Barking Mad

by Ted Tayler

  Barking Mad

  (The sixth novel in ‘The Freeman Files’ series)

  By

  Ted Tayler

  Copyright © 2020 by Ted Tayler

  This ebook is licensed for your enjoyment only. If you would like to share this book with another person, please buy an additional copy for each recipient.

  All rights are reserved. You may not reproduce this work, in part or its entirety, without the express written permission of the author.

  All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real people, living or dead is purely coincidental.

  Cover design: - www.thecovercollection.com

  A Harmsworth House publication 2020

  Other books by Ted Tayler

  We’d Like To Do A Number Now (2011)

  The Final Straw (2013)

  A Sting In The Tale (2013)

  Unfinished Business (2014)

  The Olympus Project (2014)

  Gold, Silver, and Bombs (2015)

  Conception (2015)

  Nothing Is Ever Forever (2015)

  In The Lap of The Gods (2016)

  The Price of Treachery (2016)

  A New Dawn (2017)

  Something Wicked Draws Near (2017)

  Evil Always Finds A Way (2017)

  Revenge Comes in Many Colours (2017)

  Three Weeks in September (2018)

  A Frequent Peal Of Bells (2018)

  Larcombe Manor (2018)

  Fatal Decision (2019)

  Last Orders (2019)

  Pressure Point (2019)

  Deadly Formula (2020)

  Final Deal (2020)

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  Table Of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  About The Author

  CHAPTER 1

  Monday, 4th June 2018

  Gus Freeman arrived at the Old Police Station office a few minutes before nine o’clock. Was it possible so much had happened since last Monday morning? Where had those quiet, lazy days of retirement disappeared?

  Seven days ago, he’d made the journey from his bungalow in Urchfont to the London Road HQ looking forward to a new week of work. His Crime Review Team faced the prospect of a new case in which to immerse themselves. The mystery they were to grapple with was, why on earth had car dealer Dennis Gates died at the hands of a lone assassin back in September 2010?

  Gus thought he’d spend the coming week searching for new witnesses, opening new lines of enquiry, and finding answers to the questions that remained after the initial investigation.

  Today should have been the start of a second week on the case that might bring those different threads together into a satisfying, neat conclusion.

  Those well-intentioned plans melted away within a minute of walking through the Wiltshire Police building’s main doors. Gus could still hear Ricky Gardiner’s chilling message “Suzie Ferris dies if you open your mouth.”

  Within the hour, his superiors took decisive action.

  Kenneth Truelove, the Assistant Chief Constable, agreed to block any attempt by the Chief Constable to interfere in the smooth running of the CRT. He would convince Her Majesty that nothing had changed. Work on the new cold case was the Crime Review Team’s sole priority. The ACC would ensure Sandra Plunkett had no ammunition to use against Gus and his team.

  Meanwhile, DS Geoff Mercer stepped away from his mainstream role, ostensibly due to a family emergency. He agreed to help Gus in the search for Suzie Ferris and to continue the gathering of evidence against the people behind her kidnapping.

  As the lift took him to the first floor, Gus thought how the events of the past seven days had frazzled the nerves of his team.

  DS Alex Hardy was on gardening leave. The motorcycle pursuit rider had battled hard to return to work after a high-speed crash resulted in eighteen months of operations and recuperation. Gus held Alex’s reputation in high regard after the first two months they’d worked together. However, mistakes marred his work as the hunt for Suzie Ferris became more frantic.

  Lydia Logan Barre suspected her lover used pills to mask the problems raised by accelerating the switch from wheelchair to crutches, and finally from crutches to walking unaided. Gus had to face facts. Alex was unavailable until he conquered his demons. With Lydia’s help, he would return to the fold in time.

  So should DS Neil Davis. When things go wrong, they can go wrong big-time. No sooner had Neil resumed his place in the CRT office after his father’s murder than wife Melody suffered a miscarriage. Gus had no idea how traumatic an event it could prove for the young couple, but he had enough sense to know Neil shouldn’t rush. The team would welcome him back with open arms when he was ready to resume work.

  As the lift doors opened, only two faces looked towards him. Lydia gave her usual smile. DS Luke Sherman nodded a silent greeting. These two then were the new, slim-line version of the Crime Review Team until further notice.

  “Good morning, guv,” said Lydia, “we’re all set for the new case. Did you collect the murder file last Friday?”

  “I did,” said Gus, “and the ACC told me to forget about it until today. I think the ACC believed we’d had a week packed with incident, and it was only fair we took time to draw breath.”

  “We arrived two minutes before you, guv,” said Luke. “The Freeman Files are up-to-date and can go to London Road once you’ve checked through them and added your contributions.”

  “Thanks, Luke,” said Gus, “Leave that with me. You two can clear the decks ready for action on our next case. Keep your fingers crossed we don’t have any nasty surprises waiting for us. Last week provided us with more than enough.”

  “At least you had a quiet weekend, guv,” said Lydia, “did you spend most of it tending to your allotment?”

