by Hania Allen
He stared at his slippers as though they belonged to someone else. ‘They were up to something. All of them. And they were in deep.’
Her heartbeat quickened. Could this be the break they were looking for? ‘Something at the Duke?’
‘Sure, at the Duke,’ he said impatiently. ‘Where else? And I’ll tell you something for nowt. It’s still going on. I didn’t want to know the details, I told Charlo to keep me out of it.’ His voice hardened. ‘He was using, although he never did it here. But I could tell. Got the sweats now and again, he did.’
‘Drugs?’
‘Smack, if you want to be precise.’
‘Was he selling?’
‘Like I said, they all were. Every last man.’
‘Everyone at the Duke?’ Steve said in astonishment. ‘
Everyone at the Duke knows something,’ Porteous said with a self-mocking smile. ‘They either deal, or they know who’s dealing.’
She stared at him. Everyone at the Duke. My God, this was huge. No wonder they’d zipped it when her guys went nosing around. She could see Steve was thinking the same: Why had it been allowed to go on for so long?
Porteous was watching her. ‘I see what you’re thinking, but you’ll get nothing out of them. They’ve learnt how to keep quiet over the years.’
‘How many years? From the time of the murders?’
‘Way before.’
Her mind was in a whirl. So it predated even the Jack in the Boxes. A thought struck her. ‘Manny Newman wasn’t involved, was he?’
‘The Jew boy?’ he said with indifference. ‘He wasn’t in on it.’
‘Charlo and the boys knew him, though.’
‘They’d see him at the Duke. To chat to, like. They weren’t best mates.’ He played with the tassel on his pyjamas. ‘Manny was a loner. Sat on his own, didn’t want company. Just waited for a punter, then went out. Had his own place to kip.’
‘And you’re sure he didn’t deal?’ she said, praying he’d give her the answer she wanted.
‘I’ll tell you how I know.’ He scratched behind his ear. ‘It was around New Years. A big haul of dust must have come in because the boys were flush with cash. That’s how I knew, see. Charlo had a whole pile of notes and he could never have made that much on the game.’ He nodded at the television in the corner. ‘Bought me that in the sales. Late Christmas present. Anyway, we went down to the Duke for a drink. Manny was there, in the snug. Some geezer went up to him and tried to slip him some dust, to sell on, like. Manny went spare, threw it back in his face. The packet split and it went everywhere.’ He laughed mirthlessly. ‘The look on the geezer’s face. Everyone saw. Manny wasn’t too popular after that. Charlo told me it was on account of Manny’s mum that he wouldn’t deal. She was so far gone that World War Three could have broken out and she’d never have noticed.’
‘Were drugs passed around so openly?’
‘Course not.’ He picked a strand of tobacco from his teeth. ‘Most of them were so good, you’d never know how they did it.’
‘Was Max Quincey into drugs?’ she said, after a pause.
‘He came to the Duke for boys, nothing else.’ He sneered. ‘I doubt he could tell smack from baby food.’
‘Did you ever see Max pick up any of the Irish lads? Or Manny Newman? Please think carefully.’
‘Can’t say that I did. But my memory’s not what it was.’
‘I appreciate you telling us all this, Jimmy. Just one more question. When Charlo was killed, did you inform the police about the drug dealing?’
He almost spat out the words. ‘Didn’t want to know, did he?’
‘Who?’
‘Him. The copper that ran the murder enquiry.’
‘DCI Harrower?’
‘Yeah, I think that were his name. I tried to tell him that’s why Charlo and the others were killed but he just nodded as though I were telling him about my summer holidays. He didn’t write any of it down.’ His expression dissolved into one of despair. ‘At least you’re listening. That’s why I’m sticking my neck out, saying all this. I want you to nail the piece of shit who killed my Charlo. I was the one who found him. Lying there. His lovely dreamy eyes gone.’ The words were barely audible. ‘And you say he’s done it again?’
‘He may have, Jimmy,’ she said softly.
‘You have to catch him.’ He crossed himself. ‘And, God help me, I hope he burns in hell.’ Tears slid down his face. He wiped his nose with the back of his hand, smearing snot over his lip.
