Hunted on the Fens

by Joy Ellis

  ‘Remind me to ring you every week for a pep talk.’ She grinned at him. ‘Or will you be too busy with your runner beans and double-digging potato trenches?’

  ‘I’m going to buy a camper van, my friend. My wife and I are going to throw a whole load of clothes in it, oh, and the dog of course, and we’re going exploring. The kids all have lives of their own now, so if we take a week or a month, or six months, we won’t care. Lovely!’

  ‘Good for you, sir. And as a leaving present, I’m determined to have Operation Windmill sewn up before you go.’

  ‘Then I’d better get hold of those two extra officers for you.’

  ‘One last thing, sir. Your intelligence on Stephen Cox was correct. Joseph and I had it confirmed last night by Madame Cyn herself. He’s back.’

  The superintendent gave a long sigh. ‘Do you know, Nikki, all of a sudden that camper van is looking really good.’

  * * *

  As Nikki entered Joseph’s office, she saw him replacing the phone into its cradle. There was a slightly bemused expression on his face.

  ‘Worrying news? Or just constipation?’

  He looked up and gave a little laugh. ‘Hardly. Well, not after eating your prawns as well as my own.’

  ‘Pig.’

  ‘Ah, now generally it’s some spotty oik calling me that, not my boss.’ The smile faded. ‘That was Lawrence Carpenter on the phone. He wants to talk to us about Magda Hellekamp. He’s driving in now.’

  ‘Any idea of what he wants to tell us?’ asked Nikki.

  ‘He said it may be nothing, but when he had the call from Cat asking if she could visit him, he said he had another think about his last meeting with Magda, and he’s remembered something.’

  ‘I assume he knows about Cat’s injury?’

  ‘Yes. Dave rang him as soon as he heard about the incident.’

  Nikki nodded, then turned and paused in the doorway. ‘Good. Give me a call when he arrives. We’ll talk to him together.’

  She headed back to her own office, then stopped. A stocky older detective was just entering the CID Room. He had a round, moon-shaped face and a deceptively benign smile, one that she knew masked a razor-sharp mind.

  ‘Jim? Anything on the vehicle from the hit and run?’

  DI Jim Hunter walked towards her, shaking his head. ‘Sorry, Nikki, but we believe it’s been spirited away to some dodgy workshop, either for a paint job or to be carved up and dumped.’ He leaned back against an empty desk. ‘CCTV followed it to the edge of town, then it disappeared out towards the marsh villages, and we all know there are no cameras out there.’ He pulled a face. ‘And not a soul saw it after it crossed the river out of Greenborough. One day it’ll probably get hauled out of a mere or a pit, or a derelict barn, but our chances of finding it are about as remote as the villages it was heading for.’

  ‘I expected as much. It was too well-planned,’ said Nikki sourly.

  ‘CCTV and a string of witnesses would agree. Everyone said it drove at the two officers deliberately.’ He paused. ‘My only question is, was it aiming for one of them in particular?’

  ‘We’d like to know that as well.’ She gave him a tired smile. ‘Keep us up to date?’

  ‘Will do.’

  ‘Guv!’ Joseph’s voice rang out. ‘Lawrence Carpenter is downstairs.’

  ‘Gotta go, Jim.’ She turned and called to Joseph. ‘Take him to an interview room and I’ll be down directly.’

  ‘Something helpful on Operation Windmill?’ asked Jim, eyebrows raised.

  ‘I hope so. This particular bloody mill seems to have ground to a halt.’

  ‘Then good luck.’ Jim walked away. ‘I’m mighty glad you got that case and not me. Locked room mysteries belong in crime novels, not on the streets of Greenborough.’

  ‘Thanks a lot. I feel so much better hearing that.’

  * * *

  Lawrence Carpenter was a far cry from the suave business man Nikki had expected. He had the rusty, leathered hue of a man who had worked most of his life in the great outdoors, and his clothes were more ‘field’ than ‘boardroom.’ It would take an enormous stretch of imagination to pair him up with the sultry good looks of the elegant Magda Hellekamp.

  ‘I still can’t believe she’s dead.’ His voice was deep and educated, even though it still held a hint of the local accent. ‘I’ve known her since she was a youngster.’

