With Deadly Intent

  On the off chance, he had checked the duty roster at the station. He knew Alex and Cass were both on duty on the date he had designated as Andy's death date. He could only hope they would be allocated to deal with the job. If they didn't link the scenes this time then maybe it would be time to provide further evidence of the link, but he would cross that bridge when he came to it.

  Momentarily he wondered whether they had respect for his work. His intricately designed plans and executions should impress a person who deals with crime daily. He supposed he had expected them to be better than they were. Not as good as he was obviously, but better none the less.

  He hunched down into his seat as the main door to the flat block opened and watched as Cass and Alex left the building. He was about to sit back up when another man followed them out with the monster on its leash.

  Curiouser and curiouser.

  The stranger walked under a street lamp which illuminated his features just enough for him to recognise him from the photo on Alex's desk. He’d seen it when he was snooping for background information. They had similar features, and he was confident if he hadn't remembered the photo he would still have realised he was a relative.

  What had happened to make Alex phone in reinforcements?

  Still pondering his silent question, he resolved it must have something to do with the shadowy figure he had seen at Cass's cottage. It was time to find out who the interloper was.

  He set his mouth in a grim, determined line, started the engine, and pulled out onto the road.

  Chapter Twenty Four

  22nd October, 1945 hours – Anderson Residence

  Scott gingerly touched the discoloured swelling under his left eye and hissed a loud ‘ouch.’ The motion jarred the bruising to his ribs, at least he thought it was only bruising. There was a weird crunching noise if he bent over so it might be broken. Unshed tears glistened in his eyes, and he swiped at them angrily.

  He tried to pretend to himself that it didn't matter, that last time had hurt worse, but he failed miserably.

  He stared in the mirror and the bruising to his eye and nose appeared to darken. Was this really it? Was this all he had to look forward to in life? A mother who’d left him, a father who beat him, a police officer who arrested him and a girlfriend who was now petrified of him?

  The stab of guilt pierced into his soul.

  He’d vowed he would never turn out like his dad, promised himself he would never hurt his girlfriend and force her to leave. And now he had done that very thing. He could still see the shock and pain on Kourt's face as his palm had connected with her cheek, still hear the resounding slap. He felt the awful thoughts he’d had in his head at the time, and he still didn't know how to deal with them.

  He sighed at the mirror. Life sucked.

  John-Joe had already told him that despite him passing the initiation and robbing the shop, they didn't want him in their gang. Didn't like 'wife-beaters', they said. Kourtney had hung her head at that. She had obviously told John-Joe’s girlfriend, who had dutifully passed the information on.

  Yet another failure notched on the belt of the learned fifteen-year-old. Or should it be sixteen now? He supposed it should be. His dad hadn't said a measly happy birthday before he’d punched him to kingdom come. All he’d done was smirk as he wiped the blood off his hand and onto Scott's T-shirt.

  Scott knew this beating was his own fault. Normally it was drink fuelled, but not today. He had pushed his old man’s buttons on purpose. The way he was feeling, he had deserved every damn punch and more.

  He pulled open the door to the grimy bathroom cabinet and stared at the array of pill bottles inside. He didn't know what most of them were. Perhaps he should just end it all; Kourt would move on, find someone new. And his dad? Well he wouldn't notice if Scott wasn't there.

  Sighing once more, he pushed the door closed.

  Frankly, he was tired of taking the easy way out, hiding behind the mask that everyone else saw. One person didn't see the mask though. One person saw the person he was, at least Scott thought he did. He didn't know if he could change the person he was becoming, but he knew he wouldn't be able to do it alone.

  He left the house and hopped on the next bus, getting off two streets from Brian's home. For the first time in a long time, he felt like the scared kid he was.

  22nd October, 2340 hours – Ryhope Police Station

  He leaned back in his office chair, and stared at the screen.

  It had been surprisingly easy to find out who the shadow was. A Google search on Cass's name uncovered the news that she had been the victim of a horrific domestic assault years before. Further digging had yielded the name of the person who had done the deed and where he had been sentenced.

  A simple phone call to the prison, stating the force he worked for and dropping Alex's name and rank confirmed that Jameson had been released.

  He felt anger rise inside him. Not because Cass had been assaulted but that someone had got there before he could.

  His eyes glinted in the dim office light; he wouldn't let Jameson hurt her again. That was his job.

  24th October, 1340 hours – Ryhope Police Station

  Ben walked into Cass's office, standing to one side to allow Dave, the cleaner, space to enter too.

  ‘Hey, Dave, how's things?’ asked Cass with a smile.

  ‘Not bad, can't complain. How's you lovely ladies?’ said Dave, a hint of a Yorkshire drawl in his voice.

  Ben grinned at him, ‘Can't complain either.’

  ‘You could complain but what would be the point. No one listens to a moaner. Right, Dave?’ piped in Cass, exchanging a conspiratorial wink with Ben.

  They’d had this conversation many times before.

  ‘So that's where I go wrong with the ladies!’ said Dave, placing his hand on his head in mock horror. He gave them a wink, tied a knot in his bin bag and left the room.