She got to her feet. ‘Thank you, Jimmy.’ She held out a card. ‘Please get in touch if you think of anything else.’
He ignored her, hugging himself as though he were suddenly cold.
She laid the card on the table. ‘We’ll let ourselves out.’
They reached the Toyota just in time.
Three youths were kicking Larry, who was rolling around on the tarmac, shielding his head with his hands. Steve grabbed the nearest boy by the hair and wheeled him round, pulling his arm up his back. The boy squealed in pain. As Steve snapped on the cuffs, the larger of the boy’s companions rushed at Von. She held her ground and tried to block his punch, but his fist glanced off her cheekbone. Ignoring the pain, she moved in swiftly and drove her knee hard into his groin. The youth howled and dropped like a stone. He rocked in the foetal position, snivelling, his hands thrust between his legs. The third boy assimilated the situation, and promptly ran off.
She pulled out her cuffs and turned the boy over. ‘Don’t rub them, sunshine,’ she said, securing his wrists. ‘Count them.’
Larry dragged himself to his feet. He collapsed against the car, breathing deeply.
‘Good of you to take one for the team, Larry,’ she said. ‘You all right?’
‘Just a few bruised ribs, ma’am,’ he gasped. ‘You’ll have to show me that manoeuvre some time.’ He managed a smile. ‘It’s not in the manual.’
Steve was bundling the boys into the car. ‘Watch it,’ the tall one yelled. ‘I nearly hit my head.’
‘It’s all right, son.’ He pushed him in. ‘The car’s insured.’
Chapter 20
Steve was watching Von trying to get coffee from the machine in the hall. It offered the usual choice of tea, chocolate, and several types of coffee, but the only thing worth drinking was the americano.
‘Aye, boss, a pimp with a heart.’
‘Most of the ones I’ve come across beat up their lads, not take care of them,’ Von said, pressing buttons at random.
‘So what do you reckon? The Irish lads were involved in a heroin ring, got too close, and were killed? Danni said their murders might be linked.’
‘I don’t buy heroin as the link, Steve. It doesn’t explain why Manny was attacked.’ She banged the side of the machine and five paper cups fell onto the floor. Hot liquid flowed into the waste reservoir. ‘God, why is everything in this nick broken? Oh come on, let’s leave it.’ She strode away towards her office.
He nearly had to run to keep up. ‘Manny could have been attacked because the killer assumed he was in on it.’
‘But you heard Porteous describe Manny’s reaction when he was offered heroin. Everyone saw the stuff flying.’ She flopped into her chair. ‘No, if the boys were all attacked for the same reason, it wasn’t the drug angle.’
‘Heroin, though, boss. Drugs and prostitution are usually linked. How come we didn’t clock it before?’
‘Because the others found zippo. But was there really nothing in Harrower’s report? Porteous said he told him about the drugs, and Harrower showed no interest.’ She rubbed her temples. ‘Let’s take another look at the old case notes.’
He took the file from the shelf and leafed through it. ‘There’s a throwaway comment here that traces of heroin were found on the crime scene dolls.’
‘Then why wasn’t the drugs squad swarming over the place?’ she said impatiently. ‘I don’t get it. They send in dogs and everything.’
He was browsing through
the file, looking at pages at random. ‘Pity Harrower isn’t still around. He passed away not long after he retired.’
‘Maybe there’s someone else in the drugs squad we could talk to.’ She nodded at the file. ‘Who else is in there?’
He flicked to the list of names. ‘Simon Hensbury.’
Her voice softened. ‘My old governor.’
‘According to this, he was Harrower’s boss on the case back then.’ Steve glanced up. ‘Bit younger than Harrower, if I remember. I met him on my inspector’s course. Something of a talking textbook.’
She smiled. ‘That’s him in course tutor mode. He was a good governor, though.’
‘Do you see much of him now?’
‘Hardly.’
‘Went early, didn’t he? To the Costa del Sol?’
‘He’s back. Got tired of running into people he put away.’
‘Shall I ask him to come in?’
‘He won’t come to the nick.’ She tapped the biro against her teeth. ‘I’ll call him. He owes me dinner.’
