Beyond Doubt: the ULTIMATE vigilante (legal thrillers)

by Stuart Mills (ex military)

  `He who lives by drugs, shall therefore also die by drugs`. True Justice.

  “Gentlemen. May I thank you for your cooperation and assistance in finally bringing this evil man to justice this evening. You must all now go your separate ways, and undoubtedly, we shall meet again soon”.

  With that, the Judge walked out through the rear door, and disappeared into the night. The team, once again, wiped any possibility of evidence, and walked out back to their vehicle hidden in the forest. They drove quietly back to Pewsey without any conversation, drove into Somerfield’s car park, got into their own vehicles and drove off toward the M4..

  Within thirty minutes of leaving Pewsey in their prospective vehicles, they entered the M4 motorway and drove heading toward their individual destinations.

  ELEVEN

  Dougherty’s body was eventually discovered a few days later by one of the Forestry workers who had come across the cabin as part of his weekly check. The Marlborough police had been informed of the discovery, and eventually, the C.I.D. and Forensic teams arrived from Swindon Police Headquarters, and quickly sealed off the whole area from tourists and ramblers in their search for clues. After a thorough search, no forensic clues could be found, and the report by the police was that whoever had carried out this crime, it was carried out in a professional manner. Both the local and national newspapers were tipped off about the discovery, and subsequently printed their stories and photographs of the deceased, the identity being checked with the records on the P.N.C.S. (Police National Computer System), confirming it was that of a Mr. Peter Dougherty, age 39 from Birmingham, a well know drug related dealer and supplier of illegal substances, also involved in many other crimes.

  The team meanwhile, had carried on their lives as normal, and having come across the story in the newspapers, read that the Police were under the impression that his death was due to a drug related crime, possibly retribution by another dealer as an example to others. No forensic evidence was discovered except to state that, upon the autopsy, a large amount of pure heroin had been discovered in his blood stream which was the key factor of his immediate death.

  Other evidence showed that he had been discovered having both his hands tied behind his back for a long period, and that he had been wearing a black hood, all gangland signs of retribution, and had also recently consumed a small meal.

  Mr. Martin Bradley was already aware of the results before the body was even discovered, having received a telephone message from a ‘friend’ simply stating that, “306, completed”. He felt satisfied that at least someone was taking the initiative to try to rectify justice in this country at long last, and reached for a file from his drawer, poured himself a small whisky, and sat down to absorb the contents once again. Satisfied that everything was correct and in order, he photocopied the file, providing a further three copies, which he placed into three separate manila envelopes, and stuck a pre-addressed label on each envelope, carefully sealing it before leaving his house to walk the short distance to the nearby post box on his street, where he ensured that each envelope reached the bottom of the box.

  The three envelopes arrived at their separate destinations the following day, opened up with anticipation by the team who did not expect such short notice since the last operation.

  TARGET PROFILE:

  Name: Stephen Richards

  Age: 41

  Previous and Related Crime Record

  Arson. Setting fire to a Rubbish Chute in a block of flats. Fined £300. Unpaid.

  Car Theft. Stole vehicle whilst disqualified. Burnt vehicle to prevent evidence.

  Assault on two Pensioners and stealing their Pension Money. Fined £150. Unpaid. Further sentenced to three months for non-payment of fines. Disappeared from previous known address.

  Suspected sexual attack. (upon 15 year old girl) No witnesses and victim too frightened to provide statement.

  Driving While Disqualified. Further ban for 2 years. Fined £100.

  Further suspect attacks on O.A.P.s. Stealing pension money. No witnesses.

  Stealing of a BMW. Burnt out vehicle discovered in quarry a week later. No witnesses.

  Further suspected sexual attack. (Upon 24 year old woman leaving a Supermarket). No witnesses and victim too frightened to provide a statement.

  Drug Related Rape. Suspected of providing Rohypnol in victim’s glass during a party. Victim woke up naked and tied to her bed after being violated. No witnesses.

