Cold Winter's Morning

by Alan Bexley

  ‘Would she lie for him?’ Frank asked. Helen shrugged.

  ‘I spoke to one of their neighbours on the phone. They told me they thought he kept to his normal hours as the bedroom curtains were closed during the day while they suppose he was catching up on his sleep. They saw him later in the day which doesn’t help.’

  ‘He didn’t use his phone during the morning?’ Frank asked.

  ‘No, he turned it off at 4:37am.’

  ‘Could he have gone home, got his head down for a few hours and gone out to murder Vicky?’

  ‘We should ask Leonie to come in and put her under pressure. Explain she’s putting her liberty at risk if she’s covering up for him,’ Altman said.

  ‘I was hoping to wrap this up today,’ Frank said. ‘But I see no choice. Jade, can you call when we’ve finished here and impress on her we need to see her as soon as possible.’

  She nodded.

  ‘That leaves us Neil Morgan, the runt of the litter. Low-level drug dealer and general waste of space,’ Frank said.

  ‘Anybody would think you don’t like him,’ Helen said, to general amusement.

  ‘There’s something about him that gets under my skin,’ Frank said. ‘His alibi is Patricia Highwood, his girlfriend. Do we know how old she is?’

  ‘Sixteen,’ Jade said.

  ‘She looks like a schoolgirl,’ Frank said.

  ‘She is, she’s at sixth form college.’

  ‘And he’s?’

  ‘Twenty-two,’ Helen said. ‘I wonder what her parents think?’

  ‘Given her age, he’s not breaking the law,’ Frank said. ‘But it’s another reason for me to dislike him. She could be foolish enough to lie for him. The neighbour could only tell me someone was at home that morning. She can’t say who.’

  ‘We can interview her as well but you’ll need an appropriate adult,’ Altman said.

  ‘That might work in our favour,’ Frank said. ‘We can try and make sure one of her parents brings her in. Make her more honest with us.’

  ‘She may bring someone else,’ Helen said.

  ‘At least it can’t be Neil as he’s the one we’re investigating,’ Frank said.

  Altman raised his hands for quiet, ‘To sum up, we’ll arrange interviews with Patricia Highwood and Leonie Elliott to eliminate Neil Morgan and Leonard Kowalski. Let’s meet again after the interviews to reconsider our options. They’re starting to scale the Major Crimes operation back because of new incidents and Detective Superintendent Griffin and I’ll talk by phone tomorrow about future strategy.

  The inspector returned to his office.

  Jade spoke to Frank again, ‘Malvia and Phil arrested Luke Radcliffe, the druggie ASDA thief, today. He was arguing with the proprietor of Boozerite who’d refused to serve him. He’s in a cell downstairs.’

  Frank made sure he was up to date with the information on the HOLMES system and waited while Jade made the phone calls.

  ‘Patricia is coming in at eight tomorrow morning with her mother so she can get to college on time. She’s got a session tomorrow morning even though it’s Saturday. I scheduled Leonie for four today as she’s not on shift until later.’

  Helen sat in the canteen across from Frank while they both discussed the case over cups of tea.

  ‘Am I right about the killer being a member of the Morgan family?’

  ‘I’m inclined to agree. Either one of the sons, Loki or another associate,’ she said.

  ‘The way the alibis are stacking up, it’s looking like it could well be an associate. I’ll get Yalina to work with Jade on the background of all the known associates,’ he said. ‘I prefer interviews, assessing people that kind of thing. That’s what I’m good at.’

  ‘If you do say so yourself,’ Helen said.

  ‘You know what I mean. I’m competent with the IT but for her it’s second nature.’

  Helen smiled at him. ‘Feeling your age?’

  ‘I’m only months from retirement.’

  ‘Do you have any plans?’

  ‘For my retirement, God no. I’ll apply to do another five years. I’ve already mentioned it to Altman.’ He mimicked a crestfallen expression. ‘He wasn’t very encouraging.’

  Helen pulled a face and then sipped her tea. ‘My money is on Neil Morgan. He’s a weedy excuse for a man. Not exactly butch, is he? Using a car to murder someone is a cowardly thing to do.’

  ‘You could have a point. I can’t imagine Patricia Highwood will stand up to questioning well. We may be able to crack his alibi and then we might be getting somewhere.’

