by M A Comley
“Are you all right, Katy?” Lorne helped her partner get on her feet.
Dazed and still rubbing at the back of her head, Katy told her what had happened, “The git hit me with his cuffs, bloody hurt too. I’ve got a lump coming up the size of an egg already.”
“You need to see the doc. Did you lose consciousness?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Katy leaned against the wall. Lorne held three fingers up in front of her face. “How many?”
“Three. I’m all right, Lorne. Help me get upstairs. I’ll be fine in a few minutes.”
Steadily they ascended the stairs. Lorne forced Katy to stop several times to catch her breath. By the time they reached the incident room, Katy was moving much better and almost managing to walk in a straight line. AJ rushed toward them when they entered the room.
“Help me get her into the chair, AJ…here will do.” Lorne searched in her jacket pocket for a pound coin and gave it to AJ. “Get her a black coffee, no sugar.”
“Yuck, I won’t be able to drink it,” Katy argued.
“Oh yes, you will. I’ll make sure of that.”
AJ returned and put the cup of steaming coffee on the table. “What happened?”
“Paul Rathbone attacked her after we’d finished questioning him and she was taking him to be charged. He’s banged up in a cell now for his troubles, little shit!” Lorne shouted over her shoulder on the way to the office. She came back carrying two baguettes they’d bought earlier and offered Katy one. “It’ll aid your recovery.”
“Really, I feel a bit sick. I’ll leave it for now, if you don’t mind.”
“Another reason why we should get the doc to check you over,” Lorne suggested, taking a small bite of her roll.
“If it gets any worse, I’ll reconsider calling him. Stop nagging me about it.”
“You’re the boss.” A sarcastic smile pulled at her mouth.
“Yep. Right, I don’t want us to lose sight of what went on down there, and the sooner we haul Troy Wardley’s arse in the better.”
AJ cleared his throat.
Lorne frowned. “What’s wrong, AJ?”
He sat on the desk behind him. “I was just about to come and find you. I received a call from the hospital, a nurse on duty thought we should know that a boy was admitted last night after consuming a large amount of dodgy vodka.”
Lorne grimaced and set her lunch aside. “And is he still in hospital?”
“Yep, you could say that. He’s in the mortuary.”
“Shit! Two victims in a week. How many more are going to show up before we arrest this gang?” Lorne kicked out at a nearby chair and sent it skidding across the room. “I wonder why Patti hasn’t called us?”
“Maybe she doesn’t know. She could be attending another crime scene. Ring her and find out, will you, Lorne? AJ, let me know the boy’s address. We’ll have to pay his parents a visit, make them aware that we’re already dealing with a similar case,” Katy asked.
AJ went back to his desk.
“That’ll piss the parents off. I know it would me,” Lorne said through gritted teeth. “I’ll ring Patti now and note our obvious interest in the case.”
“Good.” Katy staggered to her feet and walked cautiously across the room. “I’ll be in my office, recuperating.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
“Hi, Patti, it’s Lorne. Can you talk?”
“Just a minute.” Lorne heard the pathologist give instructions to her team. “Start taking the photos. I need to take this call.” And then speaking to her again, she said, “Lorne, sorry about that. I’m stuck out in a field somewhere, up to my neck in cow dung.”
“Oh crap!” Lorne laughed, trying to make light of her friend’s undesirable position.
“I knew I could count on you to make light of my circumstances. What can I do for you?”
“I was ringing on the off chance that you’d started the PM of the boy who probably came your way last night.”
“Nope, I’ve been out here since one this morning. I’m aware that a young male was brought in, but he’ll have to wait. Why, what’s up?”
“The hospital rang us, a conscientious nurse—the same one who dealt with Wendy Fuller. She thought we should know that the boy was admitted with the same symptoms. Unfortunately, he died before they were able to help him. Looks like we have another victim of this dodgy alcohol.”