  Nikki looked at the man’s intensely sad expression, and immediately believed that Joseph was right about him. Lawrence Carpenter looked crushed.

  ‘You said that you’d thought of something?’ asked Nikki.

  He leaned back in his chair. He seemed unbothered by the sombre, windowless room equipped only with a table bolted to the floor, four chairs and a rubber strip panic button running around the blank walls. ‘There are two things, possibly irrelevant, but considering the terrible thing that happened to Maggie, I wanted to tell you.’

  Joseph held a pen poised above his notebook, and looked enquiringly at the man.

  Carpenter exhaled. ‘The last time I spoke to her was at my office, and she sounded both elated and angry.’ He frowned. ‘I’ve thought about this ever since I had the call from your detective . . .’ He stopped mid-sentence. ‘Oh, how is she, by the way?’

  ‘She’s made of strong stuff, sir. She’ll pull through.’ Nikki hoped she was right on that score.

  ‘Good, good.’ He paused then continued, looking at Joseph. ‘It never occurred to me when I first talked to you, Sergeant. It had only just happened so I suppose the shock numbed things. Now I’ve had time to remember, she was not quite her usual self.’

  ‘In what way?’

  ‘Before I answer that there are some things that perhaps you should know about Magda. I doubt very much the family will have said anything, so I will take it upon myself to fill you in.’ Another pause. ‘When she was much younger, Magda attracted a stalker. The young student, little more than a boy really, was not suffering from puppy-love, as she had believed, but was an obsessive neurotic, with the capacity to be very dangerous indeed.’

  ‘Why didn’t the family tell us this?’ asked Nikki in amazement. ‘Surely he would be a number one suspect?’

  ‘No, Inspector. He is in a secure institution in Holland. He was incarcerated for attempted murder.’

  ‘He tried to kill Magda?’

  ‘No, he attacked her cousin, Daan. Poor kid had simply offered to walk her home one night because she was so afraid of her stalker. He was beaten so badly he never recovered full health.’

  ‘And you are certain that this stalker is still locked up?’

  ‘Absolutely.’ He tilted his head to one side. ‘I only tell you this to explain Magda’s personality. She never got over the fact that, because of her, her cousin had been so badly injured. And she never trusted men after that.’ He sighed. ‘She was very clever, almost a genius, and after the court case she threw herself into her studies. I’m sure she would have become a recluse had her inventions and her scientific discoveries in the world of agro-technology not been so ground-breaking. She was more or less forced to present her findings to the industry and, for the family’s sake, to help market them.’

  ‘So Magda was one of the brains behind these agro-bots and computer generated farming equipment?’

  ‘She was.’ His eyes narrowed. ‘And when I saw her last, I’m certain she had something that she wanted to tell me about a brand new development she was working on. Sadly, although she was clearly excited, she said that she was waiting for someone to provide what she called “the last piece in the jigsaw.”’

  ‘Did you ask her what she meant?’ asked Nikki.

  ‘I did. She said I’d never met him, although if his expertise was everything she thought it was, then his name would soon be on everyone’s tongues.’ He furrowed his brow. ‘And I’m certain she would have told me more had she not been so angry about her car hire company.’

  ‘Sorry?’

  ‘Magda didn’t drive. Sh
e used a chauffeur when she was over here, and the company always gave her the same man. As I said, she didn’t trust people, so when a different driver turned up, she said she went ballistic.’

  Joseph glanced at Nikki. This could be the lead they were looking for. Something small, but out of the ordinary, a minute change in the normal day to day running of things.

  Nikki frowned. ‘So what happened exactly?’

  ‘The day before she came to my office, she had a meeting in Lincoln. The car arrived, with a new chauffeur. Apparently she was so upset that the temporary driver got her to ring her usual man’s mobile, and he assured her it was all quite kosher. He said he had a severe migraine but had personally arranged his substitute.’ Carpenter bit on the inside of his cheek. ‘The new man was Dutch-speaking, and eventually he did calm her down. She told me that he was actually quite charming and a very good driver. The next day the old driver was back, full of apologies, but because of the way she was, it had really upset her, and she wanted to offload on me.’

  ‘She trusted you implicitly, didn’t she?’

