by Joy Ellis
* * *
Cat looked up as the door opened and Yvonne and Dave slipped into her room. ‘We’ve had to slip under the radar,’ whispered Dave. ‘There’s a Rottweiler of a male nurse lurking ready to pounce.’
‘That will be Agency Todd.’ Cat frowned. ‘He’s a weird one, and boy is he nosey!’
‘We don’t have gowns or masks, but we promise not to breathe on you.’ Yvonne sneaked a look over her shoulder.
‘Forget that! I’m out of here tomorrow, so breathe away.’ She screwed her face up in confusion. ‘But why are you here so late?’
Dave swiftly gave her the basics. ‘But it seems he’s only got badly bruised ribs. The sarge’ll soon be one hundred per cent again.’
‘Phew! That’s lucky. What about Mickey and Archie’s daughter-in-law?’
‘We don’t know yet. We haven’t tied up with the boss.’ Head tilted to one side, Yvonne looked critically at Cat’s scarred face, and then she smiled. ‘Well, well! I see what you meant about your surgeon being a top guy. That looks fantastic!’ Then she glanced down at the laptop lying on the bed. ‘Still working? Any luck?’
Cat shook her head. ‘There’s still a load of stuff here to go through, but it seems that William French was one seriously good bloke. I haven’t found one single bad remark about him. He was well-loved by his whole family and his friends, he ran a kid’s club from a room at the back of a church hall, he was a scout leader and regularly did sponsored runs to raise money for Save the Children and cancer-related charities.’ She puffed out her cheeks. ‘And he was the one that convinced his father to go to the police about the drug dealers.’
‘How did James French know about those dealers?’ asked Dave.
‘They worked at the same company, a big importing warehouse. He’d been suspicious for months, but was scared he’d lose his job if he went to the police.’ Cat gave a little sigh. ‘But he finally did the right thing and he lost his life, not his job.’
‘I wish I knew who leaked the location of that safe house,’ said Yvonne darkly. ‘They have an awful lot of blood on their hands.’
Dave looked at his watch, then across to Yvonne. ‘We’d better go find the boss. If Mickey’s in safe hands and the sarge is okay, she’ll probably want to get back to the station.’ He blew Cat a kiss. ‘See you tomorrow, angel-face.’
‘Yes, see you soon.’ Yvonne paused at the door. ‘Email me anything of interest about French, won’t you? Perhaps together we can build up some kind of profile, even if just to eliminate him.’
‘Will do. In fact I’ll pass on everything. You might pick up on something I’ve missed.’ Cat didn’t want them to leave. She felt so safe, so at ease with her friends, but it was late and she knew that they would have been working flat out since dawn. ‘I’ll ring you the minute they say I can go. Would one of you be able to pick me up? With this leg, I won’t be driving for a while.’
‘I’ve got a better idea,’ Dave said suddenly. ‘Come and stay in my spare room until you are more mobile. And when you feel ready, I can ferry you to and from work until you’re up to going solo again, if that’s what you’d like?’
Relief flooded through her, as comforting as slipping into a warm bath.
‘Really? Are you sure, Dave?’
‘Right, that’s sorted!’ He tipped an imaginary cap. ‘Your chauffeur will be here as soon as you request him and we’ll go pick up some of your stuff and get you settled in. So sleep well, and I’ll see you then.’
After they left, she saw them pause to have a few words with the uniformed officer outside then hurry down the corridor. A feeling of intense emotion flooded through her. They really were her family. Her own mother, bless her heart, and heaven knows it wasn’t her fault that she was sick, had never been there for her. In fact, it had always been the other way around. No. As the years had passed by, her work colleagues had become her nearest and dearest, and she knew that she’d do anything for them. Anything at all.
She lay back on her pillow and decided that tomorrow couldn’t come soon enough. Meanwhile, she pulled the computer closer. One more run at William French and she’d call it a day.
* * *
It was well after midnight when they got back to the station. On Nikki’s desk was a note from Vinnie Silver saying that he’d gone back to his digs and to ring him any time if they needed him.
