Each word was like a nail being driven into my brain.
“Mid-twenties, short, maybe five foot to five foot two. Dark hair, tied back, but with a slight curl. Sound like anyone you recognise, Anna? Danny? Would you like to look at the stills from the CCTV to see if it helps jog your memory?”
“Oh fuck,” I said. “I am so sorry...”
Danny came to my rescue.
“I can explain this,” he said.
“I very much hope so.”
And so he told them about our plan, about needing to speak to Leah to progress the story, and how he’d asked me to help. He didn’t mention Clare, thankfully, although I was pretty sure if they had descriptions of me entering Danny’s room they’d have descriptions of another woman too.
I joined in when it came to the bit about the intruder in the baseball cap.
“I’ve got it all on tape,” I said. “I’ll get it for you.”
I tried to stand up, but my legs wouldn’t support me.
“I’ll get it,” said Danny. Even in his wounded state he was more mobile than me.
We played them the tape.
“And then he disappeared,” I said.
“And you didn’t think of reporting this?”
“I didn’t think there was any need. The policeman already knew all about it and he’d had a far better look than I had. It was nearly dark in there. I just wanted to get back to Danny. Oh God, I know how this looks, but it wasn’t anything to do with me, honestly. She was fine when I left. What happened to her? I can’t believe this.”
“We don’t know yet.”
“But I didn’t kill her!” I said, my voice probably bordering on hysterical.
I looked at Amy and then at DC Jachuck, tears forming in my pleading eyes.
“You’ve got to believe me,” I said, voice breaking. Danny came over and put an arm around me. I leaned into him. I wanted everything else to just go away.
“We know,” said the DC.
I looked at him, unsure if I’d just heard correctly.
“I’m sorry?” I said.
“We know,” he repeated. “But you did see the person who probably did. We’re going to need to take a full statement, and take the uniform away for forensics.”
They made me go through it all over again, this time with DC Jachuck taking notes. The questions were relentless. Danny and I were both left with the very clear impression that we’d overstepped the mark, with a severe warning about our future behaviour. I felt terrible, but I could sense Danny was getting increasingly frustrated.
“I’m sorry, but I’m not having this,” he said as the barrage continued.
“I beg your pardon,” said Amy.
“No, it’s not right. It’s like you’re blaming us but actually Leah was in your care. The fact that Anna got into the room is a bad enough breach of security, but to then let someone else in is frankly fucking inexcusable.” His voice was getting louder.
“And on top of that, you can shout at Anna all you like but the fact remains, if she hadn’t done what she did, we’d now be none the wiser. Whoever killed Leah would have done it anyway, but we would never have known what happened between Holly and Steve. Or the fact that Leah was Holly’s sister.”
Amy’s face seemed to be visibly darkening.
“Have you finished?” she said. He hadn’t.
“No. I just think it’s pathetic. Sorry Amy, you know I’ve got the utmost respect for you, but you know what? I think this is outrageous. You should be here on bended knee, thanking Anna for having the guts to do what she did, not treating us like fucking schoolchildren.” Go Danny.
“Finished now?”
“For the time being.”
“That’s good. Because I’m this close,” she squeezed her thumb and forefinger together, “to asking you who the other woman was who spent all day yesterday and the early hours of this morning in your room. Do we want to have that conversation, Danny?”
He sat back and sighed.
“No,” he said, voice dropping in pitch and volume.
“I thought not,” she said. There was a pause while we all started to process our private thoughts. Eventually Amy broke the silence.
“Let’s pause it there.” She turned to me. “Is that offer of a drink still available?”
I nodded.
“In which case, now would be a good time for a break. I’m not going to apologise, Danny. You’ve both absolutely pushed the boundaries, but I do take on board what you said. We’ll have a break and then we can discuss exactly what’s going to happen tomorrow.”
“That’s why I’ve been trying to call you,” said Danny. “We’ve worked out exactly what’s going to happen, and I think it’s going to blow your mind.”
44
GRAHAM March finished tapping at the keyboard and sat back in his chair. Computers were still alien to him, and typing wasn’t really his forte, but the effort had been worth it. He re-read his final few paragraphs, then searched for the print command. A few seconds later, the dot matrix printer on the end of his desk started its rhythmic screech, and the words were committed to paper.
When it was finished, he tore the perforated edges off the paper and added the printed sheets to a manila folder on the shelf beside him. The handwritten label on the front of the folder had the name Holly Rowan. It was one of several on the shelf. Others had been created for Jacqueline Glover, Mikołaj Gawlinski, and Samuel Elmhirst-Banks. It was all just insurance in case anything went wrong. Years in the police had taught him the importance of making sure every eventuality had been considered. Nothing could be left to chance.
The planning had been meticulous. Uncompromising, perhaps, but it can be a cruel world. He didn’t like relying on others, but so far they hadn’t let him down. Base greed was a powerful motivator, especially if you weren’t unduly troubled by a sense of conventional morality. Now, though, the end was in sight. He just had to ensure that everyone understood they were part of a team. If one should turn rogue, the whole thing could come to a disastrous, shuddering halt. There was just one more day to keep control and then the future could look very bright indeed.
