by Keith Nixon
“So?”
“So the deal was twenty-four hours away from collapsing. Don’t you think it’s remarkable the Sunset then burns down, salvaging the whole thing?”
“The only aspect which sounds remarkable is your claim, Will. What proof do you have?”
“I’ve spoken to the owner’s daughter. She told me all about the offer from Jake. Threats and harassment too, apparently, after it was rejected.”
“Again, do you have any proof?”
“Isn’t the daughter’s word enough?”
“No. Do you have anything else?”
“Not yet. I thought you’d be interested. Isn’t this what the police are supposed to do? Investigate?”
Carslake got to his feet and leaned on the table, knuckles on the scratched formica, towering over Noble. “I don’t hear anything worthy of my time, frankly. Now, if you have something solid, I’ll happily investigate. Until then I’d suggest you stop spreading malicious rumours about Mr Armitage, otherwise you and I could be having a very different conversation.”
Noble blinked at Carslake. His mouth flapped open a couple of times but no words came out. Carslake opened the door and stood by it for a few moments until Noble got up and wandered out.
“This isn’t the last you’ll hear of this,” said Noble as he passed by.
Carslake grabbed Noble’s upper arm and squeezed. “You want to be arrested for wasting police time, Will? Be my guest.”
Noble shook Carslake off and left.
Outside, Carslake took out his mobile phone, called Jake, and told him what had happened.
“Is it true?” asked Carslake.
“That’s not your concern, Jeff. Your job is to keep people like Noble at bay. I’ll keep a closer eye on him from now on.”
Jake rang off, leaving Carslake in the dark.
Chapter 45
Now
At the halfway stage of the quiz, during a break to allow the participants to stock up on beer, Gray raised the matter. It was noisy, the chatter of a full pub talking about the questions so far. Nobody would overhear. Gray’s team was lying in fourth place, just a handful of points off the lead.
When Fowler returned with three pints Gray said, “Do either of you remember the fire which burned down the Sunset guest house?”
Fowler chugged his lager then nodded. “Sure. I wasn’t on duty that night, but I remember.”
“Why?” asked Carslake.
“There’s been an accusation that Jake was involved in burning down Noble’s office.”
“Based on what?”
“A claim that Noble made a connection between Jake and the Sunset fire ten years ago, and it got swept under the carpet. We were all working here at the time, but I was on leave.”
“What are you suggesting?” asked Fowler.
“Nothing, I just wanted to know if either of you knew of Noble making these claims?”
“Means nothing to me,” said Fowler.
“Apparently it’s related to Millstone Developments.”
Carslake gave Gray a tiny shake of the head which Fowler didn’t see.
“Who?” asked Fowler.
“They’re property developers.”
Carslake frowned. However, the quiz master chose that moment to pick up the microphone. His voice boomed through the loudspeakers. “All right, ladies and gentlemen, are you ready for the rest of the questions?” There was a resounding “yes!” from the tables, except Gray’s. “Then let’s get going! Question twenty-six …”
***
Forty minutes later and Fowler was totting up their results. “Bloody hell, what happened to us in the second half? We got hardly any right!”
“My fault,” said Gray. “I couldn’t think straight.”
“We’ll do better next time,” said Carslake.
“Want another?” Fowler raised his empty glass.
“I’m done,” said Gray.
“Me too,” said Carslake.
“Looks like I’m on my own, then. See you tomorrow.” Fowler went to the bar.
Gray followed Carslake out to his car. Carslake unlocked, got inside. Gray got in the passenger side.
“Why on earth did you bring up Noble and Millstone?” asked Carslake.
“Hamson and I spoke to Natalie Peace and Rachel O’Shea. Turns out they’re mother and daughter. Millstone is trying to buy the property their charity is located in. Noble was investigating Millstone. They’re convinced Noble was murdered to silence him. They’re also convinced Jake had a hand in the Sunset fire which killed their family. That’s why I brought it up.”
“Their family?”
“Natalie’s ex-husband and son died. Rachel was there at the time but happened to be outside when the fire started.”
“Horrible business.”
“You do remember it then?”
“Yes. Unfortunately. The sort of thing you’d like to forget.”
Gray waited for more; he didn’t get it. “You were there during the fire?”
“I was on duty, it was near the station. It shouldn’t come as a surprise.”
“Why did you stop me asking about Noble?”
“Do you trust me?”
Gray hesitated before he answered. “Of course I do.”
“Good.” If Carslake had noticed Gray’s hesitation, he made nothing of it. “This has to stay between us, okay?”
“Promise. Cross my heart.”
“First, I don’t know anything about Noble coming into the station about Jake. I seriously doubt he ever did. Noble was always seeing a story where there wasn’t one. Plus, later on, he had a vendetta against Jake. The Sunset fire brought down Noble’s newspaper, and he always tried to return the favour.”
“I know.”
“Second, Millstone is a sensitive subject. We think it’s being used as a vehicle to buy up large swathes of Margate. There’s a high-level investigation underway, very sensitive, very quiet. There may be some issues with local departments like planning. Bungs — stuff like that. Even I don’t know a great deal about it.”