  Current Status: Unemployed. Possibly involved in similar crimes as previous record states. Current address unknown. Possibly staying with old girlfriend at the following address:

  Address: Flat 7B, Monmouth Street, Newport, South Wales.

  May also be working as a ‘Bouncer’ in a local nightclub, Newport or nearby area.

  The file was read by the team a few times times, the contents contained and absorbed, and soon telephone messages, very brief, were being exchanged between themselves, arranging a meeting place, date and time where they would further plan their next ‘arrangement’.

  At 1200 pm the next day, all three met at The Newport Arms Hotel, Newport. Gwent, and after ordering themselves a meal and a drink, and sat down at their table to await their ware.

  “I guess that you have all received your envelope, and conceded the next stage”, said Stuart.

  They all agreed, and spoke quietly whilst they enjoyed themselves, ensuring that none of the conversation could, or would be overheard by the other guests.

  “306 has sent a message, and we have been pre-booked into this hotel for five nights. It will be ideal as our client apparently now resides in the Newport area”, said Stuart. After lunch, they made their way to the bar area, ordered some drinks, and found an undisturbed area, and proceeded to discuss things in general.

  “I presume that dealing with our first client was quite satisfactory with 306” said Geoff.

  ” What do you want, a fucking gong from 306”? guffawed Steve. “Fuck me, it is not as though he would announce your bravery in The Times newspapers or on TV. Just think of the nice little monthly earner you get”?

  Their laughter echoed around the small bar which suddenly drew unwanted attention to themselves, so they decided to go to their rooms and plan out their strategy for the next few days, the most important issue was to actually locate their ‘client’ and observe his daily routine.

  TWELVE

  For the next two days, the team split up, scouring various areas within Newport and surrounding localities of both public houses, clubs and bars in their search for Stephen Richards, and at the end of each day, had returned to their hotel to consolidate their findings and to exchange any information leading to his whereabouts.

  “I have checked nearly all the pubs, clubs and bars in the main street, and no-one seems to know him, or won’t let on that they do”, said Geoff.

  “Same as me” said Stuart. “I have asked around all the seedy little clubs and joints, and at one place, ‘The Pinkie Club’, the barman said that Richards had worked there for a week, but got the sack for trying ‘it on’ with one of the hostesses. Fucking hell! If you had seen the state of these so called ‘Hostesses’, he would have to put a black plastic bin liner over her head to shag one of them. However, the barman reckons that Richards now has a job as a bouncer/ toilet cleaner in Risca, which is just outside Newport, and the seedy little joint is aptly called, ‘ Girls R Us’, so maybe we ought to take a drive down there and have a look around, and I think that we should go within the next ½ hour so we can locate a decent car park some where, and then locate him if he turns up. At least we can then ‘recc’e the place and formulate a sensible plan”

  They all agreed, had a quick wash, and set off for Risca which was just off the A467 Pontypool road.

  Upon entering Risca, as they drove through the centre, much of the outskirts was dilapidated and badly in need of repair. Many shops boarded up, and the ones that were open, all were in desperate need of a couple of coats of paint. The streets were l
ittered with daily refuse and garbage. The once carefully tended lawns and public gardens were now discarded and overgrown. This would be the type of place that Richards would be found!

  `Their vehicle was parked inconspicuously, and they walked off in search of the ‘Girls R Us’ club.

  The streets were quite active, and many of the teenagers, already pissed from their two lagers, were walking unsteady through the streets with their mates, shouting at unsuspecting teenage girls about what they would do to them sexually if they wanted to ‘pull’ Steve saw two young lads waiting at a kiosk, and asked them if they knew where the ‘Girls R Us’ Club was.

  They both burst out laughing and told Steve that if he went in there, he probably catch an early birthday present from off one of the ‘hostesses’, but did tell him where it was. Steve re-joined his two mates who had walked on ahead, looking for the club.

