Reprobates
Page 19
‘Well, tempting as it might be, I haven’t gone and kicked his door in, yet,’ she grinned sheepishly.
Dylan took a sip of his drink and put his glass back on the table. ‘It’s a start. Why not?’
‘The main reason is I’m still in the process of confirming his current address.’ Vicky half-smiled awkwardly. ‘I’m also waiting for CSI to get back to me. I want to know if his DNA has turned up anywhere else in Jane Simpson’s house. I would ultimately like to show him being there if I can, before we interview him.’
‘Good, and?’ he asked, cocking his head to one side.
Vicky was thoughtful. ‘I’ve arranged for Jane Simpson’s telephone data to be checked to see what contact, if any, there has been between the two. If so I’m thinking, are they in a relationship?’
‘Do we know what vehicle he’s driving?’
‘Well like everything else, that could be out of date... but the vehicle registration is for a van. There isn’t any very recent intel on him.’
‘Check out and confirm the information we have. Tomorrow hopefully, we’ll progress. Then we can plan together our approach to lock him up. If Billy Simpson doesn’t live at Jane Simpson’s any more, we need to try find out what the real reason for his visit was. And we need to ascertain what the motive to kill him is. Food for thought, but that’s great news in the right direction. Right,’ he said putting his hands on his knees. ‘My bed is calling me. I don’t know about yours. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.’ Dylan stood and put his arm in his jacket sleeve.
‘Another one for the road, Paul?’ asked Vicky, picking up their empty glasses from the table.
‘Why not,’ said Paul, ‘just the one.’
Chapter Twenty-Six
Dylan woke to the sound of rain battering the window pane. It was dark, he was cosy but the space next to him in bed was empty. He could hear Jen cajoling Maisy into eating her breakfast downstairs. Dylan lay quietly for a moment or two thinking. His first priority today would be Derek Harper. He would instigate one last interview with him, then they needed to get him charged and before the next available court to get him remanded in custody. The last thing he wanted was Harper warning the others in his little gang. That would spoil the surprise when he and the team arrived ultimately at the respective homes of his associates. Afterwards it would be time to focus on Richard Bryant, before trying to catch up on the rest of the paperwork and the monthly returns needed his attention. Dylan got up and dressed. He frowned at the wood in the bin, took it out and returned it to its rightful place – his weapon should they ever have an intruder and much more subtle than the pickaxe handle he kept under the bed when he lived alone.
At ten o’clock they were in the interview room with Derek Harper. The usually preliminaries were carried out and Dylan was straight into the questioning.
‘Feeling better this morning, Mr Harper.’ said Dylan.
‘Yes.’
‘Good. We have now had the opportunity to see the images stored on your computer. It appears that they are of dead people of various ages, mainly of women positioned in such a way that tattoos and their genitalia are exposed; all taken at the mortuary. With the exception of some you took of Kirsty,’ he said.
‘Why have you really taken them? Your bank account shows no regular payments, so it’s not for the money is it? Unless they paid you cash? Is it a fetish of yours?’
Harper remained silent.
‘We also know from the images that someone else was present when you took some of the photographs of Kirsty. One particular image shows someone’s reflection, in the mirror in your bedroom. Can you tell me who that person is?’
Derek Harper’s eyes were staring.
‘Why the silent treatment, Derek? Be assured we will find out who it is. You have this opportunity to explain yourself, before we do.’
‘I don’t have to explain to you or anyone else. It’s my life and I’ll do what I want with it, and as for another person being present, that’s ridiculous.’ Derek Harper appeared angry, or was he frightened?
‘Yes, you’re right you don’t have to explain anything to us, that’s your prerogative. However this is an opportunity, if you so wish to explain why you did it. Let’s face it, it must be very difficult trying to explain why you would photograph and interfere with dead bodies.’
His silence continued.
‘You have shown no dignity or respect whatsoever in your dealings with the bodies in the photographs. You have also interfered with a burial, and obstructed the Coroner in his duty and that’s apart from your depraved attempt at photography.’