  ‘Going to bully her, are you?’

  ‘I’ll just be firm in pursuit of the truth.’

  ‘Is that what you call it?’ she said.

  ‘I’ve realised what you said. It’s Saturday tomorrow.’

  ‘That’s right, and…’

  ‘It’s my wedding anniversary.’

  ‘Congratulations. How many years?’

  ‘Ten. Which one is that?’

  ‘Tin, isn’t it?’

  ‘Tin?’ he said. ‘What sort of gift do you give that’s made of tin?’

  ‘It’s tomorrow and you haven’t got her a gift yet? You’re leaving it a bit late.’

  ‘I haven’t. I’ve still got time.’

  ‘But you’d forgotten?’

  ‘Not exactly. It had just slipped my mind.’

  Helen’s mobile rang. ‘Yes . . . I see. Yes, in just a moment.’

  Frank watched her face as he waited for her to finish the call. She stared at him; her fingers stroked her cheek.

  ‘What is it?’ he asked.

  Chapter 18

  Helen looked across the table at Frank.

  ‘It’s Luke Radcliffe, he’s asking to speak to someone from CID. He says he has information about Vicky Crosby’s killing. Wants to make a deal,’ she said.

  ‘Radcliffe, the druggie thief from ASDA?’ he asked.

  ‘That’s right.’

  ‘Do we want to waste time with the likes of him? I suppose it can’t hurt to give him five minutes. You never know.’

  Frank looked at Radcliffe. He was still wearing a long overcoat, although it was unbuttoned now, revealing a dark green T-shirt. He had unruly, curly hair, a ragged beard, dirty cheeks and bloodshot eyes. Stale body odour filled the room.

  ‘What have you got to tell us?’ Helen asked.

  ‘I want a deal,’ Radcliffe said.

  ‘Just tell us what you know and then we’ll see,’ she said.

  ‘I want a deal and I want a ciggy.’

  Frank stared at Radcliffe. ‘We don’t do deals and unless you tell us right now what information you have, I’m walking out.’

  ‘All right, all right,’ Radcliffe said, looking around the room. ‘Off the record.’

  ‘This isn’t an interview,’ Frank said. ‘We’re not making a recording.’

  Radcliffe hesitated.

  ‘Well?’ Frank shouted.

  Radcliffe chewed his lips and then smiled, showing yellowed teeth. ‘It’s about Vicky Crosby. I’ve had dealings with her that I can tell you about.’

  Frank leaned across the desk. He was taking shallow breaths to mitigate Radcliffe’s odour and breath. ‘I understand from my colleagues that most of the cash and cigarettes you stole have been recovered. I’m prepared to talk to the manager at ASDA to see if I can persuade him not to press charges if what you tell me is of use.’

  ‘Fair enough. It’s like this. This Vicky was bringing in stuff from the big city and giving it out to the dealers. She worked for Ed Morgan.’

  Frank leaned back and took a long breath. ‘How do you know this?’

  I have a mate who deals,’ Radcliffe said. ‘He was getting his gear from this Vicky. He was really pissed off when she got topped.’

  ‘This mate have a name?’ Frank asked.

  ‘Angel.’

  ‘A real name.’ Frank crossed his arms.

  Radcliffe shrugged. ‘I only know Angel. That’s all.’


  ‘You know what?’ Frank said. ‘I think you’re full of shit. You’re just trying to con us with a story you’ve concocted in a desperate attempt to get out of the mess you’re in. I’m going to send you back to the cells.’

  ‘I’m telling you the truth. It’s good info. You’ve got to listen.’

  ‘I really don’t.’

  Leonie wore a raincoat over her green uniform. She was nervous and twitchy.

  ‘I’ve never been questioned by the police or been in a police station,’ she said. An impish thirty-something, she’d dyed her mid-length hair a dramatic burnt orange.

  ‘You’re entitled to legal representation,’ Frank said. ‘Do you want a solicitor?’

  ‘No, I’m fine. It’s not like I’ve done anything wrong.’ She gave a nervous laugh.

  ‘We want to ask you about Wednesday morning,’ Helen said.

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘What time did Leonard – Loki – come home?’

  ‘Early in the morning. He woke me at 4:35.’

