Polly came round to the passenger side and helped Nick into the front seat. He carefully pulled the seatbelt round him, wincing as it tightened against his ribs. He held it away from them and put his head back against the headrest letting the twinges subside.
‘Are you OK?’ asked Polly.
‘Fine, well not really fine but I will be much better as soon as I’m home and on the sofa with my feet up.’
They turned out of the hospital grounds and were on their way home. About twenty minutes later they arrived in the small car park behind their block of flats.
‘You wait here for a couple of minutes whilst I take your stuff up to the flat and then I’ll come down and collect you.’
‘I can manage, no need to make two trips,’ said Nick starting to get out of the car.
‘Listen to me,’ said Polly firmly, ‘you are going to do as you are told, I am your nurse and we will do things my way!’
‘So have you got your nurse’s uniform in the flat then?’ asked Nick with a cheeky grin. ‘I’m beginning to like the sound of this!’
‘Well judging by the state of your bruises I think it will be a while before you are indulging in that sort of behaviour,’ added Polly, although she was smiling.
‘Spoilsport,’ said Nick, ‘we’ll just have to make up for lost time when I’m better!’
Now that they were back, Nick texted Mark to ask whether he could come round at about 4 p.m.
He received a reply straight back to say about 4.30 p.m. would be better as he was at the park with his children but he would definitely come round. That was such a relief to Nick, finally, he would be able to unburden all his worries and come up with a plan of action.
**
Brett boarded his train relieved to finally be on his way back to Persford. The dinner had been quite enjoyable really, he might attend some more of them in the future. Giles wasn’t someone he wanted to meet up with on a regular basis but it had been nice of him to offer him his sofa. His flat was smart but tiny in comparison with own thought Brett. He certainly seemed impressed that Brett was now in charge of BioQex, it was obvious he was pumping him for information. He must think I’m a complete idiot, thought Brett to himself. He made it so obvious that he wanted to find out if there were any major announcements which would lift the share price. Brett thought he would look through the papers Bob had given him with the summary on compound 896, but he was knackered and knew there was no way he could concentrate properly, and it was Saturday after all. Sunday was effectively going to be a working day as well as he had that barbecue at Piers’ to get through. He was going to get a taxi over there as he intended to enjoy himself and couldn’t risk taking the car. Someone might give him a lift back although he wasn’t exactly sure where the other chaps lived. Brett took out his phone and checked the news. On the local Persford website, they were still appealing for witnesses to Nick’s assault. Something about that didn’t quite add up. Perhaps when Nick was back at work there would be more information. Perhaps he would phone him at home next week, just to show the caring face of BioQex. He picked up a copy of yesterday’s Metro and started to flick through it, alternately looking through the train window.
**
Nick was eagerly awaiting the arrival of Mark. He’d explained to Polly that his friend was going to pop round. She seemed a bit surprised as they’d only been out for drinks a couple of times but as he would have a babysitter she agreed to go and do a big shop which would see them through the coming week. Nick wondered if Polly could be persuaded to go out with her friends that evening but felt a bit worried about suggesting that as well. Perhaps if Mark suggested it she would be less likely to argue with him.
At just after 4.30 p.m., the entrance buzzer sounded and Polly went to let Mark in. He heard her say second floor, flat number five through the entrance phone. Mark arrived carrying a box of chocolates and a four pack of lager. Polly welcomed him in and offered him tea or coffee. She took the lager from him and said that Nick better wait for a couple of days before having any as he was on a lot of painkillers.
‘Yes, nurse,’ said Nick, winking at Mark, ‘she’s being very strict with me,’ he said.
‘You lucky thing,’ replied Mark, winking lasciviously, ‘does she want any other patients?’
‘Take a seat,’ offered Nick, then whispered, ‘Polly is going out soon, so we’ll wait until then before I tell you my news.’
After about ten minutes Polly reappeared with her bag and car keys and said she was going shopping and would be back in about an hour, depending on the queues. Once they heard her leave Nick was free to tell Mark the whole story including his assault.