“Damn. I’ll be here another hour or so. I can start the examination as soon as I return and get the results to you within the next day or so.”
“Thanks, Patti. The good news is that we have one of the members of the gang responsible for this in custody. I’m ashamed to say that the leader gave me the slip this morning.”
“Well, you are rusty, so you can be forgiven for slipping up this once, Sergeant.”
“Great, I knew I could count on you for sympathy. We’re heading out soon to see the victim’s parents. It’ll be good to be able to assure them that the PM will be carried out shortly. Get back to me when you can, eh? And try to avoid ending up face-down in a cow pat.”
“Thanks for the advice. I’ll make sure I heed it. Ring you when I can.”
After ending the call, Lorne asked AJ if he’d found the boy’s parents’ contact numbers.
“I’ve got an address and tried the home number but no one picked up. I don’t have a mobile number for them. I’m trying their work numbers now.”
“Okay, keep trying. The boss and I have to pop out later, so maybe we can slot in a visit to them while we’re out and about.”
“I’ll keep trying,” AJ said, turning back to his screen.
She went into the office to check how Katy was doing. “Will you be all right to meet up with Derek later, or would you like me to go alone?” she asked, poking her head around the doorframe.
“I’m fine. Any news on the boy?” Katy pointed for Lorne to take a seat.
Sitting down, Lorne answered, “Nope. I called Patti. She’s on another job but promised me the boy would be examined as soon as she could. If we can get a response from the boy’s parents, maybe we can call on them before meeting Derek at four?”
“That’d be great. I’ve been in touch with control and asked them to issue an alert for Wardley. Do you want to go and see Rathbone? Make him aware that he could be up on two murder charges now?”
“Do you think I should? It’s not exactly been proven as yet.”
“It won’t harm to have another go at him, to keep the pressure on. You never know…he might break and tell us where they all hang out.”
“Okay, I’ll go down there and nudge him. Did you manage to finish your lunch?”
“Yeah, well…half of it. I feel much better, thanks, nurse.”
Lorne left the office and hastily worked her way downstairs to the cells. “I’d like to see Rathbone again, if I may?” she asked the desk sergeant.
“Sure. After what happened to the inspector, I’ll organise a constable to go with you.”
John pressed the buzzer and a male constable came through the secure door and accompanied her to the cell. He opened the door and let Lorne in.
“Paul, I hope you’ve calmed down?”
“Yeah. You letting me go?”
“No. Oh, and my partner is feeling much better—thanks for showing some concern.”
He pulled a face at her, and Lorne was tempted to slap him but restrained herself. “I just thought you’d like to know that another charge will be heading your way. Another teenager died last night.”
His eyes bulged. “What? Who? I haven’t done nothin’.” He ended with his usual plea.
“Well, that’s how it is. Are you sure you don’t wish to add anything to your statement? Like where you think Troy might be hiding out? It’ll work in your favour to cooperate, remember.”
He thought the proposal over for a few seconds and then shook his head.
“Very well, enjoy your stay. I hear the food is dire during the week.”
“Yeah, I couldn’t help myself.”
• • •
Eventually, AJ accomplished his task of tracking down the parents of the latest victim, Michael Morrison, and arranged for Lorne and Katy to drop in and see them at three that afternoon.
The boy’s mother was distraught and lying on the couch when they arrived at the house. The family doctor had dropped by and given her a sedative to calm her down. The father appeared to be numb when he’d opened the door to Lorne and Katy, and he’d invited them in without even checking their IDs.
“We’re very sorry for your loss.”
“Thank you. Take a seat,” Mr. Morrison said, offering a brief smile.
Katy sat in the only available chair and Lorne stood beside her. “We tried to contact you earlier, but there was no one at home.”
“No. We had to visit the funeral parlour to make the arrangements. Janet wants Michael laid to rest as quickly as possible.”
The woman started sobbing at the mention of her son’s name. “Why?” she wailed.
