by Nick Roteman
“Good night darling Oli that was needed, but I sleep alone. Thank you my lover, oh and I think you need a shower!”
Auburn loved sex, although obtaining it was a never-ending problem. But sex was just sex to her, once she was satisfied, that was it for her. She disliked the after bit of cuddling for the night, or even more kissing. She always slept alone, she was sure he would understand by the morning, although maybe not right at this moment.
Earlier that afternoon Alice Chandler held a simple memorial service for her son. Freddy and Auburn were not invited.
Also that afternoon Orla and Neil were out on daytime patrol, when they got a call to investigate some kids playing in a disused warehouse on the outskirts of the town, but not too far from their current location. A patrol car would be sent if they required back up, but as they were keen to prove their worth they declined immediate assistance.
They soon arrived at the address, which they found to be a gated arched entrance to an enclosed courtyard. The gate which should have been padlocked was ajar, so they entered through it and into the courtyard, which was enclosed on three sides by a low disused factory. Three black youths were playing basketball, using part of an old winch housing fixed to the factory wall at the rear of the courtyard as their net.
They saw the uniformed officers walk in through the arch and all three of them ran towards the far side of the courtyard towards a tiny door set in the wall. Opening the door they went through it and slammed it shut behind them.
Neil shouted out, “Wait!” but Orla already had her hand on the door handle opening it. She was inside giving Neil no time to think but just to follow after her.
The interior of the factory was dark and dank; it was obvious this place had not been used in an age. A flash of light from the far end indicated where the boys were, as a door was opened, but suddenly evaporated as the boys fled through it and closed it again.
Orla and Neil, their adrenalin overcoming common sense, gave chase.
As they tumbled through that second door a vicious blow felled Neil who was behind Orla forcing him onto all fours. Orla ran straight into two masked men with baseball bats. Blows rained down upon the two Police Support Officers, until neither moved. The three masked villains walked back through the door and faded away.
It was nearly two hours later before the Police Operations Desk raised the alarm and a car was despatched to the factory to investigate.
Neil was alive but unconscious, and in a bad way, while Orla had sustained a fatal beating.
DI Simpson and DS Ash blue-lighted it straight to A+E, to be informed Neil Owens was in theatre. A young surgeon came out to see them in the waiting room and advise them of his condition.
“He is having an operation to remove tiny fragments of bone from his head. He has a seriously damaged right eye, which we might be able to save, and at some later stage we will reconstruct his nose.” He recited all these facts to them in a monosyllabic tone with a distinct accent from some Eastern European country.
“So he’s alright then Doc? When can we see him?”
“Not today for sure, maybe come back tomorrow when he is back on the wards, and we will see.”
“We are investigating a murder of a police officer and intended murder of another, we need to see him it’s urgent!”
“Yes I expect it is, but our priority is to the patient. Good day officers, I must get back, I am extremely busy.”
With that he left them and walked back through the theatre doors, and instantly disappeared from sight down the corridor.
“Bollocks, bloody upstart, this is important damn him! I am extremely busy, who the fuck does he think he is eh?” Simpson openly cursed.
“Yes and don’t forget, bloody foreigners!” Ash added with a rye grin.
“Come on, we need to see Dr Bell before we do anything else. Have you got a uniformed on duty here?”
She nodded, of course she had, she knew her job but she decided on silence.
Dr Peter Bell welcomed them to his mortuary, and on showing them Orla’s body, described the many blows she had sustained; some he said were even post mortem.
“It was a vicious attack,” he continued. “And the blows rained down on her, probably from at least two possibly three attackers; and before you ask they probably used baseball bats. I have just spoken to the hospital, Neil Owens will live, although mentally we will have to see. He was hit at least half as many times as she was, leading me to assume Orla was the intended victim.”
“Thank you Peter, we’ll be getting on. I’ll keep you informed.” Simpson confirmed with a twitch of his head in Ash’s direction.
“Yes, please keep me in the loop, good luck Paul, Sara!”
They returned to the station and after grabbing a tea from the canteen went back to their office.
Simpson began the discussion. “So if we assume as Peter stated, Orla was the intended victim, then it was a premeditated crime, a deliberate killing. So the question is why her, what had she done?”
“Or witnessed perhaps Gov.”
“Or witnessed, yes possibly. Was she innocent or was she into a spot of blackmail and got caught?”
“I know she was a Support Officer,” Ash added. “But I didn’t know her and I don’t think anyone else here did really.”
“Ok, have we got her home address, let’s go see what we find there, you ready?”
Orla rented a surprisingly large flat above a clothes shop just off The Square, the main shopping area of Bournemouth. Ash and Simpson went through the flat, room by room. In her second bedroom which she obviously used as her study they found scribbled notes on note pads and on sheets of paper with times and dates, and much underlining, but not much of it made any sense to them at the present time, so they dismissed it all for now.
In a clothes cupboard hidden in one of her boots Ash found a digital camera. On it were some interesting pictures.
