Taken to Die: A chilling crime thriller (DCI Danny Flint Book 4)

by Trevor Negus

  Ignoring the shouts from Treadgold’s father, she made her way up the steep flight of stairs to the small landing. There was only one door off the landing, and it was secured by a brand-new padlock.

  Rachel tried the door, but the padlock held firm. She placed her ear to the door and listened, trying to drown out the howls of protest from Mr Treadgold senior.

  Suddenly, she heard what sounded like a whimper from behind the padlocked door.

  She shouted, ‘Who’s in there?’

  The whimpering sound again.

  Rachel turned and ran down the stairs, back to the lounge.

  Bursting into the lounge, she said, ‘Boss, someone’s up there.’

  Brian said, ‘I know. We can hear him. His dad, right?’

  Rachel said, ‘No. I’m not talking about the old man. There’s an attic room above the bedrooms. Someone’s inside, but the door’s secured with a brand-new padlock on the outside.’

  In Darren Treadgold’s mind, he tried to make a sprint for the door.

  In reality, Fat Daz managed to take one waddling step towards the door.

  Brian grabbed his arm and said, ‘Who’s up there?’

  Panicking, Treadgold spluttered, ‘There’s nobody up there! Only my dad.’

  ‘Where’s the key for the padlock?’

  Treadgold shrugged.

  Brian took a set of handcuffs from his pocket and said, ‘Darren Treadgold, I’m arresting you on suspicion of abducting Emily Whitchurch. Now sit down!’

  As the steel handcuffs were tightened around Treadgold’s fat wrists, he began pleading with the detective. ‘You’re hurting me. These are too tight. I want a lawyer. Now.’

  Brian said, ‘Rachel, pass me your cuffs.’ Rachel handed over her handcuffs. He used Rachel’s cuffs to secure Treadgold to a radiator, preventing him from waddling off anywhere. He then said, ‘Show me the attic.’

  The two detectives made their way up both flights of stairs until they were standing on the small landing in front of the padlocked door.

  Brian shouted, ‘If there’s anybody in there, stand back from the door!’

  He then kicked the door near the padlock, splintering the wood around the hasp. The door flew open, and Rachel stepped inside the small attic room. In the half-light, she could see a mattress at one end of the room. On the mattress was a young girl sitting with her arms folded across her knees, which were drawn up to her chest. She had pulled the single blanket on the bed up to her face.

  All Rachel could see of the girl was her long blonde hair and blue eyes. The detective walked slowly towards the girl and said, ‘Don’t worry, Emily. I’m a police officer.’

  The girl lowered the blanket from her face, and in a voice little more than a croaky whisper, she said, ‘Thank God you’re here. Where’s the monster? And who’s Emily?’

  48

  8.00pm, 11 October 1986

  West Bridgford Police Station, Nottingham

  It had been three hours since Rachel and Brian had found the young girl in the attic room of Darren Treadgold’s house at Edwalton.

  The two detectives had called for urgent assistance at the house on Endsleigh Gardens. Within minutes, officers started to arrive. The first uniform officers on scene had transported Treadgold to West Bridgford Police Station. As other uniform staff attended, Brian had organised them with the local sergeant. Arrangements were made for the social services to attend and care for Treadgold’s elderly father. There was no way the old man could be left to care for himself at the house. Although Darren Treadgold left him to go to work, he was on hand to care for his basic needs at different times of the day. Without that care, the old man wouldn’t survive.

  Brian had also arranged for Scenes of Crime to attend and carry out a full forensic examination of the attic. A full search of the premises and Treadgold’s car would also be carried out later that night.

  Finally, Brian had contacted Danny Flint at the MCIU offices. He had informed him of the arrest of Treadgold and where he was now being held. Danny had immediately set off for West Bridgford Police Station to liaise with his detectives and to fully assess the development.

  During their telephone conversation, Brian had been adamant that he wanted to continue enquiries into the abduction and false imprisonment of the young girl they had rescued. Danny had insisted the enquiry should be carried out by divisional CID officers, as it was not within the remit of offences covered by the MCIU.

