Reprobates

by Bridgestock, RC

  Jen withheld judgement. ‘You mean I’ll manage.’

  ‘Yeah, well. But it’s what you do best... manage,’ he said with a smile. ‘I’m going to get off early. I want to call in at the vet before I go to work. I want to know what the score is with Max.’

  ‘Be a love and get Maisy up whilst I start breakfast will you?’ she said, throwing her legs out of bed.

  ‘Do I have to do everything?’ he asked, with a grin. Jen put her dressing gown on and walked back towards the bed. She bent down to kiss him. ‘Yes.’

  ***

  Max was lying still in his cage. ‘He’s lost weight,’ Dylan said to Sam Gouldthorp. ‘I thought by now he’d be on his feet wagging his tail?’

  ‘It’s a bit too early for that,’ she said. ‘But we’re hopeful you will be soon, aren’t we old boy?’ Sam opened the cage door and reached in. Max moved his head towards her hand. ‘We think he might have ingested an application of coumarins, they’re a group of plant-derived polyphenolic compounds which belong to the benzopyrones family. They are commonly found in this country in rodenticide. We are treating him accordingly. You wife says he doesn’t chase rodents and doesn’t know how he may have ingested rat poison, have you any ideas where he might have come across it?’

  Dylan shook his head.

  ‘The other explanation is that he may have taken a pharmaceutical application such as an analgesic. Do either of you take Warfarin?’

  Dylan shook his head. ‘He is going to be okay, isn’t he?’

  ‘It could have easily proved fatal, however, we are very pleased with how he is responding to treatment. He is showing signs of improvement.’

  ‘He is?’ Dylan said looking at the dog’s hooded eyes.

  The vet nodded.

  ‘I’ll take your word for it,’ Dylan said.

  ***

  Dylan’s mobile phone rang as he opened the door to leave the surgery. ‘Sergeant Megnicks, sir. Just to let you know the bicycle we found on Watergate Road? Fingerprints have been lifted off the “For Sale” notice and we’re going out to take elims from the owner today. Whether the job’s connected or not is another matter but we may be lucky enough to catch the thief at least.’

  ‘It’s highly probable due to the isolated location that the bike was stolen, and that whoever did take it fled on the canal towpath that connects the two incidents though, doesn’t it?’

  ‘It does.’

  ‘Thanks, I’m impressed,’ said Dylan.

  ***

  Kirsty Gallagher’s home was under intense scrutiny. Nothing would be left to chance. How many people did Dylan know that would honestly have the balls to break into a mortuary at night and take a body? Not many. This was no ordinary burglary. The jigsaw had to begin with the deceased and her life. The old investigators’ saying find out how a dead person lived, and you’ll find out why they died, was a good place to start.

  The investigative team’s first briefing was at ten a.m.

  ‘Paul, leave the officers searching at Kirsty Gallagher’s and return for the briefing. I want to ensure all the staff have the up to date information from you,’ Dylan said.

  ***

  Once everyone was assembled, Dylan chaired the briefing and outlined the discovery of Kirsty’s body at her home.

  ‘There were no obvious signs of a cause of death, I am told by DC Granger.’ Ned Granger nodded his head. ‘He attended the scene as the night detective. Her body, as we know, was taken from the mortuary before her post-mortem and at the moment its whereabouts is still unknown.’

  ‘What else can you tell us about the ongoing search of her home, Paul?’ Dylan said.

  Detective Sergeant Paul Robinson was a little hesitant at the start of his speech but his confidence soon grew. Dylan watched him with pride. He was more than capable of doing his new role and he covered all the salient points. ‘Somebody has taken the time to put clean sheets on the bed. There was no dirty washing in the washer or the laundry basket and her bins had been emptied and washed out. In my view, someone didn’t want us to know they had been there. We have found no mobile phones at the address and it appears that a gas pipe in her lounge where she was found dead has been interfered with.’

  Dylan concluded the briefing. ‘I want to know if she has a vehicle and if so where is it? When did she last use her bank card? I, too, think someone out there doesn’t want us to know about their relationship with the deceased. My instinct is that she has been murdered and the offender or offenders have cleaned up afterwards. I also think whoever it is has been involved in the removal of her body from the mortuary before the post-mortem to be sure we didn’t find out how she died. We are looking for someone who has thought about their actions and carefully planned this act. They think they’ve got all eventualities covered and now it’s up to us to find where they’ve made a mistake and bring them to justice.’