  ‘What a card,’ said Cass smiling at Ben. ‘What's up?’

  ‘There's a kid in reception for injury photos but there's no one in the other office. Can you deal please?’

  Cass nodded, stood and followed Ben through to the front desk. She opened the interior door to reception and glanced around. A young lad sat in the waiting area looking as though this were the last place on earth he wanted to be.

  ‘Injury photos?’ she asked.

  He nodded curtly and stood as she motioned him forward.

  She stepped back to let him pass. Self-defence 101 – never let your opponent behind you if you can help it. Not that she expected trouble, but you could never be too careful.

  ‘Turn left here, then it's the first door on the right,’ she said to his back.

  He hunched his shoulders in response and followed her directions, ending up in the studio.

  The room had been adapted for taking photos. The walls were painted bland grey, and there was a curtained area in one corner where people could get changed if needed, though usually this was filled with various camera-related items that required storage. There were several ceiling lamps mounted on moveable brackets which the CSI could angle to get the best photos, and a small desk containing magnifying equipment and further lighting for photographing small items needing additional enhancement or lighting techniques.

  As the young lad turned towards her, Cass took in his features. He looked to be no more than sixteen.

  ‘What's your name?’ she asked, grabbing a pen from her hair to fill in his details on the notes form. Taking contemporaneous notes was something Cass did without thinking. Officially the stance was that they should be completed 'at the time or as soon as was practicable' which some CSIs and CSMs took to mean filling in later. But she had always believed that the simplest defence was honesty. Meaning if she was asked about it in court, there was no reason to explain why she hadn't done her notes at the time. Several defence solicitors had now taken to ask the CSIs when they had done their notes in an effort to try and discredit their memory of events.

  She t
ook his name and date of birth, and paused, turning to look at him.

  ‘Scott, you're only sixteen which means you should have a responsible adult present when I take photos. Do you want me to call your mum or dad, or would you be happy with an officer coming down?’

  His sad eyes answered her, and she knew instantly he would prefer a police officer. Shutters of pain had slammed down over his eyes at the very mention of his parents. Poor kid.

  ‘Just give me a sec and I'll get someone down,’ she said, pulling her radio from her belt clip.

  Within a couple of minutes Rob Watson entered the studio.

  ‘What's been happening to you?’ he asked Scott as he settled his lean behind onto a tall stool.

  ‘My Dad,’ muttered Scott in reply, his tough guy demeanour slipping another notch.

  ‘Who's dealing with the report?’ asked Rob. He had always agreed with Brian that Scott wasn't a bad kid; he was just troubled and his bad attitude was his way of venting.

  ‘I dunno, think his name was White, told me to come in now and get photos done. Didn't say I'd have to tell it all to someone else though,’ said Scott sullenly.

  He looked ready to bolt and Cass interrupted, knowing the importance of having the photos as evidence.

  ‘Scott, we can get started now. I don't need to know what happened, but I will need to know your injuries. Would you mind listing them for me?’

  The youth took a deep breath, determination in his eyes. Brian had said he would help only if Scott was willing to cooperate fully.

  ‘Face and ribs. I took a kicking,’ he said.

  ‘OK no problems, sweetheart. Do me a favour and stand on the X in front of the grey wall and face me. We'll start with your face and move on to your ribs.’

  Scott did as she asked and within a few minutes Cass had covered the general shots of the recent injuries, as well as older scarring. It would all mount up as evidence towards a case of child abuse as well as assault. She exchanged a covert glance with Rob who nodded a little, acknowledging he had seen the scarring.

  ‘Give me a hand with the scale?’ she said to Rob, and at his nod handed the small two-sided plastic scale to him.

  When Cass had finished, Rob escorted Scott back to the front office as Cass finished scribbling down her notes.

  It never ceased to amaze her what people did to their children, and she made a starred annotation to email the OIC to let him know of the older scarring. Likelihood was that Rob would pass the information along, but she didn’t want it to get missed.

  24th October, 1355 hours – Ryhope Police Station

  He felt his heart leap into his throat as he turned the corner and came face to face with Scott.

  He had to stop himself speaking, nodding at the officer as he passed with the youth in tow.

  Scott was all bruised up, and for a moment he wondered whether Kourtney had hit back. Not that he could ask, not yet at any rate. He would contact him later though, maybe arrange to meet and then find out what had happened.

  He could check the force systems, but he’d been doing an awful lot of that lately and if Professional Standards were to investigate he would surely be questioned.

  He needed to be more careful.

  Chapter Twenty Five

  24th October, 2005 hours – Alex’s Flat

  ‘Are you sure you want to go home? I can go get anything you need,’ asked Alex in a worried tone.

  ‘I'm sure, Alex,’ said Cass firmly. ‘I can't let whoever this is dictate my life. The cottage is my home, and while your flat is lovely, it's not home. I need to go back.’

  Ali watched the exchange from the sidelines. He could understand where Cass was coming from but he also understood Alex's concern. Alex couldn't be with her 24/7, but he could. Making the decision, he silently left the room and called his boss, asking for extended leave which was immediately granted.

