Remorseless: A British Crime Thriller (Doc Powers & D.I. Carver Investigate #1)

by Will Patching

  ‘We’ve got to wait a while Doc. They need to finish up inside. Cut and dried this time though. It was our man. Seems the little boy was screaming about his uncle Peter, and Mrs Leech managed to confirm it was him. Though she’s not in any fit state to talk.’

  Doc felt wretched. He had let them down. He wanted to speak to the woman. To apologise. But he knew it would be a futile gesture, more to assuage his guilt than help her. After speaking with Henley he should have insisted on a police presence to protect her. Now she was not even able to talk...

  A freezing hand gripped his heart and two green eyes floated before him. What did you do to them Peter?

  ‘She can’t talk?’ He dreaded Carver’s reply.

  ‘He sliced off half her face. Most of her right cheek and her nose. Cut out one eye... The sick fuck! She almost drowned in her own blood. And the poor kid’s a mess. Can you imagine having to see your own mother like that? Saw his old man with his head missing too... So tell me again Doc. Leech isn’t mad?’ Carver had seen plenty, but he was angry, could not fathom this crazy man.

  Doc shook his head, a vigorous movement more to shift the spectre of Leech’s eyes than to answer the question.

  Carver took it as a negative. ‘Well he sure seems it to me!’

  Doc managed to pull himself together. ‘No. There’s a rational explanation, in his mind.’

  ‘Oh, well that makes it okay then!’ Carver was outraged, but continued, striving to understand. ‘What was she – too pretty? He wanted to spoil her... If he couldn’t have her, he wanted to be sure no other man would desire her? So he turned her face into fucking dog meat?’ Jack’s voice spiralled upwards as he spoke and the WPC comforting the child gave him a black look, silencing him.

  ‘Possibly. Though if Henley’s memory is as good as I think it is then Leech had been obsessed with her. But Shaun raped her. Spoilt her for him. Then she went to Shaun voluntarily. I think he wants her to suffer, every time she sees her face. He wanted to spoil her for herself.’ A wicked action, but perversely logical. ‘How’s the boy?’

  Carver’s temper was under control again and he spoke quietly now. ‘In shock. Apparently Leech rigged a gun so that the kid would set it off when he opened the door to his parents’ bedroom. We’ll get inside in a minute. Very messy.’

  ‘Of course! The boy killed his father.’ Very callous, very logical.

  ‘In a way, yeah. That’s not how a court would see it.’ Carver added, his voice tinged with disgust, ‘For fuck’s sake Doc. You sound like you admire the sick bastard.’

  ‘No, I just understand him now. The boy will see it that way Jack. He killed his father, and for the rest of his life he’ll carry the guilt of his actions tonight.’

  ‘He isn’t to blame, poor little tyke!’ Carver was shouting again, pointing at the boy. The WPC scowled and put Billy in a squad car, slamming the door while glaring at the detective.

  ‘That’s not what he’ll be thinking. He’ll need some intensive therapy, if he’s ever to put this behind him.’

  Carver, the heat finally dissipated by his latest outburst, turned thoughtful, then shrugged. ‘Yeah, pretty shitty all round... We can go in now.’ The other detective had waved them over, and had a few more words with Carver before they made their way inside.

  Carver explained. ‘Place wasn’t broken into... It seems your theory was correct Doc. Looks like Shaun just let him in. Peter probably banged on the front door. Then all hell broke loose.’

  ‘Yes.’ Doc remembered how matter of fact Shaun had been when he had told him he would kill Peter. ‘I think he underestimated his little brother.’

  Carver was nosing in the study, both of them still downstairs, taking in the layout. A breeze swept through the house, gusting through the open front door to the gaping patio. Neither of them thought anything of it.

  ‘Looks like he could handle himself,’ Carver said, as Doc followed him into Shaun’s study. The walls were dotted with certificates for martial arts, one shelf full of trophies, including a gold figurine of a man kicking another in the head.

  ‘Uh-huh. But not much good if you’re up against a man with a gun. Any idea where Leech got it?’

  ‘Not yet. Maybe one of his old mates from inside. Let’s go up’

  Doc took a look in the kitchen. Saw the spilled food, the tomato sauce mixed with blood, smeared on the tiles and units. He imagined Leech arriving at the front door, forcing his brother inside at gunpoint, Suzie dropping the food in shock. It fitted. He went upstairs.