Paul remained quiet. The detectives watched and waited to see if a response from the prisoner was forthcoming. His solicitor David Scacchetti sat perfectly still.
More questions were put to Derek Harper by Dylan and DS Paul Robinson but he chose not to respond to any of them. A wall of silence now faced them and Dylan took the decision to end the interview.
What Derek Harper had done was immoral, indecent and illegal and they all knew it.
‘DS Robinson, please could you charge Derek Harper with the necessary offences,’ Dylan said before turning to David Scacchetti. ‘Your client will be put before the next available Magistrates’ Court, which will be tomorrow morning,’ he said glancing at his watch, ‘where we will seek to remand him in custody. And of course technically he’ll be bailed in respect of his arrest for murder, those enquires will of course continue.’ The detectives left Derek Harper with his solicitor.
***
‘He’ll no doubt apply for bail,’ said Dylan to Paul as they left the interview room. ‘But you and I both know the magistrates won’t grant it. We’ve got a lot of work to do to identify the others involved.’
Paul disappeared to compile the list of charges.
‘Vicky,’ Dylan shouted.
‘In the kitchen, boss,’ said Lisa. ‘Ned’s nicked her sandwiches again...’ she grimaced.
Dylan found Vicky eating a bag of chips. ‘Time to eat, have you?’ Dylan said.
‘Don’t go there. First thing I’ve had today. That bastard’s eaten my snap again and this time it’s one too many,’ she said, vengeance written all over her face.
‘I told you, I don’t want to know,’ Dylan said, as he filled the kettle. ‘Coffee, tea?’
‘Tea.’
‘Richard Bryant?’
‘Lives in Midgely Court, Tandem Bridge, you know the place where Barrington Cook lived? He’s self-employed so he must be doing okay to afford one of those apartments. I’ve just been speaking to Sergeant Wilson in Traffic and funnily enough he stopped him while he was driving his work’s van a couple of weeks ago – so we know we’ve got the correct vehicle registration number for him – hence how I got his address.’
‘You two are speaking again are you?’
‘If I didn’t speak to my exes I’d never speak to anyone,’ she said with a half-hearted laugh.
‘So, what do you think our next move should be?’ Dylan said.
‘Time to take the bull by the horns?’
‘I agree,’ Dylan said. ‘When?’
‘Thinking about seven in the morning?’
‘I’d do it at six. He might have an early start too. After you’ve eaten we’ll get a team sorted. If we brief them this afternoon we can come in and be straight on our way tomorrow morning.’ He smiled.
‘What you smiling at?’ she said.
‘I remember back in the day when detectives called eleven in the morning a dawn raid. Does he live on his own this Bryant?’
‘It shows he does on the checks I did with local authority, but who knows until we get there? Did he know Barrington Cook do you think?’
‘Maybe so, acting Detective Sergeant. Are we taking his door off the hinges?’
‘Well, he’s a suspect for joint murder. I’d like to but I think we should start with a loud knock don’t you?’
‘You’re in charge. Do we know if there is any CCTV at this complex? May be relevant i
f we need to dispute whether he is in or out at certain times of the day or night?’
‘There was on the landing where Barrington Cook lived.’
‘Promising then. By the way. I’m told that the applications for the role of Sergeant are out with a month’s window to get the applications in. Have you seen the advert?’
‘Well that’s bloody great isn’t it? I’m investigating a murder, how the hell am I supposed to do that justice?’
‘Don’t worry you will. We’ll discuss it later. There is plenty of time and I want to see your application before you submit it.’
‘But...’
‘No buts... if you want something bad enough you’ll find time. The applications for Chief Inspector are advertised too. I might even throw my hat in. Might be fun.’
‘You have a peculiar take on what’s fun,’ Vicky said.
‘I’ll come with you in the morning,’ said Dylan.
‘No pressure then.’
‘No pressure at all, unless you have the wrong address. It wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened either will it?’