‘So you see, it wasn’t a mugging it was attempted murder!’
Mark leaned forward and put his hands over his eyes, then rubbed his closely cropped hair. He exhaled sounding both shocked and incredulous.
‘Shit, Nick, I mean are you sure about this? It just seems so, I don’t know,’ and he paused, ‘well extreme, like something off the TV.’
‘It’s the truth, I know it, Zac has been making illicit drugs and when he thought I was on to him he decided to have me silenced.’
‘But this is Persford, not I don’t know, New York, or gangland London,’ and Mark shook his head in disbelief.
‘You will believe me when I have the evidence.’
‘But you can’t go to work until you are better, so it could be a while,’ replied Mark. Nick looked fixedly at Mark, not speaking. After what seemed like ages, Mark said, ‘oh, no, forget it!’ and started pacing around the room.
‘Sit down and listen will you,’ shouted Nick. ‘I have to get into the building and it has to be when nobody is around. You have the keys to BioQex, or you can get them. We need to do this. Then I can go to the police and they will be able to arrest Zac. I’m begging you, he mustn’t be allowed to get away with this,’ and he looked imploringly at Mark who was by now sitting down again avoiding Nick’s gaze and fuming quietly.
‘I don’t know, I just need to think about this.’ Nick decided to give him the time to think quietly and disappeared off to the toilet. He really hoped he’d done enough to convince Mark just how crucial this was, how he was dependent on his help. He returned and sat down quietly.
‘I know it’s a big ask, but I’ve nobody else I can turn to,’ said Nick.
‘It will have to be tomorrow evening, I’m back on shift then,’ said Mark, still avoiding Nick’s gaze. ‘I’ll have to pick you up from here about 7 p.m., then you will have to wait in the car for a while. We will need to park near BioQex car park, then I’ll start my rounds and we can go into the building. If anyone asks or notices me going in I’ll have to say I suspected something, although let’s hope it doesn’t come to that. I’m not sure how I’m going to explain why I had a little helper that evening.’
‘What about CCTV?’ asked Nick.
‘Well it runs if it’s activated when it detects movement, but it would only be examined if there was a break in or something. From what I understand the tapes are only kept for a week but don’t quote me on that, perhaps it’s two weeks. Anyway, the science park has hundreds of cameras and so they wouldn’t be able to cope with keeping footage for much longer than that.’
‘Great,’ said Nick nodding.
‘It’s not great!’ shouted Mark, ‘it’s very risky and I could lose my job!’
‘Not if we break an organised drug ring.’
‘What about if you go now to the police with your suspicions?’
‘I’m not sure, I’ve had a previous incident with the police when they thought I had an overactive imagination and besides I’ve no proof, it would be my word against Zac’s and he’s no idiot. Then he would be tipped off and I could be in even more danger and if he knows I’m onto him he might try to shift the blame on to me. Or have me attacked again? I just need the data and then I can go to them.’ Nick felt he wasn’t succeeding in convincing Mark. ‘Look, if the printouts are still around I can just collect them.
If they’re not then it’s obvious who’s taken them. But I remember where I put the samples so I can just run some more data whilst we are there, there won’t be a queue on Sunday evening and the machines stay active all weekend. It would be ten minutes tops then we can leave. Please, it’s all I need to do.’
‘I’ll pick you up at 7 p.m. tomorrow evening and you better think of an excuse for Polly as to why you are going out so soon after coming out of hospital.’
‘Yes, good point,’ replied Nick.
‘I think I’ll be going, I need to calm down after all this,’ said Mark looking extremely stressed.
‘No please wait until Polly gets back otherwise she will be annoyed with me and there’s no way she’ll let me out of her sight tomorrow evening.’
‘OK, you better put the TV on then, I need a few minutes to let my brain absorb all this,’ said Mark and they sat in silence until Polly returned laden with shopping.