  Carver walked to the open bedroom door, stopped several feet from Shaun Leech’s body, and just said, ‘Bloody hell!’

  The shotgun was still taped to Shaun’s jaw and, where the strong binding stretched around his head, he still had part of his cranium. The top half of his skull had been liquefied and splattered on the ceiling, bed and wall.

  ‘Suzie Leech was found strapped to the bed, delirious. That I can understand, after having her face carved off and then being hosed with the contents of her husband’s head.’

  ‘Gruesome.’ Doc was appalled at what they had let happen here. ‘We should’ve had some men here. Should’ve given them protection.’

  Carver was less convinced. ‘Easy to say with hindsight. Leech told me he could handle it. That he would get private security if he thought it necessary.’ He shook a finger at the devastated corpse. ‘It was his fault. Not ours.’

  Doc did not remind Jack that they had not actually offered protection, had only made the call to confirm Shaun wanted Peter to come to him. He let it slide. At least Judy was safe.

  He pulled on a rubber glove then picked up a photograph of the family from the bedside table. It was speckled with blood and tissue, but even so he could see the likeness between Suzie and Judy. In this picture it was even more obvious than he remembered.

  Leech had cut Suzie’s face, disfigured her rather than kill her, so that she would live in torment. Just like he had in prison.

  Justice.

  Doc knew that in Leech’s warped view of the world that’s what he had achieved. He almost dropped the picture as an image of Judy crystallised, superimposed over the photo of Suzie. It was a hideous vision, half her face was missing, a bloody mess of gore in its place. He doubled, almost vomited, gagged but recovered.

  ‘Hey, Doc! You’re not going all squeamish on me are you?’ Carver was bending over the body looking at the gun, then glanced up at Doc. ‘Shotgun. I can’t see much of it for all the tape. Looks expensive. Engraved. Could be silver on the stock. Not your average criminal’s choice.’

  ‘Stolen?’ Doc had overcome his moment of weakness. Connections were firing in his brain again. ‘Sawn off, right?’

  ‘You’re thinking what I’m thinking.’ Jack’s lower jaw was thrust out, his teeth pulling his top lip inside his mouth. He sucked on it for a second. ‘You’re thinking he’s John Finch’s burglar. He stole the gun, stole a fancy car, blasted our boys in blue, shot up the traffic and then came here.’ He pulled the lip back in for another suck, then his phone rang.

  Doc inspected Shaun’s remains. It was clever. The way he had been bound, the arrangement of the gun, everything designed to keep the weapon in place. He had seen it before, several years ago.

  But this time it was Peter Leech. He had come here with this whole scenario planned out. Was that why he had taken so long to get here? Did it take him four or five days to get prepared, to equip himself?

  This was not a crime of passion. It was cold, pre-meditated, and designed to destroy three lives. Carver was right... A part of Doc’s mind did admire the man’s thinking.

  And it was this part of his mind that repelled him. The part of him that had grown as he hunted more killers, profiled more murderers, allowed their perversions into his life, defiling him. It was the side of his personality he had been determined to quash. The real reason why he had opted out of the role.

  It had been while he was contemplating a change that the Judge approached him... Now he too wa
s dead, and the ugly part of Doc’s brain was reaching out again.

  ‘You sure you’re okay Doc. It’s been a long day.’ Carver was giving Doc an odd look.

  ‘Mmm. I’m fine. Just thinking Jack... It’s what I do.’ He gave his friend a mirthless smile.

  ‘Fair enough... Here’s something else to wrap your brain round. It’s just been confirmed. It was Judy Finch’s ex. The address you gave me is the one where John Finch was found bound and gagged. With gaffer tape.’ Carver did not have to point it out.

  ‘The gun?’

  ‘Yup. Two. Purdeys. A matched pair. Worth tens of thousands apparently. Both missing from the gun cabinet according to the housekeeper... Seems we only know where one is.’

  Doc’s mind was in overdrive. ‘Why did he attack John Finch?’

