Broken Silence

by Danielle Ramsay

  Whitley Bay Park was part of Mayor Macmillan’s regeneration programme for the rundown, shabby seaside resort. Built on one of the few green areas in Whitley Bay, it sat next to the local, sixties library and opposite The Avenue; a nineteenth-century dilapidated, boarded-up pub now left to rot. The park was sold to the council taxpayers at a staggering price of £350,000.

  What the council failed to acknowledge was the nightmare it would cause for the police and the residents living opposite. During the day it fulfilled its function but at night it was a magnet for lowlifes who would travel from miles around. Word spread fast and kids aged from eight up to seventeen gathered there in the dark, shouting profanities, smoking, drinking cheap booze and getting high on whatever cocktail of drugs was available. The finale was either fighting or shagging whoever was off their face enough to be up for it.

  Kate slowly turned to face him. ‘Kids go to parks, Jack, where else are they meant to go? Maybe if you’d had some of your own you would have found that out!’

  It was a cheap shot and she knew it. They both knew it was one of the reasons his relationship with Claudia had broken down. The other was down to him briefly forgetting he was still married.

  Brady didn’t reply.

  He would check the park out for himself later. There was always the chance that some of the kids hanging around there could tell him something about last night; something that Evie couldn’t bring herself to share. Not with her mother sat listening to every word.

  ‘I’m sorry, Kate. I should go,’ Brady said.

  She nodded. He wanted her to say something. He didn’t know what, but anything was better than ending it this way.

  As he stood up he suddenly remembered the photo he had of Sophie.

  ‘What do you make of this?’ Brady asked, handing her the photograph that he had taken from Sophie’s bedroom.

  She couldn’t disguise her surprise at the image of Sophie with her hand seductively pulling the twenty-something male’s face towards her own. But Brady noted that she composed herself quickly.

  ‘Look, Jack, I don’t know what you expect me to say.’

  Brady shrugged his shoulders.

  ‘You tell me?’ he replied.

  ‘This … this is just …’ Kate stopped and looked up at Brady shaking her head. ‘They’re still just silly girls, Jack. What don’t you get?’

  ‘That’s precisely it. I don’t get it,’ answered Brady.

  ‘I honestly don’t know what you’re trying to make out here. Someone killed her! She didn’t go looking for it, so all those goddamn questions you asked Evie were inappropriate!’

  Brady kept quiet.

  The last person he was judging was the victim. All he was trying to understand was her background and what she did outside school. It was simple criminology to know the victim’s history and then you can start to put together a profile of her murderer. There was something about Sophie Washington, something that made someone want to kill her with more fury and hatred than Brady had ever seen in his entire life as a copper.

  ‘Just look at the photo,’ Brady persisted.

  ‘Christ, Jack, why the hell are you so cynical all the time?’

  ‘Do you know who the bloke is?’ Brady asked, ignoring Kate’s jibe.

  ‘He’s their form tutor,’ Kate replied shaking her head at Brady’s expression. ‘Like I said, it’s innocent.’

  ‘He looks too bloody young to be a teacher,’ Brady replied. ‘Are you sure?’

  Kate gave him a withering look.

  ‘I’m certain. This was probably taken on the school trip to the Black Forest a couple of months back. He was one of the teachers who organised the trip. Evie couldn’t make it because she was ill at the time. She was absolutely gutted. Like most of the girls in her class she had a huge crush on Mr Ellison.’

  Brady gave her a quizzical look.

  ‘I’m her mother, Jack. You know these things. It’s not rocket science; teenage hormones coupled with a young, handsome teacher like Mr Ellison, what do you think?’

  Kate looked back at the photograph.

  ‘When Sophie went without her she was beside herself. She hated me for not letting her go. Wouldn’t talk to me for the whole week she was supposed to be away. It wasn’t until Sophie got back that she started to calm down …’ Kate faltered.

  ‘Thanks,’ muttered Brady as he took the photo back. He knew there was no point in mentioning the other photographs on the victim’s notice board. Not now. He had to let Kate absorb what he’d told her and then later, when they were both feeling calmer, he’d come back and take another statement from Evie.