  “I squeezed in a visit,” said Gus. He concentrated on the computer screen in front of him, hoping Lydia got the message he wanted to avoid further conversation regarding the weekend.

  “Did you find out how DI Ferris is, guv?” asked Lydia.

  Gus knew it wasn’t an unreasonable question. His team, along with added help from Geoff Mercer and WPC Amelia Cranston, helped bring Suzie home unharmed. Everyone wanted to know how she was faring.

  “We spoke over the weekend,” he said. “Suzie is young, mentally strong, and although the doctors signed her off until the end of this week, it wouldn’t surprise me if she made it into London Road earlier.”

  That seemed to satisfy the inquisitive young Scot. Gus risked a glance over the top of his monitor and saw Lydia wiping the first of the whiteboards.

  Gus let the cursor on his computer hang for a while as he considered the quiet weekend that Lydia believed he’d enjoyed.

  Saturday morning was the first test of the new arrangement for Gus Freeman.

  He’d woken at half-past seven to the sound of Suzie singing in
the shower. She’d kept her word and allowed him to have a good night’s sleep. Gus got out of bed and wandered through to the kitchen in his boxer shorts. He needed sustenance. A bowl of cornflakes wasn’t enough to set him up for a day moving Vera Butler’s furniture. A proper cooked breakfast was in order. He started brewing the coffee.

  “Good morning, sleepyhead,” said Suzie.

  Gus did a double-take at the youthful woman standing in the doorway.

  A towel wrapped around her head was fair enough. The shirt that barely covered the essentials was the same one Vera donned the first time she stayed the night.

  He had to agree it looked better on them than it ever did on him.

  “I hope you don’t mind,” said Suzie, “it looked unloved hanging in your wardrobe, and my things are still in my car.”

  “I should have popped out to get your bag, I’m sorry.”

  “Don’t go dressed like that. You’ll get arrested.”

  “I was about to say the same to you.”

  “One of us needs to go,” said Suzie. “Shall I cook breakfast while you shower and get dressed? It will be ready by the time you’ve done that and retrieved my things.”

  “What can I look forward to?” Gus had asked.

  “As close to a full English as I can achieve with whatever’s in that fridge of yours,” said Suzie.

  Gus had headed for the shower. This new arrangement was off to a promising start. Gus found no reason to change his opinion after they had eaten.

  “That was scrumptious,” said Suzie, “even if I say it myself.”

  “You’re a woman of many talents,” said Gus.

  “I’m looking forward to riding out in the country,” said Suzie, looking up at near cloudless skies through the kitchen window.

  “Can we squeeze another cup of coffee out of that percolator?” asked Gus.

  “Half a cup each,” said Suzie, “you can’t put it off much longer. Vera needs you on duty by nine. After this coffee, it will be time to get into that car of yours and head into town. I must be off too.”

  They left the bungalow together at a quarter to nine and headed in opposite directions. Suzie headed for her stable in Worton. After dropping into the Community Shop for milk, Gus drove to London Road. He agreed with Vera that a quick walk to her new home was preferable to a forlorn search for a place to leave his car.

  Gus parked in Geoff Mercer’s bay and set off along the road. He was fifty yards from his destination when he heard someone calling his name. He recognised the voice.

  “Morning, Mr Freeman.”

  “Good morning, Kassie,” said Gus, turning to watch the young woman trot across the road carrying two heavy bags.

  Some things never changed. Kassie’s mop of hair now sported an orange streak, and the sleeveless top allowed her known tattoos to appear in public. Kassie wobbled to a halt next to him and caught her breath. Gus couldn’t detect any added piercings.

  “I’ve brought supplies,” Kassie gasped.

  “Have you been drafted in to help, too?” asked Gus, holding out a hand to take one of her heavy bags.

  “Thanks,” said Kassie, handing over a bag, “yes, Vera asked me in the week if I was free.”

  “What on earth have you got in here, Kassie,” he exclaimed, “it weighs a ton.”

  “I think I brought far too much grub. Vera’s got the drinks covered, but workers can be greedy devils. I brought every item of baked goods I had in the house to be on the safe side. I can always take it back.”

  “I’ll run you home afterwards,” said Gus, “you could do yourself a mischief.”

  “Run me home?” asked Kassie. “Oh, it’s true then. Vera said last week that you two weren’t love’s young dream these days. I thought you and Vera would christen her new home.”

  Gus gave Kassie a stern look.

  “Vera and I are best friends, Kassie,” said Gus, “I don’t think either of us ever imagined it becoming more serious.”

  “Friends with benefits,” said Kassie.

  “None of your business, young lady,” said Gus.

  “All right for you,” she said.

  “Still no sign of your own Jon Snow then, Kassie?”

  Kassie sighed.

  “Perhaps, I should stop baking and find a hobby that isn’t food-related.”

  “Here comes Vera,” said Gus, as her yellow Alfa Romeo turned the corner and parked at the end of the cul-de-sac.