Katy exhaled a large breath. “That’s what we’re trying to find out, Mrs. Morrison. Can you tell us how your son came by the alcohol in the first place?”
The boy’s father shook his head. “All we know is that he left here last night at seven, and around twelve this morning, we received the call that he’d been admitted to hospital. By the time we got there…Michael…was dead.”
“Can you tell us where he was going? Into town? Or perhaps to a friend’s party?”
“A party, I think. Was it, Janet?”
Mrs. Morrison wailed her reply, “Yes. Oh my God, I’ll never see my poor baby again.”
Mr. Morrison sat on the edge of the sofa next to his wife and placed a comforting hand on her leg.
“Can you give us the details of that party? We’re investigating other crimes of this nature, and the more leads we get the better.”
“More crimes? So Michael isn’t the first to…die…like this?”
“No, Mr. Morrison. We’re doing our darnedest to ensure he’s the last victim though,” Katy reassured the man, who left his wife’s side briefly and returned with an address book of sorts. Flicking through the pages, he stopped and handed the open book to Katy. Lorne took it from the man and jotted down the address. She then placed the book down on a nearby side table. Katy stood up to leave. “We’ll drop by and see this boy who had the party now. Again, we’re saddened by your loss. This case remains our top priority.”
Mr. Morrison showed them to the front door. “Thank you. Will you keep me informed?”
“Of course.”
In the car Katy shook out her arms. “You still hate doing that, don’t you?” Lorne asked, giving her a sympathetic smile.
“Yeah, the tension I feel when dealing with parents is terrible, especially when the victims are so young. Did I do the right thing not telling them we had a suspect back at the station?”
“That’s exactly how I would have played it. No point getting them worked up even more. Give it a few days, then inform them. They’ll be happy and grateful to hear that the case is moving in the right direction.”
“Okay, what’s the time?” Katy glanced at the dashboard. “Have we got time to squeeze in another visit?”
“Let’s go for it.”
Katy entered the address into her sat nav and set off. Five minutes later, they were walking up the path of a semi-detached house in what appeared to be a respectable neighbourhood. Unfortunately, there was no answer at the address. When Lorne knocked at the neighbour’s house, the occupant told her the woman who owned the house was away for the next few days.
“Thank you. Do you know if her son held a party here last night?”
“He did. I had to ask him to keep the noise down. It wasn’t that bad, but it did keep my kids awake until about one. I didn’t want to ring your lot, as he’s usually a good kid. I’ll have a word with his mother when she gets back. Is something wrong?”
“Unfortunately, someone who attended the party died last night.”
The woman clutched at her chest. “My God. How? From what? Died here at their house?”
“It looks like a case of alcohol poisoning, and no, he—it was a young man—he didn’t die on the premises. If I leave you a card, will you tell Harry to get in touch with me? Please, tell him that he’s not in any trouble…it’s just that we need to ask him if anyone gate-crashed the party.”
“Will do, love. I’ll give it to him when he returns home from college.”
Lorne sighed heavily when they returned to the car. “Okay, let’s go and meet Derek. It’s been a long day. I have to drop by and take that phone to Luigi before I can get home and put my feet up. Not that I’m complaining or anything.”
“I take the hint. As you’re on police business, we’ll meet with the journo, go back to the station, and then you can clock out, all right?”
“I knew you’d be an understanding boss.” Lorne grinned broadly at her partner.
Derek was leaning against his car awaiting their arrival in the pub car park that was their usual meeting place.
“Catching some rays, Del boy?” Lorne snuck up on Derek unnoticed and jabbed him in the arm.
“Geesh…give a bloody man a heart attack, why don’t you?” He leaned forward and placed a sloppy kiss on her cheek.
Lorne rubbed her cheek dry. “Don’t do that. You remember Katy, don’t you?”
He stepped forward to treat Katy to the same treatment, but she placed a hand in his chest to stop. “I’ll pass, if you don’t mind.”