Nikki sent Yvonne and Dave home, then she and Joseph sat in her office drinking coffee. ‘How’s the ribs?’
‘Somewhat numbed, but at least I can breathe now without thinking that someone is sticking a screwdriver through my chest.’
‘Mickey sends his love.’
‘I tried to see him while you were hunting down Dave and Yvonne, but Peter said he was asleep. I’ll go see him tomorrow.’ Joseph yawned, gripping his rib cage as he did so. ‘I’m knackered. And seeing Cox again is giving me the heebie-jeebies. I dread trying to sleep for fear of nightmares about him. I can hardly face the drive home.’
She nodded and stretched her aching shoulders. ‘I feel the same, but we don’t have to go home, do we? There’s one futon in here, and either a couple of blankets on the floor, or a night in the cells. Which is it to be?’
‘I don’t think I’ll want to lie down anyway with these aching ribs, so you have the futon and I’ll push a couple of chairs together. I’ll go grab some blankets, and then if we can’t sleep, we can always play I-Spy.’
‘Yeah, right. I haven’t done that since . . .’ Her words tailed off. Since Hannah was a little girl.
‘I’m sorry, Nikki. I didn’t think.’ Joseph looked crestfallen. ‘I’m such an idiot.’ He stood up. ‘As penance I’ll pick up another coffee as well as the blankets.’
As he left, Nikki felt a sadness creep over her. There were going to be so many of those moments. So many people, without intending any malice at all, would accidentally wound her heart. She guessed that in time she’d learn to deal with it. She’d simply have to.
She stood up. These thoughts would have to wait. Right now, she’d check the emails, put the computer to sleep and hope that she could do the same. Although that last idea was somewhat doubtful.
She signed in and waited, her eyes only partly focussed on the screen. God, she was tired. Between Snipe and Stephen Cox, if they weren’t one and the same person, she felt both hyped up and totally wrung out at the same time. If Snipe was going for melt-down, there was a very good chance that he would achieve it, and in the not too distant future if they didn’t find him soon.
As she waited for the mail to load, she pulled out the futon and unfolded the duvet that they had brought in for the night when Tamsin had stayed. Luckily they had also bought two pillows, so she took one, and placed the other on a chair for Joseph. As she did, she looked across to the monitor screen, and froze.
Seven words filled the screen: YOU ARE PATHETIC! WHAT WILL IT TAKE?
Her blood turned to ice. Nikki ran across the office, threw open the door and shouted for Joseph. There was hint of panic in her voice and she hated herself for allowing her emotions to surface so publicly. But more than that, she hated Snipe for engineering it.
Joseph dropped the blankets and ran towards her. ‘Nikki? What is it?’ Concern blazed from his wide eyes.
‘Quickly! Look!’
Joseph grabbed the monitor and swung it round, and as he did, the words dissolved and slid down the screen into a dark puddle. Then there was nothing.
‘Snipe!’ he hissed. ‘And that is a sodding virus.’ He turned to her. ‘Your computer is blitzed. We need the IT boys in here first thing in the morning.’
‘A virus can do that? It was so fast!’ Nikki looked at the dead screen.
‘In the grand scheme of things, this is peanuts. All because of a virus called Agent.btz, the USA had to form a whole new military department, US Cyber Command. Hell, there are viruses that can bring down the software on massive industrial operating systems, like Stuxnet, the one that damaged the Iran’s uranium enrichment programm
e.’ He shrugged. ‘Although right now, Snipe is far more of a worry to us than superpowers playing war-games.’
If Nikki was exhausted before, she could hardly describe the dreadful sick tiredness that was eating through her now. She flopped down into her chair and stared up at Joseph. ‘We have to get him. We need this to end. I’m not sure how much more I can take.’
Joseph reached out his hand and took her arm. He squeezed it gently and smiled down at her. ‘It’s almost one in the morning. You’ve been to hell and back in the last few months and you are at a very low ebb. You feel like shit, I know, but I can promise you that Nikki Galena, pit bull, bulldog, terrier and bloodhound all rolled into one, will be back on duty after she’s had some sleep.’ He pointed to the futon. ‘I’ll listen out for further developments, don’t worry. We’ve been waiting for him to make contact again, we knew he would, and now he has. But there’s nothing you can do about it now, so rest and recharge, okay?’
