closest I get to a pair of tits is when a call comes in from the club. I’m living vicariously through you mate, so come on details, while my food is still hot.” Martin shovelled another mouthful in waiting.

  “She works with Rob.”

  “A waitress?”

  Jesse shook his head as he swallowed. “A chef.”

  “You jammy bastard!”

  Jesse laughed. He’d heard all about Claire’s cooking. It was legendary, something to be avoided at all costs. “Seriously, nothing’s happened though.” He warned his friend from getting ahead of himself.

  “Yeah, but you want it to?” Martin spied at his companion whilst wriggling his eyebrows.

  Jesse took a sip of his diet coke to hide his smile, shaking his head at his mate’s childish behaviour.

  Chapter 8

  Nick was cleaning the chicken spit ovens when a man in a black suit entered the area. “Sorry, you can’t be in here,” he warned as he saw him approach.

  Jesse held out his warrant card. “Mr Belmont? I need to speak with you, please.”

  Nick pulled his grey, heavy duty gloves off, throwing them on a trolley next to him.

  “What’s this about?” asked Nick.

  The man in front of Jesse looked to be mid-thirties. He had black trousers on with a white shirt hosting the logo on the sleeve with a burgundy striped apron, and a plastic transparent one above.

  “Do you know Hayley Timpson?” inquired Jesse.

  Watching Nick’s face turn from full on shock and disbelief to a smirk, Jesse wasn’t sure if it was a nervous smile or if he was enjoying something.

  “Should I be getting a lawyer?” asked Nick, still smirking. His posture suddenly turning from wary to cocky.

  “Why, do you think you need one?” Jesse responded.

  “If Hayley’s involved, probably.” Walking closer to him, Nick stopped smirking and looked more serious. “She is OK, isn’t she?”

  “Is there a reason she wouldn’t be?” Jesse decided he couldn’t give this guy an inch. He was har
dly filling him full of confidence.

  Nick shook his head nervously. He was a few inches shorter than Jesse, and as thin as a rake. “No, no, no, you’re not pinning anything on me.” Then he turned away from him, walking over to open the other rotisserie.

  Jesse grabbed him by the scruff of his neck and slammed him up against the oven door. The bloke’s eyes bugged out, genuinely terrified. Jesse stilled, uncertain why he was losing his temper in such a unique fashion. “Now you will tell me exactly what you know.” seethed Jesse. Almost touching Nick’s nose with his, as he looked him straight in the eyes.

  Nick held his hands out to the side to surrender.

  On realising he had just lost it, for no apparent reason, Jesse remained stiff but loosened his grip slightly. He needed to remain in control, and that meant regaining some composure.

  “I know nothing, I swear. I’ve not heard anything from her for two years.” Maybe he had overreacted, but this guy was slimy.

  “So, what did you mean earlier?” Still with a loose grip on him, just in case he bolted.

  “We were… together.” Jesse let go of him and Nick shook his shoulders out. “Things went sideways,” he added.

  “Like how?” Jesse wasn’t taking his eyes off him; he didn’t want to miss any ‘give away’ signs.

  Nick sighed, “they attacked Hayley one night after work. She’d only just left me, but I didn’t see or hear anything. The next day she came in and told the boss I’d done it.”

  “Why would she do that?”

  Nick glanced around to check nobody was in earshot. “She found out I was married,” he confessed.

  “Seems a bit strong to accuse you of assault,” answered Jesse sceptically.

  “I don’t think she had a choice.” Nick shook his head and lowered it, while Jesse tried to understand what he was saying. “The person who attacked her, told her to use my name.”