  ‘That’s precise.’

  ‘I looked at the clock on my bedside table. It’s digital and I wasn’t exactly happy being woken.’

  ‘He woke you up, getting into bed?’ Helen asked.

  ‘Not exactly.’ She paused. ‘Well, he’d been drinking.’ She flushed. ‘And he wanted sex.’

  ‘Let’s move on,’ Helen said. ‘Were you both in bed at 7:30?’

  ‘I woke at a quarter to eight, something like that and Loki was snoring. He didn’t drive that car. He didn’t kill Victoria Crosby.’

  ‘You’re quite sure you want to tell us that?’ Frank asked.

  ‘It’s the God’s honest truth.’

  ‘If you’ve lied to us, as an accessory, you’ll spend years of your life behind bars.’

  Leonie’s hand flew to her mouth. Tears filled her eyes. But anger shone in them too.

  ‘I’m telling you the truth,’ she said. The voice came deep from within her, loud and clear, and her eyes locked on Frank.

  ‘We hear you,’ Helen said.

  Frank turned to Helen, breaking the staring competition between him and Leonie. She calmed but still glared at him.

  Frank spoke again, ‘I want you to understand the full implications of providing Leonard Kowalski with an alibi in a murder case.’

  ‘I understand perfectly well.’ The words came out measured and terse.

  Frank and Leonie sat staring at each other. Helen looked from one to the other. ‘I’m not sure that—’

  ‘You’re determined to make Loki out to be a monster,’ Leonie directed the words at Frank alone. She ignored Helen. ‘He’s not the one you should be after. He didn’t kill her.’

  ‘Who did?’ Frank said the words softly.

  Leonie looked at the table. Her hands polished its surface. ‘I spent time in the night club. I enjoy a dance, a drink, and a laugh. The same as anyone else. I met Vicky. She flirted with both men and women. Me included. But I’m not that way inclined. But she was up for sex with anyone and she advertised the fact. It had caused trouble before. Loki can tell you. He saw it all. He told me. I think he worried that I might be flattered by her. He spoke to Ed, but Ed told him to keep his nose out. She seduced Cassie Morgan. Loki was right to be worried. Cassie has a vicious temper. The day before Vicky was run over, she raged at her brother about her. Loki overheard them. Cassie and Ed may have both been involved in the killing. I don’t know. But if you’re looking for the person who ran down Vicky, I think Cassie did it.’

  She stopped and inhaled. Then she turned and looked at the spinning cassette wheels. She put her head back. She looked as if she regretted what she had put on record.

  Frank stayed quiet.

  ‘You saw Vicky and Cassie together?’ Helen asked.

  ‘The first time I saw them, they were sitting in a corner in the back of the Elektra. That was weeks ago. They sat close and Vicky played with Cassie’s hair. They kissed, and that’s when I looked away and found something else to interest me.’

  ‘Did you work at the night club?’ Helen said.

  ‘No, but I used to go in for a while when Loki was working. The early part of the evening. I only saw them together once. I spoke to Loki about it and he told me he’d asked Ed to sack Vicky. He came home that Tuesday night, Wednesday morning I suppose, and told me of Cassie’s rant. They must have fallen out about something and I’m guessing Cassie found Vicky was two-timing her with someone else. She was like that.’

  ‘Why didn’t you come forward earlier?’ Frank spoke softly.

  ‘Are you joking?’ Her voice increased in volume. ‘You’re a copper, you know what the Morgan’s are like. I didn’t want a bashing, or worse.’

  ‘That’s understandable,’ Helen said. ‘No point in taking the risk.’

  She put her hand on Frank’s arm to hint that she wanted to lead the interview.

  Leonie looked at the cassette recorder. ‘I didn’t intend to tell you.’ Then quietly, she said, ‘You bastard.’ She looked at Frank and swallowed.

  ‘It’s important you tell us everything now,’ Helen said. ‘We appreciate your courage. Next, we’ll need to get a written statement from you. I’ll get that arranged straight away.’

  ‘I’m not sure,’ Leonie said.

  ‘You haven’t a choice. It’ll put you in the clear by proving you co-operated with the police.’

  ‘In the clear with you. What am I supposed to do about the Morgans? They’ll be out for my blood, and I mean that literally.’