  The team started to disperse. ‘Paul, my office, please. I want to go over some details with you.’

  The two men sat opposite each other. ‘Which enquiries are you marking priority?’ Dylan said.

  ‘House-to-house, medical records, financial background, her occupation and workplace. Also, we need to find out who her friends were. We have no information of any immediate family.’

  ‘When was Kirsty Gallagher last seen alive and by whom? Did she have a mobile phone? If so what was her phone number? Who was the service provider? Is it still being used? If so, where is it?’ Dylan said without taking a breath. ‘They’re all urgent enquiries. The sooner we find who did this the more chance we have of recovering her body.’ Dylan pushed his chair back and stood up. He paced the office, stopping at the window for a minute to look out into the yard. He saw PC Fearne Robinson in full uniform standing directly outside. Dylan could hear her muffled voice. She appeared to be in deep conversation over the airwaves when he saw a blue-grey pigeon flutter down onto the windowsill between her and the window frame. The officer was so engrossed she wasn’t distracted by the bird. Within seconds a marked police car entered the car park, picked her up and exited in haste, with blue flashing light and the sirens sounding. The bird watched all that was happening, waited until they had gone before flying away.

  Dylan caught Paul watching him. ‘What?’ Dylan said.

  ‘You remind me of a caged animal.’

  ‘I think better on my feet.’

  Paul Robinson got up to leave. Dylan was still thoughtful. He looked over his shoulder when he heard Paul open the door.

  ‘As you pass ask the girls where my coffee is?’ he asked.

  ‘Only you could say that and get away with it. I’ve seen many others try and get a mouthful of abuse. How’d you do it?’

  Dylan winked in his direction.

  Dylan was still at the window when Lisa knocked on his door with a cup in her hand. ‘Tea money’s due,’ she said holding out her hand as she put the mug on the desk. Dylan reached into his pocket to extract his wallet and gave her a five pound note.

  ‘You only owe me a quid.’

  ‘The amount I drink?’ he asked. ‘Anyway I get waitress service, well worth the extra.’

  ‘Thanks,’ she said, smiling before heading back into the main office. She left the door ajar. ‘Nice to be appreciated sir,’ she said. Dylan saw Ned Granger flash one finger in the air at her. ‘Ned!’ growled Dylan.

  Tea, coffee, milk, sugar it all had to be bought. There was no police fund for visitors either, hence it all came out of the team’s pocket. Dylan knew some people took it for granted; a big mistake in his book. His telephone rang.

  ‘Sergeant Megnicks, sir. We’ve got a prolific shoplifter called Kyle Russell in the cells and the custody officer tells me he has a wallet in his possession that doesn’t belong to him. Of more interest to us is that he says he found it at the side of the canal where it had been left with a pile of clothing. He’s also admitting stealing the bike from Tandem Bridge. He’s told us he’s looking for a way back into prison, so he’s quite willingly admitting
what he’s done.’

  ‘That’s refreshing,’ said Dylan.

  ‘I’m having his prints checked against the marks lifted from the for sale sign, but it all looks positive. Now, what you want from me is the name and address on the wallet, don’t you?’

  ‘I’ve got a pen and paper right here.’

  ‘Barrington Cook, Flat 17, Midgely Court, Tandem Bridge.’

  ‘The new mill complex overlooking the canal?’

  ‘Yes, I’ve already done some digging and it appears that he lives there alone, but don’t take my word for it. I’m not one hundred per cent sure. There is no info on him to tell us what his occupation is. Do you want your detectives to follow it up?’

  ‘Yeah, I’ll get Detective Constables Hardacre and Wormald to liaise with you. Then they’ll do the enquiries at the complex. Probably better that they go out of uniform at this moment in time. Thanks again and pass on my regards to your team.’

  ‘Will do, sir, I’ll wait to hear from the detectives.’

  ‘I’ll make sure you get the necessary feedback,’ said Dylan.

  Things were looking up. They had some positive leads to follow up. A message on Dylan’s computer caught his eye. He lifted his head and saw that DC Vicky Hardacre was just about to leave the Incident Room.