  Before setting off for West Bridgford, Danny had contacted Detective Inspector Gail Cooper and informed her of the arrest. First accounts from the girl suggested that the original offence of abduction had occurred on Mount Hooton Road, Hyson Green, which was within Cooper’s area.

  She had agreed with Danny that the offence should be investigated by detectives from divisional CID. She had then travelled to West Bridgford Police Station, along with two of her senior detectives, to commence enquiries.

  In the small office usually occupied by the uniform inspector at West Bridgford nick, Danny was in animated conversation with Brian and Gail Cooper.

  Brian said, ‘I still think we should carry on with the investigation, boss. There’s something really nasty about Treadgold; he’s so cold and calculating. I just wonder how many times he’s done this.’

  Gail responded testily, ‘Brian, I’ve known you for a long time, and I know you’re not intending to disrespect me. But can’t you see that’s exactly what you’re doing? My officers are more than capable of dealing with Treadgold in a thoroughly professional and diligent manner.’

  Brian flushed a little and said, ‘That’s not what I meant, Gail, and you know it. I just think with all the resources on the MCIU, we could look into him that much deeper, that’s all.’

  Danny poured oil on troubled waters. ‘The decision’s already been made. Gail’s team will take on the Treadgold enquiries.’

  He then turned to Gail, saying, ‘That said, Gail, if you find that you need extra resources for anything, just call me, okay?’

  ‘Thank you, sir.’

  Danny turned back to Brian and said, ‘So who is the girl in the attic?’

  Brian said, ‘Her name’s Theresa Stanhope. She’s just fourteen.’

  Danny said, ‘I know Rachel’s travelled with her to the hospital, but what’s the early disclosure from Theresa?’

  ‘As soon as uniform backup arrived at the house, we brought the girl back here to the police station to wait for the ambulance. I thought it was better to do that than keep her at that house of horrors for one second longer. She was very talkative as we drove from Edwalton back to the nick. I’m positive she’ll have carried on chatting to Rachel at the hospital.’

  Gail Cooper interjected, ‘I’ve sent DC Jenny Hirst to meet Rachel and the girl at the hospital. That way, we can ensure there’s continuity of any disclosure the girl may make. Jenny’s an extremely competent detective, who’s dealt with numerous child abuse cases. Theresa Stanhope will be in good hands.’

  Danny nodded towards Brian. ‘Go on.’

  ‘Theresa has no idea how long she’s been missing. From comments she made to us about the weather and what lessons she had on the day she was taken, it sounds like she was probably abducted on the same afternoon as Emily Whitchurch.’

  Gail Cooper said, ‘Did she say anything about the actual abduction?’

  ‘She said that she was a little late getting out of school, so she was on her own. I forgot to say, she attends the Manning School for Girls on Gregory Boulevard, not the high school. Anyway, she was late leaving school, and as she began walking over the Forest Recreation Ground, the heavens opened, and in no time at all she was soaking wet. She walked onto Mount Hooton Road and was walking up the hill towards Forest Road East when a big green car pulled up beside her. Theresa says she thought she recognised the man in the car. So when he asked if she wanted a lift, she readily accepted and jumped in the car, to get out of the rain. She remembers putting her seat belt on, but that’s it. Her next memory i
s waking up in that bloody attic.’

  There was a knock on the office door, and Rachel Moore walked in.

  Danny said, ‘How’s the girl?’

  ‘I think the enormity of what’s happened is hitting her now. DC Hirst is still with her at the hospital. Theresa’s made disclosure to us that she’s been sexually assaulted by Treadgold. It happened while she was being held prisoner in the attic. The poor girl’s now undergoing the full sexual offences examination by the police surgeon, to ascertain the extent of the assault. Theresa’s intimated to us that it was touching only. Her parents have arrived at the hospital and are with her now.’

  ‘How’s mum and dad?’

  ‘Relieved that their daughter’s now safe and well. They’re also extremely angry and upset. Everything you would expect them to be, boss.’

  Danny said, ‘Brian, Rachel, I want you to find DI Cooper’s team and talk everything through with them thoroughly. I want them to have the full picture about Treadgold; this monster needs putting away. There’s a further briefing on the Whitchurch enquiry at Mansfield, nine o’clock tomorrow morning. Make sure you’re there. Great work today, both of you.’

