by M A Comley
“I’ll have a word with the SOCO team.” He walked over to a couple of white-suited technicians and returned with an evidence bag. He slipped on the blue gloves the technicians had also supplied him with and opened the bag containing the man’s wallet. “Here we go. He’s Adam Finley.”
“Note his address down. We’ll shoot over there after we leave here. Ah, here’s Naomi now.” She watched the pathologist navigate her way carefully down the embankment and walk towards them.
“Haven’t even visited my bed tonight yet. I had a fatal crash to attend five miles away. I was about to pack up and go home when the call came in about this one. Can’t believe anyone would deliberately shoot someone on this stretch of road. Nothing should surprise me nowadays, but it still does.”
“I know what you mean. It’s a gruesome one, Naomi. The guy never stood a chance. We’ve got his ID, he lives a few roads away. I’d say he was a regular user of the road, which could mean he was targeted for a reason. On the other hand, he might have been in the wrong place at the wrong time. No witnesses, which will make our task a lot harder. Still, that’s my problem, not yours.”
“I’ll do my best to do the PM tomorrow—what am I saying? Today—and get the report back to you ASAP. Do you think this one is connected to the other crime?”
Kayli shrugged. “In my mind, it’s too much of a coincidence. We better keep an open mind on it for now, though, right?”
“As always, until something significant turns up. I better get on. I’ll be in touch soon.”
Kayli stepped aside to allow Naomi access to the vehicle. “There’s nothing much we can do here, Dave. We should go and inform the family.”
“I agree. Maybe we can come back when it’s daylight to have a better look?”
“Done deal. It’s hard to see things clearly as it stands. You might need to give me a shove up the hill again.”
“So what’s new? I’m always lending you a hand to rise up in the world.”
“Funny, even for this time in the morning.”
They jumped in their respective vehicles and drove to Finley’s address. Kayli was surprised to see a light on in the front room of the house. She met up with Dave outside the property and said, “Looks like someone was waiting up for Adam to arrive home.”
“Looks that way to me. God, I hate this part of the bloody job.” Dave sighed.
“You’re not alone there.”
On heavy legs, they walked up the small path to the white rendered semi-detached house. Dave rang the bell while Kayli inhaled and exhaled a few times to prepare herself.
The door swung open within seconds. A woman in her thirties was standing in the doorway, fully clothed, with mascara-streaked cheeks. “Yes?”
“Mrs. Finley? I’m DI Kayli Bright, and this is my partner, DS Dave Chaplin. Would it be possible for us to come in and speak with you for a moment?” Kayli held up her ID at the same time.
The woman leaned forward to get a closer look. “It’s Adam, isn’t it?”
Kayli nodded.
The woman stepped behind the door to allow them access into the house. Kayli and Dave stood awkwardly in the hallway until she closed the door and showed them into the lounge. The remains of a fish-and-chip takeaway lay on the table. Mumbling an apology, Mrs. Finley quickly wrapped up the parcel then rushed out of the room. She returned seconds later and gestured for them both to take a seat. Once seated, she asked, “Is he in hospital?”
“I’m sorry. Unfortunately, Mrs. Finley, it is with regret that I have to tell you Adam was involved in an incident this evening.”
“It’s Anita. What sort of incident? Is he okay? I was expecting him home hours ago.”
Kayli swallowed the lump that had filled her throat and shook her head. “No, your husband died at the scene.”
Her eyes widened in disbelief. “He what? No. He couldn’t have. You’ve made a terrible mistake. I only spoke to him a few hours ago. This can’t be happening. Not to us.”
Kayli let out a shuddering breath. “I’m so sorry for your loss. We received the call an hour ago to say that there had been a possible drive-by shooting. When we arrived at the scene, Adam had already passed away.”
Anita’s hand slapped against her right cheek. “He was shot? How? Why? My God! Who on earth would do such a thing?”
“Yes, he was shot. There was no way he would have survived his wounds.”