Chapter 41
By 7 p.m. on Sunday evening, the barbecue was just about drawing to a close, most people had started to drift away. Brett had really enjoyed it. He’d eaten loads and drunk quite a bit so he was feeling pleasantly relaxed as he lounged in a garden chair waiting for Frank Stevens and his wife to finish chatting and saying goodbye to people. They had offered to drop him in the centre of Persford on their way home. They lived in an outlying village and the quickest way was via the bypass but they insisted it was no trouble to go through the town instead.
Brett gazed at the magnificent manor style house in what must have been an acre of grounds. Piers had mentioned that they had a gardener to come in and keep it under control. It would certainly be a full-time job keeping this patch in order and looking so smart thought Brett. They’d obviously bought it many years ago before property became hideously expensive, he wondered what it was worth today, at least a couple of million he estimated. When Piers said they were having a barbecue he expected a few steaks or burgers and some salads not a whole catered affair with huge gas-fired barbecues on which you could roast an ox along with a lavish spread of cold meats, smoked salmon, salads, quiches and all manner of accompaniments. He’d been to many weddings where the food wasn’t as lavish. Well, it was a nice gesture and a yearly treat for his staff, well the more senior members along with his neighbours who were similarly well-heeled he assumed. However it hadn’t been all work talk, Brett had spent a very pleasant hour or so with one of their neighbours, a charming thirty-something woman called Annabelle. She worked at a firm of solicitors in Persford and from what Brett could tell had been divorced for about a year. She was extremely attractive, witty and presumably quite wealthy and they had exchanged mobile numbers. She suggested he might like to go with her to a party in a couple of weeks at the senior partner’s house. Brett agreed and so they had a date. He couldn’t believe it really. Could this be the start of a serious relationship, too early to tell obviously but he dared to dream?
Frank came along and said they were leaving now and apologised but his wife had got involved in discussing designs for some new bathrooms they were planning at the house. So the three of them left, thanking their hosts profusely and joking that they wished it wasn’t Monday the next day.
**
Nick had been resting most of the day and texting Mark to make sure all was organised for this evenings expedition. It had taken him a while to think of an excuse for why he needed to go out but eventually, he thought of something which he hoped Polly would accept. Over lunch, he grasped the nettle and broached the subject.
‘Mark texted me this morning,’ said Nick, nervously.
‘Oh yes, what did he want,’ asked Polly.
‘He wants me to go round to his tonight and play on his new Xbox,’ ventured Nick.
Sally looked up, frowned and looked unimpressed.
‘Do you think that’s a good thing Nick, you only came out of hospital yesterday and you need to take it easy.’
‘I need to get out of the flat, I’m going stir-crazy in here,’ said Nick suddenly realising this seemed a bit rude considering that Polly had been looking after him so attentively.
‘Charming,’ she said sounding cross, ‘had enough of me already then?’
‘Don’t be silly, but you need to have some time to yourself, have a relaxing bath, watch some TV you like,’
‘I can do all those things without you going out,’ she said. Christ, thought Nick, this wasn’t going too well.
‘Why don’t you see if one of your girlfriends is free, you could go and see a film, have a meal or something, you deserve a break, it’s been a rotten week for you as well.’
‘Hmmm,’ she said, ‘well it’s true I do fancy a bit of a break, I’ve been cleaning and washing all day,’ I could see if Libby is free, she did mention a good film that’s on at the moment. I’d have to check the times as I’ll need to drive you round to Mark’s and collect you afterwards.’
‘No, that’s not necessary, Mark said he’ll pick me up and drop me back here, it won’t be a late night so I’ll be back before you anyway.’
Polly continued to eat her lunch. There was an awkward silence where Nick was willing her to agree.
‘OK then, I’ll ring Libby, sounds like a plan. But no beers remember!’
‘Of course not nurse, he said which raised a slight smile on Polly’s lips. ‘There won’t be any beer as..’ and he hesitated, he’d been about to say that Mark was working, ‘as Mark’s going to have to drive me back here,’ he added, thinking thank goodness he’d not spoiled all that build up and negotiation.
‘Good, I’ll be checking to see if I can smell beer on you,’ she added.
‘You can check me all over when you come back if you like!’ he added grinning. That earned him a slap with the oven gloves.