  ‘We can keep you safe until the trial,’ Helen said.

  ‘And after that?’

  Leonie started to sob.

  When Helen returned to pick up her things, Frank was still sitting behind the table. He had pushed the chair back and was drumming his fingers against his leg. ‘Sit down,’ he said.

  ‘What’s wrong?’ she asked. ‘We just got a good lead. You should be happy.’

  ‘The revelation that Cassie is our killer is good. What I need to talk to you about is not.’

  Helen walked around the table and sat beside him. ‘This sounds serious.

  ‘I considered telling you before.’ He sighed. ‘For a while I’ve been worried that someone is leaking information from our office.’

  Chapter 19

  ‘You’re serious?’ Helen asked, squinting at Frank.

  ‘Dan Altman asked me if we had a mole passing information to the media. I assured him that there wasn’t. But I’m worried someone is in the pay of the Morgan family, and that’s why we never manage to catch them out. Not for anything serious. I pushed this to the back of my mind but now, I’ve had to say something, because I don’t want Cassie to be tipped off. If we let the team in on this, she might get a call from someone and do a runner. We need to keep this information to ourselves until we get her in custody. Besides, I thought it was time I told you of my suspicions.’

  Helen stared down at the table. ‘Wow. I’m flattered you’re trusting me, but why?’

  ‘Are you the mole?’

  ‘No!’

  ‘Good,’ he said.

  ‘Wait. There’s something I have to tell you.’ She paused and pursed her lips. I’ve been dating Peter from the Herald. But I’ve never, never given him any confidential information. And as for the Morgans, I dislike them almost as much as you.’

  He nodded. ‘I trust you, but do be careful.’ He said these last four words slowly.

  ‘Who do you suspect? Yalina, Jade, or the inspector? I can’t see any of them betraying us. We’ve worked together for over two years. I know these people. I trust them. I always trusted them. You must be wrong.’

  ‘I find the order you put the names in to be interesting,’ he said.

  ‘I can’t believe Jade could be the one. She’s solid. She has a settled family life, and she’s happy enough. If she’s the one, there has to be a reason we know nothing about. The inspector is more distant. I know nothing of his private life but there’s no reason to suspect him. Yalina, ju
st maybe. She’s young and might have an Achilles heel in money. She likes to spend and she’s the newest member of our team, perhaps bribes might tempt her if they were large enough. But she and I aren’t close so that colours my opinion of her.’

  ‘I think you’ve hit the nail on the head. Cash may be the problem. The Morgans have millions to buy whatever they want and that includes people. Someone could have been tempted.’

  ‘I find it very hard to suspect any of us. I almost wish you hadn’t told me. I don’t want to be hiding something from the people I’m working alongside.’

  ‘I want us to leave the station, get the warrant and go straight to the Morgan’s house without returning to the office. When we get to the house, I’ll call the inspector and later we’ll tell Jade and Yalina we needed to move swiftly and our enthusiasm overcame us.’

  ‘I could have done with getting my coat,’ she said, tugging at the shoulder of her suit jacket as they headed for the car. ‘It’s freezing out there.’

  ‘I’ll turn up the heater.’

  ‘Then I’ll freeze my tits off when I get out at the other end.’

  Frank rolled his eyes. He pointed to the corridor. ‘Out.’

  They parked a short way from Gina Morgan’s house. Both Gina and Cassie’s cars were parked behind the railings on the forecourt. It was getting dark.

  Frank used his phone. ‘I’m ringing the inspector’s extension but not getting an answer.’ He cut the call. ‘I don’t want to let it ring for too long in case someone else picks up.’

  ‘I feel very uncomfortable doing this,’ she said. ‘When it comes out, there’ll be an awkward atmosphere in the office. We spend every day there.’

  ‘That’s why I took so long to voice my suspicions to you.’

  ‘Try the number again.’

  Frank swiped the panel on his phone. This time the call was answered. ‘It’s Frank, Dan. I wanted to let you know that Leonard Kowalski’s girlfriend has told us that Cassie Morgan and Vicky Crosby may have had a lesbian relationship that went sour. Helen and I are just about to make the arrest and bring her back to Arundel Road.’

  ‘A consultation would have been nice. Christ, sometimes you behave like a lone wolf and that often ends badly.’