  ‘Sometimes I think I was the only one she ever trusted.’ His voice was full of sadness. ‘She was a brilliant, beautiful woman, but her life had been ruined. She was as damaged as her cousin. Daan was hurt physically, and Maggie psychologically.’

  Nikki tried to think. ‘I wonder why she didn’t ring the car company’s office? If I was going to complain, I’d ring the business number, wouldn’t you?’

  Carpenter nodded. ‘I would, but possibly not Maggie. She had a long and good relationship with her usual driver, and she was comfortable with him. First name terms, private mobile numbers, in case of emergency. I can kind of understand her thinking.’

  ‘Have we spoken to him?’ she asked Joseph.

  ‘Yes, I did.’ He flipped back a few pages in his pad. ‘Ted Brookes. He seemed very upset and extremely shocked.’ He sucked in air. ‘But according to my notes, he made no mention of any migraine or substitution of drivers.’

  ‘Another chat seems required, don’t you think?’

  ‘Oh yes, just as soon as we are through here.’

  They talked for a little longer, then Carpenter looked at his watch. ‘I have to go. I hope what I’ve remembered helps. I should have thought about it before, but Maggie and I had spent well over an hour together that day. We talked about all sorts of things, about her family and the industry in general. Her excitement over a new project was quite normal. She was always passionate about her work. Her ranting over a substitute cab driver, well, it’s something most people wouldn’t bat an eyelid over, isn’t it?’

  They both nodded.

  As Carpenter prepared to leave, he looked back to Nikki enquiringly. ‘Is that young policeman’s death and your detective getting hurt connected to Magda’s murder?’

  Nikki shook her head. ‘We are not considering that at present, sir.’

  ‘Maybe you should. Think about it, Inspector. She rang me and asked to talk, then half an hour later there was an attempt on her life.’

  ‘If the attempt had been on your life, sir, I would agree. But taking Cat out of the picture has not stopped us talking, has it?’

  Carpenter shrugged. ‘I suppose I just hate coincidences.’ He gave them a weary smile. ‘Please find Magda’s killer. She didn’t deserve to die like that.’

  After he had left, Nikki leaned her elbows on the desk and looked intently at Joseph.

  ‘Well, that explains why there were no traces of other people other than the cleaners in her apartment. If she was that scared of men, she would hardly be partying every night.’

  ‘And certainly not holding small intimate soirees,’ agreed Joseph.

  ‘And another thing . . .’ Nikki nibbled on the side of her thumb. ‘She was in contact with an unknown man regarding a new scientific development. Now, reading through the notes, I never saw any mention of her working with someone whilst she was here, did you?’

  ‘No one. And all her colleagues, family and work associates on her phone, computer and in her diary have been checked out. And if it was someone unknown to Lawrence Carpenter, it might have been someone unknown to everyone, except Magda Hellekamp.’

  ‘Someone she would let in to her apartment?’

  Joseph bit on his lip. ‘Maybe, but even if she didn’t, it is someone we haven’t accounted for. We now have a Mr X to locate and interview.’

  ‘Don’t we just.’ The corners of her mouth twitched into a cold smile. ‘I suddenly feel that odd, sneaking suspicion in my gut, don’t you?’

  ‘The one that says, something feels all wrong?’

  ‘That’s the one.’ She abruptly stood up. ‘Let’s go investigate.’

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  Before they could leave the station to question Magda’s regular chauffeur, Joseph heard an urgent voice call out his name.

  ‘Sergeant Easter! There’s a call for you. It’s Kent Police.’

  ‘Kent?’ He looked at Nikki blankly. ‘I’d better take this.’ He hurried over to the desk and took the phone. ‘DI Joseph Easter. How can I help you?’

  There was a woman’s laugh at the other end. ‘It’s the other way round, my friend. It’s us who could be helping you. I’m DI Steph Beauchamp. Having read your request on the Police National Computer, you might be pleased to know that I’ve got a certain gun in my possession, one that I believe you are looking for.’

  Immediately Joseph straightened. There was only one gun that he was interested in right now, and that was the one that killed Magda Hellekamp. ‘Tell me more.’

  ‘Well, I’m reliably informed that it is a SIG-sauer P220, 45 calibre semi-automatic pistol. It’s Swiss, and the bullets in the magazine would appear to be a match for the gun you are looking for regarding Operation Windmill.’