Nikki knew he was right. She sank back onto the sofa bed and allowed Joseph to drape the duvet carefully over her. She didn’t even have the energy to say goodnight. She closed her eyes and sleep rolled over her, like a sea-fret gently drifting off the water. Before the mist claimed her completely she heard him whisper something, and although she had no idea what he said, it made her feel safe. For a moment she was very young and back at home at Cloud Cottage Farm. She had woken in the night, frightened of something, and then she heard her father’s deep voice assuring her that it had all been a bad dream.
Nikki sighed and fell asleep with the breath of his kiss on her forehead.
CHAPTER THIRTY
Cat emerged from the loo to see Todd placing a cup and saucer on her locker.
‘Brought you this before I go off-duty.’ He lifted her laptop from the bed-cover, placed it on the table and began to straighten her pillows. ‘Home today? If the leg is okay?’
Faster than greased lightning, sunshine, thought Cat. And I won’t miss you one bit. She nodded and lowered herself into the armchair next to the bed.
‘Good luck then.’ With an odd smile, he left, closing the door quietly after him.
Cat mouthed, ‘Bye,’ and watched him go through narrowed eyes. She was certain that as she opened the bathroom door, she had seen him looking at her laptop.
‘Morning.’ Her new “guard,” PC Geoff Barry stuck his head around the door. ‘I hear you’re ready to roll?’
‘Hi, Geoff. Oh yes, just as soon as they let me.’ She looked at him thoughtfully. ‘Would you do me a favour?’
The constable nodded. ‘If I can.’
‘You’ve been here on and off for a few days. Are you friendly with any of the nurses on this ward?’
‘Fairly good terms. In fact one of the ward aides, Linda, is married to my cousin.’ He gave her a quizzical look. ‘What’s up?’
‘Can you find out all you can about the agency night nurse called Todd? He left this room a few moments before you came on duty.’
‘I know the one you mean. Sure, I’ll make a few discreet enquiries. ‘He hasn’t been a naughty boy, has he?’ His cheerful face clouded over, ‘Because if he has I’ll happily knock seven bales out of him for you.’
‘No, no, nothing like that,’ she laughed. ‘Although I do appreciate the chivalrous offer, Sir Galahad. I just need to know that he’s kosher. It’s probably just his manner that’s got up my nose. I’m far from my best right now.’
‘Linda will be in this morning. I’ll certainly talk to her, but I do know he’s genuine. I heard one of the other nurses talking about him yesterday. Apparently, although he’s good-looking, he’s not popular, and they are quite pleased that he’s being relocated tomorrow.’
She watched Geoff return to his post outside her door, then sipped her tea. She pulled a face. Lord, it wasn’t difficult to make a simple cup of tea, but this hospital stuff had to be on a par with bilge water. She replaced the cup and lifted the laptop from the table. At least Todd wouldn’t have seen much if he had been nosing around. The last thing she’d done before going to sleep at around two in the morning was to email some copies of press cuttings about William French to Yvonne. Nothing indiscreet and certainly nothing that would interest a sneaky-peeky night nurse.
Cat checked the time. Almost seven o’clock. The ward round was at ten, and she’d have to wait another three hours to know her fate. So apart from breakfast, there was nothing else to do but keep working. She opened the file that she had set up for William French, and began to go over it again. Nothing but praise and good reports until his father died, poor guy. She stared at the screen, then her thoughts ground to a halt.
Without her aid, the cursor was moving slowly from section to section. Then it clicked on Close, and the folder disappeared. Cat stared, dumbfounded. What on earth had just happened? With no thought for the time, she grabbed her phone and dialled Joseph’s number. It stuttered and coughed and the signal went before she’d even connected. She looked closer and saw two green blocks, indicating that there should be fair network coverage. It must have been Joseph’s phone that was in a bad place. She bit her lip, then punched in a different number. This time it rang, although he took a while to answer.
‘Travis? It’s me, Cat.’