  ‘That’s what I was about to ask you. You’re the expert and we can’t ask Finch, he’s still in a coma.’ Carver was reluctant to ask the next question and Doc sensed it. ‘His heart’s a bit dodgy... Did you know he used cocaine?’

  ‘You’re joking. I didn’t know him at all. Never met the man.’ Doc needed to get back to Judy. How would she take all this? And little Josh?

  ‘He had two hundred grams stashed. Do you think he was dealing?’

  ‘Impossible! He’s a city banker. Earns millions.’ Doc was more dismissive than he intended, his irritation at Carver’s comment unreasonable.

  ‘Okay. Okay. Then he must’ve had one giant habit... I can’t believe his wife wouldn’t have known about that.’

  The gentle prod was unnecessary. It was already in Doc’s mind. Along with the traitorous thought: Just how well did he know Judy?

  ***

  Leech was still at his observation point, sitting in the upstairs window in Shaun’s neighbour’s house, his feet on the sill, the lights off. He had been amazed at how quickly the first police car had arrived – even before an ambulance. Young Billy must have had more spunk than he’d given him credit for, and called them straight away.

  He was ecstatic. His luck had finally changed tonight. He was still revelling in the sensation of release and the sheer joy of sweet revenge.

  He had heard Billy screaming as the policewoman brought him out, his shrill voice repeating over and over, ‘I killed my daddy!’

  It couldn’t have been better. The runt would suffer... Guilt. Leech contemplated the word, knew what it meant, but had never really felt it. Guilt was for weaklings and fools. Anyway, Shaun had always said it was not a real emotion, just something parents tried to drum into their kids, to control them. Peter knew he was right, and hoped Shaun had drummed it into Billy. He giggled to himself as he considered that gem. Tonight was just magical.

  It had not taken long for the second police car to arrive, then an ambulance and the detectives in an unmarked vehicle. It thrilled him to see so many people involved. All because of him! He was fascinated when the forensic team arrived, and entered the house after donning their white suits and rubber boots to preserve his crime scene.

  ‘Not an accidental death, I presume, Watson.’ He tittered at his own black humour as he spoke aloud, replying to himself in a falsetto voice. ‘Surely we must treat it as murder then, Holmes!’

  For several minutes more he watched the to-ing and fro-ing of people until Suzie’s body was being hoisted into the ambulance. Then he saw him.

  He recognised the tubby bastard from his parole hearing.

  Powers. Here!

  Leech put his face to the glass to get a clearer view. Powers was hanging back, surveying the scene. The psychiatrist glanced up and down the street then his eyes tracked along the windows, pausing at his. Leech felt an electric surge as he imagined Powers seeing him there despite the darkened room. It wasn’t fear that jolted him. It was anticipation.

  He’s hunting me! They must’ve wheeled the old fart out of retirement! Got him profiling again... For me!

  Maybe they thought Powers knew him.

  He whispered to the window, his breath misting the glass. ‘Is that right Powers? Do you think you know me?’ He wanted to open the sash, to yell the words at the man. He did not – he was in control.

  The fat man’s attention had moved on, but Leech was riveted. ‘This is personal now. You and me.’ He chuckled, watching as one of the detectives waved Powers over and they disappeared inside.

  Leech reclined again with his feet back up, a casual observer now. He might stay here for a day or so. There was no reason for them to suspect he would be here and it would give him some time. He knew better than to appear on the street just yet. The woodentops would be doing a house to house, enquiring whether anyone had seen him. Showing that photo he had seen on the telly.

  He checked his reflection in the glass. Still misshapen, especially after Shaun crushed his snout with that ferocious head butt. His self-congratulatory mood dissipated for a minute as he remembered the mind-numbing intensity of the pain from that single blow.

  Dangerous. Never underestimate your enemy.

  He smiled again, his reflection grinning toothlessly at him. ‘I didn’t though, did I? Didn’t underestimate our Shaun!’

  No. He had come armed, and very definitely dangerous. Shaun had often beaten him with his fists and feet as a boy, and despite his experiences in prison, and his added bulk, Peter knew the sneaky bastard could still hurt him.

  The shotguns had been a real bonus. He reached behind him and grabbed the second weapon. It was a thing of beauty.

  He tapped his temple with it, wondering if Powers was underestimating him too.

