DIRTY

by Robert White

Without warning, her features changed to the grotesque image Dave had seen on the crime photographs. Her battered and bloodied features screamed silently for help.

  Dave forced his eyes open and sat bolt upright on his bunk. He looked down at his hands and noticed he had torn the paperback book in half.

  He heard Jimmy’s voice.

  “You OK?”

  Dave murmured he was.

  Jimmy yawned and rubbed his eyes. “You’re a noisy fucker, I’ll say that.”

  The Manchester face saw the book. “And you’ll have to pay for that as well.”

  Dave shrugged, “Take me to Court.”

  Jimmy swung his legs out of bed and stretched. “Can I make a suggestion like?”

  Dave wiped perspiration from his face. “Suggest away.”

  “We’re stuck in this rat hole all day like. So, we tend to sleep late rather than get bored shitless until recreation. You get the drift?”

  “I don’t intend to be here that long Jimmy.”

  Jimmy took on a pained expression. “Do you really think you have a choice buddy?”

  Dave shook his head, “I have to think that way, or I’ll go crazy in here. I can’t eat the food. I can’t sleep. Right now, I’m wondering if I can take a shit in front of you.”

  Jimmy laughed. It was a strange high-pitched nasal sound. “I’ve seen more things than I would care to mention mate. The sight of you parking your breakfast is no problem at all.”

  Dave knew he would have to do it. He couldn’t wait until seven in the evening. Even if he did, the cell door was then open and anyone could walk in. That could be even worse, knowing the quality of clientele in the wing.

  Dave rose from his bed and approached the toilet. It was situated no more than two feet from the end of Jimmy’s bunk. The semi clothed man had his eyes firmly fixed on him. Dave had no choice. He undid his trousers and pulled them down together with his underwear. He sat as quickly as he could but his penis had still been in full view of Jimmy albeit fleetingly. Dave suspected that Jimmy was enjoying the show.

  To his surprise, this was not the worst part. He had been in all male showers and baths before. He wasn’t a homophobic, but the problem now was he had to evacuate his bowels and wipe his arse in front of this creep.

  The shame was overwhelming to him. Jimmy’s eyes never moved. In fact, a wide smile had now developed on his face.

  Once again, Dave wanted to punch Jimmy. At least verbally abuse the pervert; but for the first time in his memory, he felt too vulnerable to speak. He finished his movement and raised his body to wipe himself.

  He felt tears start to well in his eyes. He barely managed to prevent them. This place had already stripped him of his freedom and now he was stripped of his dignity.

  Once he was fully dressed, Dave felt his confidence rise.

  He sprung with the speed of a big cat and grabbed Jimmy by the throat. Dave’s thumb and forefinger slotted neatly behind the trachea, a trick he had learned from his old profession in Yorkshire. He felt no pain in his hand.

  Jimmy couldn’t breathe.

  Dave spoke quietly, “The next time I need to use the toilet. You!” Dave squeezed a little harder, “will turn your head and be a gentleman.”

  Dave increased the pressure once again.

  “Understand?”

  Jimmy nodded franticly. Dave released him and he coughed repeatedly gasping for air.

  “You mad bastard! Can’t you take a fuckin’ joke?”

  Dave lay back on his bed, his hands rested behind his head.

  “No.”

  To Dave’s surprise, Jimmy didn’t let it go.

  “OK, big man, you think you’re a hard case. But it don’t matter in here. You gotta sleep, take showers and turn your back. You understand? I’ve taken more kickings than you’ve had hot dinners. Been stabbed twice, and yeah, I take it up the arse when I have to. So if I find it a bit amusing like, when a new boy don’t like the facilities, that’s tough. You can live with it. You have to live with it. If you want to spend the rest of your time here looking over your shoulder, that’s your problem. One word from me and my good mate, fat Henry, will scoop out your eyeball with a teaspoon. Geddit?”

  Jimmy calmed slightly. “I don’t fancy straight men. I don’t want you to fuck me. I don’t want to fuck you. I want a quiet time. Just do my bird and get out in one piece.”

  Dave was confused. He had only thought of himself. Of course, no one had any dignity in this place, guilty or innocent.