“Jake’s the victim here?”
“They seem to be targeting him specifically, though he is the largest property owner in Thanet.”
“Jake mentioned that he’d been thinking of retiring and that he’d been made an offer on Seagram’s.”
“It’s entirely possible. Who could blame him for moving on? Look, we need to work together on this.”
“How?”
“You’ve gained the women’s trust, right?”
“I wouldn’t go that far.”
“You know them, though. I don’t.”
“Yes.”
“Then you need to keep them off Millstone and Jake for now.”
“I’m not sure I can. They’re pretty driven.”
“You have to. I don’t want them buggering up the investigation.”
“Why?”
“They’re biased. Their charity is under threat from Millstone, and they hold a grudge against Jake. That’s enough, isn’t it?”
“I’ll try.”
“And Hamson; she can’t know about the Millstone investigation either. Too sensitive.”
“I don’t like the sound of that, Jeff.”
“That’s how it has to be.”
Gray thought for a few moments, weighing everything up. He wasn’t sure where Carslake was going with this, but it felt best to be on the inside. “Okay.”
Carslake held out his hand. “It’s great spending time with you again, Sol. I’ve really missed it.”
Gray shook. Carslake grinned. Gray forced himself to do the same.
“See you tomorrow,” said Gray. He got out of the car and began to walk home through Broadstairs, plenty on his mind.
On the way, he sent Hamson a text.
Chapter 46
Hamson arrived at Gray’s flat five minutes after he did. He buzzed her in, left the front door ajar, and went to stand on the balcony. He listened to the beat of the waves until Hamson was
beside him.
“Want a coffee?” said Gray.
“Got anything stronger?”
“Just beer.”
“Coffee it is then.”
Gray left Hamson on the balcony while he made the drinks. He carried two mugs out, passed one over.
“How did it go?” she asked.
“Mike doesn’t know anything, and Carslake had a different perspective on the situation.”
Hamson snorted. “Well, he would. What bullshit did he feed you this time?”
“He didn’t recall Noble coming into the station, and I couldn’t find any record of him doing so either.”
“That doesn’t mean anything. Documents can be amended. Or not filed.”
“Carslake repeated that Noble loathed Jake too. Meaning he was biased against him.”
“Is that it?”
“Carslake also mentioned an investigation into Millstone and said I needed to trust him, that there were larger events going on behind the scenes.”
This time Hamson outright laughed. “Yes, like saving his career. God, the man has you twisted around his little finger!”
Gray had been about to give Hamson all the detail on the Millstone investigation but decided now to keep it to himself. She’d developed her own bias and because of that he felt he couldn’t trust her.
“Are you saying I’m compromised, Sol?” Hamson banged the coffee cup down on the table.
“Yes.”
“That makes two of us, then. You’re too close to Carslake and Jake. You can’t see what’s actually going on around you.” Gray didn’t appreciate the accusation; it went against everything he’d stood for in his police career. He bit down, felt his jaw muscles flex with the effort, counted to ten.
“I see very clearly.”
“Really? How much are you affected by your friendship with Carslake? What about that he’s helping you find Tom?”
“Irrelevant.”
“Is it? Has Carslake organised it so you can see this so-called witness yet?”
“No, but to be fair there hasn’t been a lot of chance.”
“Fair? What’s fair got to do with it? This is your son we’re talking about, and Carslake is dithering. Stop defending the indefensible and wake up, Sol!”
“Where’s the evidence?”
“God, listen to yourself!”
“We’re police, Yvonne; this is one of our own.”
“And what if I tell you I intend bringing in Jake tomorrow morning for the Sunset fire?”
“I’d say we don’t have the evidence to arrest him.”
“Jake will be helping with our investigation. Think of it as shaking the tree and watching what falls out.”
“Out of a job if you’re not careful, Von.”
“People died, Sol. It’s important they have justice.”
“This is wrong.”
“No, you’re wrong!”
“We’ll see about that.”
Hamson turned and left the flat. Gray knew he should go after her; reassure her that he was on her side. But he couldn’t bring himself to. He wasn’t certain of much right now. All he knew for sure was that his stomach was churning, and he felt sick yet again.
Chapter 47
When Gray got into the station the following morning, he headed for the canteen and grabbed a coffee. Yet again he couldn’t stomach any food. He’d had to notch his belt tighter today. His clothes were beginning to hang off him. Standing waiting to pay, he felt a nudge in his back.
“At last,” said Fowler. “Glad you’ve made it in.”
“What’s going on?”
“Yvonne brought Jake Armitage in last night. She’s questioning him now. The station is abuzz, haven’t you noticed?”
Gray hadn’t. Though — now Fowler mentioned it — there was an urgency and excitement in the canteen. Lots of smiles and laughter. He’d been too focused upon himself. “For what?”
“The Sunset fire.”
She’d done it then. “We should be focusing on trying to find Khoury, not this.”
“No argument from me, Sol.”
“How did Carslake react?”
Fowler shrugged. “I haven’t seen him yet. Here’s Yvonne, though.”