Vicky made a mental note to double-check all basic details. Now to get to the supermarket. There were things she needed if she was going to get her own back on the inerrant Detective Constable Ned Granger.
***
Dylan shuffled through his internal mail. Searching somewhat haphazardly for anything that might be urgent or interesting. A number of Home Office circulars with a signature sheet attached, for all officers to sign when read.
He noticed that the first signature after the Divisional Commanders was that of Inspector Justin Gaskin. He put the circulars to one side, if he got a chance he would read them. He’d make sure that Vicky did too.
Paul returned from the cell area having charged Derek Harper. His face a blaze of colour. ‘Do you know what that tosser said when I charged him?’
Dylan shook his head. ‘Surprise me.’
‘I don’t know what all the fuss is about?’
‘I bet the custody staff love him.’
‘Yeah, the door to his cell was shut so quickly behind him that it nearly took his hand off.’
‘He could save us a lot of time though Paul, if only he’d tell us who else is involved,’ Dylan said with a grimace.
‘He’s not going to do that though is he? He doesn’t think he’s done anything wrong.’
‘I hope they come back to haunt the bastard. I’m doing the raid at six in the morning with Vicky to lock up Richard Bryant so will you look on at Court for Harper’s remand if I’m not back? I’ll leave a message for Claire Rose at the press office to just basically say that a man will appear before Harrowfield Magistrates tomorrow charged in connection with the disappearance of a body from the local mortuary.’
‘I’m sure the press will still want to speak to us.’
‘You’ll cope, Paul. Just choose your words carefully and have respect for the dead.’
***
Penny hadn’t turned up at Jen and Dylan’s as threatened. Perhaps she had succumbed to another afternoon of ‘delight’ with her new man. With any luck tonight, Jen would get time alone with Jack and get some answers to her burning questions. Maisy was in her pyjamas and demanding supper. ‘How can you eat supper when you’ve only just had your tea,’ Jen said. Maisy presented a bowl to Jen. ‘Do it!’ she said. Jen’s heart melted, Dylan was missing out on so much. She put Weetabix and milk in the microwave and Maisy happily sat in front of the fire on her little chair being spoon fed. It was the only meal she would let Jen feed her now. Once eaten she picked up her favourite soft toy, ‘Bedtime,’ Jen said and Maisy gave a sleepy yawn and put her arms out. ‘Let’s go and get a book shall we? Which one would you like to read tonight?’
‘The Gruffalo,’ she said sleepily.
***
The front door closed. Jen walked onto the landing and the top of the stairs. She put a finger to her lips. Dylan walked towards her up the stairs and she beckoned him to the nursery. It was warm and cosy. The light show from the baby monitor was effective in the darkened room. The colours and shapes fading as they spanned the ceiling. Dylan put his arms around Jen’s shoulders and kissed her cheek.
‘Bless her,’ he said softly.
Jen grabbed his hand, squeezed it tight and led him out of the bedroom into theirs. ‘Dinner will be ready in half an hour if you want to jump in the bath?’
‘Great. I might just do that,’ he said. Dylan started to undress and Jen nipped into the en-suite and started to run the bath water for him.
‘I’ll see you downstairs,’ she said standing on her tiptoes to kiss him.
‘Everything okay?’ he asked.
‘Well, Max was sick again but he doesn’t seem to have had any after effects this time. He brought in a bone from the garden.’
‘Where did he find a bone in the garden?’
‘I don’t know. Maybe kids threw it over. But it might have been that that made him sick. I never give him cooked bones they’re too brittle. I threw it straight in the bin,’ she said. ‘Apart from that everything is fine. I am intrigued though,’ she said.
‘Intrigued about what?’ asked Dylan.
‘Intrigued to know more about you... about the missing paperwork from your file,’ she said. The lighting was dim and the temporary shadow he cast on her passed as she moved away from him, leaving his eyes and face softly luminous.
‘Okay, but you will have to be patient with me.’