  “The club is just off Silver Street according to the two boyo’s back there, and we should be careful as it is a stinking joint. If he does work there, maybe the toilet has a back door and we can extract him that way”.

  They reached the club, and were met by an eighteen stone, five feet six slob who reeked of sweat, stale cigarette smoke which showed upon his dark yellow stained teeth and pungent body odour. Probably had not had a bath or shower since he was born thought Steve.

  “Are you members”? asked the bouncer.

  “No, we are only here for the night, and we had heard that this was the ‘in-place’ to come when you visited Risca, so we thought that we would give it a try”, said Steve, hardly being able to contain his laughter.

  “Well, its £10 each entrance fee, but you still have to sign-in. Security and safety reasons you know”, said the bouncer.

  What an arsehole, thought Stuart. They should be paying us to go into this shithole.

  The money exchanged hands, and a dirty, grubby book was passed over for them all to sign, all the team using fictitious names which sprang to their minds, for they were adapted to using more than one name in the Regiment when they were on operations.

  They entered through a narrow door, into a smoke filled den. Laser lights bounced off the ceiling and the sound of heavy beat music filled the room. The bar area was quite full, as was the few table areas, and in the centre of the stage which was small, brightly coloured lights flickered down upon a young, scantily dressed girl who gyrated her body into sexual positions, egged on by hoarse calls from the predominant male audience. As she teased and removed the remainder of her garments, she turned her back to the audience, bent over, and collected the money that had been thrown upon the stage, exhibiting all her body, which egged them on to louder shouts as she wiggled her backside toward them, and cupping both her firm breasts upwards toward the leering men and young boys, the Johnson’s baby oil which had been rubbed over every part of her body, and through her energetic dance routine, had melted and was running down between her breasts and open thighs.

  Collecting up the money and her clothes, she quickly walked off the stage, and the music changed into pop music, where two young girl took the stage immediately, ready to commence their act, sliding and gyrating against a stainless, steel pole, entwining their bodies into each other, kissing and caressing each others breasts and shapely stomach.

  Stuart and Geoff walked off toward the toilet area, but discovered that there was no rear exit, so extraction via this way was out. An alternative plan must be discovered!

  They stood at the bar and ordered their drinks, inquiring if the barman knew Stephen Richards. “Yes, I know Steve. He’ll be in later on around 9 pm to start his shift”.

  The team found a semi-quiet area to discuss their ‘extraction’ plan while they waited for Richards. “I think that the best thing to do is that one of us waits outside to see if Richards turns up in a car. At least we will know what type and the registration number, and we could then follow him to where he is now living, check the place out, and then sort something out”, said Geoff.

  “I would rather wait until he finishes his shift, and if the coast is clear, snatch him out in the car park, and bundle him into ours. Drop us off at the Hotel where we can pay our bill, collect our belongings, and then the three of us can head for our next rendezvous in London”, said Stuart.

  This idea was quickly studied and agreed upon, and they waited for Richards to appear.

  THIRTEEN

  For the next two days, the team split up, scouring various areas within Newport and surrounding localities of both public houses, clubs and bars in their search for Stephen Richards, and at the end of each day, had returned to their hotel to consolidate their findings and to exchange any information leading to his whereabouts.

  “I have checked nearly all the pubs, clubs and bars in the main street, and no-one seems to know him, or won’t let on that they do”, said Geoff.

  “Same as me” said Stuart. “I have asked around all the seedy little clubs and joints, and at one place, ‘The Pinkie Club’, the barman said that Richards had worked there for a week, but got the sack for trying ‘it on’ with one of the hostesses. Fucking hell! If you had seen the state of these so called ‘Hostesses’, he would have to put a black plastic bin liner over her head to shag one of them. However, the barman reckons that Richards now has a job as a bouncer/ toilet cleaner in Risca, which is just outside Newport, and the seedy little joint is aptly called, ‘ Girls R Us’, so maybe we ought to take a drive down there and have a look around, and I think that we should go within the next ½ hour so we can locate a decent car park some where, and then locate him if he turns up. At least we can then ‘recc’e the place and formulate a sensible plan”

  They all agreed, had a quick wash, and set off for Risca which was just off the A467 Pontypool road.