  Probably. After all, he had fooled them all at the parole hearing, hadn’t he?

  Not important. Maybe he would toy with him. Call him. Taunt him. If he could be bothered.

  He tugged the fragment of photograph from his pocket and shrugged any further thought of Powers away as inconsequential. He had a purpose. A destination of his own. He smoothed the picture on his thigh.

  ‘Tomorrow. Then we’ll be together. My Birdy and me.’

  ***

  ‘Stop beating yourself up Doc. You’re not to blame.’ Carver clipped his seat belt into place.

  ‘They should’ve had protection.’

  ‘I told the PTBs you were worried Leech was a target. They were the ones who decided it wasn’t necessary.’ Carver sat there, arms folded, making no move to start the engine.

  ‘I should’ve pushed harder.’

  ‘Take a look around you Doc. What do you see?’

  ‘What’s that got to do with anything?’ Doc’s mood shifted from morose to exasperated.

  ‘This street. The properties... The cars.’ They were surrounded by prestigious vehicles, top of the range models of the best marques in the industry. Carver prodded him verbally. ‘That BMW is eighty grand’s worth... The average value of the motors on this street must be close to fifty grand. The cars alone are worth more than many a street in some parts of Wales or Liverpool!’

  ‘And your point is?’ Doc was tired and bored. He just wanted to see Judy now.

  ‘The people in these million pound homes can all afford private security. But they don’t have it. Why?’ He paused and Doc stared at him, wondering if he would ever start the engine and drive him home. Carver answered his own question. ‘Because the area is safe.’

  ‘Not today.’

  ‘It’s safe because the average number of bobbies per household is about three or four times the number in say, the rough end of Brixton, where crime is a problem.’

  ‘Really?’ Doc was surprised as he started to see the point Carver was making.

  ‘Yup. And the PTBs decided Leech already had sufficient protection – they just notified the locals to keep an extra eye out. To increase the frequency of patrols in the area. Drive-bys and on foot. Okay?’

  Doc felt the load lift a smidgeon, though he still protested. ‘But it didn’t do the family much good, did it?’

  Carver finally started the car and moved off. ‘True, but it was out of your hands. Full stop... L
et’s talk about John Finch.’

  ‘Okay Jack. I’ve been thinking about him and why Leech would have attacked him.’

  ‘Me too. Your theory about Leech being obsessed with your Judy... Could he have gone to Finch’s place expecting her to be there?’

  Doc liked the sound of the term your Judy. His friend was astute, but had made no comment on the developing relationship until now. Doc said, ‘That’s the conclusion I’m coming to... Perhaps he thought they were still married, living together.’

  ‘Probably.’ Carver waited at a red light, and while staring ahead made a point that had not yet registered with Doc. ‘Could be that anyone close to her is in danger... A target. Leech might be trying to eliminate the competition.’

  The light was green, but Carver turned and stared at Doc, his face full of concern. His comment shook Doc, he had only considered himself an observer, an analyst, an adviser. He had been thinking he was outside looking in, whereas, in reality, he was too close to see the obvious. Defence mechanisms kicked in, denying Carver’s assessment.

  ‘No. Leech didn’t kill John Finch, did he?’

  ‘He had no reason. Once he realised they were divorced. Whereas you...’ He tailed off, the words hanging. The lights had cycled back to red and then green again. This time Carver drove on, the streets empty at this time of the morning.

  ‘Ha! So now I need protection! Your PTBs will love that idea. I can hear the debate over budgets already.’ Doc’s sour face reflected on the screen in the yellow street lights. He did not like what he saw. ‘I don’t think I’m in danger Jack. He doesn’t know I’m with Judy and I was on the panel that released him... He’s probably grateful!’

  ‘I’ll draw a weapon anyway... And your decoy idea for Judy. I think I might be able to swing it now. There were some questions before, that, well, put it on hold.’

  This was news to Doc.

  ‘Questions? Not over the bloody costs again?’

  Carver seemed reluctant to tell him, but finally let it spill out. ‘Don’t take it personal Doc. Okay? But there were questions asked... About your involvement.’

  ‘You cannot be serious! They really think that I – ?’ He was furious, anger sparking from his eyes as he glared at Carver, as if it was his fault.