  Moments of silence passed, until Dave relented.

  “Ok, I’m sorry Jimmy. Just give me a bit of time, OK?”

  Jimmy looked thoughtful for a moment, picked up the torn paperback and lay on his bunk rubbing his throat.

  “OK.”

  nineteen

  Andy Dunn could hear his doorbell. It was Robert Wallace and Sir Peter Davits. He answered the door in his boxer shorts; his face still creased from his own fitful sleep. Even so, he made a formidable sight.

  If Andy looked formidable physically, then Wallace and Davits were equally imposing characters in stature and dress.

  Andy squinted against the morning sunlight. This was obviously the visit Marshall had meant.

  He cleared his throat, “Yes gents, what can I do for you?”

  Wallace started, “Mister Dunn, I am Robert Wallace, Anne’s father. This,” he turned to his friend, “is Sir Peter Davits.”

  The title suddenly seemed to make Andy realise his lack of clothing and he felt a degree of embarrassment. Wallace recognised the situation and offered apologies for the early hour.

  Andy would have none of it. “No problem gents, err, come on in now, I’ll get some clothes on.”

  The three men stood in the tiny hallway and Lucy made her entrance at the top of the stairs. She wore only a blue police issue shirt and a pair of huge carpet slippers shaped like bloodhounds. The moment she saw the visitors she emitted a squeak and ran to the bedroom.

  Wallace let out an embarrassed cough into his hand. “We could call back a little later Mister Dunn. I must say however, it is a matter of some urgency.”

  Andy ushered the men into the sitting room.

  “Not at all gents;”

  He offered them a seat. “I’m sorry, that’s just Lucy, my girlfriend.”

  Davits showed some mild amusement. “Never apologise for that delightful creature, Mister Dunn.”

  Andy was slowly coming around. “Right, I’ll just be a minute and I’ll get Lucy to put the kettle on.”

  Wallace looked around the sparsely furnished living room. There were few trappings to suggest a female presence at the house. Lucy was either a casual visitor, or new to co-habitation with Dunn. Pictures of Andy in various rugby strips adorned the walls. A large colour poster of a semi-nude model, which some card had scribbled a beard and glasses onto, had pride of place over the fire.

  Wallace also noticed the Stewart file on the coffee table.

  Andy entered, tucking a T-shirt into faded jeans.

  He looked over the two men and felt like a beggar in the company of Kings.

  Wallace still held the Stewart file in his hand. It made Andy feel uncomfortable. He may not be a ‘Sir,’ but he knew when to keep his mouth shut. He shouldn’t even have the file.

  Wallace stood. “Mister Dunn, it may seem strange to you, but I am currently investigating the death of my daughter. I have reason to believe that David Stewart is innocent. Therefore, I have engaged the services of an excellent trial lawyer to defend him. Superintendent Marshall, to his credit, suggested I speak with you.”

  Andy relaxed a little at the mention of Marshall’s name. He sat and motioned to the file.

  “The whole job stinks sir. I took Dave out when he first arrived at Preston. The lad is the salt of the earth, a hard bugger, if you’ll pardon my French, but a good sort.”

  Andy paused, “Anyway, what I think of Dave doesn’t matter. More importantly, I think I have some interesting news for you about the case.
”

  Andy took the file from Wallace and spread the documents on the table. He selected the copies that he and Lucy had been examining the previous night. He then produced the greeting card for comparison.

  The three men were engrossed in the papers when Lucy teetered into the room with a tray.

  “Now then fellas! I’ve done you some tea and a shed load of bacon sarnies. There’s more if you want ‘em.”

  Andy was aghast, “Lucy, we’re busy here love!”

  Her face dropped. “Oh, I’m sorry Andy.”

  Davits came to Lucy’s rescue. “Madame, I haven’t had a bacon sandwich in years.” He patted his stomach. ”My wife is constantly watching my weight.”

  Lucy shot Andy an icy look. “See, at least someone is grateful!” She smiled sweetly at Davits. “It’s nice to have some gentlemen in the house,” unlike some I could mention, “…oh, and it’s Miss.”