Hamson entered and made her way directly over to Gray. “A word,” she said. Fowler raised an eyebrow at Gray as Hamson spun away. Gray could read Hamson’s emotion like a book printed in an oversized font. Defiance was written all over her face.
“I hear Jake’s in custody,” said Gray.
“I had him brought in last night. We’ve just taken a break.”
“Are you getting anywhere?”
“No, he won’t answer any questions. He wants to speak with you.”
“Why?”
“He won’t say.”
A fact which was clearly niggling Hamson. Gray asked, “What room’s he in?”
Hamson didn’t answer immediately, just stared at Gray. “You’re too close to all of this, Jake. The case. You two are like best buddies.”
“Yeah, you said last night.”
“Carslake told me. All about Millstone, the investigation. Why didn’t you?”
“Honestly? I was about to until you went off on one again. And Carslake ordered me not to.”
“I’m your commanding officer. Don’t you trust me?”
“Of course, but Carslake’s both our commanding officers. What he says goes. That’s the chain, Von.”
Hamson leant forward, got right into Gray’s line of sight. “I know what you’re up to.”
“What are you talking about?” Gray was genuinely perplexed. He’d never seen Hamson like this.
“With Carslake. Trying to get shot of me. All for a promotion. I thought you of all people were beyond stepping on others to move up.”
“I’m not interested in your job.”
“That’s not what I hear.”
“From who?”
“The who doesn’t matter, it’s the why.”
“How many years have we worked together?”
“Almost four.”
“And in that time when have I ever done anything to undermine you?”
“Times and people change.”
“Someone’s lying to you.”
Hamson nodded. “You’re absolutely right, Sergeant Gray. The culprit is looking right at me.”
“Von, this is ridiculous. Listen to yourself. You’re paranoid.” As soon as he said it, Gray groaned inside. He’d gone too far.
Hamson stood up and leaned over him. “From now on, it’s Guv, Boss, or Ma’am. No more friendly first-name stuff. Get it?”
Gray nodded. “In spades.”
“About time you did. He’s in three.” Hamson walked out, leaving the wreckage of a friendship in her wake.
Chapter 48
Jake wasn’t alone. The lawyer, Neil Wright, sat beside him.
“I’ll leave you two on your own,” said Wright, offering his chair to Gray. “Remember my advice, Jake.”
“You don’t look happy, Sol,” said Jake as Wright closed the door. Jake was dishevelled, untidy, his hair a mess. As if he’d been up most of the night. “Is our history causing you some trouble with Inspector Hamson?”
“You wanted to speak to me.”
“Yes, I thought I owed it to you.”
“You don’t owe me anything.”
“For old time’s sake.”
“That’s irrelevant now.”
“When the interview restarts I’ll be confessing to the Sunset fire. I ordered the place burned down. The deaths of that family are on me.”
“Why now?”
“Regan’s passing has made me think a great deal.”
“I don’t believe you.”
Jake leaned forward. “And that’s why I wanted to talk before Hamson gets her claws in. This is necessary. There are bigger things going on here than just me.”
“Like what?”
“I’m asking you to drop your investigation into Regan’s death.”
“Because we used to be friends.”
“What’s McGavin’s connection to all of this? He must be involved somehow if Wright is representing you.”
“It doesn’t matter. Everything’s in motion now. You can’t stop it, Sol. That’s what I’m telling you. Let events take their course.”
“No.”
“Family’s important. I’ve never really been there for my kids, particularly not for Cameron. I spent all my time looking out for Regan. Well now it’s time to fix that. I’m going to be a grandfather. This is my chance to make it all right. I’ve signed my business over to Cameron, so he can provide for the child and Rachel.”
“Rachel O’Shea?”
“They’ve been an item for a while. I’m pleading with you to give Cameron a chance. I’m taking the fall for everything.” Jake held out a hand for Gray to shake. “Please, Sol. One last deal for me.”
Gray suddenly felt hot. “I’ll tell your lawyer to come back in.”
Jake let his hand fall, and Gray left. He went into the toilets and washed his face with cold water. It barely helped. He threw up into the sink, retching until there was no more in his stomach.
He looked at himself in the mirror. Pale, haggard, bloodshot eyes.
“You look like shit, Sol.” It was Fowler, standing in the doorway.
“Upset stomach.”
“That’s not what me and Von reckon. It’s not the first time you’ve been sick, is it?”
“I’m all right.”
“You’re not, Sol. I’ve known you for years. You’re a stubborn bastard. I’m telling you, get to a doctor.”
Gray knew Fowler was right. “I will. Soon.”
“Good. Meanwhile, we’ve got a body. You’ll want to see who it is.”
Chapter 49
“I can think of worse places to die,” said Fowler.
“There are plenty better, though,” replied Gray. He was standing above Khoury’s corpse, his eyes wide open, mouth clamped shut, as if he’d been straining at the moment something in his body snapped. Khoury was facing the sea, slumped at the rear of the old casino on the Ramsgate main bay. Once a grand building with plenty of money flowing through the doors, it now stood abandoned. Another relic of times past.