‘What?’ The voice was slurred with sleep. ‘Old bag? What’s the time?’
‘Five past seven.’
‘Shit! I was meant to be in early! And now I’ve overslept. I’m not surprised, though. I had bloody Stuart on the phone at midnight bleating on about that security system at Waterside Quay. Damn, damn, damn!’
Cat didn’t know exactly what he was doing but she had a picture of him hopping buck naked around his room searching for last night’s clothes. ‘Listen, Travis, I think someone is remotely accessing my computer.’
There was an immediate cessation of frantic movement. ‘What do you mean?’
‘I was working on the French enquiry and something took control of the cursor and closed me down.’
‘Have you given anyone passwords to that machine, Cat? Other than me, that is?’
‘No one.’
‘Are you sure? Right! Okay, well, you hang on and I’ll wake up my computer and try to gatecrash.’ She heard him swear as he tripped on something, then he was cursing at the lump of junk to speed the fuck up!
A moment later she heard him sigh. ‘Okay, I’m in, but . . . what the . . . ? Shit! I’m using a state-of-the-art multitasking web app here. I should be able to get remote access and collaboration, but I’ve got sweet zilch.’ She heard him swear again, then he said, ‘I’m blocked out, Cat.’ He paused. ‘I don’t like the look of this. Close your computer right down. Don’t use it for anything, especially emails. Just shut it down. I’m going to ring DI Galena and explain what’s happened. Meanwhile, is your friendly policeman still on guard at your door?’
Cat looked up, saw Geoff’s shadow through the glass, and said he was.
‘Then tell him to look after you really carefully. Sit tight, old bag! I’ll talk to your boss, then I’m on my way.’
* * *
Once again the team was at work hours before their shifts officially started. The only exception was the two IT boys, and despite their promises, no one had really expected them to wake at dawn.
Yvonne had not slept well, and by five o’clock had given up trying and got ready for work. She had been at her desk for an hour and a half already, going over the articles that Cat had sent overnight.
She smiled to herself when she thought about how things had changed recently, with all the new technology available to people. Computers were now at the heart of everything. Shopping, banking, driving, watching TV — and catching criminals. No old-fashioned policing, out on the streets day and night, asking questions, watching for that unlocked door or the tell-tale signs of lies and subterfuge. It was all digital now. She gave a small sigh for the loss of the old ways. Sure, there was a side to modern policing that she welcomed, like being able to remain in touch in sticky situation
s, and the speed that you could process information, especially vehicle registration and forensics, but such a lot was also being lost. Young rookie coppers no longer knew how to communicate with people. They were taught aggression, not law, and that was wrong. And at the top of the ladder? With the exception of Superintendent Rick Bainbridge, all the powerful, upper-echelon officers that she once looked up to seemed to have been magicked into administrators, politicians and accountants overnight.
Yvonne stared at the monitor and decided that she was lucky to have seen the best of those times, because they would never return.
But then again, in the past, Cat would never have been able to hitch herself up to Wi-Fi from a hospital bed and keep working. In fact, without technology they would still be groping about in the dark with Operation Windmill, and Cat wouldn’t have had a snowflake’s chance of solving it.
She sipped at a plastic beaker that held an apology for coffee and mulled over the scientific turn that crime had taken.
‘Penny for them.’ Joseph paused at her desk.
She shook her head. ‘Just wool-gathering over our brave new hi-tech world, Sarge. Everything is about technology. You need to be an expert or have a real interest in the subject just to keep up these days.’ She pointed over to the door. ‘And talking about experts, your friend has just arrived.’ She indicated the big, rugged form of Vinnie Silver.
Joseph lifted a hand in recognition, then turned back to her. ‘Funny, but I keep worrying about technology too. Did you hear that Snipe nuked the boss’s computer last night?’
Yvonne nodded. ‘She told me as soon as I arrived.’ She looked around the CID room. ‘We could do with Stuart or Travis getting in early. Who knows who Snipe will close down next?’
‘They said they’d be here at the crack, but you know what these computer boffins are like.’ He made to move off. ‘Let me know when one of them gets in? I’m scared to open my computer until I know they’ve checked it out.’