  A large removals van trundled into sight. Let the games begin.

  “Hello, you two,” said Vera, “sorry if you’ve been waiting long. The boys were late arriving.”

  “Kassie kept me company,” said Gus.

  Vera kissed him on the cheek and handed him another bag to carry.

  “Everything we need to keep us in coffee or tea throughout the day’s in there. Pop the milk in on top. There’s just enough room.”

  Kassie was otherwise engaged. Her attention was on the removals men. Four well-built youths were preparing to unload the contents of the van.

  Vera led the way to the front door. Gus followed her, hoping the handles of the bags lasted another ten strides. He heard Kassie puffing her way up the path behind him.

  “Did you catch that testosterone, Mr Freeman? Today might not be a complete disaster.”

  Gus smiled. Hope springs eternal.

  Six hours later, the move was complete, and the removals van returned to base.

  A significant number of Kassie’s buns got admired and devoured, and copious amounts of coffee drunk. Vera was happy that nothing had got broken and apart from a few minor adjustments after everyone had left, she could have everything where she planned.

  “Thank you for today,” said Vera, handing a glass of champagne to Gus and Kassie.

  “What are friends for?” said Gus.

  “I burp after I’ve drunk a sip or two of this,” said Kassie, collapsing onto the nearest comfortable chair.

  “Do you have to rush away, Gus?” asked Vera.

  “Mr Freeman offered to give me a lift, because of what I needed to carry,” said Kassie. “Although, with the grub those removals guys put away I could manage on the bus. I’ll need to bake again tomorrow to replenish my stocks.”

  “Yes,” said Gus, “you wouldn’t want to run out of supplies for Geoff Mercer’s teatime snacks halfway through the week.”

  Kassie burped.

  “Told you,” she said.

  “What about you, Gus?” asked Vera.

  “I don’t think I can compete with that, sorry.”

  Vera laughed.

  “No, I mean, do you have to be somewhere?”

  “Not for an hour or two,” he said. “When Kassie’s ready, I’ll run her home to Worton.”

  “It’s been a long day,” said Vera. “I’ll call my parents and persuade them to pop over later. I know my father wants to check he got good value for the money he paid that removals firm. After my parents leave, I reckon it will be an early night.”

  Kassie and Gus shared a look. He wondered whether Kassie was expecting him to return here as soon as he’d dropped her in the village.

  “You chose well, Vera,” said Gus, changing the subject and looking around the living room. “This place is a few minutes from work, and next to the town centre. It’s compact enough to allow you to put your stamp on it without stretching the budget.”

  “It’s ideal for one person,” said Kassie, “it’s the type of place I hope to get one day. You’ll be happy here.”

  “Sure, I will,” said Vera, “do you two want a coffee before you head home?”

  “I couldn’t drink another cup,” said Gus.

  “I’ll risk another glass of bubbly,” said Kassie, “and then we’ll go home.”

  Thirty minutes later, Gus and Kassie were making their way up to London Road and the HQ’s car park.

  “Do I need to ask?” asked Kassie as she sat in the passenger seat with a bump.

  “What?” asked Gus. “Where did I have to be
in an hour? Suzie Ferris went riding today, and we loosely arranged that she would drop by the bungalow early this evening. We might grab a quick bite in the Lamb, who knows?”

  “Do you honestly believe that Vera’s cool with the way things have turned out?” asked Kassie.

  “I stopped trying to work out how a woman’s mind works a long time ago, Kassie,” said Gus. “Whatever happens, I don’t want anyone to get hurt, myself included.”

  Kassie was half-asleep before they reached the front of the old Rising Sun pub. Gus had to agree; it had been a long day. He pulled up and parked the Focus.

  “Here we are, Kassie,” he said, giving her a nudge.

  “Enjoy your evening, Mr Freeman,” she said, “do nothing I wouldn’t like to do. See you on Monday, no doubt.”

  With that, Kassie grabbed her bags and headed for a gap in the hedge. Gus caught sight of a flash of orange hair behind the hedge and then heard the front door of the house where she rented a room slam shut.

  Gus drove away from Worton and made for Urchfont. He checked his watch as he neared the bungalow; it was a quarter past five. He could spare an hour to contemplate life on his allotment if the driveway was empty. There was no sign of Suzie yet.

  The longer June days brought more sunshine and time to be gardening. Gus expected to see Bert Penman in his usual spot, but he found both patches of ground on either side of his allotment deserted.

  It was Saturday, and Clemency Bentham had a busy day ahead. Perhaps this was the time she wrote her sermons. As for Bert, either he was in the Lamb, or he’d taken produce across to Irene North. There was plenty to choose from at present. Cabbage, cauliflower, and broad beans were ready to harvest now. Gus could see salad items that Irene might enjoy too. His lettuce, spring onion and radish plants looked ready to take to the table.

  Gus studied his early potatoes and wondered how he had the cheek to call them his. Bert had done the lion’s share of the work. Still, they needed lifting in a fortnight.