  Davits, despite his position, had never been guilty of snobbery. He also had a liking for blonde, buxom women. Lucy fitted the bill perfectly. He charmed, “Then it seems our Mister Dunn here needs to rectify that situation, and make you a Mrs.”

  Andy had to see the simple but lovely nature of his girl. He looked over at Davits and smiled. “You never know sir, I might just do that one of these days.”

  Lucy seemed delighted and positively bounced out of the room.

  The mood quickly became one of concentration on the evidence at hand. Davits spoke first, “Why didn’t Thomas see this?”

  Wallace considered the remark and then spoke, “Because David hasn’t written anything since his arrest.”

  Now Andy was perplexed. “Why?”

  Davits was quick to react, the disdain in his voice was poorly hidden.

  “Because of your colleagues Andrew; they left a pair of tight handcuffs on his wrists for over twelve hours. The blood flow was restricted and he was unable to hold a pen.”

  Andy shook his head, “I still can’t believe Dave is inside. I was there the first time that Dave and Anne first spoke. It was the day he came to me to ask my advice. He’d cocked up and not booked in a pair of gloves he found near to Bailey when he arrested him. He told me he’d been put under pressure from McCauley to change his statement. He thought he was for the chop. I think that McCauley’s Inspector, Clive Williams was involved in that part too. He was sniffing around Dave at that time. The same evening we were in the canteen and Anne approached Dave. It was obvious that she was attracted to him. The next thing I knew, they were together in a nightclub, all dressed up and all over each other. It’s the last time I saw Dave free and the last time I saw Anne alive.”

  For the first time, Wallace seemed pained at the mention of Anne’s name. He quickly recovered his composure.

  “We need to piece together Anne’s and David’s movements after you last saw them. We know they went to the Lake District, to a hotel, but after leaving there we know very little.”

  Andy thought for a moment. “I’m sorry but I can’t help you there. All I know is Dave came to me for advice. I told him to keep his mouth shut. We had enough on Bailey, anyway he confessed didn’t he?”

  Lucy walked in. Without any apology for her obvious eavesdropping she spoke, “I know I’m only a barmaid and I’m not as clever as you blokes, but I know that Dave and Anne were crazy about each other. When you do my job, you get to know all kinds of men. Dave is a lovely man. I know he wouldn’t hurt a woman. Not ever.”

  Wallace smiled at Lucy. “Thank you Miss, I believe you are correct. Anne thought so too.”

  Wallace spoke quickly into a miniature tape recorder. Andy had never seen anything so small. He needed to obtain a sample of Dave’s handwriting that was usable in Court. He had to contact a Graphologist. He mentioned two names. Andy presumed they were expert witnesses.

  Wallace turned to Andy again. “I don’t know if you are aware, but Anne’s house was ransacked by her killer. In addition, John McCauley had a safe at his house; that too, was broken into.

  The Police are assuming that it was Dave looking for the original Bailey file, which has been stolen. Presuming we are correct and Dave is innocent, do you have any idea what the person could have been looking for?”

  Andy was shocked. “No, I didn’t know about the break-in, or the ransacking. I have no idea what they could be looking for, sorry.”

  Lucy looked as if she would burst. Davits once again came to the rescue. “Do you know Lucy?”

  Andy shot Lucy another icy glance, but she spoke anyway.

  “Well, I hear lots of things behind a bar. John McCauley and Clive Williams were in the pub the night before the murders. They were pretty pissed, I mean, drunk, sorry.”

  Wallace was hanging on every word. He waved away the apology. “Go on Lucy, please.”

  Lucy swallowed and seemed nervous, now the centre of attention, “Well they were talking at the bar. McCauley was bragging about getting one over on some bloke, I didn’t hear who. He said he had some dirty pictures of him having sex or something. They were laughing. Then McCauley said he had plenty of dirt on Anne and Dave. He was planning something. He said he would get Anne back and get rid of Dave.”

  Andy was angry. “Why the hell didn’t you tell me about this?”

  Tears suddenly came to Lucy’s eyes. “I’m sorry, but with everything that has happened, I forgot.”

  Wallace suddenly stood and beckoned his colleague. “Don’t blame yourself Miss. It may be of help though, if you remember any more, to tell Andy here. I must thank you for your efforts Mister Dunn. This evidence, with a little more could be enough to get David bail. Let us hope we can find that evidence.”