  ‘Do you know the dates of the German trip?’ Brady asked.

  ‘Not off the top of my head but I can look them up for you,’ answered Kate.

  ‘That would be good. The sooner the better.’

  Kate distractedly nodded.

  ‘Jack?’ Kate asked as he started to leave.

  He turned back.

  ‘I don’t know what you think you’re trying to prove,’ she said.

  ‘I’m just trying to get to the truth, that’s all,’ Brady answered in a heavy voice before heading towards the front door.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Brady walked back to Conrad’s car. He couldn’t help but notice that a dark silver BMW saloon was parked opposite the house. It didn’t take much to recognise the passenger; he was easily discernible in daylight. He was six feet four and as wide as he was tall. Unfortunately it was all flexed muscle; glistening, powerful. Gibbs was one of Madley’s henchmen. He covered as a bouncer at Madley’s nightclub in Whitley Bay, but that was for pocket money; his day job paid the rent. Brady hadn’t seen the driver before, a scrawny, dark-haired guy with a sneer for a face.

  Brady got in and sighed wearily. His leg was playing up. He rummaged through his inside jacket pocket for some painkillers. His hand nudged against the set of house keys he’d discreetly lifted from Matthews’ kitchen worktop. Matthews had left him no choice. Brady had to come back later to see if he had left any trace of where he’d gone.

  He found the bottle and threw two tablets into his mouth and swallowed.

  ‘Matthews’ kid reckons that Sophie left here at ten last night and walked home. So, we need to widen our door to door enquiries to include the surrounding areas of Wellfield as well as Earsdon. And, we definitely need to find out who was in The Beacon pub last night. For all we know, someone either leaving or entering the pub saw her as she walked past.’

  ‘Right, sir,’ Conrad answered as he concentrated on pulling out onto the main street.

  Brady thought about organising a filmed reconstruction of the victim walking home from Earsdon village to jolt the public’s memory. But what really worried him was Matthews’ part in this. If someone had witnessed Matthews picking the victim up then it wasn’t only Matthews who would be finished, it would be Brady too.

  ‘Talked to Jenkins,’ Conrad stated.

  ‘Did she find out from her classmates whether Sophie had a boyfriend?’ Brady asked, hoping for anything to take the heat off Matthews.

  ‘Seemingly, Sophie had a reputation for being a party girl. There were some rumours about an older boyfriend, but no one could substantiate it. And as for ex-boyfriends, they only knew about her last boyfriend who was some kid named Shane McGuire. But, aside from that, she was exactly as her parents described, a straight-A student who was well-liked by everyone,’ answered Conrad.

  ‘Not everyone,’ Brady replied in a low voice.

  He looked at Gibbs and his companion as Conrad pulled past the idling Beamer.

  ‘We’ve got company,’ Brady stated.

  Conrad looked in the rearview mirror. His jaw tightened.

  Brady was aware that this was all the evidence Conrad needed to know that Matthews was in deep shit. Presumably, he mused, Madley’s men were dumb enough to think that they would lead them straight to Matthews.

  ‘Bloody idiots,’ Brady muttered. But then again, that was wh
y they had the day job they had with Madley.

  Brady sighed as he rested his head back and closed his eyes. Worried didn’t even come close; not any more. If Gibbs had been sent to find Matthews, then Brady knew that Madley was past talking. Gibbs had once been a heavyweight boxer; successful in his time. Brady remembered when he used to do the boxing circuits throughout the North East. Since retiring from the ring, Madley had decided to keep him as a pet; a fierce, snarling, slathering Rottweiler at that, all bite and no bark.

  Brady needed to find Matthews first. It was Matthews’ only hope of coming out of this in one piece. Gibbs didn’t talk and he certainly didn’t let his opponent.

  Brady pulled out his mobile and rang the station.

  ‘Charlie? I want you to pass some information on to Rutherford for me. Yeah … yeah … I know he hates my guts. I know… yeah. Tell me something I don’t know!’

  Brady laughed as he listened to Turner’s response. Rutherford was a traffic cop who had it in for Brady and would wait at certain junctions to catch Brady out. He knew Brady liked a drink and was adamant that one day he’d get him. There was no loyalty between Traffic and CID; at least not where Rutherford was concerned.