  ‘How the devil . . . ?’

  ‘Don’t ever say that God doesn’t move in mysterious ways, DS Easter. We had an RTC last night, on the main A2 Dover road. Car versus concrete bridge, one fatality.’

  ‘The car driver.’

  ‘Correct. But here’s the twist. Our traffic boys found a gun concealed in the wrecked vehicle and the driver turns out to be on the most wanted list of Interpol and the Serious Organised Crime Agency. He has several names, but the one he’s used on our patch is Aaron Keller. Ring any bells?’

  ‘Phew! Does it! That’s one hell of a turn up for the books.’ Joseph’s mind was turning somersaults. Keller was suspected of being a hired killer, no, an assassin would be a better term. Police forces across Europe had been unsuccessfully hunting him down for years. ‘Now he’s dead,’ he whispered, almost to himself.

  ‘As a dodo, detective. And I’m guessing that you’d like to run some forensics on my firearm?’

  ‘I certainly would. But can I ask, were there any prints on it?’

  ‘It had been thoroughly cleaned, oiled and wiped. It was looked after like a cherished baby. So, sorry, DI Easter. You can’t have it all.’

  ‘The gun is enough. Can you get it to us, or shall I send someone to collect?’

  ‘This is vital evidence so, as we need continuity, I’ll get one of our motorcyclists to bring it up to you, together with all the relevant paperwork. He’ll be with you in around four or five hours.’

  ‘Can’t thank you enough, ma’am. We are really grateful.’

  ‘Oh, no problem. We love solving other forces’ investigations for them.’

  Joseph turned and saw Nikki’s impatient look.

  ‘Okay, so what was all that?’

  He told her as briefly as he could, and watched her expression change to one of stunned amazement.

  ‘So Magda was killed by a professional hit man.’ Her eyes narrowed. ‘And to use that particular executioner, someone wanted her out of the way very badly indeed.’

  ‘And that someone would have parted with a lot of money. Aaron Keller wouldn’t come cheap.’

  Nikki smiled at him. ‘This is great news, but we can’t get ahead of ourselves. We sti
ll have no actual proof that it was him. We need to place him in the area at the time of her death.’

  ‘And we need the forensic report on the gun. If we know for a fact that it is the murder weapon, at least we know it was Keller.’

  Nikki nodded. ‘Let’s get some mugshots of Keller run off. And we still need to talk to Magda’s driver. We’ll show him the picture and see if he recognises Keller, or saw him hanging around prior to the shooting.’ She gave Joseph a friendly punch on the arm. ‘Hey! The super is going to be so chuffed when he hears this.’

  ‘Yeah, he could do with some good news. Why don’t you go bring him up to speed while I get some photos of Keller printed off?’

  * * *

  Half an hour later they were entering the offices of the Fen-Elite Luxury Car Hire Company. The young man who welcomed them looked as if he had got up at six in the morning in order to style his hair. Joseph looked at it with enormous interest and decided that every gelled strand had been carefully guided in a different direction to all the others. It wasn’t long and it was spotlessly clean, but it was certainly wild. Strangely, thought Joseph, it worked. Perhaps it was the crisply ironed shirt and perfectly centred silk tie that made it acceptable, or possibly the straight white teeth and welcoming smile.

  ‘I’m so sorry, officers, Ted Brookes is off sick today. Can I help at all?’

  Without taking his eyes from the boy’s intricate haircut, Joseph thanked him but said it was a personal matter. Then he asked for Brookes’ home address.

  ‘He lives in Fenny Bridge Village. If you’ll just wait for a minute, I’ll get the full address for you.’ The young man stood up and went into a back office.

  As he did, Nikki’s phone gave three short rings.

  ‘Text message.’ She flipped open her phone then looked at the screen for a few moments before closing it again. ‘That can wait until we’ve finished.’

  Joseph found himself looking at glossy pictures of Mercedes Benz limos, and wondering why they did nothing for him. Maybe he’d spent too long looking at tanks and armoured personnel carriers. Anyway, immaculately valeted executive vehicles didn’t sit well in their muddy, agricultural landscape. For life in the Fens, he’d rather have a tough off-road vehicle.