A fifth folder, marked “Cologne”, had all the details of his contacts there. He’d enjoyed his visits, but after tomorrow he knew he’d get a very different reception. They’d understand him for who he was. The dangerous, ruthless mastermind, never to be underestimated.
And that just left Danny. What exactly should he do about him? None of this would have even been necessary if Danny hadn’t interfered. March would have been quite happy seeing out his days in the police force, with a few little sidelines to boost the pension. Where was the harm in that? It was all entirely normal, and the very least he deserved after all the good he’d done in his once-glittering career. Yes, Danny would need to be dealt with, but there was no immediate rush. Payback, when it came, would be severe, but he was happy to consider it a long-term project for now.
There were, of course, sacrifices for the sake of the greater good. He thought of Aurelia, with the closest he could come to misty-eyed regret. She possessed a touch and tenderness like no other, and oh, those beautiful eyes... How he loved to look into those as she worked her magic on his body. Maybe when this was all over he could find her a new role. One in which she could deploy her very special talents, but where he wouldn’t need to share her with others. Again, though, that was another challenge, for another day.
His priority, now the folders were complete, was to make sure everyone did what he needed for one final day. And then to ensure he made it through the rest of the weekend alive.
* * *
Clare leaned on the concrete parapet of an alcove on Blackfriars Bridge and looked down at the Thames flowing below. She pulled up her coat collar, then took one last drag on her cigarette and flicked the lipstick-stained butt into the dark, threatening water.
The view was captivating and she felt powerless to move despite the omnipresent moisture in the air. The familiar deep
sense of melancholy was returning, compounded this time by new thoughts of the helpless victims of the cruellest depths of mankind.
It had felt good to be back working with Danny, bouncing ideas, unravelling a mystery and thinking the unthinkable until the only remaining option was the truth, no matter how unpalatable. But really it was just a temporary respite, little more than an illusion. She’d made her choices and now had to face the consequences, accept the loneliness, and return to her new life, however much she missed the old. It was nearly time to disappear again, although she couldn’t pull the same stunt as last time. There are only so many times you can die before it becomes obvious you’re still alive.
She took her phone from her pocket, and looked at it for a few moments, aware of the power and potential in her hands. Such was progress. One simple numeric keypad that could link her from this bridge directly to any phone line in the world. One simple opportunity to say something that could never be unsaid. Eventually she called up the familiar number and phoned Danny, for maybe the final time.
“Hi,” she said when he picked up the phone. “Just checking how you’re feeling.”
“Sore, but don’t worry. Much more important, have you heard about Leah?” His voice sounded urgent, troubled.
“I have. It’s just so, so sad.”
“I know. I couldn’t believe it. We’ve had Amy round here for a statement. She knew about Anna getting into the room.”
“I bet that didn’t go down well.”
“Not brilliantly, no. But listen, she mentioned the other woman who’d been in my room. I’m ninety-nine percent sure she knows it was you. I hate to worry you but I thought you ought to know. Please be careful.”
“Oh, Danny.” Her voice betrayed the sadness that was beginning to overwhelm her. She paused, trying to think of the appropriate words, but none would come.
“Are you okay?” he asked at last. The concern was obvious.
“Yeah, I’m okay.”
“Sure? Where are you?”
“I’m just... out and about.”
“It’s just your voice. You sound different. You sound a bit fed up.”
Clare laughed.
“You don’t need to worry about me, Danny,” she said.
“What are you talking about? Of course I worry about you.”
“You shouldn’t.”
“Well, we all do things we shouldn’t do, from time to time.”
“Indeed we do.”
She heard Danny sigh.
“Seriously though, is something bothering you?”
“Lots of things bother me.”
“Anything I can help with?”
“No, I’m just feeling a bit blue. It’s fine. It happens.”
“You worry me.”
“I just told you about that.”
“Doesn’t stop it happening though. Where are you. Can I come to see you?”
“Danny, I’m not dragging you out of the house when you’re supposed to be resting. No, there’s nothing you can do, and yes, I’ll be okay. It just gets to me sometimes.”
“What does? Your situation?”
“Didn’t we set a load of ground rules about things you could ask me?”
“We did, but I just hate to think of you upset.”
“But Danny, if I’m upset it’s my own fault. Let’s move on.”
“This doesn’t sound like you.”
“I’m just a normal person. Good days and bad.”
“Okay. But I’m here if you need me.”
“I know. And thank you. Now, have you got everything you need?”
“For the story?”
“Yes.”
“Nearly. It’s pretty much written. Obviously until tomorrow night we don’t know the final chapter, but if we’re right then it’s ready.”
“Excellent. And if we’re right, March is even more of an evil bastard than we thought.”
