Gallows Drop

by Mari Hannah

‘I know you stood up to him, but he’ll be back. You know it and so do I. What did he mean when he said you were setting him up?’

  ‘He’s talking bollocks, like always. Trust me, I’ve met plenty of guys like him. You can’t believe a word he says.’

  ‘I do trust you, but it goes both ways. You have to learn to trust me too.’

  ‘C’mon.’ He pulled her closer. ‘Don’t let’s argue. And don’t let that wanker get to you either. You’re safe with me.’

  ‘Do you trust me? Because, sometimes, it doesn’t feel like it.’

  Chris put his hand on his heart, forcing her to smile. He reached towards her for a kiss, the light leaving his eyes as the focus of his attention switched to something he’d seen over her shoulder. The sudden change in attitude scared her. He pulled away. ‘You lying cow! You said you hadn’t talked to him.’

  Beth recoiled. ‘I haven’t!’

  ‘Oh no?’

  Beth turned around, her eyes seizing on her father who was fast approaching up the steep incline from the car park, another detective a few metres ahead of him. Shoving her to the ground, Chris grabbed his stuff and ran.

  28

  Kate glanced nervously at her watch. It was almost five. She’d been searching every place she could think of: Atkins’ home, Beth’s mother’s house, the hospital where Diane Casey was a patient, to no avail. Although she’d been there earlier, Beth was nowhere to be found. The couple of hours she’d asked for to bring Collins in had long since expired. She wasn’t answering her mobile and Atkins hadn’t reappeared.

  In desperation, Kate rang him again. As before, she got his message service. ‘It’s Daniels again. We need to talk. Please call me.’

  ‘He’s due to hold the briefing soon.’ Hank said, as she put the phone down.

  ‘If he turns up . . . He didn’t last night. Doesn’t seem to matter that he’s the SIO.’

  ‘Better get your stab-proof vest on, just in case.’

  ‘Don’t joke.’ The phone rang in her hand.

  ‘Is it him?’

  Kate nodded, lifting the phone to her ear. ‘Finally!’ she said. ‘Where the hell have you been? We need to talk urgently.’

  ‘Never mind where I’ve been.’ He sounded pissed off. ‘Where are you?’

  ‘In my office.’

  ‘Stay put!’ he barked.

  ‘Before you go, I want you to know—’

  The line was cut.

  Kate’s eyes found Hank’s. ‘The bastard hung up on me.’

  Before he had a chance to reply, the door behind him burst open and Atkins appeared, as angry as Kate had ever seen him. Knowing what he was capable of, this made her uneasy. Seeing her wariness, Hank swivelled his seat round to face the door, anticipating trouble.

  ‘Out!’ Atkins barked. ‘And close the door behind you.’

  Hank glanced at Kate.

  She nodded that he should leave.

  He didn’t hurry to get to his feet. Eventually he made the door. Behind Atkins’ back, he mouthed: I’ll be right outside. Kate didn’t need telling that he planned to earwig the conversation, to be on hand if things turned nasty.

  As the door clicked shut, Atkins stood there, eyeing her in a state of high agitation. She managed not to flinch as he made a sudden move towards her, lifted the landline from its cradle and dumped it on her desk, ensuring that they wouldn’t be disturbed.

  ‘I want Beth kept out of this,’ he said.

  ‘You know that’s not possible. She’s a material witness.’

  ‘I don’t give a shit. You will not associate my name or hers with shite. Beth has enough on her plate—’

  ‘With respect, that doesn’t change things.’

  ‘She’s my daughter!’

  ‘Same goes. I assume you’ve had words.’

  ‘Since when did my family become your business?’

  Kate thought of a slick answer but kept it to herself. She tried to stay calm, hoping that if she did, he might. He might. She invited him to sit but he remained standing, towering over her.

  ‘If you’re worried that Beth’s attendance at the scene will reflect on you personally,’ Kate said, ‘I can assure you it won’t. We had a good long talk, Beth and I. If she’s telling the truth – and I have no reason to suspect otherwise – her only involvement on Saturday night was as peacemaker. She’s a sensible girl. She tried to stop the fight. She wasn’t part of it. Even so, you’re going to have to pull the plug on this one. You know the victim and at least one eyewitness. You’re far too close to lead this investigation.’