“What does that mean?”
“Just that if it’s any consolation, Adam’s death would have been instantaneous.”
“Oh right. And you think that news should reassure me? I’m sorry to snap, but you’ve just told me my husband has been killed and ...” She broke down and sobbed.
Kayli left her seat to comfort the woman, who flinched when Kayli touched her hand. She held back, unsure how to proceed. “Maybe I should call someone to be with you?”
“I don’t have any family here if that’s what you’re asking. It was just me and Adam. My family are all back in Scotland. They’re miles away.”
“I’m sorry. Perhaps there is a friend I can ring?”
“No one at this time of the morning. Have you caught the person?”
“Not yet. But we will do. It’s only a matter of time.”
“A matter of time? Are you just going to sit around and wait for this person to strike again?” Anita covered her face with her hands, uttering a barely audible apology.
“We’ll get the investigation underway immediately. There are cameras on that stretch of road, which will aid us. Rest assured that we won’t stop until we find the culprit and bring them to justice. I have to ask if Adam had any enemies?”
“But you said this was a drive-by shooting. I’m confused. Are you now telling me that you think someone deliberately set out to kill him?”
“Not necessarily, but we need to cover all the angles from the outset. Are you sure Adam hasn’t fallen out with anyone at work, for instance?”
“No, never. Adam was a very easy-going kind of man, got on with everyone. Jesus, I can’t believe I’m never going to see him again. We’ve been married for ten years, just celebrated our anniversary last week. We’re due to fly out to Mauritius in a couple of weeks ...” Fresh tears began to cascade down her cheeks.
Kayli placed a hand over Anita’s, and this time, the woman accepted the comforting gesture. “I’m so sorry.” She looked over at Dave for help.
He shrugged and grimaced.
“How do people get hold of these guns? Is it even legal in the UK to carry one?”
“No, it’s not. They generally get them through the underground, obtain them illegally. Our hands are tied.”
“You must know the people bringing these weapons to our streets. What are you lot doing about it?” Anita demanded angrily.
Kayli looked at the woman. She was used to people striking out at the police when a loved one had died. Anita was right, she and her colleagues should be doing more to combat the illegal arms business that was rife in the UK. However, with the cuts every force was experiencing, it was a devil of a job keeping up with all the crimes committed on the streets, let alone all the dodgy dealings in weapons taking place in alleyways and in remote areas. “We try our hardest. It’s not easy, as you can imagine.”
“No, I can’t imagine. Every single job I know has advantages and disadvantages, but we still have to deal with them properly.”
“I know. Forgive me, I’m not trying to make excuses. It is what it is. I could go on for hours discussing the cuts the government has made, but it would be pointless.”
Anita nodded her understanding. “I’m sorry, that was unfair and uncalled for. I have to vent my anger on someone. The love of my life has just been snatched away from me, so someone has to take the brunt of my anger.”
“Don’t worry, we’re used to it. Are you sure I can’t ring a friend to be with you?”
“Not at this time of the morning. It wouldn’t be fair on them. I’m a strong woman, Inspector. I’ll survive.�
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“I have no doubts about that, but I’d feel better if you had some company after we left.”
“Why? Do you think I’m going to top myself?”
Kayli smiled and patted Anita’s hand. “The thought never crossed my mind. You shouldn’t be alone right now. We’re going to have to leave soon, to get on with the investigation, but I’d rather not do that until I know someone is keeping you company.”
Anita threw her hands up in the air out of frustration and reached for her handbag sitting at her feet, tucked alongside the couch. “Okay, you win. I’ll ring my dear friend, Mandy. She’s going to annihilate me for waking her at this ungodly hour.”
“I’m sure in the circumstances, she won’t mind.”
Anita unlocked her phone and scrolled through her contacts, then she hit a button and waited. “Mandy, it’s me. Sorry to wake you ...” She didn’t get any farther before the situation overwhelmed her.