  Brian and Rachel stood up and walked out, closing the door behind them.

  As soon as the two detectives had left the room, Gail said, ‘Brian hasn’t changed one bit. Always wanting to hammer down the bad guy, never quite seeing the big picture.’

  Danny replied, ‘I wouldn’t have him any other way. Don’t forget it was those very instincts that enabled him to find that poor girl in the first place.’

  ‘I didn’t mean it as a criticism. He’s just a force of nature sometimes. Do you know what’s really disconcerting about all this? If there hadn’t been such a fuss made about Emily Whitchurch going missing, it’s almost certain that Theresa Stanhope would still be in that bloody attic, enduring God knows what at Treadgold’s hands.’

  ‘Don’t think that thought hadn’t crossed my mind too. I’m just glad she’s been found and that she’s now safe.’

  ‘Emily Whitchurch is still out there somewhere, though.’

  Danny grimaced. ‘I know, Gail. I’m going straight back to Mansfield nick; I’ve still got a lot of work to do before I go home. Do me a favour?’

  ‘What’s that?’

  ‘Make sure this bastard Treadgold gets potted!’

  ‘From where I’m sitting, looks like abduction, false imprisonment, assault and indecency offences. I think he’ll be going away for a long time.’

  As Danny made his way back to the car park, his mind was in turmoil. He was overjoyed that Theresa Stanhope had been rescued, but part of him dearly wished that Brian had found Emily Whitchurch in that attic room.

  He felt empty.

  All he could do now was wait and hope that the writer of the ransom note got in touch with Rebecca Whitchurch again soon.

  49

  9.00am, 12 October 1986

  MCIU Offices, Mansfield, Nottinghamshire

  Danny sat in his office, sipping a hot coffee. He had managed a few hours’ sleep and felt refreshed. His mood had changed from the gut-wrenching disappointment he had felt the night before to one of optimism.

  He had to take the positives from yesterday. It was a massive bonus that his team had been responsible for finding Theresa Stanhope and arresting Darren Treadgold. He would make sure that the chief constable knew exactly who had found Theresa Stanhope and how they had done it.

  He had worked late last night, preparing the report for Detective Chief Superintendent Potter. The figures in the report were impressive. He felt optimistic about being able to convince the new chief constable that the MCIU were still very much a worthwhile and cost-effective resource.

  If he could just locate Emily Whitchurch and return her safely to her parents, that would be the icing on the cake.

  He took another sip of coffee and mentally chastised himself for starting to think like Potter. The most important thing was finding the missing girl, safe and well. Nothing else really mattered.

  He picked up his briefing book in one hand and half-full coffee mug in the other and walked into the briefing room.

  Rob Buxton and Brian Hopkirk were already seated at the front of the assembled MCIU.

  Danny took the seat between them, looked across to Andy Wills and said, ‘Did you have any joy at Mansfield Woodhouse last night?’

  Andy Wills stood up and said, ‘I’m afraid not. If anybody does know where Sam Jamieson has moved to, they didn’t want to tell me.’

  ‘Doesn’t he have a probation officer?’

  ‘No, sir. He served his full sentence. There’s no probation order or licence involved with his release. Like I told you yesterday, for the last few years at Armley, he was a model prisoner.’

  ‘Okay. I want you to go back to Mulberry, with DC Paine, this morning and get through the remaining files as quick as you can. Then I want both of you to concentrate fully on tracking down Sam Jamieson. How long will you need at Mulberry?’

  ‘Two of us will get it done in a couple of hours.’

  ‘Right. Get that enquiry bottomed out, and then concentrate on Jamieson. This is a top priority. I want this man located as soon as possible, okay?’

  ‘Yes, boss.’

  Danny then said, ‘Who’s been tasked with finding any possible CCTV?’

  DC Martin Harper stood up and said, ‘I made a start on that yesterday, sir.’

  ‘Okay, Martin. What can you tell us?’