  ‘Stay out of this, Daniels. I’m warning you—’

  ‘It would be so much better if it came from you. Naylor is a reasonable man, I don’t think—’

  ‘I don’t give a fat rat’s arse what you think!’

  ‘I’m giving you the chance to come clean. If you don’t, I’ll do it for you.’

  He glowered at her.

  ‘For God’s sake, man! Just once in your life, try listening to reason. Beth should have come forward, of course she should, but she witnessed a fight, not a murder. She claims the IP was injured and fully conscious when she left Elsdon on Saturday with Collins. She thought, wrongly as it turned out, that someone else was calling an ambulance. She didn’t know Elliott had died until she saw it on your computer and later on TV.’

  He seemed to take that in. He closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose, clearly under pressure. ‘Silly bitch! She should have said something – to me.’

  ‘Give her a break. She’s young and scared. So she legged it. You’re her dad and a policeman. You’re not the easiest person to get along with. It’s hardly surprising she finds you unapproachable, is it? And before you start yelling at me again, that wasn’t a dig. If you don’t engage with her, you’ll lose her.’

  Before he could reply, the mobile on Kate’s desk beeped. She glanced at the phone. An incoming text from Jo:

  I’m in the incident room. Last-minute admin if you can get away. I was thinking pre-holiday drink. X

  Ignoring the message, Kate kept her concentration on Atkins, hoping to get through without him losing his temper again. Not a hope in hell, she thought, as he exploded. She half expected him to vault the desk and lamp her one. His angry outburst went on for several minutes . . .

  ‘So, are we clear?’ He pointed his finger rudely. ‘This is not your concern. If you think for one minute I’m going to stand by and let my daughter be dragged down by the likes of Chris Collins, you’re sadly mistaken.’

  ‘She’s used to it. I’m sure she’ll survive.’

  ‘You want me to beg? Is that it?’

  ‘Did I say that?’ Kate’s mobile beeped again.

  He barked at her to switch it off.

  Jo again:

  One more sleep!!!

  When a third text arrived, Atkins’ yelling got louder. ‘I asked you to switch that damned thing off.’

  ‘No,’ she said. ‘You demanded that I switch it off. There’s a difference. And therein lies your problem. You’d get a lot more cooperation if you weren’t so bloody difficult to work with.’ She picked up the device and read the text to make her point, then slung it on the desk. ‘Collins handed himself in. I’ll handle it.’

  ‘Over my dead body.’ He was almost smirking. ‘This conversation isn’t over, so don’t go anywhere.’ He left the room, slamming the door behind him, Hank appearing in his place a second later. Kate’s last day had just got a whole lot worse.

  29

  The prisoner was waiting patiently in the interview room when Atkins arrived, DS Grant keeping him company. The SIO pulled out a chair and sat down directly opposite Collins. Switching on the tape recorder, he got straight down to business. ‘The time is five o-five p.m. on Monday, 13 October 2014. We are in interview room one at Morpeth police station. I’m Detective Chief Inspector James Atkins, Northumbria Police. Also present is Detective Sergeant Colin Grant.’ He eyeballed Collins. ‘Please state your name.’

  C
ollins sat there, chewing the skin around his fingernails. Didn’t answer.

  He was a handsome lad with deep-set eyes and a strong jawline. It was obvious he’d slept in his clothes. They were creased, wet and muddy in places, where he’d slithered around in the field at Boe Rigg campsite, DS Grant in hot pursuit. A fine runner he was too – like a whippet. The young detective had no chance keeping up and had finally lost him in the thick of a forest.

  ‘I asked you to state your name,’ Atkins snapped.

  ‘What for?’ Collins said, boldly. ‘You know who I am.’

  ‘I need a verbal response for the tape.’ Atkins hated this kid with a passion, couldn’t bear the thought of him anywhere near his daughter. ‘Answer the question. I need your full name.’

  ‘Christopher Collins. My friends call me Chris.’

  Atkins nodded to Grant, his cue to administer the caution.

  ‘You do not have to say anything . . .’ Grant began.

  ‘Hey!’ Collins sat up straight, almost off his chair. ‘What’s with the caution? I handed myself in.’