  ‘DC Hardacre,’ he shouted. ‘My office.’

  For once Vicky wasn’t sure of his mood by his voice. Was he annoyed? It certainly seemed like he was from the tone, but why? She turned on her heels and walked into his office fully expecting a dressing down, but for what she wasn’t sure.

  ‘Sit down,’ he said.

  Dylan’s eyebrows were lifted and he nibbled at his bottom lip – it was not a good sign.

  Vicky had left the door open and he rose from behind his desk and shut it. Dylan sat back down and studied her face. The computer keyboard keys ceased to tap in the outer office. Vicky remained silent, she couldn’t read him. What on earth had she done?

  Chapter Six

  Penny could tell Jen had been crying.

  ‘Oh, my God!’ she said seeing the distraught look on her friend’s face. Penny burst into tears. Jen quickly put her arm around her and hugged her tight.

  ‘It’s Max, isn’t it? I knew it,’ she said, sobbing into Jen’s shoulder.

  ‘Heavens, no. Max is going to be okay. I’m upset because I have a bit of bad news. We’re not going to need you to walk him any more and I feel bad. I know you used the money for Troy’s karate lesson.’

  Penny’s relief was tangible. ‘You bloody idiot,’ she said laughing through her tears. ‘I thought...’

  ‘I’m sorry... I never thought you’d think that.’

  ‘So,’ she said more composed. ‘You’re going to work afternoons? You sure you can manage?’

  ‘Well, I hadn’t much choice. I’ve signed the contract now. Jack and I discussed it last night and like he says, at least I’m not having to rely on him to take Maisy to the childminder’s and pick her up, so Beaky’s plan could actually work to our advantage. Don’t tell her though,’ she said. ‘I can walk Max myself before I come to work. It would be a real help, seeing as I’ll be working everyday though, if you’d do us a spot of cleaning or ironing once or twice a week?’

  ‘Of course. Thanks for thinking of Troy,’ Penny said. ‘You sure Jack is okay with it?’ she asked.

  ‘He’s fine. He wouldn’t trust anyone with a key to our house but hey, you’ve had one longer than him,’ she laughed.

  ‘When do you want me to start?’

  ‘This week?’

  ‘Any specific days?’

  ‘No, whenever you can fit it in to your busy schedule is fine,’ she said.

  ***

  Vicky wasn’t a stranger to Dylan’s wrath. She had seen ‘that face’ before. He shuffled paperwork about on his desk when he was troubled. She wriggled in her seat.

  ‘Ants in your pants?’ he asked, leaning forward with his forearms on the desk.

  ‘Just get it over with,’ she said raising her shoulders. She screwed her eyes tight up tight and wrinkled her nose.

  ‘Okay.’

  Vicky folded her arms.

  ‘I’ve been informed by HQ that from today Detective Constable Hardacre is no longer on my team.’

  ‘What?’ she squealed. ‘What’ve the twats out there been saying about me? Cos whatever it is I never...’

  ‘I’ve an email from HQ here that says...’

  ‘Oh right, so whatever they say is gospel now is it? Typical!’

  Dylan held up his hand. ‘Well actually in this case yes and I’m quite happy about it.’

  ‘You are?’

  ‘You’re going to be my Acting Sergeant, Vicky.’

  She cocked her head, raised her eyebrows and took a lungful of air. ‘You’ve picked me to act up? Me?’ she asked, looking genuinely surprised. ‘And the twats at HQ have agreed? Bloody hell boss, thank you. I won’t let you down.’

  ‘You better not. Don’t forget to let Dorothy in Duties know. Now before you get ahead of yourself, I’ve got a job for you.’

  Vicky moved to the edge of her chair and her mouth remained slightly opened.

  ‘I love it when you’re rendered speechless,’ Dylan said. ‘We believe the man we found in the canal is a Barrington Cook and,’ he said handing her a piece of paper, ‘we have an address for him. Go and have a look around to see if you can find out when he was last seen. I’m sure they’ll have CCTV at the complex.’

  ‘Provided it’s in use. Family? Job?’

  ‘According to the checks already made by uniform he lives alone. I don’t know any more.’