He shrugged. “Your loss. Fancy a coffee, ladies? It’s on me.”
The detectives walked to the back of the bar in a discreet corner and waited for Derek, who placed the order before joining them. “So, how did my tip-off work out?” he asked Lorne.
“Great, as it happens. We have one of the gang members locked in a cell, but the leader escaped. We’ll catch up with him soon, I’m confident of that. Have you heard the latest?”
“No. Do tell.”
“There’s been another victim. Same sort of thing, we believe, although it’s yet to be confirmed. We’re not sure yet if the same gang we’re after was involved or not. We’ve got to trace the party-thrower before we can ascertain that. The similarities are there for sure.”
“Bummer. What is wrong with these kids? Anything to get an oh-so-important buzz to brighten up their crappy, mundane lives—at the cost of someone else’s life though. That’s the tough part in all this. Fair enough if they want to down the shitty stuff themselves, but…”
“Yeah, I agree. That’s the frustrating part. Hopefully, we’ll get all the guilty parties banged up soon.”
Derek’s mobile indicated he had a text coming through. He glanced down at his phone and immediately looked concerned. “Something big is about to take place.”
Lorne and Katy exchanged worried looks. “Like what, Derek?” Lorne asked.
Everyone stopped talking when the barmaid approached with a tray of drinks. When she’d unloaded and returned to the bar, Derek leaned forward and whispered, “Are you guys up for a little stakeout tomorrow evening?”
“What? What have you heard?” Lorne whispered back urgently.
“Just a hint of action. I’ll know more when I contact my informant later.”
Katy bent forward and said with an edge in her voice, “Can’t you ring your snitch back now, while we’re here?”
“Impatient little thing, aren’t you?” He smiled sweetly and shook his head. “I’ll get back to him later. I don’t want to appear too eager.” He turned to Lorne and said, “I’ll give you a bell after I’ve contacted him, how’s that?”
Lorne pulled a face. “I suppose it’ll have to do.”
“Right, tell me why you wanted to meet up.” Derek slurped his coffee, and Lorne cringed as the foul noise shot through her.
Lor
ne told the journalist what had unfolded involving Luigi, and that they were in the throes of setting up a sting operation for Friday.
Aghast, he whistled. “Holy crap! And you say Tony has volunteered to drive the lorry? Man, that guy has got some guts, you know. I mean, considering he has a bum leg and all.”
“Don’t be such an idiot, Derek. His leg has never, and will never, deter him from living his life to the fullest. It makes sense for him to drive the vehicle—his experience as an MI6 agent will make a difference for all of us.”
“Yeah, I’ve seen him in action. Pissed myself laughing when that guy shot him in his prosthetic leg and Tony didn’t flinch—classic that was. Okay, I’ve got to be going now. As soon as I hear anything definite about tomorrow, I’ll ring you. I’ll clear Friday night too. It’ll be a shame to let my female acquaintances down on such short notice, but what the heck…they can find another willing shag to fill in.”
“That’s a little bit too much information but thanks, Derek.”
“I like to share.” He grinned, downed the rest of his coffee, and stood up to leave. “I’ll ring you later. It’s been a pleasure as always, ladies.”
• • •
After arriving back at the station, Lorne picked up the mobile phone and said farewell for the evening. She drove for twenty minutes through the thickening traffic to the industrial estate where Luigi’s business was located.
He seemed nervous when he heard the door open.
Lorne said, “Hey, it’s only me.”
Luigi left his desk and kissed her on both cheeks before he hugged her tightly. “Lorne, what a terrible position to get into. Thanks for stopping by.”
She opened her bag and withdrew the phone. “Here you go, as promised. Remember, only give this number out to the gang, all right? Hey, come to think of it, you really shouldn’t be here by yourself, Luigi.”
“I told my secretary to have the week off, I’m worried that these guys will storm the place and hurt her. I could never forgive myself if that happened.”