“Exactly. Clare, whatever happens, thank you so much for your help. You’ve been brilliant. I’ve loved every minute. Of our time, anyway, not all the other shit, obviously.”
“It’s been my pleasure. Honestly.”
“Are you staying in town?”
“When it’s over? No, I don’t think that would be wise.”
“Can I ask where you’re going?”
“No, but you have my email address.”
“Can I see you before you go?”
“I’m not sure that would be wise either.”
There was a brief silence, just enough for private thoughts to surface again.
“Clare, it breaks my heart. I’m going to miss you.”
“And me you, too. More than you’d ever know. Is Anna there?”
“She is. Hold on.”
Anna came on the line.
“Hi, Clare?” she said.
“Yeah. Hi Anna.”
“How are you?”
“I’m okay. Kind of. I’m just calling to say goodbye. It’s been great meeting you.”
“And you. Surely you’re not going already?”
“I have to, sadly. Hopefully you don’t hate me quite as much as you did.”
“Hey, don’t worry. I’ve seen a different side.”
“I hope so. Will you look after Danny for me?”
“I’ll try.”
“He’s a good man. You could do a lot worse.”
“Believe me, I know.”
“It’s been good to see you, Anna. I wish it had been different, but it was good to see you.”
“Likewise. When will we see you again?”
There was no easy answer to that.
“Soon, I hope.” Just one more small lie to add to those of a lifetime.
“Take care, Clare. And keep in touch, okay? And thank you, for everything.”
“My pleasure. And I will.”
She ended the call, pocketed the phone and lit a fresh cigarette, blowing smoke across the river where it disappeared into nothing in the air.
She knew somebody was standing behind her. She could feel their presence with the sixth sense that warns of nearby predators. She turned.
“We meet at last,” said DS Amy Cranston.
Clare gave a rueful smile. She dropped the cigarette to the pavement and crushed it under the sole of her leather boot.
“I’m glad you came,” she said.
“I didn’t have any option,” said Amy. “Come on. We should get this over with.”
45
A FORD Transit minibus left the Channel ferry at Dover and the driver made his way tentatively towards passport control. He pulled up at the window, and handed the customs officer the group of passports. This was the moment where everything could go wrong.
The customs officer told him to wait there, and then exited his cubicle. A moment later he appeared at the driver’s window.
“I need everybody to get out,” he said.
The driver climbed down from his seat, then opened the side door, beckoning the twelve girls from his school party onto the tarmac. They all climbed out, full of enthusiasm and fresh-faced innocence, looking forward to their adventures in this new country that they’d heard so much about.
They lined up, laughing with each other, grateful to stretch their legs, happy to breathe the fresh English air.
The customs officer started his checks, calling them out, one by one. Eventually, it was over. He handed the passports back to the driver, and nodded, to indicate that the girls should get back on board.
“Safe onward journey,” he said.
The driver resumed his position behind the wheel and restarted the engine. Everything was running smoothly. First-night accommodation was arranged in a hostel near Canterbury, and then the handover would take place tomorrow. He turned on his headlights, flicked the indicator, and pulled out into the early evening traffic.
* * *
The evening rush was about to get under way, but the first visitors to the Albermarle Casino and Gentleman’s Club were not there to gamble. Not in the conv
entional sense, at least. At reception, they were given permission to approach Jacqui’s office, and when they knocked on the door, it opened, revealing her opulent desk across the plush dark red carpet.
“Thank you both for coming,” she said, when they were seated. “Holly, Mikołaj, I assume you know each other.”
They nodded.
“That’s good. So, no need for introductions. Straight down to business?”
“If you could,” said Holly.
Finn turned up with a tray of drinks. The each took one. Jacqui lit a cigarette.
“The agenda is fairly brief,” Jacqui continued. “Only two items. Do we continue with the plan, and if so do we need to switch location? And then what, exactly, do we do with March? I assume you both know what he’s been up to.”
They nodded again.
“I will be happy to deal with March,” said Mikołaj. “I’ve got something special in mind.”
“Glad to hear it,” said Jacqui. “And can you make it particularly painful, just for me?”
He smiled.
“It will be my absolute pleasure,” he said.
* * *
Clare and Amy sat opposite each other in a bar next door to the Sea Containers building, overlooking the Thames.
“You do know I should arrest you,” said Amy.
“I do,” Clare replied. “Although if I thought you’d do that, I wouldn’t have suggested meeting.”
“It must be important.”
“It is.”
“Greater good?”
“Something like that.”
Clare stirred her drink, watching the bubbles rise slowly up the side of the glass.
“I’m leaving tonight anyway, away from here completely, but I needed to speak to you before I go. It’s about March,” she said.
“I rather assumed that.”
“I know.”
“Are you here to fill in the gaps?”
“Maybe. It depends what you already know.”
It was Amy’s turn to pause. Clare wondered exactly how much she already knew, whether she fully understood the depths to which March would sink to to save himself.
Out Of The Red Page 26