  ‘Your voluntary attendance is noted,’ Atkins said. ‘Surprising though it was, given that you ran away from us earlier. DS Grant, carry on.’

  Grant started again. ‘Mr Collins, you do not have to say anything, but it may harm your defence if you do not mention, when questioned, something which you later rely on in court. Anything you do say may be given in evidence. Do you understand?’

  ‘I’m not stupid.’

  ‘You have declined to have a solicitor present,’ Atkins said. ‘Is that correct?’

  ‘Why would I need one? I’ve done nowt wrong.’

  ‘That is yet to be determined.’

  ‘Get on with it then. I haven’t got all day.’

  Atkins mocked him, leaving him in no doubt that he’d be the judge of that. He had every intention of keeping him in the station and away from his daughter for as long as humanly possible. He’d teach the toerag a lesson he’d never forget. ‘You appreciate that you’re here in view of a serious incident that occurred on the evening of Saturday, 11 October 2014?’

  ‘I had nothing to do with that.’

  ‘You deny being in Elsdon village on that date?’

  ‘No, I was there. I meant the other thing, the stuff that was on TV.’

  ‘You mean his murder.’

  Collins gave a nod.

  ‘I see. Well, I’ll come to that in due course. For the moment, I’m more interested in what went on earlier that evening. A reliable source has indicated that you were involved in a fight in Elsdon village after the Alwinton show.’

  ‘I didn’t start it.’

  ‘Did I accuse you?’

  ‘No.’ Collins sat on his hands, a ploy to keep them still, his boldness melting away. ‘I’m just saying, I wasn’t the instigator.’

  ‘You were there though, weren’t you, arguing with Elliott Foster?’

  ‘Yes.’

  ‘If you didn’t start the fight, who did?’

  ‘Not me, I swear. That was someone else. Ask Beth if you don’t believe me.’

  The reference to his daughter wasn’t entirely unexpected. Even so, Atkins felt the blood drain from his face. Daniels was right. It was madness to think that Beth’s name wouldn’t come up in the course of the enquiry. The SIO could feel Grant’s eyes boring into him, urging him to develop the interview based on Collins’ response, specifically this Beth girl he’d never heard of until a moment ago.

  Atkins took a moment to consider his options. A damage-limitation exercise was called for. Before he could react, there was a sharp knock at the door.

  The handle turned and Hank entered the room like he meant business.

  Immediately on his guard, Atkins wondered if he and Daniels had been watching the interview, such as it was, without his knowledge from another room. He spoke for the tape: ‘Detective Sergeant Hank Gormley has entered the room.’ Their eyes met. ‘This had better be good.’

  ‘It might not be good. It’s certainly urgent. Detective Chief Superintendent Bright is in the building, sir. He wants to see you.’

  ‘Now?’

  ‘I’m afraid so.’ Hank turned his attention to Collins, apologizing to the lad for the interruption, telling him he’d be taken to a holding cell until the interview could reconvene.

  ‘You can’t be serious,’ Atkins said. ‘I’m mid-interview.’

  ‘Not any more.’ Hank’s expression was unreadable but there was no mistaking the derision in his voice.

  Atkins curled his fist into a ball. Gormley was enjoying himself. As Daniels’ second-in-command, his loyalty was to her. His job was to make her life easier. Atkins intended to do the opposite. As soon as she was out of his hair, he’d show Gormley the error of his ways and knock some respect into him. He’d be begging for mercy in no time.

  ‘Please convey my apologies to the head of CID. Let him know that I’m conducting an important interview in connection with a major incident and that I’ll be with him as soon as I’m done.’

  Hank stood his ground. ‘The Detective Chief Superintendent is well aware of that. He was quite clear that you should terminate the interview forthwith. He said to tell you that he’s waiting in my guv’nor’s office and is expecting you to join him right away.’

  Atkins’ jaw bunched. He was rising to his feet when Kate walked in. She leaned across the table, announcing her arrival for the tape and for Collins’ benefit. Shooting her a hacky look, Atkins told Collins he’d be back and then barged past her out of the door, disappearing into the corridor beyond.