  Andy shook hands with the two men. “You can depend on Superintendent Marshall, gents. He’s a good bloke. He won’t be swayed by politics.”

  Davits smiled, “Thank you, Mister Dunn, and please, look after this lady.”

  Lucy was wiping her eyes but shook hands too. “I know you’ll get Davie out.”

  Wallace stood erect. “We will get to the truth too, Miss.”

  The two distinguished gentlemen left the tiny terraced house and walked to the car, which in truth, was worth more than the home they had just visited.

  Once inside the plush leather interior of the Rolls, Davits spoke, “A very profitable visit I thought?”

  Wallace was deep in thought. After a few moments, he replied, “If McCauley was blackmailing someone. We need to find out whom. I think the answer will lie with Inspector Williams. I also think we will need more than a pleasant manner to persuade him to talk.”

  Davits was ready; “Then let’s pay him a visit.”

  Wallace was working at a different level. “No, let’s speak to Thomas and get our man out of that hell hole first.”

  Dave had refused lunch. Jimmy had slept most of the day. As the evening recreation approached, Dave was hungry and ready to get out of the cell and clean up. He was already finding the confines of his meagre accommodation mind numbing.

  Finally his door was opened and he ventured out into the corridor. The men emerging from other cells looked bemused and half-asleep. Dave realised he was probably one of the few inmates who had been awake all day.

  A small weasel of a man, who wore the thickest glasses Dave had ever seen, approached him. Fat Henry wasn’t the only one to take interest in the new boy.

  “Hello! You’re new aren’t you?” The weasel squeaked. He even lifted his nose like a rodent. Something about the man reminded Dave that he hadn’t showered.

  “Come on I’ll show you around. I knows everyone.”

  Dave was about to refuse, when Jimmy piped up from behind him, “Fuck off Smithy! He don’t need a guide.”

  Dave looked at Jimmy with some surprise.

  “He’s a grass,” Jimmy pointed out, “and nobody needs a grass, not even us lowlifes.”

  The weasel looked hurt and shuffled along the corridor in a pair of old training shoes without laces. In fact, everyone shuffled. No one was allowed laces.r />
  The two men followed the rest toward the end of the corridor. It opened up into what, to all intents and purposes, was a games room. A pool table sat in the centre and a television blared, unsurprisingly, on full volume in one corner.

  A pair of swing doors led to a canteen, which smelled very similar to a school dining room. Several prison officers stood around the room watching the scene.

  Jimmy led Dave to the end of the queue for dinner.

  The men were given plastic cutlery, which Jimmy pointed out, was counted and had to be returned. Two dog-eared plastic plates and a tray completed the set. The clanking metal Dave had heard the previous day belonged to the servers; inmates, who apparently volunteered for the job.

  Dave noticed the food quality hadn’t improved since breakfast.

  He collected what vaguely passed for cottage pie, vegetables and a slab of apple tart. They sat at a Formica table that was firmly secured to the floor. Several others shuffled to join them. Including, much to Dave’s disgust, Fat Henry, who ate the way he looked.

  The man sitting directly opposite Dave looked him up and down between mouthfuls of food. He was well-built, with a shaven head. Dave recognised him. He was the hard case from the prison van.

  “You like to work out?” he said.

  Dave nodded.

  “I’ll show you the gym after, if you like.”

  Once again, Jimmy seemed possessive of his cellmate. “We’ll all go together then, eh Dave?”

  Dave looked at both men in turn, shrugged, and continued to eat.

  The hard case tried again, “You don’t talk much.” He stared directly into Dave’s eyes.

  Dave stared straight back. “I haven’t got anything to say.”

  “Is that ‘cos you don’t want us to know you’re a fuckin copper.”

  The plosives were punctuated with splatters of food.

  The rest of the table went silent, as did all others within earshot. The prison officers didn’t react.

  It was Jimmy again who spoke, “Fuckin’ leave it Stevie. None of us have room to talk.”

  Stevie was having none of it, “I hate fuckin’ coppers,” he pointed his knife at Dave, “and I hate you.”