Kayli gently removed the phone from her hand. “Hello, Mandy, this is DI Bright of the Avon and Somerset Constabulary.”
“What? Is something wrong with Anita? Is she all right? Put her back on the phone this instant.”
“Anita has rung you to ask if you could possibly come over and sit with her for a while. We appreciate it’s very early, but she’s just received some bad news and could do with a good friend right now.”
“What kind of bad news? Please tell me.”
“Her husband was involved in an incident this evening and unfortunately is no longer with us.”
“What?” the woman screeched, almost bursting Kayli’s eardrum.
“Is it possible for you to come over? Do you need me to arrange for you to be picked up?”
“Let me get dressed. Of course I’ll come over. I’ll be fifteen minutes, at the most. I can drive myself. Oh my God, this is just awful. Poor Anita.”
“Drive carefully. We’ll stay here until you arrive.”
“On my way now.”
Kayli handed the phone back to Anita once Mandy had ended the call at her end. “She’s on her way. She didn’t seem to mind that we’d rung, if that reassures you, Anita. Can I make you a drink?”
Anita nodded and swiped at the tears on her cheeks. “Thank you, maybe a strong black coffee would help. Make one for yourselves too, while you’re at it. There should be enough milk in the fridge.”
“We’re all right. We can get a cup when we go back to the station. I won’t be a second.”
Kayli smiled tautly at Dave as she passed him. He looked uneasy, as if being forced to sit with the distraught woman was far outside his comfort zone. Kayli realised it probably was, as he always left that type of thing to her to deal with.
She welcomed the time it took to wait for the kettle to boil in the kitchen. It gave her a chance to gather her thoughts. Kayli was desperate to get back to the station and get on with things. There was no way she would be able to go back home after leaving here. She was hoping that Dave would feel the same way, but that was entirely up to him.
A few minutes later, the kettle had boiled, and Kayli deposited the mug of black coffee on the table beside Anita, who was still wiping her eyes as new tears replaced the old ones constantly. “Here you go. I hope it’s not too strong for you.”
Anita smiled. “Thank you. Do you think I should ring my family? Adam’s mother is pretty frail after having a hip operation, and his father has a dodgy ticker. But they’ll hate me for not being the one to tell them.”
“Does Adam have any siblings? Perhaps it would be better if they broke the news to his parents.”
“He has a brother. I haven’t spoken to him in years, though, and wouldn’t know where to begin. Would you mind ringing him?”
“Of course not. If you get the number for me.”
Anita scrolled through her phone again, pressed another contact’s number, then passed the phone to Kayli. “Hello, is this Brian Finley?”
“What is this? Who is this? Do you realise what time it is?” he snapped, sounding groggy with sleep.
“I’m sorry to call at an inappropriate time, sir, but it is urgent. I’m DI Kayli Bright calling from Bristol.”
“Bristol? What do you want, Inspector?”
“I have some unfortunate news for you, sir. I’m with your sister-in-law, Anita, and she asked me to call you.”
“Anita? Why are you there? Have they had a break-in or something?”
“No. It is with regret that I have to inform you that your brother, Adam, was killed in an incident this evening.”
The doorbell rang, and Dave left the room to answer it. A woman barged into the lounge moments later and hugged Anita. Both women began to sob, making it difficult for Kayli to hear what Brian was saying. She walked into the kitchen to continue her conversation. “Sorry about that. Anita’s friend has just arrived to be with her.”
There was silence on the other end of the phone.
“Sir? Brian, are you still there?”
A quiet voice replied, “I’m here. He’s dead? How? What kind of incident?”
“Adam was shot. A callous incident.”
“Jesus! Do you have the person in custody, Inspector? I’m a solicitor.”
“No, not yet. We’re hoping to rectify that soon. I’m sorry for your loss. As you can imagine, Anita is beside herself. She wanted Adam’s parents to know as soon as possible but didn’t want to ring them herself.”
“I’ll go round there. It’s not the type of news they should hear over the phone.”