  ‘Well, this will get him going … Tell the tight-arsed bugger that there’s a dark silver BMW saloon, registration …’

  ‘Y469 FGP,’ put in Conrad.

  He repeated the registration details to Turner and added a few embellishments for good measure.

  Brady rested his head back against the headrest and smiled. ‘That’ll keep Gibbs busy for an hour or so. You know Rutherford’s a tight-arsed git when he wants to be. Let’s see how Gibbs and his mate explain speeding in a stolen car.’

  ‘Shall I put my foot down, sir?’ Conrad asked.

  ‘Does the Pope shit in the woods?’ Brady answered.

  He started dialling.

  ‘Kate? It’s me.’

  ‘Now’s not a good time, Jack,’ she answered coolly.

  ‘Look, throw whatever you need in a bag and leave.’

  ‘You can’t be serious?’ answered Kate, incredulously.

  ‘Kate, I wouldn’t be telling you if I wasn’t serious.’

  ‘Tell me Jimmy’s not behind this?’

  Brady sighed wearily.

  ‘He is, isn’t he? What the hell has he got himself involved in now?’

  ‘I don’t know the details. Just trust me. Leave. Go to your mother’s in Morpeth and wait there until everything’s calmed down here.’

  Kate sighed.

  ‘I can’t go there,’ she quietly replied. ‘Whatever trouble Jimmy’s in I’ll deal with it here.’

  ‘Why can’t you go to Evelyn’s?’ Brady asked.

  ‘I just can’t. She’s sick of hearing me complain about Jimmy. This would be the last straw if she knew he’d just disappeared and left us to deal with whatever crap he’s got himself involved in. Believe me, Jack, I don’t want my family hearing about this. I … I don’t know what I’m going to do yet about Jimmy but I do know I don’t want Evelyn having another tirade at me about marrying him.’

  Brady didn’t say anything. He knew things were bad for Kate, but he just hadn’t realised how bad.

  Brady realised from her breathing that she was silently crying.

  ‘What about friends? Surely there’s someone you know who would put you up for a few days?’ Brady quietly asked.

  ‘No,’ she mumbled. ‘What Jimmy’s done to me is embarrassing enough without the humiliation of having to share it. He’s had too many affairs. Too many for my friends to have any sympathy left, not now. For years everybody I know, especially Evelyn, has been telling me to leave him. God, Jack, why did I get involved with him? Why?’ she asked.

  Brady couldn’t answer her. Only Kate knew the answer to that question. All he could do was offer her a place to lie low until he had sorted out whatever mess Matthews had got himself involved in. The problem was he still cared too much about Kate to walk the other way.

  ‘Go to my place. You should be safe there.’

  ‘I … I don’t know, Jack,’ she answered. ‘I don’t think it’s a good idea me staying at your place.’

  ‘Just do as I say, please? Kate, you really haven’t got much time.’

  ‘On the condition you tell me what’s going on?’

  ‘I promise,’ answered Brady. ‘But not now. Later.’

  ‘OK, but you’d better.’

  ‘Don’t answer the door to anyone. Understand?’

  ‘I’m not an idiot!’

  ‘And Kate?’

  ‘Yeah?’

  ‘I’m sorry about before … with Evie. I don’t know what came over me,’ Brady said.

  Brady waited for an answer. He then realised that Kate had hung up.

  ‘There’s nothing to tell,’ Brady replied, knowing what Conrad was thinking.

  ‘Didn’t say there was, sir,’ Conrad answered evenly. ‘However, your girlfriend might get a surprise when Matthews’ wife and kid turn up.’

  ‘Bugger,’ muttered Brady.

  He’d completely forgotten about Sleeping Beauty.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Brady had no other option. He had to pay Madley a visit. He checked his watch. It was just after 2.40 pm. It would make him late for his meeting with Wolfe, the Home Office pathologist, but he had no other choice.

  Madley’s office was on the first floor above The Blue Lagoon nightclub and Brady was certain that was where he’d find him.

  ‘This won’t take long,’ Brady said to Conrad before he got out of the car.