“You need to see these Gov.” Ash called out to Simpson who joined her in Orla’s bedroom.
“Here Gov see.”
She held the camera in front of her so they could both see the tiny screen.
“We have a picture of, let’s see Darren Painter, Wayne Dicks, Steve Garland, and several of our friend Tomas Phipps in a variety of locations.”
They exchanged glances, as Ash flipped through some more. She stopped and flicked back a couple of shots.
“Look Auburn, at home, at the library, in her car with someone, in a café, on the beach what’s going on?” Ash asked puzzled.
“Dunno, either this Orla was investigating all these villains, or this is an assassins list and Auburn Grimley was next.” Simpson guessed.
“Umm...”
“What Ash, I don’t like it when you think!”
“I just think the answers here...oh I don’t know...”
“Let’s take that camera with us and tomorrow we’ll see Auburn, ask her! Also I need a full report on who exactly this Orla Gray was, ok.” Simpson decided as he got up to leave.
“Come on!” He called over his shoulder to Ash who was still seated on the edge of Orla’s bed apparently deep in thought. “I need a fag!” he muttered.
“What about the warrant?” She asked as she got up to follow.
They caught up with Auburn the next morning at the library, and offered her a cappuccino and a Danish in a nearby café, which of course she readily agreed to.
Ash gently began the questioning. “Do you know someone called Orla Gray, Auburn?”
“Yes.” Auburn replied flatly.
“Tell me how you know her?” Simpson cut in.
“We met outside the library when we had an incident with some youths, and again on the beach...”
“So the only times were in connection with her job?” Ash guessed.
Auburn went silent, but it was almost impossible for her not to say what was paramount in her mind.
Ash looked across at Simpson. “I’ll get us some more coffee I think.” Simpson explained as he got up.
While he was away Ash continued the questioning. “I think you met Orla outside of work, didn’t you? Please tell me.” She urged.
“Yes.” Auburn conceded, but said nothing more.
Ash smiled across the table at her. “I think that’s enough official questioning, let’s enjoy our coffee, shall we?”
“Do you have a boyfriend?” Auburn suddenly asked.
“Umm, well no, I don’t have time, all I seem to do is work, work, work?”
“But what about sex, you do like sex don’t you? What do you do?”
That direct question caught Ash completely off balance, and she felt her face redden. She was desperate for a witty response, but couldn’t come up with one. Luckily Simpson chose that moment to return with three more cappuccinos.
She caught his eye and shook her head imperceptibly at him. They kept the remainder of the conversation light, Ash talking nonstop about the seaside and how wonderfully soft the sand was, anything, well almost.
They said goodbye to Auburn and walked off in the direction of the police station.
As they walked along, Simpson had to remark. “ That’s the last time I buy you two coffees, verbal diarrhoea, I’ve never seen anything like it!”
Ash grinned. “When you left to get the coffees, the questions she asked I panicked.”
Simpson stopped and looked at her. “Go on it must have been something, what did she want to know?”
“You really want to know, perhaps you should have answered her?”
“Yeah, so what?”
“Well... she wanted to know what I did for sex without a boyfriend, if you must know!”
“Yeah ok, you got me. Let’s get back to the station.” He said suddenly taking off. Ash gave chase and caught him up again.
“Anyway,” he continued. “Do you think she knows anything more about Orla’s motives?”
“Oh yes, but I’m not sure how we get her to tell us, she’s more than likely to have one of her tantrums if we try and force her.”
“Ok I think we need to press that Tomas Phipps more...umm in fact I will go and see him, with the search warrant and a few of our biggest plods, you go back to Orla’s flat dig around a bit more.”
“You sure you want to go alone Gov?”
“Oh yes, I think I will be ok without you!”
“Thanks that’s not what I meant!”
“Whatever!”
Tom had an office, a converted boxroom in the corner of a sweatshop, which produced t-shirts for many of the cheaper shops in the town. It actually cost him nothing in rent as he did the odd designs and flysheets for the company. It was well hidden from prying eyes and safe, as he had his computer systems, which were worth many thousands of pounds in there. He was in his office chatting with Wayne.
“Had the bloody cops hassling me again, that DI Simpson needs a good seeing to, he’s a bastard.” Tom hissed between closed teeth.
“What happened, was it to do with Darren or someone?”
Tom laughed. “No just trying to rile me, he knows nothing. I threatened him with my solicitor and he buggered off, bastard!”
“Do you think we need to be careful; you safe here?”
“Yeah we do need to be on our guard, make sure you have nothing incriminating visible at you place, right! Right Wayne?”
Wayne nodded in agreement. “You safe here you sure?” He looked around the room and opened his hands. “I mean it’s all here, you know.”
Tom stood up. “I bloody know, but having the security of this sweatshop, means it’s as safe as a bank vault, trust me.”
“It’s about as claustrophobic.” Wayne muttered.
As they talked together so only a short distance away, the police forced their way into Tom’s flat and started a thorough search, making sure they were not too tidy.