Kayli felt he was chastising her. “I’m sorry. There was no other way I could have told you, what with you being several hundred miles away.”
“I wasn’t having a go at you, Inspector. I’m grateful that Anita thought to let me know instead of ringing my parents. Neither of them is in the best of health.”
“That’s why Anita asked me to ring you.”
“How was Adam shot?”
“It was a heinous crime, a drive-by shooting. Now that Anita’s friend has arrived to be with her, we’re going to head back to the station to make a start with our enquiries.”
“When did the incident take place?”
“Around eleven this evening. I got the call as I’m investigating another incident that occurred on the same stretch of road, and I attended the scene immediately.”
“Another shooting?”
“No. A suspicious death. The control centre saw a loose link and rang me.”
“I see. Well, thank you for beginning the investigation straight away. My family and I appreciate that. I’ll try and get down there within the next day or so. I’ll need to reschedule some clients in order to do that.”
“We can meet up if you need to see me. I want to assure you that my team and I will be working around the clock to get the person who did this.”
“That’s good to hear. Again, thank you for calling. I’ll go round and see my parents first thing in the morning. I know Anita is finding it tough. Will you send her my condolences?”
“I will. I’m sorry for your loss. I have your number. I’ll keep you informed of our progress.”
“I’d appreciate that. Thank you, Inspector. Good luck.”
Kayli returned to the lounge to find the two friends hugging each other still and Dave shifting on the spot awkwardly. “Sorry to interrupt. Brian sends his condolences. He’s going to visit his parents in the morning and make his way down here in the next few days.”
Anita and Mandy separated and dried their eyes.
“Thank you for ringing him,” Anita said. “Was he as shocked as I am?”
“Yes. Look, I hate to share the bad news and run, but the sooner we get on with the investigation, the more likely it is we will apprehend the person responsible. Are you sure you’re going to be okay?”
Anita sighed and nodded. “Yes, Mandy is here now. Thank you for all you’ve done so far.”
“My pleasure. Here’s my card. I’ll keep you up-to-date on things as we go when at all possible. The path
ologist will ring you shortly, I should imagine.”
“Thank you. Will I have to identify my husband?”
“I think his ID has already confirmed who he is, but most family members like to say farewell to their loved ones at the earliest convenience.”
“I’d like that. Thank you.”
Kayli shook Anita’s hand. “I’ll be in touch. Take care.” She smiled at Mandy. “Thank you for coming over at such short notice, Mandy.”
“No problem. I couldn’t let Anita down.”
Dave and Kayli left the house, and before she got in the car, she asked Dave, “Do you want to go home or carry on working?”
Dave shrugged. “I’m wide awake now. Might as well carry on with our day. Maybe we can knock off early?”
“That was my thought exactly. Of course, we’ll have to see how the case progresses first, so no promises.”
“Work always comes first with you, doesn’t it?”
Kayli opened the car door. “Goes with the territory of being an inspector, I guess.”
“Yeah, thought you might say that. I’ll see you back at the station.”
Dave made his way back to his own car. Kayli set off without waiting for her partner to follow her, eager to get on with things and desperate for her first coffee of the morning.
CHAPTER SIX
By the time the rest of the staff arrived at nine o’clock, Kayli felt as if she and Dave had already put in a full shift. It was going to be an exceptionally long day. Kayli filled the rest of the team in about the incident they had been working on since one o’clock that morning.
Dave had organised the CCTV footage from the cameras on the B4054 to be sent over first thing. When the discs arrived, Kayli tasked Graeme with trawling through them again. It really didn’t take him too long to locate Adam’s car being followed by a motorbike.
Leaning over Graeme’s shoulder to look at the footage, Kayli announced, “Okay, it seems odd that Carmen mentioned a bike, and now this ... I’m willing to stick my neck out and say the two crimes should be connected. We’ve got nothing else to go on right now, anyway. The question is whether the two victims are connected, or if they were two people in the wrong place at the wrong time.”