  Brady walked up to the nightclub and banged on the locked glass doors.

  A cleaner stopped wiping down the tables and timidly came over and mouthed in broken English that the place was closed.

  Brady pulled out his ID and placed it against the glass.

  The young woman nervously looked behind her and called out to someone.

  Brady couldn’t make out the words, but they sounded East European. He watched as two heavies appeared out of the shadows.

  ‘What?’ grunted one of the men as he unlocked the doors.

  ‘I’m here to see Madley,’ bluntly answered Brady.

  ‘He’s busy,’ replied the same brutish hulk as he scowled at Brady.

  ‘Detective Inspector Brady. You’ll find he’s expecting me.’

  Before they had a chance to reply he pushed his way through the two men.

  ‘Hey? Where the fuck do you think you’re going?’ shouted the shorter, uglier thug.

  ‘To see Madley,’ replied Brady as he made his way towards the emergency doors at the back of the club.

  ‘You can’t do that!’ replied the shorter brute in surprise.

  ‘Watch me,’ muttered Brady as he pushed through the doors setting off the alarm.

  Brady reached Madley’s office door only to be greeted by two more loutish bouncer-types.

  ‘DI Brady,’ he stated holding out his ID card.

  Brady knew the procedure and allowed himself to be frisked. The fact that he was a copper meant he couldn’t be trusted. The police had been after Madley for years. Brady had to prove that he wasn’t dangerous in any way before he’d be allowed in to ‘talk’ to the big boss.

  ‘What took you so long, Jack?’ greeted Madley as Brady limped into the huge room.

  Brady would have recognised Madley’s distinct Geordie twang anywhere, even with the rough edges gone. Madley was stood with his back to the impressive ceiling to floor window. He frowned as he watched Brady painfully make his way towards him.

  ‘You sure you didn’t start back too soon?’

  ‘You know me, Martin, I can take it,’ Brady answered as he limped across the polished oak floor towards the window.

  It was hard not to notice what Madley’s nefarious business dealings had paid for; his large office was kitted out with the finest antiques. Brady didn’t know much, but he recognised money. Not bad for a lad from the Ridges, he mused.

  ‘Scotch?’ Madle
y asked.

  Brady shook his head.

  ‘Not drinking? Things must be bad,’ stated Madley.

  ‘For Jimmy it seems,’ Brady answered.

  Madley’s glinting brown eyes narrowed suspiciously.

  He was the same age as Brady but three inches shorter with a smaller frame. However, his tanned, sharp features and menacing eyes warned the hardest nut not to mess with him. His dark brown hair was neatly cut and his clothes were expensive. He wore no jewellery, apart from an expensive watch, which cost more than Brady’s annual salary. They had shared a childhood together; if it could be called that. Madley had always looked out for him, up until the point Brady and his younger brother had been put into a children’s home. After that, Brady had considered himself lucky to even see anyone he recognised, including his brother, as he was shunted from one foster home to another throughout the North East. Both Brady and Madley had the same backgrounds, both had chosen a life of crime; Brady fighting it, Madley living it.

  ‘What the fuck’s going on, Martin? Why are you so interested in Jimmy?’

  Madley turned and looked out of the window.

  They stood in silence for a few moments watching the scavenging seagulls screeching over the remnants of a Thursday night in Whitley Bay. Curried chips and a half-eaten kebab were strewn across the pavement below, while pizza boxes and empty beer bottles littered the promenade.

  ‘Because he’s a copper. A bent copper at that,’ Madley finally answered.

  Brady looked uncertain as he thought it over.

  ‘I would have thought a bent copper would be in your favour?’

  Madley turned and looked Brady straight in the eye.

  ‘You’re right, up to the point he thought he could fuck me over,’ Madley stated menacingly.

  ‘Is it drugs?’ Brady asked, worried for Matthews.

  Madley was well-known for being one of the North East’s major drug dealers, but still the police couldn’t finger him. Anyone CID got close to always ended up dead before they had a chance to talk.

  ‘Is that what Matthews has on you?’ Brady questioned, unsure of whether he actually wanted to hear the answer.