  When he went back into the living room, the pair looked no closer to an amicable resolve.

  ‘I understand that, Alex, but why should I put my life on hold for someone who may or may not attempt to hurt me? Especially when we don't know for sure who it is.’

  ‘It's pretty obvious it's Jameson. He broke into the probation office, got your details and came here with the intention of finishing what he started all those years ago.’

  Cass blanched slightly as his words but her body language spoke volumes. Through gritted teeth she said, ‘Maybe it is. And I'm not saying I'm not scared, Alex, but at the same time I won't let him destroy everything I have again. I’ve worked my arse off in therapy and life in general not to hide away like I want to at times. I can't let him do that to me. Not again.’

  Her eyes shone with unshod tears, and a large dose of stubbornness.

  ‘Maybe I can help here,’ interrupted Ali. ‘I've spoken to my Inspector. He's given me compassionate leave for as long as I need it. I can be with Cass 24/7, Alex, whenever you're not there I will be. Work or home, I will not let her out of my sight until Jameson is caught.’

  They both stared at him, mouths agape. He sounded more like a body guard than a police officer.

  Alex slowly nodded his head. ‘That might work.’

  Cass shot him a venomous look. ‘I'm quite capable of looking after myself, Alex. I do not need or want a babysitter. Mum’s coming tomorrow to pick Ollie up so nothing will happen to him. No offence, Ali, but I don't want or need you with me all the time. You have a job in Edinburgh, Alex has a job here, as do I. Jameson or no Jameson, that is still the case. I will not be turning up to crime scenes with a damn body guard in tow!’

  ‘For Christ’s sake, Cass, don't you get it? I care about you. I don't want anything to happen to you. I know I can't be with you all the time, it doesn't make sense with the jobs we do, but I trust my brother with anything. He can look after you. Please, Cass?’

  Cass could see the desperation in Alex's eyes. They hadn't been dating long but in a strange way she was glad to see him show he felt the same for her as she did for him. Her expression softened a little.

  ‘I can't have Ali with me all the time, but I guess it'd be OK if he stays at the cottage with us. That way when you're not there he is, and when I'm not there the cottage won't be left empty. So far this person has focused all his efforts on the cottage, I've not had any threat directed at me. Logic dictates that if he tries again, it will be at the cottage.’

  Alex exchanged a quick glance with Ali, who nodded in a barely discernible movement.

  ‘Guess we should go pack your stuff then,’ said Alex. He watched her head back into the bedroom and raised his eyebrows at Ali.

  Women!

  25th October, 0920 hours – Ryhope Police Station

  Not for the first time that morning, Cass sighed. She was stoically working her way through a mountain of paperwork that had amassed while she was off, but she was bored. She wanted to be out and about, not stuck in the office.

  She grinned as an idea struck her. Grabbing her jacket, she locked the door and went into the CSI office where Deena was getting ready to go out.

  ‘Mind if I tag along? Part of the new development plans involve me going out on two jobs a month per person. I'm not there to interfere or tell you what to do, I'll just be observing.’ Cass's held her breath, half expecting an objection, but Deena smiled widely and nodded.

  She grinned back, glad her staff thought enough of her to know she wouldn't interfere.

  It only seemed like a few minutes later that they pulled up outside of a dilapidated, vacant house that had been burgled. The investigating officer was still on scene and Deena got out to speak with him.

  ‘Typical boiler job, Deena,’ he said. ‘They've kicked the back door in but I doubt you'll get anything, the condition the place is in. There's no electrics inside and you'll need to be careful ‘cos they've ripped up the floor boards. Have already radioed for Eastway Housing to attend to board. They should be about three quarters of an hour.’

  ‘Great. Thanks, Craig,’ said Deena wi
th a smile.

  Cass watched them share a glance. Go Deena. He seems like a nice guy. Craig had been with the force for several years and had more forensic awareness than most. Momentarily, Cass wondered whether that was because of Deena, then, flashing him a quick grin, she followed Deena into the property.

  The first thing she noticed was the smell. Stagnant water and mould – when offenders ripped out the copper piping and the boiler, whatever water was inside the pipes flooded out. It seeped into the floorboards and with vacant properties it could be some time before the theft was picked up. Offenders had a habit of leaving mucky footwear marks everywhere which provided valuable evidence.

  This time though, it looked as if the water had been off a while. There was minimal seepage around the radiator areas and no sign of any footwear marks, the bare floorboards too grainy to hold sufficient tread-mark detail.

  Cass followed Deena from room to room as she took photos and performed her visual exam. Cass was pleased to note how methodical she was.

  The only evidence, other than the photos, that Deena recovered was a plastic carrier bag. Chemical treatment of the bag might yield potential fingerprints, though she couldn’t know if the offenders had dropped it, or if the previous tenant had left it behind.

  Moments later they were en route to the next job on Deena's list.

  Cass scanned the log as Deena drove to the location.

  Anon male cllr reporting burglary to garage in garage block. Sts the door has been forced. Doesn't know owner. Sts it is second garage on left. No further info avail.