Stolen: A DI Scott Baker Novel

by Jay Nadal

  Scott was fast gaining ground on Gashi. He could hear the man breathing heavily just a few feet in front of him. The sound of gasps and the occasional scream from passers-by faded into the background. The man was now in touching distance; he reached out and made a grab for Gashi by the shoulder. Gashi was clearly in no mood to surrender as he rammed his elbow backwards into Scott’s face, sending them both crashing to the floor. Scott quickly attempted to get his feet, but was thrown back to the floor in a judo style throw, as Gashi launched him over his shoulder.

  Scott came crashing down with wince as the full force of Gashi’s right fist connected with Scott’s jaw. Gashi was offering more resistance than Scott had bargained for as the two thrashed about on the floor. Gashi repeatedly punched Scott who was now pinned to the ground, Scott desperately trying to push him off.

  Gashi got to his feet, threatening to stamp on Scott’s face. Gashi didn’t get the opportunity, he was sent flying as Mike shoulder charged him. The kinetic energy of a five-foot, eleven-inch, ex- soldier shoulder charging him at full pelt gave Gashi little hope, coming off decidedly worse. He lay spread-eagled on the floor dazed from being hit by a bulldozer.

  Scott slowly got his feet, his head spinning, his nose bleeding, and his pride slightly dented. “Nick him, Mike. Nick the bastard.”

  Chapter 26

  The outcome had been a good one for Scott and his team. They had broken a trafficking and teen prostitution ring. They’d apprehended the key players in the ring and rescued girls who were destined for a life of pain, misery and potential death.

  “You did well, Scott,” DCI Harvey said.

  “Thanks, Ma’am, it doesn’t feel that way,” he replied nursing a bruised and broken nose and a black eye. “We didn’t get everyone … We had a chance to get Korab Gashi, he was in the country but he gave us the slip. He’d departed earlier than we were led to believe. I screwed up. That note we found at Shaw’s property said Newhaven 3 p.m., suggesting that the Gashi brothers and the girls were leaving from Newhaven at that time.”

  DCI Harvey nodded.

  “And as we know the older Gashi brother gave everyone the slip. By the time I alerted Newhaven, he’d already left. When local officers trawled video footage, Korab Gashi was seen boarding the 11 o’clock from Newhaven to Dieppe. Guess he’s the one that got away.”

  “Until next time, Scott. Until next time. He cut it a bit fine this time, but he’ll be back and next time you’ll be waiting for him.”

  ***

  They pulled up a couple of worn plastic visitor chairs, placing them between the beds of Jenna Wade and Rishi Mehta in the children’s ward.

  Jenna was suffering from dehydration and shock. Rishi was a different case altogether. Her physical scars and bruising would heal. The psychological scars would take longer. She had many weeks, perhaps even months of counselling ahead her. It was debateable if her life would ever be anything close to normal. She’d already lost part of her naïve childhood, her innocence stolen, her body abused. A distorted perspective on reality tinted her view of life. Her trust in adults and men in particular broken, which Scott imagined would affect her future relationships. Sympathy for her plight seemed inadequate.

  “I want you to both know that you’re safe now. The men who did this can’t hurt you or any other girl, ever again,” Scott said addressing both girls.

  Jenna was sitting up in bed fiddling with a tissue that she was wrapping and unwrapping around one of her fingers. Rishi lay silent, holding the bedcovers up to her chin, a combination of fear, trauma and fatigue draining her of all life and emotion.

  “If there’s anything you need, you only have to call us. Take care of yourselves,” he said as he upped and started to leave.

  “Why did you care so much about me?” Jenna asked softly.

  “Because it’s our job, and because I care,” Abby replied.

  “So who’s going to look after me now?” her eyes heavy with sadness.

  “You’ll have plenty of people looking after you both. Here is my card. Now you have my number too. Call me if you need me. Or even if you just want to talk, I don’t mind, just ring me.”

  Jenna glanced at the card between her fingers, unsure how to react. She struggled to accept that someone was showing a genuine interest in her for the very first time. She licked her cracked lips, as her mind raced to formulate something to say. “What’s in it for you?”

  “There’s nothing in it for me. I just care about what happens to you, that’s all.”