‘Oooo, mind my bruises,’ he joked.
‘I’ll get some fruit,’ replied Polly.
Phew, thought Nick to himself. He would text Mark whilst Polly was clearing the dishes, they were all set, the difficult part would be waiting for 7 p.m.
**
Detective Sergeant Walters found himself being slightly irritable with his children on Sunday. He was preoccupied with this drug factory which he felt sure was probably at this very moment in operation in Persford and he wanted it closed down. He was keen to start the working week and just hoped that on Monday they would get some information from the library IT specialist about anyone who had been searching for the synthesis of street drugs. A colleague had phoned him to say that on Saturday night they spotted someone dealing drugs in a side street near one of the nightclubs in Persford. The dealer scarpered but they arrested the purchaser, a first-time offender. He admitted buying angel dust, that is PCP and had been told that there was a ready supply, so it was looking as though the supply had started to hit the streets. There was no CCTV in the side street, presumably why it had been chosen for the business transaction. The buyer gave a description of the dealer but it didn’t ring any bells with the police force in town. It seemed as though new players were on the scene. Wayne had been right, the problem was the police were one step behind and trying to play catch up.
Chapter 42
Polly had left about quarter to seven as the film started at 7.30 p.m. and she and Libby were meeting for a quick drink in town before it started. Nick was pleased about the timings as it meant that Mark could come up to the flat and help him with the doors and down the stairs without being spotted in his uniform or having to wear something over the top to fool Polly. He’d told Polly he didn’t want any dinner saying that he and Mark might order a takeaway. In truth, he was too nervous to eat and feeling slightly sick with anxiety. He’d taken his painkillers and also some antacid tablets to try to settle his stomach which was rumbling and churning.
He had his baseball hat ready and a zip-up dark jacket, he felt like he was going on some bank robbery, all he needed was a balaclava as well. The buzzer to the flat sounded at five minutes to seven and he buzzed Mark into the building. Mark arrived looki
ng uncharacteristically nervous, a slight sheen of sweat on his brow, he was ringing his hands as he waited for Nick to collect his keys and lock the door.
‘I couldn’t sleep last night with worrying about this,’ said Mark. ‘I’m sure the wife thinks I’m up to something, she kept questioning me and I had to make up some story about some possible layoffs at work. I hope she doesn’t check with anyone, it’s the best I could come up with at the time.’
‘Look it will be OK, trust me,’ replied Nick, trying to sound more confident than he actually felt.
‘I’ll just take it easy down the stairs. If you can just help me with the outside door it’s a bit heavy, and my ribs are still delicate.’
They walked over to Mark’s car which was parked in one of the visitor’s spaces. Mark unlocked the car and helped Nick into the seat, handing him the seatbelt so he wouldn’t have to strain to turn round.
He started the engine, ‘right, let’s get this over with,’ he said, staring fixedly through the windscreen.
**
Zac’s weekend had been relaxed and enjoyable. It was so good to know that the deal had been completed, the goods were out of his flat and some more of the money paid into his bank on Saturday morning. Ez accused him of having found a woman he was in such a good mood and asked if he should make himself scarce so Zac could bring her back to the flat. What’s more, Zac was actually looking forward to going to work on Monday, free from the shackles of his other occupation. Nick would doubtless still be off work but that didn’t matter, he’d taken photocopies of the data with Nick’s identifiers on them, just in case they were needed in the future. He didn’t intend to drop Nick in the dirt but if he felt that the police were on his trail then they would need a push in the right direction, i.e. Nick’s direction. He felt that this could be a distinct possibility as Ez had come back from work with some gossip that he’d heard about a drugs arrest near a nightclub they visited once. He thought his colleague had mentioned angel dust. Whilst it probably always had been available before it just seemed a bit of a coincidence that it had coincided with him handing over his batch to Cole. Zac concluded that Cole had wasted no time starting up his business in Persford. The best thing was to lie low and just see how things panned out for the next couple of days.
Lethal Reaction Page 17