  Upon entering Risca, as they drove through the centre, much of the outskirts was dilapidated and badly in need of repair. Many shops boarded up, and the ones that were open, all were in desperate need of a couple of coats of paint. The streets were littered with daily refuse and garbage. The once carefully tended lawns and public gardens were now discarded and overgrown. This would be the type of place that Richards would be found!

  `Their vehicle was parked inconspicuously, and they walked off in search of the ‘Girls R Us’ club.

  The streets were quite active, and many of the teenagers, already pissed from their two lagers, were walking unsteady through the streets with their mates, shouting at unsuspecting teenage girls about what they would do to them sexually if they wanted to ‘pull’ Steve saw two young lads waiting at a kiosk, and asked them if they knew where the ‘Girls R Us’ Club was.

  They both burst out laughing and told Steve that if he went in there, he probably catch an early birthday present from off one of the ‘hostesses’, but did tell him where it was. Steve re-joined his two mates who had walked on ahead, looking for the club.

  “The club is just off Silver Street according to the two boyo’s back there, and we should be careful as it is a stinking joint. If he does work there, maybe the toilet has a back door and we can extract him that way”.

  They reached the club, and were met by an eighteen stone, five feet six slob who reeked of sweat, stale cigarette smoke which showed upon his dark yellow stained teeth and pungent body odour. Probably had not had a bath or shower since he was born thought Steve.

  “Are you members”? asked the bouncer.

  “No, we are only here for the night, and we had heard that this was the ‘in-place’ to come when you visited Risca, so we thought that we would give it a try”, said Steve, hardly being able to contain his laughter.

  “Well, its £10 each entrance fee, but you still have to sign-in. Security and safety reasons you know”, said the bouncer.

  What an arsehole, thought Stuart. They should be paying us to go into this shithole.

  The money exchanged hands, and a dirty, grubby book was passed over for them all to sign, all the team using fictitious names which sprang to their minds, for they were adapted
to using more than one name in the Regiment when they were on operations.

  They entered through a narrow door, into a smoke filled den. Laser lights bounced off the ceiling and the sound of heavy beat music filled the room. The bar area was quite full, as was the few table areas, and in the centre of the stage which was small, brightly coloured lights flickered down upon a young, scantily dressed girl who gyrated her body into sexual positions, egged on by hoarse calls from the predominant male audience. As she teased and removed the remainder of her garments, she turned her back to the audience, bent over, and collected the money that had been thrown upon the stage, exhibiting all her body, which egged them on to louder shouts as she wiggled her backside toward them, and cupping both her firm breasts upwards toward the leering men and young boys, the Johnson’s baby oil which had been rubbed over every part of her body, and through her energetic dance routine, had melted and was running down between her breasts and open thighs.

  Collecting up the money and her clothes, she quickly walked off the stage, and the music changed into pop music, where two young girl took the stage immediately, ready to commence their act, sliding and gyrating against a stainless, steel pole, entwining their bodies into each other, kissing and caressing each others breasts and shapely stomach.

  Stuart and Geoff walked off toward the toilet area, but discovered that there was no rear exit, so extraction via this way was out. An alternative plan must be discovered!

  They stood at the bar and ordered their drinks, inquiring if the barman knew Stephen Richards. “Yes, I know Steve. He’ll be in later on around 9 pm to start his shift”.

  The team found a semi-quiet area to discuss their ‘extraction’ plan while they waited for Richards. “I think that the best thing to do is that one of us waits outside to see if Richards turns up in a car. At least we will know what type and the registration number, and we could then follow him to where he is now living, check the place out, and then sort something out”, said Geoff.