Steve looked at her with interest. ‘Owes you, boss?’
She put the biro down. ‘Steve, there’s something we need to make clear to the others. I want everyone quiet about the drug angle for now. I don’t intend to tell the Chief Super yet.’
‘You sure about that?’ he said uneasily.
She knew what he’d be thinking: not only was keeping your superior officer in the dark a bad idea, it was a disciplinary offence. If he found out, the Chief Super wouldn’t hesitate to haul her over the coals. ‘I’m not having the drugs squad taking over,’ she said firmly.
He opened his mouth to speak, but stopped when he saw Danni at the door.
Danni glanced from Von to Steve, and Von wondered how much she’d heard. But she’d discovered years before that Danni’s discretion could be relied upon.
‘Is this a good time?’ Danni said. ‘I was on my way home and thought you’d like my analysis of your interview with Michael Gillanders.’
Von smiled. ‘I’d offer you coffee Danni, but the machine is kaput.’
‘No problem, I’m over-caffeinated as it is.’
Steve gave her his chair, and lolled against the wall.
‘So, what’s the bottom line?’ said Von.
Danni pulled out her notebook. ‘Cool customer, to begin with. Most people would have found your line of questioning intimidating. Not Gillanders, he held his own. You touched a nerve only when you suggested he might have killed the boys.’
‘Could he be the Mr X who killed Max Quincey?’
‘My best offer is, possibly.’
‘And the rent boys?’
‘He’s definitely not the Mr Y who killed them.’
‘Still thinking it’s two separate people?’
‘Aren’t you?’ When Von said nothing, she added, ‘So, any leads?’
‘Only one,’ Von said. ‘The Iron Duke.’
‘Thought you’d drawn a blank.’
‘Where my officers failed, others might succeed.’
‘A snout?’ Danni nodded. ‘And if he fails?’
‘Damn it, I’ll go there myself.’
‘Undercover?’ Danni said, her eyes sparkling.
‘It’ll have to be. They spotted the coppers I sent in and closed ranks.’ She stood up, wanting to bring the interview to a close. She was tired, and Kenny might be home. ‘I won’t keep you, Danni. And thanks.’
Danni remained seated. ‘Actually, I was hoping to entice you out for a spot of supper.’ She looked up at Steve. ‘You too, of course.’
He smiled warmly. ‘I’ve made other plans.’
‘Ah, the beautiful barmaid. You two still together?’
He hesitated. ‘Sometimes.’ He turned to Von. ‘I’ll see you, boss.’
They watched him go.
‘What’s this about, Danni? You don’t usually include Steve in your invitations.’
‘I’d hoped to do a spot of matchmaking. I was intending to leave the restaurant early.’
‘You’re not still banging on about Steve and me.’
‘Fetch your coat, Von.’
The large glittering restaurant was Friday-night busy and every table was taken. Blonde waitresses in gold livery, the hallmark of the restaurant, fussed over the guests.
‘Don’t know why you’ve chosen this place,’ Danni said. ‘I don’t eat in hotel restaurants.’
‘This is one of the top hotels in Kensington,’ Von said. ‘Anyway, I’m hoping to see someone.’
‘Not Kenny, surely. This doesn’t look like his type of watering hole.’
‘Last time I was here, I had dinner with Simon Hensbury.’
Danni smiled, her eyes a cat’s. ‘You think your old Guv will be here tonight?’
‘If he’s in London, this is where he eats.’ She sipped at her mineral water. ‘It’s not only his type of watering hole, it’s his only watering hole. He’s allowed to smoke in this restaurant.’
‘Are you hoping to bed him again?’
‘I want to talk to him about the Jack in the Box murders. He was Harrower’s boss at the time.’
‘You didn’t answer my question.’
She studied the menu. ‘The fish looks good.’
‘There’s something you’re not telling me, Von.’
‘Kenny’s having an affair.’
When the silence had gone on too long, she glanced up. Danni was watching her calmly.
‘You don’t seem surprised,’ Von said.
‘I’ve seen this coming.’
‘Then why haven’t I?’
‘You’re trained to look for different sorts of clues.’ Danni played with her fork, running her fingers over the tines. ‘So what made you suspect the affair?’