  ‘I’m on my way,’ she said jumping to her feet.

  ‘Have you forgot something?’

  ‘No?’

  ‘More coffee, sir?’

  ‘You’ll look like a bleedin’ coffee pot!’

  Dylan cocked his head and smiled.

  ‘Just this once, but remember now I’m a sergeant.’

  ‘Acting Sergeant.’

  ‘I might not have time to make you coffee.’

  ‘Oh, I’m sure you will always have time, Vicky.’

  ‘Whoopee!’ she said bouncing over to the door. The door slammed behind her and he heard her let out a squeal. ‘I’m acting up!’ she shouted.

  ***

  The canal death enquiry appeared to be moving at a pace and ultimately Dylan knew it wouldn’t be long before they had all the relevant information for the Coroner. It was time today for his focus to shift to the mystery surrounding the sudden death and subsequent unusual disappearance of Kirsty Gallagher from within the confines of what should be one of the safest places on earth, a mortuary. Picking up the phone he fingered through the papers on his desk for Mr Fisher’s telephone number. Derek Harper’s boss needed to be spoken to. To his surprise, the man himself answered the telephone in a fine rolling voice.

  ‘Mortuary, Mr Fisher speaking.’

  ‘Mr Fisher, Detective Inspector Jack Dylan, Harrowfield CID.’

  ‘Hello sir, good news, the freezers are all in working order, the window is repaired and arrangements are in place for security to be revised. I am assuming that’s why you rang?’

  ‘No actually, but thank you for the update. I’m actually ringing you in confidence about one of your team, a Mr Harper.’

  ‘Derek. Not the brightest button but a very willing work horse. He’s not been inside with us long.’

  ‘My colleague and I, who visited the mortuary on the morning Kirsty Gallagher disappeared were both concerned at some of the comments he made to us at the time.’

  ‘Really?’

  ‘Yes, hence this phone call. Mr Harper also admitted to us placing two corpses in the same fridge.’

  ‘Yes, Inspector, I heard about that and I can assure you we had words. It’s a totally inappropriate and unacceptable thing to do. As you can appreciate personnel is difficult to find in this profession. But I will look at his suitability for the post and arrange further traini
ng for him. In the meantime I will keep an eye on him.’

  Dylan felt reassured Mr Fisher would take the appropriate action. For now he had more pressing matters to deal with.

  Detective Sergeant Robinson was waiting at Dylan’s door.

  ‘You got a minute, boss?’

  ‘Of course, how’s the house search going?’

  ‘Slow, if truth be known, but it’s thorough and on a positive note we have found her car. It’s a black Renault Megane which was parked a few yards up the street from her house. On inspection that also seemed extremely clean inside and out. I’m wondering now if she had some kind of obsessive compulsive disorder.’

  ‘You think?’

  ‘I’ve just been informed by Ned Granger that he has found a picture under the sun visor on the driver’s side, so maybe we have a lead.’

  ‘Male, female?’ Dylan said.

  ‘Male. I’ve been speaking to the CSI Supervisor, Karen Ebdon who has confirmed to me what we already thought boss. Someone definitely cleaned up at the house after the body was removed to the mortuary. Now who would do that and why?’

  ‘Interesting. Who indeed?’ Dylan shook his head.

  ‘I have an appointment with her doctor, maybe that will tell us something more about her lifestyle.’

  ‘At the very least it will tell us the last time she visited her GP.’

  ‘Hopefully, I’ll have some more for you at the debrief. I’ve arranged for Sergeant Clegg, team leader at the house-to-house search to be here, so we’ll also have his up to date input.’

  ‘Her occupation and place of work?’ Dylan asked.

  ‘Well, you’d think that would be easy wouldn’t you? But, we haven’t found anything significant yet.’

  ‘Family?’

  ‘Again boss, nothing known yet. She appears to have kept herself very much to herself.’

  ‘Oh, for the days of a gossip over the backyard wall, or nipping into the neighbours to borrow a cup of sugar.’

  ‘Sir?’

  ‘Nothing. Let’s get the picture that’s been found in her car blown up and get some copies made. We might get a quick ident if he’s local.’

  ‘See you later,’ he said with a raising of his hand as Dylan’s mobile phone rang.