DS Ash went around to Wayne’s home address but as he was not in, she had to leave. She was annoyed this was wasting time, she had to do something to sniff Tomas Phipps out. She knew what she had to do but it was risky, it could cost her, her job for starters. She decided to join Simpson and at least have some fun.
DI Simpson, Ash, and the men spent nearly two hours turning over Tom’s small flat, but for all their endeavours, nothing unusual or illegal came to light.
Simpson called it off and thanked his men for their efforts, and they left.
He sat down on Tom’s leather couch and patted the seat next to him, Ash joined him.
“We’ve drawn a walloping blank here. I really hoped...”
“He’s too careful; no one can be that clean.” Ash agreed.
“You’re right, which means of course he has an office. Somewhere close I reckon...”
“You want me to...?”
“Yes Ash, do what you can, someone will know. Try the pub for starters and his neighbours. Make a point of stressing there will have to be an increased police presence until we find his office, if you know what I mean?”
“I doubt he pays rent and rates but I’ll check in case.” She answered, suddenly feeling a whole lot better, she’d flush the bastard out.
Ash finished her shift at 7’oclock and quickly left the station. She walked around to a specific house on the coastal road and rang the bell downstairs for one of the flats.
Freddy and Auburn were in the middle of their supper but she went to answer it. Ash followed her into the kitchen where she and Freddy were eating.
“Oh I’m sorry to interrupt,” she said realising she had interrupted supper.
Freddy got up, “Hey no problem, any friend of our Aub; you eaten?”
“Oh no, no I’m fine.”
Auburn sat down. “You can’t sit and watch us, that’s rude, you must eat too.” She said, picking up her knife and fork and resuming her meal.
Ash gratefully joined them, as she was in truth starving.
“I’m glad you’re both here. I need your help and I’m not here officially I must first inform you.”
She had Auburn’s attention now and Freddy was curious to hear what she was about to say.
She began slowly. “We are certain that Tomas Phipps...”
Auburn’s back stiffened at the mention of that man’s name.
“He is involved, either directly or indirectly, in the murders of several people as I am well aware you know about Auburn, am I right?”
Auburn had just taken another mouthful but still managed to say. “Yes of course I know!”
“Now this is just me talking out loud, as a friend not a police woman, you understand, before I say anymore?”
Auburn and Freddy both stopped eating, and hung onto her every word. “I don’t think, unless we have an exceptional stroke of luck, we are going to prove Tomas’ guilt without a nudge in the right direction. And that’s where you Auburn come in.” She stopped to let her words sink in.
“I’m ready, have been for an age actually.” Auburn assured her.
“What do I do Sara?”
Ash was surprised she had used her Christian name. “You have to meet up with Tomas Phipps and confront him with those pictures you showed me, and I have one or two to add to the collection. If I give you my camera, I’m sure you can download my pictures,” she hesitated. “Can you?
Auburn held out her hand. “Camera please!”
Ash fished the digital camera out of her pocket and handed it over.
“No problem, you got the transfer lead to plug in?” Auburn asked back.
“What, no, oh god is that a problem?”
Auburn glanced at the make of camera. “
I have a lead will fit this. Come into my office, that’s my bedroom.” She giggled, as she led the way.
“Hey!” Freddy called out. “How dangerous is this going to be? I assume you want him to freak out, then what, what if he attacks Aub, what then?”
“I’ll be there in hiding ready to catch him. I said it would be risky,” she added.
“Oh come on I’ve waited long enough, too long Freddy, he has to pay he killed Rachel and Peter, our friends.” Auburn confirmed.
Ash followed Auburn to her bedroom, and within a few minutes she had downloaded the pictures, added them to her own (which had been Tom’s), and also turned them into a slideshow. Ash told her what was going to happen next before saying good bye and leaving.
Chapter Twenty Five
Wayne knocked on Tom’s front door and he ushered him inside.
Wayne glanced about and was visibly shocked, he couldn’t believe what he saw. “What the fuck happened here, you been robbed matey?”
“I wish, police did this and I bet they enjoyed every minute.”
“Blimey I don’t believe this,” Wayne retorted slowly shaking his head as he noticed the damage they’d caused, not that Tom had much of value. “Why for fuck’s sake Tom, what’s it all about?”
“Want a whiskey?”
Wayne nodded and sat down on the couch.
Tom handed him an almost full glass and sat next to him. “I believe it’s all about that spastic, she did this. Told the police I murdered her friends, and they bloody believe her. Don’t have any proof so they intend to make my life hell. They’re after me, and if they can they’ll fit me up.”
Wayne puffed out his cheeks while he thought. “Ok what can we do? This stops now before we all get implicated in it.”
“Thanks matey, I knew I could rely on you.”
“So go on?” Wayne said.
“No, I’ll tell you when, you just be ready, ok.”
Ash told Auburn to wait for her call, so the following morning she went to work as usual; keeping her mobile switched on while in the office, which she never normally did.