  ‘I spent all day yesterday walking the streets around the area Emily Whitchurch went missing. I’ve checked every route she could have taken between Nottingham High School for Girls and Alpha Terrace. There are several possible ways she could have walked to Alpha Terrace. I’ve walked them all twice and, unfortunately, I haven’t located a single camera.’

  Danny shook his head; this was a blow.

  He looked at Martin. ‘Is there anywhere else left to look?’

  ‘The only other place left is the bus station. I’m checking what buses, if any, run along Forest Road East. Sometimes the drivers have small security cameras fitted in the cabs.’

  ‘Let me know if you find anything. Thanks for your efforts.’

  ‘Sir, there is one more thing.’

  ‘Go on.’

  ‘Yesterday, while I was walking the routes, I also concentrated on the most likely spots for an abduction. There’s one spot on Forest Road East, opposite the cemetery, where there’s a row of derelict garages. Some have doors on, but most have the doors open or hanging off the hinges. That stretch is almost seventy yards long. There are no streetlights at all in that area, so at night it would be pitch black. Is it worth setting up a witness trawl one evening around the same time as the girl went missing?’

  ‘Normally, it would be a very good idea. This case is under a media blackout, though, so our hands are tied for now. I’m not doubting your word for one second, Martin, but I want you to recheck all the routes again today. I know it’s tedious, but anything you can find from CCTV could be vital.’

  ‘No problem, sir. I’ll get straight on it.’

  Danny said, ‘I’ve already been on the phone with Chief Inspector Chambers from the Special Operations Unit this morning. There’s nothing to report from the observations team on Richmond Drive.’

  Danny then said, ‘Brian, can you let the team know about the information you obtained from the au pair yesterday, please?’

  Brian coughed once to clear his throat, then said, ‘Myself and Rachel reinterviewed Alina Moraru at her boyfriend’s flat. From what she told us, it seems Emily was very much a loner. Unpopular at school, somebody with no real friends. Alina also told us that Emily was keen to experiment with drugs. She said that on a couple of occasions, Emily had asked if her boyfriend could score some cannabis for her.’

  Danny said, ‘Any reason she didn’t let Emily’s parents know about this drug issue?’

  ‘Alina said that Rebecca Whitchurch is very aloof and unapproachable. Basically
, she feared that if she’d said anything about drugs, she would have been sacked.’

  ‘Did you speak to the boyfriend as well?’

  ‘Alina’s boyfriend is another Romanian national, Florin Chirilov. He has a record here, for petty theft and handling. He’s very protective of Alina and does have some anger issues. He seemed totally disinterested in our questions about the missing girl. He was listening, though, because he became angry very quickly when he thought Alina was being blamed for her disappearance. He dislikes Rebecca Whitchurch intensely.’

  Danny turned to the assembled detectives and said, ‘There has been no further contact from the kidnapper overnight, so unless anyone else has anything else to add, that’s it for now.’

  He paused, but nobody said a word.

  After waiting for a few seconds, Danny said, ‘Before you all get on with your allocated tasks, I just want to tell you about the outstanding work by DI Hopkirk and DC Moore yesterday. As a direct result of their diligent enquiries on this case, a young fourteen-year-old girl reported as missing from home was rescued from an attic in Edwalton, where she was being held captive by a sex offender. This was great work and reflects well on this department. That’s it, everybody. Crack on and let’s see if we can locate Emily Whitchurch today.’

  Danny stood and walked back into his office, followed by his two detective inspectors.

  As soon as they closed the door, Brian grinned and said, ‘Bloody hell, boss, that was a bit embarrassing.’

  Danny said, ‘It was great work, Brian. You and Rachel both deserve credit. It also served as a kick up the arse for any detectives out there who don’t think they should be dealing with a missing-from-home case.’

  Rob said, ‘Nobody out there’s thinking like that.’

  ‘Rob, I can’t stress how important it is that we, the MCIU, find this girl. I feel like a piece of crap to keep harping on it. I know that our survival shouldn’t be my driving force, but I’ve just got a gnawing feeling in my gut that if we don’t find her, this department’s days are numbered.” He paused. Then said, ‘Have you heard me? I’m even starting to sound like that prick Potter.’