Jen reached out to his bare chest. ‘Why?’
‘I don’t know if you will understand,’ he said taking the words from her lips.
‘Of course I will. Don’t be silly,’ she said but her smile was gone.
‘I should have told you from the start.’
‘Now you’re frightening me. Told me what?’
He couldn’t see her face for shadow as he stood over her but her face was hazed over with expectancy. Her eyes were half-closed, lips slightly trembling. She stood very still.
‘Let me have a bath and we will sit down and I promise I’ll tell you everything.’
‘Everything?’
‘Yes,’ he said turning away from her. ‘No more secrets,’ Dylan said as he went in the bathroom and closed the door behind him.
***
Dylan and Jen sat opposite each other at the dining table. She had laid the table specially and lit candles. Dylan picked up the wine glass, as if he wanted something to hold. He drank the contents straight down and poured himself another.
‘Jack?’
‘I meant to tell you a long time ago... but it’s serious. What I am going to tell you might upset you. That’s the tragedy of this whole business, someone always gets hurt... I can’t justify anything. I’m not even going to try but please just hear me out.’
Jen put her hand over his.
‘No don’t,’ he said pulling his hand away. ‘And don’t look at me like that,’ Dylan’s eyes were glazed.
‘You could never hurt me unless you’re going to tell me you don’t love me any more or you’ve found someone else?’ she said.
‘Oh God, it’s nothing like that. I love you more than anything. Do you honestly think I have the time for someone else?’ he asked forcefully.
‘Well then...’ She smiled. ‘Everything will be okay,’ she said gently.
Dylan sat rigidly. His voice when he began to speak had a harshness about it. It was as though the revelation was like picturing the awful scene. She watched and listened as his eyes appeared to grow large and bewildered. What was he talking about?
‘What I’m talking about, Jen, is an incident, some time ago now, when I was on the firearms unit. We had a response call to an armed robbery taking place, at a local Lloyds Bank. A gunman had walked in, waving a firearm around and demanding cash. When he walked outside we were on site. Cars were broadsided, and we challenged him. He raised the handgun that he held in his right hand and pointed it in our direction. He wasn’t for surrendering.’ Dylan paused fo
r a moment. ‘Three firearms officers, including myself shot him. He died instantly. We had to do it, before he shot one of us.’
Jen was conscious of feeling shocked, dismayed. He hurried on with intensity.
‘The shooting. It was all over in a moment. If we had waited any longer… But we didn’t wait. Either one of us, or all of us killed him.’
For the first time he looked at her. His face cracked into a shaky smile that grew tragically kind. ‘I’m sorry.’ Dylan could see her bemusement, her shock. She was far less strong than he thought. He spoke very gently. ‘Now I’ve explained it you might just begin to understand.’
Jen’s hands went up to her face. He took one hand in his and he could feel her shaking as he had felt others shake in moments of terrible anxiety and fear. Dylan wanted to hold her, but feared rejection himself. ‘I haven’t told you before because I knew how much it would upset you.’ Her hand fell from her face and he could feel her shudder. She rose from the chair and stood with her back to him. The blind was still open and she saw a light whip across the lawn. She pulled on the cord and the blind dropped heavily. For a while she stood still. Eventually she turned. Dylan hadn’t moved. His eyes found hers.
‘Doing the job you were doing I guess it was something that might happen,’ she said.
‘It happened so quickly and not as I expected it would,’ he said. ‘I saw the sudden terror on the man’s face, an open mouth, eyes wide. The letter box on the blue door of the bank and the scarlet creeper up the wall became visible. A limp hand let the gun fall as if in slow motion to the floor. There was glass spraying everywhere. The shouting had stopped. A flicker of leaves sifted through an oblique ray of sunlight. The officer stood next to me had highly polished toes on his boots... he trod silently for two steps towards the gunman before he went to his knees.’ Dylan’s voice cracked.
‘But there was a threat to life?’ Jen said.
‘Yes.’
‘The gunman. He was given time to surrender?’