  Jenna shrugged, “No one has ever said that to me before. Why should I believe you?”

  “Because there’s always a first time,” Abby dropped her head to the side with a smile.

  Jenna’s face began to soften with the slightest hint of happiness. She was still unsure how to react to something that had been missing for such a long time in her life ... unconditional kindness.

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  Acknowledgements

  There are a number of people without whom this book would not have been written and I want to thank them while I have the chance. Without their input, advice and support, I would have not got this far.

  First, my thanks to Detective Inspector Andy Wolstenholme of Sussex Police, based in Brighton, whose invaluable advice on technical and local policing has proved invaluable. The tour of Brighton Police station helped immensely, Thanks Andy.

  To Detective Sergeant Sara Yems of The Metropolitan Police for her ongoing support and advice on police procedural issues which allowed me to focus my writing.

  To Kelly Lowe of The Queens Hospital Mortuary who’s invaluable and detailed insight into the work of the mortuary team and the guided tour allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of post mortems.

  I’d also like to thank some very special beta readers who helped me to stay focused by writing compelling stories. I’ll never forget their support, advice, feedback and encouragement. Thank you Clare Doughty, Jay Rughani and Paul Henderson.

  About the author

  I’ve always had a strong passion for whodunnits, crime series and books. The more I immersed myself in it, the stronger the fascination grew.

  I live on my own by the forest, but have the pleasure of my two lovely daughters aged 18 and 13 coming to stay with me a few days each week. In my spare time you’ll find me in the gym, reading books from authors in my genre or enjoying walks in the forest…it’s amazing what you think of when you give yourself some space.

  Oh, and I’m an avid people watcher, I just love to watch the interaction between people, their mannerisms, their way of expressing their thoughts…weird I know, but i could spend hours engrossed in it.

  I adore Brighton having spent alot of my life here, the diversity of people, the relaxed and vibrant atmosphere never dulls my enthusiasm for this beautiful and special city.

  I hope you enjoy the stories that I craft for you.

  Glossary of terms used in the DI Scott Baker series for US readers

  ARV: Police armed response vehicle. Officers authorised to carry firearms

  B&B: Bed & Breakfast accommodation

  Bogs: Lavatory/rest room

  Breakkie: Breakfast

  CID: Criminal investigations department. Deals with all serious crime, including suspicious deaths; sexual assaults; GBH; robbery; burglary; arson and any other crimes requiring complex investigation.

  Copper: Informal/slang term for a police officer

  CPS: Crown Prosecution Service is responsible for prosecuting criminal cases investigated by the police in Engl
and and Wales

  Crime Scene Manager: The main role of crime scene manager is to supervise the examination of a scene to facilitate any input of specialist information to ensure maximum evidence is gathered.

  Estate: Public/municipal council housing development

  Fag: Cigarette

  NHS: National Health Service, a free UK government funded health service for everyone

  Nick/Nicked: Arrested

  Nonce: Typically a sex offender, child sexual abuser or one who has turned Queen's evidence.

  NPAS: National police air service

  PM (post mortem): Autopsy

  Police titles and how they’re often called by other officers (or referred to in books) to:

  Detective Constables - First Names (DC’s)

  Detective Sergeant - Sarge, Skipper, Skip (DS)

  Detective Inspector - Sir/Ma'am, Guvnor, Guv, Boss/The Boss (DI)

  Detective Chief Inspector - Sir/Ma'am, or if you know them Guvnor/Guv (DCI)

  Superintendent - Sir/Ma'am, or if you know them really well Guvnor/Guv (Super)

  Chief Superintendent or above - Sir/Ma'am (Chief Super)

  Rubber neck: To stop or slow down to take a look

  Scene Guard: A uniformed police officer who maintains a police cordon at a crime scene. Their role:

  Protect the scene from contamination by onlookers;

  Preserve the integrity of exhibits;

  Account for the presence and movement of people in a designated crime scene area;

  Maintain a scene log which is a document logging the movements of officers in and out of a crime scene.

  Scroat: Term of abuse for a despised or despicable person

  Shag: Sexual intercourse

  SOCO: Scenes of crime officer

  Solicitor: Lawyer/Attorney

  Swig: To take a large gulp of liquid

  Torch: Flashlight

  Trousers: Slacks