  Detective Chief Superintendent Bright was waiting in Naylor’s office. The most senior detective in the force struck a formidable figure behind a substantial desk that was facing the door. He didn’t look up and Atkins didn’t quite know where to put himself. He knew he was in trouble and waited for the dressing down.

  ‘Sir, you wanted to see me?’

  Now Bright looked up. ‘Have you completely lost your senses, Atkins?’

  ‘Guv?’ Atkins stood firm, feet slightly apart, meeting his boss’s eyes across the desk. Try as he might to keep his emotions in check, he was powerless to stop the heavy rise and fall of his chest due to the anxiety he was feeling. ‘I was interviewing a suspect, sir. I asked DS Gormley to advise you of that. He seemed to think it couldn’t wait.’

  ‘It couldn’t.’ Bright sat back in his chair, arms folded, all powerful. ‘In case it passed you by, you’re conducting a high-profile murder investigation. You have the eyes and ears of the local and national press upon you and yet I have it on good authority that you have a conflict of interest that could jeopardize a conviction if not disclosed. I don’t need to tell you what the CPS will think of that.’

  ‘Guv, it’s—’

  ‘It’s basis procedure. That’s what it is. What the hell were you thinking?’

  ‘Daniels had no right to go over my head.’

  ‘Daniels has a rank. Use it!’

  ‘My apologies, I meant DCI Daniels.’

  ‘For your information, Kate Daniels is the best murder detective on this force, handpicked by me. You’d do well to remember that. She had to come to me. If she hadn’t, I’d have had something to say about it.’

  ‘I can explain—’

  ‘I’m delighted to hear it. And while you’re doing so, perhaps you’d like to enlighten me on another matter.’

  ‘Sir?’

  ‘Don’t play the innocent with me. You began work two days earlier than instructed. Who gave you the authority?’

  Atkins hesitated, suddenly wary.

  ‘Well?’

  ‘I was keen to make a good impression, guv. That’s all.’

  ‘So you took it upon yourself to cancel your leave?’ Bright played the smiling assassin well. ‘Why don’t I believe you?’

  ‘You should, guv. I’ve waited more years than most for the opportunity to run a murder investigation—’

  ‘And we both know why, don’t we?’ Atkins f
elt the hairs on his neck stand up as Bright carried on. He was not a man to mess with or interrupt mid-flow. ‘I was scraping the barrel bringing you in to replace DCI Daniels. You weren’t required until after she went on leave. I signed the request myself, adding a handwritten note to that effect.’

  ‘I’m sorry, I didn’t see it.’

  ‘You’re a liar!’

  ‘No, guv, I promise you. There was no ulterior motive. MIT is the department with more kudos than any other. I just wanted to get my feet under the desk and get to know the squad, I swear.’

  ‘Bollocks. If I give an order, I expect it to be followed.

  You’re back on normal duties.’

  ‘Guv?’

  ‘You heard me.’

  ‘Will you hear me out?’

  ‘I did.’ Bright wasn’t finished. ‘Go near that case again and you’ll be spending the rest of your days in Sunderland wearing stripes and a funny blue hat – which is where you are probably best suited. Is that clear enough for you?’

  ‘Guv, that’s unfair. It was never my intention to put the case in jeopardy—’

  ‘So why did you?’ Bright held up a hand to silence him before he could say another word. ‘Don’t waste your breath, Atkins. You are no longer part of the Murder Investigation Team. You’re out. DCI Daniels is in. That’s all I have to say on the matter. You can go.’

  Atkins held his position. ‘She’s going on leave, guv.’

  ‘She is going nowhere until I say so. You could learn a lot from her. Policing is and always has been her number one priority. She’ll understand when I tell her I cancelled her leave. Know why? Because she’s a professional, that’s why. Unlike you.’

  Bright closed the file in front of him and stuffed it in his briefcase, signalling the end of the conversation. Atkins didn’t move. He didn’t know what to do or say to make him change his mind. He couldn’t bear to walk away with his career in tatters and let Daniels get one over on him. He had to persuade the guv’nor to let him continue . . .

  But how?

  Bright lifted his eyes but not his head, ending the impasse. ‘I’ve made my decision. You can leave. You’d be wise to do so while you still have a job.’