It seemed a betrayal to discuss her failing relationship with anyone, even another woman. But she needed to talk to someone, and Danni was the closest she had to a female friend. ‘I smelt a perfume on him that I don’t use,’ she said finally.
‘And you think that falling into bed with Simon Hensbury would be getting your own back.’
‘I’m not intending to fall into bed with Simon Hensbury,’ she said testily.
Danni looked past her. ‘Is that him? With the Chief Super?’
She swung round. Richard Quincey and a tall broad-shouldered man had entered the room. They were deep in conversation, and continued talking as a waitress led them to a table by the window. Von’s eyes remained on Quincey’s companion. The blood sang in her ears as she watched the familiar movements, how he waited till Quincey sat down before pulling his own chair out, how he patted his pockets feeling for cigarettes.
‘I can see the attraction,’ Danni said. ‘He’s sexier in a way even the Chief Super isn’t. But the Chief Super’s queered your pitch by coming with Hensbury. Are you still going to try to talk to him?’
She buried her face in the menu. ‘I’ll do it at the end of the meal. As though I’ve just spotted him.’
‘Too late. He’s coming over.’
Simon Hensbury was making his way towards them.
Her heart clenched as she looked into the familiar blue-grey eyes. She drank in every detail: the hair falling over his forehead, the lines in his face, the slight bump in his nose. And the smile creeping onto his lips.
‘Von,’ he said, his eyes roaming over her face. He laid a hand on her shoulder. ‘I haven’t seen you for such a long time.’
His voice was as she remembered it, rich and deep. She tried to think of a suitable reply but words failed her. It was the effect he always had when she saw him after an absence.
‘So, how are you?’ he said. Without waiting for a reply, he turned, his hand still on her shoulder, and appraised Danni quickly.
Von made the introductions. ‘Sir, I see you’re with Chief Superintendent Quincey,’ she added hesitantly. ‘I don’t want to disturb your dinner.’
He turned back to her, frowning. ‘Dreadful business about his brother. Just as that play’s returned too.’
He dropped his voice. ‘And Richard told me about the doll outside your flat. Just ghastly.’
This was her opportunity and she had no intention of wasting it. ‘I’d like to pick your brains about that old case. Could I give you a call next week?’
‘Let me give you my card.’ He reached into his jacket pocket, the light reflecting off his signet ring. ‘Richard and I have a lot to catch up on, but do come over before you leave.’ His eyes ran quickly down Danni’s body. ‘Delighted to have met you, Dr Mittelberg.’ He walked away, holding his shoulders straight.
‘Wow, he’s even sexier close up,’ murmured Danni. ‘What was he like?’
‘Outstanding.’
‘I meant in bed, not as a governor.’
‘So did I.’
Danni’s lips curved into a smile. ‘Married?’
‘Occasionally.’
‘Married now?’
‘No idea.’
The waitress arrived, took their order, and left.
‘I notice you keep looking over my shoulder,’ Von said, staring hard at the table. ‘What are you seeing?’
Danni brought the glass of Chablis to her lips. ‘They go back a long way. It’s the body language, the way they’re easy with each other. That’s rare for professional men of their rank.’ She glanced at Von. ‘Has the Chief Super ever mentioned his friendship with Hensbury?’
‘He wouldn’t, he took over from Simon at Clerkenwell.’
‘Now they’re talking about you,’ Danni said into her glass. ‘They’ve turned in this direction.’
She kept her eyes on the tablecloth. ‘You sure it’s not you they’re talking about?’
‘You’re the common denominator so it’s natural they’d be discussing you.’
‘Discussing my progress on the case, you mean. Or rather, the lack of it,’ she added caustically.
Danni laid a friendly hand on her arm. ‘Forget it and enjoy your meal. It’s Friday. Haven’t you got the day off tomorrow?’ She glanced up. ‘Ah, here’s the turbot.’
As they ate, Von filled Danni in on her more recent discoveries, including the drugs scam at the Duke.
Danni blew on her coffee. ‘Take care, Von. Police who break up drug rings often end up dead. Maybe that’s why Harrower fought shy of it.’